'Rifts Coalition': Pirates or Privateers?

Archival image of 'Rifts Coalition' TIE Fighter

SRILUUR - Another Imperial patrol has gone missing in the Suolriep sector: a region of space where a sinister faction known as the 'Rifts Coalition' claims territory.

A reinforced patrol, consisting of an assault carrier, two flights of TIE Fighters, one flight of TIE Bombers and an element of TIE Interceptors, went missing in the Suolriep sector yesterday.

While none of the vessels constituting the patrol returned to report the incident, Imperial Navy authorities claim that it is likely a faction known as the 'Rifts Coalition' which is responsible.

As previously reported, the Rifts Coalition flies Imperial Navy vessels and fighters while sporting a skull and crossbones emblem against a sable background. This band of vessels, while made up of Imperial Navy-grade hardware, has an inconsistency in its makeup which suggests to analysts that the faction is irregular. It resembles a disorder of battle known to desperate bands of insurgents. That would put this Rifts Coalition in the ranks of pirates or, worse still, the Rebellion.

Previous instances of activities by the Rifts Coalition had been permitted, as they targeted Rebel and pirate forces attempting to undermine law and order in the Tharin sector. Now that the Coalition has repeatedly targeted Imperial Navy units, the Empire is determined to stamp them out of the galaxy.

Another theory considers the possibility that the reinforced patrol was swallowed by a ravenous space slug also known to inhabit the territory in which the Rifts Coalition operates.

Turmoil Returns to Tharin Suolriep sectors: Renegade Faction Attacks Rescue Mission

Raider-class corvette Dominatus sporting the emblem of the 'Rifts Coalition'.

SRILUUR - An Imperial patrol consisting of a Raider-class corvette and escorts were attacked near the Boonta system by what appears to be a renegade faction using Imperial vessels.

Answering a distress call from a disabled Gozanti cruiser, the patrol formation sent from the Imperial naval garrison on Sriluur was ambushed by Imperial-style military craft emblazoned with a humanoid skull and crossbones emblem with sable background.

According to retrieved footage from the wreckage of the patrol vessel, the sable-colored vessels belong to a renegade faction titling themselves the 'Rifts Coalition'.

The devices and paint scheme match those of forces that secured the Boonta system from the Rebel insurrection two months ago. The Boonta system was the first world to be held against Rebel forces during the Tharin campaign.

The Boonta system lies in the Suolriep sector adjacent to the Tharin sector, which remains a haven for criminal syndicates. Situated at the crossroutes of the Lesser Lantillian Route and the Salin Corridor. It is predominantly inhabited by humans and Hutts from nearby Hutt Space.

The forces responsible for Boonta were led by an eccentric commander known as Chaplin Vici, who is reputed to wear a headdress made from the pelt of a small orange canine. It is now believed that these forces once responsible for Boonta's security have turned on the legitimate galactic order.

Analysis of the wreckage found near the Boonta system suggest that the two Raider-class corvettes, one from the rescue mission and one from the Rifts Coalition renegades, were destroyed. The Gozanti cruiser, nor matching wreckage were located. It is believed the surviving renegades repaired the cruiser and forced its crew to return them to Boonta at blasterpoint.

Regional authorities vow to bring the Boonta system back into the Imperial fold and to bring the renegades to Imperial justice.

Stason Joltz: Scum Lord of Junkfort Station

Stason Joltz, Scum Lord of Junkfort Station

THARIN SECTOR - A traitor to the Empire has usurped control over a key system in the Tharin Sector of the Outer Rim.

Using superior Imperial training, a former servant of the empire has turned his back on the sole legitimate galactic authority, and carved out control over a system along the Triellus Trade Route.

Not expecting such betrayal, units of the Imperial Navy were taken by surprise by Commander Stason Stoltz’s (Ret.) forces.

These forces consisted of a notorious pirate named Kath Scarlett and an element of Kiraxh heavy fighters. It is feared that the pirate presence in the Junkfort system will limit legitimate trade. The Empire has put out a warning to commercial and private traffic setting course through the system to steer clear of Junkfort and its segment of the Triellus Trade Route.

It remains unknown if Stoltz is an agent of the Hutt cartels or an independent operator.

This disturbing news comes after the satisfaction of the victory gained by Commander Chaplin Vici, an eccentric Imperial Wing Commander commanding an irregular formation of Imperial fighters sporting a sable field with a skull and crossbones emblem. Commander Vici secured the Boonta System in the neighboring Suolriep sector.

Fortunately, the Jabiim system in the neighboring Phelleeem Sector also came under Imperial control. Regrettably, however, the Nimat system has fallen under the sway of the Rebellion.

With both the Junkfort and Nimat systems under the control of insurgents and criminal elements, citizens are urged to reroute traffic to the Salin corridor until the Imperial Navy can secure the Tharin Sector and flush out the undesirables infesting the region.