Cloak of Deception

Cloak of Deception is a novel by James Luceno that takes place less than a year before Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Editions

 * ISBN 0345442989, May 29 2001, Del Rey, Hardcover
 * ISBN 0345442970, July 2002, Del Rey, 344-page paperback
 * ISBN 0375418407, May 2001, Random House Audio, Cassette - Narration by Alexander Adams
 * ISBN 0375418466, May 2001, Random House Audio, CD

Publisher's summary
One man's fall from power could lead to the end of the Republic, and the irreversible rise of the dark side&hellip;

''Mired in greed and corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, the Galactic Republic is crumbling. In the outlying systems, where the Trade Federation maintains a stranglehold on shipping routes, tensions are boiling over&mdash;and now even the comfort of Coruscant is being invaded, as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi foil an assassination attempt on Supreme Chancellor Valorum.''

''As humans and aliens gather for an emergency trade summit, conspiracies sealed with large sums of money run rampant, and no one is entirely above suspicion. But the greatest threat of all remains unknown to everyone except three members of the Trade Federation who have entered into a shadowy alliance with a dark overlord. While the trio will be content with more money and fewer problems, Darth Sidious has grander, far more terrifying plans.''

Plot summary
Shortly before the Battle of Naboo, Darth Sidious is in the middle of his plans. As Senator Palpatine he politically manipulates Supreme Chancellor Valorum and the other senators. As the Sith Master, he begins to slowly put the Neimoidians and the Trade Federation in position for his blockade of Naboo. A terrorist group known as the Nebula Front threatens the activities of the Trade Federation. They are protesting the actions of the group and will resort to any means necessary to disrupt the Trade Federation. They hire Captain Cohl to carry out terrorist acts against their business. However, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are hot on the trail of the terrorists and thwart their plans.

Fearing more trouble, the Trade Federation petitions the Galactic Senate to allow them to increase their number of droid fighters, battle droids, and other defenses. Valorum considers this, but only if he can tax some of the trade routes they hold (on advice from Palpatine). This sparks a debate and a summit is scheduled to be held on the matter.

Taking extreme measures, the Nebula Front sets plans in motion to assassinate Supreme Chancellor Valorum at the summit to prevent the taxation. The Jedi Council, along with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, step in to track down Captain Cohl and the would-be assassins.

Dramatis personae

 * Qui-Gon Jinn; Jedi Master (male human)
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi; Jedi Padawan (male human)
 * Palpatine; senator, Naboo (male human)
 * Finis Valorum; Supreme Chancellor, Galactic Republic (male human)
 * more to come

New organizations

 * Nebula Front

Behind the scenes
While writing the novel, James Luceno was granted access to parts of the screenplay drafts and concept art of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. As such, Cloak of Deception was the first (real life) appearance of almost all of the new characters and organizations from Attack of the Clones, including the Techno Union, Passel Argente, and other Separatists.