{"product_id":"thrawn-alliances-star-wars-isbn-9780525481287","title":"Thrawn: Alliances (Star Wars)","description":"\u003cb\u003e#1 \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES \u003c\/i\u003eBESTSELLER \u003c\/b\u003e• \u003cb\u003eGrand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Vader team up against a threat to the Empire in this thrilling novel from bestselling author Timothy Zahn.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e“I have sensed a disturbance in the Force.”\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOminous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edge of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root—its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the Emperor’s favor and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs—including the Death Star project—the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it’s not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there’s more behind his royal command than either man suspects.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn what seems like a lifetime ago, General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic and Commander Mitth’raw’nuruodo, officer of the Chiss Ascendancy, crossed paths for the first time. One on a desperate personal quest, the other with motives unknown . . . and undisclosed. But facing a gauntlet of dangers on a far-flung world, they forged an uneasy alliance—neither remotely aware of what his future held in store. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, thrust together once more, they find themselves bound again for the planet where they once fought side by side. There they will be doubly challenged—by a test of their allegiance to the Empire . . . and by an enemy that threatens even their combined might. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThrawn: Alliances\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“It’s a science fiction beach read in the best way, brisk and amusing, with some cool additions to the Star Wars galaxy.”\u003cb\u003e—Den of Geek\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Like all of Zahn’s novels set in a galaxy far, far away, it’s an essential read for anyone looking for an artistically done adventure.”\u003cb\u003e—CNET\u003c\/b\u003e“It’s a science fiction beach read in the best way, brisk and amusing, with some cool additions to the Star Wars galaxy.”\u003cb\u003e—Den of Geek\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Like all of Zahn’s novels set in a galaxy far, far away, it’s an essential read for anyone looking for an artistically done adventure.”\u003cb\u003e—CNET\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eTimothy Zahn\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of more than forty novels, nearly ninety short stories and novellas, and four short-fiction collections. In 1984, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novella. Zahn is best known for his \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e novels (\u003ci\u003eHeir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future, Survivor’s Quest, Outbound Flight, Allegiance,\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eChoices of One, \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e Scoundrels\u003c\/i\u003e), with more than four million copies of his books in print. Other books include the Cobra series, the Quadrail series, and the young adult Dragonback series. Zahn has a B.S. in physics from Michigan State University and an M.S. from the University of Illinois. He lives with his family on the Oregon coast.“I have sensed a disturbance in the Force.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Emperor Palpatine paused, stretching out his thoughts to the two men standing before his throne, awaiting their reactions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e No. Not \u003ci\u003emen\u003c\/i\u003e. Of course not \u003ci\u003emen\u003c\/i\u003e. Men were insignificant, pitiable creatures, fit only to be ruled, or intimidated, or sent to die in battle. These were far more than mere men.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A Chiss Grand Admiral, a strategic and tactical genius. A Sith Lord, ruthless and powerful in the Force.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They were watching him, Palpatine knew, each trying in his own way to glean some understanding as to why they’d been summoned. Grand Admiral Thrawn was observing his Emperor’s voice, face, and body stance. Lord Vader, in contrast, was stretching out with the Force toward his master.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Palpatine could feel all that. But he could also feel the tension between these, his two most useful servants.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tension wasn’t simply because each wished to be the one standing alone at his master’s side at the center of Imperial power. That was certainly part of it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But there was more. Much more. Thrawn had recently suffered a serious defeat, permitting a small group of rebels he’d successfully trapped on the planet Atollon to slip through his fingers. That failure had earned Vader’s contempt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thrawn, in his turn, strongly opposed the Death Star project favored by Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, and Palpatine himself, pushing instead for his own prized TIE Defender project on Lothal. So far Thrawn’s opposition had not reached the level of open resistance, but the Emperor knew it was only a matter of time. Vader knew that, as well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But Palpatine hadn’t brought them here to offer an opportunity for reconciliation. Certainly not to mediate personally in their conflict. There were other, far deeper considerations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thrawn had given his oath of loyalty to the Empire. But that loyalty had never been fully tested. Vader stood beside Palpatine as the Sith Master’s apprentice But his pervious life among the Jedi could not simply be ignored nor casually dismissed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Here, with this intriguing Force disturbance, was the opportunity to deal with both issues.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Palpatine raised his eyes briefly toward the high window in his throne room. The Star Destroyer \u003ci\u003eChimaera\u003c\/i\u003e was visible in the distance, a barely discernible arrowhead shape floating high above Coruscant’s buildings and skylanes. Normally, military craft that large weren’t permitted closer than low orbit. But Palpatine had wished the ship to be present during this meeting, a subtle reminder to both of his servants of what had been given to Thrawn, and what could be taken away.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Vader spoke first, as Palpatine had known he would. “Perhaps you sense the rogue Jedi Kanan Jarrus,” he said. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Or the creature Admiral Thrawn claimed to have encountered on Atollon.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Palpatine smiled thinly. Of course he wasn’t sensing Jarrus. That particular disturbance had long since been noted, codified, and dismissed, a fact Vader knew only too well. The suggestion was nothing more than a reminder to Thrawn—and to Palpatine—of the Chiss’s humiliating defeat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thrawn gave no visible reaction to Vader’s comment. But Palpatine could sense a hardening of his attitude. He’d already promised the Emperor that he would deal with Jarrus and the Phoenix rebels who had so recently slipped through his fingers. Much of that failure had been due to factors not under Thrawn’s control, which was why Palpatine hadn’t taken the Seventh Fleet away from him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But Vader had no patience for failure of any sort, no matter what the reasons or excuses. For now, he was waiting; but he was more than ready to step in to solve that particular problem if the Grand Admiral failed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “This disturbance comes from neither,” Palpatine said. “It is something new. Something different.” He looked back and forth between his servants. “Something that will require both of you working together to uncover.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Again, neither of them visibly reacted. But Palpatine could sense their surprise. Their surprise, and their reflexive protest.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Working \u003ci\u003etogether?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e This time, it was the Chiss who spoke first. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe my duty and my abilities would be best used elsewhere,” he said. “The rebels who escaped Atollon must be tracked down and eliminated before they can regroup and join with other cells.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “I agree,” the Emperor said. “But the Seventh Fleet and Commander Woldar can deal with that without you for now. Grand Moff Tarkin will also be joining the commander while his new assignment is being prepared for him.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Palpatine sensed a flicker in Vader’s emotions, perhaps a hope that Thrawn would mistakenly believe this was the right time and place to once again raise objections to the Death Star project. Palpatine paused, offering the Grand Admiral the opportunity to do just that.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But Thrawn remained silent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “While Woldar and Tarkin find and deal with the rebels,” the Emperor continued, “you and Lord Vader will take your flagship to deal with this other matter.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Understood, Your Majesty,” Thrawn said. “May I point out that Governor Tarkin is less familiar than I am with this particular Rebel cell. Perhaps a more efficient approach would be for Lord Vader to be offered one of my Star Destroyers and seek out this disturbance on his own.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Palpatine felt a sudden stirring of anger from his apprentice at Thrawn’s unthinking choice of phrase. A Lord of the Sith was not \u003ci\u003eoffered\u003c\/i\u003e a ship. He took \u003ci\u003ewhat\u003c\/i\u003e he wanted \u003ci\u003ewhen\u003c\/i\u003e he wanted it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But like Thrawn, Vader knew when to remain silent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “You surprise me, Admiral Thrawn,” Palpatine said. “I would have expected a certain eagerness to journey within sight of your home.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thrawn’s glowing red eyes narrowed slightly, and Palpatine felt his sudden caution. “Excuse me, Your Majesty?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “The disturbance is located at the edge of your Unknown Regions,” the Emperor said. “It appears to be centered on a planet named Batuu.” Again, he sensed a reaction to the name. This time, the reaction came from both of them. “I believe you have heard of it?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thrawn’s eyes were hooded, the expression on that blue-skinned face swirling with memories. “Yes,” he murmured. “I have indeed heard of it.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e As, of course, had Vader. It was the place where he and Thrawn had long ago interfered, albeit unwittingly, with one of Palpatine’s plans.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But again, Vader remained silent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Very well, then,” Palpatine said. “You, Admiral, will command.” He looked at Vader. “You, Lord Vader, will deal with the disturbance.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Yes, Your Highness,” Thrawn said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Yes, my master,” Vader said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Palpatine leaned back into the depths of his throne. “Then go.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The two servants turned and walked toward the door between the double line of red-cloaked Imperial Guards silently lining their path. Palpatine watched them go: the Chiss in his white Grand Admiral’s uniform, the Sith garbed in black, his long cloak swirling behind him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The solution to this particular puzzle would indeed require both of them. But more importantly, it would address Palpatine’s lingering questions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He smiled thinly. Time for Thrawn to face his future.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Time for Vader to face his past.#1 New York Times bestseller","brand":"Random House Worlds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300110913765,"sku":"NP9780525481287","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780525481287.jpg?v=1767742556","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/thrawn-alliances-star-wars-isbn-9780525481287","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}