Stormtroopers: deadly shock troops of the Emperor. Heartless, fearless, tenacious soldiers of unwavering loyalty who crush the enemies of the Galactic Empire.

This archive commemorates the greatest of all Stormtrooper units: the legendary Fighting 501st Squad, known as 'Vader's Hand'. Commissioned after the fall of the Old Republic, the 501'st distinguished itself in hunting down and destroying scores of Rebel cells and outposts. Their accomplishments won the attention of the Emperor's right-hand man, Lord Vader, who made them his personal guard.

Whenever Vader's aims fall outside the realm of the Imperial bureaucracy, he calls upon the 501st to accomplish his bidding. The only cross-disciplinary squad in the Empire, it is composed of every kind of trooper, pilot, scout or driver. Whatever agenda Lord Vader pursues, he is assured of the specialized manpower to accomplish it. The 501'st is ready to be deployed to his side at a moment's notice. This resource is a testimony to Vader's power and often baffles generals who wonder how he manages to wage campaigns with little or no involvement in the normal ranks.

home