The initial installment of four short prequels, "The Machine in the Ghost," served as promotion for the animated series Star Wars Rebels. This three-minute short made its debut online on August 11, 2014, and was broadcast on Disney XD the same day. Subsequently, a new short aired in the same time slot each Monday on the channel.
While TIE Fighters relentlessly pursue and bombard the Ghost, Hera and Kanan issue conflicting instructions to Chopper, the small droid, leading him to take drastic measures.
Following a raid targeting an Imperial supply convoy, the Ghost, piloted by Hera Syndulla, and carrying Kanan Jarrus and C1-10P, also known as "Chopper," finds itself under attack by four TIE fighters. Jarrus heads to the Ghost's gun turret, while Syndulla takes control of the ship's piloting. A fierce dogfight erupts between the Ghost and the TIE fighters, with the TIE fighters gaining an early advantage.
During the intense combat, the Ghost's shields fail, prompting Syndulla to task Chopper with repairing them. As the TIEs continue their relentless assault, a direct hit from a TIE fighter disables the Ghost's communication system. Syndulla, now unable to effectively coordinate the defense with Jarrus, instructs Chopper to cease shield repairs and instead fix the communication system—while also relaying a message to Kanan to improve his aim. Chopper departs the cockpit and informs Jarrus about the communication system repairs. However, Jarrus countermands Syndulla's order, directing Chopper to prioritize repairing the shield generator and to advise Syndulla to improve her piloting skills.
Upon returning to the cockpit, Chopper relays Jarrus's message to Syndulla, prompting her to take matters into her own hands. Swiftly maneuvering the ship behind the TIE fighters, she successfully destroys one of the two remaining TIEs. Syndulla once again directs Chopper to communicate with Jarrus, this time instructing him to deal with the last TIE fighter. However, Chopper, fed up with the conflicting orders, proceeds to the Phantom's gun turret. From there, Chopper single-handedly destroys the remaining TIE fighter, effectively ending both the battle and the conflicting commands.
With the conflict resolved, Chopper makes his way back to the cockpit, where he overhears Syndulla and Jarrus playfully claiming credit for the battle's outcome. Annoyed by the lack of recognition, Chopper hears them admit they were joking and acknowledge his crucial role in destroying the last TIE fighter. Syndulla and Jarrus then instruct the droid to repair both the shields and the communications system as the Ghost initiates its jump to hyperspace.
This short film was adapted into a young readers' book titled Chopper Saves the Day, and it also appeared as a short story penned by Michael Kogge in the chapter book Rise of the Rebels.