When a dispute erupts into violence, and the painting vanishes in the chaos, Han and Leia are thrust into a desperate race to reclaim it before Imperial troops or a band of unsavory treasure-peddlers get there first.

Already haunted by the specter of her infamous father, and fearful that his evil may infect future generations, she has suffered a disturbing Force vision of Luke turning to the dark side.

As she battles beside Han against marauding TIE fighters, encroaching stormtroopers, and Tatooine's savage Tusken Raiders, Leia's struggle with the warring emotions inside her culminates in the discovery of an extraordinary link to the past.

The action takes place four years after the events of Return of the Jedi and directly follows the Star Wars expanded universe book The Courtship of Princess Leia.

The painting contains a Rebel code vital to the New Republic's survival, and Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and Princess Leia are then sent to retrieve it at an art auction.