As much as my new associates frustrate me, I can say that this day was certainly satisfying indeed.
—Extract from Vergulva's diary following the battle
The Battle of Abonshee II was a battle concurrent with the Second Battle of Abonshee, an operation conducted by the United Coalition of Worlds to expel the Death's Tongue Militia from Abonshee. However, owing to DTM defences on the planet's moon, Abonshee II, the UCW deployed a taskforce there as well, led by Nataska Vergulva. During the battle, several UCW armor commanders were taken out, forcing former Sinya Defense Force leader Joe Tylars to break away from original assignment and take responsibility for covering Vergulva.
Prelude[]
Intel indicates mass drivers, rabid natives, deathtraps, entrenchments...real pleasent down there.
—A UCW officer
As part of its plan to push the Death's Tongue Militia out of the Abonshee system, the United Coalition of Worlds uncovered DTM presence on the planet's moon as well. The DTM had constructed missile emplacements capable of striking targets planetside, and had also constructed rudimentary mass drivers capable of firing locally mined ore at tremendous velocities, threatening UCW orbital presence. Concurrently with its assault on Abonshee proper, the UCW decided to land forces on the moon in order to eliminate what it saw as a large threat to the rest of its operations in the system. Nataska Vergulva, a Srav heroine who had switched to the UCW for the sake of convienence owing to leadership struggle among her people, volunteered to aid in this. Also involved in this battle was former SDF Supreme Commander Joe Tylars. They and the troops attacking Abonshee II were advised to excersise extreme caution, with the DTM rallying the moon's natives behind it and deliberately infecting them with strains of eborax to create living disease bombs.
The battle[]
Initial moves[]
What'd I tell yah Aleena? It's easy killin'. I'm glad I signed up for this job!
—Joe Tylars to Aleena Kelgard
In order to prevent the DTM from sending vehicles to slow the UCW advance, Tylars was sent with a small column to capture a nearby DTM camp where a number of the DTM's vehicles were being stored. As he approached, suicide bombers on various light vehicles began racing out in attempt to destroy the UCW tanks. They were quickly gunned down however, and only inflected minor losses to the UCW forces. Tylars then continued to the camp were the DTM militants were trying to mobilize their tanks. The DTM was unprepared for the UCW and most were killed right away, however, the some of remaining militants set off several bombs causing damage to the attackers. Despite this, Tylars proceeded to eliminate the remaining DTM militants and take control of the base.
Breakdown[]
Huh. Truely, these lot are the epitome of organization. At least now we can start eradicating Death's Tongue vermin properly now--just like old times...
—Vergulva upon arrival
Concurrently, several UCW armor divisions began moving on the center of DTM operations, but the forward ones were hindered by ambushes from the local Abondaln warriors, some of whom were using basic firearms given to them by the DTM. Some who managed to get close to the tanks released airborne eborax viruses upon death, infecting UCW personnel. This caused panic and confusion in some of the ranks.
The DTM took advantage of the confusion by identifying commanders and having snipers open fire on them. With communications made difficult due to the atmospheric composition, the divisions had trouble co-ordinating themselves. The DTM succeeded in taking down much of the division commanders and their subordinates, creating further panic. Many of the division vehicles felt they would stand a better chance which Vergulva, who was arriving at the captured DTM base to initiate her part in the operation. Owing to regulations, Tylars found himself being forced to accept temporary command of vehicles as they showed up at the base.
Advancing to the target[]
Tylars: “If they would have told me I had to take orders from a Srav, I wouldn't have taken this assignment.”
— Joe Tylars, Nataska Vergulva and Aleena Kelgard
Vergulva: “Were I not more concerned with using my bullets on these vermin, I would blow your brains out for insolence. Now do your job and give me covering fire.”
Kelgard: “Guys, we got incoming missiles!”
Vergulva: “Defensive moves, quick! Do I have to give out all commands here?”
Tylars: “Whatever.”
Vergulva and Tylars were soon able to organize the UCW troops and resumed the original plan. As they went along however, Vergulva and Tylars began arguing because of past differences between their former factions. Their argument was interrupted by DTM missiles and the two were forced to postpone the argument in order to combat the emeny. As the missile bombardment slowed, DTM militants and Abondaln warriors swarmed upon the UCW tanks. The poorly armed infantry stood little chance against the UCW onslaught, however, the arrival of more infected Abondalns forced Vergulva to slow the advance. Eventually they were able to make it through the DTM and their allies as they continued their advance towards the DTM base.
Takeout[]
You! Soldier! I need those vehicles taken out! Are your eyes made of glass?"
"Curse it! Stupid Srav, I lost track of my kills! Now was it seventeen or eighteen?
—Vergulva and Tylars
The column began approaching the main DTM mass driver cannon, having been forced to execute the most prominent infected troops as an act of euthanasia. The cannon was cutting off orbital support, although Vergulva was able to have sniper and commando teams elimiante DTM mortar and RPG groups on the terrain near the road. Approaching the cannon, the column suffered multiple ambushes by DTM militants and Abondaln.
Coming within clear range of the cannon, Vergulva had several tanks commence bombardment of the cannon, which was built into a mountain, while the rest covered them from incoming DTM vehicles. With more hostility between herself and Tylars, she resolved to plant explosives at the driver supports while the tanks provided fire. Although grazed by some DTM bullets, her body armor took most of the blows, and she was able to detonate the explosives. Combined with the tank bombardment, the driver was destroyed. The few other drivers on the moon were being eliminated by further UCW columns. With this objective secured, the column continued to the central DTM defense base.
Final blow[]
I suppose I may as well give you a command you might like: blow that big thing up.
—Vergulva to Tylars
The DTM, now getting desprate, began to mobilize the last of their vehicles as suicide bombers. The remaining Adondaln warriors also joined the fray, charging toward UCW vehicles in a berserk-like fashion while using small bombs and grenades to damage treads and weak spots on the tanks. Most command tanks were damaged forcing Vergulva and Tylars, as well as most vehicle crew members, to ingage the enemy on foot. The two fought back-to-back against the DTM and their native allies despite the still strenuous relationship between them. After the last wave of enemy troops was defeated, the UCW crewman began to work on repairing their vehicles. However, Vergulva didn't want to just sit and wait for the DTM to further reinforce their position or possibly escape.
With that in mind, they continued on, with engineers repairing the tanks on the move. They approached the main Abondaln town, also the site of the main DTM command conduit, with UCW commandos being dropped via drop pod around to take out defensive positions. Bombarding the area with tanks, Vergulva had all escape routes encircled. From orbit, UCW vessels began taking out remaining DTM moon-planet weapons emplacements. Storming the village while UCW tanks laid down suppressive fire, Vergulva and the commandos located the local tribal chief and DTM field commanders and captured them, effectively breaking the enemy military presence.
Aftermath[]
I will say she's a damn good commander. Uh, but don't tell her I said that okay?
—Joe Tylars to Aleena Kelgard following the battle
With the DTM defeated, Vergulva left Abonshee II and returned to UCW command on Corellia. Tylars, who had gained respect for Vergulva, remained on the moon to clean up any remaining enemies. He would be stationed there as commander of the garrison for the remainder of the war. The DTM had again suffered a major defeat and withdrew the last of their militants while surviving Adondaln eventually died from the eborax that the DTM had infected them with.