Vision of the Future Vision of the Future is a book written by Timothy Zahn and published by Bantam Spectra . As of June 2013 , it is the longest Star Wars novel at 694 pages . The German version was split into two separate books , most likely due to length . Publisher ' s summary . Hardcover . " Vision of the Future " is the second book in the epic two - volume series " The Hand of Thrawn " from Timothy Zahn , the bestselling , Hugo award - winning author of the original landmark trilogy based on George Lucas ' s legendary " Star Wars " films . Now the story begun in " Specter of the Past " comes to an explosive conclusion as Luke Skywalker , Princess Leia , and Han Solo are thrust into the middle of an impending civil war — and discover the shocking truth behind the rumored resurrection of the dead Admiral Thrawn . " For a beleaguered Empire , desperate times call for desperate measures . Sowing discord among the fragile coalition of the New Republic , remnants of the once powerful Empire make one last play for victory . Having implicated the Bothans in the genocide of the Caamas , they now plan an attack on Han and Leia that is also blamed on the Bothans . If they are successful , the New Republic will be torn asunder . To prevent inevitable disaster , Luke , Leia , Han , and their friends must prove the Bothans innocent and reveal the Empire ' s treachery . But time is running out . The cunning Major Tierce has joined with the ambitious Moff Vilim Disra in the Empire ' s master plan . At its heart lies the most elaborate con of all : the rumor that the legendary Grand Admiral Thrawn , long believed dead , has returned to lead the Empire to a prophesied triumph . The news of Thrawn ' s return is already rallying Imperial forces against the New Republic . " " As Leia travels to a secret rendezvous with an Imperial commander who claims to want peace , Han and Lando Calrissian journey into enemy territory to learn the truth of Caamas ' s destruction . Meanwhile , Luke and Mara Jade infiltrate a hidden fortress where Thrawn ' s most fanatical followers await his call to arms . And Talon Karrde returns to his underworld past and a brutal crime lord whose knowledge may save the Republic . But it is the truth about Thrawn that is most important . In his hands — alive or dead — rests the fate of the New Republic . " Paperback . " The Empire ' s master plan is under way . The New Republic is on the verge of civil war and the rumor that the legendary Admiral Thrawn has returned from the dead is rallying the Imperial forces . Now , Luke Skywalker , Han Solo , Princess Leia , and their allies face the challenge of their lives . They must infiltrate a hidden fortress filled with Imperial fanatics , rendezvous with a double - dealing Imperial commander , and journey into enemy territory to learn the identity of those responsible for an act of unthinkable genocide . But most important of all is the truth about Thrawn . In his hands — alive or dead — rests the fate of the New Republic . " Plot . While abord the " Chimaera " , Admiral Pellaeon was still recovering from the attack only thirty hours before by supposed New Republic General Garm Bel Iblis . Ardiff was later convinced that a pirate gang was responsible although they were nowhere to be found in the system . Ardiff was concerned that it was a communications blackout . Although the beings on the Imperial Star Destroyer wanted to communicate with the outside universe , they knew that if they did they would have more then pirates to worry about . Ardiff bought up the idea that it may have been organized as the Imperials of then past had cracked down on them . Pellaeon , not convinced , bought up the fact that they had been found . Ardiff countered the remark with the fact that Colonel Vermel hadn ' t been found and that he could have gave away their position . Pellaeon only wanted a meeting with Bel Iblis and was willing to wait two weeks for it . While aboard the " Relentless " , Grand Admiral Thrawn received a call from Lord Superior Bosmihi and had a relatively small conversation with the man . Thrawn and Disra discussed the fact that Kroctar was rejoining them , and that would make Coruscant angry . Disra learned that it was Captain Zothip who had attacked Admiral Pellaeon . On the planet Nirauan , Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade become closer , resulting in Jade accepting Skywalker ' s marriage proposal . Behind the scenes . The novel saw the first cameo of Alex Winger in a Star Wars novel on pp . 284 - 285 . She last appeared in Charlene Newcomb ' s short story Betrayal by Knight . Of course Timothy Zahn being who he is , added an interesting turn of character for Alex . She now has cybernetic fingers . This has prompted Charlene Newcomb to write Shades of Gray , a Hyperspace Exclusive Short Story , explained just what happened to Alex ' s fingers . This was the latest adult - targeted novel in the EU chronology published under the Bantam imprint , and served as an " ending " to their series of Expanded Universe publications . Del Rey , another subdivision of Random House , became the licensee for EU books beginning with the Episode I novelization the following year . The German version of the book was split into two parts . Part one has the title " Blick in die Zukunft " , which is basically the same as the English title . Part two was named " Der Zorn des Admirals " , which would be " The Admiral ' s Wrath " in English . Cover gallery . This is a gallery of the different cover variations of " Vision of the Future " .