Meanwhile, the Jedi Council and several other members were conducting their own strategic meeting. Most of the Council was in attendance, along with selected Jedi who had worked with the Avengers regularly in recent operations.
"Geonosis has been recaptured by the Separatists," Windu stated bluntly as the assembled Jedi studied the holographic display of the target planet. "Their droid factories have been restored, including what appears to be the largest droid manufacturing facility ever constructed."
"According to the data files that Senator Amidala retrieved from Cato Neimoidia, this factory not only produces standard battle droids, but also a new type of heavy tank that could prove devastating to our entire war effort," Kenobi added.
"What course of action should we pursue?" asked Adi Gallia.
"A direct assault on the primary factory would accomplish nothing," Anakin said, stepping forward. "The facility has been heavily fortified with multiple anti-aircraft and anti-vehicle emplacements, plus overlapping ray shield coverage."
"Which means we need to consider a more comprehensive ground offensive," Aayla added. "We'll need to secure multiple landing zones if we're going to capture this facility and retake Geonosis."
"It won't be simple," Anakin continued, adjusting the holographic map to show another section of Geonosis some distance from the main factory. "After consulting with Admiral Yularen and several other fleet officers, we've identified these three secondary factories and staging areas as our best options for establishing a foothold on Geonosis."
"They appear to be the least fortified of the Geonosian installations, though that's not saying much," Kenobi said grimly.
"We're going to face heavy resistance no matter which approach we take," Anakin said soberly.
"What about these Dark Side acolytes that some of us have encountered over recent weeks?" Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi wondered aloud. "I've noticed that several of our number have faced a troubling number of Dooku's apprentices."
"I share your concern," Anakin muttered, thinking back to his encounter on Mustafar.
"Sensed a greater disturbance, I have," Yoda spoke for the first time since convening this meeting. "Knowledge of a deeper betrayal, discovered it has been."
The Geonosis tactical display shrank and was replaced with security footage from the Jedi Temple detention levels.
"Tampered with, this recording was," Yoda explained his reasoning for showing this evidence. "But through extensive reconstruction, answers to forgotten questions, we now have."
The holographic video showed a Jedi being held in a detention cell—Jedi Master Prosset Dibs. As the footage continued, he was released by another figure...
"Master Bulq?" Windu said with obvious surprise and disappointment.
"Another fallen Master, there is. Sora Bulq, turned to the dark side he has," Yoda said in a grave tone.
"This war is proving even more catastrophic than we initially feared," Kenobi said soberly, contemplating the loss of another Jedi. Enough good people were dying in this conflict, but it seemed more and more were falling to the dark side as well.
"While this is certainly a serious concern," Plo Koon began, glancing briefly at the stoic Windu, "we have immediate problems on Geonosis to address."
"Plo is correct," Windu said, looking up with steely determination. "We'll deal with Sora Bulq when the opportunity arises. Right now, our efforts to retake Geonosis are of critical importance."
"How many Jedi will we need to commit?" Aayla asked. "How many clone battalions?"
"We need to proceed more strategically," Mundi cautioned. "Simply throwing clone troopers at heavily fortified positions will result in catastrophic casualties."
"However, we can't deploy our entire strength," Kenobi pointed out. "We still need to maintain our defensive capabilities elsewhere."
"We need an ace in the hole to tip the balance," Windu added.
"Should we request the Avengers' assistance in retaking Geonosis?" Ahsoka Tano, who had been respectfully silent during the meeting, suddenly spoke up when she heard the word "ace."
Several Jedi present began discussing this possibility among themselves.
However, Anakin stated his position without hesitation. "Why wouldn't we ask for their help?" he asked rhetorically. "They're our allies and have assisted us consistently since arriving here. They would accept our request without question."
"You're not thinking strategically, young Skywalker," Windu said sternly.
"What do you mean? With the threat escalating, we need all available assistance," Anakin argued. "They've been with us through every major operation since they arrived."
"Most of that has been indirect support, Anakin," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Obi-Wan, how can you say that?" Anakin challenged his Master, knowing that Obi-Wan didn't truly believe his own words. "The Avengers helped us rescue those children and recover our stolen holocron."
"They've also saved countless lives—both Jedi and clone troopers," Aayla supplemented Skywalker's argument. "We can't dismiss this option lightly."
"That's a valid point," Plo Koon agreed, crossing his arms thoughtfully.
"We should approach them cautiously," Obi-Wan conceded. "At least I've managed to establish solid working relationships with them, as have several others here. Our best approach would be through those they trust most."
Many of the Jedi present observed the master-apprentice lineage of Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka, recognizing the unspoken understanding between them.
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