Battle for Ontotho

The **Battle for Ontotho** was a conflict in the years of the Galactic Republic that occurred shortly after the planet Ontotho joined the Galactic Republic. Eno Cordova and Cere Junda were sent by the Jedi Council to oversee the excavation of an ancient site on the planet, discovering the conflict on the planet.

## Prelude

#### Previous: Mission on Nameel

The planet Ontotho had undergone numerous governmental changes in the year 41 BBY, creating an agreement between all countries across the planet to form one single government under which they could officially join the Galactic Republic. They did so, all countries signing the contract except one... the Fylari.

## Recount

#### Rising Tension

The Fylari for generations had guarded and resided over an ancient Zeffo Temple, keeping guard over powerful spheres that granted great power when used as ammunition. Following the formation of the Ontothon Government, the Zeffo Temple was discovered by the newly formed government. Plans to explore and excavate the site were begun without the knowledge or permission of the Fylari who for a long time had wanted war with the Ontotho for their continual attempts to "control" the Fylari. The Ontothon Government hired Daa Corporation to oversee the excavation process of the Zeffo Temple.

Daa Corporation made plans with the Fylari Ambassador to speak with them about permissions to access the Temple. The Fylari did not plan to give any such permissions. Dylanto Daa, Chairman of Daa Corporation, came to Ontotho, hiring local Fylari as extra security forces to allow them to pass through the Fylar regions untroubled. These Fylari however were intent on bringing about a war with the newly formed Ontothon Government and remained loyal to Neralli, who planned to use the tension that arose from the temple excavation to start a war. The local constabulary on the planet also requested a Republic presence on the planet.

#### Jedi Arrival

The Republic deployed a group of Republic Troops to meet the request for a Republic presence on Ontotho during the talks between Daa Corporation and the Fylari, however due to an issue with their journey they were unable to reach Ontotho on time. The Jedi Council was elected to instead send two Jedi to oversee the excavation. As a result of his fascination with ancient artifacts and civilizations, Jedi Master Eno Cordova was elected to undertake the mission alongside his Padawan Cere Junda.

The Jedi arrived on the planet, immediately met by Dylanto Daa who introduced them to the situation and local politics of the conflict on the planet. He told the Jedi that they were to be sent into the Fylari territory to speak with the Fylari Ambassador alongside Daa Corporation representatives about the excavation operation inside of an armored caravan. Eno Cordova continued with the mission despite being uneasy, feeling as though Daa Corporation was using the Jedi as an intimidation tactic show of force against the Fylari.

#### Ambush

   During their journey to the site, a noise on the outside of the vehicle caused Cere Junda to leap into action, suspecting that the Fylari had begun an attack on the Daa Corporation. She fled into the forest, finding a dead body in the woods. Upon returning to the armored transport to tell her master of her finding, the armored tank exploded, blown up by the Fylari working for Dylanto Daa. Eno was caught in the explosion, injured yet alive. Cere was hit in the head, knocking her unconscious by a member of the Fylar Freedom Fighters.

Unknown to Cere, Eno Cordova had survived the attack and was found by Dylanto Daa, who placed Cordova in his personal bacta tank, nursing him back to health. Once Eno Cordova was back to a stable condition, he was informed that his Padawan had been killed. He sent word to the Jedi Council that he had been attacked and that Cere had been killed, stating that he would find those responsible and bring them to justice. His survival was kept a secret however by Dylanto Daa. In response to Eno Cordova's message, the Jedi Council planned to send a small group of their members to Ontotho in coming days.

#### Fylari

Cere woke up in a cell belonging to the Fylari Freedom Fighters. She leapt into action, thinking that they were responsible for the attack on the caravan. She summoned her lightsaber, using it to break free from her cell and standing ready for combat as Moroo, a member of the fighters, and a small contingent of fighters approached her, asking for her to stand down. Cere prepared to fight, however was approached by Neralli, who explained to her that they meant her no harm. Neralli revealed to Cere that her cell door was unlocked, and El-Threelo had been placed outside her cell to keep Cere calm. Neralli stated that they were protecting the Zeffo Temple, and Daa Corporation was attempting to frame the Fylari as violent and dangerous. They provided Cere with a Daa Corp logo patch taken from a body at the ambush site, from a Fylari who had been on the payroll of Daa Corp, using it as evidence to Cere that the Daa Corp was the manipulator of these events, keeping a secret that it was infact Neralli who had instructed the Daa Fylari to attack Cere's caravan. Cere was also informed that her master Eno Cordova was believed killed at the ambush.

#### Skirmish against the Ontothon Government

Cere Junda went to Ontotho City, hiding herself from patrolling Daa Corp Security forces across the city with her Jedi cloak. She intended to reveal the cruel manipulations and actions of Dylanto Daa to the Ontothon Government, and demand a full Republic investigation. El-Threelo went with her, under orders from Neralli to keep a watchful eye on the Jedi. Cere infiltrated the Government building through the ventilation system where she watched as Dylanto Daa spoke to the Ontothon Government about the ambush, framing the Fylari as violent individuals. He asked that the government give permission for Daa Corporation to go to the Temple without the permission of the Fylari. At this moment Cere leapt down from her hiding spot, speaking to the Ontothon Government on behalf of the Fylari, speaking about Daa Corporation's deception. The Ontothon Government however had already sided with Daa Corporation and sent its security droids along with Daa Corporation Security forces to detain Cere Junda. The Jedi Padawan defended herself, starting a fight with the security forces and making her escape. El-Threelo ran from the fight, going back to the Fylari. Cere remained in Ontotho City, fighting the security forces to buy the Fylari time, knowing that once they defeated her, they would go after the Fylari themselves. She was ultimately able to escape the city.

#### Clash Outside the Temple

Neralli began to armor herself and her fighters, preparing for conflict. Cere Junda was able to return to the Fylari just as they were about to set out into battle, offering the Fylari Freedom Fighters the aid of the Jedi. Once with the Fylari, Cere and Neralli went to the Temple, positioning themselves to ambush Daa Security forces as they approached the temple with tanks and excavation equipment. As the forces reach the temple, Cere revealed herself, unleashing a Fylari attack upon the Daa Corp forces. She was very specific to only destroy the droids and not kill any of the Daa personnel. The Fylari Freedom Fighters used detonators to blow up the tanks and drilling equipment, forcing the Daa Security forces to retreat back to their camp set up on the border of Fylar. The Fylar Freedom Fighters stole the weaponry and gear from the Daa Corps wreckage before retreating back to their hometown camp.

Unknown to the Fylar, the equipment they stole a tracking devices attached, leading a platoon of Daa Corporation Droids, which quickly attacked the Fylari soon after their return home, detonating homesteads and attacking the civilians. Cere and the Fylari fought back, destroying the droids and defending their home. They were successful. In order to gain help and reveal the truth to the Republic, Cere Junda made a plan to infiltrate the Daa Corp Camp on the border of the Fylar Region, using the communication devices to send word to the Jedi Order.

#### Jedi Reunited

Cere went to the Daa Corporation Camp, spying their communication tower with the help of En-Threelo. She proceeded to infiltrate the camp, using stealth to reach and enter the communications building. Once inside, Cere was met by Dylanto Daa, who attempted to shoot Cere and unleash further Daa Corporation Droids to capture her. Both attacks were unsuccessful. Dylanto then revealed to Cere that Eno Cordova had survived, revealing him to her. Both Jedi were elated to see the other alive and well, however both were confused by each other's allegiances to opposing sides of the conflict. Eno Cordova had been convinced by Daa that the Fylari were terrorists. Cere attempted to convince her master that Daa had been a key manipulator in the conflict.

Together, the Jedi were able to use their influence within both sides of the conflict to create a peaceful meeting between both opposing sides. Cere stood beside Neralli and the Freedom Fighters and Cordova stood with Daa Corporation as they met on neutral territory. Immediately, Neralli and Dylanto began an argument, accusing each other of crimes against the other. Eventually, Eno Cordova was able to calm down the argument, using his diplomacy to create a 2 day truce between the two sides. Cere, knowing that the peace would not last, questioned her masters motives, learning that he intended to use the period of peace to explore the contested temple, hoping to learn about the source of the conflict.

#### Exploring the Temple

Eno Cordova assigned Cere Junda to remain outside the Temple and keep watch while he explores the interior, hoping to learn about what the temple held that the Fylari were protecting. While Cordova explored, Dylanto Daa sent a small number of his men into the temple, giving them orders to fight their way in and explore. The men massacre the guards at the entrance, exploring the temple. Cere, while waiting outside was found by En-Threelo, who notes that Cere was a boring Jedi. Junda then decided to enter the temple and find her master. Once inside she quickly found the Daa Corporation Security Forces. She revealed themselves to them, starting a small skirmish within the tomb. This awakened Zeffo Tomb Guardians that brutally murdered the Daa Security Forces. Cere was able to defeat the Tomb Guardians, saving the life of the last Daa Security personnel. He was however terrified, running from Cere, triggering a trap door and sending word to Dylanto Daa that the Jedi were inside the temple and had killed all of the Daa Security men. In his panic he threw a gas grenade at Cere, which caused them both to quickly struggle against the trap door to escape. The gas killed the Daa Corp individual just as Eno Cordova found them both, saving his Padawan. Eno told Cere that he would continue to explore. Cere revealed that Dylanto Daa had been alerted to their presence, and would en-route to the temple with an army. Cere left the temple while Eno Cordova continued to explore so that she could defend the temple.

#### Battle for Ontotho

Dylanto Daa armored himself, bringing with him tanks and excavation vehicles. He ordered his men into the temple, however before they could advance they were met outside by Cere Junda and Neralli leading the Fylari Freedom Fighter forces. After a tense interaction in which Cere accused Daa of breaching the terms of their truce, battle broke out, Daa calling to open fire on the Fylari. The final Battle for Ontotho began, all out war between the Daa Corporation and Fylari Freedom Fighters. Cere once again targeted the droids, calling out for freedom for Fylar. The Fylari became quickly overwhelmed, causing Cere and Neralli to require to fall back. Fess accused Cere of getting them all killed. Neralli then announced that there was still a way for them to win, if only she was able to enter the Zeffo Temple so that she may access the powerful spheres that could be used to destroy Daa forces. Cere allowed her to do so, protecting Neralli as she fled into the temple, where she found Eno Cordova. Not wanting anything to stop their victory, Neralli shot and stunned Eno Cordova, causing him to fall unconscious. Outside the temple, the Fylari were pushed into a further retreat, during which Moroo was shot and killed. Cere overhead shouting from the Daa Corp soldiers that Dylanto was situated in the Command Center vehicle. She leapt through the battlefield, reaching the roof of the vehicle, cutting through the metal with her lightsaber to where she fell into the conference room that held Dylanto Daa. It was here that she spoke with Daa about peace terms, coming to a peaceful cease fire on the condition that she tried to give Daa access to the temple and the Jedi Archives. The Daa Corporation soldiers stood down, momentarily ending the battle. Dylanto then revealed to Cere that the Fylari individuals responsible for the ambush in the early days of the time on Ontotho were loyal to the Fylari Freedom Fighters who wanted to orchestrate this war. Cere learnt that she had once again jumped to conclusions by fighting beside Neralli. At this moment of realization that Neralli had emerged from the temple with the Zeffo spheres, bringing about far more powerful ammunition for the Fylari. Dylanto Daa was the first to be hit by a powerful round which immediately broke his armor and killed him. Cere called out to Neralli as the Fylari spread through the battlefield with their dangerous weaponry, causing widespread death and damage. She declared that the Daa Corporation had just agreed to peace, however Neralli was intent on destroying all those she saw as invaders on her land, even opening fire on Cere. This turned the tide of the battle, pushing Daa Corp into a retreat. At this moment, the Jedi Council had arrived in the surface of the planet headed for Ontotho City. They did however spot the battle from afar, turning to land nearby to provide aid. As Cere was ducking for cover, Masters Mace Windu, Maslo-Skaff, Luminara Unduli and Odu arrived in the battle scene. Cere explained the situation. Mace Windu, Maslo-Skaff and Luminara Unduli remained on the battlefield, fighting through the hordes to allow Daa Corp time to board escape shuttles, meanwhile Cere and Master Odu fled into the temple to recover Eno Cordova. They found him unconscious where Neralli had set a trap. As they reached Cordova the trap was set, trapping the Jedi in a Zeffo powered shield. Neralli explained her intentions and that the Fylari would never stop fighting until they forged a new government and left the Republic for good. Neralli left the Jedi, where they began to attempt to escape. Cordova awoke a trio of Zeffo Tomb Guardians who after several moments of pounding, where able to break the shield. The Jedi destroyed the Tomb Guardians and ran back into the battlefield. Once back outside, the Jedi were immediately descended upon by the Fylari. The Republic Consular-class space cruisers brought down fire upon the battlefield, hitting the Zeffo Temple, and hitting the supplies of Zeffo spheres inside, causing them to rupture and threaten the integrity of the ground. The Zeffo temple began to crumble and implode, as did the surrounding ground. The evacuation processes were being finalized. Cere, Cordova and Odu were fired upon by Neralli and her followers as they pleaded with them to board an escape transport. Odu was hit be a stray shot from one of the Fylari, causing him to fall to his presumable death. Cere then saved Neralli and Fess from falling rubble. The Jedi boarded an escape shuttle, leaving the planet. Neralli, Fess and En-Threelo were however left behind, lost into the rubble as the ground around the temple caved in on itself. The battle was ended.

## Aftermath

#### Next: ...

Neralli and the Fylari Freedom Fighters were believed to be killed as a result of the destruction caused by the detonation of the Zeffo weaponry within the temple. The threat that they had posed to the Republic was diminished.

Daa Corporation was brought down as a result of the actions that it had undergone during the conflict on Ontotho, the Republic deeming that despite their lack of involvement on the attack on the Jedi, they had planned to enrich themselves at the cost of lives.

Fylari and Ontotho inhabitants created a new time of peace, working together in peace to create a new Ontothon-Fylari Government that would rule the planet as part of the Republic. The old Ontothon Government is deemed corrupt and disbanded, brought into Republic Courts for conviction.

Cere Junda returned to Coruscant where she faced the Jedi Council. Once again she believed she had gone too far and was to be punished. The Jedi Council however deemed the situation resolved, and that they would not have acted differently to Cere. They came to consider the Battle for Ontotho as Cere's Jedi Trials, knighting her, bringing an end to her apprenticeship to Eno Cordova. Cordova, now without a Padawan, became a Jedi Scholar, starting a fascination with the Zeffo, educating himself on their culture.

## Event Chronology

* Conflict erupts on Ontotho between the Ontotho Government and the independent country of Fylar.
* Jedi Master Eno Cordova and Cere Junda arrive on the planet, having been told they were to oversee the excavation of an ancient site on the planet.
* The Jedi are ambushed by Fylari on the payroll of Dylanto Daa.
* Cere Junda learns the truth of the situation from Neralli.
* Cere attempts to speak to the Ontothon Government, learning that they have sided with Daa Corporation.
* Cere escapes an attempt to capture her.
* Cere and the Fylari Fighters defend the temple from Daa Corporation forces.
* Cere attempts to reach Daa communication devices to contact the Jedi Council. She is reunited with Eno Cordova who is sided with Daa.
* Eno Cordova brings about a 2 day truce.
* The Jedi enter the Jedi Temple, finding men sent by Daa Corporation inside. The men are killed by Zeffo Tomb Guardians, however before they are killed they send a message to Daa.
* Dylanto Daa leads an army against the Zeffo Temple. He is met by Cere Junda.
* A battle on the outskirts of the Zeffo Temple begins.
* Neralli unleashes a hidden power from within the temple, destroying the Daa Corp forces.
* Dylanto Daa is killed, shot by Cere Junda.
* The Republic arrive, fighting back against the Fylari.
* Neralli and her forces are believed defeated as the territory is demolished by a Zeffo weaponry implosion.

## Appearances

1. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 1
2. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 2
3. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 3
4. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 4
5. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 5