IX3244 - B IX3244 - B was the designation of an Imperial Survey Team under the command of Captain Toss . His second - in - command was Lieutenant Kiviett . After the failure of the first Death Star , Emperor Palpatine of the Galactic Empire sought to construct a far more powerful weapon with less flaws . After deciding that there would be a second Death Star , the Emperor ordered thousands of expert Imperial survey teams to find a suitable location to build the new , powerful Death Star , and where its shield generator would also be housed . The survey team designated IX3244 - B , under the leadership of Captain Toss and Lieutenant Kiviett , were sent to several backwater planets and moons initially , though they found little success . Eventually , they were sent to the forest moon of Endor . They immediately realized Endor ' s prospects as a potential base of operations for the Empire . Endor had been selected by Darth Vader , Palpatine ' s armor - clad enforcer , because of its extreme remoteness from the Core , as well as from any previously established Imperial outposts , which the Alliance to Restore the Republic might have been aware of . Vader was of the opinion that the Rebel Alliance would not be expecting to find an Imperial base so close to their administrative center on Imperial City . In addition to those factors , the planet held a considerable amount of natural minerals and resources , meaning that the transportation of materials for building the Death Star would be minimal , should Palpatine choose to build his base on Endor . Before they set down on Endor ' s surface , Toss and Kiviett conferred with Darth Vader about Endor ' s suitability . Although his superiors neither cared for nor listened to Kiviett ' s opinion , he felt that the base should be built on a barren world with low gravity and a poisonous atmosphere . That would ensure that no indigenous species interfered with Imperial operations ; an opinion which contrasted with those of his superiors . Vader saw such an option as a waste and resources — life support systems and special domes were not something that was necessary for a small Imperial outpost — and that it would consume much time , which the Empire did not have an abundance of . Vader was also confident that the Imperial military would be easily able to dispatch any interfering natives , and did not see that particular aspect of Endor a threat . Not wanting to anger Vader , Captain Toss agreed , despite Kiviett ' s attempts to be heard . After being debriefed by Vader , Toss and Kiviett accompanied their team to Endor ' s surface in the Survey Frigate they had used on earlier expeditions . They immediately began to perform Imperial Survey Team Standard Procedure ; the entire vast surface of Endor was recorded through digital means , with a multitude of scanners taking readings for lifeforms and geographical informations . The scans revealed Endor to be an arboreal world , easily capable of supporting Human life . Almost immediately after the initial survey , Captain Toss decided that the mission had been successful , and that Endor met all of Lord Vader ' s requirements . Toss did this even though the scans they had made from their survey frigate revealed the existence of sentient life - forms , requiring further information . He sent a holoreport to his superiors reporting that the native Ewoks were " laughably primitive " creatures which the Empire could " safely ignore " even as he sent Lt . Kiviett and four other personnel ( including two stormtroopers ) down in a shuttle to investigate the Ewoks . During their mission on the surface , Kiviett ' s team attempted to investigate an Ewok village . Due to interference from unseen Ewoks who turned their chosen path into a shifting maze , the team managed to completely lose their way . After moving in circles for over two hours , the team started to hear the beating of Ewok drums all around them . They panicked , and started firing their blasters randomly into the woods . The shots did not stop the drumbeats , which only stopped when Kiviett and his team returned to their shuttle and retreated to their frigate . An embarrassed Kiviett reported to his captain , only to have his recommendations and warnings about the Ewoks ignored . Capt . Toss , eager to claim the credit for discovering the Death Star II ' s construction site , did not think the Ewoks to be worth further study or concern . Even the suggestion that Imperial personnel on Endor be issued forest camouflage was dismissed . Though Lord Vader and Galactic Emperor Palpatine appear to have quickly decided that Endor was a suitable candidate for the second Death Star ' s construction site , the Emperor was displeased by the sketchy report . A second expedition under Sergeant Pfilbee Jhorn was sent as a follow - up . Sgt . Jhorn was particularly annoyed during his survey that the previous expedition had failed to mention the Gorax , Yuzzums , Sanyassan Marauders , and the other potentially dangerous lifeforms on Endor . Ironically , he agreed with Captain Toss that the Ewoks posed no significant threat . At least one of their number , Lt . Kiviett , was taken prisoner by the victorious Rebel forces after the Battle of Endor .