“The Rebels are coming here to take the center of the Empire. What they will get is a world of death and they will be powerless to save it…” (99).
Released only a few months after the first Star Wars X-Wing novel Rogue Squadron (1996), Wedge’s Gamble picks up shortly after Wedge Antilles and his newly formed squadron of elite X-Wing pilots known as “Rogue Squadron” has conquered the Imperial outpost at Borleias in the Pyria System (as detailed at the end of the first book), and in the month since that adventure, many different ships have flown by Borleias to scan its activities –some are friendly to the New Republic, while others are not. One such case leads to a minor confrontation with the elusive rogue Imperial Warlord Zsinj. As outlined in the first book, ever since the collapse of Palpatine’s rule, Imperial warlords have now taken over various sections of the galaxy, carving up their own personal fiefdoms. Zsinj is just such a ruler. However, the fight Rogue Squadron and Zsinj is short-lived and merely a teaser of things to come. Perhaps he will return again in a future X-Wing book…
Either way, the central issue at stake in Wedge’s Gamble is the New Republic’s decision to invade Coruscant, the capital of the Core and heart of the crumbling Empire. “The conquest of the Pyria system had opened the way for the Rebel Alliance to strike at Coruscant, the Imperial homeworld. Taking Coruscant would confer upon the New Republic a legitimacy it had not yet earned in the eyes of much of the Empire’s citizenry… Coruscant was the key to establishing the New Republic as the new ruling force in the galaxy. Taking it was a bold step –a serious gamble that required thousands of factors to fall into place to win” (18). Coruscant is critical for the New Republic and the credibility of its rule. However, Coruscant is also currently governed by the notorious Imperial ruler Ysanne Isard, a tall, slender woman with black hair and white sidelocks, whose her right eye is icy blue while her left eye is molten red, hence her alliterative nickname “Iceheart.” On Coruscant, following the Emperor’s death, a government was established under Sate Pestage but after six months Ysanne Isard orchestrated a coup that forced him into exile, and she now rules with an iron fist. And she is secretly fully anticipating an Alliance attack.
Before the invasion begins, we are reminded of the death of General Laryn Kre’fey, the white Bothan who died in the first book during the struggle to capture Borleais, and in recent months, four Rogue Squadron pilots have also died. Most notably Bror Jace has apparently died in a failed attempt to return home to Thyferra by being pulled out of hyperspace by an interdictor cruiser (the Black Asp helmed by Major Wortin who is later regarded as incompetent for killing Bror Jace and is transferred to the The Inexorable under Thrawn). Bror Jace was then jumped by TIE fighters and presumed dead. To replace the dead pilots, Rogue Squadron has added four new members including Aril Nunb (replacing Anduurni Hui, a female Rodian), Pash Cracken (replacing Bror Jace), a Bothan named Asyr Sei’lar (replacing Peshk Vri’syk, a male Bothan), and Inyri Forge (replacing her sister Lujayne Forge). But of the four, the two key pilots are Aril Nunb and Nien Nunb. Captain Aril Nunb is a Sullustan female and sister of Nien Nunb who piloted the Millennium Falcon through the Second Death Star (as featured in Return of the Jedi). She previously worked to steal supplies from the SoroSuub Corporation for the Alliance. Captain Pash Cracken, on the other hand, is the newest hot-shot pilot in Rogue Squadron. He is a red-headed man, the son of General Airen Cracken, one of the Alliance’s legendary leaders and the New Republic’s answer to Ysanne Isard. In the past, Pash was given a false identity to enroll in the Imperial Naval Academy, but he eventually led his entire TIE wing to defect to the Rebellion and they became known as “Cracken’s Flight Group” after killing a Victory class Star Destroyer called the Exsanguinator.
Before heading for Coruscant, Rogue Squadron is dispatched to the spice mines on Kessel where they are to release a cohort of dangerous criminals connected to the Black Sun syndicate (which has now been mostly decimated). At this point in the novel, there are connections to various ideas and characters previously introduced by Kevin J. Anderson in the Jedi Academy Trilogy (such as Moruth Doole, the Rybet administrator of the spice mines) and also characters associated with the Black Sun organization as featured in Steve Perry’s Shadows of the Empire. While I was delighted to see connections to other books in the Expanded Universe, I was a little befuddled as to why the Alliance would release criminals onto the streets of Imperial City in Coruscant –wouldn’t this increase criminality in a city they are about to conquer? How can this possibly serve the long-term interests of the New Republic? Some members of the Provisional Council are at least concerned about chaos unfolding, as Admiral Ackbar fears that “the world we take will be a world we cannot hold.” The diplomatic negotiations among members of the Provisional Council peppered throughout the book are really terrific in this novel, especially the differing views of Admiral Ackbar and Borsk Fey’lya, as they debate whether or not a full-scale assault on Coruscant is preferred rather than a simple planetary blockade (other members of the Council include Mon Mothma, a Wookiee named Kerrithrarr, a Sullustan named Sian Tevv, and also Leia Organa).
Ultimately, Borsk Fey’lya’s plan wins out and he provides a list of criminals for the rogues to rescue from Kessel. In total, they wind up trading 150 political prisoners for 16 of the most hardened criminals, all of them rising stars in Black Sun, “the best of them would have been on a rough par with Jabba the Hutt in terms of power and influence.” It was originally going to be seventeen criminals but the number was reduced to sixteen since Moruth Doole eliminated the trade for Arb Skynxnex (who later reappears in the Jedi Academy Trilogy). However, one of the main characters, the indefatigable hero Corran Horn disputes the need for retrieving one of the names on the list, Zekka Thyne, who is also known as “Patches.” Thyne was once captured in a smuggling pinch by Corran Horn and his father, Hal Horn. He was tied to the murders of nearly a dozen people, all of them rivals of Black Sun. Thyne was Prince Xizor’s man on Corellia –a Bothan with a wiry build, clean-shaven and bald, with flesh like polished leather, red eyes, pointed ears, and serrated teeth. Later in the novel, we learn that Zekka Thyne was secretly a double agent for Imperial Officer Kirtan Loor while working for Black Sun.
If there is a central protagonist in Wedge’s Gamble, it is Corran Horn –the hotshot, womanizing, flyboy pilot. On his many adventures, he carries with him his late father’s prized medallion (he and his father were both members of Corellian Security, or CorSec, on their home planet of Corellia). Amusingly, all the women in and around Rogue Squadron seem to fall for Corran Horn at one point or another, perhaps none more so than fellow pilot Erisi Dlarit (“the bacta queen” from Thyferra) who aggressively tries to seduce Horn throughout the book. But at the same time, an enemies-to-lovers trope seems to be developing between Corran Horn and Mirax Terrik –a smuggler and friend of the New Republic 9she was rescued by the Rogues in the previous X-Wing book). She is the daughter of smuggler Booster Terrik who previously had a rivalry with Corran’s father Hal. However, Corran Horn’s chief nemesis in this book is once again Kirtan Loor, a fellow former Corellian Security Force alumnus who now serves as Ysanne Isard’s right-hand (Corran still despises Loor for releasing the Trandoshan who killed his father).
At any rate, the former Black Sun criminals from Kessel are released onto Coruscant to sow chaos for the Imperials. Meanwhile, Rogue Squadron is also sent undercover onto the planet so they can discover a bypass for the planetary defense shields as well as the Golan Space Stations which are the outermost defenses on Coruscant (they are comparable to Star Destroyers). While Wedge Antilles, Corran Horn, and the rest of the rogues are undercover figuring out a way to lower the planet’s shields, Admiral Ackbar leads an assault from above, which includes the interdictor cruiser entitled the Black Asp (captained by Uwlla Iillor) who has defected to the rebels. The ship is now renamed the “Corusca Rainbow” (the Mon Calamari first officer of the ship is Lieutenant Jhemiti).
Ultimately, Rogue Squadron links up with Winter on Coruscant (Winter is Leia’s close confidante in Timothy Zahn’s classic Thrawn Trilogy), and after various twists and turns, they decide to pursue a far-fetched plot that involves the artificial creation of a vast storm by redirecting the planet’s orbital mirrors (which are typically used to harness the sun’s heat for the colder regions of Coruscant) and point them toward the vast planetary reservoirs which collect water from the frigid polar glaciers. They plan to boil the water and seed the atmosphere with chemical crystals which will produce rainclouds. How in the world did they come up with such a ludicrous initiative? At one point, Wedge Antilles offhandedly remarks, “This world is too well defended for the Alliance to take it by storm” which leads Gavin Darklighter to suggest, “That’s it! We take the world by storm” (295). Apparently, Gavin Darklighter’s Uncle Huff on Tatooine was a food magnate who had a virtual monopoly on water rights and moisture farms, and he once sought to unleash a similar project. But the orbital mirrors over Coruscant are ground-controlled so Rogue Squadron decides to take control of a nearby droid-construction factory and release all the droids as a distraction while they gain control of the station.
In the end, this incredibly improbable plan works and Ysanne Isard (“Iceheart”) rather willfully abandons Coruscant to the Rebels. However, she secretly has another trick up her sleeve. Isard and her minions have been creating a highly volatile bioweapon, a new virus which has been tested on Gamorreans and Quarren (under the direction of General Derricote). General Derricote calls it the “Krytos” virus, a nasty water-borne disease in which the infected creature (typically non-human) receives boils on his skin, while his flesh cracks along spider lines, before he begins vomiting blood as he slowly goes insane and dies cell by cell. The Empire has left this hideous disease behind on Coruscant in order to destroy the New Republic. And Isard has also left behind a web of Special Intelligence Operative commando and terrorist cells who are to be overseen by Kirtan Loor as leader of the “Palptine Counterinsurgency Front.”
But in the final scuffle for control of Coruscant, Corran Horn is believed to have died crashing his Headhunter Z-95, but in an epilogue he actually awakens aboard Isard’s Imperial ship bound for the fearsome prison Lusankya prison where he will likely be brainwashed). Corran Horn has been betrayed! But by whom? Throughout the book, he has suspected fellow Rogue Squadron member Tycho Celchu (“Sel”) of being a sleeper Imperial agent. Tycho was a valued member of Rogue Squadron from before the battle on Hoth until after Endor, Bakura, and other battles. He flew an A-Wing in the assault on the second Death Star and managed to draw the pursuit away from Wedge Antilles and the Millennium Falcon. But after that he volunteered for a classified mission and all his prior records up to six months before joining Rogue Squadron were heavily encrypted. This covert mission marked the end of trust in him by many Alliance figures. Despite saving Corran Horn’s life twice, Tycho is still suspected of being a traitor, even after he tells Corran the details of his covert operation in which he volunteered to fly a TIE starfighter into Coruscant (the alliance had impounded ship at Bakura and filled it with sensor packages). He flew the TIE fighter in orbit around Coruscant and gathered intel on the Golan space fortresses, the defense shields, orbital solar collection mirrors, the skyhooks, the dry docks and ship factories, and other things on Coruscant, but when he flew directly into Coruscant, he was captured by the Empire and taken to Lusankya –Isard’s own private prison where people apparently come out brainwashed like “remote bombs” until the Empire decides to activate them. Tycho says he was catatonic for most of his time on Lusankya before being transferred to the penal colony at Akrit’tar. He then escaped after several months. Is Tycho an Imperial sleeper agent? Or is someone else in Rogue Squadron the traitor? What does the future of Rogue Squadron look like? Can the New Republic successfully govern on Coruscant going forward?
One of their chief obstacles in this novel is the lingering Imperial propaganda still fresh in the minds of many citizens. For example, consider the scene in which Wedge Antilles finds the Emperor lying in state beneath a holographic image of Darth Vader who repeats: “Behold my Master and weep. He has been stolen from us by those who embrace hatred. The Emperor learned that the Rebels had stolen plans for an Imperial Planetary Ore Extractor and intended to use the one they were fabricating at Endor on inhabited planets. He assembled his fleet, and heedless of personal danger, he had me take him to Endor. He infiltrated the half completed extractor, offering these Rebels his forgiveness and a hand in friendship. They rejected him and attacked his fleet. My Master had no alternative but to destroy this Death Star himself, perishing in the process so his citizens could lie on. I was slain with him, but my death did not distress me, for it came in service to my Master.”
At any rate, I thought Wedge’s Gamble was a terrific space adventure (for a Star Wars novel), and a vast improvement over the first novel in the X-Wing series. The invasion and conquest of Coruscant was satisfying and successful, and it was gratifying to see a new kind of super-weapon introduced into the Star Wars universe beyond just another Death Star or Sun Crusher –this time biological warfare comes to the New Republic in the form of the Krytos virus. Is it fairly silly? And perhaps a bit excessive at points? Sure. But Wedge’s Gamble would make for a fun cinematic Star Wars adventure if opportunity ever knocked.
“Fourteen against a world. Those are long odds” (300).
Other Notes:
- The New Republic is still occasionally referred to as the Rebel Alliance in this book.
- The Imperial Warlord Zsinj’s forces that attack Borleias at the beginning include a modified freight cruiser, not in the Neutron Star-class of bulk cruiser, but something roughly a quarter the size called the Vengeance Derra IV with anomalous readings. It is 15-meters long, looks like a larger Mon Calamari warship with a crew of four hundred. It suddenly deploys TIE Fighters on Corran Horn.
- A key Alliance base is located at Noquivzor (which was used n the first book as preparation for the assault on Borleias).
- Wedge Antilles’s undercover alias is Colonel Antar Roat, a wounded pilot who was shot down in defense of Vladet in the Rachuk system.
- Gavin Darklighter’s undercover alias is Vin Leiger, a young man from a Rimworld who is allegedly connected with a Shistavanen named Shaalir Resh (whose real identity is Riv Shiel).
- Corran Horn’s undercover alias is a Kuati “telbun,” the telbun were drawn from middle classes on Kuat.
- Emtrey is Rogue Squadron’s M – 3PO unit, built and cobbled together by Lieutenant Losca out of spare parts. She wanted to create a computer-based commodities exchange for the Alliance but it was too risky from the secret base on Hoth. She died on Hoth during the assault. Emtrey has rare “scrounging circuitry” that allows him to have greater self-awareness.
- Invisec is described as the “invisible section” of the Imperial Center on Coruscant, like Mos Eisley, encompassing of Alien Protection Zone.
- There is apparently a convention in the New Republic of naming ships after events that occurred during the civil war.
- The Y-Wing ion canons are described as inferior to lasers but they have advantage of rendering a ship inoperable by knocking out its electronics.
- Corran Horn’s partner on Corellia was Iella Wessiri. His father Hal and grandfather were both CorSec officers.
- Biggs Darklighter, Jek Porkins, Dak Ralter, and Bror Jace were all among the most talented and famous pilots killed by the Empire.
- Wuitho Trifalls are briefly mentioned as a trio of waterfalls that once existed on Alderaan.
- Stokhli sun spray (nonlethal weapons) are briefly mentioned in this novel.
- Mrisst is first mentioned in this novel. Apparently, it is a strange astronomical planet.
- We learn that Black Sun was actually once an honorable organization, as Corran Horn recalls.
- Bacta is described as a cure for everything from a simple cut to severe combat trauma, and from a siffle to the virulent Bandonian Ague. Though Bacta is rare and expensive.
- The Pulsar Skate is a Baudo-class yacht –Corran Horn and his father fought hard to put it out of commission. It was the ship of smuggler Booster Terrik and now of his daughter Mirax Terrik.
- Jewel of Churba is described as the ship Wedge and Corran and others fly aboard into Coruscant while undercover.
- Liat Tsayv is mentioned as a Sullustan smuggler who works for Mirax Terrik.
- Gavin Darklighter mentions that he grew up on a farm outside Anchorhead, a small town on Tatooine.
- Ch’hala trees are mentioned once Rogue Squadron lands on Coruscuant. The trees are a favorite of the Emperor (as previously described in the classic Thrawn Trilogy).
- Novacom is described as the largest Holonet provider on Coruscant. Tycho’s father ran it. He was actually speaking to his parents over Novacom when Alderaan was destroyed.
- At one point, a Kubaz quartet is playing trunkflutes and percussion.
- The Azure Dianoga Cantina sits in Coronet City on Coruscant. Some drinks include Churban brandy and Durindfire
- The horned Gotal creature is mentioned.
- Cylndrical Ubrikkian HAVr A9 Floating Fortess is an armored transport with a blaster cannon turret and spotlights.
- Ikas-Ando, produced by Starhawk, is a speeder bike referenced in this book. The Zoom II speeder bike is also referenced.
- Amusingly, a repulsorlimo is mentioned from one of Corran Horn’s past date night.
- Palar is a computer manufacturer that produces memory cores.
- Corran Horn’s gun is a BlasTech DL-44 Heavy blaster pistol.
- Another gun referenced is the SoroSuub S1BR.
- Corran Horn once went on a date at the annual CorSec Ball Awards with Cheryl Ruluwoor, a female Selonian who was sent to Iella’s unit for training and cultural exchange. She was two meters tall, covered with short, black fur. Selonian women who aren’t part of a broodhome are generally infertile. Corran describes it as amazing physical intimacy but Corran Horn was allergic to her fur.
- Materials like transparisteel and ferrocrete are mentioned frequently.
- Corran Horn flies Z-95 Headhunter in the closing assault on Coruscant.
- Reptilian predators called Thevaxan Marauders are mentioned.
- Lethal Fex-M3D poison gas is used in the orbital mirrors control room. But Rogue Squadron’s Gand, Ooryl, has a body with a muscular gas bladder that allows him to breathe in and exhale controlled gaseous substances without affecting him.
- E-web heavy blaster gun is used in this novel.
- Moff Fliry Vorru is portrayed as old but not frail with white hair. He is a former imperial administrator of the Corellian Sector under the Old Republic, and he turned a blind eye to smuggling activity which helped to transform Corellia into a center for smuggling, The Emperor eventually found Vorru to be a rival and Prince Xizor betrayed Vorru to the Emperor. Vorru then became a legend in the criminal underworld.
- There is a reference to Admiral Ackbar being Grand Moff Tarkin’s slave in this novel.
- As is mentioned early in this novel, Luke Skywalker is continuing his Jedi training and traveling across the galaxy in search of artifacts or documents that will piece together the missing history of the Jedi.
Stackpole, Michael A. X-Wing: Wedge’s Gamble. Dey Rey, NY, NY, 2021 (originally published in 1996). The book was dedicated “to the memory of Roger Zelazny.” I read the newly released “Essential Legends” edition.