Chapter 3: The Empire Strikes Back

After the victory celebration the base on Yavin Four had to be evacuated, for one year the commanders of the rebel alliance moved from HQ to HQ always on the move to stay one step ahead of the Empire. Voyager had an active role in the Alliance, leading several raids on Imperial shipping. Its own Hazard Team conducted several covert operations against Imperial targets. Eventually, with help from an Alliance spacedock, Voyager's weapons were upgraded to include several turbolaser and ion cannon batteries, its shuttle bay was enlarged to handle another dozen fighters, and all of its shuttles were cannibalized to make as many Delta Flyer-class shuttles as possible. These small fighters were heavily armed with four pulse phasers, one type ten phaser strip going all the way around the ship and quantum torpedoes. They also carried dual shields. (Standard Starfleet shields and X-wing style shields). In addition each flyer had a mini-warp core and a hyperdrive. In all a dozen Delta Flyer-class ships were constructed from not only other shuttles but also materials native to this galaxy. Another dozen X-wing fighters gave the vessel two squadrons of fighters. Currently the Rebels were based at an ice planet known as Hoth. Voyager had landed inside a massive hanger, along with another dozen fighters and freighters scattered about. General Solo's Millennium Falcon was also upgraded to a single phaser array running the circumference of the ship, along with a dual transporter unit and a miniature warp core.

Luke's own Rouge squadron flew advanced X-wings modified with technology from Voyager. The laser cannons were replaced with pulse cannons and both proton launchers were modified to fire micro-quantum torpedoes. A single phaser emitter was added directly aft and controlled by the R2 unit. An automatic transporter system was added to help pilots escape otherwise certain death. These advanced X-wings also had dual shields.

Luke had gone to investigate an asteroid that had hit the ground near his position but disappeared shortly after. He had been knocked out by a Wampa and taken to its cave where he woke and escaped. There was a blizzard outside and he collapsed shortly before seeing Obi-Wan Kenobi fade into view. "Luke!" it said "You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda. The Jedi Master who instructed me." As the image disappeared he cried "Ben" and collapsed again just before seeing a Delta-Flyer class shuttle overfly his position.

After a few hours of Luke being missing, Han had taken a small team in a Delta flyer shuttle to go out and look for him. They found him just outside a Wampa's ice cave, his condition was deteriorating rapidly. Voyager's EMH had come with Han, and as soon as he was beamed aboard, the doctor began to treat him while the shuttle went back to Echo Base.

The Executer

Lord Vader had come up with a strategy to find the rebels hidden base. Several thousand probe droids were to be launched into the far reaches of the galaxy. Most officers in the fleet were doubtful about the strategy but no one voice their opinion.

One probe droid, which had landed on Hoth transmitted pictures of a shield generator just before it was destroyed by a certain smuggler.

"You found something?" asked Vader

"Yes sir, this image from a probe droid in the Hoth system it's the best lead we've had." Replied Admiral Piett.

The screen showed a standard planetary shield generator.

"That's it. The rebels are there."

"My lord, there are so many uncharted systems. It could be smugglers it could be-"

"That is the system, Admiral Piett set your course for the Hoth system. General Veers, prepare your men."

Ice Planet Hoth

Han was in the control center after bringing Luke back to base. General Rickann called Princess Leia over who was also in the control center. "Princess, we have a visitor."

"What is it?" she asked

"I don't know but I do have a strong metallic signature" said the sensor operator.

"Then it couldn't be one of those creatures."

"Could be a speeder one of ours." Said Han

"No, it's too small. Wait, I'm getting something." The operator put the signal through on speakers. C-3PO was nearby and remarked "Princess, this code is not used by the Alliance, it could be an Imperial code."

"It isn't friendly whatever it is, common Chewie let's check it out."

Han went out with Chewie to see what it was. Chewie poked his head out, and got shot at by the probe droid. Han popped up on the other side and shot it once. It returned fire and so did he, and then it exploded.

"What was it?" Leia asked over the Comm.

"Droid of some kind, I didn't hit it that hard, must've had a self-destruct."

"An Imperial probe droid."

"It's a good bet the Empire knows we're here."

"We'd better start the evacuation." stated Riekan.

"Leia to Janeway."

"Janeway here."

"We're starting the evacuation, get as many troops aboard as you can we'll load the speeders and use fighters for cover."

"Acknowledged."

Echo Base Main Hanger

Leia was briefing the pilots on the mission they would fly. "One squadron of fighters will stay behind to provide air cover for our troops in case the Imperials launch a ground assault, the three transports will be launched soon. There will only be a two-fighter escort per ship. The last transport will be Voyager; it will leave when all other ships and troops have been loaded. All other fighters will head out with it."

"Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?" asked one pilot.

"The Ion cannon will fire several shots to make sure any enemy ships will be out of your flight path, once you are out of the blockade proceed directly to the rendezvous point. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am" came the pilots reply

"Good luck."

An hour later the sensor operator reported, "Sir, I'm picking up a fleet of Star Destroyers coming out of hyperspace in Sector 4.

On Voyager, troops and supplies filled whatever cargo holds were left. Janeway was on the bridge preparing the ship for the inevitable battle to come. "Mr. Tuvok, put the Imperial fleet on tactical."

"Aye, Captain. Linking with Echo Base Central Computer now."

The viewscreen lit with a tactical display provided by Echo Base planetary sensors.

"Hmmm, Tuvok send a message to the Ion cannon fire control center, tell them to concentrate their fire on that Star Destroyer there. If we disable that ship, we can send our transports through that gap." Pointing to a ship filling a gap in the blockade.

"Aye sir."

Echo Base Ion Cannon Fire Control Center

The first transport lifted off along with its two ship escort. General Riekann was in the center. "Prepare to open shield standby to fire. Target the Star Destroyer that Janeway suggested."

"Standing by, ready to fire."

"Fire at will."

The Ion Cannon opened up, and a hole opened in the shield. The three ships passed through it. Three ion cannon shots lanced up over the starboard side of it. The three shots hit the Star Destroyer, disabling the shields and causing its electrical systems to short out. The three ships flew past the battleship and jumped into hyperspace.

Echo Base Main Hanger

The main hanger lit up with cheers as the announcement went through. "The first transport is away. The first transport is away." Luke Skywalker jumped up a ladder and sat down in the cockpit of his X-wing. "Rouge Leader to Echo control, requesting takeoff."

"Acknowledged, Rouge Leader, standby."

The Executer

The officer walked into Lord Vader's private chamber. "What is it General?" he asked

"My lord, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed. Comscan has detected an energy field protecting an area of the sixth planet of the Hoth system. The field is strong enough to deflect any bombardment."

"Admiral Ozzol came out of hyperspace to close to the system."

"He felt surprise was wiser-"

"He is as clumsy as he is stupid. General, prepare your troops for a surface attack."

"Yes my Lord."

Lord Vader turned around and a screen appeared with the Admiral and Captain of the Fleet.

"Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed and we're preparing to-"

The Admiral began to choke. He couldn't breathe.

"You have failed me for the last time Admiral. Captain Piett, make ready to land Veer's troops. Deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off the system. You are in command now Admiral Piett." Said Lord Vader.

"Thank you Lord Vader." Replied the newly-promoted Admiral as Admiral Ozzol collapsed.

Piett nodded to some troopers off-screen, as the channel closed.

Echo Station 3TA

A rebel trooper used his binoculars to see far ahead. He spotted what looked like large columns. But as he raised the device he recognized them as AT-ATs. He punched a button on his forearm. "Echo Station 3TA, we have spotted Imperial walkers."

Echo Base

"Rouge Leader this is Echo control, permission granted, good hunting."

"Roger, ok Rouges, let's take it to them."

The X-wings lifted off and flew out of the hanger towards the Imperial walkers.

"Lock S-foils in attack position, two flight, hit the port walker, three flight, hit the starboard walker, one flight on me. We're going to take out that middle walker."

The X-Wing squadron broke into sections and swarmed the walkers. The X-Wing lasers punched several holes in walker armor. The X-Wings passed and banked around. Three proton torpedoes flew out. Three walkers fell to the ground.

"Echo Station 3TA, walkers are down, but there are stormies on the ground they are headed your way."

"Acknowledged."

The rebel troops in the trenches readied their rifles. Most were equipped with the compression rifles replicated from Voyager. A private spotted a snow trooper and opened up at long range. Due to the distance it took three shots to take him down. A sergeant yelled "Hold your fire until their within effective range, take them down with one shot." A moment later a laser bolt flashed over the trench. "Never mind, fire at will!" the same sergeant said. At once all troops opened fire. Sheets of Compression Rifle fire went downrange taking down several troops. Darth Vader was among them deflecting blasts with his lightsaber. There were still too many. "Begin retreat!" The soldiers jumped out of the trenches and began an orderly retreat. Troopers covered each other while the others retreated. Meanwhile the second transport had already lifted off and jumped to hyperspace. The third transport was waiting on the retreating troops. The troops ran straight from the field onto the ramp into the transport. Voyager, loaded whatever it could which included the command staff. Meanwhile Han and Leia tried to get to the Falcon but a collapse prevented them from getting to the ship. "Solo to Falcon, lock onto my signal and standby to transport two."

"Acknowledged, transporters locked."

"Energize."

Han and Leia materialized on the Falcon's transporter pads. Ensign Vorik was on loan from Voyager to help integrate the new systems into the ship was already onboard. "Vorik, see if you can find Chewie and 3PO with the transporters then get them aboard. We have to get out of here in a hurry."

"Aye sir."

Han ran into the cockpit. Flipped a switch, the ship tried to power up but died immediately. Han hit the area with a fist and the ship came alive. "This bucket of bolts is never gonna get us past this blockade." Said Leia as she followed him in.

"This ship's gotta few surprises left in her sweetheart."

Meanwhile, Imperial troops had already entered the empty base. They were approaching the hanger.

From the underside of the Falcon, a door slid open and a small pulse cannon dropped down, turned to the Imperial troops and opened fire. By this time Chewie and 3PO were already aboard. The Falcon lifted off and flew out just as Lord Vader arrived. Voyager had also lifted off and was headed for the edge of the system. A Star Destroyer blocked its way though.

"Tuvok, fire two transphasic torpedoes. That should get them out of our way."

"Aye captain, firing torpedoes."

Two torpedoes rang out. The first blew a large hold in the hull of the destroyer. The second hit near engineering causing a reactor overload. The destroyer exploded as Voyager reached it. The starship flew through the debris and jumped first to warp. Once the ship was out of the system it came out of warp and jumped to hyperspace.

Meanwhile the Falcon was under fire from Imperial ships.