The Millennium Falcon is the most notorious starship within the realm of Star Wars' Galactic Empire.
It's also one of the most iconic starships in pop culture, next to Star Trek's USS Enterprise.
Since the movie's debut, the George Lucas, now Disney, marketing campaigns churned-out numerous playsets and action figures over the past 46 years. Of course, one of the biggest, was none other than the Millennium Falcon.
About 10 years ago, I borrowed my friend Joe's playset. Then, in 2015, I took advantage of a Christmas sale and bought The Force Awakens version, and returned Joe's Falcon.
What I liked right away about this playset is the plastic is softer, and more durable than earlier versions. It was as if the playset was designed to be played with, instead of being put on display..
But as usual with the toy industry, the action figures are out of proportion to the starship. This didn't matter to me, because I had no intention of using them. I wanted the playset to use with my Star Wars Miniatures collection, or my 28mm sci-fi figures from other gameverses.
A couple years after buying this latest version, I decided to add a bit of detail by painting the recessed areas with black ink wash.
Afterwards, I'd spend time pondering what--if anything--I could do to add even more detail, without turning this into a major painting project.
Since 2015, I purchased additional ink washes in various colors for my Cruel Seas vessels. A couple weeks ago I thought I'd give another try at touching-up the Falcon.
I slathered the side hull with a coating of gray ink wash. While the gray tone darkened the vessel along the side, compared to the top & bottom hulls, it didn't bring out all the details I wanted. So I used a sparing amount of black ink wash in various spots. I also added another layer of black to the recesses I painted years ago.
I added touches of a light rust colored ink wash in a few spots, mostly around the hatch entrances and vents. I figured these areas would most likely collect condensation when in-use planetside.
Here's my finished project from a few topside angles:
Finally, for the underside, I re-ink washed the recesses, then added an oiled earth wash on and around the landing pads.
Here's the underside view:
My mind's at ease now that I feel I haven't left anything out. But this was an easy and relaxing project to do.
So if I think of any more ideas on how to enhance my Millennium Falcon's look, I may give it a try.
I thought this song, which I found rather quickly, fit the "big reveal" made my one of the characters in this story.
The way I have the rest of the story plotted-out, there's eight chapters left. However, it seems like nearly all my previous chapters end up multiplying into two or three scenes. So for now, let's just say there's eight more plot-points to go.
I'm still in the process of learning about my new Nikon CoolPix P530 camera. I hope to start using it by the time I start taking pictures for Chapter 16.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the latest chapter.
For this chapter's Theme Song, I chose Prepare for the End uploaded by xDarkLegacyx2. I think this tune fits the epic, space opera aspect of Star Wars, while it's steady--almost monotonous--beat, implies impending danger.
I'm now in the process of re-writing Chapter 15, which is giving me some trouble narrative pacing-wise. Once I'm satisfied this chapter is good enough to post, then it's "back to the drawing board" for the Chapters 16 onwards. That is, I'll need to snap a batch of new photos.
In the meantime, I've been looking at some webcomic hosting sites to determine which one I'd like to join in order to make a "second home" for Breakout from Bongolaan.
Since I wrote Chapters 12--14 in one fell-swoop, which took me several months to complete, the "only" thing I had to do was some editing on Chapter 13.
For this chapter's theme song, I chose two pieces of music.
The pace at where I work didn't slow down any since my last chapter posting.
Not only that, but Chapter 12 was originally much longer than it currently is. As the page length lengthened, I ended up dividing the narrative into more chapters as I found more appropriate stopping points. So this part of the story grew from Chapter 12 and 13, to Chapter 12--14, and finally to Chapter 12-15.
By the time I reached this point, I decided to quit writing additional material and work on editing and revising.
By the time I was satisfied with most of my recent work, I did some final tweaking of Chapter 12.
My "cunning plan" is to do the similar tweaks to Chapters 13 and 14 within the next couple weeks and then post them.
Which brings me to Chapter 15. I'm not currently happy with it. I feel this portion will require some major re-writing, but I'll wait until Chapter 14 is posted before I even start.
In my last webcomic update, I said I'd launch a new format for Breakout from Bongolaan by 4 January 2016.
Well, I'm afraid I have to postpone the launch date. With the little time I've had to spare, I devoted it all to getting these chapters written. I'm hoping the delay won't be more than a month. I appreciate your patience.
You might think this is an odd choice for a chapter's mood music, especially since Star Wars is and epic space opera, not a space western, like Firefly.
But I think the song fits for a few reasons. First, in this chapter Callithea expresses her desire to return to her home planet. This segways into a hint of what society on Callithea's home world, Tarsus, is like. Finally, our heroes are essentially planning for a "road trip--IN SPACE," and depending on what list you read, Home ranks anywhere from #13 in Paste Magazine to #1 on BuzzFeed.
Part of the appeal of science fiction in general, and Star Wars in particular, is the ability to roam the galaxy at ludicrous speed.
So for a Star Wars role playing game (RPG), acquiring a starship, but not necessarily "buying" one, is a critical goal for player characters (PCs) starting out on their misadventures.
If you're involved in a game which relies heavily on miniatures, representing a starship can be difficult. While two-dimensional deck plans or graph paper, while effective, loses "cinematic appeal." Models specifically made in typical "RPG Scale" (usually 15-35mm Scale) are invariably scratch-built by talented modelers, like Maker.e2oGame.
For those of us lacking talent and patience to construct our own ships, we turn to toys.
For my, now dormant, Redshift Chronicles Campaign, my friend Joe placed his Millennium Falcon Playset in my care, which was utilized on a couple of adventures.
The playset isn't exactly to scale as my Star Wars Miniatures, but I figure starships are suppose to be big anyway. Besides, there's enough room inside to get interior pictures.
(Han Solo and Chewbacca making last-minute repairs before taking off)
I've had Joe's 'Falcon for a few years now. During this time, I've made half-hearted inquires about buying my own, but have balked at the "Collector's Edition Prices."
However, two events motivated me to acquire my own 'Falcon.
Which means Star Wars merchandise has deluged the market long before the movie appears on the silver screen.
And second, Joe is now the father of two little boys.
I reached my decision point a couple weeks ago, when I stumbled across Hasbro's "Force Awakens" Millennium Falcon, while Christmas shopping with my wife. (Isn't it amazing how you manage to find gifts for yourself when shopping for others?). I was hesitant to buy it, but my wife assured me it was okay, thus salving my guilty conscience, and the Base Exchange (department stores on military installations) was knocking off $25 for purchases of $100 or more as part of their "Black Friday Weekend Sale."
The price tag on this new 'Falcon alone qualified me for the discount.
I haven't opened it yet, since we've been busy putting up Christmas decorations.
Yes, at the risk of loosing some of the collector's value, I do intend on opening the box, because I want to have the ship "ready for flight" for any future Star Wars RPG/skirmish adventures. But my "cunning plan" is to open it carefully and keep all the parts I won't utilize, in order to maintain a decent portion of any possible collector's value.
One possible point of concern is the new 'Falcon looks smaller than the older one, but I'm hoping it may be more appropriate for my Star Wars Miniatures I use.
In any case, I have a new 'Falcon, Joe gets his old one returned and he'll get to experience all the parental joys of watching his two boys fight over play with an iconic toy.
For this workshop review, I thought I'd use my webcomic trailer to Breakout from Bongolaan--as an example of what not to do when creating a book trailer.
I made my initial trailer before I attended a lecture on making book trailers. I actually like my latest trailer, which I remade when I took additional photographs for my webcomic, despite its shortcomings which I'll mention in parenthetical comments on this post.
This workshop was hosted by Rian Fiske and Steve Ahlbom of Visual Quill.
First, what is a book trailer?
--It's an advertisement for your book.
The internet has changed the way we market products and today's society is the most marketed in history.
What a book trailer is not--
--A plot reveal (mine is)
--A story summary (mine is)
--More important than your book (I'm still writing my webcomic, so I hope not)
--Boring! (I hope mine isn't)
--Unappealing (I hope mine isn't)
--Too focused to a specific person or group (okay, mine is guilty of this last one)
A good book trailer--
--Has a good script, is brief and creatively edited.
Time length:
30 Seconds = Good
60 Seconds = Okay (mine's just over a minute)
90 Seconds = Not Good
A book trailer should evoke a visceral response from a viewer, not an intellectual one, and the mood should be similar to the book.
A book trailer is an important part of book marketing because--
--It takes advantage of the explosive growth of online advertising videos.
--It's on a shareable medium.
--It fosters a deep like-know-trust connection.
--It keeps your book in a reader's mind.
--It's cost effective.
Some interesting statistics--
--Viewers are 64% more likely to buy your book.
--There's usually an 80% increase in conversion rates on your website. That is, visits turning into actual purchases.
--There's often an increase of 2 minutes per stay per viewer on your website.
--92% of mobile viewers share videos with others.
--There's a 19% to 300% increase of sales if a book trailer supplements e-mails and flyers.
--These statistics hold no matter what genre you're writing.
Elements of a good book trailer--
--Visually hint at what takes place.
--Keeps the story moving and is not too short, or too long.
--Uses a good selection of graphics and music.
Bad book trailers are everywhere.
--Most aren't trailers, but rather do-it-yourself (DIY) slide shows (like mine).
--DIY tools exist, but you still need to use them correctly.
What makes a book trailer bad--
--Low quality graphics and photos.
--Too many graphics.
--Too much explanatory text.
--Poor music.
The five elements that make a quality book trailer are:
1. It's not a plot reveal. Think of it as a pitch session.
2. Plan the entire trailer with a story board.
3. Production quality is essential. Hire a professional, if necessary.
4. Know what style you're using and make sure it all hangs together.
5. Don't confuse building your brand with selling your book.
Here are some tips if you are going to go the DIY route:
Your book trailer needs a script, so here are some things to consider--
--Start with your book's synopsis.
--Duration should be between 30-60 seconds.
--Consider this rule of thumb: 50 words = 30 seconds of video.
Utilize appropriate music for your trailer. Music sets the emotional tone and should coincide with the tone of your book.
Editing tools for your DIY book trailer--
--PC users can utilize Windows Movie Maker.
--Mac users can utilize iMovie.
--Tutorials are available on Lynda.com.
And speaking of websites, there are several doityourselfers can make use of.
On deciding whether to use voice-over or text in your book trailer, either will work if done well.
Once you've made your book trailer you'll need to distribute it. For this, you'll have to go beyond Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo.
Upload your trailer on top websites in your niche or genre, along with your personal website, your Amazon Author page, library catalogues, and distribution sites like OneLoad. Also, be sure to set up a computer to play the trailer during book signings.
If you'd rather hire a professional to create your book trailer, there's a few questions you need to keep in mind--
--How much will it cost?
--What can I expect?
--What will the pro do for me?
Prices range from $400 to $4,000, with $1,200 being the average. The more material and input you provide, the less it will be in price.
As to the last two questions, you'll have to discuss the details of the services a professional offers to provide.
With all this information, hopefully you'll be able to say "Lights! Camera! Action!" soon.
I bought this VT-49 Decimator because I thought it would make a good addition to the Imperial side of my Redshift Chronicles Campaign, and, I have to admit, because I felt it was really cool looking.
I'm happy to report that the same quality that went into making the Tantive IV was incorporated into this Imperial assault ship.
(Image: A VT-49 on patrol "out in The Black")
Like the Tantive IV Expansion Pack, this kit contains a beautifully detailed model, lavishly illustrated cards, playing aids and an additional scenario, Mission 11: Interdiction.
Several famous, or infamous, individuals in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (SWEU) are associated with their time spent aboard Decimators. Three of the four ship cards included in this kit are:
With my attempts at being cinematic, what I like most about this expansion pack is the model's scale seems appropriate to the other ship figures in my collection.
(A Decimator overtakes a possible smuggler)
While the members of the cast of characters listed above are long-gone by the current Redshift Chronicles Campaign, there'll still be plenty of Decimators patrolling the galaxy, giving non-Imperials grief.
Decimators are highly rated by other buyers, and are still available at a discount on the following sites: Miniature Market, Amazon.com and Boardgame Geek's Marketplace. (At this time, they're sold out on E-Bay).
Notes:
The clear-plastic stands in Pictures #2 and #3 were edited out, while the images were done over with an "ink sketch" program using Paint.Net.
The star mat used as a backdrop is by Monday Knight Productions, while the YT-1300 light freighter seen in the last picture, is actually a toy of unknown origin I bought from my friend Adrian.
Later this month, I plan to start working on Chapter 11.
I'm still exploring options on a new, webcomic-based format for this story. But I think I'll wait until I reach, or surpass 365 pages. Once I accomplish this, I'll have a year's worth of daily material to introduce Breakout from Bongolaan to a new audience.
In the meantime, I'd like to thank the "old audience" for your patience and support.
Chapter 10 is the initial fight scene in the Star Wars RPG (Role Playing Game) adventure this story was based on. Since it took place in the Presidential Palace's Ballroom, I thought a fitting theme song for this chapter would be--what else?--The Ballroom Blitz by Sweet.
While looking for a suitable Soundtrack Interlude for this chapter, I stumbled across the impressive music from Two Steps from Hell.
I felt their song Juggernaut best expresses the relentless advance of the battle droids.
As I start my work on Chapter 10, I'll be exploring new format options for this webcomic. I've been getting the feeling that using a blog format for this webcomic is becoming unwieldy, if it isn't already.
Normally, webcomics are formatted like Christopher Mills and Gene Gonzales' Perils on Planet X, with the most recent page displayed and an archive section, along with a cast of characters and other interesting side-sections.
I'd like to reformat Breakout from Bongolaan in this way, but I want to do it right--and only once. So for now, I'll be researching webcomic set-ups and templates.
Webcomic writers usually post 1-3 new pages per week. Due to the nature of my job, with its rotating shift, I won't be able to duplicate this kind of schedule. I'd rather continue my updates in chapter-sized chunks.
Your patience is appreciated and I hope you enjoy the story.
Now this is the reason I'm delving into the Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game: The Tantive IV Expansion Pack.
I've been eyeing this beauty for a few weeks, debating on whether or not to buy it. Last Friday, I gave in to temptation and purchased the only model at Apocalypse Gaming Center, where I bought the X-Wing core set, which I discussed at length in my previous post.
In fact, I bought the core set after I decided to buy the expansion pack.
And like the X-Wing core set, the Tantive IV Expansion comes with a variety of lavishly colored cards and playing aids. In addition to a small rule book is the campaign game, Point of No Return, which includes a Progress Sheet.
The model itself is beautifully painted and finely detailed, made of the same hard plastic as the smaller fighters.
The complaints less-than-five-star raters had, dealt primarily with quality issues; such as missing and/or broken parts, cards and playing aids. Others were expecting something along the lines of a static display model. Then there was one outlandish review that I'm assuming is a joke. (There's always one in a crowd isn't there?).
I'm certainly happy with my new addition to my fleet, and look forward to taking the Tantive IV/Alderaan's Vengeance out for a spin, whether in an actual game, or staged photo shoot.
Note:
There's a Support Page available to help run X-Wing game sessions and tournaments.
However, I came across an expansion pack that sparked my interest in the game. I'll discuss what motivated me to alter my thinking in the next Product Review post.
For now, I'll give you my impressions of the core game, which consists of 1 x Rebel X-Wing and 2 x Imperial TIE Fighters. The game also consists of specialized dice, colorful data cards, figure stands, and playing aids; along with a quick start and standard rule booklet. The 28-page rules can be downloaded as a PDF, courtesy of Fantasy Flight Games (FFG).
The miniatures themselves are finely-detailed and pre-painted, made of hard plastic. I was hoping the figures would be the same size as Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) discontinued line of SWM: SB, but they're noticeably larger.
Left: A TIE Fighter from FFG's Star Wars X-Wing
Right: The same TIE Fighter from WotC's Star Wars Miniatures
Not too much larger though. It may even be possible to integrate the WotC figures with the FFG ones, provided some enterprising wargamer has created the appropriate playing aids.
The quality of FFG's figures is an improvement over the WotC's ones. The hard plastic ensures the miniatures are straight. They may be more brittle, than the softer WotC ones, but they don't obviously droop either.
Star Wars X-Wing retails for $39.99, but can be found cheaper in on-line stores like the Miniature Market. I purchased my set from Apocalypse Gaming Center in the McChord Field Base Exchange. The store offers a 10% off, military discount for active duty members and retirees. But you don't skip out on paying WA State sales tax.
Yeah, I could have saved even more money going buying from the Miniature Market, especially since it offers free shipping on orders over $99. But I like supporting game stores in my local area too. And since expansion packs, usually containing one figure, run from anywhere from $9.99 to $61.49, not to mention all the plethora of Litko Game Accessories, it's easy to rack up an order well beyond the $99 Threshold.
Yup. I'm speaking from experience.
I'm happy with my purchase because I intend to incorporate some (most?/all?) of the game mechanics into my slow-brewing Star Wars Legacy Era campaign.
The reviews on Amazon.com are overwhelmingly positive: 131 x 5-star and 35 x 4-star ratings. There are however, an even dozen of less-than-stellar reviews (7 x 3-stars, 3 x 2-stars and 2 x 1-star reviews).
While my first impressions of Star Wars X-Wing is good, I think the "meh" raters may have a point. Unless you are a Star Wars fan, as I am, then the game may indeed be a less-than-exciting session of: Move ships, roll dice, repeat.
Let the Force (along with your personal finances and available storage space) guide you in deciding whether or not to buy Star Wars X-Wing.
In this chapter, Bunda Akhtar launches the second stage of his coup: Hunter-Killer Assault Vehicles (HKAVs), like the one pictured above, attack key facilities in Bongolaan's capital, Ratankiri, represented by the map found in Traveller Double Adventure 6: Night of Conquest/Divine Intervention.
I've been using the Star Wars Miniatures throughout this webcomic to represent individual characters. Now it's time to take a more epic view to illustrate how these events influence the characters' decisions and actions.
For this I used my micro-scale (6mm, 1/285 or 1/300) collection modern and sci-fi armored fighting vehicles. The modern vehicles are made by GHQ, while the sci-fi ones came from a US distributor of Ground Zero Games.
For this chapter's soundtrack, I chose Lux Aeterna--Requiem for a Dream, which is apparently a popular song used in computer games. I just listened to this in it's entirety and I feel it provides a dramatic musical representation of the end of the Galactic Alliance's last planetary government.
The Soundtrack Interlude for this subplot of intrigue and possible betrayal is, Whiskey in the Jar by the heavy metal band Metallica.
I hear this song regularly at one of the gyms I go to and am always intrigued by the lyrics. Through a bit of on-line research, I discovered Whiskey in the Jar a lot older than metal music. It's is an Irish folk song about 17th Century Highwayman betrayed by a woman. After listening to several versions--from the traditional, sung by the Dubliners; to classic rock by Thin Lizzy and the Grateful Dead--I still like Metallica's the best.
Which is an odd departure for me, because I'm not a heavy metal fan. Maybe it has something to do with trying to find a style of music that may fit Sei'do Avari's shady nature and conjuring up a possible back story?
And speaking of back story: Neela, the Farghul pictured above was never part of the Star Wars Role Playing adventure this story is based on. A couple things inspired me to concoct this subplot.
First, was coming up with a plausible explanation for Sei'do, the party's scoundrel, to go along with the group's actions as the story unfolds. The second source of inspiration came from this photo by Tice Lerner:
This picture is one of many from the Masquerade in the Mansion, held at Roberson Center in my hometown of Binghamton, NY on New Year's Eve. In my over-active imagination, the above image of New York City model Sarah Tilyou and photographer Dillon Utter, has "conspiracy" written all over it. Not to mention filling in as the Galactic New Year's Eve party in Bongolaan's Presidential Palace. The real-life images also covers for my lack of non-combatant figures.
Finally, Sarah's cat mask then led me to choose the Breela figure from my Star Wars Miniatures collection as Sei'do's former associate.
Well it's been nearly 11 months since I posted Chapter Six of my webcomic Breakout from Bongolaan. With the exception of my father-in-law passing away, this year-long binge of "Life getting in the way" has been filled with happy occasions. However I was left with little time to add to the story in terms of both pictures and narrative.
Because so much time has lapsed between Chapters Six and Seven, I thought I'd include a synopsis as a refresher. Although for anyone new to the story, I recommend you read webcomic itself:
It is the last day of the year 129 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin, annotated as Stardate 365-129 ABY). The citizens of the planet Bongolaan are celebrating the Galactic New Year, along with the election of a new president, Zeveg Bharzi.
However, the former president, Bunda Akhtar, has decided he doesn't like being a former president and is planning a comeback coup. Despite having only two cohorts of battledroids available, Akhtar is confident he'll succeed, because reinforcements are on the way.
After defeating the Galactic Alliance at the Battle of Caamus, the Imperial fleet overran the Core and Mid Worlds and is now sweeping through the Fringe. One such Imperial task force is now dropping out of hyperspace and is bearing down on Bongolaan.
Meanwhile, four offworlders have gathered at the Presidential Palace Masquerade Ball and are awaiting the arrival of President Bharzi and his entourage.
Cad So Billes: A Durosian shuttle pilot for the Jedi Support Corps. He's spent the past year on Bongolaan flying supplies, equipment and personal to various work sites.
Callithea Lockridge: "Calli" is the shy administrative assistant to the Tarsan Ambassador, Fitzroy Heraud. She's scheduled to leave Bongolaan the next day and return to her homeworld of Tarsus.
Sei'do Avari: A man of questionable background and reputation, but appears to have considerable technical skills. Is suspected by Cad of being up to no good, but has been vouched for by Nance.
Nance Windu: Claims he's not a Jedi, despite being the Jedi-in-charge of the earthquake recovery effort on Bongolaan for the past year. Unbeknownst to his companions, Nance is haunted by an evil Force Spirit.
By the end of Chapter Six, Calli's comlink conversation with her ambassador was disrupted by interference, assumed to originate from an approaching thunderstorm. Ambassador Heraud, along with the Twi'lek singer Shiri Blen and her Rodian agent Geelo, are currently on the outskirts of the capital city, Ratankiri, with the presidential motorcade, getting ready to lead New Year's Eve Procession to the Presidential Palace.
In actuality, the communications disruption is the opening phase of Bunda Akhtar's coup.
It's about to rain on everyone's parade, but first there's some loose ends to tie up...
After a considerable delay, which I posted about here, Breakout from Bongolaan's Chapter 4, starting on page 85, has been posted.
This chapter is longer than the previous ones, because it introduces three characters simultaneously. The story is based on my first Star Wars Role Playing Game (RPG) session and the trio seen in the above photo were run by the players. For this reason, I felt extra time and space was needed to delve into the circumstances that force these characters together.
The soundtrack interlude to this chapter is: When the Levee Breaks, by the ladies of Zepparella. I thought this tune evoke the sense of danger and despair in the face of an approaching storm.
Regarding the blogs themselves, I've made two major changes to the way I'll be posting my graphic novels.
First, I've included the title page and chapter pages into the page count. This way, the page numbers in the normal viewing mode coincide with the page numbers in slideshow mode.
Pages 30-47 have been added to Breakout from Bongolaan, which can also be found under the Studio Pages tab.
Along with the new pages, I've added a new feature: Soundtrack Interludes.
I collect soundtracks to the movies I love. While writing this story, I often daydream about the type of music that might fit each scene, as if it were a movie.
After nearly a year-and-a-half, I finally posted the first chapter of my third on-line graphic novel, Breakout from Bongolaan. The story is based on the initial Star Wars role playing adventure, set in my Redshift Chronicles Campaign, which can be viewed under my Studio Spin Offs Tab.
Not only did I post Chapter 1, but I launched a "media blitz" and uploaded a "book trailer" on to YouTube.
This is not a typical graphic novel, but an art form known as fumetti, or photonovel. In this and upcoming stories, I used figures from Wizards of the Coast, Star Wars Miniatures figures, in place of drawings. I tried to cram in as much narrative and dialogue into each picture without crowding out the image or slowing down the pace. But I couldn't include all the material I wrote in Pam Binder's Popular Fiction I class. So I had to do some extensive editing and in most cases relied on images, rather than words, tell the story.
To start things off, I followed the advice of Bob Mayer and introduced the villain first.
Why?
Because he sets events in motion. Remember in Star Wars: Episode IV, we're introduced to Darth Vader, before we meet Luke Skywalker.
So without further adieu, allow me to introduce to you Bunda Akhtar...
Acting on a hot tip from a brothel, Special Group One (SG1), ventured into the Heliax Mountains to search for rebel operative Ly Mantok. Using nap-of-the-earth flying, the group set their Ghtroc-720 freighter down within a few kilometers of a suspected rebel training camp.
The four beings selected as the landing party were: Peros (Seth), Pepsor (Daniel), Garik Starka (Ted) and the Trandosian soldier Bossk (Kayla).
The party evaded the inexperienced security patrol and came within several hundred meters of the rebel camp. Despite the malfunctions of their visual tracking equipment, the party determined neither Ly Mantok, nor his associates were among the inductees in the camp.
They made their way to the starship parked less than a kilometer from the camp.
The ship, which turned out to be the Consular-Class CruiserExplorer, was left unguarded and the access hatches were open. The team entered the vessel, hoping to catch the bridge crew by surprise. Unfortunately, the rebels were waiting for them.
When the team opened the blast doors, a fire fight erupted on the Explorer's bridge. Events took a turn for the worse, when the rebel Wookie Odene Hobar and the young Jedi, Robi Samuul entered the fray.
Garik was shot by Hobar's deadly bowcaster.
Because of the seriousness of his wound and his exposed position, Garik played dead for the remainder of the firefight. Despite the surprise attack by the Wookie and the Jedi, SG1 managed to turn the tide of the battle. Vudot Vodot, the rebel Jedi/Scout, was critically wounded, while Pepsor cornered Ly Mantok at the pilot's station.
The remaining rebels quickly surrendered when their leader gave up. Once the ship and prisoners were secured, SG1 took off and rendezvoused with their freighter and team mates.
Each of the rebels was brought before Pepsor and the Durosian pilot, Tren Luk (Ted), who were both skilled at persuasion. Robi, the first one to be interviewed, broke down in tears after several minutes of mild questioning. He was despondent over his failure and talked about how he could never face his teacher again--the Jedi Master Yoda, living on Degobah.
The Sith Adept, Kess (Adrian) employed his dark arts to block Robi's emotions from the Force and possibly communicating with Yoda. After all the rebels were questioned, Kess informed Tren and Pepsor that he "could not feel" Robi's thoughts any longer.
The team immediately went to Robi's cell, only to discover the young Jedi hung himself using various articles of clothing.
Not knowing SG1 consisted of Imperial operatives, the remaining rebels decided to cooperate, especially after given food, water and medical treatment.
After the interrogations, the stormtroopers were called in to clean out the rebel training camp and the team met with their contact Moff Jenkins on board his stardestoyer. He then brought them up to date on the current situation within the system. While SG1 was rounding up rebels, civil war broke out on Heliax. Grand Moff Argon raised planetary taxes without the Emperor's approval, putting the system one step closer to open rebellion.
In Jenkins opinion, Grand Moff Argon is incompetent. If he could be removed, Jenkins would be next in line for Argon's position and could restore the situation on Heliax. Of course, it would take far too long for the Imperial bureaucracy to draw up the necessary orders to fire Argon. If SG1 could help "expidite" matters, Jenkins would be very appreciative.
For SG1, however, one level of intrigue apparently isn't enough. As soon as the team returned to their two-ship flotilla, they received a message from Grand Moff Argon. He expressed his appreciation for their work at cleaning out Heliax of rebel scum and everyone on the team is cordially invited to the formal dinner he's hosting in their honor...
.JPG)
