The continued effects of the destabilization of the galaxy as a result of the dissolution of New Republic are now even being felt in deep space. It is well known that the power shift in the Galactic Conflict has lead to an increase in criminal activity across all facets of the known galaxy, but recent events in the Morobe Sector now show that Petabys Station has become a hot bed of criminal activity and black market dealings. The station has long been associated with certain criminal elements but now back room deals for mere stolen cargo have given way to the black market sale of stolen military grade starfighters and battle ready corvettes.

This unregulated trade of military ships could lead to further galactic unrest as criminal organizations can now simply buy a fleet of ships that can match the firepower and survivability of many of the star fleets of the legitimate governments in the immediate region and far beyond.

The discovery of the Petabys Conflict Zone to Serroco Hyperlane, which is the most efficient hyperlane in the known Galaxy, also brings the threat of this criminal element dangerously close to Leafar which is Serroco's fellow star System in the Ploo Sector. Any possible threat to the peace and prosperity of Leafar is not taken lightly by the planet's government, the Alliance of Mercenary Consortiums [AMC].

An AMC Expeditionary Force is therefore on route to Petaby Station to access the extent of the threat and to gather intelligence to help safeguard AMC territory throughout the galaxy. Modular Taskforce Carriers will set up forward operating theaters throughout the Conflict Zone that will serve as strongholds throughout the duration of this operation. The mission has been given the title Operation Rampart as its purpose is to gather intelligence and to provide a defensive strategy to protect against incursion into AMC held territory from the Conflict Zone. While its nature is defensive, the Expeditionary Force is fully capable of offensive operations if threatened during this deployment. Squadrons of Harrier-Class G-1A Heavy Starfighters, R-41 Starchaser-Class Starfighters, BTL-S3 Y-Wing Mirage-Class Starfighters, N-1 Manta-Class Starfighters and Toscan-Class 8-Q Starfighters make up the formidable combat wings of the fleet. This mission also includes the newly developed VCX-Series Auxiliary Drone which will accompany some squadron formations. These unmanned ships are being tested for their ability to absorb enemy fire during engagements to improve the survivability of the other ships in the squadron. They are expected and purposely designed to take heavy losses in a fight to the benefit of the piloted ships when attacked. If this operation becomes embroiled in combat while deployed, it will be interesting to see how these ships fair and how AMC's Space Combat Strategy plays out in the face of a determined enemy. Computer simulations have shown favor to this strategy but nothing can match the information gained from practical implementation in real combat situations.

Along side the starfighter squadrons, AMC has deployed heavier gunships in the form of Hunter-Class GAT-12h Skipray Gunships and Firespray-Class Heavy Interceptors which would be lead into combat by S40K Phoenix-Hawk Command Interceptors. The sensor array package of the Phoenix-Hawk coupled with the massive firepower of the Skiprays and Firesprays provides a formidable option against heavier enemy groups. If even heavier firepower is needed, however, AMC has also deployed a contingent of Marauder, YV-666 and Adz-Class Patrol Destroyer Corvettes.

The operational plan is to set up Sysat arrays in various regions of the Conflict Zone to monitor ship traffic and try and ascertain what volume of the activity there is criminal in nature. The fleet will be ready to defend itself as well as the Sysat instillations should any criminal enterprise look to remove them from performing their intelligence gathering task. AMC has stated through official channels that their move into the Conflict Zone should not be viewed as an aggressive incursion or invasion but merely as a reconnaissance and stabilizing force in a quickly destabilizing part of the known galaxy.

Only time will tell how this move is viewed by the galaxy at large...