the first expanded universe novel was "splinter of the mind's eye", written by alan dean foster and published in 1978. the setting for the novel takes place between "episode iv: a new hope" and "". it provides a new adventure that includes princess leia, r2-d2, c-3po, luke skywalker and darth vader. in the story, darth vader tries to get the kyber crystal to use it for his evil schemes.