The Saga Begins

This article details a subject that falls under the Legends brand.The subject of this article appeared in the New Republic era.The subject of this article exists in or is relevant to the real world.
This article is about **the short story**. You may be looking for  **the song by "Weird Al" Yankovic**.

## Chronology

### Followed by

*Omens*

***The Saga Begins*** is short story written by Timothy Zahn, and was the introduction to the RPG source book *The DarkStryder Campaign* which was published by West End Games in July 1995. It was set in 8 ABY.

## Plot

Lieutenant Judder Page leads Page's Commandos on a mission to Kal'Shebbol to knock out the shield generator surrounding the headquarters of the planet's Imperial ruler, Moff Kentor Sarne. With a New Republic fleet in orbit, the commandos need to neutralize the shields to allow the planet to be liberated quickly, since they do not have the resources to lay siege to the planet. Infiltrating the base via a large hole in the structure that had been caused by a piece of DarkStryder technology, the unit splits up to capture Moff Sarne and release captives from the detention center. Sarne, monitoring the orbital battle and being informed of the breach of security, decides that it is time escape. Taking a few loyal stormtroopers with him, he heads for his escape vehicle, the *Carrack*-class light cruiser *Ambition*, that is docked in an underground facility.

One squad, led by Page, almost catches up to Sarne and the *Ambition*, but is foiled by Sarne's use of a DarkStryder module on them. The second team, led by Kaiya Adrimetrum, liberates the captives. With Sarne abandoning his capital and taking much of his force with him, the New Republic takes control of the planet.

Despite taking the planet, the New Republic force is due to move on, leaving only a token force behind. Page, aware that Sarne is still at large and in possession of strange alien technology, receives authorization for a mission to track him down. Using the *FarStar*, a CR90 corvette that Sarne was having modified for his own uses, Page assembles a ragtag crew comprising New Republic personnel and civilians from Kal'Shebbol. Under the command of Keleman Ciro, they are to track down Sarne, learn his plans, and stop him if possible.

## Appearances

**By type**

Characters

* Kaiya Adrimetrum
* Akanseh (First appearance)
* Keleman Ciro (First appearance)
* Noell Ciro (Indirect mention only)
* Lilla Dade
* Jessa Dajus (First appearance)
* DarkStryder (First mentioned)
* Ranna Gorjaye (First appearance)
* Gottu
* Gorak Khzam (First appearance)
* Kl'aal (First appearance)
* Lofryyhn (First appearance)
* Nizzal (First appearance)
* Judder Page
* Rizzal (First appearance)
* Kentor Sarne (First appearance)
* Darryn Thyte (First appearance)
* Brophar Tofarain (First appearance)
* Syla Tors
* Unidentified New Republic admiral (First appearance)
* Vandro
* Sarin Virgilio (Mentioned only)
* Vizzal (First appearance)

Creatures

Droid models

Events

Locations

* Kathol sector
	+ Kal'Shebbol
		- Imperial Government Complex
		- Kal'Shebbol starport (Mentioned only)
			* Brophar Tofarain's repair yard (Mentioned only)
		- Sorbiss Valley
* Outer Rim Territories
* Siluria III (Mentioned only)
* Vaenrood (Mentioned only)

Organizations and titles

* BlasTech Industries (Mentioned only)
* Commando
* Corellian Engineering Corporation (Mentioned only)
* Doctor
* Executive officer (As "first officer")
* Galactic Empire
	+ Stormtrooper
	+ Ubiqtorate (Mentioned only)
* Ghtroc Industries (Mentioned only)
* Merchant
* Moff
* Moff Sarne's forces
	+ Sarne's Stormtroopers
	+ New Republic Special Operations
		- Katarn Commandos (As "Page's Commandos")
		- Pathfinders
	+ New Republic task force (Kal'Shebbol)
* Officer
	+ Admiral
	+ Captain
	+ Colonel
	+ Lieutenant
* Operations Officer
* Pilot
* Sergeant
* Soldier
* Squad

Sentient species

* Human
* Mon Calamari
* Rodian
* Twi'lek
* Wookiee

Vehicles and vessels

* Landspeeder
* Starfighter
	+ T-65 X-wing starfighter
	+ TIE/IN interceptor (Mentioned only)
	+ Defender starfighter (Mentioned only)
	+ CR90 corvette
		- *FarStar* (First appearance)
	+ Cruiser
		- *Carrack*-class light cruiser
			* *Ambition* (First appearance)
	+ Freighter
		- Class 720 freighter
	+ Shuttle (Mentioned only)
		- *Muvon* (Mentioned only)
	+ Yacht (Mentioned only)

Weapons and technology

* Armor
* Beamdrill
* Blaster
	+ Blaster pistol
		- DL-56 blaster pistol
	+ Blaster rifle
		- A280 blaster rifle
			* A280-K blaster rifle
* Chronometer
* Comlink
* Computer
* Cutting torch (Mentioned only)
* DarkStryder technology
	+ Firespray module
	+ Mindwarper module
* Datacard
* Death fence
* Deflector shield generator (As "energy shield generator")
* Glowrod
* Grenade
* Hologram
* Hyperdrive
* Igniter stick (Mentioned only)
* Ion cannon
* Laser
* Macrobinoculars
* Power capacitor
* Ray shield (As "energy shield")
* Repulsorlift
* Restraint harness
* Shock rod
* Stun gas (Mentioned only)
* Sublight drive
* Turbolaser
* Viper grenade launcher

Miscellanea

* Cockpit
* Flash-clear
* Imperial standard meter
* Jumpsuit
* Kilometer
* Lekku
* Omega order five
* Planet
* Robe
* Standard day
* Standard hour
* Standard minute
* Standard year
* The Force (Mentioned only)
* Tooth
* Tunic

## Behind the scenes

One of the images accompanying *The Saga Begins* shows a Wookiee disembarking the Ghtroc 720 freighter that Page's Commandos use to land on Kal'Shebbol. However, of the six commandos on the ship—Page, Ciro, Adrimetrum, Tors, Gottu, and Vandro—none of them are Wookiees. The only Wookiee in the story is Lofryyhn who is not introduced until later in the narrative.

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 *The DarkStryder Campaign*

In other languages

* español