The Longhorn returns to the Opal. Over the next few days they prepare for the return of the Empire, Aayla uses the M27 mining droid and explosive charges to lay a trap that can be detonated as the TIEs and shuttle approach the Opal. Lorne, Val, Aayla and Jorus all do there bit to get the Ugnauts ready to defend the Opal. Lorne runs tough Maruder style training drills, Aayla helps them prepare jury rigged defences using mining equipment and tractor beams. Jorus prepares a medical bay, a repurposed medical droid and gets medical info on the Ugnauts to better treat them should they be injured in the fit, and to get them back into the fight as soon as possible.
The Lavish Rouncey arrives and the three crews get to know each other.
The day of the Empire's expected attack comes, the three freighters take to space and set and ambush, powering down their systems and maintain radio silence, hugging asteroids to get the drop on the Empire. The Duster and the Longhorn form one wing with Tasha Jorrier, Nurod Zengoshi and the Lavish Rouncey as the second wing, forming a pincer movement to strike the enemy ships when they enter the kill box. The crews waits nervously, ships floating hidden in the asteroid field, flanking the concealed explosives.
Sure enough the Empire return, a Zeta class shuttle with crimson edged wings escorted by four TIE Vigilantes vector towards the Opal. They fly into the trap and Aayla eagerly trips it.
There is a massive detonation, six asteroids blasted apart, three TIEs destroyed, one by his wingman crashing into him sending his fellow pilot spinning into an asteroid and to his death. The Longhorn blasts the Zeta shuttle and the one remaining TIE pumps power to it's engines and breaks to escape, Jorus snags it with the Longhorns tractor beam, a few laser blasts later and it's scrap, it's hexagonal wing panels spinning off into the night.
The ambush is quick and brutal and it's unlikely the Imperial Pilots even got off a distress call.
A huge cloud of dust caused by the detonated asteroids hangs over the opal, imperial wreckage and asteroid chunks floating within.
Inspired by Val the crew of the Longhorn set down on the Opal with the two other freighter crews and the celebrate braking out brandy from the on board bar, many hours of celebration follow, there are Ugnaut drinking games, cards and music and Kolduuck once again takes to the dance floor.
During the celebrations Lorne returns to the ship to get some supplies and sees a red light flashing in the cockpit. Examining closer he sees five ships on the sensors heading for the Opal. He gets the word out via the Longhorns External address system.
The three freighters prep to lift off. The Longhorn sends Tasha Jorrier through the dust cloud to identify the incoming ships. She reports back that she sees a blood red marked Gozanti cruiser, four TIE inceptors, one of which is painted completely blood red. Tasha is spotted before she can withdraw and a bust of laser fire is heard over the commlink, then a horrible screen. Nurod broadcasts messages trying to raise her, there is no response.
The three freighters rise up from the Opal to meet the incoming Imperial forces. The Gozanti and the TIE Interceptors emerge from the asteroid dust. Over the comms Ayala hears a terrifyingly familiar "This is Commander Kel Markens of the True Empire, Identify yourself or be destroyed!"