Meet You at the Dark Side

Chapter 23 - Mission to Citadel

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and the clone troopers who are coming on the mission, walk through the warm chamber, golden glowing material from the carbon freezing area casting an eerie glow across the room. Ahsoka is here too, even though Anakin was initially reluctant to bring her along. After all, the mission is going to be extremely dangerous. But she has more experience dealing with the Separatists than any of them, and it could prove to be very beneficial for them with her here.

"I've never been carbon-frozen before, General," Rex tells Anakin with a slight note of concern in his voice.

"It's the first time for us, too," he reminds.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it's gonna be fun," Ahsoka chirps.

"That isn't exactly the word I would use," Anakin informs her dryly.

"This is your idea?" Obi-Wan asks, looking around the chamber. It's big enough to hold both of them, and the small group of clones they're risking bringing with them. "Carbon freezing?"

"Hey, you wanted to shield us from the life-form scanners," Anakin points out. It might have been an extreme idea, but it should work. And honestly, even if he doesn't really like the thought himself, it is the only way for them to sneak past the security undetected. This is an entire Separatist planet here, not just a base, and it's their most secured facility.

"Are we sure this thing is safe?" Fives queries worriedly. "I don't want to end up a wall decoration."

"Try to relax," advises Obi-Wan. "We'll be unfrozen as soon as we arrive."

Anakin hopes that Artoo and the reprogrammed battle droids have everything under control. Really, the entire mission is counting on them. They start moving into position, and he shares a final glance with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. He really hopes that this is going to work for them to sneak inside. He won't admit his concerns to anyone, but he's honestly worried the Separatists might request to search the ship before they have a chance to get unfrozen. Whatever happens, he can only trust that everything is going to work out.

They're lowered into the pits simultaneously. Anakin feels the heat around him, then slips into a strange half-unconscious state.

Finally, consciousness starts returning. He doesn't know how long it's been, but they must have arrived safely, is his first thought. The carbon structure finally releases him, and he stumbles forwards, taking a few moments to get accustomed to solid ground and being human again. He's sore in several places, the lingering effects of the carbon freezing still clinging to him.

"Looks like your idea worked after all, Skyguy," Ahsoka calls as he's carefully flexing his right wrist to make sure it's still working.

"As it appears we're still in one piece, it did," Obi-Wan chimes in from behind them. "We should hurry before the Separatists realize that something's off."

"Guard the shuttle, Artoo," the Jedi Knight orders, looking down at the droid. "We'll contact you when we're ready for take-off." The droid whistles affirmatively.

Before long, they're standing on the edge of a cliff a distance away from the massive fortress. Towering walls stand out against the completely barren surroundings. Anakin can feel the heat of the lava down below surrounding the islands on the planet, even from up here. It's certainly not a pleasant place to be, and the combination of the heat and toxins from the lava are making it hard to breathe.

"I see the entry point," he declares, looking through a pair of macrobinoculars.

"You were right," remarks Cody from his position looking through another pair. "The wind conditions are too strong for jetpacks."