Cover Artist: Paul Youll

This is the eighth book in the X-wing series of novels.

With Grand Admiral Thrawn defeated, the New Republic finds itself without a major Imperial threat. Regardless, the Empire is far from defeated so the leadership of the Republic decides to go after Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel for war crimes. It appears that he will have help from an old nemesis thought dead, Ysanne Isard. After several military successes, Rogue Squadron is ambushed and it appears that they have been completely eliminated. While the government tries to downplay the loss of Rogue Squadron, the surviving members are actually being trained for a covert mission that will wipe out Krennel. The catch is that they are being trained by Imperial forces led by the real Isard, who wants her clone killed, and if she can begin her rise to power again, then all the better.

We are introduced to several new pilots in Rogue Squadron, as well as one who has returned for this mission. As per usual, not everyone will get out of this book alive and the losses are very painful for some of the characters, but none of them had the emotional impact as the loss of Ton Phanan did in "Iron Fist". On an up note, Wedge Antilles and Iella Wessiri are both able to find some satisfaction in the elimination of an adversary who has caused each of them significant pain in the past.