Star Wars Republic Commando: Hard Contact
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| Author | Karen Traviss |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Era | Prequel |
| Series | Republic Commando |
| Galactic Year | 22 BBY |
| Canon | C |
| Subject(s) | Star Wars |
| Genre(s) | Science Fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
| Released | October 26, 2004 |
| Media Type | Paperback |
| Pages | 304 |
| Size and Weight | 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.8 inches 5.4 ounces |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-47827-4 |
| Preceded by | Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones |
| Followed by | Star Wars Republic Commando: Triple Zero |
Republic Commando: Hard Contact is the tie-in novel to the video game Republic Commando, written by Karen Traviss.
[edit] Plot summary
The story begins during the Battle of Geonosis with Clone Commando Darman and his team assaulting a Separatist position. However, the entire squad is massacred in the attack, with Darman being the only survivor. After the battle, he is grouped with other clone commandos in incomplete squads and meets Niner, Fi, and Atin. All four commandos must learn how to work together as a team, as they had in their previous squads.
It is not long before the newly formed squad is given another mission. This time, they are to be inserted onto the planet Qiilura, deep in Separatist territory in order to destroy a research facility developing a nanovirus that specifically targets clone troopers. They also must capture the lead scientist, Ovolot Qail Uthan. However, the facility is guarded by Ghez Hokan, a fearsome Mandalorian mercenary who shows little mercy to his enemies or friends, and commands a small army of militia, Trandoshan slavers, and droids.
When the squad attempts to land on the planet, their ship suffers mechanical problems and is forced to crash land, resulting in Darman being separated from the others. Meanwhile, a young jedi padawan, Etain Tur-Mukan, is on the run after her master, Master Fulier, is killed by Hokan. She goes into hiding and is sheltered with the help of a strange woman named Jinart. Meanwhile, Niner, Fi, and Atin run across and defeat several Separatist patrols in an attempt to find Darman and complete their objective. With Jinart's help, Darman and Etain link up but Etain lacks the self-confidence to lead and tells Darman to take charge. They then manage to reunite with the rest of the squad and make their plans to attack the research facility. Jinart reveals herself to be a Gurlanin, shapshifting native animals of Qiilura, and gives them vital information on how to approach the facility. Etain and the commandos attack the facility and manage to destroy it and take Uthan prisoner, but Hokan does not give up without a fight. He fights the Republic forces valiantly, but is eventually outsmarted and killed. After their victory, Etain gains a little more confidence in herself and her abilities.
As the extraction dropship arrives, Etain desperately wants to leave with the commandos, but Jedi Master Arligan Zey has different ideas. He wants Etain to stay with him on Qiilura to organize an anti-Separatist resistance movement, and that she would be far more valuable to the Republic by staying behind. Etain reluctantly agrees and parts ways with Omega squad as they leave.
[edit] Dramatis Personae
- Adar Tallon; commander, Republic Navy; captain, Republic Assault Ship Sundiver (human male)
- Arligan Zey; Jedi Master; Senior General, Special Operations Brigade (human male)
- Atin (RC-3222); Republic Commando, Grand Army of the Republic (human male clone)
- Bardan Jusik; Padawan (human male)
- Darman (RC-1136); Republic Commando, Grand Army of the Republic (human male clone)
- Etain Tur-Mukan; Padawan (human female)
- Fi (RC-8015); Republic Commando, Grand Army of the Republic (human male clone)
- Ghez Hokan; major, Confederacy of Independent Systems (human male)
- Guta-Nay; lieutenant, Ghez Hokan's mercenaries (Weequay male)
- Hali Ke; senior research geneticist, Kamino (Kaminoan male)
- Hurati; lieutenant, Ghez Hokan's mercenaries (human male)
- Jango Fett; bounty hunter; prime clone (human male)
- Jinart (Gurlanin female)
- Kal Skirata; Mandalorian instructor for clone commandos; sergeant, Grand Army of the Republic (human male)
- Ki-Adi-Mundi; Jedi Master; general, Grand Army of the Republic (Cerean male)
- Niner (RC-1309); Republic Commando, Grand Army of the Republic (human male clone)
- Ovolot Qail Uthan; scientist (human female)
- Pir Cuvin; lieutenant, Ghez Hokan's mercenaries (Umbaran male)
- RC-5093
- Valaqil (Gurlanin male)
[edit] External links
