Soon after, both Parker and Wilson had returned to the Jedi Temple, where they exchanged greetings with several familiar faces from the Jedi Order.
They were walking through the temple corridors together when they heard animated voices coming from up ahead.
"Are you certain about this, Padmé?" came the familiar voice of Anakin Skywalker.
"They wouldn't have contacted me if they weren't sure," they heard Senator Padmé Amidala respond, her tone filled with concern. "This is serious, Anakin. I have to return and see what's happening."
"I'm not trying to stop you," Anakin's voice carried a note of worry. "Naboo is your home."
Sam and Peter finally reached the source of the conversation and found Anakin and Padmé standing in a briefing room with a holographic projection of Naboo rotating slowly behind them. R2-D2 and C-3PO stood quietly in the corner.
"Hey, guys," Peter called out cheerfully, causing both figures to look up at the approaching Avengers.
"Peter, Sam," Padmé greeted them warmly. "How are you both doing?"
"We're good, Padmé," Sam replied, clasping Anakin's forearm in greeting while the Jedi Knight returned the gesture. "What's going on? We could hear some pretty serious discussion from way down the hall."
"Well, you've walked into the middle of a serious situation," Anakin said, crossing his arms. "Padmé just received word from Naboo that Separatist battle droids have been spotted on the planet."
Sam nodded grimly, vividly remembering that their first major engagement with droid forces since arriving in this galaxy had taken place on Naboo.
"Is everything alright there?" Peter asked with genuine concern.
"We're not sure yet," Padmé admitted, her worry evident.
"I thought the Separatists would stay away from Naboo after our last battle there," Anakin said, giving Sam a meaningful look.
"Apparently our presence there wasn't enough of a deterrent to keep them away permanently," Sam said with a frown.
"So what's your plan?" Peter asked Padmé directly.
"I need to return to Naboo immediately," Padmé explained. "But... I have to admit, if there really are Separatist forces there, I'd prefer to bring a Republic fleet for support."
"But until they have confirmation, we're stuck here waiting," Anakin added with obvious frustration.
Sam and Peter exchanged a significant look.
"So... need some help?" Peter offered casually.
"What do you mean?" Padmé asked, looking up at the young hero with curiosity.
"We could go to Naboo with you," Peter suggested with a shrug.
"If that wouldn't be too much trouble," Sam added.
Padmé stared at both Avengers in mild surprise before breaking into a bright, grateful smile.
"That would be wonderful," Padmé said, genuine appreciation in her voice.
"Wait, but you can't just—"
"Anakin, in case you forgot, we're not technically part of the Republic military," Sam quickly interrupted. "We're independent contractors."
Understanding dawned on Anakin's face, and after a moment he grinned widely. "You're absolute lifesavers."
"I'll go tell the others and see who's available to come along," Peter announced, already heading for the door.
"You know, you could just..." Sam started, then shook his head. "Never mind."
"What?" Anakin asked with confusion.
"He forgot about our comms," Sam explained, tapping the communication device in his ear.
"Ah, right," Skywalker nodded with understanding, then turned back to Sam. "Are you planning to go to Naboo yourself, Sam?"
Sam shrugged. "Haven't decided yet. We'll figure it out when the others get here."
Ultimately, a small strike team consisting of Steve, Natasha, Peter, and Rhodes was selected to accompany Padmé to Naboo.
Sam was asked to remain behind as temporary field commander for the Avengers stationed on Coruscant, in case any emergencies arose while the others were away.
The Avengers had long since established a policy of maintaining at least one mobile response team operating throughout the galaxy, with another remaining on Coruscant as a rapid response force. They had the numbers to maintain this deployment pattern, and their track record of accidentally discovering missing Avengers during missions made it strategically sound.
So they would continue this proven approach.
After traveling through hyperspace for several hours, they emerged in the Naboo system.
From what the team could observe, it appeared to be a peaceful day in the sector, but that serene image was undermined by the potential crisis brewing on the planet's surface.
Padmé took the pilot's seat of her personal transport, with the four chosen Avengers seated behind her in the passenger compartment.
Upon reaching Theed, Naboo's capital city, their ship was cleared to dock at the royal palace's main hangar bay. The moment they touched down, the boarding ramp couldn't lower fast enough for the ship's anxious passengers.
As they disembarked, the group was met by Queen Neeyutnee, Naboo's current elected ruler.
"Your timing is perfect, my lady," Padmé said, practically jogging down her ship's ramp. "Have you discovered any additional droids since we last spoke?"
"Only three more," Queen Neeyutnee replied gravely. "But they certainly aren't tourists. I need you to convince the Senate, or the Jedi Council, or whoever is running this awful war that we face a genuine threat."
"I'm afraid the Jedi won't be able to respond immediately, Your Majesty," Padmé said apologetically. "They'll need concrete proof of active Separatist involvement before any Knights can be dispatched here. Fortunately, several of the Avengers have volunteered to assist us."
"We are deeply grateful for this gesture," the Queen of Naboo said with a respectful bow. "Your actions here several months ago are still fondly remembered by the people of this world."
"We'll do everything we can to help," Steve promised sincerely.
"A handful of battle droids hardly seems like a major threat," Rhodes commented dryly, earning a sharp elbow to the ribs from Natasha.
"We won't let you down," Peter added with a reassuring smile.
Suddenly, Captain Typho's wrist communicator chirped to life. "Captain Typho, the captured battle droid is prepared for analysis."
"This way, please," Typho gestured for them to follow him deeper into the palace.
They were eventually led to a technical analysis chamber filled with multiple storage shelves containing various droid components, several computer workstations, and two examination tables displaying the remains of destroyed Separatist droids.
Two of the units were standard B1 battle droids, while the third was a far more sophisticated tactical droid.
"A tactical droid?" Rhodes observed pointedly. "That suggests there are definitely more forces out there."
"That was our assessment as well," Queen Neeyutnee confirmed. "But as Senator Amidala mentioned, without additional evidence, no military support will be forthcoming."
"That's exactly why we're here," Natasha said, circling the examination table while the others gathered around the deactivated droids.