Civil war rages as the Galactic Alliance-led by Cal Omas and the Jedi
forces of Luke Skywalker-battles a confederation of breakaway planets
that rally to the side of rebellious Corellia. Suspected of involvement
in an assassination plot against Queen Mother Tenel Ka of the Hapes
Consortium, Han and Leia Solo are on the run, hunted by none other than
their own son, Jacen, whose increasingly authoritarian tactics as head
of GA security have led Luke and Mara Skywalker to fear that their
nephew may be treading perilously close to the dark side.
But as his family sees in Jacen the chilling legacy of his Sith
grandfather, Darth Vader, many of the frontline troops adore him, and
countless citizens see him as a savior. The galaxy has been torn apart
by too many wars. All Jacen wants is safety and stability for all-and
he's prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.
To end the bloodshed and suffering, what sacrifice would be too great?
That is the question tormenting Jacen. Already he has sacrificed much,
embracing the pitiless teachings of Lumiya, the Dark Lady of the Sith,
who has taught him that a strong will and noble purpose can hold the
evil excesses of the dark side at bay, bringing peace and order to the
galaxy-but at a price.
For there is one final test that Jacen must pass before he can gain the
awesome power of a true Sith Lord: He must bring about the death of
someone he values dearly. What troubles Jacen isn't whether he has the
strength to commit murder. He has steeled himself for that, and worse if
necessary. No, the question that troubles Jacen is who the sacrifice
should be.
As the strands of destiny draw ever more tightly together in a
galaxy-spanning web, the shocking answer will shatter two families . . .
and cast a grim shadow over the future.
