Kai Justiss

"The Wookiee loyalty is legendary. When it most matters, I am sure the Republic can count on their allegiance."

- Kai Justiss

Kai Justiss was a dark-haired male Human Jedi Watchman who survived Order 66 and the Great Jedi Purge.

Early career
Kai Justiss, a Jedi Knight, wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber. In his work as a Jedi, he encountered many different creatures on far-flung worlds. In several of these encounters, such as his meeting a Force-sensitive jakobeast in the Outer Rim Territories, he would have to draw his weapon in self-defense. Together with fellow Jedi Ur-Sema Du, he came across yet another Force-sensitive species called a marsh haunt. In one mission, when he used his Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor, his datapad was stolen by muttamoks, who were known to take any shining object that caught their attention. When at the Jedi Temple, Justiss visited the Jedi Archives at least once during Jocasta Nu's tenure there.

At some stage in his early career, Justiss accompanied a Wookiee to his homeworld of Kashyyyk. Landing in Rwookrrorro, Justiss and his companion were greeted by the translator droid K-27. As the trio began to venture further into the Wookiee city, they were met with the sight and sound of an explosion from a nearby building. As fires raged within the structure, K-27 urged Justiss and the Wookiee to attempt to save anyone inside. Just before Wookiee firefighters arrived, the Jedi and his companion were able to save some of the building's inhabitants.

Clone Wars
In 22 BBY, Justiss fought in the Battle of Geonosis, alongside many of his fellow Jedi in Petranaki arena. He was one of the few to survive the arena battle. Seven months later, Justiss served aboard the Acclamator I-class assault ship VCD987, which was carrying reinforcements to Drongar. Accompanying him were the Jedi Sian Jeisel and Tsui Choi. In transit, the VCD987 fell under attack from a superior Confederacy of Independent Systems force, with its engines falling prey to the enemy guns. Justiss, Jeisel and Choi fought alongside clone troopers to repel Quarren boarders, but the attackers lowered their guns as Count Dooku boarded the craft, flanked by Sora Bulq.

Justiss stood by and watched while Dooku verbally sparred with Jeisel, who had been reluctant to fight for the Galactic Republic earlier in the war. The Count insisted that he was no monster hell bent on the destruction of the Jedi, and to prove it, he had Justiss, Jeisel, and Choi shuttled to neutral territory. The clones of the VCD987 however, were killed. Later that year, Justiss was permanently assigned to Jedi diplomatic duties for Kashyyyk. In a statement to HoloNet News, the Jedi commented on the steadfast reliability of the Wookiees as a people.

In 20 BBY, a bounty was placed on Justiss' head by Confederate agent Asajj Ventress. The Jedi was not alone, however, as Ventress had placed bounties on the heads of many of his colleagues, such as Saesee Tiin, Luminara Unduli, and Anakin Skywalker.

Survival
Justiss survived Order 66, and managed to evade Imperial Intelligence for some time afterwards. For twenty years he evaded death, and sought refuge on Garqi circa 0 ABY. He was betrayed by local farmers to the Crimson Nova chapter of the Bounty Hunters Guild, who sent hunters Breela, Boussh, and Zuckuss after him.

Personality and traits
Justiss, unlike some, embraced his role as a Jedi during the Clone Wars. He respected the Wookiees of Kashyyyk, even going so far as to publicly applaud their loyalty on HoloNet News. Justiss was also highly adept at concealing himself, as he was able to avoid the Great Jedi Purge for twenty years.

Behind the scenes
While the adventures of Kai Justiss have largely been shown in pictures, a written explanation of some the earlier events above can be found here.

His character was created by Joe Corroney, who has illustrated him a number of times. He has also been illustrated by Jan Duursema and Chris Trevas. Authors that have contributed Kai's story include Pablo Hidalgo, Abel G. Peña, Daniel Wallace, and John Ostrander.

Kai Justiss is named after and based on the likeness of Justin Chung, an artist who's work includes Star Wars and the creator of the World Famous Comics website as well as Joe Corroney's website.

Appearances

 * Jedi: Count Dooku
 * Jedi: Count Dooku

Notes and references
Kai Justiss