A proposition is made for Lord Vader and a powerful young Jedi to join forces and overthrow the Emperor. But this offer comes from the young Jedi to the Dark Lord of the Sith! Meanwhile, the Emperor and his elite Royal Guards are facing other would-be usurpers—the secret, traitorous cadre of Imperial officers and their loyal Stormtroopers! This story reveals the events in the days and weeks just prior to A New Hope.