Within the base's fortifications and defensive trenches, Aayla engaged in a fierce lightsaber duel with Kadrian Sey.
The Zabrak Dark Jedi had retreated earlier to prepare the defense of the droid facility she was assigned to protect, after receiving some disturbing tactical reports.
Battle droids had begun malfunctioning, explosions were occurring in areas where no Republic starfighters or clone forces were present, and vulture droids were suddenly ramming into both Separatist and Republic forces indiscriminately.
She needed to restore operational order, though that was proving increasingly difficult.
Aayla Secura was a skilled lightsaber duelist, and around them the clone troopers of the 501st and 327th Star Corps were attacking with overwhelming force, systematically eliminating any opposition they encountered.
It was becoming a losing battle for the Separatists as the Republic forces continued their breakthrough.
"Surrender, Kadrian," Aayla said, their lightsabers clashing with brilliant sparks. "Our forces will soon overwhelm your position."
"I would rather die," Kadrian sneered and pushed Aayla back with the Force, and the two resumed their series of intense lightsaber exchanges.
Aayla held her lightsaber in a reverse grip to deflect a horizontal strike aimed at her legs, then immediately raised it diagonally to block Kadrian's follow-up attack.
She retaliated with a series of wide sweeping strikes to create distance between them.
Suddenly, behind Kadrian's position, a formation of Y-wing bombers streaked overhead and carpet-bombed the factory complex, destroying many of the installation's defensive turrets and garrison forces.
"Don't you see it now?" Aayla asked, standing confidently as Commander Bly and Lightning Squad joined her, all pointing their weapons at the Dark Jedi. "Your facility will fall—it will be captured by the Republic. Kadrian, it's not too late to surrender."
Aayla lowered her lightsaber while Bly and his clone troopers maintained their blaster aim on Kadrian.
"Please," the Twi'lek Jedi raised her free hand peacefully. "Return to the Temple. You can still become who you were before the darkness."
The way Kadrian stared at Aayla would have made most beings shudder with fear. Yet Aayla met her gaze with calm composure.
"I would rather die," Kadrian snarled, feeling the dark side of the Force flowing through her body as she unleashed a powerful Force wave at everyone standing before her.
They were all knocked backward and crashed heavily to the ground.
Kadrian activated her wrist communicator and transmitted the command.
"All units, begin tactical withdrawal," Kadrian said with barely controlled rage. "This installation will fall. We must retreat and regroup at the primary facility."
She glanced back at Aayla, who was getting to her feet alongside Bly and the others.
Gritting her teeth, Kadrian sprinted away from the battlefield.
Under the combined assault of Steve and Anakin, Skorr was fighting defensively.
He was facing two experienced, battle-hardened warriors who were coordinating their attacks perfectly.
Skorr raised his lightsaber with trembling hands, breathing heavily from exertion.
"It's futile to continue fighting us, Skorr," Anakin said intensely. "You will be defeated if you persist."
"Surrender now," Steve said calmly but firmly.
"Surrender?" Skorr sneered contemptuously. "That's typical Jedi arrogance. As Count Dooku foresaw, you will all be destroyed. The future of the galaxy belongs to the Sith."
"That will never happen," Anakin declared, pointing his lightsaber at the fallen Jedi.
"Steve, this is Sam," Sam's voice crackled over the comm. "Aayla, Bly, and Rex report that the factory has been secured. The Separatists are in full retreat."
His transmission was loud enough for Skorr to hear the tactical update.
"Well, would you look at that," Anakin taunted. "Seems like your facility has been captured."
Skorr simply sneered defiantly.
"Over here!"
Anakin and Steve approached from behind as Captain Rex led Domino Squad and several other clone troopers, all pointing their blasters at the Dark Jedi.
Skorr realized he was completely outnumbered.
He gripped his lightsaber tightly, grinding his teeth in frustrated anger. How could he escape his current predicament?
"Lower your weapon," Steve commanded.
"This is what you think victory looks like, fools," Skorr's eyes flashed with rage, and as he prepared to make a desperate attack, the clone troopers immediately opened fire, multiple blaster bolts striking the Dark Jedi.
Skorr stood motionless for a moment, eyes wide with disbelief, attempting to step forward...
Then he collapsed, lifeless and still.
Steve stared down at the motionless body with a stoic expression.
He felt Anakin place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, Steve," Anakin said quietly. "The battle isn't over yet."
"Understood."
Rex stepped forward. "General Di and General Mundi are still engaged at their droid facility, and they reported recently that they're gaining the tactical advantage."
"Where's Obi-Wan?" Anakin inquired.
"General Luminara informed me they're conducting their assault, but their target facility still has active ray shields," Rex reported.
"See if we can redirect some gunship support to assist Obi-Wan and Luminara," Anakin ordered.
"Right away, General."
Anakin then contacted the other front. "Master Mundi, do you copy?"
"Skywalker," Mundi responded while slicing through a B2 super battle droid, as Bacara grabbed a B1 battle droid by the central processor and ripped it apart.
"Our installation has been captured—what's your status?" Anakin looked up to see a LAAT gunship descending toward their position.
"We're advancing successfully, General," Bacara reported. "Give us a few more minutes and we'll secure the facility."
"Obi-Wan's situation appears more challenging than we anticipated."
Pietro's voice came over the comm: "I can sprint ahead and provide assistance however possible."
Mundi nodded approvingly. "Do what you think best, Pietro."
Giving a two-finger salute to the Jedi Master, Pietro accelerated away, racing forward to clear the path for the advancing forces.
Anakin called to Sam from his position below: "Sam, are you there?"
"Sam here, still airborne," Sam replied. "What do you need?"
"Obi-Wan is in trouble," Anakin explained. "Can you spare any squadrons to provide support?"
"I'll do what I can."
In the impact zone, Scott had been forced to return to normal size after his giant transformation. He was resting beside Obi-Wan, who had not yet fully recovered from their earlier crash.
Luminara and Barriss helped deflect any stray blaster fire, while Hope and Matt assisted the clone troopers in repelling Geonosian attackers.
Matt had begun wielding his electrified billy club, directing clone forces toward concealed enemies while warning those who needed to take cover to avoid explosive blasts.
Shrunk to near-invisibility, Hope flew around the battlefield engaging Geonosians and battle droids, stunning some and disorienting others long enough for clone troopers to finish them with precise blaster fire.
They advanced briefly before the Separatists managed to counter-attack, and the extended line of AT-TE walkers and clone forces found themselves on the defensive again.
To his and his companions' relief, a silver blur soon appeared on the battlefield, eliminating many enemy combatants before stopping near their position.
"Miss me?"
"You arrived at the perfect moment, Pietro," Obi-Wan said with a pained smile. "I assume you're a messenger from Mundi and the others?"
"That's right. And they're not far behind."
"Hopefully not much longer."
"Reinforcements incoming!"
Hearing one of the clones call out, they looked back to see Sam and his squadron diving in and dropping a devastating barrage of proton bombs on enemy positions, providing much-needed relief as additional Republic forces began deploying.
Ahsoka rushed to Obi-Wan's side and immediately assessed the injured Jedi. "Master Kenobi! Scott!"
Pausing to catch his breath, Anakin gave his former Master a concerned smile. "What's your condition?"
Looking at Skywalker, Obi-Wan observed his current state. "I could ask you the same question."
Obi-Wan managed a weak smile.
"Now that we're reunited," Luminara began, "we should return to our original operational objectives."
"Agreed."
Soon, a holographic tactical map was displayed among the assembled group. Obi-Wan repositioned himself and quickly delivered a briefing.
"Our combined strength should be sufficient to eliminate the shield generator. Anakin, you need to lead a strike team through the ray shields and advance as close to their defensive positions as possible. From there, you'll temporarily jam their targeting sensors so they can't lock onto incoming walker support. Once the walkers have destroyed the shield generators, Master Luminara can deploy the remaining forces via gunship assault."
"Understood, Master."
Everything was coordinated, the assembled strike forces were organized and deployed to their positions, and all that remained was to issue the order to begin the final phase: capturing the installation.
Lowering his macrobinoculars, the clone trooper turned to Jedi Master Luminara.
"All units in position, General."
Nodding, Luminara gave the command. "Signal Skywalker to commence the assault."
Upon receiving the order, Anakin, Steve, Natasha, and the rest of the assembled strike force left their concealment and rushed toward the objective.
Blaster fire rained down upon the entire formation, and many Republic troops had to maneuver carefully to avoid being hit. Some were wounded, while others were eliminated by the defending Geonosians.
However, Peter swung from above and webbed up Geonosian warriors who threatened ground forces, while Pietro raced around the battlefield, returning scattered soldiers to the main assault formation.
As they approached the factory complex, enemy fire intensified significantly.
The massive assault force was forced to take cover.
"They're positioned along the upper defensive platforms," Steve observed.
"We need to jam their targeting systems. Deploy the sensor scramblers," Anakin barked the order.
As the electronic warfare equipment was activated and deployed, the devices were launched forward and, with Force assistance, successfully reached their intended positions. Shortly after, electromagnetic pulse waves detonated, disabling many enemy artillery systems.
"Appears to be working," Ahsoka commented.
"This won't last long. Bring up the walkers."
The Republic AT-TEs were advanced into position, and once they acquired proper firing solutions, they immediately targeted and fired at the shield emitters. Under the concentrated bombardment, the results were immediate—the generator towers collapsed and the energy shields failed.
With the ray shields down, Republic dropships flew in and began deploying large numbers of reinforcements and additional Jedi to the battlefield.
This installation was successfully captured, and Mundi and Master Di reported that they had also successfully secured their droid facility. The combined operation to retake the primary installation was now underway.