Aboard recon ship N-5B, the cogs of an infant Empire turned slowly. The crew were subjected to torturous hours of tedious inspections, drills, and other various ceremonies. Not only that but mountains of useless tasks awaited them on their aged and decaying Republic era computers. Even going on patrol in their cramped fighters for less than an hour was a much preferred alternative to staying inside handling paperwork and practicing drill all day. When officer Gorren received updates on the Separatists they had been tracking, he was more than just ecstatic. He was kept from going insane from looking at the same faded screens day in and day out. It was a nice change of pace, no matter how small it was.

Gorren saluted Commander Zeiron and held out a holotablet towards him, "We've received coordinates from that bounty hunter we sent out to hunt the Separatists. Along with this report," he pointed to a document on the screen.

Zeiron took the holotablet from his hands, studying its contents for a moment, "Dantooine? So that fool has failed us"

"If I may say so sir, I believe we should send out a crew to verify this report. Those bounty hunters are known to be tricksters"

"Of course, I'm sure our fly-boys will be delighted to get the blood flowing. Get the crews ready," he marched out alongside Gorren into the gray and white hallways of his small recon ship.

The pilots lined up, finally excited to be shouted at for once.

They'd made the jump to Dantooine only minutes ago.

"This should be a quick and easy task for you all. Get down to the planet, investigate the coordinates, report anything you find related to those Separatists and that bounty hunter and get back to base. If somehow any of you fail to follow these orders you will suffer the same punishment as the last group of imbeciles who decided to jam our own sensors. Now move it!" Zeiron barked.

The pilots scrambled to their fighters while the ground crew prepared their equipment. Their old V-Wings were suspended above like great metal vultures. Soon enough, egged on by the thought of punishment by the hands of Zeiron, the pilots dismounted from their hooks and made their way down to the planet's surface. Their new engines screeched and wailed, practically alerting everyone in a five mile radius of their presence. They touched down at the closest clearing in between two plateaus, their ships lined up as they worked in tandem.

The first to touch down jogged into the cave once he'd confirmed the coordinates on his ship's interface. The rest idled by their V-Wings, relishing in the sight of their surroundings unmarred by the professional gray and white color scheme they'd grown accustomed to and now so greatly loathed.

Johnson, the only to have stepped in the cave so far, was also the only volunteer on recon ship N-5B. He'd come to loathe the rest of the crew, disgusted by their laziness and apathy towards the great Galactic Empire. He worked day in and day out to make a name for himself, whether that be through consistently passing drill inspections or constantly practicing his dog-fighting skills, he was determined to get the attention of Commander Zeiron.

This day was no different, as usual he was the first to reach their objective. Immediately, he made notice of the spots of blood on the ground as well as several scorch marks on the walls of the cave. The body of the bounty hunter was not present, only the blood which trailed deeper within the cave system.

One part of him wanted to venture on his own, claim the glory for himself but the other side warned of the consequences of such actions. Zeiron would punish them for being so spread apart. The other pilots weren't known to lie, they would surely share how he'd gone on his own.

Johnson reluctantly took a seat at the foot of a naturally-formed pillar while he typed down his findings on his holotablet.

"Man, even the air down here feels fresh," One of the pilots said, walking into the chamber. His voice echoed off the walls.

"Anything's better than that filtrated crap they produce back on base," Another replied.

"Ah, of course, the volunteer is the first one on site. Like usual," A third said as he walked into the chamber.

"Someone here has to stay on track. I don't understand how any of you idiots survive out in the outer rim of all places when I have to babysit all of you most of the time," Johnson replied.

"We survive because we know how to have fun and when to get serious, unlike you kid"

"None of you are ever serious about anything"

"When there's danger, we are. Tell me, when's the last time we got in a dogfight?"

Johnson kept quiet, mumbling something under his breath.

"Let's just get this over with, you've already ruined the mood as it is"

The group followed the blood trail Johnson had found up until they discovered the wreckage of the Separatist transport ship. Only the burnt metal husk was left.

"Looks like they could've survived. Other than the fire, the ship only has minor damage on the sides," One of the pilots commented.

"They did survive, how else would the bounty hunter have died?" Johnson replied.

"You don't know how good these bounty hunters can be. Sometimes they're all bark no bite"

"Yeah maybe he was from the Outer Rim, right Johnson?" Another pilot commented.

The rest of the group snickered at the sight of Johnson's face turning sour.

"I don't think there's anything else here, let's head back," Johnson replied, ignoring their laughter.

Johnson continued his search around the landing zone on the surface, making note of every indentation left on the ground.

The rest of the crew continued to relish in the fresh air nearby, only making small checks over the area before conversing with each other. They followed the same routine for several minutes until Johnson finally came upon another piece of evidence, much to the dismay of the other pilots.

"Seems like something big was here. There's three indentations in the grass like the landing gear of some ship," Johnson reported.

"You know, there's that trading hub up north. Could've been somebody looking for parking outside the landing pads," One of the pilots noted.

"Trading hub? Why didn't you say anything about it? Let's check it out," Johnson replied.

"For once we agree on something"

The trip to the hub was quick. The rest of the crew finally had a reason to get excited. It had been months since they'd had their last vacation and they would surely enjoy and make use of every second spent on Dantooine, so close to getting back to the normality of living as a civilian.

"Now remember, we're here strictly on duty," Johnson reminded the crew, only to find they had already dispersed all across the plaza, mingling among the citizens of Dantooine and perusing each merchant's booth.

'Of course they immediately go off task,' Johnson thought. He marched straight to the main agency building, its domed ceiling rising into the skies almost as if it were inviting nearby travelers to visit.

He was immediately greeted by a receptionist upon seeing his Imperial outfit.

"Hello, how can we help you here at Surriel Trading?" The receptionist said.

"I'm investigating the downing of a Separatist transport ship nearby, what can you tell me about it?" Johnson replied.

"Separatist? Unfortunately I don't know anything about that"

"Nothing? Hmm…has anyone reported any crimes or other strange occurrences in the last four days?"

The receptionist tapped at a terminal, "A missing person was reported four days ago and that's about it"

"Four days exactly? Give me more details…"

The receptionist gave the man's description, a tall burly Imperial diplomat from Coruscant. The man who'd reported him as missing was an old friend of his. It didn't take long for Johnson to call him in.

"Yes, at first I hadn't thought much of it. He had taken two clients of his to a ship he'd just acquired. But then I didn't hear from him for the rest of the day. He usually has a habit of calling me over to help him load supplies onto his transport at the end of the business day. I believe he was kidnapped by those two who were inquiring about him. Niro never was quite smart if I'm being honest with you, it was foolish to bring two strangers to his prized possession. He was overjoyed to have that ship, I guess the excitement overcame him," The man said, dressed in the same ornate silk green robe he was wearing the day of the disappearance.

"Who were these individuals that you suspect kidnapped him?" Johnson replied.

"I didn't ask for their names but they were wearing strange fur coats with straw masks and leggings. They appeared primitive. I should've suspected they were going to be trouble"

Johnson noted down the appearances in his holotablet, "Thank you for the information sir, we'll be looking into this"

"Please find him quick"

'That's not what we're here for,' Johnson thought of saying, "Of course," he nodded to the man before heading back outside. He sighed realizing he had to regroup the rest of the crew, as usual. And just as usual, it would take longer than it should.


"Good work. For once you do what you're told without screwing something up," Commander Zeiron said as he went over the team's report. They were back in the hangar of recon ship N-5B with the pilots lined up at attention and their V-Wings hanging overhead.

"This investigation will have to be presented to the sector commander. Return to your normal duties, an update will be given on the situation soon," Zeiron continued.

One of the pilots almost groaned out loud at the thought of having to return to patrolling and doing menial tasks all day. Reluctantly the pilots scattered to their quarters after being dismissed. Even Johnson despised doing work on his terminal.

Zeiron entered the command bridge, "Everyone vacate the bridge immediately," he ordered.

The terminal operators rushed out of the room, thankful to be free from their duties for once.

The holotable lit up with an image of a man dressed in a gray cloak and white suit. An array of red and blue squares were pinned to his suit just below his left shoulder.

"I assume this is important?" The man said.

"Of course commander, we are currently tracking a squadron of Separatists but are in need of further resources if we wish to continue," Zeiron replied.

The man chuckled, "And what makes this group so special?"

"They are Separatists sir, these pests will only instigate a rebellion in the future if they continue to live and fly about the galaxy like the parasites they are. That and we have reason to believe they still possess their weapons and are a large group. They are dangerous and need to be destroyed"

"There is no need to pursue Zeiron, it would only be a waste of resources. Grand Moff Tarkin is currently constructing a weapon that will forgo the need of such wasteful chases"

"But if we-"

"But nothing, your orders are to continue your usual operations. If I hear of any deviation from my orders, you will be stripped of your rank and sent to Mimban just as you have done to so many of your own men already. I trust you will comply, Zeiron. There is a reason why I was chosen as sector commander and not you"

The holotable shut off soon after.

Zeiron clenched a fist, a vein on his forehead bulged. Those last words his old friend had shared with him stung deeply. The sector commander had always looked at him with pity, almost sorry for his lack of strategic prowess in comparison to the other commanders.

He'd already made his decision, the minute his former ally had said those words.

Zeiron gathered up all the officers, janitors, soldiers, pilots, guards – practically everyone present on recon ship N-5B into the hangar area. He stood overlooking them from an observation deck embedded into the upper hangar area.

"The sector commander has briefed me concerning the investigation surrounding the Separatists. He has denied us of continuing our search, citing a lack of resources," Zeiron announced, his voice booming throughout the entirety of the hangar, "But I believe in pursuing these Separatists, we may find more of these terrible dissidents and bring them under the boot of the Empire. And that is why we will be continuing our investigation but with no further resources or aid, our operation will be disguised as that of a recon mission into former Separatists planets," Zeiron continued.

The crowd stirred, murmurs and whispers began to arise.

"If you feel this is an unjust move, you may submit a transfer form to be sent to another ship with no consequences"

More than one of the pilots raised an eyebrow at the mention of no reprimands. Zeiron wasn't known to be so forgiving. He was truly putting his entire reputation on the line, all for a group of Separatists.

In truth, Zeiron's hatred for the Separatists rose above the need to serve his Empire. Though, he'd never admit that out loud. He'd already had enough being seen as a fool by his superiors. This was the chance to make things right, to get in favor with the Admiral and rise to the rank of sector commander. Only then could he begin to convince the Emperor to focus their efforts on completely wiping out the Separatists.

"We will begin with a further search of Dantooine and the planets around it. Return to your duty posts, all of you will be assigned specific tasks around this investigation within the next forty eight hours. Dismissed!"

The crew excitedly returned to their posts.

Zeiron returned to his office along with officer Gorren.

"May I suggest something sir?" Gorren asked.

"What?" Zeiron replied.

"I have some connections with the Hutts, perhaps they could be-"

"No, I would rather not make things so messy. If I am a capable leader, we will triumph over those Separatists all on our own with only the basic necessities"

"Of course sir," With a salute Gorren returned to his desk alongside Zeiron.

Zeiron hurriedly began typing out several orders to his crew. He smiled, already seeing the glory of his future victory and rise to power.


A/N: Just to let everyone know, I changed the commander's name from Veers to Zeiron. I forgot that Veers is an actual commander from the original trilogy. I must've subconsciously remembered his name and picked it out thinking it was original. Whoops.