Vector Prime
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the Vector Prime related to the Transformers series, see Vector Prime (Transformers).
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| Author | R. A. Salvatore |
|---|---|
| Cover Artist | Cliff Nielson |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Era | The New Jedi Order |
| Series | The New Jedi Order |
| Galactic Year | 25 ABY |
| Canon | C |
| Subject(s) | Star Wars |
| Genre(s) | Science Fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
| Released | Hardcover: 5 October 1999 Paperback: 5 July 2000 |
| Media Type | Hardcover & Paperback |
| Pages | Hardcover: 400 Paperback: 398 |
| Size and Weight | Hardcover: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches 1.6 pounds Paperback: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches 6.9 ounces |
| ISBN | Hardcover: ISBN 0-345-42844-7 Paperback: ISBN 0-345-42845-5 |
| Preceded by | Crisis at Crystal Reef |
| Followed by | Dark Tide: Onslaught |
Vector Prime is the first installment of the New Jedi Order series set in the Star Wars universe. It is a science fiction novel written by R. A. Salvatore and published in 1999.
Contents |
[edit] Publisher's Description
Twenty-one years have passed since the heroes of the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, breaking the power of the Emperor. Since then, the New Republic has valiantly struggled to maintain peace and prosperity among the peoples of the galaxy. But unrest has begun to spread and threatens to destroy the Republic's tenuous reign.
Into this volatile atmosphere comes Nom Anor, a charismatic firebrand who heats passions to the boiling point, sowing seeds of dissent for his own dark motives. And as the Jedi and the Republic focus on internal struggles, a new threat surfaces from beyond the farthest reaches of the Outer Rim--an enemy bearing weapons and technology unlike anything New Republic scientists have ever seen.
Suddenly, Luke Skywalker; his wife, Mara; Han Solo; Leia Organa Solo; and Chewbacca--along with the Solo children--are thrust again into battle, to defend the freedom so many have fought and died for. But this time, the power of the Force itself may not be enough . . .
[edit] Summary
The Galactic Empire has ended the war with the New Republic, but the galaxy is far from at peace. Unrest is spreading everywhere, and threatens to destroy the New Republic's tenuous reign.
Into this fragile moment comes Nom Anor, a mysterious and charismatic firebrand who is sowing seeds of mistrust and anger through his call for a simpler time. Little do his followers know the truth which hides behind his words.
When ExGal 4, a scientific outpost on Belkedan, discovers an odd comet-like object coming through the vast distance between the galaxies, astrophysicist Danni Quee takes it upon herself to investigate. She journeys to the Helska system, unaware of the danger which threatens the survival of the entire galaxy: the Yuuzhan Vong.
Jedi Masters Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker, along with the Solos and Chewbacca are thrust into the middle of the danger once more, forced to fight with all they have to save the galaxy.
But this time, the Force itself may not be enough.
[edit] Death
At the time of its first publication, Vector Prime was extremely controversial among Star Wars fans in that its plot called for the death of Chewbacca, making the Wookiee the first major character from the original trilogy to be permanently killed off in the Expanded Universe novels (it is rumoured that Lucas himself ordered this to happen at some point). Opinion was sharply divided as to whether this death of a beloved character was a cheap ploy to boost sales and interest in the new series, or if it served the dramatic purpose of declaring that not even the core characters were necessarily "safe" anymore. People were so incensed that there were actually death threats made against the book's author, R.A. Salvatore, even though he was not responsible for the decision.
Though Chewbacca is the first major character from the original trilogy who dies in a novel, this is not the first time a talking character from the original trilogy dies in a novel. General Madine, who appears in Return of the Jedi alongside Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma, had died in the novel Darksaber, published in 1995. Several other characters from the movies had previously died in novels and tales, such as Het Nkik, the Jawa in the cantina.
[edit] Worlds Visitied
- Belkadan: The planet on which ExGal 4 is located. The ExGal stations were located on the rim of the galaxy to research activity beyond. Belkadan is the location of the first direct contact with the Yuuzhan Vong invaders.
- Dubrillion and Destrillion: A pair of planets where Lando Calrissian has his most recent enterprise located. The Solos and Kyp Durron's "Dozen and Two Avengers" help defend the system during one of the first Yuuzhan Vong attacks.
- Helska 4: An icy planet where the Praetorite Vong have set up a temporary base of operations. This base is also used for the detainment of Danni Quee and Miko Regalia as both a prison and interrogation facility.
- Sernpidal: A world where the Yuuzhan Vong show their might by pulling the planet's moon to the surface, destroying Sernpidal. The destruction had its effect, terrorizing many New Republic citizens. Chewbacca dies saving Anakin Solo moments before the planet's demise.
[edit] Other Notes
For Vector Prime, Mark Hamill reprised his role as Luke Skywalker for a commercial for the book. He had a speaking role, where he, as Luke, recalled his previous struggles and talks of how he was unsure he could defeat this new threat, the Yuuzhan Vong.
