The story opens in the vicinity of the Dreighton Nebula, where Rookie One is part of a Rebel scouting patrol. He's investigating disappearances of Rebel spacecraft near Dreighton, a region rich with mythology about vanishing spacecraft. Legends of the region go back to the days when early hyperspace travelers lost their bearings and disappeared in the currents, eddies, and storms of the nebula. during the Clone Wars, two opposing combat fleets, at the height of battle, were swallowed up by the Dreighton Nebula, leaving it as the battle's only true victor. Now, pilots uneasily joke about the "ghosts" of those squadrons still roaming the nebula, eager to attack any vessel foolish enough to wander by.
Rookie One responds to a distress call coming from a ship in the nebula. Once there, he discovers an Imperial presence -- odd, since the region is not thought to have any strategic value. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the Empire is somehow responsible for at least some of the more recent disappearances. The Rebels suspect a new weapon -- and a growing new Imperial plot against the Rebel Alliance.
Characters
Darth Vader
The Lord of Sith. Once called Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader is the faithful servant of the Emperor.
Admiral Sarn
An Admiral in the Imperial forces reporting to Darth Vader, who has spearheaded special-weapons research in hope of winning favor with the Emperor. He is ambitious and conceited, but is careful not to anger Vader, whose mysterious powers he fears.
Rookie One
A young rural youth of Tatooine, Rookie One lost his family in a freak farm-machinery accident. A skilled and enthusiastic pilot, he joined the Alliance soon afterwards. He gained much experience in the Battle of Yavin, but is still relatively inexperienced and unseasoned.
Commander Kirby
A seasoned pilot, Kirby is a no-nonsence Commander who is personable and well liked despite a tendency to be cynical.
Commander Jenn
A young woman in her late twenties, Jenn is professional but has a good sense of humor. She is smart and spunky and is good friends with Ensign Till, whom she teases at any provocation.
Ensign Till
Like many pilots in the Alliance, Till is young and inexperienced. He has yet to see combat, and has a tendency to ramble-on in tense situations.
Captain Merrick
Merrick is a rotund pilot and a live-life-to-the-fullest kind of guy. He believes life should be entertaining and can think of no more enjoyable place to be than engaged in combat with the Empire.
Ina Rece
A young woman in her early thirties, Rece is attractive and energetic. She is also Merrick's cousin and friend. She has a strong, playful, and occasionally dry sense of humor which is unshakable even in tense situations.
Ru Murleen
Ru is a hotshot pilot in her early thirties. Her life centers around flying. She is friends with Rookie One, whom she met just prior to the Battle of Yavin. She is quick, bright, and occasionally sarcastic.
Commander Krane
Krane is tough and not good with people. Hardened by military experience, he despises the Empire and believes it can only be defeated with a well-honed, precision fighting force. Consequently, he is known for giving little leeway to pilots under his command.
Darnell Reggs
A pilot in his late twenties, Reggs flies under Commander Krane. He understands Krane as a person and respects his military skill. He follows Krane's orders without question, but does not hold the Commander in high regards on a personal level.
