Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you like this one.
Let's get to it.
Peter Hong Kong: Normal bullets wouldn't have the power needed to quickly destroy a droid. Given how many bullets you'd need to destroy a droid, especially a B2 Super Battle Droid, it would be more effective for the Americans to use blasters. Plus, blasters have a much longer range. Earth's weapons manufacturers have begun making blaster versions of weapons like submachine guns and carbines. The assault blaster I mentioned in last chapter is such a weapon.
Chapter 25- Legacy of Terror
The sun is beginning to lower in the sky over Geonosis as the Republic and American forces begin a clean up and prepare to leave the planet, except for the occupying force assigned to stay behind.
At the same time, on a cliff overlooking the forces, Luminara is looking down on the men as a gunship lands behind her, and Obi Wan steps out.
"A hard won victory," he says.
"Indeed. And a costly one. And without the Americans and their weapons and aircraft, it would've cost us even more," Luminara says.
"I agree. It was very wise to begin bringing the Terrans into this," Obi Wan says.
"No sign of Poggle, then?" Luminara asks.
"Nothing. We have clones and American troops spread out all over the area, but no hits yet," Obi Wan says.
"I'll go out and find some clue as to where he went," Luminara says as she walks over to her spider bike.
"I'm sure the clones can…" Obi Wan says.
Luminara interrupts, "Poggle has too much information about the Separatist to let him get away."
"Very well, Master Unduli," Obi Wan say.
"Just make sure to leave a bit of strategic planning for me when I come back, Master Kenobi. I'd hate to feel left out," Luminara says with an air of humor before taking off.
(Some time later)
Obi Wan and Colonel Hall make their way onto the bridge of an Acclamator class ship, and see Master Mundi examining of holomap.
"Well. I'm surprised to see you up and about," Obi Wan says.
"After enough time in a bacta tank, one longs for the mundane comfort of star charts," Master Mundi says.
"It seems to have done you some good. Your wound looks almost healed," Obi Wan says.
"I wish I could say the same for most of my men," Master Mundi says.
"On Earth, a couple hundred years ago, there was a military leader, the Duke of Wellington. He once said, 'After a battle lose, the saddest thing is a battle won'," Hall says.
Obi Wan and Mundi both look at Hall before Mundi says, "He was a very wise man."
"Yes," Hall says simply.
Obi Wan then turns to the holomap and says, "Poggle's forces seemed to come from the Northern Hemisphere."
"And where was Master Unduli's last contact made from?" Mundi asks.
ObiWan points as he says, "This region, far to the west, but there's nothing out there, according to our latest intel."
Right then, a beeping sounds. Obi Wan presses a button, and a hologram of Luminara pops up. "I have found a crate lying out in the middle of nowhere. It appears to be a munitions container of some kind."
"It could just be debris," Master Mundi points out.
"I don't think so. There was no battle in this area," Luminara says.
"It looks like Poggle was on a direct course. 11 mark 72, that way," the clone accompanying Luminara says.
"Headed for the Progate Temple," Luminara confirms.
"That makes no sense. Nothing in the temple could have survived the munitions we used in the first wave of our attack. Why would he risk exposure to go there?" Master Mundi responds.
"I'm not yet sure. Perhaps he doesn't realize the extent to which we cleared that area," Luminara says.
Right then, Anakin walks up. "Master Luminara, I'm tracking a sandstorm that is heading your way," he says.
"No matter. Poggle is out in the open, and I intend to grab him before he can get offworld," Luminara says.
"I advise against it. You might get lost in the storm. Then we'd have to find both you and Poggle," Master Mundi says.
"I feel it is a risk worth taking," Luminara responds.
"As you wish," Master Mundi says.
The meeting disbands, and Hall heads down to some of the Americans gathered outside.
It's not long after that the heavy sandstorm hits. The Americans quickly take shelter inside the ship.
Hall stands with a group of troops from the 101st as they which the sand blowing fiercely around them. "Reminds of me of Iraq," one of the soldiers says.
"Yeah. Except this place has giant, sentient bugs and robots. We didn't face stuff like that in Desert Storm," one of the men says a little snarkily.
"Agreed. This place is definitely worse than Iraq," Hall says.
"Though not sure the sandstorm is quite as bad as the ones there," another soldier says.
As the Americans stand there, several clones, including Rex, walk up to them. "Excuse me, guys. We heard you guys talking. What is this Desert Storm you were talking about?"
"Ah. That's quite the story to tell. Why don't you sit down, and we'll tell you," Hall says.
The clones gather around, and Hall and some of the other American soldiers begin telling them the story of Operation Desert Storm. They tell the reason for Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, of the buildup of arms by the coalition, the start of the war, and the extensive air campaign that brought Iraq's war machine to its knees, then the ground war to chase Saddam Hussein's forces out of Kuwait.
The clones listen with rapt attention to the story of Desert Storm. They find it fascinating how effective the air campaign had been in destroying Iraq's ability to fight back, and how relatively easy the ground campaign had been.
As the group is continuing its discussion, Anakin suddenly walks up to them. "Hall. Master Luminara's last transmission was cut off. We believe she's been captured. We want you and 6 of your Delta commandos to come with us to investigate and find her once the sandstorm dies down," Anakin says uregently.
"Understood, sir," Hall says. He then turns to the clones and says, "We'll have to continue this later." He then walks off to find the men of the Delta Force A Squadron.
About an hour later, Hall and the six Deltas he chose have met with Obi Wan, Anakin, Cody, and a handful of clones. Together, the strike force gathers onto two LAATs and sets off for the Progate Temple.
Not long after, the two gunships set down at the temple. Obi Wan, Anakin, and Hall exit the gunships, with their men following behind them. They form up and head into the temple.
As they enter the temple, Anakin orders, "Spread out and look around, men." The clones and Deltas fan out, weapons at the ready, searching for any sign of Luminara.
A moment later, Cody calls out, "General!" Obi Wan, Anakin, and Hall hurry over to Cody, who is kneeling over the body of the clone that accompanied Luminara.
"Buzz is dead," he says.
"Any sign of Luminara?" Anakin asks.
"No, sir," Cody responds.
Obi Wan glances around, and his eyes are drawn to a tunnel leading down into the ground, partially covered by a stone cover. "There was a struggle," he says, looking around. He then spots something and hurries over.
"This is not a good sign. Luminara's lightsaber," he says as he picks it up and hands it to Anakin.
"Poggle didn't do this. But maybe that did," Anakin says, looking up at a statue of a particularly hideous Geonosian.
"That is one ugly bug," Cody says.
"I haven't seen one that looks like that before," Anakin says.
"I don't believe anyone has. It could be the Geonosian queen," Obi Wan says.
"The bugs have a queen?" Hall asks, disgusted.
"Hmm, rumored. But we haven't found any proof of her existence," Obi Wan says.
"Until now," Anakin adds.
"This way," Obi Wan says, pointing down a tunnel under the statue.
"Come on, then. Let's move," Cody says, and the clones and Deltas follow the two Jedi and Hall, who ignite their lightsabers for light, down the tunnel.
They make their way slowly through the catacombs, the Deltas bringing up the rear, aiming their assault blasters behind the group to cover their six.
Cody uses a device on his wrist to scan the tunnels ahead. "This one leads to a dead end," he says regarding the tunnel they're currently in. He looks at a few tunnels around them, checking the device, then crouches down in front of one of them and says, "This one goes down the furthest. Sir, I'd say that's our best bet."
"I'll go first," Obi Wan says, leading the way down the tunnel. At the other end, they emerge into a larger corridor again, and continue down it. Many of the clones and even some of the Deltas feel a little creeped out by the catacombs, but they keep silent and remain focused.
Suddenly, they hear a noise up ahead. "She must be close by. Come on!" Obi Wan says, and the team moves more quickly down the corridor.
Suddenly, they hear a strange clicking up ahead, and they come to a stop. Several of the clones shine their lights up ahead, revealing a small pack of Geonosians. But, to their surprise, the Geonosians eyes are completely white, and they're not moving normally. It's almost as if they're…
"Wait. Tell me I'm not seeing Geonosian zombies," Hall says, holding his lightsaber at the ready.
More screeches and animalistic noises draws their attention, and the team quickly realize that these seemingly undead Geonosians are coming at them from almost every direction.
The clones and Deltas open fire, but their balster bolts are almost useless against them, reinforcing Hall's ideas that they're basically zombies. Obi Wan, Anakin, and Hall's lightsabers, however, are much more effective. The two Jedi and the former Delta swing their lightsabers frantically, trying to cut each undead Geonosian into several pieces to make sure they can't do anything.
Several of the undead Geonosians grab a clone and a Delta and try and drag them away. Obi Wan tries to stop them, but the undead Geonosians escape into smaller tunnels with their prey.
"Back, everyone, back! Take out the tunnel supports. It's the only way," Obi Wan orders.
Several Clones and Deltas fire their weapons and take out several of the supporting pillars, bringing the rock down and blocking off the corridor. The team races back down the corridor and down a side tunnel, emerging into another corridor.
"What were those things? We couldn't kill them," Anakin says.
"Like I said. Geonosian zombies," Hall says.
Obi Wan has a more rational approach. "I've heard stories of a Geonosian hive mind so powerful, so strong, that it can maintain its connection with its warriors even after they have died," Obi Wan says.
"Like I thought. We couldn't kill them because they're already dead," Hall says.
"That can't be true. That's impossible," Anakin protests.
"Impossible or not, these creatures keep moving after we cut them up or shoot them down," Obi Wan says. He walks a few steps down the corridor before saying, "Call for reinforcements."
Anakin tries activating his commlink, but it doesn't work. "There's no signal," he says.
"We must be too deep underground," Obi Wan says. He then turns to two clones and says, "You two, head back to the surface and contact General Mundi. Tell him we need reinforcements."
"Yes, sir," one of the clones says before they start heading down a smaller side tunnel.
"Winston. King. Go with them," Hall orders. Two of the 5 remaining Deltas nod and follow the two clones.
"I won't be unhappy to get out from under all this dirt. This place gives me the shivers," one of the clones says.
"You said it," Lieutenant King says.
Suddenly, Lieutenant Winston whips around, aiming his assault blaster behind them.
"What is it, Winston?" King asks.
"We're not alone," Winston responds.
Moments later, they hear screeching, and they begin to see undead Geonosians walking towards them.
The clones and the two Deltas open fire, but their blaster bolts are almost useless. The two Deltas look at each other, then slide their guns onto their backs and draw out their fighting knives. "Start calling for help," King says to the clones before running.
Each Delta runs a different way down the corridor and attacks the undead Geonosians. The two revert back to their training in unarmed combat, and just strike as fast as they can. The undead Geonosians try and attack the two Deltas, but the Deltas are demons as they fight, while the clones are calling for help and firing at any undead Geonosian they can.
Not far away, the team hears the yells for help and races in the direction of the yells. As they round a corner, they see Winston fighting off several undead Geonosians, while a pack of them have managed to gang up on King and overwhelm him.
Before the undead Geonosians can kill King, Hall leaps forward and scythes right through them with his lightsaber, cutting them up into as many pieces as he can. Obi Wan and Anakin rush forward to help, cutting down any undead Geonosian in sight. Pretty soon, the undead Geonosians are in too many pieces to do anything.
"Well, I think we can safely say that this thing is more powerful than we thought," Hall says as he deactivates his lightsaber.
"I'm going to the surface to alert General Mundi myself," Anakin says.
"Bad idea, Skywalker. The worst thing we can do right now is split up again. We don't have time to go to the surface. Every moment counts for Luminara right now. We need to find her and find the source of these Geonosian zombies, whether it be the queen or something else," Hall responds.
Anakin nods in response. Obi Wan then says, "Come on!" The team follows Obi Wan down the tunnel again.
After a few minutes, Hall notices something. "Is it just me, or is it getting warmer?"
"I feel it too. We must be close," Obi Wan says.
"Forget the heat. It smells down here," Anakin says.
"Keep your voice down," Obi Wan says.
"I'm just saying, this planet is rotten from the inside out," Anakin says.
The team then reaches a corner and peaks around it. And up ahead, they see a massive chamber, with a massive, hideous Geonosian at the back of the room.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Anakin says.
"It must be the queen. Any sign of Luminara?" Obi Wan says, directing his question at Cody, who uses his scanner mounted on his helmet to scan the room.
"I see her. She's suspended near the throne," Cody says.
"Good. What about Poggle?" Anakin asks.
"He's speaking with the queen," Cody says.
"Good. You take the soldiers, I'll take the queen," Anakin says to Obi Wan and Hall.
"Must you always rush into things?" Obi Wan asks.
"Wait. You wanna talk to that thing?" Hall asks Obi Wan.
"Matter of fact, I do. Don't you wonder why they took Luminara captive? Why not just kill her?" Obi Wan asks.
"She's leverage. She's a hostage," Anakin voices his assumption.
"Leverage for what? No, there's something else going on here, and these zombies are connected to it," Obi Wan says.
"Fine. We'll try it your way," Anakin says.
"So glad you agree," Obi Wan says. He then turns to Cody and says, "Cody, set the clones and Deltas up around the perimeter. These creatures live in darkness. The light from your helmet and the Delta's flashlights should blind them temporarily. Turn your lamps on at my signal. They should create enough confusion for us to get Luminara out of here."
"But what happens when the bugs pursue? You've seen them in action, sir. We can't kill them," Cody asks.
"We'll have to bury them. It'll at least slow them down. Shoot out the support pillars and this whole place will collapse," Anakin says.
"Let's go," Obi Wan says. He, Anakin, and Hall make their way into the room, while the clones and Deltas spread out.
Slowly, the two Jedi and the American approach the queen. The undead Geonosians mill around the, but don't attack.
Anakin voices his question regarding that. "How'd you know they wouldn't just attack us?"
"Because I make observations while you think with your lightsaber," Obi Wan responds, drawing a smirk from Hall.
"Well, that quick thinking of mine is usually needed when your observations get us into trouble," Anakin says.
"Anakin, the queen took Luminara hostage. She wanted a Jedi. Now she has two more and a former Delta Force officer. I want to know what she's after," Obi Wan says.
"Well, when this doesn't go as planned, which it won't, I'll be ready," Anakin says.
"That is so reassuring," Obi Wan says.
The three finally step up to the base of the throne. As they do, Luminara says, "I thought I told you not to follow me, Master Kenobi."
"Yes, well, I took a lesson from Anakin and decided not to follow orders," Obi Wan says.
"Hey!" Anakin protests.
Right then, the queen, in a screeching, raspy voice, calls out, "You. You…are the creatures that attacked Geonosia. Why have you…come before me?"
"Your majesty, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Obi Wan Kenobi, and this is Anakin Skywalker and Tyler Hall. It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is at an end," Obi Wan replies.
"You not dictate to me, Jedi. My empire is forever," the queen responds.
"I'm afraid it does not appear that way, your grace. You shall release the Jedi Luminara and submit to Republic law," Obi Wan says respectfully.
The queen lets out a long drawn out screech before replying, "I no submit to you!" As she speaks, the undead Geonosians begin to turn on the Jedi and aim weapons at them, prompting Anakin and Hall to ignite their lightsabers.
"No, patience you two. Wait," Obi Wan says. The two deactivate their lightsabers before the undead Geonosians take them away.
"Majesty, destroying us shall only make the Republic's judgment of you harsher," Obi Wan says.
"No, Jedi. No! I no destroy you. I devour you. I control you. I had but one Jedi before young Poggle bring me. But now, I have four," she says with delight, not realizing Hall is not a Jedi. Then, she says, "Now, watch as my child enters your Jedi friend." As she says this, an undead Geonosian hands something that looks like an egg with two worms coming out of it to Poggle.
"And once inside her mind becomes my mind. Her thoughts, my thoughts," the queen adds as Poggle pulls out one of the worms and holds it up towards Luminara.
"It's a sort of mind control, a hive mind. She thinks she can possess us," Obi Wan says.
"Great! Find out everything you wanted to know yet?" Anakin asks.
"No, wait. I want to see how it works," Obi Wan says.
"Umm, not sure Luminara does," Hall says.
"No, I don't," Luminara adds.
"I'm curious. The more we know, the better," Obi Wan says.
"I disagree," Luminara says as Poggle comes closer.
"So do I," Anakin says.
'Come now. The nose of the ear, which do you think it will enter?" Obi Wan asks curiously.
Anakin sighs and says, "I think the nose."
"Same," Hall says.
"Uh, I hope this is part of the plan," Luminara says as the worm begins to wind its way around her head.
"Isn't it always?" Obi Wan asks before shouting, "Cody, now!"
At that moment, Cody, the rest of the clones, and the Deltas race into the room and turn on their lamps and flashlights. The queen and undead Geonosians screech and recoil from the lights.
Taking the advantage, Obi Wan and Anakin use the Force to retrieve their lightsabers, with Anakin retrieving Hall's as well and throwing it to him. The three ignite their lightsabers, with Anakin also using Luminara's, and attack the undead Geonosians around them, cutting them to pieces.
Obi Wan uses the Force to pull the worm away from Luminara, grabbing it tightly to make sure it can't get away. Anakin leaps up towards Luminara and cuts away her restraints, then hands her her lightsaber. At the same time, Hall leaps towards Poggle, pinning him to the ground and holding his lightsaber blade right at his throat.
"You're coming with us," Hall says as Anakin walks up with some cuffs. He gets off of Poggle, allowing Anakin to cuff him, and they make their way towards the exit.
The undead Geonosians begin to recover and try to attack the clones and Deltas, but Hall and the Jedi quickly come to their aid, cutting down any zombie in range.
"Obi Wan, look out!" Anakin says as the worm in Obi Wan's hand starts to wriggle its way free. Anakin swipes it out of Obi Wan's hand, and as Obi Wan starts to protest, stomps on it and kills it.
"What are you doing? I was going to study that!" Obi wan says in protest.
"Study the bottom of my boot! Come on, let's get out of here!" Anakin says as he pulls Poggle along.
As they make their way to the exit, Cody shouts, "Take out the supports!" The clones and Deltas fire their weapons at the support pillars and blast them to pieces. The chamber slowly begins to collapse, with pieces of rock crushing undead Geonosians. Several large pieces of debris fall down and crush the Geonosian queen.
The team races through the tunnels, trying to find the way out before the whole thing collapses. Thankfully, everyone in the team is able to make it out of the catacombs and back aboveground before the whole thing collapses.
As they watch the temple collapse outside, Anakin says, "Well, all things considered, that went better than I expected."
"I wish we could've gotten one of those worms. Knowing how the queen controls her minions could have proven valuable," Obi Wan says.
"Well, hopefully the secret is buried with her," Anakin says as the last few stones come down on the hiding place of the Geonosian queen.
And, I'll end there. Hope I did this one well.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!