Setting the Stage

Before the Clone Wars, Ord Cestus was a prison planet, housing many inmates before the planet was discovered to have many metals that were easily mined. The indigenous population, the insectile X’Ting, had dwindled into the minority, while the offworlders flourished. Soon, the prime industry of the planet was droids, designed independently and of the highest quality. In the years before the Clone Wars, the planet was well known for producing many types of battle droids. However, with the outbreak of war, the Republic placed a ban on the production of these droids, which nearly ruined Cestus's economy. Thus, they began to produce a new type of battle droid that was both organic and that had a limited sense of the force. They were marketed for security purposes, although they could easily be switched over to battle droids with a few new components. With the inclusion of a mysterious source known as Dashta Eels, the droids could attain a semi-sentient status with perhaps a slight attunement to the Force. Indeed, during a demonstration of such a droid, attended by Obi-Wan, the JK droid promptly disposed of an ARC Trooper, and it took guile and cunning by Kit Fisto to overcome the droid, nicknamed “Jedi Killers.” The manufacturers on Ord Cestus agreed to sell the security droids to the Confederation, who were prepared to buy thousands of units and clone the Dashta Eels. The Republic could not allow that, and in an effort to solve the problem peacefully, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine ordered Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto to the planet to try diplomacy with the rulers of the planet, a group known as The Five Families.

Before they left, Obi-Wan and Kit selected a small team of Special Forces soldiers, A-98 (Nate), CT-X270 (Xutto) CT 36/732 (Sirty), CT 44/444 (Forry), CT 12/74 (Seefor), who specialized in training, piloting, logistics and communications, in case things went wrong diplomatically, in which case they were authorized to use their muscle. As they left, the team picked up a friend of Obi-Wan's, a barrister named Doolb Snoil, who would be helping with the legal aspects of the mission and negotiations.

The Battle

Before meeting with the Government officials, Kit and the five troopers were dropped off at a location in the desert, where they were to meet with the local resistance forces who were known locally as Desert Wind. Although the planet was Republic, there were some who did not like the current government, and were looking to overthrow the power of the corporations. Obi Wan left and went to ChikatLik, the capital of Cestus, where he and Snoil settled in before they met with the rulers.

At the same time, Kit Fisto and the clones were searching for their contact, Sheeka Tull, a human, who had set a cave aside for them. They found the cave that they were looking for, and were attacked by seven giant cave spiders. The troopers grouped into a square formation and opened fire. Nate rushed to his speeder bike and confused the spiders while the others shot them up. While more arrived, they soon left and the troopers were able to stay in that cave. Kit set about contacting Sheeka, who arrived a couple of hours later and agreed to take them to the resistance movement. The Clones set about building a command center out of the parts that they had brought. Shortly after they finished, Kit and Sheeka returned, and Nate and Forry went with them on the Spindragon, Sheeka's Correllian YT-1200 ship. Their plan was to recruit locals into a militia force in case their mission became violent. They were able to get a large number of recruits, whom they put into training quickly. They built an obstacle course, and set about sorting the recruits into squads. While some dropped out, many stayed. During the training, Sheeka spoke with Nate, who found that she was a former girlfriend of Jango Fett. While their conversation didn't go well, Nate later returned and the pair talked.

The next day, a group of the Desert Wind resistance fighters, arrived at the camp. They were not happy with taking orders from the Republic, but were convinced by Kit Fisto to join their side after Kit passed a test, placing his hand in a covered basket. In the meantime, Obi-Wan and Snoil were busy working on their own mission, and met with the Regent of the planet and the Five Families to begin negotiations to stop the droid production or to buy the droids themselves. The talks didn't go as well as they would have liked. At the same time, a ship arrived on planet, carrying a member of the Confederation, Asajj Ventress, who is one of Count Dooku's Dark Jedi. She made contact with the local underworld, to counter the work that the Republic was doing. Because Obi-Wan had also gone to the local underworld leader, Trillot, he was able to give Ventress information about what he had been doing. During one of Obi-Wan’s liaisons with regent G’Mai Duris, it was discovered the regent’s trust of the Jedi stemmed from her learning about the previous deeds of Yoda who had crash-landed on the planet some 150 years earlier

The dilemma surrounding the production of droids involved the people of Cestus choosing between economic collapse and military defeat. G’Mai Duris feared that her people were just pawns in a larger, dangerous game and she also believed in the greater good of the planet and its citizens. This, coupled with her trust of the Jedi, led to turmoil in the negotiations with the Five Families, who were more concerned with the financial welfare of Cestus Cybernetics. One member of the Five Families; Quill, the head of mining, was so incensed with G’Mai’s wish to ally with the Republic that he challenged her to a fight to the death in a bid to challenge her leadership. This caused her to seek advice from Obi-Wan but unfortunately there was not enough time to teach her anything but he did show her a way to win. At the fight, as Quill strutted around the arena, boasting and thrusting his stinger, Obi-Wan instructed G’Mai to remain calm, to prepare for death and be willing to die for her people, with her heart. While she closed her eyes and remained still, Quill pranced in front of her, menacing and intimidating, snarling and threatening. Yet despite his combatative manner, G’Mai waited to share death with him until his confidence waned and he cracked, full of fear. He conceded, and departed, vowing revenge.

To assist in their plans, Kit Fisto believed that a touch of deception would not harm their mission in any way. Despite Obi-Wan’s misgivings, Kit persuaded him to go along with his sly tactics. The plan was to stage a kidnapping of members of the Five Families ruling members. Kit would perform the abduction whilst pretending to be a minion of Dooku and took part within the subterranean network beneath ChikatLik. The ruling members travelled in their private magcar underground when their assailant struck. Kit, in his alter ego “Nemonus” broke into the car and threatened them, informing them that Count Dooku was displeased with their rising of prices and withholding shipments. Quill, who was still present on the council, attempted to redeem himself by pulling out a blaster on Nemonus, but he was quickly disarmed with a lash of his laser-whip, constructed by Kit to dispel any thoughts that he may be a Jedi. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan has been alerted to the kidnapping by G’Mai, and he staged a daring a rescue among the depths of the underground tunnels. Kenobi interrupted Nemonus’s ‘negotiations’ in the car and they were soon fighting, lightsaber versus lightwhip. The staged fight was soon over, with Nemonus escaping and Obi-Wan as the savior, and at first, the plan seemed to have worked as the Five Families were indebted to the Jedi. Indeed, at a meeting later on, the Five Families and G’Mai Duris told Obi-Wan that they had decided to meet the Chancellor’s terms. Doolb Snoil oversaw the thumbprints and signatures on the holodocs and contracts but before they could be finalized, Quill interrupted the proceedings and produced a datapad with images taken from an unseen source that showed Obi-Wan’s and Nemonus’ fight to be nothing more than a stage act. Instantly discredited, G’Mai dismissed Obi-Wan as a fraudster and an untrustworthy person, and the Jedi and Doolb left, bewildered and wondering where this set back had materialized from.

Meanwhile, the ARC troopers, impressed with Kit’s and Obi-Wan’s fighting prowess, asked Kit if he could teach them anything that could improve their own capabilities. Kit was persuaded, and he gave them a lesson that is taught to the youngest padawan learners; a technique called Jedi Flow. Kit spent a few hours teaching the clones techniques in breathing, motion and alignment, getting them to practice the flow of their bodies’ energies, combining them with exercises until they were exhausted and exhilarated. Captain A-98 revealed to Kit that he had taken on a name, rather than his nickname of Nate. Just prior to his new teachings, Nate met up with Sheeka Tull. They were attending a celebration hosted by the militia troops. They were unaware of Obi-Wan’s fall from grace with the Five Families and the Regent. Sheeka persuaded Nate to leave the party as he was “off duty” until dawn. She took him to a camp in a stretch of hills, where human and X’Ting played and worked together. Nate started to loosen up in Sheeka’s presence and a bond started to form between them. She suggested that he adopt a name to make him less droid-like. That name was Jangotat, which was Mandalorian for “Jango’s Brother”, and Nate accepted it.

The banished Obi-Wan departed the planet with Doolb Snoil in their ship, piloted by the trooper Xutoo. However, at the point where the upper atmosphere overlapped the vacuum of space (and therefore cloaked from sensors momentarily), Obi-Wan jettisoned himself from the craft in an escape pod. His departing order to Xutoo was to get Doolb back to Coruscant safely. Unfortunately, as Obi-Wan guided his pod to the Dashta mountain range, a small drone like ship attacked the Republic transport containing Doolb and Xutoo, most likely on the orders of the Five Families. The ship was destroyed, killing Xutoo, but not before Doolb also jettisoned to safety.

Before long, Obi-Wan was reunited with Kit and the clones, and he broke the news that the negotiations with the leadership of Cestus had failed. He announced that because of this, and the fact that either Duris, the Five Families, Trillot the gang leader or someone unknown had attempted to kill him and had succeeded in killing one of their brothers, their situation had changed, and it was time for action.

While a rescue party was sent for Doolb, the Desert Wind forces, secretly led by the Jedi and the clones, set about their attacks and sabotage on ChikatLik. The precise attacks slowed or stopped production at industrial complexes and mines. During one such attack at a facility at the 50km wide volcanic Kibo Lake, Obi-Wan ordered Jangotat to draw fire away from him so he could complete the mission and sabotage the plant. As Jangotat dashed across the wharf drawing blaster fire all around him, Obi-Wan was able to carry out his sabotage. Jangotat evaded the bolts raining down on him by diving into the scalding water (heated by the volcano). He was fished out by one of his comrades, as Obi-Wan led the charge toward the security forces. The skirmish was a success, but it left Obi-Wan pondering on the losses of life to the Cestians, and his own militiamen, and the fact that Jangotat had been willing to follow orders without question.

As Desert Wind continued to carry out their attacks on refineries and other facilities, Trillot introduced Asajj Ventress to the Five Families executives. At this meeting, Ventress claimed that she felt that Obi Wan was still alive, and was the cause for the disruption to their commerce. She ordered the executives to provide her with all the data on every act of sabotage and attack. The data was projected onto a holo map, and using the Force to guide her, Ventress pinpointed the location of Obi-Wan’s and Kit’s hidden base. It was then that she ordered a test of the Cestian JK droids and Dooku’s own special infiltration droids, droids that he had previously designed and ordered.

During a lull in the attacks, the Jedi, clones and Desert Wind were reorganizing in their hidden underground complex. There was celebration and singing, including a song of clan heroics by the only X’Ting recruited into the militia, Resta Shug Hai. While the revelry continued, Jangotat reflected on their victories. He was healing from wounds sustained in his dive into the scalding water and was hoping to see Sheeka Tull as soon as possible. Also contemplating life was the previous leader of Desert Wind, the old human Thak Val Zsing. He was happily enjoying the victories with a bottle of Chandrilan brandy when the four infiltration droids emerged out of the rock after tunneling and burrowing for half a day.

They, and the JK droids, now appeared in Desert Wind’s lair. The veteran Zsing, drunk and with his nerves gone, sobbing with fear, failed to raise the alarm and he hid in order to save himself. And then the droids attacked. Soldiers fell as the infiltration droids blasters flared to life. Chaos ensued as the resistance fighters were scared to shoot back in case of downing their own soldiers. As many fled, others stopped to help the fallen, giving the JK droids opportunities to utilize their shock tentacles, electrified netting and stun darts. The Jedi swung into action, Obi-Wan downing a droid from behind with his lightsaber, causing smoke to flood the cave.

As the JK’s captured Desert Wind forces, an infiltration droid set Obi-Wan in its sights. He was saved however, by Doolb Snoil who had commandeered a portable cannon. Obi-Wan’s joy at being reunited with his old friend, who was assumed dead until that point, was short-lived, as loose rock and stalactites fell from above and crushed the alien barrister. There was a brief farewell from Obi-Wan as the Vippit died in his arms, then he rejoined the fight.

As the Desert Wind forces tried to flee, Sheeka Tull arrived amid the carnage. Jangotat spotted her, cut off behind a rock and he rushed to her aid as the last infiltration droid shot in her direction. Chipped rock and fragments struck Jangotat, searing his face and he slumped into unconsciousness. Together with Skot Onson, a Desert Wind soldier, Sheeka dragged Jangotat into the side tunnels and hopefully, to safety.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan led 6 refugees into a side cave. However, it contained four of the huge cave spiders that once roamed the planet in their thousands. With droids approaching from behind and spiders in front of him, Obi-Wan wondered where was safest. Fortunately, the spiders had no interest in the Jedi and his team. They were in fact defending their territory and recognized the JK’s as the main threat. Obi-Wan marveled at the spectacle before him; JK’s stunned the arachnids with their tentacles, but the spiders slowed their advances with their own silk and by swarming them with smaller spiders. Obi-Wan used the distraction to make his escape but before he did so, he turned to get a final glimpse of the gigantic spiders making their stand. A huge red female spider faced Obi-Wan and bowed, with a mark of respect to him as they faced a common enemy. He returned the bow with a salute of his lightsaber, then made good his escape.

Escaping in a different direction, was Sheeka, Skot and the injured Jangotat. They reached her ship and headed off, after evading a flight of enemy ships. She wove the Spindragon away from her pursuers and the compromised Dashta Mountains to a stretch of hills known to her as the Zantay Hills. She was greeted there by a robed X’Ting called Brother Fate who she asked to help Jangotat to recovery. Although he stated that it was dangerous to have the soldier there, he agreed. More inhabitants emerged from their shelters, including Sheeka’s adopted stepchildren who were reunited with Sheeka as Jangotat was carted away. As the wounded ARC Trooper recuperated, he had time to reflect on his situation. He juggled with his emotions and feelings, whereas before he followed orders and obeyed, and carried out tasks for the greater good of the GAR. Now, he was confused. He felt affection towards Sheeka, he felt at peace in this X’Ting sanctuary. He’d spent his whole life amongst the tools of war and now, he felt relaxed and happy and as he felt soft hands tending his wounds, his mind played with the turmoil, wanting more, yet wanting the life of a trooper.

While this was going on, Obi-Wan, the other clones and the surviving militia licked their wounds and plotted. With Jangotat unaccounted for, it was suggested that they were betrayed somehow, it was the only explanation for the droid attack. The troopers were alarmed that they considered that A-98 had broken the Code by which clone troopers conduct themselves. Obi-Wan had to apologize for insulting them, however, he stated that Jangotat had been acting strangely, especially in the presence of Sheeka, who was also unaccounted for. With the conversation over, they set about planning the next phase of their sabotage of Cestus’ economy and droid production.

The plan was centered on the disruption of Cestus’ largest manufacturing facility, the city-sized complex known as Clandes. Based in 24 underground levels, it consisted of the natural X’Ting hive clusters, but also contained barracks and accommodations, as well as the industrial facilities required to produce 60% of Cestus economy. The idea was to destroy the nerve center of Clandes, the main plant processing the aquifer water for consumption in the city. The destruction of the plant would cause production shut-down as it was repaired, and the residents got thirsty. The hope was that the Five Families would be coerced back to the bargaining table. Obi-Wan and his team infiltrated the facility disguised as local peddlers, hoping to sell their produce and wares at the open market on the surface of Clandes. The guards refused access at first but it was X’Ting militia soldier Resta, and not some Jedi mind-trick, that persuaded the guards to let them in. As the team erected their cover-story market booth, Obi-Wan and Resta slipped away after meeting with a contact, and the 3 of them descended into the depths of Clandes.

Deep in the levels, Obi-Wan located the purification plant and levitated up the 3 storey wall and entered a window using his lightsaber. A corporate worker walked in on him, but he was rendered unconscious. When he reached the control room, Obi-Wan was confronted with the room’s security; a JK droid! The quick-thinking Jedi distracted the killer droid momentarily by hurling his saber at the control panel. With its attention split for a second, Obi-Wan brandished Nemonus’ laser-whip and brutally attacked the droid, using a combination of speed and lashes with the whip. The droid gripped Obi-Wan and tried to stun him with an electrical charge. However, the lightwhip severed the arms and injured the droid, and Obi-Wan forced his hands into the droids wounds, using the Force to amplify his blows. Obi-Wan struck again and again, using his elbows, until the JK writhed on the floor, and the weakened Jedi now had the opportunity to plant his explosives.

As Obi-Wan retrieved his lightsaber (the lightwhip’s power cell had become exhausted), Kit Fisto was carrying out his own infiltration. His plan was to enter the aquifer station through a trench of water that fed from the Dashta dam and channeled into the facility. He had to ride a wave of water which the Nautolan swam through, evading a flash-heating ray that boiled the water. When Thak Val Zsing’s team cut the power to the station elsewhere, the water flow died to a trickle and Kit entered the pumping station control room and shut down the water flow to Clandes then destroyed the control panel, as elsewhere, explosions began to rock the facility.

While this was all going on, Asajj Ventress entered ChikatLik’s halls of power and introduced herself to G’Mai Duris with a message. The message was simple: Ally with Count Dooku and General Grievous or suffer their wrath. Earlier, Doolb Snoil had uncovered a 2-century old contract between Cestus Cybernetics and the Republic that had been obtained under false pretenses. Ventress warned Duris that should that contract be presented to the Senate, the Supreme Chancellor would use it to shut down the factories. Ventress left the regent to ponder the message and wonder if there would ever be a solution to Cestus’ problems.

Meanwhile, Jangotat and Sheeka were getting closer together. He was almost recovered and she led him, blindfolded, through the hills to a cave and through tunnels until they reached an underground pool. He removed his blindfold and looked upon the pool that contained a dozen eels floating on the surface. The cave contained a strange glow that seemed to emanate from inside the eels and Jangotat realized he was gazing upon the mysterious Dashta Eels, the integral living component of the JK droids! Sheeka explained that not one soul on the planet knew of the eels home, yet this was the only place they came to interact with other species. Whilst there, Jangotat once more fought with his emotions. Bathed in mysterious eel light, close to a woman he was fond of, his senses tingling, he had thoughts of children, of a life he could never have. He had a million brothers, and they were all the same, a part of the GAR, yet Sheeka thought him to be unique, like no other. Comforting each other, Sheeka told Jangotat that she loved him, and they, ARC Trooper Captain A-98 – Jangotat, and Sheeka Tull, pilot and former girlfriend of Jango Fett, kissed.

Over the next few days, Jangotat continued to stay with Sheeka at her house, with her stepchildren, getting to know them and the other villagers. However, Jangotat knew he had a duty to do and made contact with Desert Wind. After tearful goodbyes, he made his way back to his brothers and the Jedi, and upon being reunited, Obi-Wan sensed something different within the commando.

Trooper Sirty was able to repair his communication equipment and reach a relay station which rebroadcast his link to Coruscant. Obi-Wan wished to speak with Yoda, who was unavailable so he spoke with Chancellor Palpatine, informing him that the mission had not gone as planned. The Chancellor decided to send a supercruiser to assist but Obi-Wan warned him that the Confederacy would counter attack. Palpatine warned Kenobi that he had better resolve the situation before the warships arrived and promptly ended the transmission. Obi-Wan then knew that time was running out.

With Jangotat reunited with his squad and the Generals, the troopers began practicing unarmed combat drills amongst themselves. Obi-Wan recognized their Jedi Flow elements and joined in, enjoying the workout. Again, he noticed something different, something awakened in Jangotat. Later that night, Obi-Wan addressed the Desert Wind troops. He spoke about how hard and bravely they had worked so far, but their work could all be undone when the Republic supercruiser arrived to bombard the planet. He then briefed them all on his final plan.

His plan involved a return to Clandes to shut down the whole production of droids, this time from within the radioactive Cestus reactor complex in which he required a Baktoid Radiation Suit, which Obi-Wan arranged to purchase from gang member Trillot. Whilst preparing for the operation, Obi-Wan and Kit emphasized to the clones that they were to remain where they were and await collection from the Republic cruiser. When questioned if they should stage a rescue if the Jedi needed it, Obi-Wan replied that they were not to leave the camp unless under direct order to do so.

The two Jedi journeyed to Trillot’s domain in ChikatLik to obtain the radiation suit, but once there, the X’Ting gangster’s treachery soon manifested itself as a force field engaged around the pair, and Asajj Ventress, who had been in cahoots with Trillot all along, revealed herself to them. As Ventress gloated, Obi-Wan understood all the wrongs and pitfalls that had occurred during their mission. He understood that the dark warrior woman before him had been behind it all, his nemesis once more.

Far above ChikatLik, the Republic supercruiser Nexu, led by Mon Calamari Admiral Baraka, arrived and prepared for battle. Baraka had to wait 10 hours, or a message from either the surface or from the Chancellor, before he could start his bombardment. Time was indeed running out.

Back on the surface, Asajj Ventress goaded her two Jedi prisoners. She revealed that Count Dooku’s plans to clone the Dashta Eels and produce JK droids had been far-fetched. Unable to clone the eels for a year, Dooku had placed the order anyway to frighten Palpatine and the Jedi Council into a rash decision and over-reaction, which is exactly what had happened. Now, with the cruiser set to lay waste to the sprawling industrial facilities and its inhabitants, Ventress stated that the slaughter could polarize the Galaxy.

As Obi-Wan thought of a way to escape, the clones were obediently confined to barracks. It wasn’t until the veteran Thank Val Zsing and the X’Ting Resta approached Jangotat and declared that they had discovered the locaton of the Five Families’ hideout, which gave the commando the notion of disobeying his orders for the first time ever. Jangotat, armed with his new intel, argued with his brothers that they could save the day by seizing the leaders and forcing them to make a deal, before the bombing began. The other clones however, couldn’t believe that a fellow brother would contemplate breaking the Code, but Jangotat defended his position on this matter, and suddenly he was alienated, as his compatriots suspected that he had changed and crossed the line, and was suggesting something unthinkable; disobeying a direct order. The matter was closed to the others, but not to Jangotat. He tossed and turned at night until arriving at his decision. As he attempted to leave camp, Forry intercepted him and they fought. Despite being almost equal, Jangotat easily overpowered Forry with a dazzling flurry of blows and movements. He was amazed at himself, his attacks had been almost Jedi-like, but whether it was as a result of his contact with the Dashta Eels, or whether his spirit was awakened by the love of a woman, Jangotat was unsure. Now the ARC Trooper, along with Thak Val Zsing and Resta, rode to the Five Families’ lair on speeder bikes. On Arrival Jangotat forced Resta to remain as they entered the facility. Inside, they were confronted by a JK droid, and the relentless attacks panicked Val Zsing to once more abandon his position and retreat in cowardly fashion. Jangotat blasted the ceiling, causing duracrete slabs to bury the killer droid, but in doing so, brought some of it down on himself. The JK freed itself and wrapped its tentacles around the soldier, shocking him with electric current. As it prepared to dispose of him, Val Zsing suddenly returned with an armor piercing mine strapped to his chest and he was grabbed by the droid before triggering the explosive, sending pieces of the veteran and debris throughout the room. Val Zsing’s sacrifice had saved Jangotat, but he was badly hurt with shrapnel imbedded in his leg. It then got worse and seemed to be all over for him as the JK stood up undented!

However, the droid then collapsed and thrashed, righted itself again, shaking and bumping all around the room, as if it had gone mad. Jangotat, severely wounded, suddenly realized the truth about the JK droids, then used the Five Families own communication gear to call in the airstrike on his coordinates.

In orbit, above the planet, Admiral Baraka acknowledged the change in coordinates and sanctioned the bombardment. The airstrike hit its new target and instead of the destruction of Clandes and a major ground quake, all that remained was a crater and ruins where the Five Families lair used to be.

Back in ChikatLik, Obi-Wan overloaded the energy field with his lightsaber, causing it to flicker for an instant, allowing the pair of Jedi to jump free. A melee with the Jedi and Trillot’s gang members followed, without lightsabers as Obi-Wan refused to slaughter them and settled for hand to hand combat. Ventress stood back, allowing her foes to grow tired, but it was Kit Fisto who eventually faced her first, his single saber against her double blades. They fought as Obi-Wan cast X’Ting opponents to the side and he emerged as Ventress broke through Kit’s defenses, slicing his arm, but he evaded further injury by diving into a lake.

So it was then, that Ventress had the duel that she had longed for since her arrival on the planet. Despite her Master’s wish to keep Kenobi alive, she relished the chance to slay him outright. The fight was ferocious from the outset, but Obi-Wan soon found himself pinned to the floor of the dock by the lake. Fighting on his back, Obi-Wan was saved from a quick death as Kit used his saber to slice the support struts to the decking, and the two combatants fell into the water.

Obi-Wan had managed to insert his rebreather, but with Ventress brandishing a saber in each hand and unable to reach for hers, Kenobi pressed his attack. Ventress settled for using just one saber, as she let go of the other and donned her rebreather. Obi-Wan cut his foe but she headbutted him, losing his breathing device but not before he ripped hers out of her mouth. The situation was dire for the first one to make a break for the surface, as the one to do so would be open to an attack. Obi-Wan remained calm, willing to die, at that moment, prepared to take Ventress with him. He fought relentlessly, and as her wound slowed her, Asajj broke free, deciding to flee and triggered a mechanism on her belt, which unleashed an inky cloud, and she was gone.

In the aftermath, the two Jedi had a message waiting for them at their ship. It was from Jangotat. He had recorded it whilst waiting for the bombardment. He explained his disobeying of his orders and resetting the bombardment coordinates. The Jedi realized that Jangotat had saved millions without knowing it. The message also explained how the Dashta Eels went insane when Thak Val Zsing died violently in the droids arms. The eels were meant to heal, not kill, and the JK’s could never actually kill another being, a fact that the Five Families had kept hidden from Count Dooku. The message was also a farewell to Sheeka, and the Jedi showed it to her. She explained how he valued her and would have wanted to remain with her, although he would have returned to the GAR to continue his duty. Sheeka was upset at the loss of Jangotat, and Obi-Wan comforted her and told her to be strong, for herself and for the unborn child she carried within her.

Outcome

Disaster was averted, thanks to the sacrifice of Jangotat. The rulers of the Five Families were dead, and G’Mai Duris, along with the X’Ting Hive Council were the recognized power of Cestus. A new contract with the Republic was set up, to provide service droids for its Army, which would stabilize the planet’s economy and re-establish its service networks throughout the Republic. The Dashta Eels disappeared, perhaps afraid to be abused by power hungry humans. Jangotat’s remains were buried outside the Desert Wind’s second camp. Asajj Ventress escaped and returned to Count Dooku, promising to volunteer for the most dangerous assignment that General Grievous could come up with. Sheeka Tull was pregnant with Jangotat’s child.

Sources

The Cestus Deception
(Summarized by Ben Culleton)