Coruscant is in the hands of the New Republic, but at the start of the Krytos Trap, Corran Horn is presumed dead and Tycho Celchu is on trial for his murder via tampering with his fighter. Meanwhile, a deadly virus unleashed by Ysanne Isard and Derricote rage through various species of the city world, and Agent Loor reigns as a terrorist.
But Corran isn’t dead, he’s imprisoned Isard’s torture and brainwashing facility at Lusankya and no one will try and rescue a man thought dead! If he’s going to regain freedom, he has to find a way out on his own.
This fast-paced story of the Krytos Trap is hard to put down. Fellow Rogue Squadron member Nawara Ven is defending Tycho, with help from both Emtrey and Whistler, Corran’s own R2 unit. On the other side, Iella Wessiri, his former Corsec partner, aids the Prosecution. Without slowing down the pacing at all, we get a view that making a New Republic isn’t easy, distribution of med care to the afflicted, as well as the fact an official judiciary isn’t yet set up, all throw Tycho’s case into the political crossfire.
While this is ongoing, Rogue Squadron still has duties to perform, and even the prosecution and leaders are well aware that Tycho’s status is badly affected by politics – and possible tampering by the enemy.
Krytos Trap Review
I always find something new in these books. The idea in the Krytos Trap that anyone could intentionally create a virus to slowly destroy a people is horrifying. What’s worse, I have no doubt we on Earth would do it, so why wouldn’t they in a galaxy far far away? Ysanne Isard proves herself once more to be as much a villain as Darth Vader, if not more so. At least his twisted actions were to accomplish a goal, whereas hers seem to be cruelty for cruelties sake.
This story has some graphically horrific scenes to read, and more than a few infuriating spots. This is usually when a story twists in a direction where the hero is put in a position they can’t fight back.
Krytos Trap Continuity Lore
This is the sequel to X-Wing Rogue Squadron and Wedge’s Gamble and is followed by The Bacta War.
Lai Nootka, I belatedly realized, is a character previously introduced in Missed Chances, the short story where Corran was introduced originally in a Star Wars Adventure Journal and later reprinted in one of the anthologies.
Jan (Dodonna) was originally assumed dead due to events in the Star Wars Al Williamson newspaper strip, staying behind on the death of his son to trigger explosives to cover the Rebels secrets on their escape from Yavin. There was no body however. Jan promoted Luke Skywalker to his initial role of Commander, however due to no witnesses and it not officially being logged, it didn’t stick.
The earlier visit to Ryloth by Wedge Antillies mentioned in the Krytos Trap is told in X Wing: Battleground Tatooine.
Tycho Celchu’s relationship with Winter is also revealed in these X-Wing Rogue Squadron comics. Winter herself was introduced in the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn.
This Krytos Trap virus isn’t the only bioweapon in the Star Wars galaxy. Others include the rakghoul plague (created by a Sith) (Kotor and Kotor comics), as well as the unknown plague that killed Xixor’s parents and many other Falleen, (Shadows of the Empire) and the one that took out an entire star destroyer and the prison vessel Purge (Death Troopers).
