Steve Perry 1996 – Bantam 3-4 years after The Battle of Yavin Site Rating =  Buy Now from Amazon.Com

SPOILER ALERT: This Will Spoil The Plot of the Book!

Prince Xizor looks on from the shadows as the Emperor talks with his minion Darth Vader about the new threat, Luke Skywalker.  Xizor is shocked to learn that Vader has a son and he listens intently as Vader suggests that Luke join the Dark Side or die.

Leia Organa awakes from a nightmare about her good friend Han Solo being encased in carbonite and taken away from her.

On Tatooine, Luke Skywalker is busy constructing his new lightsaber from plans found the former dwelling of his mentor Ben Kenobi.  While his training is still unfinished, he can already sense that the Dark Side is growing ever closer as he practices honing his Force ability.

Months later, Xizor, the leader of Black Sun, prepares to enact his plan to rid the galaxy of Vader and take over his role as the Emperor’s second in command.

In a cantina on Tatooine, Leia and Chewbacca meet with Lando Calrissian, who they have only recently forgiven for his betrayal on Bespin.  He tells them that he’s located Boba Fett and Han on a planet called Gall and a man named Dash Rendar is checking things out to confirm.  Gall is an Imperial occupied area and getting in and out will not be easy.  They head off to tell Luke the news.

While Vader describes the Imperials needs for the Outer Rim to Xizor, the prince thinks back to how Vader’s experiments on his home world left most of his family dead.  His revenge will be even sweeter.

Leia and the others reach Luke who is eager to find Han.  Chewie asks if the Rebel Alliance would be willing to help out and Luke says he knows the Wedge Antilles and the Rogue Squadron will definitely be on board.

Xizor meets with Guri, his beautiful assassin, who is actually a human replica droid making her nearly impossible to differentiate from a real human.  He tells her to summon Jabba the Hutt to his office.  His plan is to kill Luke Skywalker, but make it appear that it was Vader’s doing rather than bring him before the Emperor as he’d promised.

Alone in his hyperbaric medical chamber, Vader contemplates his encounter with Luke and his surprise and pride that Luke was able to survive the encounter.  He wonders if the Force is stronger in Luke than in Anakin.  He knows that he and his son could indeed rule the galaxy together without the Emperor.

Xizor meets with Jabba and discuss his connection with Solo and thus Skywalker.  Xizor puts the word out that the best way to find Skywalker will be to find Boba Fett.

After meeting up with the Rogues, Wedge leads the group to the base near Gall where Dash Rendar is also waiting.  Dash shows them the intel, but says that despite the long odds, if they can keep the tie fighters occupied, he’ll be able to sneak Lando to Fett’s ship.

As the battle begins, Luke hears the voice of Ben urging him to use the Force.  When he reaches out, the battle tide turns in their favor.  Wedge tells Luke they can only hold out for so long and they decide they’re distraction has done its job.  One of the R2 units begins to malfunction as they try to escape.  It forces the x-wing to start firing at Luke’s ship!  Luke is able to disable the ship and Wedge tows it away as they escape.

Elsewhere Lando and Leia find Fett’s ship, but Dash takes off saying his job is finished and he doesn’t want to get into any more trouble than he has to.  They look on as the Imperials continue to attack and Fett flees before they reach him.

Back at their base, they inspect the faulty R2 unit and R2D2 tells them it was programmed to fire at Luke.  Dash returns to base without Lando and Leia, who eventually make it back on their own.  When they return to the faulty droid they find it has been completely destroyed.  The crew chief takes a shot at Luke with a blaster, but he’s able to avoid it before Wedge shoots and kills her.

After a slicing by Lando, they learn that a large sum on money was transferred from an unknown account into the chief’s.  It seems Darth Vader may be behind the attack.

Leia is able to convince Luke to return to Tatooine, and without Luke’s knowledge she pays Dash to follow him to ensure he doesn’t get into any more trouble.  She goes to Lando and wonders if he can get in touch with Black Sun to further investigate the source of the attack on Luke.  Lando is not pleased that she would want such an arrangement, but agrees to help her set up a meeting.

Xizor meets with Vader and gives him false information on a secret Rebel base.  The outpost is actually one of Xizor’s competitors, but he knows that Vader will destroy it regardless of what he finds.  Either way, the outcome works favorably for him in the eyes of the Emperor.  The Emperor commands Vader to take the fleet and personally oversee the operation.  Vader is not pleased, and plans to return as quickly as possible as he suspects Xizor is up to something.

As Leia and Lando make contact with Greedo’s uncle who agrees to help him, Luke is eager to test out his new lightsaber when a dozen swoop riders drop in to attack this hideout.  After a trip through Beggar’s Canyon, the swoops break off when Dash shows up who tells him they were sent by Jabba.  It looks like someone else wants him dead.

Vader contacts the Emperor to tell him the supposed Rebel base was destroyed.  The Emperor reveals that Xizor is with him and commands Vader to thank him for the information. Vader is furious, but controls his emotions during the conversation.

Xizor contacts Guri and tells her to retrieve a secret file from his office and pass it along to a Bothan spy to give to the Rebels.  Guri isn’t sure it’s a wise move, but he wants to be sure that just in case the Empire does lose the war, Black Sun will be looked upon favorably by the winners.  Guri brings Leia’s visit to a Black Sun casino to his attention, and he sends her there hoping a meeting between the two will bring him closer to Luke.

While recovering from the fight, Dash and Luke receive a message from the Bothan spy, Koth Melan, who tells them they have five days to meet him to retrieve information that will be vital to the Rebel Alliance.  In Leia’s absence, they decide to take up the mission.

After several attempts, they contact the spy who tells them that special computer containing sensitive information on the Empire will be transported very soon to Bothawui.  It is being smuggled on a fertilizer ship, and although he has a team to help secure it, they need a leader with experience.  Luke jumps on the chance and convinces Dash there may be some money in it for him if he comes along.

Luke and the others approach the freighter.  When they demand it stop, it reveals that that it is heavily armored and has weapons.  Eventually Luke disables the engines and they are allowed to board.

After spending productive time in the casino, Leia tells Lando the Black Sun operative will meet them.  Lando plans to hide out in the closet and Chewie will be guarding the door for Threepio and Leia during the meet.

Dash is distraught from a blatant mistake he made during the battle that he believes cost the lives of several of their fellow pilots.  Koth tells them that the computer will need to be moved to another Bothan colony to crack the encryption.  Luke is going to join them, but believes Dash’s emotional state is too fragile to continue.  Instead he sends Dash to find Leia and give her an update on the situation.

Guri meets with Leia and informs her about the recent assistance Black Sun has given the Rebels regarding a super secret Imperial construction project.  Leia is unaware of this, but knows that any help from Black Sun usually comes with a price tag.  Still unsure, they decide to meet again in another day.

Guri reports back to Xizor and recommends killing all of them since they have information on Skywalker that could vital to his plan.  Xizor disagrees, however, and demands she bring Leia back to meet with him personally.

Before the next meeting, Chewbacca installs a scanner that will allow them a closer look at Guri the next time around.  Dash finds them and tells them of his battle mistake, but agrees to continue to help them with the plan.  When Guri arrives the scanner shows that she is definitely not human, and she decides to end the ruse and demand that Leia come with her.  The plan is foiled when Lando and the others burst in with blasters drawn.

Koth and Luke begin to uncover secrets in the computer when they come under attack by several troopers!  Koth is shot down and Luke is overwhelmed and captured by a Barabel named Skahtul.

Leia and the others discuss how they’ll get an Alliance ship to meet with Black Sun when Guri reveals she is there to provide them transportation to Prince Xizor.  They are still unsure so Leia goes to visit Spero, a former acquaintance who owes her.  He confirms Xizor’s identity and they agree to go with Guri.

After Luke is locked up, Skahtul tells him she is a bounty hunter and there are two bounties for Luke, one for him alive and one dead.  She hopes to play both sides off each other, even though she admits many bounty hunters would side with the Rebellion.

Vader and the Emperor discuss Luke’s capture and of Xizor’s plan to allow the Rebels to get information on Death Star.  Information they reveal is fake.  The Emperor wants Vader to find Luke and pretend to retrieve the stolen information.

Luke concentrates in the Force and for the first time he is able to influence the mind of someone else as he convinces the guard to come into his cell and fall asleep.  As Luke is fighting his way out, he runs into Lando who says they better get moving because an Imperial fleet is on its way to pick him up.  As they try to jump to hyperspace, but cannot as the drive is broken.  They land on a nearby asteroid to repair it.

Too late, Vader lands near the detention center and learns the Black Sun is the other bidder for Skywalker and they are the ones who want him dead.  Vader is incensed by the news and heads back to his ship.  As they close in on the Millennium Falcon, Lando fixes the drive and they jump to safety.

Leia is brought before Xizor and is overcome by his special ability to win over females with his natural aura.  Despite Chewie being unaffected, Leia giddily accepts his invitation to freshen up in his quarters.  As they move farther away from him, she asks Chewie what happened as she inspects the first class wardrobe Xizor has provided for her.  As they sit down for dinner, Xizor seduces Leia, even kissing her.  Chewie barges in and demands to see the princess.  Xizor is confident that his spell is tight over her and allows her to go with him.  She sees an unconscious guard lying on the ground and realizes that Chewie must have known something wasn’t right and she is able to snap out of Xizor’s hold on her.

The Emperor is unconvinced by Vader’s evidence against Xizor, but does agree that a Dark Side Luke Skywalker is more valuable than a living Xizor and agrees to allow Vader to personally go after Luke to protect him from other attacks.

When Leia returns to Xizor, she is able to disobey his orders and when he moves in for another kiss, she knees him in the grown.  He is pleased that she is a worthy adversary, but locks her up nonetheless.

Luke senses that Leia is in trouble, and has Lando reach out to Dash, but instead finds a message from Chewie saying that she’s been captured by Black Sun on Coruscant.  They travel to Coruscant where they are able to commandeer elite stormtrooper uniforms and stay undercover. They enter Spero’s shop and find Chewbacca waiting for them.  He explains Leia’s situation, but it is not long before they come under attack.  Dash comes to the rescue and they escape.

With Leia refusing his repeated requests for dinner, Xizor tells her he allowed Chewie to escape so he would bring Luke back to rescue her.  Guri enters and informs them that the Falcon has indeed been spotted.  He sends Guri off to kill them.  Through the Force, Leia hears Luke and knows he is on his way to save her.

Vader’s aide brings him information from recovered files that show how Xizor’s family was killed.  Things are now in perspective, and that Xizor is not a simple rival.  He hopes to avenge his own family’s death by killing Vader’s only son.  Vader contacts Xizor and tells him that he knows the real story and that he will be holding Xizor personally responsible for any attempts on Luke’s life.  Afterwards, Xizor is unfazed and vows to simply be more cautious in the future.

Luke and the others meet with a man named Vidkun who works in the tunnels beneath the city and can show them the way to Xizor’s palace.  After taking them to the edge of the Imperial facility, he refuses to go on.  When they say that’s not part of the deal he turns and opens fire on them, hitting Dash who in turn fires and kills him.  They are able to overcome several guards, but not before their intrusion has been communicated to more security.  When Guri reports the breach to Xizor, he is unconcerned believing that it is mere a communication disturbance.  Nevertheless, she sends reinforcements.

When the next wave of guards arrives, Threepio contacts Luke saying guards are approaching the Falcon.  He orders the droid and R2 to take the ship from the hanger and wait for him to contact them.

Guri reports that another squad is missing, Xizor orders Leia be brought to him.  Leia senses her coming and is able to ambush her and lock her in the room instead.  The cell won’t hold her for long as she begins pounding through the doorway.

Threepio contacts Luke and tells him they are airborne and heading to the location they had previously decided upon.  Luke uses his lightsaber to cut through the next door, but they find only more attackers waiting for them chasing Leia!

Guri gives Xizor the bad news and is even more upset to learn they have been disabling all the security cameras as they made their way through the facility.  He decides to head to one of the top layers to cut them off before they can escape.

As the Rebels reach level 20, Luke tells them they need to reach Level 50.  The Falcon will be meeting them on a landing pad there.  Xizor and Guri spot them and open fire.  Luke deflects the fire and they escape forcing Xizor to sound the general alarm.  When Leia tells them who just attacked them, Luke decides to turn back and take the fight to Xizor and Guri.  Lando takes a couple thermal detonators to help them be a little more persuasive.  Once they meet up with Xizor, he agrees to let them go, knowing he can continue the pursuit after they’ve left the building.  Lando takes his detonator and activates it and drops it down the trash shoot!

As they near their escape, Guri challenges Luke saying no mere man can compete with her, but perhaps a legendary Jedi will be able to.  Using the Force, Luke bests her and she asks for death, but he refuses.  He invites her to join the Rebellion and be reprogrammed, but she will not agree to do it.

Xizor makes it to the top level and his personal ship.  He escapes sad to know his palace will be destroyed, but knows one day he’ll be in the Emperor’s Palace instead.

Finally at the landing bay, the Falcon them up and they fly to safety before the palace crumbles to the ground.

Again Vader’s aide brings him information about Xizor’s treachery.  This time Vader readies his own ship for a visit.

As they enter orbit and prepare to make a jump, a squadron of Xizor’s ships intercept them.  The pilots report to Xizor that they have them surrounded.  When Rogue Squadron arrives, they are still outgunned, but the odds get a little better.  When several Imperial ties show up, the Rebels are surprised to see them destroying Xizor’s ships instead of theirs!

Vader contacts and incensed Xizor and tells him that he is breaking the law and that unless he stops his pursuit of Luke in two minutes Vader will be forced to take action.  Of course, Xizor refuses and when the countdown reaches zero Vader orders the ties to attack.

Luke and the others watch on as Xizor’s ship explodes!  Unfortunately one of the pieces of the ship crashes into Dash’s ship destroying it as well.  After they escape, they receive word from the Bothans that Dash had actually not made a mistake in the earlier attack.  In fact, his tactic was correct, but unknown circumstances created the travesty.  Luke says that it’s now time to rescue Han, and he has a plan he hopes will work.

The Emperor tells Vader he is pleased that he uncovered Xizor’s treachery, but that Black Sun is still a necessary partner for the Empire.  He also says that the plot to snare the Rebels with the faulty Death Star plans is still underway and that they will personally oversee the final stages of it.  Luke Skywalker will be joining them there just as he has foreseen.

Back on Tatooine in Ben’s home, Luke records a message for Jabba the Hutt asking to barter for Han’s life and donating two droids as a message of good will.

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