Book Review: Star Wars: Republic Commando: True Colors SPOILERS!

Karen Traviss, in 2007, authored the next installment in the Republic Commando series: Star Wars: Republic Commando: True Colors. Both Delta and Omega squads return for another fight that even they aren't sure who the real enemy is. As the savage Clone Wars rage unchecked, the Republic's deadliest warriors face the grim truth that the Separatists aren't their only enemy—or even their worst. In the Grand Army's desperate fight to crush the Separatists, the secret special ops missions of its elite clone warriors have never been more critical…or more dangerous. A growing menace threatens Republic victory, and the members of Omega Squad make a shocking discovery that shakes their loyalty. As the lines continue to blur between friend and enemy, citizens—from civilians and sergeants to Jedi and generals—find themselves up against a new foe: the doubt in their own hearts and minds. The truth is a fragile, shifting illusion—and only the approaching inferno will reveal both sides in their true colors.

The novel starts out with Walon Vau robbing a bank on Mygeeto with Delta Squad. Omega Squad jetpacks onto Gaftikar on the search for missing ARC Alpha-30. They are joined by Null Sgt A'den. On Qiilura, Etain Tur-Mukan, pregnant, and the 35th Infantry try to convince the human settlers to leave. Meanwhile, Vau orders Delta Squad to leave him behind. Kal Skirata, after buying a ship, heads to Mygeeto and rescues Vau. Skirata, via Mereel, asks Besany Wennen to check on the funds going to Kamino. Arligan Zey assigns Delta to find Ko Sai for Palpatine. Omega finds ARC Alpha-30, also known as Sull. He's deserted the Republic. Zey--on advice taken from Skirata--asks Wad'e Tay'haai and Mij Gilamar to cross-train clones with commando duties. Besany traces the funds to a false company and alerts Mereel. During "negotiations" with the human population of Qiilura, Etain's company hits mines and, because she can sense their deaths through the Force, starts to hemorrhage as the baby is coming. Commander Levet takes over her role. Skirata finds out from Jinart that Etain is giving birth. Ordo rushes to Qiilura and, after Skirata and Vau find and extract Ko Sai, head for Mandalore. Etain gives birth to a baby boy. Skirata doesn't have the heart to go through with his threats but Etain gives him her child as he'd be safer than she would in the war. On Gaftikar, Republic Commando agents try and kill Sull for desertion only to be shot by Darman. Fi is wounded in action and sent back to Coruscant via RAS Leveler captained by Gilad Pellaeon. Since Fi's not a real person and doesn't exist, the Republic wants to terminate him but Besany stages a holdup in the medcenter. Jaller Obrim and Skirata arrange for Fi to be transported to Mandalore. Ko Sai identifies the genomes required to stop the rapid aging after Etain lets her look at her midi-chlorians. Ko Sai commits suicide. Bardan Jusik quits the Jedi Order to become a Mandalorian mercenary while Etain stays. Skirata gives Ko Sai's head to Delta for Palpatine. The novel ends with Delta Squad speculating whether the Nulls and Kal Skirata can be trusted.

An excellent novel by Karen Traviss that accurately paints not only the war, but also what the characters would do in a situation like this. Sure, Skirata is a total bastard but he still cares for the Nulls and Omega which are his boys. He even relents and calls off his threat because his temper had been provoked last time and he didn't have the heart to go through with it.

Book Review: Star Wars: Republic Commando: Triple Zero SPOILERS!

Okay, a lot of you are probably wondering why I keep using the word "spoilers" in my title. The answer is that perhaps none of you have read the novel and, even if you have, there might be dozens more that haven't. In 2006, author Karen Traviss wrote her second Star Wars novel called Republic Commando: Triple Zero, and it continued the story of Omega Squad and Etain Tur-Mukan and introduced Delta Squad into the novels. Synopsis: Following the eruption of the bloody Clone Wars at the battle of Geonosis, both sides remain deadlocked in a stalemate that can be broken only by elite warrior teams like Omega Squad, clone commandos with terrifying combat skills and a lethal arsenal... For Omega Squad, deployed deep behind enemy lines, it's the same old special ops grind: sabotage, espionage, ambush, and assassination. But when Omega Squad is rushed to Coruscant, the war's most dangerous new hotspot, the commandos discover they're not the only ones penetrating the heart of the enemy. A surge in Separatist attacks has been traced to a network of Sep terror cells in the Republic's capital, masterminded by a mole in Command Headquarters. To identify and destroy a Separatist spy and terror network in a city full of civilians will require special talents and skills. Not even the Jedi generals, along with the assistance of Delta Squad and a certain notorious ARC trooper, can even the odds against the Republic Commandos. And while success may not bring victory in the Clone Wars, failure means certain defeat.

the prologue starts with Fi and Omega preparing for an insertion to capture some Sep agents that helped with a bombing on Coruscant. Meanwhile, Jedi Knight and General Etain Tur-Mukan takes the 41st Elite into battle of Dinlo while Ordo, on Coruscant, gets Jedi Knight and General Bardan Jusik to investigate a bomb site with Sgt Kal Skirata, a True Mandalorian. Omega calls for extraction and Delta Squad (fresh from the Prosecutor mission), Etain on RAS Fearless and RAS Majestic respond. Fearless and Majestic hold off Sep forces off while Delta extracts the prisoners and Omega. Back on Coruscant, Skirata wants to borrow Delta and Omega, as well as, Etain and Jusik for an ops hunt for the terrorists. Sgt Walon Vau, another True Mandalorian, also joins. Vau and Etain interrogate the prisoners while Skirata gets the rest situated. Etain gets some intel that leads them to a Jabiimi black market dealer who helped in the Coruscant bombings. After days of tracking the terrorists and teaming up with CSF and a treasury agent, Skirata and gang take them down. Throughout the novel, Etain and Darman fall in love and Etain later tells Skirata that she's pregnant with Darman's child. Skirata threatens her and says that the child will be raised in the True Mandalorian tradition and that Darman mustn't know about his kid lest it distracts him from the fight. SKirata makes plans to ahve Etain sent back to Qiilura to help the human population leave the planet. The novel ends with Skirata finding the last known location of the former scientist Ko Sai, a Kaminoan that fled during the battle of Kamino. Skirata plans to use her to create a cure for the clones' rapid aging process.

All in all, a great read for fans of the Republic Commando game. Not what you'd expect considering the majority of the 393 page novel takes place on Coruscant and spent tracking the Sep terrorists. Action oriented, character development, and good human and military tactics are mixed extremely well with the Star Wars vibe.

The Races of Crandox

No, this is not about sports racing. It is about the races that make up the population of Crandox (CRAHN-dosh). There are five races, and only three of those are prominent--meaning they are the most seen.

The first are, of course, the humans. Native to the Northern hemisphere of Crandox, they used up most of the resources available to them. Infighting and thousands of wars have forced them to split into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The two major countries/territories are Rulnudor (ROOL-new-DOOR) and Libertia (LIE-ber-SCHA). Libertia is in the North and Rulnudor is in the South.

The second are/were the Mar'ahli (Mahr-AHlee). Humanoids with chitinous skin, they are warriors as well as builders, artists, farmers. They have one leader and rarely an historian. They used to belong in the Southern hemispheres, but the humans drove them out, butchering their peoples. They drove the warriors into extinction, killed their leader and historian, and left the race in ruin. They disappeared overnight, but make no mistake. They are still out there, waiting for the next leader to return to them.

The third are the Ji-Jorhans (Szchee-Szchor-hahnz). The Ji-Jorhans have lived their lives in peace. They have martial experience in defense. They never attack their "opponents" unless there is no other option available to them (for example, the Ji-Jorhans would rather disarm an opponent, sometimes this means breaking an arm or knocking a weapon away). They are pacifists and are skilled in diplomacy. They are often used to negotiate between people, organizations, territories. They live on the equator, in between Libertia (LIB-uhr-schia) and Rulnudor (RULE-new-dohr) Territories

The fourth are the Azhiiry (Ash-IRE-ee). They are water-based sentients who live entirely under water. They have bases all over the bodily waters of Crandox. Their height ranges from five feet to five inches. If you can picture them like this: teeth of a shark or piranha, human-like exoskeleton, fins on the back of their arms and legs for propulsion.

The fifth are the Hydronkkers (HIGHdrunkKERS). The Hydronkkers are disowned beings from all the races. They take new age technology of Crandox and run it off ancient hydro machines. This powers their ships and machines (and the machines are said to be far better than the human technology). If you want a comparison to real day life, they would most likely be Steam Punk. They live in the South-Eastern hemisphere.

Of those five, only the Mar'ahli and Ji-Jorhans are in the minority. Two thousand years before the humans wiped the Mar'ahli warriors, it used to be the Ji-Jorhans and Hydronkkers in the minority.

Today, humans, Azhiiry, and Ji-Jorhans are the majority forces on the planet. If by some miracle any one of those groups falters, either the Mar'ahli or the Hydronkkers could take their place.

Mar'ahli history and culture

The Mar'ahli warriors have been in existence on Crandox (CRANdosh) since its beginning in the dark ages (before civilization). They waged war on numerous being and settlers seeking to take their land away. For 5,000,000,000 years, the Mar'ahli race fought for their ideals and principles.

Origninally, the chitinous warriors and peoples were farmers and ruled under a caste system. The caste system had one leader. The leader would only have one designation (i.e. 1, 2, A, B). Successors were named a thousand years in advance. Sex does not figure into the cast system. One can be male, female, of even hermaphroditic. The first Mar'ahli leader was hermaphroditic; the leader was called "O" and was the first to lead them into a fight to protect the Mar'ahli grounds. The names for the leaders are chosen at random, some from a favorite drawing (for O, it was a circle that inspired its leadership), favorite number, even how many offspring they have. Mar'ahli can have up to nine offspring.

If the offspring do not wish to become warriors, they are not scorned or disavowed from the families, like other races on Crandox do. Instead, the Mar'ahli encourage their offspring to take up any field they are drawn to. Most offspring take up the Warrior way, but some have taken up paths of Artists, Farmers, Hunters, Builders. Only ten have taken up the title of Historian. Oral traditions are a way of preserving their history. They do not forbid writing them down. When a Historian is about to die and there is no successor at the present time, the histories of battles, way of life, code are written down for the next Historian and are preserved, even if it takes millennia for a new Historian to take the mantle.

The lifespan of a typical Mar'ahli is 5,000 years. They are bipedal, 8 feet in height, bulky chitinous skin, two arm, two legs that bend backwards and forwards, as well as side-to-side, allowing them to be extremely flexible during combative engagements.

Mar'ahli make bonds over time. If a friend is killed during their presence, the Mar'ahli is held responsible unless they have tried everything to save them. It is rare that a Mar'ahli looses their control and lash out. Be warned, though, that it can happen under the most extenuating circumstances.

Caste System is as follows:
Leader--there is only one leader. The Leader is responsible for the Mar'ahli race as a whole.
Historian--rare. Teaches the oral traditions of the past and may preach wisdom to the Leader if the Leader is believed to be acting against the Mar'ahli way.
Builders--they build buildings, weapons, farming tools, armor, equipment. You name it, they build it.
Warriors--they are the protectors of the race. They are under the direct control of the Leader and respond only to him, unless his/her/its actions are deemed unacceptable by the race as a whole.
Farmers--are responsible for the food, harvest, livestock.
Hunters--they hunt for meat. Can be used as scouts and bounty hunters.
Civilians--the civilization of the Mar'ahli
Artists--painters, art, dances, culture are their way.

The Mar'ahli Code of Honor is as follows:
1) If an enemy is too close to death, or if a comrade is too close to death, finish him quickly, saying "I'm sorry for your loss."
2) Unless you are provoked, do not become confrontative
3) Children are not to be harmed. Unless the child is the one wielding a weapon, do not take action
4) If you stumble across an orphan from an enemy, and their are no survivors, you must take them and raise them as your own.
5) Slavery is inexcusible. If you have a slave, you will be executed
6) Your comrades are your responsibility. Treat them well.
7) Do not take offense at any profession your offspring or an enemies offspring choose.
8) Fighting is not always the answer. If there is a peaceful way to achieve victory, it must be tried before war can begin.
9) [For Leaders only] Always name a successor. You never know when you might be the last warrior/leader.

The Last Great Battle

1,100 years before the war between Rulnudor and Libertia (LIEbertSCHA) began, the Mar'ahli were fighting the human population of Crandox over survival. The humans, xenophobic of the Mar'ahli and believing them to be nothing but insects and butchers, decided to exterminate them. The humans launched an all out provoking strike at the heart of the Mar'ahli race, their Historian.

The Historian was writing down all her knowledge at the time. Before she completed her task, humans barged in and shot her to death multiple times, reducing her to a pile of ash. They set fire to her home, destroying all she had written. Little did the humans know that the Historian made an oral recording of the history and teachings of the Mar'ahli race.

The Leader and a select few who traveled with him discovered her remains. Angered at the death of his beloved, the Leader declared war on the humans. Breaking the Code of Honor, the Leader led the Warriors into battle. They met the humans on the plains of what is now Calassa and exterminated the settlement there. The humans launched a campaign against the Warriors, meeting them on the field and fought.

100 years of war raged as the Mar'ahli beat back the humans again, time after time. Only twelve times did the human race win. During one of the engagements, the Leader struck down an unarmed group of children. He was alone. Faced with the possibility of someone finding out about his actions, and overcome with grief at his desecration of the Code of Honor, the Leader chose a young warrior and named him his successor. During a ritual, the Leader declared to his Warriors that the young warrior was his chosen successor. Mesmerized by a human character, the young warrior was about to take his name when the humans launched a surprise attack.

The fighting raged for hours, during which the Leader was injured. Overwhelming the Mar'ahli, the humans backed them into The Valley of Peace and bombarded them to death. With the Leader dead, the young successor tried to rally the Warriors to safety, but they were all massacred. Fires raged for months as the once luscious valley was turned into the most unlivable desert in the South-Western region of Crandox.

During the fire, a backlash occured killing most of the human warriors, injuring others. Overnight, the Mar'ahli race disappeared from the face of Crandox. For the next thousand years, the Mar'ahli race traveled in secret to the Valley of Peace, looked upon the ashes of their protectors and the Leader and began to rebuild in secret. In the center of their new town, was a pillar of rock bearing the human letter "Q". The Builders used advanced technology to block the buildings and beings from being scanned by the human satellites. For the next thousand years, they rebuilt their lost civilization.

Little did anyone realize, that days before the arrival of the Mar'ahli race, the young successor survived and carved his name into a pillar of rock. Naming and declaring himself the new Leader. Despite all evidence, all persistence by the Hunters, there was no trace to be found of the young Leader now called Q. The Mar'ahli believe that Q is still out there, waiting, biding his time before his return. Few Mar'ahli believe that he perished with the Warriors, and that they are without both a Historian and a Leader for the first time in history. Only three injured Warriors who did not partake in the final battle believe he has joined with the humans as a slave. Little do they realize how close they are to the truth about Q. No one, though, would find out about Q for the next 1000 years.