Mission to Akuria II

The Battle of Akuria II was a battle between the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the Galactic Empire on the ice world of Akuria II a short time after the Battle of Yavin.

Buildup
Following the Battle of Yavin, Princess Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker were sent on a mission to contact Colonel Odan, a Rebel commander stationed on Akuria II. However, when they arrived, they were greeted by an impostor of Odan who took them aboard the commandeered War Sled. The two Rebels were suspicious over the impostor's true identity, due to his inability to recite Rebel codes, confirming who he said he was. Eventually, the Rebels discovered the deception, but they were overpowered by the impostor, who interrogated them hoping to discover the Rebellion's future plans. However, when he was unable to obtain any information, he decided to try a new tactic. The Imperial commander tied Skywalker into the War Sled and then sent it on a collision course with the Geyser Sea. The commander hoped to force Organa to talk, promising that he would save Skywalker from his death if she would reveal the Rebellion's plans. However, the real Colonel Odan arrived with the Snow Demon Fafnir to save Skywalker. After rescuing the Rebel from the doomed War Sled, the group escaped on power skis. The Imperial commander attempted to flee the scene back to the Empire's Polar Base, but he was pursued by Skywalker and Odan. Skywalker was able to stop the Imperial, rescuing Organa. With their captive in tow, the Rebels continued to the Imperial's Polar Base, and when they arrived, they forced the Imperial to transmit the proper access codes, opening the energy gates to the base.

Battle
"The Imperials have hunted 'em like animals for years. They've been itchin' to strike back. A break in these defenses is all they needed, Skywalker."

- Odan

After the gates had opened, the Rebels wedged their Snow Flyer in the gateway. The group then departed the craft and detonated it, blasting a hole in the gate, and disabling the energy field. With the base vulnerable, Fafnir led the native Snow Demons in an assault on the structure. Riding power skis, the Snow Demons flooded the opening, overwhelming the base. The blaster cannons arrayed on the top of the base had been arranged to expect an aerial attack, and they were caught off guard by the assault. During the confusion, the Imperial commander escaped from his captors into the base, commanding his forces. Hoping to quell the uprising, the Imperials tried to raise TIE fighters. However, at the same time, Skywalker and Organa has entered the base, and they prevented the Imperials from boarding their starfighters, commandeering the craft for themselves. Using the fighters to their advantage, the Rebels eliminated the blaster cannons that were arrayed to defend against ground attack, leaving the Snow Demons free to continue their assault. The Imperial commander, ordered the blaster cannons to shoot down the two TIE fighters, but the Rebels were careful to stay low to the ground, keeping out of range of the Imperials.



In a final run, Skywalker trained his weapons on the same gun emplacement where the Imperial leader was commanding. Skywalker's blasters destroyed the blaster cannon, killing the Imperial commander in the process. With their leader slain, the Imperials succumbed to the onslaught, allowing the Rebels to conquer the base. Several fighter patrols had to be dealt with before final victory, but a quick sweep by Organa and Skywalker eliminated the remaining Imperials, securing the world for the Rebellion. To the cheers of the victorious Snow Demons, Skywalker and Organa departed their TIE fighters, celebrating their triumph over the Imperials. Colonel Odan, thankful for the two Rebels efforts, agreed to join the Alliance to Restore the Republic formally, claiming the world for the Rebellion.

Appearances

 * The Kingdom of Ice