THE REBEL CONNECTION

EN Khadgar / Iota 1-2 / ISD Chimaera / Imperial Navy

Note: It is highly recommended that those intending to fly The Rebel Connection read at least the “basic story” below.

BASIC STORY

You are an officer of Wing Commander rank in the Imperial Union. In the Imperial Union promotions can come swiftly and punishments even more swiftly. Your star was on the rise, but recently the leader of the Imperial Union, Supreme Moff Zanaris, has taken a disliking to you. This is probably because Moff Zanaris generally looks to blame those in the upper echelons of the Imperial Union for the failures of the faction as a whole. Those that fall into disfavor are on the fast track for severe demotion or execution. Unfortunately, you are currently on this track. Currently you continue to serve as a Wing Commander in the starfighter forces on the Star Destroyer Pandora in the Union Navy and lead the elite Talon Squadron.

Remember to check the mission goals for each mission by hitting the “G” key. Not all is as it seems in The Rebel Connection!

Different difficulty levels yield slightly different missions. The overall story remains the same, but the flight groups in the missions change.

THE IMPERIAL UNION

Leader: Supreme Moff Stephen Zanaris

Homeworld: Genevieve in the Greater Estioch Cluster

Notes: Within the context of the larger Galactic Civil War, a smaller civil war has been in progress for several years in the Greater Estioch Cluster. Supreme Moff Stephen Zanaris leads the Imperial Union in the ongoing war against a splinter group led by Moff Aris Dukhat. Dukhat is the latest successor of Moff Elias Raven. Raven led a mutiny against the Union from Ackros in the Greater Estioch Cluster, citing Zanaris’ arbitrary and repressive policies as the reason for the mutiny. Raven managed to secure all previous Union holdings in the Lesser Estioch Cluster and expanded the splinter group’s presence in the Greater Estioch Cluster at the expense of the Union. The civil war continues only due to Moff Zanaris’ desire for revenge against the splinter faction that rejected his rule.

MISSION 1: PISO’S FATE

Pre-mission story

Supreme Moff Stephen Zanaris sat behind a desk in his office looking intently at a computer console situated at the center of the desk. Zanaris was a portly man with black hair and thick eyebrows. He wore a white uniform with a gold epaulet on either shoulder. Across his chest were a number of medals and an insignia that closely resembled the traditional Grand Moff insignia.

            “Kingfisher to Carp,” Zanaris said to the screen of the computer console.

            “Kingfisher,” was the reply spoken in a gravely voice by the contact on the other end of the communication line, whose image appeared on the screen. There was a brief pause before the response continued, “We agree that Governor Piso has come too close to discovering the connection between us. He must be eliminated. We have made arrangements so that we can be rid of him. Have him meet one of your capital ships in the Tafel system. I will ensure that Piso will not make it to whatever ship awaits him.”

            Zanaris rubbed his hands together eagerly, “Very good, Carp. We will discretely relay the co-ordinates where Piso will arrive to your fleet in the area.”

            The contact on the screen nodded, “That is acceptable, Kingfisher. Enjoy the removal of your governor. Carp out.” The image of the contact faded to a blue screen with a green Imperial insignia on it.

            Zanaris was glad that he wouldn’t have to deal with Piso any more. He had never really liked him.

* * *

Governor Piso sighed. Moff Zanaris was known to be a vocal critic of his record, but for some strange reason he was now inviting him to receive honors on the Star Destroyer Pandora. He didn’t much care for the Supreme Moff and lamented the ruinous state he had managed to bring the Imperial Union to, but he supposed it would be a mistake to refuse a reward from the Supreme Moff. He pushed a button on his desk and spoke into a commlink, “Prepare the Warlock for launch. I have business to attend to.”

Post-mission analysis

Note: Please only read this AFTER mission 1 has been completed.

I launched from the Pandora and found myself in a minefield. The rest of Talon Squadron was not launched until the minefield was almost completely cleared. I got the feeling someone didn’t like me. Despite the suggestion in a long-winded pre-mission speech that Rebel forces were unlikely to enter the area, the CRL Catherine entered the area and launched fighters. Apparently bomber group Beta was to be launched, but they never arrived. Further proof someone didn’t like me. I was occupied keeping the Pandora safe from the B-Wings launched from the Catherine. When the SHU Warlock arrived carrying Governor Piso, he arrived strangely close to the Catherine. His death was swift. Two Corvettes, the Gabriel and Knight, attacked the Pandora but were destroyed. When the Pandora was definitely safe I was recalled to base and assured of a punishment for the death of Piso by the briefing officer.

MISSION 2: EXECUTION

Pre-mission story

Note: Please only read this AFTER mission 1 has been completed.

Moff Zanaris was again communicating with someone at his desk, this time someone less mysterious. “Captain Calhoon,” he said simply to open the conversation.

            On the other end was the middle aged Captain Calhoon of the Star Destroyer Pandora. “How may I serve you, Excellency?”

            “I heard that Governor Piso has died?” Zanaris said, in a tone of mock concern.

            “Oh yes, Excellency,” Calhoon replied in an equally mock serious tone and continued, “I believe the blame can be squarely placed on the Wing Commander here.”

            “This is the Wing Commander that has failed me on several occasions recently?”

            “Yes, Excellency.”

            “Very well, captain. See to it that he is executed.” He smiled and added, “Let the executioners devise something for their amusement.”

            Calhoon smiled in turn and said, “It shall be done, Excellency.” His image faded into the familiar blue screen with a green Imperial insignia on it.

            Zanaris was contented by this news; he had arranged to have two problems vanish in one day.

Post-mission analysis

Note: Please only read this AFTER mission 2 has been completed.

I was blamed by Imperial Union officials for the death of Governor Piso even though I had little control over the operation. The Supreme Moff’s judgment was swift: I was to be executed. Amazingly enough I was to be executed in space with the “dignity” of dying in my TIE Advanced fighter from Talon Squadron. My hyperdrive was disabled to guard against escape attempts. I was launched into a minefield and was pursued by two executioners (Note: It will only be one if the mission is played on Easy). The Star Destroyer Pandora left the area, seemingly content to let the executioners do their work. I managed to destroy one when a Frigate Incognito entered the area. Someone on the ship contacted me and said the ship had come to rescue me! However, the Imperial Union was not thrilled by this prospect and the Pandora returned and launched bombers to destroy the Incognito. However, I was able to destroy the bombers and land safely on the Incognito. I was informed that I had been rescued by the Galactic Empire Reborn discretely and that the FRG Incognito was actually the FRG Typhoon. I was granted an officer’s commission in the Empire’s Imperial Navy with the rank of Ensign.

MISSION 3: FINALE

Pre-mission story

Note: Please only read this AFTER mission 2 has been completed.

Supreme Moff Zanaris had temporarily boarded the Frigate Shadow, a convenient ship that he kept for discrete meetings. It was time to discuss some matters with his contact, “Carp”, which were best not discussed on long range communications.

            “We have a signal, Excellency, the Catherine awaits us,” one of the bridge officers said.

            “Very well, proceed to the rendezvous.”

Post-mission analysis

Note: Please only read this AFTER mission 3 has been completed.

I entered the mission area and overhead some remarkable radio messages. Apparently Piso’s death had not been an accident and my intended death had been a conspiracy! As I inspected the Imperial Frigate and the Rebel Light Calamari Cruiser in the mission area, all became clear. Moff Zanaris himself was on the Frigate Shadow. He had aligned himself with the Rebels! Governor Piso’s arrival had been carefully coordinated with the Rebels so that the Catherine would be in a perfect position to dispose of him.

However, now wasn’t the time to mull over details. The FRG Shadow had made a hasty retreat, but the ISD Chimaera and INT Compellor had arrived and the target was the CRL Catherine. A Frigate Moriarty had arrived to challenge the Comepllor, but I had more immediate concerns. I fired my torpedoes at the Catherine and managed to damage its shields, but it had launched fighters. X-Wing group Blue launched from the Catherine was assigned to “kill the scout” - me. However, after dogfighting and destroying four X-Wings, Blue group was silenced for the duration of the battle. I headed quickly toward the TRN Wishbringer, which had arrived with torpedo reloads. With the reloads, I was able to make short work of the Moriarty before finishing off the Catherine. A shuttle Frobozz escaped from the Catherine when the Calamari Cruiser was at about 50% hull strength. An inspection revealed that the shuttle was carrying none other than Admiral Ackbar! Obviously Moff Zanaris was dealing with the Rebellion at the highest levels. The battle was a resounding success.