Synopses of Three New Short Stories from Star Wars: The Rise of the Empire

StarWars.com has revealed the synopses for three brand new Star Wars short stories by three different authors, to be included in the upcoming anthology, The Rise of the Empire.

The Rise of the Empire was first spoken of at Star Wars Celebration in April, and its release date of October 6th was officially announced May 1st. The anthology will feature two novels from Del Rey, A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller and Tarkin by James Luceno, as well as the three new short stories.

From StarWars.com:

"“Together, these five works will chronicle events and provide readers with new insights into the scope and power of the formidable Galactic Empire.”"

The short stories include characters both old and new, as well as a few only recently introduced to the canon, such as Imperial officer Rae Sloane, Ghost pilot Hera Syndulla, and Count Vidian, the merciless military mind who made his debut with Sloane in Miller’s A New Dawn.

Check out the titles, authors, and synopses below.

"MERCY MISSION by Melissa ScottYears 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.BOTTLENECK by John Jackson MillerWhen 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.THE LEVERS OF POWER by Jason FryAs 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."

More from Dork Side of the Force

I’ve held off on buying hard copies of A New Dawn and Tarkin, partly because of this anthology. It’s a smart idea, encapsulating an entire era in a single, handy format like a book. What makes it more exciting is that each of these short stories are never-before-read works of official canon; and of course, all three have interesting premises. With Mercy Mission, Melissa Scott takes her first foray into Star Wars literature, and I’m looking forward to what she has to bring to that universe, as well as to Hera Syndulla’s backstory (which is, as of right now, a mystery to fans). I am also interested in reading John Jackson Miller’s story of the meeting of two militaristic and ruthless geniuses of the Empire, Count Vidian and Tarkin. Count Vidian is Miller’s original creation, and seeing how Miller causes him to interact and conflict with the legendary Moff Tarkin will be fascinating.

But I think most fascinating of all will be Jason Fry’s take on the Empire’s point of view of the Battle of Endor The Levels of Power. Rae Sloane, another of Miller’s original characters from A New Dawn, is already a bit of a fan favorite; making her the eyes through which we see the destruction of the Death Star (and the Emperor with it) was a great decision. I foresee The Levels of Power being the anthology’s most anticipated short story, especially considering that it may be acting as a lead-in to Chuck Wendig’s full-length novel, Aftermath (in which Rae Sloane has a primary role).

Star Wars: The Rise of the Empire will be available on October 6th on paperback and in e-book format.

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