Aftermath III: Empire's End
03/17/2020
This book is the last of Chuck Wendig's Aftermath trilogy. It shows the Empire's decline, the problems of the New Republic, and how the First Order began. Spoilers!
Gallius Rax was hand picked to enact Emperor Palpatine's secret Contingency plan. Basically he didn't want anyone to succeed him. So, he's to destroy the Empire and create a new one. That is why he is collecting new children soldiers and needs the Hux's (Brendol + Armitage).
Empire goes to Jakku (Gallius Rax' homeworld). Rae Sloane and Brentin Wexley are there looking for Rax to kill him. They get captured. Eventually they get free and go to look for the weapon that Rax has been in charge of protecting for so long.
The team: Norra + Temmin Wexley, Jas Enari, Sinjir Rath Velus learn about Jakku. When they arrive they find the last of the Empire's fleet. Norra, Jas, and Mister Bones go to planet while Sinjir + Temmin escape to tell Leia. Norra and Jas get captured. At the same time Brentin and Rae are captured too.
Leia wants to free other worlds like they helped free Kashyyyk.
Meanwhile we get more into the New Republic politics. Mon Mothra's polls (as Chancellor) are dropping after the Liberation Day attack. She is running as Chancellor now against Wartol Tolwar. He is running slander ads against Mon.
The New Republic holds a vote to go after the last of the Empire at Jakku. It did not pass.
Solo, Sinjir, Conder, Temmin, and Jom are 'hired' as security to the senators who are in Wartol's pocket. Turns out he paid off, threatened, and even had family members abducted to ensure they voted the way he wanted. The New Republic is already corrupt.
A second vote is held and the vote passes. They finish we war to end the Empire at Jakku. I find this whole thing funny because just a year ago these people were rebels!
That is what Rax wanted. That is the Contingency Palpatine created.
Mon Mothra makes Sinjir her new advisor. he and Conder arrest Wartol who tried to assassinate Mothra again.
Back at Jakku Norra and Jas meet ups with Brentin and Rae and find his weapon. It's basically the one from JJ Abram's Star Trek. The plan is to kill the planet and take out both the Empire and the New Republic's fleets. Brentin and Rax are killed. As is Jom.
"The cost of war is high, even in victory."
They are able to stop the weapon and a cease fire is signed. The fight continues for months but the Empire slowly dies....
Brendol + Armitage Hux go into hiding with the children soldiers and Rae Sloane. They are in the dark reaches of space creating a new Empire.