**Chapter 352: Threads of the Heart**
**Hidden Sith Sanctum, Coruscant – Lower Levels**
Deep beneath the glittering spires of the galactic capital, in a chamber shielded by ancient Sith runes and modern technology, the air tasted of ozone and old hatred. Shadows clung to the walls like living things. In the center of the dimly lit room, a holographic figure knelt in perfect deference.
Count Dooku bowed low on the shimmering blue projection. "My Master… it seems our plans have caused a bit of complications."
The hooded figure known as Darth Sidious regarded his apprentice with cold, yellow-tinged eyes. His voice was a silken rasp that carried the weight of centuries of manipulation.
"Yes, Dooku. Two of the Confederacy's new ships—the Subjugator-class heavy cruisers—were attacked. The *Malevolence* has been destroyed, and Grievous defeated for a third time by Dagon Marek and his new fleet of ships. Even the *Malice*, its sister vessel, sustained heavy damage. How long will it take to repair?"
"It will take over five months, my lord," Dooku replied, his tone measured but laced with frustration. "The damage is intense. The ramming action by Marek's *Terminus* nearly tore the command superstructure apart. And the attack on Coruscant was also aborted."
Sidious's fingers steepled beneath his hood. "Yes… but it matters not. The survival of Grievous and Selena remains necessary to our plans. As for the rest… most of the CIS leaders I had carefully gathered for you are now dead—thanks to Marek again."
Dooku's holographic form straightened slightly. "Yes, my lord. I fear he might become too powerful."
"He already is." Sidious's words made Dooku visibly shudder, even through the transmission. "How, my lord?"
"It is obvious. Even on our best days, the two of us could not have defeated that Gen'Dai abomination you sent after him on Tatooine. Its mutated power was formidable… yet Marek survived. Again. But I have a better plan to make Dagon fall. We simply target his heart."
"My lord?"
"There is a senator I had hired Cad Bane to acquire. But Bane turned up dead along with his team. Bounty hunters… unreliable as ever. The target was Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora. It seems a few brief moments during a diplomatic mission managed to turn the young senator into a fierce supporter of the Chancellor—and, more dangerously, into something closer to Marek."
Dooku's brow furrowed. "My lord, I don't understand. She is married to someone else—a Pantoran, the Chairman's son. Why would she still harbor feelings for Dagon?"
Sidious's lips curled into a thin, predatory smile beneath the hood. "The few moments I observed her… and my spies have detected a faint Force bond between her and Dagon. Although Dagon himself shows no such bond on his end, it seems she alone created it—purely emotional, yet potent enough to serve our purposes. A weakness wrapped in affection and unspoken longing."
"So how should we proceed?" Dooku asked carefully.
"For the remainder of the year—the next four months—we will begin by doing nothing."
"Nothing, my lord?"
Sidious leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that still carried absolute command. "The Separatists being too strong against the Republic is true, but Dagon seems to handle everything. With Yoda granting him the title of Vice Supreme Commander, it is now my job to direct the Republic toward greatness… and your job to continue attacking worlds and forging alliances. We need many more worlds like Rodia to become loyal to the Republic—and, ultimately, to my Empire. Let the CIS leaders grow desperate. Their grand plans have been repeatedly stopped. Let them feel the pressure. Let Marek continue winning battles while the Senate grows ever more dependent on him… and on me."
Dooku remained silent for a long moment, processing the subtle layers of the Sith Lord's strategy. "It will be done, my lord."
The hologram flickered and vanished, leaving the chamber in deeper shadow.
Sidious remained seated, fingers drumming lightly against the arm of his throne-like chair. A soft, amused chuckle escaped him.
"Dagon Marek… you walk the line between light and dark so beautifully. But every heart has its breaking point. And when yours cracks, the galaxy will finally bend."
Far above, on the surface of Coruscant, the Senate continued its debates, the Jedi Temple stood serene, and somewhere in the Outer Rim, High Jedi General Dagon Marek pushed forward with plans for ever-larger weapons of war.
None of them yet realized how carefully the true puppet master was pulling every string—especially the ones tied to a young Pantoran senator's quiet, unspoken feelings.