Peppi rode one of her shaaks through the eastern swamplands with Barriss and Ahsoka following close behind, the sun beginning its descent toward the horizon in a blaze of orange and purple.
"There's their ship," Barriss said to the Gungan herder, pointing toward the abandoned Naboo craft.
"But where are they?" Ahsoka asked, scanning the area with growing concern.
"Hopefully not too far," Barriss replied, though her voice carried worry.
The three dismounted from the large beasts and began examining the surrounding area.
Barriss crouched down and ran her fingers over the muddy ground, reading the tracks left behind.
"Their trail ends here," she reported.
Suddenly, both Padawans heard a strange mechanical whirring sound and looked up to see Peppi being lifted into the air.
The girls looked down just in time to see a periscope rising from the swamp floor with Peppi balanced precariously on top of it.
They immediately ducked out of the device's line of sight, carefully positioning themselves behind the twisted roots of a massive tree.
"Peppi, that's a surveillance periscope," Ahsoka whispered urgently. "Don't let them see you."
"Whoa!" the Gungan woman yelped, scrambling to maintain her balance on the spinning device.
As she was about to fall, Barriss extended her hand and used the Force to gently float Peppi behind a large fallen log near their hiding spot. Both Padawans quickly joined her before the periscope could complete another rotation. The three crouched in concealment, watching as the mechanical eye scanned the area where their mounts waited.
After exchanging meaningful glances, Ahsoka raised her wrist communicator and contacted her master.
"Master, are you there?"
"Did you find them?" Anakin's voice crackled through the device.
"We found their ship. I'm certain they're inside the laboratory. The entire area is monitored with pressure sensors and surveillance equipment. There's no way to approach without being detected. But I think we could—"
"Do not attempt to infiltrate on your own," Obi-Wan's voice interrupted as a holographic image of the geological scan appeared before them, highlighting a specific section. "I need you to detonate a bunker-buster charge on the southern perimeter of the facility. It should create an adequate distraction and seal off the weapons assembly area while we enter through the main access hatch."
"Consider it done, Master Kenobi."
"Rex and his men are moving to support your position," Anakin added. "They'll provide backup for the operation."
"You two must remain undetected and focus on infiltrating the base," Luminara's voice joined the conversation. "Concentrate on securing the laboratory. I believe our friends can handle themselves once we reach them."
Earlier, inside the laboratory...
Dr. Vindi was examining a particularly fascinating piece of equipment with scientific fervor.
"This defensive shield is remarkable," Vindi said admiringly, running his hands over the circular metal disc. "I've never encountered material this resilient. Rumlow, you claimed to know the composition of this metal."
"Vibranium," the mercenary replied curtly. "And it's going to be mine."
"What makes you believe you can claim it so easily?" Bil Valen, one of the dark side acolytes, asked defiantly. "I'm certain Count Dooku will find it extremely valuable."
"Please," Rumlow snorted dismissively. "You amateurs wouldn't know the first thing about utilizing it properly."
Valen stepped closer to Rumlow, neither man backing down, until Kadrian positioned herself between them.
"That's enough, both of you," Kadrian said with clear annoyance.
Both men continued their hostile stare-down until Valen was the first to step back.
BOOM!
The entire facility shuddered as a massive explosion rocked the underground complex.
"They've found us!" Vindi shouted over the reverberations. "All battle units to access point one!"
The mad scientist looked at his prisoners, then grabbed a protective helmet and secured it over his head.
"I assume your friends have arrived," Vindi said with mock disappointment. "They're faster than I anticipated."
Seeing the doctor don his protective gear, Rumlow's eyes narrowed dangerously as he approached the scientist.
"What are you—gack?"
The former HYDRA agent grabbed Vindi by the throat, lifting him slightly.
"You're not planning to release that virus now, are you?" he threatened.
"What's the purpose of developing a virus if you don't deploy it?" Vindi asked rhetorically, even while being choked.
"Where's the antidote?" Rumlow tightened his grip on the doctor's shoulders, making him wince.
"I—I haven't created one."
Rumlow snorted in disbelief. "You haven't made one yet. But you certainly know how to produce one."
The mercenary turned to look at the dark side acolytes. "You do realize there's no cure for this thing, right?"
The acolytes exchanged glances in a silent conversation until they all nodded in grim agreement.
"The mercenary raises a compelling point," noted Rodry the gray-skinned acolyte with pale mint eyes.
"Antidote, Dr. Vindi," Prosset Dibs said with deadly intent. "Where. Is. It?"
Vindi wanted to argue, but the growing sound of blaster fire indicated this was not the time for pride or scientific debate.
"I'll accompany the doctor," Rumlow announced to the others. "Anyone want to come along for some extra security?"
Kadrian and Rodry chose to follow the mercenary, while Prosset and Valen remained behind to guard the Avengers and Senator.
As they exited the chamber, Rumlow made certain to take Captain America's shield with him.
Outside, Ahsoka and Barriss watched several LAAT gunships approach, hovering over their designated target area of the laboratory complex.
Both Padawans emerged from cover as Captain Rex arrived with Domino Squad and additional clone reinforcements aboard their gunships.
"Can I come too?" Peppi asked hopefully.
"No, you stay here and make sure nobody escapes," Ahsoka instructed the Gungan herder firmly.
Peppi considered this for a moment, then nodded in understanding.
The two Padawans sprinted forward, igniting their lightsabers in twin flashes of blue and green, and leaped down through the breach they had created. The clone troopers rappelled down moments later.
With their lightsabers blazing, they advanced alongside the 501st Legion clones, deflecting incoming blaster fire from the battle droids rushing to defend the facility.
Above them, the remaining gunships maintained their positions over the designated assault points.
The charges had been detonated, and the Jedi, clones, and their lone Avenger ally had successfully breached the laboratory complex.
The rescue mission had begun.
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