Episode I – Order 66
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Star Wars – The Darkness Before the Dawn
Episode I – Order 66
War! The Republic is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Sith Lord, Count Dooku. There are heroes on both sides. Evil is everywhere.
The planet Ares is one of many planets with a split allegiance. On this wartorn world, Jedi Knights on a secret mission have obtained a mysterious holocron, keeper of wisdom from millennia past.
However, the evil Darth Sideous has sent his minions to aid Aresian separatists in an effort to prevent this artifact from being delivered to Jedi Master Yoda on Kashyyyk…
Played –
Characters – Adigo (Mike), Maya Fleet (Heather) Tappa Keeg (Ben), GM (Dan)
Cutaway, Trade Federation Battlecruiser.
A twisted garden. A tall cloaked figure kneels before a holopod. A rough image of Darth Sideous materializes in the holpod, obscured by static.
Cloaked Figure: What is thy bidding master?
Sideous: The Jedi will soon depart for Kashyyyk. Join the assault force. Stop the Jedi and retrieve the holocron. Do not disappoint me.
Cloaked Figure: It will be as you command, my master.
The undercover Jedi agent, the Padawan Tappa Keeg, had obtained the Sith Holocron under orders from Jedi Master Yoda himself. His cover partially blown, Maya Fleet, part of the Taina Sector Loyalist Militia’s elite Green Squadron, had orders to escort him to Master Yoda on Kashyyyk. Accompanying them were several Clone Troopers. All they had left to do was cross a canyon bridge and they’d be able to escape from Ares safely. Which of course made it a perfect time for the Separatists and their Aresian rebel allies to attack. Several Aresians had rappelled down to the far side of the bridge. One of their Clone Trooper guards fell immediately to the projectile weapons on the Aresians. Maya got a slug in the chest as well before being able to open fire. A second clone joined them and began rapidly dispatching them, accompanied by Maya’s own blaster fire and Tappa using the Force to push one off the edge of the bridge.
Just as they were about to cross the bridge another figure approached them, shedding her dark cloak to reveal a sinister looking plant-like Ho’din female – Insu, Adept of the Dark Side and an apprentice to Dooku. When her polite request for the holocron was rebuffed she asked again, backed by Force Lightning which Tappa was barely able to deflect with his blue lightsaber. Despite her mastery of the Dark Side of the Force, our heroes were able to overcome her and drag her unconscious form to their ships.
On Kashyyyk, Yoda had assigned Clone Officer Adigo to lead a squad of Wookies to take out an anti-air artillery emplacement. Yoda was fond of Adigo and encouraged him to seek an identity beyond that of a clone – he sensed a powerful connection in the Force within Adigo. Adigo himself was from a mysterious background, from an unknown Clone template used in a small number of Clone Troopers, most of whom were used as officers or members of special ops teams.
The mission didn’t go all that well at first – one of the Wookies in his squad immediately went into a berserk rage and charged the emplacement. He was taken down by sniper fire from a hidden battle droid. Eventually they triumphed, taking out the sniper, the numerous other battle droids, and destroying the emplacement.
Returning to headquarters, Adigo received a secure communication from Coruscant – a hooded figure suggested him to implement Order 66. He knew what the order meant – it had been drilled into him from early on in his training, both consciously and unconsciously - the Jedi had betrayed the Republic and were to be taken out. But it made no sense to him. The cloaked figure glared at him, awaiting his reply. It did not approve of his reply – “Why is that? I don’t see any reason to do that sir.” The figure angrily cut off the communication. Several of his fellow troopers were already on their way to take out Yoda – he saw their backs as they headed up to Yoda’s command center. The sound of a humming lightsaber up above indicated that a previous attempt on Yoda’s life had failed. Quickly reaching a decision, he raised his blaster rifle and committed treason – opening fire on his fellow Clone Troopers to save Yoda. They spun around and charged at him. As they closed in on him he drew his vibroblade and waded into the thick of the battle with them.
Meanwhile, in space near Kashyyyk, Tappa piloted his Firespray towards the planet, escorted by Maya and her wingman T'Larikaar, an Aresian loyalist. Two clone-piloted ships joined them to escort them the rest of the way in. However, the escort turned to betrayal as the two clone fighters dropped back and opened fire on Tappa Keeg’s ship. Within his Firespray his trooper “escort” opened fire on him. Tappa spun his ship around to knock the trooper off balance as he tried to take out the trooper while evade the blaster fire heading for his ship. Maya’s attempts to warn the troopers off failed so she and T'Larikaar opened fire. Tappa eventually took out his personal betrayer and the three ships eventually took out the clone fighters. Maya at first had assumed that the fighters were actually separatists who had infiltrated the Republic forces, but Tappa explained it had happened within his ship – indeed through the Force he sensed many Jedi dying. Seeking answers, they didn’t bother asking for permission to land and instead quickly and, as stealthily as they could, brought their ships in for a landing.
Adigo dispatched the last of the Clone Troopers pursuing Yoda – and reinforcements which came as well. Before heading after Yoda himself he picked up a weapon one of the troopers had been carrying – a green lightsaber which had once belong to the Jedi Master Luminara Unduli – apparently she had already fallen. Catching up with Yoda (who was escorted by a pair of Wookies), Yoda informed him the Jedi had been betrayed. He asked Adigo to meet with Tappa and Maya and tell them what had transpired.
At the landing platform, Adigo did meet with them. It was fortunate he had taken off his uniform, as they were understandably trigger happy. But they were left with a pressing question – even if they could escape the blockade that had just been put around Kashyyyk, where in the galaxy could they be safe?
GalaxyWide NewsNets
Imperial Holovision
16:5:23/IHV/CORU/KTR.5/LFL/GOV
The Republic Betrayed!
Coruscant
Citizens of the Republic, a terrible truth has been revealed. The Jedi order, tasked with waging the Clone Wars over these past three years, has been hiding a shocking secret. They have been steadfastly eroding away the principles of the Republic, drawing power to themselves in a wicked bid to subvert our cherished institutions. The Jedi are treasonous! They have attempted to assassinate the Chancellor! They are enemies of the state!
Thankfully, the soldiers under their command are bred with unquestionable loyalty and integrity. At the executive behest of the Chancellor, they are rooting out the source of this betrayal. The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and be brought to justice. With the inefficiencies and treacherous elements of the Republic swept away, the New Order of the First Galactic Empire will stand ever stronger for a safe and secure society.
(Taken from http://www.starwars.com/databank/updates/news20050705.html)
Imperial Holovision
16:5:25/IHV/KAS/KAS/JHG/GOV
Treason on Kashyyyk
Kashyyyk
Imperial advisor Ars Dangor revealed today in an exclusive interview that all is not well on Kashyyyk. “Our valiant soldiers have done exceptionally well in a job they were never meant to perform – fighting treasonous Jedi! However, on Kashyyyk they faced even greater challenges – many Wookies have responded to the protection the Republic armies provided by turning on the Republic and siding with the Jedi.”
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Jedi have used their nefarious brainwashing techniques on some of the soldiers of the Empire, turning them against their oath to the Empire.
“Those Wookies who are involved in this treason have been declared ‘enemy combatants’ by Emperor Palpatine”, Dangor reveled in this interview. “They are being taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning.”
Galaxy News Sevice
16:5:26/GNS/KAS/KAS/IHH.3/GOV
Senator Arani Visiting Kashyyyk
Kashyyyk
Senator Arani of the Taina Sector confirmed that he is personally visiting Kashyyyk to investigate unconfirmed reports of thousands of Wookies being labeled “enemy combatants” and being rounded up to “undisclosed location”. His chief of staff and close political ally, Endicon Tarheena, indicated that the senator has no objection to “protecting the Republic – or Empire as the case may be”, but warned that “transparency and openness are needed in all of our legal processes.”
Imperial Advisor Ars Dangor spoke for the Emperor, stating “it is refreshing to see such compassion coming from the Taina Sector. However, it would be nice if this compassion were directed to those killed by the Jedi as opposed to those who have aided and abetted these cultist traitors. Also I find the Tarheena’s lack of patriotism disturbing – his tone does not seem to indicate he is proud of his new Empire – after all this Empire is for all of us. While he of course has the right to say whatever he wishes, I would suggest that Senator Arani dismiss Tarheena and replace him with someone who loves his Empire a bit more…”
