The setting of Heir to the Sith is very deliberately chosen: in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Emperor and the destruction of the core of the Imperial war machine, the novel and its characters are heavily influenced by the sudden loss of certainty they had only hours before. This uncertainty piles the pressure on to the decisions each character must make when they are unsure of wider events. Is the Emperor really dead, or is a ruse to entrap traitors and rebel cells? Human history, certainly in times of upheaval and war, is beset with examples of people having to make decisions in such circumstances. These decisions are formed by that individual's morality, history, experience, and the facts as they can discern them in such fog. It is this uncertainty that gives rise to conflict and thus drama in a backdrop of war and intrigue.

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The location of the novel, of a rather unimportant sector away from the Core and galactic civilisation is also deliberate, as I wanted to examine the affects of the rebel victory at Endor on people and planets far away and to whom the names of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo, whilst might be known, are also very distant. It is this world building that brings something fresh to the Star Wars universe by introducing new characters, places, and new forms of Imperial domination and also resistance. It is also an opportunity to explore the reality of Imperial life amongst the officer class as well - and how the constant suspicion of a paranoid dictatorship would permeate through all levels of command to limit decision making, competence and daring by such individuals. From this viewpoint, the book is a tribute to the historical fact that dictatorships tend to undermine themselves often to the point of collapse: from the purges of Stalin to the barring of Jewish scientists in the Third Reich, Palpatine's empire is no exception, with fanatical loyalty officers aboard every ship and installation looking for any signs of treachery.

The novel also adheres strictly to Star Wars law and cannon, with the exception of the introduction of the 'Force Assayers.' These new Imperial agents are an updated form of the Inquisitors, familiar to viewers of the 'Rebels' TV show (although more ruthless). In my universe, they were brought into service after the Battle of Yavin, when the Empire saw what damage a Force sensitive could do (and who was at that time not known to be Anakin's son).

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For the four main characters themselves, none will make it through the story unchanged. Each has an arc that will challenge them morally, forcing them to make uncomfortable choices that don't always turn out well, forcing them to question their beliefs: for drama of this sort must lead to change in anyone's character.

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As for the characters themselves, in the Empire's corner we have Captain Pina, newly promoted captain of the Star Destroyer Reaver, dedicated to patrolling the Syreal Sector. A competent captain but lacking in experience, Captain Pina's career was fast-tracked by the destruction of the first Death Star, and who is now completing his first few months of captaincy under the watchful eyes of Admiral Karion, one of the Empire's most battle hardened commanders. Then there is Assayer Neerada, a trained Force user who has been turned into a tool by Darth Vader: a being who is tasked to hunt down those gifted with the Force and to prevent any developing their powers to threaten the Empire. Conditioned to detest weakness of any kind and stripped of any compassion, empathy, and mercy, the Assayers are terrifying in pursuit of their single purpose.

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Representing the planet Farsalt we have the two princesses: Princess Tayre Garrand, heir to the planet's crown and dedicated to serving her people and the galaxy through Farsalt's pacifist stance, and her adoptive sister, the wayward and spontaneous Princess Ella Malquet. Both girls will find their lives turned upside down with the Empire's arrival.