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Banyss… a remote world secretly housing a small rebel faction…
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…and the temporary residence of Rykrof Enloe.
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In recent months, his life has fallen apart…
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Beginning with twisted ambitions by Imperial Baron Tylin Gere…
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…which led to the brutal killing of his father…
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…and the separation from, and resentment of, his son.
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Events compelled Rykrof to reunite with former Jedi, Kala Mly Shundi, and his band of rebels…
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…soon they found themselves facing perilous dangers on Dathomir!
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Horrors beyond imagine…
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…and an encounter with Darth Vader!
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Now, he must deal with the hard fact that the device given to him by Vader has revealed the secret location of Kala’s rebel faction!
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Through his mastery of the Force, Kala has been able to sense what has happened…
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…and takes Rykrof to explain the situation to former Senator, Tame Heem.
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“I’m afraid there isn’t much time to discuss options,” Rykrof tells the Ithorian leader.
“The Empire is headed this way. Kala is going to escort you off the planet.”
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“That is not a rational course of action,” Kala says.
“Vader is coming. I must face him… and you must be the one to leave.”
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Alarmed, Tame Heem disagrees with the plan completely.
“No! We must alert Ambassador Sulo!”
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“I’ll speak with Sulo, but you have to leave with Kala,” Rykrof insists, turning away momentarily.
“I can’t keep you safe… but Kala can.”
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“But the escape cruiser is not currently space worthy,” the Ithorian scowls.
“Everyone else will be killed!”
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“I’ll make certain Sulo is prepared for the assault,” Rykrof counters.
“This place isn’t going down without a fight.”
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“Very well,” Kala laments, knowing Rykrof’s decision is made.
“I will dump the device to buy you as much time as possible…”
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“…and I will do everything in my power to locate your son; and protect him.”
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“May the Force be with you,” Rykrof whispers as Kala closes the hatch…
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…and the shuttle rises toward the atmosphere.
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“How far is the commander center from here?” Rykrof requests of the nearest soldier.
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“I’ll take you there!”
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Within minutes, Rykrof bursts into the command center…
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“Enloe?” Ambassador Sulo asks.
“You can’t just barge in here!”
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“Not much time,” Rykrof gasps.
“Imperials are on their way.”
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“What are you rambling about?” Sulo demands.
“Nobody knows of our location!”
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“I sense a disturbance in the Force,” former Jedi Clorri Lislo says, stepping forward.
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“I’ve dealt with your disturbances all too often,” Sulo retorts.
“I need evidence the Empire is coming, not irrational feelings from you Jedi.”
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“Master Shundi left the planet in a hurry,” she says, ignoring the insult.
“Why would he do this without informing us?”
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“He needed to get Tame Heem off the planet as quick possible,” Rykrof tells her.
“And…”
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“Sir, he’s right,” a senior technician states.
“A pair of Star Destroyers has just jumped out of hyperspace!”
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“This… c…can’t be happ…ening,” Sulo stutters.
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“Get the crews to their fighters!” Clorri shouts as she and Rykrof leave to rally the troops!
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Above the base, Imperial TIE Fighters disembark from their mother ships…
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…while the rebels hastily scramble their defenses!
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Their speeders race above the forest line…
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…and take to the air!
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The rebel forces are immediately met by enemy fire!
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The resistance fighters quickly find themselves outnumbered…
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…and are eliminated!
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Efficient and determined, the Imperial forces swiftly land their assault troops…
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…pressing toward the rebel defenses!
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However, Ambassador Sulo’s forces are better prepared for a land battle than aerial combat…
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…and strike back at the enemy!
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But the Stormtroopers quickly surround their adversaries…
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…who find themselves under heavy fire!
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Several rebel troopers are struck down!
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But the remaining forces rally to form a counterstrike!
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Hiding behind some ruins, brave Sergeant Trank fires at a passing Imperial walker…
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…but is no match for the armored menace, which turns and delivers a lethal blast!
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The inevitable then happens…
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…as the remaining survivors must fall into a full retreat!
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Soon, the compound walls are breached…
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…and Stormtroopers pour into the base!
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“Hit them with everything you’ve got!” Corporal Bafrin shouts to his comrades…
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…as he strikes down an advancing Imperial!
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In the midst of the battle, two Jedi fend off the attacking forces…
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…both sensing this day will be their last.
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“There is no death; there is only the Force,” Paladin Attpo Teacro reminds his Jedi ally.
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“Keep telling yourself that!” Clorri yells.
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“But I’m killing as many Imperials as I can!”
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In spite of the Jedi efforts, enemy forces continue to storm the compound…
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…crushing the resistance!
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The Empire’s numbers are too vast…
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…and their war machines are far too powerful!
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Meanwhile, the command center is being threatened…
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…forcing Ambassador Sulo to attempt a hasty escape!
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“Damn you Enloe, where are you?” he growls as his loyal troops defend their position…
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…but their efforts are in vain…
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…as the Sullustan leader is quickly cut down…
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…and lies motionless on the ground!
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Nearby, Traedon Cusiro fends off the rush of Imperials…
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…who are unable to land a shot on the former bounty hunter!
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He efficiently brings down every threat in his sights!
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“Traedon!” Rykrof shouts above the thundering blaster fire.
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“Find Freelo,” Rykrof insists.
“And get him out of here!”
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“Are you crazy? What about you?”
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“Don’t argue with me on this!” Rykrof pleads.
“Get him to the forest… and stick together!”
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“I’ll catch up with you!”
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Even as Rykrof continues to desperately fend off the Imperials, the enemy continues to advance!
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“Fall back!”
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“There’s too many of them!”
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On the southern flank, Freelo and T-3PO argue about the desperate situation.
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“We have to find Rykrof,” Freelo insists.
“Either you come with me, or I’m leaving you here!”
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“I just got repaired, you floundering amphibian!” the droid snaps back.
“I’m not wandering through this madness only to get blasted into a million pieces!”
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Suddenly, a shot shatters the droid’s casing!
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“Something must have happened to me,” the droid observes.
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“Oh no! I’m everywhere!”
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Meanwhile, the Imperials continue the slaughter of the rebel faction…
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…as only small pockets of resistance remain.
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The situation has become hopeless!
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Even the command center has been overrun by the Stormtrooper battalion.
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Preparations are quickly made…
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…for the arrival of Darth Vader.
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