"I'd like to grab some more grenades before heading down, but otherwise I am ready."
Zaelos nods to Na'Soth, "Go ahead Na'Soth and stock up. We will wait for you to return." He looks over to the others. "This goes for you as well."
Arana hurries after Na'Soth to the armoury. There she grabs two bandoliers of frag grenades, 10 total.
"Grab me some grenades as well, and a couple power packs," Janitor says as Arana and Na'Soth head off to the armory.
At the hangar, the trooper nods to the officer. "How experienced is he, or she? And what other munitions could we take to the surface--heavy guns, vehicles, things of that nature."
Karval heads to the hanger with the rest; the taking of the ship has sapped some of his enthusiasm for death, preferring the simple pleasure of testing his strength against a foe. At the same time he realises that their actions can help a entire race of people, Taggards' response that thousands have already been captured to be tortured fills him with dread.
The bodyguard stays with Zaleos and doesn't go to collect any grenades, knowing his duty is more important. "We are doing the right thing?" he asks the noble.
Zaelos does not turn his head to face Karval as he quietly answers "Are you referring to helping the Malaki people...or Mirianna?"
"Well, we must help the people of Malakai and Mirianna is a great leader." Karval replies with low concern; "It's just so much death and despair. To fight against it is just but difficult; like holding back the tides of darkness with bare hands."
Na'Soth also grabs a couple bandoliers of grenades, 1 of stun and 1 of frag, getting the same for Janitor.
Returning to the ship bay, "I would suggest that on the way down, we figure out at least a rough outline of what we hope to accomplish not just here, but in the overall scheme of things. Immediate action means little if it does not contribute to long term success. At some point we need to bring Danaten Station back into this, and I have some ideas of how to handle that angle. Than there is the Aristocracy to deal with; again, I have an idea that might help us with that, but it will require coordination and looking beyond the immediate danger."
In the hanger you have access to more than a few vehicles, pretty much anything you would want including the infamous Spider Walkers. If you take vehicles you will need a vehicle lander as well.
In addition, you are not over the valley where the Malaki had set up base. You will have to fly there manually which could take a couple of hours
You will also not be able to land in the valley for the same reason's Night's forces could not land there. The closest most usable landing spot is where Night's invading force landed. If the enemy is still there and it is likely they are, you will have to land right on top of them.
Are you prepared for all of this?
Karval is bolstered by Na'Soth's speech; "Yes, action's without thought for the consequences is essential. Of course, indecision can be equally fatal."
Whilst they take a vehicle down to the surface, possibly the very pad that they left - or the Jedi Temple?
"We have to act so that we can gain COrtels' knowledge, enable a truce between the Danaten Station Chiss and the Aristocracy. Whilst at the same time gaining a foot-hold for the Empress with Chiss space." Karval nods; "How about if we film this excursion, for propaganda purposes. Show the Empresses subjects that there is Darkness out their that's she's fighting for them."
'That could be a useful thing, if electrical systems don't work too well in the Malakai valley then maybe it can be left to the indigenous people.'
"So, we land at Night's landing Pad or at the nearby Temple. The spider climbers are the only thing that'll cross the mountains." Karval adds.
"The pad will be best but we'll be going in hot."
"A more likely scenario is bringing the Chiss rebellion at Danaten Station to Malakai where they and the Malakai can directly support each other without either being an immediate and direct threat to the Chiss Aristocracy. Together, their combined forces on the ground and in space would be enough to discourage small raiding, and allow them to hold off a major invasion long enough for the empress to pull in her own resources and/or open up another front somewhere else relieving the pressure. I just don't see any other scenario working out in the long run; if the empress is going to gain a foothold here, she needs the Malaki and the Chiss dissenters to be able to directly and immediately back each other up until she can bring other resources to bear. The dissenters need the sheer numbers of warriors that the Malaki have to keep the Aristocracy from simply crushing them, and the Malaki need the dissenters to secure the skies above the planet and provide instruction on the technology left behind by Night's forces. While the idea of having both Malakai and Danatan Station in the hands of allies sounds nice, none of the parties involved has the resources needed to pull it off, and pulling out of Danatan Station would also serve as a peace offering of sorts to the Aristocracy. The chances they could hold Malakai are slim enough under the best of circumstances and it's far enough away from the rest of their space that they can probably be convinced to let it go if it means Danatan Station is no longer a major threat and a major burr in the middle of their declared independent state.
To that end, I would suggest our immediate goals being clearing the planet of any remaining imperials and trandoshan and securing the best possible space port, and if possible two or three function space ports, so that the folks from Danatan Station have a secure base of operations to work from."
Zaelos nods slowly, "I think your analysis is accurate, Na'Soth. The hard part will be getting the rebel Chiss and the Malaki to work together. I am not sure relocating Danataan Station to Malaki is a good plan, as it would be seen as a direct provocation to the Aristocracy. Perhaps a compromise can be worked out..."
He glances at Taggard, "Getting the starport at the Jedi Temple operational is a good place to start."
He motions to the pilot of the Shuttle, "Take us in low, we need to see what awaits us at the landing Pad."
Coming in on the landing zone the empire use, your long range scanners pick up a good deal of activity. Best you can tell there is a good number of imperial vehicles and personnel still at the landing site by the mountain. Aboout a third of what it was before the attack but still more than your numbers can handle straight on.
"The station itself is optional; the movement of the people and their current resources is not if they, along with the other mentioned parties are going to stay the masters of their own fates. That is why capturing star ports is vital."
"We go to the Port, as the Malakai know where to hide." Karval nods in agreement.
He looks out of the window at the heavy resistance down below; "To go there would be suicide. And Makabe was relying upon his allies to help him locate the tribes hide-out; if we take out the Trandoshian forces then their Imperial allies will falter."
"A small strafing run over the landing pad, then off to the main star-port?" Karval suggests.
Zaelos shakes his head, "No too risky,. Let's pick up the tank and our droids, then land at the Temple. We can then plan our next move."
"Pick them up and then to the closest StarPort. Thus we at least establish some landing facility." Karval shrugs; "It's at the expense of surprise, but I doubt we are going to get much surprise against trained soldiers."
"I'm guessing surprise will be hard to come by," Janitor agrees with his fellow Mandalorean. "Let's just do what we can."
"I think we need to marshal our supplies and allies before we do anything further. Do we have anyway of knowing if your people are still in the valley short of going their ourselves, Taggard? At any rate, the temple landing pad sounds like as good a place as any to land initially unless we want to try to land close to where they would have retreated to."
"Unfortunately, we cannot go to where they would have retreated." Karval remembers; "It will be deep withing the mountains, where Space-craft and Hi-Tech flyers cannot travel."
"The temple then. We pick up the equipment and droids. Shall we head to a nearby Starport to create a beach-head?"
Heading to a nearby starport would be suicide as they are ALL controlled by the enemy. You would likely be shot down before you would even be able to land.
Therefore, if you land anywhere, you can land in an open field next to the mountain range where your droids are, then from there you can enter the valley on foot to see if Taggard's people have fled or successfully fended off their enemies.
Taggard points out that it is entirely possible the people defended and if they have, they would not have retreated.
Also, Taggard says the second base location is easier to fly over and land near. It is a maze of small canyons and rock formations. Ships can fly over it easier but can't quite land on it. Still, it won't stop them from hovering and dropping troops.
The recommendation is to land near the droids and inspect the valley.
"Starports are a little dangerous with all the activity here. I think Taggard's advice for a drop by the base location isn't bad--we can get a sit-rep on the Malakai's positioning, and return to the valley if need be."
"Might as well, we might not be able to achieve much elsewise on the planet." Karval adds with a hint of frustration.
Karval tries to help with the piloting down to the temple. Landing the craft smoothly upon the landing pad.
"We have all our equipment? Is there any Spike Launchers or rope?" the Mandolorean makes sure he is properly equipped before they move to survey the valley.
You land in the open plains next to the mountain range where the Malaki base is located. You have the droids and the tank load up into the shuttle and then you begin the trek to the valley. With Taggard and his men's help, you have a lot less effort this time around. You are shown the easiest routes into the valley.
Once inside you arrive at the Malaki base to find that the base is shockingly still intact. The Malaki have successfully fended off the imperial forces with few casualties. They are still ready to retreat but Taggard assures them retreat is not necessary.
Since the Empire is unable to send down more forces due to the conflict with the Aristocracy, the valley is safe again. Taggard begins to order his people to reestablish themselves.
Once all the duties have been laid out and resetting activity has begun. Taggard then approaches your group. "We have begun to reset. We have nothing to fear from the imperials, and without there help, these Trandoshan's will prove little of a challenge. But I am concerned of these "Chiss" things you were talking too. I don't understand your relation to them. Are they friends of yours? They didn't seem to like you very much which is what I am worried about. If they are not your friends, are they another threat?"
"I wish I knew precisely where they stood. The best read I can get from them is that they are stubborn individualists looking out for themselves first and foremost, meaning that if we give them reason enough to back off or face full fledged war on multiple fronts, hopefully their survival instinct will kick in, and they will prove to be as troublesome to the other imperial factions as they are to our allies and ourselves."
Zaelos nods in agreement with Na'Soth. "Yes, the Aristocracy believes in an independent Chiss Empire first and foremost, so they would look at any Imperials with distrust. However whether this would carry over to the dealings with the Malaki people is another question entirely. Should you ally with the Chiss rebel faction then they would beocme your enemy. Considering they wished to enslave our peoples to begin with...I feel should not be trusted."
"Exactly, we have to show the Chiss it would be expensive to try and take the planet." Karval adds; "Same with Zadora's forces, the Trandoshians' will fall like wheat and there is little point in re-sowing them."
"How? Is the question." Karval thinks.
Taggard narrows his eyes at you. "So you see these Chiss things as enemies or some kind of threat huh? Great, now we hafta prepare to fight them next. Blast it. Well I'll get the men ready for battle. Are they tougher or weaker than imperials? Do they have scaly animal-like allies? Tell us everything you can."
Karval nods to the commander; "We might be able to sort this out politically." there is a slight distain for the last word, however as a good gladiator he knows the necessity of it.
"The Aristocratic Chiss want to despoil & strip mine the world. If we can get our friendly Chiss involved, or even the 'rebellion', then we can stop them." Karval says thoughtfully.
"What next. We should stop the Aristocracy from falling upon this world; however we need to get access for Cortels' research from them." he surveys the scene carefully.
"Arana, you know guerilla warfare. It could work against the mining machine?" he asks the beautiful 'witch'. "How about we talk to the Aristocracy, warn them away from the world - in a friendly manner. See if they can release access to the lab to us?"
Upon landing Arana had run off to see which of her Malakai friends had survived the Imperial assault; finding that some had been killed she returned to the shuttle a trifle subdued.
Leaning agains the gangplank support, listening to the others discuss strategy, her head perks up when Karval asks his question.
Stepping forward a bit hesitantly, she says "Yes, small coordinated strike teams could attack and sabotage the mining infrastructure and any civilian personnel; depriving the Aristos of materiel and expert knowledge. If we make the monetary cost of maintaining mining operations so high, they should look else where for a more profitable location for business; at the very least they should be more amenable to negotiation." checking ideas off on her fingers as she lists them.
"And if the Aristocracy really want a some resources, this planet could be a 'Chiss Protectorate'. The Malakai could mine, but considerately. And the Aristocracy could seem like liberators to their populace, rather than greedy agressors." Karval nods.
"This is if we want to work with the Aristocracy, rather than the sensible Danaten Station."
Zaelos holds up a cautioning hand, "While I have limited experience working with members of the Chiss race, I have discovered they are a proud, some would say arrogant people, though Nichos thankfully was an exception to that rule." Gazing away from the others he continues softly, "Once the Aristocracy have determined they are superior to those around them, in this case the Malaki people, or to the concept of being members of the Empire for that matter, their pride alone would compel them to oppose us if at all possible."
"Our best strategy with the Chiss seems to be not to defeat them, but to make their efforts so expensive as to make them look elsewhere for their resources. For now, though, we need to focus a bit more on the here and now of the surface problems. We need to secure the landing zone the imperials were using, and then secure at least a few space ports for the Chiss dissidents to use to as a base of operations, using any remaining equipment at the landing site. We also need to find and take out any remaining pockets of imperial resistance, and secure their equipment. The landing zone we could probably utilize the same tunnels as before. From there, we'll need to wing it based on what intelligence we gather along the way."
Taggard nods seemingly unconvinced. "Expensive means costly I take it. We can definitely do that if we are talking lives and possessions but these guys are about the same as the imperials and thus they are likely to be tactical and persistent. There is also one major difference. The imperials wanted our people alive and as unharmed as possible. Thus they passed on many war tactics that could have wiped us out or used them as little as possible. From what I gathered from your conversations with them and what you speak of them, they are more interested in the world we stand on than the people. They would probably not forgo extermination tactics if they have the means to execute them and we still don't have counter measure to bomb dropping flyers and hard assault tactics. Again, the imperials were trying hard to take us alive. So they held back a good deal. Also, they are NOT holding back from the Chiss and from what I understand, the Chiss are winning. What does that say about our odds of survival should these Chiss decide to wipe us out?"
Zaelos frowns, "You raise a good point Taggard. I think it will hinge on how soon we can bring the rebel Chiss to Malaki. They would be ideally suited to deal with the Chiss on their own terms." He sighs heavily, "If nothing else it will give the Aristocracy something to concern themselves with."
"Yeah, it makes military action near impossible. The Aristocratic Chiss outnumber all forces in the sector." Karval shakes his head; "We'd have to do anything politically."
"Unfortunately Na'Soth, from the sensors:- any aerial assault would be suicide. A ground assault upon the landing pads very costly. Our enemy has decades to turn it into a fortress. I'm not sure what to do...."
Okay since no one has anything else to say, You guys retire for the night. It is late and you guys have been awake for more than eighteen hours so you need to you rest.
The next day you are contacted by The Raptor's Captain. "Commander Zaleos, the Chiss have won against Makabe and the remaining imperials have fled the system. Now they want to speak with you A.S.A.P. What are your orders sir?"
Zaelos sighs and tried to rub the sleep off his face. The rest he had gotten had been all too brief. Realizing the Malaki village did not have the modern communications he was accustomed to, he replied, "Understood Captain. Please inform the Chiss Ambassador I will meet with him shortly. In the meantime, please make arrangements to host him aboard the Raptor...should he request it."
Once the captain has acknowledged the orders, he motions to the others. "I fear our time here is coming to an end. Please gather your things, we need to leave shortly."
Karval looks grim; as well he should. 'So my tribesmen are to remain here, to be part of the depredations of a new regime. There's nothing I can do about it, Empress Palpatine is not strong enough to stop them. We need more power... a pity these are powerful allies.'
The Mandolorean has a disturbed nights sleep, taking little consolation at saving the souls of his tribe though it costs them their life.
Out in the morning sunlight, he nods to Zaleos. "Yes, we can see if we can make any political advances from this."
"Headman Taggard, I know you'll keep the tribe safe. We will do what we can to help, send teachers to show you the galaxy of advancements. Enabling you to eventually seize your own destiny." he tells his chieftain.
Standing a little apart from the rest, Arana looks stricken as she gazes out on the Malakai camp awakening in the morning light. Another home I cannot save...
She then walks over to where Karval and Taggard converse. Looking into Taggard's wise eyes, Arana breaks off a ragged sob and grasps the Jedi in a strong embrace "The Force be with you all...". She then breaks away and goes to gather her gear, wiping away the single tear running down her cheek.
He walks solemnly to Arana and squeezes her bicep lightly, tring to be comforting in his brusque manner; 'Seems that we leave the best of us with these people. Not just Nichos, but our hearts too.' his voice low and melancholy.
The trooper heads off to sleep with the rest of the group, and when he comes out in the morning, he's out of his armor. Though he doesn't look any smaller or less dangerous--he still has the slugthrower at his hip--the man does look different without his uniform.
Janitor clasps Taggard's wrist as the group seems to be departing. "I'm sorry I couldn't join the tribe, and I'm sorry we have to leave you like this. I'll try and come back some day, and win that place with you." The clone gives a small grin.
He also moves to Arana's side and smiles at her. "Nearly left me, too," he jokes at Karval's comment. "But if there's one thing this experience and my trip in that jungle show, it's that the Malakai are survivors. I'm sure they'll teach the Chiss a thing or two about life here." The trooper winks and heads off to retrieve his gear.
Buoyed by Janitors confidence, Karval nods. The appearance of the unarmoured Mandolorean has lifted his mood. "New look. Suits you." he dryly jokes.
The trooper grins back. "The armor's about as comfortable as it gets, but it's still a suit of hard plastoid. It's nice to be able to flex fully." Janitor rolls his shoulders. "It's also a bantha-and-a-half lighter without that weight."
You all collect your things and the tank, board up, and return to your ships.
Once on the Raptor, You take a few moments before you head to meet with the ambassador. Checking the status of the Chiss fleet, out of the ten there once were, only four remain. The Captain of the Raptor says the imperial ships fought to the last. None Survived and it is unsure as to the fate of Makabe. It appeared as thought Darth Night was not willing to give up this world no matter the cost. It definitely took its toll on the Chiss, that much is clear. The Chiss lost over half their force to another force only half it's original size. You are called to the private holocomm room to meet him.
The holocomm room has a table and chairs set up with enough room for each of you. As you make yourselves comfortable. The holographic image of the Chiss ambassador appears. He makes his way over and sits down in a holographic chair. "Greetings. I am ambassador Collin Calkus and I am here to make this very simple. Leave the system. This is your one chance to do so before we remove you ourselves. We have defeated the "other" imperial presence in this system but only you remain. Once we have cleared you out we will deal with one final problem and then the Chiss Aristocracy will have power over these stars again. Are we clear?"
"Your final problem? Perhaps we can be of further assistance." Karval says calmly. 'He'll mean Danaten or the genocide of the Malakai. But we need to remind him 'no culture is an island' the warrior thinks.
'Seems the Chiss aren't the best warriors, but they have more troops and ships. he assesses.
"Believe me when I say this, ambassador; I would love to leave you and your little corner of the world behind and never bother you again, but that simply is not possible. For one thing, the days of the republic where one could live in peaceful ignorant bliss of the rest of the universe are over; those who try to do so now will find themselves overrun later if not sooner; you have defeated one of Night's fleets, but he has others, and will likely be back in greater force if we simply leave. Secondly, there are multiple challenges that remain on the surface, and neither the Trandoshan slavers nor the Malaki are likely going to stand aside quietly, and you won't be able to simply bomb them from the sky. All told, taking and holding this planet is going to be a far more costly endeavor that even the vast resources of the planet cannot fully pay for, and would simply turn into a perpetual battlefield that you could never win. You will never be the master of this planet; there are too many people interested in it's many resources, and by pursuing it, you would only leave a major hole in your defenses that would give others an opportunity to weaken you as a whole, and someday someone would most assuredly strike the fatal blow.
There is another way out of this, however, that is well worth considering and that would solve many of your difficulties without shedding a great deal of blood and spending a lot of coin into perpetuity. I understand that Danaten Station is posing a bit of a headache for you. Allow them to relocate here, and all of your problems are solved. If Night's fleets come back, you aren't the ones who have to fight them; you no longer have the thorn in your side that is the dissenters in the heart of your territory; and you have all of your resources free to focus on bolstering your defenses rather than draining them on a perpetual, endless, unwinnable battle. All you have to give up is one planet on the outer rim of your claimed territory that, though it has great potential, would likely be a long time paying for itself even if you had the luxury of peace to work in.
Instead of pretending to dominate in a place that you never will, picture the alternate scenario. You are able to maintain a solid defense while sustaining a protective screen, and making sure that any imperial remnant that attempts to make an active move in this sector is immediately going to be face being countered by every other imperial remnant, either here or elsewhere, thus reducing the pressure applied to your own borders. In the meantime, the dissidents will have their hands full removing the slavers and bringing the Malaki out of the dark ages, meaning that you will be able to consolidate your own internal affairs as well. All around, you win with the arrangement; it may not be the win you anticipated, but given the current circumstances, it is a valid and nearly complete win nonetheless, and I'm sure that a race of your skill and intellect can find ways to further strengthen your overall position with the freed up resources. It's your choice, live and let live, or mutual destruction for all."