The Second Battle of Geonosis was finally over.
As the Republic reestablished firm control over the planet, any remaining Separatist forces had been swept away or destroyed. The battle had been hard-fought with many clone troopers making the ultimate sacrifice, but their courage had inspired everyone involved and ultimately secured victory.
Now, with Poggle the Lesser in custody, the Jedi and Avengers prepared to leave the desert world behind. However...
"So we didn't find anything or anyone related to that transmission," Rhodes said with obvious disappointment. He was speaking to Cap, Sam, and Natasha—the other Avengers had already boarded the transport heading back to Coruscant after the long campaign. Only Peter remained planetside, and the young hero was currently chatting with Ahsoka and Barriss not far away.
"I apologize, comrades," came Tap's voice through Rhodes's comm system. "I was convinced there was a lost ally somewhere on this planet. It appears I was mistaken."
"Are you certain about that, Tap?" Sam asked. "Maybe we overlooked something during the search."
"I cannot be certain, Comrade Wilson," Tap admitted with digital uncertainty. "Perhaps it was merely a sensor malfunction."
Steve frowned deeply, crossing his arms as he became lost in thought.
"A sensor malfunction?" Steve thought to himself. "That droid..."
"Steve?"
Cap blinked and looked up to find the others staring at him, Natasha's hand resting concernedly on his arm.
"Are you alright?" Natasha asked with genuine worry in her voice.
"You look like something's bothering you," Sam observed.
Steve opened his mouth to respond, then his expression shifted to one of confusion and uncertainty.
"What's troubling you?" Steve asked himself, his face reflecting his inner turmoil.
"Seriously, Cap, what's going through your head?" Sam pressed after a moment of uncomfortable silence.
Steve sighed heavily and lowered his head, replaying those disturbing words in his mind repeatedly.
"There was..." Cap began quietly, "a battle droid I encountered here on Geonosis. It looked exactly like all the other droids we've been fighting."
"I remember seeing it too," Rhodes said cautiously.
"But what it said... how it said it..." Steve clenched his fists tightly. "Something was very wrong about it."
Natasha frowned, exchanging worried glances with both Sam and Rhodes.
"What exactly did this droid say?" Sam asked.
Steve hesitated for a long moment. "Just one sentence."
"One sentence?" Sam repeated, looking between Rhodes and Natasha, both of whom appeared increasingly uneasy.
"'There are no strings on me,'" Steve finished grimly. "Does that remind you of anyone?"
"You don't mean—"
"Ultron," Steve said, his voice carrying barely contained anger.
"But we destroyed him," Rhodes said forcefully. "Back in Sokovia. Vision confirmed it—we got all of his bodies."
"Steve," Natasha said with growing concern, "are you absolutely certain that's what you heard?"
"I... I don't know," Cap admitted, though his uncertainty was clearly eating at him.
Before they could discuss the matter further, a Republic shuttle descended and landed near their position. Several clone troopers were escorting their freshly captured prisoner, Poggle the Lesser, toward the transport.
As the landing ramp extended, Poggle was roughly pushed aboard the vessel.
Ki-Adi-Mundi approached the group with an troubled expression. "It appears we have developed a complication."
"Don't we always?" Anakin said with weary resignation.
"I've just received an urgent distress signal from our forces on Tatooine," the Cerean Jedi Master explained. "Master Windu's defensive positions have held, but his troops have suffered heavy casualties. They're in desperate need of medical supplies, which we can acquire at the Ord Cestus Medical Station."
"But we're supposed to transport Poggle directly to Coruscant," Obi-Wan pointed out. "Ord Cestus isn't on our flight path."
"The Republic needs to begin interrogating Poggle immediately if we're going to extract any useful intelligence from him," Luminara said firmly.
Anakin considered their options for a moment, his gaze briefly settling on the three teenagers nearby. An idea began forming, and he walked over to address the group. "I have a suggestion—why don't we let Peter, Barriss, and Ahsoka handle the medical supply run?"
"Are you certain you want them taking on that responsibility?" Obi-Wan asked with some concern.
"Why not? I think they're more than capable of handling the mission."
The three young heroes looked at each other before providing their responses.
"Whatever needs to be done, Master. I'm ready to help," Ahsoka declared confidently.
"Count me in as well," Barriss added simply.
"Uh, yeah, me too," Peter chimed in, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
Seeing the teenagers accept this unexpected assignment, Obi-Wan glanced at the older Avengers present, who seemed to approve of Peter's inclusion in the mission.
"Excellent. Prepare to depart aboard the medical frigate immediately. After we deliver Poggle to Coruscant for interrogation, we'll rendezvous with your team and proceed together to Tatooine."