As they ventured deeper into the tunnels, the search party began to feel increasingly uncomfortable with their surroundings.
"We must be getting close," Obi-Wan observed, wiping sweat from his brow. "The air is getting quite warm down here."
"Yeah, and it smells absolutely terrible," Anakin complained, covering his nose with his sleeve.
"Lucky for me and the soldier here, our filters block out the worst of it," Rhodes said with a smug grin, gesturing to his armor's environmental systems.
"Show off," Anakin muttered.
"Keep your voices down, both of you," Obi-Wan warned quietly.
"I have to say, this whole planet feels rotten from the inside out," Rhodes commented, his scanners picking up increasingly disturbing readings.
"You may not be wrong about that."
When they finally reached the end of the tunnel, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Rhodes found themselves staring at an enormous insectoid creature that towered nearly to the chamber's ceiling. The massive bug wore an elaborate headdress that marked her royal status, and they quickly realized they had found their target.
"Well, there she is," Rhodes said grimly. "The Queen of Geonosis."
"Oh man, Ridley Scott would have a field day with this," the Colonel muttered through his comm system.
"Oh, for crying out loud—enough with the alien references!" Anakin hissed at his Avenger ally. "After Peter convinced me to watch those damn Alien movies, I had nightmares for a week. I still don't know how he talked me into that marathon."
"Would you two just focus for a second?" Obi-Wan said sternly. "Save the movie commentary for later."
The clone troopers moved forward to get a better view of the chamber, their weapons ready but held low.
"Any sign of Luminara?" Anakin asked urgently.
Rhodes activated his advanced scanners and quickly located their missing Jedi. "Good news—she's alive. I've got her positioned near what looks like a throne structure."
"Where's Poggle?"
"Looks like he's having a conversation with Her Majesty over there," Commander Cody reported quietly.
"Understood." Obi-Wan quickly formulated their approach. "Rhodes, I want you, Cody, and the men to take positions around the chamber. When I give the signal, hit them with every light source you have. I suspect these undead Geonosians are extremely sensitive to bright illumination."
"Copy that," Rhodes replied, gesturing silently to direct the clone troopers to strategic points throughout the room.
"So what's our play here?" Anakin asked, though he had a sinking feeling when he saw his former master studying the Queen of Geonosis intently. "Oh no. You actually want to talk to that thing, don't you?"
Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully. "Anakin, don't you want to understand why they're keeping Luminara captive? Why not simply kill her outright?"
"She's obviously a hostage for negotiations."
"No, there's more to it than simple hostage-taking. These zombie creatures are connected to something larger."
"Obi-Wan, do we really need to have this philosophical discussion right here, right now?" Rhodes asked impatiently, his weapons systems humming with readiness.
"Master, please reconsider this."
"Where's your sense of adventure, Anakin?" Obi-Wan said, stepping out from their concealed position.
"Some risks aren't worth taking—you realize that by the time you regret it, it's too late," Anakin shot back.
"General," Cody's voice crackled through the comm. "Are you certain about this approach? Conventional weapons haven't been effective against these creatures."
"We'll use the same strategy as before if necessary," Rhodes suggested. "Collapse the support structures and bury them under rubble."
Despite their protests, Obi-Wan and Anakin moved forward, still debating the wisdom of their approach.
"Think about it, Anakin. The Queen of Geonosis is holding Luminara prisoner—she clearly wants a Jedi for some purpose. Now two more have appeared before her. I need to understand what she's after."
"Fine, but I'll be ready when this inevitably goes sideways," Anakin said, his hand hovering near his lightsaber.
"How reassuring," Obi-Wan replied dryly.
Walking past the zombie Geonosians that moaned and hissed menacingly at their approach, the two Jedi soon found themselves standing before the imposing queen of the insectoid species.
Looking up at her fellow Jedi with a mixture of relief and exasperation, Luminara couldn't help but comment, "I distinctly remember telling you not to follow me. I thought you might actually listen for once, Master Kenobi."
"Well, this time I decided to adopt one of Anakin's less admirable traits and disobey direct orders," Obi-Wan replied with uncharacteristic calm.
Anakin started to nod in agreement before the insult registered. "Hey!"
"Jedi..." The massive Queen's voice rumbled through the chamber as she addressed them directly. "You have come..."
"Holy hell, she can actually speak," Rhodes said, his voice carrying clearly through the comm as Cody and the clones maintained their positions around the Queen and her undead minions.
"Your Majesty," Obi-Wan began diplomatically, "it is an honor to finally meet you. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is Anakin Skywalker. I regret to inform you that your reign of terror ends here."
The Queen of Geonosis did not appreciate this declaration in the slightest.
"Jedi... my empire is... eternal," she hissed, her massive form shifting menacingly.
"I'm afraid that's simply not the case, Your Majesty. You need to release Jedi Master Luminara and submit to Republic authority."
The Queen of Geonosis responded with a bone-chilling roar that echoed throughout the chamber. "I do not bow to you!"
As the zombie Geonosians began turning toward them threateningly, Anakin's hand shot to his lightsaber, ready to ignite it. Obi-Wan quickly grabbed his wrist. "No, patience, Anakin. Wait for the right moment." Anakin reluctantly complied, and Obi-Wan continued his diplomatic approach. "Your Majesty, attempting to control us will only result in harsher judgment from the Republic."
The Queen's response was a guttural growl. "No, Jedi. No! I am not destroying you... I am consuming you... controlling you. Poggle brought me only one Jedi. But now there are three."
Poggle the Lesser stepped forward and retrieved something from one of the undead creatures—a writhing, parasitic egg. He walked directly toward the captive Jedi they had restrained. "Behold, watch as my children enter your Jedi friend. Her mind will become my mind. Her will..."
"It's mind control," Obi-Wan whispered urgently to Anakin. "Some kind of hive mind connection. She believes she can possess us, bend us to her will."