"Peter."
The two heroes turned to see Steve approaching with Rhodes, Obi-Wan, Aayla, Bly, and Cody in tow.
"Cap! Rhodes!" Peter said with genuine relief. "You're back. Aayla, Obi-Wan, Cody, Bly—thank the Force you're all okay."
"Good to see you in one piece too," Obi-Wan replied, his weathered face showing concern. "From what we observed flying in, you were all caught in the thick of this surprise attack."
"Yeah, our old friend Ultron decided to crash the party," Peter said grimly.
"Figures," Steve's expression darkened. "That metal maniac."
"Damn shame we weren't here when it went down," Rhodes shook his head, his War Machine armor retracting with mechanical precision.
"This was beyond anyone's control," T'Challa said diplomatically.
The newly arrived group turned their attention to the Prince of Wakanda, taking him in with curious eyes.
"Wait, you're the prince Peter and Matt have been hunting for, right?" Rhodes asked, his metal fingers snapping as recognition dawned.
"T'Challa of Wakanda," the prince confirmed with a respectful nod. "It's an honor to meet the Avengers in person."
"Good to finally meet you, Your Highness," Steve said, extending his hand. T'Challa clasped it firmly, then shook Rhodes's hand as well. "Glad to see you made it through okay. Peter and Matt have been worried sick trying to track you down."
"So I've heard," T'Challa replied with a slight smile.
"Well, I don't know if you're interested in joining us," Steve continued, "but we're about to have a briefing with the Chancellor and several senators after this session ends."
"You mean the Chancellor?" T'Challa asked with curious interest, then murmured something under his breath.
"Something wrong?" Obi-Wan inquired.
"Nothing at all," T'Challa said with subtle amusement. "I'm certain my father would find this entire situation quite fascinating."
As the Senate session finally concluded, the prince continued getting acquainted with Steve, Rhodes, and the others. Senators dispersed throughout the building, many still engaged in heated discussions about the topics that had dominated the floor debate from start to finish.
Those same subjects would be the focus of a much smaller, more intensive meeting in the Chancellor's office within the next few minutes.
The group led by Steve and Obi-Wan arrived at the Chancellor's suite to find an impressive assembly already gathered.
The entire Jedi Council was present—some in person, others via holographic transmission—along with several key senators. The remaining Avengers had assembled as well, accompanied by the Republic's top clone commanders and fleet admirals.
Sam was the first to notice their arrival. "Steve, Rhodes, Kenobi, Aayla—good to have you back."
"If only it were under better circumstances," Obi-Wan said somberly.
Sam nodded respectfully to Cody and Bly before his gaze shifted to Peter, Matt, and especially...
"Cat-man," Sam greeted the Prince of Wakanda with a grin.
"Bird-man," T'Challa replied, matching Sam's smile.
Steve and Rhodes exchanged confused glances while Peter and Matt shared knowing looks.
When T'Challa had first encountered the current roster of Avengers on Coruscant the previous day, Sam had been the one to break the ice between them with a simple, deadpan question: "So... you into cats?"
In the short time since, it had become their personal running joke.
Now, for the first time since arriving in this galaxy, nearly all the Earth heroes were gathered in one place. Only two remained missing.
Steve took a moment to survey the room's occupants.
Representing the Jedi Order were Master Yoda himself, along with Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Luminara Unduli—the newest Council member, having recently replaced a fallen master.
Shaak Ti and Stass Allie participated via hologram from their respective fleets and temple assignments.
The other Jedi present included Anakin, Obi-Wan, Aayla, Ahsoka, and Barriss.
Clone commanders filled another section: Rex, Cody, Bly, Wolffe, Thorn, Ponse, Fordo, Grey, Fox, Bacara, Gree, Jet, and Neyo.
Among the senators, most were faces the Avengers had grown familiar with: Padmé, Bail Organa, and Riyo Chuchi formed the core group, joined by Cham Syndulla, Jar Jar Binks, and several other politicians the Avengers hadn't worked with extensively. Judging by the senior admirals present, this promised to be a comprehensive strategic discussion.
"Wait..." Obi-Wan looked around the assembled group with growing concern. "Where's Admiral Yularen? Wasn't he engaged in the battle?"
Anakin and Ahsoka lowered their eyes while Captain Rex stared at the floor, his shoulders sagging with grief and respect.
After a heavy moment, Jedi Council member Stass Allie spoke via hologram.
"He... didn't make it."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened in disbelief and shock.
"Yularen is dead?" The Jedi Master found himself more shaken than he'd expected. Wullf Yularen had been a stalwart ally for years.
"Yes," said a new voice from the side, delivered in a rather matter-of-fact tone. "The man went down with his ship, as all good captains should."
The newcomers turned toward a middle-aged man wearing an immaculate Republic uniform and sporting an unusual, precisely styled haircut. His most striking features were sharp cheekbones and equally sharp, calculating eyes.
"Excuse me, and you are?" Steve asked respectfully but firmly.
The man studied Captain Rogers for a long moment, as if taking his measure, before giving a curt nod.
"Captain Wilhuff Tarkin," he introduced himself. His tone carried diplomatic polish, though something colder lurked beneath. "You're the Avengers I've heard so much about."
"That's us," Rhodes replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man who was studying him right back.
"Something the matter?" Tarkin inquired.
"Nothing specific," Rhodes said evenly. "You just remind me of someone from back home."
"Indeed? I hope it's not an unfavorable comparison."
"Could be worse," Sam interjected with dry humor.
"I see," Tarkin said with measured calm. "Regardless, I wanted to express my gratitude."
"For what?" Steve asked, genuinely confused.
"For your service to the Republic," Tarkin stated matter-of-factly. "I've heard impressive accounts of your various operations and achievements throughout this war. Many focus on your individual abilities, but they overlook the tactical advantages you've brought to our cause. Your involvement has resulted in more decisive victories with significantly fewer casualties than previous campaigns. I trust Captain Rogers' reputation is more than mere propaganda?"
"It's not," Steve said firmly, meeting Tarkin's calculating gaze.
"Then I hope we'll have opportunities to collaborate," Tarkin continued, his tone suggesting genuine interest. "It would be a refreshing change from the usual... personnel... that we military officers are typically required to work alongside."
The subtle way his eyes shifted toward the assembled Jedi wasn't lost on Steve or several other Avengers. The man stepped back just as Chancellor Palpatine entered his office with his customary entourage.
Though no one else noticed, Matt Murdock touched his temple and picked up Peter's suddenly accelerated breathing and elevated heart rate.
"You okay, Peter?" Matt asked quietly.
The Queens native shook his head, rubbed his eyes briefly, then frowned with obvious discomfort.
"I... I'm not sure," Peter said, now visibly grimacing. "Something just feels... wrong."
Hearing this, Obi-Wan turned his attention to his young friend.
"Wrong how?" Kenobi pressed. "Is this your spider-sense, Peter?"
"Something like that," Peter replied, still frowning.
"Spider-sense?" T'Challa asked with puzzled interest.
"It's tied to his abilities—a kind of danger-sensing sixth sense," Obi-Wan explained.
Before the prince could ask for further clarification, Chancellor Palpatine cleared his throat, commanding the room's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for gathering on such short notice," Palpatine said as he settled behind his ornate desk. "These are dark hours indeed for what has befallen Coruscant and our Republic."
Flanking the Chancellor were two figures who accompanied him to virtually every important meeting.
One was Mas Amedda, a male Chagrian who served as Palpatine's Vice Chair and trusted lieutenant.
The other was...
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