Jabiim on the Outer Rim was currently experiencing a storm in more ways than one.
Even before the war reached this world, torrential rains had been pounding many regions of the planet.
This was, after all, a world perpetually drenched in rainfall—fewer than five days per standard year passed without precipitation. The planet's surface constantly shifted due to the relentless downpours. The weather generated highly unstable electrical fields, making atmospheric lightning storms commonplace. As a result, aircraft and repulsorlift vehicles suffered severe operational difficulties.
For generations, Jabiim had possessed valuable mineral deposits.
But over the years, this resource-based economy had steadily declined.
This ultimately led to civil unrest among the planet's population.
When the Republic fleet—comprised of six different legions and battalions—arrived above Jabiim, they were almost immediately swarmed by Ultron's forces.
Fighter squadrons launched rapidly from all vessels, and many on the bridges watched in wide-eyed shock at the chaotic three-way battle currently raging.
Crews observed Republic and Separatist forces desperately struggling to avoid the seemingly endless numbers of Ultron drones and hijacked fighters attacking from every vector.
The arrival of additional Republic reinforcements only intensified the orbital battle above the war-torn planet.
While some wanted to assist the Republic fleet already fighting for survival in space, it was clear to mission commanders that their priority was reaching the surface.
Consequently, nearly a hundred LAAT gunships deployed en masse toward Jabiim.
As the transports broke through Jabiim's atmosphere, they were battered by howling winds and endless precipitation.
Pilots reported extremely challenging conditions, but most still managed to reach their designated objective: Shelter Base, the acting headquarters for Republic ground forces.
Through remarkable skill and fortune, the majority of LAAT gunships reached their intended landing zones, disgorging clone reinforcements to support the established battalions and approximately two dozen Jedi already deployed on Jabiim.
The Jedi, Avengers, and clone task forces quickly poured out of the gunships and were immediately hit by Jabiim's oppressive heat and humidity.
Within seconds, nearly everyone was soaked from head to toe.
"Man, I thought East Coast storms were bad back home," Rhodes commented, grateful his suit was environmentally sealed, preventing mud and water from infiltrating his armor.
His fellow heroes—with the possible exception of Peter, Matt, and T'Challa—weren't so fortunate.
"This place is absolutely miserable," Ahsoka exclaimed, as if her fighting spirit had been dampened along with everything else.
"I completely agree," Barriss said, choosing to remove her hood and tie her long hair into a practical bun rather than let the soaked fabric cling to her forehead. Her robes were waterlogged and heavy.
"For once, I find myself questioning the universal practicality of traditional Jedi attire," Luminara muttered, having to constantly adjust her headwrap to keep water from her eyes.
"Not every outfit works in every environment," Obi-Wan conceded diplomatically.
"Could be worse," Steve said with resigned acceptance. The super soldier shrugged. "During the last war, I had to endure some truly awful conditions."
"I've slept in caves more times than I can count," Sam added.
"I've trekked through Wakanda's jungle regions extensively," T'Challa contributed.
Many were beginning to notice a growing sense of foreboding, and frankly, none of them appreciated it.
"Thank goodness Mr. Stark included climate control," Peter said gratefully.
"Naturally, Mr. Parker," his suit's AI responded. "Mr. Stark conducted extensive planning to accommodate multiple environmental scenarios you might encounter."
"Mr. Stark really thought of everything," Peter muttered, struggling to extract his feet from the clinging mud. "Though I do wish I didn't have to fight this hard just to walk around."
"At least you have something keeping you comfortable," Ahsoka said enviously, rubbing her arms briskly while Barriss moved closer so they could share body heat.
"Don't you have proper robes?" Sam asked curiously. "What happened to traditional Jedi garments?"
Tano stared at the pilot, her mouth opening and closing speechlessly before settling into an annoyed pout.
"Shut up," she muttered in exasperation.
The group couldn't help but chuckle at the Padawan's reaction as a clone with distinctive accent markings and a human female Jedi approached their assembly.
"Master Kenobi, Master Plo," the woman said with obvious relief. "Thank the Force you've all arrived when we needed you most."
"Leska," Obi-Wan greeted warmly, and the two clasped forearms in greeting.
"Thank you all for responding to our distress call," Leska said, her tone conveying deep exhaustion. "Jabiim has descended into complete chaos. We've been fighting this new enemy force—"
"That's exactly why we're here," Steve interrupted, drawing Leska's attention. "Brief us on everything that's happened since this hostile force arrived."
While the adults discussed current tactical situations, the teenagers were having their own conversation.
"So you have this AI..." Ahsoka began hesitantly, clearly nervous. "It's not like... you know?"
"Mr. Stark designed me specifically to assist Peter and the Avengers," Peter's AI responded in gentle tones from within his suit. "That includes helping their friends and allies as well—including both of you."
"So it's like the AI in Rhodes's suit, not like Ultron?" Barriss clarified.
"Precisely."
"Good to know Peter's suit isn't going to go rogue on us," Ahsoka said with dark humor.
"The suit does have an 'Instant Kill' mode that could theoretically—" Peter admitted.
Sudden silence filled the space as Barriss and Ahsoka took a step closer to Peter.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
The Padawans moved another step closer.
Peter visibly rolled his eyes at both of them. "Guys, I control it. I only activate it during genuine emergencies, not randomly."
"This is accurate—Peter would never misuse such features," his suit's AI confirmed.
Barriss and Ahsoka exchanged glances before facing Peter again, who was staring down at the mask in his hands.
"There's still so much to learn about this suit though," Peter muttered. "I know Mr. Stark packed tons of features into this thing, but I barely understand most of them yet."
"Mr. Stark installed the Training Wheels Protocol, which gradually unlocks various functions," the AI explained.
"Training wheels, huh?" Peter said with amusement. "Not sure I need those anymore."
"I concur," the suit's AI said earnestly. "I've analyzed extensive combat recordings, and as your battle participation has increased, my emergency protocols have activated and full suit capabilities have been unlocked."
"I think it would be safer if those restrictions came off sooner," Barriss said with a slight frown, Ahsoka nodding beside her.
"Unfortunately, my programming prevents premature unlock sequences," the suit's AI replied seriously.
"Look, it's fine," Peter said, patting the arc reactor on his chest. "You're here now, so let's make the most of it and figure out what this suit can do as we go."
"Agreed," the suit's AI said in a pleasant voice.
"Okay, so... she's not going to kill us," Ahsoka joked dryly. "But... I don't know about you, but I don't think we should keep calling this AI 'suit lady.'"
"Maybe we should give her a name," Peter agreed.
"She does have a distinctly feminine voice," Barriss observed.
All three hummed thoughtfully.
"Liz?" Peter suggested, then quickly shook his head. "No."
"What about Leia?" Barriss offered, but Ahsoka frowned disapprovingly.
"Maybe... Gwen?" Peter paused consideringly. "Or... Karen?"
"Karen?" the girls said simultaneously.
"Karen," the AI mused thoughtfully. "You may call me Karen if you wish."
"All right then, Karen," Peter smiled, pulling on his mask.
After a moment, the three teenagers heard Anakin calling for them.
"Looks like we've got work to do," Ahsoka observed.
"Yeah, let's get moving," Barriss nodded, and they rejoined the larger group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writing takes time, coffee, and a lot of love.If you'd like to support my work, join me at [email protected]/GoldenGaruda
You'll get early access to over 50 chapters, selection on new series, and the satisfaction of knowing your support directly fuels more stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~