//------------------------------//
// Chapter 49: Legacy of Terror 
// Story: Star Wars: The Great War 
// by ShootingStar25 
//------------------------------//

Sometimes, accepting help is harder than offering it.

Recap: Victory on Geonosis. After a massive planetary siege, the Separatist forces on Geonosis have finally fallen. Key weapons factories have been destroyed but at a heavy cost to Republic troops. Now, as Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and Obi-Wan Kenobi begin a cleanup of the planet, they launch an intense campaign to find separatist leader Poggle the Lesser and bring him to justice. 

With the recent, long, hard-fought victory. The Republic was now doing some cleanup from the massive invasion they all took part in. Barriss, Ahsoka, and Twilight were all about to board a gunship as they were leaving the battlefield to get some rest after the near-death experience they had.

"Sorry to leave you here, Rex. There's still a lot to do," said Ahsoka to the clone as the girls felt bad to have to leave the cleanup to them.

"You three have done enough destroying that factory. Go get some rest. We'll let General Kenobi take it from here." assured the clone commander to the girls that they would be alright.

"We'll be back before you know it, Captain Rex," stated Barriss.

The girls turned to leave as Storm grabbed Twilight's shoulder as he got the princess to stop and look at him.

"You sure you don't want me to go with you, Sparky?" asked the boy as he was a bit worried.

"I'm fine. Besides, when did you start caring for my well-being?" asked Twilight with a smug smile.

"W-Well... I... I mean... you..." Storm was stuttering over his words as he rubbed his neck trying to address his partner's question. Twilight could see the way her partner was acting as she giggled, bringing her hand to her mouth.

"You know... you... I... mean..." Storm was then silenced as Twilight placed her hand on his cheek.

"I appreciate the gesture. It's nice to know you care. But I'll be fine." said Twilight as she slowly removed her hand from her partner's cheek as she turned and boarded the ship.

"Be safe,... Princess." smiled Storm.

"I will,... Jedi Knight," said Twilight returning the same warm, loving smile to her partner.

"We're ready, sir," said a clone to Rex as the gunship the girls were on now took off.

Several more gunships took off as they were filled with injured clones. Up on a cliff, Master Luminara was seeing the cleanup operation in effect. At that moment, a few more gunships landed behind her as out came Kenobi who had finally managed to recover from the wounds he suffered previously. He approached his fellow Jedi Master brethren as he discussed with her the details.

"A hard-won victory," said Kenobi making his presence known. 

"Indeed. And a costly one. We suffer a great many losses in these battles. Too many." said Luminara as Obi-wan stood beside her looking down the cliff. 

"The battles do appear to be coming with growing frequency."

"No sign of Poggle, then?" asked the female Jedi Master.

"Nothing. We have clone squadrons spread out all over the area, but no hits yet," said Kenobi as they couldn't seem to find the Geonosian.

"I'll go out and find some clue as to where he went," said Luminara as she walked to a speeder in front of her.

"I'm sure the clones can handle it..."

"Poggle has too much information about the Separatists to let him get away."

"Very well, Master Unduli," said the Jedi Master as he knew he couldn't change her mind.

"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," smiled smugly the Jedi Master to Obi-wan as she took off with a clone accompanying her.

Speaking of the Jedi's target, Poggle was shown traveling across a plain. He was on a tank that held several droids as they dragged along some crates via tractor beam. Seems they were heading somewhere, but where, that had yet to be discussed. As they were traveling, one of the crates fell.

"We lost one!" said a B1 droid as they saw the crate fall.

Poggle merely gave some clicks.

"Lord Poggle says to leave it. We got to keep moving," responded another B1 droid as they had to get to their destination before they were found.




In one of the Republic Acclamator ships, Obi-wan walked into the communications room. He was shocked to see that both Luna and Mundi were moving about, and they too had healed from the wounds they suffered with him during the early campaign of the invasion.

"What's this? I didn't expect to find you two up and about," said Kenobi to his fellow Jedi Masters.

"After enough time in a bacta tank, one longs for the mundane comfort of star charts," responded Master Mundi.

"Plus, my hair was getting rather messy," said Luna doing a quick hair flip as being injured caused her hair to become crazy.

"Well, it seems like it did you both some good. Your wounds look almost healed," complimented Kenobi.

"I wish I could say the same for most of my men," said Mundi as both he and Luna lost a lot of soldiers from their individual squads. 

"Let's make sure we don't have to take Geonosis a third time," stated Luna as all three looked out the window.

"Poggle's forces seem to have come from the northern hemisphere," stated Kenobi as all three turned to look at the map as it showed the planet.

"And where was Master Unduli's last contact made from?" asked Master Mundi.

"This region is farther to the west, but there's nothing out there according to our latest intel," said Luna as she pointed at the planet.

Meanwhile, Master Luminara and her clone escort were out in the desert as they were searching for Poggle. They stood on top of a cliff as the Jedi Master saw the crate that was dropped by the Geonosian when he was traveling to where he was going.

"There."

"Where?" asked the clone as he didn't see what the Jedi Master was looking at. 

"150 klicks southeast," pointed the Jedi Master as the clone now looked through his binoculars in the direction that was stated. Moments later, Luminara began to contact the others, "It appears to be a munitions container of some kind."

"It could just be debris," said Master Mundi.

"I don't think so. There was no battle in this area," said Luminara.

"It looks like Poggle was on a direct course, 11 mark 72, that way," said the clone as he was bent in front of the crate to inspect it and pointed in the direction.

"Headed directly for the Progate Temple," clarified Luminara.

"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?" said Luna.

"I'm not yet sure. Perhaps he doesn't realize the extent to which we cleared that area," said Luminara to Luna.

At that moment, coming into the room with the Jedi Masters were Anakin and Storm.

"Master Luminara, I'm tracking a sandstorm that's heading your way," stated Anakin.

"No matter. Poggle is out in the open, and I intend to grab him before he can get offworld," stated the Jedi Master.

"I advise against it. You might get lost in the storm," warned Master Mundi.

"Then we'd have to find both you and Poggle," added Kenobi.

"I feel it is a risk worth taking" stated Luminara.

"As you wish," said Luna as the transmission ended.

"Let's go." said the Jedi Master to her clone as the pair got on their bikes and headed in the direction that Poggle was in.

True to what Anakin reported, a huge sandstorm hit the planet. Poggle and his forces were caught in the thick of it as they were trekking past the harsh weather. Even the droids behind the tank were being affected by the weather as the sand was affecting their bodies.

"O.M.5, are you still there?" asked a B1 droid to his comrade who was next to him.

"I think I'm right next to you," responded the droid.

"Where is Lord Poggle taking us?" asked the droid as he could barely see his comrade due to the sandstorm. "OM5? OM5!"

The sandstorm was so bad that one second the droid was there and the next he was gone. Poggle then gave a click as gave his orders to the droid.

"Yes, sir. Right away, sir," responded the droid as they continued.

"Don't leave me," said the droid left behind as he powered down. Soon the sandstorm took over as it covered the body of the robot, and he was never seen again.




At the same time, Luminara and her clone were riding through the sandstorm.

"I can't track Poggle in this storm," said the clone.

"We'll reach the temple soon. We can get out of the storm there," assured the Jedi Master.

Back at the base, the Jedi were looking out of the window as they saw the sandstorm. And it was brutal.

"What could be taking her so long? Something must have happened."

"Patience, Skywalker. It's a delicate operation. I'm sure we'll have more information soon." stated Master Mundi as he could sense the Jedi Knight was worried.

"I must admit, I am troubled that we've not heard from her," said Kenobi as he too was a bit concerned.

"Let's not start worrying yet. Luminara's not one to take unnecessary risks," said Luna to Obi-wan.

Eventually, Luminara and her clone made it through the sandstorm as they reached their destination. They zoomed past the tank Poggle was riding in and past the above entrance as there was a strange-looking statue head.

"You were right. He's here somewhere," said the clone as he began to check for clues.

The pair entered the temple as all more creepy Geonosian statues were shown as the sign of fear could be seen and heard in the place. Luminara then began to contact the others.

"Master Kenobi, we tracked Poggle to the Progate Temple, but now there's no sign of him."

"Go no further until we can send support. It's difficult with the storm We can barely read your transmission as it is."

The clone continued to walk further as he approached a gate. He looked up and saw another creepy statue. He then looked down as he saw a rock that seem to cover a hole that was slightly uncovered.

"Are you sure he went into the temple?" asked Master Mundi.

"We saw him enter, but I think he's gone down into the catacombs below," responded Luminara.

"Those catacombs go on for miles. I fear we may have lost him. Get yourself out of there." stated Luna.

At that moment, there was a scream heard through the transmission. Luminara in the hologram looked behind her as turned on her lightsaber.

"Master Unduli! Master Unduli!!!" shouted Obi-wan as everyone saw her as the transmission ended.

"We've lost the connection," said Master Mundi.

"Where are you going?" asked Kenobi as he saw Anakin starting to leave.

"Take a guess," was all Anakin said.

"We'll never get to her in this storm. The gunships can't handle it," stated Kenobi to his student.

"We can't wait!"

"I'm sorry, Skywalker. We have no choice. We must be patient and trust in Master Unduli." said Master Mundi.

"We'll leave as soon as the storm lifts," said Obi-wan as that was all he could say.

With no choice, the Jedi all had to wait before they would head out to help their comrade. Luna excused herself as she took Storm out of the room. They were now in the hallway as the Jedi Master had to have a few choice words with her student.

"Storm!!" said Luna using her strict voice.

"Yes, Master?"

"Was the droid factory destroyed?" 

"Luna, what kind of--"

"Answer the Question!!!" said Luna as she wasn't going to play around with her student's attitude.

"Y-Yes," stuttered the boy as he stared at his master's eyes.

"Good! Now... what... did... you... do... when... the girls... were... trapped?!!!" glared Luna now towering over her student as Storm backed up a bit.

"I... panicked... and tried to get them out," said Storm.

"Now... what about Twilight!!!"

"I was scared. She... was trapped. And if she didn't come back alive, Master Celestia would be furious with me. Not to mention her parents. Plus, we made a small oath together. We're friends."

"This partnership... this partnership... This Partnership!!! I will say this again... just like Luminara told me of how you acted. And I will say the same thing she told you... Jedi do not form attachments."

"Luna, what are you..."

"SHUT UP!!!" shouted Luna using her angry mother voice. "Jedi do not form attachments!"

Storm was lost in Luna's eyes as he saw the anger and disappointment that his master had. The boy simply got to his knees and bowed his head as he remained silent. For the Jedi Knight, he was awaiting the judgement that his master would give him for disobeying her.

"Understood, Master," stated the boy.

"You are forgiven," said the Jedi Master as she was still pissed off with her apprentice. "Now, go get ready to leave with Kenobi and Skywalker."

The boy got up and kept his head down to avoid further disrespecting his master. He soon left as he got himself ready for the mission he was about to go on. 

Storm, your destiny is to become a Jedi Master. That path is already set for you. You need to stay on that course. But if you continue to act this way with Twilight, then you will be nothing but a failure. That is a guarantee, I promise you.




The sandstorm soon ended. Both Jedi Knights and Obi-wan left as they took Commander Cody and a few more clones. They all boarded a gunship as they were starting to make their way to Master Luminara's last known location. They were soon flying about and they eventually arrived just outside of the temple as they all got off and looked at the place. Once more the strange creepy statues gave off an eerie vibe.

"Stay alert, everyone," said Kenobi as they entered the temple. 

"Spread out and look around, men," ordered Anakin to the troops.

The clones began to cautiously walk as Cody then saw something.

"Generals!" said the clone as the Jedi made their way toward him. "Buzz is dead." stated the commander as they found the body of their fallen clone brother.

"Any sign of Luminara?" asked Storm.

"No, sir."

Obi-wan then looked to the floor as he saw the same hole in the ground that Buzz found before he was attacked. However, unlike before, it was now open a bit more.

"There was a struggle," said Kenobi as he walked. He then saw Master Luminara's weapon as he picked it up. "This is not a good sign."

"Luminara's lightsaber," said Anakin as he grabbed it from his master's hand.

"Let me see," stated Storm.

The Jedi Knight was now tuning his mind as he was doing the trick that Luna taught him. The boy had his eyes closed but in his mind, mirage-like images were happening. However, the Force wasn't responding properly to the boy as he couldn't make out the exact descriptions. He was able to confirm that Obi-wan was right as he saw the shadow of Luminara as she was then dragged away by some other things, one of them being huge.

"Well, I can't fully make out what happened, but Obi-wan is right."

"Still, Poggle didn't do this," said Anakin as he knew the cowardly Geonosian would never be able to take on someone as powerful and skillful as Luminara. "But maybe that did."

The Jedi Knight was looking up at the entrance to a doorway. On top was another creepy statue, but it was different. In fact, the image of the face matched the description of the huge shadow that Storm was shown in his mind.

"That is one ugly bug," said Cody looking at the face.

"I haven't seen one that looks like that before," said Anakin. 

"I don't believe anyone has. It could be the Geonosian queen," informed Kenobi.

"Hold on, the bugs have a queen?" said Anakin as he was now worried to hear that bit of news.

"I mean they're insects, Anakin. How else do you think they're born?" said Storm.

"Hmm, it's been rumored. But we haven't found any proof of her existence," said the Jedi Master as he now approached the open door that led down into the catacombs.

"Until now," said Anakin also looking into the dark corridor.

"Oh shit," said Storm as he could tell this wasn't going to go well once they entered.

"This way," said Kenobi as he and the Jedi Knights turned on their lightsabers.

"Come on, then. Let's move," said Cody to the men.

The group now began to head into the dark catacomb as Obi-wan led the way. The clones turned on the flashlights on their helmets as they were trailing behind the Jedi. Immediately upon entering, the group was welcome to so many, many tunnels that were in different directions. The air itself was a bit cold and damp as all around was darkness. The small light provided by our group only allowed them to see a few meters in front of them.

They traveled for a bit as they came to a crossroad as they turned right. The clones covered the rear flank as they followed the Jedi. They would check once in a while at the small dark tunnels as if expecting to find something. Cody's tracker on his comlink was beeping as the clone commander was telling the Jedi where to go.

"This leads to a dead-end," said the clone as they got to the end of the tunnel with nothing but a wall. He then bent down to look at the corridor next to him as he raised his wrist. "This one goes down the furthest. Sir, I'd say that's our best bet."

"I'll go first," said Kenobi as he crouched walk into the tunnel with Anakin and Storm following their friend with their blades still turned on. The clones soon followed after the boys.

While the group continued on their path, in another part of the catacombs, Master Luminara was shown. The female Jedi Master was unconscious. She was being dragged along by some Geonosians as they followed Poggle. The only light that was emitting was from her cufflinks. They were currently traveling through a tunnel heading somewhere. The Jedi Master soon came to as she opened her eyes and saw her situation.

She was being dragged by some Geonosians, yet, there was something strange about them. The way they walked alone, meant something about them. Even more behind them, they all had a similar walk. The Jedi Master immediately flipped backward as she got free from their grip. She landed, in the dark, only the eyes of the Geonosians were shown as they were scary as hell, along with the way they walked.

As they crept towards her, Luminara dodged and began to use her legs to kick them away. She thrust her arms forward as she embedded her hands into the guts of one of the Geonosians and a few drops of its blood leaked out. Normally, they would kill the creature, yet it didn't. Instead, the creature simply screeched into her face as it didn't feel any pain. The Jedi Master panicked a bit as she pulled out and kicked the creature away. She ran as she came to a dead end. More tried to grab her as she continued to fight. She then pulled out her communicator as she began to contact her allies.

"Master Kenobi!"

Obi-wan heard the transmission as the group was walking. He pulled it out and heard Luminara's voice.

"If you're following me, you must leave this place. Just get out. I repeat, fall ba..."

The Jedi Master didn't finish her statement as the transmitter was grabbed from her hands. Soon on the wall showed the shadow of the Jedi Master as it was then piled on by the shadows of the Geonosians to depict the picture of what was happening.

"She must be close by. Come on!" shouted Obi-wan as he began to lead the group down a tunnel as they ran.

They ran a few meters as soon a quiet clicking sound was heard. Obi-wan pointed his lightsaber out in front as some clones shined their flashlights forward. With the light, the group saw the Geonosians coming at them, but they had a similar stance to the ones that attacked Luminara. Their arms out in front as if reaching for the group.

"I don't like the looks of this," said Kenobi.

The group in front was getting closer. To make matters worst, behind them, more Geonosians were shown walking funny towards them.

"Look out!" shouted Cody.

One of them flung themselves at the group as Storm cut it in half diagonally. Now a full fight was engaging. The Jedi used their lightsabers to fully slash and slice at the Geonosians that were coming with the clones firing. Cody aimed his blaster to shoot a Geonosian in the face as its head reeled back. Not a second later, did it reel back as if the blast didn't do anything. There was a small strange thing that slithered in between the Geonosian's nose before it went back inside the creature. But the fact that these creatures could tank blaster shots and not go down meant that something was unsettling about them.

"I can't stop them!" said Cody to the Jedi. 

Anakin slashed at the creature Cody shot as he cut off his arm, but even then, the creature didn't go down. It wasn't until he sliced its head off that it fell to the floor. The small thing that was inside of the creature appeared in the dark before slithering away.

The group was now starting to get slightly overwhelmed even with the Jedi slashing at them. Obi-wan heard some screams coming as he saw some Geonosians grab and drag some clones towards some tunnels. He tried to run to their aid but was too slow as the creatures dragged them into the darkness as he blamed himself for their deaths.

"Back, everyone, back!" shouted the Jedi Master to avoid any more casualties. "Take out the tunnel supports. It's the only way."

The remaining clones heard the Jedi's order as they fired above. The supports began to crumble as the group retreated. They all rushed to a nearby tunnel as they allowed the clones to go through first before they too did with Obi-wan being the last to enter. They got in just in time as the rocks came tumbling down and dirt overtook them. They all made it safely to a secure place as everybody took a moment to catch their breath and relax their nerves.

"What were those things? We couldn't kill them," said Anakin to his master as they all leaned against a tunnel.

"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," informed Obi-wan as he leaned against a wall with his hand on his beard.

"So, we're dealing with like freaking zombies here?!" shouted Storm as he was now a bit fearful of the creatures. "Luna didn't prepare me for this?!!!"

"And you think that's why we couldn't kill them, because they're..." started Anakin.

"Already dead, yes," said Kenobi as he finished his student's sentence.

"That can't be true. That's impossible," said Storm as he wasn't buying that those zombies were real.

"Impossible or not, these creatures keep moving after we cut them up or shoot them down," said the Jedi Master as he began to walk forward pulling out his blade. "Call for reinforcements."

"There's no signal," said Anakin as he raised his comlink but got a faint signal which soon died out.

"We must be too deep underground," stated Kenobi. "You two, head back to the surface and contact General Mundi and General Luna. Tell them we need reinforcements." 

"Yes, sir," said the clones Obi-wan selected as they crouch through a small tunnel and were making their way back to the way they came.

"I won't be unhappy to get out from under all this dirt. This place gives me the shivers," said one of the clones.

The pair kept on walking down the tunnel. They were unaware that they passed a Geonosoian who simply opened his eyes. It gave a low growl that caused both of them to turn behind with their guns and flashlights pointed. But they saw nothing.

"Wind's probably playing tricks on us, right?" said the other clone a bit scared.

"Look around. There's nothing..." a zombie shriek was heard as both looked in front, "What the?"

More undead Geonosians were coming at them. 

"Blast 'em!"

Both clones began to fire at the zombies in front of them as their shots were being absorbed by the creatures as they kept on moving forward.

"They're not going down! We have to turn back!" said the clone.

He turned around as he was met face to face with a hanging Geonosian who shrieked in his face. He then grabbed the clone and began to lift him.

"Gearshift!" shouted the other clone as he grabbed his comrade's foot to save him. 

However, he was then overrun by the zombies they were shooting in front of him. The screams from both echoed as they reached the group. They all had horrid looks on their faces as they quickly ran to where the two clones were. They soon arrived as they came across the two clones on the floor. Cody and another bent down to check on them as they didn't move.

"Ok! New plan! We stick together!!!" declared Storm as he could tell that splitting up meant death for anybody.

The clones all shook their heads at hearing the boy's suggestion.

"Obviously, the thing's a lot more powerful than we assumed. I'm going to the surface to alert General Mundi and General Luna myself," said Anakin as he began to walk.

"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." said Obi-wan as they were running out of time to save their fellow Jedi.

With no choice but to continue, the group trekked deeper and deeper into the catacombs. Either way, their lives were at risk.




While the group continued their search, Master Luminara was shown waking up. After being attacked by the zombies, she was knocked out once more. The Jedi Master was slowly coming too as it showed her being suspended by energy bonds. She was currently in a room as down below, there were the zombies who were taking some eggs. The eggs were being shot out as one could assume they were just given birth to. 

Master Luminara looked to her side and saw a sight before her. She was suspended near the throne as the creature that sat on it was the Geonosian Queen. A rather large and tall insect as she was currently giving birth to her eggs and directing traffic to her subjects on where to put them.

The group continued down a tunnel. Cody then bent to look at another one near his feet as his comlink beeped. They then crouched and went down that small hole as they continued their rescue mission. They reached the end as they came to more crossroads as they picked a direction.

"The air is warmer here. We must be getting close," said Obi-wan to his pals.

"Like that's a good thing," replied Storm.

"Forget the heat," said Anakin before letting out a cough, "It smells down here."

"Keep your voices down," said Kenobi to his friends to not alert any more unwanted guests.

"I'm just saying, this planet is rotten from the inside out," said Anakin.

The group now came to an opening as they hid behind the wall. They peaked out as they had managed to find the throne room. And they all saw the Geonosian Queen as she was still busy laying her children.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Storm as he looked at the sight in front of him.

"It must be the queen," said Kenobi as he saw the massive bug.

"Any sign of Luminara?" asked Anakin to Cody who peaked out to look.

The clone commander turned on his vizor as he began to zoom in around the room. He soon found his target as he informed the Jedi.

"I see her. She's suspended near the throne."

"Perfect. What about Poggle?" asked Anakin.

Once more Cody began to scan and look around the room. He soon found his other target.

"He's speaking with the queen," informed the clone commander.

"Good. You take the soldiers, I'll take the queen," said Anakin as he turned on his lightsaber.

"Must you always rush into things?" said Obi-wan as he stopped his student.

"Not like he listens to shit anyways," snickered Storm as he got a glare from Anakin.

"You don't actually want to talk to it, do you?"

"Matter of fact, I do," replied the Jedi Master.

"Okay, I'm trying to figure out who the biggest dumbass is right now. You or Anakin!" said Storm.

"Anakin, Storm, don't you wonder why they took Luminara captive? Why not just kill her?" asked Obi-wan as he had a point.

"She's leverage. She's a hostage," answered Anakin.

"Leverage for what?" countered Kenobi.

"We don't know, Obi-wan. But think about it. The Geonosians work with the Separatists, so maybe that's the reason!" replied Storm.

"No, there's something else going on here, and these zombies are connected to it," said the Jedi Master.

"Fine. We'll try it your way," said Anakin to his teacher.

"So glad you agree," smiled the Jedi Master at his protégé before turning to the clones, "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." said Cody.

"We'll have to bury them. It'll at least slow them down," stated Anakin.

"Shoot out the support pillars, and this whole place will collapse," said Storm to the clones.

"Let's go," said Kenobi as the three of them walked into the room while the clones disbursed.

The trio was shown walking down the middle of two rows of zombies as Cody was directing his men on where to go as they remained hidden. The Jedi got closer as the zombies started to notice them, yet, they didn't attack them like before. Master Luminara saw them as she had a small smile on her face, the queen let out a shriek as she saw the Jedi come before her.

"How did you know they wouldn't just attack us?" said Anakin as he looked around the room to see the creatures gargling at them.

"Because I make observations while you think with your lightsaber," replied Kenobi with a smug smile.

"That quick thinking of mine is usually needed when your observations get us into trouble," said Skywalker to his master.

"Anakin, the queen took Luminara hostage. She wanted a Jedi. Now she has three more. I want to know what she's after." said Obi-wan.

"Well, when this doesn't go as planned, which it won't, I'll be ready," said Anakin.

"And if I don't make it back, Luna is kicking your ass Obi-wan. As well as Anakin, just because he's guilty by association," stated Storm.

"That is so reassuring," said the Jedi Master to both of his friends' comments.

Soon all three stopped as they were now directly before the mighty Geonosian Queen.

"I thought I told you not to follow me, Master Kenobi," said Luminara.

"I took a lesson from Anakin and decided not to follow orders," smiled Kenobi smugly.

"Hey!" shouted the Jedi Knight as he was offended by what his master said.

"Be lucky that's the only thing you took from Anakin," snickered Storm as he also got a glare from his friends.

Soon a voice began to speak.

"You. You... are the creatures that attacked Geonosia. Why have you... come before me?"

"Shit! It talks!" said Storm as he was stunned to hear the Queen speak.

"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is Anakin Skywalker and Storm. It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is at an end." said Obi-wan trying to negotiate with the Queen.

"You... not... dictate to me, Jedi. My Empire is... forever," spoke the Queen.

"Sad to say, but as just as empires rise, they fall," said Storm.

"I'm afraid it does not appear that way, Your Grace. You shall release the Jedi Luminara and submit to Republic law," said Kenobi trying to continue his peace reasoning.

The Queen growled loudly in defiance as a screech was heard for all to hear.

"I... No, submit... to you!" shouted the Queen in anger.

Both Anakin and Storm turned on their lightsabers.

"No, patience, you two. Wait," said Kenobi as he had his hand in front of the Jedi Knights to stop them.

Some Geonosians guards approached the trio and took their lightsabers away from them. Both Jedi Knights glared at the Jedi Master as he continued to speak with the Queen.

"Majesty, destroying us shall only make the Republic's judgment of you harsher."

"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." smiled the Queen.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," said Storm as he was about to throw up.

"Now, watch... as my child... enters your Jedi friend."

One of the zombie Geonosians approached Poggle as a small slithering thing appeared and disappeared in between its nostrils. In its hands, it had an egg, and hatching from it was the same slithering thing that just appeared. He gave it to Poggle who held it before the trapped Jedi Master as the Queen kept on talking.

"And once inside, her mind... becomes my mind. Her thoughts, my thoughts," snickered the Queen evilly.

"It's a sort of mind control, a hive mind. She thinks she can possess us," relayed Obi-wan to his pals.

"Great. Find out all you wanted to know yet?" asked Anakin.

"No, wait. I want to see how it works," said Kenobi with curiosity.

"Again, who's the bigger dumbass right now!?!!" stated Storm.

"I don't think Luminara wants to see how it works," stated Anakin.

"No, I don't," agreed Master Luminara with what the Jedi Knight said. 

"I'm curious. The more we know, the better," replied Obi-wan.

"God, you're worst than Twilight!" said Storm to the Jedi Master.

Poggle was approaching Luminara as he had the worm in his hand. 

"I disagree!" shouted Luminara with Obi-wan statement as she was a bit scared.

"So do I," said Anakin.

"I second that," replied Storm hoping all the arguments would change Obi-wan's mind.

"Come now. The nose or the ear, which do you two think it will enter?" asked Kenobi as he ignored the pleas and was still curious.

Poggle held it close to Luminara's face as it wiggled in front of her to which she turned her face to avoid looking at it.

"I think the nose," sighed Anakin as he made his bet.

"I'm gonna throw a curveball and say it goes in through the mouth. For reasons," said Storm as he put his bet in.

"Ug, I hope this is part of the plan," said Master Luminara as how they were having a gambling competition while she was in danger. Also, the worm was put on her face as it began to slither around and was seconds away from entering.

"Isn't it always?" smiled Kenobi. "Cody, now!"

The signal was given. The clones emerged from their hiding spots as they turned on their flashlights and shined them on the Queen and her undead subjects. They were all blinded temporarily as it gave the window our heroes needed. They all screeched in pain at the sudden light in their eyes. The Jedi put their hands out as they used the Force to grab their lightsabers from the Geonosians that hand them. Anakin also grabbed Master Luminara's blade as he began to dual wield. All three now began to slash at the zombies as Anakin rushed forward to take care of the ones guarding Luminara. Obi-wan put his hand out as he used the Force to grab the worm on her face and pull it towards him.

Anakin rushed over to Master Luminara as he used the lightsabers to destroy the energy bonds to free the Jedi Master. He handed her, her lightsaber and she immediately turned it on and pointed it at Poggle who was in front of them.

"You're coming with us, Poggle," said Anakin as he slapped on a pair of handcuffs on the Geonosian and began to drag him with Luminara covering the Jedi Knight.

With the others, the zombies had finally shaken off the effect of the light as they crept forward to the clones. They grabbed a hold of some of them as this time Storm and Obi-wan were quick to act as they slashed and saved their men. The clones kept backing up while shooting as the two dealt with the creatures that kept on marching. Anakin and Luminara were cutting down the zombies in their path as they made their way to the others.

"Obi-Wan, look out!" shouted Anakin as he swatted his master's hand that contained the worm. It dropped to the floor as he proceeded to stomp on it till it died. 

"Wha... Anakin, no!"

"Got it."

"What are you doing? I was going to study that!" shouted the Jedi Master to his student.

"Study the bottom of my boot," replied the Jedi Knight to his teacher.

"Come on. Let's get out of here!" shouted Storm as he managed to clear their exit.

"Here they come!" said Cody to the men as they covered the Jedi while they ran. "Take out the supports!"

The clones heard the command by their leader as they aimed up and shot at the pillars. Rocks began to fall as they crushed the zombies that were walking. A few of them started to fall on the queen as they piled up. The Jedi all turned off their lightsabers as they began to book it. A dust cloud was coming at them as it contained so much momentum behind it.

"They're still coming!" shouted Cody as he and a clone saw some zombies still chasing them as they shot at them.

They were aiming their shoots as one of them was crawling on the ceiling. They shot at its face as it fell to the floor and flinched before being defeated. More were still trying to escape and climb out from the debris as they shot at them.

"This is our way out!" shouted Luminara as they came to the place where the hole they all spotted upstairs was located.

"Start climbing," said Anakin to Cody and the men as Luminara was the first one to go up.

Anakin then climbed as some clones followed behind him. Obi-wan then tossed Poggle upwards as he too began to climb.

"Time to get the fuck out of this place!" shouted Storm as he too hurried up as the rest of the clones followed the boy with Cody being the last one.

As they were all climbing, some of the rocks above them began to shake. They all turned their heads away to avoid getting hit. The Geonosian zombies made it to the hole as they too began to start climbing, some using others as a ladder to ascend.

"Obi-Wan, look out!" shouted Master Luminara as he turned to look down. 

He was unaware of a rock heading towards him as he saw it at the last second. He got hit but managed to keep his grip to avoid falling. More rocks began to fall as the group stepped out of the line of sight and hurried up the rest of the way. Some of the Geonosians now began to spider crawl up the wall quickly as they looked to grab and drag our heroes.

They soon all made it to the top as Luminara grabbed a hold of the ledge. The rocks that fell hit the Geonosians chasing after them as they fell to the ground and began to pile up the hole. In the throne room, the Queen was still alive as she let out a defiant screech. Soon the last bit of the support pillars crumbled as they crushed her.

The dirt cloud now moved faster as it traveled up the hole our heroes were climbing and pushed them all up. They let out some screams as they shot out from the hole at the entrance of the temple as they began to fall. The Jedi and Poggle were able to land successfully on their feet as the clones landed hard. They soon got up as the momentum from the dirt storm was still chasing them. They all ran towards the exited covered in dirt as the cloud was seconds behind them. 

They made it out as the pillars in front fell and blocked the entrance to the temple as it was fully destroyed. The cloud disbursed as our heroes and clones all looked. There before their eyes was nothing but debris and rocks as that was all that remained of the temple and the Geonosian Queen and her subjects. 

"All things considered..." coughed Anakin, "That went better than I expected."

"I wish we could have gotten one of those worms. Knowing how the queen controls her minions could have proven valuable," said Kenobi.

"Well, hopefully, the secret is buried with her," said Storm.

The group now took one last look at the temple. Safe to say, they weren't going to miss it anytime soon. Soon they made the call as some reinforcements arrived to pick them up as they now had Poggle in custody.