Star Wars: Dark Protocol

Chapter 1

Orbiting an unknown moon in a system uncharted in any navicomputer was an Imperial-class Star Destroyer Mark II that technically didn't exist. On the bridge stood its commanding officer. The rank cylinders pinned to the chest of his black, spotless uniform suggested that he was a captain. In fact, he was none other than Captain Eurich Pruut, an unremarkable naval officer employed by the Galactic Empire.

His only ambition to serve the Empire, Pruut rose slowly through the ranks. He would've still been climbing the ladder of command if not for his previous captains' untimely demise at the hands of the Rebels. The captain was sucked out a viewport after the bridge had sustained heavy fire from a squadron of X-wings. The bridge had been lost along with its entire bridge crew. Pruut would've died there, too, if he hadn't been in the auxillary bridge at the time. It was there that he was able to take back control of the ship and jump to hyperspace away from certain death. He received a promotion to Captain and was assigned to a new ship with a new mission.

"Sir, we have a contact on our long-range sensors. It's coming from the far side of the system. Sensor echo suggests it's a Blockade Runner," called Lt. Seph Flare from her sensor station in the crew pit.

"Put our recon sattelites in that quadrant. I want visual confirmation that that is our target. Go to passive sensors only until I order otherwise," Pruut ordered before turning to his general in charge of his fighter squadrons.

"Epple, have Dusk Squadron ready for imminent launch. I want Twilight Squadron on standby."

"As you wish, sir." Epple pulled out his comlink and began to issue orders.

"Where is my visual?" Pruut demanded.

"Sir, satellites are still sixty seconds from optimal visual range. We're picking up a very faint transponder signal, but it's too faint to get a proper lock on it." said Lt. Flare.

"Navigation, keep this desolate rock between us and that contact. Lt. Flare, transfer the contacts location to Lt. Follet and update as necessary."

Epple put away his comlink and turned to Captain Pruut.
"Captain, I've just received word that the shuttle Collosal has just returned. All Magnemines have been deployed and armed."

"Good, good." Pruut approved of efficiency.

"Sir, second contact exiting hyperspace. Same trajectory as the first. Receiving visual data now. Confirm first contact is The Renegade."

"Epple, inform Sergeant Gran to bring our engines down to minimal output. Activate our baffles. Communications, sweep for any comm chatter. Passive sensors only. Use the satellites. Bring us up to full combat readiness, but shutdown all non-essential systems. Go to dark protocol." Pruut ordered.

Now it was time to go to work. Time to continue his new mission. Time to kill pirates.