Chapter 31
Anakin hated leaving Obi-Wan again. Still, it was better than leaving the Padwans on their own. He knew they were capable of completing the mission but Anakin hoped that his presence would allow for success without them getting caught under the destroyed factory. He and Ahsoka had already blown up one fortress that day. Thanks to Obi-Wan's heads up, they had gone straight with the successful plan. He had been nice enough to allow Rex to jump off the top rather than using the Force to throw him off, though it had been tempting. Having told the rest of the clones to wait and take cover, they had managed to bring the thing down without any losses. Then they had met up with some of Master Mundi's troops who had also been shot down. Thankfully Obi-Wan was not injured although he looked more tired than he probably should. Anakin wondered how many Clone surgeries he had done on the way to Geonosis. He and Ahsoka had managed to get quite a few done but there were two of them and they had grown slightly used to it during the ones that had been done on the previous day.
Still, Obi-Wan had the more dangerous mission of causing a diversion. If the diversion was successful then the other mission should be safe. Safer anyway. Anakin had wanted to volunteer to stay with Luminara but he guessed Obi-Wan would know why he was sending him to the tunnels. He had sensed Obi-Wan's slight annoyance earlier, during the fighting because he and Ahsoka had protected him. In his head, Anakin knew Obi-Wan could handle himself easily enough but that didn't mean he wouldn't do anything he could to protect him. He was sure it would earn him a talking to at some point but he considered it worth it. Shaking off his thoughts and trying to focus, he turned to Barriss.
"Lead on." He said. "Where are we going to be able to cut through the cliff wall?"
"This way." She said, heading off. Anakin and Ahsoka exchanged a quick glance before following. The three of them climbed quickly down the cliff and were at the bottom when they noticed droids marching over the bridge.
"Well, the distraction is in place." Anakin muttered, hoping Obi-Wan would be ok. They ran to the other side and Barriss found the correct place, cutting out a section of the cliff wall.
"Nice work." Ahsoka smiled. "Here goes nothing." Barriss put a hand on her shoulder.
"I should go first. I know the way." She said. Anakin was quite alright with that.
"Make sure you stay quiet." He stated firmly. "There may be Geonosians living down here or something. I suspect the tunnels have some purpose." Barriss nodded and headed inside. Once Barriss had gone in, he gestured for Ahsoka to follow. He would bring up the rear. They made their way quietly through many twists and turns. Occasionally they would stop and hide from Geonosians that seemed to be patrolling. Once they found an entire tunnel filled with sleeping Geonosians. Anakin had wanted to turn back but Barriss insisted it was the quickest way.
"OK, Ahsoka, take off your backpack so it doesn't catch on their wings. Everybody stay low." Anakin instructed. They slowly and carefully made their way through. There was a horrible moment where one of them grabbed Barriss. Ahsoka managed to lift the hand off and free her. They continued. Anakin reached out through the Force and realised that one of the Geonosians was following them. He guessed they had woken it up by releasing Barriss. He also noticed that neither Padawan seemed to have realised they have company.
"Ahsoka." He hissed.
"Yes, Master?" She replied in a whisper.
"Do you notice anything?"
"No?" She said but she sounded unsure.
"Remember to always feel your surroundings in the Force." Anakin coached. He saw her concentrate for a second.
"We have someone following us." She realised. Anakin nodded. Barriss looked between them, having only just noticed they had stopped. Anakin made a quick calculation and decided they were probably far away enough from the other sleeping Geonosians that killing their 'companion' shouldn't wake them. Still, he wouldn't risk using his lightsaber. Gesturing for the two Padawans to hide and be quiet, Anakin waited. Soon enough the Geonosian came around the corner, gun out. He quickly used the Force to snap his neck. He heard Barriss let out a gasp at the display.
"Did you have to kill him?" She asked.
"Would you prefer I let him alert the entire factory to our location?" Anakin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Now, let's get going."
"No but you could have put him to sleep. There is another way other than killing." Barriss argued.
"Not always, youngling. If I put him to sleep and he woke up later, he could then still alert people to our presence. Then we are likely to get found out and trapped in the factory. Given our mission is to destroy the factory we would either fail or be forced to bring the factory down with us inside, probably killing us. Would you rather I kill one Geonosian to protect us plus possibly every clone upstairs, or risk him waking up?" Barriss made no answer. "I don't like killing either but every action has consequences and in this case killing one may save thousands."
"We need to move." Ahsoka pointed out. Anakin nodded and gestured for a slightly shaken Barriss to lead the way. She did so, leading them right into a dead end. Anakin turned away so he could roll his eyes. Thankfully it only took her a few moments to realise they were supposed to go up. How she managed to confuse 'up' and 'left' was slightly beyond him, they weren't exactly similar but he didn't comment out loud.
They climbed up the tunnel, making slower progress than Anakin would have liked. Every second they delayed was a second in which Obi-Wan could be killed or hurt. They reached the top and looked up through another hole to see the factory.
"That's a lot of droids." Ahsoka said.
"And we need to destroy them soon or they'll be joining the fight outside." Anakin said.
"The main control room is this way." Barriss said, heading off down another tunnel. Eventually they made it into the correct room. Ahsoka and Barriss set the bombs while Anakin kept watch. He may have killed the Geonosian following them but he wasn't taking any chances. In fact, he decided to simply destroy the lock on the door so any enemies would have to destroy the door to get in. Once he noticed the Padwans were done he grinned proudly at Ahsoka.
"Good job. Let's get out of here quickly." He said. They both nodded and they left via the tunnel they had come through. They gave it quite a distance before detonating the bombs. Once they had, the tunnels shook violently and they were forced to run even quicker. A falling block of debris caught Barriss on the shoulder forcing her to the floor and pinning her arm.
"Master Skywalker!" She cried. Anakin cursed as he saw her.
"Ahsoka, carry on and get out of here." He told her as he began trying to lift the debris while more blocks fell.
"Barriss is the one who knows the way." She pointed out. Anakin sighed.
"Use the Force, Ahsoka. Remember the way we came." He reminded her. Then he swore again as he had to dodge a rather large piece of ceiling, causing him to lose concentration and the block above Barriss slipped slightly. She nodded tentatively and began making her way out. Anakin returned to his task, trying to lift the debris without causing more to fall. Eventually he made it and hauled Barriss to her feet.
"Thank you." She said, breathing heavily.
"Come on." He told her. They both ran, Barriss clutching her arm. Anakin kept a watch on Ahsoka through the Force, making sure she was heading in the same direction.
After a little while of more frantic running and dodging, they finally emerged into the sunlight, sprinting out of the hole in the cliff wall. Thankfully Ahsoka was waiting for them with Obi-Wan and Luminara.
"Good job." Obi-Wan smiled. Anakin quickly checked him over visually and he didn't appear to have been injured.
"You did well." Luminara told Barriss. "What happened to your arm?"
"A piece of rock fell on me as we came back through the tunnels. Master Skywalker got me out." Barriss explained.
"You have my thanks, Skywalker." Luminara said. Anakin inclined his head but said nothing. He may not like, or trust, Barriss Offee but he couldn't have just left her to die. He and Obi-Wan then went to see the Clones. Anakin wanted to check in with Rex and get a report on their losses. Obi-Wan came with him having already received his own report from Cody. It wasn't good but it definitely wasn't as bad as it could have been, Anakin thought. He went between the Clones of the 501st and 212th, dishing out some painkillers where he could. It pained him to see so many of them suffering.
"We're loading the injured onto the gunships, Sir." Rex told him.
"Good. I'll be sending my Padawan back with them for now." Anakin said.
"I'm sure General Tano will just love that." Rex commented sarcastically. Anakin laughed.
"Somehow I doubt that."
"Don't forget to take a break yourself, General." Rex added in a concerned voice. "I know it's not my place but I saw how many chips you got out of my boys on the way here and you've been in non stop fighting ever since. Take care of yourself too." Anakin was touched by Rex's concern.
"I will, Rex. Master Luminara and Master Mundi have the cleanup under control I believe. Once Master Mundi gets here, I'll be sure to get some rest." He promised. Rex nodded and gave him a warm smile. Anakin spotted Obi-Wan talking to Luminara up on the top of a cliff and decided to leave them to it. He needed to find Ahsoka and break the news he was sending her back to the fleet for a while.
As expected she wasn't happy. Anakin pointed out that Barriss was going back too.
"Barriss is injured. I'm not." Ahsoka protested.
"That may be true but you need to rest, Snips."
"You need to rest too." She retorted. Anakin laughed slightly.
"So Rex has just told me. I will rest but I'm not leaving while Obi-Wan is still down here. Go and take care of our injured clones. See if you can get some more of their chips out." He ordered.
"Yes, Master." Ahsoka looked marginally happier now that she had a job to do back at the fleet. Anakin made sure to see off both Padawans before heading back to the rough base they had set up. He was going to see about finding somewhere to take a nap and not get any more covered in sand or dirt. What he really wanted was a shower but that wasn't going to happen until they got back to the fleet so he sighed and moved on. Eventually he found the rough barracks that had been erected and he was so tired that he simply collapsed onto the nearest bunk, fully clothed.
He woke the next morning to the familiar noises of camp. It was slightly stunning to realise he had slept for almost sixteen hour straight and more stunning to realise nobody had woken him up before then. He had a suspicion that Rex and Obi-Wan might have had something to do with that. Getting himself into some clean clothes, he made his way towards the Negotiator, which had landed just south of the rough camp. Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi were on the bridge studying a map of Geonosis.
"Ah, good to see you awake." Obi-Wan said.
"Sorry, Obi-Wan, Master Mundi. I didn't mean to sleep so long. What have I missed?" Anakin said.
"No trouble Skywalker. You and the Padawans had an impressive victory yesterday." Ki-Adi told him with a small smile. "Now, Master Unduli has set off to search for Poggle."
"Wasn't he in the factory that got blown up?" Anakin asked.
"We thought so but we found no body so we suspect he may have escaped somehow." Obi-Wan explained. "Master Unduli's last contact was here," He indicated a point on the map. "But as far as we know there is nothing out there."
"Maybe that's why he has gone that way. He assumes we'll search inhabited places first." Anakin said.
"That is a possibility." Ki-Adi agreed. "We shall have to wait and see what Master Unduli finds." Anakin then went to grab some breakfast before rejoining the two Masters on the bridge. When he returned Luminara was reporting that Poggle seemed to be on his way to the Progate Temple. Anakin winced. He remembered Obi-Wan telling him about that. It sounded kriffing creepy. Obi-Wan didn't look too happy either.
"That makes no sense. Nothing in the Temple could have survived the munitions we used in the first wave of our attack." Ki-Adi pointed out. Anakin then checked the weather conditions while they continued talking about why Poggle would go there.
"Master Unduli, I'm tracking a sand storm that is heading your way." He reported.
"No matter. Poggle is out in the open and I intend to capture him before he can make his way offworld." She said.
"Master Unduli, with all due respect, you won't be catching anyone if you get stuck in a sand storm." Anakin protested.
"We don't want to have to try and find both you and Poggle." Obi-Wan said.
"I feel it is a risk worth taking." Luminara said.
"Is it?" Anakin asked. "If you get lost then we will not have gained anything. I very much doubt that there will be a ship waiting for Poggle in a destroyed, abandoned Temple. We should wait until the storm clears and then explore. Besides, even if there is, Poggle won't be able to take off in a sand storm either." He continued. Luminara studied him thoughtfully. "Aren't you the one who told me it is best to be prepared? You are not prepared to be caught in a sand storm." Anakin pointed out.
"You make a good point, Skywalker. I shall return and we can search the Temple once the storm clears." She conceded. The transmission ended.
"Well, then we must wait for this storm to clear and prepare the troops." Ki-Adi said before disappearing.
"Good job, Anakin." Obi-Wan said.
"I'd rather not go to the Temple at all but if we must it would be better not having to search for Master Unduli as well as Poggle." Anakin said.
"Yes, I can't say I'm overly keen to return." Obi-Wan replied, glancing round to check they could not be overheard. "Still, we should rest while we can."
"Everyone keeps telling me that." Anakin sighed.
"Well, you did just sleep for sixteen hours, Ani. It would seem we have a right to be worried." Obi-Wan said with a slight frown of disapproval. "I love how protective you are but you won't be able to protect anyone if you run yourself into the ground. I know you're powerful, love, but you are still human. Please take better care of yourself, if not for you then for my peace of mind." Obi-Wan pleaded. That wasn't playing fair but maybe Obi-Wan had a point. If he exhausted himself like he had these past couple of days he would be unable to protect Obi-Wan properly.
"I'll try to take more care, Obi-Wan." He promised.
"Thank you." The older Jedi smiled. "Now, I need some breakfast, care to accompany me?"
"Of course. How about we head to your quarters and I cook?"
"There's an offer I can't refuse." Obi-Wan smiled. They made their way to the familiar rooms. Anakin began pulling out ingredients for pancakes and cooked them up rather quickly. Not quickly enough according to the growling coming from Obi-Wan's stomach.
"You hiding a Rancour somewhere in here?" Anakin teased.
"No but I might find one to feed you to if you don't hurry up." Obi-Wan replied with a smirk.
"Then who would cook for you?" Anakin asked.
"Dex."
"Fine then, I'll eat this lot myself and you can get Dex to cook you some." Anakin told him. Obi-Wan pouted. Damn. That really wasn't playing fair. With an exaggerated eye roll, Anakin dished up two plates of pancakes and sat down beside Obi-Wan, thighs touching. They ate quickly, despite Anakin already having had one breakfast, and then leaned back in their chairs. Anakin took Obi-Wan's hand and squeezed it gently. He received a soft smile in return. They sat for a while, simply enjoying each other's company before it was time to return. Luminara should be getting back soon and they would need to make a plan. Before they left, Anakin grabbed a jar and stuffed it into his robes. He recalled Obi-Wan mentioning that he had wanted one of the worm things to study and Anakin had stepped on the one they caught. Quite frankly he didn't blame himself and he didn't know if that still applied but he figured he might as well take something to hold one in.
By the time they made it back to the bridge, Luminara was being greeted by Ki-Adi. Anakin and Obi-Wan both greeted her as well and expressed they were pleased to see her back safely. A glance outside told them the storm had started up, they could barely see a few feet passed the windows.
"It would seem you gave good advice, Skywalker." Luminara told him, looking at the raging storm. Anakin bristled slightly at how surprised she sounded.
"Had to happen sometime." Obi-Wan said in his mind and he turned to see a tiny smirk gracing the other man's lips. Anakin sent back the mental equivalent of an eye roll and tried not to smirk in return.
"While we wait, do we have a map of the Progate Temple?" Anakin asked.
"Yes." Ki-Adi answered, pulling up the holo image. They all looked at it.
"Master Unduli stated that all Geonosian buildings have catacombs under them. Poggle may attempt to hide in there." Anakin suggested.
"Possibly. But he knows we are looking for him, the most logical thing to do would be to find a way off world." Luminara pointed out.
"We don't know if he is thinking logically." Anakin reminded her. "Besides, the entire building was collapsing, I don't think he would have had much time to make up his mind where to go."
"Given that our army was on the southern side of the factory, he would have had to go north to escape unnoticed. There is nothing north of that location either. The Temple is the closest shelter that wouldn't have our troops crawling all over it." Obi-Wan pointed out.
"You make a good point." Ki-Adi acknowledged. "There is nothing more we can do until the storm clears except try to memorise the tunnels under the Temple." With that, the four Jedi dedicated themselves to committing the map to memory.
Eventually the storm cleared up and Ki-Adi decided to stay behind to direct the troops in the continued cleanup. The other three Jedi took a small squadron from the 212th with them as they left for the Temple. As the storm had lifted they were able to take the gunships which cut down the time required. They entered the Temple cautiously.
"Spread out and look around men. And stay alert." Anakin ordered. The Clones immediately did so. Cody found a slightly open hatch that likely led down to the catacombs. Then Anakin noticed the statue over an archway. "That is one ugly bug." He stated, wrinkling his nose. Obi-Wan hadn't been kidding when he said they were creepy and gross.
"I've never seen one like that." Luminara said in surprise.
"I doubt anyone has." Obi-Wan stated and Anakin tried not to laugh. "Could be the Geonosian Queen."
"They have a queen?" Anakin asked to keep up appearances.
"Many insects have a queen." Luminara told him in an absent tone.
"It is just a rumour. Nobody has found any proof of her existence." Obi-Wan stated dryly. Anakin smothered another chuckle.
"Oh goodie. We can be the ones to do so then." Anakin groaned. Obi-Wan led the way down the tunnel through the archway with Anakin right behind. Luminara was bringing up the rear. It was pitch black and even with their lightsabers and the Clone's head torches, they could only see a short distance in front of them. It set Anakin on edge. He kept a close eye out both physically and through the Force. Except if these things were some creepy form of undead, they might not have a life force that could be detected through the Force. Maybe the creepy worms that controlled them would be enough to detect them by.
As they continued deeper through the catacombs, Anakin felt a flash in the Force from up ahead. He sent a mental warning to Obi-Wan and then listened closely. There was a quiet clicking noise that he knew to associate with Geonosians. Just then, a group of Geonosians came into view. Obi-Wan had not been exaggerating about them either. Their eyes were pure white and they moved awkwardly. It sent a chill down his spine even though he had been expecting them.
"What are they?" Luminara cried.
"Dunno but I doubt they are friendly." Anakin called back. He, Obi-Wan and Luminra leapt into action. Anakin slashed through a gun pointed at his face and then sliced into the head of the closest Geonosian. He saw a sliver of green as a wormlike creature slithered out of the nostril. "Oh that's so gross." Anakin muttered to himself. Then he stooped and scooped up the creature, securing it in the jar he had brought with him. Task completed, he turned back to the fight. The Clone's blasters were doing nothing. They didn't even seem to notice being shot. There was a yell as Buzz was dragged into a smaller tunnel by two of the Geonosians. Anakin leapt after him, slicing the legs off of one. It fell, dropping Buzz in the process. He proceeded to chop the legs off the other one before cutting their heads in half. Then he waited until the worm appeared before cutting that in two as well.
"Thanks, General." Buzz said, getting to his feet.
"Don't mention it." Anakin told him. More creatures kept coming and he noted they would soon be overwhelmed.
"Destroy the tunnel supports." Obi-Wan cried. "Retreat." Anakin grabbed Buzz and leapt towards the rest of the group. He saw the bodies of two other Clones on the floor and bit back a curse as he continued to follow Obi-Wan. Cody led the troops in bringing the tunnel down while everyone clambered back through one of the smaller side tunnels. Anakin made sure he was the last one through, diving in just in time. He rolled out the other side, coughing as he had inhaled a lungful of dust from the collapse.
"What were they? We couldn't kill them." Luminara asked.
"I've heard tell of a Geonosian hive mind strong enough to maintain its connection to its warriors even after they are dead." Obi-Wan told her.
"Yeah. Those creatures had green wormlike things coming out of their noses when I chopped one of their heads in two. Killed the worm and the creature didn't get back up." Anakin informed them.
"Interesting." Obi-Wan said thoughtfully. The sad thing was, Anakin knew he actually meant it.
"So there is a way to kill them?" Luminara asked.
"I guess the bodies are already dead." Anakin shrugged. "It seems to be the worm things controlling them. If we damage the host body enough they might reveal themselves long enough to kill them. They might be dead, or undead, whatever, but they still can't move if they don't have legs."
"Comforting." Luminara stated slightly sarcastically. "We should call for reinforcements."
"I don't think it'll make a lot of difference. The Clone blasters don't really bother them."
"Master Mundi could provide valuable aid." She pointed out.
"And what if we somehow become infected? I don't think we should risk any more people." Anakin said.
"Lets press on." Obi-Wan agreed. This time Anakin took the lead, making sure Obi-Wan was right behind him. They continued onwards. Soon he began to notice that the air was getting warmer and unfortunately the smell was getting stronger.
"It stinks down here." He complained in a whisper.
"It's full of dead bodies. What did you expect?" Obi-Wan whispered back.
"The smell of sunshine and waffles." Anakin retorted sarcastically. Obi-Wan chuckled lightly and it was good to hear. Finally they could see a faint light up ahead. When they crept closer, Anakin saw it was a large cavern. Straight ahead was a rather huge bug that he assumed was their queen. Many Geonosians were gathered there. He tried to spot Poggle. Then Cody came up with his goggles and reported that Poggle was speaking to the Queen.
"So, you guys take the troops. I'll take the queen." Anakin said.
"Must you always rush into things?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Do not tell me you want to talk to that thing?" Anakin groaned. "Didn't you do that last time?" He sent mentally.
"As a matter of fact I would like to get us close enough to Poggle so that he can't escape when the battle starts." Obi-Wan told him.
"Fine." Anakin conceded, looking very unhappy.
"Master Unduli, you keep an eye on Poggle and cuff him as soon as you get the signal." Obi-Wan said. She nodded. "Cody, you and the troops stay here until I call. Then come in with your head torches on. These creatures live in darkness and the light should confuse them temporarily. We need the support pillars taken out to bring this place down and then we clear out as quickly as possible." He continued.
"Yes, Sir." Cody said. Then he ordered his men to spread out around the perimeter.
"I guess we're going in then." Anakin said. The three Jedi walked into the cavern.
"Are you sure they won't just attack us?" Luminara asked.
"Bit late for that question." Anakin pointed out. The creatures had noticed them. There were low growls and snarls coming from them but they made no move to attack. In fact they almost formed an alley for them to walk through.
"So the queen wants us here. How comforting." Luminara said.
"Actually it sort of is. I'd rather she want us here than dead. Trapped I can work with. Dead, probably not." Anakin said. They made it up to the Queen who was even more hideous up close, Anakin noticed. The smell was definitely not improving either much to his distaste.
"You...You...you are the ones who attacked Geonosia." She accused in an almost hoarse voice that was very unpleasant. "Why have you come before me?" She asked, puffing out her chest in a most over dramatic fashion on the word 'me'.
"Someone has a great sense of self importance." Anakin muttered.
"Not now Anakin. She doesn't want to kill us yet, let's keep it that way." Obi-Wan told him. Then he stepped forwards. "Your majesty, it is an honour to finally meet you." He said loudly. Then he introduced them before saying, "It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is at an end."
"And you were worried about me upsetting her?" Anakin hissed.
"You not dictate to me Jedi. My empire is forever." She cried in an angry voice.
"I'm afraid it does not appear that way, your highness." He replied in an even tone. That set her off into loud, high pitched shrieks of rage. Anakin winced as the sound grated on his ears. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luminara moving slightly sideways to place herself between Poggle and the closest exit. The dead Geonosians reacted to her anger and the growling grew louder. Anakin itched to ignite his lightsaber but he had faith Obi-Wan would get them through this mess. Luminara gave a slight nod to indicate she was in the best position she was going to get.
"Cody, now!" Obi-Wan called out. The Clones came rushing in, and suddenly the room was filled with torch light. There was a lot of pained screeching that Anakin did not appreciate. He ignited his lightsaber and attacked a Geonosian who had attempted to grab Luminara. She had Poggle in cuffs already and began leading him out the way they had come. The Clones began shooting at the support pillars once everyone was close enough to the exit. Anakin and Obi-Wan held the creatures at bay until the room began collapsing.
As they turned to leave, Anakin spotted a worm working its way up Obi-Wan's back, dangerously close to his ear.
"Look out!" He cried, leaping forwards. Obi-Wan turned and the creature lunged for his nose. Anakin desperately thrust his lightsaber forwards cutting it in two just as it was about to dive into Obi-Wan. Using the Force, he managed to react quickly enough to stop his lightsaber also impaling Obi-Wan. They both stood for a second, before glazing down at the severed worm. Then they turned and ran.
"I wanted to study one of those." Obi-Wan sighed as they ran.
"Well, next time I'll let it control you and you can study it inside your own brain." Anakin replied.
"I'm not quite that desperate to study them." Obi-Wan replied, sounding rather horrified at the prospect. Then they heard the sounds of pursuit from behind them.
"Seriously? The whole place collapsed and it didn't even slow them down?" Anakin complained.
"I'm guessing that wasn't all of her subjects." Luminara said from up ahead. They reached a tunnel that went up and began climbing. Anakin made sure everyone was up before he started. As he was about to jump up himself, one of the creatures lunged at him. He slashed at it, cutting off an arm but it didn't even slow it down. Cursing, he slashed again before kicking it away from him. Then he leapt up calling for those ahead of him to hurry up.
"We've got company." He called. Then he saw rocks falling down towards them and had to dodge while clinging onto the vertical wall which was harder than it looked. One second his vision was covered by dust and the next there was a white blur falling next to him. On instinct he reached out and grabbed it. The 'it' turned out to be Obi-Wan. Anakin grunted as he took the extra weight. "Kriffing hell, Obi-Wan. I've been feeding you far too much." He grunted. Thankfully, Obi-Wan managed to regain a grip on the wall opposite him and then sent him a glare that made Anakin grin despite the situation. Then they began climbing once more, dodging more falling debris. Some of the rocks hit the creatures below, knocking them down.
Before they reached the top, the shockwave from the collapsed cavern forced them all up into the air with great force. They burst out of the tunnel in a cloud of dust, into welcoming daylight. Anakin managed to land on his feet and looked around to make sure everyone was ok. Then he turned to Obi-Wan.
"Let's never do that again." He said.