Froome Skyrider and his Padawan Porte return victorious from Ax3 having freed the beautiful and feisty Princess Michelle from the horrors of JaBrailsford the Hutt’s compound, only to discover that in their absence disaster has struck the rebels.
While the Jedi and the rebel alliance have been concentrating on the newly emergent threat from the Empire, and in particular the attacks from Darth Sagan, another danger has been growing with the formation of a breakaway federation calling themselves the Confederacy of Independent Systems – also known as the Separatists. Already, several key figures and systems previously aligned with the rebels have abandoned the alliance and pledged allegiance to the Separatist movement.
Led by the powerful former Jedi, Count Vaughters, the Separatists have taken up a position contrary to both the Empire and the rebels. Capitalising on the confusion and jockeying for position within the rebel alliance, and the focus on destroying the alliance by the Empire, they have sensed the time is right to reveal their intentions towards ruling the galaxy.
As Froome and his team return to the Jedi base, young rebel and trusted Skyrider confidante Kennaugh is disabled by a stealth attack which sends him scrambling to the ground. He emerges dazed, and although not seriously hurt, he will not be able to provide further support to his leader. Similarly, the exhausted Padawan Porte, fatigued by the excursion to Ax3, can only watch as Froome Skyrider is apprehended by Separatist forces from Movistarr.
With their understanding of the rebel tactics, Separatist Commanders Millar, Danielson, and Hesjedi (the former rebel captain) flex their muscles, rounding the rebels into confused and disorganised clusters, before the Separatist’s secret weapon Dango Fett, genetic source of the Clone Army and naturally skilled warrior as well as infamous bounty hunter, takes up the attack.
Froome Skyrider, now completely isolated from his comrades, is escorted by the Movistarr, who are led by the dread space pirate Valverde, and count among them the Quintana energy being that Porte had spotted previously in their ranks. Although under no physical threat, the Movistarr keep Skyrider under close guard, never allowing him any quarter and making sure at all times that he remains separated from his companions.
Separatist fighter Dango Fett and the clone warrior Fuglsang (AP photo)
Meanwhile Dango Fett, accompanied by the clone warrior Fuglsang, redoubles his attack, demonstrating to the rebels that the Empire is not the only force to be reckoned with in the galaxy. As quickly as they seem to have appeared the Separatists depart, leaving the rebels and the Jedi to consider whether this new emergent force is friend, foe, or something else altogether.
To be continued…
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