Capture of the Warlord

Contextual Information

Around the year 29 BBY, [The Warlord](/article/the_warlord], a mysterious armored figure, and his Lakran mercenary army invaded and occupied Kariek. For approximately half a century, the Eickarie people of Kariek were oppressed and exploited by The Warlord, with even minor offenses resulting in imprisonment or execution. To maintain control, he and his subordinates utilized a network of fortresses and watchtowers to monitor the surrounding area.

Despite his history of brutality, the Warlord garnered some limited support from certain locals (particularly collaborators). To ensure the population's subservience, he imprisoned several prominent Eickarie nobles and elders within his capital's fortress, aiming to keep the various Eickarie tribes compliant. In the event of an armed uprising, he intended to use them as bargaining chips, executing them to secure his survival.

The United Tribes of Kariek formed around 22 ABY to oppose the Warlord. This resistance movement received covert backing from the Empire of the Hand, which sought to expand its influence in the Unknown Regions given that much of the known galaxy was under the dominion of the New Republic.

Event Breakdown

Infiltration Tactics

To assist the underground United Tribes of Kariek in their campaign to overthrow the Warlord's rule, the Empire of the Hand deployed an expeditionary force that included four companies from the elite 501st Legion to Kariek. Hundreds of these soldiers were positioned in the forests and plains surrounding The Warlord's fortress, preparing for a direct assault with substantial air and ground support. An initial plan to orbitally bomb the Warlord's fortress was abandoned due to uncertainty regarding his presence within the structure.

Ultimately, Imperial command opted for a small, highly skilled, and motivated unit to infiltrate the fortress via tunnels connecting it to the watchtowers, coordinating with a simultaneous ground and air offensive. Disguised in an armored personnel carrier, the Stormtroopers entered the city near the Warlord's fortress. En route, they encountered Su-mil, an Eickarie freedom fighter who knew of a third, unguarded watchtower with a tunnel. The other two watchtowers were heavily defended by Lakra mercenaries.

Accompanied by Su-mil and several other Eickaries, the four-member squad entered these tunnels. They reached their target only to find it sealed by a heavy metal door, which they breached using a special flash paste. Behind this door was a second barrier composed of stone blocks cemented together with a grayish mortar. The Eickaries then deployed a catalytic mortar solvent, dissolving the second barrier.

Alliances and Deception

Twister and Su-mil guided Unit Aurek-Four and a group of approximately 20 Eickaries through the corridors leading to the dungeons. Along the way, they engaged and quickly subdued six Lakran guards. As the Stormtroopers and their Eickarie allies entered another corridor, they were captured by a larger group of Lakra. Su-mil then deceived the Lakra by feigning loyalty to the Warlord, claiming that he and the other Eickaries had captured Aurek Four on the streets outside the Warlord's palace.

Su-mil showed the Lakran commander the Unit's supposed entry point. Initially, Twister was shocked by Su-mil's apparent betrayal but realized that Su-mil was still an ally after he used his blaster to send coded messages. Movement to the "left" indicated a lie, while movement to the right indicated truth. Using his helmet's comlink, Twister signaled Aurek Company for assistance. Reinforcements soon arrived, ambushing the Lakrans with the Eickaries providing support.

With this group of Lakra neutralized, Su-mil and Twister, along with several of their men, rushed to the dungeons, which had been left unguarded as the majority of the guards were engaged in combat and protecting their leader. These Eickaries turned out to be captured nobles and elders from various tribes, unaware of the United Tribes Agreement that united the Eickaries against the Warlord's regime. Speaking in the Eickarie language, Prince Ha-ran revealed his identity and convinced them to join the fight against the Warlord and the newly formed United Tribes of Kariek.

Victory with a Twist

After convincing them, they proceeded to the fortress's circular inner stronghold, where the Warlord was reportedly hiding. They entered the storm banquet chamber, a place for feasting during spring storms, only to find it booby-trapped with hidden explosives under the furniture. Using his helmet's advanced sensor systems, Watchman quickly identified two sniper nests and their snipers on either side of a door beneath long banners.

Moving their Eickarie allies back towards the entrance and corridor, the Stormtroopers used their whipcords to pull two grenade-rigged chairs near the door. The resulting explosion devastated the chamber, with the troopers narrowly escaping a fiery death. The blast only incapacitated one guard, while the other was quickly killed by several of the Eickarie prisoners. This action earned the Stormtroopers the praise of the Eickaries.

Following a fierce and savage battle, the Warlord was captured. Pinned to the floor in his full-body armor, he was at the mercy of Su-mil, who stood over him. However, instead of executing him as per Eickarie custom, Su-mil handed the Warlord over to the Imperials for their custody.

Subsequent Events

Given that the Warlord always appeared in public wearing full-body armor, the Empire of the Hand sought to determine whether he was a rogue Eickarie, the leader of the Lakra invaders, or a member of an unknown species from the Unknown Regions. If he belonged to the latter category, the Imperials wanted to investigate whether his species was warlike and dangerous or if he was even disreputable among his own kind.

While Su-mil was resting at the Imperial base's rehab room's resistance machine, Twister approached him and expressed his gratitude for Su-mil's assistance in capturing the Warlord. Twister also commended his heroism and quick thinking during the battle and offered Su-mil a position in the 501st Legion. Su-mil was among those who boarded the next Imperial transport.

Many Eickaries were disappointed that the Warlord had not been handed over to them for execution, considering the numerous atrocities he had committed during his 50-year reign in Kariek. However, the United Tribes later agreed to join the Empire of the Hand, presumably to establish trade or military ties with a more powerful entity to deter potential aggressors.