Outbound Flight, a novel belonging to the Star Wars Legends continuity, was penned by Timothy Zahn. It elaborates on the disastrous Outbound Flight Project, an endeavor initially referenced within Zahn's Heir to the Empire published in 1991. Del Rey released the first edition of Outbound Flight as a hardcover on January 31, 2006. Subsequently, a paperback version, incorporating Zahn's short story "Mist Encounter," was made available on January 30, 2007. Both the novel and the short story were re-released on August 15, 2023 as a part of The Essential Legends Collection.
This tale began as an unparalleled voyage of discovery, but it has since transformed into a forgotten legend of the Republic and a somber episode in Jedi history. Now, the acclaimed author Timothy Zahn is back to share the complete, remarkable, and ultimately tragic narrative of the Outbound Flight Project.
Before the Clone Wars erupt, Jedi Master Jorus C'baoth appeals to the Senate for backing of an exceptionally ambitious project. Aboard a massive vessel designed for years of travel, six Jedi Masters, twelve Jedi Knights, and fifty thousand civilians will set out on a mission to find intelligent life and establish colonies on undiscovered planets beyond the known galaxy. Government red tape threatens to derail the expedition before it even begins. However, Master C'baoth thwarts a deadly conspiracy, earning the political leverage required to realize the Outbound Flight dream.
Or so it appears. Unbeknownst to the celebrated Jedi Master, the mission's successful launch is secretly being orchestrated by an unlikely ally: the sinister Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, who has his own agenda for wanting Outbound Flight to proceed... and ultimately fail.
Yet Darth Sidious is not the mission's greatest threat. As the starship ventures into Unknown Space, it encounters the forces of the alien Chiss Ascendancy and the brilliant strategist known as "Thrawn." Even Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, traveling with his young Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, cannot prevent catastrophe. What starts as a peaceful Jedi mission spirals into an all-out battle for survival against overwhelming odds and a diabolical enemy.
Timothy Zahn's signature blend of espionage, political intrigue, and intense interstellar combat injects electrifying energy into a Star Wars legend.
The ultimate voyage of discovery became a dark chapter in Jedi history. Now, acclaimed author Timothy Zahn returns to tell the whole extraordinary story of the remarkable—and doomed—Outbound Flight Project.
Before the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Jorus C'baoth seeks Senate support for an ambitious mission: to find intelligent life and colonize uncharted worlds beyond the galaxy. Bureaucracy threatens to halt the expedition, but Master C'baoth thwarts a conspiracy, gaining the political capital to launch Outbound Flight.
However, Darth Sidious has his own motives for Outbound Flight. Yet, he is not the mission's biggest challenge. The starship encounters the Chiss Ascendancy and the cunning "Thrawn." A peaceful Jedi mission turns into a desperate fight for survival.
Five years following the Battle of Naboo, the Bargain Hunter, a smuggler's ship, is evading difficulties with its trio of crew members: Captain Dubrak "Rak" Qennto, Maris Ferasi, and a youthful Jorj Car'das. Fleeing from Progga the Hutt, Car'das inputs arbitrary hyperspace coordinates, propelling the ship into the Unknown Regions.
Progga's vessel pursues them, assuming they're heading to a hidden treasure trove. Before anything unfolds, the Hunter is seized by a fleet of unknown ships. Progga's ship, despite its superior size, weaponry, and armor, is obliterated when it resists.
On the flagship, the smugglers meet Force Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Chiss Expansionary Fleet. He generously offers to repair their ship and allow them to depart, provided they accompany the flotilla on its patrol deeper into the Regions.
The narrative then shifts to Coruscant, where Jedi Master Jorus C'baoth and his Padawan, Lorana Jinzler, interrupt a meeting between Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and his aide, Kinman Doriana. C'baoth persists in demanding increased funding for his proposed Outbound Flight Project, asserting its paramount importance over other Republic issues. Doriana proposes a solution: resolving a mining strike on Barlok to free up funds. After C'baoth and Lorana depart, Palpatine instructs Doriana to monitor C'baoth, ensuring his arrogance doesn't lead to recklessness.
Upon returning to his residence, Doriana contacts his true master, Darth Sidious, who has already tasked him with traveling to Barlok.
After C'baoth secures permission from the Jedi Council to visit Barlok, Master Mace Windu dispatches Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, to Barlok to oversee C'baoth.
Back in the Unknown Regions, Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo engages with his guests, exchanging language and knowledge. When Maris protests the Chiss's low opinion of smugglers, claiming they are privateers aiding oppressed peoples, Qennto privately views the Commander as naive. However, Car'das recognizes Mitth'raw'nuruodo's cunning and danger. The young officer sees something similar in Car'das, leading to a close rapport and the Commander allowing Car'das to use his "core name," Thrawn.
During a clash with the Vagaari, Thrawn sustains a severe injury, though the Chiss prevail. The flotilla returns home, and the smugglers meet Thrawn's brother, Thrass, a political figure, and Admiral Ar'alani of the Chiss Defense Fleet.
On Barlok, C'baoth and Lorana encounter Obi-Wan and Anakin. C'baoth leaves Lorana with the other Jedi while he arranges negotiations to resolve the mining dispute. The other three Jedi discover a plot to sabotage the negotiations by disgruntled workers (instigated by a disguised Doriana). When the negotiations begin, the saboteurs launch a missile that only C'baoth can stop with the Force. His power intimidates the council members into resolving the conflict.
With the influx of funds and his newfound prestige, C'baoth secures funding for Outbound Flight and assembles a group of Jedi and colonists for the journey to the Unknown Regions.
Lorana is uncertain about leaving her home. At the Jedi Temple, she is confronted by Dean Jinzler, her brother, whom she never knew due to being taken as a baby. He expresses his resentment towards her for being Force-sensitive. Lorana decides she has nothing to stay for and eagerly anticipates Outbound Flight. C'baoth promotes her to Jedi Knight before they depart.
Obi-Wan and Anakin also agree to accompany the voyage for a portion of the journey.
As the vessel embarks on its journey, Doriana informs Darth Sidious. Sidious is initially pleased but becomes furious upon learning that Anakin is aboard and orders Doriana to remove him. He then changes his mind, deciding to handle it himself, while Doriana proceeds with his primary mission.
Doriana, as "Commander Stratis," meets with Trade Federation Vicelord Siv Kav, who commands a fleet capable of destroying Outbound Flight at the edge of the galaxy.
Aboard Outbound Flight, C'baoth transforms the ship into his vision of the Jedi Order, dictating every aspect of the passengers' lives. He orders Force-sensitive children to be separated from their parents.
Palpatine personally meets the vessel, requesting Obi-Wan and Anakin for an urgent diplomatic errand. They depart, playing no further role in the events.
Meanwhile, Thrawn's Chiss fleet discovers the Trade Federation fleet. Despite being outgunned, Thrawn calmly informs them that they are trespassing in Chiss space. Kav arrogantly orders his forces to destroy the Chiss fleet. With Car'das's technical advice and his tactical genius, Thrawn decimates the Trade Federation fleet, forcing Kav to surrender.
Doriana urges Thrawn to allow them to complete their mission, initiating a conversation between Lord Sidious and Thrawn. Sidious explains that Outbound Flight poses a threat to the Republic, as its path leads to a powerful and hostile alien empire (implied to be the Yuuzhan Vong). Sidious's agents discovered this empire years ago and he has been preparing for their invasion. If Outbound Flight reaches them first, the invasion may come too soon. Thrawn agrees to help Doriana and Kav destroy Outbound Flight.
Car'das, fearing Thrawn is holding him hostage, escapes but is captured by the Vagaari. He shares information to save his life, and the Vagaari become interested in the Trade Federation's battle droid technology. The Vagaari commander decides to seize the technology.
When Outbound Flight reaches the edge of the galaxy, Thrawn insists on giving the vessel a chance to turn back. He warns C'baoth and Lorana about a Sith Lord's plot. C'baoth dismisses Thrawn's warnings.
As the two sides prepare for battle, the Vagaari arrive. The Jedi link telepathically to confuse the Vagaari. Thrawn uses their distraction to attack both forces. C'baoth succumbs to the dark side, choking Thrawn through the Force. Thrawn's fleet detonates a radiation bomb on the vessel's bridge, killing C'baoth and all the Jedi except Lorana. The Vagaari are forced to retreat, but Car'das escapes.
Thrawn is reprimanded for his preemptive strike and recalled to Chiss space. Thrass and Car'das investigate Outbound Flight and find Lorana. Thrass orders Car'das to rejoin Thrawn, while he and Lorana attempt to pilot the vessel to a nearby planet.
As they approach the planet, the vessel spins out of control. Lorana and Thrass sacrifice themselves to steer the ship so that the side with the survivors crashes first. They prepare to die together, hoping to save lives, and Lorana says, "May the Force be with us."
Thrawn releases Car'das, Qennto, and Maris, revealing that he manipulated Car'das to lure the Vagaari to their destruction. Thrawn wishes them well and prepares for his exile.
Kav insists that Thrawn must die, but Doriana realizes Thrawn's value. Kav attempts to kill Thrawn but kills himself with a ricochet.
Thrawn reveals that the Chiss have encountered the "Far Outsiders," the aliens Sidious fears. Thrawn sends Doriana back to Sidious, confident they will meet again.
Qennto, Maris, and Car'das depart, enriched by their experience but uneasy about Thrawn.
The initial plan was for Outbound Flight to be available on October 25, 2005.
- ISBN 9780345456830 ; January 31 , 2006 ; Del Rey ; US hardcover [1]
- ISBN 9780345456830 ; 2006; Del Rey; US hardcover, Science Fiction Book Club edition (1193682) [6]
- ISBN 9780345456847 ; January 30 , 2007 ; Del Rey; US paperback [2]
- ISBN 9780307795755 ; June 28 , 2011 ; Del Rey; US eBook [3]
- ISBN 9780593600603 ; August 15 , 2023 ; Random House Worlds ; US trade paperback, The Essential Legends Collection edition [7]
- ISBN 9788324128013 ; Amber , 360-page Polish paperback
- ISBN 8025205010 ; 2006 , EGMONT ČR , 297-page Czech paperback ( Mezigalaktická výprava )
- ISBN-13: 978-954-528-678-0; 2007 ,Trud, 446-page Bulgarian paperback ( Изходящ полет )
- ISBN 978-973-162-001-5 ; 2007 ,Amaltea, 367-page Romanian paperback ( Zbor în necunoscut )
- ISBN 9634971696 ; 2008, Szukits Kiadó, 472-page Hungarian paperback