Star Wars: Tie Fighter Part II. Reign of the Empire

Chapter IV. Assignment

Bothowai

Imperial Space

Admiral Cruz stands at the front of his Star Destroyer bridge, watching smoke rise from the planetary capital as bombardment cannons fire from his own ship to the planet's surface, surgically destroying Rebel forces.

"It looks like this fight is over, Commander. Can you report on the combat?" he asks, turning toward the bridge where an officer stands, datapad in hand.

"Nearly all Rebel forces have been destroyed, though, a Twin-Blade frigate escaped from the capital city before the battle started, likely carrying their elite troops and officers, no whereabouts on where it jumped to." The officer says.

"A minor setback, losses?"

"One squadron's worth of Tie Fighters, two AT-AT walkers from rough terrain and if I may say, a dim general, and two divisions of Army Troopers." The officer says.

"Minor losses for the capture of this world, send victory reports to high command and prepare a spot in space for a security station, I'll order the construction crew for the Golan." Cruz orders, turning back toward space.

"Sir, we're getting a hologram from Coruscant, it's likely important." A communications officer says.

"Put it on."

The hologram shudders open with the face of Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Outer Rim.

"Admiral Cruz," He says. "Congratulations on your victory on Bothowai, I will send governing units there immediately."

"Thank you," Cruz says, although confused about how he knew of the victory nearly immediately.

"I wish to speak with you personally. I am currently in deep space near the planet of Scarif." He orders.

"What about, if I may ask?"

"Something let's just say we don't want to fall on low-rank ears."

"I will be there shortly, Grand Moff." Cruz says, understanding immediately as the hologram closes. "Set course for Scarif, leave the rest of the fleet here in the meantime." He orders.

Scarif

The Blade exits hyperspace over the planetary shield, where three Imperial Star Destroyers sit in a wedge formation as transport shuttles and freighters go in and out of the defense field.

A Tie Shuttle, similar to a Tie Bomber but with inverted wings exits a small hangar on the side of the Blade's bridge, flying toward the central Star Destroyer.

Behind it, two prototype Tie Interceptors fly in front of the Blade on testing maneuvers, the shuttle begins to land in the hangar, steam expelling from the landing gears and exit ramp as it touches down, the ramp lowering to let Admiral Cruz walk out, meeting Grand Moff Tarkin in the hangar.

"Grand Moff." Cruz greets, stopping in front of the Imperial governor.

"Admiral, come with me." He says, walking out of the hangar, Cruz following him as two Imperial Royal Guards follow them as they exit the hangar.

They walk into a briefing room where a group of Imperial Admirals, science directors, and other high ranking officials sit.

Tarkin walks to the head of the table as Cruz takes one of two empty seats, Director Krennik entering the room behind them.