The Truce at Bakura

George Lucas's incredible universe was revitalized by Timothy Zahn's New York Times bestselling Star Wars trilogy, which captivated millions of readers with the lives of the cherished movie characters and the Rebel Alliance's struggle. Kathy Tyers now transports readers back to the crucial days following Return of the Jedi in The Truce at Bakura.

Almost immediately after Darth Vader's funeral pyre turns to ash on Endor, the Alliance picks up a distress signal from a remote Imperial outpost. Bakura is located on the fringe of known space and is the initial point of contact with the Ssi-ruuk, ruthless reptilian invaders who, once allied with the deceased Emperor, are advancing into Imperial territory with a single objective: complete domination. Princess Leia views the mission as a chance to secure a diplomatic triumph for the Alliance. However, it gains even greater significance when Obi-Wan Kenobi appears in a vision to Luke Skywalker, insisting that he must journey to Bakura—or risk losing everything the Rebels have fought so hard to achieve.

As the Alliance arrives, the aliens have nearly overwhelmed the Bakura Imperial garrison, whose desperate commander will accept assistance from any source—even Rebels—against a treacherous enemy that enslaves human minds to operate their invincible war machines.

While organizing the battered Imperial forces, Luke, Han Solo, and Princess Leia must gain the trust and cooperation of the Bakurans. Despite Imperial Governor Nereus granting the Rebels temporary amnesty, treachery remains a possibility among those whose primary loyalty lies with the Empire.

On the verge of the final, devastating assault, Rebel and Imperial forces must finally reach an understanding…or surrender the entire galaxy to the horrifying servitude promised by a victorious alien foe.

Echoing the scope and thrill of the original Star Wars saga, The Truce at Bakura sows the seeds of hope for peace, witnesses the birth of a timeless love, and bears witness to a Jedi's ultimate sacrifice in defense of Humanity against an alien threat.

Following the Battle of Endor, the story begins with an Imperial drone arriving at the site of the second Death Star. Wedge Antilles investigates the drone, but is almost killed while trying to prevent its self-destruction. Luke Skywalker, still recovering from the Emperor's Force lightning, saves Wedge, and the Alliance captures the drone for analysis.

The drone carries a distress message to the Emperor from Governor Wilek Nereus of Bakura, which is under attack by the reptilian Ssi-ruuk. With Palpatine dead and the Imperial Navy scattered, it's unlikely the Empire will help Bakura. After receiving a vision from the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker volunteers to lead an Alliance task force to intercept the alien invasion and rescue Bakura. Han Solo and Leia Organa join the force, hoping to negotiate with either the aliens or the Imperials on Bakura, while Han also desires to spend more time with Leia.

Upon arriving at Bakura, the Rebels find the planet under attack. From the Flurry's bridge, Luke Skywalker helps repel the assault, and an informal truce is established with Pter Thanas in orbit. After avoiding Ssi-ruuk vessels, Han, Leia, and Chewie meet Luke on the surface as part of a diplomatic team to the Bakuran Senate. Leia addresses the senate, while Luke is drawn to a Bakuran senator named Gaeriel Captison. Leia and Luke learn about Dev Sibwarra, a brainwashed Force-sensitive Human aiding the Ssi-ruuk, who seek to establish a foothold in the galaxy to harvest beings whose life energies can power their entechment technology. The Ssi-ruuk cannot sense the Force themselves, but they know of it through Sibwarra.

During a social dinner, Governor Nereus confirms the truce with Leia Organa, the Alliance's lead diplomat, marking the first truce between the Empire and the Alliance. While Luke discusses tactics with Pter Thanas at the Imperial garrison, Leia struggles with the revelation from Endor—that Darth Vader, responsible for countless deaths, is her father. The problem is worsened when Anakin Skywalker's Force ghost appears, asking for forgiveness, not absolution. Simultaneously, she actively engages in diplomacy with the Bakurans, learning that Bakura "joined" the Empire only three years prior and resents Imperial rule, as do some Imperials, like Commander Pter Thanas. However, Imperial governor Wilek Nereus is too cunning to allow dissent to spread. Leia must avoid attracting unwanted Imperial attention for sedition and prevent diplomatic incidents, such as Rebels shooting Bakurans in self-defense.

Skywalker finds himself consistently distracted by Bakuran senator Gaeriel Captison, and the attraction between them, despite her religious objections to the Jedi Order. Luke also encounters the aged and mentally infirm Eppie Belden and heals her with the Force. Princess Leia and Han Solo also try to find time together to work out their new relationship.

However, the Ssi-Ruuk remain a threat to Bakura. The Jedi Knight Skywalker intrigues the Ssi-Ruuk because his Force control could allow them to enslave beings from a distance once he is enteched. Obi-Wan Kenobi appears to Luke, emphasizing the danger if the Ssi-Ruuk spread their technology throughout the galaxy.

Ultimately, Nereus tries to hand Skywalker over to the Ssi-ruuk in exchange for their retreat. He secretly infects Luke with deadly parasites that will kill both him and the Ssi-ruuk when they hatch. Although the kidnapping succeeds, Skywalker fights the Ssi-ruuk enough to save Gaeriel from capture. Luke, now a prisoner, fights back and frees Sibwarra from his brainwashing. They escape and sabotage the Ssi-ruuk flagship, after which Luke decides to take him as an apprentice, but Dev is injured during the escape and dies from his wounds.

Meanwhile, Leia, talking with sympathetic Bakuran officials, is arrested by Nereus for sedition and imprisoned in a remote estate. Han Solo launches a daring escape attempt, while Chewie, with Threepio, prepares the Falcon for escape. Han rescues Leia, and they join the Alliance forces in orbit as the Ssi-ruuk attack. On Bakura, riots erupt as resistance forces attack, coordinated by the recovered Eppie Belden.

Nereus brings Gaeriel Captison to him, attempting to force her to cede control of Bakura. Nereus reveals his sinister plan for Skywalker to her. They watch as the joint Rebel-Imperial force repels the Ssi-ruuk, but, to Gaeriel's horror, Nereus orders Thanas to attack the Rebels, decimating their forces. Surrounded, Han Solo prepares a suicide ramming move to allow the remaining Rebels to escape. At that moment, Luke—using the Force to remove the parasites—uses the alien flagship to distract Thanas's fleet, allowing the Rebels to escape. Thanas eventually surrenders.

Back on Bakura, Nereus is overthrown by resistance cells and captured. Han, Leia, Luke, and Chewie return to the planet, where Nereus tries to attack Luke but is killed. Bakura decides to join the Rebel Alliance, and Commander Thanas defects. New Republic Intelligence later referred to the battle as the "Bakura Incident" and advised preventing widespread public knowledge of the Ssi-Ruuk, advice that was met with controversy. Additionally, Skywalker finally connects with Gaeriel, though he must leave her when the Alliance forces depart, to continue fighting the Empire.

The Essential Reader's Companion dates the events of The Truce at Bakura to 4 ABY, between the novels Hard Merchandise (1999) and Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor (2008). Material from The Truce at Bakura was further developed in The Truce at Bakura Sourcebook (1996), by West End Games.

• ISBN 9780553095418 ; November 1993 ; Bantam Spectra ; US hardcover [1]
• ISBN 9780553095418 ; 1994 ; Bantam Spectra; US hardcover, Science Fiction Book Club edition (02501) [5]
• ISBN 9780553568721 ; November 1994; Bantam Spectra; US paperback [2]
• ISBN 9780307796271 ; June 28 , 2011 ; Del Rey ; US eBook [3]