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And to think, some people said we might one day run out of things to talk about. Nonsense! And the reason why is that so much is going on in the world of Star Wars stories that there will be no end of things to talk about – and The Force Awakens hasn’t even bee released yet!
Case in point: Del Rey is going to be re-packaging two of the new canon novels, A New Dawn and Tarkin, in a compilation called Rise of the Empire in October. What’s more, there will be three new short stories included in the compilation – here’s the details on them, as reported by Star Wars.com!
First up, Mercy Mission, by Melissa Scott:
Years before she led the crew of the Ghost, Hera Syndulla was a young pilot looking to make a difference in the galaxy. Hera sets out with Goll — a close ally of her father, Cham Syndulla — on a dangerous mission to help the citizens of her homeworld, Ryloth, now languishing under the might of the Empire.
So, possibly taking place before A New Dawn? It would answer the one nagging question I had about Lords of the Sith, namely, where was Hera when that all was going down?
Next up is Bottleneck, by John Jackson Miller:
When Grand Moff Tarkin is tasked by Emperor Palpatine to investigate a dispute slowing Imperial production on a backwater planet, he expects an easy mission. Instead, Tarkin must forge a tense alliance with Count Vidian, the Empire’s newest rising star and a most capable rival. Matching wits and risking betrayal at every turn, the two powerful Imperials duel to gain the upper hand…and elude, at all costs, the price of failure.
Well, this is fun! Count Vidian was the first major new bad guy to be released into the revamped Star Wars canon last year, and a very intimidating one. This story is bound to take place before A New Dawn because…well, that would be a spoiler if I told you.
Finally, The Levers of Power, by Jason Fry
As Imperial and Rebel forces clash on and above the Forest Moon of Endor, Admiral Rae Sloane commands from the bridge of the Star Destroyer Vigilance. At a time where the stakes could not be higher, Sloane works to protect the Death Star and ensure Imperial victory, all too aware of the uncertain future for the Empire that may lie in the aftermath of the battle.
This one may be the most intriguing of the three, and believe me, the use of the word “aftermath” in the description isn’t lost on me. I think it’s as close to a prequel to Chuck Wendig’s Star Wars: Aftermath as we’ll ever get. And also featuring another character from A New Dawn with Admiral Rae Sloane!
What do you think? Which one are you most excited about or interested in? Have your say in the comments!