Hand of Thrawn Duology 2: Vision of the Future
	Timothy Zahn
	1998
	19 Years After The Battle of Yavin
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SPOILER ALERT: This Will Spoil The Plot of the Book!

Imperial Admiral Pellaeon is still hoping to meet with General Bel Iblis of the New Republic in hopes to putting an end to the war.  He has reached the location that he said they two should rendezvous, but there is no sign of anyone else.

Meanwhile, Moff Disra, Major Tierce, and the Flim, the Thrawn impersonator, begin receiving word from several systems that they would like to rejoin the Empire now that Thrawn has returned.  Tierce tells Disra about someone called The Hand of Thrawn who may be the key to Thrawn’s master plan.  He hopes to lure The Hand into the open by parading Thrawn around the galaxy.

Bothawui, the Bothan home world, has been under attack since the news of their hand in the destruction of Caamas.  A Star Destroyer lies cloaked waiting to pounce once the planet and those attacking it have both been sufficiently battered.

Luke Skywalker is headed to find the missing Mara Jade.  He and R2D2 land near the cave in which she disappeared.  Luke speaks to some creatures, called Qom Jha, who agree to take him to Mara Jade.  They say they have been protecting her from “the Threateners from the High Tower” since she crashed.  Once they are reunited, Luke fills her in on the issues that have been plaguing the galaxy.  The Qom Jha agree to take them to the High Tower.

At the same time, Admiral Ackbar tells General Bel Iblis to cease his current mission over Bothawui and instead move to find the Caamas document by invading the Imperial base on Yaga Minor.  Neither is happy with this decision, but both know that the New Republic will not withstand an all out war.

Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo arrive at their diplomatic destination in hopes of enjoying some restful times.  Little do they know that an assassination attempt on them has been scheduled for the following day.  On the trip, the Falcon is attacked by several ships.  Using some fancy flying techniques, but one of the ships smashed into the Falcon injuring it badly.  As they begin to descend to certain death on the planet, they are intercepted by a four TIE fighters who attach to the ship slowing its decent into the planet.

Pellaeon receives some confirmation that the attack on his fleet earlier (see “Specter of the Past”) was indeed made by an Imperial directive.  He also learns of the return of Thrawn and that Thrawn has chosen Moff Disra as his new confidant.  Moff Disra is from the planet that his attackers originated from.

On the Wild Karrde, Talon Karrde updates Shada D'ukal on the history of Jorj Car'das, the smuggler they are seeking out.  During the Clone War he started a smuggling operation.  After a run-in with several Dark Jedi, he suddenly began taking over many of the other smuggling runs and amassed a huge organization.  Then, at the height of his power, he simply vanished.  Karrde took over in his place.  After Luke unknowingly found a beckon call from Car’das ship on a trip to Dagobah, Mara and Lando spent a few years tracking him down.  Once the trail ended on Exocron, Karrde never got the nerve to go and see if it was really him.  He just hoped now he could talk him into giving him the Caamas document.

The Falcon lands on the Pakrik Minor and Han and Leia are greeted by Sabmin and Carib Devist.  Han and Leia notice a resemblance between the two men and all the others that are currently looking over the Falcon.  Carib admits that they are all Clones leftover from Thrawn’s cloning facilities.  They are no longer interested in fighting and want only to be left alone.  They tell Han and Leia that all they ask for saving their life is that they never reveal that this Clone community exists.  The Noghri bodyguards eventually find Leia and Han.  They bring a message from Bel Iblis telling them to await his arrival.

After a few days, a ship arrives carrying Elegos A'kla of the Caamasi Remnant and requests to meet with Leia.  Ghent, a systems expert for the New Republic, is with him and is actually the one that sent the message posing as Bel Iblis.  He tells them that Bel Iblis is currently missing, but the message he had couldn't wait.  He hands her Pellaeon’s message seeking a treaty.  She decides that she will go instead.  She takes A’kla and Ghent along.  Han attempts to find President Gavrisom.

Meanwhile General Bel Iblis meets with Captain Booster Terrik of the Errant Venture and requests to use his ship to search for the Caamas documents on Yaga Minor.  Terrik agrees only if he can remain as Captain.

Pellaeon has now been waiting for two weeks for Bel Iblis to arrive.  Leia arrives and the two agree to speak onboard the Falcon.  Pellaeon states that he believes the war is indeed over and has been authorized by the Moff’s to discuss peace.  Leia is reluctant because if Thrawn is really alive, than he’s calling the shots not Pellaeon.  They agree to continue talks very soon.