Fate of the Jedi: Conviction

Conviction by Aaron Allston is the seventh novel in the Fate of the Jedi series and was released on May 24, 2011. At the end of the book, it has an introduction to Ascension. The audio version is to be narrated by Marc Thompson. The paperback is set to be released on March 27, 2012.

Back cover
'''The Jedi have struck a blow against the heart of tyranny. Can Luke Skywalker strike down the embodiment of evil?'''

Internal flap
''Chief of State Natasi Daala has been overthrown, and the Jedi Order has taken control of the Galactic Alliance. But while the new governors dismantle Daala’s draconian regime, forces still loyal to the deposed official are mobilizing a counterstrike. And even the Jedi’s new authority may not be enough to save Tahiri Veila, the former Jedi Knight and onetime Sith apprentice convicted of treason for the killing of Galactic Alliance officer Gilad Pellaeon.''

''Meanwhile, Luke and Ben Skywalker are relentlessly pursuing Abeloth, the powerful dark-side entity bent on ruling the galaxy. But as they corner their monstrous quarry on the planet Nam Chorios, the two lone Jedi must also face the fury of the Sith death squadron bearing down on them. And when Abeloth turns the tables with an insidious ambush, the Skywalkers’ quest threatens to become a suicide mission.''

Plot
Taking place just after the previous novel, Valin and Jysella Horn are thawed out of carbonite. Their observers (see the plot summary for the previous novel to find out who they are) believe that they are cured of the Force psychosis that had plagued Jedi Knights in the the series' first five novels. However, it turns out that Valin and Jysella are still infected despite Abeloth's loss of power over the Knights back in Allies. But Valin and Jysella, sharing the continued existence of the Force psychosis and believing that they are the only ones left in the galaxy who aren't imposters, act like they are indeed normal. Cilghal and Tekli, though, are still skeptical of the siblings' conditions.

Elsewhere, back at Almania, the battle between the Jedi and Sith forces concludes with the remainders of both forces pulling back now that the Skywalkers, Vestara Khai, and Abeloth and Ship have left the system. Meanwhile, the Skywalkers and Vestara track Abeloth and Ship down to the planet Nam Chorios, where the entity plans to rule the world by taking over the Theran Listeners and the tsils.

Back on Coruscant, the conflict between the Jedi Order and Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala finally culminates. After the Errant Venture returns its hostages from the previous novel for the sake of the StealthX wing fleet to the world by way of Borleias, the Jedi and their allies, including the conspiracy circle containing Imperial Moff Drikl Lecersen, Kuati Senator Haydnat Treen, and a few others, finally move in to overthrow Daala. The coup succeeds as the Jedi capture Daala and have her placed to the proper authorities as the Jedi form the Galactic Alliance's triumvirate.

On Klatooine, the site of the beginning of the overthrowing of slavery throughout the galaxy, Han and Leia Organa Solo participate to make Klatooine's freedom from the tyranny of the Hutt Empire legitimate. The overall goal of this is to make Klatooine a member in the Galactic Alliance so that freedom movements everywhere will know that they are being taken seriously by the galactic government. However, Hapan Queen Mother Tenel Ka Djo is needed to help speed the process along, and her journey from Hapes to Klatooine is tracked by a Lost Tribe fleet. This fleet's intention is to carry out a mission assigned by Sith Saber Gavar Khai in finding out who the supposed Jedi queen prophesized by the Lost Tribe's late High Lord Sarasu Taalon. Considering Tenel Ka's history as a Jedi, she is not unlikely as a suspect. When this fleet follows Tenel Ka's retinue to Klatooine, their leader eventually figures out the connection between the Queen Mother and Han and Leia's allegedly adopted daughter, Amelia. Though the Sith agents attempt to kill Tenel Ka and Allana, they ultimately fail due to Allana and Leia's interference.

On Coruscant, Tahiri Veila's verdict in her trial is guilty, and her sentence is death. However, as this occurs alongside Chief Daala's coup, the latter is soon broken out of prison thanks to Boba Fett who wants to see her back in power. They both escape Coruscant so that Daala can look to previous allies for help in leading the galaxy. Tahiri uses Daala's escape to her own advantage so that she could also flee in the chaos, becoming a homeless fugitive as a result (she can't go back to the Jedi Temple because most of the other Jedi are elsewhere due to current events in the galaxy).

Back on Nam Charios, Vestara manages to lead the Sith to the planet so that they can help out her and the Skywalkers in killing Abeloth when they finally confront her. Valin and Jysella are also on the planet since they received Abeloth's call through the Force to join her under the belief that she can help them. When Luke personally confronts Abeloth, the latter reveals that a big part of her is in fact Callista Ming, who is not just another life absorbed into the creature, but as more of a conscious for Abeloth. Luke, realizing that Callista cannot go on like this, uses the Force to rip Callista's soul from Abeloth's body, allowing the former to finally die in peace and become one with the Force once and for all. Afterward, the four of them are confronted by the Sith that Vestara called over and fight them. Knowing that they cannot win such a battle, Vestara kills a tsil, which causes a Force wave that mentally harms all nearby Force users, to level the playing field and allow herself and the Skywalkers to escape just as the Jedi StealthX wing fleet arrives to once again do battle with the Sith forces. Despite Luke, Jaina Solo, and Zekk's attempts at trying to destroy Abeloth and Ship in the battle, the latter two escape but are severely wounded, both physically and mentally. The Jedi and Sith again retreat due to Abeloth and Ship's escape. In the end, however, Abeloth, now grieving over Callista's loss, meets with Gavar Khai and his Sith fleet and makes a plea for alliance in killing Luke Skywalker and his allies, which Khai deeply considers.