Planet by planet, darkness creeps across the galaxy. Among warriors and
generals, among ordinary beings living in far-flung worlds, the fear
will not go away: We are losing this war. . . .
Anakin Skywalker feels it, too. The Separatist Alliance, with
ruthlessness and treachery, is beating the Republic to every strategic
target. But after a costly clash with General Grievous for the planet
Kothlis, Anakin has a mission that will focus his anxious mind.
Alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi, he is posing as a long-lost native of Lanteeb,
an impoverished world on the Outer Rim. This seemingly unimportant
planet has drawn the interest of the Seps--and Anakin and Obi-Wan soon
discover the disturbing reason: A scientist enslaved by General Lok Durd
is drawing on Lanteeb's one natural resource for a devastating
bioweapon. Now Anakin and Obi-Wan have entered the eye of a storm. Their
presence has been exposed, Lok Durd's plans unveiled, and a fight has
begun for survival behind enemy lines--and a chance of winning a war
that must be fought at any cost.