The Lost Holocron The Lost Holocron

Hello There! You've found the first episode of The Lost Holocron! Join our book club as each transmission we punctuate a single chapter with discussion. Whether you read along or not, you can follow the action and join our community discussions. Readers and nonreaders welcome!

Our first book is Heir to the Empire, written by Timothy Zahn, first published in 1991. It has a cast of familiar and new characters, such as fan favourites Grand Admiral Thrawn and Mara Jade. If you've never read a Star Wars Legends book, this is a great place to start. 

Five years after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Chewbacca find themselves in new challenges and adventures. 


Chapter 1Five years after the Battle of Endor, aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer, Chimaera, Captain Pallaeon reminisces about the decline of the Empire.

A raiding mission to retrieve data from the border system of Obroa-skai brings pursuers, and Pallaeon gets to see Grand Admiral Thrawn demonstrate his tactical superiority.

Thrawn savours his progress in "the only puzzle with solving … the complete, total, and utter destruction of the Rebellion."


LinksHigh Human Culture and xenophobia in the Galactic Empire | Wookieepedia Ancient Pyramids Around the World | History | Smithsonian Magazine Snowblindness | Photokeratitis - Wikipedia  Share and SupportShare this episode (cross platform link)Discuss this chapter on Discord, YouTube, or RedditSupport us on PatreonOur WebsiteRelease DocumentTranscriptSupport the show

Chapter 2 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 
The story so Far Beyond the continually expanding borders of the New Republic, Grand Admiral Thrawn and Captain Pallaeon are gathering strength as Thrawn pieces together his master plan to utterly destroy what he still views as "the Rebellion". 
Chapter 2The introduction of our scattered trio some months after the first chapter:
On Coruscant, Luke is farewelled by an ostensibly distracted Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke is feeling depressed by the enormity of representing the mythological Jedi and rebuilding the Order on his own. 
Leia has begun her Jedi training but is also buried under political responsibility. We are introduced to her aide, Winter, who has an eidetic memory. 
Han and Chewie are on Tatooine trying to recruit smugglers to fulfil the logistical requirements of the New Republic. They're also accompanied by Wedge Antilles and a new character Page, who is described as completely unremarkable. 
Links  American History X (1998) is not American Graffiti (1973) (IMDb)The Book of Boba Fett (TV Series 2021– ) - IMDb The Many Accents in Star Wars Explained and The Many Accents in Star Wars Pt 2 by Generation Tech Share and SupportShare this episode (cross platform link)Discuss this chapter on Discord, YouTube, or RedditSupport us on PatreonOur WebsiteRelease DocumentTranscriptHosts’ Thoughts Interesting the 9 week time skip. It would be easy to miss the few hints left in the chapter. Poor Luke. What do you think of the political move to establish the New Republic Council in the Imperial Palace? Leia seems like a control freak until the line that she is the only one that has legit political experience. Wedge as the false flag was a good plan. I liked that. Ben “loved” Luke. Nice to see a healthy expression of platonic love. Also Luke loves Leia Interesting circle created by the setting: Luke thinks he’s on Tatooine, actually on Coruscant, connected by Threepeo to Leia, she thinks about Han, and we are carried back to Tatooine, where Han is also thinking about Luke/Ben. Force ghosts just linger for a time before moving beyond? I’m not sure how I feel about that interpretation. If the Force binds all things, shouldn’t there be no “beyond?” Interesting that Coruscant has mountains. Chewie seems absent, despite being there for Han’s whole conversation with Dravis. Was Han also drinking hot chocolate?Luke definitely should go to therapy. He's still obviously on edge and for good reason. Luke feeling the presence of leia and her twins from halfway across the palace is incredible Support the show

Chapter 3 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 
The Story So FarFive years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in RotJ on the ex-Imperial capital of Coruscant, Luke, Leia, and Han are struggling not only with their evolving identities, but also with the demands on their expertise as the militaristic Rebellion aspires to establish a legitimate and functioning government. 
Meanwhile, the Empire has been continuously losing territory to the blossoming New Republic. However, tactical genius Grand Admiral Thrawn is uniting Imperial Remnants and piecing together his master plan to utterly destroy what he still views as "the Rebellion".
Chapter 3On the planet of Myrkr, We are introduced to the smuggler Talon Karrde and one of his newest employees, Mara Jade. Talon invites Jade to dinner under the pretence of surprising her with a promotion, but he is covertly attempting to glean more about her mysterious past. 
During their dinner, the Chimaera arrives and sends a landing party to the surrounding forest. Karrde reaches out and is met with a stern Captain Pallaeon. Karrde deduces the Empire intends to collect ysalamiri, though he can only guess as to why.
LinksMara Jade [spoilers] | WookieepediaHeir to the Empire | WookieepediaStar Wars Legends | WookieepediaLandos_Winning_Smile.PNG Billy Dee Williams in Family Guy: The Cool Side Of The Pillow  Billy Dee Williams - Credits (text only) - IMDb Billy Dee Williams Colt 45 Commercial Playlist List of Star Wars books - WikipediaJedi Order | WookieepediaGrand Master | WookieepediaToupée fallacy - RationalWiki  Share and SupportShare this episode (cross platform link)Discuss this chapter on Discord, YouTube, or RedditSupport us on PatreonOur WebsiteRelease DocumentTranscriptHosts’ ThoughtsYsalamiri pose a threat to Jedi?This chapter has cat and mouse all over it.Jade's hot topic list: pre-Endor Empire, the Emperor, Vader's death, Skywalker Does Karrde actually want to promote Jade? Jade "stiffens" when she knows the Imperials are going into the forestToupee fallacy and Karrde's opinions on luckKarrde slipping Thrawn’s name What is Jade’s history?Jade and Luke are gonSupport the show

Chapter 4 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 
The Story So FarFive years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in RotJ on the ex-Imperial capital of Coruscant, Luke, Leia, and Han are struggling not only with their evolving identities, but also with the demands on their expertise as the militaristic Rebellion aspires to establish a legitimate and functioning government. 
Meanwhile, led by Warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Empire is gathering strength to regain lost ground against the New Republic. His plan takes an expedition to Myrkr, where Captain Pallaeon and Tallon Karrde parley for the Empire to collect the native ysalamiri. Karrde suspects it is a tool to use against Luke Skywalker, though to what end he can only guess. 
Chapter 4Grand Admiral Thrawn and Captain Pallaeon travel to Wayland, a low-tech world hiding a storehouse of the late Emperor's personal treasures and technology salient to Thrawn’s grand plan. Expecting a Dark Jedi Guardian, Thrawn thwarts the usurping ruler Joruus C’baoth’s snare with a demonstration of the ysalamiri's unusual ability to vacate the Force. 
Thrawn bargains with C’baoth to secure his allegiance in exchange for the capture of Leia’s unborn Jedi twins, whom C’baoth would mould as he sees fit. Pallaeon believes C'baoth to be unstable and a dubious ally, despite Thrawn’s confidence. Thrawn reveals that C'baoth is a clone of a Jedi Master, whose assassination Thrawn was personally involved in before the Clone Wars and Great Jedi Purge.
LinksBowcaster | Wookieepedia | Fandom  Cut-resistant gloves - WikipediaLightsaber forms and Lightsaber combat | Wookieepedia Cover Art of Heir to the Empire | Wookieepedia Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series 2005–2008) - IMDb"Shoot him, he's the clone" - TV Tropes  How It's Made, Candles. Saponification: Making Soap Share and SupportShare this episode (cross platform link)Discuss this chapter on Discord, YouTube, or RedditSupport us on PatreonOur WebsiteRelease DocumentTranscriptHosts’ ThoughtsC’baoth is highly respected on WaylandThrawn and C’baoth differing ideology on conquest and powerDON’T MESS WITH RUKHThe way the crypt was presented was excellentThrawn’s disapproval of the Emperor's centralisation of the militaryA cult leader is an interesting spin on a villain“Old Republic” means something different nowWhat in evolution do you mean lizards repel the force?Anyone dying by arrow in-universe is a bit much The speed of SFX in thSupport the show

Chapter 6 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn.
The Story So FarFive years after the Empire’s defeat over Endor in Return of the Jedi (1983), and unbeknownst to the New Republic, Imperial Warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn is taking strides in collecting tools and technology left by the late Emperor to aid in his plan to retake territory from — and ultimately destroy — the New Republic.

After a parley with smugglers Talon Karrde and Mara Jade to collect ysalamir, Thrawn weaponises their obscure ability for creating voids in the Force to neutralise Dark Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth and negotiate his allegiance by offering him Leia's unborn twins.  
Meanwhile on Coruscant, political infighting seems to be stalling the establishment of structured governance within the Council of the New Republic. Despite personal growing pains, numerous responsibilities, and logistical issues, Han, Leia, and now Luke are assigned a diplomatic mission to Bimmisaari. Luke, it seems, has been requested to join them last minute.
Chapter 6Han and Leia travel with Luke  and C-3PO to the planet Bimmisaari on a diplomatic mission to negotiate the terms of the Bimm joining the New Republic. Leaving Chewbacca and R2-D2 on the Millennium Falcon, the four are treated to a brief greeting ceremony. However, before they can arrive at the planetary government, news arrives that the key negotiator for the Bimm has suddenly taken ill.

Luke and Han are invited to inspect relics of the Old Republic while Leia is shown around the market, but a suspicious Han decides to join Leia instead. His suspicions prove true when they find themselves encircled by numerous armed individuals of an alien species they don't recognise.
LinksRoman concrete - WikipediaStar Wars: Heir to the Empire - Part One (fixed!) by DarthAngelus - YouTubeThe Orville (TV Series 2017– ) - IMDbHuman | WookieepediaThe Ithorian Supremacy League dialogueHumanocentrism | WookieepediaShare and SupportShare this episode (cross platform link)Discuss this chapter on Discord, YouTube, or RedditSupport us on PatreonOur WebsiteRelease DocumentTranscriptHosts’ ThoughtsOf all the tech in SW, they don't have remote locking on their spaceships?Cursing and exclamations in SW: "Good skies!"Old Republic relics are a good honeypot for Luke but not Han.Luke didn't sense duplicityWas the store owner trying to warn?Stokhli sticks: shoot a spraynet mist 200 m and has enough juice to take down a gundark.capitalisation of species namesWhat do you think they mean by “middle era?”The greys with spider sticksSupport the show

Chapter 7 of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (1991) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 
The Story So FarThe New Republic and what is left of the Imperial Forces are at a turning point in their struggle for galactic control. While both sides are struggling economically, the New Republic is having trouble establishing itself politically, and the Imperial Remnants are hunting for opportunities to turn the tide. 
Captain Pallaeon accompanies Grand Admiral Thrawn, the last surviving Warlord appointed by Emperor Palpatine, to a storehouse of technology they hope will aid their war effort. Along with new cloaking shield technology, they ally themselves with a Dark Jedi clone, Joruus C’Baoth, promising him Leia Organa Solo’s unborn twins. 
During the course of their diplomatic mission and while separated from Luke Skywalker, Leia and Han Solo fall prey to an ambush in the bustling markets of Bimmisaari. 
Chapter 7Luke frees himself from an ambush in the Bim Tower and races to rescue Leia and Han in the marketplace. Safely aboard the Millennium Falcon, Han makes the jump to lightspeed. 
It seems that one of the Bims was paid off to lead the protagonists into the trap but have no other information about their assailants. Leia wants to resume negotiations, but Han first wants to rendezvous with tactical support before returning. 
After pressure from Luke and Han, Leia agrees that she needs to start lightsaber training sooner than later. 
LinksStar Wars: Heir to the Empire - Part One (fixed!) by DarthAngelus - YouTubeHolodrama | WookieepediaFrank Castle (Marvel Database) is not William Castle (IMDb)Lightyear Theory: "The Movie" Andy Saw That Inspired Him To Want A Buzz Toy Wasn't A Kid's Movie : r/FanTheories Share and SupportShare this episode (cross platform link)Discuss this chapter on Discord, YouTube, or RedditSupport us on PatreonOur WebsiteRelease DocumentTranscriptHosts’ ThoughtsLuke: “Let’s talk this out.”
Also Luke: “There’s no particular reason why any of you has to be hurt.”What would a lightsaber do against the spray?I like how clumsiness and chance play into the action“Some sort of bizarre gift wrapping”It’s so cool to see Luke being so observant in combat and his precise use of telekinesis“Snap-hiss.” The key onomatopoeia for Luke’s lightsaber ignitionWho was operating the Falcon’s swivel gun?“I am not a committee.” GIVE LEIA A LIGHTSABERHas Leia exhibited any traits similar to Anakin?The word Bimm has lost all meaningCan C-3P0 duck?Can't believe they were attacked and are expected to just come back downSupport the show