Timothy Zahn - Vision of the future

Praise for Timothy Zahns STAR WARS novels

SPECTER OF THE PAST

Zahn returns splendidly to the ranks of Star Wars authors. Label this one Not just for Star Wars fansfor sure.

Booklist

Zahn turns in his usual high-caliber performance.

Library Journal

Longtime fans should get considerable pleasure from this addition to the saga.

Publishers Weekly

HEIR TO THE EMPIRE

Moves with a speed-of-light pace that captures the spirit of the movie trilogy so well, you can almost hear John Williamss soundtrack.

The Providence Sunday Journal

A splendidly exciting novel read and enjoy. The magic is back.

Nashville Banner

Chock full of all the good stuff youve come to expect from a battle of good against evil.

Daily News, New York

DARK FORCE RISING

Continues [Zahns] remarkable extrapolation from George Lucass trilogy.

Chicago Sun-Times

Zahn has perfectly captured the pace and flavor of the Star Wars movies. This is space opera at its best.

The Sunday Oklahoman

THE LAST COMMAND

Filled with characteristic Star Wars technology and cosmic battles The detail and plot development far exceed what are possible in a two-hour movie.

The Indianapolis Star

VISION OF THE FUTURE
A Bantam Spectra Book

PUBLISHING HISTORY
Bantam Spectra hardcover edition published September 1998
Bantam Spectra mass market edition / September 1999

SPECTRA and the portrayal of a boxed s are trademarks of Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

1998 by Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM
All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
Cover art copyright 1998 by Lucasfilm Ltd.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
For information address: Bantam Books.

eISBN: 978-0-307-79644-8

Bantam Books are published by Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc. Its trademark, consisting of the words Bantam Books and the portrayal of a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Marca Registrada. Bantam Books, 1745 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.

v3.1

TO THE STAR LADIES, THE WILD KARRDES,
THE CLUB JADERS, AND MY BOTHAN SPIES

AND ESPECIALLY TO

TISH PAHL
MINISTER OF FORMATION:
BOTH IN- AND DISIN

The Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera slid through the black of space, its only companion the silent gas giant world of Pesitiin far below.

Admiral Pellaeon was standing at the forward viewport, gazing out at the dead planet, when Captain Ardiff arrived on the bridge. Report from Major Harch, Admiral, he said briskly. All damage from that pirate attack has been repaired. Your ship is back to full fighting readiness.

Thank you, Captain, Pellaeon said, carefully hiding a smile. In the thirty hours since the failed attack on the Chimaera, Ardiff had gone from believing it to be a raid by New Republic General Garm Bel Iblis, to suspicions that it had been engineered by dissident Imperial elements, to similar suspicions involving similarly dissident Rebels, and was now apparently convinced that a pirate gang was responsible.

Of course, in all fairness, Ardiff had had the past thirty hours to cogitate on his theories. The techs preliminary report on the debris from that destroyed Kaloth battlecruiser had certainly influenced his thinking, too. Anything new from the patrols? Pellaeon asked.

Just more negatives, sir, Ardiff said. Still no indications of activity anywhere in the system. Oh, and the sensor-stealthed assault shuttle you sent on the attackers escape vector also just checked in. Still no trace.

Pellaeon nodded. As expected, reallyanyone who could afford to buy and fly a battlecruiser usually knew a few tricks about hiding it. It was worth a try, he told Ardiff. Have them try one more system; we can transmit that far without relays. If they havent picked up the trail by then, order them back.

Yes, sir, Ardiff murmured.

Even without looking, Pellaeon could sense Ardiffs hesitation. A question, Captain? he prompted.

Its this communications blackout, sir, Ardiff said. I dont like being so completely out of contact this way. Its like being blind and deaf; and frankly, it makes me nervous.

I dont much like it myself, Pellaeon conceded. But the only ways to make contact with the outside universe are to either transmit to an Imperial relay station or punch our way onto the HoloNet; and the minute we do either, everyone from Coruscant to Bastion will know were here. If that happens, well have more than the occasional pirate gang lining up to take potshots at us.

And, he added silently, it would be the end of any chance for a quiet meeting between him and Bel Iblis. Assuming the general was indeed willing to talk.

I understand all that, Admiral, Ardiff said. But has it occurred to you that yesterdays attack might not have been an isolated incident against an isolated Imperial ship?

Pellaeon cocked an eyebrow. Are you suggesting it might have been part of a coordinated attack against the Empire?

Why not? Ardiff said. Im willing to concede at this point that it probably wasnt the New Republic who hired them. But why couldnt the pirates have set it up on their own? The Empire has always come down hard on pirate gangs. Maybe a group of them got together and decided the time was right for revenge.

Pellaeon stroked his lip thoughtfully. On the surface, it was a ridiculous suggestioneven on its deathbed the Empire was far stronger than any possible aggregate of pirate gangs could hope to defeat. But that didnt mean they wouldnt be foolish enough to try. That still leaves the question of how they knew we were here, he pointed out.

We still dont know what happened to Colonel Vermel, Ardiff reminded him. Maybe it was this pirate coalition who snatched him. He could have told them about Pesitiin.

Not willingly, Pellaeon said darkly. If they did what it would take to make him talk, Ill decorate Bastions moon with their hides.

Yes, sir, Ardiff said. But that brings us back to the question of how long were going to stay here.

Pellaeon looked out the viewport at the stars. Yes, that was indeed the question. How long should they wait here in the middle of nowhere in the hope that this slow attrition of the Empire could be stopped? That they could end this war with the New Republic with a shred of territory and dignity still intact?

That they could finally have peace?

Two weeks, he said. Well give Bel Iblis another two weeks to respond to our offer.

Even though the message may not have reached him?

The message reached him, Pellaeon said firmly. Vermel is a highly resourceful, highly competent officer. Whatever happened to him, I have no doubt he completed his mission first.

Yes, sir, Ardiff said, his tone making it clear that he didnt share Pellaeons confidence. And if Bel Iblis doesnt come within that time frame?

Pellaeon pursed his lips. Well decide then.