The Lost Holocron

Chapter 12 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

After two foiled kidnappings on diplomatic missions, Leia Organa-Solo and Han Solo suspect a leak inside the New Republic government. They head to the Athega system to find Lando to get his help outside New Republic jurisdiction. 

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker has been training Leia to be the first of the new generation of Jedi while struggling with self-doubt as the teacher needed to rebuild the Order. On a hunch he travels to Dagobah, hoping to find something left behind by Master Yoda. Ultimately disappointed, Luke recovers a nondescript gadget from the Dark Side Cave, but suspects Lando can help with deciphering the script written on the side. 

Meanwhile, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s schemes are coming to a head as he has allied himself with Master Joruus C’baoth, clone and Dark Jedi. Captain Pelleaon devises a plan to disseminate information that might lure Luke to C’baoth instead of sending more noghri to capture him. 

Finally, Mara Jade has apprenticed to the smuggler Talon Karrde as they play cat-and-mouse to tease information out of each other.

The Millennium Falcon arrives in the Athega system with Han and Leia looking to meet with Lando. Luke arrives at just the right time for them to take the slow sublight trip to the inter system since neither the Falcon nor Luke's X-Wing have slave circuits needed to precisely co-ordinate inbound ships with their shielding escort. 

Once at Nkllon, though, the Empire shows up suddenly. Bad timing or are they being tracked?

• Sunshine (2007) - IMDb 
• X Wing Cross-Section
• A/SF-01 B-wing starfighter | Wookieepedia
• Han Solo and Chewbacca Are like an Owner and a Dog If Han Is the Dog | The Mary Sue  
• Chadra-Fan | Wookieepedia 

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• Lando blocked!
• Holy shit Chewbacca said something!
• The concept of Nkllon is really cool.
• Did the author seriously refer to Chewie as “the copilot?” DISRESPECT.
• Is Luke seriously going to sit in his X-wing for 10 hours?
• Hilarious that they positively identify Luke by having Threepio talk to Artoo.
• So cool to see reclaimed Imperial vessels and vehicles making up the mining complex.
• WHAT A CLIFFHANGER

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Chapter 11 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

After Grand Admiral Thrawn conducts three simultaneous raids in the Sluis Van sector, Leia Organa-Solo and Han Solo travel to Bpfassh to show their diplomatic support with the recovery effort. While there, they are ambushed for a second time by the same unknown aliens from Bimmisaari. They manage to escape but Han decides it's time to get help outside New Republic jurisdiction. 

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker has been training Leia as his first student. He has been struggling with self-doubt as the teacher needed to rebuild the Jedi Order. 

Thrawn has allied himself with Master Joruus C’baoth, clone and Dark Jedi. Captain Pelleaon devises a plan to disseminate information that might lure Luke to C’baoth instead of sending more noghri to capture him. 

Finally, Mara Jade has apprenticed to the smuggler Talon Karrde as they play cat-and-mouse to tease information out of each other.

On a hunch, Luke travels to Dagobah hoping to find something — anything — left by Yoda to guide his uncertain footsteps into the future. Finding nothing in Yoda's old dwelling, he ventures into the Dark Side Cave and is confronted with a vision; a retelling of Luke's execution at the Great Pit of Carkoon where his lightsaber is intercepted by a mysterious woman. 

Rewarded for his ordeal, Luke emerges with a nondescript gadget with markings that R2-D2 suspects might be recognised by Lando. 

• Dagobah - Star Wars Background Ambience 
• Yoda on Dagobah Deleted Scene with audio from Leia on Alderaan Scene 

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• Luke’s attitude towards dwelling on Yoda is a good display of mindfulness.
• THE CAAAAAAAVE
• Luke not realizing how structures would decay in a swamp is a good bit of characterization.
• Which side of the Force does curiosity serve?
• Who was the woman in Luke’s vision? 
• Yet another name that’s difficult to pronounce (Nkllon). (Scott: Nick-Lon per Audiobook)
• Smells of Dagobah
• Luke took his lightsaber into the cave again
• R2 gets lonely and it's a scaredy cat (Scooby-Doo?)
• Theories on the object in question?
• The Cave/tree is a massive troll
• The fact that Luke is still afraid of the tree still shows he has a lot to grow into

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Chapter 10 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

Grand Admiral Thrawn has been escalating his pressure on the disputed territory between the Empire and the New Republic. Now with Master Joruus C’baoth at his disposal, Thrawn commands three simultaneous planetary raids to test both the skill and the compliance of the Dark Jedi. 

Smuggler Talon Karrde and his apprentice Mara Jade seem to be in the right place at the right time to witness the raid on Bpfassh, while the New Republic is on the back foot as its resources and attention are being reallocated into establishing governance despite being at war. 

Leia's Jedi training has started sporadically, while Luke worries that he might not be the teacher that is needed of one tasked with rebuilding the Jedi Order. 

Leia and Han survey the damage on Bpfassh under the protective detail of Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron. Leia's new Jedi senses alert them just-in-time to another ambush by the same alien species that ambushed them on Bimmisaari. 

Despite being able to repel their assailants, they are nonetheless closer to understanding the motives and origin of these mysterious aliens. 

After an unproductive call with Admiral Ackbar, Han decides it's time to take the matter of their safety into their own hands.

• Wedge Antilles | Wookieepedia 
• What Does a BROWN Colored Lightsaber Mean? (Sith or Jedi) 

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• Women (Leia) being expected to give up their commitments and ambitions for their children 
• Enter Lando
• Charisma and ambition is a dangerous combination
• Still no mention of Leia's lightsaber colour
• What a surprise that Wedge knows about C’baoth!
• I totally believe Thrawn could find an identical YT-1300 freighter. What a fun trap.
• Snap-hiss. We may not know Leia’s color yet, but at least we know the ignition sound is the same as Luke’s!
• Excellent transition between sections. The context of Han’s line to Ackbar’s flows very nicely.
• “I’m not sure I appreciate the tone of that question, Captain.” “I don’t like it much either, Admiral.” Hilarious retort.
• CHEWIE. STILL. BARELY. TALKS.
• Why does Leia still distrust Lando?

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

Grand Admiral Thrawn has allied himself with a Dark Jedi by promising to deliver Luke Skywalker and the pregnant Leia Organa Solo. Master Joruus C’baoth shows to be an impatient man as the first kidnapping attempt is foiled by Skywalker’s warrior prowess. 

Despite the New Republic needing to raise its diplomatic image, logistically it’s easier said than done while they are still at war with the Imperial Remnants. Leia is torn between her diplomatic duties and Jedi training, while Luke is stuck between being the last of the Old Jedi and the first of the New.

The Imperials conduct three concurrent hit-and-fade operations in the Suis Sector. While Grand Admiral Thrawn plays his cards close to his chest, Captain Pellaeon deduces that the exercise is as much to test Master C’Baoth’s mettle as to enforce the chain of command. Pellaeon is more than a little shaken at the display of power from C’Baoth. 

Meanwhile, the raid on Bpfassh has been observed by smugglers Talon Karrde and Marra Jade at a safe distance, Karrde seemingly having foreknowledge about the operation. To Jade’s chagrin, Karrde calls off his smuggling run, citing the New Republic's imminent relief effort as a situation they wish not be entangled in. 

The chapter closes with news of the raids reaching Coruscant while Leia is engaged in her new lightsaber lessons. Luke laments that, while the skills come easily to himself, he may not be the teacher that she needs. 

• Siege-towers | The One Wiki to Rule Them All  
• How One A-Wing Killed A Super Star Destroyer  
• What Are Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids? 

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Imperial section

• Cool to see Thrawn testing his theory about Palpatine.
• Flare of star lines, mottling of hyperspace, flicker of pseudomotion, starlines flare and shrink
• Very cool, professional battle
• Power struggle between Thrawn and C'baoth
• I really like seeing limits to tactics
• What do they mean by Star Destroyers are "siege engines"?
• Everything Thrawn does has multiple meanings. 

Smuggler Section

• Jade seems to have some kind of grudge against Luke.
• Jade is sensitive to “promises”
• “Promises…” This reveals a lot about her.

Republic Section

• WHAT COLOR IS LEIA’S LIGHTSABER 
• Bpfassh, Draukyze (Han's lampshading)
• Teaching is a skill
• I would love to own a training remote! 
• Jedi went crazy during the clone wars on Bpfassh?
• Even after Yoda died, Luke hasn't told anyone about Dagobah 
• This is why you need to shut down your computer every so often

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Chapter 8 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

The New Republic and Imperial Remnants are struggling for control of the galaxy, each holding comparable military might and galactic territory. Looking to reverse the tide, the last of the Imperial Grand Admirals has found and bargained for the favour of a cloned Dark Jedi, offering up both the adult and unborn Skywalkers twins. 

A trap for the Skywalkers was laid and sprung during a diplomatic mission for the Republic to Bimmisaari. However, the unidentified alien commandos were unprepared to face Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker. Luke, Leia, and Han escape unscathed but the nature of their assailants are a mystery to them. 

Captain Pellaeon reports to Grand Admiral Thrawn, detailing the failure of the Noghri to capture the Skywalkers and the recovery of the tech found on Wayland. Dark Jedi Master C'baoth expresses his impatience and a new plan is hatched to capture the Skywalkers; one that suits Thrawn's upcoming plans that necessitate C'baoth presence for a raid on the Sluis Van shipyard. 

Meanwhile, back on Coruscant, the New Republic are unable to identify the assailants at Bimmisaari, and as a result politics stall. While Leia Organa Solo is set to return to Bimmisaari to resume negotiations, she requests more space in her schedule to advance her Jedi studies, but finds no support within the Council, citing her expertise as indispensable.

• Star Forge | Wookieepedia 
• Redshirts, Retirement, and more in How to Kill a Character / Just For Fun - TV Tropes 

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Overall

• I like how we alternated between Imperial and Republic chapters, to having two Republic chapters, to now having a chapter that’s split between both.

Imperial Section

• What could the Spaarti tubes be? "Such fine equipment for us to rebuild his Empire"
• Thrawn was so cold about the Noghri dying
• Thrawn definitely doesn’t respect the Jedi
• Thrawn’s selective ego is yet another interesting wrinkle to his character
• What does the fall of thrawn look like?
• Looks like the frayed seams of C’baoth are starting to show

Republic section

• Is Fey'lya being skeptical or a contrarian?
• Shouldn't the council be doing more to prepare for Leia's imminent maternity?
• “Fey’lya said, with that air of wounded pride he did so well.”
• Fey’lya is so performative
• Ackbar doesn’t understand “they were already waiting for us”
• Han sticking up for Leia’s Jedi training
• The New Republic is truly spread thin (Mothma's long pause)
• I can see Han’s character clearly in this chapter
• If the Jedi are so important, where is Luke during these meetings? 

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Chapter 7 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

The New Republic and what is left of the Imperial Forces are at a turning point in their struggle for galactic control. While both sides are struggling economically, the New Republic is having trouble establishing itself politically, and the Imperial Remnants are hunting for opportunities to turn the tide. 

Captain Pallaeon accompanies Grand Admiral Thrawn, the last surviving Warlord appointed by Emperor Palpatine, to a storehouse of technology they hope will aid their war effort. Along with new cloaking shield technology, they ally themselves with a Dark Jedi clone, Joruus C’Baoth, promising him Leia Organa Solo’s unborn twins. 

During the course of their diplomatic mission and while separated from Luke Skywalker, Leia and Han Solo fall prey to an ambush in the bustling markets of Bimmisaari. 

Luke frees himself from an ambush in the Bim Tower and races to rescue Leia and Han in the marketplace. Safely aboard the Millennium Falcon, Han makes the jump to lightspeed. 

It seems that one of the Bims was paid off to lead the protagonists into the trap but have no other information about their assailants. Leia wants to resume negotiations, but Han first wants to rendezvous with tactical support before returning. 

After pressure from Luke and Han, Leia agrees that she needs to start lightsaber training sooner than later. 

• Star Wars: Heir to the Empire - Part One (fixed!) by DarthAngelus - YouTube
• Holodrama | Wookieepedia
• Frank Castle (Marvel Database) is not William Castle (IMDb)
• Lightyear Theory: "The Movie" Andy Saw That Inspired Him To Want A Buzz Toy Wasn't A Kid's Movie : r/FanTheories 

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• Luke: “Let’s talk this out.”
  Also Luke: “There’s no particular reason why any of you has to be hurt.”
• What would a lightsaber do against the spray?
• I like how clumsiness and chance play into the action
• “Some sort of bizarre gift wrapping”
• It’s so cool to see Luke being so observant in combat and his precise use of telekinesis
• “Snap-hiss.” The key onomatopoeia for Luke’s lightsaber ignition
• Who was operating the Falcon’s swivel gun?
• “I am not a committee.” 
• GIVE LEIA A LIGHTSABER
• Has Leia exhibited any traits similar to Anakin?
• The word Bimm has lost all meaning
• Can C-3P0 duck?
• Can't believe they were attacked and are expected to just come back down

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Chapter 6 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn.

Five years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in Return of the Jedi (1983), and unbeknownst to the New Republic, Imperial Warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn is taking strides in collecting tools and technology left by the late Emperor to aid in his plan to retake territory from — and ultimately destroy — the New Republic.

After a parley with smugglers Talon Karrde and Mara Jade to collect ysalamir, Thrawn weaponises their obscure ability for creating voids in the Force to neutralise Dark Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth and negotiate his allegiance by offering him Leia's unborn twins.  
Meanwhile on Coruscant, political infighting seems to be stalling the establishment of structured governance within the Council of the New Republic. Despite personal growing pains, numerous responsibilities, and logistical issues, Han, Leia, and now Luke are assigned a diplomatic mission to Bimmisaari. Luke, it seems, has been requested to join them last minute.

Han and Leia travel with Luke  and C-3PO to the planet Bimmisaari on a diplomatic mission to negotiate the terms of the Bimm joining the New Republic. Leaving Chewbacca and R2-D2 on the Millennium Falcon, the four are treated to a brief greeting ceremony. However, before they can arrive at the planetary government, news arrives that the key negotiator for the Bimm has suddenly taken ill.

Luke and Han are invited to inspect relics of the Old Republic while Leia is shown around the market, but a suspicious Han decides to join Leia instead. His suspicions prove true when they find themselves encircled by numerous armed individuals of an alien species they don't recognise.

• Roman concrete - Wikipedia
• Star Wars: Heir to the Empire - Part One (fixed!) by DarthAngelus - YouTube
• The Orville (TV Series 2017– ) - IMDb
• Human | Wookieepedia
• The Ithorian Supremacy League dialogue
• Humanocentrism | Wookieepedia

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• Of all the tech in SW, they don't have remote locking on their spaceships?
• Cursing and exclamations in SW: "Good skies!"
• Old Republic relics are a good honeypot for Luke but not Han.
• Luke didn't sense duplicity
• Was the store owner trying to warn?
• Stokhli sticks: shoot a spraynet mist 200 m and has enough juice to take down a gundark.
• capitalisation of species names
• What do you think they mean by “middle era?”
• The greys with spider sticks

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Chapter 5 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

Five years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in RotJ on the ex-Imperial capital of Coruscant, Luke, Leia, and Han are struggling not only with their evolving identities, but also with the demands on their expertise as the militaristic Rebellion aspires to establish a legitimate and functioning government. 

On Myrkr, smugglers Talon Karrde and Mara Jade observed Imperial Warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn collect the native ysalamiri, which have a unique ability to vacate the Force. 

Thrawn then travels to Wayland on the hunt for technology left by the late Emperor that will aid in his plan to retake territory from — and ultimately destroy — the New Republic. While there, he encounters Jedi clone Jaruus C'baoth, whose allegiance he gains by offering him Leia's unborn twins.

Han delivers a report on his mission to recruit smugglers to facilitate trade within the New Republic. Its lack of progress fans the flames in the ongoing feud between the present Commander in Chief, Admiral Ackbar, and the ambitious Borsk Fey'lya, Council Member and an important leader of the Bothan faction. After a short quarrel, Mon Mothma deescalates the situation by adjourning the meeting. 

Han is told that Luke will be accompanying him and Leia on their diplomatic mission to Bimmisaari. Leia seems keen to sojourn away from the political capital. 

• Keeper of the Holocron, Leland Chee | Wookieepedia
• George Lucas Confirms Skywalker Is A Common Name at Celebrations V | Web Archive
• Spaceballs (1987) The IMDb Entry 

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• Zahn adds details about aliens right when you need to know
• How long should a chapter in a book (scene in a movie) be?
• Mon Mothma is a pragmatic politician, war seems to have strained her severely
• Why is it that Leia seems to have little patience for politics?
• What is the narrative of Luke at Endor to the wider galaxy?
• What do you think Han is feeling when he says, “Sure, just exactly like old times?”

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Chapter 4 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

Five years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in RotJ on the ex-Imperial capital of Coruscant, Luke, Leia, and Han are struggling not only with their evolving identities, but also with the demands on their expertise as the militaristic Rebellion aspires to establish a legitimate and functioning government. 

Meanwhile, led by Warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Empire is gathering strength to regain lost ground against the New Republic. His plan takes an expedition to Myrkr, where Captain Pallaeon and Tallon Karrde parley for the Empire to collect the native ysalamiri. Karrde suspects it is a tool to use against Luke Skywalker, though to what end he can only guess. 

Grand Admiral Thrawn and Captain Pallaeon travel to Wayland, a low-tech world hiding a storehouse of the late Emperor's personal treasures and technology salient to Thrawn’s grand plan. Expecting a Dark Jedi Guardian, Thrawn thwarts the usurping ruler Joruus C’baoth’s snare with a demonstration of the ysalamiri's unusual ability to vacate the Force. 

Thrawn bargains with C’baoth to secure his allegiance in exchange for the capture of Leia’s unborn Jedi twins, whom C’baoth would mould as he sees fit. Pallaeon believes C'baoth to be unstable and a dubious ally, despite Thrawn’s confidence. Thrawn reveals that C'baoth is a clone of a Jedi Master, whose assassination Thrawn was personally involved in before the Clone Wars and Great Jedi Purge.

• Bowcaster | Wookieepedia | Fandom  
• Cut-resistant gloves - Wikipedia
• Lightsaber forms and Lightsaber combat | Wookieepedia 
• Cover Art of Heir to the Empire | Wookieepedia 
• Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series 2005–2008) - IMDb
• "Shoot him, he's the clone" - TV Tropes  
• How It's Made, Candles. 
• Saponification: Making Soap 

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• C’baoth is highly respected on Wayland
• Thrawn and C’baoth differing ideology on conquest and power
• DON’T MESS WITH RUKH
• The way the crypt was presented was excellent
• Thrawn’s disapproval of the Emperor's centralisation of the military
• A cult leader is an interesting spin on a villain
• “Old Republic” means something different now
• What in evolution do you mean lizards repel the force?
• Anyone dying by arrow in-universe is a bit much 
• The speed of SFX in th

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Chapter 3 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

Five years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in RotJ on the ex-Imperial capital of Coruscant, Luke, Leia, and Han are struggling not only with their evolving identities, but also with the demands on their expertise as the militaristic Rebellion aspires to establish a legitimate and functioning government. 

Meanwhile, the Empire has been continuously losing territory to the blossoming New Republic. However, tactical genius Grand Admiral Thrawn is uniting Imperial Remnants and piecing together his master plan to utterly destroy what he still views as "the Rebellion".

On the planet of Myrkr, We are introduced to the smuggler Talon Karrde and one of his newest employees, Mara Jade. Talon invites Jade to dinner under the pretence of surprising her with a promotion, but he is covertly attempting to glean more about her mysterious past. 

During their dinner, the Chimaera arrives and sends a landing party to the surrounding forest. Karrde reaches out and is met with a stern Captain Pallaeon. Karrde deduces the Empire intends to collect ysalamiri, though he can only guess as to why.

• Mara Jade [spoilers] | Wookieepedia
• Heir to the Empire | Wookieepedia
• Star Wars Legends | Wookieepedia
• Landos_Winning_Smile.PNG 
• Billy Dee Williams in Family Guy: The Cool Side Of The Pillow  
• Billy Dee Williams - Credits (text only) - IMDb 
• Billy Dee Williams Colt 45 Commercial Playlist 
• List of Star Wars books - Wikipedia
• Jedi Order | Wookieepedia
• Grand Master | Wookieepedia
• Toupée fallacy - RationalWiki  

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• Ysalamiri pose a threat to Jedi?
• This chapter has cat and mouse all over it.
• Jade's hot topic list: pre-Endor Empire, the Emperor, Vader's death, Skywalker 
• Does Karrde actually want to promote Jade? 
• Jade "stiffens" when she knows the Imperials are going into the forest
• Toupee fallacy and Karrde's opinions on luck
• Karrde slipping Thrawn’s name 
• What is Jade’s history?
• Jade and Luke are gon

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