Originally published as an ebook, James Luceno’s short story, “Saboteur,” introduces Darths Sidious and Maul to the Star Wars Expanded Universe canon. Though it is unrequired reading, it serves as an excellent introduction to Luceno’s novel, Cloak of Deception, and is now available as bonus material in Michael Reaves’s paperback novel, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, which follows Cloak of Deception chronologically on the EU timeline.

Darth Sidious does not play a large role, but the essence of the Sith Master’s relationship with his apprentice, Darth Maul, is revealed. Indeed, the story centers around Maul’s first solo mission to the Outer Rim planet, Dorvalla.

Dorvalla’s main resource is lommite ore, one of the substances employed in the creation of transparisteel, used for windows, ground vehicle windscreens, air- and spaceship canopies, and the like. Maul barely interacts with any characters on Dorvalla, but “Saboteur” exemplifies Sith cunning and subterfuge in orchestrating events, both on local and galactic scales. Luceno not only describes Maul’s peak physical condition and swordsmanship through his actions, but brings readers into his mind—his very thought processes. Because of Maul’s intense focus on discipline, his brief display of sensitivity (from which he quickly recovers) and sense of humor are nice surprises, as is his deference to Sidious. Darth Maul is often portrayed as the face of evil and ruthlessness, a man of few words, that it is easy to view him as two-dimensional, which Luceno overcomes by imbuing him with these qualities.

Maul is eager to be on his own and to please his Master: he is confident in his physical abilities and intelligence that failure seems not to be a part of Darth Maul’s worldview.