Reversal of Fortune

Reversal of Fortune is a series of webstrips available only to members of Hyperspace.

The First Battle
Aboard her starship, Gossam President of the Commerce Guild Shu Mai is informed that they will land on Felucia, home to her personal holdings, in a few moments. Mai tells the pilot to have her administress meet them on the executive landing platform. After landing, the administress comes running forward, remarking that the Madame Presidente has returned ahead of schedule. Remarking that her return is not a pleasure trip, Mai asks if everything is under way. The administress replies that they have initiated iterative asset transfer protocol and restricted all non-financial communication per her order. She then inquires of Mai’s meeting with Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous was not succesfull. Shu Mai explains that her meeting was more like a sentence: Lord Sidious has ordered the entire Council of Separatists under Grievous’s personal protection for the remainder of the war. Mai remarks that Grievous is prepared to conquer an Outer Rim world to host the Council: he will contact her with rendezvous-coordinates soon. Entering a speeder, Mai’s administress points out that Grievous has dealt many blows to the Republic, remarking that the Separatist leaders are safest under his care. But the President of the Commerce Guild replies that Grievous lives to fight: if he wants to hide, than matters for the Confederacy are dire. Shu Mai explains that Grievous claims the fall of the Gossam homeworld was all part of Confederacy leader Count Dooku’s plan, but to her it feels like the Commerce Guild is expendable. The administress mentions that with the Commerce Guild’s richess, they will certainly receive aid from the Confederacy, but Shu Mai replies that one way or the other, Felucia will fall: and she swears that no one will take the profits she has earned from the war. From nearby the executive landing platform, Jedi Master Barriss Offee and her Selonian Padawan Zonder, under cover as relief workers, are observing the speeder. Offee remarks that the Commerce Guild President has finally returned to her holdings: they must alert the Jedi Council at once. She tells Zonder to find a secure location for transmission while she tends to the patients. Zonder replies that off-world communications is restricted, pointing out that the signal will be detected, but Barriss Offee remarks that it does not matter. Moments later, when Offee is trying to make contact with the Jedi Council on Coruscant it becomes apparent that their cover is blown: several Mark I-series battle droids are closing in. Zonder warns his Master that the transmitter is dead. Offee points out that as they are undercover, they do not carry their lightsabers. Moments later, the battle droids move in on the small encampment. But in an instant, Selonian Padawan Zonder manages to disable them all. Running away, the Jedi are headed for the closest transmission facility which is at the executive landing platform. When several droidekas roll in, Jedi Master Barriss Offee tells Zonder that they will split up and meet at the landing platform. The Selonian begins to destroy the droidekas and throws one of them into the air. Burning, it comes down to where two young Gossam are playing. Without thought, Barriss Offee uses the Force to rescue them, resulting in several Mark I-series battle droids noticing her. Closing in on her, they raise their blasters and order her to surrender. But Zonder jumps in and destroys two of the battle droids. But his Master stops him, remarking that there will be another time. And with that, the two Jedi surrender themselves. A standard hour later, at the offices of the Commerce Guild, President Shu Mai is receiving an urgent transmission from Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous: he informs her that she will be pleased to know that he has chosen a world for the Council of Seperatists: Belderone will be their temporary home. The holographic image remarks that he will send the rendezvous-coordinates, telling her to report immediately for her own protection. Mai remarks that her forces captured two traitorous relief workers who may be Jedi an hour ago, asking Grievous what she should do with them. Surprised, Grievous replies that her prisoners will provide valuable misinformation: he assures her that no one in the Republic knows of their plans on Belderone. When he ends the transmission, Shu Mai contacts Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray. She explains that she has Jedi on her tail and remarks that no doubt they are on his too. Mai proposes they should travel in a convoy. Gunray harshly asks where they should be traveling to, and Mai remarks that they have to go to the rendezvous at Belderone, asking the Viceroy if he has not been contacted by General Grievous. At hearing that, Nute Gunray’s facial features change, and he remarks that of course he was contacted. The Trade Federation Viceroy remarks that they are already on their way and cannot delay their trip waiting for her. Then, Commerce Guild President Shu Mai calls for her administress, ordering her to complete the final asset transfer before triggering the fatox protocol and locking down the compound: they have to get to the shuttle as they are leaving Felucia. In a forward hold of General Grievous’s Trade Federation’s Free Dac Volunteers, Pammant Docks modified Providence-class flagship Invisible Hand, Confederacy of Independent Systems leader Count Dooku of Serenno watches the bio-droid general duel with his elite Holowan IG-100 MagnaGuard-series droids, three of his trophy lightsabers in constant motion. Dooku realizes that he has taught Grievous well, and the general had taught his elite well: coupled with Dooku’s coaching, their programming in the seven classic forms of lightsaber dueling makes them lethal opponents. Grievous and his guards continue going through their programmed motions: an Ataro attack answered by Shii-Cho, Soresu answered by Lus-ma. Dooku cannot suffer another moment of it and strides to the middle of the training circle, telling the droids to stop. When he is certain he has their attention, he swings to Grievous, telling the Confederacy General that although power served him well on Hypori against Jedi such as Daakman Barrek and Tarr Seirr, he pities him should he have faced off against any of the Jedi Council Masters. After giving Grievous some more tips, Dooku sits down and watches them go at it again. He realizes that he has made the same mistake with Grievous that he has made with Asajj Ventress: he allowied her to fill herself with hate, as if hate could substitute for dispassion. His Master, Sith Lord Darth Sidious, had once confessed that he had erred similarly in the training of his apprentice, Darth Maul: Ventress and Maul had been driven by a desire to excel, to be the best, instead of merely allowing themselves to be pure instruments of the dark side. Watching Grievous disarm two of the MagnaGuards, Dooku glances at the hold’s holoprojector table a moment before a blue holo-image of his Master Darth Sidious appears. Dooku centers himself on the transmission grid, while Grievous kneels behind him, head lowered. Dooku remarks that he has been waiting to hear from his master, and Sidious replies that there have been matters that warranted his close attention. Dooku points out that these matters were born, no doubt, of his failure at Naos III: the ones he sent had every opportunity to kill Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker and the Twi’lek pilot they were searching for. But instead they decided to attempt their capture, to extract additional funds from Dooku, as well as to bolster their reputations. Sidious remarks that he should have foreseen this as such is the way of bounty hunters. Sidious goes on to remark that the Force is strong in Skywalker. Dooku replies that next time, he will deal with the Jedi personally. Sidious notes that although that time is drawing near, they first need to provide the Jedi with something that distracts them from hunting him. Asking his Master what has happened, Sidious explains to his apprentice that the Twi’lek’s information led the Jedi to their rendezvous point on Coruscant. Dooku is stunned, asking his Master if he cannot leave Coruscant for a while. Sidious falls silent for a moment before replying that perhaps he will. Sidious remarks that the Jedi have divided their forces, and they will do the same: he will deal with the ones on Coruscant and he needs Dooku and Grievous to deal with the rest. Without raising his gaze from the grid, General Grievous replies that his fleet stands ready. Sidious tells the bio-droid to divide his fleet and send however many ships are needed to crush and occupy the world of Tythe. Dooku and Grievous are stunned, and the Confederacy General asks his Master if that is wise after what happened at Belderone. Adopting a faint grin, Sidious states that that is more than wise. Dooku remarks that it may prove costly to them as the Republic will almost certainly flatten the world. Sidious replies that that will not happen if the Jedi are convinced that it must be retaken rather than destroyed. Confusion wrinkles Dooku’s forehead as he asks how they will convince them, but the Sith Lord remarks that they will not have to convince the Jedi as their own investigations will lead them to that conclusion: moreover, Kenobi and Skywalker will oversee the counterattack as they will not pass up an opportunity to capture Count Dooku. Sidious remarks that it is the Jedi way to bring their enemies to justice instead of merely administering justice themselves. Turning to General Grievous, Darth Sidious asks him if he can tuck his Separatist Council charges somewhere safe for the time being. Grievous remarks that the world Utapau comes to mind. Sidious orders Grievous to take the members of the Council of Separatists there and then asks the bio-droid if he recalls the plans they discussed some time ago, regarding the final stage of the war. Sidious orders General Grievous to prepare for what will be his finest hour: the attack on Coruscant.

The Meeting on Coruscant
Several members of the Jedi Council attend a meeting with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and his advisors after the Republic received a burst-transmission from survivors of a Separatist assault on the Republic’s small base on the Outer Rim world of Tythe. Director of Intelligence Armand Isard remarks that there is nothing of value on Tythe, but Jedi Master Mace Windu remarks that analysis of the transmission indicates the presence of Confederacy of Independent Systems leader Count Dooku on the surface. But on the possibility that Tythe is a calculated diversion, Palpatine’s naval command staff agrees to commit only a single battle group from the Outer Rim fleet. In the view of the naval commanders, invasion is senseless: a Base Delta Zero attack is justified. In the end it is decided that saturation bombardment, augmented by limited starfighter engagement, will send Dooku fleeing, in keeping with the Republic’s strategy to force the Separatists deeper into the galaxy’s spiral arms. Nevertheless, the Jedi insist that an attempt be made to take Dooku alive, and Palpatine agrees to send the Third Army battlegroup, commanded by Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, to Tythe. Windu notes that he has already reassigned Jedi General Aayla Secura to the world of Felucia to hunt down President of the Commerce Guild Shu Mai.

Talking with Tion Medon
Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous, charged with the protection of the Council of Separatists, arrives at the world of Utapau. He meets with Master of Utapau Administration Tion Medon, asking him if he can provide a service: Grievous explains that he has several guests to lodge and equipment to store. He expects both to receive the fullest extent of Medon’s hospitality until he returns. Tion Medon replies that the guests will be in excellent hands. Grievous notes that Utapau is now under the full protection of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Facing Medon, Grievous states that any off-world communication about this matter will prevent him from protecting Utapau. The administrator remarks that he understands. Boarding his shuttle which will take him back to the Trade Federation’s Free Dac Volunteers, Pammant Docks modified Providence-class flagship Invisible Hand, General Grievous remarks that a few more ships will arrive: Medon is to take care in storing their cargo until he returns. When Tion Medon realizes that Confederacy General Grievous’s Separatist forces are about to land on Utapau, he orders his outgunned Buuper Torsckil Abbey Devices Porax-38-class P-38 starfighters into hiding. When Confederacy of Independent Systems troops land on Utapau, the Techno Union begins to construct self-replicating factories in the world’s ancient Grand Halls with no regard for Utapau’s architectural heritage. The hastily-constructed factories will serve to construct numerous Mankvim-814-series light interceptors, designed by the Techno Union’s Feethan Ottraw Scalable Assemblies, which are to assist in the defence of the Separatist base. The facilities will also construct new troops, wheel bikes, and other vehicles using local materials.

The Second Battle
Aboard the Acclamator-class assault vessel Intrepid, enroute for the world of Felucia to hunt down Gossam President of the Commerce Guild Shu Mai, Jedi General Aayla Secura is working out with Clone Commander CC 5052, nicknamed Bly. During the session, Secura remarks that Jedi Master Barriss Offee has not reported in for some time now, indicating that she might need their help. When they end their sparring session, with Aayla Secura coming out victorious, Bly asks the Jedi General about her new Padawan, Ekria. Secura remarks that she came with the troops. When she tries to introduce Bly to the young Padawan, Ekria remarks that she has located Jedi Master Barriss Offee. She explains that she found out that 24 seconds after Offee’s last transmission to the Jedi Council on Coruscant, Felucia authorities performed a destructive capture of two beings, causing massive repair requisitions. Seventeen minutes later, wardens tripled the magnetic detainment capabilities on the third floor of the nearby Nigkoe Detention Facility. Ekria points out that Wa’renfu modeling suggests a 71 percent probability that Master Offee is being held at the detention facility. Impressed by the Padawan’s encrypting of Felucia data, Clone Commander Bly remarks that they could take out the third floor by air. Suddenly, a small beacon on Aayla Secura’s belt signals. Surprised, she activates it and hears Jedi Master Yoda’s message: he informs all Jedi that Coruscant is under attack and asks all in range to return immediately to assist. Bly points out that Confederacy of Independent Systems leader Count Dooku obviously placed bait in the Outer Rim Territories to lure the Jedi away from the Core before this assault. Secura mentions that they have to return to Coruscant immediately, but Bly replies that they are to far out of range to assist: Jedi General Mace Windu’s original orders are still their primary mission. Ekria agrees, pointing out that if they manage to capture the President of the Commerce Guild, she might provide them with information which might be useful in the defense of Coruscant. Thus far, the Senate Building is unscathed: nevertheless, Homeworld Security feels it prudent to move everyone to the shelters deep beneath the hemisphere and the enormous plaza that fronts it. Jostled by the surging crowd, Amidala collides with a Gran delegate who fixes his trio of eyestalks on her. Recognizing her, he asks her that as she originally opposed the Military Creation Act, what she thinks now. Hearing her name called, Padmé Amidala turns to see Senator Bail Prestor Organa of Alderaan and Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila angling toward where she and C-3PO are momentarily hampered. With them are two female Jedi masters: Shaak Ti and Stass Allie. Organa asks her if she has seen Chancellor Palpatine, but Amidala remarks that he is probably in the holding office. Ti remarks that they have just been there and found the office to be empty: even the guards are gone. Amidala notes that they must have escorted Palpatine to the shelters. Glancing at something over her shoulder, Bail Organa raises his hand over his head to call attention to himself. Moments later, the Chagrian Speaker of the Senate Mas Amedda comes over and informs the Senators that the Supreme Chancellor had no meetings scheduled until later today: he should be in his residence. Muttering in frustration, Ti remarks that she was at 500 Republic early this morning. She then informs the Senators that she and Master Allie will check the Senate Office Building and Republic. Turning to Bail Organa, Stass Allie remarks that the turbolifts to the shelters are overwhelmed: they can use her skimmer which is at the plaza’s northwest landing platform and take it down to the shelters directly. Organa remarks that although he appreciates the gesture, he has heard that the front plaza is cordoned off. Taking his arm, Allie remarks that they will escort them. Troopers stationed in the corridor open a path for the group, and before long they reach the doorways to the main plaza. The sky above the statue-studded plaza is crowded with Republic LAAT/i gunships and personnel carriers. AT-TEs and other mobile artillery pieces have already been deployed. The Jedi lead Padmé Amidala, C-3PO, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma to the open-roofed skimmer. The speeder bike on which Shaak Ti arrived is parked alongside. Ti swings one leg over the seat and starts the engine: Stassie Allie settles in behind her. The Senators and the droid watch the two Jedi race off in the direction of the Senate Office building. Then, with Organa piloting, they board the oval-shaped Flash skimmer and drop down into the wide canyon below the plaza.

The Waterfall
Having landed at the world of Felucia to hunt down Commerce Guild President Shu Mai, Jedi General Aayla Secura and her troops arrive at the Nigkoe Detention Facility where they believe Jedi Master Barriss Offee is held prisoner. Attacking the facility, the clone troopers under the command of Clone Commander CC 5052, nicknamed Bly, secure the area while Secura orders a Gossam official to take them to the Jedi prisoners. The frightened Gossam complies and moments later, both Offee and her Selonian Padawan Zonder are released. When they evade incoming Commerce Guild Homing Spider Droids, Jedi General Secura informs Barriss Offee that Coruscant is under attack. Shocked, Offee listens as Secura explains that Confederacy of Independent Systems leader Count Dooku has led the Jedi into the Outer Rim Territories to leave Coruscant weak for the taking. Secura remarks that before they return, they must take Shu Mai into custody to find out what she knows about the Separatists’ plans. Barriss Offee remarks that Mai is almost certainly in her compound outside of Kway Teow: but it is probably heavily fortified, and she does not know a way in. Secura’s new Padawan, Ekria, remarks that fortunately for them, Shu Mai’s nieces convinced the Commerce Guild President to appear on a holovid episode of Reminent Domiciles: she holds up a datapad containing the particular episode. In an attempt to hunt down Commerce Guild President Shu Mai, Jedi Generals Aayla Secura and Barriss Offee and their 327th Star Corps clone troop infantry under the command of Clone Commander CC 5052, nicknamed Bly, arrive at her heavily fortified compound outside of Kway Teow. After creating a diversion to destroy several Mark II-series super battle droid guards, the Jedi and clones advance on Aratech Biker Advanced Recon Commando BARC speeder bikes toward the compound. Suddenly, several droid starfighters appear and begin to target them. But a Republic squad of Incom/Subpro Aggressive ReConnaissance ARC-170-class starfighters zooms in to take care of the vulture droids. Nearing the compound, the Jedi jump off the speeder bikes into a small lake, while the clone troopers advance towards safety. Aayla Secura and Barriss Offee and their Padawans Ekria and Zonder swim down a waterfall after which they manage to enter Shu Mai’s compound. Ekria immediately patches into a computer terminal to check the logs: she finds out that Shu Mai’s personal ship left days ago and that no one has entered or left the compound since. Cursing, Secura remarks that Confederacy of Independent Systems leader Count Dooku has them chasing shadows. The Jedi General tells Ekria to disable the droids outside and then open to doors to let the clone troopers in: after that, the Jedi Padawan is to find out what is happening on Coruscant. Moments later, Ekria remarks that she has discovered something odd: the connection to the CIS Datafeed is completely severed but the HoloNet is back up. Activating the link, Coruscant reporter Nikki Vul appears on the viewscreen: she reports that almost as suddenly as it has began, the Confederacy attack on the galactic capital has come to an end with the Separatist fleet making a hasty retreat. Vul reports that moments ago, holocams captured images of Confederay General Grievous’s flagship, Invisible Hand, splitting in two with the front portion plummeting into Coruscant’s atmosphere. She also reports that the Republic counterattack was joined in recent hours by Jedi Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Nikki Vul remarks that at the time, the whereabouts of Supreme Chancellor of the Republic Palpatine remain unknown. Then, Aayla Secura receives a holographic message from Clone Commander Bly who informs her that the air inside the compound is filling with toxins. Secura orders Bly to withdraw his troops immediately. Ekria explains that there is a spike in out-going commands: her data transfer has stopped but a countdown sequence has just started. The four Jedi immediately turn and run out of the room, only to come upon a dead end. Selonian Jedi Padawan Zonder crashes through one of the walls and the four escape seconds before Shu Mai’s compound explodes.

Genaral Grievous talks to the Separatist Council
Gossam president of the Commerce Guild Shu Mai receives a message that a Jedi task force charged with hunting her down on her homeworld of Felucia has triggered a self-destruct mechanism at her private compound near Kway Teow. Deactivating the link, she remarks to her aide that with the protocol in motion, they can never go home again. Turning her attention toward the gathered Separatist Council, Mai remarks that they were promised they would rule the galaxy, but instead are hunted like frightened nuna. Poggle the Lesser, Geonosian Archduke of the Stalgasin Hive, replies that they only have to hold out until their great weapon is complete, but Mai counters that that is going to take years. San Hill, Muun Chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, remarks that Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous will protect them as Count Dooku cannot win the war without the Separatist Council. Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray adds that he had better protect them as it is Trade Federation money that finances the entire war, as well as the body Grievous wears and his insanely expensive bodyguard droids. A small Neimoidian shuttle lands. B-1 battle droids surround the ramp as General Grievous descends onto the landing platform. B-2 battle droid G21 approaches him, informing Grievous that the planet is secure and the population is under control. Satisfied, General Grievous remarks that he has to speak to the Separatist Council. G21 leads the him to a nearby turbolift which brings him to the upper level of the building. Entering a conference chamber, General Grievous addresses the council consisting of San Hill, Techno Union foreman Wat Tambor, Poggle the Lesser, Shu Mai, Corporate Alliance Magistrate Passel Argente, former Aqualish Republic Senator Po Nudo and former Quarren Republic Senator Tikkes. Grievous tells them that it will not be long before the armies of the Republic track them to Utapau. Explaining that Utapau was never intended to be more than a stopgap while the defenses of the base on Mustafar were completed, he orders them to make their way to the Mustafar system where they will be safe. Enraged, Neimoidian Viceroy Nute Gunray steps forward, remarking that with Supreme Chancellor of the Republic Palpatine having managed to escape the General’s grip, he doubts Grievous’s ability to keep them safe. General Grievous replies that the Viceroy should be thankful for not having found himself in his grip. Then, Grievous ushers the group to the waiting Geonosian Dreadnaught.

Aayla's Report
In the holocomm center of Jedi Command, located within the heart of the Jedi Temple, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker watches a life-size holoscan of Jedi General Aayla Secura making her belated report from the Commerce Guild world of Felucia. She reports that she and Jedi General Barriss Offee managed to infiltrate Shu Mai’s compound, finding out that the President of the Commerce Guild was already offworld. Secura mentions that their assault triggered an elaborate self-destruct mechanism, killing numerous of her clone troopers. Jedi Master Mace Windu remarks that he is sorry to hear that, pointing out that Secura did well. He then orders the Jedi General to round up her team and return to Coruscant as the Jedi Council is giving up pursuit of the Separatist council. The holographic form of Jedi General Ki-Adi-Mundi, currently at a fortified command center on the world of Mygeeto, tells Secura that they have placed all of their hopes on Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mission to try and disable Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous. But Secura remarks that there is more and explains that the same trigger that destroyed the compound also unleashed a highly poisonous biological agent into the water supply: and as Felucia has a natural planet-wide aquatic distribution system, simulations indicate that the toxin will infect the entire world within standard days, resulting in the death of millions of sentients. The Jedi General remarks that they believe that the spread can be contained by taking over a number of major water treatment facilities: the problem is that these facilities are under heavy guard by Felucia’s forces, and they will need more clones if they hope to stop the disaster. Anakin Skywalker points out that Shu Mai would rather destroy her own planet than let the Republic have it. Windu states that they cannot allow genocide and informs Aayla Secura that they will send Jedi General Stass Allie and her forces to reinforce them. A short time later, as Anakin Skywalker arrives at the Venator-class Star Destroyer which will take Stass Allie to the world of Felucia, he is stopped by Jedi Padawan Drake Lo’gaan, the former apprentice of the killed Jedi Master Roron Corobb.

Anakin's Chat With Drake
Lo’gaan asks Skywalker if he may accompany the Jedi Knight on his hunt for Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous as he has to make him pay for the death of his master. But Skywalker explains that that will be impossible as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has already been sent to deal with the droid general. The two of them walk over to Jedi General Stass Allie, and Skywalker informs her that there has been a change in her orders: after she has brought the clone reinforcements to Jedi General Aayla Secura on Felucia, she is to proceed directly to Saleucami to quell the remains of the recent uprising. Allie remarks that she thought Jedi Generals Aayla Secura and Quinlan Vos had just left Saleucami. Anakin Skywalker remarks that she is correct, but points out that their mission was not completed yet: he explains that when Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi defeats General Grievous, ending the war, only a Jedi’s touch can keep the Morgukai army from attemtping a bloody takeover in the confusion. Allie remarks that she will be taking off in a moment, mentioning that he would not have had to deliver the orders personally as he is a very busy man. But Skywalker mentions that he wanted to thank her for helping rescue Padmé Amidala when the Separatist attack on Coruscant began, as the Naboo Senator is a dear friend. Turning to Drake Lo’gaan, Anakin Skywalker tells the Padawan that he will travel with Stass Allie to Felucia.

Shaak Ti
Word of the firefight on the landing platform reaches Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Kit Fisto in the LAAT/i gunship while they are returning to Sah’c. It had not taken them long to piece together what had happened: the Separatists had managed to hijack a Republic gunship and infiltrated the bunker complex shield by timing their arrival to coincide with that of the ship carrying Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Jedi Master Shaak Ti and the others. An ARC Comander verified that the hijacked gunship had been piloted by droids, but the same ARC would neither confirm nor deny that General Grievous had been aboard the destroyed ship. In the white glare of spotlights, the gunship that had been brought down by RPGs is a flaming hulk, dangling from the edge of the landing pad. Even less remains of the LAAT/i that had delivered Palpatine to the complex. Fatalities of the surprise attack had been removed from the scene, but the pad boasts a company of reinforcements, as well as two AT-ST walkers that had been air-dropped by wide-winged LAAT carriers. Jumping from the gunship, the two Jedi Masters race across the brightly illuminated landing platform, directly into the access tunnel. Steps into the tunnel, their worst fears are realized when they see three clone troopers hauling away an IG-100 MagnaGuards-series droid, holed with blaster bolts. Mace Windu realizes that the hijacked LAAT/i gunship had rescued Grievous after his fall from the mag-lev train. He asks himself how the bio-droid general had known how many of his forces to commit to such a daring plan, unless he had received prior intelligence on the number of guards in Palpatine’s detail, and the number of troopers and other combatants stationed in the bunker complex. Every standard meter of the tunnel presents the Jedi with fresh evidence of the ferocious fight that had taken place, in the form of slaughtered commandos and others. The heavy, hexagonal entrance that is the terminus of the bloodstained tunnel is open. Jedi Master Stass Allie, her face and hands blistered and her robes singed, is kneeling by the bodies of the four Jedi Knights whom Mace Windu had spoken briefly during the mag-lev evacuation. A clone commander explains that the Supreme Chancellor was gone by the time they arrived: his captors exited the complex by way of the south tunnels. Then, a Padawan male known as Drake Lo’gaan runs in, asking where his Jedi Master, Roron Corobb, is. Mace Windu and Kit Fisto glance at the door that leads to those tunnels, then turn to Jedi Master Shaak Ti who is standing by the bunker’s holo-projector table as if lost. When Windu hurries over to her, she practically collapses in his arms, remarking that she failed. Composing herself, Ti explains that Grievous had help from someone close to the top. Fisto nods, noting that they will find out after they have rescued the Supreme Chancellor. In the back, Padawan Drake Lo’gaan collapses next to his dead Jedi Master, Roron Corobb: cradling the Ithorian in his arms, he cries out. Shaak Ti remarks that she can show them how the Separatists left the complex. Turning, she activates a security recording that had captured Grievous and several of his IG-100 MagnaGuards-series droids dragging Palpatine to the south landing pad, butchering the handful of troopers posted there, scrambling into a waiting tri-winged shuttle which lifts off into sunset clouds. Mace Windu turns to the clone commander, asking how they were allowed through the shield. The commander remarks that they used the same way they used for entering the bunker: they had the entry codes, as well as codes issued earlier today that permitted them to clear the screen. Windu looks as Kit Fisto in angry bewilderment. The clone commander conjurs up a 3-D image from the holo-projector, informing the Jedi Masters that the shuttle is now in Sector I-33, outbound autonavigation trunk P-17, with several LAAT/i gunships in pursuit: they have orders to disable, if possible. Kit Fisto asks who else knows of the abduction, and if it has been released or leaked to the media. The clone commander replies that the information has been released to the media moments ago on orders from the Supreme Chancellor’s top advisers. Shaak Ti forces an exhale, remarking that all of Coruscant will panic. Mace Windu orders the clone to scramble every available starfighter as the Separatist ship cannot be allowed to reach the Separatist fleet.

The Reversal of Fortune
A clone trooper task force of the 327th Star Corps infantry under the command of Jedi General Aayla Secura prepares to attack several of Felucia’s water treatment facilities to prevent the Gossam homeworld from being infected by a toxin released into the water supply by a self-destruct mechanism designed by president of the Commerce Guild Shu Mai. The clone trooper reinforcements, brought in by Jedi General Stass Allie who went on to Saleucami, are being briefed of the situation by Clone Commander 5052, nicknamed Bly: Felucia defenses are heaviest against airship assault, thus a ground attack will be most effective. But Bly remarks that the jungle will slow them down, thus Jedi Master Barriss Offee will lead one squad to Har Gau, while a second squad, led by Jedi Padawans Ekria, Zonder and the newly-arrived Drake Lo’gaan, will target Jiaozi. Jedi General Aayla Secura’s squad will accompany the Jedi Padawans and then proceed to Niango. When the troops prepare to move out, Secura remembers them that they are on Felucia to save lives. The 327th Star Corps clone trooper task force splits up and heads out into the woods. Clone Commander Bly asks Aayla Secura if she thinks Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi will be successful in removing Confederacy of Independent Systems General Grievous. Secura replies that she thinks he will, as Kenobi has become very powerful. Turning to Bly, the Jedi General asks him what he will do when the war is over. The clone remarks that he will obviously do whatever he is ordered to do. Up ahead, Padawan Ekria informs the group that she has made visual contact with the enemy forces guarding Jiaozi, consisting of sentients with droid supplements. Padawan Drake Lo’gaan remarks that he has an idea: turning to a nearby clone, Lo’gaan remarks that he will need the help of Lieutenant Galle. Drake Lo’gaan then tells Padawan Zonder to make the loudest noise he can make, and a second later, the Selonian cries out. This activates the enemy squadron who move in to attack. The Jedi ignite their lightsabers and engage the incoming enemy force, with Zonder disabling some battle droids with his bare hands. Meanwhile, the clone squadron led by General Barriss Offee manages to disable a small droid patrol. Suddenly, a Commerce Guild dwarf spider droid appears and opens fire. Clone Lieutenant Inc shouts for his man to carbon flush the droid, but he is hit by one of its blasts. Deflecting several blasts from the droid, Jedi Master Offee is agashed to see the clone trooper fall down. When several Mark II-series super battle droids are coming in, Offee shouts for Clone Lieutenant Barr to go get the rest of the squad. At the same time, Jedi Padawan Drake Lo’gaan shouts to Clone Lieutenant Galle that it is time. The clone trooper orders his troops to retreat to the surprise of the Felucia forces. The Felucians begin their pursuit of the clones, giving the Jedi Padawans the opportunity to enter the water treatment facility. After the Padawans are in, Zonder ignites his lightsaber and orders several Gossam technicians to take them to the control room. The Selonian Padawan orders one of them to take Padawan Ekria to the nearest computer console while he and Lo’gaan will round everyone else up for a staff meeting. When Ekria has accessed the main computer, she informs Lo’gaan that the toxins have not yet reached the station. Ekria remarks that she is shutting down the out-going pipes while she reprograms the biofilter agents: they have made it in time to stop the spread from the Jiaozi facilities. The bad news is that she cannot access the other stations remotely as they are each on an isolated network. Meanwhile, a column of Republic AT-RT All Terrain Recon Transport walkers marches across the forest floor as Jedi General Aayla Secura and Clone Commander Bly proceed to the water treatment facilities at Niango. When the strange calls of the native forest creatures suddenly stop, Secura and the clones under her command brace for an ambush. They all look around for signs of the enemy. Back at the Jiaozi water treatment facilities, Jedi Padawan Ekria tries to raise Jedi Generals Aayla Secura and Barriss Offee, but fails as the transmissions are being jammed. Padawan Drake Lo’gaan remarks that that should not be and tells Ekria to patch through to the clone cameras. Ekria goes to work and remarks that Clone Commander Bly is receiving a Priority One holo from Coruscant, but the encryption is Confederacy of Independent Systems. Surprised at this, Lo’gaan asks her if she can decode it. Patching in on the clone camera of Bly, the Padawans see him moving up behind Jedi General Aayla Secura. Nearby, Jedi Master Barriss Offee uses her lightsaber to cut down a patrol of Separatist droids. She calls out for Clone Lieutenant Galle, asking him where he is. Moments later, a clone AT-RT appears, surrounded by seven clone troopers. Releaved, Offee tells Galle to open fire. Acknowledging her command, the clone troopers open fire and blast the Jedi Knight away. At the same time, Clone Commander Bly moves up behind Jedi General Aayla Secura, who is distracted by a native Felucian bird. Listening carefully, the Jedi asks the Clone Commander if he thinks there are droids nearby. Remarking that he does not think so, Bly fires at Aayla Secura from the back. The other clones also open fire: Aayla Secura hits the ground and dies with a surprised look on her face. Back at the Jiaozi water treatment facilities, Jedi Padawan Ekria shouts out as she and Padawans Drake Lo’gaan and Zonder see Aayla Secura hitting the ground. At the same moment, the computer announces that the audio decryption of the Priority One holo from Coruscant is completed. Replaying the message, the Jedi Padawans hear a voice telling Clone Commander Bly that the time has come to execute Order 66. With tears in his eyes, Lo’gaan asks his fellow Padawans who is giving the command. Selonian Padawan Zonder asks about Order 66. With her head in her hands, Ekria asks her comrades what they are going to do. When the console in front of her beeps, she remarks that they have an incoming message from Coruscant. Activating the audio transmission, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine explains that the war is over and orders all Jedi to return to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant immediately where they will receive further instructions. When the message starts repeating itself, Lo’gaan tells Zonder to look at the screen to check out Galle’s clone-cam. Turning around, the Padawans see the image of the dead Jedi Knight Barriss Offee lying on the ground. Ekria remarks that she has a bad feeling about this.

External link

 * Hyperspace Webstrips