HAMMER'S FIST STORMTROOPER LEGION

The new Prefect of the Legion, Verseede, recently e-mailed the following which may represent the first upcoming Battle for the Hammer's Fist...!

PRF/GN Verseede/LCF Exc 
From:    Verseede
To:     GA Ronin
 
TO: GA Ronin
Sir,
I will be delivering the new weapons,enemies,and level Designs. Admiral Tav B
will be making the levels with my help. I'll give you a quick run-through of
new levels:(they're all designed to have multiple DOOMers)
 
	Demolish smuggler base 
	Assualt on Hoth (historical Style Mission)
	Invade Rebel Nebulon-B Frigate
	Invade Rebel Calamari Cruser
   and Capture Rebel Corvette Carrying Secret Data Tapes(Multi-player or
get plastered by a lot of guards:)
    .....and more on the drawing board. 
					Sincerely,
					General Verseede
Smite
PRF/GN Verseede/LCF Exc

FC/GA Ronin/CF-1/SSD Avr 

The Fleet Commander intends to present a series of articles on the capabilities of the individual Stormtrooper Platoons within the Hammer's Fist. Since the details of the Zero-G Platoon and Cold Assault Platoon have been presented in previous Newsletters, this issue of Dark Sentinel will highlight the scout troopers of Third Platoon... 

The following was taken from The Star Wars Sourcebook (Bill Slaviscek & Curtis Smith, West End Games, 1987, pp. 105-106): 

"Unlike the other elite units, Imperial Scouts are usually assigned to garrison posts. At a typical Imperial garrison base, scout speeder bike squadrons perform reconnaissance and patrol missions in cooperation with AT-ST walkers. Imperial doctrine states that garrisons should remain active and aggressive, performing continuous patrols to establish a tangible presence, even on "pacificed" worlds. 

A scout troop consists of 40 men and 40 speeder bikes, as well as 10 service technicians to keep the bikes in good repair. Each troop contains four squadrons of 10 bikes each. In addition to the 40 scouts, one lieutenant and four sergeants command the unit. 

The Aratech 74-Z speeder bike is the core equipment of the Imperial scout troop. This small, one-man repulsorlift vehicle can attain speeds in excess of 200 kilometers per hour. A scout trooper controls the explosively quick vehicle by manipulating handle bar and foot pedal controls which move four small directional steering vanes on twin outriggers that extend from the front of the bike. Elevation and direction are determined through the use of two hand grips, located at shoulder level in front of the pilot. Speed controls built into rocker-pivoted foot pads provide maximum acceleration. The saddle section contains levers and knobs used for parking, weaponry and communications. The 74-Z has a self-charging energy source that allows a scout to explore and patrol far from base woithout worrying about fuel capacity. Speeder bikes are armed with a small blaster cannon and lightly armored for added protection. 

Because speeder bikes require sensitive handling, Imperial scouts wear highly specialized light-weight armor. It is more comfortable and maneuverable than the bulkier standard-issue stormtrooper armor. White body armor is attached to a black body glove, but some of the heavier armor plating has been replaced with lighter, more flexible padding. A breastplate with connecting shoulder, elbow, and forearm pieces, a wide utility belt, and a knee-to-boot armor complete the uniform. 

The helmet comes equipped with a built-in macrobinocular viewplate and sensor array that allows a scout to scan a 180-degree area while flying close to the ground. A miniature computer analyzes movement, stationary objects, and other details quickly, relaying the information to the scout across the top of his helmet's viewplate. Without these sensors, even the best bikers would be hard pressed to maneuver and steer through forests, canyons, and other terrain while moving so fast. The helmet also contains a built-in breathing apparatus to protect the scout at high speeds, and computers that map the areas they explore, producing a continuous record of the scout's mission. 

Scouts carry small automatic blaster rifles and pistols, as well as standard flares and concussion grenades, but rarely engage in heavy combat. If they run into strong enemy forces, scouts are directed to leave the area at once, calling in the location so that stormtrooper units can move in to deal with the situation."