**Chapter 271**
**Shifting Masters, Shifting War**
The Jedi Council chamber was quieter than usual.
Not empty—but… incomplete.
The great circular room, bathed in soft Coruscanti light filtering through its towering windows, felt different. The usual presence of Masters—each a pillar of the Order—was absent. Their chairs stood in place, but most were unoccupied, silent reminders of a war that had pulled the Jedi apart across the galaxy.
Only a few remained.
At the center sat Yoda, small and still, yet commanding as ever. His green eyes were half-lidded, but the Force around him stirred with quiet intensity.
To his right stood Kit Fisto, relaxed in posture but alert, the ever-present calm of the Nautolan Master hiding the sharp awareness beneath.
Further along, Plo Koon stood with his arms folded within his robes, his masked face unreadable, though the Force around him carried concern.
And beside them, silent and composed, was Oppo Rancisis, coiled in meditation, his serpentine form barely moving.
Before them stood Dagon.
Beside him—slightly behind, but very much present—was Ahsoka.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Formal.
Yoda's ears twitched slightly before he spoke.
"With the success of the Twelfth Sector," he began, his voice calm yet carrying weight, "in the fall of Saleucami… and Methalorn now fallen… the Perlemian Trade Route is now under complete Republic control."
A faint ripple moved through the chamber.
"A foothold in the Outer Rim, this gives us," Yoda continued. "Strong, our position has become."
A pause.
Then—
"Thanks to General Dagon, whose success is attributed to this."
All eyes shifted toward him.
Dagon inclined his head slightly.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," he replied evenly. "But I seem to remember that this summons was not merely to congratulate me."
Ahsoka glanced at him briefly.
Straight to the point.
Typical.
Yoda's expression did not change—but the Force around him shifted, ever so slightly.
"No," he said. "Unfortunately… not."
A longer silence followed.
The kind that meant something important was coming.
"Before we approve the request… for the conquest of the Outer Rim," Yoda continued slowly, "all other sectors must be secured first."
Dagon's eyes narrowed slightly.
That made sense.
Strategically, it was sound.
But—
"There is more," Yoda added.
Ahsoka felt it before he said it.
A shift.
Something… unexpected.
"As such," Yoda said, "I have decided… that although many Council members might disagree with me…"
A pause.
Then—
"You will be under my personal command."
The words landed.
Heavy.
"And serve… as my apprentice."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Ahsoka's eyes widened.
Dagon didn't move.
Didn't react—at least not outwardly.
But through their bond—
Shock.
Sharp. Immediate. Controlled—but undeniable.
*What?*
It echoed between them.
Ahsoka took a half-step forward before catching herself.
"Master—what?" she blurted, unable to stop herself.
Even Dagon turned his head slightly toward Yoda now.
For once—
He didn't have an immediate response.
Kit Fisto's gaze shifted between them, a faint smile touching his lips—not amused, but… intrigued.
Plo Koon remained still, though his presence in the Force suggested quiet approval.
Oppo Rancisis said nothing—but neither did he object.
Dagon exhaled slowly.
Then, finally—
He bowed his head.
"...I am honored, Master Yoda."
Ahsoka turned sharply toward him.
"That's it?" she whispered, incredulous. "You're just accepting that?!"
Dagon didn't look at her directly—but his presence brushed against hers.
*We will talk about it.*
That only made her more frustrated.
But before she could speak again—
Yoda raised a hand slightly.
"Surprising, it is," he said. "But necessary."
His gaze shifted fully onto Dagon now.
"Much you have learned… but much still you must."
Dagon straightened slightly.
"I understand."
Yoda studied him.
Long.
Carefully.
"As my apprentice, you will act," Yoda continued. "Not only as a general… but as one who listens to the Force more deeply."
A subtle pause.
"Balance… you must maintain."
Dagon met his gaze.
"I will do what is required."
Yoda's ears dipped slightly.
"That is what concerns me."
Another silence.
Tension—not hostile, but real—filled the chamber.
Kit Fisto finally spoke, his tone calm.
"Master Yoda's decision is not made lightly," he said. "Your methods… have been effective, General. But they are… unconventional."
Plo Koon added quietly, "You walk a line few can maintain."
Dagon didn't deny it.
"I am aware."
Ahsoka crossed her arms, clearly still processing.
"So what happens now?" she asked. "He just… stops being my master?"
Yoda looked at her.
"Complicated, it is not."
That did not reassure her.
"You will remain connected," Yoda continued. "But change, your paths will."
Ahsoka frowned.
She didn't like the sound of that.
At all.
But before she could press further—
Yoda shifted the conversation.
"Now… onto business."
The tone changed instantly.
Back to war.
"Christophsis," Yoda said, "is under blockade… and threat of invasion by the CIS."
A hologram flickered to life in the center of the chamber, displaying the crystalline world.
"Under the jurisdiction of the Thirteenth Sector," Yoda continued, "which does not have enough Knights."
Dagon stepped forward slightly, studying the display.
"And Skywalker?"
"Already dispatched," Yoda replied. "With Senator Bail Organa. Left earlier… to maintain the relief effort."
Dagon nodded.
That tracked.
"Dispatch, you will go," Yoda said, turning his gaze back to him. "Assist… then remain to support the taking of the Corellian Run."
Ahsoka blinked.
That escalated quickly.
"I understand, Master," Dagon said.
Then—
Yoda added one more thing.
"Also… Padawan Zule Xiss will be with you."
Dagon froze.
Not visibly—but the bond spiked again.
Surprise.
Then confusion.
"What?" he said, this time aloud.
Ahsoka turned sharply.
"Wait—what do you mean *his* apprentice?"
Yoda's expression remained calm.
"Assigned to you, she is."
Dagon frowned slightly.
"I thought Master Glaive—"
"He is one with the Force now."
The words were simple.
But heavy.
The room stilled.
Ahsoka's expression softened immediately.
"Oh…"
Yoda continued.
"After your mission to the Gungan world… they joined Master Fay… on a volcanic world."
A pause.
"Zule lost her hands… and struggles still."
Another.
"Glaive… lost his life."
Silence.
Dagon's jaw tightened slightly.
Not anger.
Not shock.
Recognition.
War.
"I understand," he said quietly.
Yoda watched him closely.
"Do you?"
Dagon met his gaze.
"I will prepare appropriately."
Ahsoka looked between them.
Something about that answer…
She didn't like it.
Too controlled.
Too… distant.
"You're just going to take another Padawan?" she asked, unable to hide the edge in her voice.
Dagon finally looked at her fully.
"This isn't about what I want."
"That's not what I asked."
A beat.
Then—
"No," he said honestly. "I didn't plan for this."
Ahsoka folded her arms tighter.
"Then say that."
"I just did."
That only half-satisfied her.
Yoda's voice cut through again.
"Adapt, we must. War demands it."
He looked at Dagon one last time.
"Ready yourself. Leave soon, you will."
Dagon bowed his head again.
"As you command, Master."
Yoda closed his eyes briefly.
"May the Force be with you."
Ahsoka hesitated—then followed suit.
"…May the Force be with us."
The meeting was over.
But nothing felt settled.
As they turned to leave the chamber, Ahsoka walked beside Dagon in silence for several steps.
Then—
"You're really okay with this?" she asked quietly.
Dagon didn't answer immediately.
The long corridor stretched ahead of them, bathed in soft light.
Finally—
"No," he said.
Ahsoka glanced at him.
"Good."
That got the faintest hint of a reaction.
"But I'll do it anyway," he added.
"Of course you will."
A small pause.
Then—
"…You're not getting rid of me that easily," she said.
Dagon stopped walking for just a moment.
Then continued.
"I wasn't planning to."
And through the bond—
Something steadier returned.
Not certainty.
Not clarity.
But connection.
Unbroken.
Even as everything else began to change.