Commodore Mosses Stood at the Bridge of the Escort Carrier Gunship looking
over the readiness reports from the rest of his Assault Group.He had assumed
Part of the 6th Fleet the day before and was issued orders to assault the
planet Af'El. Mosses had opted to take only five Squadrons of fighters to make
room for some special equipment he was takeing.The Corvettes and Gunships
had formed up in a diamond formation around the Escort Carrier and the Lancer
had taken a position at the head of the formation. The six vessels were fully
loaded and prepared for the assault and awaited Mosses' order to depart.

"Captain Rogris Is the Fleet ready for departure?"

Mosses turned to the captain standing at the rear of the bridge.

"Yes Commodore All Vessels Have reached formation position and await
your orders."

Rogis walked up to stand beside Mosses at the forward view portal. Mosses
looking out into space calmly turned and began walking of the bridge.

" Take us to Hyperspace Captian. "

With that Commodore Mosses walked off the bridge and to his Quarters.

Seventy two Hours later Mosses Stood on the bridge once again awaiting
reversion to real space in the Af'El System. As The blur of Hyper space
turned to the vast star field of real space Mosses wasted no time issuing
orders.

"Captain have the Mirror's Array and the Horrid take up sentry positions
and await orders to join the main group. The rest of the group is to
fallow us to Af'El.Luanch the two Tie Advanced Squadrons and have them take up
Escort positions."

Captain Rogris with a snap of his heels replied

" Yes Commodore."

And he turned and walked to the communications Panel and began issuing the
same orders for the Communications officer to transmit to the varies groups.
Mosses watched as the fighters speed out of the launch bay and speed off to
take up position around the various vessels in the group. He turned to face
the direction of Rogris and the Communications officer.

" Captain what is our estimated time to Af'El?"

Captain Rogris turned His head to face the Commander

" forty five minutes sir. "

mosses turned to look out the View port once again.

" Very good Captain . I will be in my Quarters . Inform me when we reach the
outer limits of our weapons."

" Yes Sir. "

mosses once again walked off the bridge to his quarters. He sat at his
Desk and awaited the dinner he had ordered his private chef to make. The
Chef and his aids entered the Quarters and began placing the various
dishes on the table in Mosses' quarters. Mosses stood and walked to the
table . The Chef and his assistance saluted with a Snap of their heels.

"Thank you , you are excused. "

He sat as the three men walked out of the room. His dinner was excellent
as it had been every day since his return to the order.He had finished
the meal then returned to his desk and was looking over his log entries
when the Com panel on his desk chimed and the Captains voice was heard.

" Commodore we will be in weapons range within the minute sir. "

" Very well Captain I will be right there. "

Mosses turn the Com panel off and rose from his seat . He had every
last detail planned and wanted his first mission as a Group leader to
go off without a hitch. He walked up the hallway and thru the doorway
to the Bridge.

"Commodore on the bridge."

Came a voice from the corner of the bridge and all officers stood and
snapped there hills and stood at attention.

"As you were."

Mosses walked to the command section and to the weapons panel where
Captain Rogris stood.

"How was your dinner sir?"

"Very good Captain thank you."

Mosses looked at the weapons panel and the range indicator as it counted
down the range to the planet.

"Sir we are within range now."

Mosses smiled and walked to the forward view port without a word. Rogris
fallowed behind him and took up position at his side.

" Lets get a little closer Captain. "

"Yes sir."

The two men stood and watched as the planet grew in size and could make out detail.

"Not much of a planet is it sir."

"No Captain it isn't. But it has importance to the Emperor so we will assert our
ownership upon it."

The four vessels grew closer and closer to Af'El without any resistance.

" Put us in orbit Captain. Have the Courageous take up position on the opposite
side of the planet and make sure nothing uses the planet to sneak up on us captain."

"Yes sir."

Rogris walked to the communications panel and issued the order to the Lancer frigate.
Mosses watched as the vessel disappeared over the horizon of the planet.he turned and
walked to the flight command Officers location.

"Commander Jobes Please launch the Defender squadron and have them do a fly by of the
surface of the planet and report back any resistance they my observe."

" Yes Commodore. "

Commander began talking into the Com Panel to the Hanger. Within two minutes twelve
Tie Defenders speed off toward the planet. They waited for forty five minutes then the Twelve Fighters
speed back toward the Carrier.

"Sir Drakfang leader reports mining operations and local pockets of Defel, but no defensive
or Offensive facilities."

Mosses smile and walked to the communications panel .

"Lieutenant Hammis Open a channel to the planet I want to talk to the Mining groups down there."

The Communications Officer opened a channel and began sending a signal to the planet.

" Mining operation This it the Carrier gunship. Please respond."

A moment passed then the voice of a woman answered,

"This it the Mining platform alpha nine four. I am Monica Harart How may I help you?"

The Communications Officer turned to Mosses

"Commodore we have them on Com channel one. "

" Thank you lieutenant. "

Mosses pressed the transmit button on the CoM panel

" I am Commodore Mosses, I am here to clam this planet property of The Jutraalian Empire.

The woman on the other end of the channel was quiet for a moment. then with a loud violet tone said.

"We are independent miners we Are here under a free trade agreement."

A smile Appeared on Mosses' face

"Now you work for the Jutraalian Empire."

Mosses waited for but the woman said nothing else.

He closed the channel and walked to the view port again.

"I guess we will have to go down there and make our point clear Captain."

"Yes sir it appears that way. shall I order troops to the location of the mining platform Commodore?"

"No that wont be needed.Send the Scimitar Squadrons to make our point."

Captain Rogris smiled and walked to the flight command section . Mosses watched as the Scimitars speed off towards the planet and the mining platform. Mosses turned and walked to the flight operations section and stood beside Captain Rogris.

"Captain I don't want it destroyed I just want to make my point. "

"Of course Commodore."

Commodore Mosses walked back to the view port and looked out on the planet Af'El.
It was a barren planet and was very inhospitable to any normal life form. The lack of an ozone layer made the ultra violet light on the surface dangerous to lifeforms . It blocked any other bands of light totally .Visibility on the surface would be bad if not totally zero. He turned again and walked back to the flight operations section.

"Captain have the Scimitars reached the mining platform yet?"

Captain Rogris turned and smiled at Mosses.

"Yes captain the made a run on the platform and have just turned to make another."

"Very good captain Rogris. Have them complete there next run them circle the mining platform and await further orders."

As the Scimitar fighters made there second run the mining platform was hailing the vessel.

" Hello what is going on why are you attacking us."

The woman's voice sounded mad and scared all at one time. In the background the sound of bombs being dropped could be heard over the Channel. the sound of the bombs stopped as the Scimitar fighters finished there run and the woman once again protested to the Jutraalian Commander.

" Miss Harart now are you ready to talk about your employment ?"

Commodore Mosses Had sent a shuttle to the surface to to pick up the mining facility leader. She had agreed to a meeting to discuss the future of her operation on Af'El. She didn't not like the idea of working for the Jutraalian Empire but she was given little choice.Mosses watched as the shuttle approached . He stood in the hanger with a small honor guard . The shuttle touched down and the ramp lowered out walked a beautiful woman. Mosses wondered what a woman like this was doing running an ore mining platform. She had long amber hair and warm hazel eyes. her complexion was far and Mosses could tell the didn't get out of the platform in the killing rays of Af'El's red giant sun. The woman approached and Mosses smiled as she grew nearer.

" Welcome aboard the Gunship madam Harart."

The woman looked disgusted and just nodded back to Commodore Mosses.mosses waited a few seconds to see if the lady was going to say anything then motioned his arm for her to fallow him

"If you would please fallow me to the conference room . We can talk there."

Once again the woman nodded and mosses turned and walked to the conference room. Monica Harart flowed then the honor guard. The two walked into the conference room and the honor guard took up position at the door. Mosses closed the door and walked to the table in the center of the room .

"Please have a seat."

Mosses motioned to the chair across the table from himself. The woman sat and stared at the Commodore. Mosses looked at for a moment then smiled.

"You don't have much to say do you Madam Harart?"

The look of disgust grew on the woman's face. She looked across the table then bent over to rest her arms on the table

" What do you expect me to say? You show up telling me I work for you. You attack me . I'm sorry Mister but I don't have much to say to you or anybody who tells me what to do and especially someone who attacks me."

Mosses stared at the woman for what seemed like forever. Such a beautiful figure of a woman . She was out of place . he could not get over that.

"Madam Harart If I wanted to attack you ,you would not be here talking to me how. I simple wanted you to know the severity of my clams here. This Planet now belongs to the Jutraalian Empire, and if you don't work for us you are trespassers. And we deal with trespassers seriously and swiftly. This is now our holding and we will protect it against anyone . including free trade merchants."

The woman sat back in her chair. She stared at Commodore Mosses as if he had just called her a name .

" Sir this is a free planet . We came here under a free trade and commerce license and are bonded by the galactic trade merchants. We mine Meleenium for anyone who will buy it. Now you come along and tell us you own this planet. Last time I checked no one really owned it at all. It is just a hunk of rock with no strategic value. Why would any government .... "

A woman stopped in the middle of her sentence. She looked at Mosses and a Smile began to show on her face.

"I get it you want all the Meleenium for your selves. You corner the market and if anyone want durasteel they have to go through you . It all makes sense now . "

Commodore Mosses smiled at the lady and picked up the pitcher of water sitting on the table. He poured him a glass then Harart one.

"Madam Harart I have no Idea what the Emperor wants with Af'El . I was simple ordered to secure it and protect it until I was given other orders. "

"Yeah right . I understand. You don't know anything. "

The woman smiled at Mosses and then the smile was gone.

"So what do you expect me to do Mister Mosses?"

Mosses pulled a data pad out of his pocket and looked over it for one moment. he looked back to the woman.

"Madam Harart I will not force you to stay. You and your crew are welcome to leave. But only Jutraalian mining operations will be permitted on Af'El from this moment on."

The woman made a loud huffing sound .

"And you expect the rest of the galaxy to sit around and do nothing? There are people down there who depend on this job to feed there families.Where will they work now?"

"I have offered you the option of working for the Jutraalian empire madam. It is extended to everyone on the mining platforms. And I am authorized to increases your pay by sixteen percent. That goes for everyone who stays."

The woman's eyes lit up .

"Sixteen percent. For everyone?"

Mosses smiled at the woman.

"Yes madam Harart sixteen percent. But that is only if you work for the Jutraalian Empire exclusively."

The woman got quiet for a moment. She was adding up how much more profit she would make . She like the idea of money but what price will the extra income cost her.

" I will have to talk to my crew. I will tell them of your offer. "

Mosses stood and handed the data pad to harart.

"Take this . It outlines or offer and what the terms of the agreement will be. have anyone interested sign it and the rest Are free to leave the planet. Now If you excuse me I have pressing business to attend to . The honor guard will escort you back to the shuttle and it will return you to the surface. I expect an answer in four hours madam Harart. "

The door opened and the honor guard walked in .

"Escort Madam Harart back to the shuttle."

He turned to the woman .

"Good day Madam. "

Then Mosses turned and walked out the door. The honor guard escorted Harart back to the shuttle and she walked up the ramp . As it closed behind her she took her seat and waited for the trip back to the surface to be over. Once there she would tell her men of the offer. She knew many would want to take it. After all it doesn't matter who buys the ore just the money.
She Talked to the men of her mining platform and told them about the offer made by the Jutraalian Empire. Most of the men did not care where the money came from . Others ask about what restrictions there might be placed on them. She handed the Datapad and they passed it around. After every man looked at it she ask them what there decision was. Only two men did not want to stay. She opened a Com channel to the Gunship.

"Commodore Mosses we have a transmission from the mining platform."

Mosses stood at the head of the bridge. He heard the communications officer tell him of the transmission.

"Thank you Lieutenant."

He walked to the communications panel and pressed the button to answer Harart.

" Yes madam Harart have you and your men come to an agreement on your employment with the Jutraalian Empire?"

"Yes Commodore Mosses. We have two gentleman who wish to leave but the rest of us will take the job."

"Excellent. Your men who are departing have three days to leave . I would like it if you would join me for dinner tonight to talk about plans for the mining operations here on Af'El."

The woman didn't know if it was a good idea or not but she accepted.

" Very well I will send a shuttle to pick you up around six this evening. Until then Madam Harart."

Harart Arrived And was escorted to the dining hall by an honor guard. The door opened and she walked into the room . The honor guard took up positions on either side of the door.She saw 3 men siting at the table . One was the Commodore and the other two she did not know.

" Welcome Madam Harart. Let me introduce everyone. This Is Colonel Kruger . and Commander Drutat. sit dinner is almost ready ."

Harart Nodded at the men and sat at the table . Drutat Started the conversation.

"Miss Harart How long have you and your crew been mining here on Af'El?"

" About four months Commander. This is our second trip here in the last two years."

"Have you had any trouble from the Dafel here?"

Mosses interrupted the conversation with a clearing of his throat.

"Gentlemen, there will be enough time for business after dinner .For now lets eat and not talk about business"

A server came in and poured wine for the four and then left. Mosses sipped from his glass and pressed a button on the table edge. Servers pushed carts in and each stood beside one of the dinner guests. They began sitting the food out in front of them . After it was placed they snapped there heels then pushed the cart out of the room .

" Please tell me if the food pleases you. If it isn't to your tastes I will have my servers prepare anything you like Madam Harart."

" This is fine Commodore. I haven't eaten such a meal in months, thank you."

The four ate and made small talk . Harart ask of any current news from the rest of the galaxy and just told stories of things she had seen while mining. After everyone had finished eating Mosses pressed the button again and the four servers walked in and took the plates from the table. They once again let with a snap of there heels.

" Now let us talk. Madam Harart as of the Commanders Question . Have the Dafel caused you and trouble?"

"Some Commodore. They have raided some excavation teams which have gone out to survey, and even made an effort to attack the mining platform once. But they have few weapons and simple don't seem to put much effort into there attacks."

Colonel Kruger sat up .

"What weapons do they have miss Harart?"

"Some small projectile weapons and some form of explosive material they use to sabotage our outer motion sensors."

"Explosive?"

Commander Drutat said with some excitement.

"How did they get explosives?"

"I'm not sure Colonel. They are powerful explosives just enough to take out a sensor pod."

Mosses sat up

" Gentleman we will worry about the Dafel if they cause us any problems for now lets talk about the plans for the mining operation. Madam Harart what is the yield of your operation on Af'El?"

" We bring in about forty metric tons a day Commodore."

" I see. We have equipment here which will increases your yield to one hundred metric tons a day. and we have fresh supplies for your men. Also give them a week off. With pay of course. We will need that time to set up our command unit and on the surface. it will take three days to transport the equipment to the surface then four more to set up. After which we will begin mining operations once again. "

"One hundred metric tons! That is impossible Commodore."

"No Madam Harart it is very possible we have a second platform and enough equipment to modernize yours . Each will produce fifty metric tons and many systems will be automated so your crew will be more then enough to run both."

"I see. And what is the cost to us for this new equipment Commodore?"

" No cost Madam Harart. You work for the Jutraalian empire now. All out employees have the best . Best equipment,best Work conditions, best pay , and best benefits of any work force in the galaxy. We are simply suppling you with the equipment you need to do your job Madam Harart."

Harart sit for a moment in Silence. Not knowing what to say.

"On behalf of my men Commodore I thank you .I am sure they will be be happy with the new equipment and conditions. I am sure with the addition to our operation one hundred metric tons is more then achievable."

" I am sure you and your men will do your best Madam Harat. Now I believe this meeting is over. Please go to your men and tell them they have the week off. If any would like to take advantage of the Gunship recreation facilities they are more then welcome. I will accept twenty five men at a time . Just let us know. "

" Thank you Commodore. I will relay your invitation."

With that Mosses and the other officers stood and the door opened.

"Now if you excuse us Madam Harart we have business to attend to . Have a good day."

Harart went back to the surface of AF'El. She thought of the offer Commodore Mosses had made. She hoped her men would take him up they needed a break. She also thought of the new operation. She had her doubts at first about working for the Jutraalian Empire but it looked as if the benefits far out weighed her concerns.

The week past and few of the miners had taken Mosses up on his invitation. He knew there wouldn't be a large group who would. Everything had gone as planned and the second mining platform was almost complete. there was also a large meeting doom, a flight control center, A hanger, 12 Ore silos, and a large power generator set up on the surface. Mosses had his chefs prepare a meal for the miners on the last day of there vacation . All had meet in the large doomed meeting hall . lavasush meals had been prepared and the miners seemed grateful for the hospitality Mosses had showed them thus far. Mosses sat at the front of the hall with Harart and members of his staff. the meal was winding down and Mosses was about to give a speech.

" lady's and gentleman. I welcome you to the Jutraalian Empire. The second Platform will be finished tomorrow and the crew may test her and begin mining within the week. We hope you enjoy for service with the empire. I will be leaving Lieutenant Horus in charge of relations with your group . He is here for anyone who may have any questions or complaints. you will form the backbone of a new mining era on Af'El you are welcome additions to our empire. Now I will let you get back to your meals."

Mosses had just finished his speech when the ground shook and a shock wave hit the domed meeting hall. Anyone standing were knocked to the ground and everyone was scouring for cover. Mosses picked himself up off the floor and began issuing orders.

" Lieutenant find out what that was. Commander get a squadron of defenders in the air . "

The Lieutenant ran to the doorway then turned to Mosses.

" Sir three of the Ore silos have exploded."

Mosses walked to the door with the Commander and Harart close behind.

"How Lieutenant?"

"I am not sure sir."

Harart walked to the door and looked out.

"I believe it may have been the Dafel Commodore. I recognize the smell of the explosive."

Mosses grumbled something to himself then walked back into the hall.

"Colonel I want you to bring down the AT-ST's and AT-PT's I want the AT-ST's set up for defense and have the AT-PT's do scouting missions on the outer perimeter of our encampment."

Mosses turned to Commander Drutat.

"I want all Three defender squadrons down here . I want them to cover every inch of the garrison perimiter and look for any movement. The Dafel are hard to see especially in this light. Tell them to shoot anything that moves. that includes there own shadows if they move strangely. Also bring down the lights, we can not have this interference by these primitives."

Mosses' subordinates ran to take care of there orders. He walked back to the door. Harart walked up behind him .

" Madam Harart please inform your men that this will not happen again. the Da'fel problem will soon be no more."

He walked to where Colonel Kruger was standing.

"Colonel Kruger. Please see to it that the local Da'fel leaders are assembled this afternoon. Some of there people have cost the Empire money and we need to talk to there leaders about how they intend on paying for it."

"How would you like them here Commodore?"

" Just Invite them Colonel I believe with our fighters flying over there villages they will come. If any refuse, let me know. I will speak with them myself."

" Yes sir I will send messengers at once."

"Very good Colonel."

Mosses walked to the doorway and past Harart.

"If you will please excuse me Madam Harart. I must be leaving once again. I would like you to be present at the meeting with the Da'fel leaders. Also please see to it your men are ok and that they get back to the platforms ok. Good day Madam."

" Of course Commodore I will be there."

Mosses walked to the shuttle then it with him inside speed of towards space.

Six hours later the members of the Da'fel villages were gathered in the meeting hall which the empire had erected. Mosses walked in and to the front of the hall to where the podium sat.

" Hello and welcome. I am Commodore Mosses. I had not planed on involving myself or the Jutraalian Empire in your everyday life. But members of your population have Sabotaged our property and we now have damages I believe your people should have to pay."

The shadowy figures began mumbling. Mosses cleared his throat to get there attention once again. One of the Da'fel walked forward.

" How do you know it was our people Commodore? Maybe it was someone else."

"We have people here who have dealings with sabotage by your people and they recognized the explosives used to be one which your people use sir."

" And you expect us to pay for the damages. surly you must be joking. We have no money. what could we repay
you with?"

" Sir we have no need of your money. We simply want your assistance in hunting down the individual who did this and that no future episodes take place."

" We will not turn our own people over to you Commodore even if we did know who the individuals were."

" They we will hunt them down ourselves and destroy any and all who we suspect had a hand in this. I do not wish to instate marshal law on your society sir. I simple want the individuals responsible, and your promise that such things will not happen again."

Another Da'fel steps forward beside the one with whom Mosses had been talking to.

" I will not turn over anyone to you Commodore. "

To this point Mosses had the lights in the hall the same as outside for the comfort of the Dafel.He pressed a button and the lights came on it the hall blinding the Da'fel.They screeched and covered there eyes.

" Why did you do that?"

One of the Da'fel leaders screamed.Mosses smiled and walked around the podium to where the two Da'fel leaders who had been talking stood.

" Gentlemen. If you do not want me putting lighting on the entire surface of this planet I suggest you agree with my terms. If you look out the door you will see I have set up lighting over a 3 kilometer radius which encompasses my garrison here. this is to be off limits to the Da'fel. These lights will be run twenty four hours a day. I see no need in any of your people coming anywhere near our garrison since you would not be able to see anyway."

Mosses snapped his fingers and the lighting went back to the dim cloudy ultra violet lighting the Da'fel could see in.

" I tell you what gentlemen. I have a proposal. I will not hunt down the individuals who destroyed my property . I will only use the lighting in the garrison area. but if one more occurrence happens I will hunt down the original perpetrators the perpetrators of the next incident and I will put new leaders in the government seats you now hold. Have I made my self clear."

The Da'fel grumbled for a few mins then the one of the two individuals who must be spokesmen for the Da'fel nodded.

"Yes commodore, we will agree to that. No more of your property will be destroyed I will see to that."

"Very good I will consider this a binding agreement. You are free to go now."

There was some grumbling between the Da'fel as they left but Mosses knew he would have no further problems out of them. As the Da'fel finished exiting the hall the Colonel walked up to him .

"Sir, you do know those two were responsible for the explosion. I had our special ops squad hunt down the people and the trail lead back to those two and two others who were not here ."

" Yes Colonel I read the report before I walked in here. Have the Commandos arrange an accident for them tonight Colonel . Make sure it can not be traced back to us. "

" Yes sir I will see to it immediately."

After the hall had cleared Mosses stood there alone. Two men had died in the explosion. He had failed in his eyes. His men had died needlessly. A hand touched his shoulder. It was Harart.

" Sorry to hear about your men Commodore. Do you think the Da'fel will stick to there agreement?"

"Yes Madam Harart . They have no choice. I am leaving soon and I will be placing you over all operations here. Colonel Kruger will be remaining as Jutraalian commander here. He is in charge of the military, but you are over the mining operation. He is a good officer he should have no problem with my decision. "

"Thank you Commodore. I appreciate everything you done for me and the miners. At first I didn't like the whole working for the Jutraalian's, but now it seems like a good decision . please feel free to come back and visit us any time Commodore."

"If my duty brings me this way I may Madam Harat. Now I must be going."

Mosses stood and walked to the shuttle . Had had to report to the Emperor now and see what his next mission would be.