Cracken's Rebel Field Guide (Page 8)

Fellow Rebels In The Field

I've been told that a lot of you are familiar with my exploits and that you consider me something of a legend. I don't see why you should. Every one of you are heroes, and some day your stories will be legendary as well. Your membership in the Alliance shows that you have tremendous bravery, conviction, and character.

However, I do have a few years on most of you. Rebel HQ thought it would be advantageous if I passed on some of my field experience.

The Rebel Alliance, of course, does not have the resources and funds to go shopping for supplies. Sometimes it receives new equipment or donations from systems or corporations that have thrown their loyalty to the cause, and for that the Alliance is grateful, but for the most part troops make do with what is at hand.

This datafile was written with this understanding. What few supplies the Alliance has must be carefully doled out to major operations. This datafile is for those of you who pave the way for the major offensives by getting behind Imperial blockades, making diplomatic contacts with beleaguered star systems, running covert operations to obtain documents, and other important missions.

In short, this datafile is for the Rebel on the go who doesn't have much backing him up.

The information herein depends on a familiarity with technology. We live in an age of technological marvels - and dangers. You must all become familiar with the way things work. It is not enough that machines do tasks for you, for with that attitude you are imprisoned by the abilities of the machinery. You must be able to make the machine do what you need it to do. If you can't handle technology, you're no better than a Throg-bellied, soft-spined, blue-haired Angroosh who doesn't stand a chance in the Alliance the minute things get rough.

Technology, however, can be seductive. Over my lifetime I've seen a proliferation of cybernetic enhancements in black market trade. Too many people, especially the youngsters, want to get an edge over the universe with electronic implants. While a prosthetic to replace a lost organ or limb is a valid choice, the desire to rebuild your body simply to be better . . . I don't think I need to spell this out, but you're giving up part of yourself when you do that. And you can't give up yourself without paying a steep price.

I've included some of the cybernetic packages in this volume so that you're aware of what's out there- not so you'll run out and buy one. You should know that there still exists a great prejudice in the galaxy against cyborgs. To be part machine is to earn the distrust of almost everyone you run into. From what I've seen of what happens to people who start to rely on these machines, the mistrust is well founded.

I also want you all to think about the importance of information. The new kids coming up think this war is all about zipping around in under-armored starfighters. The real battle is fought with information! How do they think the Alliance won the battle of Yavin? Skywalker wouldn't have been able to do Bantha poot with his X-wing if he hadn't gotten those plans to the Rebellion!

Anyway, these are the random recollections of a man who spent a great deal of time making it up as he went along. I pray that you find the same success that I did.

May the Force be with You,

General Airen Cracken