Chapters 1-3 Summary

The Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera leads an armada to crush the Rebellion. Jedi Master C'baoth, declaring himself heir to the Empire, is at odds with Grand Admiral Thrawn, but controls the minds of pilots aboard cloaked cruisers above Ukio to make it appear the Empire has a new weapon. The planet capitulates and is occupied. C'baoth's prime goal is to capture Leia Organa Solo. Leia is on her last diplomatic mission before giving birth to twins when the Millennium Falcon runs into TIE fighters above Filve. As they escape into hyperspace, Leia worries about the babies, her brother, Luke Skywalker, and massive numbers of clones.

In Calius, Luke detects the aura of clones, whose presence he is backtracking from this transfer spot to the cloning tanks that must be destroyed. He confronts a pursuer, Talon Karrde, who is neutral in the...