Star Wars: The Cestus Deception

Summary:

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi strides—and soars and plots and duels—again in this stirring new addition to the Star Wars saga. Hugo nominee Barnes (Zulu Heart) picks Kenobi up in middle age during the Clone Wars between the good-guy Republic and the dastardly Confederacy, sending Kenobi's impetuous Jedi Padawan (apprentice) Anakin Skywalker offstage and Kenobi as ambassador to the remote planet Ord Cestus, now producing new bio-droids able to challenge the Jedi in combat. The droids, Jedi Killers or JK droids, are Force sensitive and are able to anticipate their opponents' moves. Accompanied by another Jedi Knight, tentacle-haired Nautolan Kit Fisto, five superbly bred and trained military Advance Recon Commandos (ARCs), and a wondrously conceived giant slug who proves an inspired barrister, Kenobi plunges into Cestan intrigues, trying to avoid Cestus's destruction and sensing a sinister concealed threat in the nick of time. Obi-Wan must deal with the five corrupt families that control most of the money and industry on Cestus. The Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS) send a ruthless lieutenant, Asajj Ventress, to foil Obi-Wan and Kit-Fisto. Loaded with exotic offworlders and vicious baddies, mystical insights from the Force and a poignant love affair between Nate, a clone trooper whose Code demands that he die fighting for the Republic, and Sheeka Tull, a brave and brainy female pilot who still feels some attachment for Nate's template, Jango Fett, this splendid adventure yarn offers a gut-wrenching surprise on nearly every page and a knock-the-socks-off ending nearly as thrilling as Luke Skywalker's original swoop through the Death Star's trench. Go for broke, Obi-Wan, and may the Force provide more like this one.

Summary from Publishers Weekly.