**Chapter 373: Sisters**
**Scene 1 – Sovereign Command Center**
**Tarkin's POV**
Grand Captain Wilhuff Tarkin stood at the central holotable in the *Sovereign*'s command center, arms crossed as he reviewed the latest reports with hologram projections of several senior officers.
"We have finished examining most of the high-value hostages we rescued from the Zygerrians," Tarkin said, addressing the group. His voice was crisp and businesslike. "The preliminary count is significant."
From the bridge of the *Hood*, Grand Captain Gilad Pellaeon nodded. "Very well. So far we have numerous minor nobles and merchants from various colonies and Core worlds. Even some from former CIS systems and Randon citizens — taken even after Randon joined the Confederacy. They are now back under Republic protection. This adds considerable political support for the General's orders."
Admiral Solvan Kobayashi leaned forward, his expression grim. "Great. Just great. That means a mountain of paperwork. Where is the General anyway? Some of the rescued have been asking for him. They want to speak with him directly — a few even want to work for him."
"Who?" Tarkin asked.
"Ugnaughts," Kobayashi replied. "Over thirty thousand of them were rescued. Some said something about 'life debt' — I don't know exactly. That's what the translator droid reported."
Tarkin allowed himself a small, dry smile. "The General does have a habit of collecting interesting allies. Keep cataloging them. We'll need full dossiers before we reach Coruscant."
**Scene 2 – Sovereign Medical Bay**
**Dagon's POV**
The medical bay was quiet except for the soft beeping of monitors.
Two young girls lay in adjacent beds across from me and Zule. The older one was fifteen, the younger thirteen. They were beautiful hybrids — Zeltron and Falleen blood mixed in their features, giving them soft orange-pink skin and delicate features. I didn't know their names yet, but the Zygerrians had pumped them full of a complicated drug cocktail designed to break slaves. The medics had been forced to induce a medical coma to safely flush the chemicals from their systems.
Zule stood beside me, eyes red from crying. Her hand trembled slightly as she gripped mine.
"Dagon… could you heal them?" she asked, voice thick with emotion. "Like you did with Aayla… and with me?"
I hesitated. "Zule, I'm not sure. I don't know exactly what the Zygerrians did to them. If I meddle without understanding the full damage, I could make things worse."
"Please," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Just try."
*Damn those anime puppy eyes.* Both Zule and Ahsoka had that effect on me.
I sighed and reached for my dual-bladed lightsaber. Removing the two purified kyber crystals from the hilt, I held them above the girls' beds. Closing my eyes, I began the healing ritual — channeling balanced Force energy through the crystals, letting white-blue light flood the room.
A bright, gentle radiance filled the medical bay.
The head medic monitored the readings closely. "Sir, consciousness is returning… but they still need rest."
One of the girls stirred first. Her eyes fluttered open and immediately found Zule.
"Sister…?"
Zule rushed forward, pulling both girls into a tight embrace as fresh tears fell. "You're safe now. You're both safe."
The younger girl blinked slowly, still groggy. "Zule…?"
"Who is this?" the older one asked weakly, pointing at me.
Zule smiled through her tears. "Sisters, this is the one who helped me rescue you. He ended the Zygerrians once and for all."
I stepped closer, voice gentle. "I am Dagon. It's nice to meet you."
The older girl managed a small, tired smile. "I am Ashla."
The younger one squeezed Zule's hand. "I am Cera."
Zule held them both tightly, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs of relief and lingering grief.
I watched silently, the weight of the past weeks pressing down on me. We had saved thousands — hundreds of thousands — but some wounds could never be fully healed.
Still, in this moment, two young lives had been pulled back from darkness.
That would have to be enough for now.