From publisher blurb: There is a great disturbance in the Force. From the sleek shapes of the glimmering Couruscant skyscape to the lush gardens of pastoral Naboo, dissent is rolling. The Republic is failing, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, elected ten years earlier to save the crumbling government. Separatist threaten war and the senate is hopelessly divided, unable to determine whether to raise an army for battle or keep the fragile peace. It is a stalemate that, once broken, could lead to galactic chaos.