The clash known as the Battle of Maridun represented a localized armed engagement between the Imperial military units stationed on Maridun and the indigenous Amanin population. For the local Amani, this battle held religious significance as a takital, triggered by the Imperials' transgression onto their hallowed territory. The outcome of the battle proved catastrophic for the Imperial forces, resulting in the decimation of a significant portion of their troops.
An Imperial vehicle convoy, tasked with delivering supplies to a nearby mining facility, inadvertently crossed into the sacred battlegrounds revered by the Amanin people. Consequently, the local Amanin tribe interpreted this action as an entry into their traditional combat rituals, prompting them to prepare for war against the intruding forces.
After successfully repelling minor skirmishes with hunting parties, the Imperial contingent reached their intended destination, only to discover the entire settlement massacred and the mining equipment severely damaged. General Ziering issued orders to establish defensive barricades, effectively fortifying the area against the surrounding open, grassy terrain.
However, during the cover of night, several Amanin warriors managed to infiltrate the outer defenses and sabotage one of the HAVw A5 Juggernauts, thereby severing communication lines with the outside world and causing a destructive explosion.
The following day saw the continuation of barricade construction. With General Ziering undergoing a surgical procedure to salvage his left eye (injured in the previous night's Anamin assault), Commander Frickett assumed command.
Captain Gage was dispatched on a reconnaissance patrol to evaluate the situation, but his squad was ambushed by Amanin warriors. All members of the squad were killed, except for the captain and two soldiers, who were rescued by covering fire from the remaining Juggernaut. As the smoke dissipated, the true magnitude of the enemy's strength became apparent, as thousands of Amanin warriors assembled across the plains encircling the camp.
In a state of panic, Commander Frickett commanded all troops to initiate fire, adhering to the textbook strategy of "countering offense with an offense." Lieutenant Janek Sunber attempted to caution against a potential trap, but his warnings were ignored. Frickett charged onto the plains, urging his troops to follow suit. The army quickly realized that the Amanin's display was a ruse to lure the Imperials from their fortified position and into an ambush within the tall grass. Numerous troopers were killed, including Frickett himself, and the second Juggernaut, under the command of Captain Bex, was overwhelmed and rendered inoperable. The fallen soldiers were stripped of their weapons and equipment, providing the Amanin with energy weapons to bolster their combat capabilities.
With half of his fighting force lost, General Ziering seized the opportunity to seek counsel from his most promising subordinate, Lieutenant Sunber. Sunber proposed adopting a more defensive approach, constructing three trenches and surrounding walls oriented towards a redoubt, specifically their remaining vehicle, the AT-TE cargo walker. A squad would occupy each trench, providing cover for the retreating squad in the preceding trench. This strategy would present the Amanin with an obstacle course, coupled with fire from the retreating soldiers and the AT-TE's E-webs. Ziering approved the proposal and promoted Sunber to Captain.
Following the establishment of barricades and the excavation of all trenches, Sunber was assigned to the first trench, with Gage positioned in the second. The plan initially proved effective, until Captain Gage, in a state of panic, ordered his troops to retreat, leaving Sunber's force vulnerable during their own withdrawal. In desperation, Sunber hurled one of his thermal detonators towards the nearest Juggernaut wreck. The resulting explosion provided cover, enabling Sunber's men to retreat to the second trench.
Devising a new strategy, Sunber instructed his troops to drop to the ground as the Amanin advanced, creating the illusion of preparing for an attack. Instead, his force would split into two groups and advance towards opposite ends of the trench, trapping the Amanin in the middle. Having grasped the Captain's intentions, General Ziering ordered all E-Webs to target the center of the second trench. As the Amanin advanced, they were caught in a devastating crossfire.
With the E-Webs providing cover, Sunber's troops reached the final trench and prepared for the final assault. When it came, the remaining forces under Ziering's command fought with unwavering determination, even as they were overrun by the Amanin. The General was struck by a spear, and in his final moments, he promoted Sunber to the rank of Commander, bypassing the now-useless Captain Gage, who cowered behind a crate, having not fired a single shot throughout the battle.
The defense of the AT-TE persisted until only a handful of troops remained. As they prepared to fight once more, the leader of the Amanin emerged from the mist, declaring them valiant fighters worthy of peace with his people, having proven themselves in Takital—a ritual battle on their sacred ground.
The battle resulted in the loss of nearly 90% of Ziering's army, including Ziering himself, one commander, and at least one captain. Consequently, Sunber lacked credible witnesses to his promotion to Commander, except for Captain Gage, who refused to acknowledge his claim during an official hearing due to jealousy, resulting in Sunber's demotion back to Lieutenant.
On a positive note for the Empire, the reward offered by the Amanin chief was the provision of all captives taken from other tribes by his warriors to the Empire as slave laborers.