Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 14, Defenders of the Peace

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 14, Defenders of the Peace continues directly and concludes the events from Episode 13, Jedi Crash. The episode has the Moral, "When surrounded by War, one must eventually choose a side."

Republic forces in retreat! While rescuing General Aayla Secura from certain defeat, Anakin Skywalker has been seriously injured. After a narrow escape, our heroes crash landed on the remote world of Maridun. Stranded and with no way to contact the Republic, the Jedi receive medical aid from the peaceful Lurmen colonists. But even on this tiny planet, the war threatens to follow the Jedi.

Clones Rex, Bly and the Jedi Anakin Skywalker, Aayla Secura and Ahsoka Tano are stranded on Maridun when to make matter worse, Captain Rex spots a Droid Drop ship in the gloomy skies. A Separatist ship is headed to their location. "What menace have you brought to our village now Jedi?" asks the Lurmen Clan elder, Tee Watt Kaa. Ahsoka explains that the Separatists do not even know they are here and would have arrived anyway. The Lurmen are peaceful pacifists and have no intention of fighting. The Jedi decide then, they must go into hiding and distance themselves from the village.

The Droid Drop-Ship lands. An army of droids depart led by General Lok Durd, an overweight male Neimoidian and weapons developer. He tells the Lurmen they are now under the protection of the Separatist Alliance. They have very little choice in the matter. As the Jedi leave unnoticed, the droids ransack the village. Tee Watt Kaa says they will offer no resistance, they are not interested in conflict. Holding this peaceful philosophy is starting to become a bit of a strain for the younger Lurmen.

The Jedi and two Clones are hiding in the tall grass plains safely away from the village. They decide they need to get off world as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the only ships on the planet are owned by the Separatists.

Suddenly a probe droid jumps out! Immediately jamming its signal frequency, they have to stop it before the device can report their proximity. They make chase, but Anakin, still poorly from his injuries is unable to keep pace. Eventually Secura splices it in two as it flees in another direction from Ahsoka Tano. The group climb a large tree to get a better vantage point to view the extent of the Separatist's forces. Anakin spots an available shuttle if they can get to it, but there are serious numbers of Battle Droids everywhere. This is a large and resourceful army with a number of tanks at their disposable as well as a new terrible weapon.

The Separatist's new weapon is the Defoliator, design by General Lok Durd himself and is capable of catastrophic destruction. This weapon can destroy all organic matter, but leave any machines unharmed.

Lok Durd contacts Count Dooku over Holo-transmission. The planet Maridun was just a planet to test the Defoliator. Dooku witnesses it's first test... which is impressive. A shell fires high into the sky and bursts into a wall of destructive flame on landing. All vegetation and life in its range-path is wiped out. Dooku is impressed, but he wants it tested against living creatures. This is no problem for Lok Durd.He particularly chose this planet because it is inhabited. The Lurmen would make excellent test subjects.

Having also witnessed the destruction from a safe high vantage point, the Jedi suspect the Separatists are now moving to the Lurmen Village for further testing. They have to do something!

At night, the Jedi close in on the Separatist base. Anakin deftly takes out the sentry droids as Secura and Ahsoka stealthily scale the wall and enter. Basic Battle Droids are no match for Jedi. Secura and Ahsoka destroy the patrolling Battle Droids and let Anakin and the clones into the structure. The group make short work of the mechanical security and make off with not only the shuttle, but also a set of handy Shield Generators.

Watt Too and some of the younger Lurmen have been keeping a watch on the Separatist's movements and fear an imminent attack on the village. The Elder Tee Watt Kaa strongly disagrees. He is a very stubborn character and believes this is not their war to fight. If they do so, then they are no better than the Separatists.

The Jedi and Clones land the stolen shuttle at the Lurmen village. They tell the Lurmen, they don't care if they're in the war or not, they have to get them to safety. The stubborn Tee Watt Kaa is angry, he had told them not to return! Ahsoka tells them of the new weapon and that their village will be burned to a crisp. "Is this what you really want?" she asks them. Tee Watt Kaa is still steadfast in his rigid views, but it's possible these views are now solely his own.

General Lok Durd and the droids approach the village in Separatist tanks. The General believes he will own a promotion for this... he sure does like the sound of his own voice! He spots the Jedi and can't believe it. What are they doing here? He immediately orders the firing of the Defoliator!

In response, the Jedi activate the stolen Shield Generators.

The Defoliator fires causing the expected destructive fire wave to race along the ground. It crashes against the Shield and rushes over it like a sea of hellish death. Only now do the Lurmen see the full reality of it. The Village has survived the first strike unscratched.

Lok Durd orders a charge. Tanks move in as does the first squad of battle droids. The Jedi step outside the shield, risking their lives to protect the Lurmen village. The Lurmen watch as the Jedi go all out in battle against seemingly overwhelming odds. They destroy the first squad only for Lok Durd to order two others to attack.

A seemingly recovered Anakin advances, but the clones are driven back behind the shield. Droids fiercely break the defensive line and destroy all the Shield generators! The shield ultimately fails and cuts out to nothing. The village is defenceless! Despite Tee Watt Kaa's strong pacifistic philosophy, the Lurmen decide they must do something! They add their weight to the battle against the droids.

The Shield down, General Lok Durd orders the Defoliator to be fired again. This blast will finish the job. With lightning speed, Anakin Skywalker appears. He carves up the weapon and the firing shell falls harmlessly to the ground. Conforming to Neimoidian stereotype, Lok Durd decides to run for it. Before achieving any real distance however, Anakin has him suspended in mid-air with the force. "There goes my promotion," he comments miserably.

The droids destroyed, the Lurmen Village has been saved. The Clan Elder Tee Watt Kaa comments, "Perhaps we do owe you our thanks, but I still wonder at what cost."

Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 13, Jedi Crash

The Clone Wars - Episode 13, Jedi Crash has the Moral, "Greed and fear of loss are the roots that lead to the tree of evil".

The Republic fleet is on the defensive and pushed to the brink. As war rages in the most contested Outer Rim Territories, chaos and fear mount as the Separatist army wages an epic battle against heavily outnumbered Republic Ships in the far reaches of the Quell system. Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka, race across the galaxy to aid the Jedi Knight Aayla Secura who is in the midst of a fight for her life as the sinister droid army closes in.

Jedi Knight Aayla Secura's Republic Warship is in trouble within the upper atmosphere of Quell. It is being intensely pummeled by Droid ships and has just lost its shields. Looking to take prisoners Super Battle-Droids bridge the gap to the ailing warship and board.

The rescue party arrive in the form of a Second Republic Warship with Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka and Admiral Yularen aboard. The ship is called The Resolute. They see Secura's ship under attack from the individual Super Battle Droids and immediately launch Gun-Ships to take them on.

During the battle, Anakin makes it to Secura's ship by hitching a lift on a Super whilst Ahsoka crashes a Gun-Ship through a gaping hole in the Warship's hull. She has a number of Clone Troops with her including Captain Rex. The ship is in flames and cannot survive much longer.

Battling their way through the crippled ship, Anakin, Ahsoka and the Clones meet up with Secura. They have to escape as quickly as possible as the vessel cannot possibly hold out much longer before exploding or starting to break up. A Republic Cruiser waits in the lower docking bay to take them away. Too late! Skywalker sees an explosion racing through the corridor toward them. He force-pushes his companions to safety through the air-lock, but is caught in its wake. Ahsoka opens the air-lock door and drags Anakin's unconscious body back to the waiting cruiser.

As they launch toward Admiral Yularen's Republic Warship to dock, Anakin lies in a critical condition being tended by a Medical Droid. Their escape cruiser takes a bad hit triggering the Hyperspace systems! Ahsoka and the Clones are unable to shut it down making any docking with Yularen's waiting ship now impossible. They vanish from the battlefield as the craft blasts into hyperspace away. Desperate to find them Yularen orders, "Plot every course along their last known trajectory!".

More bad news, the Republic Cruiser's navigation system is completely fried. Unable to alter course, they are headed right toward a star! Secura orders the clones to reset the Navigational Computer which means temporarily shutting the ship's power including Anakin's life-support. She says it's a risk that they have to take.

With the ship's systems successfully reset, they emerge from hyperspace dangerously close to the Star! Taking evasive action, they manage to swoop around it, but have taken critical damage. Unable to do much else, they crash land on a nearby habitable planet. Fortunately every one survives the impact.

One of the Clones finds evidence they are not alone on the planet, a stone tablet with a depiction of a tree etched on to it. Ahsoka doesn't want to leave her injured Master, but Secura says she must. It is important they find the people who live on the world in order to secure help. Captain Rex will guard Anakin while they are away in the makeshift camp they've erected.

In their search for intelligent life, the group are almost hit by some large falling seed type pods. There is a trail of them which they decide to follow.

Back at the camp, Captain Rex is guarding Anakin when he hears some movement in the bushes. Anakin awakes as Rex is attacked by a fierce birdlike creature. It is a Mastif Phalone! After a brief struggle, the beast is scared away by Blaster fire.

Secura's group are attacked by two of the Mastifs! Before they are scared off, three members of the Clones are killed. Secura decides it is unsafe out there and tells them they have to keep moving. Soldiering on, they eventually arrive at a large field of Pods & small gnome-monkey like aliens called the Lurmen. For some strange reason they have Irish accents, but this is Star Wars so anything goes!

Jedi Knight Aayla Secura explains to the Lurmen that they need their help, but the clan elder, Tee Watt Kaa, is not interested in their wars. He has very strong views on the subject. The Lurmen colonized the system to find solace from the wretched wars, they came there to find peace. Tee Watt Kaa tells them to leave before they destroy what small amount of peace is left in the galaxy. On hearing of Anakin SkyWalker's injuries however, they at least agree to send medical help in the form of their healer and Tee Watt Kaa's son, Wag Too. Uneasy, Tee Watt Kaa requests that one of the Jedi remain as insurance. This is Secura.

At the Camp, Anakin is in a bad way. Sensing danger, he struggles to his feet. He alerts Captain Rex and they turn round to see two of the vicious Mastifs headed in their direction!

Fortunately this is when Ahsoka, the Clone Bly and Wat Too arrive. The native Wat Too is an expert at dealing with these creatures. Using a rope he acrobatically ties them up with the help of the others. They take the injured Anakin on a streatcher back to the Lurmen's village where he is treated with healing Pod oil. He is told by Wat Too that the oil will aid the natural healing process.

Pleased that Master Anakin is now safe from harm Ahsoka comments that she is glad the whole ordeal is over. Jedi Secura reminds the young Padawan that they still have to find a way off the planet. Ahsoka believes that Admiral Yularen and the Republic Fleet will be looking for them.

Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 9, Cloak of Darkness

The Clone Wars: Season 1, Episode 9, Cloak of Darkness introduces us to Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and contains a lot of lightsabre duels. The Moral of the episode is "Ignore your instincts at your peril."

Vice Gunray captured! Senator Padme Amidala has scored a victory against the Separatist Alliance on the remote world of Rodia, securing the arrest of the diabolical Confederate leader, Nute Gunray. The Jedi Council has dispatched Master Luminara Unduli and Anakin Skywalker's Padawan, Ahsoka, to escort the Viceroy to Coruscant under heavy guard. Once there, he will face trial for his many war crimes.

The captured Gunray attempts to bribe the Clones to aid his escape, but they are loyal and not at all interested. The Viceroy is taken to a holding cell in the detention block of the Republic Warship on route to Coruscant. Master Luminari warns the young Ahsoka not to underestimate Gunray and his resourceful allies.

Meanwhile, the Emperor to be is concerned of Nute Gunray's capture and the sensitive information the Jedi may extract from him. Over Holo-transmission he is told by Count Dooku, that he plans to send his apprentice, Asajj Ventress to infiltrate the ship to either free Gunray or silence him.

Aboard the Republic Warship, Nute Gunray is questioned by Master Luminara. Gunray is not immediately forthcoming with his answers and completely losing control, Ahsoka flies in threatening the Neimoidian with her green lightsabre. Shocked, Luminara pulls her away. "Terror is not a weapon that the Jedi use". You can tell Ahsoka is Anakin's Padawan... she is developing the same worrying traits that he himself has.

Suddenly the ship comes under attack from Droid fighters. Droch-Class Boarding Ships land in and cut through the hull. Super Battledroids drop into the ship and immediately engage the Clones in a laser fight. Master Luminara rushes to help and instructs Ahsoka to stay behind and safely guard Gunray.

As the droids drive the Clones back into the ship, Dooku's apprentice drops into the now quiet area unchallenged. A fallen Clone trooper tries to get out a warning message, but is rapidly decapitated with double lightsabres before getting the chance!

As Luminara takes out the troublesome Super Battledroids, Ventress is making her way to the power core of the ship through the ventilation ducts. Reaching the core, she stealthily evades the attention of a look-out droid to plant Detonation charges around the area.

Ventress is fast. She cuts through a floor panel and drops into the detention block where Nute Gunray is being held and where Ahsoka and some Clones are standing guard. Ahsoka duels Ventress in the first lightsabre fight of the episode. Luminara senses the danger and makes her way to aid the Padawan. Gunray makes himself known, and during her fight with Ahsoka, Ventress releases the Viceroy from his prison. She parries one of the Padawan's thrusts, expertly twists, kicks her into the cell, and seals her inside. Nute Gunray is unable to conceal his amusement.

Master Luminara rushes into the Detention block. Using the force she releases Ahsoka from the cell. Now the fight is Ventress verses both Ahsoka and Luminara. Luminara orders the Apprentice's surrender. This seems to have the desired effect. Ventress deactivates both her weapons and raises her hands aloft. Then the Detonators go off that she'd previously placed at the core! Explosions rock the ship and in the moment of confusion, Ventress jumps over Luminara and runs away. The entire ship has been crippled.

The Jedi, Commandoes and Clones have Gunray for now. Ventress is still on the ship and is determined to complete her mission in order to be judged worthy of being Count Dooku's apprentice. Luminara goes after Ventress alone. She gives implicit instructions for Ahsoka to stay guarding the Viceroy.

Ahsoka is not sure about leaving Luminara to tackle Ventress on her own. She has already seen first hand what she can do. We are brought back to the Moral of the show here, "Ignore your instincts at your peril". Ahsoka discusses the dilemma with the surrounding Clones and Commandoes. Each seem to have their different opinion. Gunray honestly says, "All I know is, I never risk my own skin unless I have to". This finally makes Ahsoka's mind up. She leaves to help the Jedi Master. The Clones and Commandoes are adequate forces to guard Gunray.

They exchange a long lightsabre battle around the inactive ship's power-core, but Ventress is gradually getting the better of Jedi Master Luminara. She kicks the Jedi off a platform and she tumbles downwards, hitting the deck below. She is just about to deliver the killing blow when Ahsoka arrives and force pushes her a distance away.

Ventress briefly engages the pair again before force jumping high up to the platform above. She sends a electronic signal to one of the Commandoes guarding the Viceroy. He is a Spy! Ventress' sole purpose was to lure the Jedi away so Nute Gunray could be more easily rescued!

The Spy Commando, Argyus, shoots another of the guards, frees Gunray and immediately uses him has a human shield. Clearly its not overly important if Count Dooku receives him alive or dead... although alive is probably preferable. There is a very brief struggle with a remaining Clone Trooper, but Argyus and Gunray make it to the escape ship and depart unchallenged through the Docking bay. Ventress escapes the Republic Warship in an Escape Pod and joins them aboard.

The Commando never receives his big pay off from Dooku for his treachery against the Republic. Asajj Ventress spears one of her lightsabres right through him. "I always had a good feeling about you," Gunray comments.

The episode ends with Master Yoda summing up the days miserable events, "Troublesome is the treachery of the Republic Guard Argyus. All around us our enemies are."

Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 7, Duel of the Droids

The Clone Wars: Season 1, Episode 7, Duel of the Droids continues directly from the events of Episode 6, Downfall of a Droid. The Moral of the episode is, "You hold onto friends by keeping your heart a little softer than your head."

Missing in action, Anakin Skywalker's heroic droid navigator, R2D2, was lost in battle. When a desperate search fails to locate R2, Anakin is force to take on a new navigator, R3S6. Now the Jedi must embark on a dangerous new mission to find a secret enemy listening post. Meanwhile R2D2 has fallen into the hands of a vile droid smuggler and is on his way to General Grievous who will surely plunder the Republic's secrets hidden with him.

As the Trandoshan smuggler moves in to dock with Grievous's station, the captured R2D2 manages to hack into the ship's systems and send out a message to the Jedi. Despite more hindrance from the troublesome droid R3, Anakin receives it and is confident that the signal has come from R2. Captain Rex immediately manages to trace its location and they jump to the coordinates.

The Trandoshan has already boarded the station and under the instruction of Grievous is examining the captured R2 unit for any vital information.

Over Holo-communication, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Anakin that this is not a rescue mission for R2. The sole purpose of the mission is to destroy the listening station. We have already seen from previous episodes that Anakin is not exactly one for following orders to the letter.

Anakin, Ahsoka, Captain Rex, R3S6 and some Clones infiltrate the station from above with the help of Anakin's lightsaber to find their way inside. As soon as they are comfortable, it becomes quickly apparent that Anakin's primary aim to rescue R2D2. He splits up from the others.

Meanwhile, the Trandoshan smuggler makes an amazing discovery concerning R2. "It appears the droid's memory has never been erased. It contains every Republic foundation and strategy they have!". He suddenly wants more money as now the droid is a lot more valuable than he'd originally thought. Grievous is quick to reward him with a green lightsaber through the torso. The Smuggler is dead.

As Ahsoka and the Clones stealthily make their way through the facility, it is revealed that R3 is working for Grievous. Not surprising, there were enough clues from the previous episode! The droid drops back from the group and sends a holo-communication to Grievous alerting him to their presence. "Delay them until I arrive," he orders. He orders his IG-100 MagnaGuards to take the R2 unit to his ship. He will deal with the Jedi himself. The alarm is sounded.

Ahsoka's team are halted in their tracks by a force-field door. She orders R3 to deactivate the shield, but of course, the contraption is in no particular hurry. As the Battledroids arrive, R3 manages to close an additional blast-door making any escape now extremely difficult. Super Battledroids approach from another corridor and it is only with the use of Electro Magnetic Pulse grenades, (which they refer to as droid poppers) that the group manage to survive.

As R2 is carried onto his ship, General Grievous suddenly arrives at the young Ahsoka's location. He taunts, "They send a child to destroy my station? The Republic must be running out of Jedi!".

Grievous leaps forward taking out a percentage of the clones. He then attacks Ahsoka. There is a brief lightsaber duel, before she realises she is outmatched and is force to make a retreat. Grievous follows.

Anakin catches up with the Magna droids who are carrying R2. "You have something that belongs to me." he says. A fight immediately ensues. From here on in, the episode is full-on action right to the end. Anakin finally takes out the deadly Magnas and is reunited with R2D2 once more.

Ahsoka is hiding from Grievous in what looks to be a store room. R3 turns up and at once gives away her location by shining a torch on her! Previously Ahsoka has instructed the Clones to set the detonation charges and to rendezvous at the Landing Bay. She knows there's a chance she may not make it, but they must complete their mission. Ahsoka has now finally worked out that R3 cannot be trusted.

Anakin and R2 make it safely to the Landing Bay as the Twilight arrives to take them away. Captain Rex, a Clone and R3 also enter, but there is no sign of Ahsoka.

Not happy that Ahsoka has risked challenging Grievous alone, Anakin attempts to rescue her. Before he can even leave the landing bay however, R3S6 closes all the doors including the main launch doors. R3 also activates a squadron of Vulture Droids. As Super Battledroids approach from the opposite end, Anakin realises that R3S6 was a spy all along.

Grievous lifts Ahsoka by the throat clear off the ground. An explosion rocks the station and the Jedi is able to break free and then escape through a vent.

As per previous episodes, when he fears things are not going quite his way, General Grievous decides to escape in his one-man ship. He does so unopposed, the Jedi currently have much bigger things to deal with in the Landing Bay.

In an attempt to open the Launch Bay doors, R2D2 is attacked by R3. Ahsoka enters the growing battle from above, exiting a vent and landing on one of the Vulture Droids.

R2 fends off R3 and manages to open the Launch Bay doors. There are lasers firing everywhere. The Twilight takes off with all aboard apart from Anakin who takes a different ship.

R2D2 sprays the relentless R3 with oil, then ignites him with his jets. Losing balance, R3 then falls off the upper gantry and off the Station completely. Anakin picks his astromech up from outside and they fly away as the Station is destroyed.

The Mission has been completed, but Obi-Wan is dismayed Anakin risked everything in order to save a single droid. Anakin sees the droid as much more.

Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 3, Shadow of Malevolence

Clone Wars, Episode 3 Malevolence is the second part of the Malevolence trilogy. The Moral of the Episode is, "Easy is the Path to wisdom for those not blinded by themselves."

A deadly weapon unleashed. The Separatist's Battleship Malevolence advances unopposed into Republic space tearing apart any ship that stands in its path. After a daring rescue and narrow escape, Anakin Skywalker prepares a counter-attack on the enemy ship and its diabolical Droid Commander, General Grievous.

A strike force is commisioned by the Galactic Senate to hunt down the enemies new powerful battleship. Anakin Skywalker develops a somewhat aggressive plan involving bombers. Anakin is confident and single minded in his thinking while Master Plo Koon has some reservations.

Meanwhile, Count Dooku assigns Grievous and The Malevolence a new target, a secret Republic Medical station based on the Outterrim. It is unprotected and treating over 60,000 wounded clones.

The Jedi learn of the Malevolence's target, but it is not possible to evacuate all the occupants in the limited time. Anakin's strike force immediately launch, determined to get to the Medical Station before Grievous. Their path is a very dangerous one. To catch the Separatist battleship, they must take a short-cut through a notorious smugglers path through a gas nebulae. Despite encountering a number of large gas creatures, the Strike force make it through with limited damage.

Over Holotransmission, Dooku alerts Grievous a small strike force has been launched to attack them. He adds, "Skywalker is leading the mission. Do not underestimate him.". Grievous does not seem too concerned, he is confident in the Ships mighty Ion weapon.

The Republic Medical station is in sight. Both The Malevolence and Anakin's strike force arrive at roughly the same time. A Battle is very imminent !

"I want every single ship destroyed!" screams Grievous and immediately fires the Ion Cannon.

Unwavering from his original plan, Anakin orders his squadron into a steep climb in order to clear the enormous blast wave from the weapon. Two of his squadron are destroyed and some others left without power failing to complete the maneuver.

The battle is in full motion. Blasts exchanged every milli-second. Whilst Anakin can pull off the complicated moves, with the exception of Plo Koon, his squadron are unable to keep up this level of intensity. Acting as his rear-gunner, Padawan Ahsoka warns him of this. Anakin is still unwavering.

General Grievous prepares the Ion Cannon for another devastating blast.

Plo Koon communicates, "If we can do enough damage, the weapon may overload when Grievous tries to fire."

Finally Anakin sees the logic and is broken free of his single minded plan. We are reminded of the episode's moral, "Easy is the Path to wisdom for those not blinded by themselves".

The Ion Cannon is taken out of action with a volley of accurate torpedoes and it explodes causing massive damage to The Malevolences systems. The Separatist's have lost both primary weapons and the hyperdrive is disabled.

The ship in flames, General Grievous orders a full retreat back to Separatist space.

Clone Wars: Season 1 - Episode 2 - Rising Malevolence

Episode 2, Rising Malevolence introduces us to Jedi Master Plo Koon. Through him, we learn the Moral, "Belief is not a matter of choice, but of conviction."

The Clone star fleet are under siege. Dozens of Republic Warships have been destroyed in merciless attacks that leave no survivors. Rumours spread of a terrible new Separatist weapon. In the face of growing fear, the Jedi Council send Master Plo Koon to hunt down the menace before it can strike again.

The Separatist weapon transpires to be a huge Ion Cannon mounted to a Subjugator-Class Starship called The Malevolence. It has both Count Dooku and his cyborg apprentice, General Grievous aboard. When fired, the Ion blast drains all hit ships caught in the expanding shock wave of all their energy. Totally defenceless, the powerless ships are then ruthlessly eliminated.

Leading three Republic Cruisers, Plo Koon finds and follows the enemy ship. Unfortunately he is quickly discovered and Dooku fires the Ion cannon onto them. Helpless, the three Republic ships are then totally obliterated. All too easy.

Before the destruction, Plo Koon and a number of Clone Troopers manage to flee into various escape pods. Count Dooku wants no witnesses to the use of the new weapon and orders the Pods destroyed. Hunter Pods launch, full of Battle-Droids, to seek them out within the huge debris-field. Plo Koon and his troops hope of survival seems very bleak, but the Jedi repeatedly tells them, they will be rescued. His belief is strong.

Meanwhile, having lost communications with the mission, Anakin Skywalker and opinionated young padawan Ahsoka, break orders and decide to go look for them. On finding the breach, Grand Master Yoda is not impressed, "Twice the trouble, they have become."

The pair are wasting time in the Debris-field when they are needed else where. The Chancellor himself tells them, "Return at once."

The Hunter Pods have systematically critically damaged all the Escape Pods and just have Plo Kloon's left. Battle-Droids have cut into each one, venting the air into space. "No one is coming," remarks one of the Clone Troopers. Koon still believes they will be rescued. As the droids attempt to cut into their Pod, Plo Koon goes outside to confront them. He can survive the harsh environment of space for a short period. The Jedi Master destroys the Droids and the Hunter Pod, but more will be on the way.

Time running short, just about to leave the Debris-field, Padawan Ahsoka senses Plo Koon's presence and they tractor the beleaguered Pod and its survivors into the Lading Bay of their ship.

The angered Dooku barks, "I don't want any witnesses!". Grievous fires the Ion Cannon at them.

Needless to say, Anakin Skywalker pulls off some pretty amazing moves through the debris-field outrunning the blast and when clear, Hyperspaces to safety. Now the Republic are aware of the Separatist new Ion weapon and are free to devise a plan against hit.

Count Dooku is not best pleased with the turn events and blames General Grievous for the failure, a convenient fall guy if ever there were one.

"Plo Koon always said some one would come for us," a Clone Trooper says. This brings us nicely back to the moral of the Episode, Belief is not a matter of choice, but of conviction.