Chapter 26: Legacy of Terror
Hello everyone, Happy Belated Star Wars Day! Sorry I couldn't have this done by May the 4th, life was making things difficult to get it done. But better late than never, I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
After Shun, Ahsoka, and Barriss had destroyed the factory, the battle of Geonosis was leaning towards the Republic as their final task was to find Separatist leader Poggle the Lesser.
As a shuttle came to escort the wounded, we saw Barriss and Ahsoka walking towards it.
"Sorry to leave you here, Rex. There's still a lot to do." Ahsoka apologizes.
"You three have done enough destroying that factory. Go get some rest. We'll let General Kenobi take it from here." Rex assures.
"Where's Shun?" Barriss asks looking around.
Nearby, Shun was trying his best to wiggle free from under Haya who was trying to trap him with her worried nuzzles.
"Haya please," Shun begs making both girls and the clone chuckle.
"Alright girl give him some room," Hunter said helping him up.
"She won't leave me alone." Shun pants.
"Don't worry, Wrecker and I keep an on her until you're all rested up," Hunter said.
"This isn't necessary. I can heal myself and be back out there." Shun suggests.
"You just escaped nearly dying under a destroyed factory Shun. Take a breather." Hunter assures.
"Alright. You're in charge until I get back." Shun said as he and Hunter fist-bumped. "I'll be back soon Haya. I promise."
Yelping concerned Haya gave him one last nuzzle followed by a big lick which caused him to cringe.
Laughing Hunter was amused by this as Shun made his way to the shuttle.
"She really cares about you. You're lucky to have such a close companionship with your Varactyl." Barriss smiles trying to keep it together.
"Maybe after a dip in the bacta tank, you should get yourself a nice rinse as well." Ahsoka giggles.
"We'll be back before you know it, Rex," Shun said as the three padawans got on the ship. "Say hi to Master for me."
As they took off to return to the cruiser, we found ourselves on the cliffs overlooking everything as Luminara was keeping watch when a ship landed nearby.
Exiting it, we see Obi-Wan had arrived to take over for Shun, Ahsoka, and Barriss.
"A hard-won victory," Obi-Wan said approaching her.
"Indeed, and a costly one. We suffer a great many losses in these battles. Too many." Luminara said.
"The battles do appear to be coming with growing frequency." Obi-Wan agrees.
"No sign of Poggle then?" Luminara asks.
"Nothing. We have clone squadrons spread out all over the area, but no hits yet. It's time like this I wish we had another Earthbender alongside Shun to help us." Obi-Wan said.
"Your Padawan has earned his rest. If not for him, you, me, and Master Skywalker would be down a Padawan." Luminara said.
"No arguments there. Sometimes I worry that boy pushes himself too far." Obi-Wan sighs.
"I'll go out and find some clue as to where he went." Luminara offers walking towards a speeder.
"I'm sure the clones can handle it," Obi-Wan assures.
"Poggle has too much information about the Separatists to let him get away." Luminara reminds.
"Very well, Master Unduli," Obi-Wan said choosing to let her go.
"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 smirks before racing off.
Meanwhile, racing through the barren lands of Genosis we see Poggle's tank carrying several crates trying to avoid being captured.
As they gained speed one of the crates fell off.
"We lost one." A battle droid said.
Turning to them, Poggle made a clicking noise.
"Poggle says to leave it. We got to keep moving." Another droid said as they left the crate behind.
At one of the docked cruisers, Obi-Wan entered the room to see Ki Adi Mundi examining the maps.
"What's this? I didn't expect to find you up and about." Obi-Wan said approaching him.
"After enough time in a bacta tank, one longs for the mundane comfort of star charts." Ki Adi Mundi answers.
"It seems like it did you some good. Your wound looks almost healed." Obi-Wan said.
"I wish I could say the same for most of my men." Ki Adi said looking out the window at the remains of the destroyed factory.
"Well, let's make sure we don't have to take Geonosis a third time," Obi-Wan said as they turned their attention to the map. "Poggle's forces seem to have come from the northern hemisphere."
"And where was Master Unduli's last contact made from?" Ki Adi asks.
"This region, farther to the west, but there's nothing out there according to our latest intel," Obi-Wan said confused.
However as if on cue, Luminara contracted them. Bringing up, her hologram she found something interesting.
"It appears to be a munitions container of some kind," Luminara reveals having found the crate Poggle had dropped.
"It could just be debris." Ki Adi assumes.
"I don't think so. There was no battle in this area." Luminara informs as her clone; Buzz examines the crate.
"It looks like Poggle was on a direct course, 11 mark 72, that way." Buzz points.
"Headed directly for the Progate Temple." Luminara declares knowing that area.
"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?" Ki Adi theorizes.
"I'm not yet sure. Perhaps he doesn't realize the extent to which we cleared that area." Luminara said as Anakin walked in on screen.
"Master Luminara, I'm tracking a sandstorm that's heading your way," Anakin warns.
"No matter. Poggle is out in the open, and I intend to grab him before he can get off-world." Luminara assures.
"I advise against it. You might get lost in the storm." Ki Adi warns fearing for her safety.
"Then we'd have to find both you and Poggle," Obi-Wan adds.
"I feel it is a risk worth taking," Luminara states not backing down.
"As you wish." Ki Adi said seeing she had made up her mind.
Ending the message, Luminara and Buzz get back on their speeders. "Let's go," Luminara said as they raced off after Poggle as the sandstorm started coming in.
With Poggle's group, the storm was raging to the point you could barely even see what was in front of you.
In the back, two battle droids were struggling to keep up.
"OM-5, are you still there?" A droid asks.
"Yes. I think I'm right next to you." OM-5 said.
"Where is Lord Poggle taking us?" The droid asks but gets no response. "OM-5? OM-5!"
Clicking, Poggle told the droid to keep moving.
"Yes sir. Right away sir." The droid said following them unaware that OM-5 had been buried in the sand nearby due to the storm.
"Don't leave me," OM-5 said struggling to move but shutting down.
Behind them, Luminara and Buzz were racing after them.
"I can't see Poggle in this storm," Buzz informs.
"We'll reach the temple soon. We can get out of the storm there." Luminara said as they unknowingly raced over OM-5 who had now been completely buried under the sand except for his legs.
Back at the Republic camp, they were all waiting for the storm out in the cruiser. And Anakin was looking out the window at the storm wondering what was keeping Luminara.
"What could be taking her so long? Something must have happened." Anakin assumes.
"Patience, Skywalker. It's a delicate operation. I'm sure we'll have more information soon." Ki Adi assured but Anakin wasn't so sure.
"I must admit, I am troubled that we've not heard from her. Let's not start worrying yet. Luminara's not one to take unnecessary risks." Ki Adi said knowing their ally.
Back with Luminara and Buzz, the two of them arrived at the temple to see Poggle's tank parked outside it.
Racing inside, the two of them climbed off their speeders finally out of the storm.
"You were right. He's here somewhere." Buzz confirms as Luminara attempts to make contact.
"Master Kenobi. We tracked Poggle to the Progate Temple, but now there's no sign of him." Luminara informs.
"Go no further until we can send support." Obi-Wan answers.
The storm is making things difficult. We can barely read your transmission as it is." Obi-Wan informs as Buzz looks around.
Gazing at the architecture, Buzz noticed a statue of a Geonosian with a regal look to it. Turning his attention downwards he noticed a small opening in the floor that went down into the temple's catacombs.
"Are you sure he went into the temple?" Ki Adi asks.
"Yes, we saw him enter, but I think he's gone down into the catacombs below." Luminara theorizes.
"Those catacombs go on for miles. I fear we may have lost him. Get yourself out of there." Obi-Wan suggests when they heard a muffled screaming from the other side.
As Luminara ignited her lightsaber the connection was suddenly severed.
"Master Unduli? Master Unduli!" Obi-Wan calls out but gets no answer.
"We've lost the connection." Ki Adi said as Anakin turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Obi-Wan asks.
"Take a wild guess," Anakin said eager to go after Luminara and help her.
"We'll never get to her in this storm. The gunships can't handle it." Ki Adi warns.
"What about Haya?" Anakin asks.
"We can't fit all of us on one varactyl." Obi-Wan said shutting that idea down.
"We can't just wait!" Anakin snaps.
"I'm sorry, Skywalker. We have no choice. We must be patient and trust in Master Unduli." Ki Adi said.
"We'll leave as soon as the storm lifts." Obi-Wan states.
As much as Anakin hated it, he knew he had to wait.
Once the storm cleared, a gunship flew across the planet to the Temple.
Exiting the ship, we see Anakin, Obi-Wan, Cody, Crosshair, Tech, and a squad of clones ready to enter.
"You two stay in the back and keep a watch for anything that appears off," Obi-Wan said to Crosshair and Tech.
"Yes sir." Tech nods.
"Something even blinks I'll see it," Crosshair assures.
"Spread out and look around men," Anakin said as they made their way inside.
Weapons at the ready, the clones searched the temple Cody noticed something among the rubble.
Walking closer to it, he saw the lifeless body of Buzz.
"Buzz is dead." Cody declares getting their attention.
"Any sign of Luminara?" Anakin asks but Cody shakes his head.
Looking at the small opening, Obi-Wan saw several scratch marks on the ground.
"There was a struggle." Obi-Wan realized.
Looking around the temple, Obi-Wan noticed a lightsaber on the floor.
"This is not a good sign." Bending down, Obi-Wan shows it to him.
"Luminara's Lightsaber," Anakin said taking it from him. "Poggle couldn't have done this. But maybe that one could." Looking up Anakin points to the statue.
"That is one ugly bug," Cody said as Tech walked over. to examine it.
"I haven't seen one that looks like that before," Anakin said.
"I don't believe anyone has." Obi-Wan agrees.
"It could be the Geonosian queen," Tech said getting their attention.
"The bugs have a queen?" Anakin asks not liking the sound of that.
"There are many rumors but no one has seen or heard of her. But bugs colonies don't just sprout up out of nowhere." Tech said as Anakin clips Luminara's saber to his belt. "They had to come from somewhere."
"You mean like there," Obi-Wan said looking towards a pathway under the statue. "This way."
As Obi-Wan and Anakin ignited their lightsabers to use as lights and all the clones turned on their headlamps.
Making their way through the tunnels, Tech and Cody were helping them navigate their way through.
As Obi-Wan is about to go in one direction, Tech grabs his shoulder.
"I wouldn't go down that one. Leads to a dead end." Tech informs.
"Which way should we go then?" Obi-Wan asks.
"I'd recommend this one," Cody said pointing to a smaller passage nearby. "This one goes down the furthest."
"I'll go first," Obi-Wan said checking the situation with Anakin right behind him.
In a nearby tunnel, Luminara was cuffed and dragged down the hall by Geonosians with Poggle the lesser leading them.
Slowly Luminara began to regain consciousness to see the Geonosians dragging her had pale skin and a zombie-like look in their eyes.
Realizing her situation, Luminara breaks free from their hold and backflips away from them.
She tried to grab her lightsaber but realized she didn't have it.
As they tried to recapture her, Luminara knocked one away before delivering a strike to one's chest but it didn't feel any pain whatsoever.
Shrieking at her, the Geonosian didn't seem tired in the slightest as the others attacked her.
Fighting them off, Luminara takes out her commlink.
"Master Kenobi!" Luminara said as Obi-Wan picked up her message. "If you're following me,
you must leave this place. Just get out! I repeat, fall back—!" Before she could finish her warning the Geonosians grabbed her and severed the connection.
"She must be close by. Come on." Obi-Wan said as they ran through the tunnels to catch up with her.
But as they got deeper in, Crosshair heard a clicking noise.
"Stop!" He calls out firing a shot past them and hitting something.
As something hit the ground they all looked to see the creepy Geonosians emerge from one hallway.
"I don't like the looks of this," Obi-Wan said as more came in from the opposite side surrounding them.
"Look out!" Cody yells as they open fire while Anakin and Obi-Wan attack with their lightsabers.
As the blasts hit the Genosians right in the head they expected them to fall back but they kept moving.
Crosshair fires a shot and when the Geonosian recovers he notices a yellow worm-like creature dangling from its nose before going back inside.
"What the?" Crosshair mutters never seeing anything like that before.
"We can't stop them!" Cody said.
Swinging his lightsaber Anakin slices an arm off followed by its head causing the Geonosian to fall to the ground and the worm creature slithered out.
Behind him, Obi-Wan did a series of slashes cutting a Geonosian in half but the half that was its upper body kept crawling towards him.
But while he was confused the Geonosians grabbed two clones and pulled them into the deep tunnels below.
"Look out! Don't let them surround you!" Obi-Wan yells when one grabs Tech and tries yanking him in despite being shot multiple times.
"Tech!" Anakin gasps.
Retracting his lightsaber, Anakin hurls a blast of fire hitting the Geonosian dead center.
Screaming the Geonosian released tech as its entire body burst into flames causing it to fall through the hole and disappear.
"Fall back!" Obi-Wan orders. "Take out the tunnel supports! It's the only way!"
As the clones fired at the supports, the tunnel collapsed over the Geonosians while everyone else escaped through a small tunnel nearby.
Once they were a good distance away, they stopped to catch their breath.
"What were those things? We couldn't kill a single one of them." Crosshair asks.
"I've researched the Geonosian species. And there is mention of a hive mind so strong it can maintain its connection even after the Geonosian has died." Tech recalls.
"So the reason nothing could kill or hurt them." Anakin starts.
"Is because they're already dead." Obi-Wan finishes.
"Exactly." Tech nods.
"That can't be right. That's impossible." Anakin denies.
"Impossible or not, these creatures keep moving after we cut them up or shoot them down. The only thing they seemed to have some difficulty with was your fire." Obi-Wan said looking at Anakin.
"Well at least now we have a way to get through them in case we ever see them again," Anakin said happy Shun made him a firebender.
"We better call for reinforcements," Obi-Wan said as Anakin tried to send a message but his commlink wasn't working.
"No signal." Anakin sighs.
"We must be too deep underground." Obi-Wan realized before looking at two clones. "You two go back to the surface and contact General Mundi. We need Reinforcements."
"Yes sir." The clones nod as they split up.
As the main group went in one direction the other two clones went in the opposite.
"I won't be unhappy to get out from under all this dirt." One clone said as they made their way through the tunnel.
"This place gives me the shivers." The other clone agrees. Little did they know, more undead Geonosians were hanging from the ceiling.
Making their way up the steps, one turned around aiming his gun and light at the wall but saw nothing.
"Wind's probably playing tricks on us, right?" He asks hopefully that's all it was.
"Look around, there's nothing—" But before he could finish a familiar shriek echoed from nearby. "What the?!" Turning around the Undead Geonosians were making their way towards them from down a tunnel.
"Blast them!" As the clones fired at them, the Geonosians kept moving towards them.
"They're not going down! We have to turn back!" One said but when he turned more Undead Geonosians came up from behind and grabbed him.
Screaming he tried to break free but they yanked him away.
"No!" The other clone tried to save him but more Geonosians grabbed him.
On the opposite end of the tunnels, their screams echoed back to the group.
Turning around, they made their way back only to see both soldiers dead and on the ground.
"Obviously this thing is a lot more powerful than we assumed. I'm going to the surface to alert General Mundi myself." Anakin volunteers.
"I think that would be a foolhardy move, Anakin. We can't divide our troops again. We don't have time to double back to the surface. Every moment we waste puts Luminara in greater danger." Obi-Wan said.
"Assuming she's still alive," Crosshair said as they continued their search through the tunnels.
Fortunately, Crosshair was wrong in this case as we find Luminara suspended in a large room.
Slowly waking up, she sees several undead Geonosians harvesting larvae from something. Turning her head, she looks in horror to see a large Geonosian like the one in the statue. She had no wings, but a large body. This was the Geonosian Queen.
In the tunnels, nearby Tech was leading the group holding up a device.
"Something is living nearby. My readings say the temperature in this tunnel is warmer than anywhere else in the catacombs." Tech said pointing down one.
Making their way through it, Anakin cringed holding his nose.
"Ugh forget it. It smells even worse down here." Anakin cringed.
"Keep your voice down," Obi-Wan said as they came out the other end of the tunnel.
"I'm just saying. This planet is rotten from the inside out." Anakin said as they walked towards a large room and saw the Geonosian Queen, Luminara, Poggle, and many Undead Geonosians. "I got a bad feeling about this," Anakin said as everyone else walked up behind him.
"The Geonosian Queen." Tech declares before taking note of her lower half. "Hmm seems the hints to her left out a few details."
"I can see why. It's hard to look at." Cody mocks.
"Any sign of Luminara?" Obi-Wan asks.
"I see her. She's suspended near the throne." Crosshair points.
"Perfect. What about Poggle?" Anakin asks.
"He's speaking with the Queen." Crosshair notices.
"Good. Cody, you take the soldiers. I'll take the Queen." Anakin said ready to take them down.
"Must you always rush into things?" Obi-Wan asks and Anakin immediately knows what he is thinking.
"Oh, no. You don't actually want to talk to it, do you?" Anakin groans.
"Matter of fact, I do. Anakin, 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 lists thinking of possible reasons.
"Leverage for what? No, there's something else going on here, and these zombies are connected to it." Obi-Wan explains.
"Fine. We'll try it your way." Anakin said annoyed that they had to talk first rather than fight.
"So glad you agree," Obi-Wan said before turning towards Cody. "Cody set your men up around the perimeter. These creatures live in darkness. The light from your helmet 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 reminds.
"We know they don't like fire." Obi-Wan hints looking to Anakin.
"That'll stop them for a bit. We do that and we can take out the support pillars. That'll give us time to escape." Anakin finishes.
"You know enough to make a decent fire?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.
"We'll find out." Anakin smirks.
With the clones taking their positions, Anakin and Obi-Wan approached the Queen.
Screeching loudly, the Queen noticed their presence while the Undead Geonosians let them pass.
"How did you know they wouldn't just attack us?" Anakin asks looking at Obi-Wan.
"Because I make observations, while you think with your lightsaber." Obi-Wan mocks as Poggle stands near Luminara.
"Well, that quick thinking of mine is usually needed when your observations get us into trouble." Anakin mocks back.
"Anakin, the queen took Luminara hostage. She wanted a Jedi, but now she has two more. I want to know what she's after." Obi-Wan said.
"Well, when this doesn't go as planned, which it won't, I'll be ready," Anakin smirks thinking this plan would blow up in his face.
"That is so reassuring." Obi-Wan rolls his eyes.
"I thought I told you not to follow me, Master Kenobi," Luminara said as they stopped in front of the queen.
"Yes, well, I took a lesson from my Padawans and chose not to follow orders." Obi-Wan smirks.
"Hey." Anakin glares offended by that.
"I'm not just talking about you." Obi-Wan counters but that didn't lessen the blow by much.
"You." The Queen said pointing at them. "You are the creatures that attack 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." Obi-Wan introduces. "It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is at an end."
"You not dictate to me, Jedi! My empire is forever!" The Queen refuses.
"I'm afraid it does not appear that way, Your Grace. You shall release the Jedi Luminara and submit to Republic law." Obi-Wan insists causing the Queen to let out a screech of rage.
"I no submit to you!" The Queen declares as one Geonosian aimed a blaster at Anakin who drew his lightsaber in defense.
Reaching out, Obi-Wan grabs his arm. "No. Patience Anakin. Wait."
Deactivating his lightsaber, both his, Luminara's, and Obi-Wan's sabers were confiscated.
"Majesty, destroying us shall only make the Republic's judgment of you harsher," Obi-Wan warns.
"Not to mention, we have a guy on this planet who can manipulate lava and doesn't like it when people get on his bad side which will happen if you mess with us," Anakin warns.
"Lava?" Obi-Wan pauses looking at Anakin hearing this detail for the first time.
"I'll tell you later." Anakin snickers.
The Queen however was not as intrigued. "No, Jedi. No! I no destroy you, I devour you! I control you. I had but one Jedi before young Poggle brought me, but now I have three. Now, watch as my child enters your Jedi friend."
As an Undead Geonosian approaches another, we see it hold out a strange fruit with a yellow worm inside.
'Wait, that thing.' Crosshair thought remembering seeing one in the Undead Geonosian.
"And once inside, her mind becomes my mind, her thoughts, my thoughts." The Queen explains as Poggle took the worm creature and held it out towards Luminara.
"It's a sort of mind control, a hive mind. She thinks she can possess us." Obi-Wan realizes.
"Great. Find out everything you wanted to know yet?" Anakin asks.
"No, wait, I want to see how it works," Obi-Wan said.
"I don't think Luminara wants to see how it works." Anakin gestures.
"No, I don't," Luminara said agreeing with Anakin.
"I'm curious. The more we know, the better." Obi-Wan said as Poggle approached Luminara.
"I disagree," Luminara said not wanting that thing anywhere near her.
"So do I." Anakin agrees.
"Come, now, the nose or the ear Which do you think it will enter?" Obi-Wan asks as Poggle lifts his hand up towards her head.
"The nose." Anakin guesses as the worm is placed on her.
"I hope this is part of the plan," Luminara said hopefully.
"Isn't it always?" Obi-Wan smirks. "Cody! Now!"
Emerging from their hiding spots, all the clones turned on their lights blinding the Queen and the Undead Geonosians.
Using the Force, Anakin and Obi-Wan get their lightsabers back and go on the attack.
Activating his and Luminara's sabers, Anakin slashes his way towards her.
Holding out his hand, Obi-Wan pulls the worm off Luminara's face just as Anakin frees her.
Handing her back her lightsaber, Luminara immediately points it at Poggle making him click in surrender.
"You're coming with us, Poggle." Taking out a pair of cuffs, Anakin slaps them around Poggle's arms.
The Undead Geonosians try to attack them but they push back so they can escape.
"Obi-Wan look out!" Anakin said noticing the worm in his hand.
Running over he smacks it onto the floor.
"Anakin no!" Obi-Wan said but Anakin stomped it dead into the ground. "What are you doing? I was going to study that."
"Study the bottom of my boot. Come on, let's get out of here." Anakin urges much to Obi-Wan's frustration.
Once they made it back to the clones, Anakin made fire appear in his hands.
Hurling it at the ground, the flames grew scaring the Undead Geonosians into stepping back.
"Now!" Anakin yells.
"Take out the supports!" Tech said throwing up a puck.
Aiming at it, Crosshair fires causing the blast to fire in different directions which combined with the Clone Fire hit every support pillar in the room causing the whole place to fall apart and come down right on the Queen and Geonosians.
Running out as fast as they could the Undead Geonosians tried to claw their way through the small gaps in the rocks.
"They're still coming!" Cody calls out.
Making their way through the tunnels, Luminara starts at one intersection where light is coming in.
"That's our way out." She points.
"Start climbing!" Anakin orders.
Grabbing Poggle, Obi-Wan threw him upwards so he would climb out along with the rest of them.
As Tech, Crosshair, and Cody held them off to give everyone a headstart the Undead Geonosians were getting closer.
"Come on!" Grabbing Cody, Tech, and Crosshair pull him up and they all start climbing.
Seeing what they were trying to do, the Undead Geonosians tried following after them.
Unfortunately, due to them taking out the support pillars, the whole temple was beginning to collapse as well. Resulting in rocks falling through the hole towards them.
"Look out!" Luminara calls out trying to avoid the rocks.
The Undead Geonisans however were getting bombarded with them and fell back into the tunnels.
In her throne room, the Queen was screeching as her entire temple was coming down right on top of her, and unlike the smaller Geonosians, she had no way to escape.
Making their way out of the tunnels, they sprinted out as fast as they could just narrowly avoiding the wreckage as the temple was all but destroyed.
"All things considered, that went better than I expected." Anakin smirks.
"I wish we could have gotten one of those worms. Knowing how the queen controls her minions could have proven valuable." Obi-Wan said.
"Well, hopefully, the secret is buried with her," Anakin said as they looked upon the ruined Temple. They had saved Luminara and captured Poggle the Lesser. This battle of Geonosis was finally coming to a close.