Star Wars_ Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly

This extensive collection of excerpts primarily focuses on two intertwined narratives: Leia Organa Solo's diplomatic mission to the isolated world of Nam Chorios and Luke Skywalker's independent journey to the same planet, driven by a cryptic message from Callista. The text details Leia's encounter with the planet's rigid "Oldtimer" Theran cultists and the ambitious Rationalist Party leader Seti Ashgad, who seeks New Republic trade and technology but harbors a sinister plot involving the ancient Death Seed plague and synthdroids. Meanwhile, Luke searches for Callista, uncovering the planet's unique Force presence, a dangerous insectoid species called drochs, and the shocking truth behind Ashgad's alliance with the monstrous, Force-draining being, Dzym, who manipulates events from the shadows. Both narratives converge on the escalating conflict between the planet's factions, the revelation of deep-seated treacheries, and the heroes' desperate struggle to survive and expose the truth while battling the plague and the unpredictable Force storms that plague Nam Chorios.