Another Perspective

[LoAmi 0]

The base on the planet Midbar was to be a launching pad for raidse

against the Imperial Navy. It was at the far edges of the Outer Rim,

far from any other planets, and, the Rebels hoped, far from the eyes of

the Empire. The Rebels' best laid plans were now being challenged.

They had effectively been chased out of the central galaxy. The Empire

was now launching offensives in the Outer Rim, trying to clear the

remaining Rebels. Recently, they'd been succeeding.

 

Colonel Spacely's orders were to convert an abandoned kemocyte mine and

prepare an operational base. He had a minimal crew of soldiers, fighter

pilots, and engineers. He was stocked with mining equipment, a few

defensive starfighters, and an escape transport. The base itself was

almost ready. It now had breathable air, and was concealed from the

outside world. He was supposed have have been relieved and resupplied

by Gen. Elektrik's forces a week ago. It was possible they were

delayed. Even in the Outer Rim, keeping cover was becoming more

difficult with each passing day. Rumors were already flying that the

General's forces had been defeated and scattered in one of the Empire's

sweeps.

 

Col Spacely and his men were now laying low. They knew that if they

stepped out to the planet's surface, they might be spotted by Imperial

probes.

 

Five hours ago, the band of rebels first heard banging near their

mountain cave. It sounded like the Empire had landed some heavy

equipment. Maybe they were drilling? Perhaps they were digging in to a

nearby position on the planet surface to use as an attack base? He

didn't know. They were blind to everything that was happening on the

surface.

 

It was now clear that the Empire had found them. At any moment, an

overwhelming number of stormtroopers would overpower them through the

doorway that led into the caverns. He also knew that he and his band

stood no chance. So, they waited. The young soldiers put together a

blockade at the widening point of the entryway as best as they could,

knowing full well that most of their armor wouldn't withstand a blaster

shot. The blockade's shape allowed them to set up a cross-fire. Each

soldier hoped he would get out a few shots before the stormtroopers'

laser bolts killed them. The pilots waited to launch. Their best

chance was to fight their way past innumerable TIE starfighters, and the

fields created by the interdictors they knew would be there, and jump to

hyperspace, to regroup with another of the dwindling Rebel fleet. In

the best case, the survivors would make it to the escape transport and

get out alive.

 

Footsteps and voices were heard in the distance. The Rebels' laser

blasters were ready to open fire once the doorway opened.

 

Colonel Spacely heard the stormtroopers reach the doorway. They were

scanning the door's control circuitry. He looked at the "peephole" --

a small camera display set up to show what was just outside the

doorway. Just then, he saw three things he thought he'd never see. The

first thing he noticed was the small number of troopers. Perhaps they

had only sent advance scouts? The second was that he could see the

faces of the stormtroopers through their helmets, as they scanned the

doorway. Finally, there was a third oddity: it looked like one of the

shorter stormtroopers was giving the orders. None of it added up. The

change in tactics demanded an explanation. Once the door opened, their

position would already be known, but for now, his Rebels had the

stormtroopers outnumbered. Spacely decided on a somewhat different

tactic. They were going to take prisoners.

 

--

Col. Spacely

Forward Commander

Midbar Base