Want to learn more about Star Wars Battlefront II protagonist Iden Versio before you get to play as her this fall? Well, as we previously reported, a new Star Wars novel entitled Inferno Squad by Christie Gordon will fill in Iden and her squad’s backstory.
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For instance, it turns out Iden not only witnessed the destruction of the second Death Star, but was a full participant in the Battle of Yavin, which ended in the epic explosion of the first Death Star. Yup, apparently, Iden Versio was piloting one of those TIE fighters hassling Luke Skywalker as he set up for his legendary trench run.
USA Today recently posted an excerpt from Inferno Squad, which provides an interesting alternate take on the iconic Battle of Yavin. Why is this reckless band of Rebel fighters directly attacking the impenetrable Death Star at close range? Iden Versio is about to find out…
Inferno Squad Excerpt
“A sudden scalding brightness filled her vision.
Temporarily blinded, Iden hurtled wildly, her TIE fighter tumbling out of control. As her vision returned, she realized debris was coming at her as intensely as if she had suddenly materialized inside an asteroid field. Her focus, always powerful, narrowed to laserlike precision as she frantically dodged and swerved, maneuvering around the biggest pieces and wishing with all her being that TIE fighters had shields.
Iden pivoted and tumbled, breathing the mercifully still-flowing oxygen deeply and rhythmically. But she knew in her heart it was just a matter of time. There was too much debris, some of it the size of a standard escape pod, some of it as small as her clenched fist, and she was right in the thick of it. The smaller pieces were pelting her TIE fighter already. Sooner or later, one of the big chunks would hit her, and both Senior Lieutenant Iden Versio and her ship would be nothing more than smears on what was left of Yavin’s moon.
Somehow, she’d wandered too close to the Death Star’s target and had gotten swept up in the chaotic sweep of its destruction—exactly what her commander had been warning her against.
But how was that possible?
“Mayday, mayday,” Iden shouted, unable to keep her voice calm as she desperately dipped and dived to avoid disaster. “This is TIE Sigma Three requesting assistance. Repeat, this is TIE Sigma Three requesting assistance, do you copy, over?”
Silence. Absolute, cold, terrifying silence.”
You can read the rest of USA Today’s longer excerpt, right here.
Inferno Squad Author Comments And Description
Inferno Squad author Christie Gordon spoke briefly about writing the book, and the choices Iden Versio will face throughout the tale.
“It was wonderful to be able to explore the Empire’s side of things through the eyes of someone who is a strong, likable person who firmly believes in what she’s been taught the Empire espouses. Best of all, Iden is a deep, complex character who is faced with decisions and choices that are often harsh and sometimes downright brutal.”
Here’s the official publisher’s description of Inferno Squad:
“The Rebellion may have heroes like Jyn Erso and Luke Skywalker. But the Empire has Inferno Squad. After the humiliating theft of the Death Star plans and the resulting destruction of the battle station, the Empire is on the defensive. In response to this stunning defeat, the Imperial Navy has authorized the formation of an elite team of soldiers, known as Inferno Squad.
Their mission: infiltrate and eliminate the remnants of Saw Gerrera’s Partisans. Following the death of their leader, the Partisans have carried on his extremist legacy, determined to thwart the Empire—no matter what the cost. Now, Inferno Squad must prove their status as the best of the best and take down the Partisans from within. But as the danger intensifies and the threat of discovery grows, how far will Inferno Squad go to ensure the safety of the Empire? In this thrilling prequel to Battlefront II, the Empire’s handpicked team will be forged in fire.”
Inferno Squad releases on July 25, and can be pre-ordered on Amazon, right here. Meanwhile, Star Wars Battlefront II hits PC, Xbox One, and PS4 on November 17.
You can check out WWG’s latest Star Wars Battlefront II news here.
