David Bridges
It has been more than a year since the thrilling conclusion of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, yet it was only a matter of time before Clone Force 99 would make their much-anticipated return beyond the screen. In just a month, fans will reconnect with the iconic team in their inaugural novel titled Sanctuary.
This engaging narrative is penned by Lamar Giles, known for his previous work Ruin Road. The story unfolds towards the conclusion of season two, specifically after the impactful episode “Pabu.” The Clones—Hunter, Omega, Wrecker, and Tech—find themselves collaborating with the intriguing pirate hunter Phee on a critical mission to gather resources following a devastating tsunami that struck the planet. This leads them to undertake two closely related tasks: one involves stealing a valuable relic from an auction to restore it to its rightful owners, while the other requires them to assist a pregnant couple in hiding. Although Hunter advocates for a more prudent approach by tackling one job at a time, the unfolding events make that impossible, especially with an ISB agent hot on the trail of the couple, who are on the verge of giving birth.
In an interview with Polygon, Giles expressed his aspiration for the novel to evoke “the sensation of an extended bonus episode, where our beloved characters experience exhilarating moments that are both fresh and familiar. I aimed to create the feeling of reuniting with old friends after a significant time apart, all while navigating through an intense adventure.” An excerpt is available for reading, showcasing the Clones as they attempt to secure the relic through standard auction practices before chaos inevitably ensues.
Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel is set to be released on August 5. For those eager to explore other Star Wars narratives through literature, keep an eye out for Finn and Jannah’s young adult story, The Last Order, which will be available from Kwame Mbalia on October 21.
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