2. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

4. Episode III STRIKE FORCE : SHANTIPOLE These are dark days for the Alliance. Widespread use of the NEBULON-B frigate and its mighty armaments by the Empire has all but virtually ended all raids on its convoys. Without the materials from those convoys, Rebel supplies have become dangerously low. This could spell the end for the Rebellion. But all is not lost. On a remote base in the Roche Asteroid Field, COMMANDER ACKBAR and his teams desperately work to complete a new starfighter capable of neutralizing the Nebulon-B escort frigates. Even now, a team of brave Rebel agents approaches the Roche Asteroid Field under orders to pick up Ackbar, his team, and the new starfighter prototypes and return with them safely to Alliance High Command. If they fail, then the struggle for freedom may indeed be over...

6. Roche Asteroid Field

8. Aboard the Rebel freighter, Out Runner…

9. “Interesting view. Hey, Vreego, sure you can handle this asteroid field?”

10. Aboard the Rebel freighter, Out Runner… “Interesting view. Hey, Vreego, sure you can handle this asteroid field?” *snorts* “Just you watch.”

11. Aboard the Rebel freighter, Out Runner… “Interesting view. Hey, Vreego, sure you can handle this asteroid field?” *snorts* “Just you watch.” “Commencing sensor sweep. Alliance signal receiver has located the homing broadcasts.”

12. “Send the data over to my screen. We just follow the signal to its origin, and it looks like we should be docking within the hour.”

13. “Good. The sooner we turn this holo-disk over to this Commander Ackbar, the better. Playing mail courier to outer rim systems isn’t my idea of a glamorous assignment.” “Send the data over to my screen. We just follow the signal to its origin, and it looks like we should be docking within the hour.”

14. “Good. The sooner we turn this holo-disk over to this Commander Ackbar, the better. Playing mail courier to outer rim systems isn’t my idea of a glamorous assignment.” “I don’t think you realize that disk is far more important than you give it credit. We’re stretched too thin and ships are too scarce for the Alliance to be sending us on frivolous missions.” “Send the data over to my screen. We just follow the signal to its origin, and it looks like we should be docking within the hour.”

15. “And we were specifically ordered to hand deliver the disk directly to Commander Ackbar.”

16. “Don’t forget! I saw Mon Mothma back at the base…”

17. “And we were specifically ordered to hand deliver the disk directly to Commander Ackbar.” “Don’t forget! I saw Mon Mothma back at the base…” “…talking to Commander Vandis right before the briefing. We know. You’ve told us. Twice.”

18. “Well, I did! How often do you expect to see the Chief of State of the Rebel Alliance herself stop by our little nothing of a base? And It was right before they gave us the code word. What, just a coincidence, you think?”

19. “Well, I did! How often do you expect to see the Chief of State of the Rebel Alliance herself stop by our little nothing of a base? And It was right before they gave us the code word. What, just a coincidence, you think?” “Code word? What was it,again?”

20. “Well, I did! How often do you expect to see the Chief of State of the Rebel Alliance herself stop by our little nothing of a base? And It was right before they gave us the code word. What, just a coincidence, you think?” “Code word? What was it,again?” “I believe the commander pronounced it, ‘bantha poodoo.’ According to the computer’s lexicon, the phrase originates with the Huttese culture and means –”

21. “Not now! Plotting a course into an asteroid field isn’t exactly as easy as it looks!”

22. “This is the first I’ve heard of an Alliance base located in a asteroid field before.”

23. “Not now! Plotting a course into an asteroid field isn’t exactly as easy as it looks!” “This is the first I’ve heard of an Alliance base located in a asteroid field before.” “If everyone heard about it, it wouldn’t be a secret now, would it? It’s nothing new. We’ve got several listening posts in asteroid fields, last I checked.”

24. “Besides, the Roche field just happens to be home to the engineers working with Ackbar on this secret project.”

25. “Secrets! Everyone’s got secrets! Just who are these so-called engineers, anyways?”

26. “Besides, the Roche field just happens to be home to the engineers working with Ackbar on this secret project.” “Secrets! Everyone’s got secrets! Just who are these so-called engineers, anyways?” “They call themselves the ‘Verpine.’ I understand the entire race lives within this asteroid field.”

27. “An impressive feat. So they’re the ones who’ve developed this weird-looking starfighter?”

28. “Weird-looking? This new B-wing assault fighter is supposed to be one of the most heavily-armed starfighters in the galaxy.”

29. “An impressive feat. So they’re the ones who’ve developed this weird-looking starfighter?” “Weird-looking? This new B-wing assault fighter is supposed to be one of the most heavily-armed starfighters in the galaxy.” “I’m receiving a reading on the full-spectrum transceivers. Sensors indicate approaching ships off our port side.”

30. “A Verpine welcoming committee, perhaps?”

31. “Sensors indicate silhouettes and energy signatures consistent with Imperial TIE fighters!” “A Verpine welcoming committee, perhaps?”

32. “Sensors indicate silhouettes and energy signatures consistent with Imperial TIE fighters!” “Imperials! Why does it always have to be Imperials?!” “A Verpine welcoming committee, perhaps?”

33. “Sensors indicate silhouettes and energy signatures consistent with Imperial TIE fighters!” “In that case, I take it back. This mission seems like it’ll be far more exciting, after all!” “Imperials! Why does it always have to be Imperials?!” “A Verpine welcoming committee, perhaps?”

34. Rosharr: “Energy spike! They’re preparing to fire!”