Mission to Coruscant (Yuuzhan Vong War)

Luke Skywalker, sensing a strong dark side presence on Coruscant, which was then under Yuuzhan Vong control, played a key role in organizing a mission to the planet. Simultaneously, the New Republic sought to establish resistance networks on Coruscant, leading to the convergence of both objectives into a singular mission.

The nine-member team infiltrated Coruscant aboard the heavily armored troop transport known as Record Time. They utilized Individual atmospheric intrusion pods, launched from Record Time, to enter the atmosphere. Their descent was deliberately made to resemble a meteor shower, ensuring they went unnoticed. Although Record Time was intentionally destroyed to mislead the Yuuzhan Vong into believing the threat was neutralized, the pilots, Lando Calrissian and YVH 1-1A, successfully escaped using a two-seat B-wing/E starfighter. The infiltration team was equipped with Vonduun crab armor, with some using a synthetic variant, and Ooglith masquers for the purpose of disguise. Shortly after their arrival on Coruscant, the team encountered a Yuuzhan Vong patrol consisting of seven warriors. The disguises initially worked, but the ruse ended when Luke ignited his lightsaber as a conflict erupted between the two groups. When at least twenty more Yuuzhan Vong appeared in response to the commotion, Kell Tainer detonated a bomb, destroying the walkway as the infiltration team retreated. Only three Vong survived the blast, and they were eliminated by the team.

Soon after, the team encountered a group of survivors. From one survivor, Yassat, they learned about a 'Lord Nyax' that was terroizing Coruscant.

After some time scouting, they found a room in a building with a Devourer organism, which concealed a plug that activated a hidden turbolift. After entering the turbolift and almost being killed by its security system, the team enter into Lord Nyax's chamber, containing therein destroyed medical droids, a body, and dead ysalamir. Among the carnage were machines and a suspended animation unit.

After cleaning up the complex, the infiltration team made it their current residence, with it also showing promise for a resistance cell location. After cobbling together a medical droid, they discover the unit contained the Dark Jedi Lord Nyax.

While asleep, the Jedi members of the team were awoke by a Disturbance in the Force caused by Nyax. Awakening the rest of the team, they set out after him. Instead of finding Nyax, however, they find a group of slaughtered Yuuzhan Vong and two dead voxyn.

Later, after getting information out of maintenance machines, the team discovers that 'Lord Nyax' was the Dark Jedi Irek Ismaren. They also discover a lot of his backstory.

After discovering Coruscant survivors mindlessly working on excavating something, the team figures out Irek wants access to something. The team doesn't stay unnoticed, however, as a party of twenty Yuuzhan Vong warriors enters to fight Irek. Knowing they would need all help possible to bring him down, Luke, Mara, and Tahiri join in the fight.

During the battle, a massive construction droid brings the floor down. Irek flees, and the team follows him. Eventually they end up at a wall the construction droid is working on bringing down, with Irek waiting. Luke, Mara, and Tahiri engage him again. Unexpectedly during the battle, the construction droid brings down the wall, unleashing a Force nexus—what Irek was seeking.

Meanwhile, away from the battle, the Wraiths tracked down a ship using a locator they had taken from Viqi Shesh earlier. It was also decided that Baljos Arnjak would stay behind to set up the resistance cells instead of Bhindi Drayson, as the original plan called for.

After a fierce mental battle with Irek, Luke, Mara, and Tahiri head to the construction droid to get the survivors—no longer under the control of Irek—to flee the area. By now Coralskippers had arrived, and were attacking the construction droid. Amplified by the Nexus, the Jedi used the Force to hurl debris at the Coralskippers.

After catching up to Irek, Luke and Mara distracted him while Tahiri surprised him from behind. As he was overwhelmed, the roof they were on collapsed, taking Irek down inside.

Escaping, the Jedi got onboard the Ugly Truth, the ship the Wraiths found, with the rest of the team. As they left, two Mataloks attacked Irek, who in turn sent out tons of rubble to destroy them. He was unsuccessful, however, and soon killed from their firepower. With Irek dead and a member remaining to start up resistance cells, the team left Coruscant successful.

Baljos continued to provide the Republic with valuable intelligence until the war's conclusion, which included information on Yu'shaa.

The initial planning and early stages of the 'Mission to Coruscant' are depicted towards the conclusion of Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream, authored by Aaron Allston and published in March of 2002. The bulk of the mission unfolds in Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand, the subsequent book in the series, also penned by Allston and released in May of 2002. The mission received a later mention in The Unifying Force, written by James Luceno and published in November of 2003.