Long-standing foes must put aside their ancient grudges and deep-seated distrust to uncover and defeat a threat to the galaxy before it can escape its isolation--forcing Sith and Jedi to raise their lightsabers together. "When I look into you, I see no loyalty. . . . I sense only tangled allegiances. . . . Given a choice, I would never trust you." From across the galaxy they've come: agents of both the Republic and the Sith Empire, an investigating Jedi Padawan, an ex-trooper drummed out of the Republic's elite Blackstar Squad, and a mysterious Mandalorian. An extraordinary auction has drawn them all together--in quest of a prize only one can claim. Each is prepared to do what he must to possess the treasure, whose value may be the wealth of a world itself. None intend to leave empty-handed. All have secrets, desires, and schemes. And nothing could ever unite them as allies--except the truth about the deadly danger of the object they covet. But can Sith and Jedi, Republic and Empire--enemies for millennia--join as one against the certain doom of the galaxy?