This is the first mission of a mini campaign based on Star Wars Episode IV.
Amid a galactic civil war, Rebel Alliance spies have stolen plans to the Galactic Empire's Death Star, a massive space station capable of destroying entire planets. Imperial Senator Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, secretly one of the Rebellion's leaders, has obtained its schematics, but her starship is intercepted by an Imperial Star Destroyer under the command of the ruthless Darth Vader. Before she is captured, Leia hides the plans in the memory system of Astromech droid R2-D2, who flees in an escape pod to the nearby desert planet Tatooine alongside his companion, Protocol droid C-3PO.
The droids are captured by Jawa traders, who sell them to moisture farmers Owen and Beru Lars and their nephew Luke Skywalker. While Luke is cleaning R2-D2, he discovers a holographic recording of Leia requesting help from an Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Luke wakes to finds R2-D2 missing. He therefore sets off in his Landspeeder with C-3PO to try and find the missing droid.
THE PATROL PHASE
The terrain was laid out to represent the desert area around the Lars moisture farm. Both sides started the Patrol Phase in opposite corners, and ended with three Jump-Off Points placed as shown on the map. No JOPs were permitted on or next to the Escape Pod.
FORCES
The Empire fielded an Imperial Officer, Stormtrooper Lieutenant, Comms Officer and four Stormtrooper Squads, and an AT-ST. The Rebels fielded Princess Leia, a Rebel Officer, Adjutant, Medical Droid, three Rebel Trooper Squads, a Fleet Trooper Squad, and a Wookiee Squad. The Rebels started with a Force Morale of 9, the Empire with 8.
OBJECTIVE
For the Rebel cause to succeed, the Rebels, led by Princess Leia, have to recover the Death Star plans contained in R2-D2’s memory system. They also have to find the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and the young Luke Skywalker, not yet aware of his Force abilities, and persuade them to join the Rebel cause.
Although the Empire believe their Death Star is invulnerable, they don’t want the plans to fall into Rebel hands. The Empire must therefore recover the plans, at any cost. They also wish to capture Rebel officers for “interrogation” by Darth Vader.
The locations of Luke, R2-D2, Obi-Wan and the Sand Worm pit, as shown on the map, were unknown to both sides.
BATTLE REPORT
The Rebels started, deploying Black Squad behind the small hill in G1, and Blue Squad on Overwatch in the cacti in J4.
The Empire responded, deploying Green Squad in the cacti in E3, and opening fire on the Rebel Squad in the cacti, killing one Trooper. The Rebel team on Overwatch fired back, but failed to hit anything.
The Rebels then commanded Black Squad to head for the moisture farm, so they left their cover and ran towards the hill to the west (this turned out to be a really bad idea). Leia also deployed, joining Blue Squad.
Wanting to seize the advantage, the Empire then brought on their AT-ST, which combining with their Stormtrooper Squad in the cacti, laid heavy fire onto the Rebel Blue Squad and Leia, causing casualties and shock. Rather than firing at the Stormtroopers, the Rebels tried repeatedly, and unsuccessfully, to take out the AT-ST. But unfortunately their Ion Rifle had no effect against the AT-ST’s armour.
The Rebels to the north continued their advance towards the hill and the moisture farm beyond, but failed to reach it, becoming stranded in the open. The Wookiees deployed on the small hill to add much needed Rebel firepower. But failed to do any real damage.
More Stormtroopers joined the first squad, together with a Senior Leader with his Comms Officer. These opened fire on the Rebel Squad stuck in the open whilst trying to climb the hill. The Rebels took significant shock, which although not enough to pin them, prevented them from climbing the hill (in addition to movement losses due to shock, they also lose 2 pips/dice due to the hill). The Rebel Officer joined this group to help motivate them, but failed.
Whilst the firefights continued, the Empire deployed a Squad of Stormtroopers in the south, to start the search for the objectives (although they were miffed they couldn’t join in the Turkey shoot).
On entering the palm grove near the Tusken camp, the Stormtroopers discovered R2-D2, and more importantly, the Death Star plans. The Empire had achieved their key objective. Extra rations all round tonight!
Things started to get a lot worse for the Rebels.
Blue Squad leader took a wound, rendering him out of action, and from here on, Leia spent most of her activations repeatedly removing Shock, which was all put back on in the Empire’s next phase.
The Rebel Squad in the open near the hill quickly, despite being Tactical, had eventually become pinned, with the attached Senior leader also taking a wound and put out of action.
The Empire deployed a fourth squad in a small palm grove, who immediately spotted Luke and C-3PO in their Landspeeder in the moisture farm. Their second objective was in sight.
The Wookiees started to advance, also hoping to find one of the objectives. However, the Squad being commanded by Leia finally became pinned. Things had gone from bad to worse.
With two leaders down, two squads pinned, and casualties mounting, the Rebels decided to make a Voluntary Withdrawal.
Red and Black Squads and the Wookiees managed to safely withdraw, taking Luke & C-3PO with them. Unfortunately, Leia and the remnants of Blue Squad were captured by the Empire. (Mutterings were overheard amongst the Stormtroopers about who would be first to “probe” Leia.)
Obi-Wan managed to avoid capture and made his way out of the Tusken camp to join up with the remains of the Rebel force. He was heard muttering “Things would have gone differently if I’d still been in charge”.
CONCLUSION
An Empire victory (All Hail the Emperor!), with the Rebels voluntarily withdrawing, leaving Leia, R2-D2 (and the Death Star plans), a wounded Squad Leader plus the last four of his men, in the hands of the Empire.
These will now be transported to the Empire’s nearby Imperial Fortress to await the arrival of Lord Vader, who is on his way to Tatooine, who will personally interrogate Princess Leia.
The Rebels have an opportunity to intercept the convoy and attempt to rescue the prisoners before the Empire transport reaches the Fortress.
With Leia captured, and Luke still not aware of his Jedi ancestry, the Rebel force (or what’s left of it) will be led by General Kenobi (retired).
Rob
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