Star Wars Insider #172

INTERVIEW





Collectible cards-and-dice game



Star Wars Destiny pits characters


from across the Star Wars canon



against one another in epic tabletop


battles. To learn how the game came



about, Insider asked its designers to


lay their cards on the table.





I N T E R V I E W B Y J O N D . W I T M E R
A L L I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F FA N TA S Y F L I G H T G A M E S
C H A R A C T E R A R T B Y D A R R E N TA N



ounded in Lukas Litzsinger: For that CK: The next step was for
F Roseville, discussion, a group of us sat Lukas to make lots of different
prototypes. Then he and I got
Minnesota,
around rolling dice and talking
together and started tag-teaming
22 years ago by
about the different things you
game designer could do with them. We wanted the core design.
Christian T. a fast-paced game with back-and-
Peterson, Fantasy Flight Games forth actions, and we wanted a How do you go about making
(FFG) has proved to be a market simple structure so that we could the prototypes?
leader in roleplaying games. get everybody involved—you can LL: We start with blank, card-
In August 2011, the company play it with your gaming friends or sized templates in a layout
acquired the Star Wars licence you can play it with your family. It program such as Adobe InDesign,
and since then, it hasn’t looked was very important for us that it and write abilities onto those in
back, with the latest game, Star could reach a larger audience plain text. Over time, we start
Wars Destiny, currently bringing than some of our other games. adding colors and extra scribbles,
galactic war to tabletops! but the very first cards are just

black-and-white text. It gives you
Where did the idea for Star a feel for how it works on the
Wars Destiny come from? table, and you slowly add in
Corey Konieczka: We’d been detail as you keep on repeating
throwing around the idea of that process.
a collectible Star Wars game for
a while when one of our business CK: After we had solid card
partners in Germany showed prototypes, we began to move
us a superhero game that used quickly on the dice designs. Our
full-color dice. These two ideas interactive team made a dice app
came together and we started that let us input any dice design
talking about what the game we wanted. It was nowhere near
would actually be. as much fun as actually rolling




STAR WARS INSIDER / 51

INTERVIEW



dice, but it 01 Star Wars Destiny
let us try designers Lukas
Litzsinger and
out things
Corey Konieczka
very quickly meet some
without friendly
stormtroopers!
having to
print and glue 02 The dice and cards
things onto are beautifully
illustrated by
real dice.
Darren Tan.
This set is called
How quickly “Awakenings.”
did things
come together after that?
LL: Pretty fast. We started work
in September 2015, and then
began locking everything down
toward the end of the year. I don’t
think we put together a prototype
for the final version until after 01

Christmas, but a couple months

into 2016 we finalized the fi rst set. the game so it didn’t feel like one The character cards have point
or the other dominated. Having values, and players can team
CK: The big questions were, smaller card decks was important, characters with a combined value
“How do we make a game with as was being able to discard in of up to 30 points. How did you
dice and cards and not make it order to re-roll any of your dice. choose those numbers?
feel random?” and, “How much Those things helped us get to LL: It just seemed right that team
of the game is about the cards the point where it felt like there building and deck building should
versus the dice?” Once we had is still randomness with your parallel in that way: 30 points was
those answers, things moved dice roll, but still with an the right number because we had
pretty quickly. element of required skill. 30-card decks.

How did you manage to So you settled on a player’s CK: And once we’d landed on
strike that balance? deck comprising 30 cards? 30 points, we could start to fi x
LL: We had to be very careful with LL: Yes, and if you look at the teams you could actually
the different controls we put into other card games, you notice have. We knew through play-
testing that we didn’t want
someone to have more than
“WE STARTED WORK IN four stormtroopers in a team,
so if 30 points is the maximum,
SEPTEMBER 2015. A COUPLE stormtroopers should be seven
points apiece. Then, if a
OF MONTHS INTO 2016 WE stormtrooper is seven points,
FINALIZED THE FIRST SET.” how should the value of other
characters stack up against them?
Once we established those values,
we could set the rules by which
02 that how big a deck is tends we measure everything else.
to determine how many copies
of a particular card you can have. How do you make the leap from
Basically, one copy for every 15 prototypes to a fi nished product?
cards seems to be about the right CK: We meet with our internal
ratio. We knew we wanted to be graphic design team and show
on the lower end of the deck-size them our chicken-scratch
spectrum to make sure you would templates. They usually start
be able to draw every card. A lot by replicating whatever card
of times with 50- or 60-card templates we give them and
decks, you don’t even see your start playing around with
whole deck over the course those. Then there’s a lot of
of a game. back and forth about the look.




52 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INTERVIEW

























































































STAR WARS INSIDER / 53

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54 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INTERVIEW



03 05




















04




06


















LL: It’s very collaborative. The factoring in how big we could We didn’t want to introduce too
designers put in lots of time to print the label that gets heat- many new things, though. It all
make sure that every template has sealed onto them. plays under the same rules.
the right details. Monica Helland
and Christopher Hosch were the LL: An early question we raised So we can expect more from
two main graphic designers on was, “Do we put different art on Star Wars Destiny in the future?
the project, and they did a each side depending on what the CK: I hope so! For now, I’m
fantastic job. effect of the die is?” Eventually happy the game’s out there,
we realized that for collecting the and I’m excited to see where
CK: The dice were a challenge. dice, storing the dice, and seeing it goes. We wanted it to be a
We spent some time fi guring the dice in play, it helps to have game where all the rules are
out what the best size was, while the same, clearly identifi able art on a single sheet of paper and
piece on every side. you can play it with anybody.
We also wanted a game with
03 A game of Star Wars
Destiny gets underway! What can we expect from enough depth that serious gamers
the forthcoming “Spirit of can appreciate and enjoy, and
04 Prototype cards and Rebellion” expansion pack? I think we’ve achieved that. The
dice on the left and a
near-final beta version LL: In the main game, you have amount of support and buzz
on the right. a lot of dice with a lot of different we’ve gotten from the community,
symbols. For “Spirit of Rebellion” and from people just picking up
05 A selection of cards from
the beta test phase. we thought it would be interesting the game and playing it, has
if the dice you put into your deck been phenomenal. I’ve never
06 The “Spirit of Rebellion”
set includes characters are a little more predictable in seen anything like this. So
from Rogue One. terms of getting a specifi c result. thanks, everybody!



STAR WARS INSIDER / 55

COMICS: ROGUE ONE




















STAR WARS COMICS

ONE






TO







READ






Starting this April, Marvel Comics
is set to release the first in a
six-issue series for Rogue One: A
Star Wars Story to include content
not seen in the theatrical release.
Insider spoke to writer Jody
Houser to gain insight into this
highly anticipated, expanded
retelling of the blockbuster movie.
W O R D S : M I C H A E L K O G G E























56 / STAR WARS INSIDER

Jon McCoy’s
stunning variant art
for Rogue One issue #2.

COMICS: ROGUE ONE










“
I LIKE PROJECTS THAT
PUSH ME OUT OF MY
COMFORT ZONE.

”




omics fans Why do you think Marvel chose actually had a character who
C rejoice! Marvel’s you to be the writer? faked his death and didn’t come
I think Heather thought of me
new six-issue
back for two years. There was
because I did Orphan Black for
adaptation of
even an animated short to explain
Rogue One IDW. That was partly a TV how he faked it! That’s what
promises not adaptation and partly new happens when writers and fi lm
only to capture the movie in material. That made me a good fi t editors and other creative types
comic-book form, but also to for the Rogue One comic, because play an RPG. Crazy stuff happens.
expand upon what was seen I had to work in new scenes that Playing the game helped keep
onscreen. New details about aren’t in the movie. Heather knew Star Wars in my life before Rebels
characters and situations I loved Star Wars, too, as we had and The Force Awakens came
will include input from Rogue met at New York Comic Con a few along. In the process, I also met
One director, Gareth Edwards, years before. Afterwards, we people who would become my
giving readers a fresh angle on bonded on Twitter over our love most favorite in all of Los Angeles.
the blockbuster story. for Grand Admiral Thrawn! Coincidentally, the name of the
The team bringing this exciting character I play is Lyra. It was
prospect to life is Italian artist So you’ve always been a Star a little weird when I found out
Emilio Laiso (Star Wars: Shattered Wars fan? that was also the name of Jyn’s
Empire Part II) and writer Jody I loved the original trilogy as a mother in Rogue One!
Houser, a newcomer to Star kid, but it was the Timothy Zahn

Wars comics, but a lifelong fan trilogy of Thrawn novels that really How do you fit an epic like
of the saga. Insider spoke to won me over—I discovered them Rogue One into a six-issue series?
Houser as she was hard at at an age when I was more into It’s all about the storytelling
work on her adaptation. reading than watching movies. “beats.” Before the fi lm hit
theaters, I went to Lucasfi lm and
Adapting Rogue One would be On Twitter, you refer read the script, noting
a prestige project for any writer. that you like Star Wars down a beat-by-beat
PROFILE
Did you have any trepidation role-playing games. list of the things that
JODY HOUSER
about taking it on? Yeah, I’ve been a part jumped out at me.
Since creating the
My only bit of trepidation came of a Star Wars RPG Having that early
acclaimed online
from the fact that it looked to campaign that’s been comic Cupcake impression really
be a war story, which is something going on now for four POW! in 2010, helped me decipher
Jody Houser has
I haven’t written before. It was years! We started with written for numerous which moments I
October 2016 when [Marvel the old West End physical comic-book wanted to emphasize,
series, including
assistant editor] Heather Antos system and moved to and which ones I could
Orphan Black and
approached me about it, so I “Edge of the Empire” X-Files: Origins for streamline or set in a
obviously hadn’t seen the movie. last year. IDW, Max Ride for different way. The most
Marvel, and Faith for
But I like projects that push me Our gamemaster is rewarding moments to
Valiant and Mother
out of my comfort zone, so it was pretty epic in terms of Panic for DC. work on are those you
a positive more than a real worry. his storytelling. We can see from a




58 / STAR WARS INSIDER

Phil Noto’s distinctive
cover art for the first
issue of Rogue One.

COMICS: ROGUE ONE









“
BODHI IS THE NEW CONVERT,
CASSIAN IS THE DEVOUT,

AND JYN IS THE LAPSED BELIEVER.
”





different perspective, so they’re Which of the characters from the that happens in the movie. For
not exactly the same as they are movie were you most drawn to? me, this particular scene was

in the film. I think those moments Bodhi Rook is probably my really important because it’s
are going to be most exciting for favorite to write for. He’s the one when the story takes off. If
the readers. character whose life probably Bodhi had chosen another path,
would have been OK if he’d done everything would have turned
How do you set about writing nothing, but he chose to rebel. All out differently.
each issue? of the events of the movie hinge
I generally start with page-by- on his bravery, so that choice and How are you enjoying working
page breakdowns of the story, the repercussions he faces are with artist Emilio Laiso?
followed by scripting out really fascinating to me. Emilio is doing some really cool
everything panel-by-panel, Collectively, the trio of Bodhi, things with his layouts! The way
which is generally referred to as Cassian, and Jyn is interesting to he arranges images on the page
“full script.” With Rogue One, me, too. Bodhi is the new convert, to impact the flow of the

I’m pulling from a bunch of Cassian is the devout, and Jyn is storytelling is a strength of his,
different sources—the fi lm, the the lapsed believer. They’re all and I’m glad he’s bringing that
novelization, scenes and ideas coming together from different strength in this series.
that didn’t make it into the fi lm, perspectives and have to get In terms of action beats I try
and the background material over all their huge ideological to give Emilio as much leeway
in Rogue One: The Ultimate differences to accomplish one as possible. For almost any scene
Visual Dictionary. goal. In the comic, I’m able to I come up with, the artist usually
In fact, one of my favorite parts show more about how they knows how to draw it better than
of the job was to read the James make the decisions they do. I can tell them.

Luceno prequel novel, Star Wars: So much of the film is from I relate comics to poetry,
Catalyst. It does such a great job Jyn’s perspective, it’s not always where you have to decide where
of laying out the foundation for possible for it to show how each line ends, and what it
Galen, Krennic, and Lyra, and Cassian feels or what Bodhi is means to have the line ending at
made me want to incorporate thinking. I get to delve a little that moment. In comics you have
more of their backgrounds into deeper into some of those to work out what’s on each page,
the comic. moments and focus on what is where it ends, and what you’re
behind some of their choices. focusing on for the next page.
Which of your additions to the You get to fill things out that

story are you most proud of? Can you hint at what some you don’t necessarily get to do
There’s a line Galen has when he’s of those moments are? while screenwriting, for example,
talking to Bodhi. He’s describing A moment I was really excited because when you write a
how the Empire likes citizens who to write occurs in the fi rst issue, screenplay it’s up to the director
don’t make trouble, and he says when Bodhi makes his decision how long a moment lasts. With a
“I was a good man for too long.” to defect and deliver Galen’s comic, it’s just you and the artist,
Of all the lines I’ve written so far, message. If you think about it, so you have a lot more control
that one is probably my favorite. Bodhi’s at the heart of everything over the pacing and feel.








60 / STAR WARS INSIDER

Phil Noto’s art for
Rogue One issue #2
heralds the shift of
the action to Jedha.

CELEBRATION
































T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D










D O AT A N Y



















S TA R WA R S C E L E B R AT I O N





Star Wars Celebration comes to Orlando,
Florida on April 13–17 this year. Long-time
attendee (and Behind-the-Scenes Stage
host) Amy Ratcliffe shares her tips for
fi rst-timers and veterans alike!









62 / STAR WARS INSIDER

The official key
art for Star Wars
Celebration Orlando
by artist Paul Shipper.

CELEBRATION





tar Wars, nothing but collectibles old and new (not to unless you stick with your friends for
“
S Star Wars...” That’s mention exclusive); and… anything the entire event, it’s unlikely anyone
the unoffi cial theme
will have the exact same experience
else you care to mention. You can
song of Star Wars
even get a Star Wars tattoo!
as you—which isn’t a bad thing!
Celebration. The There are so many options at So how do you decide when to see
three or four day Celebration you’ll be forced to make the stormtroopers of the 501st? What
event (depending on the year) is some difficult decisions about what should you circle as a “must do” on

packed full of panels featuring the to see and what to skip. Even your schedule, and what will you kick
cast of upcoming films; fans wearing seasoned Celebration-goers can feel yourself for missing? Allow us to make

incredible costumes; stands selling overwhelmed by the choices, and a few suggestions…
01

































02
Go to the art show




/ Yes, there will be queues, but don’t let universe, to sign your 01 “The
Inquisitor’s
that put you off. The Celebration Art Show purchase. And it doesn’t
Gift” by Joe

should be one of your first stops, hands matter if your tastes Corroney.
down. The expert judges from Lucasfi lm lean toward comic art,
02 “A Fan’s
have selected the artists who get to exhibit photorealism, Art Deco,
Hope” by
here, so everything you see will be special. or the abstract, you’ll fi nd Jeff Carlisle.
Even better, you can buy the art on something to hang on your
03 “Star Wars
display, making it the ideal place to grab a wall. Even if you don’t think Celebration
limited edition showpiece for yourself or a art is your thing, this is III” by
Jerry
loved one. You might even get artists such as the place that could—and
Vanderstelt.
Katie Cook, Jeff Carlisle, and Jason Palmer, probably will—change
who all bring their own take to the Star Wars your mind!
03


64 / STAR WARS INSIDER

CELEBRATION




04






See at

least one


headline

05
panel



/ Because Celebration is an
official event with close involvement


from Lucasfilm, it can get big-time
stars from the various productions.
Cast members from the movies,
voice actors from the TV shows,
writers and directors, model makers
and musicians, and Lucasfi lm
executives often stop by the main
06 stage (usually called the Celebration
Stage) for one-on-one interviews,
to reveal new information, or to
present new footage or trailers.
Notable happenings at Celebrations
past have included Jon Stewart
interviewing George Lucas;
Gwendoline Christie hosting
a panel of Rogue One cast members;

and Lucasfilm president Kathleen
Kennedy and
04 Peter Mayhew, director J.J. Abrams
Mark Hamill, unveiling the fi rst
Carrie Fisher,
07 teaser for The
and Anthony
Daniels. Force Awakens.
When these
05 Oscar Isaac,
J.J. Abrams, moments take
Daisy Ridley, place, the
and John atmosphere
Boyega.
in the room is
06 Jiang Wen, electric. Being in
Donnie Yen, an audience of fans
and Felicity
Jones. creates a shared
excitement like
07 Warwick
Davis and nothing else. You
friend! have to wait in line
for a wristband to
gain access to main-stage events,
but do it at least once. You’ll never
forget it!







STAR WARS INSIDER / 65

CELEBRATION



08



























10
09






















11


Check out the cosplay 08 Fans gather
for a photo
shoot.
09 Cosplayers
show off
/ As you wander from activity to activity underneath it all is a fan much like you.
their work.
at Celebration, you won’t be able to miss the Don’t be afraid to say hello to them and
costumes—so much so that winding your ask questions. One important rule of thumb 10 The
awesome
way past clone troopers and Twi’leks starts is to always request permission to take
spectacle
to seem almost normal. But don’t let yourself their photo, unless they are clearly part of glowing
become blind to the detail and imagination of a parade of characters. Throughout lightsabers
on a balmy
on display across the event. It’s easy to the weekend, likeminded cosplayers will evening.
forget that most of the cosplayers you see come together at scheduled times to strut
11 An truly
have spent hours crafting their costumes their stuff en masse. The march of the
impressive
themselves, and many have added inventive Mandalorian Mercs is a sight to behold, Grummgar
twists to otherwise familiar characters. as is the Running of the Hoods—that is costume.
Remember also that, however fearsome made up entirely of cosplayers dressed
a cosplayer might look in their gear, as background character Willrow Hood!


66 / STAR WARS INSIDER

CELEBRATION



Visit fan
12
organizations


/ Star Wars has made fans of us all, but at
Celebration it is fair to say that fans make Star
Wars what it is. The community, with roots as
far back as 1977, is never better represented than
at this global gathering. Be sure to swing by the
many fan tables to meet enthusiasts from around
13 the world who represent groups as diverse as the
501st Legion and the R2-D2 Builders Club.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to join a
particular group—everyone is happy just to chat
12 The 501st
about their passion, and many have props and legion: an
collectibles on hand that they are eager to show impressive
display of
off. The 501st and the Rebel Legion sometimes
fan power!
even deck out whole rooms with displays! And
while no one is under any pressure to sign up for 13 Padawan
learners

anything, maybe you’ll find the fan organization
get a lesson
you’ve been looking for… from a Jedi.

Collect experiences



/ The worlds of of swag, but make sure to talk about for at least a few minutes,
collecting and Star Wars you also take away some and if you really hit it off, you can arrange
fandom go hand in hand, special memories. Go out to meet again later in the weekend. You
and Celebration is awash of your way to meet new might even make a lifelong friend!
with merchandise, as people, make new friends, Celebration is also a great place to hang
well as places to fi nd out and take lots of photos. out with people you already know, whether
what your own prized Those queues we’ve talked you’ve met them at another convention,
possessions are worth. about are the perfect place online, or wherever! Arrange get-togethers
But aside from all those to strike up a conversation, on social media and nab a group photo to
tempting stalls, there’s and can become a core cement your friendship well into the future.
another way to stock up part of a memorable It may not seem like much at the time, but
at Celebration, and that’s Celebration experience. your memory will thank you for it later!
by collecting experiences. If you’re queuing for the
Of course you’ll leave same thing, you know you Keep up with the latest Celebration news by
Celebration with a bag have something in common following @SW_Celebration on Twitter.


14 Attendees
get a first
look at the
latest
Star Wars
goodies.
15 Fans go
wild as the
greatest
show in
the galaxy
begins!




14 15



STAR WARS INSIDER / 67

The


Star Wars

Archive

Lights! Camera! Action!
Rare images from the
Star Wars photo archives.






































































68 / STAR WARS INSIDER

Harrison Ford
(Han Solo) and
Joonas Suotamo
(Chewbacca) fi lm
the daring raid on
Starkiller Base.
Photo by
David James.







STAR WARS INSIDER / 69

INTERVIEW




















TH





LO





GAME






ER
MORE THAN 25 YEARS AFTE
HE FIRST WOWED STAR WA
WARS
RIAL
FANS IN PRINT, IMPER I
TACTICIAN GRAND ADM
MIRAL
THRAWN MADE HIS ON-
N-SCREEN
RS REBELS
DEBUT IN STAR WARS
HOR TIMOTHY
IN 2016. NOW, AUTHO
ING HIS MOST
ZAHN IS REVISITIN
FAMOUS CREATIO
ON IN A BRAND
NEW NOVEL. MEGAN CROUSE
M
FOUND O
OUT MORE.
























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STAR WARS INSIDER / 71

INTERVIEW



based on
popular villain, thoughts and background in the Thrawn’s tactics are based on
cultures he’
s
A in an all-new “Hand of Thrawn Duology,” and artworks from the cultures he’s
with this book we’ll learn more
tale written
up against. What piece of Earth
piece of Ear
th
nd par
by his creator
ticularly
about him as a person as well as
art would he fi nd particularly
(fan-favorite a genius commander. interesting?
t be a single piece
n’
author) promises TZ: It wouldn’t be a single piece
he overall patterns
something more akin to an event Admiral Thrawn has been a huge of art, but the overall patterns
than a book. Grand Admiral hit in Star Wars Rebels. What’s of how the various cultures see
e various cultures see
es. He looks at the art
Thrawn’s time has come... it like for you to see him brought themselves. He looks at the art
to life on the show? that has stood the test of time and
s stood the test of time and

ts upon the core of a particular
Your latest book, Thrawn, covers TZ: It’s very surrealistic. On one reflects upon the core of a particular

a significant span of time. What hand, I’m fully aware that this is a society, and he pays attention to
, and he pays attention to
ety
w trends, to see if cultures are
is it like to plan and pace a novel character I created, but on the other new trends, to see if cultures are
like that? hand, I’m looking in from outside, reimagining themselves or possibly
eimagining themselves or possibly
Timothy Zahn: It can be tricky. just like every other fan. I’m very moving to another section of a
moving to another section of a
The first part of the book shows

pivotal incidents in Thrawn’s
career, each separated by a few
months. In that case, Thrawn’s “THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE
rank as he moves up the ladder is FACT THAT THRAWN IS SMARTER THAN
an easy shorthand for the reader
to keep track of passing time. The I AM. I REALLY HAVE TO WORK TO
last quarter of the book—as is KEEP HIM AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME.”
ails the
typical with me—details the

e everything
massive finale where everything
of the book
laid out in the rest of the book
long-term oscillation. I
pleased with the way Dave Filoni
comes together. pleas Dave Filoni long-term oscillation. I suspect
and ortraying he would shake his head in
and the team are portraying
he would shake his he
bemusement at the
t
arch real-world
Did you research real-world hi he Ghost crew bemusement at the painting by
him. Every time the Ghost crew
tacticians in order to inform outmaneuvers him or one of his C.M. Coolidge, Do
C.M. Coolidge, Dogs Playing Poker.
m
n order to infor
m or one of his
he gains information
Thrawn’s strategies? subordinates, he gains information
strategies?
Thrawn learns their
n’
You’ve created fan-favorite
t resear
ch anyone in
TZ: I didn’t research anyone in about them. Thrawn learns their Y ou’ve created
ar for this book, but I do
particular for this book, but I do tactics, their personalities, and their characters such as Thrawn and
read a fair amount of military likely behavior in future encounters. Mara Jade. What do you think is
fair amount of militar
y
history. So there’s a lot of strategy He has always been one for the the key to their appeal?
s a lot of strategy
. So there’
y
r
and tactics lurking in my long game, and the Rebels show TZ: I really have no idea what makes
d tactics lurking in my
ubconscious, ready to be plucked
subconscious, ready to be plucked captures his motivations perfectly. a given character click with the
out and put into a battle scene.
out and put into a battle scene. readers. All I can do is try to
Thrawn takes place before create complex, understandable,
What do you enjoy most about
What do y ou en j o y most about Season Three of Star Wars Rebels, competent characters and hope that
writing f or Thrawn ? making it the admiral’s earliest the readers will connect with them.
writing for Thrawn?
TZ: He’ s a ver y interestin g character appearance in the Star Wars
TZ: He’s a very interesting character
s ver
y
t to write for, because he’s very timeline. Will this glimpse into Are there any other characters
, because he’
o write for
good at what he does. The biggest
good at what he does. The biggest his early days make viewers you’ve created that you’d like
challenge is the fact that he’s sympathize more with him, to revisit in a Star Wars novel?
challen
g
s
e is the fact that he’
smarter than I am, which mean
smarter than I am, which means or has he always been an out- TZ: I’d love to write Mara Jade again,
I really have to work to keep him
I really have to work to keep h and-out villain? and I’d like to reassemble the Ocean’s
at the top of his game. Fortunately,
at the top of his game. Fortu TZ: Ideally, readers should always Eleven-type team from Scoundrels and
in a situation where he might only
in a situation where he mig be able to sympathize with send them on another caper. There’s
have a few minutes to come up
have a few minutes to com Thrawn’s motivations and goals, also a character in Outbound Flight
with a battle plan, I can
with a battle plan, I can take hours even if they disapprove of his that I once envisioned weaving
or even days fi
guring

it
or even days figuring it out. actions. I’ve always wanted readers through the movies and Star Wars
to understand him. The goal with history, so I’d like to take another
How have your int this novel is to give a little more crack at that one, too. But right now,
How have your intentions for the
character changed over time? insight into the character and to I’m content to write Thrawn again,
character change
:
TZ
TZ: In the original Thrawn Trilogy show some of the prejudices and and let the future take care of itself.
In the origin
he was more a
he was more a force of nature: like hostility he would undoubtedly
a storm the h
a storm the heroes needed to face. have faced as he worked his way Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
We started to see more of his up through the Imperial ranks. is available now.
e started t
W
ST
/
7 72 / STAR WARS INSIDER
2

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The Best of Star Wars Insider The Best of Star Wars Insider The Best of Star Wars Insider The Best of Star Wars Insider Lords of the Sith
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ISBN 9781785851162 ISBN 9781785851179 ISBN 9781785851896 ISBN 9781785851902 ISBN 9781785851919
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© & TM 2017 Lucasfi lm Ltd.

INTERVIEW













Grand Admiral
Thrawn is a
skilled tactician
who debuted in
Season Three
of Rebels.


















ANIMATING



THE ADMIRAL




Keith Kellogg, animation supervisor for Star Wars Rebels,
talks about transforming Legends icon Grand Admiral
Thrawn from prose protagonist to 3D threat!

I N T E R V I E W B Y T R I C I A B A R R
































74 / STAR WARS INSIDER

T
V
ER
INTERVIEW
W
IE
eith Kellogg’s key
K role as animation
supervisor on
the Star Wars
franchise began “IT CAN BE HARD TO
on Star Wars: FIND SPOTS WHERE
The Clone Wars with the Season HIS CHARACTER
Four premiere, “Water War.” He
has worked on every episode of COMES ACROSS
Star Wars Rebels to date.
TO THE AUDIENCE,
> On animating WITHOUT HIM BEING
Admiral Thrawn… OVER THE TOP.”
First, we receive a design from
our amazing art director Killian
Plunkett and his team, and then
we create a model, based on
what we’re given, in a 3D very little movement in his brow, his character comes across to the
software program called Maya. and even less movement in his audience, without him being over
Our character technical directors mouth. His changes in expression, the top. One of the ways we can
then create what is called a “rig” when they happen, are also very show who he is as a character is
for the model, basically a virtual deliberate and toned down as well. by placing him in his offi ce, and
skeleton complete with bones and then positioning him around or
joints, which can be manipulated. > On meeting near the things he has collected.
The “rig” is then passed to our Timothy Zahn… You will notice he is often framed
animators, who can then pose [Rebels executive producer] Dave by his two lizard statues. We try
the character, like moving the Filoni is very open when it comes to play up the fact he is a historian
arms and legs and creating facial to creators, so he had Timothy and that he learns the motivations
expressions, to suit the needs come down to see us. We told him of his enemies based on their
of the action. what we were doing with Thrawn, cultures, which ultimately comes
and got his feedback. He really back to the art he’s collected.
> On what Thrawn liked it, which was good to know,
means to him… because we spent a lot of time > On his favorite

I read Timothy Zahn’s original trying to figure out how we would Thrawn moment…
Thrawn trilogy when I was growing portray him, based on what we There’s a scene in “Hera’s
up, and I know how much the knew from Timothy’s books. Heroes” where Thrawn grabs
character means to the Star Wars Captain Slavin by the collar
community, so it was humbling > On Thrawn’s and hisses at him because Slavin
and exciting to bring such an icon body language… didn’t understand the historical

into the animation realm. We were One of the great insights Timothy significance of the Twi’lek
all aware of the signifi cance. Zahn gave us was that Thrawn Kalikori. Thrawn loses his

is always trying to fit in. His blue composure for a split second,
> On setting Thrawn skin makes him stand out, realizes what he’s doing, and
apart from other certainly, but he does things to then puts Slavin down. Next,
bad guys… emulate humans, whether that Thrawn brushes off his shoulder
When we found out Lars Mikkelsen is putting his arm on his elbow and regains the control he so
was providing the voice, and got or putting his hands behind his desperately tries to maintain
to hear him for the fi rst time back. Thrawn is always thinking at all time. I loved that scene
speaking as Thrawn, we knew about how he can look as normal because again it harkens back
he would be a very calculating as possible and to not stand out to Thrawn being a historian and
villain and very intelligent—not more than he already does. valuing artifacts taken from
at all typical, and certainly not his enemies. To Slavin, it was
over-the-top. With that in mind, > On the challenges a simple bobble; but to Thrawn,
we knew that when animating of Thrawn… the artifact represented
him his movements would need Because he doesn’t emote using knowledge. The moment caught
to be toned down, too, more so big facial expressions and often Thrawn off guard and he went
than most of the characters in keeps his hands behind his back, ballistic, which was a lot of fun
Rebels. For example, we gave him it can be hard to find spots where to do.




STAR WARS INSIDER / 75

challenge





accepted









The 3rd annual runDisney Star Wars event took
place at the Disneyland Resort in California on
January 13, 14, and 15. Jon D. Witmer went the
extra 6.2 miles to compete in the Rebel Challenge,
which featured a Star Wars 10K on Saturday and
a Star Wars Half Marathon on Sunday!



FEATURE






“YOU CANNOT RUN THROUGH A
CASTLE OR A THEME PARK ANYWHERE
ELSE. THE MEDALS THAT PEOPLE EARN
ARE AMAZING.”






anuary 2016. Training Montage 01 Feeling races—and the Walt Disney
the magic.
J I was 10 miles Borrowing a line from Chirrut Runners World Marathon goes the full
Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars
distance [26.2 miles].”
into runDisney’s
make a
dash through
Story, I’d taken to reciting a
Star Wars Half
the castle. The fi rst Star Wars Half
Marathon when mantra as I trained for the Rebel Marathon weekend was held
I saw him. It Challenge and 2016 turned to 02 A very tall at the Disneyland Resort in

was the first time I’d ever tried to 2017: “I am one with the Force Ewok and January 2015. “The minute it
a very
run 13.1 miles in one go, and I and the Force is with me.” fast-moving was announced, people were
was on what felt like an endlessly These words rolled through C-3PO soak so excited,” Tina recalled. “We
long stretch of Chapman Avenue my mind as I drove from Los in the fun. very quickly started to see if we
in Anaheim, California. My Angeles to Anaheim on the day 03 Magic hour could host one on the East Coast

energy was waning as I pounded before the first race. A year had at the Magic as well, because the demand was
Kingdom as
the pavement, and then there passed since I had seen Malakili, so high.”
runners feel
he was: my unlikely inspiration. and now I was en route to pick the burn! And so, 2016 marked the
Malakili, Jabba’s rancor keeper, up my race bib and to sit down inaugural Star Wars Half
was only a handful of runners with Tina Trybus, marketing Marathon weekend at Walt
in front of me, complete with manager for Disney Sports and Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
headscarf and green pants, his Youth Programs. Despite having To distinguish the events, the
torso bare in the cold January run that morning’s Star Wars 5K, East Coast races are known as
morning. He clutched his beloved she was ready and willing to “The Dark Side” while the West
pet beneath one arm as he kept offer a bit of history about the Coast went by “The Light Side.”
his pace, showing no signs of runDisney program, which The expansion also brought the

flagging. The sight of him was formally organized in 2010. addition of the Kessel Run
brought joy and adrenaline “We wanted to make sure we Challenge, which offers yet
back to my heart and carried were delivering something people another medal for anyone who
me capably to the fi nish. could not get anywhere else,” completes the Star Wars Half
There were many such Tina told me. “You cannot run Marathon at each park within
inspirations along the course, through a castle or a theme park the same calendar year. When
with runners and viewers alike anywhere else. The medals that Tina mentioned this, the room
bedecked in the raiment of rebels people earn are amazing. And seemed to fade away, and I could
and Imperials, Jedi, and Sith. Not we’re known for guest service and have sworn I heard Emperor
to mention the Disneyland and event management, which you Palpatine’s goading words:
Disney California Adventure have to have at your core in the “You want this, don’t you?”
theme parks themselves—aglow running industry.”
in the early morning hours, The program has thrived First Steps
before their doors opened to in the years since, with nine The following day, I was back
a new day’s visitors. annual race weekends now on in Anaheim by four in the
It was all so exciting— the calendar. “There are eight morning. The forecast was clear,

every finisher received a medal domestically in the U.S.” said but temperatures were chilly.
straight out of A New Hope— Tina. “Four at Disneyland and I pulled my knit cap snugly over
that I determined immediately four at Walt Disney World. We my ears—its Star Wars logo front
to sign up for an additional just hosted our fi rst international and center on my forehead—and
race, the Rebel Challenge in race at Disneyland Paris this past reminded myself, “I am one
2017. That meant I would again September. All of them have a with the Force and the Force
run a half marathon, but only Health and Fitness Expo, and is with me.”
after having completed a 10K each race weekend has a 5K, a Making my way to my starting
(6.2 mile) run the day before! 10K, a half marathon, and kids’ corral, I stepped in time to John




78 / STAR WARS INSIDER

FEATURE



01 Williams’ “Parade of the Ewoks,”
which played from nearby
loudspeakers. There were 13,000
registered runners for this 10K, and
among them I spied everything
from X-wing pilots to a tauntaun.
No sign of Malakili—but he is a
half-marathoner, after all.
The race began at 5:30am.
The corrals were released one
at a time. “I am one with the
Force and the Force is with me.”

The course first went through
California Adventure before
leading into Disneyland. Along
the way, the parks’ cast-member
crew lined the route, their cheers
of encouragement fl oating over
the constant backing of Star Wars
scores. Shortly past the fi rst mile
02
marker, I heard my mantra spoken
aloud. “You are one with the
Force,” a pair of cast-members
shouted in unison. I dubbed them
“the Guardians of the Whills” as

they finished their inducement:
“The Force is with you!”
I ran past a Sabine-tagged TIE

fighter wing, BB-8 at the foot of
Rey’s downed walker on Jakku,
and Chewbacca in the Resistance
base. Rounding the corner into
Tomorrowland, I saw two First
Order stormtroopers on patrol,

their F-11D blaster rifles at the
ready. Heading out of Main
Street toward the fi nal mile-and-
a-half of the race, I passed
beneath Captain Phasma on
a lookout—her chromium
03
armor resplendent in the
colorful glow of the park’s lights.
Feeling like I could take
on the whole Empire myself,

I crossed the finish line and let
the event’s BB-8 medal drop
into place around my neck.
Run Rebel, Run
The next day was Sunday, but it
was no day of rest. I donned my

official Rebel Challenge shirt,
which identified me as one of

the 6,000 runners who had opted
to add yesterday’s 6.2 miles to
today’s 13.1, and set out to join
them and another 10,000 runners
who had signed up just for the
half marathon. In total,




STAR WARS INSIDER / 79

FEATURE



30,000 runners from more than
24 countries participated in the
weekend’s races, making this the
earthbound equivalent of a
gathering at Maz Kanata’s castle.
As today’s contingent approached
our starting corrals, I scanned the
crowd for Malakili. Still no sign
of him, but no matter. “I am one
with the Force and the Force is
with me.”
The half marathon’s fi rst
four miles were identical to those
of the 10K the day before. Sure
enough, around the fi rst mile,

I heard the first of the two
Guardians of the Whills: “You
are one with the Force!” she
reminded us. “The Force is
with you!” Less than a mile
later I passed her counterpart. 04
“You are one with the Force and
the Force is with you,” he echoed. lips on ragged breaths: “Force… 04 Men, women, Victory Lap

Between miles four and fi ve, me… Force… me…” children, and Once across the finish line, I
even Ewoks
the course led out to the streets Where was my Malakili? participate! accepted—with profound relief—
of Anaheim, where we were I scanned my surroundings, my two medals: one for the half
05 The winner

greeted by an oversized Jawa and though I could find no trace marathon (adorned with a beautiful
of the 5K
draped in holiday lights, of the rancor keeper, what I saw race hits the rendering of Han and Leia) and
gesticulating wildly and cheering instead was more powerful than finish line! one for the Rebel Challenge
us along with shouts of “Utini!” I could have possibly imagined. 06 They did it! (featuring Threepio in silhouette).
Soon after, we passed an Fellow runners whose passion A trio of very When I’d spoken with Tina two
ambulatory Death Star, with fueled their fl eet efforts; happy rebels days earlier, she’d mentioned what
show off
only its wearer’s head and legs costumed supporters who had their medals. the medals add to the runDisney
sticking out of the spherical taken the time and effort to experience. “It’s a way to
costume. Operational, yes, but design and don their elaborate commemorate an experience
not “fully armed.” garb; local schools’ bands and with Star Wars that is unique.”
The race wound past long cheer squads inured to the But she pointed to another facet

lines of brilliantly costumed cold, standing roadside for of these races that I find to be even
supporters. I saw Ben Kenobi, hours to drive us on with more profound. Each run, she said,
Commander Wolffe, and a their up-tempo soundtrack. “is an opportunity to not just
contingent of rebel fl eet When Chirrut Îmwe fi rst watch Star Wars on a screen, but to
troopers. There were Darths appears onscreen in Rogue One, have a real-life interaction with the
Vader, Revan, and Maul. Even he can be heard saying a line characters.” And not just the
the Emperor’s dignitary Sim Aloo taken from the earliest drafts of characters, mind you, but also
showed up to lend his silent George Lucas’ screenplay for the thousands of fellow fans.
support to the goings-on. original Star Wars: “May the Force After running a combined 19.3
Yet for all this encouragement, of others be with you.” Here, miles within a window of roughly
as I rounded mile 10, the now, surrounded by thousands 26 hours, I was exhausted and
exertion of the weekend’s efforts of fellow fans, I understood hungry—but I also felt an urge to
began to take its toll. I called on exactly what he meant. do all of this again next year. And
my mantra, and it escaped my On I ran. I’ll bring with me a revised mantra.
“I am one with the Force of
others, and the Force of others
“THERE WERE DARTHS VADER, SUCCESS! is with me.”

A tired but
REVAN, AND MAUL. EVEN THE happy Jon D. The runDisney Star Wars Half
Witmer poses
EMPEROR’S DIGNITARY with his hard- Marathon – The Light Side weekend
won medals! takes place January 11-14, 2018.
SIM ALOO SHOWED UP.” Find out more at www.rundisney.com




80 / STAR WARS INSIDER

FEATURE



05







































06











































STAR WARS INSIDER / 81



INTERVIEW



Rook








Who’s







Talking!






















































As brave defector Bodhi Rook, Riz Ahmed has vital
information to impart in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Insider learned more about this rising star!






STAR WARS INSIDER / 83

INTERVIEW














izwan “Riz” [for an audition]. It came out of 01 Ready to complete
the mission on
Ahmed has
nowhere as I wasn’t even aware
R forged a career that Rogue One was being made! Scarif, Bodhi Rook
(Riz Ahmed)
prepares to engage
in independent
So, I was a bit confused and
the enemy!

films such as thinking, Is this for real?
The Road to I went all out when creating 02 Pilot Bodhi Rook
Guantanamo (2006), Four Lions the audition tape, doing 15 takes control
of the rebels’
(2010), and Ill Manors (2012), different versions of the scene U-wing starfighter.
before earning wider recognition [I was reading for]. Gareth made
for his performance in 2014’s the mistake of giving me his email
Nightcrawler. But it is his role in address, so I kept emailing them
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that to him. After a while, he said, “You
has won the plaudits of Star Wars can stop sending auditions now!”
fans around the world. How did you prepare to
What’s your take on the play Bodhi?
What was it like getting the call character of Bodhi Rook? RA: The amazing power of science
to be in a Star Wars movie? RA: Often in these big sagas that fiction is that it’s an opportunity

Riz Ahmed: [Rogue One director] deal with great mythology, we’re to comment on the world and the
Gareth Edwards called me up and talking about the children of struggles we face. We live in a time
said he’d like me to go on tape important people: members of a when many countries are occupied
and people are forced to do things
they’re not comfortable with in
“IT’S ALWAYS A BIT OF order to earn a living. For me, the
fact that Gareth wanted to make a
A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE— very gritty film that had a realistic

EACH DAY YOU HOPE TO feel to it meant that I could look
to those real world examples and
LEARN A BIT MORE ABOUT watch interviews of people in
those circumstances who feel
THE CHARACTER.” conflicted in that way. Then, when

I went on set and saw everything
the amazing production team
dynasty or an important family built, I was instantly there.
line. What’s cool about Bodhi is
he’s an average Joe. He doesn’t Was there a particular moment
come from a special family or have when you “knew” the character?
special powers. He’s just trying to RA: I don’t know if I ever feel like
make a living, and the only gig in that. It’s always a bit of a
town is working for the Empire. rollercoaster ride—each day you
So, he becomes a cargo pilot hope to learn a bit more about the
because he enjoys the escape of the character. Some days, you’ll think
long-haul flights. But something is you’ve got it, and then suddenly

eating away at him. Jedha—the you’ll think: I don’t know this guy
place he’s from—is occupied by the at all! In a way, I guess you should
Empire, and he’s got a front-row never fully know your character. It
seat to see what the effect of that would be dangerous to think I’ve
is. Eventually, he decides to take a nailed it and it’s a fi nished
huge risk and deliver a message to product. I try to approach my
Saw Gerrera [Forest Whitaker]. character as a journey: a process
Bodhi decides to risk everything of constant discovery. I don’t
for what he feels is right. even think I fully know myself.




84 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INTERVIEW



01







































02











































STAR WARS INSIDER / 85

INTERVIEW



03







































04











































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INTERVIEW













Did you enjoy working with
Gareth Edwards?
RA: Working with Gareth is almost 5 FACTS ABOUT
like working on an indie movie RIZ AHMED
or a documentary. You have the
01 Riz is also known as Riz MC. He is a
director holding the camera, in member of the hip-hop group Swet
the pit, in the mine shaft, with Shop Boys. In 2012 he released a
solo album entitled MICroscope.
you. You forget about the rest
of the world. 02 Riz features on the Billboard
Sometimes when the director number one album, The
Hamilton Mixtape.
is out there watching on a monitor,
03 He was awarded the Geneva
a small part of you is out there,
Cinéma Tout Ecran Award for Best
too, wondering if he or she likes it. Actor for his performance in the
But when the director is right there fi lm, Shifty (2008) co-starring fellow
Rogue One cast member Daniel
with you, you focus completely on
Mays (Tivik).
your immediate surroundings. It’s
04 Riz also worked with another Rogue
very immersive.
One co-star, Ben Mendelsohn
Also, he’s such a fan of Star (Krennic), in the fi lm Una (2016).
Wars: you can really feel his 05 He graduated from Christ Church,
enthusiasm when he talks to you Oxford University with a degree in
about scenes. He’ll start humming Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
the music! It’s infectious. His
roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-
involved energy is inspiring and
really brings you into that world. “IT WAS FUN WORKING WITH
That’s something I really respect.
EVERYONE AND BEING A PART OF A
What’s it like to be part of GROUP. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN
such a large ensemble cast?
RA: It was fun working with QUIRKS AND VIBE, AND IT BECOMES
everyone and being a part of this
group. Everyone has their own A PART OF A FAMILY.”
quirks and vibe, and it becomes
a kind of a family! It felt like
doing a play with a theater troupe, in a void, unsure what the other the lines and say the most
spending every day together, and pieces of the puzzle are. But when random things. I think it takes

I liked that camaraderie. You you’re surrounded by the other a lot of confidence to do that,
don’t always get that, and it can characters, you learn how each and it created a loose, playful

sometimes feel like you’re acting piece fits. It makes you more feel on set.
secure about what you’re doing.
Creatively, and on a personal level, What does being in this fi lm
I was grateful for that. mean to you?
RA: So much! To be part of
Who was the biggest joker a diverse ensemble cast that
on set? I respect so much, made up of
03 Imperial defector
Bodhi Rook meets RA: Alan Tudyk (K-2SO), without people whose work I’ve watched
Edrio “Two Tubes” a doubt. He says that doing for so long, means a lot. So
on his quest to find a computer-generated character does being a part of a story that
Saw Gerrera.
doesn’t bring the same pressure means so much to so many people
04 Captured on Jedha, as being on camera, so you end around the world. Star Wars shapes
Bodhi Rook plays
a crucial role in the up feeling very free. We’d do a culture. That was true with the fi rst

Rogue One narrative. scene, and he would improvise films, and it’s true now.



STAR WARS INSIDER / 87

WORLDWIDE






C E L E B R A T I N G T H E S A G A








































MEET A SUPER TROOPER!


Jez Allinson on why he is the fastest moving stormtrooper in the galaxy...


y name is Jez Allinson, in 5 hours 26 seconds. I have decided to take it to the
but I’m better known I couldn’t leave it there though, next level….
Maround the world as Make-a-Wish need more help,
“The Running Stormtrooper.” but I recognize that I’ll have to STORMING PINEWOOD
In 2016, I ran in various events up my game if I want to beat To celebrate the 40th anniversary
dressed in full stormtrooper costume last year’s fundraising efforts. of Star Wars, I have organised
to raise money for the terminally In March this year I ran the my own 40-mile run on May the
ill children’s charity, Make-a-Wish Vitality Bath Half Marathon, and in 4th at Black Park which is adjacent
Foundation International. “The April I will have a booth at Star Wars to Pinewood studios. The fi nal
Running Stormtrooper” became Celebration with a treadmill where I part of this event will culminate
an internet hit in February 2016 will run at least a half marathon each with me running through the
with a viral video that received day for 4 days—I can think of no gates of Pinewood and up to
more than 2.3 million hits on the greater opportunity to raise the Lucasfi lm buildings—all
Facebook platform “Lad Bible.” awareness for Make-a-Wish. while wearing my stormtrooper
My 2016 charitable activities Following this, I will be running armor. This has the full support
culminated in me completing the Virgin Money London Marathon of Pinewood Studios and the
the London Marathon dressed on April the 23rd. However these blessing of Lucasfi lm.
in the stormtrooper costume are just the warm up events as This, like last year, is going




88 / STAR WARS INSIDER

YOUR EMPIRE NEEDS YOU!
We want to hear from you! Tell us about your
Star Wars experience. What made you want
to become a fan? What have you done in the
name of Star Wars? Tell us your Star Wars
story by sending your photos, art, and ARTISTS’ ALLEY
letters here:
[email protected]
Talented Star Wars fans share their amazing
Or via regular post:
UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM drawings inspired by the galaxy far, far away...
Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Worldwide,
Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider,
Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark
2819 Rosehall Lane, Street
Aurora, IL, 60503, London, SE1 0UP,
U.S.A. U.K.





















01. THE ART OF WARS
Here is some artwork I made to
celebrate the release of Rogue
One. It’s my favorite Star Wars
movie to date, which I didn’t
think would be possible outside
the main Skywalker story.
Tom Amici, email












to hurt. The armor is not
comfortable. It cuts and chafes my
body, I can’t see very well, drink or
eat easily, or tie my shoes. However,
if I can raise more money for
Make-a-Wish, the experience will all
be worth it. Last year I raised
£6,000, and this year I am hoping
to reach £10,000.
It is a lofty target, and
stormtroopers aren’t known for their
accuracy. With help and support, I
might be able to reverse this trend!
02. HAN AND CHEWIE GET BLASTING!
Keep up (if you can!) with
The Running Stormtrooper at I wanted to share a few Star Wars sketches
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ with Insider that I drew recently. I hope
rogueone you enjoy them! Daryl Ryan, New York

FICTION

























































































90 / STAR WARS INSIDER

FICTION


































E X C L U S I V E F I C T I O N
Blade Squadron: Jakku






AS THE BATTLE RAGES OVER THE BACKWATER DESERT WORLD OF JAKKU,
THE VAUNTED BLADE SQUADRON FLIES ITS B-WING STARFIGHTERS AGAINST
A DECIMATED IMPERIAL WAR MACHINE. HAVING PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE
IN THE BATTLE OF ENDOR BY DESTROYING THE IMPERIAL I-CLASS STAR
DESTROYER DEVASTATOR. THE FEARLESS PILOTS ENGAGE IN ANOTHER
HEATED CONFRONTATION IN THE ONGOING GALACTIC CIVIL WAR...


W R I T T E N B Y D AV I D J . W I L L I A M S A N D M A R K S . W I L L I A M S
I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y C H R I S T R E VA S




























STAR WARS INSIDER / 91

FICTION



ll available systems. Moonsong hung back, allowing alarms were warbling right next to her
ships, her pilots to take their shots and peel head, and she smelled acrid smoke. But
concentrate away. It wasn’t until after Stramm and through those alarms she heard a voice:
your fire on the her wingman Fanty cleared the area “Gina! Gina can you hear me?”

engines of the that Moonsong started her own attack She could, but as the comm died,
Ravager. Repeat, run. There was an undeniable pleasure it became clear Stramm couldn’t hear
concentrate on in delivering the coup de grâce, and as her. She wanted to tell him she was
the engines—” the squadron commander Gina reveled sorry, that they should have ditched
Admiral Ackbar’s words were still in it. Moonsong reduced her speed, this whole war and made for some
ringing in Gina Moonsong’s ears as she lined up the engines and let loose with world where no one had ever drawn
keyed her comm. everything her B-wing had. She was weapons... but now it was too late. The
“OK Blade Squadron, you heard the rewarded with orange blossoms of fi re G-forces were hauling her down toward
man.” Moonsong tightened up her and molten debris as the Super Star blackout; the prospect loomed before
squadron’s formation as the B-wings Destroyer pitched and heaved. Gina’s her almost inviting, like some kind
swooped in to attack the Super Star readouts were going haywire; there was of ultimate solace. But she fought for

Destroyer Ravager, flanked on either massive EMP interference, and what consciousness—and then stopped
side by their X-wing escort. She found little she could decipher made no sense: fighting gravity; instead, she vectored

herself keeping a particularly close had someone unleashed a tractor beam down and past the Ravager. They were
eye on the X-wing piloted by Braylen on the enormous ship? What was going well beneath the heat of re-entry now;
Stramm. Given how much Kuat had on? She swerved away but there was all she had to worry about was surviving
depleted their pilots, he’d remained nowhere to swerve; all of a sudden, the crash—not to mention crashing in a
with the squadron; they needed the Ravager was losing traction and place that didn’t promptly get smashed
every able-bodied pilot on deck. plunging toward the planet Jakku below. by millions of tons of falling metal.

Officially, their relationship was Leaving Gina right between the two. She made some guesses on the fl y, used
strictly professional. In reality, though, She heard Ackbar’s voice echoing on the little power her ship had left to
it was more complicated than ever. override across all channels: accelerate well past its safety limits, the

MOONSONG DIDN’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT JAKKU,
NOR HAD SHE EVER PLANNED TO FIND OUT... IT
WAS A HELL OF A PLACE TO MAKE A LAST STAND.



Fanty’s voice cut through her reverie: “Soldiers and pilots of the New craft shaking like a leaf in the winds
“Fifteen seconds out.” Republic! The dreadnought Ravager is of atmosphere. A vast ceiling of falling

“No TIE fighters, just capital ships.” down—it falls to Jakku! Beware debris metal loomed above. Desert stretched
Lieutenant Sandara Li’s contralto and take cover!” below. With her last breath of
echoed over the squadron’s frequency; —and then the admiral’s voice was consciousness, she engaged the
she and her wingman Johan Volk rolled cut off by a sudden explosion that auto-landing sequence....
in to cover Moonsong’s approach. Gina sounded like it was right next to
***
smiled grimly as the Ravager’s aft fi lled Moonsong’s head. She wasn’t sure if
her cockpit window. To her surprise, she had taken a direct hit from a laser, It was a steady sound; like a
there was almost no return fi re—the or if a piece of debris had smashed into drumbeat, or somebody tapping the
vast ship was beset from too many her B-wing—but whatever clobbered her inside of her skull. As her eyes opened,
directions to worry about a small had collapsed her shields, and knocked Moonsong realized that there was some
squadron. And there seemed to be out her maneuver drive. She was strange looking bird pecking at the glass
some kind of issue with its drive- drifting dead-stick right into the of her cockpit. She unstrapped herself

system… the craft was shifting debris field of the crashing Super Star and activated the emergency explosive
course at an unpredictable angle. Destroyer. She managed to bring up that blew the canopy clear. The bird
But that wasn’t Moonsong’s problem. the auxiliary power, but the readouts took off just in time and fl ew away
Her problem was finding a way to told her she was past the point of being with an annoyed squawk. Moonsong

make it even worse. able to punch out. She was already in unstrapped herself, pulled herself free
“Stand by to fire ion cannons. the grip of Jakku’s gravity; all she could of the wreckage and stepped out into

Transmitting targets in three... two... do was try to redirect her B-wing to a wilderness of sand. She didn’t know
one. Weapons free! I repeat, weapons bring the craft in line behind the dying much about Jakku, nor had she ever

free!” The B-wings of Blade Squadron Ravager in a desperate attempt to use the planned on finding out. The place
unleashed a withering barrage of fi re, giant craft as a heat shield for re-entry. looked like a wasteland. It was a hell
scoring multiple hits on the drive All her sensors were now in the red; of a place to make a last stand.




92 / STAR WARS INSIDER

Gina Moonsong FICTION
encounters Temmin
Wexley amid the
carnage on Jakku.



















WE ALL STARED
OUT AT THE VAST
BULBOUS CARPET
OF FOLIAGE, ALIVE
WITH GREENS,
PURPLES, AND
YELLOWS.







Especially since half the sky was on would be taking prisoners this time. scavenging through what was left of

fire. Miles away, the huge wreck of the She watched her beloved ship burn and their equipment. She found a canteen
Ravager sat like a volcano, spitting took a deep breath. No comm, water, of water—she didn’t care it had belonged
plasma-charged steel and smoke into survival supplies, homing beacon. But to a dead guy, he wouldn’t be needing
the air, while the sand all around had heading in the opposite direction of it. As she drank, she unclipped an E-11
been blackened by its impact. Looking the gigantic funeral pyre of the downed blaster and a utility harness, then
back at her wrecked B-wing, Moonsong Super Star Destroyer seemed like a good strapped on the utility belt, and unfolded
realized it was a miracle she was alive, start. She folded her lucky fl ight gloves the weapon’s stock for maximum

but she seriously doubted that was into her suit and started walking. At stability. She flipped the select fi re switch
going to remain the case for long. She least she was still walking... with a degree of satisfaction. Maybe
pulled off her helmet and thermal things were looking up.
***
gloves before disconnecting the controls And then she heard something
for the suit’s systems. She felt more than Moonsong was burning with thirst. behind her.
a little conspicuous in her red fl ight suit. She estimated she had trudged a good Moonsong spun around to fi nd
She quickly discovered that the B-wing’s ten kilometers or so from the crash but herself face to face with a teenage
survival kit was destroyed and if you still had no point of reference to tell her boy in a torn fl ight suit.
didn’t count the signal fl ares she where she was. Darkness was falling fast “Don’t shoot!” he said. And then,
carried—which she didn’t—then she and she was more than a little concerned the challenge code: “Thunder!” He
had absolutely no weapons. about sleeping out in the open. She looked scared as hell. Moonsong slowly
Of course, things could always get scurried up the side of a particularly high lowered the weapon but kept her fi nger
worse: the distinctive whine of TIE sand dune and peered down into the on the trigger.

fighter engines high above brought valley below—to find herself looking “Lightning. Who are you, kid?”

her to her feet and running. She ran down at the shattered remnants of an He gave her a crisp salute.
up the side of a dune and dived for Imperial stormtrooper camp. “Temmin... Temmin Wexley, Phantom
cover behind a cluster of rocks as the Moonsong ran down to the scene of Squadron.” He didn’t look old enough to
TIE fighters swooped in, fi ring wildly carnage, and carefully sifted through the shave, let alone fly an X-wing, Moonsong


and quickly turning what was left remains of the dead troopers. Whatever allowed herself the ghost of a smile.
of her B-wing into a molten heap of had done this had made fast and terrible “Well, Temmin Wexley: I’m
burning scrap. So much for honor work of the squad. But Moonsong was Lieutenant Gina Moonsong,
among pilots; it seemed that neither intent on turning their bad luck into Blade Squadron. Is your comlink
the New Republic nor the Empire her good fortune and went to work still working?”



STAR WARS INSIDER / 93

FICTION



“Uh... no.” “So was I, actually.” If you don’t mind us using one of your
“Got a blaster?” “Yeah, but did you fly a Y-wing into comlinks we’ll get out of your hair and

“Sure.” Temmin pulled his DH-17 the Death Star and out the other side?” leave you to do your job, Major.”
and checked the charge. “I’ve only got “That’d be a negative.” But Ranz shook his head. “Sorry
one spare power pack though.” “Well, she did!” Lieutenant, we’re under orders to
“What about provisions?” “That means she’s a survivor,” said maintain radio silence until we make

“Most of my kit was destroyed. I got Gina with a confidence she didn’t feel. contact with our target—and even if
this though...” Temmin dug deep into “Which means you’ll see her again. I could give you a comm there’s so

a flight suit pocket and pulled out a pair I’ve got friends I want to see again much EMP interference, you’d need
of nutritional supplements. Each bar too...” Moonsong’s voice faltered as a full blown command-and-control
could sustain a human for up to three she thought about Stramm. She decided sat-uplink to get through all the chaff.”
days. The downside was the terrible there and then that if she ever saw his Moonsong shrugged, burying her
taste. Though at this point Moonsong face again she would tell him everything disappointment. This was war, nothing
wasn’t complaining. and see where the cards fell. went as planned. “What is your target?”
“Well, at least we won’t starve. We’ve “Do you hear that?” Temmin asked. Ranz gestured at the scrublands up
got to link up with the ground forces if “Hear wh—” But before either of ahead. “In about 30 minutes, an
we’re ever going to get off this rock.” them could react half a dozen fi gures Imperial supply convoy is going to
“Yes si—I mean yes, ma’am—” popped out from behind a rock with roll right through that pass. If they’re
“Call me Gina. It’s easier.” weapons drawn. One of them called able to reinforce Golga Station, they
out the challenge. might be able to mount a counterattack
***
“Thunder!” Moonsong let out a sigh that could make this battle drag on

Moonsong took the first watch while of relief—they were friendly. regardless of what happens upstairs.”
the kid slept. Though that was really just “Lightning!” Weapons lowered as the “A supply convoy.” Wexley looked
a way to make sure he got some rest, New Republic soldiers closed around around at the rebel troops. Some of them
because as soon as he woke, Moonsong them. One of them noted Moonsong’s were wounded. All looked tired. “That
skipped her watch and got them on the rank and gave a perfunctory salute. sounds like it would be well protected.”

“IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES, AN IMPERIAL
SUPPLY CONVOY IS GOING TO ROLL RIGHT
THROUGH THAT PASS.”



move instead. She figured they could “Lieutenant, I’m Sergeant Agarne, “It will be. I expect at least one

make some real distance before the sun Third Recon Group.” re-enforced company of stormtroopers
came back up. The kid seemed sullen “You’re a sight for sore eyes.” to be traveling with it.”
and stayed quiet. Moonsong fi gured a “We don’t have much time. Group “Where are the rest of your men?”
little talking might ease the time and command is over there. He’ll explain “You’re looking at them. Yesterday
lower the panic factor. Too bad she was everything.” we had a full company.”
terrible at making small talk. “Roger that. Lead the way.” The “You don’t honestly think you’re
“So, um... what happened to the rest group double-timed it over a few dunes going to be able to take out a heavily
of your squadron, kid?” to a rocky area where a squad of soldiers armored Imperial supply convoy with
“They’re still up there fi ghting. But... were digging in. a dozen men do you? That’s suicide.”
some of them are dead. They were “Downed pilots to see the group Ranz laughed mirthlessly. “Didn’t
my friends.” commander,” said the sergeant. they say that about taking down the
“I’ve lost good friends too,” she said. “Thank you, Sarge,” said a voice Death Star? Look, we have our orders.
She touched his hand gently. That was from down in the trench. “Do me a You’re welcome to some supplies if you
when she got a glimpse of his face in favor and double check our lines of want to make a run for it, but we’re
the starlight. “But they’re not the only fire again.” Agarne gave a curt nod and about a hundred kilometers behind

ones on your own mind...” It wasn’t headed off to check the other soldiers. enemy lines with nothing but thousands
a question, just a statement. But still The group commander climbed out of angry stormtroopers between here and
he hesitated... of the trench and faced the two Base Alpha. It’s up to you, Lieutenant.”
“No... I mean, yes. I mean, I hope newcomers. Blue eyes shone from It wasn’t really much of a choice.
my mom’s okay. She’s a pilot too.” within a scarred face. “Count us in,” she said. She glanced
“No kidding,” Gina paused. “Are you “I’m Major Ranz,” he said. at Wexley. “I hope you know how to
Norra Wexley’s kid?” Moonsong saluted. “Lieutenant use that blaster, kid.”
“She was at the Battle of Endor,” said Gina Moonsong, commander Blade Then she turned back to Ranz.
Temmin with something close to awe. Squadron. This is pilot Temmin Wexley. “I’d like to suggest a plan,” she said.




94 / STAR WARS INSIDER

***
The six Imperial Troop Transports
skirted across the sands at 20 kilometers
per hour. They were unbuttoned, with
a single trooper sticking out of the top
hatch manning the craft’s main gun.
Ranz waited until the very last second
and gave the signal.
“Now!” The scouts detonated a
jury-rigged cluster of power packs buried
in the sand as the second transport
passed over it. The ITT rose into the air
on a pillar of sand and fire, then fl ipped

over onto its back and split open, spilling
supplies and troopers in all directions.
The ITT behind it desperately turned,
skidding to a halt as it impacted with the
wreckage. The lead transport stopped
and spun its dorsal turret, spitting cover

fire in all directions as the stormtroopers
poured out, ready to meet their enemies.
The remaining transports pulled into
a triangle formation and stopped. On
cue, Major Ranz and his New Republic
troopers leapt from their spider holes

and opened fire on the rear ITTs.
Half a dozen rockets turned the rear
transports into fl aming coffi ns for
the stormtroopers that had yet to
disembark—but it didn’t take long
for the remaining Imperials to form
a skirmish line and return fi re. They
even managed to deploy a heavy
weapons team which struggled to set
up a tripod-mounted blaster cannon.
The surviving troopers from the front
of the column raced to reinforce the rear
and face their attackers... just as Ranz
had anticipated.
“Now!” he shouted.
Moonsong, Wexley, Sergeant Agarne
Gina Moonsong, Blade and three of the squad popped out of
Squadron commander
in the thick of the action! their hiding place at the head of the



STAR WARS INSIDER / 95

FICTION




column and tossed the few remaining of the cab firing wildly as she made of this? Come and get—” but even
anti-personnel grenades they had before her way to the wounded Wexley. as she said the words, the TIE fi ghter

running down firing at the few troopers “Ok trooper, up and at them!” she suddenly exploded, followed by the
outside the command ITT. Moonsong shouted at Wexley. “I haven’t given you next one in formation, and then
felt the heated air of near-misses, did permission to kick off!” She was relieved the next one... until finally the only


her best to forget just how naked and to see that he hadn’t been hit—the blast fighter craft in the sky were B-wings
exposed she was to the enemy’s fi re as had merely stunned him. He groaned as diving down and strafing the ITTs.


she reached the ITT first and yanked a Moonsong pulled him to his feet and Snub fighter laser fire kicked up


dead stormtrooper out of the smoking helped him limp off towards the nearest huge plumes of smoke and sand; the
cockpit. She smiled as she saw the intact dune for cover. The stormtroopers had stormtroopers broke formation and
communication gear on the vehicle’s finished setting up their tripod-cannon, scattered in all directions. The second


dashboard. But that smile quickly and proceeded to pour fire on the New pass of the B-wings finished most of

disappeared as she realized the long Republic positions behind them while them off. The rest ran into the desert.
range comm-dish was damaged. the bulk of the Imperials started to Moonsong waved to the sky as Blade

“Temmin! We’re going to have to perform a flanking maneuver. That was Squadron sped past, waggling their
align the dish manually!” when Moonsong heard a massive boom, wings and rolling in salute to the
“I’m on it!” Wexley climbed atop followed by an enormous plume of survivors on the ground. She wasn’t
the vehicle and pulled out his multi-tool smoke rising from where the major’s surprised to see Stramm’s marking
to quickly unscrew the fitting that held position used to be. She realized he emblazoned on the lead fi ghter.

the dish in place. An explosion went must have detonated the remaining She stepped over to where Wexley
off nearby and Wexley fell from the explosives in an effort to stop the was kneeling.
ITT like he’d been hit by shrapnel; stormtroopers from overrunning his “What’s happening?” he said
Moonsong somehow managed to focus position. A few remaining New Republic looking up at her.
anyway, keying up the coded channel troopers who had assisted with the “We’re going home,” she said.
to Fighter Command that piped her assault on the lead ITT fell back and “Your mother will be proud.”
voice in directly to Admiral Ackbar’s rallied around Moonsong’s position. She knelt beside him—with
MOONSONG STOOD UP AND RAISED HER
RIFLE TO HER SHOULDER; IF THIS WAS
IT, SHE’D GO DOWN FIGHTING.



command ship Home One. Third Sergeant Agarne fell in next to her and a hand on his shoulder while the

Recon Group had no such access, but slapped a fresh pack into his blaster rifl e. fighters that made up Blade Squadron
Moonsong did—and she had managed “All right, you lot: set your blasters landed all around them. Stramm
to persuade Ranz that even if the letter on single shot and watch your aim. The stepped out and walked over to them.
of his orders stipulated that they couldn’t only way we’re getting out of this is if “I see you’ve got a new friend,”
break radio silence until contact with the we conserve our ammo.” he said.
enemy had been made, well... that still “You really think we’re getting out “This is Temmin,” said Moonsong.
meant that once contact had occurred, of this?” someone muttered. That was “Temmin, this is Braylen.”

any and all signaling was just fine. It was when the unmistakable sound of fi ghter “Good to meet you,” said Stramm.
a technicality, maybe, but it was one that engines overhead drew Moonsong’s He took Gina’s hand. “You gave me
might yet save all their lives. Sergeant attention. Diving out of the sun were quite a scare,” he said. “Don’t do it
Agarne poked his head in as blaster fi re the familiar shapes of TIE fi ghters again, okay?”
strafed their position. streaking towards them. On their fi rst “Hey, I thought you weren’t
“Pick up the pace, Lieutenant! They’re pass, their deadly laser fire raked the going to try to give me any

on to us and we can’t hold them off for area, killing most of the remaining more orders.”
much longer!” Moonsong climbed out troopers in Ganz’s regiment as well as They looked at each other for
a few stormtroopers too close to what a moment, and then both started
was left of his position. “It’s over!” laughing. “I wouldn’t dream of it,”
shouted one of the rebels. “They’ve got he said. Just before things turned
The events of this
story tie-in with us... we’ve got to surrender!” awkward, she pulled him in and
Star Wars Aftermath: “I seriously doubt these guys take kissed him. She felt more than a
Empire’s End by prisoners,” said Moonsong. She stood little dazed—it seemed surreal that
Chuck Wendig,

available now from up and raised her rifle to her shoulder; the sands of Jakku hadn’t claimed

Del Rey Books. if this was it, she figured she would go her. As to what came next—well,
down fighting. “Okay, you want some she would just have to see.


96 / STAR WARS INSIDER

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