A view of the Inner Core from the partially
constructed Dark Hall in the Aurora System, which
located at the extreme edge of the Outer Rim Sector...
(Photo: E-Mailed by LordStelek, 1995)

COMPNOR, the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order, often a terrible presence on thousands of worlds across the known Galaxy....has turned its watchful eye to Aurora...It's membership numbers in the trillions...

Following the sweeping defeat of the Aurora Home Defense Forces during the recent Battle, the Aurora System has been flooded with Imperial craft and personnel associated with the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. The ships number into the thousands and include the capital ships of the Hammer Fleet such as the SSD Avenger and the ISDs Colossus and Vanguard down to the lowliest Muurian transports and modular conveyors. Many Imperial ships and merchant vessels have been ordered by the Imperial Security Bureau to the Aurora System under the utmost secrecy to maintain this system's anonymity...

As a consequence, the Imperial and civilian personnel stationed in-system have only the PLT Daedalus to conduct repairs and conduct military and social functions. Although the Dark Brotherhood and its secrecy-sworn engineering crews are already almost completed with construction of the Dark Hall, the Fleet Commander has given strict orders that ONLY military oriented sorties planetside will be authorized for the forseeable future. The Fleet Commander desires to "win over" the citizens of Aurora and make them loyal Imperials. It is his and others (?) opinions that this can be most efficiently accomplished by the recognized experts in the field, the COMPNOR operatives...

The Fleet Commander has approved the insertion of specialty COMPNOR operative "teams" into the general Aurora populace. Since the native Aurorans are human, the existence of the COMPNOR operatives can be hidden indefinitely. As of the posting of this Newsletter, the COMPNOR command aboard the PLT Deadalus have inserted 50 teams of CompForce and SAGroups (Sub-Adult Group) into the major population centers in Aurora. Since the Auroran's are still stunned from last month's crushing defeat of their System (see Aurora CAB in NL #25), the COMPNOR teams should have no difficulty finding hundreds of thousands of young Aurorans to join COMPNOR. Also, since the Empire is approximately 100 years ahead of Aurora in technological development, their young are eager for Imperial technology...

To this end, the Fleet Commander has authorized the use of the Emperor's Hammer Bounty Hunter's Guild by COMPNOR forces on Aurora for "specialty" operations. These will include primarily VIP "retrieval", reconnaissance, infiltration, surveillance and anti-terrorist operations. The first mission for the Bounty Hunters in the Aurora System is posted below:

::Grand Admiral Ronin...Report to the nearest COMM terminal..!::

Ronin had just returned from the graduation ceremony of GN Whysper and BG Klip from Dark Brotherhood Shadow Academy when he heard the notice. He drew his robe close as he headed to the nearest COMM station through the darkened lower levels of the Super Star Destroyer. The Grand Admiral was on patrol...The environmental controls on the SSD Avenger were under constant repair. Apparently, the construction of the SSD had been rushed a bit much. The Fleet engineers were always tinkering and repairing the various redundant systems on the massive 8 kilometer long Star Destroyer. With only four ships of this size in existence, it was an engineering marvel to have just constructed them, let alone maintain one. Ronin would have to remember to dedicate more repair crews to bring the SSD up to his expectations.

::Ronin here, Shawshank:: Ronin responded to the Communications Officer...

:: Sir, COMPNOR team 43 reporting in as ordered...Shall I secure the channel...?::

::Yes, Shawshank...But I'll take it here...::

:: As you wish, Sir...Sabacc at 10 in your Ready Room, as usual..?::

::You bet...you can't keep winning forever...! And tell the rest of the Command Squad...It's time someone else lost their credits to you:: Ronin chuckled as the COMM's face was already being obscured by the anonymous Imperial operative. COMPNOR didn't want anyone knowing the identities of their CompForce personnel, even Grand Admirals...

The agent's face was hidden in dark shadow as he continued...

::Grand Admiral, as you requested, our CompForce agents have tracked down the whereabouts of each member of the Auroran High Council. Apparently, they have spread to each of the continents and most are still in hiding, even after your recent speech in the Council Chamber. However, through our new SAGroup Auroran recruits, we have learned that four of the Twelve Council members have agreed to meet in the city of Land's Bridge in 14 standard Imperial days. As you had surmised, these four council members are the most "resistant" to the Imperial presence in this System. I have talked with my superiors on the Deadalus and they concur that an incursion by several discreet Bounty Hunters could significantly alter the balance of power (and sway opinions) in the High Council...::

::I agree...transmit the planetary geodetic coordinates, as per the COMM procedures previously agreed upon by the Select Committee and I will convene the Hunters...::

Ronin sensed the COMPNOR agent was eager to end this covert communication. He may be under surveillance...The Aurorans were technologically inferior. However, they had an uncanny cleverness and resourcefulness which could not be underestimated...

The Bounty Hunters have gathered in the Conference Room aboard the Star Galleon Ivanhoe. Although not nearly as large as the one on the Avenger, it would serve its purpose. The Grand Admiral began to speak, his Honor Guard and Members of Omega Squadron close at hand, with so many mercenaries present...

::Hunter's...I hope you have all enjoyed your involuntary "vacation" during the recent Battle to take the Aurora System. But as you can see, the Hammer has been successful. As such, we once again require your services...If you will all review your data pads, you will see the mission objectives, rules of engagement and specifications outlined in detail...::

Ronin invited the ISB Liason Officer, General Johann Kane, to join him at the podium...Kane began to outline the primary mission objectives...

::"Gentlemen"...As you can see, the Primary Target for this mission will be one Udan Denestra. As the senior member of the High Council, his word carries great weight. He must be "neutralized" as his opinions have swayed many Aurorans to incite rebellion against the Hammer. COMPNOR operatives will have a much easier job at influencing the native population if these dissenting voices can be silenced...A Bounty of 3,000,000 ICs is herein posted for the elimination of Udan Denestra...However, you have ONE Rule of Engagement to adhere to in this mission: You MUST not be captured by the Auroran Civilian Police Forces. Although you would not remain in custody for long, the information you carry in your tiny brains could set us back months in our attempts to incoporate the Aurorans into the Empire as a fully contributing Member...Any Hunter revealing their identity will be summarily transferred over to the Dark Brotherhood Shadow Academy for Dark Jedi Training practice...::

A perceptible chill ran through the Conference Room...

::I have only the following lead from the Imperial Security Bureau to aid you in your mission...You may inquire of a barkeep by the name of Belias in the Raving See Queen tavern in the city of Land's Bridge, planetside....Belias has recently been recruited into the COMPNOR SAGroup and should prove most willing to provide information (for a price!) since he has ambitions to fly a TIE Fighter...someday...

A meeting with Belias can be arranged through a COMPNOR operative by the name of Mystique7, a COMPNOR CompForce Special Operative in 3 days (DAY 3) in one of the the AOL FSRC Organizations Folders...Internet Bounty Hunters can contact attempt to contact Mystique7@aol.com via e-mail at that time as well...Mystique7 will provide the location of the next Mission Clue in her posts...

Good luck, Hunters...!::

The meeting shortly broke up as the Hunters, eager for the first posted EH Prize in over a month, left for their ships to make preparations...A noticeable frenzy overtook the crew of the Ivanhoe as all hands on board scrambled to get the Hunters, their ships and equipment in order for the upcoming mission...The Hunters tended to spend their life in the Ivanhoe Cantina and most of their hard-earned bounties on ship improvements, women, spice or alcohol....Not necessarily in that order...

Ronin and his staff promptly returned to the Avenger...He hoped he had made the right decision to unleash the Hunters on an unsuspecting Auroran populace...They were not very organized or gracious but the Hunters that have signed up with the Hammer are a cruelly efficient lot...