New Insurgent Craft Identified as Strategic Bomber; Terrorist Intent Manifest

Captured imagery of new MG-100 StarFortress SF-17 strategic bomber

IMPERIAL CENTER (CORUSCANT) - A new insurgent craft has been identified as strategic bomber. The building of such a heavy bomber indicates terrorist intent against civilian life.

New heavy bombers have been sighted among the small starcraft forces of the Rebel insurgency. Imperial Intelligence has identified these bombers as the MG-100 StarFortress SF-17.

The configuration of these heavy bombers expose the insurgency's new strategy for attempting to shake the faith of the Imperial citizenry in the peace and stability offered by the Empire.

In contrast to the TIE/sa bomber or even the TIE Punisher whose ordnance-carrying capabilities are clearly designed to target other warcraft in the service of the Imperial Navy's duty to protect civilian life and open spacelanes, the SF-17 is configured as a strategic bomber. Strategic bombers, unlike tactical bombers like the TIE/sa, are intended as weapons against stationary and defenseless civilian targets.

The development of the StarFortress SF-17 strategic bomber signals the Rebellion's ultimate strategy for their faltering resistance. Since their forces cannot hope to break the military might of the Imperial Navy, they have decided to target civilian targets in the vain hope of breaking civilian support for the Emperor and the Empire.

This new strategy is as doomed as their attempts at piracy and propaganda. The mere development of such a heinous weapon only steels the will of the Imperial citizenry to see their ilk meet Imperial justice and judgement, the delivery of which shall soon be upon them.

Empire Grants Ryloth Autonomy

Planet Ryloth

RYLOTH SYSTEM - Amid a descent into violence in the Gaulus sector, and removing insurgent and criminal threats from the Ryloth system, the Empire has granted Ryloth autonomy. Donalo Fortuna elected planetary governor.

Despite the many benefits and belevolence the Empire has showered on the planet of Ryloth and the Twi'lek people, the denizens of this alien world voted for autonomy from the Empire, electing the Coruscant real-estate developer Donalo Fortuna planetary governor.

The vote happened amid spiraling violence between insurgent rebel forces and criminal cartels elsewhere in the sector. Beyond this insurgent-on-criminal skirmishes, there was also much internecine conflict between Rebel and cartel factions, demonstrating the lack of coherence within different Rebel and cartel groups. In the midst of this tug-of-war between cartels, insurgents and different factions, Imperial Navy assets kept Ryloth free from hostile invasion.

Coruscant developer Donalo Fortuna, ReadJunk

As ingrate aliens, however, the Twi'leks of Ryloth voted for autonomy, which the Emperor has graciously granted them. Imperial forces will depart Ryloth, leaving the responsibility for maintaining law and order to local forces.

Reimposing law and order on the Gaulus sector will be a tough task for Governor-elect Fortuna, as Rebels have usurped control over the nearby Pelgrin system, while the Wrea, Dalchon, and Gaulus systems have become battlegrounds for factional infighting between and within Rebel gangs and criminal cartels.

Particularly the Wrea system at the very end of the Corellian Run hyperspace trade route has fallen under the sway of the Scum Lord Stason Joltz, operating far from his lair at Junkfort Station.

With developer Donalo Fortuna taking charge of governance on this Outer Rim world, analysts expect deals to be made with criminal cartels in order to keep Ryloth, and eventually the Gaulus sector, free from Rebel influence. According to critics, Fortuna is merely the puppet of a shadowy criminal cartel led by an unknown crime lord from even farther out of the Outer Rim.

Investors on Scipio have seen Ryll futures plummet. Ryll is a precious ore harvested from the mines of Ryloth. It has military and scientific applications, but can also be used as a narcotic.

Armed Hostilities Erupt Between Criminal and Insurgent Forces in Gaulus Sector

Rebel X-wing fighters (from archive)

RYLOTH SYSTEM - Hostilities have erupted between criminal and insurgent armed groups in the Gaulus sector. Imperial forces attempt to suppress senseless violence.

A number of skirmishes between insurgents, criminals and other malcontents have erupted spontaneously in the Gaulus sector, an Outer Rim Territory at the end of the Corellian Run. The systems plagued by the the violent groups are the Ryloth, Wrea, Dalchon, Gaulus, and Pelgrin systems. Imperial forces were swift to respond in the Ryloth system.

The Gaulus sector, showing violence-plagues systems.

Early reports have Imperial forces defeating the Rebellion in the Ryloth system. Criminal cartels, meanwhile, have dealt deadly blows against Rebel forces in the Dalchon, Wrea, Pelgrin, and Gaulus systems.

Imperial Navy Suppresses Insurgencies in Centrality

Map of the Centrality sector of the Outer Rim

ERILNAR - With superior numbers, Imperial forces suppressed insurgencies in a number of systems in the Centrality sector today.

A number of skirmishes against insurgents, criminals and other malcontents took place along the Falco Run, in the far-flung Centrality sector. Most were decisively put down by large numbers of Imperial forces.

The affected systems were the Dilonexa, Oseon, and Ringneldia systems, where Imperial forces responded swiftly aboard Gozanti-class assault carriers.

The insurgents consisted of various criminal factions of the Outer Rim, including renegade Mandalorians, members of the so-called 'Rebel Alliance', and another shadowy group, known as the 'Rifts Coalition'. Some Rebel vessels included repainted Z-95 Headhunters from the Black Sun cartel, infamous for spice trading, human trafficking, and racketeering. This is taken as further evidence that the Rebellion is in league with the Black Sun criminal cartel.

While most insurgencies were suppressed, a number of Rebel starfighters were able to break out of the Imperial cordon. These included the repainted Black Sun Headhunters. These Rebels are suspected to be refugees from the blockaded region of the Calamari sector.

According to the sector authorities, only a squadron's worth of fighters escaped. Such a small number is not deemed to be of concern to loyal Imperial citizens.

Despite its name, the Centrality Sector lies in the outermost reaches of the Outer Rim, far from the civilized core worlds, which the Emperor has vowed to keep safe from such insurgents. Beyond being plagued by insurgents, Centrality also suffers from a space slug infestation, with these ravenous creatures inhabiting large asteroids.

'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.

A Day in the Mission of an Imperial Patrol on the Outer Rim

Gozanti-class corvette Vector unleashing its TIE/ln fighters in the service of the Empire

LOTHAL SYSTEM - An Imperial patrol consisting of the Gozanti-class assault carrier Vector and TIE-Fighter escorts carry out the ongoing task of bringing the light of Imperial order to the Outer Rim.

These are the voyages of the Imperial assault carrier Vector. Its week-long mission: to suppress new worlds, to curtail insurrection and threats to galactic civilization: to boldly crush the Rebellion where no other Imperials have crushed before.

HNN is embedded with the crew of the Gozanti-class corvette Vector as it patrols the Outer Rim not far from the industrial production world of Lothal, where Sienar Fleet Systems produces the latest state-of-the-art TIE fighters for the arsenal of the Imperial Navy.

Occasionally it has to maintain the proper regulations of faster-than-light space travel, such as this morning when it caught a JumpMaster 5000 reconnaissance craft engaging illegal hyperspace 'micro jumps'. The craft, seemingly piloted by a bounty hunter, refused to pull over and submit to inspection and had to be destroyed.

While enforcing interstellar traffic regulations is part of the job of the Imperial patrol, the crew of the Vector gets more excited when they can do some real good for galactic stability. Not long after having destroyed the JumpMaster 5000, the vector encountered a Modified VCX-100 light freighter, which had been reported on an All Imperial Bulletin as having been the escape vehicle for a cell of rebel operatives from Lothal.

After the light freighter was destroyed, the Vector's commissioned officer, ISB agent Kallus, said that he was very satisfied with the destruction of the vessel.

"This ship and its crew have been an annoyance ever since they stole some Wookiee slaves. These Wookiees suffered from a condition known as BadCGI. By freeing these BadCGI-ridden Wookiees, they threaten the whole galaxy with BadCGI."

"It's good that we have brought this vessel to quick justice," Agent Kallus added.

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.

Scum Lord Joltz Projects Reign of Crime; Imperial Navy Questions Advanced Starfighters

Assorted pirate starfighters under the banner of the Scum Lord, Stason Joltz

REUSS SYSTEM - while conducting extensive raids on criminal operations in the Parmic Sector, a number of elite formations of TIE/x7 "Defender" starfighters were ambushed by pirates believed to be loyal to the infamous Scum Lord of Junkfort Station, Stason Joltz.

Pirates with allegiance to the Scum Lord of Junkfort Station, Stason Joltz have expanded their piracy and mayhem outside of the distant Tharin sector. In so doing, they attacked several formations of Imperial Navy starfighters, many of which included upgraded models of TIE/x7 "Defenders". The defeat of the elite starfighter formations is said to be a vindication of factions within the Imperial Navy that argue for a stricter adherence to older Imperial Navy doctrine.

"The Imperial Navy has a doctrine of dispensable numerical superiority," one Navy insider told HNN. "Strictly inspired by the New Order laid down by the Emperor, it is the key to military success, from which the Navy must not deviate."

New advanced starfighter craft, which include the TIE/Ad x7, but also other models such as the TIE/Ad v1 and TIE/IT "Punisher", have been innovations on the tried and true TIE/ln starfighter, which provides the Navy with the bulk of its squadron complements. These are the brainchildren of Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin, the Empire's, whose prototypes are being tested in the Parmic sector.

Included among the elite formations were the civilian volunteers from House Benelex, whose formation resembled loosely the 'Special Operations Flights' which had been deployed by Moff Dzon Brennin in the pacification of the Arkanis sector last year. These consisted of a small elite craft working closely with a VT-49 "Decimator" patrol craft.

"The failure of these so-called 'Advanced' starfighters is a sign that we need to cease with these Zaarinist experiments. Questioning the naval doctrine of the New Order is the same as questioning the wisdom of the Emperor Palpatine," the Navy insider asserted.

The Parmic sector is an outlying region of space on the Outer Rim, infamous for its spice smugglers. Last year, Imperial forces quashed Rebel and other criminal activity in the area in an overall successful campaign to isolate the Arkanis sector. It is argued by some that the necessity to reorient the activities of the Imperial Navy towards the siege of the Calamari sector, meant allowing criminal and insurgent elements to revive in these trailing sectors of the Outer Rim.

Rebel Slicers Ousted from Holonet Receiver Station

Holonet Receiver Station in Parein system

PAREIN SYSTEM - The Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) detected a rebel slicer engaged in spying on Imperial communications at a Holonet receiver station. Her activities have been halted following swift action by the Imperial Navy.

With the Rebel insurgency attempting ever more desperate measure to slice the Holonet, the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) has taken increased measures to create Holonet security. Today, in collaboration with units of the Imperial Navy, swift action was undertaken to eject a Rebel slicer from her infiltration aboard a Holonet receiver station in the Parein system of the Aturi Cluster on the Outer Rim.

The ISB believes the Rebellion is attempting to slice into the personal records of loyal Imperial citizens, in order to expose them to blackmail and extortion. Fortunately, the ISB is capable of accessing citizens' records in order to persuade them to give the Empire the evidence needed to bring such criminal slicers to justice.

Moff Lankin of the Hook Nebula sector, which contains the Aturi cluster, is expected to sign orders allowing the necessary intrusive methods to pursue a counter-slicing campaign over the sectors holonets. His aides inform HNN that those orders shall be signed as soon as he returns from the Nulan system.

Elsewhere in the lawless Aturi cluster, Imperial units operating from aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer Retribution detected an infamous Rebel craft, Bright Hope. The Bright Hope is a GR-75 freighter that had been involved in running the blockade of the Calamari sector last year. Fortunately for galactic stability, its mission failed, but it seems to have resurfaced in the Aturi cluster. Imperial forces are looking to track down the fugitive freighter and her crew.

Rebel Piracy in Aturi Cluster Thwarted

Rebel scavenging vessel destroyed by TIE Bombers of the Scimitar Squadron

QEIMET SYSTEM - Imperial Navy starfighter elements thwarted Rebel bandits in an attempt at piracy in the Aturi Cluster. One Rebel freighter was destroyed while the Rebel pirate fighters scattered like cowards, when faced by proper military units.

Imperial TIE Fighter units encountered Rebel starfighters engaged in the act of piracy within the Aturi Cluster. The cargo freighter Trellisk had been attacked and destroyed by the Rebel units while traversing an ion storm en route to the U'dray system.

Fortunately for the crew of the Trellisk an Imperial patrol responded to its distress signal and caught sight of the freighter's wreckage just as a Rebel scavenging vessel was attempting to capture the crew's escape pod.

In a pitched battle, the TIE fighter pilots dutifully protected the forlorn crew from starfighter bandits of the X- and Y-wing types, and destroyed the capturing vessel, a Corellian YT-1300 light freighter as its docking clamps had grasped the hapless escape pod.

It is believed that if the crew aboard the escape pod would have been captured by the Rebels, the crew would surely have been sold into slavery in order to fund the Rebel Alliance's obstinate insurgency.

After the Rebellion's successive defeats in the Keldrath and Calamari sectors, and, more recently, the Tharin sector, the Rebels are in dire straits. Their piracy is suspected to be the final act of desperation for a dying movement.

The Imperial patrols operated from the flight deck of the Imperial Star Destroyer, Retribution based in the neighboring Juris sector.

The Aturi Cluster is a lawless region in the Hook Nebula sector, a place in which rebels and other pirates find refuge. The Retribution has been tasked with cleansing the Aturi cluster of the remaining Rebels, and will not rest until they have been captured or killed. Loyal tax-paying citizens of the Galactic Empire, tired of footing the bill for these malcontents, earnestly hope for the latter.

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.

Rumors of Grand Theft Starfighter Patently False

TIE fighter, a TIE Advanced Prototype, and a TIE Defender engages in war games.

PAKUUNI SYSTEM - The Imperial NAvy once again effortlessly prevented would-be thieves from stealing state-of-the-art space superiority fighters from the Pakuuni Sector Group special fighter garrison on Pakuuni proper.

With the space superiority fightercraft of the Empire clearly outclassing the aged and obsolete fightercraft flown by the Rebellion, demand for such vessels the black market are driving a high price for any that might possibly be stolen. Thankfully, the Empire has them under such high security that any attempting such heinous larceny are caught and incarcerated long before they even have the chance to lay eyes on such specialized hardware.

No larceny has taken place, and any imagery of active-fire combat between line starfighters and the specialized space superiority fighters that has been captured depicts training exercises between loyal Imperial starfighter pilots.

COMPNOR spokesman Agandist

Nevertheless, seditious rumors abound that attempts to to take control of such specialized craft have succeeded and that villainous cartels have come in the possession of such TIE craft. These rumors are, however, patently false and any spreading such falsehoods make themselves liable for prosecution.

"No state-of-the-art vessels were stolen from the Pakuuni Garrison," Mr. Prop Agandist of the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order (COMPNOR) told HNN reporters.

When disloyal reporters pressed Mr. Agandist further on the matter, he replied with "all lies," as the disloyal reporters were taken into custody by the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB).

meanwhile, occasional skirmishes against the treasonous Rebellion continue to take place, with rebel starfighter groups summarily being defeated even by TIE/sa Bomber craft, whose primary mission profile is against capital vessels, rather than starfighters.

Imperial Navy Deploys Deep Space Patrols to Jubilar and Shadola Sectors

Deep Space Patrol formation embarking for mission on Outer Rim

MALDRA SYSTEM - The Imperial Navy is deploying enhanced deep space patrols into the Jubilar and Shadola sectors, aiming to locate Rebel elements attempting to escape the Calamari Sector using uncharted hyperroutes.

Sectors trailing of the blockaded Rebel Calamari sector

In its continuing mission to safeguard galactic civilization, the Imperial Navy is engaged in an effort to contain the beleaguered Rebellion in Outer Rim. To this end, the Navy is deploying long-range patrols into the depths of the Outer Rim where Rebel forces may attempt to seek free movement through relatively uncharted space.

The Calamari sector is blockaded by a significant naval presence in the Minntooine and Ruisto systems, interdicting the two hyperlanes into the sector. According to Imperial Intelligence, Rebel forces are likely to attempt to discover uncharted routes through the trailing end of the Calamari and Dominus sectors in order to escape the blockade.

The deep space patrols are making use of a new naval formation consisting of three small hyperspace-capable vessels and a small number of fighter craft. Led from aboard a VT-49 Decimator designated as a 'patrol leader', the patrols consist of the VT-49 as well as a Raider-class corvette and a Gozanti-class assault carrier. The Gozanti-class carries a flight of TIE fighters, while the patrol is further escorted by an element of hyperspace-capable TIE Advanced fighters.

The Deep Space Patrol formation represents a departure from the regular naval doctrine of safeguarding civilized systems from rebel attack. The formation requires deep space operations of hyperspace capable vessels in order to project Imperial power into the depths of the Outer Rim, where otherwise no civilized species would choose to inhabit or travel through.

Empire Interviewing for Bounty Hunters: Some Found Wanting

Two Bounty hunters that proved themselves unworthy

LANTILLIES SYSTEM - The Imperial Navy, seeking to hire insurgent recovery agents to hunt down Rebels outside of the Calamari Sector, has tested the capabilities of potential contracting parties. Being tested by Imperial Navy fighter pilots, many bounty hunters were found wanting.

In a number of "try-outs", several bounty hunter couples were defeated by Imperial patrol units, similar to the type used against the Rebellion and criminal cartels in last year's Arkanis Campaign.

Thankfully for the bounty hunters, they fared better against the Rebellion than against their Imperial would-be employers. In one action along the Perlemian Trade Route, the bounty hunters destroyed a rebel smuggling vessel escorted by A- and B-wing fighters.

Elite Imperial pilots were unimpressed as they engaged in exercises between Royal Guard TIE interceptors and new-style TIE fighters while being observed by high-level Imperial tacticians and intelligence officers observing aboard a VT-49 Decimator and a Lambda-class shuttle.

The failed "action interviews" with the bounty hunters lays bare a long-standing dispute between adherents of former Moff Dzon Brennin's strategy of employing Special Operations Units and the Intragalactic Brotherhood of Bounty Workers (IBBW), the galaxy-wide bounty hunting union.

Those arguing on behalf of the so-called 'Brennin doctrine' of using VT-49 Decimators alongside highly maneuverable space superiority fighters argue that the demonstrated superiority of the Navy. The Bounty Workers Brotherhood dispute the point, arguing that bounty hunters are not contracted to attack the military, but to engage terrorists and insurgents, whose tactics and vessels are inherently different than military units.

Speaking anonymously on behalf of the naval partisans, one officer commented, "we don't need that scum," referring to the bounty hunters.

Incensed by the officer's statement, IBBW-representative Bossk expressed his dismay to HNN, saying "That'sss hurtful."

BREAKING NEWS: Imperial Fighter Pilots Holding Off Mass Rebel Assault.

Rebel fightercraft assaulting Imperial positions

RUISTO SYSTEM - A large number of Rebel squadrons are attacking Imperial picket lines near Minntooine and Ruisto in an apparent desperate attempt to break through the blockading fleet.

The assault began this morning with the Rebellion outnumbering Imperial squadrons at a nearly two-to-one ratio. However, their expertise and prowess-building loyalty to the Emperor has given the Imperial Navy pilots a clear edge in thwarting the futile Rebel attempt.

The Rebel effort is considered futile, as behind the picket patrols, the fleets of the Imperial Navy guard the access routes to the hyperlanes leading out of the sector. Regardless of the outcome of these fighter skirmishes, the Rebel fleet will remain captured in the Calamari sector.