Eadu Energy Conversion Laboratory

"You think this pilot acted alone? He was dispatched from the installation on Eadu. Galen Erso's facility."

―Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin to Director Orson Krennic^[3]

The Eadu Energy Conversion Laboratory,^[4] also known as the Tarkin Initiative R&D base,^[5] Tarkin Initiative laboratory,^[2] Imperial kyber refinery^[3] or the Laboratory of Conception and Implementation of the High Energies,^[6] was a secluded Imperial research and development facility located on the planet Eadu. Guarded by the 975th Battalion, the installation was where the development research was done for the Death Star's superlaser under the direction of Galen Erso as part of the Tarkin Initiative. A team of scientists at the complex undertook two interconnected projects: the fusing of kyber crystal shards into larger forms and the creation and redirection of a controlled chain reaction.^[2] Attached to the facility was a single-barrel defensive turbolaser cannon, along with 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.^[3]

During Operation Fracture in 1 BBY,^[1]^[2] a Rebel squad consisting of Captain Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, K-2SO, Bodhi Rook, Baze Malbus, and Chirrut Îmwe traveled to the facility in a UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft to find Galen Erso. Director Orson Krennic arrived shortly after the Rebels in his Imperial shuttle to investigate suspicions of a Rebel sympathizer within the scientific ranks. After Erso revealed himself as the traitor, Krennic had Erso's team executed by death troopers. The complex was then attacked by rebel starfighters, consisting of T-65B X-wing starfighters and BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter/bombers^[3] from Blue Squadron.^[7] In response, the base's defensive cannon and TIE/ln space superiority starfighters were dispatched to counter the threat, only to be overwhelmed by the Alliance as Îmwe led to the turbolaser's destruction, allowing for the Rebel strike team's success. Ultimately, an alliance torpedo brought severe damages to Director Krennic's landing platform, killing several stormtroopers and mortally wounding Galen Erso, who conversed with his daughter before the remaining Rebels fled from the planet.^[3]