"Contact!" Clone Commando Boss roared over the chaos.
From the hills and forests surrounding them emerged a large group of what appeared to be bounty hunters and pirates. Some advanced methodically while others charged forward, firing wildly as they closed the distance.
Sam immediately took to the air while Cap, Kenobi, and Vos began deflecting blaster fire as Delta Squad returned fire with disciplined precision.
"Who the hell are these guys?" Sam called out from above, targeting the unexpected attackers.
"It appears we're not the only ones hunting Ziro. There are multiple parties searching for him," Obi-Wan observed, igniting his lightsaber.
Vos deflected several blaster bolts back at the nearest attacker, striking him in the head. The humanoid fell backward, revealing his true reptilian features.
"Falleen," Vos identified.
"Black Sun!" Scorch shouted, firing his custom DC-17M blaster rifle with its attached grenade launcher. "These bastards again!"
"Who's Black Sun?" Steve asked while engaging multiple enemies.
"A powerful criminal syndicate," Obi-Wan explained between parries.
"They must be after Ziro too," Fixer surmised.
"You mentioned Ziro having blackmail material on those oversized slugs," Sam said, swooping low to kick a human pirate into the murky swamp.
"Looks like these scumbags want Ziro just as badly as we do," Vos guessed, Force-pushing several pirates backward.
"Sir, if we stay here fighting these thugs, we'll be here all day," Boss said. "You and Master Kenobi need to keep moving."
"I don't think we should split—"
"They're right, Obi-Wan," Cap interrupted, providing cover for Sev, who nodded his appreciation. "You two keep advancing. We won't be far behind."
"Battle droids!" Scorch yelled, aiming his rifle at mechanical units flying overhead. They began bombarding the area with blaster fire more devastating than anything they'd encountered before.
"What are these things?" Sam asked, now having to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid the droids harassing him in the air.
"They don't match any Separatist models we've faced," Sev noted, methodically picking off droid after droid while the distracted pirates and hunters found themselves also engaging the mechanical threats. "Probably bounty hunting droids."
"Must be prototype models."
"Yeah, and we're the field test."
"They don't seem aligned with anyone but themselves," Cap observed, ducking and raising his shield to block incoming fire.
Several of these new droids landed throughout the area and systematically eliminated the remaining pirates and bounty hunters before turning their attention to the eight survivors.
"Well, that's just wonderful," Kenobi said dryly, assuming his familiar Soresu defensive stance as they found themselves surrounded by at least two dozen of these unique mechanical units.
The Republic team and Vos positioned themselves back-to-back with Boss, their eyes scanning constantly as they assessed all the droids encircling them. Though these machines appeared crude in design, they were positioned strategically enough that any blind spots or weaknesses were covered by adjacent units. It seemed the eight of them would have to fight hard to break free.
What was truly disturbing, however, was how they'd been surrounded without anyone noticing.
"Move!" Boss commanded, and the team launched their counterattack, splitting into pairs to efficiently deal with the mechanical threat.
Boss and Quinlan worked in perfect synchronization, frequently switching positions as Quinlan weaved around the commando to deflect constant blaster fire while eliminating any droids that attempted close-range attacks, while Boss methodically destroyed his targeted units one by one.
Sev and Sam made an unlikely but effective partnership, with their combined firepower proving devastating. Sam's aerial mobility gave Sev clear sight lines to snipe every droid that pursued the pilot.
Cap hurled his shield forward, sending it ricocheting through the swarm of droids. His throw was calculated precisely, striking multiple units and creating openings for Scorch to finish them off with his grenade launcher.
Obi-Wan provided defensive cover for Fixer, who stood behind him maintaining constant fire against the multiple droids attempting to overrun their position.
Eventually, the surviving droids regrouped, forming a defensive perimeter to face their opponents. The machines extended their arms, revealed hidden weapon compartments, deployed additional blaster barrels, and opened concentrated fire on the entire team.
The Jedi managed to deflect many of the incoming shots, but the intensity of the bombardment forced them to roll, leap, and spin continuously. They were grateful that the surrounding forest provided some natural cover. When droids moved in for close combat, both Jedi used the Force to freeze their movements, creating opportunities to destroy them with their lightsabers.
"Remarkably, these droids are more challenging than anything we've faced previously," Kenobi commented.
"Way worse than super battle droids," Sev pointed out.
"These aren't Separatist-manufactured units," Fixer observed. "I've never seen droids like this—completely different design philosophy and construction."
Boss added, "Must be from an independent manufacturer."
"We can analyze that later. Right now, just stay alive."
After several more intense minutes, the eight-man team finally destroyed all the remaining droids and caught their breath.
"I could use a break right about now."
"Save it for later. We still have a mission to complete."
"Yes, sir."
Obi-Wan turned and saw Steve standing over a disassembled droid, studying it intently.
"Steve?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you alright?"
"Sorry... just something about these droids..."
"Do you recognize the technology?"
Steve narrowed his eyes. "No... it's not that exactly."
Shaking his head, he walked over to Kenobi and patted his shoulder. "We'll discuss it later. Come on, let's finish this mission."
Obi-Wan glanced back at the destroyed droid, then hurried after his companion.
Eventually, the clone troopers reached a dwelling by a swampy lake. When the two Jedi and two Avengers needed to continue forward, the commandos could no longer keep pace. The Jedi used the Force to leap across the treacherous terrain and land near the building's entrance, while Sam deployed his wings and carried Steve across the swamp.
"We should proceed cautiously," Kenobi advised. "We don't know what might be waiting inside."
Before Obi-Wan and the Avengers could formulate a plan, Vos abruptly ignited his lightsaber and slashed through the front door, kicking it inward.
"Vos!" Kenobi exclaimed. "Someone lives here!"
Only after entering the structure did Vos and the Avengers immediately cover their mouths and noses.
"Oh god, what is that stench?!" Sam complained.
"Smells like something died in here," Vos gagged.
As they ventured deeper into the residence, they quickly discovered the source of the... aroma.
"Barging into my home—is that your idea of manners, smart guy?"
The four men found themselves facing an enormous Hutt that stretched nearly to the ceiling. Based on certain features, they realized this Hutt was female, though her voice sounded distinctly masculine.
"My apologies, ma'am," Obi-Wan said with diplomatic formality. "My colleague hasn't quite mastered the concept of knocking. Please forgive the intrusion."
The female Hutt was clearly not in the mood for pleasantries. "Then let me return the favor, Pretty Boy."
The Hutt hurled some kind of large insect at them, which all four men quickly dodged.
"That's really not necessary," Steve said. "We're not here to harm you."
The Hutt scoffed. "That would be a first for tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... first, my son and his pathetic girlfriend barge in here demanding use of my starship."
"Wait, son?" Sam muttered. "You're not telling me this is Ziro's mother?"
"Obviously," Vos confirmed.
Mama the Hutt continued her tirade: "Then some nasty creatures wearing strange helmets stormed in and demanded to know where Ziro was headed." She glared at the four men menacingly. "Are you here to kill my boy too?"
"Absolutely not, ma'am," Obi-Wan said quickly. "But your son won't survive if we don't reach him before the bounty hunters do."
Mama the Hutt considered his words before finally revealing the location. "Teth. My boy's going to Teth."
The four nodded their understanding, and Vos turned to the group. "We need to get to that jungle planet—fast."
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