Dantooine:

'For the Empire!' Kara chorused, echoing the words of eleven others as they strapped themselves in. There was silence. The red glow of the landing lights bore into her eyes and she could sense tension in the ship's hold.

The silence was split by a voice over the coms. 'Beta-One to Commander. We have located the map.'

'Acknowledged. The Shadow Blade is entering Dantooine's atmosphere' responded the coarse voice that Kara knew belonged to her commander, Seevor.

The first voice returned, 'Beta-One to Commander. Transmitting coordinates to Shadow Blade.' Thane had been deployed to the surface of the planet with one other agent.

Kara's eyes scanned the cabin, she didn't want the others to know how nervous she was. She could feel the straps around her arms tugging gently, pinning her against the seat. Inside the dimly lit hold were eleven other elite troopers all staring ahead blankly, anticipating the coming mission. Kara could feel her palms sweating under her armour and subconsciously began to rub them together. 'I thought I'd be used to it by now' she thought, but another part of her knew this mission would be different from her usual scouting and intelligence reconnaissance. She looked down and saw her grey, polished helmet, shining back at her. She picked up the helmet, watching a heavily tanned face stare back at her from the visor. She had emerald eyes and long black hair, neatly pulled into a braid. She pulled the helmet on her head, tucking her braid down the back of her armour.

'Beta-Two to Commander. I'm moving in on the coordinates. It seems to be some sort of abandoned Republic hangar' Tarkin explained over the comm. He was the agent who had travelled ahead with Thane. Seevor, the commander of the Phantom Order, entered the hold from the cockpit. He wore his grey armour, with red lines on the joints to indicate his rank. He held his helmet at his hip, and a blaster in his other hand.

'We're coming in on Dantooine in a minute. Anti-Imperial Insurgents are occupying the hangar. They don't know we're coming. Wolfe, Sadie – I want you immediately positioned above on the hill. We're going to land a way out so as to avoid detection. We're going to enter the valley through an entry point on the other side. More instructions will be issued when we see what we're dealing with. Clips will stay aboard the Shadow, ready to get us out of here if necessary.' The ship pulled out of its steep descent, the gravity compensators vectoring to keep the crew in their seats. They were close.

Seevor continued to talk to other members of the team, but Kara mostly heard the muffled shudder of the ship and her own anxious breath. Thane was Seevor's son. They had met at the Imperial Academy and become quick rivals before being drafted into the Phantom Order. The best of the best. An elite team of specialist troopers, dedicated to hunting down Jedi, the traitorous criminals who had tried to bring down The Republic. The Chancellor had brought about the creation of the Galactic Empire, stopping the Jedi from seizing total power. A bright light interrupted Kara's thoughts. The landing gear clunked into position and the access ramp whined as it opened. Standing up in unison with the other troops, she marched out with the others, led by Seevor. Two figures already stood together at the base of the ramp, Tarkin and Thane. Kara marched down with the other troopers and her eyes turned to watch Thane from behind her visor.

Like his Father, Thane was not wearing his helmet, holding it at his side as though he was too good for it. He had short blonde hair, combed meticulously and thick with grease. He looked as though he was about to play Sabaak at a high-end casino, not enter a fire fight with insurgents. His sharp blue eyes watched Kara unblinkingly as she stepped onto the dry dirt. She walked away as if she hadn't noticed his resentful stare. Seevor stopped them, and they formed a line in front of him. Thane and Tarkin joined the line. Fifteen. The sixteenth member of the Phantom Order was aboard the Shadow Blade. Clips, their pilot.

Seevor stroked his neatly trimmed beard, considering his troopers, before speaking. Kara liked him for that. He did not make rash decisions. 'This is our best chance to find Jedi scum. We haven't had a lead like this since Duros. We have a task; a duty to the Empire. We cannot lose this lead. I will not tolerate failure. It's time to go.'

Seevor turned around, loading his blaster but still carrying his helmet at his side. Wolfe and Sadie both turned around and left, heading to find a vantage point at which they could survey the enemy facility. Seevor then took off at a brisk run, knowing his team would match his stride, following him proudly into battle.

Kara took a moment to survey her surroundings; Dantooine was a flat expanse of dirt and grass. There wasn't a single tree in sight. She knew the hangar had been placed in a strategic valley, because it would be invisible to anyone who wasn't directly next to it.

Kara realised with a start the others had already taken off, following Seevor in single file. Kara took off in pursuit, worried that Seevor would notice. Their group made their way around the edge of the valley, the only trace of their existence the patches of grass that lay flattened and the bog-rats that fled when they saw them coming. Kara caught the group, pulling up behind the team's medic.

Her armour was grey and had red lining decorating the joints. It had a red imperial crest on her shoulders and a black strap across her chest and back that carried a blaster rifle. Her pistol was holstered at her side. She also had smoke bombs, thermal detonators and med-kits stuffed into every corner of the pouches on her strap. She was a living weapon. Her helmet was like that of a storm trooper, but it was a glistening grey, shining chrome metal. It had two lights on the bottom shining out the front of it and a thin singular visor as well as an antenna attached to its side. Her entire team wore similar armour, each with their own crest and loadout.

Chaff had the helmet shape of an imperial scout trooper. He had been a scout before he was promoted to the Phantom Order. Kings carried a flame thrower. Filler, the medic in front of Kara had a med kit with a variety of stimulants and medicines.

Kara followed the troops, constantly scanning the surrounds for a threat. She looked up in time to stop herself from bumping into Filler, who had just stopped in front of her. They had reached the crest of the hill that overlooked the valley. Kara walked past Filler and looked down at the shabby cluster of buildings.

There were two large hangars that occupied most of the valley. Kara guessed that they had once housed Republic Assault Walkers. Behind them was a short tower, the top of it eroded by Dantooine's ferocious windstorms. A gate had once surrounded the buildings but had crumbled on two sides long ago. The gaps between the buildings and the gates had been barricaded, and she could see a mix of humans, Sullustans and Twi'leks patrolling the perimeter or set up on top of the building. Seevor was watching the base intently through a pair of macrobinoculars.

A light wind picked up. It was late in the afternoon. They fell back behind the edge of the hill and followed a rock-strewn defile down into the valley. Their approach would be concealed by the walls of grey rock. Kara walked, her armour weighing her down. It was light and compact, but her movements and reactions were fractionally slower than usual, which could be problematic in the middle of a fire fight. The defile in the hillside was a muddy gap, with rock and dirt on either side. Light green moss covered the walls and the muddy ground covered Kara's boots in filthy brown. The ground squelched noisily under Kara's feet and she hoped it covered up the sound of her heart beating inside her chest like an ewok's kettle drum.

Before Kara knew it, they had reached the entry to the valley. The walls of the hangars came close to the edge of the steep windswept hills surrounding, giving the valley an uncomfortably cramped feel, accentuated by the shadows cast on the valley. Kara took her position at the entry to the valley, unstrapping her rifle. Seevor's voice echoed through Kara's comms startling her. 'Kara, the Twi'lek at the moon set end. Are you ready?'

'Of course, Commander. We're the elite.'

Kara raised the rifle scope to her eye, resting the barrel of her gun on the rocks. The Phantom Order would call each other by their codenames during missions, but one of the things that separated them from ordinary storm troopers was that they called each other by name, choosing not to refer to each other by their serial numbers.

'Elite is an attitude' Seevor chastised, but as she turned her head to look at him, she could have sworn she saw a smile on his face before he turned to check on Brock. Seevor had been like a Father to Kara ever since she had joined the Phantom Order, and he treated her just like he treated Thane.

Kara turned back to her rifle, peering through the scope and scanning the building where she found her target. A Twi'lek carrying a blaster rifle standing at the far end of the facility. Kara studied the Twi'lek. He had dark blue skin and wore large leathery overalls. Kara placed her finger on the trigger, ready for the order. A few others were still setting up. Seevor's voice pierced her concentration, and Kara realised she was already drenched in sweat. 'Everyone in position' he said his lips barely moving, Kara turned an eye to him and saw that he was hunched over his rifle, a fierce look of determination gleaming in is eye. It brought her confidence knowing that Seevor was in control.

'On three.' Seevor's voice was calm, unquavering. 'One.' Kara was fidgeting, watching the Twi'lek walk towards a gate. Kara knew she had to do what was necessary. 'Two.' She had got a place on this team. She had to prove that she'd earnt it. 'Three.' Kara squeezed the trigger.

There was a burst of fire. Kara watched as the bodies dropped in sync. She stared as the Twi'lek collapsed, a life taken. Any remorse evaporated the instant she heard Seevor's voice reverberating through her mask. 'GO! GO! GO!' Kara stood up with a start and followed the Phantom Order out into the open. They ran in formation, then fanned out into cover on Seevor's signal.

Kara dived behind a boulder, kicking up dust as she slid to a stop. She could hear alarms going off in the hangar and already there was return fire. She took aim, and snapped the cross hairs of her rifle sight onto another insurgent. A red laser bolt fired from her weapon and struck him in the head. He dropped over the edge of the building, hitting the ground.

'Two dead' Kara thought, picturing the Twi'lek and the Human's faces staring right back at her. The Twi'lek would've had no idea. 'What if he had a family? Have if I just taken a Father from a child.' Kara's mind raced and guilt threatened to overwhelm her. She suddenly pictured herself, running towards her father, tears pouring from her eyes.

'KARA!' Kings screamed, piercing Kara's thoughts. She opened her eyes, looked down and saw an active grenade in front of her. With a start, she leaped forward, kicking the grenade away before diving aside. The grenade exploded in front of Kara. She felt herself become weightless and she completely lost her bearing. A split second later, it felt like gravity had reversed on her. She slammed against the ground hard. Everything was ringing, and she was blinded by blazing white light. She could feel blood inside her armour. The ringing gradually subsided, and she was able to see someone leaning over her. It was Kings. Kara pulled her helmet off, the visor cracked. He was leaning next to her opening his mouth over and over again. Kara's whole body shook and her eyes felt as though they were vibrating in their sockets.

'Kara, can you 'ear me?' said Kings, his voice faint, but his thick Lorian accent still distinguishable. Kara jerked upright. Kara looked at her helmet and saw it was cracked. She stared into the cracked reflection as she had earlier and saw a bleeding gash on the side of her forehead. Kara looked at Kings. 'Can you 'ear me?' he repeated. Kara nodded, standing up. Her rifle had been scorched and she could see the power pack had circuited. She took out her pistol and looked around to see what happened. The skirmish was over. The rebels lay dead, scattered around the warehouse. Brock led Kings and Kara through the gates. Kara could not see any of her comrades on the ground. She knew she had been the only one injured, and that Thane would most certainly make sure Seevor knew. Kara touched a finger to the gash on her forehead, feeling blood trickle down her finger. She groaned and could tell her side would be bruised. She touched it gently with her gloved hand and cringed with pain.

'Kara, you should see Filler. That gash looks bad' Tarkin coughed, spitting dust out of his mouth. He too had taken his helmet off.

'No!' Kara snapped, 'I don't need Filler.' Kings, Tarkin and Brock watched as she walked away, surprised by her sudden outburst. Kara walked into the warehouse. It was a wide-open area with a few crates and sleeping rolls scattered in one corner. There were two speeder bikes to the opposite side. It was littered with a few dead bodies, pools of blood and a scorch on the ground, and to Kara's surprise, Thane. Thane was in the opposite corner standing over a limp body. Kara stalked towards him. The body at his feet twitched, groaning.

'What are you doing?' Kara scowled. Thane spun around, apparently surprised to see her, but a wry smile crossed his face. Kara snarled at him, looking to the person at his feet.

'Ah, Captain Kara. I found this man trying to escape. We must kill him' Thane stated, his voice unnaturally high. The man on the floor groaned, his eyes rolling back.

'He's done nothing to you Thane. Surely, we don't have to kill him. There must be some other way,' Kara responded, kneeling next to the man.

'I'm afraid not Kara. We can't afford a loose end.'

Kara gestured at Thane's pistol. 'Then why haven't you got it over and done with.'

'I'm out of power' Thane retorted, holding his gun up as a smug look crossed his face. 'You'd be best to do it now. Or do you not have it in you.' Kara took a step away from the limp figure in front of her, and pointed her pistol at the human. She gritted her teeth. It seemed pointless. The man was helpless, shivering in front of her.

'What's wrong, Kara?' Kara felt hatred for Thane pouring through her. She squeezed the trigger and shot the man in front of her, who instantly went still as the blaster bolt sunk into his chest, leaving a smoking singe mark.

Kara felt guilt shoot through her as quickly as the blaster bolt had entered and exited the man. She instantly regretted her decision, looking to Thane with hard eyes. For a second Thane looked mildly surprised but the look was gone as quickly as it had arrived. He looked at her coolly and there was an angry silence, broken as Seevor burst into the building, gasping for breath.

Kara and Thane both turned to face him.

'They're in the tower with the map' Seevor cried out. 'And they know we're here.' Seevor turned and ran before either Kara or Thane could ask for more details. They briefly looked at each other before sprinting after Seevor. They hurried around the buildings towards the tower, winding between crates of supplies. Kara could feel sweat pouring down her neck and looked up to gaze at the tower. It had a cube shaped base and a large rusted cylindrical tower protruding out the top of it. There was a door at the base of it and Seevor quickly blasted it off its hinges, running straight through the doorway. Thane beat Kara to the door, hurrying through after his Father. Kara followed, loading her pistol as she went. She stepped into the tower.

The small room had a high vaulted ceiling with an elevator to one side. Chrome walls of durasteel protected it from the harsh winds of Dantooine and kept it standing upright. The top of the building, as Kara had seen, had already collapsed.

Seevor activated the elevator, standing to one side. Kara stood on the other side of the doors and Thane scrambled into position behind her. The elevator doors slid open and there was a blur of blue and red as a Sullustan and a human poured fire out at them. Seevor had been anticipating the trick. The second there was a break in the fire, Kara and Seevor poked their blasters around the corner and both shot the human square in the chest. Kara swore under her breath, pulling her back into cover as the Sullustan rained fire into the wall, chips of grey rock and dust pouring over her. Kara looked at Seevor, and they both knew they had made a mistake. Seevor peered around the corner and the second he did, the Sullustan turned his fire on Seevor. Kara stepped out of cover, dropping to one knee and firing on the Sullustan. She hit him in the stomach and he doubled over. He let out a stray shot but then all fire ceased. Seevor entered the elevator and Kara and Thane quickly pursued.

Another Phantom Trooper that Kara recognised as Diano arrived at the base of the tower but the elevator's doors had already shut. 'Good shot, Kara' Seevor grumbled, more focused on loading another power pack into his assault rifle. Kara snuck a look at Thane and caught him rolling his eyes. White lights gently glowed on either side of them as they waited to reach the only other level that remained in the tower

The doors slid open, giving off a little hiss and revealed a dark room with a single sliver of window at the far end. Screens and data bases lined the edges of the room and in the centre were three men. Kara and Seevor burst in, firing blasts into the men on either side. All but one stood left, and he was holding the scraps of a burnt piece of parchment.

'Dammit' Seevor cursed, blasting the man in the chest. The man thudded into the floor. Seevor walked over to parchment. It was unrecognisable. Black and sooty, and it crumbled apart as Seevor picked it up. 'Wilhuff won't be pleased,' he mumbled, looking around the room. Thane went to his father's side, looking at the pieces and trying to recover something but Kara walked to one of the databases that had been left on. She quickly hacked into its transmission history, and saw that someone had transferred map data to an unknown person on Kijimi only seconds before they had burst into the room.

'I might have a lead' said Kara, her voice shaking. She didn't want to give Seevor false hope but they had the coordinates of the transfer's location. Thane and Seevor stood up and they both hurried to her side. Thane gave a weak smile, but his eyes betrayed him. Seevor read over the transmission history and nodded.

Seevor growled, 'They sent the map data to someone on Kijimi. Thane, send those coordinates to the Shadow Blade so Clips can prepare the jump. We need to get there as soon as possible.'

Before anyone could move, there was the unmistakeable sound of a blaster firing. Seevor looked at Kara, and then at Thane, before collapsing. There was a hole in the back of his armour. Kara looked up to see a human clothed in robes with a pistol aimed in their direction. Before Kara could move, Thane had drawn his pistol with both hands and fired three shots into the rebel's chest. The person fell but both Thane and Kara had turned their attention to Seevor, who was still staring up blankly at the ceiling.

'Father!' Thane cried, dropping at his side. Kara was already trying to stop the blood flowing out of his back, but she it knew it was futile. Seevor gave a weak rasp, shuddering slightly. Kara felt a droplet slide down her cheek, but she wiped it away before Thane could see. Thane had his hands clenched and was shaking violently. Seevor turned to look at Kara and his mouth opened and he let out a wheeze.

'Kara.' Then there was silence. Thane roared with anger, slamming his fists into the ground with hatred. Seevor was dead.

'Thane, you need to copy down those coordinates and get them to the Shadow Blade. Then we're going,' said Kara firmly, not sure what to make of what lay in front of her. Thane grunted. He turned away from Kara and went back to the data base. She had to tell the team what had happened. 'We have lost Commander Seevor, but the mission must be completed.' Before she could leave, she turned to look at Thane. 'I notice your gun wasn't out of power.'