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May 10, 2023 31 mins

Chapter 16 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

The Story So Far

Grand Admiral Thrawn is leading the Imperial remnants from the shadows in a grand conspiracy to destroy the New Republic and re-establish the Galactic Empire, employing the help of dark Jedi clone, Joruus C'Baoth. 

Last and first of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker lacks the confidence to be the teacher needed to rebuild the Jedi Order. However, during a space battle in the Athega System, Luke makes contact with a Jedi promising to lead him forward.  

All the while, Leia and Luke are on the run to evade the capture of the mysterious Imperial commander. They've run to Lando Calrissian on Nklon, and now Chewbacca leads Leia to Kashyyyk for protection while Han Solo and Lando broadcast decoy signals giving the illusion that Leia is still on the run.

Thrawn is not so easily deceived, as he plans another ambush for Luke. 

Chapter 16

Luke is pulled out of hyperspace into a slaughter: his Jedi senses tell him that there's no one left alive on the cargo ship incurring the ire of an Imperial Star Destroyer. He narrowly escapes the literal tractor beam grasp of the Imperials but unwittingly incurs serious damage to his X-Wing. 

Thrawn is none too pleased with the performance of his men during the confrontation and shows just how unforgiving he can be. Instead of pursuing Luke themselves to focus on their upcoming attack on Sluis Van, Thrawn orders a bounty to go out on Luke's capture, knowing that his hyperdrive will fail presently due to the damages sustained in the confrontation. 

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Hosts’ Thoughts

  • Jedi hibernation trance seems useful.
  • Having the freighter as a decoy target is a pretty smart strategy.
  • That was such a fun way to escape a tractor beam.
  • Love how Rukh just showed up. 
    • Rukh seems a lot messier than Vader's Force choking.
  • Another reason for Karrde to be in the story!!
  • Has anyone read the Art of War?
  • Conscripts versus enlistees 
  • Sluis Van seems to be very important… 

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