Using the powers of the Force, the Jedi trainees back at Yavin IV manage to hold off Daala's forces until New Republic reinforcements arrive.

Furious, the pair of Jedi spy on Daala's fleet and succeed in warning the academy of the attack. They also attack Khomm, where Jedi trainees Kyp Durron and Dorsk 81 are visiting. With the help of Pellaeon, she plans a strike force against a series of New Republic targets, including the Jedi academy on Yavin IV.

Meanwhile, Admiral Daala succeeds in uniting the remains of the Empire in the core systems. The Darksaber attempts to fire its superlaser and make an escape, but the weapon fails and the ship is destroyed by two large asteroids. However, Durga's triumph is short-lived when the Republic fleet spots the Darksaber and begins pursuit. While Madine succeeds in relaying the location to the fleet, he is captured and killed by Durga. However, Luke and Callista's rescue is mainly thanks to the Republic fleet, who arrived to launch Crix Madine and his squad to locate the Darksaber reported to be under construction in the region. They are rescued by Han and Leia Organa Solo, who just returned from the successful mission on Nal Hutta. Luke and Callista embark on a vacation that eventually leaves them stranded near the Hoth asteroid belt. Back at the Hoth asteroid belt, Lemelisk starts construction on the cylindrical superlaser, which he calls the 'Darksaber' for its shape is similar to the hilt of a lightsaber. In order to find out the location of the superweapon, the New Republic launches a covert operation to Nal Hutta, disguised as a diplomatic summit. Skywalker and Solo reveal their discoveries, but not before Durga's subordinates steal the plans from the Imperial Palace. Meanwhile, in the Hoth Asteroid Belt, Durga the Hutt is planning a diplomatic mission to Coruscant, where he will secretly obtain the plans for the Death Star superlaser for Bevel Lemelisk, the Death Star's designer. While searching Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tatooine, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo learn that the Hutts are planning to build another superweapon.

Star Wars by Kevin J. Anderson