Empire-building is often more about diplomacy than it is about war. The same is true of empire-overthrowing.

Writer Michael A. Stackpole is well aware of this fact in his treatment of Masquerade, eighth in Dark Horse's Star Wars series X-Wing Rogue Squadron. Sure, dogfights in space and the destruction of a planet-killing battlestation might make for better movies, but that's not to say politics and intrigue don't have their place in the story.

Sate Pestage had to know it wouldn't be easy to step into the emperor's role after the death of Palpatine, but it turns out he just isn't very good at the job of despot ruler. With his allies and underlings both nipping at his heels, he realizes his life expectancy is in peril. So, taking the one card he has to play -- control of Coruscant, the Empire's capital planet and former home of the Jedi Order -- he sets up a meeting with representatives of the New Republic to discuss terms of his defection.

Leia Organa agrees to the meeting, while fellow Alderaan survivor Winter poses as Leia to throw the opposition off the trail. Winter is, of course, kidnapped along with Rogue Squadron pilot Tycho Celchu, and Han Solo (who was unaware of the decoy) sets off on a rescue mission with Chewbacca and Imperial turncoat Baron Fel.

There are certainly a few dogfights in the book; since the focus is on a fighter squadron, it's hard to avoid them. But Masquerade stands out because it takes a different route to its goal.

The art isn't great, but it's head and shoulders above some of the other Star Wars titles I've read for which art seemed to be a very low priority. All in all, it's a good package for fans of the series, which unfortunately was very close to wrapping up when this storyline was written.