[SoNE Free Build] Precious Cargo - Chapter 1: Lost in the Desert

[Rogue Angel]

Whipping winds swept across the rocky outcropping deep in the Tatooine desert. At a casual glance, you wouldn't notice it amongst the myriad ridges and canyons that riddled the desert, but on closer inspection you might see the camoflauge netting strung from the top of the rocks, or the intermittent movement of sentries patrolling the ridge.

This small depression was currently being utilized as an outpost by the forces of the Rebellion. It provided a stop over point on the trip between Mos Eisley and Mos Espa off the main travelled routes. It was remote enought that the inhabitants did not need to worry about chance Imperial patrols, but they were cautious nonetheless.

Inside the outpost, the Rebels were discussing there next move concerning the visitors that had just arrived. (See prologue -still coming)

Commander Eyno: "So if your credentials had passed, and the Imps had just provided your hyperspace vector, what went wrong?"

Pilot: "It was a total fluke, it never should have happened, but one of the Eyeballs - looked to be fresh out of the Academy from the way that thing was rolling - overshot a turn, and was correcting his flight path, which took him right past my ship. No one EVER gets close enough for visuals in the MidRim planets, there was barely any traffic there, so there should have been no reason.."

The pilot shook his head in frustration.

"...but I suppose the orange sticks out like a Ronto in a herd of Nerfs, and ever since Yavin, everyone assumes an orange flightsuit means Rebel... which this time it did. I had a spare flightsuit for landside, but it's a little tight in some places, and I didn't even think twice."

Commander Enyo: "And I suppose you were lucky to get out of their alive after that?"

Pilot: "I had practically matched my vector at that point. The Academy kid got a lucky shot as I was jumping and nicked my starboard engine. I reverted just after I jumped out of the system and changed course for Tatooine. I thought the hit was minor, but after looking at how much damage that engine took, I guess I was lucky I didn't end up floating in deep space forever."

Commander Enyo: "Well, we need to get your passenger to Mos Eisley so we can get her back in route to her destination. RogueAng, take the bike and head in to town. Talk to Rackiss and see how he wants this done.

RogueAng: "Yes sir. I'll pick up some more fuel cells for the speeder while I'm in town."

Commander Enyo" Right. We'll see you tomorrow."

Commander Enyo: "Miss... Corinth, was it? We'll wait for Rackiss to send someone out to pick you up. We could send you in now, but there's no use putting a new face in Eisley any longer than we need to. All we need is one low life to take interest in you and it would make your life a lot more difficult. You don't want to spend anytime then you need to in that Den of Scum."

Corinth: "Thank you very much sir. I appreciate everything you're doing for me."

Commander Enyo: "The truth is I hate to waste the time and beingpower. Every trip back to Mos Eisley risks someone getting caught by the Imps, but you seem to be pretty important to someone in the Rebel Command, so we want to get you back on your way as soon as possible."

Yelva: "Rogueang! Pick me up some Corellian Whiskey too!"

Yelva turned back to face the Commander

"You've got a way with words and with the ladies there Enyo, don't you."

"Corinth, don't worry about it, we'd be going out on a limb for you even if you were a lowly Dug speeder salesbeing. The Commander just likes to drone on about risks and time wasting any chance he gets."

Commander Enyo: "That's enough Yelva, weren't you going to take a look at that engine?"

- A few hours pass-

Rodian Rebel: "Ya goska dee tuzo! Beeda ni Dozno!!!!

Rebel Trooper: "What are Imps doing out here?! Commander-"

Commander Enyo: "I got it! Radna! Why didn't we pick these up hours ago? There's nothing out here but Tuskens and Jawas!"

Radna: "I don't understand it sir! I'm still not picking up anything. No ships, no speeders, not even a walker!"

Rodian Rebel: "Dee cozcoz Dewbak!"

Commander Enyo cursed and started shouting commands.

"Alright men, this is it! Yelva, try to get the girl out of here in your speeder. We'll cover for you as long as we can. Good luck and may the force be with you."

The Rebels positioned themselves for battle as the Imperials approached.

As the Imperials approached it became obvious that while they had better position, the Imperial forces far outnumbered them.

The second sun was just setting as the Imperials engaged.

Commander Enyo: "It's been an honor having you under my command! Let's hold them off for as long as we can to give Yelva a head start!"

The fight was short and vicious, but the outcome was inevitable. It was only a matter of time before the Imperials swarmed into the outpost.

It was a dark day for the Rebellion on Tatooine.

To be continued in Chapter 2

[Brickdoctor]

I like the idea of the camo net. Well-executed. The transition between the sand and the cliff seems a little too...uniform, I guess is the word, though.

I'm assuming that this is supposed to be a free build, since Ep. I's entry period has already ended. I'll edit the title and move it.

[MstrOfPppts]

The camo net is a nice idea even though it's a bit old school for star wars, but hey, you're rebels after all. I too am not too fond of the clif and would rather see the ground level be at the top of the clif. This way it would feel like the bunker is dug into ground. The escape door looks like a bit of a rushed play feature. I like the interrior with the generators very much and the figures are also nice. Another nice part is the brick built big gun in the last pics.

[WaysofSorting]

I think the focus of your story is present and accessible - the characters and their interactions - and if you keep doing these you'll get better the more you do. I like that the bunker is very playable and features cutaway to get your hands (and camera) in there. When I was in Afghanistan our Camo net was the best thing ever. It didn't hide us at all, but it definitely gave us shade. I enjoy it and the interior details, especially the ladder. One could argue about scale of the bunker build, but Lego is abstract, and I think the set is spot-on for abstracting the situation the right amount - I can picture hundreds of Stormtroopers scaling a 40 foot cliff in an immense battle, with a few rebels escaping - barely - with their lives.

Keep it coming -

[Nom Carver]

Great story and build, my only complain is the net, I dont know if the studs connect through the "holes" but if they do, you could have tried to connect a few plates to have a more desert pattern, other than that it looks very good.

[Rogue Angel]

Thanks for all the comments! I have updated some of the pics.

Brickdoctor - I think of the rock face as diving beneath the sand and the sand itself is collected in the bowl, which is why I didn't put in a smoother transition.

MstrofPppts - I think the netting can be right on for rebels. There is minimal electronic equipment, so there biggest risk is visual... normally. I also didn't want the outpost to be something the Rebels had put a lot of work into as it would probably be temporary, also, the escape passage was supposed to look rough all along, but after your comment, I couldn't not see it as a flaw, so I upgraded it.

Waysofsorting - I usually have much more story then most builders to try to get you attached to the characters. I'm hoping to continue with a few of them in later MOCs.

Nom Carver - thanks for the idea on the plates. I didn't want to use 2xs or 4xs because it would shade them more and the current supports would collapse. If I use this technique again, I'll use stronger supports.

[Bkrosell]

The sandy cliff side was done nicely, I see you used some snot building, great story too.

[Shadows of Nar Eurbrikka]

Judges have awarded you 3 XP! Your character's stats will be updated shortly.

[kermit]

Nice moc. You put a lot of work into the details of the sand dunes. Now only if an x-wing could fit inside.