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I offer my most earnest salute to the chief architect of the Rebellion, George Lucas, without whose inspiration none of us would be here.

Finally, I want to thank the true believers of the cause—Star Wars fans around the globe—for coming along on this journey. Your boundless enthusiasm and vocal support have meant a great deal to me.

—Michael Paul McDowell

August 31, 1996

Okemos, Michigan

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Dramatis Personae

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Interlude I: Vagabond

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Interlude II: Ambush

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Interlude III: Derelict

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Interlude IV: Maltha Obex

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Interlude V: Rendezvous

Chapter 11

Epilogue: Coruscant, Eight Days Later

About The Author

Also by this Author

Introduction to the Star Wars Expanded Universe

Excerpt from Star Wars: The New Rebellion

Introduction to the Old Republic Era

Introduction to the Rise of the Empire Era

Introduction to the Rebellion Era

Introduction to the New Republic Era

Introduction to the New Jedi Order Era

Introduction to the Legacy Era

Star Wars Novels Timeline

Dramatis Personae

On Coruscant, capital of the New Republic:

Princess Leia Organa Solo, President of the Senate and Chief of State of the New Republic

Alole and Tarrick, aides to Leia

Admiral Hiram Drayson, chief of Alpha Blue

General Carlist Rieekan, head of New Republic Intelligence

Brigadier Collomus, operations senior staff for NRI

First Administrator Nanaod Engh, administrative director of the New Republic

Mokka Falanthas, minister of state

Senator Behn-Kihl-Nahm, chairman of the Defense Council and friend and mentor to Leia

Senator Rattagagech of Elom, chairman of the Science and Technology Council

Senator Doman Beruss of Illodia, chairman of the Ministry Council

Senator Borsk Fey’lya of Kothlis, chairman of the Justice Council

Senator Tig Peramis of Walalla

Belezaboth Ourn, extraordinary consul of the Paqwepori

With the Fifth Battle Group of the New Republic Defense Fleet, in Farlax Sector:

General Etahn A’baht, Fleet commander

Colonel Corgan, staff tactical officer

Colonel Mauit’ta, staff intelligence officer

Captain Morano, commander of the flagship Intrepid

Plat Mallar, sole survivor of the Yevethan raid on Polneye

Aboard the Teljkon Vagabond:

General Lando Calrissian, Fleet liaison to the expedition

Lobot, chief administrator of Cloud City, on vacation

See-Threepio, protocol droid

Artoo-Detoo, astromech droid

Aboard the yacht Lady Luck, in pursuit of the Teljkon Vagabond:

Colonel Pakkpekatt, expedition commander, New Republic Intelligence

Captain Bijo Hammax, foray commander

Pleck and Taisden, NRI technical agents

Aboard the Obroan Institute research vessel Penga Rift, at Maltha Obex:

Dr. Joto Eckels, senior archaeologist

On N’zoth, spawnworld of the Yevetha, in Koornacht Cluster, Farlax Sector:

Nil Spaar, viceroy of the Yevethan Protectorate

Eri Palle, aide to Nil Spaar

Dar Bille, proctor of the Yevethan flagship

Tal Fraan, proctor cogent to the viceroy

General Han Solo, a prisoner

Aboard the skiff Mud Sloth, en route to J’t’p’tan, in the Koornacht Cluster, Farlax Sector

Luke Skywalker, a Jedi Master

Akanah, an adept of the White Current

On Kashyyyk, homeworld of the Wookiees:

Chewbacca, participating in coming-of-age ceremonies for his son Lumpawarrump

Chapter 1

Three levels down from Rwookrrorro and eighteen kilometers northeast along the Rryatt Trail, the Well of the Dead appeared as a solid green wall ahead of Chewbacca and his son Lumpawarrump.

This deep in the wroshyr jungle of Kashyyyk, the tangled web of trunks and branches was ordinarily almost barren. So little light penetrated the dense canopies overhead that any leaves that sprouted quickly withered. Only the gray bridal-veil sucker and the paddle-leafed mock shyr, both parasites, and the ubiquitous kshyy vines decorated the runs and paths.

But neither the bridal-veil nor the mock shyr was