Nearly all the starfighters, Y-wing bombers, and ARC-170s rapidly launched from their hangars and streaked at maximum velocity toward Geonosis's surface below.
Sam and Rhodey led the formation in their borrowed Jedi starfighters, their communications crackling with pilot chatter.
"This is Sam, lead fighter," Sam announced over the comm.
"Broadside here, Shadow-1 reporting in."
"Axe, Shadow-2 standing by."
"Matchstick, Shadow-3 ready for action."
"Shadow-4 prepared and waiting."
The check-ins continued down the line as each squadron confirmed their readiness.
"You ready for this, Rhodey?" Sam asked his fellow Avenger and wingman.
"All systems green," Rhodes confirmed, his targeting systems already analyzing the battlefield below.
All four squadrons reported their status, and Sam and Rhodey angled their fighters toward the planet's surface.
"Alright, pilots, maintain formation," Rhodes ordered over the squadron frequency. "The Separatists will try to break us apart at the first opportunity. Remember the tactics we briefed earlier—stay in pairs or groups of three maximum. Watch each other's backs, because this airspace is about to get very crowded."
"Roger that, sir!" the clone pilots responded in unison.
"Here we go, boys," Sam called out, banking his fighter into a steep dive toward the surface below, with nearly forty other craft following in tight formation behind him.
They immediately came under intense fire from Separatist anti-aircraft batteries and Geonosian defensive positions.
"Watch out for those heavy turbolaser cannons!" Sam warned, pulling his fighter into a low-altitude run just meters above the rocky terrain. He opened fire with his laser cannons, with Rhodes following close behind, their combined firepower strafing the ground positions.
During their attack run, they lost several Y-wing bombers to the defensive fire.
The two Avengers unleashed a devastating barrage on the surface installations.
"This is Colonel Rhodes," Rhodey reported over the command frequency. "First wave attack completed successfully. Beginning second attack sequence."
Two dozen additional Y-wing bombers dove toward the surface, followed by numerous LAAT gunships and heavy transport vessels, all escorted by a protective screen of ARC-170 fighters and Z-95 Headhunters.
The second wave pressed forward under heavy bombardment from anti-aircraft artillery and Geonosian sonic cannons. They were now engaging enemy starfighters—specifically the indigenous Geonosian Nantex-class territorial defense starfighters.
It became a coordinated pincer movement led by Sam and Rhodey, both Avengers opening fire on the Geonosian interceptors while their squadrons followed in their wake. A fierce dogfight erupted, but the combined second and third waves quickly overwhelmed the enemy defenders.
Aboard Anakin and Aayla's gunship, Steve stood alongside Ahsoka, Peter, Bly, Rex, and the members of Domino Squad as well as two squad leaders from Torrent Company.
"Sam, what's the situation up there?" Steve asked over the comm.
"Meeting some resistance, but Blue Squadron can handle it for now," Sam replied, explosions audible in the background of his transmission. "Shadow Squadron and I are providing additional cover. Your landing zone is clear at the moment, but it won't stay that way for long. You need to hit hard and fast if you want to take that factory and shut it down."
"Copy that, Sam," Anakin acknowledged. "Thanks for the air support."
The skies above Geonosis were filled with explosive aerial combat, Republic starfighters and gunships weaving through deadly anti-aircraft fire, some vessels falling victim to the intense barrage.
However, the Republic forces maintained their aggressive advance.
Below, positioned in front of the droid factory that served as the primary target for the 501st and 327th Star Corps, stood two figures clad in dark robes, surrounded by several Geonosian warriors and battle droids.
One figure was noticeably smaller and more agile in build, contrasting sharply with the bulkier, more imposing robed figure that stood beside her on the barren plains of the desert world.
"Skorr," the smaller figure said, addressing her larger companion.
"It appears our master's intelligence was accurate," Kadrian Sey observed, her eyes tracking the incoming formation of Republic gunships.
"Indeed, our master was wise to position us here," replied Skorr, his gaze fixed with hatred on the military forces he had once briefly served. "We will not allow Geonosis to fall into the hands of those Jedi scum."
"Agreed," Kadrian said, a malevolent gleam in her eyes. "T-series tactical droid TD-749, redirect all artillery to Sector 2. Focus primary fire on the gunship formations."
"Acknowledged, Mistress," the tactical droid beside her responded, turning away to relay the new targeting parameters.
The Geonosian defense cannons, augmented with J-1 semi-autonomous proton cannon droids, all adjusted their targeting solutions and opened fire on the newly designated priority targets.
Inside their gunship, Steve, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Peter stood with Captain Rex, while Fives and the rest of Domino Squad maintained their positions nearby.
The transport began shaking violently as artillery fire erupted all around them.
"Here we go, everyone," Anakin called out, and the entire squad tightened their grips on their weapons and the overhead handholds as the gunship bucked and rolled through the defensive fire.
"Hold on, Steve," Sam's voice crackled over the comm. "Beginning our next bombing run. Shadow Squadron, form up behind me. Blue Squadron, maintain protective formation around the gunships. We need to clear those gun positions."
Behind Sam's fighter, a dozen Y-wings accelerated into their attack run. They came under murderous fire, losing one bomber immediately, but the squadron pressed forward relentlessly, their gunners returning fire at the cannon emplacements below.
Sam's enhanced vision suddenly locked onto two figures standing prominently in front of a large formation of Geonosians and battle droids...
Two crimson lightsabers ignited simultaneously.
"Oh, hell," Sam muttered over the comm. "Anakin, Aayla—I've got visual confirmation on those Dark Jedi you mentioned. They're on the ground."
"Are you certain?" Aayla asked with immediate concern.
"Absolutely positive," Sam confirmed grimly.
Both Y-wing bombers and Sam's lone Jedi starfighter pulled up sharply, the bombers releasing their proton torpedo payloads.
Skorr and Kadrian Sey raised their hands in unison, and while they couldn't deflect all the incoming ordnance, they used the Force to redirect several proton torpedoes away from their intended trajectory.
The remaining explosives pounded the area around their position, sending massive plumes of smoke and debris billowing into the sky, temporarily obscuring the battlefield below.