As Grievous departed, the docking tube began to rupture and sever its connection to the Republic frigate. Kenobi and many of the clone troopers quickly grabbed anything they could use for support as the tube breached, exposing them to the cold vacuum of space. Several clones were unable to maintain their grip and were tragically pulled into the void, drifting away to suffer a horrible death in the emptiness.
Cody refused to let his men perish and drew his grappling gun, firing a line toward the airlock of the Separatist vessel. Once the connection was secure, everyone remaining in the damaged tube grabbed the cable and climbed to safety. When the last trooper made it through, Cody sealed the airlock so that the survivors could finally catch their breath.
Kenobi was the first to recover and stand upright. "Come on. We can still apprehend him."
"General," Cody said, stopping Obi-Wan from advancing further. "The others have undoubtedly completed their rescue mission by now. If we pursue Grievous deeper into the ship, we'll be trapped aboard with no escape route."
Recognizing that the Clone Commander was absolutely correct, Kenobi reluctantly abandoned his intention to hunt down the notorious Jedi killer.
"Then we'd better move quickly," Kenobi instructed the remaining troopers. "I believe there's a hangar bay nearby. We can escape in one of their gunships. Hopefully we won't lose anyone else."
Upon receiving their new orders, the group immediately headed toward their extraction point.
Moving through the corridors, Anakin, Hope, and Koth spotted Sam, Scott, and the 501st clone troopers rushing to assist them.
"Took you long enough," Sam commented while moving to help support Koth.
"We were being pursued by a psychotic Dark Acolyte. Cut us some slack," Anakin shot back defensively.
"Is that her?" Fives pointed nervously behind the approaching group.
Everyone turned toward the corridor Hope and Anakin had just emerged from and saw none other than Asajj Ventress standing there menacingly.
"Oh for crying out loud, do you seriously enjoy stalking us this much?" Hope shouted in obvious irritation.
Ventress simply snarled, raising her lightsaber to an attack position.
"If you want me to stop hunting you, you'll have to kill me."
Sam stepped forward, aiming his weapon directly at her. "Don't test us."
The Dark Acolyte ignored the Avenger pilot completely and focused her attention solely on Hope.
"It seems you still don't comprehend how far I'm willing to go to destroy you," Ventress said, pointing her crimson blade at Hope.
Hope found herself growling with pure anger now.
"I'd seriously like to get a restraining order against her, if that's even possible in this galaxy," Scott muttered.
"Maybe we can get Matt and some senators to help expedite the paperwork," Anakin suggested dryly.
Ventress suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, unnerving the group standing before her as she looked from Hope to the clone troopers.
She grinned malevolently and extended her hand, using the Force to pull the clones toward her. The troopers collided with the Avengers and Jedi in front of them, causing everyone to stumble and fall to the deck.
Hope landed directly in front of Ventress, crying out as the Dark Acolyte stepped on her hand, preventing her from instinctively shrinking to escape.
The Avengers looked up just in time to see Ventress raising her lightsaber while laughing with sadistic glee.
"Farewell."
What Hope didn't anticipate was Eeth Koth using every ounce of his remaining strength to tackle Ventress, driving his Zabrak horns into the Dathomirian's face and neck.
Ventress screamed in pain, shoving Koth's head away as she brought her hands to her wounded features.
"You Jedi scum," Ventress growled with murderous intent, seizing Koth by the throat through the Force and without hesitation driving her lightsaber straight through the Jedi Master's chest.
The corridor suddenly fell into stunned silence as the clones, the lone Jedi, and the three Avengers stared in shock at what they had just witnessed.
"Koth!" Scott shouted, rushing toward the fallen Master.
"No!" Hope screamed, glaring with pure hatred at Ventress. "You murdering witch!"
Hope immediately shrank and flew directly at Ventress at maximum speed, delivering a devastating flying kick to the assassin's midsection that sent her reeling backward.
Though she was now severely injured, Ventress still possessed enough strength to unleash another Force push.
While unfocused in its targeting, the blast was sufficient to disrupt Hope's flight pattern and send her tumbling through the air.
Ventress struggled to her feet and fled as quickly as her wounds would allow. Hope prepared to give chase, but Scott called out:
"Hope, stop!"
She turned around to see Koth being supported by Scott, and her expression crumbled.
She flew over to them and returned to normal size, her helmet retracting to reveal tears streaming down her face.
"Hold on, Eeth, let us get you to medical—"
She was interrupted by Koth grasping her hand and giving her a peaceful smile despite his mortal wound.
"Do not grieve for my death, and do not shed tears for my passing, Hope," Koth said gently. "Though our time together was brief, we fought side by side and achieved victory together. In that time, I witnessed how important you, Scott, and all the Avengers have become to this galaxy. The Jedi Order is fortunate to have you as allies."
His eyes shifted to Anakin and the clone troopers, and he coughed painfully but maintained his smile.
"And of course, our impossibly brave Skywalker and our fearless clone brothers," he said warmly. "I know the galaxy is in capable hands."
Anakin said nothing, only clenched his jaw and tightened his fists. After a moment, he nodded respectfully to the dying Jedi Master.
Koth nodded in return, then closed his eyes peacefully, his body going limp and still.
No words were exchanged, nothing was said. The group simply stared at the lifeless form of Eeth Koth.
Scott and Hope looked at each other, filled with sadness and regret.
"Come on. We need to get back to the extraction point," Sam said quietly, moving to lift Koth's body. "Can I get some assistance here?"
Several of the clone troopers immediately responded to Sam's request, helping to carry their fallen comrade. Even Anakin participated, using the Force to ease their burden.
The journey felt like an eternity to the group, though it lasted only minutes, as they made their way back to Anakin's fighter. Once everyone was secured and ready, the Republic vessel separated from the Separatist flagship.
While en route back to the Republic fleet, Anakin contacted Kenobi regarding recent events.
It didn't take long for his Master to respond. "What's the situation, Anakin? I just received word from Admiral Yularen that several craft broke away from Grievous's ship and made planetfall on Saleucami."
"Master," Anakin said in a subdued tone. "We successfully rescued Scott and Hope from Grievous's flagship."
"Excellent news, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied with approval, though it took him a moment to register Anakin's tone and notice that someone had been omitted from the report. "What happened to Master Koth?"
"Dead," Anakin said with bitter finality. "The Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress was aboard the ship. She killed him just as we were preparing to evacuate."
"I... I see..." Kenobi was momentarily speechless with shock. "I'm deeply sorry to hear that. He was a good friend and an exceptional Jedi."
"Yes," Anakin replied simply. "We have his body with us. We couldn't just leave him there."
"Then at least we can give him a proper Jedi funeral when we return to Coruscant."
"We will," Anakin said, his hands gripping the controls tightly.
"In any case, we need to reach the medical frigate immediately. Scott requires medical attention."
"Understood," Kenobi acknowledged. "We're preparing to make planetfall on Saleucami in hopes of capturing Grievous."
The rescue team docked with a medical frigate from the Republic fleet, where medical personnel were standing by for their arrival.
Once they had landed, the rear ramp lowered and Scott was helped down by Kix and Hope.
Several clone medics took charge of Scott's care, preparing a stretcher and carrying him to the medical bay, with Hope remaining at his side.
"We took enormous risks to rescue Scott... and we lost Koth," Sam said, crossing his arms and looking down in defeat.
"This is war," Kenobi stated in a grim tone. "Whether we accept it or not, losses like this are inevitable."
"I know, I know," Sam said, waving his hand dismissively. He felt a supportive hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Anakin giving him an understanding expression.
"It's a difficult loss to accept," Skywalker acknowledged.
Sam nodded his appreciation and turned back to Obi-Wan.
"You mentioned that Yularen observed several ships heading for the planet's surface, correct?" Sam asked, and Kenobi confirmed with a nod.
"Yes, several landing craft and assault teams are being prepared."
"Then I'm joining the ground operation."
"As am I."
"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan refused firmly. "You're needed here to coordinate the space battle. Sam and I will hunt down Grievous."
"Are you certain you want to handle this mission yourselves?" Anakin asked with obvious concern.
"We'll manage, Anakin," Obi-Wan said with a slight smile.
"We're going to get him," Sam said with grim determination. "We're going to do it for Koth and for all the Jedi and clones who have fallen."
"Good luck then, Sam."
"We're going to need it."
"I'll allow it... just this once," Anakin said as he walked away while Sam and Obi-Wan headed toward the AT-TE walker that was being prepared for deployment.
"Let's go find that mechanical bastard."