A warm, moist, late afternoon breeze gently rustles the leaves of the dense rainforest canopy, mimicking the sound of a light rain storm, but no water falls on the Jedi of Team Katarn. Huddled tightly around a small table, high above the ground, in the center of the Wookie-built village in Gradrrbecca, they look over a sketch. At the center of this sketch; the objective they must hold until the extraction team arrives: a golden flag.
Warchief Liika walks over to the huddle, points to the sketch and lets out a series of grunts and roars.
Krandon translates, “the patrols are in position as we requested, and awaiting our orders.”
Sanarai responds with a nod.
The mighty Wookie begins again, this time the sound of concern echoes from his throat.
Krandon absorbs what the Wookie says, looks at the sketch and analyses it for a moment.
Zeon looks at Krandon, “What did he say?”
Krandon replies without looking up. “He said, although we are high above the ground, this settlement does have a minor weakness they may try to exploit.”
“I’m sure they know of it, and will probably attack tonight,” Gon replies, focused now on this specific point of the sketch.
LaLa adds, “We are outnumbered 11:3 and stretched thin as it is. Let’s keep a majority of the Wookies up in the trees, and some guarding the village. The others come with us on the ground.”
Enric chuckles, “I like it! I’m having a feeling they will try to hit us from the ground.”
Zeon replies in disbelief, “They would be crazy to do that. Not only are they fighting uphill but who knows what’s down below the mist…”
Gon interjects, “Zeon, you do have a point, but then again, we didn’t become Agents by following logical plans of attack.”
Krandon agrees with a laugh, “Yeah, that’s our motto ‘Sometimes you just have to wing it’.”
Laughter erupts from the group.
Sanarai rolls up the sketch and hands it to Liika. “They mustn’t get this. Guard it with your life,” the Wookie takes the partchment and tucks it away in his satchel. Sanarai continues, “Liika, split your Berserkers into groups of 50. One for the Flag, one covering the village from the canopy and the rest come with us on the ground.” She looks at her fellow Jedi, “We can’t know what they are planning, and all we can do is be ready when it happens. Let’s be on the ground in an hour.”
Meanwhile…
The Jedi of Team Nexu, encamped several kilometers away from the village, look over intelligence brought back to them by the Scouts of Zawi Host. In a large tent, the light of a holomap casts the cloaked figure’s shadows against the walls. They sit in silence as they read through report after report. Suddenly, a door flap flies open and in walks il-Zaw the Black, Chief of the Harakoan forces.
“I assume the reports are to your liking? Those scouts are the finest on Harakoa.” The Zawi leader addresses the Jedi in a rough Basic.
Sang looks up to reply, “Yes Chief, your men have given us more than we could have asked for.”
The Harakoan’s expression remains stern. “Good. What are your orders?”
Rhiann turns the holomap to get a different vantage point.
“Despite our numerical advantage,” she pulls up the elevation readings, “They have the higher ground. A direct assault is out of the question.”
Rangel sits back in his seat and rubs his chin, “There is a weakness.”
John leans forward, “He’s right, but surly they have already planned on us attacking there.”
Autumn looks at il-Zaw, “Chief, you know your men. Can your Warriors take that section of the village, while we go after the flag from else ware?”
The Chief, appearing to be insulted at the suggestion that HIS men aren’t up to the task, and replies, “Pardon my tone Master Jedi, but MY men can take the village and capture the Flag with or without Jedi assistance.”
An unnatural smurk breaks the Chief’s serious demeanor.
Revak stands to address the group.
“They will expect us to stay high in the trees, attack at night and focus on their weakness. I say we do the opposite. We approach while we still have daylight, using the ground mist to hide our numbers. It will be a tough climb but we have the equipment to do it,” he looks over at il-Zaw, “If YOUR men are as good as you say they are; this shouldn’t be an issue for them.”
The Chief eyes Revak sternly, letting him know he found little humor in his quip. “I will inform them of the plan and can be ready to move out within the hour.” He salutes the Jedi, clicking his heals loudly, before leaving the tent.
John clears his throat before addressing his concern for the plan, “We don’t know what is down there. We might be fighting more than Team Katarn.”
Rhiann responds with a smile, “Listen, if you encounter anything, just remember to document it for the Flora/Fauna archives, BEFORE you kill it.”
All but John founds the humor in her words.
Sang stands, clicks off the holomap and announces, “He said within the hour, let’s move out!”
