SYNOPSIS
Millennia ago, the hyperspace lanes opened the galaxy for trade and democracy. The Galactic Republic was formed on the basis of wise governing of selfless administrators and preservation of harmony and justice by the Jedi Knights. The secret histories of these Jedi Knights are recorded in the Jedi Holocron. One such story is that of Ulic Qel-Droma and the Beast Wars of Onderon.

On the mining world of Arkania, Jedi Master Arca has setup a training compound for his Jedi Knights. His most fearless student, Ulic Qel-Droma is currently battling a training droid, slicing off it's appendages easily while wearing an opaque blast shield. His boldness distracts him from the stun beam from the droids body. Master Arca instructs Ulic on the use of the Force in such matters as Ulic's brother Cay, begins repairing the damage to the droid. Arca then tells his students about Onderon, a newly discovered world.

Its half civilized inhabitants are just discovering space travel, but have much greater obstacles to overcome. One of the planets four moons, Dxun, is inhabited by monstrous flying beasts that were able to migrate to Onderon eons ago when the two atmospheres touched during the summer months. The planet, which held a gentle species of Onderonians were easily overcome by the beasts.

The populace learned to pick up weapons and confront the threat to their society. It is said that this is the birth of the Onderonian civilization, unifying the peoples into one massive walled city. Over the centuries the city grew to a sprawling thousand mile square, reaching down into the crust of the planet. Any part of the planet outside the city was a barren and savage place, ruled by violence. Over time, lawbreakers were cast out into the wilderness to be consumed by the beasts of the Onderon wilderness. This led to some unforeseen problems.

Some outcasts managed to survive and even learn to harness and control the great beasts. These warlords began a war against the city that still rages to the present, Arca relates. The gunpowder cannons were replaced by wave-weapons, allowing the cities warriors to decimate a beast rider instantly.

Arca informs his students that he has volunteered as the watchman of the Onderon system and he is sending Ulic, Cay, and Tott Doneeta on their first mission. They are tasked with mediating the war between the city and the beast riders. The Jedi take flight in the Nebulon Ranger for the war ravaged world of Onderon.

As the Ranger approaches the city of Iziz, a swarm of beast-riders attack the ship. Ulic chooses not to fire and makes his landing on the Royal space dock. They are greeted by Novar and taken to the throne room of Queen Amanoa.

The Queen senses the Force in these students, even though she expected a Jedi Master to help them. She then introduces them to her daughter Galia. At that moment, Novar informs the Queen that some beast-riders have breached the defenses and are heading for the citadel.

The creatures break through the window and the Jedi jump into action, lightsabers igniting. The Jedi make quick work of a number of riders and their mounts, but not before some beast warrior commandos head deeper into the citadel.

Two commandos break into the Royal Quarters, dispatching the Royal Protectors that guard the chamber. They grab Galia and make off with her before the Jedi can stop them. Cay and Tott are humbled by the experience and want to contact Master Arca, but Ulic, being headstrong vows to the Queen that they will rescue her daughter from the wilds.

The Jedi launch in the Nebulon Ranger as the Onderonians prepare a ground assault. Shortly Cay detects the launch of a seeker torpedo and orders Tott to raise the deflector shields. But they are too late as their ship explodes from a direct hit.