Landing Site Theta - Southeast
Island Continent of Ura’tah
Agua’tah Surface
Locke stepped off the shuttle, the whine of it’s engines winding down permeating the environment around him. It was night here, the lights of camp the only illumination. The Consul immediately undid the first couple of buttons of his uniform. It was hot here, a cool breeze the only relief.
The engine noise quickly gave way to voices all around as Warhost troops established camp, setting up temporary shelters and pavilions in orderly rows. A few vehicles dotted the camp, but most of those were just scout speeders. Other, larger equipment could be delivered later.
This was the 8th Chapter of the Warhost, otherwise known as the Flamerend Chapter. As with all such units, they were 1000 beings strong, of clones, infantry, droids, and supporting soldiers. Each Chapter was like a miniature army in itself, and trained to fight that way. Often, they would have no reinforcement.
This particular Chapter was based on the Absolution. The old Acclamator transport hovered in the sky in the distance, having already delivered all of the troops it was thought would be needed for this battle. Now it hung back, on call in case it were needed. Fortunately, aside from anti-air defenses on Ura’tah, the skies of Agua’tah were now under Sadowan control.
Ura’tah was the name the Dominion had given this continent. In truth, it was little more than an island, but it held most of Agua’tah’s settlements and population, and it was here that the Dominion garrison was preparing to make it’s Last Stand - or wait for the reinforcements they were not aware they wouldn’t receive.
Four Chapters of the Warhost - the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th - had been disbursed to this world to complete it’s pacification, each accompanied by members of the Clan who were led by Sons or Daughters of Sadow - aside from two, led by the Consul and Proconsul themselves.
Locke’s team had the objective of securing several minor settlements. While they were not as large as others, they still held strategic significance in that the Dominion could use positions here to launch raids on other parts of the island.
The Consul nodded to the others who had initially accompanied him here - Bentre, Tasha, and Ophelia - and headed for the pavilion at the center of camp, expecting them to follow. The strange four-legged creature that followed Ophelia was a bit unnerving, but Locke ignored it. The central pavilion was lit up when he arrived, and the Consul ducked inside.
There a temporary table had been erected, and datapads strewn across it. Several had floating projections hovering in the air over them, showing statistics, local areas, or other things. At the head of the table was one distinct individual, his uniform indicating he was the commander of this unit; rank and name giving his identity.
“General Mabon,” Locke nodded.
The General nodded, gazing at the others.
“You are our reinforcements?” he asked.
“Yes, what is our situation” Locke asked, not wanting to waste too much time. He knew - and assumed the General did - that speed would be important to catch the Dominion before they could consolidate their defenses.
Mabon gestured at the hologram closest to them - a long range view of a settlement, that seemed to be a composite of many different viewpoints that were likely retrieved from scouts.
“This is the nearest village. We have designated it Theta One. T-1 is fairly small, but should serve as a foothold for us to further our advance inland. It has two roads leading up to it; one that comes from the beach, where we are, and one that is parallel to it and likely continues further inland.”
When he paused, Ophelia Delacroix spoke first. She said something indecipherable before appearing to catch herself and continuing in Basic. “If there are two roads, maybe a two-pronged attack is best?”
Tasha pointed at the second road, leading further inland. “If we could have one group approach from here, it would definitely distract them.”
Locke looked at Mabon, who nodded. “I can send a company to each location. This village seems lightly defended.”
“Ophelia and I can lead the distraction from the side route,” Locke said. He didn’t really trust the new Aedile, and wanted to keep a close eye on her. Bentre and Tasha were another matter, but the Consul felt that he knew what to expect from them.
They wouldn’t try to sabotage the mission, he thought.
“Then we’ll accompany the main attack,” Bentre said, gesturing to himself and Tasha.
“Let’s get started then. The Dominion will detect us if we take too long.”
“And we don’t want them to reinforce T-1,” Mabon added.
After that, the two pairs of Jedi departed for their respective positions and the soldiers who would accompany them.
