As a few hours passed, Luna's fleet had managed to defeat the Republic fleet and was now deploying reinforcements to the surface of the planet. Luna herself decided to join the battle joined by her sister Vaelora and 10,000 Empyrean Guards.
When the war started, each of Daimon's children naturally joined the war and were given command of 5,000 Empyrean Guards each to protect them during the war. They were sent not only to be protectors of Daimon's children, but to also be their advisors.
While they had learned many skills growing up from leadership, tactics, business, and diplomacy, nothing could replace actual combat experience. The Empyrean Guards were there to ensure they survived long enough to gain that experience.
Luna's fleet of dropships descended through the atmosphere, followed by several squadron of Imperial fighters. Through the viewport, she could see the jungle canopy below, with the occasional blaster bolts being seen. Smoke rose from multiple locations, marking where either Republic or Imperial positions had been overrun.
"Princess, we're approaching the forward command post," the pilot announced. "Imperial forces have secured the area, but Republic artillery is still active three kilometers to the north."
"Land anyway," Luna ordered. "We'll coordinate a push to eliminate their remaining strongholds."
The dropships touched down in clearing that had been hastily converted into a landing zone. Imperial soldiers were already unloading equipment from other transports, ignoring the sounds of blaster fire and explosions in the distance.
The dropships ramps opened, revealing Luna followed by Vaelora and the Empyrean Guard descending onto the battlefield. The Empyrean Guards immediately started to form a protective perimeter around them.
(Luna)
(Vaelora)
A Gen'Dai officer approached and saluted. "Princess Luna, Princess Vaelora. Commander Kelrix, Fourth Division. The Republic forces are fortifying themselves across all fronts. We've captured or eliminated approximately thirty percent of their ground forces. The remainder are holding their positions and protecting their landing zones."
Luna looked over the tactical map that Commander Kelrix displayed, showing enemy positions scattered throughout the jungle terrain. "What's their supply situation?"
"Limited, Princess. Their orbital supply chain was disrupted when you destroyed their carrier groups. They're rationing ammunition and relying on what they brought down initially. We estimate they have maybe forty-eight hours before they run critically low."
"Then we don't give them forty-eight hours," Luna decided. "Vaelora, take half the Empyrean Guard and strike their northern artillery positions. I'll lead the assault on their main command center to the east. Commander Kelrix, coordinate with your division commanders. I want simultaneous attacks across all fronts in two hours."
"Understood, sister. I'll see you back here once the battle is over." replied Vaelora as she departed with her contingent of guards.
While she departed, Luna turned her attention to the eastern front. The Republic command center was their most heavily defended position, protected by heavy weapons and surrounded by entrenched infantry. Taking it wouldn't be a problem for the Empyrean Guard, but having additional forces to offset the number difference would be great.
"Princess," one of the Empyrean Guards approached, his armor bearing several medals from countless battles. "The terrain between here and their command center is heavily mined. Republic engineers must have been working overtime to set them up."
"Then we don't use their approaches," Luna replied, pulling up a topographical map of the region. Her finger traced a path through a steep ravine that the Republic likely dismissed as impassable for infantry. "This ravine here. It's steep, but our forces can handle it. We'll hit their eastern flank which is likely not that defended because of its location."
The Empyrean Guard commander looked over the route, then nodded. "Risky, but effective. The Republic won't have prepared defenses there."
"Exactly. Assemble a strike force. I want everybody to be equipped with their jump jets. We move in ninety minutes."
While Luna prepared her assault, Vaelora was already moving toward the northern artillery positions with her detachment. The jungle had begun to grow thicker as they advanced forward, hiding the view of the sun from the Empyrean Guards.
But their suits were equipped to handle most if not all types of scenarios, allowing them to move through the jungles with no problem.
"Contact ahead," whispered one of the scouts. "Republic artillery battery, six guns, approximately two hundred infantry providing security."
Vaelora crept forward to observe herself. The Republic had set up in an open clearing, their artillery pieces arranged in a semicircle with overlapping fields of fire. Infantry patrols circled the perimeter, but their movements showed signs of exhaustion.
"They've been firing non-stop for hours," Vaelora observed. "Their crews will be tired, slower to react. We strike from multiple directions simultaneously. Disable the guns first, then eliminate the infantry."
The Empyrean Guards split into four groups, each approaching from a different angle. Vaelora led the central group, timing her watch to coordinate with the others. When the moment came, they struck at the same time.
Blaster bolts erupted from the jungle, targeting artillery crews before they could respond. The Republic infantry tried to form defensive positions, but the Empyrean Guards were too fast. Vaelora moved through the chaos with her lightsaber, deflecting shots while her guards eliminated the soldiers around them.
One of the artillery pieces managed to rotate toward the Imperial position, its crew attempting a desperate shot. Vaelora extended her hand, using the Force to crush the gun's firing mechanism. This caused the weapon to spark and its barrel to drop down.
"Secure the perimeter," she ordered, "Rig the remaining guns for demolition." they had no need for the weapons, and she didn't want the Republic to recover any of them.
Meanwhile, Luna's strike force had begun their descent into the ravine. The terrain was as bad as they expected, with loose rocks sliding beneath their boots as they navigated the steep path. Several soldiers activated their jump jets to clear the difficult sections; the brief bursts of propulsion could barely be heard over the dense jungle.
"We're approaching the eastern flank," Luna's tactical officer reported. "No signs of Republic sentries. They really did leave this approach undefended."
Luna nodded, grabbing her lightsaber. The Republic command center was established in place of an old Imperial base which was captured during the initial invasion.
The walls had been reinforced with temporary barriers, and sensor arrays pointed in every direction except the side that Luna's forces were coming from.
As they climbed the ridge, Luna signaled for her forces to halt and take position. "Empyrean Guards, form assault groups," she commanded quietly. "We breach on my signal. Target their communications array first, then move to secure their command staff. If they don't surrender then just kill them." this was a universal command that every Imperial officer was briefed on. If the enemy didn't want to surrender after being overwhelmed, then they would be killed.
The Empyrean Guards moved into their positions, surrounding the command center from numerous points. Luna counted down from five on her fingers, then ignited her lightsaber, signaling the start of the battle. She leapt forward, covering the distance to the command center's wall in a single Force-enhanced jump.
She managed to cut through the reinforced barriers like they paper, creating an opening. Behind her, the Empyrean Guards poured through the opening, their weapons already firing at startled Republic soldiers who hadn't expected an attack from this direction.
"We're under attack!" a Republic officer shouted into his comm. "Eastern wall breached! Request immediate…."
Luna Force-pushed him into a wall before he could finish. The impact knocked him unconscious, and she moved deeper into the facility. Republic soldiers attempted to mount a defense, but they were disorganized and caught completely off guard.
The Empyrean Guards systematically cleared section after section. They were showing their training and their title as the most elite warriors of the Imperium.
Once Luna reached the command center itself, she found a Jedi Master blocking her way. The Jedi Master quickly ordered the Republic officers to get behind him while he ignited his lightsaber.
"I know who you are." shouted the Jedi master.
"Do you? And what exactly do you think you know?" she responded.
"You're one of the Emperor's children. Luna, the Peacebringer they call you in Hutt space." The Jedi shifted his stance to a more aggressive one. "Though I see little peace in your actions today."
"Unlike my father, I am more lenient towards enemies." Luna replied. "However, you have invaded this world which has been entrusted to me by my father. Do not mistake my title as Peacebringer as a weakness. I have been trained by my father to know when to be ruthless."
The Jedi master watched Luna's stance, trying to figure out what combat form he should take. "The Emperor has twisted you, made you into a weapon for his conquest."
Luna saw where this was going, and she didn't want to argue back and forth with a Jedi who was blinded by their own philosophy. But before she could attack, the Jedi master saw that she was about to attack and had charged in first, his lightsaber aimed at Luna's chest.
She parried his attack, redirecting his blade and then taking a swing at his arms. He managed to dodge and establish some room between them.
The two then began to circle each other, their lightsabers held at the ready. The Jedi Master was clearly skilled, but Luna had been trained by Daimon himself, having learned combat techniques that transcended what the Jedi Order knew.
Luna sent a Force-push towards the Jedi Master who managed to block. But she used this to mask her attack as the moment he got done blocking; she was already a few inches in front of him.
He brought his lightsaber up to defend, and he just barely managed to lock blades with Luna.
Lune didn't stop there and swept his feet from under him, causing him to fall on his back. When he tried to recover, she already held her lightsaber at his throat. "Just surrender already." she demanded.
The Jedi Master didn't want to give up yet and attempted to grab his lightsaber, but Luna had pressed her foot on his arm.
"AHHHHH" the Jedi Master screamed in pain as his arm was being crushed.
Luna used the Force and pulled his lightsaber into her left hand so that he wouldn't attempt to grab it again. She then turned to the Empyrean Guards who had been waiting behind them. "Arrest those officers and this Jedi Master." she ordered.
The Empyrean Guards acknowledged and moved to arrest them.
The remainder of the battle saw the capture of the Republic command center. From here, Luna began to push further into Republic lines while Vaelora did the same in the opposite direction. The two of them showing the enemies the power of the Imperial Princesses.