SUMMARY:

Having returned from their victory at Zennox, and their rescue of the ancient Jedi known as Narr Tomarr, the members of Thermal Force are entrusted by Mon Mothma herself to take a urgent message from Alliance High Command to the Roche asteroid field, home to the insectoid race of ship builders the Verpine. The reason – to travel to a secret asteroid base where a special operation code-named Project Shantipole is being undertaken. Its task – to design a new starfighter for the Rebel arsenal – the B-Wing fighter. But as the members of Thermal Force race across the galaxy, they are little aware that the Shantipole Project has been infiltrated by an Imperial Spy who intends to sabotage the operation and in turn murder its leader, the Mon Cal – Commander Akbar…

STORY:

Events: Upon arrival at the briefing room, the group is introduced to Mon Mothma, Supreme Leader of the Alliance. The group is then seated, and Mon Mothma tells them of a new problem facing the Fakir Sector and the entire Rebellion.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0900 – 35:06:06

Events: The group is told that recently, the Empire has stepped up production of a its new capital ship, the Nebulon-B Escort Frigate, a very well armoured, and heavily armed capital ship, able to be constructed at a fraction of the cost of an Imperial Star Destroyer – hence enabling the Empire to build small fleets in a shorter time. A large number of these ships have been placed in the field by the Empire in recent times to stop the accelerating number of Rebel attacks on Imperial convoys. Mothma states that rebel raiding parties on Imperial convoys across the galaxy have almost come to a complete stand-still as a result of the introduction to the Nebulon-B. As has been shown in the past, the Rebellion needs the “donated” Imperial supplies obtained through these raids across the galaxy. Mothma then informs the group of Project: Shantipole – an operation conducted under the direction of Commander Akbar, a Mon Calamari. She goes further, explaining that Akbar was the ex-slave to Grand Moff Tarkin about 9 months before Tarkin’s death on the Death Star. Mothma then explains that as a result, Akbar has become a heavy campaigner against the Empire and the rule of the Emperor, and so was eager to take the command of the project. She then goes on and explains that the project has been developed to construct a heavily armed starfighter which could even up the odds against one of the Nebulon-Bs. Mothma then says that in a effort to make the project a success, Commander Akbar has joined forces with an insectoid race called the Verpine in the Roche system mainly due to the fact that Verpine are renowned for their ability in starship construction . Mothma tells the group that the project is nearing completion. Mothma then requests that “Thermal Force” go to the Roche System, the site of the Shantipole project, and deliver a coded holo-disk to Commander Akbar. General Romilar and Major Mers then introduce Bordo to “Thermal Force”. They are told that he is a Rodian Infiltrator, and will be a great asset to this mission for his ability with security systems.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1000

Events: After the debriefing, the group attends a ceremony in their honour, where each member are officially promoted to their new ranks by Mon Mothma. Also, each member receives a Zennoxian Honour Medal given by the council of the Zennox Resistance Force for their help
Time Taken: 4 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1400

Events: After the ceremony, Mon Mothma departs, and Home prepares for the jump towards Roche. The “Home” Fleet then makes the next jump closer to the location of the Roche System.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1500


Event: Hyperspace (Home) [ x1 ]
Journey: Masterhome (K-360-1412) » “Home” (K-359-1414)
Time Taken: 3 days 7 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 2200 – 35:06:09


Events: The Home Fleet calculates the coordinates for the next jump, closer to the Roche System. The Home Fleet jumps to the next coordinates.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 2300


Event: Hyperspace (Home) [ x1 ]
Journey: “Home” (K-359-1414) » “Home” (K-359-1216)
Time Taken: 1 day 20 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1900 – 35:06:11


Events: “Thermal Force” then board the Moon Swing, leave “Home” and jump to the Roche Asteroid belt. During the trip however, Ledala realises that there is a power fluctuation problem with the Hyperdrive. As a result, the journey is extended a few hours.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 2000


Event: Hyperspace (Moon Swing) [ x1 ]
Journey: “Home” (K-359-1216) » Roche (K-359-0915)
Time Taken: 2 days
G.S.Date/Time: 2000 – 35:06:13


Events: Upon arrival, Tanlee performs a sensor sweep of the ship and finds some type of silicon based life-form attached to the ship. Ledala soon recognises these as Mynocks. The group prepare to remove the creatures when a flight of 3 TIE Recon fighters appear on the ship’s sensors. A short dog-fight occurs, ending with the TIE fighters being quickly dispensed with. During the fight however, the ship is damaged. Soon after the battle, the Moon Swing enters the asteroid field with sensors on maximum range.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 2100

Events: The group soon discover the coded beacon which is being sent on a rebel frequency. Ledala then heads the Moon Swing towards the signal. Ledala carefully pilots through the dense asteroid field. Some time later, the group homes in on the beacon, and soon discover a large hour-glass shaped asteroid.
Time Taken: 3 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0000 – 35:06:14

Events: The Moon Swing is asked to identify itself, to which the group responds. After a few checks, and after Vi informs the control tower that they are carrying Mynocks, the group is requested to land the ship manually in the docking bay. With the asteroid rotating, the job of landing the Moon Swing is not an easy one. But with the help of Gan, Ledala lands the Moon Swing easily. Ledala is then complemented by the control tower operator. Before exiting, the Moon Swing Karahaa and Tanlee exit out of the top hatch to dispense with the Mynocks. Ledala, Gan, Vi and Bordo then exit via the ramp, and are accosted by a group of chittering Verpine. After informing them of the damage, the Verpine move to the damaged areas of the ship (and some of the undamaged parts), and begin ripping panels and wiring off. Ledala, trusting these aliens, leaves then to her ship. Karahaa and Tanlee soon dispense with the Mynocks and join the others.

The group is then confronted by a Quarren who introduces himself as Lieutenant Salin Glek, adviser to Commander Akbar. After accusing the group of placing the security of the station at risk by their presence, Glek informs them that Akbar is busy. Consequently Glek orders the group to give to him any messages that they are to give Akbar. The group refuses, much to the protests of Glek. Glek is then interrupted by a human who introduces himself as Lieutenant Michael Pollard. Vi recognises Pollard as an old friend who had introduced him into the Rebellion. After a short re-union, Pollard tells the group that Commander Akbar is awaiting them inside. Pollard then leads them into the main command room with Glek following silently. The group is introduced to Commander Akbar. Akbar welcomes the group, and ask how the trip to the Roche System was. The group informs Akbar of the problems with the TIEs, to which Akbar shows concern. The group then hands over the data disk. Akbar places the disk into the holo-projector, and the face of Mon Mothma, Supreme Commander of the Alliance appears. Mon Mothma gives the following message:

“Greetings old friend. As you predicted, the Nebulon-B escort frigate has put an end to our supply raids. Your report that the Shantipole Project nears completion could not have come at a better time. The rest of this message is for you eyes only, Commander Akbar, and for the agents who delivered it to you. Please pause the holodisk until all other personnel have left the area.”

Akbar then pauses the disk, and requests that all the personnel in the command centre leave, apart from himself and the group. Pollard and the other Verpine leave immediately, but Glek remains. Akbar then asks him to leave, to which his does. Akbar then reactivates the holo-projector. Mon Mothma continues:

“The Alliance Fleet is assembling in the Pothor system. Proceed there immediately with your design team and your two prototype B-Wings. Upon arrival you will assume the rank of Admiral. Your first duty is to organise a mass production system for the new B-Wing”

“To the agents who delivered the disk. Thank you for your service. The Alliance owes you a great debt. I must now ask you to perform another service for us. You must safeguard Commander Akbar, escorting him and his project to the rendezvous point. The location codes of this site are embedded at the end of this holo-disk. Do not take this duty lightly. Our agents suspect that there is an Imperial informer on the commander’s staff”

“To Commander Akbar. Allow these agents to bring you, your team, and the prototypes to the rendezvous point. Trust them as I do. I apologise for the heavy-handed precautions, but we could not risk interception of this message. The new starfighter is too crucial to the survival of the Alliance. Proceed to the rendezvous point with all speed, and may the Force be with you.”

Akbar then tells the group about the importance of the B-Wing, and answers questions from the group.

Akbar then signals the command centre personnel to return. Upon returning, the group inform Commander Akbar that they should move immediately.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0100 – 35:06:14

Events: As the group begin to leave the Command Centre, alarms begin sounding throughout the base. The Verpine Suskafoo races to the computer station, and checks the sensors. Suddenly, a communication from the main hanger bay sounds. The controller advises that an unidentified ship is approaching the base. After a short moment, the hanger bay controller states that the ship is an Imperial assault shuttle. Almost as suddenly, the controller is cut off, as two large explosions rock the base. Pollard then gives the signal for all of the base’s personnel to evacuate. Vi tells the group and the command crew to go to the Moon Swing for immediate departure. Suskafoo then informs the group, that the Moon Swing is no longer in the hanger bay. As the group looks around, they find that Glek is nowhere to be found. Commander Akbar then informs the group that the design plans to the B-Wing are currently in storage in the main computer, and that it would be necessary for him to down-load these plans before leaving. As Commander Akbar sets up the portable computer with Suskafoo, Pollard brings up a holo-projection of the base. The group examine the map, and Pollard tells them that the main doors are 18 inches thick. The group then recommend that the doors be closed, and that they operate them on a remote basis, to prevent the Imperials getting through. Pollard agrees, and closes the doors. The group hold off the stormtroopers, while Akbar downloads the files. After a few minutes, Akbar finishes the download, and the group escort him to the escape pods. Suddenly, the Stormtroopers blast through the doors, and a battle begins in the corridors. Vi and Pollard hold off the Troopers, while the others protect Akbar while getting to the lifeboats. After a short battle, Vi and Pollard begin to realise that there are too many Stormtroopers. Pollard then shows Vi a grenade, and tells him to get to the lifeboats. Much to Vi’s objections, Pollard remains defiant, and insists that he cover their escape. Vi then closes the door, and hears a massive explosion which rocks the asteroid. Vi, knowing that his friend had been killed, rejoins the others in the lifeboat bay. Once everybody is aboard, the lifeboats jettison from the bay, now on their pre-programmed flight course.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0200