Cover Artist: John Van Fleet

The Star Destroyer Reprisal arrives at the planet Teardrop with the intention of putting down the Rebels that are apparently hiding there, but they unwittingly help the last of the Rebels escape by shooting down the pirates that are attacking the Millennium Falcon. The stormtroopers are sent to the surface where they are told that everyone there are Rebels and are ordered to kill them all. Gunning down unarmed civilians doesn't sit well with several of the stormtroopers, and while on the Reprisal later one of the troopers accidentally kills an Imperial Security Bureau Officer. This trooper and the four other troopers who witnessed the killing decide to desert because they know they won't be given a fair trial and they feel the Empire isn't looking out for its citizens like it should.

Mara Jade is still a fairly fresh agent of the Emperor and is given the assignment to investigate possible fraud by one of the sector Moffs. What she finds leads her down the trail of a large pirate group being funded by an Imperial officer that is very highly placed in the chain of command.

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca are attempting to secure Rebel supply chains from piracy while Princess Leia meets with the leaders of several Rebel factions in order to smooth things over between them.

These three stories weave around each other and eventually merge together in a major showdown on Shelkonwa. The stormtrooper deserters, who have been fighting to protect the regular Imperial citizens, help Mara Jade to apprehend the Imperial traitors and the pirates and then help the Rebel heroes escape before going into hiding themselves.

There is something about Timothy Zahn's writing that is very involving. Once I start reading one of his stories, I have a hard time putting it down until I finish it. This book is no exception. The way the plot weaves through several different stories before coming to a satisfying resolution is very engaging. In my opinion it is well worth the time to read it at least once.