Heir to the Empire

Chapter 19 The Story So Far

Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa Solo are evading Imperial capture as — unknown to them — Grand Admiral Thrawn has promised them to dark Jedi clone Joruus C'Baoth in exchange for his alliance.

While Leia and Chewbacca have gone to Kashyyyk, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian are broadcasting decoy messages using C-3PO as a voice mimic. They are also trying to contact smuggling lord Talon Karrde in hopes to extend legitimate business relationships from the New Republic.

Luke is ambushed following the call of a mysterious Jedi Master to Jomark by Thrawn. In the escape, his X-Wing fails, leaving him stranded in deep space. While R2-D2 completes repairs on the subspace radio, Luke is hailed by the Wild Karrde. Luke is offered passage by Karrde, however is caught off-guard and knocked unconscious, falling into Karrde’s capture.

Chapter 19

Luke awakens in some kind of barrack dorm on an unfamiliar forest world. He attempts to use his Jedi powers to refresh himself and takes in his surroundings. His attempts are apparently unsuccessful and he is startled by the presence of Mara Jade, whom he could not sense in the Force. In fact, he can sense nothing at all, and his lightsaber hangs from her hip.

She takes him from his holdings across the forest-side compound to have another conversation with Karrde about politics, intrigue, and his predicament. Luke learns of the ysalamiri and a little of the circumstances of how he came to be (in no small measure due to Jade's influence) in the possession of Karrde's group.

This interaction does not end with Luke unconscious; he is instead marched icily back to his "accommodation" by Jade.

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Hosts’ Thoughts

Ethical trespass of drugging an unconscious person
Luke tying to impress Jade with that comment?
Luke's emotional intelligence is through the roof
Luke is inattentive
Tatooine horror stories
Karrde's pets: flexing or honest mistake?
Last of the Jedi, new and only candidate for space pope, why would Luke not realise his value
To what degree is Karrde just another cult leader?
What if Jade is the Emperor's daughter?
Love how Luke thanked her for saving him and it pissed her off
Interesting how Luke noticed the pain behind the anger in Mara’s eyes
Karrde’s greatroom sounds lovely
Luke learned about trees on Tatooine?
What’s a “Froffli-style haircut?”
A forearm holster sounds uncomfortable
Karrde highly values secrets. Going back to a theme Stuart mentioned in Karrde’s introductory chapter
It’s so fun to get a glimpse into Karrde’s goals. They’re refreshingly outside of the Republic vs Empire conflict, yet steeped in both camps
Mara Jade doesn’t seem to like Mon Mothma either!
How did Luke not notice the ysamaliri? He noticed everything else in the room
“I try never to waste anything that may someday prove useful” Talon Karrde in a nutshell
Was it really chance that led to them finding Luke in space?
Mara’s utter refusal to elaborate on her grievances with Luke is a little frustrating. As a reader, it feels like story is being withheld