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Star Destroyer Eviscerator

Fondor Shipyards

Operation Cinder Briefing

Briefing Room 12A

'Admiral on deck,' Iden barked, coming to attention with Del and Hask as Admiral Versio entered the briefing room, striding to the podium at the front of the room.

'At ease,' he said, Iden taking her seat again, the others following suit as the Admiral started speaking.

'This Briefing is classified,' he said, clasping his hands behind his back. 'Over the last two years, Imperial Intelligence has reported an increase in the number of uprisings and insurgencies on Imperial worlds, as well as the growing strength of terrorist organisations. These incidents threaten the stability of the Empire and cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. Operation: Cinder is aimed at targeting them before they can develop into something larger.'

'What about the Alliance Of Independent Systems?' Del asked and Hask frowned.

'You mean the Rebellion...?'

'Imperial Intelligence is monitoring this so-called "Rebellion", Admiral Versio said. 'So far, they have restricted their operations to tackling criminal and black market organisations in the Outer Rim. Until that changes, we will continue to focus on internal threats.'

Tapping his datapad, the viewer behind him flickered to life, displaying orbital reconnaissance images of an asteroid.

'Imperial Intelligence has identified a refuelling base that has been supporting mercenary operations, including the attack on the Imperial Spaceport at Ord Mantell. Your orders are to infiltrate the depot and destroy their fuel reserves, which will disrupt their operations in the Sector. Any mercenaries are considered secondary targets. You will be deployed two kilometres from the depot and approach on foot. The Corvus will remain on station for support...'

###################

Dantooine

'Luke!'

Hearing his name, Luke looked round to see Biggs striding towards him, grinning broadly. Tall and broad-shouldered with black hair and a neat moustache, he was dressed in a pale yellow tunic, a blaster pistol strapped to his waist.

'How you doing, kid?' Biggs asked, wrapping him in a fierce hug. 'Last time I saw you was at...'

'...the Podraces on Malastre,' Luke said. 'I thought Master Altis would never let me leave again, once he found out where we went...'

'Come on,' Biggs said, with a grin. 'My ship's on the eastern landing pad...'

'Where are we going...?'

'Not here,' Biggs said, with a subtle shake off his head. 'I'll explain when we're in hyperspace...'

#################

Han's fist struck the guard across the jaw and he collapsed, his blaster rifle clattering away. Massaging his knuckles, Han grabbed the unconscious man under the arms and pulled him into the shadow of the door, just as Chewie arrived. He was dragging the other guard, a green skinned Rodian by his foot. As he drew closer, Han could see that the Rodian's helmet was dented, which was probably what had saved his life. Chewie dumped him in the shadows next to the other guard, growling triumphantly.

'Keep it down, buddy,' Han hissed, rifling through the Rodian's belt pouches until he came up with a flat security key. Standing up, he inserted it into the reader and the door hissed open.

'Come on,' Han said, drawing his pistol and stepping through the door, Chewie right behind him...

#################

'I need you to open negotiations with Corthana Mining...' Mon Mothma said and Leia frowned.

'Corthana Mining...? They're rumoured to be involved in some fairly shady dealings...'

'They're also the largest non-aligned mining corporation in the Outer Rim,' Mon Mothma replied. 'Their support for the Alliance would be invaluable...'

'Alright,' Leia said. 'I won't let you down...'

'I know,' Mon Mothma replied, with a smile. 'May the Force be with you...'

#################

Captain Palleon stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the battered VCX-100 land in the Chimera's hanger. In his dark grey uniform with regulation-length brown hair, he stood with the ramrod-straight posture that came with a lifetime of military service. Behind him a squad of 6 stormtroopers stood at attention under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Lenx and Sergeant Hydarron. With a hiss, the VCX's ramp lowered and a green-skinned Twi'lek dressed in an orange flight suit descended the ramp.

'I'm Captain Palleon of the Imperial Navy,' Palleon began and the Twi'lek snorted.

'You don't say...'

'Under the authority of the Galactic Empire,' Palleon continued, not rising to the bait, 'we are conducting searches of all shipping in this area to tackle piracy and smuggling. I would prefer to proceed with your co-operation...'

The Twi'lek hesitated for a second, before stepping aside.

'Thank you,' Palleon said, gesturing to Lenx, who lead the stormtroopers up the ramp.

'Is this your vessel?' Palleon asked. 'Captain...?

...Syndulla,' she said. 'And, yes, it is...'

'Very well, Captain Syndulla. Admiral Thrawn would like to speak to you. Follow me, please...'

#################

The Laat/i set down on the ridge, Niner jumping down from the gunship and activating his HUD. Below them, he could see where the infantry squad was pinned down, taking fire from two units of battle droids. Activating his comms, he was bombarded with a cacophony of voices.

'...taking fire from the west...tinnies got us pinned down...cut the chatter...squad two, prepare to advance...sarge is hit...we're getting torn up, here...Medic! Get the kriffing Medic over here...keep trying to reach the forward base, we need extraction...'

'Dar, Atin,' Niner said. 'Take the left. Fi, you're with me. Let's ruin these clanker's day...'

#################

Skirata slipped his helmet on, his HUD coming alive, just as his comlink icon began pulsing. Focusing on it, he blinked twice, and the comm crackled to life.

'...Kal?'

'You'd better have something for me, Tarag...'

'...listen, Kal...'

'Either you do or you don't, Tarag. Don't mess me about...'

'Alright, alright. One of my regulars says that he saw D'Sib around the Gurrin Spaceport the last few days. That's all I've got...'

'Thank you,' Skirata said, shutting down the comlink and checking that his knife was still inside it's sheath on his gauntlet.

Oya. Time to go hunting...

###################

'Here we go,' Anakin said, easing the actuator forward, the starfield in front of them elongating as they made the jump to hyperspace. 'ETA at Jentat is a little over two hours,' he added, calling up the holographic data from the shuttle's memory. 'An industrialised world that specialises in manufacturing cargo containers and habitation modules. How does that rate the attention of a Jedi Master...?'

'Jentat is a growing industrial power,' Obi-Wan said. 'The Republic would be very interested in having them as an ally. Master Vos was sent to open diplomatic relations...'

'Sounds pretty dull to me,' Anakin muttered and Qui Gon leant forward.

'A Jedi Master has disappeared, Anakin. I doubt that this mission will be boring...'

'Excellent...'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.