The New Jedi Order - Book 2: Dark Tide 1 - Onslaught

Author: Michael A. Stackpole
Cover Artist: John Hariss

Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: February 1, 2000
Media Types: Paperback
Pages: 292
ISBN: 0345428544

Era: New Jedi Order
Timeline: 25 ABY

The alien Yuuzhan Vong have appeared throughout the Outer Rim, attacking different sectors mercilessly. Lando Calrissian's planet of Dubrillion is attacked and taken over. Luke Skywalker decides to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong's aggressiveness by mobilizing a select few Jedi for various reconnaissance missions. Luke and Jacen Sologo to Belkadan, Corran Horn and the arrogant Ganner Rhysode are sent to the planet Bimmiel to recover a group of missing scientists, and Anakin Solo accompanies Mara Jade Skywalker to Dantooine for the sake of Mara's rapidly deteriorating health.

Luke and Jacen soon find the ExGal facility on Belkadan littered with the carnage of machinery, before discovering a Yuuzhan Vong outpost utilizing slaves as a means to grow their bioequipment. Corran and Ganner also find the group of scientists along with a Yuuzhan Vong outpost (also harboring slaves) whose inhabitants are searching for the remains of a Yuuzhan Vong that died and was recovered by the group of scientists. All the while on Dantooine, Mara is teaching young Anakin ways of the Force previously unknown to the youth. Jacen follows a vision he has, engages in and loses a battle to a Vong warrior on Belkadan, and is taken prisoner and placed in the Embrace of Pain prior to Luke's rescuing him. The two Jedi, sensing trouble on Dantooine, depart the planet. Their foresight serves them well, as they arrive just in time to rescue Anakin and Mara from Yuuzhan Vong warriors who have discovered them on the planet and are hunting the two.

The Yuuzhan Vong, chasing refugees fleeing from the destruction on Dubrillion, arrive in force to the planet. The resulting "onslaught" sees the slaughter of hundreds of the Vong's primary slave invasion force, along with a New Republic victory, though is costly because they lose half of their refugees during the battle.

On Bimmiel, Corran and Ganner attempt to rescue two captured scientists. Ganner escapes with the two, leaving Corran to narrowly defeat the two Yuuzhan Vong warriors that appear; Ganner is forced to rescue the dying Corran, who then survives. Shedao Shai, a male Yuuzhan Vong commander, is later notified of the killing of his kinsmen,Neira and Dranae and the stealing of his ancestor's remains. Shai, overcome by vengeance, vows that he will taste the blood of the Jeedai (Vong mispronounciation of Jedi) responsible.