- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 -

your hand was the one i reached for all throughout the great war

"I'M REALLY STARTING TO dislike our options here," Regina whispered to Ahsoka as the group stealthily moved down the hall, Master Piell in the lead with Obi-Wan on his heels. The two females were right behind Anakin, running side-by-side. For the most part, everything had been quiet, other than the occasional droid squad. But Regina knew that Osi Sobeck had some tricks up his sleeves. It wouldn't be an easy escape.

"I'm sure Master Skywalker has everything under control," Ahsoka replied, though her face didn't look too optimistic. "And if not, you and Master Kenobi."

"Thanks, Ahsoka," Regina said dryly.

"Quiet back there," Anakin whispered loudly, turning to wave at the two of them to shut them up. The Knight and apprentice merely exchanged another look. 

Finally, Piell stopped in front of a cell door and Anakin activated his lightsaber. He must have sensed droids on the other side because seconds he dug his blade through, splitting a Separatist in half. Ahsoka swung into the room, taking the other guard out.

Regina let Piell enter the room and followed him alongside Anakin and Obi-Wan. Entering the red-lit interior of the windowless prison, Regina took in several clone officers and a regular man, who wore the decorations of a captain. He stood up, looking very regal despite his situation, and looked directly at Piell.

"General," he said, rolling his eyes. Regina looked back behind her, motioning for the clones to enter. They filed in silently, taking up positions by their captured brothers.

"Captain Tarkin," replied Piell.

"I never thought I'd see you again," the captain went on dully as the two met in the center of the cell. Regina glanced over at Anakin and Obi-Wan. Their attention was focused on the conversation at hand. She wanted to tell them that she should move on, but she knew that it wouldn't look good. "You brought friends."

"Tarkin, this is Obi-Wan Kenobi," Piell answered, introducing the Master first, "Anakin Skywalker, and Regina Sitara." Regina sensed a hard feeling in Skywalker, as if he didn't like his first impression of the captain.

"Now that you've found us," began the captain without so much as a polite hello, "how do you expect to get us out?"

Regina clenched her jaw. He had nerve.

"If they've locked this fortress down, there's at least ten squads on their way. It's going to be impossible to escape," Tarkin stated, his voice bland. Regina watched the clones take their leave of the cell, guarding their generals from the outside.

"Not if we split up," Obi-Wan mused. Regina shot him a surprised look, not liking the sounds of this at all. "My team will create a diversion while Anakin leads the others away." He glanced at Regina. "I want you with me, if that's alright."

"Of course, Master," she replied, though she slightly wished she'd been assigned to go with Anakin. And for the emotions she sensed from Skywalker himself, he felt the same way. Goodness, they were going to blow their cover.

"That way, if one of us is captured, the enemy will only have part of the information, not all of it," finished Kenobi.

Yeah, she hated this idea. She watched as Anakin shifted ever so slightly, exchanging a look with her. They both knew Obi-Wan was right, but that didn't mean they had to like it.