Battle of Christophsis/Legends

The Battle of Christophsis took place in 22 BBY, in Crystal City on the planet of Christophsis, during the Clone Wars&mdash;the galaxy-wide conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Seeking to force another world to join their cause, the Confederacy invaded Christophsis. Receiving a plea from the inhabitants of the planet, the Jedi High Council dispatched High Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi General Anakin Skywalker to aid the inhabitants. The Jedi were accompanied by a faction of the Grand Army of the Republic, the clone army manufactured by the Republic to fight in the war.

As the Republic forces prepared to attack the Confederate droid forces from the North and South towers in Crystal City, the Confederacy revealed their knowledge of the Republic's plan&mdash;and ambushed the Republic forces, alerting them to the possibility of a traitor. The Jedi went to investigate behind enemy lines to search for more information, while Clone Commander Cody and Clone Captain Rex stayed to find the turncoat. Upon arriving at the Confederacy base, the two Jedi confronted Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress, and discovered the presence of an invasion force in far greater strength than they had originally believed. Meanwhile, Cody and Rex discovered that Clone Sergeant Slick was the traitor, and after he severely damaged the Republic's weapons depot, the two managed to apprehend him. Upon the Jedi's return, Slick was imprisoned for his crimes.

The Republic forces fought off the first wave of battle droids under command of Confederate General Whorm Loathsom, but the Confederate forces soon returned. After Loathsom discovered that the Republic was using heavy cannons, he ordered his forces to pull back once more, and set up a deflector shield to negate the Republic's artillery use. During the lapse of fighting, Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano arrived on the planet in place of the Republic's expected reinforcements, and revealed that Jedi Grand Master Yoda had apprenticed her to Skywalker. The Confederate forces returned, this time marching behind their shield, rendering the Republic's long-ranged artillery useless. Skywalker and Tano proceeded to sabotage the Confederacy's shield generator, while General Kenobi stayed to engage the Confederate forces. After Kenobi pretended to surrender to Loathsom, Skywalker and Tano were able to eliminate the shield. Kenobi was able to capture Loathsom, and with the renewed ability of cannon use, the Republic forces defeated the Confederacy.

Prelude
"You be listening to the voice of the Confederacy o' Independent Systems. Yer planet, it belongs to us now."

- Confederate General Whorm Loathsom, to the inhabitants of Christophsis



During the Clone Wars, the galaxy-wide conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Confederacy invaded the planet of Christophsis, seeking to force another world to join their cause. The inhabitants attempted to defend themselves, but were unable to hold out against the Confederate forces, and were overwhelmed. Confederate General Whorm Loathsom, via a massive holotransmission, stated to the inhabitants of the planet that they were under Confederate rule, and that their planetary leadership had abandoned them.

The inhabitants appealed to the Jedi High Council for help, and the Council dispatched High Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi General Anakin Skywalker aid the planet. Skywalker and Kenobi were accompanied by a faction of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Republic's clone army manufactured to fight in the war. After arriving on the planet and setting up a base, the Jedi sent a squad of several clone troopers&mdash;under the command of Clone Sergeant Slick&mdash;to perform a reconnaissance of the planet, in order to locate a strategical ambush site from which to attack the Confederate droid forces.

Ambush
"Obi-Wan, what's going on?''" "''We're cut off. The droids are onto us!"

- Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

During reconnaissance on Christophsis, Slick and his men located a strategical ambush point: the adjacent North and South towers in Crystal City, overlooking a major plaza. As they returned to the base, the clones came across a squad of B1 battle droids attempting to clear one of the main boulevards of Christophsians. When the droids came across a crippled Christophsian and discussed killing the man, the clones intervened and eliminated the droids.

Kenobi, Clone Commander Cody and Sergeant Slick stationed their men in the South tower, while Skywalker and Clone Captain Rex were stationed in the parallel North tower. Kenobi's men set up several repeating blasters, ready to ambush the droid forces as they passed through the plaza. Clone trooper Gus reported that the droids had brought tanks. Suddenly, the droid force split into two. In the South tower, a turbolift door opened, and battle droids flooded the room. It became apparent to Kenobi that their ambush point had been compromised.

Skywalker, watching from the North tower, contacted clone pilot Hawk, and ordered an evacuation of the South tower. Skywalker's men fired their ascension cables to the adjacent tower, sliding across the space to assist Kenobi. The droid forces watching from the plaza opened fire, killing one of the clone troopers. Skywalker and his men arrived to help Kenobi, and the Republic forces proceeded to the roof of the tower for the evacuation. The Jedi and clones were pursued by the droids, under command of a tactical droid. Hawk's LAAT/i gunship arrived and hovered near the roof, and the Republic forces began to board. In a last act before retreating, a trooper attacked the tactical droid and ripped its head off, taking the severed head onto the gunship.

Investigations
"Someone left his comlink on. Someone has been listening to everything we've said!"

- Cody, upon finding the activated comlink



Rex and Cody brought the droid's cranial unit back to the Republic base. However, during a robolobotomy, the tactical droid only confirmed that the Confederacy had been aware of the Republic's plan, and the droid stopped processing before it could reveal more. When the clones reported their findings to the Jedi, Skywalker suggested that the Republic had been left vulnerable to a breach in security systems. Kenobi, however, suspected that there was a spy among the Republic forces, and that action behind enemy lines was necessary to uncover information. Before the Jedi left, Kenobi ordered Rex and Cody to keep the mission confidential, and remain behind to find and apprehend the traitor.

Cody was alarmed to find an activated comlink on a nearby table; someone had been listening to the entire conversation. Rex noticed a figure in the hallway; once Rex called out, the figure immediately fled. Cody and Rex ran after the figure, but lost the person's trail during their pursuit. Because of the arrangement of the halls through which Rex and Cody had chased the figure, the eavesdropper had definitely gone into the mess hall. Entering the mess hall, Rex and Cody discovered that the only people there were their clone brothers. Cody and Rex returned to the communications center to continue investigations in the systems. Through astromech droid R2-D2, a number of external communications were discovered, taking place every few days in an irregular pattern. The wavelength was tracked to a terminal in Sergeant Slick's barracks, and Rex and Cody decided to individually interrogate Slick's men.

Trap for the Jedi
"My loyal informant let me know you were coming.''" "''Well then, we thank you for your hospitality."

- Asajj Ventress and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Under the cover of night, the Jedi approached the Confederacy base on BARC speeders. The Jedi noticed an increasing number of battle droids observing them; because the droids were not trying to stop them, the Jedi deduced that they were heading into a trap. This prospect boosted Skywalker's confidence, believing that this was unfortunate for the Confederacy. Upon arrival at the base, Skywalker and Kenobi were greeted by the hooded figure of Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress.



Ventress and the Jedi ignited their lightsabers upon sight of each other. As the Rattataki Dark Acolyte climbed nimbly to the top of the stairs, she taunted the Jedi with the prospect of the traitor. Skywalker was the first to attack, running to the top of the stairs and slashing at Ventress. Ventress drove Skywalker down to the foot of the stairs, at which point Kenobi joined the duel, attacking Ventress. The Rattataki dueled both Skywalker and Kenobi simultaneously, and used the Force to throw a piece of crystal rubble at them, which Kenobi sliced in half. Skywalker and Kenobi drove Ventress back up the stairs, and followed the Dark Jedi into another room.

As Skywalker and Kenobi entered the room, Ventress summoned books off of their shelves, and hurtled them at her pursuers. Kenobi stopped them with the Force, and Skywalker's added assistance caused the books to fly back at the Rattataki. As Ventress assumed a submissive position, sitting cross-legged on the floor, the Jedi approached to capture her. However, Ventress suddenly pointed her lightsabers at the floor and activated them, causing a large hole to open up in the floor. Skywalker and Kenobi were sent down into the room below.

Revelation
"You didn't tell us you were bringing ''friends." "''Poor Obi-Wan. You've been betrayed! And now we're about to take control of this world."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi and Asajj Ventress



The Dark Jedi mocked the two, and the Jedi were further provoked when Ventress commented on the Jedi's trust in the wrong people. Kenobi believed that Ventress had overestimated her abilities, and she coldly questioned this statement before fleeing. The two Jedi jumped back up into the room above, and followed Ventress as she broke a window and hurtled out of it.

Ventress jumped off the side of the building, and as the Jedi got closer, they discovered the full scale of the Confederate invasion forces: numerous C-9979 landing crafts were landing, bringing more and more battle droid troops, and many were already marching in formation on the ground far below. From atop the head of a tri-droid attached to the side of the building, Ventress taunted the Jedi, and stated that the Confederacy was preparing to assume control of the planet.

Despite the appearance of the invasion forces, Skywalker and Kenobi continued the duel. Jumping onto the legs of the tri-droid, the Jedi severed two of the droid's legs, breaking its hold on the side of the building. Ventress jumped off the droid's head and engaged Skywalker in brief combat upon one of the droid's severed legs. Skywalker Force-pushed the Rattataki away before he stole an STAP from a B1 battle droid and escaped with Kenobi. Ventress landed on the ground, just as the tri-droid crashed to the ground behind her, and relayed orders through a tactical droid to General Whorm Loathsom, ordering the Kerkoiden general to march on the city. The Dark Jedi departed in her ship to execute the next part of her Sith master's plan, which included turning Hutt crime lord Jabba Desilijic Tiure against the Jedi Order.

A traitor revealed
"Sergeant, what did you mean, 'till the Jedi come back?' How did you know the Jedi were gone?''" "''I really wish you hadn't noticed that, sir."

- Commander Cody and Sergeant Slick

Cody and Rex proceeded to Slick's barracks and began interrogation of his squad, despite protest from Slick, who wanted to be able to talk to his men before they were interrogated, believing that the prospect of a traitor would undermine their morale. Clone trooper Jester appeared nervous, but had been cleaning his blaster after the battle. Sketch and Punch had been in the mess hall, and an injured Gus had been in the infirmary. Chopper claimed he was in the mess hall with Punch and Sketch, but Sketch objected to his claim. Under increased suspicion, Chopper admitted that he was hiding in the south exit, but only because he did not want to be seen making a necklace of droid fingers, which was forbidden by war protocols.



When Slick put Chopper's credibility in question, and told him that a proper investigation would commence once the Jedi returned, Chopper lashed out at his sergeant. Chopper claimed that he had seen Slick going toward the command center rather than the barracks, and Slick denied the claim. However, Slick's knowledge of the Jedi's absence revealed himself to be the traitor, as he would not have known the Jedi were gone unless he had been eavesdropping on the meeting through the open comlink that Cody had discovered. When Cody questioned Slick, he struck out at Cody and Chopper, and bolted for the exit.

Cody and Rex tracked a signal in the gunship landing pad; it appeared that Slick was trying to escape. However, what the two did find was a primed thermal detonator. The two clones took cover shortly before numerous explosives went off, completely destroying the landing pad, the AT-TE walkers and the weapon supply depot. Slick was spotted running into the command center, and Cody and Rex pursued. The two engaged in a ploy to bait Slick out of the vents, where the traitor was hiding. Cody left his blaster on the table, while Rex appeared to leave for the south exit. Slick stole Cody's blaster and held Cody at gunpoint, but was unaware that Cody had removed the ammo from his gun. Rex returned, and Slick was held at gunpoint by Rex and Cody.

Stating that Rex himself was the traitor, Slick stole the captain's blaster and pointed it at him. Cody was able to disarm Slick, but lost hold of his own blaster in the process. Slick kicked Cody in the head, and attempted to run for the exit before being knocked down by Cody. The two engaged in close combat before Rex pulled Slick off of Cody. Slick impaled Rex in the head, and as he pushed him to the floor, Slick dislocated Rex's leg, while stating that although Ventress had offered him money, she had also offered him freedom. Cody knocked Slick out, and the traitor was locked in handcuffs. Once the Jedi returned, Slick was turned in and taken to lock-up.

Confederacy counterattack
"Someone has to get to that shield generator and destroy it. That's the key.''" "''All right, then. Maybe you two can tiptoe through the enemy lines, and solve this particular problem together."

- Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi



Although the Republic forces were only able to salvage the artillery guns from the destroyed weapon depot, they regrouped and prepared for an attack. Kenobi and Skywalker defeated the first wave of battle droids under General Loathsom's command, and the Confederacy was forced to retreat. However, once the Republic Venator-class Star Destroyer Hunter &mdash;under command of Admiral Wullf Yularen&mdash;was dispatched for supplies and reinforcements, Loathsom launched another attack. Battle droids and tri-droids advanced in the front lines, while Armored Assault Tanks followed close behind.

Despite Loathsom's surprise attack, the Jedi were able to rally their forces to beat back the droids, and used the artillery guns to hold their position. Kenobi led Ghost Squadron in a charge against the battle droids, and Skywalker, Rex and Torrent Company surprised the tri-droids from above and defeated them. Loathsom once again pulled back, and it was during the lull in fighting that a shuttle arrived from the galactic capital of Coruscant and landed in City Plaza. However, in place of the Republic's expected reinforcements was young Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano, who had been recently apprenticed by Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Skywalker, much to his surprise and alarm.

From the shuttle that had delivered Tano, the Jedi contacted Master Yoda through the Hunter and requested reinforcements. Skywalker and Kenobi discovered that the Jedi Council had been unaware that the Republic forces had engaged the Confederacy; the Council had also been unaware that all of the Republic supply ships dispatched to the planet had been shot down. However, the Hunter was being damaged under increasing fire from several Confederate Munificent-class frigates. Communications were soon cut, and the Hunter was forced to retreat to avoid further damage.



Loathsom launched yet another attack, this time advancing his forces behind an expanding deflector shield, negating the Republic's use of long-ranged artillery. The Confederate droids and AATs were followed by tank droids. While Kenobi and Rex marshaled a defense of the base, Skywalker and Tano infiltrated the Confederacy-held ground by hiding under a large box. Once the advance forces passed by, Skywalker and Tano slowly made their way to the shield generator, but ran into a droideka along the way. After defeating it, the pair arrived at the generator. Tano accidentally alerted pre-planted retail droids to their presence, despite Skywalker's warning. As Tano set the charges to destroy the generator, Skywalker engaged the droids. Tano's master became overwhelmed by the droids, and Tano noticed a wall behind Skywalker with a convenient hole in the middle. Tano brought down the wall with the Force, destroying the droids around her master without hurting him. However, despite the fact that Tano had saved his life, Skywalker was very annoyed with Tano for her recklessness, believing that he could have been killed.

Meanwhile, Kenobi pretended to surrender to Loathsom, in order to gain time for Skywalker and Tano to eliminate the shield. Kenobi was brought to a crystal table, and over a cup of tea, Kenobi discussed the "terms of his surrender" with Loathsom, to the Kerkoiden's increasing impatience. Kenobi stated that if his troops were taken prisoner, they would require the proper food and supplies. Loathsom suspected he was stalling, and the Confederate general ordered B2 battle droids to seize Kenobi. Loathsom demanded that Kenobi immediately call off his troops; if he refused, he would be eradicated. At that moment, Skywalker and Tano destroyed the shield generator. Kenobi, seeing the shield vanish, grabbed Loathsom around the neck. As the battle droids took aim, Loathsom ordered his troops not to attack, and the Kerkoiden surrendered to Kenobi. The clone artillery annihilated the droid forces, and Loathsom was taken into Republic custody.

Returning to the system in the Spirit of the Republic and several other Venator-class cruisers, Admiral Yularen was able to break through the Confederate blockade. Grand Master Yoda accompanied Yularen aboard the Spirit of the Republic to deliver orders for Skywalker and Kenobi in person. After the cruiser landed, several clone trooper units were dispatched for further reinforcements on Christophsis. An LAAT/i gunship was sent to retrieve Skywalker and Tano to bring them back to the City Plaza. In the meantime, Skywalker and Tano resolved their differences, and began to form the bond of master and apprentice.

Aftermath
"Kidnapped, Jabba the Hutt's son has been. Negotiate the treaty with Jabba, Obi-Wan will. Find the renegades that hold Jabba's son, your mission will be, Skywalker."

- Yoda gives Skywalker and Tano their new assignment



The battle left much of the planet destroyed, and several Christophsians had been killed in the preliminary stages of the battle. Despite the Republic's casualties, the Confederate blockade around Christophsis had been eliminated, and the Confederacy's occupation of the planet had been compromised. In addition, General Whorm Loathsom had been captured. Skywalker had also accepted the prospect of training an apprentice.

After Loathsom had been taken prisoner, Grand Master Yoda informed Kenobi and Skywalker that crime lord Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta, had been kidnapped by a group of renegades. Skywalker and Tano's mission would be to rescue the Huttlet, while Kenobi would enter negotiations with Jabba on his home planet of Tatooine. If Skywalker and Tano were successful, the Republic and the Jedi would gain Jabba's favor, and the crime lord would allow the Republic's clone army access to hyperspace lanes through Hutt-controlled space.

Based on intelligence reports, Skywalker and Tano ventured to the planet Teth. However, both the Republic and Jabba were unaware that it was Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress who had kidnapped the Huttlet, on orders from her master, Confederacy Head of State and Sith Lord Count Dooku. The Sith Lord intended to frame the Jedi for the kidnapping of Rotta&mdash;and later, the Huttlet's death&mdash;in order to gain Jabba's favor, as well as access to the hyperspace lanes, for the Confederacy. Dooku was also aided by Jabba's own uncle, crime lord Ziro Desilijic Tiure; after the Jedi would be framed for Rotta's death, Jabba would take action against the Republic and be arrested, leaving Ziro to take his nephew's place as the leader of the Hutt clans.

Behind the scenes
The battle appeared in the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars film, as well as its novelization. As the film led into the 2008 television series of the same name, the battle was the first battle featured in the series. The battle featured both the introduction of the planet Christophsis and Skywalker's new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, and also allowed Skywalker to assuage his hard-set beliefs against training an apprentice. The preliminary stages of the battle and the duel between Skywalker, Kenobi and Ventress appeared in the series' first season episode "The Hidden Enemy," which served as a prequel to the film. Sergeant Slick and his men's reconnaissance of the planet appeared in the web comic that led into the episode, Shadowed.



A musical score, bearing the same name, was composed by Kevin Kiner for the battle, and was used as background music during the battle's appearance in the film. The track was also released in the film's soundtrack. Additionally, an edited version of the track was used during the opening scenes of "The Hidden Enemy."

The battle was originally to appear in a "flashback" episode in the first season of the television series, entitled "The New Padawan." However, after producer George Lucas decided to merge several episodes together for a theatrical release of The Clone Wars, the episode appeared in the film with several other episodes from the first season.

Appearances

 * The Clone Wars: Shadowed
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars novelization
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars junior novelization
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The New Padawan
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Meet Ahsoka Tano
 * The Clone Wars: Wild Space
 * The Clone Wars: Wild Space

Notes and references
Schlacht von Christophsis Batalla de Christophsis