TAKING THE TEST Chewie (and family) must help the Alliance "pass" "The Black Fleet Crisis" Book review by Edward Worth

Tyrant's Test
by Michael P. Kube-McDowell

     This novel picks up right in the middle of the action, so first - some backround. In the first novel of the series, Before the Storm, Mike Kube-McDowell (K-mac) introduced us to a new enemy: the Duskhan League and their conniving reptilian Yevethan leader, Viceroy Nil Spaar. After (intentionally) disasterous meetings with President Leia Organa-Solo on Corsucant, coupled with treason in the New Republic Senate, the League attacks and takes all the non-Yevethan planets in the disputed Koornacht Cluster. Meanwhile, Lando Calrissian and the Droids are checking out the Teljkon Vagabound with New Republic Intelligence and become, after docking with the ship, quite trapped. The vagabound enters hyperspace. Also, in a long awaited story, Luke pursues the mystery of his mother with Akanah, a follower of the White Current, a mysterious Force-like power. She seeks her lost people, claiming Luke's mother is among them. A major search ensues.

     In part two, Shield of Lies, the Senate is in an uproar and the Fifth Fleet is defeated in an important battle. Viceroy Nil Spaar's hacking of the HoloNet spreads propoganda that weakens the President's position even more. Leia begins to show her tormented soul, and, in an act of desperation, orders Han to take over the Fifth Fleet. He does so - and is immediately betrayed and captured by the Duskhan League. Meanwhile, on the Teljkon Vagabound, Lando and company have made no more progress in finding the controls to the ship, and continue deeper into Imperial territory. Luke and Akanah roam the cosmos seeking some sign of his mother and her people, and Akanah begins to show Luke that non-violence may be a better lifestyle; Luke starts questioning his own beliefs.

     And now, Act Three: Tyrant's Test. Chewbacca, our favorite furry friend, is assisting in the Coming-of-Age ceremony for his son Lumpawarrump, when he is informed that Han Solo has been captured by the Yevetha. This curtails his son's ceremony as Chewie honors his life debt by going after Han, but he also ends up taking his friends and his son with him. I had predicted that Chewie would save the day, and K-Mac delivered it, though to what extent I had never guessed.

      Han, in the clutches of Nil Spaar, formulates plans of escape with his cellmate Lieutenant Barth. Barth is killed to show Spaar's rage and Han is tortured, with a recording sent to Leia to bring her to her knees.

      On Corsucant, Leia deals with cries from Senators and Friends alike to step down from the Crisis as her decision may be influenced by Han's imprisonment. Leia begins to consider this, but asks Mon Momath's advice. The former President tells Leia to stick it out and reject's the stepping down as stupidity...this is a time when the New Republic needs her most. I loved this exchange...you could tell K-Mac has developed a deep sense of the characters.

      Luke, on the other hand, is being led on a wild goose chase. He contemplates leaving Akanah, but she convinces him to go with her on one final trip. Skywalker finally agrees and they head out for the true location of the White Current. What Luke learns here is a great disappointment for us all, but, hey...what could K-Mac do? Suffice to say that Lucasfilm would never have let anyone truly write about what may occur during the timeframe of the upcoming prequels.

      All the plotlines now converge. Luke and Akanah, with a leader of the White Current powerful in the art of disguise, head deeper into the Cluster towards the mightly Black Fleet. Chewie and company have purchased new equipment, and, with the trusty Millennium Falcon, race towards the Black Fleet. Lando, the Droids, and Lobot are saved by scientists studying Quella, but the vagabound still threatens them from across the terminator of a mysterious planet.

     No, of course I'm not going to tell you the ending.

     K-Mac's writing this time was the best ever. No more messy cliffhangers, and Lando's journey was actually funny and had some interesting dialouge. Kudos! The climax and resolution were excellent, and a certain Wookiee's heroism touched the heart.