Cloak of Darkness

"Ignore your instincts at your peril."

- Moral

"Cloak of Darkness" is the ninth episode in Season One of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series.

Official description
Ahsoka and Jedi Master Luminara escort captured Viceroy Nute Gunray to trial, unaware that Count Dooku has dispatched his deadly apprentice assassin Asajj Ventress to free the prisoner and eliminate the Jedi.

Plot summary
Viceroy Gunray has been transferred to the Tranquility under Luminara Unduli where he was to be carefully taken to Coruscant to face war crimes. Ahsoka and a number of Senate Commandoes under Captain Faro Argyus had also been transferred. Though Ahsoka doesn't think that all the extra security is necessary, Luminara says that the Neimodian is more dangerous than he's worth.

Elsewhere, Sidious informed Dooku that Gunray is essential to their efforts. Dooku suggested sending Asajj Ventress, despite her previous failures.



Back on the Tranquility, Luminara and Ahsoka interrogate the Viceroy. When they are getting nowhere and the Viceroy refuses to answer their questions, Ahsoka threatens him only to be chastised by Luminara. Unfortunately, a swarm of Vulture Droids escorting three Separatist boarding ships attack the Tranquility. Super battle droids lead by Asajj infiltrate the cruiser. Commander Gree, a squadren of clones, and Luminara goes off to deal with the droids, leaving Ahsoka to guard Gunray. Asajj plants a number of thermal charges on the cruiser's generators before going to the brig. The Super Battle Droids are destroyed, leaving Ventress the last enemy on board She duels Ahsoka for a short while before ironically locking her in Gunray's cell. Luckily, Luminara's timely arrival prevents Asajj from rescuing Gunray. Unfortunately, she detonates the charges, rocking the ship before fleeing down the elevator shaft. Luminara goes after Ventress, confident that she can defeat the assassin, leaving Ahsoka again. Argyus advises Ahsoka to do what she thinks is right.

In the generator room, Asajj outclasses Luminara, pinning her down with pipes. Ahsoka makes a timely save only for Asajj to escape again. Back in the brig, Argyus betrays his fellow commandos, revealing that he was bribed by Dooku. Commander Gree manages to overpower him only to be knocked out by Gunray. They make their escape on the docked Republic ship in the lower hangar, joined by Asajj, who uses an escape pod. Argyus gloats that he will take most of the glory, but Asajj stabs him in the back, literally.

Later, Ahsoka and Luminara report to Yoda and Anakin about the loss. Luckily, they're told they may be able to track the ship they've stolen. Ahsoka leaves to join Anakin with Kit Fisto's fleet, but not before having an apology from Luminara for not listening to her.

Cast

 * Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano
 * Nika Futterman as Asajj Ventress
 * Olivia d'Abo as Luminara Unduli
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Clone troopers
 * Tom Kenny as Nute Gunray
 * James Marsters as Captain Faro Argyus
 * Corey Burton as Count Dooku, Senate Guard
 * Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker
 * Ian Abercrombie as Darth Sidious
 * Tom Kane as Yoda, Narrator