The collaborative novella Side Trip represents the initial joint effort of Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole. This novella is structured in four segments, with Timothy Zahn responsible for writing parts one and four, while Michael A. Stackpole authored parts two and three. Initially, segments one and two were featured in the Star Wars Adventure Journal 12, published by West End Games in February of 1997; segments three and four then appeared in Star Wars Adventure Journal 13, also by West End Games, in May of 1997. Subsequently, the complete narrative was collected within the Short Story Anthology Tales from the Empire, released by Bantam Spectra during November of 1997. It could also be accessed online through Hyperspace.
Haber Trell and Maranne Darmic, traders piloting the freighter Hopskip, find themselves captured while engaged in arms smuggling intended for the Rebels. Consequently, the Galactic Empire coerces them into aiding a helmeted individual, who identifies himself as the notorious bounty hunter Jodo Kast, in capturing his target on Corellia. This is all integral to an elaborate scheme orchestrated by Admiral Thrawn, a plan which involves the father-son pair of CorSec investigators, Hal and Corran Horn. They are operating undercover to apprehend the well-known Corellian warlord, Zekka Thyne. However, a single misstep could result in the demise of all involved.
Ultimately, Thrawn's strategy proves successful, enabling him to trace the smugglers back to the Rebellion's newly established base, Derra IV, by utilizing tracking devices concealed within the smugglers' shipments of blasters. This triumph also secures a significant favor for the Chiss Admiral from Darth Vader: the command of his Noghri Death Commandos.