The Trap on Axra Prime was a battle set up by leaders of the Sinyan Imperium to draw forces of the Taung Confederacy to the desert planet Axra Prime where they would unleash their superweapon, codenamed "BEX", upon them. In order to draw a Taung invasion force to the planet, SDF Supreme Commander Joe Tylars had fake information leaked to the Taungs. The Taungs believed the phony info and sent an force to capture the planet. Although originally intended to be the job of the Sinya Defense Force, the trap was put under control of the BSI secret police. The trap was carefully crafted so that the Taungs would be drawn into one of the larger spaceports were they were to be ambushed by the BEX. Following this, captured Srav Yukel-class fighters would drop several atomic bombs on the Taungs. The plan turned into a success as the BEX reeked havoc on the Taungs. Following the atomic strikes, Sinyan forces withdrew from the planet, destroying the BEX to prevent the Taungs from capturing it.
Prelude[]
Although initially caught off-guard by the Taung invasion, SDF Supreme Joe Tylars decided that a early victory would be needed to slow the Taung advance. He quickly began preparing a trap for the attackers; having recently learned the top-secret project "BEX" had been completed and was ready for use. Since the BEX was located on Axra Prime, Tylars had fake information leaked to Taung Intelligence that the Sinyans were assembling troops on the planet. Although Tylars was planning on directing the battle himself, Sinyan Emperor Yen Balestone had different ideas, placing BSI Chief Herich Stimmlur in command. Stimmlur added his own additions to the plan and removing and replacing most SDF troops on the planet with undercover BSI agents. Stimmlur had the BEX moved to the spaceport of Galkerd were it was hidden in the sewers below the city center.
Although somewhat suspicious of the information leaked to them, the Taungs decided to proceed with invading Axra Prime. Taung troops were prepared for what seemed to be an easy victory over what was supposedly a vulnerable enemy.
The trap[]
Ha ha ha! Look at 'em all running around like frightened children!
—Herich Stimmlur while watching the BEX terrorize the Taungs
An unfortunate Taung soldier is devoured by the BEX.
Initial moves[]
The invading Taung forces encountered little resistance as they landed, easily capturing most of the few spaceports on the planet. The Taungs proceeded to exterminate locals and colonists without mercy. Stimmlur did not care about the civilians, allowing them to be butchered as a way of selling the trap. The Taungs continued their advance and soon reached the Galkerd brushing aside the few militia men and SDF troops that tried to stop them. A group Taung soldiers followed BSI agents into the sewers and discovered the trap, but were found and killed before they could escape.
Unleashing the BEX[]
As the Taungs entered the city center, BSI agents prepared to release the BEX upon the unsuspecting Taungs. Stimmlur observed from a hidden location and gave the order to released the BEX once the Taungs were in the right position. The effects were devastating as the beast easily turned the organized columns into chaotic masses of panicked soldiers. As the Taungs fled the monster, BSI agents rode out from hiding on SMMV-A9s and mowed down the Taungs with machine guns. Hoping to neutralize the BEX, the Taung Commander deployed his tanks and armored vehicles, but they were unsuccessful. The BEX then began rampaging through the city, devouring both Taungs and civilians, while squads of BSI agents followed behind to eliminated any survivors.
Atomic strikes[]
As the BEX terrorized the troops in Galkerd, Sinyans in captured Srav fighters began dropping atomic bombs on the Taungs in other smaller towns. Although successful at killing many Taung troops, the bombs also killed large numbers of civilians and some SDF soldiers. The Taungs were able to launch interceptors and stop the atomic attacks, but by then the damage had been done. With vast numbers of Taungs dead and with the BEX still rampaging in Galkerd, the Taung Commander decided to retreat to the Taung landing zone to await reinforcements. Rather then staying on the planet, Stimmlur ordered the withdrawal of all his BSI agents before the Taungs were reinforced. Stimmlur however, left many SDF soldiers and Sinyan colonists behind to insure that no one would tell of the atrocities the BSI committed. As the last of his men were evacuated, Stimmlur detonated a set of explosives implanted inside the BEX to prevent the Taungs from capturing it. He also ordered an atomic bombardment of all the Sinyan controlled cities to prevent any survivors from escaping.
Aftermath[]
The trap was considered very successful as it killed thousands of Taung soldiers, however, many Sinyan soldiers and civilians were also killed. Joe Tylars was furious when he learned that his men had been left behind by Stimmlur, but was forced to accept it. Sinyan propaganda stated that most of the nuclear assaults were done by the Taungs rather then the Sinyans and that the BSI did everything in its means to try to stop it.
The controversy surrounding the battle would once again surface during the war crimes trials after the war. Eventually, many former BSI agents were found guilty and put to death. Joe Tylars was cleared of any wrong doing.
Behind the scenes[]
The Trap on Axra Prime is intended to draw some similarities to the Kraken battles in Pirates of the Caribbean, also, the author recommends listening to the music track "The Kraken" while reading the article.