As the final hour grows near before the execution of Republic Commander Rykrof Enloe, Jedi Master Kala Mly Shundi meets with Sith Lord Count Dooku in an attempt to learn the location of his friend.
“As I have told you, I have no connection to the terrorists holding your friend. The only way to save him is to learn the ways of the Dark Side. Only through the Force can you attain the power to find your friend… before it is too late.”
“Join me and not only will you learn the power to save your friends, but there will be no need for droids… or clones. Or even for war,” Dooku says.
“I came here for help to find my friend, not to fall under your spell like Master Vos or the traitor Sora Bulq has,” Kala retorts. “Your scheme to turn another Jedi against the Order will not work on me. You have wasted valuable time. I must leave immediately.”
“Of course you should,” Dooku says. “But you do not know where to look. The holo messages the Badoo Corba have sent are not traceable.”
“I know not to trust one who has turned their back on the Jedi Council,” Kala says as he walks away.
“Then you should also know to never turn your back on a Sith,” Dooku warns.
The Dark Lord is then approached by former Jedi Master Quinlan Vos and the misguided Asajj Ventress who have observed the Dark Lord's conversation.
“You should have allowed us to kill him, Master,” Ventress hisses. “He should not be allowed to escape!”
“Shall I stop him, my Master?” Quinlan then asks.
“No, Shundi is no use to us dead. And do not delay him. In time he will return on his own free will,” Dooku replies.
Left free to leave the planet, Kala Mly Shundi blasts into the atmosphere to continue his search, but with a growing doubt within him.
Meanwhile, in a secret compound on Yinchorr, Rykrof Enloe faces his final hours…
Restraining him on a torture rack, an ancient ITK droid continues to inject Rykrof with small doses of painful toxins, slowly breaking his will to live.
The illegal execution droid knows no remorse; no pity. Where most would have already succumbed to death, Rykrof is strong. But he knows he can not hold out forever. Soon his body will heed to the relentless torture he has faced.
After hours of excruciating torture, the rack holding Rykrof suddenly expands and he collapses to the floor. The droid then radiates a heat beam, beginning to cause a burning ache throughout Rykrof’s body.
As Rykrof struggles to shake a dizzy, nauseous sensation caused by the injections, he notices an electrical beam beginning to emit from one of the droid’s appendages. Sensing his ability to fight back diminishing, he tries to get to his feet to fend off the droid.
As he exerts his energy to get off the ground, a laser blast suddenly strikes the side of the droid’s support column.
A fiery explosion erupts from the internal processor of the droid as the ITK takes a second hit.
Rykrof then breaths a sigh of relief as he looks towards the chamber door.
To his surprise, he sees Judiss standing where the droid had towered over him just moments earlier.
Dazed and confused, Rykrof instinctively retreats back.
“There is little time, once Mubaas discovers what has happened there will be no escape!” Judiss cries. “Come with me human, we have to get out of here!”
Unable to determine whether or not he should trust Judiss, Rykrof dumbly stumbles after him. The Aqualish then warns Rykrof to keep quite. “It only takes one guard to sound the alarm... and if you are seen outside the chamber we will be shot on sight.”
“Why are you doing this?” Rykrof asks.
“I said to keep quiet!” Judiss says, shushing Rykrof before blasting an unsuspecting Badoo Corba operative through the chest.
“I think that woke me up,” Rykrof says as he picks up the staff the guard had carried. “Good shot you have there.”
“Are you capable of handling a weapon?” Judiss inquires.
“Gonna have to be,” Rykrof says, trying to clear his head. “What’s your plan on getting us out of here?”
“I have an ATL Interceptor ready for takeoff at the east platform. It is not far and should not be guarded,” Judiss replies.
As the two round a corner, Rykrof is the first to spot a hooded executioner and impales him, killing the terrorist immediately.
“You are stronger than I thought human, now let’s continue forward, there is no time to spare!” Judiss shouts.
As the two approach the east platform, another guard falls under fire of Judiss.
Rykrof then arms himself with the blaster the fallen guard had carried.
Judiss then motions forward, “We have made it. The platform is secure, let's go!”
To his surprise, Rykrof aims his blaster at the chest of Judiss.
“What are you doing? We are free to escape!” Judiss exclaims.
“No,” Rykrof says, seizing his opportunity. “You will take me to Mubaas.”
“Don’t be a fool, I only want to help you! There are too many of them, we must escape now while we have the chance!” Judiss begs.
“If you want to help me, then you help me kill him,” Rykrof threatens.
As Rykrof and Judiss stare each other down, a blast suddenly strikes Judiss in the chest.
Instinctively, Rykrof fires in the direction the blast originated…
…and takes out the shooter.
Immediately Rykrof checks on the status of Judiss, only to find the Aqualish dead. He then realizes to try and confront Mubaas alone would be suicide.
Caught up in shock, Rykrof stumbles over to the ship Judiss had secured.
As the ship rises, Rykrof notices a turbo laser battery above his position…
…and narrowly escapes the compound.
Moments later, Mubaas learns of the escape and arrives at the platform.
“It was Judiss,” Troffar says. “Judiss the traitor.”
“So it is!” Mubaas roars. “I have been betrayed by my own people! I want the head of this traitor on my desk!”
As the leaders discuss the escape, the Whipid Gomor brings Mubaas the head of Judiss.
“The fool,” Mubaas says. “He shall be an example to all of what happens to those who betray the Badoo Corba!”
“With all due respect,” Troffar interrupts, “Enloe now knows the location of this base. It will not be long before he returns with an army.”
“Yes, the Republic is relentless,” he agrees.
“We must evacuate this complex quickly. This time the Republic has won but soon we will strike at the very heart of the Senate.”
“And my sworn enemy’s luck can not last forever.”
