The Last Jedi: Cobalt Squadron, featuring artwork by Phil Noto, is a canon novel for young readers authored by Elizabeth Wein. Disney–Lucasfilm Press released it on December 15, 2017. Jason Fry penned a companion book titled The Last Jedi: Bomber Command, which debuted on the same day. The audiobook version is read by Kelly Marie Tran, the actress who plays Rose Tico in the film Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
This middle-grade novel, penned by New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity, Rose Under Fire), centers around the Resistance's Cobalt Squadron pilots and technicians. This hardcover adventure highlights new characters from The Last Jedi, notably mechanic Rose Tico and her sister Paige, a gunner. Cobalt Squadron, featuring illustrations by Phil Noto (X-23, Black Widow), was released on December 15 by Disney Lucasfilm Press.
Rose and Paige Tico are siblings who serve on a Resistance bomber. Paige operates the gun turret, while Rose, a mechanic, tests new stealth technology. The First Order destroyed their home planet, and they each possess half of a medallion bearing their planet's symbol as a memento.
During a mission to deploy and retrieve probe droids in the Atterra System, they observe a ship pursued by the First Order. Before they can depart with the recovered probes, the pursued vessel crashes into their recovery bay, prompting them to jump to FTL with the smaller ship aboard. The ship carries two individuals: Casca Panzoro and her grandson, Reeve, refugees from Atterra seeking assistance. The First Order's oppression has led to a severe water shortage and widespread death in the system. The Panzoros convince the crew of their dire need and are taken to the Resistance base to meet General Leia Organa and Admiral Holdo.
Leia listens to their plea and agrees to help, but stipulates the need for a plan. Rose, Paige, and Reeve are dispatched to Atterra Bravo on a modified spy ship to gather intelligence and devise a plan for delivering aid. They determine that the distance from the rebel base on D'Qar is too great for direct supply runs and decide to use Refnu, a nearby planet, as an intermediate base. The ship travels to Refnu to prepare accommodations and a cover story. Upon speaking with locals, they discover that Refnu Corporation is hiring ice breakers, a role perfectly suited for the Cobalt Squadron's bombers. They plan to have a portion of the squadron work for Refnu while the others use the base to deliver supplies to Atterra.
The initial supply run encounters a snag when First Order TIE fighters detect them due to a malfunctioning stealth module. The heavy bombers eliminate all but one of the First Order fighters without sustaining any losses. However, the second run proves far more perilous. The First Order ambushes the Resistance, destroying four bombers before the others can escape.
Desperate for a new strategy, Paige realizes that the First Order anticipates them flying as a standard squadron. She suggests using a decoy ship to draw enemy fire while the slower, laden bomber makes its supply drop. Once the drop is complete, that ship can then act as a decoy for the next, and so forth. Rose's commander requests that she address intermittent stealth issues on one of the ships, but she is hesitant to fly without her sister. Another mechanic volunteers, alleviating Rose's anxiety about being separated from Paige.
The plan works effectively, but during hyperspace travel back to the Resistance, everyone in the squadron senses a significant disturbance in the galaxy. Upon reuniting with Holdo, the squad learns that the disturbance was caused by a super weapon used by the First Order to annihilate the entire Hosnian star system. This marks the beginning of an all-out war between the First Order and the Resistance. Holdo seeks a mechanic to work on her ship, the Ninka, and asks Rose to take the position. Rose accepts, knowing that even though her sister won't be physically present, their shared medallions symbolize their enduring connection.
- ISBN 9781368008372 ; December 15 , 2017 ; Disney–Lucasfilm Press ; US hardcover [1]
- ISBN 9781368013239 ; December 15, 2017; Disney–Lucasfilm Press; US eBook [3]
- ISBN 9781405286787 ; December 15, 2017; Egmont UK Ltd ; UK paperback [2]