Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 11_ Dark Journey - Elaine Cunningham [0]
Published by The Random House Publishing Group
Copyright © 2002 by Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™.
All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto.
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eISBN: 978-0-307-79559-5
v3.1
For Erik Kulis, nephew and Star Wars fan, who stood up in a crowded theater and screamed, “NO!” at the conclusion of the battle between Obi-wan and Darth Maul.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many thanks to Shelly Shapiro and Sue Rostoni for their guidance and patience throughout the writing process, and to Kathleen O’Shea David, who holds down the front line. I’ve appreciated the comments, suggestions, and attention to detail provided by LFL’s keen-eyed guardians of continuity. Thanks to all the folks who batted around brainstorming e-mails, or simply shared information: Troy Denning, Greg Keyes, Mike Friedman, Matt Stover, Walter Jon Williams, and Aaron Allston. To Chris Perkins and Dave Gross over at Star Wars Gamer magazine, who gave me the opportunity to write a few more tales about Jaina and her friends. Thanks to the Star Ladies for their upbeat presence, and to Fred Espenchied, who makes a tremendous contribution to the online community. Thanks to Andrew Cunningham for all the discussions about black holes, dark matter, and Star Wars technology, and to Sean Cunningham, who shares my affection for Tenel Ka.
Finally, to R. A. Salvatore, who threw my name into the hat. Thanks again, Bob.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Dramatis Personae
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by this Author
Introduction to the Star Wars Expanded Universe
Excerpt from Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Rebel Dream
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
Han Solo; captain, Millennium Falcon (male human)
Harrar; priest (male Yuuzhan Vong)
Isolder; Hapan prince (male human)
Jagged Fel; commander, Chiss squadron (male human)
Jaina Solo; Jedi Knight (female human)
Khalee Lah; warrior (male Yuuzhan Vong)
Kyp Durron; Jedi Master (male human)
Leia Organa Solo; Republic ambassador (female human)
Lowbacca; Jedi Knight (male Wookiee)
Ta’a Chume; former Hapan queen (female human)
Tenel Ka; Jedi Knight (female human)
Teneniel Djo; Hapan queen (female human)
Trisdin Gheer; courtesan (male human)
Tsavong Lah; warmaster (male Yuuzhan Vong)
Zekk; Jedi Knight (male human)
ONE
A sunrise corona limned one edge of the planet Myrkr, setting its vast northern forests alight with a verdant glow. Viewed from space, the planet appeared as lush and green as Yuuzhan’tar, the long-lost homeworld of Yuuzhan Vong legend.
Two Yuuzhan Vong males stood at the viewport of a priestship, deep in contemplation of the scene before them. One was tall and gaunt, with a sloping forehead and sharp, aristocratic features scarred by many acts of devotion. These marks, and his cunningly wrapped head cloth, identified him as a priest of high rank. His companion was younger, broader, and so physically imposing that a first