Labyrinth of Evil

Labyrinth of Evil is a 2005 novel written by James Luceno and published by Del Rey. The novel is set near the end of the Clone Wars and directly before the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Narration for the audio version was performed by Jonathan Davis.

American

 * ISBN 0345475720; January 25, 2005, Del Rey, 362-page hardcover
 * ISBN 0739303252; January 25, 2005, Random House Audio, Abridged cassette
 * ISBN 0739317350; January 25, 2005, Random House Audio, Abridged CD
 * ISBN 0345475739; September 27, 2005, Del Rey, 384-page paperback

Foreign

 * ISBN 3442362261; April 1, 2005, Blanvalet, 350-page German hardcover (Labyrinth des Bösen)
 * ISBN 8495070898; Alberto Santos Editor, 233-page Spanish hardcover (El Laberinto del Mal)
 * ISBN 8324120890; 2005, Amber, 336-page Polish paperback (Labirynt zła)
 * ISBN unknown; September 17, 2007, Russian (Лабиринт зла)
 * ISBN 9788025206249; 2007, EGMONT ČR, 284-page Czech paperback (Labyrint zla)

Hardcover
Embark upon a breathtaking adventure that pairs Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker on a deadly hunt for the lord of evil who has torn the galaxy asunder&hellip;.

The war that erupted in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones'' is nearing its boiling point, as the dauntless Separatist forces continue their assault on the teetering Republic&mdash;and the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. In Episode III: Revenge of the Sith the fates of key players on both sides of the conflict will be sealed. But first, crucial events that pave the way to that time of reckoning unfold in a labyrinth of evil&hellip;''

''Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy and Separatist Council Member Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Cato Neimoidia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid deadly disaster. Still, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransceiver that bears intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious.''

''Swiftly taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim&hellip; every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord&mdash;whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counterstrikes, ambushes, sabotage, and retaliations, Sidious stays constantly one move ahead.''

''Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces&mdash;and bring the Republic to its knees.''

Plot summary
The story begins with Anakin and Obi-Wan leading Squad Seven in an attack on Cato Neimoidia to capture Nute Gunray. After fighting Separatist forces outside Gunray's fortress the group uses harvester beetles as cover to enter through the underground. However one of the beetles startles and run over a mine in the ground causing more of the beetles to startle. Separatist forces then swarm the areas with STAPS laying fire on the clone forces. Droidekas attack from the fortress however Anakin orders an artillery strike on their position effectively destroying the majority of the droids.

Once inside the tunnels Anakin and Obi-Wan decide to split up, with Obi-Wan, Commander Cody, and the majority of Squad 7 going deeper into the fortress to act as bait for the battle droids inside, while Anakin and four commandos pursue Gunray. Kenobi engages Super Battle Droids with his clone forces and while deflecting blaster bolts accidentally burst a canister of spores which are said to have a "dislocating" effect. Upon reaching the fleeing Separatist leaders Anakin's forces position is revealed by a protocol droid, causing the Separatists to change course and send Super Battle Droids against them. Despite destroying the droids Anakin still loses Gunray but before he can pursue receives a transmission from Obi-Wans force requesting assistance.

When he reaches the force though he finds that the enemies have been destroyed, with a "dislocated" Kenobi having defeated over fifty alone with his "new lightsaber form" as Anakin jokingly refers to it. After Kenobi recovers they learn that the commandos inspecting the items left behind by Gunray have discovered something that may be of interest.

Aboard Nute Gunray's ship Gunray and Rune Haako discuss the continual defeats of the Separatists and their evacuation. While reviewing the items he saved he realizes he has left behind his mechno-chair with a special transceiver for Sidious. He and Haako quickly decide to arm the chair so that it will set itself to self-destruct.

At the citadel Anakin and Obi-Wan discuss their find: the mechno-chair. Anakin is determined to examine the chair there but Obi-Wan insists that they wait for Republic Intelligence to show up. Anakin refuses to wait though and has R2-D2 try and run a diagnostic on the chair. While Anakin is talking with Obi-Wan though the chair receives Gunray's signal and goes off to arm itself to explode. Anakin is able to stop it before it does, though narrowly avoiding poison gas emitted from the chair. After stopping it though a recording of a conversation between Gunray and Sidious appears.

On Coruscant Bail Organa meets with fellow members of the Loyalist Committee for a meeting with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. They are delayed however by Sate Pestage. Back on Cato Neimoidia Republic Intelligence has arrived and is accompanied by Yoda. Yoda tells Obi-Wan that he and Anakin are to try and hunt down this Darth Sidious.

The Loyalist Committee members are finally granted their meeting with Palpatine who despite their insistence that the tide of the war is turning refuses to withdraw certain security measures that have been put into effect on Coruscant. Obi-Wan reflects again how Anakin would have fared had Qui-Gon survived and been his master but is saved from his musings by Yoda and the Intelligence captain. They have found something on the chair that could begin the Jedis search: engravings by a Xi Charrian who signed his name on the chair.

Aboard the Invisible Hand Grievous watches as Nute Gunray's ship exits hyperspace, followed closely by Republic starfighters. He destroys part of Gunray's droid fighter escort as a punishment and considers letting the Republic troops achieve their kill. However he decides that Dooku and Sidious would be too upset with him were he to allow Gunray to die and thus destroys the starfighters.

Anakin and Obi-Wan go to Charros IV to find t'laalak-s'lalak-t'th'ak, the Xi Charrian who worked on the mechno-chair. With TC-16 acting as translator they convince the prelate to allow them to speak with t'laalak-s'lalak-t'th'ak. Upon questioning him however he becomes scared and attempts to flee. Anakin and Obi-Wan chase him down and cause a disruption in the workshop. The prelate arrives and demands that they leave but allows them to ask their questions first. They learn that the chair had come to Charros IV from Escarte and thus continue on with their search.

Characters

 * Stass Allie
 * Sim Aloo
 * Alpha-17
 * Alpha-98 "Nate", "Jangotat"
 * Mas Amedda
 * Padmé Amidala
 * Bail Antilles
 * Jenna Zan Arbor
 * Passel Argente
 * Seti Ashgad
 * Darth Bane
 * Daakman Barrek
 * Bana Breemu
 * Sora Bulq
 * C-3PO
 * CC-2224 "Cody"
 * Sweitt Concorkill
 * Davijaan "Odd Ball"
 * Dexter Jettster
 * Jan Dodonna
 * Dooku / Darth Tyranus
 * Cin Drallig
 * Durge
 * Dyne
 * Chi Eekway
 * Sun Fac
 * Jango Fett
 * Kit Fisto
 * Adi Gallia
 * Janus Greejatus
 * Grievous
 * Nute Gunray
 * Rune Haako
 * Jannie Ha'Nook
 * San Hill
 * Armand Isard
 * Ylenic It'kla
 * Qui-Gon Jinn
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Agen Kolar
 * Plo Koon
 * K'Kruhk
 * Thal K'sar
 * Fa'ale Leh "Genne"
 * Shu Mai
 * Darth Maul
 * Sly Moore
 * Mon Mothma
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi
 * Jocasta Nu
 * Po Nudo
 * Lari Oll
 * Bail Organa
 * Pablo-Jill
 * Palpatine / Darth Sidious
 * Sate Pestage
 * Darth Plagueis
 * Poggle the Lesser
 * R2-D2
 * R4-P17
 * Ko Sai
 * Aayla Secura
 * Tarr Seirr
 * Narro Sienar
 * Raith Sienar
 * Sifo-Dyas
 * Aurra Sing
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Shmi Skywalker
 * Lama Su
 * Bultar Swan
 * Wat Tambor
 * Terr Taneel
 * TC-16
 * Tholme
 * Shaak Ti
 * Saesee Tiin
 * Tikkes
 * T'laalak-s'lalak-t'th'ak
 * Travale
 * Gregar Typho
 * B'ink Utrila
 * Valiant
 * Eixes Valorum
 * Finis Valorum
 * Asajj Ventress
 * Viento
 * Quinlan Vos
 * Taun We
 * Watto
 * Zam Wesell
 * Mace Windu
 * Yoda
 * Fang Zar

Creatures

 * Bantha
 * Conduit worm
 * Corridor ghoul
 * Dewback
 * Duracrete slug
 * Gundark
 * Harvester beetle
 * Kouhun
 * Naos sharptooth
 * Rancor
 * Reek
 * Rycrit
 * Stratt
 * Stone mite
 * Wampa

Droid models

 * B1 battle droid
 * B2 super battle droid
 * Chameleon droid
 * Droideka
 * DSD1 dwarf spider droid
 * Duelist Elite
 * E522 assassin droid
 * FA-4 pilot droid
 * FX-7 medical assistant droid
 * IG-100 MagnaGuard
 * IG-227 Hailfire-class droid tank
 * IG lancer combat droid
 * Krath wardroid
 * Labor droid
 * Maintenance droid
 * Probe droid
 * Protocol droid
 * 3PO-series protocol droid
 * TC-series protocol droid
 * R2-series astromech droid
 * R4-series astromech droid

Events

 * Assassination on Coruscant (Finis Valorum)
 * Plot to assassinate Senator Amidala
 * Battle of Naboo
 * Boonta Eve Classic
 * Eriadu Trade Summit
 * Huk War
 * Incident at Dorvalla
 * Second Assassination on Coruscant (senator Viento)
 * Clone Wars
 * Battle of Aargonar
 * Battle of Antar 4
 * Battle of Brentaal IV
 * First Battle of Cato Neimoidia
 * Battle of Coruscant
 * Battle of Dagu
 * Battle of Deko Neimoidia
 * Battle of Geonosis
 * Battle of Hypori
 * Battle of Jabiim
 * First Battle of Kamino
 * Battle of Koru Neimoidia
 * Battle of Mon Calamari
 * Battle of Muunilinst
 * Battle of Neimoidia
 * Battle of Ohma-D'un
 * Battle of Parcellus Minor
 * Battle of Praesitlyn
 * Battle of Skor II
 * Battle of Tibrin
 * Second Battle of Xagobah
 * Duel on Yavin 4
 * Outer Rim Sieges
 * Battle of Belderone
 * Third Battle of Tythe

Locations

 * Aargau
 * Aargonar
 * Alderaan
 * Ansion
 * Antar 4
 * Belderone
 * Bespin
 * Bogg 4
 * Brentaal IV
 * Cato Neimoidia
 * Nute Gunray's citadel
 * Centares
 * Chandrila
 * Charros IV
 * Workshop Xcan
 * Clak'dor VII
 * Colonies
 * Commenor
 * Core Worlds
 * Corellia
 * Coruscant
 * Financial District
 * Bank of Aargau
 * Golden Cuff Tavern
 * Jedi Temple
 * High Council spire
 * Jedi Archives
 * Temple's computer room
 * Yoda's chambers
 * Nicandra Counterrevolutionary Signalmen's Memorial Building
 * Embassy Mall
 * Outlander Club
 * Sah'c District
 * Sah'c Canyon
 * Senate District
 * Ambassadorial Sector
 * 500 Republica
 * Padmé Amidala's apartment
 * Palpatine's apartment suite
 * Loijin Plaza
 * Heorem Complex
 * Heorem Skytunnel
 * Hospital Plaza
 * Senate Medcenter
 * Republic Executive Building
 * Chancellor's office
 * Senate Plaza
 * Senate Building
 * Great Rotunda
 * Skysitter Restaurant
 * Uscru Boulevard
 * The Works
 * Corusca Circus
 * Grungeon Block
 * Manarai Uplift
 * Hazad's Skytunnel
 * Uscru Entertainment District
 * Daring Way
 * Vos Gesal
 * Westport
 * Dagu
 * Dantooine
 * Deep Core
 * Deko Neimoidia
 * Dorvalla
 * Eriadu
 * Escarte
 * Felucia
 * Geonosis
 * Glithnos
 * Gree Enclave
 * Hutt Space
 * Hypori
 * Iego
 * Ilum
 * Inner Rim Territories
 * Ithor
 * Jabiim
 * Kalee
 * Kamino
 * Kaon
 * Korriban
 * Malastare
 * Mid Rim
 * Mon Calamari
 * Mygeeto
 * Koru Neimoidia
 * Naboo
 * Theed
 * Theed Palace
 * Naos III
 * Palace Hotel
 * The Desperate Pilot
 * Nar Shaddaa
 * Neimoidia
 * Nelvaan
 * Ohma-D'un
 * Ord Cestus
 * Ord Mantell
 * Outer Rim Territories
 * Paracelus Minor [sic]
 * Perlemian
 * Praesitlyn
 * Rattatak
 * Raxus Prime
 * Rimma Trade Route
 * Rodia
 * Ryloth
 * Saleucami
 * Serenno
 * Skor II
 * Stars' End
 * Tatooine
 * Mos Espa
 * Tusken Raider camp
 * Tholoth
 * Tibrin
 * Tion
 * Tingel Arm
 * Tythe
 * Vjun
 * Yavin 4
 * Zonama Sekot

Organizations and titles

 * Assassin
 * Aurek Team
 * Bacta Team
 * Baktoid Armor Workshop
 * Black Sun
 * Bounty hunter
 * Confederacy of Independent Systems
 * Commerce Guild
 * Escarte Guard
 * Escarte Judiciary
 * President
 * Corporate Alliance
 * Magistrate
 * InterGalactic Banking Clan
 * Chairman
 * Separatist Council
 * Stalgasin hive
 * Archduke
 * Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies
 * Techno Union
 * Foreman
 * Trade Federation
 * Trade Federation Viceroy
 * Corellian Engineering Corporation
 * Coruscanti
 * Count
 * Galactic Republic
 * Commission for the Protection of the Republic (COMPOR)
 * Grand Army of the Republic
 * Captain
 * Commander
 * Clone trooper
 * Advanced Recon Commando
 * Clone commando
 * Clone trooper commander
 * Red Squadron
 * Red Three
 * Red Four
 * Red Five
 * Red Six
 * Red Seven
 * Red Eight
 * Red Nine
 * Red Ten
 * Red Eleven
 * Red Twelve
 * Republic Mobile Surgical Unit "Rimsoo"
 * Third Systems Army
 * 212th Attack Battalion
 * Squad Seven
 * Homeworld Security Command
 * Republic Intelligence
 * Republic Navy
 * Galactic Senate
 * Loyalist Committee
 * Senate Guard
 * Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee
 * Senator
 * Supreme Chancellor
 * Red Guard
 * Haor Chall Engineering
 * Hunvicko
 * Huppla Pasa Tisc Shipwrights Collective {Mo}}
 * Incom Corporation
 * Industrial Automaton
 * Jedi Order
 * Jedi General
 * Jedi High Council
 * Jedi Knight
 * Jedi Master
 * Padawan
 * Youngling
 * Kuat Drive Yards
 * LiMerge Power
 * Mandalorian
 * Merr-Sonn
 * Naos III Mercantile
 * Nebula Manufacturing
 * Open Circle Fleet
 * Podracer
 * Prelate
 * Rothana Heavy Engineering
 * Serv-O-Droid, Inc.
 * Sienar Advanced Projects
 * Sienar Design Systems
 * Sith
 * Dark Lord
 * Dark side apprentices
 * Sith apprentice
 * Sith Lord
 * Trang Robotics
 * Xi Char

Sentient species

 * Aqualish
 * Besalisk
 * Bith
 * Caamasi
 * Chagrian
 * Colicoid
 * Cthon
 * Falleen
 * Gen'Dai
 * Geonosian
 * Gossam
 * Gotal
 * Gran
 * Gungan
 * Huk
 * Human
 * Corellian
 * Ithorian
 * Kaleesh
 * Kaminoan
 * Koorivar
 * Muun
 * Nautolan
 * Neimoidian
 * Ongree
 * Quarren
 * Rodian
 * Shapeshifter
 * Skakoan
 * Sullustan
 * Talz
 * Togruta
 * Trandoshan
 * Lethan Twi'lek
 * Umbaran
 * Unet
 * Weequay
 * Wookiee
 * Xi Charrian
 * Zabrak

Starships

 * Acclamator-class assault ship
 * Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter "ARC-170"
 * Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter "V-Wing"
 * Carrack-class light cruiser
 * Commerce Guild corvette
 * Consular-class space cruiser "Republic cruiser"
 * Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor
 * Azure Angel II
 * Diamond-class cruiser
 * Droid tri-fighter
 * Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor
 * Anakin Skywalker's Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor
 * Fantail
 * Ginivex-class starfighter "Geonosian Fanblade"
 * Hardcell-class interstellar transport
 * Heavy Missile Platform "Droid gunship"
 * J-Type diplomatic barge
 * Lucrehulk-class battleship
 * Lucrehulk-class Core Ship
 * Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship
 * MedStar-class frigate
 * Munificent-class star frigate
 * Nantex-class territorial defense starfighter "Geonosian starfighter"
 * Providence-class carrier/destroyer
 * Invisible Hand
 * Punworcca 116-class interstellar sloop
 * Shuttle
 * Sheathipede-class shuttle
 * Lapiz Cutter
 * Scimitar
 * Spearhead droid
 * Storm Fleet "Terror of the Perlemian"
 * Vanguard picket
 * Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I "Vulture droid"
 * Venator-class Star Destroyer ("Republic assault cruiser")
 * Integrity
 * Yacht

Technology

 * A99 aquata breather
 * ARC trooper armor
 * Comlink
 * Credit chip
 * Cyborg
 * Deflector shield
 * Escape pod
 * Forward Command Center
 * Holobook
 * Holocam
 * Hologram
 * Holomap
 * HoloNet
 * HoloNet News
 * Holoprojector
 * Hyperdrive engine
 * Hyperdrive ring
 * Hyperwave transceiver
 * Identichip
 * Inertial compensator
 * Ion drive
 * Jetpack
 * Laser cannon
 * Lifeboat
 * Macrobinoculars
 * Magcon
 * Magnetic cuffs
 * Mechno-arm
 * Mechno-chair
 * Phase II clone trooper armor
 * Photoreceptor
 * Power pack
 * Ray shield
 * Repulsorlift
 * Saberdart
 * Sith holocron
 * Tractor beam
 * Transparisteel
 * Turbolift
 * Vocabulator
 * Wrist link

Vehicles

 * Air taxi
 * All Terrain Scout Transport "AT-ST"
 * All Terrain Tactical Enforcer "AT-TE walker"
 * FC-20 speeder bike
 * High-Altitude Entry Transport-221
 * Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier
 * Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry "Republic gunship"
 * Maglev train
 * Seismic tank
 * Self-Propelled Heavy Artillery
 * Sharptooth Collector
 * Single Trooper Aerial Platform
 * Snow skiff
 * Speeder
 * Gian speeder
 * Skimmer
 * Speeder bike
 * Surface-effect sled

Weapons

 * Blaster
 * Blaster rifle
 * DC-15A blaster rifle
 * E-5 blaster rifle
 * Geonosian sonic blaster
 * Repeating blaster
 * Combat staff
 * Concussion grenade
 * Force pike
 * Fragmentation grenade
 * Gas grenade
 * Ion cannon
 * Lightsaber
 * Proton torpedo
 * SC-15
 * Space mine
 * Mine
 * Thermal detonator
 * Turbolaser
 * Ultimate Weapon
 * Vibro-ax

Miscellanea

 * Angel
 * Armorplast
 * Asteroid
 * Basic
 * Blaster gas
 * Bota
 * Bacta
 * Bith language
 * Bronzium
 * Brocart
 * Ceramacrete
 * Chosen One
 * Dejarik
 * Constitution
 * Emergency Powers Act
 * Enhanced Security and Enforcement Act
 * Military Creation Act
 * Reflex Amendment
 * Credit chip
 * Crude
 * Death stick
 * Duranium
 * Ferrocrete
 * Gimer stick
 * Jedi healing
 * Jedi training
 * Lightsaber combat
 * Form I: Shii-Cho
 * Form II: Makashi
 * Form III: Soresu
 * Form IV: Ataru
 * Form V: Shien / Djem So
 * Form VII: Juyo / Vaapad
 * Lus-ma
 * Luma
 * Manax tree
 * May the Force be with you
 * Memory wipe
 * Midi-chlorian
 * Montral
 * New epoch
 * Permacrete
 * Permaglass
 * Plasma
 * Plasteel
 * Plastoid
 * Poison gas
 * Polygyny
 * Radiation
 * Ryll
 * Shimmersilk
 * Shockball
 * Sistros
 * Stars' end
 * State of the Republic Address
 * The Force
 * Dark side of the Force
 * Disturbance in the Force
 * Qey'tek
 * Sith lightning
 * Telekinesis
 * Tholoth headdress
 * Tibanna gas
 * Triad of Evil
 * Twi'lek izzy-mold
 * Une
 * Viewport
 * Wapoe
 * Whyren's Reserve
 * Xi Charrian language

Behind the scenes
Kit Fisto's lightsaber is once falsely referred to as being blue, as it is green.

The events of this novel are referenced in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith when Obi-Wan tells Anakin that saving his life on Cato Neimoidia does not count in the running tally of Anakin's rescues.

The final three chapters of the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars were based on early plot outlines for this novel and there are several inconsistencies between the two finished works:
 * In the novel, several different Jedi attempt to rescue the Supreme Chancellor. In the series, a trio of Jedi Masters made up of the Togruta Shaak Ti, the Ithorian Roron Corobb, and the Talz Foul Moudama, attempt to rescue him.
 * In the novel, Mace Windu fights on a maglev train against General Grievous. In the series, Mace fights droids alongside Yoda.
 * In the novel, Anakin and Obi-Wan search for Dooku. In the series, Anakin and Obi-Wan investigate a possible base for Grievous on frigid Nelvaan, and Anakin goes on a spiritual journey. This is cleared up in The New Essential Chronology, which states that the Nelvaan journey happens after the search for Dooku.
 * In the novel, Roron Corobb and Foul Moudama are killed very quickly along with two other Jedi. In the series, they are shown in a long pursuit after Palpatine's abductors.

Collections

 * The Dark Lord Trilogy

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of Labyrinth of Evil.