At this moment, the hologram of Salatan Morse, Minister of Intelligence, appeared. The Salarian intelligence chief said, "Grand Duke, I have gathered some preliminary information on the Rafa system. All eleven planets there contain ancient Relics, and the Galactic Empire has established research stations there as well. Intelligence work in the Rafa system will be extremely difficult."
"I did not call you here to hear you complain about how difficult it is, Salatan Morse," Tang Xiao said coldly. "Mobilize your forces immediately and gather intelligence on the Rafa system!"
Salatan Morse said gravely, "What I mean is, if we launch operations in the Rafa system, we will undoubtedly provoke the Galactic Empire, and it could lead to a major conflict."
"Then provoke them. It would not be a bad thing to draw the Galactic Empire's attention to the Eastern Outer Rim. You know what to do," Tang Xiao said.
"Yes, sir..." Salatan Morse's hologram gradually faded away.
The next day, Rafa system, Planet Seven.
Several archaeologists were hard at work in a research station established by the Galactic Empire. About a century ago, the Rafa system had experienced a massive and bizarre energy eruption. That eruption had even been detected by Coruscant's energy monitoring systems and had alerted the Jedi Order.
Master Yoda, leader of the Jedi Order at the time, immediately ordered an investigation team to explore the system. The Galactic Republic also dispatched a scientific expedition.
Before that energy eruption, the Rafa system had been regarded as nothing more than a primitive star system. Its environment was harsh; only Planet Four and Planet Five possessed barely habitable atmospheres. Planet Five was home to a primitive species known as the Toka people.
When the Toka people were first discovered, they were essentially still in the late Paleolithic Age.