Operation Ferret was a naval operation planned by the Mesan Alignment and executed by the People's Navy in Exile under direction by Mesa System Navy officers. The PNE forces were supposed to enter the Congo System, overwhelm the Royal Torch Navy, and wipe out all life on the surface of the planet Torch with a kinetic bombardment. However, the Maya Sector Detachment learned of a planned operations by units of Havenite exiles and deduced the likely location of the operation. It sent its brand new Light Cruiser Squadron 7036 to Torch and intercepted the attack.