Queen of the Empire (1993), authored by Paul and Hollace Davids, represents the fifth installment in the Adventures of a Jedi Prince series. This book unfolds within the New Republic era and is crafted with young readers in mind.
A PERILOUS EXPERIMENT.
AN ASTONISHING UNION.
THE RETURN OF A FORMER FOE.
The valiant individuals, both human, alien, and droid, of the Rebel Alliance persist in their fight to bring an end to the dark times, as the conflict against the nefarious Empire continues. However, the ultimate downfall of the Imperial forces may very well originate from within the Empire itself.
The Imperial grand moffs are staging a rebellion against the Dark Side's Prophets. As the Alliance grapples with its newest weapon, known as Project Decoy, Princess Leia is abducted by a long-standing adversary, and is then threatened by the unexpected appearance of another sinister enemy – one who is obsessed with corrupting Leia to the Dark Side and transforming her into the… Queen of the Empire.
Following a mishap during a demonstration involving a Human Replica Droid of Leia, where the droid wounds a scientist, Han and Leia find themselves compelled to transport him to his home world, Chad, for medical attention. Upon arriving at the planet's hospital, they discover it is being battered by a severe hurricane. After Han successfully gets the scientist to the medical staff, he becomes trapped beneath debris resulting from the storm. Following Leia's eventual rescue of Han, he confesses that the ordeal made him realize he needed to share his grand plans. After entrusting the scientist to the care of the doctors, Han proposes marriage to Leia, and they decide to secretly wed at Hologram Fun World, a theme park. With the assistance of the park's new proprietor, Lando Calrissian, they arrange a wedding and experience various hologram based attractions, notably a journey through the Alderaan memories of Leia.
During their time at the park, a spy working for Zorba the Hutt informs him that Leia is still alive, prompting him to plot her capture and execution on Tatooine, as retribution for her actions against his son. With some assistance, he succeeds in abducting her during a magic performance and transports her to his vessel, which also carries the carbonite-encased form of Trioculus, for their journey to Tatooine. However, Zorba's ship is intercepted by the Moffship commanded by Grand Moff Hissa. Upon discovering that Trioculus is still alive, he is swiftly released from his frozen state and only spares Zorba's life after Zorba reveals Leia's location. In hopes of swaying Leia to his cause, Trioculus throws Zorba into the Great Pit of Carkoon, into the maw of the Sarlacc. As Trioculus lays out his plans to marry Leia, Han and Lando, accompanied by Luke, Ken, and the Human Replica Droid of Leia, manage to infiltrate the Moffship and devise a rescue strategy. They free Leia and replace her with the Human Replica Droid, who proceeds to the wedding in Leia's stead. As the Millennium Falcon makes its escape, the droid's laser fire fatally strikes Trioculus in the heart. As he dies, unbeknownst to all, Zorba emerges from the Sarlacc, as Hutts are impossible to digest.
- ISBN 0-553-40531-4 , released in July of 1993 , published by Bantam Books , UK edition