The woman standing beside Palpatine, flanking Mas Amedda, was... unusual, even by the standards the Avengers had grown accustomed to in this galaxy of diverse species and humanoids.
She was a pale, bald woman with equally colorless eyes. At first glance she appeared blind, but closer inspection revealed visible pupils and faint retinal structures beneath the milky surface. Her strange appearance was completed by blue robes draped with an ornate fur-trimmed overcoat.
While her looks were unsettling enough, the aura she projected—coupled with the hauntingly intense stares she cast around the room—was something else entirely.
Several Jedi, clone officers, and senators briefly glanced in her direction before quickly looking away, as if her presence made them deeply uncomfortable.
"I don't believe we've been introduced," Natasha said with polite professionalism.
Palpatine offered the former spy a kindly smile.
"This is Sly Moore, my senior administrative aide," the Chancellor said, gesturing toward the pale woman. "She's been absent for some time due to health concerns, but has returned to duty despite the circumstances. I'm grateful for her dedication."
"Are you feeling well enough to be here?" Steve asked with genuine concern. "It might be better to rest and recover."
"I'm quite all right," Moore replied in a soft, measured tone. "My leave ended rather abruptly with this recent attack. Even if my health remains somewhat... fragile, I intend to fulfill my duties to the Republic."
Palpatine gave Sly an approving nod before turning his attention to the assembled crowd.
"Now then, to our most pressing concern," Palpatine's voice grew grave and serious. "Who was responsible for this coordinated assault?"
"Initially, we assumed it was the Separatists," Mace Windu said, arms crossed over his chest. "But even they wouldn't be so reckless as to launch a direct attack on the Republic capital."
"It appears we share similar conclusions, Master Jedi," Palpatine replied thoughtfully. "I've received reports from intelligence assets across the galaxy indicating that Republic worlds weren't the only targets. Separatist systems were hit as well, along with major criminal syndicate strongholds in the Outer Rim."
"The Outer Rim?" Riyo Chuchi interjected with concern. "What could they possibly gain by attacking the galaxy's underworld?"
"Based on my analysis, these were strategic strikes," Captain Tarkin spoke up, his voice crisp and authoritative. "I've reviewed the preliminary reports extensively. These advanced droids targeted planets and systems of strategic and symbolic importance across multiple factions. The Separatist capital world and several foundry worlds that manufacture their droid armies. Also Tatooine and Nar Shaddaa—both crucial to criminal enterprises like the Hutt Clans and Pike Syndicate."
"Such a massive, coordinated offensive..." Anakin's expression grew troubled.
"But what's the purpose behind it all?" Luminara wondered aloud, her face creased in deep thought.
After a long moment, Captain Steve Rogers cleared his throat, and every eye in the room turned toward him.
He sighed heavily before speaking.
"His name is Ultron," Steve revealed to the assembled leaders. "And we have... history with him back on Earth."
Several people in the room immediately realized that the Avengers knew exactly who they were facing.
But for the others...
"Forgive me, Captain Rogers," Palpatine said with evident confusion. "Are you saying that whoever launched this attack originates from your world?"
Steve could only nod grimly, and the other Avengers did the same.
Palpatine turned his attention to the Jedi Council.
"Master Yoda," he said carefully, "can you sense anything through the Force that might help us understand this new threat?"
Yoda closed his ancient eyes and lowered his head in concentration. After several moments, he spoke: "Sense him through the Force, I cannot, Chancellor. Outside its reach, this Ultron exists. Hidden from us, he is. How to defeat such an enemy, uncertain we are."
The Chancellor frowned deeply before turning back to the Avengers.
"Captain Rogers," Palpatine leaned forward, fingers interlaced, "I believe it's crucial that you and your companions share everything you know about this... Ultron. He's proven himself a threat to every faction in this war."
"Where would you like us to start?"
"From the very beginning."
"All right, then settle in," Natasha said, pulling up a chair. "This is going to take a while."
And so the Avengers who had first encountered Ultron's terror on Earth began their tale.
It started with what should have been a routine raid on a HYDRA facility. Their first meeting with the Maximoff twins. The devastating attack on Avengers Tower in New York City.
This led to Pietro recounting how he and his sister had initially encountered the highly advanced synthetic being and been recruited to serve his cause.
This revelation sent shock waves through several listeners. Pietro had actually been an enemy of the Avengers, willingly participating in Ultron's schemes until he realized the AI's true plan to exterminate all life on their planet.
"Extermination?" Obi-Wan asked with obvious alarm. "What could possibly drive this Ultron to attempt genocide on such a scale?"
"Peace in our time," Steve said bitterly. "That was the goal Tony Stark had in mind when he created the program. But Ultron took that directive to its most extreme, twisted conclusion."
"That's putting it mildly," Captain Rex muttered.
"If he seeks peace, then what purpose does all this serve?" Palpatine gestured toward the devastation visible through the office windows. "This hardly promotes peace."
"Ultron's mind is constantly evolving," Natasha explained. "Adapting, learning, refining his approach to achieve what he perceives as his higher purpose."
"He grew tired of conflict, so he decided to eliminate the source entirely and start fresh," Steve added grimly.
"How could any rational mind reach such a conclusion?" Ahsoka asked with obvious distress.
"The internet," Peter, Sam, and several other Avengers said simultaneously.
"The what?" came the collective confused response from everyone else in the room.
"Oh right, you don't have that here," Peter realized. "Think of it like... the HoloNet, but containing literally everything. Ultron could process vast amounts of data simultaneously within seconds."
"After absorbing everything he could access, he came to an immediate conclusion," Rhodes continued. "Having observed what humanity had done to Earth throughout history—and continued doing—he determined that complete genocide was the only path to lasting peace."
"But what evidence could justify such an extreme solution?" Mas Amedda asked impatiently.
"Look outside and see for yourself," Sam said quietly.
Following his suggestion, the group turned toward the windows overlooking Coruscant's recovery efforts. Multiple armed gunships, transport vessels, and medical craft streaked through the air, evacuating casualties, clearing debris, and delivering emergency supplies.
"Conflict. War. Famine. Death. Suffering. Inequality."
"Every problem Ultron identified on our world is now playing out on a galactic scale."
"He's essentially found the same issues here that convinced him Earth needed to be cleansed," Rhodes concluded with grim finality.