The Varak Resistance, Ch. 2

A voice crackled over the radio as the land transport sped towards the temple. "Commander Imara! What's your ETA?"

"We're about 20 klicks away from your location. How's the offensive coming along?"

"We're close -- damn close! Thanks to Kruvuk and air support, we're advancing steadily, but we expect the enemy resistance will be heaviest inside the palace. The final push is going to be tough..."

"Hold your position for now! We'll be there ASAP... Keep it up! We're so close now!"

"You're sure this'll work?" Shalia asked. "We take the temple and the Empire just up and leaves?"

"The Temple of Ulaar is the Kruvuk's most sacred institution on Varak. We take it and their morale skyrockets. We gain the trust of the galaxy's fiercest, meanest warriors, who are more inspired to fight than ever. Either my brother's forces retreat or they suffer devastating losses," Imara explained.

"Sounds good to me," Reina chimed in. "And if they try to come back, we have a dreadnought waiting for them."

"I still can't believe you captured that," Imara said, unable to hide her awe for the two captains. "Varak owes you a huge debt."

"We'll settle for any Imperial plunder we can find," Shalia grinned.

"We've still got a mission to focus on," Reina reminded everyone. "We can talk about gratitude later. Zav'ra -- Rachel -- how are the comms on your end?"

"Loud and clear," Rachel answered. She and Zav'ra had agreed to track Reina's strike team from Imara's resistance HQ, while the strike team, consisting of Reina, Imara, Mia, Shalia & Kitra, made their way to the temple to aid the Resistance's final push. "We've been discussing the situation with Resistance strategists. I've sent the temple blueprints to Gear. She's found an underground passage that's only guarded by old sentry tech -- if you get close enough and set up an AI beacon, she says Shine can disable all of it. Meanwhile, Imperial forces would be busy dealing with the advancing Resistance forces. You'd have a direct, unguarded path to the Imperial commander."

"The commander's likely going to be surrounded by Maaradanean elite forces," Imara pointed out. "Are we ready for that?"

"I'm counting on it," Mia smiled, cracking her knuckles. She and Reina had once led a small, outmatched squad to victory over a **** hive. A few so-called "elite" soldiers? That was nothing.

Reina shared a knowing look with Mia. "If anything, you should worry more about them," she boasted.

"I guess we have a plan then," said Imara, reassured by the captain's confidence.