The TYPHOON
by Andrew Carbery
(Barnacleez)


	This Tour of Duty takes place about a year 
following the battle of Endor.  Although Endor was 
a huge victory for the Rebel Alliance, the Empire 
was not quite defeated.  The Rebels (soon to be 
the New Republic) were trying to press their 
advantage to the fullest, and keep the momentum of 
the war on their side.
	The Empire, though still very potent, 
received a severe blow at Endor.  The chain of 
command was broken, there was no longer a leader.  
This lead to many battles amongst the Imperials as 
several military leaders would vie for command.
	The Rebels would use the situation to their 
advantage, spreading the word about the Emperors 
death and convincing many worlds to join the New 
Republic.
	But diplomacy was not the only victory for 
the Rebels during this time.  Confusion among the 
Empire made the Imperial Navy far less effective 
than it ever was before.  Imperial supply lines 
were disrupted, response times were not as 
efficient as before.  Many Imperial Starships 
pulled back to the Core Worlds to fight in bloody 
civil wars.  As such many of the Empires best 
pilots were lost.  Rebel raids were more 
successful than ever before, several Nebulon-B 
Frigates were captured.
	The good times would not last.  Almost 
suddenly, following a mass subspace communication 
of the highest priority (the code of which we 
still have not been able to break) the infighting 
stopped.  And all other Imperial Communication has 
ceased.  As of yet, Rebel Intelligence is still 
unable to determine the implications of this 
message.  We can only assume that it is nothing 
good.

	As it turns out this "radio silence" is in 
our favor.  We spotted a damaged Star Destroyer 
(STD Typhoon) trying to limp back to the Core 
Worlds of the Empire.  We launched a false attack 
to see if the STD would call for help, she did 
not.
	What followed was perhaps one of the most 
daring operations since the Battle of Yavin.  It 
was called Operation Battle Wagon.  We planned to 
capture an Imperial Star Destroyer.  Though our 
losses were heavy, Operation Battle Wagon was a 
success, partially.
	The situation, as it stands now, is a grim 
one.  We underestimated the resolve of the 
Imperials on board the STD, it turns out they had 
extra manpower on board to deploy a garrison.  
Losses were heavy on both sides.  Finally Rebel 
Commandos were able to gain control of the bridge, 
or so they thought.  The Imperial officers had 
activated a Command Lockout on the Typhoon's 
systems.  Through some computer trickery, our men 
on board were able to gain control over navigation 
and some limited communication.
	Unfortunately the Imperials on board proved 
to be quite resourceful.  We have control of the 
bridge and have sealed off the engineering section 
of the ship.  But the Imperials on board have 
control of the main hangar area.  They cannot 
launch any ships because the tractor beam was 
locked out with the rest of the systems.  
	What makes this situation  precarious one is 
that the Imperials have managed to construct a 
makeshift communications device out of materials 
meant for the garrison base.  Thus making an 
effective homing beacon.  The rest of the Empire 
is aware of the position of Typhoon seconds after 
she enters realspace.
	At least we are able to keep the Empire off 
out heels by staying in Hyperspace as much as 
possible.  Unfortunately the good times won't 
last.  Our men on board the Typhoon are worried 
about the hyperdrive.  Apparently it is 
malfunctioning, overheating.  The Typhoon is 
forced to enter realspace with increasing 
frequency to allow the hyperdrive to cool.  And it 
seems to be taking longer and longer for it to 
cool.  There is no way for our men on board to 
repair the Typhoon, and our tech's predict it is 
only a matter of time before total hyperdrive 
failure is reached.
	
	Intelligence indicates that the Empire has 
dispatched a task force with orders to seek and 
destroy the Typhoon.
	Rebel High Command is not willing to let this 
prize go so easily.  A task force, led by the CRS 
Teresa, had been dispatched to protect and recover 
the Typhoon.  You are a pilot assigned to this 
task force.  Protect the Typhoon!  Good luck, and 
may the force be with you!

