Although the original Death Star has been destroyed, Imperial forces have instituted a reign of terror throughout the galaxy.
The Galactic Empire has many weapons in its arsenal, and every one of them has been turned upon the Rebels; tyranny, oppression, vast fleets, overwhelming armies and fear, the prime motivator of the New Order.
The upstart Rebel Alliance has dared to win a significant battle against the Empire at Yavin, but the war has only begun. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Rebellion nevertheless burns across a thousand-thousand worlds, flaming into a fire of hope.
But the Emperor has ordered this fire extinguished, setting the massive war machine he had constructed into motion.