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Following an unsuccessful assassination attempt of Senator Amidala by terrorists hired by the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Republic has sent additional forces to bolster the defenses of Naboo.
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Despite assurances of the planet’s safety by military command, one well known family prepares to depart from their home.
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Packing family heirlooms but leaving behind many of their possessions, Alyssa Enloe sadly takes down a cupboard handed down to her from her mother.
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“The speeders are packed pretty tight,” Rykrof says to his wife as he enters the family room.
“Just a few more things and we’re good to go.”
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“Are we sure about this?” Alyssa asks her husband.
“This is our home…”
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“You can’t stay here right now,” Rykrof insists.
“Not after what happened. My dad’s right; you and Caldin should go to Urelia for the time being.”
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“Trust me,” he says to his wife.
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“We’re going to miss you,” she replies softly as he begins to embrace her.
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“Rykrof! You’ll never believe it, I found my telkintu picks!” Freelo exclaims as he barges into the room.
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“I was afraid I’d have to leave without them,” he says.
“Well we wouldn’t want you going to Rhen Var without your precious tools,” Alyssa says sarcastically.
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“Rhen Var,” Rykrof thinks to himself as he recalls his past experience on the frozen planet.
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Freelo and Alyssa watch as Rykrof walks out of the room…
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…and toward his son.
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“I’ll be back, Caldin,” he promises.
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“I swear it.”
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Meanwhile, several systems away, the Republic has all but taken control of the Kobridor system.
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With scattered forces of droids still attacking the newly established Republic garrison, all units are still on high alert.
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But while the remaining droids are rounded up and defeated, a dark presence has returned to the planet.
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And a Jedi has recently been slain.
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“Foln’s body is this way,” Jedi Council member Shaak Ti says as she leads a small group to recover the fallen Jedi.
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“So it is,” replies Master Tonsmokka, an Ishi Tib Jedi loyal to the Republic; despite the majority of his species siding with Count Dooku and the Confederacy.
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“May you be one with the Force old friend,” the Togruta Jedi Master whispers upon observing her fallen comrade.
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“So it’s true,” Miberal points out.
“His wounds are indeed from a lightsaber.”
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“But Dooku and Ventress fled the planet weeks ago…” Shaak Ti says as a feeling of dread begins to consume her.
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“General! Behind you!” Clone Captain Andar suddenly shouts.
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A dark figure then emerges from the shadows.
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“Master Shundi? ” Shaak Ti asks in disbelief.
“What… what has happened to you?”
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“I’ve been waiting for you,” Kala Mly Shundi says as he steps closer to her.
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“I sense the Dark Side in you Kala,” Shaak Ti warns.
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“Through your perception of darkness, I have found light,” Kala counters.
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“As I searched for the answers I sought, the Force beckoned me to Dantooine,” he continues.
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“It was there that Pilos the Oracle showed me the truth.”
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“It will be a member of the Jedi Council…”
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“…that thrusts the galaxy into darkness.”
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“You’ve gone mad,” Shaak Ti warns him.
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“The galaxy is doomed,” Kala tells her.
“Unless I prevent it by elimination…”
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“…of one Council member at a time.”
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In reaction to the Jedi’s hostile intentions, Captain Andar fires his DC-15 blaster at Kala Mly Shundi!
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But the laser blast is easily blocked…
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…as deflected into Andar’s chest!
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“We’ll take him together,” Master Tonsmokka shouts as his weapon hisses to life.
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“No!” Shaak Ti screams in desperation as Kala charges towards the Ishi Tib Jedi!
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With lightning speed, the misguided Jedi dismembers Miberal Tonsmokka…
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…and quickly steps back as Shaak Ti ignites her own lightsaber!
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“Drop your weapon,” the senior Jedi demands as she delivers a threatening blow at Kala.
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“You are coming with me to Coruscant to stand trial before the Jedi Council!”
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“We’ll all be betrayed…,” Kala bellows as he continues to retreat from her relentless attack.
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“…droid!” he suddenly growls.
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Shaak Ti then instinctively spins to her side, deflecting a laser blast!
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The source of the attack is then revealed, as a Super Battle Droid charges toward the dueling Jedi!
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Evading further laser fire, Shaak Ti waits until the mechanism is within striking range…
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…and then tears through its metal body with her lightsaber!
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The Jedi Master then quickly redirects her attention towards Kala…
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…only to find he has disappeared!
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Reaching out with the Force, she senses Kala’s inner turmoil as he attempts to flee the planet…
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…and closes her eyes in pain as on this day not only have two Jedi fallen, but a third has slipped into darkness.
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Far across the galaxy, the small planet Urelia has been unscathed by the war; making the home of Rykrof Enloe’s family the ideal setting for Alyssa and Caldin until the war’s end.
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“I’m sorry your brother can’t be here with us Matilda,” Rykrof’s father, Josser says to his daughter.
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“Oh, there she is,” Josser says with a smile.
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“Alyssa!” the old man greets her as she approaches the two.
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“It really is good to see you again,” Rykrof’s father says kindly.
“Urelia is the perfect sanctuary to avoid unwelcome guests… there is no war here, no Badoo Corba.”
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“I am very grateful for this, Josser, and to you too Matilda. I really am,” Alyssa tells them.
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“But I’m afraid of what’s to come,” she says as the group watches Ralbarr and Palom unload their cargo.
“Rykrof’s being sent back for an assault on Rhen Var.”
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“And Caldin’s getting to the age where he’s beginning to realize his father’s away…” she says sadly.
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“Ha! Rykrof has no business being off fighting in this war,” Matilda rudely snaps.
“That’s what clones are for.”
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“Your brother fights so that we may live in peace,” Alyssa argues.
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“You’ll have to forgive Matilda,” Josser says, acting as a mediator.
“She is very worried for her brother.”
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“We’re ALL worried,” Alyssa points out.
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“But I suppose this war isn’t worth fighting to some,” she whispers under her breath.
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Hours later, a lone Republic Star Destroyer exits hyperspace…
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…and arrives at Coruscant.
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Back at the Republic capital, Rykrof Enloe secretly meets with his friend in the Galactic Senate, Tame Heem.
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“What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?” Rykrof asks the gentle Ithorian.
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“I have very bad news,” the alien laments.
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“The Senate reported in session today that Master Shundi turned on three Jedi on Kobridor; killing at least one,” he says sadly.
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“That’s impossible!” Rykrof responds.
“It is true,” Tame Heem affirms. “Master Shaak Ti barely survived the encounter! But now, no one knows where Kala is!”
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“What could have possessed him to turn on the Jedi?” Rykrof wonders aloud.
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“Who is to say?” the Ithorian Senator replies.
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“Kala had a reason,” Rykrof says as he exits the room.
“And I’m going to find out what it was.”
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