PROLOGUE:

Wing Commander Ronin paced up and down the hanger, looking at the new recruits standing at attention. "Greetings pilots, and welcome to your new home, the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger. This is both the toughest and most rewarding assignment that you will find in the Imperial Navy. Anything less than your best will not be tolerated". WC Ronin stopped at this point to have a good look at all those assembled. "If you can't handle the pressure that will be put upon you, then get back onto that shuttle and never come back. If you stay, then I wish you good luck and look forward to leading you to victory for the Empire! Stow your gear and get in contact with your squadron commanders. Dismissed!!"

The assembly of pilots quickly saluted and filed out of the hanger. Two of the recruits double-timed their way to their quarters, looking as if they were ready and eager to please. They quickly threw their belongings into the room, and quickly went to the already blinking message console. Quickly entering the verification code, the message played back; "All teams are in. Keep low until the signal".

***
3 and 1/2 years later
***

The head of New Republic Intelligence stood up to welcome his new guest. "Ah, Warlord Gates. Please do be seated".
"Thankyou. Your proposal is most...interesting. The Emperor's Hammer has been a thron in my side for sometime. The faster they are brought down, the better".
"I'm glad you see it that way. The last piece of the puzzle will be arriving momentarily. We had to hide his presence a little more, in case of EH spies".
Just then, the Senator of the Heir I Dar system strode in followed by two security officers. "Ah, welcome Senator. You two may leave", pointing at the two security officers. "Good, good. You have both received my proposals and from your responses, you want to see the same thing. Now, here is where you come in..."


Mission De-Briefings

Mission 1: It would seem we have traitors in our midst. Your Commander and at least one other flight member have helped to steal one of the prototypes. You are to stay in your quarters until Intelligence arrives, and you can be fully debriefed. You are to have no contact with anyone else until such time as you are released. Talk of this to no one. You are being watched, so be careful and do exactly as you're told. Dismissed.

Mission 2: None of the sectors turned up the prototype. We believe it may have been tipped off by other parties. That New Republic humane convoy doesn't seem to be what it makes it self out to be. Some of your reading were suspect...we are still studying them. My interrogation of the former Core commander has already turned up a handful of tratiors within the Emperor's Hammer, and we are finding more all the time. Keep your eyes open for anything that seems out of the ordinary. This may only be the tip of the iceberg.

Mission 3: It would seem the Senator wasn't a traitor after all. The Corvette had EH Intelligence officers aboard and the guards were hired guns, and not from the Heir I Dar system. We may have underestimated the EH. If you hadn't jammed their systems as quickly as you did, everything may have fallen apart. The Senator has confirmed that he was completely successful in his mission. The time is almost right. Prepare for your final mission.

Mission 4: Thankyou Hunter, for all of your work. You have helped us re-capture the prototype. The credits have already been deposited into your account. Also, for your help in driving off the New Republic fleet, we have taken the liberty of upgrading your personal ship. The pilot of the prototype killed himself before we were able to talk to him, but the information on the computer will prove invaluable. Once again, great job Hunter. Your services shall be called upon when needed again.

Mission 5: Stay in your fighters. Aurora Prime is under attack! We are leaving immediately. Hang on!

Mission 6: ...It's a miracle that you're still alive. You will be fully debriefed when we have more information. Go to your quarters and rest, you have more than earned it. Donot talk of this to anyone until everything has been sorted out. Dismissed.


EPILOGUE:

Grand Admiral Ronin leaned back in his chair. Behind him and to his right stood the Executive Officer of the Emperor's Hammer. In front of btoh of them sat the Supreme Director of the Intelligence Division. A bead of sweet ran down his cheek, as GA Ronin's glowing read eyes bore a hole through his head. Calmly standing up, GA Ronin walked over to stand above the SDIR. "Now, please explain to us how the entire Emperor's Hammer was completely and utterly fooled?" With growing anger, the Grand Admiral continued. "We lost half of the Auroran Homeguard, and most of those that did survive are severly injured. On top of all that, Aurora Prime itself LOST ALL POWER! We have lost countless files, and we could do NOTHING to stop fleeing shuttles. The New Reublic is laughing at us right now!! We were almost destroyed!! HOW DID YOU ALLOW THIS TO SLIP BY!!!"

The Grand Admiral slowly went back to his chair, and nearly fell back into it. The SDIR took a few seconds to find his voice before answering; "Sir, I have no excuses to give. It would seem the New Republic had the help of both Warlord Gates and the Senator from the Heir I Dar system". To the revelation of the Senator in the scheme of things, GA Ronin sat straighter. "We managed to capture a few of the escape pods from the capital ships we destroyed from both the New Republic. We also manged to capture the Warlord, before he was able to escape. It would seem the Warlord was in charge of stealing the prototype, as a diversion. The Senator, on his trip to Aurora Prime, managed to sneak in a little virus, which shut down all of our systems. This plot has been in planning since you were a Wing Commander sir. From our estimates, ttheir number of spies now range into the hundreds. We have already captured dozens, but we need more manpower sir".

GA Ronin leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling of his office. "Since the time of my wing commander days you say...that's over almost 4 years ago. Four years to develop a network. Four years to plot our destruction. I am increasing your workforce twofold. I also want new bureau's to deal with internal security. You have one more change Supreme Director. I want all spies captured, or you shall be looking at the other side of an airlock. DISMISSED!!"

As the SDIR left the office, GA Ronin turned to his XO. "Contact the Tie Corps Commander. I want the Heir I Dar system turned to rubble. No one defies the EH and lives to tell about it. The New Republic shall fall...piece by bloody piece..."

***

Warlord Gates pounded against his detention cell door, "I want revenge! The double-crosses me! Those bastards double-crossed me! I will do anything! RELEASE ME!! I WANT REVEEEEENGE!!!"

The detention cells opened to reveal an Intelligence Officer. "Good, I have more information. Take me to your commander. I can help destroy the New Republic. Take me..." Before his sentence could be finished, Warlord Gates found himself with a blaster bolt through his head. The officer reholstered his blaster, and closed the detention cell door behind him.