From the logs of Onager class Star Destroyer Harbinger, Rear Admiral T. Thorn commanding…

Year 19, Standard Day 198 After Imperial Formation…

This log marks the end of the ninetieth day of the Sixth's patrol of Mandalorian Space. The reports on our monthly weapons systems tests have been recorded and logged, though it is worth mentioning here that our main particle cannons are in perfect working order, and our ammo supplies are in the green.

On the other hand, our theatre of operations seems quite a bit different. The area, oft plagued by civil unrest since the rise of our glorious Empire, has been... dare I say, quiet?

And that worries me more than anything.

Mandalore has been the compass I have come to rely on for the time I have been assigned to this sector. If the situation were anywhere above code four on a regular basis, then I would stay more tense than if the ratings were lower. Ironically, at code six (like we're set to today), my guard is at its highest when the threat level is at its lowest.

Mandalorians and fighting mix like nothing else. Infighting and small squabbles amongst themselves? Those made for normal life on Mandalore. Situations like that make our lives easier, as when they are focused on one another, their eyes are turned away from the Empire.

The disastrous mission that took place within the past two years raised the defense condition only to code three. I was not present, having been assigned to the home defense fleet at the time, but even I am aware that particular operation was a success only in that it saw that the infighting, warring clans were finally united…

And that idiot Saxon united them against our cause.

But I digress.

In three days, we have not heard so much as a squawk from even the dozens of water haulers necessary to keep the planet's residents from roasting on their own home world. Military communications have been likewise silent for a month.

I admit, it causes me quite a bit of—End Log. We are receiving a Code Zero distress call.

Admiral Thomas Thorn, Harbinger…

"Sir! The distress beacon is coming from the Yavin system!"

"Thank you, Captain. Get whoever sent it on the holo, now." 'A code Zero…' I thought worriedly. 'Who could have sent that down? Thrawn? No, he's been missing for years now… Bloody Hell, even I'm only authorized to send out a code three, anything lower… Damn it all. Who could have sent it? Well, I suppose we'll find out soon enough.' "Commodore Ulf?"

"Sir?"

"Contact Commodores Hawke, Thaddeus, and Banmer with Commanders Ordo, Novaren, Reacher, and Phiser; tell them we are making immediate headway to the Yavin system. Have them slave their hyperdrive computers to ours. When you are done with that, send out a hail to all Imperial Vessels within ten parsecs of our location. Tell them their orders have been changed and they are to jump to the beacon location post haste."

"Yes, sir. I will see to it."

"Good. Do we have an exact lock on where the beacon is coming from within the Yavin system?"

"No, sir."

"Hm… Commander Biggs?"

"Sir?"

"Get on the long-range comms, not the holo, and contact the Second Hydian. I believe Admiral Wallen is still in command."

"What am I to relay, sir?"

"Inform them that a verified code Zero distress call has gone out. That I am first to respond and I am in command of the response force until relieved of that duty. Send out that I am leading this task force and am ordering any other Imperial Vessel in the sector to join me immediately."

"It will be done."

"See that it is."

"Admiral Thorn, we have a call on the Holo originating from the Yavin system and they are demanding a connection."

"Patch them through, immediately."

"Yes, sir!" The Captain barked, setting to work to make the necessary preparations. I stood at rigid attention over the background hubbub of my crew, who were working furiously to make the preparations for a Hyperspace jump into a battle situation.

"This is Lord Vader," the Emperor's hand growled as his hologram coalesced before me. My blood nearly froze as I looked at the masked man. Well, he certainly had the authority to deliver the distress beacon. "You are the first to respond to my hail. Who are you?"

"My Lord, I am Rear Admiral Thorn of the Harbinger, an Onager class Star Destroyer. I am in command of the Sixth Heavy Assault Group on assignment in the Mandalorian Sector. I have with me an accompaniment of two Interdictor class Cruisers – the Resolute and the Defiant, a Gladiator class Star Destroyer – the Praetor, two Dreadnought class Heavy Cruisers – the Righteous Fury and Guiding Light, and two Indicter class electronic warfare Corvettes — the Inferno and Tempest. We have reached out to Vice Admiral Wallen of the Hydian Battlegroup and are making for your location with all haste. We are making the jump to Hyperspace–"

"In three, two, one–" Captain Kio, my navigation officer, called from the pit. In the next heartbeat, the stars stretched before us.

"Now, sir. We will arrive within the hour."

"Where are you stationed?"

"The northwest quadrant of Mandalorian Space, sir, near the Hydian. In fact, I believe we are already in the Hydian Way vectoring for the Yavin system. What is the situation, my Lord?"

"The DS-1 orbital battle station has been destroyed by Rebel forces holed up on the moon of Yavin IV… Moff Tarkin is dead. A good portion of the High Admiralty is dead. We lost tens of thousands of fighters, interceptors, and bombers and well over a million personnelle. The situation, Admiral, is dire. You say you have two Interdictors?"

"Yes sir, that is correct."

"Excellent. Lock down the system upon your arrival and use your corvettes to scramble any communications that are not ours. The Rebels will pay dearly for what they have done today."

"It will be done, my Lord."

"And Admiral?"

"Sir?"

"You have permission to carry out protocol Base-Delta-Zero on the moon of Yavin IV. Destroy the rebels with all due prejudice."

"If it is necessary, Lord Vader, it shall be done."

"Very well. Will you require the services of an ISD before you arrive in the system?"

"No, sir. I was given permission to arm and refit my ship as I saw fit. In terms of firepower, the Harbinger is now just as capable, if not more so, than an Imperial-class. She simply cannot match the onboard fighter wing and complement the ISD carries. However the Gladiator carries enough TIE Fighters and Stormtroopers to see that we are properly covered. She carries as many Turbolaser batteries and missile silos as an ISD, my Lord, and while we do not carry onboard ion cannons our main particle cannons are just as effective at breaking shields, shields, or planets."

"Hm, interesting… And impressive. I expect nothing but success. You have my permission to do as you see fit to eliminate these pests. I will join you aboard the Harbinger when I am able. I am in my TIE/adX1, I trust you have room in your hanger for me?"

"If there is not then space shall be made, my Lord. It would be my honor to have you aboard." The Emperor's hand said nothing as he cut the connection. "Commander Hayes, get all TIE's ready for launch, I want all of this task groups' Bombers, Interceptors, and Fighters scrambled the second we arrive in the Yavin system. Captain Light, ready your stormtroopers. Lord Vader's presence aboard demands an honor guard, and I shall see him to the bridge myself."

"Yes, sir!" Commander Hayes and Captain Light - the officer charged with commanding all TIE pilots in the task group and the Stormtrooper Captain, respectively - barked. The commander was already sending orders to the hangar bays, and the Captain was on his comms with his best troops. The TIE pilots would already be at full-ready status due to the Level Zero beacon, but now they had full authority to launch.

"Captain Kio? How long until we arrive?"

"Sir, T-Minus forty-five minutes."

"Excellent. Weapons officers? Get your men in position, begin charging weapons in thirty minutes. Understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Outstanding." I felt my heart hammering in my chest as I stepped to the forward viewport at the front of the bridge. I looked down at the twin particle cannons set in the middle of my star destroyer and took a deep breath through my nose.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Commodore?"

"We've made contact with the Hydian Battlegroup. They are at Kadomai."

"I see… It will be three hours at the least before they can join us, then?"

"It does appear that way."

"Very well. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, sir. There is a group of two Quasar Fire class Carriers and a Venator I class inbound to Yavin IV. They heard the call and are making their way with all haste."

"Do we have an estimate as to when they will arrive?"

"Ten minutes after us, Sir. They were headed back to Hapes from Dantooine. The call came down when they were at Halmud."

"Who is in command?"

"Commodore Axel, Sir."

"Axel… I haven't heard of him. What do we know?" My XO looked down at his datapad and nodded.

"Commodore Lukas Axel, homeworld Corellia. He started his career at the flight academy, earning his wings as a TIE/ln pilot but was eventually given a TIE/in for his efforts. His superiors took note of his ability to coordinate large-scale engagements from the cockpit of a TIE and decided that ability shouldn't be wasted. The then Ensign was promoted rapidly from a Junior Lieutenant to a full one after a run-in with a Rebel operation on Aldhani a few years back… Upon his promotion to Captain, he was given a Corvette with a complement of TIE/ins. It appears he was given his Venator when he was promoted to Commander and then the two carriers were added to his burgeoning fleet upon his rise to Commodore. Commodore Axel's fighters were performing a joint training drill on Dantooine with Army TIE strikers in atmo before returning home for their next assignment."

"Assign him to me. Reduce speed and allow him to catch us before we arrive in the system. A Venator and two Carriers could go a long way in dealing with the Rebelion."

"Yes, sir! Reducing speed, current ETA now in line with Commodore Axel."

"Shall I get the Commodore on the Holo, sir?"

"At once, Commodore Ulf."

"Yes, sir." I folded my hands behind my back and waited. The dark-haired man, who was maybe in his 30s, paused for a beat to note my rank before he spoke.

"Admiral, I am Commodore Lukas Axel of the Nova. What are your orders?"

"Commodore, I am Admiral Thorn of the Harbinger. By authority of an issued and confirmed Code Zero distress beacon, you are now assigned to me until such time we are no longer needed. I am currently under the command of Lord Vader himself, he is awaiting us in the Yavin system. How much do you know?"

"Just that there was a Code Zero distress beacon issued. What has happened?"

"Have you been read in on project Stardust?"

"Aye, sir, I'm aware of the Death Star. I was privileged enough to be present when the dome was laid."

"I see. Then it falls to me to inform you that the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station is no more, it has been destroyed by the Rebel Alliance."

"No…"

"Indeed, Lord Vader briefed us just minutes ago. When I arrive in the Yavin System, he will come aboard my flagship and use it as his forward operating base. We have slowed our hyperdrives to arrive as you do – if not a short time before. Your fighters will be invaluable in the coming battle."

"We are expecting resistance?"

"Oh yes, Commodore, oh yes we are. This attack group managed to destroy the Death Star. How they managed it? I'm not sure, but they did. Be prepared for anything."

"Yes, sir. But, may I ask, why do you need my fighter wing? An ISD's ought to be enough to crush any Rebel resistance."

"Because I do not command an Imperial-class. My flagship is an Onager class Star Destroyer, from her I lead the Sixth Heavy Assault Group. I am escorted by a Gladiator class SD, two Indicter class Corvettes, two Dreadnought class Heavy Cruisers, and two Interdictor class Cruisers."

"Oh… I see. That should be more than sufficient to overcome any resistance."

"Indeed, but you see I don't want to simply overcome the Rebellion; I want to burn them out root and stem. And Lord Vader agrees. With your fighter wing harassing their fighters and your bombers dealing with their smaller ships, that frees our destroyers to deal with any hostile capital ships."

"It will be done. We will rendezvous with you in the Yavin system, Admiral."

"Very good, Commodore, you are dismissed." The Commodore saluted and cut the transmission as I turned back to my officers. "Status?"

"All systems go. Cannons are charged and loaded. We're ready to fire at a moment's notice. Fighters are ready to launch, our stormtroopers are ready if they need to be deployed, and the Interdictor capacitor banks are at full power."

"Tell them to activate their grav wells the second we get there."

"Understood and transmitting. Message received."

"Outstanding. All hands, standby for arrival."

"Yes, Admiral!"

"Lord Vader, welcome aboard the Harbinger." I said with a salute, already walking alongside the cyborg who was moving with purpose.

"I see you have gathered more ships, Admiral. Where is the Hydian?"

"Two hours away, My Lord. They were at Kadomai when they last appraised us of their whereabouts."

"Hm. I will have words with Admiral Halstead over this. You have found the Rebel base?"

"No, my Lord, however we have found something almost as valuable. When we arrive to the bridge, I will show you exactly what I mean."

"Very well." The Dark Lord said. I nodded, allowing my boots to thump in unison with his and the stormtroopers surrounding us.

"Attention on deck!"

"As you were," I barked as Lord Vader and I stepped into the bridge. Captain Breva, bring up the extreme-range sensor net." We had dropped out of hyperspace near the edge of the Yavin system, which made sure the Rebel sensors would be unlikely to spot us but still comfortably within our sensors' range.

"Aye, sir!" The information appeared before us, and Lord Vader took a step toward the screen.

"Mon Cala capital ships?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Destroy them."

"Very well. Prepare to engage! If we destroy their capital ships then they won't be able to get everyone out. Resolute, Defiant, what is the status of your Grav Wells?" The Resolute was alongside us but the Defiant had gone around, locking down the far side of the system.

"Engaged and at full power, Admiral. We have both ends of the hyperlane locked down."

"This… Pleases me." Lord Vader said, and I couldn't help but agree.

"Very well. All ahead, full sublight."

"Yes, Admiral!" The cry came from over the close-range comms. All seven ships (minus the Interdictors picketing the Hyperlanes) formed tight on me, with Commodore Axel's Nova on my right and the Praetor on my left. Minutes ticked by, and gradually, the formation opened up. Sticking close allowed us to look like a fast-moving asteroid, but the closer we got, the more likely they were to see us.

"Have we been spotted?"

"Sir, I'm not sure if we have, but the Mon Cala ships are turning to broadside. They're now facing the Resolute."

"No, they're facing the Hyperspace lane... Very well. Commodore Axel, Commodore Hayes, release the TIEs."

"Yes, sir!" Came the reply. The Quasar Fire ships immediately released their fighter wings, as did the Praetor, releasing nearly 200 fighters and 24 bombers altogether.

But the Venator?

It disgorged nearly three times that number alone.

Soon the system was swarming with TIEs as we continued forward.

"Do we have the status of target zero?"

"No, Admiral, we still have no location on the Rebel command center."

"Very well. Lord Vader, what are your orders? Do you wish to lead a ground excursion?"

"Do as you see fit, Admiral, I shall remain aboard," the Dark Lord ordered. I frowned but nodded.

"As you wish, my Lord. Gunners, fire at the extreme most ship first, then engage the Capital ship directly to our right. Even if we miss the ship, we'll still hit the moon."

"We're locked on target, Admiral, and we have an open vector to engage."

"Sir, we are approaching close sensor range."

"Then shall we announce our presence, Captain? All weapons free. Fire at will." With the order given, the Harbinger lurched backward as her main gun screamed.

"Direct hit! The Rebel Flagship is disabled! Two remaining!" The gunner crowed as the first ship split in half.

"Target locked! Weapon away!" The Rebel ship attempted to make the jump to hyperspace. It appeared to extend before our eyes but snapped back to real space as the Harbinger lurched again. "Direct hit!" The shot landed directly in front of the engines, effectively crippling the ship. I nodded in approval as power flickered out across her hull.

"How long before the weapon is ready again?"

"Engineering is reporting two minutes, Lord Vader," the gunnery officer barked. The Dark Lord said nothing as he stared over the battle, his arms folded over his chest.

"Admiral? We have on ground coordinates for a likely Rebel base. Starfighters are swarming from it, inbound to us."

I nodded once, stroking my beard as I watched the Corvettes pick off Y-Wings before they could make a run at us. My turbolaser batteries were focused on the third Rebel Capital ship and so were the Nova's, the Righteous Fury's, and Guiding Light's while the Praetor's dealt with their corvettes. Unfortunately, the Mon Cala ship was ludicrously tough. It took all our fire and even returned some in kind.

"Admiral, the weapon is ready!"

"Fire both rounds on the base."

"Yes, sir!" The gunner barked. "Firing!" The Harbinger screamed in protest as her mass drivers bucked in unison, sending her back a matter of meters even as our engines worked overtime to correct that. But the results were spectacular.

A ball of fire rose from the former Rebel base, propagating outward as the shockwave circled the entire moon.

While a Base-Delta-Zero may not be entirely complete, it was a close-run thing. But what mattered was that the Rebel base was pulped.

"When the weapon is back online, focus on the Mon Cala ship."

"Sir, they're trying to get away."

"No quarter shall be given." Lord Vader growled. It felt like ice had been poured down my spine as the Dark Lord folded his arms over his chest and stared out the Transparisteel viewport.

"As you wish, my Lord. Direct all heavy fire power on the Mon Cala. Rail guns, turbolasers, ion cannons, missiles, anything not already targeting a Rebel asset needs to be aimed at that boat."

"Yes, Admiral. Shall I spread the order through the task group?"

"Yes, Commodore, do so immediately."

"As you wish." Commodore Ulf said as he linked up with the Comms group, already working hard to send out the message as I stood beside Lord Vader. Green and red laser fire streaked through the void, pockmarked by explosions that used to be Rebel fighters or ships.

"Is there any chance they will escape, Admiral?"

"I am afraid nothing is impossible, my Lord, and Mon Cala ships are tough and fast. It will depend on how long it will be before the weapon is ready for use again and how long the Interdictors can hold their Gravity Wells for."

"I was told an Interdictor could hold the Gravity Well for well over a day, Admiral."

"Under ideal conditions and assuming a capital ship hasn't already put pressure on them by trying to jump to warp. They've had to fire their weapons too, my Lord. Their capacitor banks are likely running dry. I am unsure if they will be able to resist if the ship makes the jump. However, even if the Mon Cala does jump it will do so only at a steep cost. Jumping through an interdiction field will certainly cause severe damage to the Rebel ship, my Lord."

"Hm. Understood. Where can they go?"

"Arda, most likely. It's a little out of the way but perfect for a hidey hole. It's an abandoned planet, after all."

"As good as anywhere to begin the search should they escape."

"They won't be able to stay there long."

"No, they will not…"

"But if we can make them set down for repairs then we'll have them."

"Sir! Sensors indicate the Mon Cala is spooling up their hyperdrive. What are your orders?"

"Particle cannon status?"

"Four minutes fifteen seconds until ready, sir! The weapon needs time to cool down."

"We don't have thirty seconds…"

"All enemy starfighters are returning to the Mon Cala ship, Admiral."

"Corvettes: continue your mission. Eliminate as many Starfighters as you can, any fighters we deprive them of now are a weapon they can't use against us later. Hammering that capital ship with our heavy batteries may catch smaller ships in the crossfire."

"Yes, Admiral!"

"What the hell…" a voice asked quietly from the pit. My eyebrow shot into my hairline as I turned to see what one of my officers cursed over. When I saw what he saw, I could honestly understand why he'd broken bearing. A single X-Wing was diving, dancing, and tearing through our fighter ranks like a reaper.

"Admiral, focus fire on that X-Wing. That is the pilot responsible for destroying the Death Star."

"My Lord, I will make every possible endeavor to do just that, but our fighters have the best chance at catching him. There are bombers out there the corvettes have to focus on, one bomber can do more damage to this group than a lone starfighter pilot. If we deprive him of his carrier then he will not get far."

"He is Force sensitive, Admiral."

"A Jedi?"

"Perhaps, but not a well trained one."

"Captain, prepare to broadcast fleet wide."

"Sir, comms are ready."

"All hands, this is Admiral Thorn, I have an X-Wing painted on the sensors. That pilot is a priority Nemesis target. Eliminate him."

"It will be done." Axel's voice crackled over the short-range comms. I nodded, turning back to the view screen as seven interceptors broke off from their engagements and screamed toward the Jedi's fighter. Then something else caught my eye.

"He's the last-" I couldn't finish my thought as I watched the Mon Cala ship flicker against the background of the planet and then warp away, "-pilot." I grit my teeth as I stared at the place the Mon Cala ship used to be. Then the X-Wing poured on more speed and made the jump himself. "He used himself as a distraction."

"Even so, I am impressed, Admiral. Two Rebel Capital ships, seven frigates, twenty corvettes, and untold starfighters destroyed in a single engagement. This was a successful operation."

"Thank you, my Lord, but the third Mon Cala ship escaped and so did the Jedi."

"I myself could not shoot down the Jedi, Admiral. What hope did your fighters have?" I frowned slightly at that but nodded all the same.

"Of course, my Lord. What are your next orders? Shall we pursue them?"

"No. Contact Admiral Wallen, his battlegroup should be able to contact the Rebel ship at Arda. Seven Imperial-Class star destroyers will be more than enough to eliminate a single Mon Cala ship… However I do not believe Admiral Wallen would have seen the same success here as your Task Group, Admiral Thorn."

"You honor me, my Lord. However, if you will excuse me? I must see to the damage and after action reports." The Dark Lord inclined his head.

"No, Admiral. Your XO can see to that. You, on the other hand, will attend me on Imperial Centre. Come."