'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.

Tharin Sector: Imperial Navy Prevents Escape Rebellion

Rebel X-Wing fighters caught between TIE Fighters and the Raider-class corvette Pernicious; Gozanti-class cruiser alleged to be the Vector in the distance with civilian volunteers standing up against the Rebellion.

SRILUUR SYSTEM - The Empire was once again victorious in the Tharin sector as a Rebel escape from the Nimat system was made impossible by swift naval action.

The Imperial plan to secure the Tammar system was defly executed when the Interdictor-class star destroyer Injunction projected a gravity well along the Triellus Trade Route through the Tammar system. As this was the only route for Rebel forces to escape the Tharin sector, the naval strategists were certain the Rebel fugitives would fall into their hand.

While the Injunction carried out its strategic role in the distance, the heroic crew of the Raider-class corvette Pernicious and TIE Fighter escorts were on the scene to apprehend the fleeing members of the Rebellion.

Reports concerning the precise details of the naval action have become classified, but the Empire's most trustworthy source of official information, the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) assured HNN that the Imperial Navy's action inspired local forces to stand with the Navy against the insurrectionist Rebels.

Civilian volunteers from the renowned House Benelex came to the aid of the Pernicious. According to a leaked image of the incident, the wayward cruiser Vector also made an appearance on the scene, and is rumored by some to have been directly responsible for the main Rebel vessel's destruction. The ISB assures HNN that this was a case of mistaken identity, and that these rumors are merely the cynical ravings of aliens and other malcontents.

The Pernicious meanwhile has been sent on assignment deeper into the Outer Rim. Friends and family of the vessel's crew have been told that these heroes of the Empire may be on their distant mission for some time, as they search for more Rebel hideouts.

Order in Tharin Sector Nearly Restored

Spheres of control in the Tharin Sector

SRILUUR SYSTEM - Despite a recent setback in the Yoribuunt system, the forces of the Imperial Navy have nearly restored order and control over the Tharin sector.

According to reports from Imperial Intelligence, Rebel elements have plagued the Nimat system, where there is believed to be a Rebel starfighter garrison.

Hoping to force the surrender of the garrison, the Imperial Navy aims to create a blockade around the system. Once surrendered the Imperial Security Bureau will re-educate the wayward rebels. After they have recognized the errors of their ways, they will be debriefed on their follies and allowed to take up a new vocation as miners in the Kessel system.

In the interim, the Imperial Security Bureau wished to give special recognition to two civilian volunteers, operating under ISB contract. These loyal citizens were previously reported to have assisted in the pacification of the Jabiim system. These citizens, Gargon and Achell Benelex, have since also driven Rebel insurgents from the Taskeed system.

Meanwhile, all naval patrols in the Tharin sector are under orders to keep a close look out for any sightings of the stolen Gozanti-class assault carrier, Vector, last sighted in the Yoribuunt system, departing in the direction of the Tammar system, expected to be en route to Junkfort station.

Gozanti Carrier Hijacked in the Yoribuunt System

Gozanti-class patrol vessel Vectoras and its escorts as it comes under assault.

YORIBUUNT SYSTEM - An Imperial patrol vessel was hijacked while lending assistance to a craft deemed to have been in distress. The hijackers are suspected of being in league with the criminal Scum Lord of Junkfort Station, Stason Joltz.

The Gozanti-class carrier Vector, conducting a routine patrol of the Yoribuunt system came under attack yesterday by a Firespray-31-class patrol craft believed to have been in distress. At unawares and without provocation, the crew of the Firespray - projecting the transponder callsign Slave-1 - turned on the crew of the Vector and hijacked the Imperial Navy vessel.

According to the pilots of the TIE-fighter escorts, who had been left for dead, had their distress signals not been heard by a rescue vessel, the Vector docked with the Slave-I entered hyperspace with a spinward vector, suggesting that the hijackers were in league with the dastardly scum lord Stason Joltz, usurper of Junkfort Station.

The attack on the Vector came not long after the Vector destroyed a number of syndicate vessels elsewhere in the system attempting to steal Imperial communications satellites. It is believed that the hijacking of the Vector occurred in retaliation for the successful curtailing of these criminal activities.

Imperial Navy spokesman Lt. Commander Justif Fication told HNN reporters that the Imperial Navy would not let such affronts go unpunished. As a signal of their resolve, Ace pilots flying for the Imperial Navy destroyed several flights of insurrectionist Rebel fighters in the nearby Sriluur and Tammar systems.

Citizens Standing Up Against Rebel and Criminal Threats in Tharin Sector

Modified Imperial craft operated under contract by loyal civilian contractors of House Benelex

JABIIM SYSTEM - Jabiim has been secured by upstanding citizens of the Empire, operating under Imperial contract. As a result of their decisive action, the Jabiim system, along the Triellus Trade Route spinward of the Tharin sector, is free of Rebel and criminal activity.

The loyal Imperial citizens involved with the securing of Jabiim are members of House Benelex, a consortium of civilian contractors offering unique and distinct services to the Imperial Navy. The citizens - using the names Gargon and Achell - flew in advanced Imperial craft under contract with the Empire. These craft are identified as being a TIE/D Defender and a VT-49 Decimator patrol craft.

Zones of control in the Tharin sector, depicting Imperial holdings in a glorious fluorescent green, and criminal and Rebel holdings in hideous hues of orange-brown and red respectively.

Imperial victories near the Tharin sector signal the use of a containment strategy attempting to limit the freedom of action of the Rebellion and criminal syndicates.

The Jabiim system is strategic as it lies in the Phelleem sector adjacent to the contested Tharin sector. Earlier, Imperial forces under the command of the eccentric Wing Commander Chaplin Vici, secured the Boonta system in the neighboring Suolriep sector.

The liberation and securing of these systems from the dual threats of criminality and insurrection assist in the containment of these threats within the Tharin sector.

"Containment of the threats are proceeding apace," Lt. Commander Justif Fication, an Imperial Navy spokesman told HNN reporters.

The Rebellion has established a presence in the Nimat system, while the fearsome Scum Lord Stason Joltz has a hold on the Junkfort system, which is central to the sector.

Fighting over the Sriluur system has been heated with control over that system hotly contested between the Empire and the Rebellion. Other systems that have witnessed combat are Vaath'kror, Taskeed, Komnor, and Dennogra systems.

With further victories, hopefully the citizens of the Galactic Empire can breathe a sigh of relief as the Imperial Navy works tirelessly to continue to bring the most effective regime of safety and security ever witnessed by the galaxy.

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.

Battles Erupt Across Tharin Sector

The Tharin Sector

BOONTA SYSTEM - The Rebellion and criminal syndicates challenged Imperial control along the Triellus Trade Route in a number of dastardly strikes against the legitimate maintenance of law and order.

In a surprise attack in the Junkfort system, the Rebellion captured space superiority around the system's main space station. Imperial patrols were away from their defensive posts at the time, attempting to secure hyperlane nodes in the Boonta, Sriluur, and Taskeed systems.

In their efforts to combat the insurrection of anarchy and criminality, the Empire opted to focus their attention on the Boonta system. The Boonta system lies coreward of Tharin in the neighboring Suolriep sector, at the crossroutes of critical hyperlanes in the region. The local inhabitants praised the Empire for their heroic efforts on behalf of protecting them from the dual threats of the Rebellion and criminal syndicates.

Unfortunately, the Empire's focus on the Boonta system also resulted in Rebel victories in the Sriluur and Nimat systems. According to reports from the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB), no sooner had the Rebellion taken command of those systems with their fightercraft, that they fell out into disparate factions, warring between themselves. The ISB reported this as being 'typical behavior' for Rebel and syndicate factions.

Among Imperial formations some friendly fire was exchanged, but was categorized by the ISB as 'perfectly healthy rivalry' between Imperial flight commanders hoping to demonstrate their prowess and loyalty to the Emperor.