"Great," Anakin said in a mocking, annoyed tone. "Did you find out everything you wanted to know?"
"Hold on, I want to observe how this process actually works," Obi-Wan said, waving him off dismissively.
"I don't think Luminara wants a front-row seat to that demonstration," Anakin replied, his irritation growing.
Luminara shot Obi-Wan a desperate, pleading look as Poggle stepped closer with the writhing parasite.
"I'm genuinely curious, and the more intelligence we gather, the better prepared we'll be," Obi-Wan reasoned.
"Don't we already know these worms enter through the nasal cavity?"
"No, we only observed it attempting to access the nose. We don't understand the actual mechanism of control."
"I strongly disagree with this approach," Luminara said more forcefully as Poggle positioned the brain worm directly in front of her face.
"So do I," Anakin added emphatically.
"Come on, what do you think—nose or ear canal? Which entry point will it choose?" Obi-Wan asked with scientific fascination.
Anakin let out an exasperated sigh and gave his former master a deeply disapproving look. "The nose, obviously."
"I really hope this is all part of some brilliant plan," Luminara said with growing frustration as the brain worm began undulating toward her head.
"Isn't it always?" Obi-Wan asked with knowing confidence. Then, suddenly: "Cody, Rhodes—now!"
Commander Cody and the clone troopers burst from their concealed positions while Rhodes rocketed into the center of the Queen's chamber, all of them activating every light source available and directing the brilliant illumination straight at the Queen. The massive creature staggered backward, covering her compound eyes with her clawed appendages. Her agonized screams caused the other mind-controlled Geonosians to convulse and twitch as their neural connection was disrupted.
"Perfect timing, Obi-Wan," Rhodes called out, soaring through the air with his weapons systems fully deployed. "Get away from her, you ugly piece of—"
Rhodes unleashed his full arsenal, joining the clone troopers in concentrated fire against the undead creatures. The zombified Geonosians groaned and hissed as they fell in large numbers, while Rhodes focused his heaviest weaponry on the Queen of Geonosis herself.
In response to this devastating assault, the alien queen shrieked as green ichor spurted from her wounds, but she was quickly overwhelmed by the Avenger's superior firepower.
During the coordinated attack, Anakin used the Force to retrieve their confiscated lightsabers, then swiftly tackled Poggle to the ground and secured him with energy binders. However, Obi-Wan found himself staring intently at the fallen brain worm as it attempted to crawl toward another potential host. He reached out with the Force, and suddenly—
THWACK
"Ow! Rhodes, what was that for?!" Obi-Wan demanded, rubbing his head after being flicked by Rhodes's armored fingers.
"Because I can see exactly what you're thinking," Rhodes replied, ignoring the Jedi's protests as he snatched the brain worm away from Obi-Wan and crushed it under his boot.
"Rhodes! I was planning to study that specimen!"
"Then study the remains! I'm not about to risk you bringing that thing back alive and potentially endangering everyone."
"For once, I completely agree with our Terran friend," Anakin said. "Besides, you can study plenty of specimens—there are Geonosian brain fragments all over our boots."
"Plus every zombie movie ever made should have taught you better."
"How many times do I have to—"
"Anakin!"
"Right, right. Let's get moving!"
The entire group began sprinting out of the underground hive at full speed as the cavern system started collapsing around them.
The surviving Geonosians either fled deeper into the tunnels or launched desperate attacks against the Republic forces in retaliation.
Rhodes deliberately fell back to provide rear guard protection, dropping explosives and engaging the pursuing creatures.
"Keep moving!" Rhodes ordered over the comm.
Ahead of them, they could see natural light streaming through an opening in the ceiling.
"There's our exit," Luminara pointed upward.
"Go, go! I'll hold them off," Rhodes called out, ejecting additional weapon pods from his armor as he continued firing at the remaining Geonosians still in pursuit.
Reaching the hole in the ceiling, the group looked up to see Geonosis's twin suns shining down from high above.
They began their ascent toward the surface as Rhodes continued his fighting retreat, the Geonosians beginning to swarm his position.
He glanced up momentarily, confirming that the clones and Jedi had successfully reached the surface.
"Alright, time to get out of here," Rhodes muttered to himself.
On the surface, Steve, Sam, and several clone troopers heard the sounds of intense combat echoing from the underground complex. As they prepared to enter through the main entrance, Steve noticed sounds coming not from their original entry point, but from a nearby maintenance access. Cap rushed over, lifted the heavy metal plate, and pulled it open. Two clone troopers immediately moved to assist the Avengers.
They spotted the search party, along with their prisoner Poggle, beginning to climb up from the hole below. Working together, they began pulling each person out one by one, urgency driving their movements due to the constant hissing and groaning sounds emanating from below. Just as the last person cleared the opening, they heard the distinctive sound of repulsors firing up from the depths. Everyone stepped back as Rhodes came rocketing out of the hole.
"We need to evacuate immediately!" the Colonel announced. "This whole structure is coming down!"
Rhodes flew ahead while everyone else ran behind him as the ancient temple began its final collapse. Once they had reached a safe distance, they were finally protected from any creatures that might still be lurking in the ruins below.
"Well, all things considered," Anakin said, coughing from the dust cloud, "that went better than I expected."
"I just wish we could have captured one of those brain worms for—OW!" Obi-Wan rubbed the back of his head, staring in disbelief at Rhodes, who had removed his helmet and was giving the Jedi Master a completely deadpan expression.
"Kenobi, just... don't finish that sentence. Don't even think it. You're contemplating something incredibly dangerous," Rhodes said in a dry tone. "There's plenty of precedent for this kind of situation in our popular culture. And I'm not about to risk you endangering all of us just to satisfy your scientific curiosity."
Luminara suddenly burst into laughter at this exchange, and Anakin couldn't suppress his own amusement at witnessing the rare moment when his former master was so thoroughly reprimanded.
Steve smiled knowingly. "I have a feeling I missed something entertaining."
"Oh, once we're back at base, I'll fill you in on what Obi-Wan was about to do and why his curiosity nearly became a catastrophically bad decision."
"I assure you, I would have conducted any research in a completely controlled environment—"
"Stop talking. Just... stop."