In the year 1 BBY, a significant conflict unfolded in the Ilum system between the forces of the Galactic Empire and the Black Sun pirate organization. This clash was initiated as the Empire sought to uncover the identity of a traitor within their ranks, someone who had attempted to undermine Imperial operations on Thyferra. A probe droid pinpointed the pirates' location, leading the Empire to enlist the services of the renowned bounty hunter Boba Fett. Fett was tasked with infiltrating the pirate base and disabling their early warning systems, a mission he successfully completed. Subsequently, an Imperial task force launched an assault on the pirate asteroid base, aiming to capture the leader, who attempted to flee aboard an Interceptor-class frigate. Ultimately, the pirate vessel was disabled and boarded, resulting in the leader's capture and subsequent interrogation.
When the Galactic Empire launched an invasion of Thyferra, an Inner Rim planet under the control of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, the Sith Lord Darth Vader grew suspicious. He believed someone had forewarned the Rebels about their impending arrival. Discovering pirate symbols on Rebel equipment, Vader deduced a collaboration: the Alliance exchanging information on Imperial cargo routes for supplies. However, news of a Rebel uprising on Fondor, a world known for its starship production, interrupted his investigation. Vader redirected his forces to quell the rebellion and retrieve any intercepted communications. Following the suppression of the uprising, the Empire intercepted encrypted transmissions that ultimately led them to Ilum, a planet located in the Unknown Regions.
Due to the planet's robust defenses, Vader contracted Boba Fett. He needed Fett's stealth expertise as the pilot of the Slave I to bypass these defenses and destroy the sensor pods. This action would pave the way for the Imperial Navy to advance.
Once this objective was achieved, the Imperial fleet could pursue the pirate leader. The leader attempted to escape using his Pirate interceptor cruiser. However, before he could jump to hyperspace, Boba Fett struck a critical blow to the pirate ship's engines. Consequently, the leader was forced to surrender.
The information provided by the captured leader gave the Galactic Empire further insights into Moff Kalast's activities.
This particular battle was featured as the third mission within the Imperial campaign of the 2006 video game Star Wars: Empire at War.
The strength and makeup of the Imperial forces are adaptable based on player preference. Only the inclusion of the Probe droid and Slave I (Boba Fett's starship) are required for this mission. The addition of Darth Vader (piloting the TIE Advanced) to the Imperial fleet is optional.