Kidnap attempt on Serenno

"Be careful. If you go over the edge I can't promise I'll catch you."

- Johun Othone to Tarsus Valorum, shortly before Valorum fell off the edge of the landing platform.

The Duel on Serenno took place in 990 BBY on Serenno after the Anti-Republic Liberation Front attempted to kidnap former Supreme Chancellor Tarsus Valorum. The terrorist group, led by the Lethan Twi’lek Kelad'den, murdered servants of the Serenno House Nalju and replaced them with their own members. The party landed on a remote landing pad provided by the House, and when Valorum disembarked with his guard, the Chiss Cyndra detonated explosives, which destroyed the former Chancellor's ship and killed the entire crew. Johun Othone, a Jedi who voluntarily headed Valorum's security, defended the Chancellor against the assassins.

Two Human assassins were killed first by Othone, and a third Human assassin was killed by Kelad'den when he attempted to flee from the battle. The Twi’lek warrior was the last to remain after Cyndra and Paak fled the encounter, seeing him kill their comrade, and he alone sparred with Othone. Although Kelad’den had initially overpowered Othone with his skills, Johun eventually attempted to sacrifice himself for the former Chancellor by taking himself and the Twi'lek into a plunge off the fifty meter high landing platform.

The fall had broken Kelad’den’s neck, but due to the Force Othone survived. Recovering, Othone found the strength to climb back to the top of the landing platform. In gratitude, Valorum decided to grant a request of Othone’s, and petitioned the Senate to create a memorial to the Jedi who died in battle on Ruusan.

Prelude
"Everything we need is right here. We have the weapons, and we're all trained to use them. We know where and when the Chancellor is coming. What else is there?"

- Kelad'den trying to convince the ARLF to go through with his plan to capture Tarsus Valorum

Out on errands for her master in 990 BBY, Darth Bane, Zannah was sent to the planet of Serenno to sow seeds of confusion that would distract the Galactic Republic from the Siths subtle acts. The Sith Apprentice gathered contacts, seducing a red-skinned Lethan warrior Twi’lek named Kelad'den over a period of a few months under the pretense that she was Rainah, an employee at the Republic embassy. Zannah had known that the Twi'lek was part of a small radical anti-Republic faction, and determined to use that to the advantage of the Sith.

She convinced Kelad'den to bring her to a meeting of the group, known as the Anti-Republic Liberation Front, to further bring them under her control. While at this gathering, the Twi'lek gave a speech to those present, using words largely fed to him by Zannah. The Sith relied on Kelad'den's talent with words and her own prodding with the Force to convince the members of the organization to follow through with the plan she had persuaded the Twi'lek to suggest. Within minutes, members involved began to undertake the details of the plot which involved taking captive diplomatic emissary Tarsus Valorum, who was the previous Supreme Chancellor. The anti-Republic faction would strike when the former Supreme Chancellor arrived to appeal to the Counts of Serenno about ceasing to fund organizations critical of the Republic. The morning after, Zannah left the group to its own devices and traveled to the Sith encampment on Ambria.

The members in charge of executing the strategy were required to take the place of six of House Nalju's employees and to lay out explosives on the landing pad selected for the diplomatic mission by the Great House, which was one of the most powerful families on Serenno.

Arrival
"Not my first choice of places to touch down.''" "''Well, I did ask Nalju to let us land someplace remote."

- Johun Othone discusses the landing platform with Tarsus Valorum

Johun Othone, uncomfortable with starship travel, was slightly discomfitted as the pair exited the ship onto the fifty meter landing pad, and carried his unease into his feelings for the thin walkway. The lengthy platform protruded from a cliff, extending far over the ocean. A few moments after descending the ramp to the platform, Othone, Valorum's Jedi bodyguard, was disturbed by a strong warning through the Force. Connecting to the Force, the Jedi noticed that those ahead on the platform whom he had presumed to be members of House Nalju were armed, and that explosives were hidden under the landing platform. However, this forewarning did nothing to save those who were still aboard Valorum's ship, the New Dawn, when the Chiss Othone had noticed holding a detonator used it to set off the charges, which destroyed the ship and much of the platform. As the end of the walkway twisted and began to bend downward, due to the missing landing pad, Valorum was thrown off the edge. The Jedi bodyguard called upon the Force to aid him, leaped, and caught the former Chancellor by his cape, then hauled him up, swiftly deflecting a blaster bolt with his lightsaber.

His three assailants, two unknown males and one unknown female, abandoned their blasters in favor of Vibroswords. As they swept towards him, slashing at his neck and stomach, Othone realized that they were very adept. Knowing he could whittle down their numbers one on one, the Jedi pushed the female attacker into one of his other opponents, and faced the remaining one. Now Othone knew that he could push aggressively, and he did so, ending his adversaries’ life after he made a reckless move. The woman and the other man were upright again, and the female charged. The Jedi, instead of parrying, dodged her blow, and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her down onto him, while placing his feet on her stomach and hurling her off the edge of the platform. Seeing that he was now alone against foe with much more prowess than he could stand under, the remaining assailant fled. But as he ran, passing Kelad'den, he was slashed in the throat by one of the crescent-shaped weapons wielded by the Twi'lek. He would apparently not allow desertion. However, Cyndra and Paak were able to flee without retribution, as they were too far away to be reached.

The Twi'lek warrior
"I've always wanted to test my skills against a Jedi."

- Kelad'den to Johun Othone

The Twi'lek offered his challenge, and Othone, in order to finish the battle, charged forward to impale his adversary on the end of his lightsaber. As Kelad'den dodged and slashed the former Chancellor's bodyguard, slicing into his arm, Othone realized that this man he was facing was incredibly lethal. Surveying his enemy's skill, the Jedi attempted to drive the Twi'lek back, knowing that his weapons were less effective at long range. Getting frustrated at his inefficiency at landing a blow, Othone made the mistake of overstretching and fell prey to Kelad'den's blades. The Jedi took two hits, one to his face, the other to his side, then took advantage of their proximity and head butted the Twi'lek, breaking his nose.

After Kelad'den landed more than a few blows and drove him to the edge of the platform, Othone comprehended that his opponent could best him easily, no matter how hard he fought. He decided on sacrificing himself for Valorum as a course of action, remembering the Jedi adage, "There is no death; there is only the Force." Dropping his weapon, the Jedi Knight lunged for his enemy, grabbing the Twi'leks' shirt. He then leaned back over the brink, and fell down towards the water. The shock of the fall caused Kelad'den to break his neck, but due to some quirk of fate or the Force, Othone survived. Somehow the Jedi still found the strength to climb the fifty meters to the landing.

Aftermath
"You saved my life. I can never repay you for what you have done, but if there is ever anything you want of me you need only ask.''" "''There is one thing. Hire yourself a kriffing security team."

- Tarsus Valorum to Johun Othone, shortly after the duel.

The outrage generated from this occurrence caused the Counts of Serenno to pledge to eradicate separatist movements. It also affected Valorum in that he had the gratitude to petition the Galactic Senate to build a monument for the Jedi slain on Ruusan.

The involvement of Darth Zannah in this led to the Duel on Ambria after she was captured by Cydra and brought to Hetton.

Behind the scenes
The Duel on Serenno was written and conceived by Drew Karpyshyn for his 2007 novel Darth Bane: Rule of Two. This event was used to further develop the character Johun Othone, and the repercussions of this duel eventually led to the Duel on Ambria.

Appearances

 * Darth Bane: Rule of Two