Author | James Luceno |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Series | Star Wars |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Del Rey Books |
Publication date
|
Hardcover & E-book: 15 November 2016 |
Media type | Print (Hardcover) & Amazon Kindle |
Pages | Hardcover: 352 |
ISBN |
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel is a science fiction novel written by James Luceno that was published on November 15, 2016. It is set in the Star Wars universe and takes places in the time period from before Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith to immediately prior to the events of the 2016 Star Wars Anthology film Rogue One. It relates the story of the Republic's and later the Galactic Empire's project to develop its superweapon, the Death Star. The novel serves to create a backstory both to Rogue One and to the original Star Wars from 1977.
Catalyst was announced in July 2016 at the Star Wars Celebration Europe event in London during a Star Wars Publishing panel session.
During the Clone Wars, the Republic begins working on a moon-size battle station based on a Separatist design, hoping to complete its construction before the Separatists potentially finish their own station. However, the Republic finds that building the primary weapon of the station will entail a breakthrough in energy enhancement. Lieutenant Commander Orson Krennic offers to recruit one of the finest scientists in the galaxy, an energy scientist named Galen Erso, to provide the breakthrough. Krennic has a personal connection with Erso, becoming friends while studying at the same university.
Meanwhile, Erso, a neutralist, is working on the planet Vallt doing energy research for Zerpen Industries, when the planetary government is overthrown in a coup sympathetic to the Separatists. Erso is imprisoned in a bid to force his loyalty to the Separatists. His pregnant wife Lyra is also imprisoned and gives birth to a daughter, Jyn.
Galen, Lyra and Jyn are rescued by Krennic, masquerading as a Zerpen representative, making an exchange for the Ersos. Safely off-planet, Krennic reveals he is working for the Republic, and a Republic battleship destroys the government complex of Vallt while Krennic and the Ersos watch. Krennic takes the Ersos to Galen's home planet of Grange, where they witness a major battle between the Republic and the Separatists.