The Eadu Energy Conversion Laboratory, also known by various names such as the Tarkin Initiative R&D base, Tarkin Initiative laboratory, Imperial kyber refinery, and the Laboratory of Conception and Implementation of the High Energies, represented a clandestine research and development installation of the Imperial forces. This facility was situated on the planet Eadu. Protected by the soldiers of the 975th Battalion, the laboratory served as the location where Galen Erso, under the umbrella of the Tarkin Initiative, spearheaded the research and development efforts pertaining to the superlaser of the Death Star. Within this complex, a dedicated team of scientists was engaged in a pair of intertwined projects: the fusion of fragmented kyber crystal pieces into larger, unified structures, and the generation and manipulation of a regulated chain reaction. The site included a single defensive turbolaser cannon, as well as a launch bay for TIE/ln space superiority starfighters and at least 1 TIE/rp Reaper attack lander and a shuttle station where cargo shuttles delivered crystals for the team in specialized containers.
During the events of Operation Fracture in 1 BBY, a Rebel unit, composed of Captain Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, K-2SO, Bodhi Rook, Baze Malbus, and Chirrut Îmwe, traveled to this facility aboard a UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft with the objective of locating Galen Erso. Shortly after the Rebel arrival, Director Orson Krennic appeared in his Imperial shuttle to investigate suspicions of a Rebel sympathizer among the scientific personnel. Following Erso's admission of treason, Krennic ordered the execution of Erso's entire team by death troopers. Subsequently, the complex came under attack from rebel starfighters, including T-65B X-wing starfighters and BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter/bombers belonging to Blue Squadron. The base's defensive cannon and TIE/ln space superiority starfighters were deployed in response, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by the Alliance forces as Îmwe facilitated the turbolaser's destruction, thus enabling the Rebel strike team to succeed. In the end, a torpedo fired by the alliance caused extensive damage to Director Krennic's landing platform, resulting in the deaths of multiple stormtroopers and inflicting a mortal wound upon Galen Erso, who managed to speak with his daughter before the remaining Rebels departed from the planet.