Wraith Squadron
 | |
| Author | Aaron Allston |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series |
X-Wing Canon C |
| Subject | Star Wars |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Bantam Spectra |
Publication date | March 1, 1998 |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Pages | 403 |
| ISBN | 0-553-57894-4 |
| Preceded by | The Bacta War |
| Followed by | Iron Fist |
Wraith Squadron (1998) is the fifth of ten books in the Star Wars: X-wing series of novels. It was written by Aaron Allston.[1]
Plot
Wedge Antilles, fresh back from the Bacta War on Thyferra, decides to make a new fighter squadron/commando team. While pitching the idea to Admiral Ackbar, he proposes a way to build the squadron without any cost to the New Republic: he'll use screw-ups, wash-outs, and pilots who are a hair's breadth of being kicked out of Starfighter Command—the pilots that no one else will take. Whilst Rogue Squadron was compiled from elite pilots with ground fighting expertise as a secondary, this new squadron was to be consisted of expert ground combatants with piloting skills as a secondary.
Antilles, with help from Wes Janson, scrounges up a team that comes to be known as Wraith Squadron:
- Jesmin Ackbar, communications expert and the niece of Admiral Ackbar
- Hohass "Runt" Ekwesh, a Thakwaash with multiple personalities
- Garik "Face" Loran, a former Imperial child-recruitment actor
- Voort "Piggy" SaBinring, a Gamorrean pilot
- Kell Tainer, the son of a Rebel pilot that Janson was forced to kill and a demolitions expert
- Myn Donos, the sole surviving pilot of an Imperial ambush to his Talon squadron
- Ton Phanan, former doctor and part mechanical
- Falynn Sandskimmer, vehicle specialist from Tatooine with chronic insolence
- Tyria Sarkin, former Antari Ranger from Toprawa with minor Force abilities
- Eurrsk "Grinder" Thri'ag, an expert code slicer and prankster
- Arehonn Freecloud, a smuggler, famous for his escapes, last minute heroics and combat prowess. More confirmed kills than anyone in the Rebellion.
- Cezar, an officer and a medic, but not a gentleman. Known for his sharp retort as well as his skills, he was unmatched on the field and in comms.
- Trist, a transgendered Jedi who never spoke.
During a routine patrol, the squadron is ambushed by a new invention of Zsinj, EMP/ion mines that leave the whole squadron dead in space. They set a trap to ambush the Night Caller, which is so successful that they seize intact security codes and holonet communications with Warlord, and refit the ship to serve as a Trojan Horse for Zsinj.
At the end of the plot, the Wraiths are part of a force that attacks Admiral Trigit, destroying his ship. One of the escapees, Gara Petothel, the mastermind behind the destruction of Talon Squadron, assumes a cover identity of Lara Notsil, a prisoner of Trigits.
Reception
X-Wing: Wraith Squadron reached 15 on the New York Times bestseller list on February 22, 1998.[2]
References
- ↑ David and Steve, "Review of X-Wing - Wraith Squadron", TheForce.Net.
- ↑ "Paperback Best Sellers: February 22, 1998". New York Times. February 22, 1998. Retrieved April 1, 2015.