Fate of the Jedi: Outcast

Outcast is a novel by Aaron Allston released on March 24, 2009. It is the first novel in the Fate of the Jedi series and published as a hardcover and audiobook. The book features an excerpt of the subsequent novel Omen. The audiobook is narrated by Marc Thompson, who narrated the audiobook versions for the Legacy of the Force series. The paperback was released on April 27, 2010.

Back cover
Does a new start for the Galactic Alliance mean the beginning of the end for the Jedi Order?

Internal flap
THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY OF THE STAR WARS GALAXY BEGINS HERE...

''After a violent civil war, and the devastation wrought by the now-fallen Darth Caedus, the Galactic Alliance is in crisis&mdash;and in need. From all corners, politicians, power brokers, and military leaders converge on Coruscant for a crucial summit to restore order, negotiate differences, and determine the future of their unified worlds. But even more critical, and far more uncertain, is the future of the Jedi.'' ''In a shocking move, Chief of State Natasi Daala orders the arrest of Luke Skywalker for failing to prevent Jacen Solo's turn to the dark side and subsequent reign of terror as a Sith Lord. But it's only the first blow in an anti-Jedi backlash fueled by a hostile government and suspicious public. When Jedi Knight Valin Horn, scion of a politically influential family, suffers a mysterious psychotic break and becomes a dangerous fugitive, the Jedi become the target of a media-driven witch-hunt. Facing conviction on the charges, Luke has only one choice. He must strike a bargain with the calculating Daala-his freedom in exchange for his exile from Coruscant and from the Jedi Order.'' ''Now, though forbidden to intervene in Jedi affairs, Luke is determined to keep grim history from being repeated. With his son, Ben, at his side, Luke sets out to unravel the shocking truth behind Jacen Solo's corruption and downfall. But the secrets he uncovers among the enigmatic Force mystics of the distant world Dorin may bring his quest&mdash;and life as he knows it&mdash;to a sudden end. And all the while, another Jedi Knight, consumed by the same madness as Valin Horn, is headed for Coruscant on a fearsome mission that could doom the Jedi Order. . . and devastate the entire galaxy.''

Plot summary
Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker is arrested by Chief of State Daala under the charge of dereliction of duty in lieu of Darth Caedus's reign of terror, failing to prevent his fall to the dark side. Earlier on, Luke realizes that the three main galactic governments&mdash;the Galactic Alliance, Imperial Remnant, and the Confederation&mdash;are all under the control of former Imperials Natasi Daala, Jagged Fel, and Turr Phennir, respectively. Daala's plan is to hold the Jedi accountable for their actions as ordinary superhumans. Luke arranges to go into a ten year exile in an effort to learn how and why Jacen fell to the dark side. Should he effectively demonstrate that Jacen's fall was not his fault to a board of Galactic Alliance members of Daala's choosing, he will be pardoned of all charges. Ben decides to go with Luke to also gain some closure for Jacen's machinations toward him (killing of Mara, Gejjen, Omas, Sith apprenticeship, Embrace of Pain, etc.) Luke leaves Jedi Master Kenth Hamner acting Grand Master, as Luke cannot be within five light years of a Jedi Order, Temple, or Academy, nor can he advise in any Jedi Affairs. The Order gives him a warm send off as a reminder of his achievements and contributions to the New Jedi Order he founded. Meanwhile, Han and Leia sneak out of the Temple to respond to Lando and Tendra Calrissian's help in the glitterstim mines of Kessel. Han is reluctant to go, but Leia convinces him to go help a friend, as they can't do much else. Not much later, the Order members are given individual observers to ensure what happened with Valin Horn and Seff Hellin doesn't occur again. Jaina is assigned Dab Hantaq, who was given reconstructive surgery to look like Anakin Solo during the Yuuzhan Vong War. Tahiri Veila, meanwhile, is freed from observation in court, due to Nawara Ven's legal savvy. She meets Dab again, and is visibly shaken.

Luke and Ben arrive at Dorin, where the Baran Do Sages' Temple is situated. Luke requests a meeting with Mistress Tila Mong, who later allows an audience after Ben defeats the student apprentice, Tistura Paan. They discover Jacen came to the Sages for their own mastery of the Force, and techniques. Luke easily masters what Jacen had learned. At a ceremony for Charsae Saal, Luke and Ben realize the Master has not died, merely concealing himself in the Force, and transporting himself to an undisclosed place, to assume a new identity and die in obscurity. Apparently, none of the Masters have died, and the Skywalkers invade a transport for Saal. They go with him to where he goes, and are informed they have to choose new names, for Luke and Ben Skywalker are dead.

After convincing the Kel Dors present in the underground caverns that their mission here had no logical value and showing them that their leader, The Hidden One, was keeping secrets from them, the Skywalkers orchestrated their escape. Most of the other Baran Do down with them left as well. The Skywalkers then decided to continue their journey to find out what Jacen Solo learned through his travels.

On Coruscant, Jaina Solo and her Darkmeld organization secretly captured Seff Hellin for medical study, believing him to be afflicted with the same condition as Valin Horn, who was frozen and detained by the government in carbonite.