Chapter Three:
An Explosive Mining Disruption
Gul, Gulmi Sector, Mid Rim.
Nearly 300 days after the formation of the First Galactic Empire, Gul citizens watched on as Imperial forces worked within the vicinity of the Gulmi Mountains. For years, the mountains had been mostly untouched, but there were caves that lead into their heart. It was said that crystals of Kyber rested within, along with many other minerals of great worth.
Farmers rolled out to the country in their speeders, breathing the fresh Gul air, and taking in the gorgeous orange sky before bracing themselves once again for the scene of Imperial soldiers in Clone Wars armor surveying the farmlands, which was near the spot where the mining operations were taking place.
Minute after minute, Imperial-operated mining machines spun to life and burrowed into the mountains as troopers emerged with buckets full of gleaming crystals. A handful of citizens had volunteered to assist their planet's occupiers, while some had been unwillingly hired by Imperial officers.
"Work faster!" The officer surveying the site shouted, "The Empire has use of those Kyber Crystals."
A soldier approached S'trikt, the officer in charge, with a report; "An update on Project: Stardust. Progress has been made, but the work is stalling due to complications..."
"What about the Kyber shipments?" S'trikt demanded, "The next shipment is within five minutes. The shuttle is to be loaded, and rendezvous with the Deliverer once the latest Kyber batch is on board."
"The report says the shipments have been successful, but there were complications with the last two deliveries, pirate attacks. We lost contact with Shuttle Nine."
S'trikt rolled his eyes with annoyance. "Thank you for the information, especially in regards to the pirate attacks." He told the soldier, "Get the word out to command, we need more security, shuttles carrying Kyber will be escorted by more than two fighters. All forces should be on alert for pirates or rebel insurgents."
"Roger, wilco!" The Clone nodded, "Good soldiers follow orders."
'Clones.' S'trikt thought, 'At least the recruitment of human conscripts under Project War Mantle is taking care of that. Who needs Clone Troopers that much longer anyway, especially with Kamino destroyed...'
His thoughts were disrupted when an explosion shook the mountains, scattering Imperials and non-Imperial workers everywhere. Stormtroopers raised their blasters, looking around cautiously. Just then, another explosion ruptured the ground beneath them, and trooper armor went flying. The Kyber crystals caught in the explosion let off a mass discharge of energy, then they became charred dust.
"WHAT THE…?" S'trikt shouted, he was cut off by a blaster bolt to the head, and he dropped to the ground without another word as troopers took action and began calling for reinforcements as workers scattered.
From a distance upon the peak of a hill, a pair of militants watched, weapons in hand. A hooded figure stepped forward from a nearby shuttle adorned in red, holding a pair of viewing lenses in a black gloved hand, and he lowered his hood, revealing the red-black face of Maul.
Maul raised his lenses, observing the explosions below. He'd handpicked the right agents, and he'd done his work thoroughly. The stealth bombs had been well-planted, the assassins had made the right move, and another decimating blow had been dealt to the Imperial regime. The former Sith lowered his viewing device, then he clicked his fingers.
"Instruct our operatives near the site to pull back." He said, "...and tell the Pauldron Skulls to begin their attack on the shipment lanes."
"Yes, sir." A Crimson Dawn operative nodded.