Star Wars: Old Friends, New Enemies
Prologue
It had been ten years since the Swarm War that could've torn apart the Republic if the Jedi hadn't gotten involved. Since then the Jedi and the New Republic have been trying to rebuild the galaxy. But with the few Jedi they have it has taken some time.
Just a couple of years after the Swarm War, Luke and Jedi Council brought forth an idea of sending a team of Jedi and trusted men into the Unknown Regions. Luke and the other Jedi knew this was a mistake and that it was the second time the Republic is sending a team out there.
The first time the Jedi had made a mistake of sending a team out there, the team wasn't good enough to defend themselves. They were easily tricked by the Chiss leader Thrawn, who destroyed them with ease. Palpatine was the one that got the idea of sending someone out there. He had a plan of wasting the Republics resources and making them weaker for their takeover.
But this time, Luke was sending trusted Jedi that would not be easily fooled. One Jedi he had known since she was a baby. Jaina. She was one of the most powerful Jedi at the Academy and he trusted her with his life. He also asked for any volunteers that wanted to take the risk of going out there, discovering new species and planets, and possibly dying. From all the generals, admirals, smugglers and veterans only five volunteered.
Wedge Antilles, a veteran from the Clone Wars and the Rebellion; quickly volunteered, saying that it'd be a fun and interesting adventure. He was followed by Traest Kre'fey, the commander of the Ralroost, saying that he needed more adventure in his life. A few weeks later, Booster and Talon Karrde, owners and commanders of the Errant Venture, decided to go with them. They had quit smuggling at the end of the Yuuzahn Vong War, and since then they've needed something to do.
Luke knew he was sending his friends and family to death but it was there own choice to go. Luke knew what it was like to go into the unknown. He knew what it was like to go into darkness. He knew what it was like to go into emptiness. He had experienced those before and during the battle between him and his father, Darth Vader. He had thought that maybe he might not come out alive or maybe turn to the dark side and join his father. But he survived the battle, and not only bringing his father back to light side before he died, he killed the Emperor.
Luke knew about the dangers of sending a team to the Unknown Regions, but he knew they should know what was out there, what might come destroy them one day. To know how to counter them and to be able to kill them before they caused any damage. But Luke didn't know what he had gotten the Republic into, the peril and death they were about to face. He did not know what to expect but after eight years since they left, he knew it was going to be something big.