Riyo Chuchi paced nervously back and forth in the outpost's command center, her anxiety about the missing team clearly visible in every step.
"If you keep this up, we'll be able to see the trench you've worn into the floor," Sam joked, hoping to lighten the tense atmosphere that had settled over the facility.
Chuchi smiled apologetically and said: "I'm sorry, I'm just extremely worried about the Jedi Knights and Captain Rogers. They should have returned by now."
"Your concerns are entirely justified," Rex confirmed while continuously monitoring communication channels for any missed transmissions. He muttered with growing unease: "According to our established protocols, they should have reported their status some time ago."
Sam remained characteristically calm and nonchalant: "You have nothing to worry about. Though I have to admit, Steve has never had particularly good luck in snow-covered environments."
Both Rex and Chuchi looked at Sam with obvious exasperation, wondering how he could maintain such casual humor at a time like this. They were beginning to realize that the Avengers possessed a rather dark sense of humor under pressure.
When word finally came through the base communications that the Jedi Knights and Captain America were returning safely, Sam shrugged with obvious satisfaction: "See? I told you there was nothing to worry about."
When the three of them went to meet the returning team, they encountered Chairman Chi Cho, who had also come to hear the reconnaissance report from the recently returned Jedi.
Chuchi greeted them with obvious relief: "Master Jedi, Captain Rogers, I'm tremendously glad to see you made it back safely through this worsening snowstorm."
Before any of the three returning scouts could respond, Chairman Chi Cho, the head of the Pantoran government, impatiently demanded: "What exactly did you discover out there?"
"We have confirmed that the moon Orto Plutonia is inhabited by intelligent life," Obi-Wan reported with diplomatic precision.
Chi Cho responded with sharp disbelief: "Inhabited? That is absolutely impossible! Our surveys have been comprehensive!"
Anakin began explaining: "There is an established Talz settlement on this moon with a substantial population."
Chuchi asked with obvious confusion: "What are the Talz doing in this system? They don't have any registered colonies this far from their homeworld of Alzoc III."
Obi-Wan shook his head thoughtfully: "They appear to have been living on this moon for a considerable period—possibly generations."
"This is completely ridiculous!" Chi Cho declared angrily. "For centuries, the people of Pantora have been exploring this desolate wasteland, and we have never encountered any form of intelligent life here!"
Steve was clearly displeased with Chi Cho's dismissive attitude and replied pointedly: "Then I would suggest your explorers haven't been conducting thorough enough investigations. Although the Talz lack advanced technological resources, they are highly intelligent beings. They probably chose not to reveal themselves to your exploration teams... until we encountered them directly."
Steve's words infuriated the Pantoran leader, who responded with sharp hostility: "Nevertheless, these primitive barbarians have invaded the Pantoran system and launched unprovoked attacks against a Republic military installation. Captain Rex, prepare your forces for immediate combat operations."
Sam stepped forward to intervene: "Hold on a minute. Military action won't solve anything constructive here."
Chi Cho declared with rising anger: "This entire moon belongs to Pantora! Everything throughout the Pantoran system falls under our sovereign authority!"
Anakin was taken aback by Chi Cho's extreme territorial claims and said firmly: "Sir, the Talz are not your property. They are a free, sovereign people who have established legitimate settlement here over an extended period."
Chairman Cho argued with vehement conviction: "They have nevertheless occupied Pantoran sovereign territory and attacked our installations with primitive weapons and tactics. It is obvious that these barbarians are completely ignorant of galactic civilization's established conventions. Their isolation from their homeworld must have made them even more savage and unreasonable."
Steve spoke with cold authority: "Chairman, such inappropriate and racist language should never come from someone in your position of leadership."
"We gave the Talz our assurance that there would be no retaliation and that we desired peaceful coexistence," Anakin added with emphasis. "They even expressed willingness to provide compensation for the clone deaths and to hold proper funeral ceremonies as acknowledgment of their mistaken defensive actions."
Chuchi stood up with newfound determination: "Chairman Cho, if this account is accurate, how to proceed with the Talz situation must be decided by the Galactic Senate. At the very least, the senatorial representative of Alzoc III should be informed about this situation before any action is taken—"
However, Chairman Cho had no interest in hearing diplomatic alternatives and interrupted his own people's Senator: "Senator Chuchi, are you questioning your legitimate leader's authority?"
"But Chairman, the proper protocols—"
"I will not ask you a second time. Please answer me directly and honestly. Are you questioning my leadership and decision-making authority, Senator?"
Sam became increasingly annoyed with Chi Cho's authoritarian attitude and asked bluntly: "What the hell is wrong with you?! She's advocating for peace. We're all here trying to achieve that goal, and you're picking a completely pointless fight for no rational reason."
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner—"
Obi-Wan interjected diplomatically: "While I disagree with Lieutenant Wilson's tone in addressing you, I completely agree with his fundamental position. We will not send our soldiers to die in a meaningless battle that will cause unnecessary casualties on both sides."
However, the Pantoran Chairman once again demonstrated his stubborn arrogance: "It is obvious that this Talz colony consists of nothing more than unintelligent primitive animals, and therefore, the Civilized Species Convention does not apply to them or protect them."
Obi-Wan maintained his characteristic gentle tone: "Whether or not Orto Plutonia is recognized as an official Talz colony, the Talz themselves are a species with full recognition and membership within the Galactic Republic. Therefore, this matter should be resolved through diplomatic channels by the Jedi Council and Senator Chuchi, not through unilateral military action by Pantora's leadership."
"Jedi, you are currently standing on territory that belongs to Pantora, therefore this situation falls under my complete jurisdiction, not yours," Chi Cho argued with increasing hostility.
Obi-Wan had no desire to continue arguing with the obstinate Pantoran leader: "In any case, our agreed meeting time with the Talz leader Thi-Sen is approaching rapidly. We must depart immediately to honor our commitment."
Chi Cho snorted with contempt: "Excellent. That will give me sufficient time to drive these barbarians off our territory permanently."
Anakin issued clear instructions: "Rex, have the clone troopers ready for deployment, but under absolutely no circumstances are we to initiate hostilities. If Chairman Cho wants to start a war, he can do so without Republic military support."
Sam glanced at the deteriorating weather conditions and observed: "With this blizzard intensifying outside, we can't use the gunships for transport, and there aren't enough speeder bikes available to carry everyone at once."
"We'll have to make do with available resources and leave some personnel at the base to weather the storm," Anakin decided pragmatically.
As time passed, the storm continued growing in intensity. The available speeder bikes soon arrived at the agreed meeting location with the Talz representatives, which had been established at the former droid base site.
After Chairman Cho dismounted from his transport, he immediately addressed Rex: "Captain, position your men along the ice ridge perimeter. Once those barbarians arrive, we will open fire and eliminate all of them."
Sam was absolutely furious: "What the hell is wrong with you?! Don't you understand what we've been telling you? Are you seriously determined to massacre them all?! Are you doing all this just to ensure this moon remains uninhabited?!"
"He is absolutely correct, Chairman," Obi-Wan also spoke with serious authority: "There will be no fighting or warfare here. We came to achieve peace, not to commit genocide."
"Jedi Knights, you must follow my direct commands! Everything within the Pantoran system operates under my absolute jurisdiction!"
"The Talz delegation has arrived," Anakin announced, and indeed, Talz warriors appeared on the surrounding snowy ridges, riding their native narglatch mounts, while additional Talz emerged from concealed positions in the snow.
Steve observed the tactical situation: "So I believe your ambush plans are neither feasible nor likely to succeed. They've clearly anticipated potential treachery."
Anakin issued firm orders: "Rex, have our personnel lower their weapons immediately. We are not here to engage in combat operations."
The Clone Captain nodded and quickly relayed the stand-down orders while also quietly reminding his troops not to follow any conflicting commands that might come from Chi Cho.
Chairman Cho ground his teeth with frustrated rage as he walked alongside his armed Pantoran guards toward the Talz chieftain, while Senator Chuchi became increasingly concerned about her leader's dangerous course of action.
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