Chapter Four: Battle Lines
Night lay on the jungles of Dxun. The cries of fierce beasts echoed through the forest, sounds of fighting, mating, and dying. The moon of Onderon was so close to its mother planet that they shared part of each other's atmosphere, yet the people of Iziz did not settle the moon. The jungles outside the walled city were dangerous; the forests of Dxun were far worse. Yet paths wound through the twisted trees and vines, for the Onderonians had used the moon for centuries to house the tombs of their leaders. Excursions here were few; the paths were mostly used by the beasts.
A line of figures moved down one of those paths, planetlight glinting off their plastoid body armor. They did not speak, but not out of fear. There was no need to speak, such was the level of their training. Their features were hidden behind slitted masks attached to hard-shelled cowls which covered their heads. Each one carried a heavy pack and had a blaster rifle slung over his shoulder. They had been marching for hours, since dusk, and many miles lay behind them. They marched on resolutely, not tiring, for many miles still were left to go. They must be in position to launch before dawn.