Chapter 341
**Scene 1 – Grievous POV**
A massive explosion rocked the *Malevolence*, the entire bridge shuddering as secondary detonations rippled along the port side.
"Sir! The ion cannon is offline!" a tactical droid reported in panic. "And our entire left hemisphere of cannons is either destroyed or offline! We are taking heavy damage!"
Grievous' yellow eyes burned with fury. "Prepare the jump for hyperspace!"
"Sir, we can't — it is temporarily offline!"
The cyborg's metal claws slammed into the console, leaving deep gouges. "Turn right into the star and stay in the photosphere! Our ship can stay there until the hyperdrive is repaired!"
"But sir, we might be destroyed! The odds are— oh my gosh—"
Grievous didn't let the droid finish. In one savage motion, he grabbed the droid by the head and crushed it, sparks flying as the body crumpled to the deck.
"Any more suggestions?" he snarled at the remaining bridge crew.
The surviving droids froze.
"No… roger, roger," one finally managed.
"Good."
Grievous turned back to the viewport, watching the Republic fleet continue its relentless barrage. The *Malevolence* groaned as it altered course, massive engines straining to push the five-kilometer behemoth toward the nearby star.
He would hide in the photosphere — the superheated outer layer of the star — where the intense radiation and heat would blind most sensors and make pursuit suicidal for anything not specifically designed to survive there.
The Quarren had built the ship with that capability in mind. It could endure the photosphere long enough to repair the hyperdrive.
Grievous coughed violently, the sound echoing like a death rattle through the bridge.
"Marek… you think you've won? I will repair. I will return. And when I do, I will tear your fleet apart piece by piece."
The *Malevolence* plunged toward the star, its damaged hull glowing as it entered the photosphere.
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**Scene 2 – Dagon POV**
"All ships, stop and turn left. Continue monitoring," I ordered.
The fleet responded instantly, the Resurgents and Valiants pivoting in perfect formation thanks to the lingering battle meld.
"Sir," Sumeragi reported, "the enemy ship has entered the nearby star's photosphere. We cannot pursue unless our ships are cooked."
"I agree," Tarkin's hologram appeared from the *Sovereign*. "We could just keep up the barrage and let the sun do its work."
"No," I said firmly.
Tarkin raised an eyebrow. "Sir?"
"Quarren designed that ship. Like all Mon Calamari vessels, Grievous knows he can stay there to repair his hyperdrive."
"But sir, we cannot—"
"The fleet can't. But the *Terminus* can."
I turned to the bridge crew.
"Total connection bubble."
The crew moved with practiced efficiency. I focused on the kyber reactor deep in the ship's heart, channeling the Force through the massive crystal matrix. A brilliant blue glowing shield expanded around the *Terminus*, shimmering with protective energy.
"Ragnos — all engines forward."
"Yes, sir."
The *Terminus* surged ahead, its upgraded kyber-powered reactor humming with power as the protective bubble enveloped the entire ship.
"Let's finish this hunt."
The massive flagship plunged toward the star, its blue shield glowing brighter as it entered the photosphere. Heat and radiation battered the bubble, but the kyber matrix held firm, converting the star's fury into additional power.
Inside the bridge, the temperature rose slightly, but the crew remained steady.
"Target the *Malevolence*," I ordered. "Full power to the super cannon — ion version. We end this today."
The *Terminus* raced through the star's outer layer, a lone predator chasing its wounded prey.
Grievous thought he could hide.
He was wrong.