MEET THE GEONOSIS JEDI
GET TO KNOW THE JEDI WARRIORS WHO WERE THE FIRST TO FIGHT THE CLONE WARS!
When Obi-Wan Kenobi got captured on Geonosis by the powerhouses of the Secessionist Movement, Mace Windu decided to lead a task force of 200 Jedi. Meanwhile, Yoda left for the Kamino system where the Republic would make use of the mysterious clone army that had been ordered about a decade ago by Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. The participation of the Jedi on Geonosis would prove to be an omen of what the Clone Wars would bring for the guardians of peace and justice. The battle showed what the Jedi were and also what they weren’t. The Jedi were compassionate beings who didn’t hesitate to rescue a fellow Jedi in need and who did anything they could to protect the Galactic Republic. But the Jedi had evolved into diplomats and keepers of the peace instead of hardened battlefield commanders. The outcome of the Battle of Geonosis would be disastrous for the Jedi Order, as about 170 of the 200 Jedi would perish on Geonosis’ reddish soil. Let’s meet the valiant Jedi who joined Master Windu to Geonosis.
“This party’s over!”
Though Obi-Wan Kenobi had already been joined by his Padawan Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala in an unfortunate attempt to rescue him, Mace Windu was the first Jedi of the task force to reveal himself to Count Dooku and the leaders of the Confederacy. Master Windu reached Archduke Poggle the Lesser’s balcony by sneaking through the dark alcoves of the Petranaki Arena. He may have often thought about that moment when he had the chance to kill Dooku right away, but that wasn’t the way of the Jedi. Dooku warned Windu that the Jedi would be outnumbered when they entered the battle. Dooku did tell the truth as he unleashed hordes of battle droids and Geonosian warriors upon the Jedi.
Jedi suddenly appeared all over the arena in small teams. First to appear was Coleman Trebor, a Vurk Jedi Master who would not survive the battle, as he was gunned down by Jango Fett when he threatened Dooku. Jedi High Council members Plo Koon and Ki-Adi-Mundi appeared with Jedi Aayla Secura. Secura was a Rutian Twi’lek who would distinguish herself in the Clone Wars. Next to appear were the Togruta Jedi Master Shaak Ti and the Mirialan Jedi Master Luminara Unduli who would both become respected Jedi Generals in the Clone Wars. The Ongree Jedi Knight Pablo-Jill, who would be killed by General Grievous at the end of the Clone Wars, was joined by the Nautolan Jedi Master Kit Fisto. The Mirialan Barriss Offee appeared with the Zabrak Agen Kolar. Barriss was the Padawan of Luminara Unduli and at the end of the Clone Wars she became disillusioned with the Jedi Order in the war. Master Kolar was one of the four Jedi Masters killed by Darth Sidious when the Jedi were going to arrest him. Bultar Swan was the last Jedi to appear on the balconies with Coleman Trebor (once again). Swan was a female Kuati Jedi who, according to legends, initially survived Order 66.
When the Jedi task force had reached the floor of the arena, Jedi Nicanas Tassu and the bald Sephjet Josall tossed lightsabers to the unarmed Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Despite their important action, neither Tassu or Josall would likely have left Geonosis alive. Another Jedi who fought on the balconies of the arena was the Chalactan Sar Labooda. Labooda was the sister of Depa Billaba, but unlike her sister, she didn’t live to fight another day. Sarissa Jeng was a female Jedi who was still alive after Mace Windu had killed Jango Fett. Eventually she was overwhelmed and killed in battle.
Background fights
A lot of Jedi were fighting in the background, and most did not survive. Jedi Master Ekim Ryelli lost three fingers but also his Padawan Lumas Etima on Geonosis. The battle maimed Ryelli psychologically and he became a Jedi archeologist. Agen Kolar joined his Padawan Tan Yuster during the battle, but it wasn’t enough to save Yuster from being killed. The Kajain’sa’Nikto Fi’Ek Sirch and the Weequay Que-Mars Redath-Gom were two non-human Jedi. Redath-Gom died during the battle and Sirch most likely shared his fate. Other background Jedi were Ichi-Tan Micoda, a member of the Diplomatic Corps, Selig Kenjenn, and Roan Shryne. Micoda’s skill didn’t save him, but Shryne went on to fight in the Clone Wars.
“Surrender and your lives will be spared …”
At the final moments of the arena battle, fourteen Jedi and Senator Amidala were surrounded in a circle by battle droids. One of the Jedi, Teräs Käsi specialist Joclad Danva, must have succumbed to his injuries right after Dooku ordered the droids to cease their fire. The 13 remaining Jedi were joined by Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Aayla Secura who had tried to disable a droid control signal that no longer powered the battle droids. Nine of the 14 rounded up Jedi had already been encountered on Geonosis. They were Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Agen Kolar, Luminara Unduli, Bultar Swan, Shaak Ti, Kit Fisto, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jedi High Council Member Saesee Tiin. Also still alive were Roth-Del Masona, one of Mace Windu’s adjutants during the Clone Wars, Tarados Gon, a Klatooinian Jedi who would eventually perish aboard a gunship on Geonosis, the Tolothian Jedi Knight Stass Allie and Sora Bulq, another Weequay.
When the battle droids were preparing to aim their blasters at the surrounded Jedi, Master Yoda finally arrived with clone troopers and turned the tide of battle. The famous Battle of Geonosis, which still was far from over, would turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory for the Republic.
Other Jedi who fought in the Battle of Geonosis included Jedi Council members Eeth Koth, Depa Billaba, Even Piell, and Adi Gallia. Jedi Knight Khaat Qiyn likely perished on Geonosis while her Padawan Bairdon Jace survived.
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