First Battle of Geonosis

"*The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun… the Clone War has.*"

The **First Battle of Geonosis** was the first battle to be fought as part of the Clone Wars. It occurred as Mace Windu brought a Jedi strike team to Geonosis in an effort to rescue Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi from Separatist capture. Acting as a Jedi General for the first time, Yoda brought the Grand Army of the Republic to Geonosis to fight against the overwhelming Separatist forces that were brought down on the Jedi. It was the largest scale battle the galaxy had seen for centuries. It marked the beginning of a 3 year galactic scale war. The battle also saw the death of bounty hunter Jango Fett, and revealed Dooku's dark side allegiance. Anakin Skywalker lost his right arm during a duel with Count Dooku in the final moments of the battle. The battle ended in Galactic Republic victory.

## Prelude

#### Previous: Investigation on Kamino

##### Sith Manipulation

Eight years after the Invasion of Naboo, the Sith Lords Sidious and Dooku began building the Republic's opposition that would be used to weaken the Republic and the Jedi in their attempt to orchestrate a sham war that would allow the Sith to overthrow the Republic and bring about a return of the Sith. Dooku became a political idealist, delivering a speech known as the Raxus Address that then created the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Thousands of systems left the Republic, joining the Separatists. Dooku began building a Separatist Council, involving members such as the Trade Federation. The Separatists commissioned the Techno Union and Geonosian Foundries to construct a battle droid army to face against the Republic clone army. Tensions between the Republic and the Confederacy rose and war became increasingly inevitable. The Republic began discussions on a Military Creation Act, to decide if they Republic needed an army to face against the Confederacy. The Republic made it illegal for Republic representatives to meet with Separatist representatives in formal talks. A Separatist Senate was created on Raxus, posing as a democracy. Those within both the Separatist Senate and Galactic Senate were unaware they were headed by the Sith, who were by 22 BBY, prepared to push both sides into open war.

##### Final Push Into War

Nute Gunray's condition to pledging loyalty to the Confederacy was the death of Senator Padmé Amidala, still enraged by his loss to her at the Battle of Naboo. Dooku sent Jango Fett to kill the Senator, who in turn hired Zam Wesell. Zam made several attempts to kill the Senator, all of which were unsuccessful. On one attempt Zam was caught by Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker. Zam was killed by Jango before she could reveal his part in the plot. Anakin left Coruscant to Naboo with Padmé as a protection agent while Obi-Wan stayed on Coruscant to open an investigation into the assassination attempts made against Senator Amidala. His investigation lead to his discovery of Kamino and the clone army that had been in construction. He revealed its existence to the Jedi High Council. He then followed Jango Fett to Geonosis where he found the droid foundries and the Separatist Council. He reported his findings to the Jedi Council, who in turn shared this with the Chancellor and his Loyalist Committee. Obi-Wan had been captured by Dooku's forces and placed in a prison cell, where Dooku spoke to him. Dooku tried to convince him that he wished to destroy the Sith, having supposedly learnt from Nute Gunray that the Republic was now under the leadership of a sith called Darth Sidious. Obi-Wan denied that as a possibility.

The Chancellor and his Loyalist Committee discussed the findings of Obi-Wan, sure that it meant that the Commerce Guilds were preparing for war. Senator Ask Aak saw this as enough evidence that the Republic needed a clone army. Senator Bail Organa was certain however that the Senate would not approve the use of clones until after a Separatist attack. Mas Amedda proposed to hold an emergency session in the Senate, in which the Senate must vote for emergency powers to be granted to Palpatine allowing him to grant the use of the Clone Army. Knowing that Junior Representative Jar Jar Binks was present instead of Senator Amidala, Mas Amedda and Palpatine made note the if only Amidala were present, she could be the radical Senator who would propose such an amendment. They brought about an emergency session of the Senate. Jar Jar did exactly as he had been manipulated to do, voting for Chancellor Palpatine to receive emergency powers. The Senate voted in favor of this motion, allowing Palpatine to grant the creation of a Grand Army of the Republic, thus starting the Clone War. Mace Windu set out to build a task-force of remaining Jedi to take with him to Geonosis to face against the Confederacy forces and rescue Obi-Wan. Meanwhile Yoda traveled to Kamino to see the army the Republic was to use.

##### Skirmish in the Droid Factory

Having also received the transmission that showed Obi-Wan being captured by the Separatists, his apprentice Anakin and Padmé Amidala set out from their mission on Naboo to keep the Senator safe to go to Geonosis and rescue their Jedi friend. They reached Geonosis before the Jedi strike force, landing within exhaust vents they spotted as they flew near the Trade Federation base. They landed and made their way through the Geonosian catacombs until they discovered the droid foundries. As they stepped out into the factory a number of Geonosians attacked the invaders, causing Padmé to fall into the workings of the manufacturing factory. Anakin followed her into the factory, fighting off the attacking Geonosians. R2-D2 knocked C-3PO into the factory to chase after their human companions despite the latter's displeasure at entering the perverse factory. C-3PO fell from a ledge, pushed off by R2. He fell onto a conveyor where his head was knocked off and placed onto the body of a B1 Battle Droid. His body was then given a B1 battle droid head. Anakin was caught in machinery causing his lightsaber to be severed. He noted that Obi-Wan was going to kill him for breaking his weapon. Unable to defend himself without his saber, Jango Fett appeared with a contingent of droidekas. They arrested both him and Padmé, taking them away and prepped for execution.

## Recount

#### Jedi Strike Team

Unknown to the Separatists, throughout the execution preparation, Mace Windu and his strike team of 212 Jedi had landed on Geonosis. They had silently been infiltrating the arena, awaiting for a signal to launch an attack on the Separatist forces. It was the largest strike force of Jedi since the High Republic. Without much experience in war, many of the Padawans had been told to expect for the Separatists to surrender upon seeing so many Jedi ignite their sabers. Unknown to the Jedi however, the Separatists had 15,000 DSD1 dwarf spider droids 4,100 IG-227 *Hailfire*-class droid tanks, over 1,000,000 B1-series battle droids, over 100,000 B2-series super battle droids, B2-HA super battle droids, Over 3,000 droidekas and 7,500 OG-9 homing spider droids.

Yoda had successfully gone to Kamino and recruited the aid of 294,912 Clone Troopers. A large number of the Jedi were placed onto LAAT/i ships where they would be dropped into the arena and provide support. The Zilkin Meebur Gascon was also brought to Geonosis to work alongside the Grand Army of the Republic, as part of Republic Strategic Command, by analyzing Geonosis's hostile terrain and recommending an effective attack plan. It was he who worked a plot to expand the battle outside the arena and attack the Trade Federation core ships at their landing zones. Clone Trooper CT-7567 "Rex" was also a participant in the coming battle, alongside "Slick". For the first time the Jedi were given the rank Jedi General.

##### Executions

Both Anakin and Padmé were sentenced to execution in the Petranaki arena alongside Obi-Wan. Thousands of Geonosians gathered at the arena to witness the executions of the Jedi and a Republic senator. Obi-Wan had already been placed in the arena, chained to a column were a creature would be released to tear each of the prisoners apart. Anakin and Padmé used what they thought were their last moments alive together to confess their love for one another. They embraced in a loving kiss as they were pulled into the Petranaki arena before their audience in a cart towed by an orray. As they were chained to their own columns beside Obi-Wan, Padmé hid a clip in her mouth that would allow her to free herself when chained. After the prisoners were all chained, Poggle the Lesser stepped onto his overlooking balcony followed by Dooku, Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, Jango and Boba Fett. Poggle announced the beginning of the executions. An acklay was released to kill Obi-Wan, a nexu for Padmé and a reek for Anakin. All three creatures slowly approached their prey. Watching the reek approach gave Anakin a bad feeling. Padmé immediately got work loosening her cuffs. She was able to free one hand. She kept the other chain connected, using the tension in the chain to scale the column and stand on top of it away from the creatures below. The acklay struck at Obi-Wan. The Jedi was able to push his chain in the way of the strike, breaking the chain that kept Obi-Wan at his column. His hands still cuffed, Obi-Wan went on the retreat from the creature. Anakin meanwhile leapt as the reek charged the column, landing on it's back. As the reek charged away, Anakin's chain broke, allowing him to sling it around the neck of the reek and ride it. The nexu climbed the column on which Padmé stood. She collected her chain and used it to whip the nexu away. Before she was successful the nexus had already used its claws to slash Padmé back. When the nexu tried again to climb up to Padmé, the senator leapt off the column and used the chain to swing into the nexus, kicking it in its exposed and vulnerable underside. As she nexu fell Nute Gunray protested, calling for someone to shoot her. Obi-Wan dodged the attacks of the acklay, which only served to anger the beast. It knocked over Obi-Wan's column. Obi-Wan fled and stole the static pike from a Geonosian picador. He then used the weapon to defend himself from the acklay. Anakin used the Force to connect with the Reek, using it to ram and down the nexu. Padmé leapt from her column to join Anakin on the back of the Reek. The pair then rode to Obi-Wan, allowing him to leap on also and ride away from the acklay. Fearful that the trio would survive the beast attack, the Separatists sent in droidekas to surround the group and the reek.

##### Jedi Attack

While the Separatists watched the trio avoid their beasts, the Jedi had taken their positions in the arena. Mace Windu snuck up behind Count Dooku. He took the ex-Jedi by surprise, igniting his lightsaber to hold it at the throat of Jango Fett. The other Jedi placed around the arena saw the purple flash and began to ignite their own sabers. The three within the arena watched as their rescuers revealed themselves. The Geonosians in the stands fled from the danger the Jedi presented, leaving only the Separatist leaders on their balcony. Dooku told Windu that he was brave but foolish for entering a battle in which he was impossibly outnumbered. A platoon of B2 Super Battle Droids approached from behind Windu, firing on him. Windu had to release Jango to deflect the fire. Jango then fired a flamethrower at the Jedi. To dodge the blast Mace leapt from the balcony, using the Force to land safely inside the arena. The arena itself began to fill with hundreds of battle droids, starting the battle. More Jedi leapt into the arena, charging against the droids. The Geonosians pulled cannons into the arena, firing at the Jedi enemies that littered the arena floor. A blast from a cannon threw Anakin, Padmé and Obi-Wan from the back of the reek. The Senator picked up a dropped battle droid blaster, using it to defend herself in the fight.

Throughout the fight more and more battle droids continuously replenished the Separatist forces. Coleman Trebor made an attempt to attack Count Dooku himself, leaping beside him to try and take the Count by surprise. The High Council member found himself under the fire of Jango Fett. He deflected the first two shots, however a third blast struck his shoulder. A fourth blast killed Coleman. He fell from the balcony and his deceased body landed in the arena. Numerous Jedi began to fall to the onslaught of droids, particularly the Padawans. None of the Jedi had anticipated such a severe attack. Padawan Tan Yuster was among the apprentices who was killed during the battle. Sar Labooda was also killed during the fighting. Mace was at one time chased down by the reek. The Jedi Master was able to fend off the charge by slicing off a horn of the beast, but the attack still knocked the saber out the Jedi's hand. Jango Fett saw the opportunity to avenge his own pride at being held at the end of Mace's saber. He leapt down into the arena to try and grab the Jedi's weapon. Mace was able to use the Force to pull his saber back to him and out of the bounty hunter's reach. Jango was then unceremoniously trampled by the reek. His beskar armor protected him from being crushed by the beast. As soon as Jango as able to return to his feet he was rushed by Mace Windu. A flurry of shots were deflected by the Jedi Master in his advance. Mace Windu then struck a killing blow, severing the bounty hunter's hand before decapitating him. Boba Fett watched the Jedi kill his father from afar. Also on the balcony, a stray shot very nearly struck Nute Gunray, encouraging them to evacuate the arena.

Obi-Wan Kenobi fought against the droids separate from his apprentice who remained at Padmé's side. The acklay confronted Obi-Wan once more from behind. This time the Jedi fought back with a lightsaber, severing the legs of the beast and causing it to fall where he could finish the beast with a final blow. Having had his head and body swapped with B1 Battle Droid parts, C-3PO had been deployed into the battle in two different places. After both sides of him had been defeated in battle, one of which had been thanks to Kit Fisto, R2-D2 entered the arena. He found C-3PO's head, pulling it off the battle droid body and returning it to it's normal body. The Jedi numbers dwindled dramatically as more and more droids entered the arena, surrounding those in the center while destroying the isolated Jedi on the outskirts of the arena. Dooku called for a ceasefire once the Jedi had been successfully surrounded in the middle of the Petranaki arena. Obi-Wan bowed beside the body of Tan Yuster for a moment, before standing again to prepare for another outburst of fire. Dooku commended the Jedi effort, saying the Mace Windu's efforts were worthy of recognition within the Jedi Archives. Dooku demanded a surrender in return for their lives. Windu refused the call, refusing to be a hostage used for negotiation. Dooku apologized to his old friend, ordering for the droids to execute the Jedi.

The Jedi prepared to be shot down, ready to make a final stand just as the Grand Army of the Republic arrived just on time. Jedi General Yoda came down into the arena aboard an LAAT/i, alongside clone troopers. The Republic ships and troops opened fire on the Separatist forces, cutting through vast numbers of droids. Yoda ordered for the clones to create a perimeter around the survivors. The LAAT gunships lowered themselves into a circle around the remaining Jedi, allowing them to board the ships before taking off and moving onto their attack on the Trade Federation ships. Clone Troopers disembarked the ship and engaged the Separatist droids while the Jedi leapt onto the ships. All Republic ships took off into the air, leaving behind not a single Republic troop. Separatist troops also evacuated the arena, leaving behind only the rubble and bodies of the fallen. R2-D2 helped C-3PO to his feet, before heading back to the ship they had arrived in. Dooku left the arena, going to a Separatist Command Center to oversee the next stage of the battle. Boba Fett made his way down to the arena floor, where he found his father's helmet. He grieved for the loss of his father. Boba Fett kept his father's helmet and left Geonosis aboard *Slave I* while the battle continued to rage. General Grievous was in the Stalgasin Hive around the time of the arena battle, though entirely by accident, and as he retreated through the hive tunnels beneath Geonosis, he encountered several Jedi, clone troopers, preventing them from reaching the Separatist Council. No one was left alive to speak of his existence until much later he emerged from hiding.

##### Attacks Across Geonosis

After the battle left the arena, numerous smaller battles were fought across numerous fronts against the Separatists, with the Republic on the offensive. Knowing that the clone army was outnumbered on the ground against the high number of battle droids, the Republic enjoyed an aerial offensive against the enemy, providing the Jedi a moment of reprieve from their battle. The LAAT gunships targeted the Techno Union *Hardcell*-class interstellar transports as they tried to escape the planet. Jedi were made Generals and given Clone Battalions to lead against the Confederacy forces that had amassed at the Trade Federation landing zone. At the command center, Dooku feigned ignorance as to how the Jedi had gained an army so quickly as Nute Gunray asked questions about the Jedi offensive. Nute Gunray called for all the droids to be placed into battle to face against the Republic. Dooku had already determined however that there are too many Republic forces, and defeat was inevitable. Mace Windu landed at an assembly area outside the battle at the Trade Federation landing zone where he took command of 5 special commando units. Yoda meanwhile continued onto the forward command center. With Mace Windu present, the Army of the Republic began it's advance into the Trade Federation landing zone. Both armies charged each other, trading fire.

Knowing that the battle was lost, Dooku and the Separatist high command began their evacuation. The neimoidians retreated to their core ships, ordering them to take off and leave the planet. Poggle the Lesser instructed his warriors to retreat into the catacombs to hide until the battle is over. Poggle and Dooku had secretly been working on plans for the construction of an ultimate weapon to wield against the Republic that would be presented to Darth Sidious. To avoid the Republic learning about the plans, Poggle emptied the Separatist databanks of all information regarding the weapon, giving it to Dooku on a data-disk. Dooku left the command center with the plans, going to where his Flitknot speeder awaited him so that he could escape to his hanger, which in turn held a *Punworcca 116*-class interstellar sloop waiting to return him to Coruscant. Once there he would inform Darth Sidious that the Clone War had begun and the plans for the Sith Weapon were underway. A pair of *Nantex*-class territorial defense starfighters went with Dooku to protect his journey to the hanger. As the Trade Federation ships attempted to leave the planet, the Republic used SPHA-T cannons to bring them down. As they fell, they dowsed the battlefield with dust, obscuring the battlefront. Eventually, the droid army was ordered a full retreat and began to pull back, slowing the conflict.

##### Duel with Dooku

During the final stages of the battle, Obi-Wan, Anakin and Padmé had remained aboard their LAAT gunship. Obi-Wan spotted Dooku making his escape aboard his speeder. Anakin ordered the pilot to shoot him down, learning that they had run out of rockets. Anakin then ordered the pilot to follow Dooku to his destination where the Jedi would be forced to deal with the secret sith without the aid of backup. Dooku sent his guard gunships after the LAAT gunship that chased him. The ships fired on the Jedi, causing the ship to rock violently, throwing Padmé and another clone from the ship. Despite Anakin's cries to drop the ship, the chase continued. Obi-Wan made the point that if they caught Dooku they could end the war right then. Yoda could sense Anakin's discomfort at leaving Padmé. Knowing that they were chasing his old apprentice, Yoda requested a ship that he could use to reach Dooku's hangar and help Obi-Wan and Anakin catch Dooku. The chase reached Dooku's hangar. The sith headed inside and immediately prepped his next ship for departure. The Jedi disembarked the LAAT gunship moments before it was destroyed by the *Nantex* starfighters.

The Jedi headed inside, where they found Dooku awaiting them. Their lightsabers ignited, they prepared to arrest the Count. Anakin's anger got the better of him. He leapt at Dooku, only to be thrown aside by a flurry of Force lightning. Dooku remarked that his Jedi powers were far greater than that of Obi-Wan or Anakin's. He unleashed more Force lightning directed at Obi-Wan. The Jedi deflected it using his lightsaber, letting his blade absorb the energy. Dooku ignited his own lightsaber, revealing a crimson blade. Kenobi charged the sith, entering in a lightsaber duel. Dooku was able to best the Jedi, cutting his arm and leg causing Obi-Wan to fall to the floor defeated. Dooku prepared to execute Kenobi but his strike was cut short by Anakin who had leapt to defend his master. Obi-Wan threw Anakin his own blade, starting another duel between Dooku and Anakin. Dooku cut through one of Anakin's sabers, leaving him with only one. Dooku was able to also beat Anakin, cutting off his right arm and throwing him across the room to where his master lay. Anakin lost consciousness, laying across his master's legs.

While Dooku caught his breath, his old master Yoda entered the hangar. Upon seeing his master, Dooku tried throwing objects at the little green Jedi with the Force, all of which Yoda deflected. Dooku then tried bringing down the roof on the Jedi. Once again, Yoda caught the debris and saved himself from Dooku's attack. Dooku announced to Yoda that he had grown more powerful in the Force than even him, trying to unleash Force lightning upon his opponent. Yoda was able to catch the lightning, throwing it back at Dooku. It became clear to Dooku that their contest would not be ended by the knowledge of the Force, and instead they would need to duel with their lightsabers. Both ignited their blades, entering into a violent duel. Eventually their mastery of the lightsaber forms peaked at a bladelock. Yoda commended his old padawan's fighting. Dooku took the opportunity to escape, bringing down a support beam onto Obi-Wan and Anakin, forcing Yoda to end his duel with Dooku and use the Force to catch the beam and rescue his Jedi allies. Dooku boarded his ship and left the hangar while Yoda dropped the beam at a safe space. Outside the hangar, Padmé had amassed a small group of troopers aboard an LAAT gunship. They shot at Dooku's ship as he flew away, unable to damage his ship.

Having been unable to defeat the Sith, Yoda slowly picked up his cane and watched as Obi-Wan and Anakin slowly rose to their feet, both badly injured by their duels. Padmé came running into the hangar followed by the clone troopers. The clones remained by the door while Padmé ran to check on Anakin. The battle was over.

## Aftermath

#### Next: Wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala

The Galactic Republic began their occupation of the planet Geonosis, keeping their presence held over the planet and forcing Separatists away from the system. The Separatist capital world consequently was moved to Raxus Secundus, which had also already seated the Separatist Senate. At the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the Jedi admitted that they would not have had victory without the aid of the clones. Yoda denied the idea that there was victory at Geonosis. He deemed the war a failure for the galaxy at large. Obi-Wan and Mace Windu discussed Dooku's warning that a Sith Lord had control over the Senate. While they did not trust the word of Dooku, the Jedi agreed that they must keep a closer eye on the senate. Kit Fisto was given the seat on the Jedi High Council that had belonged to Coleman Trebor that now sat empty as a result of Trebor's death in the battle.

Dooku traveled to Coruscant, going to the Industrial District. He met his master Darth Sidious at The Works where he had killed Yaddle ten years prior. He informed his master that the war had begun and that everything was proceeding as planned. Darth Sidious was pleased with his apprentice's efforts.

## Event Chronology

* Mace Windu leads his strike team into the Petranaki arena to ambush the Separatists.
* The Jedi and Padmé survive the immediate execution.
* The Jedi reveal themselves at the Petranaki Arena, challenging the Separatists. Mace Windu holds Jango Fett to his lightsaber and confronts Dooku.
* The Separatists unleash their droid army on the Jedi, thus beginning the first battle of the Clone Wars.
* Anakin and Obi-Wan are given temporary lightsabers.
* Many Jedi, including Sar Labooda, are killed in the Petranaki Arena as thousands of Battle Droids attempt to eliminate them.
* C-3PO enters the battle in two places.
* Coleman Trebor is killed by Jango Fett after trying to kill Count Dooku.
* Jango Fett is killed by Mace Windu.
* Boba Fett watches his father's death from afar, vowing vengeance and plans to kill Mace Windu.
* C-3PO is reassembled by R2-D2 in the midst of battle.
* Ty Yuster is killed.
* Only 18 Jedi remain and are closed into a kill zone by the Separatist forces.
* Republic Clone Troopers fly into the battle and save the Jedi from the Petranaki Arena.
* General Grievous escapes the arena.
* The Battle goes to the Trade Federation landing zone.
* Poggle the Lesser and Dooku foresee their defeat at the Battle. Poggle sends his warriors deep into the catacombs and hides.
* Dooku takes the "Death Star" plans, and begins fleeing with them to Coruscant.
* Nute Gunray and Rune Haako flee Geonosis. Dooku begins going to his craft.
* Obi-Wan and Anakin follow Dooku in their LA-AT gunship.
* Padmé and a clone named Rex fall from the LA-AT gunship. Rex makes sure to keep Padmé alive and well.
* The Separatist Forces begin to retreat.
* Anakin and Obi-Wan faces Dooku. A duel begins.
* After Obi-Wan is injured, Anakin faces Dooku alone.
* Anakin loses his right arm after it is cut off by Dooku.
* Yoda enters the duel.
* Dooku manages to escape after causing threat to Anakin and Obi-Wan's lives to distract Yoda.

## Appearances

1. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones