Space - Aboard the MC80 Star Cruiser Independence

Commander Luke Skywalker stood before Rogue Squadron, HIS squadron, getting ready to brief them on the next Imperial target - the Imperial AT-AT, AT-ST and TIE Fighter factories on the industrial world of Balmorra. To his right stood his XO, Wedge Antilles and to his left, the most recent member of their squadron, an Imperial defector Kasan Moor. The other nine members of the squadron waited anxiously as General Carlist Rieekan strode in with Alliance Intelligence Agent Winter Retrac. "I apologize for keeping you all waiting, Rogue Squadron. Your next target are the TIE Fighter and Imperial Walker factories on Balmorra. Now, according to our intel and according to what Lieutenant Moor has reported, these facilities lightly guarded. There are only a few XX-10 Turbo laser towers and TIE Fighter patrols. Ironically enough, there will not be many light and heavily armored units deployed either. The crucial factor to this mission is that there are sensor arrays in the approaches to the factories. You will be deployed in modified combat airspeeders. Instead of the regular blaster cannons, they will be armed with higher powered laser cannons. The speeders are easier to maneuver in atmosphere and because they can fly low enough to sneak up on the scanners and destroy them. You will be dropped out of their range just as you were on Corellia and Ralltiir by the Hapless. Are there any questions, pilots?"

Hobbie Klivian lifted a hand and asked, "Yes, Sir. Why speeders? Wouldn't BTL-A4 Y-wing Bombers be a better choice for something like this?"

The General sighed and said, "Yes they would. However, our resources are stretched thin. We do not have the proton bombs to arm the Y-wings with so we thought that modifying T-47 Airspeeders with heavier laser cannons is unfortunately our only option. We don't even have proton torpedoes for the X-wings at the moment, I'm afraid. The hope is that a joint ambush by Grey Squadron and Renegade Squadron is going to be able to secure bulk freighters full of the necessary ordinance from an Imperial convoy. In the mean time, this mission must be completed and our best intel assets, including your Lieutenant Moor, agree that this should work with the upgrades we made to the speeders. Any other questions?"

None were forthcoming and General Rieekan and Agent Retrac left. Dak Ralter sighed and said, "I always feel a little depressed when Agent Retrac leaves the room."

Wedge laughed and said, "Dak, it's going to take someone really special to steal her heart. Seriously, if she broke up with Commander Skywalker, what in space makes you think she'll go for you?"

Dak shrugged and said, "Hopeful thinking, maybe?"

Balmorra - The Imperial Construction Yards

When the Hapless dropped out of hyperspace and entered orbit, six airspeeders dropped out of the Corvette and dove straight down, leveling off more and dropping more gradually until they skimmed mere meters of the ground, well below the sensor arrays. Two at a time, they would angle upward and destroy the sensors arrays skillfully without entering the sensors' scanner fields. Even as skilled as they were, it was a very ticklish business. At one point, Tycho and Zev almost flew to high before ducking down quickly again. Finally, the last sensors array was destroyed and they soared through the opening into a massive network of wide canyons. In those canyons were landing pads, assembly lines, and racks, large and small, of everything from TIE Fighters, Walkers, armor plating, laser cannons and other pieces and parts of the weapons and vehicles that were being constructed there. "Alright, Rogue Squadron - go in three pairs of speeders. Wedge, head towards the AT-ST factories and assembly lines. Zev, get after TIE facilities. I'm heading for the AT-AT production plant. Keep you eyes open for fighters. If all you can do at the moment is destroy the power generator, start with that and go from there."

Luke and Kasan zipped towards the walker facility. It was massive, perfectly fitting the size of the behemoth walkers it produced and there was row upon row of AT-AT waiting to be armed and armored. "Rogue Leader, the fuel cells are between the four legs. They will be full since the walkers have to be guided into their places on the racks where they would eventually be armed and armored. Aim for them and aim for the corridor between the body and pilot station in the head as well."

They both flew low and tilted upward enough to fire at the fuel cells. The explosion was spectacular, beginning a chain reaction that took out several walkers. "Wow! That was effective;" murmured Luke. Kasan chuckled and replied, "Yup. I recommend splitting and attacking at will, Rogue Leader."

"Acknowledged. Let's do it, Rogue Seven" replied Luke. They blasted AT-AT after AT-AT into scarp until the entire rack was demolished. The facility itself, they targeted, focusing on relay stations, power generators and ordinance cells as well. The facilities were huge and it took some targeting. Luke was getting quite anxious. He constantly muttered, "I really wish these speeders had more than just laser cannons and tow cables;" until Dak said, "Commander, with all do respect, shut up! You're beginning to make me anxious."

Luke took a deep breath and examined the facility below. It was smoking and had no power. Desperate to do more damage, Luke reached out with the force and examined the building. To his surprise, the force indicated an area at the rear of the facility where their was a massive weak point. What it was, he wasn't sure but it was there. Coming round, Luke tilted so that he was sideways, flying along the wall of the canyon and opening up on the area with a vengeance. The entire building erupted in greasy green flames and Dak cursed. "Shavit, Luke! What the hell?"

Over their comms, Kasan said, "Rogue Leader, are you alright? That explosion was massive!"

Luke grinned and replied, "Yup, I'm good - pulled up in time to avoid it. What the hell did I just shoot?"

"I think it was probably the waste storage section of the facility;" replied Kasan. The entire AT-AT facility was pretty well destroyed now. The ordnance dump, the weapons facility, the walker racks, the fuel depot and now the walker factory itself was in ruins. Luke was immensely satisfied. "Rogue Squadron, report in."

"The TIE factory is pretty banged up but the factory is largely whole though it isn't receiving power:" replied Zev Senesca. "Try the rear of the facility. I found a waste dump at the AT-AT factory and it stands to reason that their would be one at the TIE factory. Dido with the AT-ST facility."

The Rogues acknowledged. Luke watched as the TIE facility went up in flames. Every Imperial structure in sight was laid to waste and there wasn't even a token resistance against them. The closest thing to trouble was the squadron of TIE Fighters spread out on patrol and it was eliminated very quickly. "How are you doing, Rogue Three?" Luke called to Wedge. Just a moment later, the Corellian replied, "We just finished cleaning up. I think it's safe to say that we're ready for pick up, Luke."

"Agreed. Rogue Squadron, form on me. We're heading back to the Hapless."

The comms came alive with whoops, Corellian yells and war cries as they streaked heavenward. "Hapless, this is Rogue Leader reporting mission complete. Come and get us and take us home;" commed Luke jubilantly. The corvette dropped out of the clouds and the speeders flew aboard. When all six were secure, the corvette left the planet's atmosphere and entered hyperspace.

Space over Kuat - The Imperial Star Destroyer Enforcer

Moff Kohl Seerdon rubbed his throbbing temples and dropped yet another report onto his desk. He began counting down from ten and was mildly surprised that the Emperor's Hand did not glide through the door as soon as he reached one. In fact it was almost fifteen minutes after he had expected her that she came through. By then, Moff Seerdon was gazing out the view port of his office, a glass of Corellian brandy in his hands. "Moff Seerdon;" came the cool feminine voice as she strode up beside him. He favored her with a polite smile and respectful dip of his head. "Emperor's Hand; I take it that his majesty the Emperor is not pleased."

"Are you surprised, Moff Seerdon? It's been over a year since the battle of Yavin and no one has managed to bring down Rogue Squadron. After the Emperor assigned you the mission, he assumed and expected that it would be resolved more quickly than this. He expects me to send him a report within the hour and I need to know what to tell him."

Moff Seerdon sighed and said, "Any reason I can give will be viewed by his majesty as nothing more than churlish excuses."

They were both silent for a long moment before the Imperial Moff said, "Tracking down Rogue Squadron is every bit as difficult as tracking down the Rebel fleet - more so even sense it's only twelve men instead of hundreds of ships. Before it was difficult since they never hit hard targets, only pointless soft ones. Now however, their growing bold. Kasan Moor is providing them with targets and information but the last place I thought they would attack is Balmorra."

The Emperor's Hand crossed her arms. "Imperial Intelligence suggests that they are working closely with Crix Madine and Carlist Rieekan. Both are recognized as brilliant military men. They don't choose the obvious targets, they choose the meaningful and important ones. The question is, how do they decide what is important? They destroyed two major weapons factories. What's next?"

Moff Seerdon went to his desk and brought up a list of Imperial targets. There were dozens that could be considered. Slowly, he took targets off the list. "How are you determining the potential targets, Moff Seerdon?" asked the Emperor's Hand. The Moff smiled and replied, "There are many targets that are simply too much for a single fighters squadron to handle. Even if Rogue Squadron was working with one or two other squadrons and a company of commando's we can still eliminate many from the list. For example, they would not attack the shipyards at Fondor or here on Kuat. They are simply too well defended. At the same time, our research facility at Fest for example, would be a prime target. When I have narrowed down my list, I will put the facilities on high alert. I will also assign scout ships to watch for attacks and to follow the Rebels when they flee, whether they are successful or not."

The young woman ran a hand through her golden-red locks before saying, "I will report to the Emperor. I'm sure that, given your plans, I will be able to convince him to leave you on this mission. Otherwise, you will likely be put under Darth Vader's direct command."

Moff Seerdon felt a flash of fear and disdain. "I wouldn't want that;" he murmured to himself. At the door to his quarters, the Emperor's Hand replied, "No one would. Keep me informed, Moff Seerdon."

"Of course;" returned the Moff, only half listening as he crossed off several more targets - Coruscant, Kessel and Lothol. The first two would be far too well guarded and the third was already ruined by Rebel attacks before Yavin. As he whittled down the list, his name kept being drawn to Kile II. It was a massive Army base, listening post and military space port where massive amounts of fleet supplies and ordnance went through. He highlighted it as a highly possible target. There were no Imperial fleets anywhere near it. However, four TIE Interceptor Squadrons guarded it. Taking notes on a datapad, Moff Seerdon returned to his desk and refilled his tumbler with Corellian Brandy when a thought suddenly struck him. Using his datapad to look through past reports of Rogue Squadron encounters and found an interesting pattern - many of them were responses to situations. The skirmish on Tatooine was a response to the Empire's efforts to intimidate the locals. Dantooine was to rescue the traitor Tycho Celchu. Barkhesh was a call for assistance and so on and on. The first dozen missions almost were rescues or responses to Imperial aggression. A slow smile began to spread over the Moff's face. "If I cannot go to engage Rogue Squadron, then I shall bring Rogue Squadron to a place of my choosing so that they can engage me."

Updated 12.20.2017