Chapter 01: A New Tour of Duty

It was a beautiful day in the city of Mobotropolis. The sun was shining a bright as ever, the air was starting to clear up, the water was clearing up to be as clear as crystal once again, and there were plants growing all over the buildings' gardens. The newly refurbished Castle Acorn, built out of recycled metal and stone stood proud and tall, remaining a monument to the once proud rule of King Acorn. The Mobian people were now rebuilding their culture amongst the other cultures all over the galaxy. The Rebel Alliance Base on the planet and the Space Station above would protect this healing planet from any assaults by the Empire.

Inside the Castle, Princess Sally Acorn was in the control room, filling out reports and monitoring the events unfolding on the planet. But her peace was interrupted by Sonic, who ran into the control room and got her attention. He then said: "Well Sal, this is the life! No Buttnik to deal with here, everyone is happy, and I'm getting BORED!!"

Sally laughed at that thought and replied: "I know things have slowed down a bit too much for you, but in time, the Rebel Alliance will contact us for help again. Just be patient."

Sonic tapped his foot and then looked at his wrist device, which said: 1530 hours. "Okay, patience is up!"

Sally just groaned at how difficult Sonic could be sometimes. But then an alerter on the control console went off upon the hearing of a small Rebel craft approaching.

"A Rebel Alliance TC9 Hover Transport approaches, Sally. One passenger aboard." said NICOLE, the large computer on Sally's left arm.

"Well Sonic, today just might be your chance for some real excitement." said Sally.

"Way past cool!" said Sonic who grabbed Sally and ran for the secret garage where the Rebel Hover Transports could arrive without anyone noticing. When they arrived at the garage, the TC9 hovered through an access tunnel to the outside, and set down to allow it's passenger to exit. The passenger was the Freedom Fighter's Rebel Ally, Commander Kaylor Raeglan, who appeared to be quite pleased to see his friends again.

"Good to see you again, Sonic. Princess." he said after disembarking.

"Hello yourself, Kaylor." said Sally.

"So, the Alliance calls, I presume?" asked Sonic.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Sonic. I have received orders from Mon Mothma to take you to our main base on the Planet Hoth. I have also turned command of Stryker Team over to Cross, so that I may serve as your attaché to the Alliance." said Kaylor.

"Hoth?" asked Sonic. "Please explain, but keep it short, sweet, and in basic."

Kaylor then explained: "Hoth is the 6th Planet in its system. It's a snowy wasteland, so dress warmly. And, it fits the Rebel requirements for a base."

"Well then, Sonic, gather the Freedom Fighters and get the Star Tornado ready." ordered Sally.

"On it, Sal!" said Sonic as he ran for the hangar, where the other Freedom Fighters: Tails, Antoine, Bunnie, Rotor, and Dulcy were tinkering with the groups' YT-2000 Transport, the Star Tornado. Inside the vessel were the Freedom Fighters' R2, R3, and R5 droids, along with Sonic's droid ally, Teero, who was a former interrogator droid that freed Sonic from capture. Teero now had a vocabulator installed in him, allowing for speech, and he also had his torture tools replaced by utility tools for use by the Freedom Fighters, allowing him to perform various utility duties for the Freedom Fighters when out on missions. Sonic quickly informed them of their new assignment with the Rebel Alliance.

"Hey Sonic, do you think we'll see Luke, Han, Chewie, or Leia again?" asked Tails.

"Sure will." said Kaylor walking into the hangar. "Along with R2 and 3P0, they're all there. General Rieekan is in charge of the Rebel Forces there. Now, there's no time to waste! Gather up some arctic gear and let's roll!"

The Freedom Fighters complied and they all climbed aboard, and set off for Hoth.

Meanwhile, deep in space, aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor, was a conference between Darth Vader, Dr. Robotnik, Snivley, General Veers, Admiral Ozzel, and Captain Piett about finding the main Rebel Base and tensions were now growing high between them.

"We have had no leads on finding their secret base, and my patience starts to wear thin. Do any of you have any ideas?" asked Vader.

"I may have a suggestion, Lord Vader." said Robotnik. "I could sent in one of my droid replicants to infiltrate the Rebels…."

"We'd have to capture one alive, study physical characteristics and get it perfect!" interrupted Admiral Ozzel. "That will take time and we do not have it! We need swift progress now!"

Robotnik snarled at the Admiral for openly criticizing him: "For your information, Admiral, your simplistic and quick tactics are what's keeping us from…"

"Enough! Both of you! We will make no progress if you both bicker about what to do next!" shouted Piett.

Ozzel then turned to the Captain: "I didn't ask for your opinion, Captain! You should learn to keep yourself out of affairs like this, and…."

"ENOUGH!" shouted Vader as the three men looked on him and settled down. "As Grand Moff Tarkin once said: 'This bickering is pointless.' But I agree with the Admiral, we must gain a lead to the Rebel Base, the Emperor is beginning to grow impatient. Any suggestions?"

"My lord, I believe that if we launch a large group of probe droids, then we might have a chance of finding the Rebels." said Ozzel.

Robotnik didn't approve of the idea, and replied: "What good are Probe droids going to do with a one in a billion chance of…"

"That would be efficient enough for now." interrupted Vader. "Admiral, prepare the probe droids for launch."

"Yes, my lord. I will also have the other ships launch probe droids into the Outer Rim, that may be our best chance at finding the Rebel base." added Ozzel.

"Do it." said Vader as Robotnik and the officers bowed and left Vader's meditation chamber.