Star Wars: Tempest Runner (The High Republic)

About the Book

In this Star Wars audio original, delve into the cutthroat world of one of the High Republic’s greatest foes, the merciless Lourna Dee.
 
The Nihil storm has raged through the galaxy, leaving chaos and grief in its wake. Few of its raiders are as vicious as the Tempest Runner Lourna Dee. She stays one step ahead of the Jedi Order at the helm of a vessel named after one of the deadliest monsters in the galaxy: the Lourna Dee. But no one can outrun the defenders of the High Republic forever.
 
After the defeat of her crew, Lourna falls into the hands of the Jedi--but not before she hides her identity, becoming just another Nihil convict. Her captors fail to understand the beast they have cornered. Just like every fool she’s ever buried, their first mistake was keeping her alive. 
 
Lourna is determined to make underestimating her their last.
 
Locked onto a Republic correctional ship, she's dragged across the galaxy to repair the very damage she and her fellow Tempest Runners inflicted on it. But as Lourna plans her glorious escape, she makes alliances that grow dangerously close to friendships. Outside the Nihil—separated from her infamous ship, her terrifying arsenal, and her feared name—Lourna must carve her own path. But will it lead to redemption? Or will she emerge as a deadlier threat than ever before?

Narrated by a Full Cast:
Jessica Almasy as Lourna Dee
Dan Bittner as Councilor Wittick
Orlagh Cassidy as Ola Hest
Sullivan Jones as Bala
January LaVoy as Tasia
Kathleen McInerney as Councilor Fry
Tara Sands as Sestin
Vikas Adam as H7-09 and Raleigh
Jonathan Davis as Andrik Keller and Asgar Ro
Neil Hellegers as Kassav, Yudiah Dee, and Jano
Saskia Maarleveld as Parr and Avar Kriss
Soneela Nankani as Muglan and Keeve Trennis
Marc Thompson as Pan Eyta, Sskeer, and Marchion Ro
Shannon Tyo as Quin and Nib Assek
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Excerpt

Star Wars: Tempest Runner (The High Republic)

SCENE 1. INT. CANTINA. SRAN—NIGHT.

A cantina on a blasted rock of a planet in the area of galaxy known as the Ash Worlds. The place is empty, save for the serving droid and a hulking figure, who is sitting at the bar. We can hear the hiss and wheeze of the ventilator strapped to his massive body, and when he speaks, his voice has a slight electronic distortion from the mask he wears.

Some kind of cantina-type music plays in the background, tinny as if through slightly broken speakers. Cutting back to this will be a good indicator that we’ve switched scenes or times.

FX: Doors slide open. Wind rushes in from outside, bringing dirt and grit with it. There’s a storm outside. Footsteps as an Er’Kit stumbles in—Andrik. The door shuts with a hiss.


ANDRIK:
Woo-ee! That’s quite a storm you have blowing up out there. Dust gets everywhere, eh?

SERVING DROID:
Welcome to Sran, buddy. They don’t call them the Ash Worlds for nothing. What can I get you?

ANDRIK:
Got any Tovash?

SERVING DROID:
No.

ANDRIK:
Juma juice?

SERVING DROID:
No.

ANDRIK:
What have you got?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Nothing good.

ANDRIK:
I hear you, pal.

SERVING DROID:
Enough of that talk, or I’ll cut you off.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Promises. Promises.

SERVING DROID:
How about a glass of utoz or vematoid.

ANDRIK:
Which is better?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Neither.

ANDRIK:
I’ll go for the vematoid. Neat.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’ll regret it.

ANDRIK:
I’ll take my chances.

FX: A drink is poured and placed in front of Andrik, clunking on the bar.

SERVING DROID:
Enjoy.

ANDRIK:
Thanks.

FX: Scrape as Andrik picks up the glass and takes a drink.

ANDRIK: (CONT)
(RECOILS) Ugh! What in void’s name?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Told ya.

ANDRIK:
(COUGHING) It’s disgusting. Pure gutrot.

SERVING DROID:
Another?

ANDRIK:
You bet.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(LAUGHS) I like you.

ANDRIK:
Good to know. And a . . . a welcome change. The name’s Andrik.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’re an Er’Kit.

ANDRIK:
Yeah.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Don’t see many of you around here.

ANDRIK:
I can believe it.

SERVING DROID:
Here you go.

FX: Another glass is slammed down in front of Andrik.

ANDRIK:
Thanks.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You running from trouble?

ANDRIK:
No.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Then you must be looking to cause it. Those are the only reasons anyone comes to Sran.

ANDRIK:
What about you?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
I’m still working that out.

FX: Andrik’s stool scrapes as he looks around at the empty bar.

ANDRIK:
Pretty dead in here. Pity.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
If you’re looking to party, you’ve come to the wrong place, friend.

ANDRIK:
I’m not looking for a party, but you might be able to help me.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
How so?

ANDRIK:
(LEANS IN, CONSPIRATORIALLY) I’m looking for . . . muscle.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(LAUGHS) Are you now?

ANDRIK:
Mercs. Bounty hunters, even.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Must be desperate. You got credits?

ANDRIK:
Sure.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Don’t look like you got credits.

ANDRIK:
Appearances can be deceptive.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’re telling me.

ANDRIK:
Okay, okay. I admit it. I’m not exactly . . . flush right now.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(NOT SURPRISED) Is that right?

ANDRIK:
But there’s this job . . . a good job . . .

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
With riches beyond my wildest dreams, I’ll be bound.

ANDRIK:
Not just riches. Power. Real power.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You don’t say.

ANDRIK:
So what d’ya think?

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
I’m not interested.

ANDRIK:
Oh. I didn’t mean you. I mean . . . you’re a big guy, but no offense or anything, you . . . you don’t sound like you’re in the best shape.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
There’s a reason for that.

ANDRIK:
I bet. All I need is pointing in the right direction.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
To the muscle.

ANDRIK:
It’ll be worth their while.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
What’ve you got in mind? A hit job? Protection?

ANDRIK:
A rescue. Well, more of a breakout, I guess. It’s not gonna be easy.

HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Things never are. And who exactly are you breaking out?

ANDRIK:
(BEAT, AND THEN LOWERS VOICE AS IF THERE WERE SOMEONE ELSE IN THE BAR WHO COULD HEAR)

Have you ever heard of a woman called Lourna Dee?

Star Wars: The High Republic Series

Star Wars: Trials of the Jedi (The High Republic)
Star Wars: Tempest Breaker (The High Republic)
Star Wars: Temptation of the Force (The High Republic)
Star Wars: The Eye of Darkness (The High Republic)
Star Wars: Tempest Runner (The High Republic)
Star Wars: The Fallen Star (The High Republic)
Star Wars: The Rising Storm (The High Republic)
Star Wars: Tempest Runner (The High Republic)
Star Wars: Light of the Jedi (The High Republic)

About the Author

Cavan Scott
Cavan Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm, Star Wars: Dooku: Jedi Lost, The Patchwork Devil and the hit supernatural comic book series Shadow Service. One of the five story architects for Lucasfilm’s bestselling multimedia initiative, Star Wars: The High Republic, Cavan has written comics for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse, IDW, 2000AD and more. A former magazine editor, he lives in the United Kingdom with his wife and daughters. His lifelong passions include folklore, audio drama, the music of David Bowie and scary movies. He owns far too much LEGO. More by Cavan Scott
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About the Author

Jessica Almasy
Jessica Almasy is an award-winning audiobook narrator, having received two Audie Awards, multiple Golden Earphones Awards, and a Golden Voice Award. Her audiobook profile spans science fiction, YA, magical realism, romance, and historical non-fiction. As an actress, playwright, director, and producer, Jessica’s work has appeared on television, radio, cinema, and stages across America, Hong Kong, Australia, and the UK. She is currently in residency writing a novel about Ernest Hemmingway, a musical about P_T _ND V_NN_ (Pat and Vanna), and directing a new play by Kate Benson, which takes place in a van hurtling across Southern America before a really important vote. She has been speaking into microphones since she was born. More by Jessica Almasy
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About the Author

Dan Bittner
Dan Bittner is an actor and voice artist. He has appeared in The Wolf of Wall Street and Adventureland. His audiobook narration credits include the Relic Master series by Catherine Fisher and Stolen by Melissa de la Cruz. More by Dan Bittner
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About the Author

Orlagh Cassidy
Orlagh Cassidy is an American actress of stage, television, and film. She is also an accomplished narrator whose credits include The Ambassador’s Wife by Jennifer Steil, City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte, and The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. More by Orlagh Cassidy
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Sullivan Jones
Sullivan Jones studied theater at Brown University and UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. In addition to his voice-over work, Sullivan has appeared on Parks & Recreation and the video game NBA 2K17. More by Sullivan Jones
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About the Author

January LaVoy
January LaVoy is a stage, television, and voice actress. She performed on Broadway in Enron and on television in One Life to LiveAll My ChildrenLaw & OrderLaw & Order: Criminal IntentLaw & Order: SVU, and Guiding Light. More by January LaVoy
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About the Author

Kathleen McInerney
Kathleen McInerney is a classically trained actress and award-winning audio book narrator (Earphone, Audie, and ALSC Notable Children’s Recording, among others) who has recorded numerous titles by bestselling authors. She has performed in New York City and in regional theaters across the country. Her credits also include television commercials, daytime drama, radio plays, and a broad range of animation voice-overs. More by Kathleen McInerney
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About the Author

Tara Sands
Tara Sands’s voice can be heard in numerous cartoons, video games, and commercials. She played over 50 roles in the first eight seasons of Pokémon and was the on-camera host of Fridays on the Cartoon Network for two years. As a narrator, she has recorded over 200 audiobooks. More by Tara Sands
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About the Author

Vikas Adam
Vikas Adam is a classically trained actor with numerous credits in stage, film, commercials, and television, in addition to his over one hundred recorded audiobooks. An Audie Award winner and multiple nominee, Vikas has garnered several Earphones Awards and appeared on various Best of the Year lists for his narration. More by Vikas Adam
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About the Author

Jonathan Davis
Jonathan Davis is a critically acclaimed narrator and voice-over actor. He is a three‐time winner and fifteen‐time nominee of the coveted Audie Award. Davis’s documentary narration credits include films and programming for National Geographic Television, National Geographic Channel, VH1, and PBS. His voice can also be heard in commercials, video games, and animation. More by Jonathan Davis
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About the Author

Neil Hellegers
Neil Hellegers is an actor, narrator, and educator living in Brooklyn, New York. He has appeared in several commercials as well as various programs and films. Neil has also taught and performed numerous works of Shakespeare nationally and internationally. More by Neil Hellegers
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About the Author

Saskia Maarleveld
SASKIA MAARLEVELD is an AudioFile magazine Earphones Award–winning narrator living in New York City. Working full-time in the voice-over world, Saskia has recorded over 160 audiobooks. She switches seamlessly between accents and can often be heard speaking in British, Australian, New Zealand, and various European accents, in addition to her own American accent. More by Saskia Maarleveld
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About the Author

Soneela Nankani
Soneela Nankani is a classically trained Brooklyn-based actress. She has performed at many prestigious theaters and is an ensemble member of the award-winning Sojourn Theatre. In addition, Soneela has worked in film and television and has narrated over 60 audiobooks. Soneela holds an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. More by Soneela Nankani
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About the Author

Marc Thompson
Marc Thompson earned his BFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, in 1997. His voice can be heard in commercials, on radio, and on many cartoons, including MTV’s DariaTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesYu-Gi-Oh!, and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6. He narrates many titles in the Star Wars series. More by Marc Thompson
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About the Author

Shannon Tyo
Marc Thompson earned his BFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, in 1997. His voice can be heard in commercials, on radio, and on many cartoons, including MTV’s DariaTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesYu-Gi-Oh!, and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6. He narrates many titles in the Star Wars series. More by Shannon Tyo
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