"Explain." The Warlord's voice is dangerously controlled, polite even. Hapunn finds himself taking an instinctive step back as well honed survival instincts kick in. Krenna, Nus and himself were inspecting a division of their leader's personal force. The berserkers stood in a well ordered line despite their eclectic gear.
"She got sloppy. Sloppy gets you killed." Nus belches and then scratches at his chin idly. "She wasn't one of us, not really." Hapunn holds his breath for a moment. The trio continue crunching softly through the snow. "Haneul was one of my most trusted lieutenants. She understood loyalty and sacrifice." Krenna's voice implied a lack of that in their remaining underlings.
"But she was a Jedi and she was obsessed with the Order. These Hopers clearly used that against her. Apparently she was corned in the old temple." Hapunn figures he might as well strike while the beskar's hot. "Mmmmhm. True enough I suppose. But is is an intolerable setback."
Krenna stops abruptly and turns to face the two lieutenants. "I will be expecting you to pick up her slack. This was a clear demonstration of the Republic's continuing strength on the planet. You will respond accordingly. My soldiers will maintain a focus on the siege." They turn back to pacing down the line as Nus and Hapunn share a look despite themselves. Neither was brave enough to ask the Warlord to temporarily suspend the siege.
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"Summon my officers." Hapunn takes a moment to remove his helmet and dab away at the collected sweat, dank farrik but Krenna scared him. Jumped up homicidal crazy-
"They await you in the command centre."
"Yes, thank you." With a groan he slips the still damp helmet back on and takes a moment to compose himself before striding into room, his men, sensible, experienced, all from good families, awaited him.
"Soldiers, I have just received news our host is the latest target of the Republic forces on planet."
Nobody speaks but the officers present straighten slightly.
"We will not, cannot let ourselves suffer Haneul's fate. As such, I have devised a...proactive response." He waves his hand and the projector fires up, displaying something huge...and just off-screen.
"This is our objective. Are there any questions?"
His second command snaps a salute. "When do we fly, sir?"
"Soon Xoz...soon."
Behind his mask he smiles. Let's see The Hopers prepare for this.
