Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy: The Clone Wars is a book crafted for younger readers, drawing its narrative from the fifth season of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It specifically adapts the story arcs presented in the episodes titled "Revival," "Eminence," "Shades of Reason," and "The Lawless." Jason Fry penned the novel, which was made available to the public on January 1, 2013.
Driven by a thirst for revenge and fueled by unbridled rage, the newly reunited Darth Maul and Savage Opress unleash a wave of terror and violence across the galaxy. They aggressively enlist criminals from the Outer Rim's most desolate and dangerous regions to bolster their ranks, the brothers set about solidifying their burgeoning criminal empire with the ultimate goal of drawing out Darth Maul's most despised adversary: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
With the support of a formidable army comprised of the galaxy's most ruthless and depraved criminal organizations, Maul believes that nothing can stand in his path. Will Darth Maul finally achieve his long-awaited vengeance against Obi-Wan Kenobi, or will the Jedi Knight manage to evade his clutches? And if Kenobi escapes, what will be the ultimate price?
This section of the book is dedicated entirely to the events of the season premiere of the Clone Wars: Season Five. The chapter includes each event as it unfolds in the episode.
Savage Opress and Darth Maul are discovered in a near-death state inside an escape pod in orbit around the planet Florrum by Death Watch and their leader, Pre Vizsla. The two brothers are transported to the world of Zanbar, where they receive medical attention to replace their missing arm and legs, respectively. Furthermore, Maul adopts black attire. Following a concise discussion, Death Watch and the two Sith Lords come to the understanding that they can mutually benefit each other and subsequently forge an alliance.
Subsequently, they journey to the volcanic planet of Mustafar with the intention of recruiting the Black Sun, led by Xomit Grunseit, into their alliance. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by Ziton Moj, the Captain of the Guard, who escorts them to meet with Grunseit. Maul attempts to persuade the Falleen to join their cause, but they reject his offer and ridicule the brothers and Pre Vizsla. In response, Opress uses telekinesis to hurl his lightsaber at the Falleen, resulting in their deaths. Moj witnesses this act and decides that the Black Sun will indeed align with Maul. Back at the camp on Zanbar, the Pyke Syndicate, under the leadership of Lom Pyke, arrives and establishes their alliance with them.
Following this, Death Watch and the brothers travel to Nal Hutta to secure a partnership with the Hutt Grand Council. However, the meeting escalates into a skirmish during which Jabba Desilijic Tiure deploys the bounty hunters Dengar, Sugi, Embo, and Latts Razzi against them. The bounty hunters manage to temporarily repel Maul, Opress, and Vizsla, but the latter eventually are forced to retreat. Oruba the Hutt perishes during the skirmish. The group then proceeds to Tatooine, where Jabba decides to pledge his allegiance and that of the Hutt systems to Maul.
Maul has designated himself and the groups allied with him as the Shadow Collective. At their camp on Zanbar, the Collective are reviewing their planned assault on Mandalore, using holograms of Sundari to strategize their attack. The scheme involves the Shadow Collective launching an attack on Sundari to create the impression that Duchess Satine Kryze is weak, thereby paving the way for Death Watch to intervene and appear as heroes in the eyes of the public. Pre Vizsla and Bo-Katan are secretly plotting to betray Maul and Savage, but the Sith anticipate this treachery, recognizing its crucial role in their overall plan.
The Shadow Collective then embarks for Mandalore. One faction, comprising Ziton Moj and his thugs, assaults the Memorial Shrine, while another group, including the Pykes and Savage, targets the banks. Duchess Satine attempts to pacify her citizens outside the Sundari Royal Palace, but her efforts are interrupted by the arrival of Death Watch, who announce their intention to protect the people from the criminals. Satine watches in dismay as the populace cheers for Vizsla. Death Watch successfully thwarts the attacks across Sundari and presents the captured criminals to the public, showcasing their strength. Pre Vizsla proclaims himself the new Mandalore.
The Duchess is confined to a cell adjacent to that of the former Prime Minister, Almec. Maul arrives on Mandalore, where he is overwhelmed by the forces of Death Watch and subsequently imprisoned in a prison cell alongside Savage. The pair easily escapes and locates the Duchess, recognizing the need for another government leader, to which she suggests Almec. The brothers liberate him from his cell, and they proceed to the palace. Maul enters the throne room to challenge Vizsla to a duel (in accordance with Mandalorian tradition, the victor of such a challenge assumes the title of Mandalore), which Vizsla accepts. Vizsla proves to be no match for Maul, who defeats him and seizes his darksaber before decapitating him. Bo-Katan and her Nite Owls are enraged by this outcome and defy Maul's rule, choosing to flee. Almec is reinstated as Prime Minister, while Maul secretly assumes control of Mandalore and its over 2,000 systems from the throne.
Duchess Satine reflects on her life when a Death Watch commando (sporting new red and black armor) enters her cell. The commando removes his helmet, revealing himself to be Korkie Kryze. Korkie discloses his alliance with Bo-Katan, and together, the three of them, along with the Nite Owls, escape the prison and flee to the docks in speeders. Death Watch quickly pursues them, leading to a chase across the city. Bo-Katan shields the Duchess, enabling her to transmit a message to the Republic. The Duchess reaches the docks and manages to send a brief hologram to the Jedi Council. Darth Maul apprehends Kryze and returns the Duchess to her cell.
On Coruscant, Obi-Wan Kenobi confers with Grand Master Yoda and Ki-Adi-Mundi to examine the hologram sent by Satine. They advise Kenobi to refrain from intervening, citing Mandalore's neutrality as a barrier to Republic involvement. Obi-Wan encounters Anakin Skywalker while disguised as Rako Hardeen and requests the use of the Twilight to rescue Satine. Darth Maul brings Satine to the throne room, expressing his satisfaction that she escaped and contacted the Republic, as he anticipated Kenobi's arrival. Kenobi lands at the docks, where he outwits a Death Watch commando and steals his armor.
Obi-Wan infiltrates the prison and frees Satine. Following a pursuit by Death Watch, the pair manages to board the Twilight. As the ship prepares for takeoff, a rocket strikes it, causing it to lose control and crash into the docks. Maul arrives and uses the Force to choke Obi-Wan into unconsciousness. Upon awakening, he finds himself chained in the royal throne room. Expecting Maul to choke him, Maul instead brutally chokes Satine, lifting her off the ground. He nearly kills her, but then releases her. Maul then approaches Satine and impales her with the Darksaber. Obi-Wan rushes to her side and cradles her in his arms as she dies.
Mas Amedda is preparing for his afternoon meeting with Chancellor Palpatine when he is interrupted. The Chancellor declares: "There is a disturbance in the Force. Prepare my ship." Obi-Wan is being escorted to his cell when Bo-Katan and her squad emerge from the shadows to rescue him. They provide him with a jetpack and facilitate his escape. At the royal docks, Palpatine, appearing as Darth Sidious, arrives, eliminates two Death Watch guards, and boards a speeder heading directly to the Royal Palace. Obi-Wan and the Nite Owls engage Death Watch in combat throughout the city, eventually reaching the docks to witness an even larger battle unfolding. The warriors charge into the fray.
Inside the Royal Palace, Darth Sidious enters and confronts Maul and Savage. Maul immediately kneels before Sidious. Sidious disapproves of this gesture and uses the Force to hurl the brothers across the chamber. They ignite their lightsabers. Sidious calmly activates two duel sabers and engages the two Sith in a duel. Maul believes that he is gaining the upper hand against Sidious until he notices him smiling. At the docks, Bo finds a ship for Obi-Wan and urges him to escape and inform the Republic of the events that have transpired. The intense duel between the three Sith progresses from the palace interior to the entrance steps. Sidious effortlessly overpowers the two. Catching them off guard, Sidious pushes Maul away, creating an opening to kill Savage. Savage collapses to the ground as Mother Talzin's magic dissipates, and he reverts to his former self. Sidious then unleashes a full assault on Maul, employing the Force to inflict brutal damage upon him. Maul begins to lose consciousness, but Sidious uses his ability of Force lightning to electrocute Maul. Maul writhes in agony, and Sidious smiles...