StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Some Rebel, in response to some Imperial, wrote:the ragtags aren't really that ragtag... they don't have as big a bankroll... but they have money and knowledge and a lot of other stuff. I mean yes compared to most imperial units the rebels aren't that great... but they are better then the pirates and crooks you try and make them look like.

I wrote:The "core" Alliance forces, sure. The guys we see in Episodes IV, V, and VI are obviously equipped reasonably well and appear to have enough resources for standard issue equipment (e.g., the DH17s and blast vests and helmets for the troops on board the Tantive IV). But the squad defending the hatch during the beginning of Episode IV was easily routed and quickly mopped up, with very few Imperial casualties, despite the fact that the Imperial troops had the notable tactical disadvantage of being forced to assault single-file through only one hatch. This is indicative of vastly superior training and equipment on the Imperial side, but I digress.

But until the time of Episode VI, the Alliance was forced to operate covertly; any open support for the Rebels was quickly stamped out by the Empire. They made a base on Dantooine, and promptly evacuated it before the Empire could find it and finish them. Their base on Yavin 4 would've been completely screwed and the Alliance dealt a mortal blow were it not for the actions of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. They relocate to Hoth; again, found and stamped out by the Empire. Even the large and well-defended Echo Base was utterly annihilated by a relatively small Imperial task force (an Executor-class and a handful of Imperial-class Star Destroyers with their ground force components - not exactly a large military presence).

A faction that is not even powerful enough to hold its own is not going to last long by itself against a galaxy-spanning Empire. So, you set up a network of "cells" - small guerilla units, easily recruited and spread throughout the galaxy. Each of these cells has bare minimum communication and connection with others, including the "core" cell as described in my first two paragraphs. In the event that one cell is compromised, which is very likely against afore-mentioned Empire, it will not be able to give up information on any of the other cells. This network, by its nature, is fragile and does not allow much in the way of central government from the core cell. The core cell is not often able to coordinate and control the other cells in an effective manner, so the other cells pretty much do what they want. Since these cells are often recruited from dissidents, anarchists, and anyone else who wants to hurt the Empire, terrorist actions and similar chaotic disturbances often result, not the coordinated military action the core cell is capable of. Consequently, they are labeled (very rightly so) terrorists, anarchists, etc.

So until I see Rebels ingame who are wearing some kind of uniform and are all 100% overt and acting like a military, I will treat them as ragtag terrorists, pirates, and crooks (which is what they are, essentially).

Stofsk wrote:Tangent: I always thought the crew on the Tantive IV were just glorified security personnel, capable at protecting against pirates and so on but hardly capable of standing against Stormies. I never really considered them standard Rebel soldiers from, what you call, the core cell.

JediNeophyte wrote:

Stofsk wrote:Tangent: I always thought the crew on the Tantive IV were just glorified security personnel, capable at protecting against pirates and so on but hardly capable of standing against Stormies. I never really considered them standard Rebel soldiers from, what you call, the core cell.

I'd be inclined to agree, however, we see one with the same uniform and gear IIRC on Yavin 4 as the X-Wings are scrambling.