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As the Clone Wars continue to rage throughout the galaxy, the Confederacy of Independent Systems has launched countless attacks against the Grand Army of the Republic…
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…millions of lives have already been lost on both sides of the struggle…
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…as the war has become been the greatest challenge to face the Jedi Order since the formation of the Republic.
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Far away from the battles, in the farthest reaches of the Outer Rim, a small Badoo Corba space station orbits a small planet in the Yinchorr System.
Their evil deeds overshadowed by the larger galactic conflict; the evil terrorist organization has captured one of the Republic’s finest officers, Commander Rykrof Enloe.
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Hoping to instill fear in the Republic, the terrorist group holds Rykrof Enloe in a security compound on the surface; with plans to broadcast his execution throughout the galactic holonet.
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Held in a cold chamber, Rykrof is ordered back onto an electro-rack; a torture device he has become all too familiar with while being held captive.
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Seeing an opportunity to strike, Rykrof surprises the cell guard by swiftly grabbing his captor’s weapon!
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In an instant, he flips the terrorist onto his back!
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Rykrof then strikes a viscous blow to the dome of an outdated astromech before it can sound the alarm!
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…as the droid collapses, Rykrof looks up to see the guard attempting to escape!
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Lunging forward, he catches the terrorist with his restraints…
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Fueled by hatred for the Badoo Corba, Rykrof chokes the life out of the Abyssin…
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As the corpse falls to the ground, he looks up to see something has entered the chamber…
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To Rykrof’s horror, an illegal ITK droid slowly approaches him, emitting a shrilling buzz as it locks its sensors onto him…
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In a blinding flash of light, a paralysis beam knocks him to the ground!
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As the soulless droid emits a radiation beam, Rykrof begins to experience a burning ache throughout his body; barely aware that he is about to be placed back onto the electro-rack…
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Just then a laser blast strikes the side of the droid’s support column!
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A fiery explosion erupts from the internal processor of the ITK droid as it falls to the ground.
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Dazed and confused, Rykrof exhales a cautious sigh of relief as he looks towards the chamber door.
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“There is little time, once Mubaas discovers what has happened there will be no escape!” Judiss cries.
“Get to your feet Human; we have to get out of here!”
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Meanwhile, a trio of Republic assault cruisers congregates over Kashyyyk.
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Admiral Tylin Gere stands in the control room of the lead cruiser; anticipating the next move of the Separatists.
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“Admiral,” deck officer Captis Arlin says as he approaches the superior officer.
“We have traced the last transmission of the Badoo Corba to the Yinchorr System. We have a strike force that can be there within the hour.”
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“Do no such thing,” Tylin says, changing gears.
“We have no reason to believe that Commander Enloe is still alive. All of our resources must be concentrated against the Confederacy… we will have to deal with the terrorists at a later time.”
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Meanwhile back on Yinchorr, closely trails Judiss through the Badoo Corba complex; unable to determine whether or not he should trust the Aqualish terrorist.
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As the two round a corner, Rykrof watches as Judiss blasts an unsuspecting Badoo Corba operative.
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“We have been fortunate so far, Human. But once Mubaas discovers you are not in your cell we will face more resistance,” Judiss tells him.
“I would expect nothing less,” Rykrof admits.
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“But why are you doing this? I thought you hated the Republic?” Rykrof asks.
“I do, but not at the expense of civilian lives…” Judiss growls.
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“…Mubaas has revealed a plan to me that would lead to the deaths of millions… I can not be part of this organization if they are going to target the innocent.”
“But we must hurry; I will explain more once we are off this planet!”
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As Rykrof attempts to escape from the Badoo Corba base on Yinchorr, a pair of Federation Battleships looms over Kobridor…
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Former Jedi Master Quinlan Vos and the misguided Asajj Ventress watch intensly as their master, Count Dooku, meets with Jedi Master Kala Mly Shundi.
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“Count Dooku, I have been more than reasonable in my request for your assistance in finding Commander Enloe,” Kala Mly Shundi states.
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“And I have told you, I have no connection to the terrorists holding your friend,” Dooku replies coolly.
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“The only way to save Rykrof Enloe is to learn the ways of the Dark Side. Only through the Force can you attain the power to find your friend… before it is too late,” Dooku tells him.
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“Don’t try your mind tricks on me, Old Man!” Kala growls as he ignites his lightsaber.
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“He’s MINE!” Asajj Ventress shouts gleefully, leaping into the air!
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Kala then steps back as Count Dooku effortlessly suspends the dark woman…
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…before sending her crashing to the ground.
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“Forgive the Child,” the Dark Lord says to Kala.
“She has no discipline.”
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“Now, go back to your ship and find your friend,” Dooku tells him.
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“I don’t know where to look,” Kala says, feeling a strange sense of shame for drawing his saber against Dooku.
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“Follow the Force,” Dooku tells him.
“But if you are unable to locate Rykrof Enloe, perhaps your friend can overcome the danger he faces from strength within.”
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“You speak of him as though you wish for his safe return,” Kala says.
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“Commander Enloe is a good man,” Dooku says.
“We could use more like him leading the Confederacy… perhaps after the war, regardless of the victor, men like Rykrof Enloe can help mend the wounds of the galaxy.”
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“May the Force be with you,” Kala can hear Dooku say as he walks to his ship.
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“What are you doing?” Ventress hisses as Dooku returns to his followers.
“I would have cut him to pieces!”
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“It is you that would have been cut to pieces,” Dooku warns her.
“He would have cut you to shreds.”
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“What I have done is plant a seed within Master Shundi.”
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“In time he will return to us; no longer a Jedi.”
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Back on Yinchorr Rykrof and Judiss frantically attempt to get off the planet.
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“Master Judiss! Master Judiss!” PD-106 exclaims in a nervous tone.
“The assassin droids are on their way!”
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“I know! Is the ship ready?” Judiss says hurriedly.
“I could not secure your ship,” the droid tells him. “But I was able to secure two ATL Interceptors.”
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“Those are separate one man fighters… will your injuries inhibit your ability to pilot your own ship?” Judiss asks.
“Looks like we’ll find out,” Rykrof tells him.
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“Hurry,” the droid warns as the two exit the compound.
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Once outside, Rykrof feels compelled to find out more about the upcoming terrorist strike Judiss mentioned earlier…
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“Wait!” Rykrof shouts.
“You have to tell me what Mubaas is planning!”
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“He needs the hyperspace bypass codes he wanted from you in your interrogation,” Judiss tells him.
“But we don’t have time to discuss this right now! I’ll tell you everything once we escape!”
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“Get to the ships!” Judiss threatens.
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Back inside, PD-106 attempts to delay a pair of deadly assassin droids.
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“I couldn’t stop them,” PD-106 cries. “I’m only an interpreter!”
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“After they threatened my life, they jammed the door!” he informs them.
“Where’s a maintenance droid when you NEED one? ”
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Ignoring the sarcastic remark by PD-106, one of the assassin droids, yielding a lightsaber; tears through the jammed door.
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“Shistes!” Judiss yells. “We have to get out of here!”
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“I’m right there with you!” Rykrof agrees.
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Only moments too late, the pair of droids can only watch as the two ATL Interceptors blast into the sky.
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The two pilots nervously scan for any signs of resistance…
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…seeing no immediate threat, Rykrof feels a new sense of hope and begins to follow Judiss’s course to get off the planet.
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But just then, a pair of GAT Skiprays emerges to intercept them!
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Hoping to outrun the Skiprays, Judiss and Rykrof attempt evasive maneuvers!
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Although the ATL Interceptors are better equipped for speed, the terrorist ships have caught the escapees within firing range…
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…swooping in for the kill, the lead pilot unleashes a deadly barrage of blaster fire…
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…striking a direct hit!
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In a flash, Judiss is killed instantly as his ship explodes into a million shards of metal!
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Whether it be through the will of the Force or simple luck, Rykrof is able to evade the Skipray assault!
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Back at the complex, Mubaas demands answers for the escape.
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“The prisoner was helped by Judiss of the House of Saramis,” the droids tell Mubaas in a cold, mechanical tone.
“The body recovered from the wreckage of the ship shot down was not human.”
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“This would indicate the primary prisoner is the one who escaped.”
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“I knew it,” Troffar the Terrible bellows.
“We should have killed Enloe when we had the chance. Waiting for a public execution has backfired!”
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“Cross my authority in these matters again and it will be the last thing you do,” Mubaas warns Troffar for his outburst.
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“Enloe now knows our location. It will not be long before he returns with an army,” Mubaas announces.
“We will therefore relocate to our base of operations on Dantooine.”
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“But soon we will remind the galaxy what true FEAR is…”
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“…for I have agreed to a new deal with an old ally.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
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