A coup on Thyferra, home of the medical miracle cure Bacta manufacture, has left the New Republic in trouble. The Krytos virus can’t be cured without it, but neither can they by their own laws overthrow the internal affairs of a planet. Rogue Squadron steps up, by stepping down to fight the Bacta War. Resigning and taking most of the team with them, Corran and Wedge with allies like Mirax mean to take the fight to Isard using old fashioned rebel and pirate tactics. But Isard is ruthless and they may have to be too.
This story brings back some old characters from the X-Wing Rogue Squadron comics to join the fight.
The Bacta War Review
This one is a real blast and a real challenge. Freedom from the New Republic high command means the responsibility and the consequences are all on the Rogues. Ysanne Isard is vicious and will stoop to harming innocence, even as they attempt to rescue them, steal and harass her Bacta shipments. Corran is struggling in this in particular, between turning pirate (totally against his Corsec nature), confusion over his Jedi potential, and ultimately, his love Mirax’s father showing up, the same man his own father had put away, it’s no wonder!
The Bacta War Lore and Continuity
This is the follow up to Rogue Squadron, Wedge’s Gamble and Krytos Trap and for the short term, wraps up the series which began with the plan to rescue Coruscant from Imperial rule. There is however, a later follow up called Isard’s Revenge which follows the promise of Rogue Squadron and Corran Horn to rescue Jan Dodonna and the other Lusankya prisoners.. Plus the Wraith Squadron books by Aaron Allston do tie in.
For more on Corran Horn’s Jedi heritage, see I,Jedi, Illusion Elusion short story and Jedi Trial.
Elscol, Sixtus and Huff Darkligher all show up. They were last seen in X-Wing Battleground Tatooine story arc. It’s good to see what Elscol and Sixtus are up to in the Bacta War.
Winter returns in this. She’s back to descriptions as seen in the Thrawn trilogy (long hair) as opposed to her short haired look from the X-Wing comics.
The Twileks that join the fight remind me of the warrior culture hinted at back in Tales of the Jedi. While that Tott was a Jedi, there were indications that corruption didn’t always have such a hold. This suggests there were those who still held to honor.
A bit more of Gand culture is explored in this, particularly how they refer to themselves and each other.
Mirax Terrik first appeared also in X-Wing the Phantom Affair.
More on Booster Terrik can be seen in X-Wing the Phantom Affair. he also appears in novels such as I, Jedi and Survivor’s Quest.
Corran’s alias is one he’d used before in “Missed Chance.” A Star Wars Adventure Journal short story issue 7, later reprinted in Tales of the Empire anthology.
Bacta, the medicine was introduced in The Empire Strikes Back and is well known as a primary cure for galactic ills. Worst cases are dunked in a tank of the fluid, though medkits may also contain small amounts of fluid. Bactaid may be given for severe cases of dehydration.
Bacta is not the only miracle cure the galaxy has ever known. But in the Bacta War, it’s the only one currently in common use. Others were Bota (during the Clone Wars) in the Medstar duology which mutated until it was worthless, Pyrdyr healing sticks introduced in New Rebellion (unfortunately not common) and Kolto, regularly used during the Sith vs Old Republic era from KOTOR and SWTOR as they tried to remain neutral. While still available in the Civil War era, it was apparently less effective than bacta, though whether that was due to changes in the Kolto after generations of fighting is unknown.
