**Chapter 410: Oaths of the Ugnaughts**
**Dagon's POV**
The Sienar shipyards on Lianna buzzed with renewed energy. The arrival of thirty thousand Ugnaughts had injected a level of discipline and craftsmanship that even the most experienced Sienar engineers found impressive. I stood in one of the smaller administrative halls, away from the roar of welding torches and heavy machinery, facing the elected leader of the tribe I had rescued from Zygerria.
The Ugnaught before me was shorter than most of his kind, but his posture carried the weight of centuries. His weathered face was lined with deep creases, and his small, intelligent eyes regarded me with a mixture of gratitude and solemn determination. He wore simple, practical clothing marked with the scars of long labor.
"I understand you are the elected leader of the tribe I rescued from Zygerria," I said in clear Ugnaught dialect, the words flowing naturally thanks to my Force-enhanced linguistic training. "I have spoken."
The Ugnaught bowed deeply. "Yes, I am Kuiil. For two centuries I have laboured on Zygerria with other Ugnaughts that were captured over the years. But recently, most of the others you rescued came from our homeworld Gentes."
I nodded, respecting the formal cadence of their speech. "How do you know our tongue?" Kuiil asked, genuine surprise in his voice.
"As a Jedi, I was trained to learn many tongues of the galaxy," I replied. "But unfortunately, your homeworld is under CIS occupation, and I am not allowed to take back your world right now. I have spoken."
Kuiil's small eyes darkened with understanding. "We understand that. But what you must know is that the rest of our people are not on Gentes but spread out in CIS workshops throughout the galaxy. We ask you to let us serve you to free our people. I have spoken."
His words carried the heavy weight of generations of enslavement. I felt the sincerity behind them — not just loyalty to me for freeing them, but a deep, burning desire to rescue their scattered kin.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, careful not to loom too much over his shorter frame. "Kuiil, your people have already proven their worth here at Sienar. The work you've begun on the Nebula-class hulls is exceptional. But I will not ask you to serve me as slaves. You are free beings. If you choose to work with me, it will be as equals — with fair pay, respect, and the promise that I will do everything in my power to locate and free the rest of your people."
Kuiil's eyes widened slightly. "Equals… This is not how most in the galaxy treat Ugnaughts."
"I am not most," I said quietly. "I have seen too much suffering to add to it. Your skills are legendary. If you and your people stand with me, I will stand with you. We will find your lost kin. We will take back Gentes when the time is right. But it must be done carefully. The CIS must not suspect our true strength until we are ready to strike."
Kuiil was silent for a long moment, then bowed even deeper. "Then we swear our service to you, Lord Dagon. Not as slaves, but as allies. Our hammers, our forges, our minds — all are yours until our people are free."
I helped him rise. "Thank you, Kuiil. Your people will have quarters here, full access to the facilities, and protection under my command. No one will chain an Ugnaught while I draw breath."
A small crowd of Ugnaught elders had gathered nearby, listening intently. One of them stepped forward — an older female with graying fur.
"We have heard stories of you from those you freed on Zygerria," she said. "You burned their cities. You freed hundreds of thousands. You destroyed the slavers who took our mothers, fathers, and children. For that, we owe you a blood debt that can never be fully repaid."
I shook my head. "No blood debt. Only friendship. Work honestly, fight when needed, and we will free your people together."
Kuiil nodded solemnly. "It will be done. We have already begun improvements on the Nebula-class designs. The lateral thrust vents you specified will be even more efficient with our modifications. These ships will cut through the CIS like a hot knife through durasteel."
I smiled. "Good. I have plans for a new flagship class as well. Something bigger. Stronger. I will need your best minds on it."
The Ugnaughts murmured excitedly among themselves. For a species that had been oppressed and undervalued for so long, the promise of meaningful work and a path to freedom was intoxicating.
Kuiil gestured to a large datapad one of the younger Ugnaughts carried. "We have already catalogued the salvaged materials from Malachor V. The ancient Mandalorian and Republic alloys are superior in many ways. We can reinforce the Nebula hulls to withstand even heavy turbolaser fire for longer periods."
"Excellent," I said. "Coordinate with Raith. He has my full trust on the engineering side. But the overall strategy and fleet integration remain mine."
"As you wish," Kuiil replied.
We walked together through the bustling shipyard. The sight of thousands of Ugnaughts working in perfect coordination was impressive. They moved like a single organism — efficient, precise, and tireless. Sparks flew from welding torches as they reinforced hull sections. Cranes lifted massive plating into place under their careful direction.
One young Ugnaught approached Kuiil, bowing respectfully. "Elder, the first Nebula prototype's power core integration is proceeding ahead of schedule. The kyber matrix from Malachor is integrating better than expected."
Kuiil nodded proudly. "Tell the team they have done well. Lord Dagon expects excellence, and we will deliver it."
I watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction. This alliance was more than just manpower — it was loyalty born from gratitude and shared purpose. The Ugnaughts would not betray me. They couldn't afford to, and they didn't want to.
As we continued the tour, Raith joined us, looking exhilarated. "General, with the Ugnaughts here, we're looking at a 40% increase in production efficiency. These people are incredible."
"They are," I agreed. "Treat them well, Raith. They are family now."
Raith bowed slightly. "Understood."
Later, as the sun set over Lianna's shipyards, I stood alone on a high platform overlooking the growing fleet. The first completed Nebula-class hull gleamed under the lights, a sleek predator compared to the more traditional designs.
Kuiil approached quietly. "You carry a heavy burden, Lord Dagon. We see it in your eyes."
I didn't deny it. "The war demands much. But with allies like your people, we might just win it."
Kuiil placed a small, calloused hand on my arm. "Then we will stand with you until the end. For our people. For the future."
I nodded, the weight on my shoulders feeling slightly lighter.
The Nebula-class would be ready soon.
Ryloth awaited.
And with the Ugnaughts' loyalty secured, my forces grew stronger by the day.