War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire has gripped the galaxy for decades...

…but the sacking of Coruscant and a subsequent peace treaty are changing everything. As the Republic scrambles to re-establish order, the Sith Empire moves quickly to consolidate power within its new dominion. Behind closed doors, however, individual Sith Lords engage in a quiet but deadly power struggle, and discord breaks out among the Jedi as they wrestle with the moral implications of the new galactic balance. During these chaotic days, the stories of several critical characters interweave as they pursue their passions, stand up for their convictions, and ultimately lead the galaxy back to the brink of a catastrophic conflict.

The Sith Empire has scored a series of solid military victories over the Republic, winning control of several critical star systems and seriously damaging the Republic’s logistical supply lines. Overwhelmed but stoic, the Jedi and the Republic Military have succeeded in defending the Core Worlds and have slowed the Empire’s steady advances. In a surprising turn of events, the Empire has now extended an offer of peace to the Galactic Senate. Wary but desperate, the Republic has agreed to engage in ceasefire talks. A large delegation of prominent Senate and the best and brightest of the Jedi are traveling to the planet Alderaan, where they expect to hunker down for lengthy negotiations on the terms of a treaty with a representative from the Sith Dark Council.

The Sith Empire’s deception left Coruscant in ruins and forced the Republic to agree to unfavorable terms in the Treaty of Coruscant. Despite their disappointment, Senate and Jedi leaders are under no delusions — the treaty is critical for the Republic’s survival. To ensure a prompt and orderly withdrawal from star systems ceded to the Empire, the Jedi Council has sent its best and brightest to the Outer Rim on board the diplomatic ship, Envoy. Unfortunately, the mission turned into a disaster when a battle inexplicably broke out between the Envoy and an Imperial transport ship en route to Korriban. In the aftermath of the battle, the Envoy has been destroyed, and young Jedi Satele Shan is marooned on an escape pod in an obscure star system…

Despite the efforts of the Jedi, a rash of recent violence threatens to overturn the Treaty of Coruscant. After the destruction of the Envoy diplomatic ship, the killing of Jedi Grand Master Zym, and the bombing of the Senate Tower, many Republic leaders are calling for a return to war with the Empire. At the same time, Republic military officials in the Outer Rim continue to ignore the treaty and resist withdrawal orders from the Senate. On Korriban, the prospects for peace are in similar jeopardy. The attempted assassination of Lord Baras and the bombing of an Imperial transport have made Sith Leaders suspicious of one another’s true motives. Fortunately, there is still hope. Republic leaders have identified the infamous Bounty Hunter Braden as the chief suspect in the recent attacks, and the Senate has dispatched Jedi Master Orgus Din to track the Bounty Hunter down…