Dewbacks

Morte · Post by **Morte** » 2002-09-14 05:08am

Why were stormtroopers riding dewbacks in ANH?

Where those stromtroopers from the Devastator or were they a local garrison? It doesn't make much sense for a Star Destroyer to be carrying around dewbacks, in which case it would make sense for the stormtroopers to be locally based... then again, why use dewbacks in the first place? I can't see a single advantage they would have over a speeder of some sort.

nightmare · Post by **nightmare** » 2002-09-14 06:35am

"LUKE: It looks like Sandpeople did this, all right. Look, here are
Gaffi sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...I never heard of them hitting
anything this big before.

Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.

BEN: They didn't. But we are meant to think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sandpeople always ride single file to hide there numbers."

Feel enlightened..

Morte · Post by **Morte** » 2002-09-14 08:22am

What has that got to do with dewbacks? Your passage makes reference to banthas.

Also, the stormtroopers were on the dewbacks before they'd even discovered that it was droids in the escape pod... so that passage is pretty much irrelevant.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-09-14 08:26am

Indeed it was to hide their idenity

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2002-09-14 02:25pm

It was to hide their identity and fit in with the Sand People as well. Or, the Devastator suffered from a budget cut.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2002-09-14 04:24pm

Lucas said on the special edition that he wanted them there out of whimsy.

I like them, I want one, they seem to eat rock salt. Rock salt is cheap

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-09-14 06:36pm

I believe that some of those were Vader's personal troops from Devastator, but that there were also members from Tatooine divisions there, and that they had taken Dewbacks along.

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-14 09:06pm

Gathering what I can from the novel, there wasn't actually a local garrison. I would think though, that maybe they do have some troops stationed there. They would have called them in to aid thier search seeing how they would know the terrain a lot better.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-09-14 10:14pm

I don't agree, Cal_Wright. I think that we have ample evidence of a permanent Imperial presence on Tatooine. Consider that the Stormtroopers were clearly acting as law enforcement officers on Tatooine when the local asked them to step in to stop the fight. The stormtroopers there then agreed to check it out. Also consider that Luke's surprise upon hearing Obi-Wan talk about the killing of Jawas was not surprise that Imperial troops were on Tatooine (though that was his first encounter with Imperial forces in ANH), but that they were slaughtering Jawas. Also remember that BFC talks about how Obi-Wan had to flee not just to Tatooine, but to the desert in order to hide from Imperial troops, and how the Conquest and the other ISD in orbit (whose name I do not know), appeared to be stationed permanently around Tatooine. Finally, remember that Imperial forces were interdicting Jabba's shipments of spice. All of this leads me to believe that the Imperials had a permanent garrison in Tatooine.

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-14 10:39pm

Master of Ossus wrote:I don't agree, Cal_Wright. I think that we have ample evidence of a permanent Imperial presence on Tatooine. Consider that the Stormtroopers were clearly acting as law enforcement officers on Tatooine when the local asked them to step in to stop the fight. The stormtroopers there then agreed to check it out. Also consider that Luke's surprise upon hearing Obi-Wan talk about the killing of Jawas was not surprise that Imperial troops were on Tatooine (though that was his first encounter with Imperial forces in ANH), but that they were slaughtering Jawas. Also remember that BFC talks about how Obi-Wan had to flee not just to Tatooine, but to the desert in order to hide from Imperial troops, and how the Conquest and the other ISD in orbit (whose name I do not know), appeared to be stationed permanently around Tatooine. Finally, remember that Imperial forces were interdicting Jabba's shipments of spice. All of this leads me to believe that the Imperials had a permanent garrison in Tatooine.

Give me just a moment and agree you shall. There is not ample evidence to support such a claim. Merely EU records, most noteably from the crappiest sources possible. I don't ever recall Stormtroopers having to step in and stop anything. The cloaked spy is the only I saw who had any interaction with the troopers. Luke's surprise would have had to been to someone other than the sandpeople murdering the Jawas. Obi Wan stated that only Imperial troops would have been so precise. Likewise in the novel he continues that no one on Tatooine could shoot with such accuracy. The novelisation also concurs with the idea that there was no Imperial presence thier. Where early on Luke witnesses the Devastator taking Tantive IV and rushes to anchorhead. There Biggs and others make passive comments that the Imperials wouldn't bother with Tatooine. Ben urges Luke to understand that given enough time, you cannot hide from the oppresion and it would extend outward as well. (Which is now obvious, there were troops sent down and three ISDs in orbit.). Also, if there had been any Imperial vessels stationed around Tatooine they too would have been present at the opening when Devestator was attempting capture of the Tantive IV. However, using EU references, Han had to dump his cargo while leaving Kessel. Which is on the opposite end of the galaxy. It is a vague stretch outside of definite EU material to rationalise a garrisoned Imperial presence on Tatooine. Then again, it's possible something was there. [/quote]

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-09-15 12:33am

Morte wrote:Why were stormtroopers riding dewbacks in ANH?

Where those stromtroopers from the Devastator or were they a local garrison? It doesn't make much sense for a Star Destroyer to be carrying around dewbacks, in which case it would make sense for the stormtroopers to be locally based... then again, why use dewbacks in the first place? I can't see a single advantage they would have over a speeder of some sort.

http://www.daltonator.net/fanfics/stories/tk421.txt

The true reasons for dewbacks. It makes punishment even worse.

Morte · Post by **Morte** » 2002-09-15 02:30am

NecronLord wrote:Lucas said on the special edition that he wanted them there out of whimsy.

That's actually what prompted me to make this thread. What logical reason could there be for a stormtrooper to be riding a dewback? It just doesn't seem to make any sense.

It makes even less sense if there was no garrison on Tatooine. Why would an Imperial Star Destroyer be carrying dewbacks around? They would take up a lot of space (can't stack 'em up like you could a speeder) and you'd have to feed them.

Even if there was some kind of local presence, why dewbacks? Surely they can afford speeders.

I don't think the reason would be to hide their identity, simply because all they were doing was going to check out an escape pod. There's nothing wrong with going to check something out in the desert, is there? Furthermore, speeders don't leave a trail, dewbacks do. So if they were trying to hide their identity they would have used speeders. Please note that I'm not talking about the Jawa ambush here.

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-09-15 03:33am

Morte wrote:
NecronLord wrote:Lucas said on the special edition that he wanted them there out of whimsy.
That's actually what prompted me to make this thread. What logical reason could there be for a stormtrooper to be riding a dewback? It just doesn't seem to make any sense.

It makes even less sense if there was no garrison on Tatooine. Why would an Imperial Star Destroyer be carrying dewbacks around? They would take up a lot of space (can't stack 'em up like you could a speeder) and you'd have to feed them.

Even if there was some kind of local presence, why dewbacks? Surely they can afford speeders.

I don't think the reason would be to hide their identity, simply because all they were doing was going to check out an escape pod. There's nothing wrong with going to check something out in the desert, is there? Furthermore, speeders don't leave a trail, dewbacks do. So if they were trying to hide their identity they would have used speeders. Please note that I'm not talking about the Jawa ambush here.

Maybe its something to do with Imperial speeders not being equipped for use on Tatooine. We know that the rebels had problems with speeders on Hoth, maybe the Imps experienced something similar. Though they probably could have commandeered a local vessel.

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2002-09-15 04:45am

I guess that the stormies were local garrison forces who were joined by troops from the devastator, and the locals brought the dewback along. Why? Because you can't get your armor that dirty a few minutes after the landing (look sir, droids!).

Morte · Post by **Morte** » 2002-09-15 06:20am

weemadando wrote: Maybe its something to do with Imperial speeders not being equipped for use on Tatooine. We know that the rebels had problems with speeders on Hoth, maybe the Imps experienced something similar. Though they probably could have commandeered a local vessel.

Hmm... I can't say I really like this explanation. The rebels had just arrived on Hoth, that's why their speeders weren't yet modified for the cold - notice that the speeders worked fine the next day. If there was a local garrison then they certainly wouldn't have arrived a few days before. The concept of Imperial speeders not working on Tatooine is a little silly anyway, plenty of other speeders worked just fine. And if there was any kind modification to the speeders needed then that would be the first thing a garisson would do.

If there wasn't garisson we get back to the same problem: why would a Star Destroyer be carrying around dewbacks? It would be a lot easier just to have some speeders that are already adapted to conditions on a 'desert' planet.

Is there a more satisfactory answer to the question?

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-09-15 07:08am

No but the nice Novlesation states they where doing it to hide who was going where as Dew-backs where common and they bought a few rather than use Imperal Speeders BECAUSE PEOPLE WOULD NOTICE

Seriously when the CIA wants somone dead(This was an illeagle op) do they drive up in Black Cars with CIA on the side and Goverment lisence plates? Or do they use an Ice-Cream truck

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-09-15 11:13am

Morte wrote:
weemadando wrote: Maybe its something to do with Imperial speeders not being equipped for use on Tatooine. We know that the rebels had problems with speeders on Hoth, maybe the Imps experienced something similar. Though they probably could have commandeered a local vessel.
Hmm... I can't say I really like this explanation. The rebels had just arrived on Hoth, that's why their speeders weren't yet modified for the cold - notice that the speeders worked fine the next day. If there was a local garrison then they certainly wouldn't have arrived a few days before. The concept of Imperial speeders not working on Tatooine is a little silly anyway, plenty of other speeders worked just fine. And if there was any kind modification to the speeders needed then that would be the first thing a garisson would do.

If there wasn't garisson we get back to the same problem: why would a Star Destroyer be carrying around dewbacks? It would be a lot easier just to have some speeders that are already adapted to conditions on a 'desert' planet.

Is there a more satisfactory answer to the question?

Actually from the Ep4-6 ICS it would seem that the engineers on Hoth had been working for quite some time to get the Speeders to work.

As for Tatooine in the movies it is stated that nothing likes the desert. I think that it is an accpeptable conclusion.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2002-09-15 12:01pm

Hmm, I like the idea of their being an imperial garrison on Tatooine. I mean, with storm troopers being pretty much disposable, i can see them putting a garrison on every planet in the empire's sphere of influence. And Luke does state that he hates the empire, so, that means that he has either had some experience with them or knows alot about them.

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-15 12:40pm

Why does everyone assume that the Star Destroyer CARRIED Dewbacks? Who says they didn't confiscate the beasts?

Morte · Post by **Morte** » 2002-09-16 03:38am

Bean: could you please provide the relevant passage? Do you even realise that they were wearing STORMTROOPER ARMOUR? I mean, how much more obvious could it be that they were stormtroopers?

weemadando: This is the Galactic Empire... surely they would have a few speeders that can work in the desert? There were plenty of civilian speeders that worked anyway... it would be an enormous flaw to have to go riding dewbacks every time they're on a desert planet.

DG_Cal_Wright: could be, but still doesn't explain why they would use dewbacks... they could just as easily confiscate speeders (which would both work in the desert and 'hide' their identity, if need be).

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-09-16 03:54am

Morte. The stardestroyer likely wouldn't have been carrying speeders specially equipped for Tatooine. For any other desert yes, but not for Tatooine.

Morte · Post by **Morte** » 2002-09-16 04:39am

Sure, but why would those same speeders not work on Tatooine? What would make Tatooine any more hostile than any other desert? It doesn't seem that Tatooine would be any more harsh than any other desert planet - there certainly seems to be an abundance of life in the cities and there are all kinds of mechanical things that work on the surface. Even things that weren't made directly on the planet work - look at Maul's speeder, he didn't know where he was going before he set out, yet his speeder worked on Tatooine.

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-09-16 08:07am

I seem to remember from somewhere, possibly EU (sorry that I can't be specific) that a character was talking about how hard it was to get anything to work on Tatooine.

Also, I'm assuming that Mauls speeder, like everything else of his would have been no expense spared. Not like most military vehicles.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2002-09-16 08:17am

I don't know, the empire is a dictatorship, they usually have enormous milliatry spending.

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-09-16 08:30am

Then why aren't all TIEs the same design as the Sith Marauder? Why have mass-produced unshielded vessels? Especially when we know that by the time of the DS2 they have the tech and the industrial capacity to replace them ALL with TIE-defenders or advanced?

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Dewbacks

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