Star Wars Legends presents The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide II: Ruin, a novel authored by Michael A. Stackpole. Serving as the third installment in the Star Wars: The New Jedi Order saga, it follows the events of Dark Tide I: Onslaught and precedes Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial. Del Rey initially released it as a paperback on June 6, 2000.
Michael A. Stackpole, a New York Times bestselling author, advances The New Jedi Order narrative with DARK TIDE II: RUIN. This gripping Star Wars tale sees the Jedi Knights facing their most perilous challenge yet—a relentless evil determined to consume the galaxy.
The Yuuzhan Vong, an alien race, have initiated an assault on the Outer Rim's planets. Ruthless and devoid of compassion, they exist entirely outside the Force. Their constantly evolving strategies confound the New Republic's military forces. Even the Jedi, once the galaxy's foremost peacekeepers, find themselves powerless against this impenetrable adversary, leading to internal discord.
As Luke endeavors to maintain unity among the Jedi, Knights Jacen Solo and Corran Horn embark on a reconnaissance mission to Garqi, an occupied world. There, they stumble upon a crucial secret that could potentially weaken the enemy—provided they can survive long enough to exploit it!
Luke Skywalker and Anakin Solo undertake a search for Daeshara'cor, a renegade Jedi obsessed with Miko Reglia, a Jedi who perished early in the Yuuzhan Vong War during the Battle of Helska IV. Driven by vengeance, Daeshara'cor intends to annihilate the Vong, risking a descent into the dark side of the Force. Her plan involves acquiring blueprints for a powerful space station, akin to the Death Stars, the Sun Crusher, or the Eye of Palpatine, capable of eradicating the entire Yuuzhan Vong. Simultaneously, Senator Elegos A'Kla seeks peace with the Vong by allowing his capture to parley with Shedao Shai, the Vong's current leader.
Following the Battle of Dantooine, the New Republic continues its struggle against the Vong. Jacen Solo, Corran Horn, and Ganner Rhysode, accompanied by Noghri commandos, journey to Garqi to destroy another Vong stronghold. During a clash between the strike team and the Vong, led by Krag Val and their slaves on Garqi, the Vong's vonduun crab armor threatens to suffocate them due to an allergy to a specific spore. Corran orders the spores' destruction to conceal their weakness from the Vong. However, the Vong discover the vulnerability and plot to destroy the spores' primary source on the peaceful world of Ithor.
Before the Vong's invasion of Ithor, Shedao Shai learns from Senator A'Kla and his subordinate, Runck Das, that A'Kla is associated with Corran Horn, the Jedi responsible for the deaths of Shai's relatives on Bimmiel. In retaliation, Shai murders Elegos by strangulation and sends the senator's dismembered remains, adorned with Vong jewels, to Corran. Upon receiving the gruesome package, Corran vows revenge against Shai. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Deign Lian, Shai's lieutenant, harbors secret ambitions, working for Warmaster Tsavong Lah with plans to assassinate Shai.
Leading up to the Battle of Ithor, the Jedi and X-wing squadrons, along with the Imperial Remnant under Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, prepare a defense against the Vong. The Chiss Expansionary Defense Force joins the New Republic at Ithor, where Jaina Solo encounters their leader, Colonel Jagged Fel. Senators from the Republic, including Chief of State Borsk Fey'lya, and Leia Organa Solo arrive to oversee the conflict. Daeshara'cor, having abandoned her vengeful quest against the Vong thanks to Luke Skywalker and Anakin Solo, decides to participate in the battle.
During the Battle of Ithor, numerous combatants on both sides perish, including Daeshara'cor, who is fatally wounded while protecting Anakin from Vong warriors, and Anni Capstan, a close friend and fellow pilot of Jaina's. In the midst of the battle, Corran Horn communicates with Shedao Shai through a villip choir, arranging a temporary ceasefire for a duel on Ithor to determine the planet's fate. The truce is established, and Anakin learns from a dying Daeshara'cor that he bears no responsibility for her death or Chewbacca's. Daeshara'cor then merges with the Force.
In the climactic duel between Corran and Shai, Luke and Deign Lian are present. Corran defeats Shai by fatally stabbing him with his lightsaber, and the Jedi order Lian to withdraw the Vong forces. However, Lian, now assuming leadership of the Vong army, orders the poisoning of Ithor. The New Republic destroys Lian and the Vong aboard the worldship Legacy of Torment, but at a great cost. Following Ithor's destruction, the Jedi, particularly Corran Horn, are blamed by the New Republic senate, with Corran labeled the "killer of Ithor." Facing public condemnation, Corran exiles himself to his homeworld of Corellia.
- ISBN 9780345428561 ; June 6 , 2000 ; Del Rey ; US paperback [1]
- ISBN 9780345467423 ; June 3 , 2003 ; Del Rey; US eBook [3]
- ISBN 9780345479327 ; September 7 , 2004 ; Del Rey; US paperback, re-release [4]