Synopsis: Different from the Mos Eisley and Jabba's Palace books in that those anthologies contain more and shorter stories. These 5 stories can stand on their own as mini-novels that give the readers so much more information about the Bounty Hunters hired by Darth Vader to track down, and capture Han Solo. So, we'll review each one separately.
The Tale of IG-88 "Therefore I Am"
Old Friends: IG-88A-D, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Moff Jerjerrod, Admiral Piett, The Emperor, Bossk, Dengar, 4-Lom, Zuckuss Review: On an unknown top secret planet somewhere in Imperial Space, the Halowan Laboratories house a secretly funded program to develop the perfect assassin droid. When IG-88 is activated, there is a small glitch in his programming giving him sentience and independence. Combining those qualities with his assassins abilities, he decides to take over the galaxy on behalf of the droid population. Making his escape with 3 identical counterparts, they travel to Mechis III, take over the facility and begin manufacturing droids. Following an "almost" run-in with Darth Vader, the IG-88's decide to become bounty hunters to avoid "Destroy on Sight" orders. Which, of course, eventually leads one of them to the Executor, Darth Vader, and the hunt for Han Solo. Not to mention the other 4 players in the game. If you like droids and bounty hunters, you'll like this one. The ending is a surprise and rather fitting.
The Tale of Dengar - "Payback"
Old Friends: Dengar, Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt, Darth Vader, Tessek, Wuher, Bib Fortuna, Han Solo, IG-88, Bossk, 4-Lom, Zuckuss, Captain Needa, Lando Calrissian, Salacious Crumb, Luke Skywalker
Years later, working as an assassin, Dengar visits Aruza, kills his target, rescues a pretty young girl and goes on his way, always haunted by the image of Han Solo. Obsessed with killing Han, he eventually joins the Alliance and ends up at Hoth just in time to see the Falcon escape. In the battle, his ship is damaged and he takes shelter on Vader's Star Destroyer, just in time to be hired. Of course, Boba Fett doesn't help out much and Dengar is left in the dust one more time.
The rest you have to read for yourself - trust me - its really good!!
The Tale of Bossk - "The Prize Pelt"
*Note: There is a prequel to this story in "Star Wars - Tales from the Empire" called "Tinian on Trial" also by Kathy Tyers. Read it first if you can.
Old Friends: Bossk, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt
New Faces: Tinian I'att, Chenlembec, Flirt, Ploovo Two-For-One
Places: Lomabu III, Aida System, Hoth System
Review: Bossk hates Wookiees. His calling in life is to capture, kill and skin them - mleh! And his most elusive quarry is The Mighty Chewbacca. Aboard the Executor answering Darth Vaders call for bounty hunters to track and capture Han Solo, Bossk is introduced to Chenlembec, another hunter, and his apprentice, Tinian I'att. Chen is a Wookie and Bossk will use every trick in the book to capture Chewie and turn on Chen as well. Even if it means breaking the rules of the Bounty Hunters Guild in the process.
Fron the decks of the Executor to the prison planet of Lomabu III, Tinian and Chen match wits with Bossk, their only asistance from a tiny droid named Flirt. At Lomabu III, there are over 500 enslaved Wookiees, to be either rescued or killed.
Much is revealed of the culture of the Trandoshan and the reason for this special hunt. Kathy Tyers developes the relationship between Chen and Tinian so very well, and the droid Flirt is a wonderful addition. One hopes, at the end of the story, to meet them again in a future adventure.
The Tale of Zuckuss & 4-Lom - "Of Possible Futures"
Old Friends: 4-Lom, Zuckuss, TwoOneBee, General Carlist Rieeken, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Jabba the Hutt
New Faces: Toryn Farr, Samoc Farr
Places: Darlyn Boda, Hoth
Review: Years ago, 4-Lom and Zuckuss goofed and captured an Imperial General. The Empire was not pleased. Then, Zuckuss, who is a Gand and breathes ammonia, had an oxygen accident. And 4-Lom decided he needed intuition. Now they need credits, fast, for an operation to save Zuckuss' life. And 4-Lom still hasn't figured out how to figure things out without "computing".
Fortunately for this unlikely duo, Darth Vader wants to capture Han Solo and they "make the cut" aboard the Executor. Meanwhile, the Battle of Hoth takes place, they miss their chance at Solo, and our hunters make a deal with Vader to rescue (not really) survivors on a badly damaged Rebel transport. Since Vader also wants the secret rendevous coordinates for the Rebels, it looks like a win-win situation for the Empire and the bounty hunters.
Of course, this being a Star Wars story, that is not exactly what happens. This is a very good tale, the characters are well described and it has a clever ending. Nice read - do it in an afternoon - you'll enjoy it.
The Tale of Boba Fett - "The Last One Standing"
Old Friends: Boba Fett, Han Solo, Labria, Darth Vader, Leia Organa Solo, Luke Skywalker, Jabba the Hutt, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, Jodo Kast
Places: Jubilar, Tatooine, Coruscant, Devaron, Concord Dawn, Peppel, Hoth System
Synopsis: This story answers many questions regarding Boba Fett. Where he comes from and what happens to him after the debacle at the Great Pit of Carkoon. We also get more information about Fett many years after "Return of the Jedi".
Review: In opening the story, the reader is taken back to Concord Dawn where Jester Mereel, Journeyman Protector becomes Boba Fett. A few years later, Fett, in his role as a bounty hunter, travels to Jubilar where he witnesses a young Han Solo fight for his life. For some unknown reason which, to date, has not been explained, Fett holds a grudge against Solo which will follow them both for the next 20+ years.
Fast forward to "The Empire Strikes Back" as Fett continues his relationship with Darth Vader and accepts the challenge to hunt down and capture Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa and Chewbacca. Mission accomplished, Fett sets off for Tatooine. Enroute, he encounters the competition, eliminates them one way or another, and eventually winds up at Jabba's Papace. We all know the outcome of that part of the adventure. But what happens next is a story in itself. And the final act in this drama, involving Han Solo from start to finish, leaves the reader with more questions.
The character of Boba Fett is sort of explained, and some true Fett experts/afficianados may disagree with the details. There is certainly lots of room for more and more stories about this Bounty Hunter. We do find out that he really isn't such a bad guy. He lives by his very own strict set of rules and has no tolerance for stupidity or bad business. The ending is unexpected, wondering "what happened really, and when will he show up again?"
Title: Tales of the Bounty Hunters |
1/31/05
