The rearmost shuttle’s soldiers shifted anxiously in their seats as the pilot navigated them through the atmosphere. It weaved carefully above the trees, falling farther and farther away from the others, before peeling off towards the west. Its momentum gradually slowed until it stopped completely and hovered behind a mountain of trees and natural rock. Every soldier inside exchanged glances, then moved their gazes to a feminine, robed figure near the cockpit who kept still. They listened as the explosions in the distance went off and their comm channel blared with tactical information. Most of the dropships made their landing. Others were less fortunate. 

[color=f7976a][b]“What are we doing?” [/b][/color]One soldier found the nerve to ask. [color=f7976a][b]“We should be fighting too, not just sitting here. I thought Jedi were supposed to be brave! We’re just sitting back here like cowards— “[/b][/color]

The robed figure turned to face him, so quickly in fact that he nearly jumped in surprise. Dark, strong eyes met his beneath the shadow of the hood, until finally she pulled it back and exposed her face for the first time. The soldiers sat in their seats a little taller, while those that stood straightened their backs as much as they were able. 

[color=fff79a][b]“Cowards?”[/b][/color]Anari repeated, eyes narrowing. [color=fff79a][b]“What about this decision—my decision—makes us cowards?” His lip quivered to respond, but she beat him to it. “We will aid our people another way.”[/b][/color]

[color=f7976a][b]“And what way is that?”[/b][/color] he asked with a huff. [color=f7976a][b]“If Master Taal knew about this—“[/b][/color] 

[color=fff79a][b]“If Master Taal saw more paths than a direct one, maybe a dozen more men and women would be alive right now.”[/b][/color]

Silence fell over the soldier in question. They could all hear the reports of dropships not making the drop or being shot down in the process. The thought that it could have been them that died before even having a chance to face the enemy rose, but none spoke a word. The reports grew more intense and the sounds of fighting escalated. Only when she was certain that there was no more argument did Anari turn around to face the pilots ahead of her.

[color=fff79a][b]“It’s time. Press forward and keep behind as many mountains as you can. Cover is key.” [/b][/color]

The pilots complied and returned power to the engines, keeping low and doing just as instructed. A wide berth was given to the enemy stronghold until they were nearing the rear. The engines dulled as they made their approach. Anari focused her attention on points of entry even as the loss of life spiked with each passing second. She spotted just what they needed: a cavern, likely an escape route for Okussus, and hopefully an entry point for their own traps to be set. 

[color=fff79a][b]“There, a possible entry point,”[/b][/color] Anari pointed towards the mouth of it, leading outwards into the open wilderness of Ashal. [color=fff79a][b]“Take us as low as you can and pull back until I contact you again.”[/b][/color]

[color=f7976a][b]“Yes, sir.”[/b][/color] The pilots began their descent, hovering just several feet from the grassy grounds below. The soldiers within the shuttle ended their final weapons check while Anari opened the door with her own hand. She jumped down and landed with a crouch before the ship landed, and once it did the other soldiers joined her; armed with rifles and pistols, their heavy weapons were few, but their grenades and personal shielding units just might even the odds if things go awry. 

The shuttle took off again once the last soldier left and peeled off, maintaining discretion in both speed and height to keep to Anari’s strategy. Once it was safely away, the soldiers looked to the Jedi for leadership. She looked forward again to the mouth of the cavern and began to hustle, her men and women keeping pace, hoping to make the trouble of this flank mean something.