The excerpts detail a complex series of events involving Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and their allies as they attempt to rescue Han Solo after his capture. Simultaneously, the narrative follows Prince Xizor, the head of the criminal organization Black Sun, who is secretly manipulating events to eliminate Luke and gain influence over the Emperor, putting him in direct conflict with Darth Vader. Leia attempts to make contact with Black Sun on Rodia while Luke pursues important stolen Imperial plans on Bothawui, leading to his capture by bounty hunters but eventually reuniting the group on Coruscant for a daring rescue mission inside Xizor's fortress. The climax sees the heroes escape, the destruction of Xizor's base, and Vader eliminating Xizor to remove a rival, setting the stage for the eventual confrontation with Jabba the Hutt for Solo's fate.