Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire

Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire was the first volume in the Dark Forces trilogy of novellas written by William C. Dietz. It was originally released on February 1, 1997 by Dark Horse Comics and Boulevard, and both the hardcover and trade paperback contain twenty-five full-color illustrations by Dean Williams.

Editions

 * ISBN 0399141987; February 1, 1997, Dark Horse Comics and Boulevard, 127-page hardcover
 * ISBN 1569713480; August 5, 1998, Dark Horse Comics, 128-page trade paperback
 * ISBN 0425165280; October 1998, Dark Horse Comics, 128-page trade paperback
 * ISBN 1565112024; March 1, 1997, HighBridge Audio, 2 audiocassettes (2 hrs.)

Back cover
''Kyle Katarn is a decorated graduate from the Imperial Military Academy who would forfeit his very life for the Empire. But he wouldn't forfeit his father's life, and that's what the Empire has taken. Kyle is willing to do anything to avenge his father's death which is what the Rebel Alliance is counting on. Join Kyle Katarn in this brand-new, fast-paced tale of adventure and suspense.''

Based on the popular Star Wars: DARK FORCES and Star Wars: JEDI KNIGHT interactive games, this novella-length prose-story is written by acclaimed author William C. Dietz (The Final Battle) and illustrated by award-winning artist Dean Williams (Tarzan: The Lost Adventure).

Inside flap
''Kyle Katarn has just graduated from the Imperial Military Academy on Carida when he learns of his father's untimely death and departs for home. During the trip, Kyle cements a friendship with a Rebel agent, learns the ugly truth about the way his father died, and swears revenge on the Empire. His opportunity comes when the Alliance offers him a nearly suicidal mission: break into the Imperial Research Facility on Danuta, find the Death Star plans, and bring them out.''

This brand-new adventure provides background to, and incorporates elements of, the LucasArts DARK FORCES and JEDI KNIGHT interactive games and prepares the way for books two and three: Dark Forces&mdash;Rebel Agent and Dark Forces&mdash;Jedi Knight.

Trade paperback
''Kyle Katarn is a decorated graduate from the Imperial Military Academy who would forfeit his life for the Empire. But when he learns of his father's untimely death&mdash;and the devastating way in which he was killed&mdash;Kyle swears revenge against the very Imperial forces he was about to join.''

His opportunity comes when the Rebel Alliance offers him a special mission: break into the Imperial Research Facility on Danuta, find the Death Star plans, and bring them out.

''Any sensible person would call it suicide. Kyle calls it vengeance.''

Providing background to, and incorporating elements of, the #1 bestselling Star Wars: Dark Forces and Jedi Knight interactive games, this novella-length prose story is written by acclaimed author William C. Dietz (Steelheart) and stunningly illustrated by award-winning artist Dean Williams (Tarzan: The Lost Adventure).

"A lush and gorgeous book, Soldier for the Empire captures all the color, wonder, and excitement of a true Star Wars tale. William C. Dietz and Dean Williams collaborate in a new format for a new perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told."

- Kevin J. Anderson

Characters

 * Lieutenant Brazack
 * Briggs
 * Lando Calrissian
 * Crowley
 * Dobbs
 * Don Danga
 * Dendu
 * Dol Donar II
 * Nathan Donar III
 * Rissa Donar
 * Corporal Givens
 * Sergeant Major Hong
 * Skorg Jameson
 * Jen
 * Jerec
 * Jonsey
 * Kyle Katarn "Rimmer"
 * Morgan Katarn
 * Corporal Koyo
 * General Rom Mohc
 * Sergeant Morley
 * Major Noda
 * Meck Odom
 * Captain Candice Ondi
 * Jan Ors
 * Palpatine
 * Qu Rahn
 * Rosco Ross
 * Blim Shahar
 * Stor
 * Sutu
 * Captain Thrawn
 * Trang
 * Trol
 * Vester
 * Ris Waller

Creatures

 * Bantha
 * Cattle
 * Dinko
 * Mantigrue
 * Nek

Droid models

 * A-type
 * Administrative droid
 * Astromech droid
 * R2-series astromech droid
 * Construction droid
 * Game droid
 * Probe droid
 * Protocol droid
 * A-Cee
 * WeeGee

Events

 * Galactic Civil War
 * Omega Exercise
 * Battle of AX-456
 * Subjugation of Sulon

Locations

 * Alderaan
 * Asteroid
 * AX-456
 * Carida
 * Academy of Carida ("Cliffside")
 * Office of Cadet Affairs
 * Churba
 * Danuta
 * Derra IV
 * Dorlon II
 * Kwenn Space Station
 * Sullust
 * Sulon
 * Barons Hed
 * Danga estate
 * G-Tap
 * Katarn estate

Organizations and titles

 * Alliance to Restore the Republic ("Rebels,Rebs")
 * Bounty hunter
 * Danga family
 * Engineer
 * Farmer
 * Galactic Empire
 * Dark Jedi
 * Galactic Emperor
 * Imperial Army
 * Cadet
 * Cadet Commander
 * Cadet Leader
 * Medic
 * Ghost Battalion
 * Imperial commando
 * Stormtrooper
 * Galactic Republic
 * Grand Army of the Republic
 * Master Sergeant
 * Governor
 * Haj family
 * Haj Shipping Lines
 * Jedi
 * Merchant
 * Princes
 * SoroSuub Corporation
 * Technician

Sentient species

 * Chiss
 * Gamorrean
 * Gran
 * Human
 * Humanoid
 * Hutt
 * Klatooinian
 * Kubaz
 * Mon Calamari
 * Rodian
 * Twi'lek

Vehicles and vessels

 * All Terrain Armored Transport "AT-AT"
 * All Terrain Scout Transport "AT-ST"
 * Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser
 * New Hope
 * Dropship
 * Groundcar
 * Imperial-class Star Destroyer
 * Imperator
 * Vengeance
 * Light freighter
 * Shuttle
 * Star of Empire
 * Corellia Room
 * Nebula Room
 * Observation Deck
 * Starlight Deck
 * Speeder bike
 * TIE/ln starfighter
 * Truly Sorry
 * Yacht
 * Victory-class Star Destroyer

Weapons and technology

 * Blaster cannon
 * Chrono
 * Comlink
 * Computer
 * Concussion grenade
 * Datapad
 * Death Star
 * Durasteel
 * Electrobinoculars
 * Grenade
 * Holocam
 * Holocube
 * Intercom
 * Laser cannon
 * Permacrete
 * Mole miner
 * Plitex nine
 * Power pak
 * Repulsorlift
 * SLM
 * Space-suit
 * Stormtrooper armor
 * Transparisteel
 * Turbolaser
 * Vibro-ax
 * Vibroblade
 * Vidscreen

Miscellanea

 * Cologne
 * Comm Center
 * Lume bug
 * Medal of Valor
 * New Order
 * Pol pollen
 * Potassium
 * Precognition
 * Rol Stone
 * Runyip stew
 * Shower
 * Sabacc
 * Cloud City Casino
 * Corellian Gambit
 * Empress Teta Preferred
 * Spaceport
 * Tap tree
 * The Force
 * Thorium
 * Uranium
 * Vacuum
 * Variform bean
 * Viewport
 * Wine

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire.