Sad news. Quinlan Vos, it turns out, was an agent of the Order, sent into Count Dooku's camp to spy on him. However, he betrayed us. Several of his reports turned out to be false. In particular, the last operation on Brentaal IV, we lost too many clones… The final straw was when he passed secret communication codes to the Separatists."
"Agent Kolar was sent after Vos to Nar Shaddaa to bring him to the Temple. However, when the Master tracked him down, Vos refused to go with him, and they crossed blades. According to Kolar, Quinlan's lightsaber was red, and he himself exuded Darkness."
"As a result of the duel, Vos nearly killed Kolar, and only the intervention of the Antarian Rangers accompanying the Master saved his life. During the fight, one of the eateries was destroyed, and the Hutts filed a claim against the Order. Ki-Adi-Mundi is currently working to resolve this issue." Unduli paused briefly. "At first, the Council did not believe Kolar, assuming he was mistaken and that Vos's actions were merely intended to gain Dooku's trust. However, the recent murder of one of the senators—an incident in which we believe Quinlan Vos was involved—and the message he sent to his former Padawan, Aayla Secura, only confirmed that Quinlan Vos had betrayed the Order."
Hm… Jedi are turning to the dark side far too often lately. Poor Secura… She was Vos's Padawan once. In fact, he brought her into the Order. And now—to receive news like this… Not good.
"So, now when we meet, we shouldn't expect a warm welcome?"
"I'm afraid not…"
At that moment, Mace Windu's voice interrupted us:
"Let us continue!"
The Jedi, who had been quietly speaking among themselves, fell silent. The meeting resumed. The Council discussed successes and failures, and in the process, the Jedi received assignments almost nonstop and departed immediately afterward. Soon, the hall was practically empty, but neither we nor Unduli had been assigned to anything yet. What can I say—it is always useful to listen to the plans of the high command. And yet, I had a feeling that our own task was just around the corner…
"Sat, what can you, Master Windu?" Yoda asked.
"The attack on Iktotchi has been almost completely repelled. All that remains is to destroy the droid forces in the planet's southern polar region, and that will be the end of it. The Separatist squadron in orbit has been destroyed. Our losses are minimal."
"Excellent, excellent, hmm." Yoda turned to Kenobi's hologram. "Obi-Wan, how are you faring?"
"Anakin and I are thoroughly bogged down on Terra Sool. It will take a couple more days to finally liberate the planet. Here's the problem: the locals, of course, sympathize with the Republic, but the planetary army is split in two—one part supports us, the other supports the Separatists. In particular, the CIS has taken control of the defense forces' atmospheric dreadnoughts. These are massive repulsor platforms with heavy armor and hundreds of blasters, some even equipped with light turbolasers. Aircraft and ships are useless against them—we have to take each dreadnought by force. Anakin is currently engaged with one of them, but there are still at least forty platforms left…"
"On your own, manage you must — reinforcements, send we cannot," replied Yoda.
"Then I will hurry," Obi-Wan said, and the hologram faded.
"What about Fisto?" Plo Koon asked. "How is his mission progressing?"
"Kit Fisto is still on Manaan, in the Pyrshak system, negotiating with the Selkath in their capital, Ahto City, over kolto supplies. We are experiencing a bacta shortage, and kolto is an acceptable substitute, though not as effective. The price, however, is lower than bacta," Adi Gallia replied…
"The situation in the Outer Rim is troubling. We have virtually no spare forces, and that is precisely where the Separatists are now conducting their offensive. The situation is particularly dire east of Hutt Space, in Wild Space. As we know, the Hutts are neutral, so neither we nor the CIS can use the hyperspace routes under their control. The routes through Wild Space are poorly developed, but intelligence reports that the Separatists are actively using them to maintain communication between the northern and southern regions of the Galaxy, while seizing every more or less significant world along the way—often simply enslaving the peaceful colonists there, who simply have no means to repel the attacks of the droid armies."
"A Jedi must be sent there with a large detachment. The peaceful inhabitants must be protected." spoke the Grand Master.
"I believe Master Luminara and her Padawan would be well suited for this mission…"
"Yes, agree with that choice, I do," Yoda said.
Both Mirialans rose and went down to retrieve a datapad with more detailed instructions. After exchanging a few quiet words with Yoda, they hurried to leave the hall. Then Plo Koon made an inviting gesture toward Ahsoka and me. We exchanged glances, stood up, and approached the tactical table. From the opposite side, Armand Isard and Palael Harimo stepped forward. Plus, a hologram of a Jedi man I didn't know appeared.
"We wish to entrust you with the next assignment, Secura," Windu announced.
"But I—" the Twi'lek began, only to be interrupted by Shaak Ti's calm voice.
"Aayla, let us not begin this argument again. The Council's decision is final."
Windu cast a reproachful glance at the Jedi who had interrupted him and continued:
"Over the past few days, we have lost six convoys traveling along the Corellian Trade Route. The ships simply vanished. Republic Intelligence is at a loss. However, Jedi Master John Tholme has reported evidence of Separatist involvement. You are to investigate this matter. This route is used to deliver critical supplies to the Second, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Sector Armies. In addition, we receive bacta from the Twentieth Sector Army's area of operations, from the planet Thyferra, as well as new ships from the Bestine shipyards along this same route. Such incidents are unacceptable."