Zahn's Outbound Flight Novel Details Revealed

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2005-03-24 11:13pm

From StarWars.com:

Since 1991, fans of Star Wars literature have wondered about the mysterious Outbound Flight project. This Fall, Del Rey and author Timothy Zahn will reveal all.

First briefly mentioned in the watershed novel, Heir to the Empire, Outbound Flight was an ambitious project that sent an expeditionary mission of six Jedi Masters, 12 Jedi Knights and 50,000 men, women and children beyond the borders of known space to make contact with intelligent life. It was the brainchild of Jorus C'baoth, but even so influential a Jedi Master had to navigate the cumbersome Republic bureaucracy to get this monumental proposal approved.

With the foiling of a murderous plot, C'baoth gained the influence he needed to get Outbound Flight underway. In truth, this turn of fortune was carefully engineered by Darth Sidious, the shadowy Sith Lord who wants Outbound Flight to begin, and ultimately, to fail.

The mission is doomed from the start, for lurking within Unknown Space is the Chiss Ascendancy, and the brilliant alien mastermind who will someday become Grand Admiral Thrawn. Not even the presence of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young Padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker, aboard the gargantuan vessel can avert disaster.

Star Wars: Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn is slated for a hardcover release on October 25.

And the cover art:

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2005-03-24 11:40pm

So so much for the idea that Palpatine had forseen the Vong invasion and was planning for it all along?

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2005-03-24 11:44pm

But I DO like the idea that Zahn is working to tie the EU plot of outbound flight in with the prequals. Kudos, I look forward to reading this book.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2005-03-25 12:22am

While I understand why for non EU-ers and non Zahn fans they had to include Obi-Wan and Anakin, it seems really cheap and contrived that they are aboard. I don't like it.

Gorefiend · Post by **Gorefiend** » 2005-03-25 12:54am

Are those chiss fighter on the cover? O.o!

Elheru Aran · Post by **Elheru Aran** » 2005-03-25 01:06am

Thrawn almost rings a bell in that picture.... I know if they used a model for him it was likely just some random stud they put in a uniform, but still... damned if he doesn't almost ring a bell....

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2005-03-25 05:24am

I agree with Primus, putting Obi-Wan and Anakin onboard feels contrived. On the other hand I'd like to see how Zahn handels them, and the dynamics of their relationship, should be interesting. Although I wish this was more than one book, more like a duology or trilogy, give the whole thing more meat.

And as for the model of Thrawn, he looks like a young Clint Eastwood, which frankly suits me fine.

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2005-03-25 05:58am

Crown wrote:I agree with Primus, putting Obi-Wan and Anakin onboard feels contrived. On the other hand I'd like to see how Zahn handels them, and the dynamics of their relationship, should be interesting. Although I wish this was more than one book, more like a duology or trilogy, give the whole thing more meat.

And as for the model of Thrawn, he looks like a young Clint Eastwood, which frankly suits me fine.

I dunno, on the one hand I like the portrait (except for the hair), though I would rather take a more refined look than chiseled.

Lord Poe · Post by **Lord Poe** » 2005-03-25 06:20am

Elheru Aran wrote:Thrawn almost rings a bell in that picture.... I know if they used a model for him it was likely just some random stud they put in a uniform, but still... damned if he doesn't almost ring a bell....

Think "Little Joe" from Bonanza, then you've hit the nail on the head:

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2005-03-25 08:09am

reminds of sci fi channel's dune's paul atriedes.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2005-03-25 08:53am

Crown wrote:I agree with Primus, putting Obi-Wan and Anakin onboard feels contrived. On the other hand I'd like to see how Zahn handels them, and the dynamics of their relationship, should be interesting. Although I wish this was more than one book, more like a duology or trilogy, give the whole thing more meat.

I don't blame Zahn though, I bet some palmfucking committee at the Ranch told him he needed movie characters aboard the plot. You can tell because original accounts of the OFP implied no one survived.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2005-03-25 12:16pm

Even more frustrating than the Anakin and Obi-Wan thing. I wish Timothy Zahn would just stop going back to the "Thrawn Well" and write something else. He's got the talent, he's my favorite EU author (even more than Allston or Denning which says a lot with me) can he just NOT write about Thrawn for once? I fully expect that if he's allowed to continue we'll get an endless supply of novels about how Thrawn methodically approaches taking a shower or makes an omlette.

EDIT:

Reading that little snippet of text on the cover up there. "The Jedi will confront their most extraordinary enemy." ......

BULLSHIT!

FTeik · Post by **FTeik** » 2005-03-25 12:38pm

Lets wait and see.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2005-03-26 12:17am

That picture of Thrawn: is it a model in makeup or is it something painted? I ask because the latest SW novel covers that were released down here have had the most abominable combination of photoshopping paired with photos of the characters. I just want to know if there is a graphics commitee who's set the SW novel covers to the 'suck' setting, even though this cover is pretty nice IMO.

As to Obi-wan and Anakin being involved somehow, I can hope for a cameo appearance - or better yet, a cocurrent plot with the two on Coruscant uncovering a conspiracy directed against OFP.

FTeik says let's wait and see, and I agree with him.

When did Zahn originally have the OFP fly out? Is this a CW book or just a Prequel book?

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2005-03-26 01:16am

It was originally written that Thrawn kills the OFP. Just and FYI.

Crayz9000 · Post by **Crayz9000** » 2005-03-26 01:30am

Well, we'll have to see how much of my second-guessing for my fanfic was true. Seems that my guess about the Outbound Flight using a Bulk Cruiser was off, but I kind of expected that.

I could be wrong, but the picture in the cover looks like it was photoshopped. Which is fine by me.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2005-03-26 02:29am

Illuminatus Primus wrote:
Crown wrote:I agree with Primus, putting Obi-Wan and Anakin onboard feels contrived. On the other hand I'd like to see how Zahn handels them, and the dynamics of their relationship, should be interesting. Although I wish this was more than one book, more like a duology or trilogy, give the whole thing more meat.
I don't blame Zahn though, I bet some palmfucking committee at the Ranch told him he needed movie characters aboard the plot. You can tell because original accounts of the OFP implied no one survived.

I think you're right, I suspect (well hope) it's as Stofsk suggested and more of a cameo.

Darth Fanboy wrote:Reading that little snippet of text on the cover up there. "The Jedi will confront their most extraordinary enemy." ......

BULLSHIT!

Hmmm, I don't know. I think the foreshadowing is more in relation to Sidious' mechanations, which is spot on. Although it could be Thrawn, which is okay. Anyway, I hope this ties up Thrawn's story arc for a while, and he moves one if he does other SW books.

Crayz9000 wrote:Well, we'll have to see how much of my second-guessing for my fanfic was true. Seems that my guess about the Outbound Flight using a Bulk Cruiser was off, but I kind of expected that.

Survivour's Quest showed us the Outbound Flight using the six Dreadnaughts already.

Post by **Dalton** » 2005-03-26 03:23am

Hm, maybe Obi-Wan and Anakin bugger off Outbound Flight before they hit the Rim, or maybe they just help C'Baoth get it started...

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2005-04-06 06:15am

Sorry for the bump, it just felt more appropriate than starting a new thread on it;

Dalton wrote:Hm, maybe Obi-Wan and Anakin bugger off Outbound Flight before they hit the Rim, or maybe they just help C'Baoth get it started...

I think I figured it out; the Noghri.

He's gotta do it now before Anaking becomes a walking cyborg in order for them to sniff him and place his scent within their genetic memory - or whatever they do with it.

So they are probably attached for a little while, the Sepratists try and stop them over Honoghr - it fails, but Obi-Wan and Anakin go down on the planet, the Outbound Flight continues onto Chiss space ...

Anyone else thinking this should be more than one book?

Of course Zahn could choose to tie up the Noghri arc in a short story instead though ... But that's the best I got.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-04-06 06:28am

I thought Anakin was already Vader when he went and met the Noghri, hence them calling Leia "Lady Vader". Although admitedly it's been a couple years since I read the Thrawn trilogy, so I could be remembering wrong.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2005-04-06 06:34am

Dorsk 81 wrote:I thought Anakin was already Vader when he went and met the Noghri, hence them calling Leia "Lady Vader". Although admitedly it's been a couple years since I read the Thrawn trilogy, so I could be remembering wrong.

It is quite possible that he returned later and told them to address him as Vader ...

If he's in the suit though, I don't see how they are going to get a smelly sample from him, given the givens.

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2005-04-06 06:46am

According to the Thrawn saga, Vader was first encountered during a battle in the Clone Wars. A massive battle took place above their world, some of the warships crashed causing massive damage in the short term and chemical toxification of the enviroment.

Vader and some Stormtroopers then flew down to have a look, the Ngohri were understandably pissed. So they sent in something like 30 warriors. They lost 3 men but killed something like 20-30 stormtroopers, they were only defeated after Vader came out and took charge of the situation. He then realising the increadible skill of these people told them he brought them the peace of the Empire. He brought aid to their world and helped them rebuilding, in return they pledged their loyalty to him (and his line, though he didn't know that).

I wonder how the timeline Zahn wrote, long before Lucas started planing the prequals, works out with the new timeline.

We know the battle took place according to Leia in the Clone Wars. And VADER arrived offering the EMPIRES support. Of course there was quite possibly a time lapse between the event and the landing party. COuld have been years for all we know. Though it MIGHT happen shortly after the end of Episode III. If Vader was hunting down the last of the CIS ships...

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2005-04-06 06:57am

Chris OFarrell wrote:<snip>

I wonder how the timeline Zahn wrote, long before Lucas started planing the prequals, works out with the new timeline.

We know the battle took place according to Leia in the Clone Wars. And VADER arrived offering the EMPIRES support. Of course there was quite possibly a time lapse between the event and the landing party. COuld have been years for all we know. Though it MIGHT happen shortly after the end of Episode III. If Vader was hunting down the last of the CIS ships...

It is possible, think about Rome. We refer to it as the Empire, but it started off as a Republic. It is quite possible that Anakin offers the Noghri the protection of the Chancellor, who later becomes the Emperor. It is not unconcievable that the Noghri would also refer to him by his last title rather than the one he started off with.

The distinction would be noted by historians, but to the simple folk it would be the last, or more common name.

The only reason I say this is that (I'm spoiler free on Anakin/Obi-Wan duel so this is speculation);

I don't see how they get a smell sample from Vader once in the suit.
I suspect that Vader's limbs are artificial.

So it needs to be done before RotS.

Crazedwraith · Post by **Crazedwraith** » 2005-04-06 07:09am

Didn' Vision of the Future stat that the Outbound Porject was destroyed when Palpy was a senator? Shouldn't that be pre-TPM?

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2005-04-06 07:22am

Regardless, I just checked. Its explcate that their first contact with Vader was with VADER. The person telling Leia was both alive at the time, talking to Vaders heir and working against the Empire. They have no reason to lie. Somehow, they get a 'sense smell' from Vader. Possibly reperated air from his lungs or something, who knows.