Five years after the Return of the Jedi the fragile Republic that was born, with the defeat of Darth Vader, the Emperor, and the infamous Death Star stands threatened from within and without. The dying empires most cunning and ruthless warlord - Grand Admiral Thrawn has taking command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the Republic's destruction. With the aid of unimaginable weapons Thrawn plans to overwhelm the New Republic, and impose his iron rule throughout the Galaxy. Meanwhile, dissension and personal ambition threaten to tear the Republic apart. As Princess Léia - pregnant with Jedi twins - risks her life to bring a proud and lethal alien race into alliance with the Republic, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republic Council. But most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness and thoroughly utterly isane.