### **Chapter 197 – The Web of Truth**
**Dagon Marek – POV**
The fleet tore free of the nebula like a blade breaking through water.
Realspace snapped back into existence—and with it, the enemy.
"There," I said quietly.
The holographic display lit instantly with hostile signatures. Five **Munificent-class frigates** formed a defensive perimeter around a single, massive structure—the **DH-Omni Support Vessel**. Its twin hemispheres gleamed under the dim light of the surrounding moons, an unnatural silhouette against the void.
"Separatist fleet confirmed," Blam reported. "They're already deploying—"
"They won't have time," I cut him off.
I stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
"Bring the *Terminus* to forward position. All ships, attack formation. No delays."
The bridge came alive.
The *Terminus* surged ahead, its massive frame cutting through space with terrifying momentum. Around it, the fleet shifted flawlessly into formation—Acclamators spreading into a forward assault wedge, Peltas tightening defensive layers, Hammerheads flanking like predators circling prey.
"They're powering weapons!" a comm officer shouted.
Too slow.
"Fire the SPHA-T."
There was a brief, almost reverent silence.
Then—
Light.
A beam of pure, focused destruction erupted from the *Terminus*, a searing column of energy that tore across the void. It struck the **DH-Omni Support Vessel** dead center.
For a fraction of a second, nothing happened.
Then the ship split.
The beam carved through the massive structure, slicing clean through both hemispheres. The vessel ruptured violently, its core detonating in a cascading explosion of fire and debris. The shockwave rippled outward, scattering fragments across space.
"Confirmed hit," Blam said, voice tight with awe. "Primary target destroyed."
I didn't respond.
"Continue engagement."
The remaining Munificent frigates reacted instantly, breaking formation, their turbolasers flaring to life. But the moment of confusion had already cost them.
"Acclamators—concentrated fire," I ordered. "Target one frigate at a time. Overwhelm their shields."
The response was immediate.
*Akagi* and *Kaga* unleashed volleys of proton torpedoes, streaks of blue-white energy slamming into the nearest frigate. *Shōkaku* and *Ryūjō* followed, their heavy cannons pounding relentlessly against the weakening shields.
"Enemy shields collapsing!"
"Finish it."
A final barrage tore through the hull. The frigate exploded, debris scattering across the battlefield.
The pattern repeated.
Precision.
Efficiency.
No wasted motion.
Each Munificent fell in turn, unable to withstand the concentrated assault of the fleet. Their attempts to regroup were cut short, their retreat vectors intercepted, their formations shattered before they could stabilize.
"Estimated time to full elimination: twenty-five minutes," Blam reported.
I nodded slightly.
"Maintain pressure. No survivors."
---
### **Command Decisions**
The battle was already won.
Now came the real objective.
I turned, stepping away from the main viewport.
"Blam."
"Sir."
"You're taking *Midway*, along with Puck and a forward detachment. Land on the primary planet. Begin search operations immediately."
"For the plant?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "And monitor for any incoming Separatist reinforcements. This isn't their only force."
Blam nodded sharply. "Understood."
I paused, then added, "Speed is critical. If the Blue Shadow pathogen research is present or even theoretical here, we secure it first."
"Yes, sir."
I turned to another officer.
"Signal Lucky and Devil. They'll take marine units and board the debris field. I want that laser array recovered."
"The LaserWeb components?" the officer clarified.
"Correct," I said. "Relocate them to the *Terminus*. With modification, it could be… useful."
A weapon capable of trapping entire systems.
Controlling movement.
Denying escape.
Yes.
Very useful.
"Orders acknowledged."
---
### **Departure**
With commands issued, I moved toward the hangar.
A **Nu-class shuttle** awaited, its engines already humming with readiness. I paused briefly, running a hand along its hull before stepping aboard.
This part… I would handle personally.
Inside, the others were already waiting.
Ahsoka stood near the cockpit, arms crossed, her expression unreadable but her presence sharp through the Force. Visenya sat quietly, though her eyes followed me the moment I entered. Kayla leaned against the wall, feigning indifference. Flare stood calm and observant, while Stella lingered slightly behind, her unease clear.
They felt it.
All of it.
"Master," Ahsoka said carefully. "You're piloting?"
"Yes."
That alone told them enough.
I moved into the cockpit, settling into the pilot's seat. The controls came alive under my hands, familiar, precise.
"Strap in," I said.
No one argued.
The shuttle lifted smoothly, exiting the hangar and slipping into the battlefield beyond. Around us, the final moments of the engagement played out—explosions blooming like distant stars as the last Munificent frigate succumbed to the fleet's assault.
I angled the shuttle downward.
Toward the planet.
---
### **Rawnde**
"There," Flare said softly.
Ahead of us, one of Iego's many moons came into view.
**Rawnde.**
It was unlike most worlds.
The surface shimmered with a faint pink hue, almost organic in appearance. A massive blue fissure cut across one hemisphere, glowing faintly as if something beneath the surface pulsed with energy.
"It feels… alive," Stella whispered.
She wasn't wrong.
The Force here was different.
Denser.
Layered.
Like stepping into water after breathing air your entire life.
I tightened my grip on the controls.
"This is where it begins."
---
### **The Angels**
As we descended, I reached out through the Force.
And felt them.
The **Diathim**.
The "angels."
Their presence was unlike anything I had encountered before—gentle, luminous, yet vast. They did not push or pull. They simply… existed.
Watching.
Observing.
Understanding.
"They're here," Visenya said softly.
"Yes."
But something was wrong.
Their presence was… concentrated.
Restricted.
I narrowed my eyes.
"The droids moved them," I said.
"To the main planet," Flare realized.
I nodded.
"They're being used."
The realization settled heavily.
The Separatists hadn't just come to occupy.
They had come to exploit.
The Diathim's web—their connection to the Force—was being harnessed. Forced into alignment with the construction of the LaserWeb grid.
A weapon built on something sacred.
My jaw tightened.
"Blam will handle relocating them," I said. "He'll secure the main planet and free them."
Ahsoka looked at me sharply. "And us?"
I guided the shuttle lower, toward Rawnde's surface.
"We begin the ritual."
---
### **Tension**
Silence filled the cockpit.
Not comfortable.
Not calm.
Heavy.
Ahsoka stepped forward slightly. "You keep saying that. What ritual?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Instead, I focused on landing.
The shuttle touched down smoothly on a flat ridge near the glowing fissure. Engines powered down, leaving only the faint hum of residual energy.
Only then did I turn.
"To see the truth."
Kayla scoffed lightly. "That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you need."
"It's not," she snapped. "Not anymore."
The tension sharpened.
I could feel it through the Force—their concern, their frustration, their fear.
Not for themselves.
For me.
Ahsoka's voice was quieter, but more dangerous. "You're hiding something. Again."
I met her gaze.
"Yes."
The honesty caught them off guard.
Visenya stepped forward. "Then tell us."
I hesitated.
Not because I couldn't.
But because once spoken… it couldn't be taken back.
"There are things about me," I said slowly, "that you don't understand."
"Then help us understand," Flare said.
I looked at each of them.
Ahsoka. Visenya. Kayla. Flare. Stella.
The bond between us pulsed.
Strong.
Unbreakable.
And yet…
Fragile.
"This place," I said, gesturing toward the glowing fissure, "can show you."
---
### **The Descent**
We exited the shuttle together.
The air was warm, unnaturally so. The ground beneath our feet felt almost soft, as if the planet itself was breathing.
The fissure pulsed with blue light, casting long shadows across the terrain.
"This is it," I said.
I stepped forward.
The Force surged.
Not violently.
But deeply.
Like stepping into an ocean current.
I closed my eyes briefly, centering myself.
"This isn't training," I said. "What you see… will be real."
"Real how?" Stella asked quietly.
"Real enough to change everything."
I turned to them.
"If you follow me… there's no going back."
Silence.
Then Ahsoka stepped forward.
"I'm not leaving you to face this alone."
Visenya followed.
"Neither am I."
Kayla rolled her eyes—but stepped forward anyway. "Like I'd let you do something stupid without me."
Flare nodded once. "We're with you."
Stella hesitated for only a moment—then joined them.
"I trust you."
I studied them.
Then nodded.
"Stay close."
---
### **The Web Awakens**
We entered the fissure.
The light intensified instantly, surrounding us, enveloping us. The ground seemed to dissolve beneath our feet, replaced by something… else.
Something intangible.
The Force.
The world vanished.
And in its place—
Visions.
Flashes.
Memories.
War.
Fire.
A different world.
A different life.
My life.
I felt their reactions instantly.
Shock.
Confusion.
Fear.
Understanding.
"This is—" Ahsoka started.
"Yes," I said quietly.
"The truth."
The web of the Diathim had accepted us.
And now…
It would show them everything.
---
Far above, the battle was over.
On the main planet, Republic forces descended, securing positions, searching for the Diathim, dismantling Separatist control.
And in the void, the *Terminus* loomed—a silent guardian, its fleet holding the line.
But here…
On Rawnde…
A different battle had begun.
Not of ships.
Not of armies.
But of truth.
And once revealed…
Nothing would ever be the same again.