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On the thriving world of Dac, member of the Galactic Republic and home to two intelligent amphibious species, the Mon Cal and the Quarren…
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Under-ocean domed cities are bustling with activity.
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Denizens and outlanders go about their business.
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High society intellectuals fill the Bernaboo Auditorium for the Mon Cal dejarik championships.
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Citizens and outlanders alike laugh at a comedy club.
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And a go-go bar buzzes with energy.
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But all across the planet, Quarren malcontents have entered public places…
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Each with a sinister device in hand.
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A countdown sequence on the devices is activated everywhere.
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And at the Bernaboo Auditorium, as Viswan Kasparar, the great dejarik Grandmaster, dazzles the crowd with a brilliant grimtaash sacrifice…
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And as the outlander comedian Mork Koluche regales the crowd with humorous observations…
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And as the exotic Twi’lek and local go-go dancers entertain the raucous crowd…
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The Quarren miscreants continue to press down tightly on their devices’ sequence triggers.
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Moving the countdown along…
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Thousands of beings, unaware of their fate…
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Until finally…
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Unspeakable horror as each of the devices explode, killing the bombers and thousands of innocent civilians with them all across Dac.
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Meanwhile on Coruscant, the capital planet of the Galactic Republic…
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In the Jedi Temple…
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Two Jedi Masters are disturbed from their meditation by a tremor in The Force.
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“A great disturbance in The Force, there was.” bemoans elder Master Yoda.
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“As if thousands of voices cried out in terror at once.” adds Master Dooku.
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At that moment, on Dathomir,
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the Jedi knight Sifo-Dyas is conducting a training session for his young padawan learner, Nouk Kii.
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Sifo-Dyas instructs the boy “Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.”
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Nouk inquires “You mean it controls your actions?”
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As a ravenous nexu slowly approaches, Sifo-Dyas replies “Partially, but it also obeys your commands.”
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Suddenly the nexu leaps from the bushes, provoking Nouk to retreat in horror…
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but Sifo-Dyas is there, not flinching he ignites his light saber…
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and puts down the vicious beast.
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The unshaken knight then addresses his padawan,
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“In time you will learn to see past your fear and trust the Force.”
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Days later on Dac,
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A team of Mon Cal special forces commandos are pursuing a lead to a terrorist safehouse.
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Inside the safehouse a young Quarren is receiving instructions from a mysterious masked figure.
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The commandos break down the door, storm in and shout “You’re under arrest!”
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As the frightened Quarren scurries off, his cloaked instigator snarls “What took you so long?”
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Suddenly he springs forward, disarming all the commandos before any of them have a chance to fire their weapon.
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After a brief struggle, the ruthless killer brutally murders the commandos.
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The Mon Cal security forces are no match.
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That very evening, the Jedi Council assembles for an emergency session…
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As Master Dooku arrives with Sifo-Dyas, the meeting is called to order.
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“Requested our presence, the Mon Cal have.” declares Master Yoda.
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“Require our assistance, their security forces do,” he continues.
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Master Ki-Adi-Mundi continues “Sifo-Dyas, you will accompany Master Dooku to the Dac system.”
“There, you will take audience with Queen Seiya and work to discover the culprits behind these heinous terror attacks.”
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“What was the motive behind these attacks?” asks Sifo-Dyas.
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“Not yet known, this is.” answers Master Yoda “All Quarren, the attackers were.”
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“Those who feel oppressed often turn to terrorism to be heard.” suggests Master Dooku.
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“Allow the hatred to escalate, we cannot.” warns Master Yoda “Inciting and arming the Quarren, someone is.”
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“We shall hear what insight Queen Seiya has on the matter.” says Master Dooku.
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Ki-Adi-Mundi offers advice to his former apprentice “The Force will be with you Sifo-Dyas, let it guide your path.”
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That evening, at the prestigious Galaxies Opera House…
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After a stirring performance by the Alderaanian Orchestra, a congregation of politicians, naval officers, and wealthy denizens enjoy a cocktail party hosted by Moop Dristarg, Supreme Chancellor of the Republic.
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As they discuss business and the arts…
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Politics…
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and public policy,
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Professor Aristote from the Polytechnic University of Coruscant…
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and visiting Professor Palpatine from Naboo…
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are discussing their upcoming archaeological expedition to Dac.
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Palpatine says “I am quite certain our coordinates are correct this time Professor.”
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“Let us hope so,” Professor Aristote replies hopefully “though we also believed that in our eight previous attempts as well.”
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As the drinks flow helping the party-goers mingle…
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and business ventures are discussed,
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the Chancellor seeks out the professors.
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“Gentlemen, I wish to inform you that two Jedi knights will be joining you on your journey to Dac, they have business in Aqualan. May I inquire, by the way, what it is you’re looking for on your expedition?”
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“That will be fine Chancellor, thank you,” replies Professor Palpatine “but I’d rather not say what we’re looking for at this point.”
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“Very well then, I wish you success on your expedition.”
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Professor Aristote then opines to his colleague “Perhaps we could use this fortuitous situation to seek counsel from the Jedi, they may have insight…”
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Professor Palpatine interrupts “No no, Professor, let us first make the find, I think it would be a mistake to give the Jedi false hope.”
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“Indeed they will be most interested in our findings, Professor.”
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