Imperial Forces were able to trace the Rebels' trail from the raid on Outpost D-34 to the Bruanii Sector where Assault Gunboat patrols located a Rebel MC40a taking on supplies. Admiral Flanken along with Colonel Vistore sent Assault Gunboats to attack the location at 1500 hours. The Imperial attack was to commence in three waves, with Tau Squadron leading the way. The Assault Gunboats were to clear the MC40a's starfighter defences to allow the safe arrival of the second wave consisting of Stormtrooper Transports escorted by Assault Gunboats. The second wave was to arrive five minutes after the start of the mission.

    After Stele came out of hyperspace, he targeted the nearest Rebel fighter, an A-Wing. Stele engaged the A-Wing in a dogfight, however he found it difficult, so he let the A-Wing disengage. Once the A-Wing was a short distance away, he let off two concussion missiles and thus marking his first A-Wing kill. Stele then turned his sights on the X-Wings from Red group. After that he turned his attention on the B-Wings. As per orders from the Secret Order of the Emperor, Stele made his way toward the cargo containers to inspect them. The Secret Order wished to investigate possible complixity of Imperial Forces in the recent Rebel successes, since Imperial war material was frequently being found in Rebel hands. Shortly after Stele destroyed the remaining A-Wings from Gold group, X-Wings from Blue group were launched. So Stele engaged those X-Wings. When Stele hypered out of the area, he had 13 kills to his credit. With Stele's discovery of Imperial probes in Rebel hands, it was determined by the Secret Order that a traitor in the Empire was selling the Rebels this equipment.