Battle of Kamino/Legends

"With all due respect, General, if someone comes to our home, they'd better be carrying a big blaster.''" "''I concur with Captain Rex, sir. This is personal for us clones."

- Captain Rex and Commander Cody, to Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Battle of Kamino, a key campaign of the Clone Wars, was fought for control of the planet Kamino around 21 BBY. Also known as the Invasion of Kamino and the defense of Kamino, the battle occurred when the Confederacy of Independent Systems launched a massive assault aimed at crippling the Grand Army of the Republic's main cloning facilities in Tipoca City. Having collaborated during a thwarted attempt to invade Kamino mere months earlier, General Grievous and Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress were assigned by Count Dooku to lead the Separatist assault on Kamino. Joining Jedi General Shaak Ti and Prime Minister Lama Su in coordinating the Galactic Republic's defense of Kamino were Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, who, unwilling to lose the world's vital cloning factories, reinforced the Grand Army defenses with clone troopers from the 501st Legion.

Ventress had already infiltrated Kamino by the time Grievous arrived to beleaguer the Republic's naval defenses with an invasion fleet of his own. Although Skywalker led the Republic's starfighter squadrons against the Confederate fleet, the resulting space engagement merely served as a cover for elements of the Separatist Droid Army to land on Kamino via re-entry capsules disguised as starship debris. After being reassembled by Ventress's aqua droids, the Separatist Trident-class assault ships launched their troops against Tipoca City, and the Jedi and clones rushed to repel the invaders. Ventress went after a DNA sample of the Grand Army's prime clone Jango Fett, but she was intercepted by Skywalker, who dueled the Dark Acolyte for the DNA sample. In a similar fashion, Grievous was confronted by Kenobi while spearheading a droid assault on Tipoca City's clone barracks.

As the Separatist battle droids pressed further into Tipoca City, Kamino's elite Advanced Recon Commandos played a critical part in repulsing the enemy forces from the clone troopers' homeworld. While Clone Commander Cody and Clone Captain Rex organized a defense of the clone barracks, Ti led other troops in pushing back the droids to Tipoca City's main hangar, where the invaders were eliminated. Ultimately, Grievous and Ventress failed to cripple Tipoca City as they had hoped thanks to the intervention of Kenobi and Skywalker, the latter of whom recovered the stolen DNA sample from Ventress. Despite heavy losses, the Jedi and clones were able to drive the Separatists from Kamino, and Grievous and Ventress were forced to escape aboard a Kamino spacecraft.

Targeting Kamino
"The clone planet of Kamino will be a dangerous target.''" "Just make sure you hold up your'' half of the mission. We must stop the production of new clones if we are to win this war."

- Asajj Ventress and General Grievous, in a transmission leaked to the Republic

During the Clone Wars, the planet Kamino, being home to the Galactic Republic's vital cloning facilities for the Grand Army of the Republic, remained a prominent target for the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Kamino was blockaded by the Republic Navy with a heavily fortified fleet as protection against the Confederacy, which hoped to cripple the Republic war machine and win a decisive victory in the galactic conflict by stopping the Republic's production of clone troopers. Having failed to eliminate Kamino's cloning facilities just two months into the war, the Confederacy staged another invasion of Kamino around 21 BBY, the second year of the war. With the Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress serving as a spy on Kamino, the Confederate General Grievous proceeded to the Kamino system with a massive invasion fleet. However, he failed to silence Rishi Station, a Republic listening post monitoring enemy activity near Kamino, and the Republic Navy was subsequently notified of the impending attack.

Although forced to retreat from the Rishi moon, the Separatists remained determined to eliminate Kamino's cloning facilities. Only several months after their previous attempt, the Confederate Head of State Count Dooku authorized another plan to attack on Kamino, assigning rival commanders Grievous and Ventress to lead the invasion. While Grievous engaged the Republic blockade of Kamino, the Separatist fleet would be allowed to sustain heavy losses. It was under this cover that the main invasion force of battle droids would be sent down to the oceans of Kamino aboard modules of Trident-class assault ships in re-entry capsules. As the capsules would be disguised as debris from the destroyed starships, the Republic would not realize the deception until it was too late.

Once the Separatist Droid Army was planet-side, Ventress&mdash;who was already on Kamino aboard her personal starship, the Trident &mdash;would have her detachment of aqua droids reassemble the assault craft for the attack on Kamino's capital, Tipoca City, where the main cloning facilities were located. As part of her espionage tasks, Ventress determined the exact locations of the clone trooper barracks and the DNA archive room in Tipoca City's Military Complex, both of which would be primary targets during their assault. While Grievous led the droid assault on Tipoca City, particularly the clone barracks, Ventress would steal a DNA sample of Jango Fett, the Grand Army's prime clone. With a copy of Fett's DNA, the Separatists hoped to uncover and exploit a weakness in the genetic code, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the Republic's clone troopers.

Jedi reinforcements
"I wish our arrival wasn't under such circumstances. We believe Grievous is planning a Separatist attack on Kamino.''" "''But the Republic blockade is far too strong. They would not dare."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi and Lama Su

To draw the Republic and the Jedi Order into their plan, the Confederacy allowed Republic forces to intercept an encoded transmission of Grievous and Ventress discussing their impending assault on Kamino. The communiqué was received aboard the Venator-class Star Destroyer Resolute, the flagship of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and the 501st Legion, who were hosting High General Obi-Wan Kenobi aboard their Star Destroyer. After decrypting the transmission's audio, Skywalker and Kenobi learned of the Separatists' targeting of Kamino, and their respective clone officers, Clone Captain CT-7567 and Clone Commander CC-2224, were adamant about aiding the defense of their homeworld. Skywalker and Kenobi resolved to return to Kamino with the 501st Legion to notify the Republic defenses of the imminent attack and to provide extra protection against Grievous's battle group. Once they had transferred their troops to an Acclamator I-class assault ship, Skywalker and Kenobi proceeded to Tipoca City with the 501st Legion, while Admiral Wullf Yularen took the Resolute to join the nine other Venator-class Star Destroyers in the Republic's fortified blockade of Kamino.

Arriving in Tipoca City, Skywalker and Kenobi met with Prime Minister Lama Su of Kamino and Jedi Master Shaak Ti, who had been stationed on Kamino as the Jedi General in charge of clone trooper training. Upon learning of the impending invasion, Su could not believe that the Separatists would risk pitting themselves against the strong blockade of the world, though all of them took the threat seriously and made preparations to defend Tipoca City. CT-7567 and CC-2224&mdash;nicknamed "Rex" and "Cody," respectively&mdash;took their troops from the 501st Legion directly to the Military Complex, which was being prepared for the attack. Meanwhile, in deep space, Grievous made his own final preparations for the assault, commanding his fleet of three Recusant-class light destroyers and ten Munificent-class star frigates from his command ship, a Providence-class carrier/destroyer. The re-entry capsules containing the landing force of battle droids and pieces of Trident-class assault ships were affixed to the main hulls of the Munificent-class star frigates as planned. With all of their forces ready, the Separatists planned to attack Tipoca City first, while Grievous and Ventress were interested to meet each other on the battlefield.

Distraction in space
"No, Anakin, wait. It's too easy. Not even Grievous would attack so recklessly.''" "Master, the battle's up here in space, not down there." "''The debris from the destroyed Separatist ships is the key."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker

Emerging from hyperspace, Grievous's invasion fleet entered the Kamino system. Aided by the T-series tactical droid TV-94B, Grievous deployed his armada in attack formation Echo-3, with his Recusant-class light destroyers spearheading the assault. As the enemy fleet began its attack, the ten Venator-class Star Destroyers of the Republic blockade held their position and returned the heavy turbolaser fire, supplemented by a pair of Arquitens-class light cruisers as well as Skywalker's and Kenobi's Acclamator-class transport. Commanding the Republic fleet with clone naval officers from the bridge of the Resolute, Admiral Yularen was intrigued by Grievous's head-on assault, as such a move was odd for the Confederate General, and included the anomaly in a report to the command at Tipoca City. The update was received by Kenobi, Ti, Su, and Cody and Rex, who were overseeing the battle from the Military Complex's command center. As the Separatist armada pressed its attack, Cody had the Republic fleet shore up on defenses, while Ti&mdash;who had expected a larger enemy fleet&mdash;issued the order for the Republic's air strike. Kenobi, meanwhile, pondered why Grievous had forwent the element of surprise in favor of a direct approach for the attack.

Responding to Ti's command, Skywalker mobilized the Republic's starfighter squadrons &mdash;including his own personal group, Shadow Squadron, with clone pilot Broadside among them&mdash;and led them from Tipoca City into space aboard his Delta-7B Aethersprite-class light interceptor. Taking up position at the head of Shadow Squadron, Skywalker led groups of BTL-B Y-wing starfighters and ARC-170 starfighters against Grievous's opposing fleet, which responded by launching Vulture droid starfighters to combat the Republic squadrons. At the same time, V-19 Torrent starfighters were marshaled in the defense of the Republic blockade from Separatist Hyena-class bombers. Skywalker worked with another Jedi Knight, who was also flying a Delta-7B interceptor, to prevent the enemy ships from reaching the surface of Kamino. The two Jedi Knights spearheaded the assault on the frigates and destroyers of the Separatist armada, which quickly began to take heavy losses. The damage was intentional, however, as it allowed the re-entry capsules to detach from the frigates while giving credence to their cover as debris. To the Republic, it simply appeared that Grievous was sacrificing the frigates to protect his command ship. Grievous joined his aqua droids and B1 battle droids in the re-entry capsules, and they fell from orbit, through the atmosphere of Kamino, and straight into the oceans surrounding Tipoca City, where they were received by Ventress.

Once Grievous and his reinforcements had arrived, Ventress sent out her aqua droids to begin work reassembling the Trident-class assault ships in preparation for the assault on Tipoca City. Back in space, the Republic fleet and starfighter squadrons held strong against the Separatist armada and its defenses, which began to take a beating from the intense fire. Skywalker led Shadow Squadron into the heart of the battle, pressing his attack by focusing on the Separatist frigates. The offensive only allowed more wreckage-disguised capsules to reach the ocean floor of Kamino, ready for reassembly. As the Separatist armada began to retreat from Kamino, Kenobi sensed through the Force that something was amiss, as not even Grievous would mount such a reckless attack on the blockade. Because Grievous knew that they had been ready to defend Kamino, Kenobi believed that the starship debris was key to uncovering the problem. To that end, he decided to take a single-seater submarine to investigate the downed starship wreckage, keeping in contact with Skywalker as he did so. It was not long before Kenobi discovered Ventress's aqua droids reassembling the Trident-class assault ships, many of which had already been completed by that time. Realizing the Separatists' deception, Kenobi attempted to warn Skywalker and Ti of the underwater assault craft, but he was too deep for his signal to be transmitted.

Shortly thereafter, one of the aqua droids noticed Kenobi's submarine and ordered him to stop. When a team of aqua droids clambered onto his ship and targeted its window and engines, Kenobi ejected from his submarine via an escape pod, though the aqua droids continued to pursue him. After being forced to abandon his escape pod, the oxygen-low Kenobi made for the surface, using the Force to call to a nearby Aiwha for aid. With the help of the Aiwha, Kenobi returned to the surface, gasping for breath. His relief was short-lived, however, as it was at that moment that Ventress led her Trident and the completed Trident-class assault ships out of the oceans to attack Tipoca City. As soon as Kenobi made him aware via comlink of the Confederacy's assault on Tipoca City, Skywalker ordered all of the Republic's starfighter squadrons back to the Resolute while he immediately made for the surface in his Delta-7B interceptor. The Separatist fleet continued to retreat, though the battle over Kamino was no longer of concern to the Republic forces.

Assault on Tipoca City
"Keep playing with your droids. I'll handle breaking into the DNA room.''" "Shall I provide you with a droid escort?" "''My dear General, there's nothing you have that I could want."

- Asajj Ventress and General Grievous

As the Trident-class assault ships moved into position to deploy their battle droid troops, Tipoca City was put on alert, and clone troopers rushed to defend the Military Complex. Clone Commander Colt was placed in charge of his fellow elite Advanced Recon Commandos who were assigned to the defense of Tipoca City, and they took up position within the Military Complex. While the defense of Tipoca City's main hangar was being organized, ARC Commander Havoc sent 501st troopers CT-21-0408 and CT-27-5555, respectively nicknamed "Echo" and "Fives," to take up sniper positions on the bridge connecting the hangar deck to the cloning factories. Another of the Advanced Recon Commandos joined his clone brethren in fortifying the main hangar just as several Trident-class assault ships clambered onto the facility. The assault ships rammed their drill-spikes into the walls of the hangar's roof, penetrating the building to deploy their battle-ready aqua droids against the clone troopers. A furious firefight ensued in the hangar, with the clones attempted to hold out against the never-ending line of aqua droids. Having arrived in one of the assault ships, Grievous personally led the assault on the clones, ordering his troops to spare none of the Republic troopers.

Several Advanced Recon Commandos, including ARC Commanders Havoc and Blitz, oversaw the defense of the main hangar against Grievous's invading troops. Maintenance clone 99 helped resupply the clones with DC-15A blaster rifles, though he was forced to abandon his post as the casualties around him mounted, particularly as Havoc fell to enemy fire. Besieged by the Trident-class assault ships, Tipoca City began to take heavy damage, with a large amount of its factories' cloning chambers breaking apart as explosions gripped the city. While Grievous pushed further into the Military Complex, Ventress led her aqua droids against clone troopers on the outer decks of the city, with the Confederacy's assault ships going so far as to smash through the clone troops with their heavy leg units. Elsewhere, Grievous organized another attack on Tipoca City, but Commander Cody and the Jedi Knight who had earlier assisted Skywalker in the space battle over Kamino prepared a defense of the area. Cody had a series of platforms constructed in the ocean so that their forces could utilize tower-mounted blaster turrets against Grievous's battle group. The Republic detachment also received a number of Advanced Recon Commandos for their mission, and the elite troopers took up positions in bunkers along the Separatists' intended path through the city's buildings.

Cody and the Jedi Knight were able to push back Grievous's initial force of battle droids and Armored Assault Tanks, and Grievous was forced to recall his ships and regroup for their next assault. This time, Grievous bolstered his forces with shielded droidekas, BX-series droid commandos, and NR-N99 Persuader-class droid enforcer tanks, while he hoped to catch the Republic detachment unprepared by deploying aerial droid-manned Single Trooper Aerial Platforms and droid starfighters. Nevertheless, Cody and the Jedi Knight held out against his attack, shooting down the dispatched Vulture droid starfighters and droid tri-fighters and forcing Grievous's battle group to retreat a second time. With a storm brewing over Tipoca City, Grievous organized a final push against the Republic forces, unleashing B2 super battle droids in addition to the rest of his ground troops. While Cody and the Jedi Knight attempted to hold the line, Grievous had a number of Trident-class assault ships emerge from the oceans and deploy even more battle droids across the facility. After noticing that the Republic's rear defenses were weak, Grievous launched a surprise attack on the Republic forces by ordering his assault ships to target a position well behind the Republic's front line, forcing Cody and the Jedi Knight to readjust their defenses. Yet the Republic detachment prevailed against Grievous's battle group, and the Separatists recalled their forces from that battlefront.

Despite the victory on the part of Cody and his Jedi Knight associate, the battle for Tipoca City was far from over. Across the Military Complex, young clone cadets were ushered to safety while their older brethren continued to hold out against the Separatist battle droids. With Shaak Ti and Lama Su continuing to oversee the Republic's defenses from the city's command center, Skywalker and Kenobi proceeded into the fray, leading a squad of clone troopers against a group of aqua droids. However, both Jedi Generals soon came to the conclusion that there were not enough battle droids to capture the entire city. Realizing that the Separatists were attempting to distract them, Kenobi resolved to confront Grievous while Skywalker proceeded to secure the DNA archive chamber. Echo and Fives fought on their own battlefront, defending their bridge from squads of advancing aqua droids. Presently, 99 arrived to supply them with more ammunition, at which point Fives inquired if there was a better vantage point for them to use as a defensive position. At that moment, four B1 battle droids arrived at their position, but Fives summarily tossed one of 99's thermal detonators at them. What were thought to be more battle droids approaching through the smoke turned out to be a group of five clone cadets who had been separated from their group en route to the clone barracks. Fives and Echo elected to escort them there, with 99 leading them on a shortcut through the city.

Republic retaliation
"Look around. We're one and the same&mdash;same heart, same blood. Your training is in your blood, and my blood's boiling for a fight.''" "This is our home. This is our'' war."

- Fives and Echo, rallying clone cadets to defend their home

Aftermath
"I don't think the Separatists will be coming back here anytime soon. But if they do, Kamino will be lucky to have clones like you defending it. Good job, men."

- Captain Rex, as part of Fives's and Echo's promotion to ARC trooper status

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Defenders of the Republic