It is a time of growing unrest. Distracted by infighting and corruption, the Republic Senate is unable to combat the growing assaults on peace and justice in the galaxy. Meanwhile, under a shroud of fear, a secret alliance calling itself THE BLACKS plots the absolute destruction of the Republic. Meanwhile, on Coruscant, matters have come to a head, with a Senator laying treason charges against the CHANCELLOR herself, and the JEDI KNIGHTS, guardians of peace and justice, arming against the evil lord VAAL HIRAH and his sinister SECRET MASTER.