Most of the arrivals remained at the main briefing, but several Jedi, Avengers, and clone officers dispersed throughout Shelter Base to spread their forces and better assess the tactical situation.
One group consisted of Pietro and two companions he'd grown particularly close to.
The Jedi Master and clone captain were currently discussing troop readiness for combat, while their speedster ally remained unusually quiet.
The Force-sensitive among them took notice.
"You're considerably more subdued than I'm accustomed to seeing," Ima-Gun Di observed to Pietro beside him.
"I notice lightning bolt markings all over Neyo and the 91st's armor," Pietro deflected with forced humor. "Care to explain that?"
The clone commander to his right snorted with amusement.
"Don't let it go to your head, Maximoff," Commander Neyo said, nudging the Avenger playfully.
Pietro chuckled, gently pushing the clone officer away.
This time it was Ima-Gun Di who laughed. "And who should we blame for this 'dramatic' transformation in our unit's behavior?"
"I will neither confirm nor deny my involvement in corrupting the 91st," Pietro said with mock innocence. "In fact, they're becoming increasingly irreverent, and I'll claim that's a positive development, not negative."
Neyo rolled his eyes at this assessment.
Pietro grinned at the commander until he felt General Di place a firm hand on his shoulder, directing his attention to the Nikto Jedi Master. His friend regarded him with serious concern.
"My friend," Di said calmly, "what troubles you so deeply?"
Pietro blinked with confusion. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Di simply shook his head. "You may be difficult, if not impossible, to sense clearly through the Force, but someone concealing their emotions is easy to read. What weighs on your heart, my friend?"
Just as Pietro was about to deny any problems, Neyo cleared his throat meaningfully.
"General Di is right, Pietro," Neyo said with a concerned frown. "We've all noticed you've been brooding about something for a while now. What's wrong?"
Pietro opened his mouth to respond, but closed it again and turned away from his two friends.
Walking ahead of them, he stopped at a nearby window overlooking Jabiim's relentless downpour. In the distance, he could see multiple flashes of light indicating fierce combat on the horizon.
The Avengers and their allies would soon be diving headfirst into that battle.
Pietro sighed heavily, turned back toward his two friends, and without warning lifted his moisture-wicking shirt, revealing a series of large, faded wounds and scars covering his torso.
"This happened to me the last time I fought Ultron," Pietro said in a distant tone.
Di and Neyo's eyes widened as they stared at the ugly scarring that marked areas where vital organs were located.
"Force preserve us, Pietro," Neyo breathed, stunned. "How did you survive that?"
"Nearly didn't," Pietro said, pulling his shirt back down. "If it weren't for my... enhanced physiology, I would have died. But for me, at the time... it was worth it. Ultron was defeated, and Sokovia's people were saved, even if their city ended up as a pile of rubble."
Di and Neyo exchanged glances before the latter walked over and clapped him firmly on the back.
"Have you considered not fighting him this time?" Neyo asked directly.
Pietro gave him a questioning look.
"You've defeated this Ultron before," Di added supportively. "What's to say you can't do it again?"
"This time, you'll have the full support of the 91st Legion along with five other armies, and you and the Avengers will take down this mechanical monster together," Neyo declared confidently.
Pietro hummed thoughtfully and nodded. "Good to hear that."
Elsewhere, a large assembly of Jedi, clones, and Avengers were coordinating with the numerous other Jedi and clone units already stationed on-planet, as well as Jabiim loyalist forces.
Initially, the briefing focused on the ongoing conflict and how the planet had been locked in stalemate for months.
But now...
There was palpable terror at the arrival of a new enemy that attacked both sides indiscriminately.
"Ultron?" Jedi Master Leska repeated the name of this new faction that had come to Jabiim.
"Have you heard about Coruscant and other systems being attacked by an unknown enemy?" Luminara asked, and Leska nodded gravely.
"Of course," Leska confirmed. "Who hasn't by now? It's been broadcast on every communication channel. The Separatists even ceased their attacks because their own worlds were invaded."
"Yes, that's him," Sam said grimly. "And now he's here."
"What could he possibly want from Jabiim?" asked a loyalist captain.
"Simple—the ore," Anakin stated bluntly, causing several Jedi present to shift uncomfortably.
"And he won't hesitate to kill every one of you to acquire it," Steve added, his tone dark. "In this conflict, Ultron serves no one's interests but his own."
A growing sense of dread spread through the large group, as the usually confident and optimistic Avengers now displayed uncharacteristic gravity.
"Our priority right now isn't defending this base," Steve said in a tone that brooked no argument. "You told us he's attacked multiple population centers, correct?"
The loyalists nodded confirmation.
"That's exactly what he'll continue doing," Steve continued. "Ultron doesn't distinguish between Nationalists or Loyalists. He's going to exterminate you, your people, your cities, your families."
The sense of dread deepened as Cap continued describing the enemy they faced.
"Right now, we need to focus on one objective, and one objective only," Natasha spoke with firm resolve. "Evacuate every civilian from Jabiim."
"What?" A Jabiim loyalist with brown hair and green eyes stammered. "Abandon Jabiim? I thought you came here to help us."
"We are helping," Obi-Wan said seriously. "This is precisely why we were sent here—to get everyone off this planet safely."
"But can't we fight back against this Ultron?" the brown-haired Jabiim native argued.
"Orlis," Leska said gently, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. "Please, let them explain."
The man appeared ready to object further, but took a moment to compose himself and nodded.
"Look, we hate abandoning this planet as much as you do," Rhodes said to the man, "but right now, the entire galaxy is in panic because this maniac attacked everyone simultaneously. We're the only reinforcements that could be spared because the Senate is paralyzed and helpless."
"Colonel Rhodes is essentially correct," Plo Koon stated simply. "Ultron's forces vastly outnumber both sides in this conflict. There's also the threat that he could corrupt our technology if he chose to do so."
This revelation only intensified the growing fear among the loyalist forces.
"Jabiim may fall to Ultron, but at minimum, we can save its people," Aayla said with determined optimism.
"When the time comes, we will avenge its loss," Sam emphasized, and the group fell silent.
After a long moment, Orlis sighed in resignation and nodded.
"You're right," the Jabiim native conceded. "This planet's people come first. So what's our approach?"
"Ideally, we can coordinate a systematic evacuation of your population. But first, we need to establish communication with the Separatist forces still on-planet so this plan can proceed smoothly," Anakin explained. "We'll divide our forces into three groups. One will contact the Separatist leadership, one will reach population centers and execute evacuations, and one will engage Ultron's army."
"It won't be easy without air support," Leska said with a troubled expression. "The weather conditions make it nearly impossible for starfighters to penetrate the cloud cover and provide assistance."
"Not to mention our forces are scattered. We need to consolidate them for your plan to succeed."
"Don't worry about air support," Hope suddenly interjected, holding up a small carrying case with a confident smile. "That's handled. I can guarantee that much."
Leska simply stared at the Avenger in confusion.