Geonosis strike team

Geonosis strike team
General information
Founder(s)	Jedi High Council
Leader(s)	Mace Windu Adi Gallia
Headquarters	Jedi Temple
Location(s)	Coruscant Geonosis
Historical information
Date founded	22 BBY
Date dissolved	22 BBY
Other information
Affiliation	Jedi Order

Warning: The following parameters in the infobox are unrecognized: members

"This Party's over."

―Mace Windu starts the battle in the arena by holding a lightsaber to Jango Fett.

The Geonosis strike team was a group of 212 Jedi led by Mace Windu that were sent to Geonosis to rescue Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, and Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo, who were scheduled to be executed by the Geonosians in the Petranaki arena. The rescue mission was the opening to the Battle of Geonosis, the first battle of the Clone Wars.

However, not all the members of the strike team fought in the Petranaki arena. Some, like Adi Gallia and Siri Tachi, flew air support in Delta-7 Aethersprite-class starfighters. It should be noted that the space team, led by Adi Gallia, suffered very few if any casualties, while the ground team was almost completely destroyed.

History

Penetrating the defenses

Before the strike team could enter the arena to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Senator Padmé Amidala, they needed to get past the Geonosian defenses. Using two Republic TX-130S fighter tanks, Mace Windu and fellow Jedi Master Luminara Unduli fought their way through Separatist GATs, AATs, and Hailfire Droids, clearing the way for a convoy of transports carrying the strike team to the arena.

Arena skirmish

Upon infiltrating the arena, the Jedi revealed themselves to Dooku and his Separatist counterparts, having secretly infiltrated the stands of the arena. The Separatists' newly-revealed droid army swarmed into the arena in their hundreds, filling the battleground with blaster fire, cutting down many of the less skilled or experienced Jedi.

Amidst the heated skirmish, Jedi Master Coleman Trebor attempted to engage Dooku in lightsaber combat. This act was cut short by expertly placed shots from bounty hunter Jango Fett and Trebor fell to his death from Archduke Poggle the Lesser's viewing box.

Fett later attempted to fight and kill legendary Korun Jedi Master Mace Windu. However, due to Fett's jetpack having been damaged by the reek and not knowing until it was too late, Windu quickly beheaded the bounty hunter. But he would later regret doing so when he faced the wrath of Jango's son, Boba

The Jedi fought valiantly during the skirmish, though many were not able to survive the onslaught and perished at the hands of Count Dooku's droid army.

Many jedi perished in the ensuing battle.

Result

Of the 212 Jedi who were part of the strike team, an estimated thirty survived the initial battle, of which at least two more died during the battle that followed, making the losses suffered by the team grave. All of the leaders of the strike force except Coleman Trebor survived, while some others were captured and still others (Barriss Offee and Pablo-Jill) escaped the battle. Only the timely arrival of Grand Master Yoda and the newly-created Grand Army of the Republic saved the strike team from impending destruction. Despite the high casualties suffered by the Jedi, their mission was successful, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala were rescued from execution.

Legacy

The death of so many Jedi in the Geonosian arena considerably drained the Jedi Order, as well as creating several dissidents who refused to fight for the Galactic Republic in the Clone Wars. The strike team's mission paved the way for Palpatine's eventual takeover of the Galactic Republic and the beginning of the Sith's return to dominance.

Known participants

Arena team, known survivors

Roth-Del Masona, a survivor of the Geonosis strike team

Toward the close of the arena fighting, the battle droids of the Separatists surrounded the Jedi that still stood. A cease fire ensued while Jedi Mace Windu argued that the Jedi would not surrender. Behind and to the right stood Padawan Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala, wielding a blaster. Jedi Knights Joclad Danva, Agen Kolar, and Luminara Unduli flanked them, while Stass Allie and Bultar Swan stood back to back as Master Shaak Ti and Roth-Del Masona prepared to defend themselves. Sora Bulq, Saesee Tiin, Tarados Gon, and Kit Fisto protected Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had bent down to check the pulse of a dead companion.

As Windu and Dooku continued to banter, a group of Geonosians brought forward Masters Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo Koon, who had been captured outside the arena. Aayla Secura was also brought from elsewhere in the large complex.

Not within the circle; either wounded, in hiding, or outside the arena were Jedi Barriss Offee and Pablo-Jill. Also free of the execution ring were Bairdon Jace and Kai Justiss, who were both wounded due to lack of skill, Coleman Kcaj who was hiding, Maks Leem, who was likely injured, and Voolvif Monn, Even Piell, and K'Kruhk, who were probably putting up a struggle for the droids attempting to capture them. Alta Ranga might have been captured or lay on the floor in fatigue because of his old age, T'ra Saa, Echuu Shen-Jon, Roan Shryne, B'dard Tone, and Selig Kenjenn were all captured but later broke free or were rescued by clone troopers. Another survivor not seen is Ekim Ryelli, who would lose three fingers during the fighting. It was implied that a Rodian Jedi survived the battle as well. A Twi'lek Jedi's fate is unknown.

Arena team, known KIA

Nicanas Tassu was one of many Jedi Knights killed in action.

After the reinforcements arrived, bringing with them Grand Master Yoda, the arena was abandoned. Clones and Jedi alike would later return to the arena to collect the dead. Amongst the Jedi bodies that littered the floor were Joclad Danva, who even after surviving the initial battle, was shot while standing in the survivor's circle. Jedi Knights Fi-Ek Sirch, Sephjet Josall, Nicanas Tassu, Sta-Den Eekin, Sarrissa Jeng, Sar Labooda, Ichi-Tan Micoda, Que-Mars Redath-Gom, and Lura Tranor were all likely slain by droid blaster fire.

Amongst the Masters lost from the Order's ranks were Chankar Kim, Lyron, Nat-Sem, Khaat Qiyn and Lanchu Skaa, all of whom left Padawans behind. As well as Va'too who fell only four months after the promotion of his Padawan Talia Moonseeker to the rank of Knight. Jedi Council member Coleman Trebor was also killed by Jango Fett during an attempt to confront Count Dooku. Ur-Sema Du would be killed by a mysterious figure, who was not revealed until later in the War.

The Order also lost many young Jedi, including Lumas Etima, Stam Reath, Galdos Stouff, Tu'ala, and Tan Yuster.

It is known that Sora Bulq and Eeth Koth were assumed dead after the gunship they were on was shot down, though they did survive. On the exploding gunship, Tarados Gon was indeed killed, which promoted the idea of Bulq and Koth's death. Any other jedi present most likely perished in battle that day along with at least five other jedi who were also killed in action.

Space team, survivors

Above the planet Jedi fought a different battle. Led by Adi Gallia and An'ya Kuro, Jedi Empatojayos Brand, Bant Eerin, A'Sharad Hett, Ranik Solusar, Jaizen Suel, and Siri Tachi fought off droid fighters in the asteroid belt.

Strike team vessels

The strike team was equipped with land vehicles and spaceworthy craft. The Republic Troop Transport and the TX-130S Saber-class Fighter Tank assisted in the taking of the arena, while Jedi piloted their specialized Delta-7 Aethersprite-class interceptor in space.

Behind the scenes

In deleted scenes, the Battle revolves mainly around two battles: one on the surface, and one in the air. A similar concept to what's canon, except Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo Koon lead a team of jedi to attempt to shut the droids on the surface off from the air.

Appearances

• The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game (Non-canonical appearance)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Non-canonical appearance)
• LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (Non-canonical appearance)
• Star Wars: Force Collection
• Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter
• Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones novelization (First appearance)
• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones junior novel
• Star Wars: Battlefront II
• Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game

Sources

• Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones on StarWars.com (backup link (explore/the-movies/episode-ii/) not verified!)
• "Jedi Casualties: Battle of Geonosis" — Keeper of the Holocron's Blog — Leland Chee's StarWars.com Blog (backup link)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Aayla Secura (★★★)) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Barriss Offee (★★★)) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Coleman Trebor) (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Nicanas Tassu (★★★)) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Pablo-Jill (★★★)) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Sephjet Josall (★★★)) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Shaak Ti) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Adi Gallia) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Luminara Unduli (★★★★)) (Picture only)
• Star Wars: Force Collection (Card: Mace Windu) (Picture only)
• Jedi Order in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link) (Picture only)

External links

• Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Survivors on the Jedi Council Forums (Literature board; accessed February 22, 2013) (backup link (threads/6940155/) not verified!)

In other languages

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