Chapter Summaries

Lieutenant General Trinald Skarrid and Jan Dodonna prepared to take command of the Republic task force sent to Rendili, while Master Yoda refused to leave the conflict. Jing Fang chose to save the unconscious Arden Lyn and allowed her to leave if she wished.

• Skarrid learned that Master Yoda’s Jedi had recaptured around fifty capital ships and asked Yoda to leave fleet command to him and Dodonna.
• Yoda agreed not to interfere with fleet command but said he would continue helping with the battle for Rendili.
• Skarrid argued with Dodonna about their fleets and claimed Rendili Planet would be his, while Dodonna warned that the rebels’ planetary shield would force a head-on fleet battle.
• Dodonna began reorganizing the task force’s crews, a process he expected to take two or three days.
• Jing Fang ordered a disabled V-19 fighter recovered and discovered the unconscious Arden Lyn aboard.
• Jing Fang chose to save Arden Lyn without shackling her, and Yoda accepted that decision with a sigh.

Skarrid launched a Republic attack on Rendili before either side’s fleet could finish reorganizing, and his better-prepared force quickly overwhelmed the rebels’ chaotic resistance. Darth Malthael ordered the remaining ships to rally around the defense platforms and hold their positions, hoping to buy time for Sefrans Tann’s fleet to arrive.

• Skarrid assigned Jan Dodonna to reorganize Rendili’s Planet Defense Fleet, then attacked with his twenty newly built warships.
• Jesse Darlen gave confused orders as the rebel fleet panicked, broke formation, and began trying to flee.
• A powerful shot from a Knight-class Star Destroyer struck Malthael’s ship, and Malthael mistook the attacker for an Imperial-class Star Destroyer.
• A Republic ship crippled a fleeing Dreadnought-class cruiser less than ten minutes into the battle, and Malthael estimated the rebel fleet could collapse within two hours.
• Malthael ordered the warships to organize around the space defense platforms and threatened crews who retreated with execution by the death squads.

The Urlan family’s coup on Rendili remained mired in disorganized ground fighting, while the Republic task force gained the advantage in space. Darth Malthael held the fleet’s defensive line and headed for the hangar as he waited for Sefrans Tann’s fleet to arrive.

• The Planetary Shield led many Republic-loyal factions to surrender, though poorly armed forces continued fighting across Rendili.
• Darth Malthael concluded that he had to stall for Sefrans Tann’s fleet because sending it early would worsen accusations of a Separatist invasion.
• Darth Malthael ordered executions of Rendili fleet officers and captains to restore order, then repositioned the fleet around two Golan I space defense platforms.
• A Republic Knight-class Star Destroyer struck Darth Malthael’s ship as Master Yoda joined the task force’s attack.
• Darth Malthael ordered the B-1 droids to fire at the enemy’s three largest warships, then left for the hangar.

The Republic task force under Lieutenant General Trinald Skarrid overwhelmed Rendili’s fleet and fighters, while Master Yoda sensed Darth Malthael among the enemy. As the battle turned against Rendili, Darth Malthael prepared to pilot a V-19 and mocked Captain Jesse Darlen for his failure to hold the line.

• Lieutenant General Trinald Skarrid ordered most of the Republic task force to attack Rendili’s right flank while the rest maintained suppressive fire.
• Master Yoda sensed the Dark Side and identified Darth Malthael as being in the opposing fleet, but Skarrid dismissed his concern.
• Captain Jesse Darlen failed to counter the Republic’s assault, and Rendili’s smaller fighter force was routed by the Republic’s fighters, especially the Alpha-3 “Holy Light” V-wings.
• Skarrid anticipated victory without noticing that Master Yoda had quietly left.
• Darth Malthael boarded a V-19 Torrent fighter and mocked Jesse Darlen for repeatedly shouting “hold the line” instead of finding another response.

Darth Malthael let Cun Te take command of the Rendili fleet while he flew into the battle, where his presence turned the fighter engagement against the Republic. The chapter ended as more than eight hundred Republic and Rendili fighters abruptly turned on the Republic warships, piloted by the reanimated dead.

• Darth Malthael struck Jesse Darlen aside, and Cun Te took charge of the fleet's response.
• Cun Te ordered Jesse Darlen to move the warships toward the right flank and force Troda's defense platform to help Rendili.
• Darth Malthael launched in a V-19 fighter and entered the battle as Rendili's fighters suffered heavy losses.
• Lieutenant General Trinald Skarrid prepared to claim credit for the Republic's expected victory and praised Kuat Drive Yards' ships and fighters.
• More than eight hundred Republic and Rendili fighters stopped fighting and turned toward the Republic warships, while their pilots were revealed to be walking corpses.

Lieutenant General Skarrid’s Republic fleet fought off a wave of fighters that suddenly turned against it, while Rendili’s defense platform was forced to join the attack. Darth Malthael raced toward Skarrid’s flagship, but Master Yoda intercepted him, and their duel carried them toward another Knight-class Star Destroyer.

• Skarrid ordered the Republic fleet to fire on hundreds of its own fighters after they abruptly turned toward the warships, and a second wave soon suffered the same loss of contact.
• Cun Te’s Rendili Planet Defense Fleet surrounded a neutral space defense platform and forced its owner to fire on the Republic fleet.
• A V-19 Torrent fighter evaded the fleet’s fire and raced toward Skarrid’s flagship, prompting Skarrid to identify its pilot as a possible Sith.
• Master Yoda intercepted the V-19 in an Eta-2 fighter, and he and Darth Malthael began a dangerous aerial duel based on Force-driven predictions.
• Yoda drove Malthael away from Skarrid’s flagship, but their duel took them toward another Knight-class Star Destroyer.

Darth Malthael and Master Yoda fought atop the dead Star Destroyer Takadra while its reanimated crew steered it toward the Republic flagship. The standoff in space gave the Urlan family time to strengthen its grip on Rendili, and news that the InterGalactic Banking Clan had split from the Republic boosted the planet’s morale.

• Darth Malthael and Master Yoda escaped their fighters onto Takadra’s hull, and Yoda warned Lieutenant General Skarrid that the Star Destroyer was lost and must be sunk.
• Skarrid ordered his fleet to retreat and fire warning shots at Takadra, which continued charging toward the Republic ships under Malthael’s control.
• Yoda sensed that Malthael’s Death Force had killed Takadra’s crew and left them able to operate the ship, then clashed with him using their Lightsabers.
• Skarrid’s fleet avoided firing at full strength because Yoda was aboard Takadra, leaving the Rendili Planet Defense Fleet free to replenish its forces.
• Bangjila Ulan seized the assets and personnel of shipwrights accused of treason and pressured neutral defense platforms to submit to the Urlan family.
• The Urlan family publicized the Republic fleet’s inability to advance, while news that the InterGalactic Banking Clan had split from the Republic encouraged Rendili’s people.

Darth Malthael and Master Yoda fought in space while each tried to buy time, and Yoda escaped as the Republic fleet resumed its attack. The battle settled into a stalemate until the Conqueror-class battleship Destruction arrived as reinforcements.

• Darth Malthael tried to persuade Master Yoda to stop fighting and focus on Darth Sidious, but Yoda refused.
• Malthael intensified his Death Force, but Yoda escaped aboard the only fighter left intact on the Star Destroyer.
• Malthael sent his walking corpses to steer the Star Destroyer toward the Rendili Defense Fleet as the Republic task force opened fire.
• Lieutenant General Skarrid Trinald led the Republic task force in a cautious second offensive, and neither side gained an advantage.
• A day later, the Conqueror-class battleship Destruction emerged from hyperspace as the sole arriving reinforcement.

Sefrans Tann arrived to take command of Rendili’s defenses, while Darth Malthael ordered her to protect the planet from the Republic fleet. Adi Gallia, near death after her resurrection, insisted on seeing Darth Sidious destroyed, and Malthael sent her to Taris to attempt another rebirth.

• Sefrans Tann arrived with reinforcements, and Darth Malthael placed Rendili’s defense fleet under her command.
• Tann began reorganizing the fleet with new officers and T-series tactical robots, promising to counterattack the Republic fleet within a day.
• Adi Gallia came to Darth Malthael, her body deteriorating as death’s influence consumed her.
• Adi Gallia told Darth Malthael she had endured because she wanted to witness Darth Sidious’s destruction.
• Darth Malthael offered Adi Gallia another chance at rebirth through a ritual in the Rakghoul-infested Lower City of Taris.

Count Dooku weighed Dawn Star Planet’s growing power and recognized Tang Xiao as a threat, while considering how to strengthen his own forces. He contacted Sola Balk, leaving his next move unresolved.

• Count Dooku ended his discussion with Tang Xiao about Rendili and reflected on Dawn Star Planet’s expanding territory, alliances, and influence.
• Count Dooku worried that Rendili StarDrive joining Tang Xiao’s bloc could upset the galaxy’s balance of power, though he believed the Confederacy’s resources gave him leverage over Rendili.
• Count Dooku concluded that Archangel of Death was likely Tang Xiao and feared the Sith Lord’s strength, while accepting that his relationship with Darth Sidious was over.
• Count Dooku reviewed the abilities and limitations of Sola Balk, Asajj Ventress, Quinlan Vos, Nikos Trelis, and Sato, deciding he needed more power.
• Count Dooku contacted Sola Balk and greeted his longtime ally.

Count Dooku rejected the Archangel of Death’s offer to become his apprentice and sent Sola Balk to Dathomir to recruit warriors. Meanwhile, the Republic’s advance made the Neutral Alliance’s refusal to admit either side’s military vessels a growing strategic problem.

• Count Dooku told Sola Balk that he would not submit to the Archangel of Death or Darth Sidious, and insisted that the Confederacy belonged to him.
• Sola Balk suggested searching Force-rich worlds for warriors, and Count Dooku ordered him to visit Dathomir and seek Mother Talzin’s help.
• Sola Balk ended the transmission and departed for Dathomir.
• The Republic’s 10th and 11th Armies recaptured Yavin 4 as its counteroffensive advanced through the Northeastern Territory.
• The Republic sought access to the Neutral Alliance’s territory to support its campaigns, but the alliance continued to bar military vessels from both sides.

The chapter traced the Mandalorians from their Taung origins on Coruscant through their settlement of Mandalore, religious traditions, wars, and reforms. It ended with Mandalore the Ultimate and Grand Strategist Cassus Fett rebuilding the Crusaders and making the T-shaped helmet slit a symbol of all Mandalorians.

• The Taung lost their war against the Zhell on Coruscant and later settled on Roon.
• Mandalore the First led the Taung to a new planet, which they named Mandalore, and the people became known as Mandalorians.
• After the Mandalorians defeated the Nevoota, they developed the worship of Kad Ha'rangir and began calling their warriors Mandalorian Crusaders.
• Mandalore the Indomitable led the Mandalorians into contact and alliance with the Sith Empire, but the Republic defeated their forces and killed their leader.
• A surviving warrior took Mand'alor's helmet, became Mandalore the Ultimate, and opened Mandalorian society to members of other races.
• Grand Strategist Cassus Fett helped Mandalore the Ultimate rebuild the Crusaders and standardize their armor, making its T-shaped helmet slit a Mandalorian symbol.

The chapter traced the Mandalorians’ rise under Mandalore the Ultimate, their defeat in the Mandalorian Wars, and their later decline and return to strength. It ended with the Galactic Republic and Jedi Order backing a slaughter to stop the Mandalorians’ renewed resurgence.

• The Taung dwindled and eventually vanished as other species, especially Humans, took their place among the Mandalorians.
• Mandalore the Ultimate and Grand Strategist Karness Fett led the Mandalorian Crusaders against the Galactic Republic, but Celeste Morne destroyed millions of their troops on Jubal with the Muur Talisman.
• Revan and Malak defeated the Mandalorian Crusaders, killed Mandalore the Ultimate, and ended the Mandalorians’ era as a centralized empire.
• The Mandalorians weakened over the following millennia, while many became mercenaries and bounty hunters across the galaxy.
• In 1058 BBY, a Mandalorian leader launched the Return Movement, and the scattered Mandalorians began rebuilding their strength.
• Fearing their resurgence after the Sith wars and the Rusan Reforms, the Galactic Republic’s senators and Chancellor chose slaughter, with the Jedi Order’s support.

The chapter recounts how the Mandalorian Excision reshaped Mandalorian society and produced three factions: the New Mandalorians, the True Mandalorians, and Death Watch. It ends with the Republic and Jedi intervening in the factions’ conflict in the Galidrong Campaign, which helped drive Dooku away from the Jedi Order.

• The Galactic Republic used Mandalorian transit taxes as a pretext to attack Mandalore, devastate its surface, and occupy it for decades.
• The New Mandalorians embraced pacifism, built their capital at Sundari, and rejoined the Galactic Republic, while traditionalist Loyalists were exiled to Concordia.
• Jaster Mereel reformed the traditional Mandalorians into the True Mandalorians, prompting Tor Vizsla and his followers to form Death Watch and fight them in a civil war.
• After Jaster Mereel died, Jango Fett became leader of the True Mandalorians.
• The Galactic Republic and Jedi Order intervened in the conflict during the Galidrong Campaign, deepening Dooku’s disillusionment with the Jedi Order.

The chapter recounted the Galidrong Campaign, in which false accusations led the Jedi to kill most of Jango Fett’s True Mandalorians and helped drive Count Dooku away from the Order. It then traced Duchess Satine Kryze’s rise and the Mandalorian factions’ situation before an unspecified change arrived.

• Galidrong's governor tricked Jango Fett into bringing the True Mandalorians to suppress a rebellion, then accused them of attacking political activists.
• Master Dooku confronted Jango Fett's forces, and the resulting battle killed every participating True Mandalorian except Jango and more than half the Jedi Knights present.
• Galidrong's governor sold the captured Jango into slavery, while the True Mandalorians disbanded and Death Watch survived.
• Duchess Satine Kryze and Obi-Wan Kenobi thwarted Death Watch's schemes, and Satine united the New Mandalorians and consolidated her rule.
• Death Watch was driven underground, the remaining True Mandalorians became mercenaries and bounty hunters, and an unspecified change arrived.

Tang Xiao reviewed the Fourth Civilization’s progress and learned that Yuri Orlov had found his missing brother, Vitaly, on Mandalore. After Vitaly sent a frightened message mentioning “Zann” before vanishing, Tang Xiao recognized the word as the Zann Consortium.

• Tang Xiao reviewed reports of the Fourth Civilization’s industrial and military progress, then told Francis Underwood to monitor Rendili StarDrive and discussed supply shipments to Rendili Planet.
• Yuri Orlov contacted Tang Xiao to ask for help finding his brother, Vitaly, whom he had located on Mandalore after years of searching.
• Yuri told Tang Xiao that Vitaly had served as an adviser to Duchess Satine Kryze and then sent a frightened transmission before it abruptly cut off.
• Yuri recalled that Vitaly had uttered a word sounding like “Reon,” and Tang Xiao guessed that he meant “Zann.”
• Tang Xiao identified Zann as the Zann Consortium, an organization that would not become active for another ten or twenty years.

Tang Xiao agreed to investigate Yuri Orlov’s missing brother on Mandalore and considered the political dangers surrounding the planet. Jango Fett refused to take a Mandalore-related commission, while Hermit warned that any intervention would provoke a fierce response from the Galactic Republic and Jedi Order.

• Tang Xiao told Yuri Orlov that he would launch an operation on Mandalore to search for his brother and bring him back if he was found.
• Tang Xiao contacted Jango Fett and offered him a high-paying commission involving Mandalore, Darth Maul, and Death Watch’s coming coup attempt.
• Jango Fett refused, saying Mandalore no longer had anything to do with him, and ended the transmission.
• Tang Xiao asked Hermit about the situation on Mandalore, and Hermit warned that the Galactic Republic and Jedi Order would react fiercely to any intervention.
• Tang Xiao ended the call and sat down to think through the situation.

Gabriel Tosh forced Sehas to reveal that the Republic planned a raid on a secret target within seven days, then arranged for Sehas to enter the Cona fleet’s command center. At the meeting, a mysterious informant identified the target as the Endless-class Super Carrier production line on Semirres and demanded its blueprints as payment.

• A disguised Sehas entered the Night Song Bar and was captured by Gabriel Tosh, who used Voodoo to compel him to reveal the Republic’s planned raid and its Jedi commanders.
• Tosh learned that Sehas served in the Cona Planet Defense Fleet and offered him money and a VIP card in exchange for access to the fleet’s command center.
• Tosh threatened Sehas into cooperating, warning that he would otherwise die in the bar.
• At a secret conference on the Cona orbital station, the mysterious informant told Admiral Tankray and Jedi Master Pawoish Ladur that Codename I was the Endless-class Super Carrier production line on Semirres Planet.
• The informant demanded a copy of the carrier blueprints, leaving the Republic commanders and Master Ladur stunned.

A mysterious man offered the Galactic Republic a seasonal hyperspace route and intelligence that could let it attack the Endless-class Super Carrier production line, in exchange for the carrier's blueprints. Master Pawoish Ladur ordered the Republic to verify the information despite the danger to its few Semirian informants.

• The mysterious man stunned Admiral Tankray by revealing the Republic's classified intelligence about the Endless-class Super Carrier and offering a way to destroy its production line.
• The man described a temporary route from the Ultaar system to the Semirres system and said it would become passable in five days.
• The mysterious man demanded the carrier's blueprints in exchange for the route and deployment intelligence, and warned that he would retaliate if the Republic broke its promise.
• The man warned that General Sefrans Tann would soon return to the Eastern Territory, making delay costly for the Republic.
• Master Pawoish Ladur ordered the Republic to use its informants to verify the Semirres intelligence and said he would investigate the route near Ultaar himself.

Sehas was manipulated into carrying Republic attack intelligence to the Separatists while conspirators pursued their plans for Mandalore, Semirres Planet, and Onderon. At Rendili, Sefrans Tann launched a renewed assault on Lieutenant General Trinald Skarrid's fleet, which prepared to evade the Destruction's ion pulse cannons.

• A short Bith used the Force to compel Sehas to sell intelligence about Plan I to the Separatists, and Sehas left for the spaceport.
• A short and a tall conspirator discussed provoking a battle on Semirres Planet while secretly seeking Mandalore and Death Watch, and they mentioned a further move on Onderon.
• Sefrans Tann directed the Rendili Planet defense fleet in an attack led by the Destruction and its powerful ion pulse cannons.
• Lieutenant General Trinald Skarrid planned to join forces with Lieutenant General Jan Dodonna after Dodonna reorganized his half of the Planet Defense Fleet.
• After detecting the Destruction's cannons charging, Skarrid ordered his ships to spread out and attack beyond the ion pulse's range.