The opening scene of Episode 1 in Season 2 of "Andor" transports us to Sinear, specifically Test Facility 73. Cassian Andor, disguised as a test pilot, seeks assistance from a rebellious figure named Niya. She, trembling with anxiety and her hands shaking, aids him in his escape by providing the necessary codes to launch a TIE Fighter from the hangar bay. After a reassuring pep talk from Andor, he climbs into the cockpit only to promptly bump into the walls, his lack of piloting skills evident. Alarms blare, Stormtroopers emerge, and a fierce firefight ensues, blowing his cover wide open. Despite his awkward maneuvers, Andor manages to scurry away, creating a tense and thrilling spectacle for viewers.
Elsewhere, Bix awakens from a harrowing nightmare, haunted by the vision of a menacing Imperial officer entering her home and threatening to uncover her secrets. It seems her fears are not entirely unfounded as news spreads that Imperials are on their way to conduct random spot checks, including verifying visas. This places Bix and her companions, Wilmon Pak and Brasso, undocumented workers affectionately known as "toolies," in a precarious position. They are hiding out on the tranquil farmland planet of Mina-rau in the Outer Rim, working on irrigation systems. As they tend to one such system, an Imperial ship looms overhead, casting a shadow of doom.
Meanwhile, on Chandrila at the Mothma Estate, Mon Mothma is immersed in preparations for her daughter's wedding, a festive event spanning several days and attended by numerous officials. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Mothma continues her covert rebel activities, as evidenced by Luthen's arrival with Sculden. Their presence serves as a stark reminder of the larger rebellion at stake. Luthen receives word of Andor's "smooth exit," but with Chandrila under scrutiny and Sculden lurking about, sending a reply proves impractical and perilous.
It becomes evident that Leida's marriage is a union forged out of dire necessity, rather than the tender bonds of love. This tragic reality unfolds as Mothma discovers her daughter weeping inconsolably within the confines of a room, towards the climax of the episode. Her fiancé, indifferent to her plight, refuses even to hold her hand, placing Mothma in a quandary of immense proportions.
Meanwhile, Cassian Andor fares somewhat better, remaining unscathed (at least, until the events of Rogue One unfold). He lands on an enigmatic forest planet and calls out for his contact, Porco, only to be confronted by a group of rebels, their weapons trained on him in the dense woodland. Attired as he is, convincing these rebels of his non-allegiance to the Empire seems an uphill battle indeed!
The rebels discover his test pilot helmet aboard a TIE fighter, a discovery complicated further by the grim fact that the pilot he was meant to meet has already met his untimely demise at their hands. The leaders of this group, Gerdis and Bardi, deliberate on the possibility of flying the TIE fighter away from the scene, their discussions marred by incessant bickering while Andor remains at their mercy, a gun pointed at his chest.
Swiftly, Andor deduces that he is in the presence of the Maya Pei Brigade. He reveals that he has been provisioning them along his journey and possesses knowledge of Maya's identity. Aligned as they are on the same side, he confides in them his mission to steal an Imperial TIE Fighter. However, he remains tight-lipped about his benefactor. Soon, the situation descends into chaos, as blaster fire erupts, turning the scene into a battlefield of confusion and destruction.
Elsewhere, in the snowy peaks of the Maltheen Divide, the Empire convenes a clandestine meeting with its top brass. With an eye on expansion, the Empire has set its sights on the planet Ghorman, a world renowned for harnessing the silk spun by its colossal spiders, reminiscent of Australia's own giant arachnids. These revelations are imparted via an archaic newsreel, hosted by none other than Orson Krennic—the individual introduced in Rogue One as the overseer of the Death Star project.
Access to such a steady and seemingly "unlimited power source" would undoubtedly revolutionize their galactic economy. However, this isn't merely a tale of colossal arachnids. Instead, Ghorman harbors a subterranean treasure trove of a rare mineral known as Kalkite. Commitments have been made to deliver this precious ore within a span of three years, and that deadline is now swiftly approaching. A select group of Imperial officials, tasked with securing control of Ghorman's minerals by whatever means necessary, have been chosen for this delicate mission. Among them, Dedra listens intently, her expression unreadable.
Stress mining poses a perilous dilemma, as it risks destabilizing the entire planet and unleashing catastrophic devastation. Entire cities could crumble into ruins, leaving 800,000 native Ghormans displaced and furious. Relocating them will be an arduous challenge, as they are unlikely to welcome such an imposition with open arms. Therefore, a more palatable solution must be devised.
The Empire's strategy unfolds with subtlety and cunning. They intend to villainize Ghorman in the public eye, portraying the planet's inhabitants as arrogant and belligerent. With this perception firmly in place, the Empire will swoop in with military force, justifying their actions as a benevolent act of imposing tighter restrictions—a tactic they have employed with success in other systems before.
The Empire stands poised for action, with drilling operations poised to commence within weeks. Additionally, a new armory is under construction in Palmo, reinforcing their military presence. In the midst of these preparations, Krennic converses with Dedra, who harbors doubts about the propaganda campaign. Instead, she proposes an alternative approach: leveraging rebels who can be counted on to make missteps. Her implication is clear: either stage a scenario to draw Imperial forces in, or manipulate hapless rebels like Cassian Andor into committing gross errors. Either way, the Empire is determined to gain a foothold on Ghorman, come what may.
