Last year, I reread The Aftermath Trilogy by Chuck Wendig. The first novel, Aftermath, was a part of the Disney Publishing initiative leading up to the release of The Force Awakens and continued into 2017 with the final book, Empire’s End.
Aftermath released on September 4, 2015, and received mixed reviews but solid sales as Star Wars fans readied themselves for the first Star Wars live-action film in seven years. Aftermath takes place shortly after the destruction of the second Death Star. The New Republic (formerly the Rebel Alliance) is trying to squelch the remaining factions of the Empire while the Imperial leadership scrambles for control of what’s left. The novel introduced Norra Wexeley and further developed the character of Rae Sloane, both of whom I do breakdowns of their journey through the trilogy.
However, The Aftermath Trilogy is also known for its incorporation of Interludes. These breaks in between the main story sometimes involve major characters but most often are separate stories told of people dealing with the “aftermath” of a fallen Empire. These Interludes have been given a second life in the past few years as one of the characters introduced has made his way into live-action and become quite popular.
And they each add something more to canon, although some add more than others. Starting with Aftermath, let’s take a closer look at these Interludes.
15. Uyter
Part: Two
Familiar Characters: n/a
New Characters: Pade
Summary:
The story follows an intended Imperial cadet, Pade, on his way to the Imperial Academy on Uyter. New Republic soldiers stop Pade’s recruited group on the way, informing them that the Imperial Academy is closed. Having been abandoned by his parents and having no other place to go, Pade started his journey to the New Academy on Chandrila.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
“Uyter” shows a situation that one would never think about: What would you do with a bunch of young cadets on their way to Imperial Academies if there was no more Empire? And it is an answer to where the bulk of the New Republic forces might come from and the exploitation of orphans and kids by armies (which is a significant plot point throughout the trilogy).
Canon Contribution:
Not much here. Pade does not appear again in The Aftermath Trilogy and has not appeared in canon in anything else.
12-14. Chandrilla
Part: One, Two, and Four
Familiar Characters: Mon Mothma (mentioned)
New Characters: Tracene Kane, Lug, Olia Choko, Camerand Argell, and Geeska Dotalo
Summary:
On Chandrila, Queen of the Core Network journalist Tracene Kane and Trandoshan cameraman Lug interview the New Republic PR representative, Pantoran Olia Choko. Instead of taking the citizen away, Olio calls him forward, asks to hear his concerns, and then proposes that he become a member of the new Senate to voice those concerns and have them addressed.
Choko chastises Corporal Camerand Argell, parading several captured Imperial officers and stormtroopers, insisting that the New Republic must be different from the Empire.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
Chandrilla is one of the centers of New Republic politics and the homeworld of Mon Mothma, who is the de facto leader of the New Republic. It also is ground zero for a cold war after the Battle of Endor, including the PR machine operating in the background of this novel and how out of touch the core worlds are with the realities of planets in the Outer and Mid Rim like Gan Moradir. Also, the fear of some New Republic officials of becoming what they have fought.
Canon Contribution:
I wonder if the Queen of the Core Network will have a presence in Andor as we spend more time with the Senate in the core worlds. But the characters featured in these interludes have not appeared again in canon outside The Aftermath Trilogy, so this is pretty inconsequential.
11. Saleucami
Part: One
Familiar Characters: Cut Lawquane (mentioned)
New Characters: Glen Taffral, Dav Taffral, Webb Taffral
Summary:
On the planet, Saleucami, a father, Glen, is having dinner with his two sons: Dav, a former soldier for the Rebel Alliance, and Webb, a former student at the Imperial Academy. Glen discusses the cycle of war in that the Republic became the Empire, and now there is the New Republic. And one day, there will be another force of power. The sons argue before Imperial TIEs appear, and Dav realizes that Webb has turned him into the Empire. Glen helps his son escape on his speeder as Imperials arrive.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
This interlude focuses on how the division between the Empire and Republic infiltrates everyday family life and that the Empire is still trying to enforce and punish dissonance.
Canon Contribution:
During the Clone Wars, the citizens of Saleucami wanted to remain free of conflict but still found themselves in a war between the Republic and the Separatists. The father references “Old Cut” Lawquane, a former clone trooper who deserts the Republic after the Battle of Geonosis. Cut later meets and marries a Twilek named Suu Lawquane, takes her name, and adopts her children. In The Bad Batch, Cut, Suu, and the kids leave Saleucami because the Empire is starting to tighten its grip on the planet. Saleucami is still stuck in conflict post-Empire, which has made its way into the homes of its citizens.
10. Sevarcos
Part: Two
Familiar Characters: n/a
New Characters: Palabar, Hatchet, Greybok
Summary:
Three slaves liberate themselves after the Battle of Endor on Sevarcos. After killing the last obstacle, a Zygerrian guard, the Quarren Palabar, the Weequay Hatchet, and the Wookiee Greybok wonder what’s next for them in the galaxy.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
“Sevarcos” introduces characters essential to a plot in the second novel, Life Debt. Palabar, Hatchet, and Greybok join Jas Emari’s team in the main storyline to help liberate Kashyyyk.
Canon Contribution:
The Battle of Sevarcos loosely ties the planet to the influence of the Zygerrian Slave Empire, which is not referenced much during the Reign of the Empire era. From the Rebels story, “Return of the Slavers” from Rebels Magazine #5 (2015/2016), we know that a Zygerrian named MaDall established a slave operation on Oon in the Lothal sector of the Outer Rim. This interlude could be considered a slight nod to the Empire enabling forces like Zygerrian slave operations.
9. Coruscant
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: n/a
New Characters: Jak, Lazula, Talvee Chawin
Summary:
On his 13th birthday, Jak breaks a criminal underworld’s guard out of prison to curry favor with the leader of a criminal gang. Secretly, Jak plans to used them to seek revenge on an Imperial Commander who is responsible for his father’s death.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
The prologue introduces Jak and his father, Rorak, when they are in Monument Plaza. The two convey the trilogy’s tone as the father tells his son, “Jak-the battle isn’t over. The battle is just starting.” But this interlude is not nearly as relevant as his reference to the Anklebiter Brigade, which plays a crucial role in the third novel, Empire’s End.
Canon Contribution:
Like many characters in these interludes, Jak, Talvee, and Lazula do not reappear. But although the Anklebiter Brigade is only in The Aftermath Trilogy, it is the likeliest canon element to reappear from this story.
8. Theed, Naboo
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: n/a
New Characters: Iggs, Streaks
Summary:
Two orphans, Iggs and Streaks, arrive on Theed and are presented for adoption. Iggs wants to get back to fighting with the Anklebiter Brigade, who have been fighting for the Rebel Alliance. Streaks is less sure of returning to that life and, ultimately, gets more attention while Iggs sneaks away to return to Coruscant.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
The second interlude to mention the Anklebiter Brigade, is more consequential than the Coruscant interlude. It also presents its own questions as we see Streaks again in Empire’s End with the Brigade. How did she join back with Iggs? These two orphans gave up a chance of adoption to help the New Republic, so, ultimately, this interlude gets the edge over its predecessor.
Canon Contribution:
The continuation of the relevance of the Anklebiter Brigade and the contribution of the orphans in Coco Town, Coruscant (the location of Dex’s Diner) helps elevate the area’s importance within the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic. Hopefully, we will get more stories exploring this group.
7. Bespin, Cloud City
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: Lando, Lobot (mentioned)
New Characters: Borgin Kaa, Linara, Kars Tal-Korla, Moff Ubrik Adelhard (first mentioned)
Summary:
A group of Rebels raids wealthy elder/Imperial sympathizer Borgin Kaa’s home and tell him that the Emperor is dead. Borgin refuses to believe the holovids, calls the group liars, and takes him captive.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
Cloud City does not factor into the rest of Aftermath, but the blockade is another tactic that the last remnants of the Empire utilize to try and retain control over the galaxy. It emphasizes the chaos and the people caught in between.
Canon Contribution:
This interlude is the first mention of Moff Ubrik Adelhard, appointed Governor of the Anoat sector, which includes Bespin. And the blockade that they mention is the main plot of the short-lived canon mobile game, Star Wars: Uprising. Not many people talk about Uprising, but it was the first mobile game set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and released shortly after Aftermath. A clever tie-in for fans who read the novel and played the mobile game before Kabam took it offline in November 2016. Moff Adelhard is mentioned in several other canon stories like Alphabet Squadron, Battlefront II, and The Princess and the Scoundrel. He does not have a significant role in any of these other canon stories, but he has appeared enough to indicate that he has a good chance of appearing in animation or live-action one day.
6. Jakku
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: n/a
New Characters: Corwin Ballast, Ergel
Summary:
Corwin Ballast has settled on Jakku after losing his wife and child in a blaster fight between Imperial and Rebel forces. At a bar, he speaks with the owner/bartender, Ergel, who asks him why he chose to settle on Jakku. Corwin responds that he figures the dead planet would be the last place to see war.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
Jakku’s regard as a “dead” place often comes up in The Aftermath Trilogy, and this is the first instance. It is a foreshadowing of the origins of the main antagonist and the final battle that concludes the trilogy. When Rae Sloane and Brentin Wexley show up looking for information on Gallius Rex, Corwin works as a bartender at Ergel’s.
Canon Contribution:
Reveals in this interlude are nothing substantial. It is just a haunting and sad story of what drove a man to a dead place and who will inevitably be proven wrong about where he ended up.
5. Hyperspace
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: Han Solo, Chewbacca
New Characters: Imra
Summary:
While traveling in hyperspace in the Millenium Falcon with Chewie, Han admits that he misses his younger, carefree days. When they arrive at their destination, Dasoor Han tells Chewie to stay in the Millenium Falcon while he goes planetside to find the Empire’s supply lines. Before they make their way, a hologram of a woman, Imra, appears, asking for help to liberate Kashyyyk. Unable to resist, the two abandon their current mission to travel to Kashyyyk.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
This sets up the main plot in Life Debt, which revolves around liberating and freeing prisoners from Kashyyyk, one of which is Norra Wexeley’s missing husband, Brentin. Thus, it is one of the most relevant interludes in the novel and the only reason it is rated this high.
Canon Contribution:
Zero. There is enough Han Solo content to measure this against, and its only purpose is to set the stage for a conflict in Life Debt. And it is a waste of introducing a new planet, Dasoor.
4. Taris
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: Darth Vader (mentioned)
New Characters: Ooblamon, Vermia, members of the Acolytes of the Beyond
Summary:
Ooblamon sells a lightsaber he claims to be Darth Vader to members of the Acolytes of the Beyond, a Sith cult. He demonstrates the lightsaber’s power to the members before they finalize the purchase. When the Acolytes leave, Ooblamon tells his apprentice, Vermia, that he has no clue whether the lightsaber belonged to Vader.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
One member of The Acolytes of the Beyond, including Yupe Tashu, plays a prominent role in the central plot. Other members appear in other interludes throughout the trilogy with other Sith artifacts that are less impactful.
Canon Contribution:
The Acolytes of the Beyond (aka Acolytes) first appear in this interlude as a Sith cult and appear in Star Wars Adventures comics and the recent Shadow of the Sith. The Acolytes will be of continued interest as we get closer to The Acolyte, the upcoming Disney Plus series that will take place near the end of The High Republic era.
3. Coronet City, Corellia
“Things are changing now. Our profession is about to get marginalized, too. Those rebels won’t put up with our special brand of sauce for too long, will they?“
Star Wars: Aftermath
Part: Two
Familiar Characters: Dengar, Boba Fett (mentioned)
New Characters: Mercurial Swift
Summary:
Dengar runs into rookie bounty hunter Mercurial Swift in Coronet City and offers Swift a partnership, planning to create a bounty hunter union. Swift declines the offer, preferring to work alone. The two fight, and Swift gets the upper hand. Before they part, Dengar warns Swift that there is no place for bounty hunters in a galaxy under the New Republic.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
The first appearance of Mercurial Swift, a secondary antagonist who plays a significant role in the trilogy as a bounty hunter for hire for Rae Sloane. And he is still alive at the end of it all. Bounty Hunters are prime for jumping out of novels and comics to live-action or animation.
Canon Contribution:
Canon-wise, the interlude is a good check-in with an Original Trilogy character that we do not get too much of, Dengar. We get a glimpse into his thoughts as a bounty hunter after the Empire, including that bounty hunters should form a union to prevent becoming marginalized. It is the story of an older bounty hunter pondering his future, much like Boba Fett in The Book of Boba Fett.
2.
Tatooine
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: Dengar, Boba Fett (mentioned)
New Characters: Adwin Charu, Cobb Vanth
Summary:
Adwin Charu, a member of the crime syndicate Red Key Raiders, is sent to acquire droids, weapons, and mining equipment from Jawas on Tatooine. Having trouble negotiating, a local named Cobb Vanth advises buying junk to build a rapport with the Jawas, so he can get the items he seeks. Charu lies to Vanth and says he is a member of a mining company. When they see Mandalorian armor, they argue over it, and Cobb shoots Adwin. Identifying himself as Sheriff Vanth, he warns Adwin that crime syndicates are not welcome in Mos Pelgos or Tatooine.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
Cobb Vanth’s story plays out in the trilogy as an example of how criminal syndicates tried to capitalize on the power vacuum of the Empire and Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine. And an incorruptible force in Vanth who can inspire actual change. He also gets Boba Fett’s armor.
Canon Contribution:
Cobb Vanth was the first character from this trilogy to jump to live-action (although how he got Boba Fett’s armor was changed). Not only did Vanth make the jump, but he is also one of the most popular characters in the Mandoverse, making an appearance in The Book of Boba Fett and taking on the Pyke syndicate. That a supposedly minor character in the interludes of an early canon novel could have such an impact on a pop culture phenomenon show like The Mandalorian was a nice payoff for novel readers. It also brings forth speculation and endless questions of “who’s next?”
1. Naalol
Part: Three
Familiar Characters: Dengar, Boba Fett (mentioned)
New Characters: Adwin Charu, Cobb Vanth
Summary:
Chancellor Mon Mothma visits the site of a recent battle on Naalol with her advisors, Hostis and Auxi. They debate the need for a large military, and she tells the two that she brought them to hear to see the cost of war. Mon Mothma believes they can move forward with safeguards to avoid more war and plans to vote to demilitarize.
Relevance to the Overall Story:
This interlude is a prelude to Mon Mothma’s arc in The Aftermath Trilogy and the source of conflict in the New Republic Senate. She meets increased opposition to her plan to demilitarize the New Republic and constantly has to defend her position. It builds a tremendous political conflict surrounding other characters’ battles (internally and externally) within the trilogy.
Canon Contribution:
Mon Mothma wants no comparisons to the Empire and believes that a large military presence would send the wrong message to galactic citizens. Not only do Mothma’s views on militarization have reverberating effects on The Aftermath Trilogy, but they also set in motion events that ultimately bring about the rise of the First Order.
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