In the sulfurous caves beneath the Citadel, the Jedi and clones make their weary way to stay one step ahead of pursuing battle droids. The Jedi make contact with the Council to confirm their escape plan -- they have a narrow window of time to reach an island in a lava lake, the site of their extraction.

At the Citadel, Warden Osi Sobeck speaks with Count Dooku via hologram. Dooku is growing impatient with Sobeck's repeated failures. He must have the Nexus Route hyperspace coordinates, for they can lead directly to Coruscant and facilitate a surprise attack on the Republic.

In the caves, R2-D2 orders his reprogrammed battle droids to hold off the attacking enemy droids as long as possible as the Jedi and clones make good their escape via ascension cables, rappelling deeper into the cave network.

Meanwhile, a task force of four Jedi cruisers streaks through hyperspace toward Lola Sayu. Jedi Master Saesee Tiin will lead the starfighter attack through the planet's defenses. He will be joined by Kit Fisto and Adi Gallia. Plo Koon will facilitate the actual rescue aboard a gunship.

Osi Sobeck tires of the chase. He orders his droids to dispatch the anoobas, packs of hunting dogs that will track down his fugitives.

As they walk through the lava caves, Anakin Skywalker and Captain Tarkin resume their discussion about the Jedi's role in the war effort. Tarkin stands by his principles, and his rather contrary opinion of the Jedi. He believes such disagreement in no way threatens his military career, since he has become a trusted adviser to Chancellor Palpatine.

The anooba beasts catch up with the Jedi. Anakin and Obi-Wan try to hold off the creatures, but a few slip past their blades and attack Master Even Piell, leading battle droids right to their prey.

Anoobas maul Master Piell, tearing at him with their claws and fangs. Ahsoka Force-pushes the beast away, but it is too late. Master Piell is gravely injured.

With his dying breath, Master Piell entrusts Ahsoka with the Nexus Route navigational data. He demands that she deliver this information only to the Jedi Council.

The Jedi pay their respects to their fallen comrade. They bundle Even Piell's body and drop it into the lava river, where it is consumed by flames. They are soon on the move again, racing to their rendezvous point.

The Jedi forces arrives at Lola Sayu. While the starfighters engage in a space battle, Plo Koon's gunship punches through the blockade toward the shattered planet.

The fugitives arrive at the extraction point, where they are attacked by STAPs carrying battle droids and Osi Sobeck himself. Obi-Wan and Anakin each commandeer a STAP, evening the odds. ARC trooper Fives blasts Osi Sobeck's STAP, forcing him to crash.

An infuriated Sobeck realizes he is losing. If he can't have the Nexus Route information, he's determined to have it die with Tarkin. He begins strangling the captain, but Ahsoka comes to his rescue by running Sobeck through with her lightsaber.

Master Plo Koon's gunship arrives. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Tarkin and the clones scurry aboard. The gunship returns to orbit, flanked by Jedi starfighters. The gunship flies to one of the waiting Republic cruisers, and the Jedi flee into hyperspace having succeeded in their mission

At the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka and Tarkin each have half of the Nexus Route data. Ahsoka will only entrust her half to the Jedi Council, while Tarkin will only report his to the Chancellor. Yoda will confer with the Chancellor how to proceed. Tarkin congratulates Anakin on his military valor, and Anakin admires Tarkin's convictions. Obi-Wan warns Anakin not to let the war distort his point of view, nor tarnish his honor.