SUMMARY:

The conclusion to the Strikeforce: Shantipole adventure. In this episode, Thermal Force, with the help of the Verpine Suskafoo, must infiltrate the main research base of the Shantipole Project (now taken control of by the Imperials), and rescue not only the two prototype B-Wing fighters, but their own ship – The Moon Swing – before they fall into the hands of the Empire led by the Imperial Commander Bane Northos…

STORY:

Event: After a few hours, the group’s lifeboat is rescued by a large Verpine Colony Ship.
Time Taken: 8 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1000 – 35:06:14

Event: A short time later, after debarking, the group along with Akbar are approached by a Verpine who instructs them to follow him. The Verpine, with the group and Akbar in tow, eventually arrive at the main audience chamber of the Verpine Leader – Speaker Jurfel. Speaker Jurfel tells the group: “One hour ago, the Empire broadcast a sub-space message on all frequencies, ordering the Verpine to submit or die. The hive has rejected the Empire’s ultimatum and has decided to actively join the Alliance. The situation is grim, however. Imperial Stormtroopers have captured Research Station Shantipole and with it, the two prototype B-Wings. Our remote sensors reveal that a large number of capital ships have moved into position around this asteroid field. TIE fighters are sweeping the area in regular patterns. We are massing our own fleet in an attempt to gather the hive for escape”. Akbar then asks the group for help. He tells them that the Imperials are after the information contained in the data-files he downloaded, and they are after him and his crew. Akbar then activates a large holo-display of the asteroid field. He then examines the map which also includes long range sensor readings of the Imperial ships surrounding the field. Akbar then says, that at sector G147 of the asteroid field, a natural corridor has formed which would be big enough to make an escape. He continues and says that the corridor is big enough for the entire fleet to fly through. Akbar then asks the group to travel through the asteroid field to Station Shantipole, retrieve his ship, and destroy the base.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1100 – 35:06:14

Event: The group agree, and prepare for the mission. Suskafoo also volunteers for the mission. An hour later, after being given explosive charges, the group board two Verpine Hoppers (small repulsorlift vehicles).
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1200 – 35:06:14

Event: After a few minor difficulties with getting used to the Hopper’s controls, the group manage to make their way into the depths of the Roche Asteroid Field. During the trip, the group is forced to make a detour through a dense part of the field. The detour is caused by a number of Imperial Probe droids scanning the field for Verpine survivors. During the detour, one of the Hoppers is damaged. Using space-suits, Karahaa and Suskafoo exit the hoppers, and repair the damage.
Time Taken: 4 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1600 – 35:06:14

Event: After a short time, the group returns to their journey to Shantipole. Sometime later, the group arrives at the Shantipole asteroid.
Time Taken: 2 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1800 – 35:06:14

Event: After examining the base for a short time, the group notice ice crystal deposits at points around the asteroid. Suskafoo informs them that the ice could be the frozen air from ventilation shafts. The group then decide to make their entry into the asteroid from there. The group then make their way using caution to the asteroid face. As the group arrives, they find one of the ventilation shafts, and begin travelling down into the asteroid. Along the way, the group is attacked by a small space slug. The slug is easily dispensed with considering the cramped conditions, and the group continue down to the airlock. As the group arrives at the airlock, Tanlee opens the lock and the group make their way into the asteroid. As they close the airlock, Suskafoo informs them that the area they have entered is the Verpine Tunnels.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1900 – 35:06:14

Event: Under the directions of Suskafoo, and while moving quickly and quietly, the group make their way to the Repulsor Beam Control Station. At the station, they find a number of technicians working on the controls. Bordo and Gan quickly dispense of the technicians using their vibro weapons. Ledala and Vi dress in the technicians uniforms, and lead the way. In the mean time, the rest of the group follow and soon arrive at the Power Converter Station. While Vi and Ledala (in technician uniforms) distract some guards., Tanlee and Bordo enter the Main generator room. In the meantime, Gan and Karahaa stand guard. Tanlee sets the explosives, and a short time later, the two sneak back to the Power Converter Station. The group then quickly make their way to the main hanger bay. Along the way, the group encounters Stormtroopers, and a battle takes place. After making headway, the group enter the main hanger, and find that a heavy repeating blaster has been set up by the Imperials. Avoiding the shots, Gan and Vi make their way to the maintenance area, which joins with the detention cells while the others make their way to the unusually oversized shuttle which is positioned in the middle of the hanger bay. A fierce battle takes place in the detention cells, but after only a few scrapes, Gan and Vi end the battle victorious. Gan and Vi then release the prisoners, and find a very battle scarred Michael Pollard. Meanwhile inside the hanger, Ledala, Bordo, Karahaa and Tanlee, battle with the Imperials. Ledala, Karahaa and Tanlee manage to make their way to the shuttle, and find Glek aboard, attempting to take off. After a short parley, and after almost being killed, Ledala kills Glek. The group hold off the Imperials attacks while Vi, Gan and Lt. Pollard load the remaining Verpine aboard Akbar’s light freighter which had been left in the corner of the main hanger.

Once in, Pollard tells Vi that he will pilot the ship to meet with the escaping Verpine fleet. He then says his thanks to Vi and Gan, and tells them to get the B-Wing to safety. Vi and Gan then make their way to the shuttle and meet up with the others. Once the group are reunited, the two ships begin blasting their way out of the hanger. As the two ships leave the asteroid, Ledala notices the Moon Swing attached to one of the airlocks on the other side of the asteroid. Pushed for time, Ledala quickly pilots the shuttle to the Moon Swing. Donning a space suit, Ledala quickly exits the shuttle, and makes her way to her ship, while leaving Karahaa and Gan to pilot the ship. As Ledala enters the ship, Tanlee and Karahaa move the shuttle away from the asteroid. Ledala, in lightning speed, preps the ship and departs from the asteroid, just as the Shantipole asteroid explodes, destroying the base, and the remaining B-Wing. As the shuttle, and the Moon Swing make their way to the escape corridor, they notice the fleet in the distance. They also notice the Akbar’s Mon Cal freighter, dock with the main Verpine ship. Then the group notices the large number of Imperial ships converging on the corridor. Blasting ahead of the fleet, the group take the shuttle towards the Imperial fleet.

Suddenly, a voice comes over the comlink: “Rebel scum, I am Imperial Commander Bane Northos, and my flagship will take great pleasure destroying your fleet one transport at a time until Akbar and his project team surrender.” Vi thinks quickly, and activates the comlink. Vi states that he is an Imperial officer, and that he is onboard with Lieutenant Glek. Vi then says that he has the B-Wing aboard, and that he has been given specific orders to take the ship immediately to Coruscant. Vi then switches off the comlink, and the group awaits a response. As the group waits, they waste no time in bringing the ship as close as possible to the Nebulon-B frigate to “alleviate” any suspicion. This also gives the fleet a few extra moments. The Imperials seem to buy the plan, and the shuttle takes off into hyperspace. Ledala pilots the Moon Swing into the asteroid field, to avoid the Imperials, and soon exits out the other side and soon jumps to hyperspace. The fleet, whilst giving a good fight, takes major casualties. Lt Pollard and a few of the Verpine take Akbar’s freighter during the battle, and attack the Nebulon-B. This action allows a large part of the fleet to escape., especially the lead ship containing Speaker Jurfel and Akbar. Once out of range, the fleet jumps to hyperspace.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 2000 – 35:06:14


Event: Hyperspace (Moon Swing) [ x1 ]
Journey:Roche (K-359-0915) » Pothor (J-359-1403)
Time Taken: 1 day 3 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 2300 – 35:06:15


Event: The group, board the shuttle, and soon after arrive at Pothor, as does the Moon Swing a few moments later. The group travel to the Pothor base, and are welcomes by rebel dignitaries and leaders of the rebellion. Vi informs them of the problems, and tells General Romilar that the Verpine Fleet should have made it through. A few days later, the Verpine fleet arrives.
Time Taken: 1 day 20 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1900 – 35:06:17

Event: In the meantime, Bordo is transferred to another mission group in the nearby Mortex Sector, while the members of Thermal Force rest and recuperate.
Time Taken: 2 days 13 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0800 – 35:06:20

Event: On New Years Eve, a large celebration takes place, where the group is awarded the Mantooine Medallion for rescuing the B-Wings and Akbar. A moment of silence is had in remembrance of those who were part of the Verpine Fleet. This however, does not dampen the festivities. At the end of the ceremony, the group mingle with the likes of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Admiral Talon, General Airen Cracken and Mon Mothma.
Time Taken: 5 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1300 – 35:06:20

Event: Tanlee notices an ensign speaking with General Romilar. A short time later, General Romilar gathers the members of Thermal Force for an emergency meeting.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1400 – 35:06:20