Monday, Strip 73 -- Cache Worlds are detailed in the Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, though as a concept, they predate that source. That this cache is a mine that appears to belong to the Clan Alya cements Borsk Fey'lya's ties that would eventually see him as part of the New Republic (and Chief of State someday!)

I like the idea of presenting starship travel as a skill that needs to be developed and not something anyone can do off the street (Han did goad Luke with a, "who's gonna fly it, kid" line, after all). It also helps to make Raal very useful to Sammie and Kestrel, who in more martial applications can take care of themselves.


Tuesday, Strip 74 -- Y-wings as two seaters was introduced in 1978, with both Splinter of the Mind's Eye and the Star Wars Holiday Special portraying the extra seat. West End Games went to explain the variation.


Wednesday, Strip 75 -- The original "Rebel Breakout" had an optional scenario that pit the Y-wings against approaching AT-AT walkers, which seemed like one big action set piece too many at this point. Also, it always struck me as a misstep in the original adventure, since a well lobbed proton torpedo would make short work of the AT-ATs, and the first rulebook never covered vehicle-to-vehicle combat like this.

Thursday, Strip 76 -- I adapted the idea of a rear-facing gunner from the snowspeeder, which some sources describe as having been refitted from Y-wings anyway, so it makes sense, but given other precedents, it's safe to assume not all multi-seater Y-wings have rear-facing passengers.

And yeah, you'd expect Raal to fly with Kestrel, but then I couldn't get this closing monologue out. It's meant to bookend the original monlogue from the start of Rookies: Rendezvous.

Friday, Strip 77 -- Here we find out who exactly Raleigh Dawn is, and why Kestrel was so interested in finding out the bounty on Dawn. (See Rookies: Rendezvous #25)

Monday, Strip 78 -- Raal's feeling better about things. The opportunity to fly a starfighter will do that, I suppose. And, his timeframe, plucked arbitrarily at 'five years', actually works rather well with the timeline...

Tuesday, Strip 79 -- A preview for the next Rookies strip, now in scripting stage. It will be a completely original story, so even old school gamers won;t necessarily be able to predict where it's going.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading Rookies from the start and for all your helpful feedback.

ph