The Battle of Murkhana took place during the final days of the Clone Wars. The Grand Army of the Republic staged an assault of Murkhana, headquarters of the Corporate Alliance and residence of Magistrate Passel Argente.

Background

Republic High Command, as part of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's policy of "winning the hearts and minds of the Separatists," ordered that the Republic armada wait several weeks to give the Alliance personnel the chance to surrender. Instead they used it to lace the entire planet with a thick, blaster blocking, anti-laser aerosol, a tactic used by Republic forces at the Battle of Paarin Minor.

The battle

After three weeks of fighting, Jedi General Roan Shryne and Clone Commander Salvo, accompanied by Bol Chatak and her Padawan Olee Starstone, led an assault on an Alliance landing platform in Murkhana City, leading a wing of LAAT/i gunships from the Star Destroyer Gallant. The clone forces fought against battle droids and tank droids across the city. General Shryne, aided by the clone commando Climber and his Ion Squad, succeeded in destroying the deflector shield generator that protected the landing platform.

However, the fall of the platform coincided with the execution of Order 66, which saw the deaths of three Jedi on Murkhana. However, Climber and his squad refused to carry out the order on Roan, Bol and Olee, allowing them time to flee. Shortly afterwards, Darth Vader sent orders from Mustafar for the deactivation of the Separatist Droid Army. All droid units on Murkhana shut down immediately. The Jedi had disguised themselves as Corporate Alliance mercenaries, though with no droids left to fight, the clone troopers focused on rounding up their organic enemies.

Aftermath

Roan, Bol and Olee were captured on the landing platform, awaiting transport to the prison facility on Agon 9. Darth Vader himself landed in Murkhana City to learn who was responsible for the escape of the Jedi. Climber admitted his actions, though Bol Chatak suddenly revealed herself as a Jedi and engaged Vader in a lightsaber duel. The Dark Lord beheaded the Zabrak Jedi, though Roan and Olee were able to avoid boarding the transport, and later escaped Murkhana onboard a CloakShape fighter. Murkhana was now under the control of the newly-formed Galactic Empire.

Appearances

• Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (First appearance)
• Star Wars: Dark Times 3: The Path to Nowhere, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Dark Times 4: The Path to Nowhere, Part 4 (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Dark Times 5: The Path to Nowhere, Part 5 (Mentioned only)

Notes and references