Chapter Summaries

Yuri Orlov agreed to sell Anakin Skywalker anti-tank weapons for the campaign to retake Rhen Var in exchange for Republic equipment and supplies from its base. After his brother Vitaly refused to help with his arms business, Yuri scrambled to gather weapons and contacted Fourth Group for more supplies.

• Yuri Orlov agreed to provide Anakin Skywalker with anti-tank weapons in exchange for Rhen Var's hyperspace sensors, communications equipment, and half its weapons stockpile after the Republic retook the planet.
• Yuri Orlov asked Vitaly Orlov to join his business, but Vitaly refused because he wanted to help end the war.
• Yuri Orlov argued with Vitaly about profiting from the war, and Vitaly ended their call.
• Yuri Orlov ordered ten thousand rocket launchers and one hundred thousand anti-tank missiles, including M-41 launchers if needed.
• Yuri Orlov contacted Miss Gross at Fourth Group to secure weapons, recognizing that Fourth Group remained his largest supply channel.

Anakin Skywalker entered Ulic Qel-Droma’s tomb on Lorn Val and learned that Count Dooku had taken the Dark Reaper, an ancient Sith superweapon. Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi argued over Anakin’s unauthorized counterattack, but Anakin insisted they had to move quickly to stop Dooku.

• Anakin Skywalker found the entrance to Ulic Qel-Droma’s tomb after the Republic forces cleared the Separatist droids from Lorn Val.
• Ulic Qel-Droma’s spirit told Anakin that Count Dooku had taken the Dark Reaper, believing he was destroying it to prevent it from falling into dangerous hands.
• Anakin learned that the Dark Reaper consisted of a Force Harvester and a weapon that fired destructive Force beams, and Ulic warned him against the Dark Side’s temptations.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi rebuked Anakin for retaking Lorn Val without authorization and for dealing with Yuri Orlov.
• Anakin told Obi-Wan that they had to stop Dooku immediately, while Obi-Wan said they should report the superweapon to the Galactic Republic.

Count Dooku activated the Dark Reaper’s Force Harvester on Alaris, draining the life from three Wookiee settlements and the surrounding land. Anakin sensed the massacre and persuaded Obi-Wan to leave Rhen Var, while Lucien Draay appeared to Tang Xiao aboard the Glory.

• Count Dooku landed on Alaris and activated the Force Harvester, which began draining life from the mercenaries and nearby vegetation.
• After the mercenaries attacked him, Count Dooku blasted them aside and let the device drain their life force until they became mummified corpses.
• Count Dooku allowed the Force Harvester to kill nearly everyone in three Wookiee settlements, then departed after its range expanded across more than three hundred kilometers.
• Anakin Skywalker sensed the Dark Reaper’s activation and told Obi-Wan Kenobi that Count Dooku was massacring the inhabitants of Alaris.
• Obi-Wan agreed with Anakin and ordered them to leave Rhen Var, while Lucien Draay appeared before Tang Xiao aboard the Glory.

Tang Xiao learned that the Dark Reaper had been activated and that Lucien Draay wanted him to obtain the weapon’s Force Harvester core. Meanwhile, Bail Organa’s attempt to mediate Christophsis’s conflict failed as fighting erupted between the Christophsians and Kroydon, with Retail Clan combat droids entering the battle.

• Lucien Draay told Tang Xiao that the Dark Reaper had been activated and urged him to seize the Force Harvester’s core so he could rebuild the weapon.
• Tang Xiao dismissed Lucien Draay and contacted Sefrans Tann, who reported that Christophsis was on the brink of civil war and armed clashes had begun.
• Bail Organa met Prime Minister Modisai in Chaleydonia City and offered to mediate the dispute with the Kroydon, but Modisai demanded Republic troops instead.
• Christophsian soldiers attacked a Kroydon settlement in Navar City, and Retail Clan LR-57 combat droids emerged from the smoke and halted their advance.

The Retail Clan and Confederacy of Independent Systems launched a full invasion of Christophsis, overwhelming its forces and surrounding the planet. As Separatist droids approached Crystal City, Prime Minister Modise begged Bail Organa for Republic aid, while Christophsis faced the threat of conquest.

• LR-57 droids routed Christophsian troops and destroyed their lightly armored tanks across Kloiden settlements.
• The Retail Clan accused Christophsis of persecuting the Kloidens and used their accession to the Confederacy of Independent Systems to justify intervention.
• On July 11, the Retail Clan fleet destroyed Christophsis's orbital defenses, blockaded the planet, and deployed a massive Separatist droid army.
• The Retail Clan appointed Kloiden general Volm Lotham to command the invasion and secure Kloiden support.
• Bail Organa's efforts to negotiate peace with Prime Minister Modise failed as the droids advanced toward Crystal City.
• Modise grabbed Bail Organa and demanded Republic troops as Christophsian cities fell and the Separatist army neared Crystal City.

Separatist forces conquered much of Christophsis, prompting Bail Organa to organize a retreat and civilian evacuation as Prime Minister Modisai blamed the Republic. Elsewhere, Anakin Skywalker remained stranded on Sivvi while Obi-Wan Kenobi sought help, and two unseen girls began investigating Spice Smuggling on Coruscant.

• Volm Lotham seized Christophsis's communications center and announced that the planet belonged to the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
• Modisai lost contact with most of Christophsis's commanders and blamed Bail Organa and the Republic for abandoning the planet.
• Bail Organa urged a defensive retreat, civilian evacuation, and militia mobilization, then set out with 500 Clone Troopers to delay the Separatist advance.
• Anakin Skywalker tracked the Dark Reaper to Tull Planet and was stranded alone on Sivvi after his assault on the planetary shield failed.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi sought Republic support and tried to find a way to rescue Anakin while Count Dooku prepared to activate the Dark Reaper.
• Two unseen girls on Coruscant's Level 476 stabilized an illusion and connected to the Governor's communications as they investigated Spice Smuggling.

Obi-Wan Kenobi hired Titan Security mercenaries to help destroy the planetary shield protecting Tull Planet, despite Master Windu’s objections. As Jedi reinforcements prepared to invade Tull Planet, Darth Malthael remained hidden among Titan Security’s human soldiers.

• Yuri Orlov offered Obi-Wan Kenobi weapons and connected him with Titan Security after Obi-Wan requested an army for an attack on Sivian satellite.
• The Jedi Council agreed to send reinforcements to Tull Planet, and Depa Barris received permission to join with the Luna Sisters.
• Titan Security forces led by General Hakimi and Mira Han attacked Sivian satellite while Obi-Wan rushed to assist Anakin Skywalker in destroying its Planetary Shield Generator.
• After the shield generator was destroyed, Master Yoda and Master Windu arrived on Sivian satellite, where Windu questioned Obi-Wan’s decision to hire mercenaries linked to Fourth Group.
• Yoda approved continuing to use Titan Security, and the Jedi prepared to land on Tull Planet while Darth Malthael remained concealed among the mercenaries.

Master Windu led a Republic assault that broke Count Dooku’s defenses on Tull Planet, while Darth Malthael secretly used the battle to advance his own plans. After Kasyyak’s gates fell, Malthael slipped into the city as the fighting spread.

• Count Dooku rushed to defend Kasyyak after Master Windu’s forces destroyed key facilities and cut off reinforcements.
• Master Windu, Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, and their allies launched a full assault on the city, while Hakimi’s Titan Security harassed Dooku’s flank.
• Darth Malthael fought alongside Titan Security as Luna-Meng and Luna-Huan’s illusions diverted most of Kasyyak’s anti-air fire.
• Malthael reflected on the Dream Sisters’ hatred of the Jedi and his plans involving Depa Billaba and Haruun Kal.
• The Jedi breached Kasyyak’s gates, and Malthael vanished into the city after transmitting a CIS identification code that made nearby droids ignore him.

Darth Malthael reached the Sith altar as Count Dooku activated the Dark Reaper, which drained the strength of Republic soldiers and weakened the Jedi assault. Malthael confronted Dooku and offered to save him, but vanished when Master Windu and Anakin Skywalker arrived to stop the weapon.

• Darth Malthael sensed the Dark Reaper's purple energy and used Lucien Draay's Force knowledge to shield himself as it drained the attacking soldiers.
• Master Windu halted the Republic forces and led the Jedi toward the Dark Reaper while Darth Malthael reached the altar.
• Darth Malthael confronted Count Dooku, claimed the title of Darth Sidious's junior brother, and said Dooku should call him Martial Uncle.
• Darth Malthael warned Count Dooku that relying on others to achieve his ideals was a dead end and said he had come to save him, then disappeared into smoke.
• Master Windu and Anakin Skywalker arrived; Windu told Anakin to destroy the Dark Reaper while he held Count Dooku back.
• Count Dooku warned that the Dark Reaper would ensure their defeat and took up a Makashi stance against Master Windu.

Anakin Skywalker destroyed the Dark Reaper’s energy nodes while the Jedi Masters fought Count Dooku and the robot army. With the superweapon’s shield down, the Jedi charged to destroy it, while Luna Dream and Luna Illusion secretly exchanged cold smiles.

• Darth Malthael watched from the shadows as Anakin Skywalker connected to the Dark Reaper and began destroying its energy nodes, while Count Dooku and Master Windu dueled.
• Count Dooku grew alarmed as Jedi reinforcements arrived, and Luna Dream and Luna Illusion used illusions and miniature Lightsabers to help confuse and attack the robots.
• Anakin Skywalker destroyed all the energy nodes, bringing down the Dark Reaper’s shield, then insisted on joining the attack despite his exhaustion.
• Master Windu ordered the Jedi Knights to destroy the Dark Reaper, while Obi-Wan Kenobi tried to help Anakin and Luna Dream and Luna Illusion exchanged cold smiles.

The Jedi destroyed the Dark Reaper, but Darth Malthael ambushed Master Windu during the battle and wounded him. Count Dooku reported the defeat to Darth Sidious while withholding what he knew about Malthael, and warned him that Anakin Skywalker and two unusually gifted girls could affect events to come.

• Luna-Dream and Luna-Phantom sent their Jedi Knight illusions onto the Dark Reaper, drawing the droids’ fire and causing the superweapon to collapse.
• Darth Malthael attacked Master Windu, forcing him back with an aggressive assault protected by an invisible Force barrier.
• Count Dooku fled as the battle turned against him, and Darth Malthael wounded Master Windu before moving toward the Dark Reaper.
• Anakin Skywalker destroyed the Dark Reaper’s core with his Lightsaber, then collapsed as Obi-Wan Kenobi helped him up.
• Master Yoda and Master Windu recognized that defeating the Dark Reaper had not brought lasting victory.
• Count Dooku reported the Dark Reaper’s destruction to Darth Sidious and mentioned Anakin’s exposure to its dark knowledge and the potential of two young girls.

Darth Malthael took the Dark Reaper’s core from Count Dooku and revealed his interest in immortality, while Tang Xiao secured the core aboard the Glory. Tang Xiao’s T-850 impersonator and his reaction to it left him preparing to attend the new destroyer’s maiden voyage ceremony.

• Darth Malthael showed Count Dooku the power to revive a dead Clone Trooper, then claimed the Dark Reaper’s core for himself and escaped aboard the Sith Infiltrator.
• Count Dooku discovered that the mercenaries who had aided Darth Malthael were already dead and watched Tang Xiao’s public speech while pondering immortality.
• Tang Xiao hid the Dark Reaper’s core beside Kresh’s Gauntlet and told Lucien Draay that recovering it had forced him to reveal himself to Count Dooku early.
• Tang Xiao laughed at the T-850 that had impersonated him during his speech, then tore it apart with the Dark Side Force.
• The Mainframe reminded Tang Xiao of his trip to Kaf Bir and the maiden voyage ceremony, and Tang Xiao ordered it to have the office cleaned and notify Professor Arroyo.

Tang Xiao inspected the Fourth Civilization’s Enforcer-class destroyer prototypes and confirmed that their weapons were compatible with existing technology. He authorized the Salarians to form their own fleet with the new ships, preparing them to enter galactic affairs.

• Arroyo-Barlow told Tang Xiao that the Salarians had found suitable materials for adapting Amarr Empire warships.
• Lin Long explained that the three Enforcer-class destroyer prototypes were ready for their trial voyage.
• The Enforcer-class destroyers demonstrated flexible firepower with their sixteen medium X-ray integrated turrets.
• Lin Long reported that the ships used Deflector Shields for now, while voltage-responsive film technology would take at least another half year to develop.
• Tang Xiao authorized the Salarians to establish a fleet starting with the Enforcer-class, while Lin Long said the Punisher-class frigate would be finalized within a month.

After the Enforcer-class destroyer’s successful trial, Tang Xiao secured the Selurites’ alliance and spoke with the Geth about expansion and a possible military partnership. The Geth prepared to test its forces against the Galactic Republic, while Tang Xiao saw an opportunity to strengthen the Cooperative Alliance’s position in the Milky Way’s northwest.

• Tang Xiao told Arroyo-Balo to focus on developing Cutter-class frigates if work on larger warships stalled.
• Jacinda offered the Selurites’ support in the war, including staff teams for capital ships and a secret Special Operations Department.
• Tang Xiao appointed Professor Modin to the cabinet and another Selurite as a Senator’s Aide representing Kef Bir.
• The Geth told Tang Xiao that Sojourn Planet lacked resources and that they planned to expand and test their combat strength against the Galactic Republic.
• Tang Xiao asked the Geth to avoid Class One habitable planets and invited them to assist in his military operation.
• Tang Xiao considered how the Geth could join forces with the InterGalactic Banking Clan and Fourth Group, making the northwest a Cooperative Alliance stronghold.

Tang Xiao negotiated with Yuri Orlov over finding Yuri’s missing brother, then attended the Selurites’ formal entry into the Confederacy. Count Dooku tested Tang Xiao’s loyalty to the Archangel of Death and asked to transfer General Sefrans Tann, before revealing a secret Extractor production project on Krant Planet.

• Yuri Orlov asked Tang Xiao to find his missing brother Vitaly, and Tang Xiao agreed to have the Intelligence Department search for him.
• Grand Elder Jacinda registered the Selurites as a Confederacy species, Keff Bir Planet as their homeworld, and the Kig-Yar as their vassals, while Muira took office as a senator.
• The Selurites’ two Enforcer-class heavy destroyers attracted attention from Confederacy corporations, but Watto Tambor’s offer to buy one was refused.
• Count Dooku questioned Tang Xiao about the Archangel of Death and asked whose side Tang Xiao would take if they came into conflict; Tang Xiao said Dawn Star Planet would support the New Order.
• Count Dooku asked to transfer General Sefrans Tann to the Confederacy High Command, but Tang Xiao refused because she was recovering and needed in his theater.
• Count Dooku disclosed that he was building a secret Extractor production base on Krant Planet and wanted General Tann to oversee the project.

Tang Xiao accepted Count Dooku’s offer to share Extractor technology with Dawn Star Planet, while Dooku pursued a powerful candidate on Rattatak Planet. Dooku confronted Asajj Ventress in the arena and began testing her potential with Force lightning.

• Count Dooku offered Dawn Star Planet access to the Extractor technology and asked General Tann to focus on its development, and Tang Xiao accepted.
• After Tang Xiao left, Count Dooku learned that Asajj Ventress was a former warlord and Jedi-trained bounty hunter with great potential, and decided to visit Rattatak Planet.
• Count Dooku watched Asajj Ventress defeat a string of gladiators in the arena, including a Gamorrean and a towering opponent.
• Ventress entered Dooku’s private lounge after killing his intelligence agent and declared herself a Sith Lord.
• Count Dooku revealed his red Lightsaber and fought Ventress, then struck her with Force lightning.

Count Dooku recruited Asajj Ventress as an assistant and sent her to assassinate Anakin Skywalker on Naboo’s moon, though he never truly named her his apprentice. Meanwhile, the fighting on Christophsis intensified as both sides sought reinforcements and the Republic prepared to break the blockade.

• Darth Sidious approved Ventress as Dooku’s assistant, warned him not to violate the Rule of Two, and ordered her to prove herself by assassinating Anakin Skywalker.
• Ventress pledged herself to Dooku, who gave her the curved-hilt Lightsabers of his former apprentice Komari Vosa and assigned Durge to accompany her on a raid against the Gungans on Ohma-D'un.
• Ventress believed Dooku had made her his apprentice, unaware that he had never actually said so.
• On Christophsis, Volm Lotham’s droid forces advanced toward Crystal City while Bail Organa’s 500 Clone Troopers held a strategic position and bought the government time to mobilize militia.
• Clashes between Christophsians and Kloidens forced Volm Lotham to divert forces, while Byluir assembled a fleet to break the blockade and Volm requested reinforcements and heavy equipment from Passel Argente.

Passel Argente reinforced Volm Lotham’s campaign on Christophsis, allowing the Separatists to push into Crystal City and besiege Bail Organa’s forces. Count Dooku and Darth Sidious then arranged Gaddula Besadi’s abduction to make the Hutts believe the Jedi were responsible, leaving Alok Besadi calling Palpatine.

• General Grievous confronted Passel Argente over launching the Christophsis campaign without informing him, but accepted Passel’s explanation and remained focused on his raid on Kamino.
• Passel withdrew troops and equipment from the Bosa front and bought Octuptarra Magna tri-droids from Wat Tambor to reinforce Volm Lotham.
• Volm Lotham used the reinforcements to encircle Bail Organa and his Clone Army, then advanced toward Crystal City as fighting spread through the capital.
• Bail Organa pleaded with the Republic for reinforcements, but the Republic fleet remained pinned down at Falrin Planet and could not break General Trench’s defenses.
• Count Dooku and Darth Sidious plotted to draw the Hutts into the war, and attackers abducted Gaddula Besadi while leaving evidence implicating the Jedi Knights.
• Alok Besadi called Palpatine’s office after the abduction caused an uproar among the Hutts.

The Republic and the Separatists both faced a crisis after Gaddula Besadi was kidnapped, threatening Hutt neutrality and the hyperspace routes through Hutt Space. As the Jedi dispatched Anakin Skywalker to rescue her, Tang Xiao realized that his precautions on Tatooine had failed.

• Alok Besadi demanded that the Republic find Gaddula within three days, and Palpatine promised an explanation while assuring him the Jedi Order was not involved.
• Yoda and Windu agreed that the Jedi had to rescue Gaddula, and they chose Anakin Skywalker for the mission despite concerns about his workload.
• Yoda and Windu proposed assigning Anakin an apprentice to help him mature, while Adi Gallia worried that he was already under too much pressure.
• Alok Besadi told Tang Xiao that Gaddula had been kidnapped, and Tang Xiao questioned how it could have happened under the Calamity Legion's watch.
• Tang Xiao recalled that the kidnapping served the same strategic interests as the plot to abduct Jabba's son and concluded that Tatooine had become a target despite his precautions.

Tang Xiao concluded that Jabba and the Confederacy of Independent Systems had helped orchestrate Gaddula’s kidnapping to frame the Jedi and weaken the Besadi kajidic. He assembled a rescue force and contacted Anakin Skywalker, seeking a way to save Gaddula and keep control of Tatooine.

• Tang Xiao and Alok Besadi reasoned that the Desilijic kajidic planned to have Gaddula killed and blamed on the Jedi, forcing the Hutts into conflict with the Galactic Republic.
• Tang Xiao warned Alok that the Confederacy of Independent Systems was also involved, but Alok rejected the idea of seeking help from the Jedi Order.
• Tang Xiao cut off the call and contacted Cun Te, Madam M, and Justin Levis, ordering Justin to bring an elite unit back from the preparations to attack Christophsis.
• Tang Xiao recalled Shi Aimin from the Kuna Cluster colony to join Cun Te and Justin Levis in the effort to rescue Gaddula.
• Tang Xiao compared the plot to the original scheme involving Rotta and concluded that Gaddula had to survive and Tatooine had to remain under his control.
• Tang Xiao put on a black cloak and opened a communication with Anakin Skywalker.