The Clone Wars: Act on Instinct

The comic's narrative commences with Jedi Master Bolla Ropal in discussion with Devaron's politicians, regarding the Republic's aspiration to establish a base on Devaron. Ropal assures the politicians that the Force would foster a flourishing valley. His primary concern is "fortifying the future rather than engaging in present warfare."

Concurrently, clone troopers under the command of Commander Ganch are engaged in constructing a river blockade. Jedi Padawan Tyzen Xebec descends on a rope, overhearing the clones' grievances about their task. Suddenly, an alarm sounds, alerting Ropal, Ganch, and Tyzen to an approaching enemy force. Cad Bane, leading the force, initiates a land assault. He communicates with Aurra Sing, tasking her with diverting the Padawan and clones while he targets Ropal. Aurra commands her battle droids to engage the clones' gunship. The resulting explosion traps Tyzen and Ganch under debris.

Cad Bane's land assault force attacks the remaining clones, advancing to capture Ropal. Aurra focuses on Tyzen, still trapped with Ganch. Ropal instructs Tyzen to remain back as Cad fires a cortosis shot, damaging both Cad's blaster and disrupting Ropal's lightsaber. Cad restrains Ropal with a metallic cord, demanding the opening of a holocron. Ropal's refusal leads Cad to shock him through the cord, after which Cad abducts Ropal. Ganch informs Anakin Skywalker of the situation, but before Anakin can gather information, he is attacked by battle droids.

On the planet's surface, Tyzen directs the clones to target the dam's braces. The clones, securing their helmets, destroy the braces, causing a flood that overwhelms the droid attack force. Tyzen and Ganch emerge, with Tyzen expressing concern for Ropal. He mourns that Ropal never witnessed his creation for the Devaronians, awaiting the arrival of Republic gunships for rescue.

At the Jedi Temple, Mace Windu visits Tyzen, expressing sorrow over Ropal's death and informing him of a future assignment to another Master. Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's Padawan, attempts to console the depressed Tyzen, but the conversation ends with Tyzen in tears.

Later, Tyzen is assigned to Keelyvine Reus, a strict Master. Reus, viewing Tyzen as reckless, aims to instill patience and respect. The Jedi Order tasks Kit Fisto and Reus with inspecting the planetary shield system on the planet Ukio. This inspection is crucial to determine if the shield can withstand a Separatist assault, as the planet is a vital food source for others in the system and along the Triellus Trade Route, making its defense paramount.

During the inspection, a lone Lucrehulk-class battleship enters the system. Reus suggests a quick reconnaissance before engaging the vessel. Piloting their Delta-7B Aethersprite-class light interceptors, the Jedi observe the droid ship deploying modified seismic tanks, releasing a mysterious black cloud into Ukio's atmosphere. R6-H5 manages to collect a sample upon entering the cloud.

Despite the Jedi's bombardment, the Separatist ships continue releasing the substance. Reus manages to contact Admiral Dron, despite enemy jamming. The admiral reports that Fisto's sample is being analyzed and progress has been made. Realizing their limited impact, the Jedi return to the Republic destroyer.

Upon their return, Dron instructs Captain Pharl McQuarrie to prepare a report on the substance's analysis. The substance is identified as electrostatic soil from the Moorja Badlands, possessing photoreactive properties. This soil will adhere to the shield, aligning with the sun and blocking sunlight essential for the crops that sustain the Clone Army. The only solution is to lower the shields, playing into the Separatists' plan. Reus decides to partially lower the shields after fifteen minutes and orders Admiral Dron to prepare the fleet for a potential Separatist attack.

Reus and Fisto, leading Blue Squadron in an assault on the Lucrehulk-class battleship and the seismic tanks, each pilotting their own starfighter. The ship deploys a swarm of Vulture Droids in defense. Ukio opens a gap in its shields, allowing the soil to drift away in the winds. Three CIS Sheathipede-class transport shuttles enter the atmosphere through this gap. One lands, and the tactical droid Doctor and battle droids carrying a dish disembark. Doctor informs Passel Argente via hologram that Project Instinction has entered its second phase as a battle droid activates the dish.

A domestic eopie becomes violent, resisting an Ukian's attempts to control it. Sanya senses a disturbance in the Force, to which Tyzen replies, "I try not to these days," noting the sudden silence. They turn to face a group of angry Ukians wielding agricultural tools. Sanya is horrified, and Tyzen, drawing his lightsaber, yells, "Run!"

The Ukian liege confirms that the shields are back up and the soil has scattered. He is puzzled that the gigauns are deviating from their paths towards the crop fields. He orders Ganch to investigate, suspecting an error, as the creatures' actions are unusual. The liege displays a crazed look, similar to the angry Ukian farmers Tyzen and Sanya encountered. His madness intensifies as he realizes the crops, saved from darkness, are now threatened by animals. Demanding answers, he destroys the worker's station with his staff.

Herds of gigauns and flocks of flying creatures approach clone troopers near the shield generator building. Squawk begins firing at the animals, but Ganch stops him, demanding he drop his weapon. When Squawk refuses, the commander threatens him with a blaster, finally compelling him to comply. Tyzen intervenes, slicing Ganch's blaster in half. He demands an explanation, but the soldiers approach him aggressively. Tyzen again asks what is happening, telling them to step back. Ganch begins to remove his helmet, gasping.

Above, the space battle continues. Master Reus tries to contact Tyzen, but fails. She realizes the Separatists have landed and must be stopped.

Back on Ukio, Sanya advises Tyzen to retreat, but Ganch knocks him with his helmet, causing him to lose his lightsaber. The unstable clone, with a crazed look, warns Tyzen to "Run before I get my hands on you." Ganch chases Tyzen through the gigauns, engaging in hand-to-hand combat. After drawing Tyzen's blood, Ganch leaps into a field where Sanya is. She urges him to focus and "reach out to the Force." His commander arrives and grabs Tyzen by the throat, attempting to reason with Ganch, reminding him of his duty. Ganch momentarily regains control and saves Tyzen by injecting himself with a med-shot. Tyzen, standing over the unconscious clone, relieves him of duty.

Magistrate Passel Argente and Denaria Kee monitor the operation, with Argente concerned that the plan is too complex. Kee advises him to trust the tactical droid.

Tyzen drags the unconscious Ganch to safety. Sanya asks what happened, and he explains that he was overcome with anger, remembering Bolla Ropal's death. Reciting a Jedi teaching, he realizes the Separatists are responsible and must be stopped.

Above, the Republic is victorious as V-19s and Jedi Masters Reus and Fisto clear the destroyed battleship, disabling its jamming. Reus is concerned about the situation on the planet and wants to check on Tyzen.

Sanya and Tyzen ambush battle droids guarding a dish, like the one seen with Doctor, next to a Sheathipede-class shuttle. They eliminate the droids and device, clearing their minds. Sensing two more transmitters, Tyzen plans to destroy them and asks Sanya to secure the shield station.

Sanya, riding a STAP, is intercepted by a battle droid on another STAP. They destroy each other's vehicles and survive the fall. Sanya uses the Force to retrieve her blaster pistol and shoots the droid. She continues to the shield station on foot.

Tyzen destroys the second transmitter and informs Sanya he is near the third when a missile destroys his STAP. Tyzen attacks the droids guarding the transmitter, destroying them with his lightsaber and the Force. He destroys the last transmitter but is shot. Doctor approaches the injured Tyzen but is killed by Keelyvine Reus. They rejoin Kit Fisto and Sanya, who informs them that the effects of the Separatists were temporary. The liege, now demoted, orders the Jedi and their forces to leave Ukio immediately.

Elsewhere, Magistrate Argente informs Count Dooku that their plan succeeded and the Commerce Guild has acquired most of Ukio's stock. The Confederacy of Independent Systems now controls Ukio and its resources.