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The shuttle soared towards the junk planet, the stars passing behind it in the distance as it drew nearer to breaking through the atmosphere. The Lambda shook slightly, as the assembled crew inside of the vessel conversed as Kavis went about answering any questions. The veteran stormtrooper was feeling very confident about the mission. As the tattooed newcomer Malik Skaya spoke up, raising an important question, Sergeant Vytuia pondered it briefly before answering as clearly as he could.

"Command has stated that they wish the facility to be kept largely intact, the Empire has put a lot of work into the base. Though they will not be too upset if some collateral damage is caused as long as it means the facility is cleared out and secured. Any minor damage can be repaired. Thermal detonators should not cause too much damage, provided they aren't thrown [i]directly[/i] at important machinery." Kavis replied, he wouldn't hold his squad back from using explosives if it meant the base was taken back. As the next squad member, Private Orson spoke up, the sergeant turned his attention to him. 

"We are more than likely going to be locked out of the base. Our reconnaissance of the area containing the base has shown zero signs of activity. Whoever is in there either locked themselves inside or hid outside of it," Kavis stated, the piles of junk and the lack of visibility on the world offered many possibilities for enemies to hide. "All communications to the base have failed, and it is likely we will have to breach our way inside, though once inside we should make it a priority to slice into the facility's systems in order to regain control and assess the situation further."

"Sergeant, we've breached through the atmosphere and are rapidly approaching the landing zone." The pilot exclaimed from the cockpit of the shuttle. The other Lambdas also broke through and were well on their way to making landfall on the world. 

"Excellent to hear. They will not know what hit them. Let's give them hell, troopers!" Sergeant Vytuia said powerfully, closing the hologram and raising one fist upwards slightly as he rallied his soldiers. 

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Unbeknownst to the approaching Imperial forces signs of life stirred on Lotho Minor's surface, hidden visually by the disgusting smog which filled much of the world. Some of the inhabitants of the world who had knocked the Imperial base out of commission darted around the outside of the conquered compound. A cybernetically enhanced hand rose to the sky, pointing out the approaching shuttles rocketing directly towards them. The Junker seemed to holler in a strange, alien tongue, its form composed of reforged machinery, making it appear more machine than man. 

In the Junker's other hand it clenched a blaster rifle, and flicked the safety off. Others of its species darted around, some setting up turrets and high powered blasters. A trio quickly began work on setting up a machine gun encampment at the top of a hill. They worked stunningly fast, the mechanically enhanced hybrid species were marvels when it came to machinery. They knew the Imperials would come eventually, and they had no intention of giving up the base. 

As the first shuttle approached, carrying Charlie and Bravo squad, another Junker appeared from out of the rubble. Over its shoulder it carried a missile launcher, with a rapid motion of its hands the cybernetically enhanced being fired a single rocket towards the Lambda, kicking up dust as the explosive slammed out of the launcher. The rocket hurtled through the sky, tracking after the shuttle. The Imperial pilot flying the vessel attempted evasive maneuvers but to no avail.

"Come in, this is Shuttle B3 carrying two Stormtrooper squa-, we've been hit! Going dow-" A panicked voice exclaimed through the speakers inside the cockpit of the ship carrying Alpha squad. As it drew nearer to the surface the message became harder to understand and filled with more static. Kavis heard it, and turned his head suddenly. As he started to move towards the cabin their shuttle shook, sending him to the floor. 

"We're under fire! B3 is down, I'm going to try to drop you all in there as quickly as possible." The pilot exclaimed, regaining control of his shuttle as it was under heavy blaster fire from the surface. The deflector shields absorbed the damage, though a more constant barrage would break through if the pilot was not careful. Thankfully the Empire only picked the best pilots.

Below them, the Junkers who had appeared on the surface outside the base focused their fire on the approaching shuttle. B3 careemed towards the surface, spinning and twisting as the pilot tried to land. The shuttle's shields had gone down from the direct hit of the rocket, The Junkers couldn't have asked for a better hit. More heavy blaster fire came its way from some Junkers on the other side of the base where the shuttle was heading downwards towards. Smoke began to seep from the vessel as it went down. The Lambda crashed to the surface, the pilot managing to steer into an open area. Still it skid across the ground, kicking up dirt and debris. It was likely troopers inside survived, though some causalities were likely due to the intensity of the landing.  

"Almost there!" The pilot of Alpha squad's shuttle muttered, the ship still shaking heavily. Kavis managed to get to his feet, and forced himself into a seat. The pilot shouted loudly, tension evident on his features. "I'm not going to be able to drop you guys right near the base, still I can get you as close as I can."

Indeed he did, the Lambda going to the ground as gently as he could place it. As soon as the ship was down, the pilot hollered for them to get out as quickly as they could. Kavis was the first one to his feet, dashing towards the ramp as it opened up. They would be dropped right into a hot-zone, to the north was the base, on top of a hill. A turret was there, firing upon their shuttle. Though the thick haze which enveloped the surface made visibility difficult for the turret, and its shots weren't all landing. 

They'd have to make their way across a short field, thankfully plentiful with positions to take cover. Whether it be rocks or scattered mechanical debris. Still, their enemies had a line of sight on them. A total of nine junkers were before them, including one manning the turret. Four set up on the hill, taking defensive positions. Another four made their way towards the shuttle, coming into view of Alpha squad as they all made their way out of the Lambda. Two of these four took up cover, planting themselves behind old machinery. Two more charged forward, going for a direct approach. To the squad's left was an almost mountain of machine scraps. As Kavis emerged from the shuttle he pointed one of his hands towards it, hollering through his in suit communicator. 

"Tapalo get up there, you too Trawin, we're going to need suppressing fire on the hostiles. Everyone else move ahead, take cover and push forward steadily. The closer we go to the base the clearer shot that turret has of us. Don't get caught in its path." The sergeant ordered, then dove to take cover behind an ancient, rusted ship engine. 

He fired upon the first Junker to appear in his sight, it flanked by another which both returned fire. The squad could hear more blaster fire nearby them, as the other Imperials landed and engaged the hostiles. The shuttle which had dropped them off rocketed towards the sky, escaping the battle as the Junkers were focused on the deployed Stormtroopers.

"[i]Tempest[/i], come in, this Sergeant Vytuia, KV - 4217, of the 1st Platoon, we are under heavy fire from the enemy. Making our way towards the base," Kavis stated into his comm link as he tried to communicate with the crew of the [i]Tempest[/i] and give a status report. He only heard static as he spoke. "Those bastards must have set up a communications blocker somewhere nearby, I can't send anything to to [i]Tempest[/i]. Another thing we'll need to take out."