Grand Admiral Ronin scanned over his control screens in the cramped pilot compartment of his custom built TIE fighter. Although the new TIE Protector prototype fighter had been delivered by Dagger Engineering Corporation over 3 months ago, Ronin never tired of flying it...Ronin's passion had always been the thrill of flying a starfighter. Even in his early days as a Flight Cadet, Ronin couldn't wait to get inside even the Combat Chambers and Training Simulators in the Imperial Academy on Coruscant. Unfortunately, the burdens of his current command prevented his indulgence except on rare occasions such as this. The Fleet Commander relished this precious moment of freedom from the massive confines of the SSSD Sovereign. His TIE effortlessly sped by the flagships of the First BattleGroup, the ISD Colossus and ISD Vanguard; the smaller Victory Class Star Destroyers and Frigates had already been sent to the Endor System. Although Intel had been told their purpose for assaulting Endor was to clear out the system of any remaining Rebel garrisons and some questioned his reasoning, none dare disobey. Out of his starboard viewport, Ronin could see at least two squadrons of TIEs had been launched by each of the Imperial class Star Destroyers to assure the Fleet Commander's safe entrance to hyperspace.

Ronin glanced down to his MFD to check on the status of Omega Squadron, comprised of the 12 best Pilots from the Fleet Commander's Honor Guard. Although these 12 elite pilots were hand picked and flew the TIE Guardian, a substantial improvement over the TIE Defender, Ronin had to occasionally catch himself on the throttle so as not to outdistance his own escort. The high pitched squeal of his TIE relaxed Ronin as his TIE Protector and Omega Squadron entered the stream of whirling stars that is known as hyperspace...

Several hours later, just before exiting hyperspace, a loud repeating alarm burst into Ronin's sleep-cycle. "Damn, I have to get the techs to change out that thing...Gets so a Fleet Commander can't get any rest." Ronin mused as he forced himself awake in preparation of his arrival in the Yavin System. Within seconds, his TIE fighter suddenly broke out of hyperspace and rapidly deccelerated to sublight speed. Ronin instinctively raised his weapons and speed to full power and began recharging shields and changing weapons' settings. Years of TIE piloting had instilled in every pilot a strong sense of survival. In the early days, when unshielded TIE fighters were the rule, this training was especially crucial. Moments later, space seemed to shift as the two massive 1.6 km long Imperial class Star Destroyers Colossus and Vanguard exited hyperspace not more than 2 klicks from his exit point. Ronin reminded himself to commend the navigators on the ISDs for their precise hyperspace calculations.

The TIE Protector had been preset on a heading to Yavin IV, so the Grand Admiral had time to check his long range sensors...nothing...No Rebels, no pilots, no spacecraft at all....The New Republic had left the System unguarded, apparently chasing after the false leads Ronin had spread throughout this sector by utilizing some old friends and less than reputable contacts. Ronin seemed confident that the bulk of the Rebel forces in this sector were engaging the Intelligence Division and the lighter elements of the First BattleGroup at the moment. In any event, the approach to Yavin looked clear. Just as Palpatine had predicted...

An oddly out of place green-blue orb appeared from behind the massive gas giant Yavin. Even by the Imperial Survey Corps' Imperial Planetology Standards, this was a huge gas giant. However, the trace presence of certain detrimental chemical compounds and its 400-500 km/hour swirling methane storms prevent it from being mined for blaster and ion gasses by the Corporate Sector Authority. Thus, Yavin and its ancient hidden jewel, the Lost City of the Jedi, had existed in obscurity.

However, the fateful Battle of Yavin four years ago heralded the death knell of the Empire as we know it. The first major Rebel Alliance victory resulted in the untimely death of Grand Moff Tarkin and his tremendous battle station, the Death Star. The Empire never fully recovered from the blow...

Several weeks ago, the Grand Admiral had asked the Supreme Director of the Ubiqtorate, Sarkis, to perform a special "favor". This was to be a well-planned feint to draw the attention of Rebel ships in the Outer Rim away from Yavin, the main objective of Ronin's strategy. Although this system holds no more significance to the Fleet than any other, the New Republic will view it as a major engagement to symbolically recapture the site of the beginning of the death of the Empire. The Rebels would expect us to attack there...so we will!

Just hours before his departure from the Command Nexus of the SSSD Sovereign, the Grand Admiral had sent a confidential, encrypted communique to Sarkis to begin Operation Secure Endor...

However, upon their arrival, only a modest Rebel garrison was encountered...The New Republic Fleets were apparently spread thin along the Borderlands vainly attempting to locate our Fleet...Not that this would matter much; not only had Intel destroyed the pitiful Rebel garrison, but several disabled and/or captured Imperial warships were retrieved in the process!

Not only has the Intelligence Division secured the system, but it has also captured its garrison Platform! The Grand Admiral has authorized several tugs and freighters to fly from Aurora under escort and retrieve the PLT for use by Intel.

Battle Background: With the FC and Omega Squadron leaving for Yavin IV, the FC has asked Intel for a favor. Since the visit to Yavin IV came about from a vision of the Emperor, the FC has predicted that Endor will play some significant role as well. Thus, while the FC is at Yavin IV, we at the ID will handle Endor...

There is a small Rebel garrison stationed at Endor. After winning a major victory there, they established themselves at Coruscant and hastily left a simple garrison at Endor. This garrison has only standard Rebel fighters, since they don't really expect anything to go on here. But we'll show them...

Mission One, "The Swipe": This and the next two missions will utilize Parasite Squadron, a squadron under the jurisdicition of Infiltration. Here, we were lucky to intercept a convoy of NewRep supplies to the garrison. Initial scans report one Freighter, two Modular Conveyors, and four Cargo Ferries. They are lightly escorted by some X-Wings and A-Wings. We want to have our transport, the Leech, capture the Freighter. Only the Freighter is to survive, the rest are to be eliminated. You will fly a Missile Boat from Parasite Three Flight and will assist in the destruction of the convoy, while the Leech will disable and capture the Freighter. The FRG StormWind will stay in the background, and use its powerful radios to jam the NewRep frequency and report select messages implying an attack and the "near-death survival" of the Freighter.

Mission Two, "The Insertion": We will hyperspace right behind the Freighter as it arrives. We want to look like we are after it. The NewReps will be waiting for us since they believe that the Freighter has narrowly avoided us and is probably followed. You will fly a TIE Defender from Parasite Two Flight. Just make sure that the Freighter, while damaged somewhat, makes it ALIVE to the platform. Also, be sure to subtlely lighten up defenses. They will commit fighters to the Freighter's aid. When the Freighter docks, withdraw immediately. The StormWind will hyperspace away and await further instructions.

Mission Three, "The Extraction": Good news and bad news. Good: we got some key info on the garrison and its makeup. The bad: they found our Infiltration Team. Flying in Parasite One Flight in TIE Defenders, you are to escort the commandeered transport Freedom to the StormWind. They will throw practically their entire arsenal at you and the transport, but make sure the Freedom docks aboard the StormWind and we will once again pull out.

Mission Four, "The Gathering": The StormWind has hyperspaced to a planned rendezvous area. Here, ships from the First Battle Group will arrive to assist in the capture of the garrison. Flying a TIE Advanced from Guardian-Three Flight, you are to insure that all ships arrive safely. We are expecting the VSDs Formidable and Monitor, and the M/FRGs Imperator, Adent, and Onamo and finally the ESC Iron Fist. The ISDs are with the FC on his trip to Yavin IV. The NewReps happen to stumble across the meeting (them and their blind luck...) and thus are committing a medium sized force to stop this meeting. Make sure everyone makes it, and hyper out.

Mission Five, "The Attack": Now the StormWind accompanied by the light ships of the First Battle Group shall make the full scale attack on the garrison. No more sneaky spy/guerrilla stuff or fleeing, this is a full-scale strike. Flying the Guardian Two Flight of Missile Boats, you will insure the survival of all EH craft, and basically get to kill all the fighters that the NewReps are scrambling. Every fighter that this little garrison has will be deployed in this battle. When the Platform has been disabled and captured by the assault transports, the battle is officially over and you may continue to "mop up" for the glory of the Empire. Also note that there is a disabled Strike Cruiser and a disabled VSD and ISD (!!!!). Looks like some other imperial group has crossed paths with the NewReps. Make sure to inspect them to see how disabled they are, and if they are still salvageable.

Mission Six, "The Arrival": The First Battle Group will pull out of this system and continue their normal activities, leaving the StormWind to secure the garrison and capture the disabled ships. We now own a small and significant corner of the galaxy, and the SDIR himself will come and inspect the newly gained garrison and the new ships (STRKCR Eye Of Odin, VSD Striker, and ISD Silencer). He will arrive in the DGN Lichtor V and will fly an Escort Shuttle (Silencer) accompanied by his personal escort "Praetorian" Squadron. Once he docks aboard, he will make a brief inspection of the complex and then fly to inspect the new ships, and finally return to the Lichtor V to transmit the report to the FC. The NewReps may still be trying to regain control of the garrison and the Imperial ships they pirated, and will no doubt see the Lichtor V and will try to capture/destroy it. These NewsReps are the delayed reinforcements of the previous battle, and thus are quite numerous. You will portray Guardian One Flight (TIE Defenders) and must help "Praetorian" Squadron insure the safety of the SDIR as he enters and exits the complex and the ships...

Battle Aftermath: Well, the platform sits silently, waiting for the FC's word. The FC may decide to establish a permanent base in the area, or maybe he'll simply leave the system be after any business the FC and the Emperor conduct at Yavin. Intel may get the platform, but likely not. Though, Intel did get an adequate "prize:"

According to the Platform logs, the NewReps undertook an Intelligence Operation against a small Imperial faction nearby. Needless to say, they succeeded. They were to inspect the captured craft and possibly disassemble them to extract raw materials and so forth. Luckily, we have those ships now. The Eye Of Odin will staff a Surveillance squad, the Striker will house a Renik and a IntCon squad, and the Silencer will house squads serving all of the branches. The Lichtor V will remain the flagship and will house the elite Praetorian squad.

The Fleet Commander and his squadron of TIE Guardian escorts approached the warm, inviting atmosphere of Yavin IV. He activated his com-link to the ISD Colossus. BattleGroup One, this is Omega-X, we are proceeding to the surface, cover our approach and wait for further orders."

"Aye, Commander." A dry voice routinely answered. The Fleet Commander had stipulated that all communications keep his presence here covert. Ronin had a few minutes until the automatic landing cycle would bring him safely planetside; he punched up the Survey stats on his MFD for the Yavin System...a quick refresher couldn't hurt...

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Ronin flipped off the MFD and smiled wryly, "I can name one Imperial that knows..." Ronin, already an accomplished Jedi Master, having served as the HeadMaster of the Shadow Academy on Eos, had become particularly attuned to the Force. To the Grand Admiral, the location of the Lost City of the Jedi shown like a bright beacon during his approach to Yavin IV. His TIE Protector and Omega Squadron landed 3 klicks away from the ruins of the Massassi...

After the Fleet Commander landed in a small clearing, he initiated the power-down sequence on his TIE. Ronin activated his com-link with the rest of his escort, "Omega Squadron...I will be departing on foot...alone. You are to guard the TIEs and be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Lieutenant General Xardio, is that understood?"

The Squadron Commander responded without hesitation or question, "As you command, my Lord." Although the Xardio silently questioned the wisdom of this decision, he would not openly contradict his Fleet Commander's wishes. He snapped the squadron of the Fleet Commander's Honor Guard to attention, "Alright, Omega...I want Flight 2 in the air flying patrol sequence Gamma-c4, like we practiced in the simulators. The rest of us will set up a perimeter and base camp here in the LZ...Just in case...In two hours, Flight 3 takes air patrol. Got it?...!...Now MOVE...!" Omega Squadron immedately set about its assigned duties, as if oblivious to their charge, the Grand Admiral.

Shortly after Ronin felt confident his way off this swamp-filled moon was safe, he proceeded to silently slip unnoticed into the thick jungle underbrush towards the massive pyramids before him. The dense undergrowth seemed to part before him as if to clear his path. Within minutes, Ronin reached a clearing that overlooked the old Rebel complex that served the Alliance before the Battle of Yavin. Ronin reached out with the Force...he sensed a powerful presence but couldn't be sure of its location other than inside the monstrous temple standing before him. Swiftly scaling the small mountain, Ronin stood before the massive, open entrance to the Temple.

Upon entering the ancient temple, Ronin walked barely 5 meters before the entrance tunnel opened to a larger chamber. Only a empty, dimly lit chamber greeted the Grand Admiral as he let his eyes adjust to the low light.

Grand Admiral Ronin drew his purple-hued lightsaber just in case of Rebel guardians in this place. He had heard rumors of an ancient wardroid by the name of DJ-88 that had reportedly cared for a lost grandson of Palpatine in this place. Intel had reported several wild rumors about Palpatine having a crazed, manaical son by the name of Triclops. His son (Palpatine's grandson), the 12 year old Jedi Prince Ken, was reportedly rescued from Yavin IV by the Rebellion shortly after the Battle of Endor.

Ronin soon sensed a familiar presence...

"My Lord, I have arrived...I await thy bidding..." Ronin sheathed his Lightsaber and dropped to his right knee, head bowed to his former master.

"Ronin, my friend, rise..." The former Emperor beseeched the Fleet Commander. "You have done well...Your Fleet is strong and your leadership unquestionable...I have need of your service to fulfill that which I require."

Ronin quickly responded...

Inwardly, Ronin wondered what a disembodied Dark Jedi Master could possibly need from him and the Hammer, but he surmised it was another of Palpatine's convoluted schemes or plans for the future. After, all Palpatine had won the Empire with such politicking and intrigue. None in the Empire ever really knew what Palpatine had planned or when it would occur...his genius always seemed to be one step ahead of the mere mortals that advised him. Ronin did not find it surprising that Palpatine continued these strategies from the other side after his "death" at Endor...just that Ronin was such a pivotal figure in them...

"Grand Admiral, your duty will be to keep the Rebellion occupied in the Outer Rim and Unknown Regions of the Galaxy, as I have also directed Grand Admiral Thrawn. For my plans to succeed, the Rebellion must not be allowed to control these unexplored and untamed regions of the galaxy...My return will not be for many years, but the Rebellion can not be allowed to completely push back our Imperial forces in these areas. I will have need of them in the future. Your's will be one of several Fleets I have chosen to maintain the purity of the New Order in the Imperium until I return..."

"Yes, my Lord, I understand..." Ronin answered.

"You shall proceed to subdue the Minos Cluster and from there launch attacks on the so-called New Republic and their pitiful band of mercenaries and Rebels...I trust that you will not disappoint me, Grand Admiral, as Vader did..." Palpatine's voice became softer but more determined. Ronin sensed the anger is his voice, disdain for his former student, Darth Vader, the Betrayer of Endor. The Dark Side welled inside Palpatine, Ronin could feel it, a palpable, almost overwhelming presence in the dark temple chamber.

"Sire, my Fleet grows every day as Citizens and ships from across the Empire swell our ranks....But it has become difficult to know who to trust. With our rapid growth, our presence has become known to the New Republic forces and their Fleets have begun sorties into our Territories. I fear that their numbers will increase with our's."...Ronin also looked for guidance from his former master.

"Fear not, Ronin...Beneath this dias in a hidden chamber, you will find one who I placed here long ago in which you can completely trust. He served me in my days on the Old Republic Senate and as my First Imperial Sovereign Protector. Portal was my first and best bodyguard and confidant and so he will become your's. Protector Portal will guard you with his life and will never question your orders. You may trust him as no other in my service for he was cloned from my genetic pattern during the Clone Wars...Portal volunteered to be frozen in carbonite until the day when I may need him. Thus, I give him to you as your guard. He has many wondrous talents, use them wisely and with discretion...May the Dark Side be with you Ronin...We will speak again...soon..."

Palpatine's visage spoke and slowly disappeared into the dark shadows...Ronin was alone...

Ronin sensed it was time to leave this place. Looking around the now-empty temple chamber, he spied a small diode flashing under the area where Palpatine had been speaking. Lifting himself with a minor exertion of the Force, Ronin floated effortlessly up the 2 meters to the top of the dias. Beneath him, was a massive transparisteel slab protecting a carbonite stasis chamber below. The Grand Admiral methodically activated the start up sequence on the control pad.

With a loud release of carbonite gas, the dias raised smoothly above the dias floor and massive hydraulic jacks raised the carbonite slab from horizontal to near a vertical position.

Ronin stared at the bronzed image of the Imperial Sovereign Protector. His face and body locked in a grimace of near-death. Ronin had heard in the old days of the Old Republic, carbonite freezing was often used to place ship crews, passengers, prisoners and severely wounded in stasis for long range interstellar transport. With the advent of hyperspace, this dangerous and often deadly practice had been banned by most civilized cultures. The last recorded use was on the Cloud City of Bespin just after the Battle of Hoth, when Darth Vader had Han Solo, the smuggler turned rebel, frozen in carbonite for transport by Boba Fett back to Jabba the Hutt.

"Not a very pleasant thought." Ronin reflected as he released Portal from the carbonite. The carbonite began to to thaw and break off Portal's unconscious body. Ronin reached down and collected a 2 meter long bundle placed in the storage bin on the side of the dias...apparently Portal's weapons...Upon completion of the thaw process, Ronin gently lifted the Protector over his shoulders and carried him from the Temple, liquified carbonite from Portal's white tunic dripping onto Ronin's black flightsuit. Ronin quickly sped back down the face of the Massassi pyramid...

The Grand Admiral notified his escort..."Omega-1, Omega-1, this is Omega-X, proceed to coordinates 34654-F342/3764-675d...The main Massassi Temple...and hurry...! And, LG Xardio, get a Tyderian Shuttle down here from the Colossus...ASAP...we have a new...ally..."

"Aye, sir..." was the only response from LG Xardio.

Back on the ISD Colossus, the Grand Admiral watched his new guardian with curiosity. The Imperial MedDroids were working their wonders on him. Various injections and skin grafts were being applied. Decades of being frozen in carbonite had taken their toll on the Protector's body...

Following 4 hours of intensive med-therapy, the Protector was revived...Despite objections from the Colossus medical staff, Portal silently removed his tunic and dressed himself in his traditional garb from the bundle Ronin had retrieved from the temple...as he had done thousands of times for his Emperor. Now, he had a new master. How he knew this he did not know, only that he must now serve this Grand Admiral with all his abilities. The Emperor had decreed that Ronin must live...Portal would do his duty...as always...

Grand Admiral Ronin signalled the bridge crew from the sickbay..."Commodore, get us back to Aurora..Full speed..." Ronin turned to look at this new "gift" standing silently before him on the Imperial Star Destroyer. Ronin knew he would be instrumental in bringing order back to the chaos that was now the Empire...