THE GUARDIAN PROTOCOLS
Centuries before the Clone Wars or the Empire, during the glorious era of THE HIGH REPUBLIC, the Jedi were at their height.
The galaxy was at peace until dangerous marauders known as the NIHIL caused THE GREAT DISASTER. Their attack on the Jedi and the Republic reached its peak with the destruction of STARLIGHT BEACON, a space station meant to symbol hope and unity.
Now, the Jedi have been recalled to Coruscant, fearful of the Nihil and the monstrous creatures they possess….
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Letterer: Vc Travis Lanham
Colorist: Dono Sanchez-Almara
Cover artist: Leinil Francis Yu
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Release Date: October 4, 2023
A year ago Starlight Beacon fell, and fell hard. Smashing into the seas of Eiram, the loss of life was significant, but as the Jedi Order tried to regroup and figure out the nature of the creatures that killed the Jedi, they were recalled back to Coruscant, much to the surprise of Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann. Yoda confered with his fellow masters, convinced bringing the Order back to Coruscant was a prudent move and eager to meditate and look back in history for clues.
The Senate chambers have been loaned to the Jedi, to allow for all to hear the plan. They recap, explaining to those who may not know the actions of the Nihil, the fall of Starlight, the unknown creature and those they’ve lost. They know of Marchion Ro and the hidden Nihil area of space called Stormwall, and inform the Jedi of new Guardian Protocols. Younglings will begin to train with lightsabers, while padawans of any age can take the trials. All Jedi are expected to fight when needed, and aid to those who need it will be taken on a case-by-case basis. In much the same way that emergency measures were handed to Palpatine during the Clone Wars, so the Jedi take these special measures now.
Ornate lightsaber hilts are a sign of the era, unlike the more utilitarian hilts of the modern era, and here we learn why. Such skillfully crafted blades take time, and weapons are needed, so following Professor Huyang’s technical manual, basic blades are being quickly made. A memorial wall to the fallen Jedi sees two young Jedi long for the return of a friend, and wonder where Yoda went after the return of the Jedi. The wizened Grandmaster appears with a mysterious companion, who turns out to be Elzar Mann who informs the council that Jedi are captured in the Nihil Occlision Zone, including Avar Kriss and Porter Engle. He asks for council assistance, but Yoda appears and refuses it, saying the Jedi are exactly where they need to be. Yoda has news of the creatures, known as the Nameless Ones, and presents his silent companion, a former Jedi called Azlin Rell. The council know of him, and are less than eager to hear his words, but he persists and explains himself; while not a Sith, he embraced the dark side. The council prepare to attack, but Yoda intervenes, and explains how Azlin studied the Nameless Ones, but the fear they engendered took him to the dark side.
A month later we see Yoda and Azlin meditate, but as soon as they enter their state, the fear overtakes Azlin and in the real world he ignites his blade and attacks Yoda, fear fuelling his fight. Yoda manages to Force push him into submission and suggests he rest before they make another attempt to access his knowledge, as we jump forward another month to the office of Chancellor Lina Soh. She has called two Jedi to her chambers to deliver a message face-to-face, and informs them of Nihil raids on systems close to the Occlusion Zone. She believes they need to make a fast response, and asks the Jedi to assist, and the two Jedi explain they will return to the temple to ask the council.
We return to Yoda and Azlin as they finally reap rewards from the exertions and the people who knew the name of the Nameless Ones homeworld, and soon we’re above the world where those people – the Leffbruks – were last seen. However, while Yoda is seemingly pleased with the progress made by Azlin, we see him whisper something to an alien aboard the huge Pacifier-class vessel they are on and as Azlin and Yoda leave in a shuttle the alien walks to the bridge in a tranced-like state, locking out the crew and Yoda watches as the ship roars into the atmosphere of Travyx Prime below and destroys a city. He knows it’s Azlin, and the former Jedi confesses, pleased to have closed the potential route to the Nameless Ones and removing his goggles to reveal holes where his eyes used to be.
Well, that’s how you hurl us right back into the action. While stepping through the weeks and months after the destruction of Starlight Beacon, we see the decisions made by the Jedi, the requests of the Republic, the lengths to which Yoda will go for answers and the immediate repercussions of that choice. For people who have enjoyed the first two phases of The High Republic, this is absolutely going to be a very welcome return to the era, and the next issue can’t come quickly enough. Great stuff.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Soule, Charles (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 26 Pages - 11/08/2023 (Publication Date) - Marvel (Publisher)
