Operation PASTURE

**Operation PASTURE** was a series of raids executed by the Federation against Imperial shipping transiting to reinforce the Siege of Mandalore, believed by Federal intelligence to be an attempt to reassert command and control in the aftermath of the destruction of the Death Star and the subsequent revelation of significant corruption in the Imperial government and military. It was ordered as a show of good faith and combat ability by Admiral Kiner following the retrieval of Mandalorian clan leaders after Operation FORAGE. The raids marked the first combat sortie of the TIE Cobra and the Z-95S Sparkhunter, the latter flown in battle by its designer.

### **Imperial Order of Battle**

Following the near complete loss of materiel in the aftermath of Operation FORAGE, the Imperial Navy elected to disperse its merchants among four convoys, transiting along parallel tracks to the same destination. Given the difficulties encountered in fully crewing their escort craft during FORAGE, this dispersion may have further degraded Imperial ability to resist would-be attackers.

transport x6
transport x8
(83342th Infantry Regiment+:
1x Stormtroopers,
1x COMPForce,
1x Artillery, 1x Regular,
1x Duro Auxiliary Infantry)
 Modified *Gozanti*
transport x2
 *IPV* hyperdrive-modified
systems patrol craft x1
transport x2
 Combined half squadron
of TIE/ln
of TIE/ln
of TIE/ln

In addition, a *Strike* medium cruiser was held in reserve as a quick reaction force.

### **Federal Maneuvers**

Modified reconnaissance corvettes and probes from the Federal 2nd Recon Line shadowed the convoys and fed intelligence to Federal joint command. Noting the relative weakness of the fuel convoy, the 4th Support and Transport Line "Jenna's Corsairs", lead by Williams and supported by Duetto's recently modified TIE Cobras, engaged in independent action using Rebel transponder codes to attack the convoy. The action led to the destruction of one Imperial Modified *Gozanti*, the *IPV*, and half of the fuel transports before the remainder surrendered for boarding.

During this action, the 3rd Skirmish Line, supported by the captured *Nebulon-B* from Operation FORAGE, several starfighter squadrons commanded directly by Fenn and the Z-95S Headhunter, directly piloted by Duetto for its combat trial, engaged the second convoy, disabling the *Arquitens* and corvette. At this time, the *Strike* medium cruiser hyperspaced into the area and began to engage the gunships. A rapid all-points missile barrage by the Corellian Gunships eventually defeated the shields and penetrated the modular structure of the *Strike* medium cruiser, causing its destruction and the breaking of the ship into component modules. The Sparkhunter proved successful in neutralizing the *Petard* transports, and all stood down soon after the destruction of the *Strike*.

Time needed for combat repairs, SAR, and calling in support tugs for the captured *Petards* and other salvage resulted in significant delay, and the raiding force jumped to engage the fourth convoy approximately one standard hour later. The overmatch of forces resulted in the rapid destruction of the escort forces and two of the *Action VI* transports, leaving three for boarding and capture.

The delay in collecting the surrendered ships of the second convoy resulted in a hasty attack on the third convoy. While several transports and the *Nebulon-B* were damaged, most of the convoy was able to escape to hyperspace. However, the 498th Duros Auxiliary Battalion, lead by Major General Cartan Yulee, took advantage of the confusion to mutiny, seizing the bridge of their transport and signalling for assistance. Rapid boarding by marines, including IG-79, at several points on the transport secured the ship for the Federation. Following reports that three *Imperial* Star Destroyers assigned to the Mandalorian blockade were hypering into the area, the raiding forces completed SAR and repair operations and exited the combat area.