Anakin had a total of 1 week off. He took Padme out to dinner and they discussed their future plans of possibly ditching their careers to start a family in naboo.
Over the next few days, Anakin also met with chancellor palpatine for lunch in a very exclusive club. "By the way," Palpatine said, "congratulations on retrieving the crystal from Mygeeto. Sorry I didn't bring it up when we met yesterday". "It's alright," Anakin replied, "the Jedi council hasn't praised me quite a few times and you don't see me griping about it". "I'd like to concur," replied palpatine, "based on the things you told me concerning them". "It's not that," said Anakin, "it's that the republic needs to do more and the Jedi are holding them back, they're holding me back". "I have to agree with you, "said chancellor, "the Jedi always use the slippery slope argument whenever we propose a powerful weapon which could end the war easily". Well," replied Anakin, "they don't want as many civilians to die". "War is an ugly thing," said palpatine, "sometimes, you have to kill millions of innocents in order to save a trillion". They remained silent until shortly after their food arrived; "it's a good thing you took the crystal from Mygeeto because now the empire is besieging the planet as we speak; they'll probably take the planet quickly as a result of your actions". "I guess we're not the only ones going after the separatists." Anakin said. "No we aren't." Palpatine replied, "It's almost like we don't have to fight the separatists cause the empire is doing the fighting for us". "The planet Mygeeto quickly falling to the empire is still better than them taking a month and getting that energy crystal." Anakin replied. Eventually they finished their lunch and went to palpatine's office. "Does it ever strike you as odd," Palpatine said, "that the empire which came from the unknown regions, knows exactly where to strike?". "Sort of." Anakin replied. "It seems to me," Palpatine said, "that the empire has an intelligence agency just as sophisticated if not more so than the SIS. "What do you mean?" Anakin asked. "In my opinion," Palpatine answered, "the empire picked the perfect time to strike; the republic is divided, most of our forces are far away from the core world's as they can be, and the clones are only 7 million strong whereas the empire has at least 7 billion". "You make it seem like the republic is doomed." Anakin said. "Not quite," replied palpatine, "you see, the sith believe in the rule of the strongest; if you were to challenge and successfully defeat mslgus in battle, you would become their new emperor". "Of course the Jedi would never approve of such a plan." replied palpatine, "they'll probably continue with their failed schemes to take on the empire and the separatists". "But most of the missions which the Jedi were sent are successful." Anakin refuted. "The republic is withdrawing its forces from the outer rim" replied palpatine, "soon they will regain lost territory. Even if the Jedi are successful in destroying a few droid factories, the separatists will receive more benefit from our regression in the outer rim. Carrying out hit and run attacks give a sense of desperation and will encourage rapid expansion". Anakin and palpatine talked for many hours, "oh I'd love to chat with you more," Palpatine said, "but I have dire matters to attend to". ""It's alright palpatine," Anakin replied. Then Abakin left
Skywalker spent the rest of the week training, conversing with the Jedi, and spending more time with Padme.
After a week, skywalker recieved his next mission, "General Skywalker," yoda said, "go to Hypori you must". "Hypori has served as the backbone of battle droid production since Geonosis fell to our forces," windu added, "we tried taking the planet early on in the war, but we failed." "Going with delta squad to destroy the factory, you will." Yoda said. "So if the first attempt was unsuccessful," Anakin said, "then what makes you think we'll succeed this time?" "You won't be going at it alone," windu replied, "we will send an entire fleet of republic ships to assist you". "I probably won't need delta squad," Anakin said, "all I have to do is bomb that factory from the sky". "There's a shield protecting the droid foundry," windu responded, "you'll have to make an assault on the ground".
So Anakin and delta squad boarded a republic cruiser about ready to make their attack. The ship's went into hyperspace on their way to Hypori. A few days later, the fleet arrived in the planet's vicinity. Although there was a confederate fleet over Hypori, it was in an orbit which lasted 6 hours so they had a 40% chance of spotting the republic fleet. Fortunately, the odds played in favor of the republic and the ship's got into position to land gunships. However, space mines exploded heavily damaging the ships. The cruisers still deployed gunships; in one of these gunships were Anakin and delta squad. Since the factory was very important to the separatist war effort, it also held a large presence of those sonic turrets from Geonosis, numerous droid and geonosian personnel, and anti aircraft turrets, not to mention the shield. The clones assaulted the more fortified part of the foundry while Anakin and delta squad landed from behind.
While Anakin and delta squad were infiltrating the factory Anakin felt a vibration from his comlink, "General skywalker, "said Yuralen, "the separatist fleet has found our ships and they're bringing us down". Anakin hung up. "Who was that?" whispered boss. "It was admiral Yuralen," Anakin answered, "he said that our ships are going down". "Then we better hurry," whispered boss. the 5, after fighting their way through the hallways of the droid factory, finally got to the main reactor. There, scorch drilled in the charges but they were surrounded by droids as the invasion force was losing thanks to the separatist air support. One of the droids showed a transmission coming from the tactical droid, "looks like you have been outgunned, General skywalker." The droid said. "Not quite," answered Anakin; the droids were confused. "Goodbye General Skywalker." the tactical droid said as the other droids pointed their weapons at Anakin and delta squad. "IF WE DIE," shouted scorch, "YOU'RE GOING WITH US!". Scorch was holding the detonator as the droids hesitated. Soon, the battle droids began making a run for it as the tactical droid looked displeased. Jaywalker and delta squad walked out as droids were panicking. They were at a safe proximity from the factory when Anakin got a call on his transmitter, "General skywalker," said the tactical droid, "it seems that you outsmarted us but unfortunately for you..." "I don't have time for monologues," replied Anakin , "scorch" "yes sir?"said scorch. "Blow this thing to..." "We're holding you army hostage," said the droid, "and I ordered my forces to execute them all should you blow up our factory". "And how do I know you'll keep you word if I don't?" Anakin questioned. "You will all be held captive," answered the droid, "until we can negotiable a prisoner exchange". "And how do I know this aint some trick up your sleeve?" asked Anakin. The droid showed the holograms of Admiral Yuralen and other clones being held at gunpoint.
Will Anakin and delta squad blow up the factory, which would lead to the execution of many of his soldiers or will he surrender and be held prisoner until the republic frees key separatist leaders?