Grand Admiral Rapier looks out from the bridge of the SSD Avenger, multiple strike cruisers and Arquitens are floating out in the deep darkest of space, scorched by flames and laser fire. He looks up at his Commodores with a furled brow and lets out a long sigh.

“Status report on our fleet?” asks Rapier.

Admiral Silwar Naiilo stands at attention, and straightens his uniform.

“Sir, while we did not lose many ships, our Strike Cruisers and Frigates were heavily damaged. Our hyperdrive systems are down, however we can salvage our losses and rebuild, this will take some time, about three weeks. The Ishtari did a number on our fleet but we did not let them escape easily, our fighters destroyed a fair amount of resistance before they retreated.” replied Silwar as he stepped back in line with the other Commodores.

Admiral Marenta Jean steps forward to address her findings, she clears her throat and stares at Rapier.

“Ahem. Our intel has tracked the Ishtari’s last known trajectory however we were unable to lock down their final coordinates. Recon suggests they could have dispersed in fourteen different directions heading to any number of systems.” said Marenta.

“Thank you Admiral. Admiral Phoenix, your thoughts?” inquires Rapier.

“Sir, according to the star charts, they seem to have headed towards the Modell Sector. It is possible that they could have traveled to anywhere between Batuu, Gannaria, Zaddja, Odessen, the list goes on, but they are definitely still in the Outer Rim.” says Phoenix, stepping back, almost stumbling over himself.

“Right, the next course of action is of course to deploy our reconnaissance and deep strike squadrons. Commodores, ready our battlegroups and prepare your pilots for the next mission. We will fan out and search the Modell Sector for these damn Ishtari, they will pay for what they’ve done, they will NOT get away with this!” exclaims Rapier as he slams his fist down on his chair. Rapier, visibly fuming with anger, regains his composure after a brief moment and looks forward toward his subordinates.

“Thank you for your reports, please head to your ships.” Rapier calmly asks.

The three commodores head to their respective ships via shuttle, Rapier watches as his Commodores split out to their ships via Lambda Shuttle. As the Emperor’s Hammer TIE Corps begins its preparations, Rapier muses aboard the bridge.

“I don't understand, why would they try to attack us? Are they clueless? Brave? Insane? And for what, food carrying cargo vessels? It doesn't make any sense, Kamjin.” Rapier shakes his head with his arms crossed. A red armor cladded Imperial Sovereign Protector chimes in from behind the Grand Admiral.

“Perhaps…they thought…we were food too?” They did seem pretty hell bent on attacking those ferries and then they went straight for us! No right minded person would take on the Empire so haphazardly.” said Kamjin.

“Indeed. Our fleet had no trouble destroying them either, it's almost reminiscent of seperatist droid ships. At any rate, we will get to the bottom of this. If anyone discovers our whereabouts of the fleet it can prove disastrous should they find their way to our home on Aurora Prime.”

Set with their orders, the TIE Corps Commodores each prepare their Wing Commanders and Squadron commanders with their next set of orders. They are gathered to their respective briefing rooms and informed of the action after reports. Admiral Phoenix Berkana leads the briefing with his Wing Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Narven Task, by his side aboard the ISDII Hammer.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us. I will cut right to it, as you are aware, the attack on our fleet will not be taken lightly. The latest intelligence report suggests the attackers have fled to any of fourteen systems in the vicinity. The Grand Admiral has assigned each of the battlegroups to split up and hunt down the enemy known as the Ishtari. The Hammer is assigned to patrol Zaddja and Gannaria for any signs of activity related to the Ishtari, at this time we have been instructed to NOT engage or attack. We are only to report our findings back to the fleet immediately. What we know of this type of species is that they are of a hive mind and they seem to attack food carrying vessels in four month cycles before they disappear. Time is of the essence pilots, prepare for flight and head to the hangar for deployment. That is all.” orders Phoenix.

The Hammer’s Commanders instruct their pilots to gear up, from Alpha to Lambda squadron, the pilots prepare to board their various Interdictors and Arquitens Light cruisers. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma are assigned to Zaddja while Lambda, Delta, and Epsilon are assigned to investigate Gannaria. The fleet begins their assignment and once they are within the respective system’s space, the Commanders order to deploy each squadron's flight groups.

Flights of TIE Fighters, bombers, reapers, defenders scream out of the hangar’s into the deep dark reaches of space, the pilots begin their patrol routes across the system.

“This is Epsilon 1-3 to Delta 1-3, do you read me? We are heading towards our designation shortly” says General Jarek La’an.

“Delta 1-3 reporting in, hear you loud and clear General, our flight groups are in position to begin our patrol. We will cover the North eastern quadrant while Lambda will patrol the south western quadrant.” replies Lieutenant Colonel Highlander.

“Lambda 1-3, here. That's correct Colonel, we are heading to our designated coordinates as well and will arrive in about five clicks. Nothing out of the ordinary on our end.” reports Colonel Genie.

The squadrons patrolling Gannaria continue their routes around the system, ever vigilant for the Ishtari. Circling the system multiple times covering every inch of space.

“Epsilon 1-3 reporting in. So far so good, nothing notable going on here, just a few transports and cargo ferries following the hyperspace lanes to the local trade routes.” says La’an.

“It doesn’t seem like what we are looking for is in this sector, let's radio in back to command to advise” says Genie.

“Wait..hold on, we’re picking up incoming ships coming out of hyperspace, it seems to be a large number of fighters. Delta 1-3, are you getting this?” asks La’an.

“Roger, we’re picking up at least 50 bogeys incoming fast. Do you think this is who we’re after?” asks Highlander.

“Let’s keep our distance, order your flight groups to inspect any incoming ships. We need to make sure to get a bead on these guys without attracting their attention” commands Genie.

The squadron of TIEs cautiously patrol the area as waves of insectoid shaped ships hyperspace near the hyperspace buoys towards the cargo and passenger ferries. They begin to harass and attack the innocent ships.

“Whoa, would you look at that. That’s them! They’re attacking again, should we engage?” asks a Lambda pilot.

“Whatever you do, DO NOT, engage. We are tasked to patrol and report our findings only” orders Genie.

“But sir, those are innocent people! Shouldn’t we help them?” asks the Lambda pilot.

“At the cost of our own lives and disobeying orders? Not a chance. ” orders La’an.

“Admiral Phoenix, we’ve located the Ishtari. They are engaging and attacking innocent freighters again. What are your orders?” asks La’an.

“Great work pilots, all flights report back to the hangar and await your next orders” orders Phoenix.

Admiral Phoenix radios into the flight groups patrolling Zaddja and orders them to return home after advising the objective has been completed. Once the fleet regroups, he hails the SSD Avenger and opens communication to the Grand Admiral.

“Grand Admiral Rapier, this is Admiral Phoenix of the ISDII Hammer. We have located the Ishtari on Gannaria, our pilots report that the Ishtari are attacking another set of cargo freighters.” says Phoenix.

“Admiral Phoenix, great work. Have your ships return to the fleet, we need to further investigate where these guys are headed next.” orders Rapier.

“Yes sir!” says Phoenix

Rapier closes the communication channel and looks out of the bridge. He looks over to his Executive Officer.

“Looks like we have a lead on the Ishtari, have them tracked before they make the jump to hyperspace again. They made a grave mistake attacking so soon and it will be their undoing. Prepare the fleet and set a course for their next jump. We’ll cut them off and give them the full power of the Emperor’s Hammer.”

To Be Continued