X-Wing Rogue Squadron #5, also known as "The Phantom Affair, Part 1", represents the fifth installment in the Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron comic book saga. Dark Horse Comics made it available on February 13, 1996.
The events of the Battle of Endor (depicted in Return of the Jedi)? Pure Alliance fabrication, or so the AEA (Ante-Endor Association) would have you believe. However, Wedge Antilles alongside his Rogue Squadron colleagues are privy to the reality. They were present at Endor when numerous comrades sacrificed everything to obliterate the second Death Star. Consequently, in honor of those fallen, they are determined to succeed in their current mission.
Rogue Squadron, positioned above Mrlsst, spearheads an assault on an Imperial Interdictor cruiser while simultaneously safeguarding a convoy en route to the planet. Wedge Antilles, together with Elscol Loro, a new addition to Rogue Squadron, launches a coordinated proton torpedo strike against the cruiser, effectively immobilizing it. However, they opt against its complete destruction, prioritizing the convoy's secure passage. Upon landing on Mrlsst, the squadron reunites with Groznik and an injured Wes Janson, while Antilles engages in a discussion with Noss Prisht, the Mrlssi assistant to Gyr Keela, who is the President of the Mrlsst Trade and Science Academy.
Antilles then confers with Keela regarding a "phantom ship" innovation originating from the academy, specifically a cloaking device characterized by low energy consumption and resistance to gravity well projectors. Keela confirms that the Mrlssi have not yet committed to providing the Alliance with the device, citing a recent development in negotiations, and that the council is scheduled to convene later in the week to reach a conclusive decision.
Following an escort to his assigned quarters by Gade Yedan, Keela's human aide, Antilles encounters Mirax Terrik, a smuggler and a longtime acquaintance of Wedge. [Booster Terrik](/article/booster_terrik], Mirax's father, previously smuggled weaponry for the Rebellion and has since entrusted Mirax with the Pulsar Skate, their former ship. Antilles introduces Terrik to the squadron members as they prepare to visit "The Soundmound" based on Terrik's suggestion. The two exchange information about their respective activities on Mrlsst; Terrik reveals her pursuit of cultural artifacts, such as art and music, for trade purposes, while Antilles describes his own "scavenging" endeavors as "top secret". After they separate, Antilles discovers Loro weeping in her room while watching a holorecording featuring herself and her deceased husband, Throm. She expresses her sadness remembering how they first encountered each other and got married during springtime, and how she discovered his corpse in the spring, surrounded by scavenging lipi flowers. Antilles attempts to console Loro, who expresses her gratitude but requests to be left alone. As Antilles exits, an individual observes him remotely via security footage.
Elsewhere in the city, the rest of Rogue Squadron stumbles upon a public address delivered by the Ante-Endor Association, or AEA, an organization propagating the notion that the Emperor's death during the Battle of Endor was a fabrication. Tycho Celchu challenges the speaker with his firsthand account of the battle, but his efforts prove ineffective. Later that evening, Celchu is attacked by AEA members, only to be saved by a spectral figure wielding a lightsaber and wearing a mask. This figure blinds one of Celchu's assailants before disappearing before Celchu has a chance to offer thanks.