"FRIDAY?" Steve called out.
"Yes, Comrade Steve?" The Avengers' personal AI responded through Rhodes's suit systems. "How may I assist you?"
"See what you can extract from this droid," Steve instructed.
"Of course, Captain," the AI replied before beginning its analysis.
"Were you able to retrieve any intelligence before we arrived?" Natasha asked the Naboo officials.
"Unfortunately, our security forces have a 'shoot first, ask questions later' policy when it comes to battle droids," Queen Neeyutnee said with obvious regret.
"I have a very bad feeling about this proceeding," C-3PO interjected. "With your permission, Senator Padmé, I would very much like to return to the ship."
"Permission denied," Padmé said firmly.
"Denied?" The protocol droid sounded genuinely distressed.
"3PO, if FRIDAY can't extract anything useful, you might be able to coax some information out of it directly."
"Unfortunately, this has proven quite challenging," FRIDAY's synthesized voice emanated from Rhodes's speakers. "Its circuits are severely damaged and crossed. Whoever fired upon this unit was thorough. The best I can manage is restoring basic functionality."
"That's better than nothing," Natasha said with a shrug.
As FRIDAY completed the reactivation sequence, the tactical droid jerked upright, its optical sensors clearly malfunctioning.
"Cannot... see. Where am I?" the tactical droid asked, its head swiveling blindly.
"You are safe aboard a Separatist vessel," C-3PO said in his most reassuring tone. "Count Dooku himself wishes to commend you for your exemplary service."
"Exemplary?" the droid questioned, its voice modulator crackling with confusion.
"Indeed, as recognition for your successful mission on Naboo," the protocol droid continued smoothly. "Please attempt to access your remaining memory banks. We are all eager to hear your heroic account."
The tactical droid's voice modulator wavered as it struggled to form words. "Vi-Vi-Vir-Virus."
That was definitely not what any of them had expected to hear.
"Yes, the virus," C-3PO encouraged gently. "You remember now. Please continue with your report."
"Minor containment breach detected. Must... must seal leak. Naboo population cannot be informed. Laboratory location must remain classified."
"A secret laboratory on Naboo? Where exactly? You must tell us—"
"Classified information," the tactical droid suddenly stopped speaking, as if finally registering something was wrong. "This is not a Separatist vessel."
"Unless you want to become spare parts, you'll tell us exactly where that lab is located," Rhodes growled, his shoulder-mounted cannon rotating to target the droid's head.
"Laboratory location is classified," the tactical droid repeated stubbornly.
"FRIDAY, now!" Natasha shouted.
"Working on it, comrades!"
The droid suddenly reached toward its head with jerky, damaged servos, attempting to initiate some kind of self-destruct sequence. But before it could complete the action, an energy surge coursed from its body to its cranial unit. It froze completely, then toppled backward onto the examination table.
"FRIDAY?" Steve called out with concern.
"My apologies,," FRIDAY said with what sounded like disappointment. "I attempted to extract what data I could and piece together the fragments."
Everyone in the room sagged with slight frustration as Natasha stepped closer to examine the deactivated droid.
"Wait a minute. What's this residue?" she asked, pointing at the droid's leg joints.
"What do you mean?" Captain Typho inquired.
"This unit is covered in organic matter—mud, plant material," Natasha observed. "Where exactly did your forces encounter it?"
"In the grasslands outside Theed," Typho explained.
"Grasslands?" Steve leaned over the examination table. "Would that account for this type of soil composition?"
"That's an excellent question," Typho admitted. But before he could elaborate further, he stepped back in surprise as a small blue insect flew past his head.
Peter's enhanced reflexes allowed him to catch the bug effortlessly.
"Well, hello there, little guy," he said, examining the insect carefully. "Where did you come from?"
"Fascinating," Queen Neeyutnee said, stepping forward for a closer look. "That's a shaak beetle."
"A what beetle? Are we talking Pokémon here?" Peter asked with genuine confusion.
The Naboo natives stared at Peter in bewilderment, prompting Steve to quickly interject, "Just ignore him."
"What's significant about this particular insect?" Rhodes asked.
Queen Neeyutnee spoke thoughtfully. "Captain Typho said his forces recovered these droids from the grasslands around Theed. But shaak beetles suggest they may have originated somewhere entirely different."
The others gathered closer as Neeyutnee continued her analysis.
"Where specifically?" Natasha pressed.
"If I recall correctly, shaak beetles exclusively inhabit the soil beneath lallat trees," the Queen explained after a moment of consideration.
"Like this soil sample on the droid," Padmé realized with growing excitement. "The Eastern Swamplands."
"I think we just pinpointed that laboratory's location," Rhodes announced.
"We need to contact the Jedi Council immediately," Padmé declared.
The Avengers and Naboo officials transmitted an urgent communication to Coruscant, and both Master Yoda and Mace Windu appeared via hologram.
"Senator Amidala," Master Yoda greeted them. "News for us, do you have?"
"Yes, Master Yoda," Padmé responded. "We've discovered Separatist battle droids on Naboo, and one of them referenced a secret laboratory somewhere on the planet."
"They're clearly planning some kind of assault on Naboo," Captain Typho stated with conviction. "It's the only logical explanation."
"Apparently they didn't learn their lesson the first time," Steve added grimly.
Master Yoda closed his eyes, extending his senses. "Troubling, this situation is. Growing stronger, the presence of the dark side, I sense."
"Master Yoda?" Padmé's voice carried obvious concern.
"Dispatch Jedi Knights to assist, we will," Yoda decided. "Master Luminara, go she shall."
"Might I suggest Masters Kenobi and Skywalker as well?" Padmé offered diplomatically. "Relations with the Gungan people remain somewhat strained, but they trust Master Kenobi implicitly. Both Jedi also have extensive experience dealing with crisis situations on Naboo."
"Send them as well, we will," the ancient Jedi Master agreed before terminating the transmission.
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