Tales from the Empire is an anthology of concise narratives centered around the Galactic Empire. These short pieces were hand-picked from the pages of the Star Wars Adventure Journal. The book commences with an introductory piece entitled "A Galaxy Filled with Stories," penned by Peter M. Schweighofer.
This captivating collection of short stories has been carefully extracted from the highly acclaimed Star Wars Adventure Journal, a leading Star Wars periodical. Within these pages, you'll discover narratives crafted by celebrated and New York Times bestselling authors such as Timothy Zahn, Michael A. Stackpole, and Kathy Tyers, alongside the fresh perspectives of emerging talents like Erin Endom, Laurie Burns, and Patricia A. Jackson. From the perilous journey of a civilian mail carrier transporting crucial Rebel intelligence through an Imperial blockade, to a daring and seemingly impossible commando assault on a heavily fortified Imperial prison, to a Corellian smuggler mysteriously engaged by an actor who transitioned into a Jedi Knight and then an Imperial assassin for a final transformation, these stories embody the thrilling adventure, boundless creativity, and relentless action that define the Star Wars universe.
Furthermore, the centerpiece of this remarkable compilation is the novella Side Trip, a groundbreaking collaboration between Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole. In this tale, a freighter illicitly transporting arms for the Rebellion is seized by an Imperial Star Destroyer commanded by an enigmatic figure clad in a helmet, claiming to be the infamous bounty hunter Jodo Kast. This event is merely a component of an elaborate scheme involving Hal and Corran Horn, who are operating undercover to apprehend the notorious Corellian warlord Zekka Thyne. However, a single misstep could result in their demise.
Despite their prominent placement on the cover art, neither Boba Fett nor his vessel, Slave I, make an actual appearance within the anthology's stories. The nearest connection is a mention of Fett's name within Side Trip. Ironically, Admiral Thrawn adopts Mandalorian armor, impersonating the notorious Fett impersonator Jodo Kast.