Rogue Squadron takes its final bows in Mandatory Retirement, the ninth and final volume of the Star Wars series starring Wedge Antilles and his team of ace X-Wing pilots.

In a surprise turn of events, Emperor Sate Pestage's treachery -- and his plans to defect to the New Republic -- have been uncovered by his power-hungry aide Ysanne Isard, and soon it's a question of who can get to him first, the Imperials who want him dead or the Rebels who believe he can help their cause. That means plenty of action, both in the air and on the ground, as the two powerful factions vie for possession of one grumpy old man. And not everyone will come out of the mission unscathed.

Meanwhile, a series of background vignettes are nearly enough to turn the book into an episode of "As Yavin Turns," as romance among various pilots, princesses and more becomes a major focus of the story. While I won't tell you who gets a happy-ever-after ending and who gets a broken heart, I will reveal this tidbit: even Wedge, who hasn't danced since the Ewoks party on Endor, gets a date.

The art is good in this book, although I wish just once Wedge would look like Wedge. Someone should have given the artists in this series a photo of the guy.

I can't help but think there were more stories to tell in this series. But I suppose I will have to look elsewhere for my Star Wars fix.