The five episodes of Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume II picks up right where Volume I left off -- with a team of Jedi trapped in a wrecked starship on Hypori, being hunted by the wicked General Grievous. This season you'll be sure to see Anakin Skywalker as a heroic Jedi Knight, fighting alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi on different battlefronts of the Clone Wars.

Anakin and Obi-Wan head to the distant world of Koobi to see what the Separatists are up to. Instead, they find a tribal culture steeped in ancient traditions, and Anakin must pass a dangerous trial to survive!

If that wasn't enough, the action explodes on Coruscant as General Grievous leads a lightning strike on the capital word to capture Chancellor Palpatine, and the Jedi rush to stop the plan. This will be the lead-in to Episode III -- where Star Wars: Clone Wars ends, Revenge of the Sith begins.

To catch up here's a look at what happened last season. Don't forget, if you're a Hyperspace member you can watch all the segments already archived here.

Chapter 1: Like fire across the galaxy, the Clone Wars spread. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine orders the Jedi heroes Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin to lead an assault on the banking planet of Muunilinst. As the Jedi prepare their army forces, Anakin says goodbye to his secret love, Padmé Amidala.

Chapter 2: The Republic space fleet, led by Anakin and Obi, run into trouble as they approach Muunilinst. The Republic's attack gunships manage to land on the planet, where teams of highly trained ARC troopers encounter the Droid Army of the Separatists. The ARC trooper gunship is shot down behind enemy lines.

Chapter 3: The stranded ARC troopers team must make their way to an enemy command center. There's a huge cannon that's keeping their forces from landing, and they've got to take it out.

Chapter 4: The Separatist leader San Hill panics as the Republic Army gets closer. But Count Dooku has sent him a powerful new ally: Durge. This vicious alien bounty hunter leads a band of droid bikers toward the heart of the Republic's forces. The clone troopers now face a challenge greater than ever imagined against this unstoppable villain and his droid lancers.

Chapter 5: On the water planet of Mon Calamari, Jedi Kit Fisto leads an attack on underwater Separatist forces. He commands a squadron of amphibious clone troopers for the wet and wild offensive against a well-armed aquatic squad of the Droid Army.

Chapter 6: Count Dooku seeks a new ally with the power to defeat the Jedi. He goes to a gladiator pit on Rattatak, and is impressed by a mysterious fighter who beats every opponent in the combat ring. She introduces herself to him as Asajj Ventress, Sith warrior.

Chapter 7: Dooku lets Asajj know that she's no Sith; she's a dark warrior skilled in lightsaber combat, but she doesn't have the right to call herself a Sith. Dooku challenges Asajj in combat and defeats her, but he is so impressed with her skills that he gives her an important assignment -- to assassinate Anakin Skywalker.

Chapter 8: Back on Muunilinst, Obi-Wan leads his team of Lancer Troops, specialized clone troopers mounted on speeder bikes against Durge and his mercenaries. Meanwhile, the ARC troopers penetrate the enemy command center on another part of the planet.

Chapter 9: Obi-Wan continues his assault on the Separatist command center on Muunilinst. There, he must fight with the digusting alien form of Durge, who uses his gross anatomy against the Jedi General.

Chapter 10: Anakin Skywalker is leading a fierce space battle when a mysterious ship engages him. He enters into a heated chase with the mysterious pilot, not knowing that it is in fact Asajj Ventress.

Chapter 11: Anakin continues his pursuit of the mystery ship, disobeying Obi-Wan's orders not to do so. The ship disappears by jumping into hyperspace, but Anakin is able to figure out where it is heading and follows. Obi-Wan Kenobi thinks it's a trap, and he sends a platoon of ARC troopers to support his Padawan.

Chapter 12: Jedi Mace Windu leads his troops into battle on the plains of Dantooine. The enemy droid forces are using an enormous seismic tank -- basically a giant floating jackhammer -- against the clones. Mace Windu finds himself alone and surrounded by the massive Droid Army -- without his lightsaber.

Chapter 13: Even unarmed, Mace is unbeatable! The Jedi Master continues to singlehandedly defeats the droids on Dantooine and manages to take out the enemy tank.

Chapter 14: On the icy planet of Ilum, in a hidden Jedi temple, the Jedi team of Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee meditate in the crystal caverns used to build lightsabers. Invisible chameleon droids start planting explosives in the sacred caverns. Yoda, who is traveling with Padmé Amidala, detects this danger through the Force.

Chapter 15: Padmé's head of security, Captain Typho, believes that going to Ilum is too dangerous. He tries to convince Yoda not to go, but the ancient Jedi Master is committed to rescuing Luminara Unduli and Barris Offee. Once the ship lands on Ilum, Yoda sets out in the snow, alone. To enter the sacred cave, he must first defeat a battalion of droids.

Chapter 16: Padmé is worried about Yoda, and she's not one to stay in one place as instructed. She leaves the safety of her ship and heads out into the cold with C-3PO and R2-D2 to find him. As they approach the cave, they must tangle with invisible droid soldiers.

Chapter 17: On Yavin 4, Anakin has tracked down his would-be assassin, Asajj Ventress. Now he must find her in the wild jungles of the green moon before the battle between these two highly skilled warriors can truly begin.

Chapter 18: Anakin and Asajj continue their hand-to-hand duel on Yavin 4. Ventress, an expert fighter who battles using two lightsabers at the same time, proves to be a formidable foe for the young Jedi.

Chapter 19: The battle between Asajj and Anakin becomes more intense. Anakin, filled with anger, attacks his foe mercilessly. Still, she is a crafty fighter with a few tricks of her own.

Chapter 20: A successful campaign on Muunilinst draws to a close, and Master and Padawan are reunited. Meanwhile, on the distant planet of Hypori, a band of Jedi Knights faces a mysterious and powerful enemy, General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Separatist forces.

Is their an entry fee to sign a team up for the tournament? No. However, you will need to make sure that everyone on your team is able to pay for their entrance into Star Wars Celebration III in Indianapolis, IN.

Who can sign up? The first EIGHT teams who respond.

How do I sign up? Call or e-mail Melinda Carter at the LEGO Company: Phone: (860) 763-6696 e-mail: melinda.carter@america.lego.com

Do we have to bring anything? No. Come as you are and we'll supply the building set and two tables.

How many people can be on a team at once? Each team can have up to 10 members. If you need to substitute people from one day to the next, that's fine. You can even substitute people from one round to the next. The only rule is that once a round begins, you can only use the people on your roster for that specific match.

How is the building area set-up? Each team will have two banquet-size tables to use that are adjacent to one another. It is recommended that you use one table for LEGO Star Destroyer parts and the other for building.

Exactly how does the tournament work? The event is set up like the NCAA basketball tournament. There are two "regions" -- Sith and Jedi. The first day of tournament play (Friday, April 22) there will be a total of four matches. Two matches will pit Sith against Sith and two matches will pit Jedi against Jedi. But on Saturday, April 23rd, the real intense battles begin. There will be one match to determine the Sith semi-finalist and one match to determine the Jedi semi-finalist. And of course -- the ultimate duel caps off the tournament.

What time are the matches? Friday, 10am Jedi 1 vs. 2 match Friday, 1pm Sith 1 vs. 2 match Friday, 4pm -- Jedi 3 vs. 4 match Friday, 7pm -- Sith 3 vs. 4 match Saturday, 10am -- Winners of Friday's 10am and 4pm matches Saturday, 1pm -- Winners of Friday's 1pm and 7pm matches Saturday, 4pm -- FINAL DUEL -- Jedi vs. Sith

What do we get? Each member of your team (up to 10 people) will receive either a Sith or Jedi t-shirt. These one-of-a-kind tees are designed by LEGO's own Keith Malone. You also will receive one FREE LEGO Star Destroyer practice set that will be mailed to you so you'll have plenty of time to practice. The winning team will receive a single trophy, and each member of the winning team will receive a cool Darth Vader medallion.

Is there an age requirement? For product safety reasons, team members should be above the age of five.

The convention starts Friday evening, March 13th, with a concert of Star Wars music performed by a 60-piece orchestra. Confirmed to be in attendance over the weekend are two actors who appear in both the original trilogy and Episode III. Peter Mayhew -- who plays Chewbacca -- will be there, as will Jeremy Bulloch, who played the original Boba Fett and returns to Star Wars as Captain Colton, pilot of the Alderaanian starship in Revenge of the Sith.

Also coming to the Star Wars Reunion is Steve Sansweet, Head of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm, who will be bringing some surprises direct from Skywalker Ranch.

"I am delighted to return to France for another convention -- this time, one entirely devoted to Star Wars and run by the Official French Fan Club and publisher of the Star Wars Lucasfilm Magazine," says Sansweet. "I have met many French fans who are passionate about Star Wars, whether they're collectors, artists, fan filmmakers, costumers or just love to share in the fun and camaraderie with fellow fans. I am especially excited that the convention venue will be the historic Grand Rex Theater, which has a long history with Star Wars, dating back to the first film in 1977. It is truly one of the last great movie palaces in the world."

Over the course of the weekend, fans will be able to attend activities and events -- like a costume contest for kids and adults and a fan film festival. For collectors, there will be exclusive convention merchandise, such as a commemorative poster and a Convention Exclusive action figure from Hasbro.

Tom Jung's idealized portraits of Luke and Leia are brought to life in the Star Wars Style "A" edition, with Vader's helmet, two droids, and X-wings all emerging from the background in a way that remains true to the original. Roger Kastel's Empire Strikes Back artwork, dubbed the "Gone With the Wind" style, captures Han and Leia's swoon and the frigid Hoth environment in chilling detail. Finally, Return of the Jedi's Style "A" artwork by Tim Reamer gracefully sums up the original trilogy in a poetic symbol, the raised Jedi lightsaber before a diminutive Endor and Death Star.

These hand painted cold cast resin sculptures are among the first in a series of three-dimensional movie poster artwork that Code 3 is launching, with the possibility of more Star Wars editions to come. Each cast is showcased within an artistic frame-like edge, with overall dimensions measuring 10.5" x 8" x 1.5".

Star Wars fans may know him best as Lando, but Williams' acting career has been busy, long, and varied with starring film roles that include Louis McKay in Lady Sings the Blues, Gayle Sayers in Brian's Song, Harvey Dent in Batman, and the father of a prison inmate dying of AIDS in The Visit, for which Williams earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Multicultural Motion Picture Association.

Appearing as part of a sextet of high-profile directors promoting 3-D and digital cinema at film industry convention ShoWest on Thursday, Lucas said he hadn't yet committed to a precise schedule but hoped to have the first film ready for the 30th anniversary of the original "Star Wars" movie in 2007 and that he would then rerelease one "Star Wars" film per year in 3-D.

Lucas was joined by James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis, Robert Rodriguez and Randal Kleiser. Peter Jackson joined the group via a pretaped 3-D segment. They all implored the exhibition community to invest in digital projectors, which would allow theatres to show their upcoming movies in 3-D.

Cameron is in preproduction on the 3-D film "Battle Angel," planned for a 2007 release. Zemeckis has two 3-D features in production, and Rodriguez is readying "The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl in 3-D" for release in the summer. Jackson, who is currently filming "King Kong," announced no specific 3-D plans, but according to sources he has installed a 3-D master suite in his production offices in New Zealand.

The filmmakers showed clips of their earlier work -- some of which was filmed in 3-D and some of which has been converted to 3-D -- and promoted digital 3-D during a screening sponsored by Texas Instruments' DLP Cinema.

DIGITAL ADVOCATE

Lucas' appearance in support of digital projection created a moment of deja vu for ShoWest attendees who had seen the filmmaker advocate digital cinema before the release of "Star Wars: Episode II --Attack of the Clones" when he proclaimed that the movie would screen in 1,000 d-cinema theatres.

"I'm sort of the proverbial digital penny that keeps showing up every other year," Lucas joked. "(Each time I am) saying, 'Why haven't you got those projectors in the theatres yet?'"

Lucas said he has seen many 3-D tests in the past 25 years, but because of advances in digital cinematography, postproduction and projection, the time has come for 3-D to become a more mainstream moviegoing experience.

To prove that point, he showed clips from the original "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope" and the most recent "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" that had been "dimensionalized," or converted into 3-D, in postproduction by the Agoura Hills, Calif.-based firm In-Three.

"It's really a beautiful system, and one of the reasons I'm promoting it today is I'm extremely anxious to reissue that old group of films I did so long ago in a galaxy far away," Lucas said. "When you see some of this test footage, it's shockingly good, and you can see how people would want to go see it. It means we can repurpose a lot of old movies, and at the same time it really gives a whole new dimension to the movies we're making now."

Jackson joined the others to lend his support to "one of the most exciting developments in cinema in a long, long time."

"It's not just the use of digital projection, which we all know is on the horizon," Jackson said. "But that the particular technology can be used to create three-dimensional movies that go far beyond the quality and the spectacle of anything we've ever seen before. Forget the old days of wearing the red and blue glasses and the eyestrain. All of that is behind us now. These new active glasses that you're wearing and seeing 3-D with are a breakthrough in technology."

Jackson screened remastered portions from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy that featured a looming Gollum and battle dust that virtually fell onto the audience.

"I'm a man on a mission when it comes to 3-D," Cameron said. "I will be making all of my films in 3-D in the future. We need exhibition to come in to own a big chunk of the (emerging 3-D) market."

Now with school finished, and having gotten a new job that doesn't take all of my time I have really begun to concentrate on the web site again.

"Empire Cut Scenes" Week at Galactic Voyage will be a daily update that will allow you to learn more about scenes that were cut from The Empire Strikes Back. I have always been fascinated by the scenes that were left out of the movies and just want to share with you the things I remember from way back when and some things I have learned since then.

Obi-Wan and Anakin, whose bristling relationship will turn to blows in Revenge of the Sith, feature prominently in this third poster to promote the series, noticeably darker than its predecessors to suggest the sinister themes leading into Episode III. Fans fortunate enough to get the first two (the second was offered by StarWarsShop.com last year) can now display the entire set alongside the Star Wars saga series, recently completed with the addition of the Episode III poster.

Make sure to grab what may be the last Clone Wars poster created for this award-winning series. Look for it exclusively at StarWarsShop.com on March 14.

Star Wars gets the "ultimate guide" treatment that DK has successfully delivered with other visually rich universes such as Spider-Man, Batman, and The Transformers. Author Ryder Windham writes Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide, an illustrated exploration of many aspects of the entire Star Wars saga. The history of the Star Wars galaxy; the key characters, technology and locations; the making of the films; the ever-growing Expanded Universe; the world of collectibles and Star Wars fandom -- it's all in here and illustrated with over 600 images.

Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide is an ideal introduction to the galaxy of Star Wars for new fans, and an invaluable addition to every fan's collection. It is due out in October.

Also out in October is Star Wars: Complete Locations -- Inside the Worlds of Episode I to VI. The entire Star Wars saga is opened up for detailed, visual exploration through the amazingly intricate exploded view diagrams, illustrations and maps by Hans Jenssen, Richard Chasemore and Robert E. Barnes. This book includes maps and information from the previous Inside the Worlds of... books (written by David West Reynolds, Kristin Lund, Simon Beecroft and James Luceno) as well updated information and new text by Kerrie Dougherty and new illustrations by the same team of artists.

Here's a closer look at Alliance for Education, one of the charities participating in a special screening of Revenge of the Sith.

Since 1995, the independent non-profit organization has been developing initiatives, engaging the public and mobilizing community investment to help reinvent Seattle's public schools so that every student has the opportunity for academic success in the classroom and the learning tools for a successful life.

"This will be the 'not-to-be-missed' Seattle event of 2005," Alliance for Education Senior Vice President for Development Rodney Wheeler says. "This event will be a great way for us to reach out into the community, to raise visibility for our mission, to raise money and to involve a broader audience in the effort to support our public schools. George Lucas is also a great advocate for public education reform and that is the core of our mission."

The event will feature two pre-screening receptions, one for their VIP Gala ticket holders at the new Palace Ballroom (owned by famed Seattle chef Tom Douglas), the second at the Cinerama Theatre. These receptions will be going on simultaneously and will include costumed characters, fabulous food, interesting décor, entertainment and celebrities.

The Boeing Company -- which has been a long-standing contributor to public education and investor in change strategies that help students perform at higher levels -- will sponsor the event.

"Their commercial and space programs are a natural for this movie and the mission of the Alliance," Wheeler explains. "We also have major sponsorships from Washington Mutual and Vulcan and a number of other corporations at lower levels. Total sponsorships, including in-kind donations, will exceed $350,000!" The connection between science and science fiction was a compelling reason for the Alliance for Education to become involved in this event. The movie promises to ignite greater interest among students in learning about the real-life science behind Star Wars characters, planets and vehicles.

"Through Star Wars movies our students can see how math, science, technology, multimedia and dramatic arts, and literacy, are important aspects of learning," Wheeler explains. "For educators it is an opportunity to engage students in areas of interest and learning. We have invited 80 students and faculty from Cleveland High School's Global Studies Program to participate in the event. This small, focused learning program at one of our most challenged high schools is motivating its students to reach higher academically. The opportunity to participate in this unique event is an added incentive for these students to achieve."

The funds raised by this event will support the Fund for Student Achievement which enables the Alliance to provide support for the Seattle Public Schools in ensuring that every child can read, all students have an effective teacher, and all schools -- especially the most highly challenged -- are supported with the resources they need for student success.

For those fans who cannot attend this special charity event, but who still want to help Alliance for Education, Wheeler has a few suggestions.

"Star Wars fans can always help out," Wheeler says. "In addition to making a donation to our work, Star Wars fans can read a book to a young child, volunteer as a tutor at their local school, be a champion for supporting public schools and students and spread the word about this unique event and the Alliance for Education."

To read more about Alliance for Education and how you can help, visit their official site here.

Scheduled for May 4, Star Wars: Empire #33 continues with "The Price of Power". For the velociraptor-like inhabitants of Tiss'sharrl, assassination is a common method of corporate or political advancement -- as the planet's president can attest. But the Tiss'shar are about to get a surprising lesson in the use of force from one who has made the ruthless application of fear and violence a way of life: Darth Vader has dropped in for an unexpected visit.

Vader's arrival could not have come at a worse time for the President, who is fending off attempts on his life -- and business offers from a dangerous quarter. But even the President's cool reptilian intellect can't guess at the real reasons for Vader's visit, or the depths at which the Dark Lord's machinations run...

Scott Allie (Star Wars: Betrayal), Michael Atiyeh, and Star Wars-fan-favorite artist Joe Corroney team up for "The Price of Power".

The third of four General Grievous comics is also coming in May. Flynn Kybo and his band of Jedi have teamed up with a ragtag group of civilians to kill General Grievous and end his reign of terror. Meanwhile Grievous, who is holding a group of young Padawans hostage, comes into conflict with Darth Tyrannus, who has his own plans for the young Jedi in training. But Grievous isn't one to bend at the will of another even if that other is a Sith Lord!

Star Wars: General Grievous #3 is by Chuck Dixon, Rick Leonardi, Mark Pennington, and Lucas Marangon (cover). Scheduled release date is May 18.

The final installment of Star Wars: Republic #77 "The Siege of Saleucami" is scheduled for release on that most hallowed day of all Star Wars days, May 25. This is the final issue of Republic before it is overtaken by the events in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Not to be missed!

The losses for the Republic--and the Jedi--in the Clone Wars have been staggering. And few battles have been as hard fought as the one on Saleucami. Here, the greatest military threat mounted by the Separatists has been encountered, the Republic's greatest heroes have faltered, and the heart, mind, and motives of Jedi Master Quinlan Vos have been laid bare. His secret dealings with Dooku exposed, and the depth to which he was manipulated revealed, Vos stands on a knife's edge between the dark side and redemption!

By John Ostrander, Jan Duursema (partial cover), and Brad Anderson (cover), Republic #77 is scheduled for release May 25.

From the space-station headquarters of the Bounty Hunters' Guild, to untamed worlds on the edge of the galaxy, the Jedi must go where the Clone Wars take them.

In Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 6--"The Fields of Battle" TPB, Mace Windu leads an elite Jedi strikeforce against an army of trained killers in a demonstration of Jedi power and resolve... Aayla Secura must confront her former Master in an effort to retrieve the plans for a weapon that has already destroyed one world... Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must joins forces with a renegade Jedi to prevent a fleet of warships from falling into the hands of the enemy...

On whatever field of battle the Jedi find themselves, their greatest challenge is to remain true to their teachings and to the ways of the Force!