For the ship's company of HMS Dunedin, including my uncle Albert Edward Traviss, who died in the sinking of the cruiser on November 24, 1941—a seventeen-year-old boy unable to join the Royal Navy because of poor eyesight, but who insisted on serving as a warship's NAAFI assistant instead, and so gave his life for his country before it had hardly begun.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I've been blessed with the best help any writer could wish for. My grateful thanks go to the editors who know no fear—Keith Clayton (Del Rey), Shelly Shapiro (Del Rey), and Sue Rostoni (Lucasfilm); my agent Russ Galen; the Lucas-Arts Republic Commando game team; Bryan Boult, Simon Boult, Debbie Button, Karen Miller, and Chris “TK” Evans—insightful first readers; and Ray Ramirez (Co A 2BN 108th Infantry snipers, ARNG) for technical advice and generous friendship.

And without the following, there would be no book: Jesse Harlin—inspirational composer and lyricist of the Vode An theme, which focused me as surely as it did the clone army; Ryan “ER” Kaufman—my professor in GFFA Studies, mentor and friend; the many Star Wars fans who've made this the most enjoyable job I've ever had; and the 501st Legion, Vader's Fist—my boys!

It's been a privilege. Thank you.

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