Alright, I know that this has taken me a while, but in my defense I was very busy these past few months. No matter, I'm back and I have managed to merge three episodes for you into this chapter. While there are technically four, I couldn't make the last one work out so I decided to skip it. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this one.
And as always, I do not own Kingdom Hearts, its characters, Marvel (for Natasha), Star Wars or anything under Disney's rights. Oh, by the way, the new Star Wars was pretty good but a lot like A New Hope. If you've already seen the new one and haven't made those connections, think carefully and you'll see it.
Several weeks had passed since the attempt to capture Dooku and as always, there was more work to be done. Currently, Nairbix, Ki-Adi Mundi and Obi-Wan were looking out the window of a Jedi cruiser at the sight of Geonosis, the planet that hosted the first battle of the Clone Wars.
"I cannot believe we're back here again." Obi-Wan said in disbelief.
"It is unfortunate." Mundi agreed, "The resistance from the native Geonosians was stronger than we anticipated."
"The same can be said for their loyalty to Count Dooku. Which is often overlooked." Nairbix added.
"Indeed, Master VanSull." Mundi nodded as Anakin, Natasha, Wall-E and Ahsoka entered the bridge.
"You're late." Obi-Wan growled to them.
"Sorry, Master." Anakin said in a not so sorry tone, "The three of us were busy routing the Seppies near Dorin."
"My squadron alone had fifty-five kills." Ahsoka bragged.
"Yeah, but mine had seventy-six." He playfully retorted while Natasha snorted.
"You two may think that those are big numbers, but me and Wall-E managed to take out two-hundred and thirty seven all on our own. Of course, that's to be expected when you have the greatest co-pilot in the galaxy." She said as she petted Wall-E's head who happily pressed it against her palm.
"Show-off." The duo grumbled.
"Well, I'm glad the three-ahem, four of you enjoyed yourselves." Obi-Wan corrected at the sight of Natasha's glare when he excluded Wall-E.
"Hey, it's just a little friendly competition, Master. Nothing to worry about." Anakin reassured.
"What I'm worried about is the way this war seems to be drawing out with no end in sight."
"Which is why it is crucial our invasion of Geonosis meets with success." Nairbix reminded.
Later in the debriefing room, the party looked to the holograms of Yoda, Windu and Palpatine with the hologram of Jedi Master Luminara next to them. "Our ships are in position, and we're ready to begin our campaign against the Geonosians." Natasha informed.
"And what about Poggle?" Windu asked regarding the Geonosians' leader, "Any report on his location?"
"It seems he's holed up at the primary droid foundry here." Nairbix replied as he pointed at the holo-map, "The factory is protected by a shield generator. Anakin, Ki-Adi, Natasha, Obi-Wan and I shall attempt a five-pronged attack through their defense lines to a staging area just short of the shield. Once we have landed, we shall knock out the shield generator. That is our primary target."
"Isn't it risky committing five generals to one area of the attack?" Palpatine asked in concern, "If something went wrong, we could be dealt a serious blow."
"To ensure that rise again Geonosis does not, capture Poggle we must." Yoda replied.
"Of course." He nodded, "As always, I shall leave the strategy to you, Master Jedi." Palpatine complimented as the Jedi respectfully nodded while Nairbix gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"It was my idea. If one more person excludes me or treats me like I'm a Jedi, I'm going to lose it." He thought.
"Our thanks, Chancellor." Obi-Wan replied.
"May the Force be with you." Windu prayed as their transmission ended. From behind, Rex, Spades, Cody, Natasha's clone commander Wulfric, and Mundi's commander entered the room to further explain the plan of attack.
"Good, Wulfric." Natasha addressed, "These are the coordinates for the rendezvous."
"Yes, sir." He replied.
"When we hit the ground, we'll create a perimeter there." Spades informed, "General Mundi will come across the defensive lines from the north. We will make our assault through the middle. Generals Skywalker and Romanoff will make their attack on the defensive lines from the south, and we will meet at the rendezvous point at 0700 exactly."
"If we meet with strong resistance and are forced away from the landing zone, hold out until we join our forces before attacking the shield generator." Mundi advised.
"Their front lines are heavily fortified." Ahsoka pointed out, "Look at that giant wall with all the gun emplacements. That part won't be easy to get past."
"Don't worry. We're not going anywhere near that." Anakin reassured.
"Come now." Obi-Wan teased, "What happened to all the enthusiasm I saw earlier?"
"Don't worry about us. You just make sure you get yourselves to that landing zone in one piece." Natasha reminded.
"Yes. Nairbix and I shall be waiting for you when you finally arrive." Obi-Wan mocked.
"My friends, if you are quite finished, we have a battle to begin." Luminara reminded.
"That we do." Nairbix agreed, "Spades, you and Cody prep the gunships. We'll meet you in the hangar." He ordered as he and Obi-Wan exited the room.
In the hangar, the two generals walked over to the gunships as the spoke with their clones. "No, sir, I wasn't involved on the first assault on Geonosis." Cody replied to Obi-Wan's question.
"Well, you didn't miss much." He replied dryly, "Last time, Nairbix and I were each chained to a pole and attacked by several humongous monsters before Natasha nearly blew up a quarter of the planet."
"That sounds…entertaining." Cody responded unsure if it was the appropriate response.
"It was…for the Geonosians." Nairbix replied just before the gunship's door shut leaving behind Spades and Cody. As soon as the ships began to soar over to the factory, they were quickly greeted with cannon fire from the Geonosians.
Back in the hangar, the two Jedi, Padawan, and droid entered their gunship. "Are we all ready, Rex?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, sir." He replied, "Generals VanSull and Kenobi are already underway."
"Well, they've got a head start. We'll just have to catch up with them." Natasha suggested. After flying for several minutes, their gunship was shot down.
"Come on, get up!" Anakin ordered the dazed clones, "We have to keep moving." He then pushed off the broken blast door and led the troops into the battle.
"They're falling back. Come on!" Ahsoka shouted over the gunfire. Back with Cody and Noise Maker squad, he received a message from Mundi's trooper.
"Cody, come in! Get the tanks down!" He cried.
"Copy that." He calmly responded, "Pilot, begin landing sequence."
"Copy that, commander. Have fun down there." The pilot joked. Once the tanks were on the ground, the clones began their attack.
"Move it! Move it!" Jackal shouted.
"Here they come. Bugs incoming!" Spades cried.
"Man down! Man down!" Kul alerted.
"General Kenobi, don't land." Cody warned, "The zone is hot!"
"But there's nowhere else to go!" Obi-Wan shouted as his and Nairbix's ship received cannon fire. "We're hit. We're going down!"
As the ship began to plumet to the ground, Nairbix shouted to the troops, "Brace yourselves!"
Back with the other group, Rex came from behind the three Jedi to relay the message he had just received from Cody.
"Copy that, Cody. I'll speak with the generals."
"Rex, what's the word?" Anakin asked, "Can Obi-Wan and Nairbix send reinforcements or not?"
"I don't think so, sir." The Clone replied, "Cody and Spades said that they never reached the landing site. They think their ship got shot down."
"Great." Anakin spat, "The one time I actually ask for Obi-Wan and Nairbix's help, they're nowhere to be found." Just then, Natasha and Ahsoka jumped back to them.
"Well, what if something happened to them?" Ahsoka asked, "They could be injured or-"
"No time for that kind of talk." Natasha cut off, "Rex, Wulfric, we need to mobilize now. Get the men together. We're gonna rush the guns." She informed.
"Yes, sir." They replied.
"Ahsoka, you're with us. We need to give Rex and Wulfric cover when we attack." Anakin informed.
"Got it. Just give the word." She replied still thinking about Nairbix and Obi-Wan.
"Hey," Natasha alerted, "We're worried about them too. But you have to keep your mind in the here and now, otherwise we'll never be able to help Nairbix or Obi-Wan."
"All here, generals." Wulfric alerted with the rest of the troopers.
"Ready…now!" Natasha shouted as the jumped into the heat of the battle.
"Go, go, go!" Cody shouted.
"Take 'em out! Take 'em all out!" Wulfric shouted as they charged.
Near the area where the two generals' ship crashed. Cody sent two clones named Waxer and Boil to rescue them and any surviving clones.
"Why do we always get the fun missions?" Waxer asked as they reached the ship.
"Oh, this isn't the fun part." Boil disagreed, "The fun part is getting back to the square." He replied as they opened the blast door to fin survivors.
"Waxer, Boil, are we glad to see you." Obi-Wan coughed. "Trapper, Nairbix and I are the only ones still alive."
"Good to see you, sirs." Boil greeted as he helped them up, "Commander Cody and Colonel Spades have established the square this position. The bugs are on the move and are trying to surround us as we speak, sirs."
As they made their way over to the square, Spades spotted them and alerted Cody. "They've got the generals."
"AT-TE 636, lay down cover fire at 0.35." Cody contacted, but before the tank could respond, it was blasted away by the Geonosians.
"Damnit, they took out the tank." Cody cursed, "Waxer, the bugs just took out the tank. We cannot provide cover fire. Repeat, we cannot provide cover fire."
"Don't worry, Cody, I can get those bugs off of us." Nairbix informed just before turning around to stare down his enemy.
"Nairbix, what are you doing?!" Obi-Wan cried.
"Just go! I've got this! Whatever you do, make sure the men do not attack it!" He ordered.
"Attack what?!" Obi-Wan shouted. But Nairbix gave no reply as his body became enveloped in darkness. As it grew, it began to rise like a fountain behind Nairbix and take on a new form entirely.
"Come to me, Guardian!" Nairbix shouted. From behind, a dark figure appeared, it was a dark skinned, muscular, and legless being that wore a tattered red hood and robes. Beneath its hood were two round yellow eyes that lacked any sort of iris or pupil. As it appeared, it made two powerful punches before flexing its razor sharp claws and crossing its arms.
"Bring forth calamity!" Nairbix shouted as the Guardian flew off to destroy the Geonosians. As it soared through the air, it easily dodged all the incoming attacks as it tore each of the unfortunate bugs it came across to shreds. It even went as far as to unleash a powerful crimson sonic wail attack at them for good measure.
"General VanSull certainly is full of surprises, eh, General Kenobi?" Waxer asked in awe of the Guardian's display of power.
"That he is. And yet, I can easily tell that he has yet to show us his true power." Obi-Wan mussed.
As this battle raged on, Natasha, Anakin, Ahsoka and the clones made their way to the fortress that they had originally planned on avoiding. Once they arrived at its base, the droids perched at the top began to fire at their position.
"Well, this is another fine mess the two of you have gotten us into." Ahsoka teased once they took cover.
"What? Hey, this is not our fault." Anakin and Natasha defended.
"You were the one to study the holomaps anyway." Anakin reminded.
"I did!" Ahsoka shouted back, "Remember when I reminded you about the giant wall, and you said, 'Don't worry, Snips. We won't be anywhere near that.'"
"Just get ready to climb." Natasha waved off as she blew a stray hair out of her face.
"What's the plan, General?" Wulfric asked.
"Just keep us covered, Wulfric." Natasha replied.
"There's too much laser fire for all of us to make the climb. Ahsoka, Natasha and I will handle it. Just be ready when that wall comes down." Anakin informed. As they raced over to the wall, they quickly made their way to the top of the nearest cliff and began to take out the droids with their own laser bolts.
"How many droids have you shot down so far?" Anakin asked his Padawan.
"Twenty-five." Ahsoka replied.
"Ah, you're falling behind." He teased.
"Let's go." Natasha declared as they jumped down to further eradicate the droids. Once they took out the last droid, they turned their focus to the guns alongside the wall. "Look for a hatch." Natasha ordered, "We need to put the explosives inside the wall."
Ahsoka then noticed an open hole behind her. "Found one." She called, but suddenly, a Destroyer droid sprang out of the hole and began to attack them; unfortunately, another came up from the other side as well.
As they deflected each of the blasts, Rex managed to get behind one and blast its head off while Wulfric did the same.
"Hey," A battle droid asked from one of the holes, "Did you get them?"
"Here, catch." Natasha alerted the droid as they tossed it the charges.
"What? No!" It cried as Anakin used the Force to plunge it into the wall's depths.
"Let's get out of here." Natasha offered. Ahsoka then used the Force to lift the two clones and throw them over the wall. Once they safely landed on the ground, the two Clones scowled at their generals behind their helmets.
"Next time, just tell us to jump." They growled.
"Where's the fun in that?" Anakin and Natasha asked playfully.
"Come on, we can't keep Obi-Wan and Nairbix waiting." Anakin urged as they ran off.
"You heard him, lads. Let's go!" Rex shouted. As they ran, Ahsoka spotted what seemed to be a battle in an upper cavern. Oddly enough, they managed to see multiple Geonosians screeching in anguish due to the fact they were set on fire.
"Master Mundi, do you read me?" Natasha asked via her comlink.
"We are here, Romanoff." He replied, "We took a slight detour that put us out of communications for a bit."
"This has been a day for detours, Master." Natasha replied bluntly.
"Indeed. But now the road is clear. I can see the landing zone. It does not look good." Mundi gravely informed.
"Can you get me Admiral Yularen?" Anakin asked. Thankfully, they were successful in contacting the Admiral. "Admiral, we're at the breaking point. Can you send reinforcements?"
"You're in luck, General Skywalker, I have one squadron available." Yularen informed, the reinforcements quickly gave their support and allowed the troops to overcome the bugs. Inside the square, the four Jedi found the injured Obi-Wan resting against boxes of cargo.
"Well, what happened to you?" Anakin asked smirking.
"I might ask you the same question." Obi-Wan retorted.
"Wait a minute, where's Nairbix?" Ahsoka asked.
"Oh, he and his friend are having fun." Obi-Wan replied bluntly as he jerked his thumb at Nairbix wiping out the Geonosians with his chains while the Guardian continued to wail and shred them.
"Did you know that he could do that?" Anakin muttered to Natasha as he pointed at the Guardian.
"I had no idea." She replied bluntly. After Nairbix drove off the remaining bugs, the group gathered together to discuss their next plan of attack.
"Our combined forces should be enough to destroy the shield generator." Obi-Wan explained, "Anakin, you and Natasha will need to take a small squad through the shield. As close as you can get to their gun emplacements. From there, you'll be able to temporarily jam their scanners so they are unable to target the incoming tanks.
"Once the tanks knock out the shield, Master Mundi can bring the rest of the troops in with the gunships."
"Consider it done, Master." Anakin nodded.
Once each group departed for the designated areas, the attacks began. With Natasha, she, Anakin, Ahsoka and the clones charged at the enemy just before they took cover. "Let's jam their signals." Natasha ordered, "Droid poppers ready."
They then threw the poppers over the hill. This caused all of the machines to short circuit and give out rendering the bugs without their signals. "Looks like it's working." Ahsoka pointed out.
"It won't last long." Anakin reminded, "Bring up the tanks."
Once the tanks did their job, the shield generator came down and allowed the gunships to attack the remaining forces. After the battle ended, Anakin and Natasha helped Obi-Wan limp over to the gunship that would send him to safety with Mundi.
"So, Masters, what was your totals?" Ahsoka playfully asked.
"Not now, Ahsoka." Anakin replied.
"Come on. Are you afraid your Padawan beat you?" Natasha teased.
"Fine. Fifty-five, that's my count." He replied, "And you?"
"Sixty." Ahsoka replied happily, "Looks like I won."
"Yeah, but I called in the airstrike. Tie!" Anakin retorted.
"You're impossible." Ahsoka said rolling her eyes.
"By the way, how many did you get, Natasha?" Anakin asked.
"Considering that we were once again up against an entire army and planet of enemies, I killed a whopping total of twelve-hundred and eighty-two." She replied flatly.
"Twelve-hundred and eighty two." Nairbix mussed as he sat on a crate with his Keyblade imbedded in a Geonosian's head. "That's not bad for a redhead Jedi princess. I myself am sitting pretty on twelve-hundred and eighty-three." He said smugly. In a quick fit of anger, Natasha took a nearby blaster and shot the Geonosian startling everyone; especially Nairbix.
"Twelve-hundred and eighty-three." She said just as smugly.
"It was already dead." Nairbix growled.
"It was twitching." Natasha defended.
"It was twitching because its got my Keyblade imbedded in its nervous system!" He shouted while shifting his weapon to prove his point. The following day, the group of four and the Clones prepared themselves for the next attack while the awaited Master Luminara to join them.
"This bridge is our first waypoint." Ahsoka informed as she showed the troopers the holomap, "Focus your fire on the gun emplacements here and here, because it's only-"
"Because it's only after we neutralize the guns that we can push for the factory." Anakin interjected.
"I was…yes. We can push for the factory." Ahsoka grumbled, "Now, expect stiff resistance from-"
"And don't forget to top off your energy cells and ration packs." Anakin interrupted yet again. Seeing this Ahsoka looked pissed while Nairbix and Natasha looked angered. "Once we leave, there will be no re-supply. Anything else, Ahsoka?"
"No. I think you pretty much covered everything…in my briefing." She replied.
"Very well. Squad dismissed." Anakin announced, once the squad left, Anakin turned to his friends and apprentice. "So, what's next?"
"You know, Master," Ahsoka said gently, "My briefings might go better if you didn't interrupt me every time I try to-"
"I wasn't interrupting, I was trying to help you." Anakin defended as he once again interrupted her.
"Which I would appreciate if you didn't interrupt me to do it." She retorted, "I just think you don't trust me to give the briefing."
"It's not about trust." Anakin snapped, "It's about getting the job done right."
"Ah, so you don't trust me to get the job done right. I knew it." Ahsoka snapped causing Anakin to groan.
"Snips, I never said-"
"No. No, it's okay. I understand." Ahsoka stopped, "I'm the Padawan. You're the Master." She huffed while the gunships landed nearby.
"Sigh, Luminara's here. I'll go get her." Nairbix said to Natasha as he walked off. Once he reached the ships, he greeted Master Luminara and a younger female that belonged to her species; most likely her Padawan.
"Hello, Luminara. We've been waiting." Nairbix greeted with a respectful nod. As they went to join the others, Luminara noticed the duo still bickering.
"At it again, are they?" She asked.
"'Again', Master?" Her apprentice asked.
"Let's just say that they have a penchant for playing loose with your regulations and rules of command." Nairbix replied flatly.
"Well, if you don't trust me, then maybe you should send me back." Ahsoka suggested.
"Oh, don't tempt me, Snips." Anakin replied.
"Oh, for the love of God. Shut the hell up!" Natasha shouted.
"If you're both finished with you little discussion, we do have a factory to destroy." Luminara reminded, she then turned to her Padawan and stiffly reminded her to introduce herself. "Well, Barriss, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
"Padawan learner Barriss Offee at your service." She introduced with a respective curtsey. Anakin then looked at Ahsoka smugly as though he thought that was how she should act. She simply scrunched her nose at him in response.
"Glad to meet you. I'm Ahsoka." She greeted.
"It's good to see you both again." Anakin added.
"I wish it were under more peaceful circumstances." Luminara replied. Once they pulled up the holomap, they began to plan their next move. "A frontal assault is risky. Our losses will be high."
"But not as high as they'll be if that factory comes online." Nairbix reminded.
"Indeed, but there is an alternative. Every Geonosian building has a series of catacombs beneath it that run deep underground." Luminara explained.
"Some of the tunnels are close enough to this cliff wall so that you could cut a hole and make an entry point." Barriss added before Luminara continued.
"Once inside, we could find the main reactor, plant the explosives, and blow the factory inside out."
"Oh, that looks like a good way to get lost, if you ask me." Natasha mussed.
"For the unprepared yes, but I have instructed Barriss to memorize the labyrinth, all two-hundred junctions." Luminara replied.
"You always were thorough." Anakin commented.
"It pays for one to be prepared. Right, Barriss?" She asked.
"Especially when other people's lives depend on your success." Barriss added.
"How do we keep the Geonosians occupied while someone else is setting the bombs?" Ahsoka asked.
"Good point, Snips." Nairbix praised, "If whoever's going in there is going to be successful, we'll need to create a diversion."
"Precisely." Luminara agreed, "Which is why the task will be carried out by the four of us, while the destruction of the factory falls to the Padawans."
"Now, hold on." Anakin exclaimed, "Who decided that? Walking into that factory could be suicide."
"Not if the four of us are successful at holding Poggle's attention at the bridge." Natasha corrected.
"Master, I can do this." Ahsoka stressed, "I've had riskier assignments."
"But unlike Barriss, you aren't prepared for this mission." He growled.
"Not to worry." Luminara reassured, "My Padawan is reliable. She can lead them both through the maze."
"We'll be in and out, Master." Barriss added.
"See?" Ahsoka asked hotly, "Dependable Barriss will get us through. Don't worry, Master. As you well know, I can follow orders."
"Then, we are finally in agreement?" Nairbix asked.
"I guess we are." Anakin admitted as Luminara handed Ahsoka a pack.
"We'll monitor your progress on these chronometers." Luminara further explained.
"Let's get going, Barriss." Ahsoka urged as they took off.
"You feel Ahsoka's not up to the task." Luminara stated.
"I never said that." Anakin retorted.
"What is it then?" Natasha asked.
"Nothing. Let's prepare the men." Anakin suggested as he walked over to R2 and the holomap.
"We'll have to make a bold move if we're to draw them out of the factory and keep their attention on us and not the Padawans." Luminara suggested.
"The best way to do that is to march our troops straight up the middle, parade style. They can't resist that." Nairbix provided.
"With no cover?" Luminara asked.
"Well, we have to make it tempting." Natasha reminded. Once they began their march, the factory's doors opened and unleashed a wave of battle droids.
"Here come the droids. Everybody steady." Nairbix ordered.
"I hope the Padawans have made it past the bridge by now." Luminara hoped. As they continued to march, they were able to see more droids emerge from the factory.
"That looks like a lot of droids." Natasha said bluntly.
"Well, it is a droid factory." Nairbix reminded playfully.
"As long as we can destroy them faster than they can make them, we'll come out on top." Anakin declared with confidence.
"Hmph, I love your simple logic, Skywalker." Luminara chuckled.
"Here we go." Nairbix grinned as they readied their weapons and charged the droids. As the battle continued, Geonosians came from the air in all directions to help wipe out the Republic forces.
"They should've entered the catacombs by now." Luminara informed to her comrades as they fought.
"I sure hope they're not lost down there." Anakin added as the factory let loose multiple super tanks.
"Oh, that's just not fair." Nairbix whined, "Looks like the Separatists have some new toys." He alerted the others. As the clones fired at them, they quickly realized their attacks could not harm them.
Just then, they each noticed their chronometers were flashing green. "Green light. The bombs are active." Anakin alerted.
"The Padawans did it."
"And just in time." Natasha added as the tanks began to fire mortars. "Get down!" She shouted as the blasts hit. As they fell back, Nairbix gave his orders to his clone.
"Spades, tell the men to fall back."
"But, sir, you can't be asking us to turn tail and run?!" Spades protested.
"I'm not asking you to run, Spades. I'm ordering you to get the men to a safe distance while I take out those tanks." Nairbix informed shocking everyone.
"Don't be ridiculous, VanSull, you'll be killed!" Luminara exclaimed.
"You can't be serious, Nairbix. You expect us to let you go back out there all alone?" Anakin asked.
"I do." Nairbix replied with a grin, "Just get the men across the bridge and I'll join you shortly." And with that, the True Master dashed off into battle.
As he came closer to the tanks, they began to fire their blasters at him. He then slid underneath their line of fire and slashed his Keyblade sending arches of destruction at the front line of the tanks. Once they were taken out, Nairbix halted his slid and took a low stance with his mighty weapon ready. He then jumped over to the nearest tank and sliced off its side guns before tearing open the hatch and blasting it from the inside out.
"What's going on?!" A droid cried from one of the tanks' cockpit.
"Hold on, I'll check the scanner." Another said just before Heartbreaker burst through the tank's interior and its head. From the outer side, Nairbix gripped his Keyblade and sent another blast through the inside before jumping over to the next tank to repeat the process.
When the last tank was left, Nairbix simply flicked his Keyblade as he walked ahead to meet his comrades and destroyed the Separatist weapon without so much as looking.
"He actually did it." Anakin said bluntly in shock, "He actually took out every one of those tanks single handedly like it was nothing."
"That's Nairbix for ya." Natasha said proudly as they joined him.
"Where are they?" Anakin asked as they awaited the Padawans, "Those bombs are about to go off any second now."
"They're still in there. I can smell them." Nairbix informed, "They need to hurry, the evacuation ships are on their way." As he said this, more droids emerged from the factory.
"Bozhe moi." Natasha muttered as they once again charged into battle. As they fought, Ahsoka managed to contact Anakin.
"I'm sorry, Master. We can't make it out." She informed.
"Can't make it out? Ahsoka, wait!" He shouted, not a moment later, the factory exploded.
After the dust and ash settled, Anakin immediately tried to contact his apprentice. "Ahsoka, can you hear me? Come in."
"Anakin, relax. I've got this." Nairbix eased as he waved his hand and created a corridor. As soon as it opened, Ahsoka and Barriss plopped out gasping for breath. "Am I good or am I good?" Nairbix asked smirking.
"Master VanSull, you never seem to disappoint." Luminara praised, "We best get these two to the rescue ships. The Padawans have earned some rest."
After the duo left, Obi-Wan and Mundi returned. "A hard won victory." Obi-Wan said as he joined Luminara and Natasha.
"Indeed, but a costly one as well." Luminara reminded, "We suffer a great many losses in these battles. Too many."
"The battles do appear to be coming with growing frequency." Obi-Wan agreed.
"No sign of Poggle, then?" Natasha asked.
"Nothing." Obi-Wan replied, "We have clone squadrons spread out all over the area but no hits yet."
"I'll go out and find some sort of clue as to where he went." Luminara informed.
"I'm sure the clones can handle-"
"Poggle has too much information about the Separatists to let him get away." Luminara interjected.
"Very well, Master Unduli." Obi-Wan relented.
"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." And with that, the green skinned Jedi took off on her speeder.
"Have you ever noticed those markings on her chin makes it look like she has a goatee?" Natasha asked bluntly.
"That's all you got out of that?" Obi-Wan deadpanned.
"I'm just saying." She defended. Later on as they reached the docked cruiser, Natasha and Obi-Wan found Mundi looking over star charts.
"What's this?" Natasha asked her fellow master, "I don't think either of us were expecting to find you up and about."
"After enough time in a bacta tank, one longs for the mundane comfort of star charts." Mundi replied.
"It seems like it did you some good." Obi-Wan noticed, "Your wound looks almost healed."
"I wish I could say the same for most of my men." Mundi said solemnly as they all gazed out the window.
"Well, let's make sure we don't have to take Geonosis a third time and Natasha won't need to desolate nearly half of it a second time." Obi-Wan joked while she just glared at him.
"Don't make me flick you, Kenobi." Natasha warned, "Poggle's forces seem to have come from the Northern Hemesphere."
"And where was Master Unduli's last contact made from?" Mundi asked.
"This region farther to the west." Natasha replied, "But there's nothing out there according to our latest Intel." Just then, Luminara appeared via hologram to give her report.
"We have discovered something that seems to have belonged at some point to Poggle." She informed, "It appears to be a munitions container of some kind."
"It could just be debris." Mundi suggested.
"I don't think so." Luminara disagreed, "There was no battle in this area."
"From that area and from the direction that he was headed, it would seem that Poggle's destination is the Progate Temple." Natasha deduced.
"But that makes no sense." Mundi interjected, "Nothing in the temple could have survived the munitions we used in our first attack. Why would he risk exposure to go there?"
"I'm not yet sure. Perhaps he doesn't realize the extent to which we cleared that area." Luminara offered as Anakin and Nairbix entered the room.
"Master Luminara, I'm tracking a sandstorm that's heading your way." Anakin informed.
"No matter." She waved off, "Poggle is out in the open and I intend to grab him before he can get offworld."
"I advise against it." Mundi advised, "You might get lost in the storm."
"And then we'd have to find both you and Poggle." Nairbix reminded.
"I feel that it is a risk worth taking."
"As you wish." Mundi relented. As time passed and the sandstorm raged, the party began to worry for the wondering Jedi's safety.
"What could be taking her so long?" Anakin asked rhetorically, "Something must have happened to her." He deduced rushing to conclusion.
"Patience, Skywalker. It's a delicate operation." Mundi lectured, "I'm sure we'll have more information soon."
"I must admit, I'm worried too." Obi-Wan mentioned, "We haven't heard from her in a while."
"Let's not start worrying yet." Natasha eased, "Luminara's not one to take unnecessary risks." As she said this, Luminara contacted them once again.
"Everyone, we tracked Poggle to the Progate Temple, but now there's no sign of him."
"Go no further until we can send support." Obi-Wan advised, "The storm is making things difficult, we can barely read your transmission as it is."
"Are you sure he went into the temple?" Nairbix asked.
"Yes, we saw him enter." She replied, "But I think he's gone down into the catacombs below."
"Those catacombs go on for miles. I fear we may have lost him. You better get yourself out of there." Natasha suggested. After she said this, Luminara's hologram showed her preparing her lightsaber to attack.
"Master Unduli?" Obi-Wan asked as the transmission cut out, "Master Unduli!"
"We've lost the connection." Mundi stated as Anakin made his way to the door.
"Where are you going?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Take a guess." Anakin replied.
"We'll never get to her in this storm. The gunships can't handle it." Nairbix reasoned.
"We can't wait!" Anakin snapped.
"I'm sorry, Skywalker. We have no choice. We must be patient and trust in Master Unduli." Mundi said ending the debate.
"We'll leave as soon as the storm lifts. Try and bear with it for a little while longer." Natasha pleaded.
"We may not need to." Nairbix interjected earning everyone's attention. "I think I can put an end to this storm fairly quickly."
"How?" Mundi asked. In reply, Nairbix simply began to roll his hand which seemed to bend the storm to his whim. It then began to gather in front of the base and compress down into a swirling vortex of sand, Nairbix then clenched his fist and ended the storm in an instant as though it was never there at all.
"Like that." He replied nonchalantly while they all gaped at him. The party and troops quickly readied themselves to travel to Luminara's last known location and began their search. Once they arrived at the temple, they entered the odd place in hopes to find their comrade.
"Stay alert." Obi-Wan ordered.
"Spread out and look around, men." Natasha added.
"General." Cody called by a dead clone, "Buzz is dead."
"Any sign of Luminara?" Nairbix asked.
"No, sir." He replied. Obi-Wan then noticed the nearby floor entrance and began to form out what happened.
"There was a struggle." He informed before noticing and picking up the missing Jedi's lightsaber.
"This is not a good sign." Natasha added as she saw the weapon.
"Poggle didn't do this." Anakin stated as he examined the lightsaber.
"Maybe not. But that might have." Nairbix pointed at a hideous stone head of a Geonosian above them.
"That is one ugly bug." Spades said bluntly.
"I haven't seen one that looks like that before." Anakin said.
"I don't think anyone has. My guess is that that's the Geonosian queen." Nairbix assumed.
"The bugs have a queen?" Anakin asked in disgust.
"Rumored." Obi-Wan corrected, "But we haven't found any proof of her existence. Until now."
"Wouldn't strike me as strange if that were the case." Natasha added. As they traveled through the catacombs, Luminara managed to somehow contact Obi-Wan.
"Master Kenobi!" She shouted, "If you're following me, you must leave this place. Get out now!" She said as they lost her once again.
"She must be close, let's go!" He ordered.
"No one ever seems to head that sort of advice in a crisis, huh?" Natasha asked Nairbix as they were running.
"I know, right?" He replied as they ran into a group of black Geonosians. "Oh, bugger." He mumbled as they became surrounded. As they fought, the clones realized that none of their attacks were doing any good. Even the attacks from the Jedi and Nairbix didn't do anything aside from decapitating them.
"Back, everyone, back! Take out the tunnel supports, it's the only way." Obi-Wan ordered as they fled into another catacomb.
"What were those things?" Anakin asked, "We couldn't kill them."
"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."
"Spooky." Natasha deadpanned. As they continued their way, they ventured into a warm and foul smelling area.
"Agh, what is that smell?!" Nairbix exclaimed.
"Sorry, it was me." Natasha grinned before inhaling the actual smell, "Hold on, that was not me!"
"I think that what we're smelling is her." Anakin said bluntly as he pointed at the obvious queen. She had the same hideous face as the stone carving from before and by far the largest thorax ever; which is what propped her up. In front of her was Luminara imprisoned in a suspension field.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Anakin sated.
"Is that your catch phrase or something?" Natasha asked bluntly, "You say that on practically every mission. Come up with some new material, damn it."
"She gets cranky when she's in cramped spaces for too long." Nairbix explained as they approached the queen.
"I thought I told you not to follow me, Master Kenobi." Luminara reminded.
"Yes, well, I decided to take a lesson from Anakin and decided not to follow orders." He replied coolly.
"Funny how that worked out, huh?" Nairbix asked.
"You." The queen growled as she pointed at them, "You are the creatures who attacked Geonosia!" She screeched, "Why have you come before me?"
"Your majesty, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." Obi-Wan lied smoothly, "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi and this Anakin Skywalker, Natasha Romanoff and Nairbix VanSull. It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is at an end."
"Yeah, 'sad.'" Nairbix mumbled sarcastically.
"You not dictate to me, Jedi. My empire is forever."
"I'm afraid it does not appear that way, your grace." Obi-Wan disagreed, "You shall release the Jedi Luminara and submit to Republic law."
"Now why do I get the feeling that's not going to happen?" Nairbix thought bluntly as the queen screeched in anger and protest.
"I no submit to you!" She shouted as Anakin drew his lightsaber.
"No, patience, Anakin, wait." Natasha advised as the bugs surrounded them.
"Majesty, destroying us shall only make the Republic's judgment of you harsher." Obi-Wan warned.
"No, Jedi. No! I no destroy you." She denied, "I devour you. I control you." She corrected. "I had but one Jedi before young Poggle bring me. But now I have five."
"Is this a bad time to mention that I'm not a Jedi?" Nairbix asked bluntly as the queen screeched at him. "Just asking."
"Now, watch as my child enters your Jedi friend." She said as a maggot came from one of the zombies' nose and passed over to Poggle. "And once inside, her mind becomes my mind. Her thoughts, my thoughts."
"It's a sort of mind control, a hive mind." Obi-Wan realized, "She thinks she can possess us."
"Great. Find out everything you wanted to know yet?" Anakin asked.
"No, wait. I want to see how it works." He replied.
"I don't think Luminara wants to see how it works." Natasha stressed.
"No, I don't."
"I'm curious. The more we know the better." Obi-Wan retorted as Poggle and the maggot grew closer.
"I disagree!" Luminara stressed nervously.
"So do we." The other two added.
"Come now. The nose or the ear, which do you think it will enter?" Obi-Wan asked.
"My money says it'll be the nose." Nairbix suggested.
"Nairbix!" Anakin and Natasha said in shock.
"What? I'm actually finding this whole thing to be pretty interesting." He replied.
"Glad to her it." Luminara deadpanned as the clones began to attack. In their state of confusion, the Geonosians were unable to defend themselves while Anakin and Luminara managed to grab and cuff Poggle.
"Obi-Wan, look out!" Anakin shouted as he crushed the previous maggot.
"Anakin, no! I was going to study that." He whined.
"Study the bottom of his boot. Come on!" Natasha shouted. As they ran out of the catacombs and escaped the collapsing temple, Anakin looked at their handiwork and grinned.
"All things considered, that went better than I expected." He said.
"That's for sure." Nairbix chuckled as they escorted Poggle to the gunships so he could be taken to Coruscant for trial.
Okay, that whole Guardian bit was one of those techniques that I mentioned before. I realize that I didn't do much with it this time around, but be sure that it will make a comeback. And yes, I added/paraphrased that count scene from The Two Towers with Gimli and Legolas. Hey, that trilogy was freaking badass and awesome! Only watch the extended version though, the other versions are crap in comparison.