The Crimson Path dropped out of hyperspace at the edge of the Lothal star system. The vessel did not travel along, and the small flotilla assigned to escort the flagship and Praxeum vessel of the High Sith Order joined it over the next hour. Once the full force had been assembled, it began to make its way towards the world of Lothal. It played no message, sent out no warnings. The formation of vessels approached the world in silence, broken only when the transport craft began to stream from their holds. It was not the first time in recent years that Lothal had experienced the horrors of a planetary invasion. The people were ready.
Lothal, like many worlds in the eastern fringes, experienced the dark horrors of the Bryn'adul invasion. Only recently had some refugees begun to make their way back home, under the supposed protection and guidance of a Enclave of Jedi. Natives of Lothal themselves, the Enclave of Amis worked hard to rebuild their homeworld. For their efforts, they were to be the first target of the High Sith Empire war machine. Transports filled with a mixture of Dar'ashra warriors and other elements of the still growing High Sith Empire military shot towards the world below, eager to bring the will of their leaders to bear against the Jedi and their charges on the surface.
Megarea herself had decided to join the landing force, and she idly checked her saberstaff one last time as the dropship shook around her on its final approach. Around her, Dar'ashra warriors stood in stony silence, their faces hidden behind full helmets with an upside down triangle visor. Their crimson armor gleamed in the flickering lights of the dropship, standing in stark contrast to the purple and blue robes that Megarea wore.
The target of the assault was a fortified settlement located near the equator of the world. Here, the Jedi Enclave had established defenses, and proper housing and food stores for the growing resettlement population. Having learned their lesson from the Bryn'adul, the settlement was fortified and shielded, preventing outright obliteration. A sustained orbital bombardment would have solved the problem in time, but Megarea was not one to pass up a chance to test herself, or her followers. In attacking the Enclave, the High Sith Empire's military, up until that point a jumbled mess of various fragments forced together, would be tested in the fires of battles. From this test, Megarea would learn what was so far working, and what would still need to be altered.
After several minutes of rocky descent, the dropship suddenly slammed into the ground. Moments later, the Dar'ashra warriors within, and Megarea, rushed down the ramp, blaster bolts rushing past them. Ahead, Megarea could see the settlements walls, with a militia force drummed up by the Jedi Enclave manning the walls. She could see a few of the Jedi defenders themselves, their distinct robes and commanding posture easily discernable from the distance. Intent to allow things to play out, Megarea allowed her forces to move past her. She would let them lead the initial foray.
Darth Centax S0-T0 Darth Vastitas Kahlil Noble