On the eve of the Republic Fair, an unexpected threat looms over the planet of Valo.As dignitaries and far-flung guests arrive at Lonisa City, Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram learns of a potential breach at Crashpoint Tower. Heading over to investigate, Ram fends off an attack from mysterious intruders who have sabotaged the comms tower. The incident seems to promise even more problems, so the young Padawan rushes back to the city to alert the local Jedi. Meanwhile, Padawan Lula Talisola joins revered Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh to search for clues as to the whereabouts of the Nihil, havoc-wrecking marauders who orchestrated a great hyperspace disaster, ending up on a trail that leads them directly to a Nihil base. There Lula and Vernestra witness a Nihil fleet departing to commence an attack on Valo. As Lula and Vernestra head to Valo to halt the oncoming onslaught, Ram must rush to Crashpoint Tower to fix the comms hub and alert the far-off Republic and Jedi. A brisk read, the novel moves at a breakneck pace, presenting a vast and diverse cast of intergalactic characters in broad strokes. Ruminations on the Force and characters' backstories mostly recede to the background in favor of zippy action sequences and cool foes for the young Padawans to face, and this installment's all the better for it. Final art not seen.A Star Wars tale that successfully reflects the series' madcap spirit of adventure. (timeline) (Science fiction. 8-12)