The ninth episode of the Star Wars radio drama, titled "Rogues, Rebels and Robots", was initially broadcast on National Public Radio on Monday, April 27, 1981. This episode adapts events from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, specifically those that occur on the Millennium Falcon as it travels toward Alderaan. It primarily focuses on Luke's initial Jedi training and his introductory lessons concerning the Force.
To escape the blockade surrounding Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon jumps to hyperspace. The passengers settle in for the journey: the droids recharge their systems, and Luke Skywalker and Ben Kenobi examine the ship, discussing what the vessel reveals about the characters of its crew, Han Solo and Chewbacca. Ben believes Solo has hidden depths, but he still feels that Solo's ultimate loyalty lies with himself.
Ben then insists that Luke commence his Jedi training immediately. He clarifies that anger, revenge, hatred and fear derive power from the Force, but exclusively from its Dark Side. He provides Luke with some information regarding the extermination of the Jedi. While Jedi typically began their training with extended contemplation, the urgency of the situation necessitates that Luke begin with lightsaber training. Ben guides Luke through various drills, encouraging him to sense the Force in his movements and feelings. Luke requests a practice duel; Ben instead instructs him to practice with a remote that Han uses for target practice.
Chewbacca, having completed some minor repairs on the Falcon, invites the group to play a game of hologame. Artoo-Detoo accepts the challenge, having learned the game while assisting a lone attendant at a refueling station. As Ben and Luke return to their training drill, Ben suddenly senses a disturbance in the Force stemming from the destruction of Alderaan, though the exact reason is unknown to him. Artoo wins the hologame, frustrating Chewbacca. Luke continues his training with the remote. Han voices his skepticism about the Force, even after Luke successfully deflects the remote's training bolts while his eyes are covered by a blast shield.
As the Falcon reverts to normal space, they discover that the planet Alderaan has vanished. Ben immediately understands, through the Force, that the Empire is responsible for its destruction. A passing TIE fighter confirms the Empire's presence, and soon all four occupants of the ship see the Death Star. The ship is then caught in a tractor beam. Han prepares for a hopeless fight, but Ben devises a plan to conceal their presence and give the impression that the ship has been abandoned.
"Rogues, Rebels and Robots" contains parallel scenes to those in the original film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, albeit with some differences in emphasis. Less time is dedicated to the holochess match, which in the film is primarily shown through visual effects. Instead, the episode focuses more on Luke's training and Obi-Wan's lessons about the Force. This further develops several themes within the drama, most notably the nature of the Light and Dark sides and the value and significance of money, a topic debated by Han and Ben.