Obi-Wan noticed the arrival of the Pantoran delegation and turned to greet them formally: "Chairman Cho, Senator Chuchi. I suggest you remain here temporarily while we verify that the area is secure."
However, Chairman Chi Cho responded with obvious irritation: "I respect your tactical judgment, General Kenobi. But I must emphasize that Orto Plutonia is sovereign territory of the Pantoran Assembly. It is quite presumptuous for Republic forces to enter without explicit permission."
Sam frowned deeply, finding Chairman Cho's arrogant attitude toward Obi-Wan both surprising and offensive.
Anakin attempted to explain diplomatically: "We were under the impression that this moon was completely uninhabited, so we didn't consider advance notification necessary."
Chairman Cho retorted with indignation: "Our Pantoran system represents the only established civilization in this sector. Your responsibility is to protect the people of these worlds, not to set foot on Orto Plutonia's surface without proper authorization."
Sam muttered quietly to Steve: "This guy's incredibly arrogant. Since when did this frozen wasteland become their personal property?"
Steve remained diplomatically silent, observing this uncomfortable exchange with growing concern about political complications.
Obi-Wan maintained his characteristic diplomacy: "With all due respect, Chairman, questions of territorial sovereignty are matters for the Galactic Senate to resolve, not field commanders."
At Chairman Cho's subtle signal, Senator Chuchi stepped forward and spoke with respectful but firm authority: "Master Kenobi, regarding territorial rights, the Chairman's position is legally correct. Since this moon lacks indigenous inhabitants, Pantora does possess legitimate protectorate claims."
Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged meaningful glances, with the latter reluctantly acknowledging the validity of Chairman Cho's argument.
Chairman Cho nodded with satisfaction, then directed his attention toward Steve and Sam with obvious curiosity: "Jedi Masters, may I inquire about the identity of these two individuals?"
Riyo Chuchi recognized them immediately and said with genuine warmth: "They are members of the Avengers team. That's Captain Rogers and Lieutenant Wilson. They saved countless lives, including Senator Amidala's and my own, when Separatist forces attacked Naboo."
Both Avengers stepped forward professionally, and Steve said with sincere pleasure: "It's excellent to see you again, Senator Chuchi."
Sam added with characteristic casual humor: "I recognized you the moment I saw you walking across this frozen hellscape."
Chairman Cho appeared somewhat annoyed by Sam's informal and irreverent manner of speaking.
Chuchi, however, didn't mind at all and smiled appreciatively: "I'm tremendously relieved to see you accompanying the Jedi Knights. With your expertise available, I doubt we'll be stranded on this tundra for very long."
Obi-Wan issued tactical assignments: "Anakin, you will remain with the Senator for security purposes and ensure her safety."
Sam volunteered immediately: "Master Kenobi, I'll accompany you to inspect the base, and Redwing can provide aerial reconnaissance deeper into the facility."
"Thank you very much, Sam. Your assistance will be invaluable."
Sam, Obi-Wan, Rex, and Chairman Cho approached the entrance of the Orto Plutonia outpost, where the reinforced metal doors opened automatically after one of the clone troopers input the proper security codes.
The clone soldiers maintained combat readiness with weapons drawn, prepared for any hostile contacts that might emerge from the facility.
Obi-Wan's attention was immediately drawn to a distinctly disturbing scene within the base perimeter—a row of metal poles had been driven into the frozen ground, each topped with a clone trooper's helmet in what appeared to be some kind of macabre display.
Chairman Cho swore with obvious anger: "This atrocity must have been committed by the Separatists."
"I don't believe so," Obi-Wan replied thoughtfully, studying the scene with growing concern.
Sam agreed with the Jedi's assessment: "I've never seen battle droids create anything like this before. This shows deliberate psychological warfare." As he spoke, he activated Redwing and sent the drone flying deeper into the base, instructing the clone troopers to follow behind the reconnaissance unit while maintaining safe distances.
The team began advancing into the facility's interior. Sam's drone transmitted real-time intelligence about the base layout and conditions, ultimately confirming their worst fears—all clone personnel stationed at the outpost had been killed.
The Jedi were outraged by this information, and they immediately quickened their pace toward the base's main command center.
"No survivors whatsoever," Rex reported grimly, looking down at a fallen clone trooper with obvious grief.
Chairman Cho examined the control panels and asked with growing alarm: "Is it possible that Separatist forces are establishing a forward operating base to launch attacks against Pantora?"
Obi-Wan surveyed the command center carefully: "Not necessarily. Observe the computer systems closely. There are absolutely no signs of data extraction, equipment sabotage, or intelligence gathering. We've dealt with Separatist operations numerous times, so I have strong reason to believe this was definitely not their work."
Sam asked with obvious puzzlement: "Then what could have caused this, Obi-Wan? What we're looking at is a complete massacre with no apparent strategic purpose."
Before Obi-Wan could formulate a response to Sam's question, Rex returned from his patrol and reported: "General Kenobi, my reconnaissance teams have discovered a Separatist droid base on the opposite side of the ice ridge. It appears to have been completely abandoned."
Outside the facility, Riyo Chuchi and Steve hadn't had an opportunity for private conversation since their last encounter in the Senate building.
Chuchi said with playful mischief: "Captain Rogers, I've heard reports about some of your recent remarkable achievements. It seems you've been extraordinarily busy lately."
Steve replied with warm appreciation: "You appear to be equally busy with your own responsibilities. I certainly didn't expect to encounter a familiar face in such a remote location."
Chuchi observed: "The galaxy can feel surprisingly small sometimes. Isn't that right, Master Skywalker?"
Anakin snapped back to attention when he heard the Senator mention his name: "Senator Chuchi, what did you just say?"
Chuchi continued with obvious amusement: "Padmé told me quite a lot about you. When she learned that you and Master Kenobi were assigned to escort Chairman Cho and me to Orto Plutonia, she expressed both relief and considerable frustration."
"Frustration?" Anakin asked with amused curiosity. "Why would she be frustrated?"
"She said you never plan operations thoroughly—you always improvise as situations develop."
Steve laughed and translated: "To put it more directly, Senator Amidala means you tend to act impulsively without considering consequences."
Anakin couldn't help but snort with mock indignation, while Chuchi also laughed at Steve's diplomatic interpretation.
Anakin then said with characteristic confidence: "So what if I do? My instincts serve me well every time."
"Anakin. Steve."
Both men turned to see Obi-Wan returning with the reconnaissance team.
Obi-Wan reported: "BARC speeder bikes are being prepared immediately. We've discovered a droid base approximately two kilometers from this location."
"What's the condition of that facility?" Anakin asked with tactical interest.
Sam replied grimly: "Just like the clone outpost—every droid has been destroyed."
Obi-Wan then addressed Chuchi directly: "Senator, it would be safest if you remained here with the others and Chairman Cho. We should return shortly."
Chuchi nodded in agreement with the security arrangement, while the Jedi, Avengers, and clone squadron mounted their BARC speeder bikes and raced across the snow-covered plains toward the droid installation.
Upon arriving at the Separatist base, they were immediately confronted by a horrifyingly familiar sight—a row of battle droid heads mounted on crude spears driven into the frozen ground.
Sam offered dark humor: "Well, at least whoever did this didn't discriminate. The attackers maintained equal-opportunity destruction."
"So they assaulted both installations without allegiance to either faction," Steve concluded with tactical analysis.
Obi-Wan mused thoughtfully: "We need to determine what these unknown hostiles hope to accomplish, and we must avoid allowing ourselves to be drawn into another galactic conflict."
Anakin agreed and issued assignments: "Rex, deploy additional sensor beacons throughout the perimeter. Steve, would you like to accompany me for interior reconnaissance?"
Steve nodded his consent, while Sam activated Redwing to continue aerial surveillance of the droid facility.
The team conducted a thorough inspection of the Separatist base and found conditions identical to the clone outpost—all battle droids had been systematically destroyed and their heads displayed on stakes, but nothing else within the facility had been damaged or looted.
Steve observed: "Whoever orchestrated this was extremely methodical. No personnel were left alive at either installation."
Rex added with professional assessment: "And their combat capabilities are formidable. Besides the destroyed droids, there are no enemy casualties visible, which indicates they suffered no losses during the assault."
"So this was a coordinated surprise attack," Anakin concluded.
Obi-Wan and Sam emerged from an interior corridor, with Obi-Wan calling to the others: "Have you discovered anything significant?"
"Nothing definitive," Anakin replied, glancing down at the snow-covered ground where he noticed particularly unusual impressions. "But there are some very large footprint patterns here."
Soon, they gathered in the droid base's main control center. Obi-Wan worked with the surveillance systems, entering various commands before announcing: "I believe I've found something relevant."
The recovered footage showed a B-1 battle droid firing desperately in multiple directions while broadcasting: "They are overwhelming our position! The base has been compromised! We require immediate reinforcements!"
The final clip revealed a large, fur-covered creature pouncing on the droid from behind before the transmission ended abruptly.
"What exactly was that creature?" Steve asked with obvious confusion.
Everyone shook their heads, indicating complete unfamiliarity with the species.
Rex then made an additional discovery: "The droid logs indicate they were conducting reconnaissance operations in the southern canyon system."
Obi-Wan decided: "Then we should begin our investigation from that canyon. Rex, return to base and brief Chairman Cho and Senator Chuchi on our progress."
Sam volunteered: "Rex and I will return together, and Redwing can maintain aerial surveillance in case that unidentified creature appears and threatens Chairman Cho and Senator Chuchi."
Steve, Obi-Wan, and Anakin departed the droid facility and headed toward the southern canyon to continue their investigation.
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