Ord Cestus, a planet mostly barren and inhospitable to life, was first colonized as a prison world--until a handful of hardy pioneers discovered its rich ore deposits and managed to build up a successful droid-manufacturing industry. But when the Clone Wars erupted, bringing severe rationing of imported resources and a Republic ban on the production of battle droids, Ord Cestus was threatened with imminent economic collapse.
Enter the Confederacy of Independent Systems--the Separatists--with a life-saving offer to purchase a generous quantity of the planet's most lucrative export:...