Roan's plan was precise, logical and obviously had some influence from the tactical side of their operation(Neta and Elara's knowing smiles were evidence enough). Blending Roan's superb strategical mind and Force ability with the experience and combat knowledge of the two leading military women made for an inspiring enough plan that Yerbol believed would work, despite the fear that was crawling around the back of his mind that wanted to overtake him. He had been on contested worlds, gone into heavy fighting, yes, but this...this was a battle on a whole other plane of existence. Aria's reminder about how many they had lost, how much they had fought for and worked towards, brought him back from his thoughts and into reality. He wouldn't allow the sacrifices of so many go wasted into oblivious. They would fight with every last ounce of their strength until Bracknell was dead. There was no other alternative. There couldn't be.
As the group dispersed out of the room, Neta called out:
"Hey, Yerbol, wait a minute." He told Aria he would catch up with her momentarily before moving closer to the spec ops officer.
"What is it?" The confident, borderline cocky demeanor fell for a moment, eyes betraying concern.
"I ah-I need you to do me a favor. In case this all hits the fan." She reached into the front pocket of her vest and withdrew a miniature holocron.
"This is a coded holocron that's tied directly to a terminal on Alderaan, just outside House Organa. I need you, once this is all over, to go there and place it in the terminal, then follow the directions."
"What is th-"
"I'm not finished." A hand shot out and grabbed his left upper arm, squeezing uncomfortably tight.
"You tell them that I did everything I could to get back to them, that I'm with their Daddy and..." Her eyes misted over, her free hand rubbing away a couple of tears that had already began to run down her face.
"And that I loved them. I loved them like no one else would or ever will. You understand that? You tell them that exactly." Yerbol swallowed hard, his voice cracking in reply:
"Why don't you tell them yourself, wimp?" She laughed sadly, squeezing even harder.
"You see what we're up against, sweetcheeks. I've gotta hedge the bet against myself, make sure that my affairs are in order and all that fun stuff before we start shooting the bad guys." She laughed slightly before adding:
"You know, I didn't think I would ever trust you with something like this. To be honest, I thought you were a little punk when we first met." They both shared a chuckle before Neta released her grip, looking up at Yerbol with a bright, sincere smile.
"I like to think the people that I fight with are family. We kind of adopted each other back in spec ops. I'd like to let you know that I formally made you my little brother six months ago."
"Why wasn't I informed?"
"Because I don't need you thinking that you're ALWAYS in my good graces." Another shared laugh before Yerbol leaned in and wrapped his arms around the former pilot with a smile, Neta returning the gesture.
"You be careful out there, baby boy. Come back to us in one piece." As they released, she left a hand on the back of his head, shaking it playfully before adding:
"And you make sure that cutie of yours doesn't get hurt."
"Neta..."
"I couldn't resist."
_______
Yerbol caught up to Aria, apologizing for his delay just as Vano and a squadron of scouts passed by. After a brief exchange, the duo found themselves waiting outside the only shuttle left in the hangar, the others dispersing to various parts of the Zinuthra wilderness to brace for the oncoming invasion. They were quiet, which was normal before a mission, but that silence was interrupted by Aria calling his name softly. He turned to face her, then quickly finding himself tightly squeezed in her arms. Yerbol gently wrapped his own arms around her waist, kissing her softly on the head as they stood in the desolate hangar, a moment of peaceful solemnity shared between them.
"There'll be far more hugs after this, Ari. When we get back. Alive." He nodded at her admonition about staying close, telling her:
"Always. I'm never leaving your side."
____
"The final strike is now coordinated. Shuttles two, five and seven will deploy at specified distances from the rebel base. Cannon support will be provided by aerial strikes that will commence before, during and after landing. Troop transports will follow after initial scouting parties clear some of the areas away. Stay in communication at all times, kill every last one of them. They have stood in the way of progress long enough. We wipe them out. Now." Soto waved her hand to dismiss the commanding officers, waiting for their exit from the room before withdrawing her personal holo-comm and contacting Bracknell, who appeared a moment later.
"Master, everything is in preparation. I assume your battle meditation has already been put into motion? The troops seemed more motivated than normal." A smirk crossed her features as she continued:
"Just like you requested, I'll be on the ground leading our forces towards the base. I head out now. Your will shall be done, Master. And the galaxy will tremble."
___
Winds whipped across the atmosphere of the planet, clouds blooming from soft white to ebony black, thunder rolling across the sky.
"Stay in harmony with each other at all times." Jungze calmly told the twenty or so younglings seated in a circle, each of them cross-legged, hands clasped together, eyes closed in focus. The Sith Lord sat in the center in a similar manner, her energies melding with those in the room before being projecting upwards.
"We will be at one with the Force, at one with the planetary energies that swirl around you. Ride the currents, give into every undulation you feel." She felt the foundations of the base rumble, heard the hissing of energy shields being activated outside. They were already on the planet.
Force help them all.
___
"Units three, four and one, report in!"
"Caught ten of them sneaking down through the forest west of the base. Took them down with a few casualties. Didn't see what was coming!"
"Make sure it stays that way!" Elara hissed before addressing the members of her own squadron:
"Havoc, report!"
"Demolition charges set, energy shields online and Zora even picked off a few through the treeline. More incoming, even through the storm that's gotten kicked up." Neta grimaced as she patched into Abbeth's com:
"Abbeth, get your people on the shuttle and wait for the all clear."
"Copy." Neta looked up to the galaxy map to see even more transports deploying towards them, chewing her lower lip as she felt for the blaster pistol secured snugly against her hip, cradling the grip with her right hand.
"T-Minus two till lift off. More transports incoming, use them as cover to break through to the bigger ships."
"Roger. Good luck down here."
"We'll need it."
____
"Get strapped in, people! Lift off is now!"
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El Taco Taco
The Elvenqueen