"What's going on, Obi-Wan?"
Cap and Kenobi had stepped away from their earlier conversation with the Avengers and now stood in the hallway outside the Earth team's quarters in the Temple.
"I need your help with something," Kenobi said seriously. "Do you remember the situation with the Senate hostage crisis a few weeks ago?"
"Yeah, the blue-skinned bounty hunter who held Senator Amidala hostage to free some... criminal gangster named Ziro?"
"Ziro is a Hutt—that's the name of his species," Obi-Wan explained. "He's a crime lord who nearly destroyed our chances of forming an alliance with the Hutt Cartel."
"The Hutt Cartel?" Captain America said with obvious suspicion.
"I admit that I personally dislike working with such criminal organizations, but the Council has deemed it necessary," Obi-Wan continued. "The Jedi Council has assigned me, along with another Jedi Master and his commando team, to track down Ziro and bring him to justice."
"Commandos?" Cap repeated. He had heard plenty about their elite skills and reputation from the other clone troopers he'd worked with. "Is the situation really that serious?"
"Ziro has proven elusive, and he's certainly dangerous," Obi-Wan said firmly. "As a Hutt who has poor relations with the other crime families, Ziro is also a target for many rival criminal organizations. We're likely to encounter bounty hunters and assassins who are after the same prize."
"So why is capturing him so important to the Republic?" Captain America asked.
"He's a crime boss who once held Senator Amidala hostage and nearly caused a devastating war between the Republic and the Hutt Cartel," Kenobi explained calmly.
Captain America considered this information, weighing what Obi-Wan had told him.
"Just one question, Kenobi."
"Yes?"
"Why come to me? This sounds like a mission that could be handled by you, another Jedi, and the commandos accompanying you. Why do you need additional help?"
Kenobi sighed deeply. "Honestly, Steve, the recent conflicts have become increasingly chaotic in both scale and intensity. The Force has been in a state of constant turbulence, and Master Yoda himself has sensed new dark threats surrounding this mission. He advised me to prepare accordingly. What better way to do that than to bring along unpredictable elements from outside the Force?"
The next day, Cap walked toward the landing platform accompanied by Falcon, both Avengers equipped and ready for the mission ahead.
"So let me get this straight," Sam began. "We're going to help Kenobi hunt down some ugly slug who's a wanted criminal of the Republic."
"That's pretty much it, yeah."
"Steve, you're here!"
They both turned around to see Aayla Secura jogging toward them.
"Hey there," Steve said warmly. "Do you need something from us?"
"Not exactly," Aayla shook her head and looked at Steve intently. "I heard you were going on a mission with Master Kenobi."
"That's right, him and another Jedi with their commando squad."
"Actually, I recently learned that this Jedi Master was my former teacher," Aayla said.
"Really?" Steve asked with interest. "He was your mentor?"
"Indeed. He trained me to become a Jedi Knight. He was the one who found me, rescued me, and brought me to the Temple when I was very young."
The mood between the two Avengers shifted noticeably at the mention of being taken to the Temple as a child. This change didn't go unnoticed by Aayla.
"He saved me," she said quietly. "He, Master Tholme, and Master T'ra are the reason I have a better life here. If I had been left on that planet, I probably would have been sold into slavery or worse."
This caused both Avengers to look at her sharply, and Sam's expression darkened.
"You were enslaved?"
Aayla nodded. "Essentially, yes. Many of the people in the Temple were likely slaves at some point, or had been destined for slavery. The Jedi Order saved us from that fate."
Steve and Sam exchanged a meaningful look, processing these revelations as the three continued walking toward their destination.
Soon they spotted Obi-Wan waiting with his back to them, arms crossed and one hand stroking his beard, apparently deep in thought.
"Obi-Wan," Steve called out. The Jedi turned around to see the three of them approaching.
"Ah, Steve, Sam. I'm glad you're joining me," Kenobi greeted them. "Aayla, this is unexpected. Are you coming with us as well? Here to keep an eye on your former Master?"
"If only I could," Aayla said with a mischievous smile. "No, I'm just here to tell him to stay focused and not do anything reckless."
"Well, that's a relief," Kenobi said with wry humor.
"You seem concerned about something," Cap observed with a puzzled expression.
Obi-Wan sighed. "Yes, well, Quinlan Vos has quite a... unique approach to things."
"What do you mean?"
"He has a certain reputation, but—"
A Republic gunship flew in from the west at high speed. As it approached the platform, the hangar door opened quickly, and a figure leaped out before the ship had even fully landed, rushing toward them with an enthusiastic grin.
"Obi-Wan! It's been too long, my friend. You're looking a bit rough around the edges. How's temple life treating you? Aayla, you're looking more Jedi-like than ever."
Kenobi simply regarded the man with a patient but slightly exasperated expression, while Aayla smiled knowingly.
"...always a pleasure, Quinlan."
The Avengers got their first look at Quinlan Vos. He had dark dreadlocks, bronze skin, and distinctive yellow facial markings across his nose and cheeks. His armor was a striking combination of yellow and black.
"Well, that's just your opinion, man."
Sam's unexpected comment caught Steve, Aayla, and even Vos off guard.
"Whoa, you alright there?" Vos asked, raising an eyebrow at the pilot.
Sam held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Nothing personal, trust me. It's just... well, this guy's got quite the entrance."
"That's the idea," Vos said with a grin. "Wait, who are you two exactly?"
"Vos, meet Captain Steve Rogers and Lieutenant Sam Wilson," Kenobi introduced them to the Jedi Master. "They're—"
"Avengers, right. I've heard plenty about you guys," Vos nodded approvingly. "Aayla's mentioned you, and so has Master Tholme. Looking forward to working with you."
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