Orientation

Star Wars Disney Canon Short Stories

by John Jackson Miller, Brian Rood (Illustrator)

The Sith star in an all-new tale by John Jackson Miller with art by Brian Rood!

Genres: Star Wars, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction

5 pages, Unknown Binding

First published April 21, 2015

About the author

New York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller has spent a lifetime immersed in science fiction. His Star Trek novels include the Discovery – Die Standing, the acclaimed novel Discovery — The Enterprise War, the Prey trilogy, and Takedown. His Star Wars novels include A New Dawn, Kenobi, Knight Errant, Lost Tribe of the Sith, and the Knights of the Old Republic comics, available from Marvel as Legends: The Old Republic.

He’s written comics and prose for Halo, Iron Man, Simpsons, Conan, Planet of the Apes, and Mass Effect, with recent graphic novels for Battlestar Galactica, Dumbo, and The Lion King. Production notes on all his works can be found at his fiction site.

He is also a comics industry historian, specializing in studying comic-book circulation as presented on his website, Comichron.. He also coauthored the Standard Catalog of Comic Books series.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of a series that are all short stories. Each story stands on their own. In this one we see an example of the shift of power from the Old Republic to the Empire was not welcomed by everyone and how one particular character handles this shift.

I am several books into this series and nothing has really stood out. That changes with this one. I liked this one and I wish that this story was actually a full length novel. This was very interesting. This story has a person in charge when the shift happens. He doesn't agree with it. He rebels in his own way and I enjoyed this character. He had principles and characteristics that made him stand out in a short amount of time. Throw in Vader and the Emperor and you are speaking directly to me. I also liked the appearance of a minor character that will have a bigger role further down the line. That character and this story really ties in with the overall arc and is a nice side piece to it.

This was a pleasant surprise. It was a different take on the concept of change of power. Obviously we have seen direct conflicts because of this change. What about the ones that don't agree with the change and take a different kind of action? After reading this short story I wish that this idea was actually tackled in all the offerings from this universe.

[A Meneses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. You can see Darth Vader shortly after the incident in Mustafar and how he is trying to follow this new master, and at the same time really being the one in charge of himself. He is as disobedient as always, something that lets us see the Anakin underneath. And you can really feel the evil of the dark side.

[Ahdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite short stories that I have read so far. I love where in the timeline it takes place because it shows us some of the things I wondered about during the transition from Republic to Empire concerning loyalties of officers. I am really eager now to pick up Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp now so I hope to work that in soon because I love exploring the relationship with Vader and the Emperor shortly after they are newly formed. This was a great prequel read for that novel, which may make it my next Star Wars read.

[Richard Eyres · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short story in Star Wars Insider 157. It features Lord Vader, Emperor and a very old Naval teacher from the Republic. They are on board a training vessel heading to a destination. Vader has been tasked to watch the cadets and to report to the Emperor. It is here that Vader spots something this is not right.
A very short story that tells a small part of the transition from the Republic to the Imperial. It was enjoyable. I believe it was a short story to promote Lords of the Sith, a book i have yet to read.

[B.A.G. Studios · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heck, I like this more than the book it’s sandwiched inside of. Lords of the Sith was good, don’t get me wrong, but this is punchy prose, telling a snappy story, with plenty of intrigue and character moments despite its brevity. This is excellent! Miller is rapidly becoming one of my top preferred Star Wars authors.

[Alternate Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deceptively simple story. Miller manages create a compelling narrative with only a limited word-count. This explores Vader's relationship with Palpatine early into his apprenticeship, the inner workings of the Empire and the first seeds of desperate resistance.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief introduction to someone pivotal to the new canon - particularly the Aftermath Trilogy.

[Ekenedilichukwu Ikegwuani · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really excellent short story about the start of vader's apprenticeship to the emperor

[KM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Baylo. For a short story it packed a lot of stuff in, and did what it set out to do. Not much more I could say without spoilers.

[Marcin Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although only a brief glimpse into the relationship between Vader and his emperor, this short story also manages to convey a sense of the mood within the remnants of the republic, which were swallowed into the New Galactic Empire.
The story of an aging navy teacher is mostly told through Vaders perspective and the offered insight into his mind is not only believable but also truly griping. At barely 11 pages I would strongly recommend to get it and read it, especially if you are into Sith-themed tales.

[StarWarsReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orientation is a short (REALLY short) story that was written by John Jackson Miller for Star Wars Insider issue 157. It ties directly into Lords of the Sith, and features Palpatine and Vader, with an appearance from one of my firm favourites from Aftermath.

It's a fast, fun read which builds on the complicated relationship between master and apprentice that's so well presented in Lords of the Sith. And it's good to see a certain young cadet staying sharp and saving the day.

At only five pages long, it takes minutes to read, but it's a must for Imperials!

[Armando Negron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story about Lord Vader observing a school of officers and a lesson about always being ready to challenge authority. Almost a leadership lesson if you look at it that way. It was a fun, 5-minute read.

[Zuzana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short prequel to Lords of the Sith.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller does a great job of espousing the relationship between Sidious and Vader.