────── ✩✩✩ ──────

────── ✩✩✩ ──────

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟎
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐁

────── ✩✩✩ ──────

About a week had passed since the Jedi's dealings with Hondo and his crew. They hadn't seen or heard anything about Count Dooku since that day, but they knew it would only be a matter of time before he turned up again. He wasn't known for staying in the shadows for long, especially after being humiliated by pirates. But for now, the Jedi were focused on other areas of the war, such as getting supplies to their troops and aiding planets in distress. One planet that was requesting help from the Jedi was Naboo, a place that Aurora was quite fond of.

The Jedi Council didn't have enough information to send a whole battalion to aid them. All they knew was that a few battle droids had been spotted in the forests. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for them to send them clones, who could aid another planet in immediate distress. Luckily for Naboo, Aurora managed to convince the Jedi Council to send her, Laken, and Grizz with Padmé, Jar Jar, and C-3PO. She told them it would allow them to see if there was a threat to her home planet. That was how the Jinn woman found herself sitting in the pilot's seat of a ship just big enough to hold the six travelers.

No one said a word as they broke through the atmosphere, revealing the lush and very green planet below. A wave of nostalgia washed over Aurora as they flew toward Theed Royal Palace. Memories of growing up on Naboo bounced around in her head, making a small smile appear on her lips. But she quickly pushed those thoughts away and focused on the situation at hand, wanting to be sure her home planet was safe.

It wasn't long before Aurora landed their ship in the palace's hangar. She made sure to turn off the engines before following Padmé off the ship. Queen Neeyutnee and Captain Typho were waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp. It didn't take long for the group to see the desperation in their eyes, making Aurora realize there was much more to the story.

"We came as soon as we could, my lady," Padmé greeted after she and her allies stopped in front of the Queen, "have you found any more droids?"

"Only the three. But you can be sure they aren't tourists," Queen Neeyutnee responded, determination evident in her voice, "I need you to convince the Senate or the Jedi Council or whoever is in charge of this terrible war that we are threatened."

"Finding a couple of battle droids won't be enough to convince anyone of anything," Aurora stated while taking a step forward to stand beside the Amidala girl, "they'll need more proof."

Before their conversation had a chance to continue, a soft beeping sound greeted their ears. Captain Typho quickly lifted his wrist before pressing the button on his watch. "Captain Typho, the battle droid is ready for analysis."

Queen Neeyutnee soon led them into their debriefing room, where two tactical droids were lying on a table. No one said a word as they studied the deactivated droid, unsure as to why it would be on Naboo. It wasn't long before a medical droid made an appearance, prompting Padmé to ask the question bouncing around in her head. "Have you been able to retrieve any information?"

"Unfortunately, the Naboo security who discovered them prefer to shoot first and retrieve data later," the Queen answered with a hint of irritation in her voice as they surrounded the table.

Aurora's eyes studied the droid for a moment before landing on its legs, completely unaware of Jar Jar's attention moving elsewhere. Her eyebrows instantly scrunched in confusion as she ran her finger over the surface. When she took it away, it was covered in muck. "If they were found in the grassland, where'd they pick up all this mud?"

Captain Typho couldn't help but scoff, but his annoyance wasn't directed at the Jinn woman. "Add that to our very long list of questions."

Not even a second after that passed when the medical droid began sawing into the tactical droid's head. None of them were phased by the scene in front of them, all determined to get more information. Well, except for C-3PO. His eyes were locked on the droid on the table. And if he were able to physically express his emotions, Aurora believed he would be cringing at that moment.

"I'm getting a bad feeling about this," the protocol droid muttered before his attention turned to the Amidala girl, "with your permission, Senator Padmé, I would like to shut down before I get sensory overload."

"Permission denied," Padmé responded, earning a droid's version of a shocked look, "3PO, you may be able to get some information out of him."

The next thing any of them knew, the tactical droid sat up on the table. Laken couldn't help but jump at its speed, earning a small chuckle from Grizz. After sending a playful glare at the clone, the Diem girl turned her attention back to the scene in front of her.

"Cannot see," the tactical droid announced as its head swiveled from side to side, "where am I?"

"You are in very good hands on board a Separatist ship," C-3PO answered. Padmé quietly walked around the table to stand beside the protocol droid before urging him to continue. "Count Dooku himself intends to reward you for your bravery."

"Bravery?"

"For your assignment on Naboo. Do try to activate what's left of your memory. We all want to hear your tale of medical heroics."

"Virus."

"Yes, the virus," C-3PO continued while everyone else in the room exchanged concerned looks with each other, "you do remember. Please continue."

"A small amount leaked out. Must contain. Naboo cannot know," the tactical droid explained in a warbling voice, "lab must remain secret."

"A secret lab on Naboo? Where? You must tell-"

Padmé didn't hesitate to cover the protocol droid's mouth and pull him away from the tactical droid. They had hoped she was fast enough to stop the enemy's droid from picking up on C-3PO's mistake. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on their side. "It is a secret. This is no Separatist ship."

Captain Typho instantly pulled out his blaster and aimed it at the tactical droid. "Unless you want to become a box of spare parts, you'll tell us where that lab is."

Before the droid had a chance to respond, the shelves behind them began to fall. Grizz didn't hesitate to grab Aurora and Laken's arms to pull them out of the way. Not even a second after that passed when the last shelf fell right where they were standing, crushing the tactical droid.

"Thanks, Grizz," Aurora said.

A small smile appeared on the clone's face. "That's what I'm here for. But I, uh, I don't think we'll get any information out of him now."

After looking over the droid one last time, they all turned their attention toward the shelves. None of them were surprised to find a guilty Jar Jar standing near them. The Gungan soon walked over to them with a sad look in his eyes and an astromech droid's head in his hands. "Meesa sorry. It was an accident."

When he held the droid head out to them, a large blue bug fell out of it. Curiosity flowed through Laken's veins as she knelt down to get a better look at the insect. "Is this what you were after, Jar Jar?"

A large grin instantly replaced the Gungan's guilty look the second he saw the bug. "Meesa love him! He's a very, very good tongue grabbing. Yousa finden only in one placen."

"In the mud under the perlote tree, like on the droids. The lab is in the eastern swamps," Aurora announced, drawing everyone's attention toward her, "I need to contact the Jedi Council."

Captain Typho didn't hesitate to lead her out of the room, with everyone quick to follow them. They didn't have to travel very far to make it to the communication room. Everyone stood by in silence as they watched Aurora type in the coordinates into the communicator. They only had to wait a short moment before Yoda and Mace appeared before them.

"Master Yoda. Master Windu," Aurora greeted with a respectful bow, an action that Laken was quick to copy, "we have gathered more information on the droid sightings on Naboo. The tactical droid they recovered told us about a secret lab that contains a virus. I believe the Separatists are planning an attack on Naboo."

"Delicate the situation is," the Jedi Grandmaster responded after listening to what his former Padawan had discovered, "two additional Jedi we will send."

"I would like to request Master Kenobi to join me on Naboo," the Jinn woman said, knowing that he would be the most qualified after participating in the first Battle of Naboo, "relations between the Naboo and the Gungans has never been easy, but they trust myself and Master Kenobi like one of their own."

"I would also like to recommend General Skywalker," Padmé added, earning questioning looks from the Jedi surrounding her, "he, General Kenobi, and General Aurora work well together, and we need a strong team here to help us."

Yoda glanced up at the Windu man, who sent him a small nod in agreement. It wasn't long after that when the Jedi Grandmaster returned his attention to the ground in front of him. "Send them we will."

As soon as the Jedi Master's hologram disappeared, the Jinn woman's eyes moved toward Queen Neeyutnee and Captain Typho. "We will need as much information as possible before Master Kenobi and General Skywalker arrive. Take C-3PO and see if you can download any of the other battle droid's memory."

"And while you do that, I'm going to find that lab," the Amidala girl announced, drawing Aurora's attention toward her.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Padmé," the Jedi Knight told her without bothering to hide the worry in her eyes, "we don't know what we're dealing with just yet."

"You said it yourself, Ro. We need all the information. Finding that lab is how we're gonna get it."

Aurora hesitated. She knew that her friend was right, yet she didn't want Padmé to put herself in a dangerous situation. But she also knew that the Amidala girl was perfectly capable of protecting herself. After letting out a long sigh, the Jinn woman removed the spar communicator from her belt and handed it to Padmé. "Use this when you find the lab. But do not engage until Obi-Wan and Anakin arrive."

────── ✩✩✩ ──────

Dusk had fallen by the time their reinforcements arrived on Naboo. Aurora stood with Laken and Grizz in the hangar along with Peppi Bow, who Padmé had sent to give them some information. No one said a word as they watched their allies' ship approach. It wasn't long before it landed a yard away from them. The doors soon opened, revealing Obi-Wan and Anakin. The two of them were quick to exit their ship with Ahsoka right behind them. The Jinn woman kept her eyes glued to them until they were standing directly in front of her.

"Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka. I'm glad you-"

"Where's Padmé?" Anakin interrupted, not bothering to hide the desperation in his voice.

"She and Jar Jar went ahead to look for the lab," Aurora explained, earning an expected glare from the Skywalker boy.

"And you let her go?" the brunette boy questioned while taking a step closer to the Jinn woman.

Aurora didn't move an inch as she glared up at Anakin. "Padmé is perfectly capable of handling herself, Anakin. And we both know that it can be very hard to stop her once she's made up her mind."

The Skywalker boy just stared at her for a moment longer before letting out a defeated sigh. "Good point."

"This is Peppi Bow," Aurora said while gesturing to the pink gungan standing behind her, "she was the last person to see them. Padmé sent her here to safety."

"Theysa looking for the sick-maker," Peppi announced after walking forward to join the conversation.

"I was planning on taking Laken and going with Peppi to see if we could find them. But we wanted to wait for you to arrive," the Jinn woman explained, earning uncertain looks from Obi-Wan and Anakin, "we uncovered more information. Grizz can take you to find Captain Typho."

"Take Ahsoka with you. You may need more backup," Obi-Wan said with a hint of worry in his voice. Aurora thought she was the only one to hear it. But unknown to them, Anakin was watching them with curiosity in his eyes.

The Jinn woman soon nodded in response before turning toward Laken and Ahsoka. "Come on, Padawans. It's time for a rescue mission."

────── ✩✩✩ ──────

"Dis da ship belonging to them," Peppi announced while gesturing to the spacecraft they were passing. They had been riding through Naboo's forest on the backs of two of her shaaks. It wasn't the fastest way to travel. But Aurora had to admit that it was probably the least likely way they would be spotted.

"So where are they?" Laken asked from behind Aurora.

They soon stopped the shaaks from moving any further before jumping down to the forest floor. Aurora's eyes scanned her surroundings until she spotted a trail of footprints leading to nowhere. "Their tracks end here."

Not even a second after that passed when Peppi began to rise in the air. The Jedi watched her in confusion before realizing a scope had come out of the ground beneath her feet. Aurora was able to pull Laken behind a tree branch and out of sight of the scope. While they hid, Ahsoka stayed behind the camera, keeping whoever was on the other side from seeing her. Once it completed one full circle, the Tano girl tackled the Gungan behind the branch with her allies, saving them both from being spotted. What felt like an eternity passed before the scope disappeared into the ground. Aurora couldn't help but exchange a look with the Padawan, unsure of what to make of what they had just found.

A long sigh soon passed over the Jinn woman before bringing her communicator to her mouth. "Obi-Wan, Anakin, are either of you there?"

"Did you find her?" Anakin asked, not bothering to hide the urgency in his voice.

Aurora couldn't help but roll her eyes while the Padawan chuckled beside her. It wasn't long after that when she responded. "Not yet. Her and Jar Jar's tracks stop in the middle of a clearing. I think she made it inside the lab. But the whole area is covered with pressure sensors. We can't get in without being detected."

"Do not attempt to get inside," Obi-Wan ordered. Before Aurora had a chance to argue, a small hologram of a map appeared in front of her. A small part of it was flashing red, showing them an important part of the lab. "I need you to detonate a bunker bomb at the south end of the facility. It should cause a nice distraction and seal off the bomb area while we come in through the hatches."

"We can do that. No problem at all," the Jinn woman declared while Ahsoka smiled beside her. Laken was a bit more hesitant than her allies, but that didn't stop her from wanting to help.

They only had to wait another twenty minutes for night to fall, giving them enough cover to complete the next part of their mission. Aurora soon handed Ahsoka one of the bombs they secured from Padmé's ship. A smile instantly appeared on the Tano girl's lips as she lifted the bomb into the air using the force. She concentrated solely on the object as she sent it toward the hatch. She was only a few yards away when the scope appeared once again, causing Ahsoka to hide the bomb behind a small bush. She waited until the scope disappeared before continuing. The Tano girl just made it to the hatch when four more scopes appeared, but they were too late. Ahsoka had already dropped the bomb. The Jedi and the Gungan didn't hesitate to duck behind the branch, protecting themselves from the explosion.

Not even a second after that passed when Republic ships flew over them, signalling that their reinforcements had arrived. After making sure that Peppi wouldn't follow them, the Jedi Knight and the Padawan jumped into the hole, followed by the clone battalion. They were instantly greeted by a group of droids, who were firing at them with no mercy. The Jedi did their best to block the enemies' attack while the clones fired back. The team was able to take out a whole group of battle droids, making them think they stood a chance at winning the fight. However, their moment of victory was soon put to an end.

Three destroyer droids were rolling toward them, stopping a few yards away to put up their shields and open fire. The Jedi did their best to fend off the destroyer droids' attacks, but they were hopelessly overpowered. The clones continued to return fire despite their brothers dropping around them. Determination flowed through Aurora's veins as she redirected two of the blasts, only for them to bounce off the droids' shields.

"We aren't gonna be able to hold them much longer," the Jinn woman announced, knowing that they would need to come up with an escape plan and soon.

The next thing any of them knew, the ceiling fell on top of the droids, creating a dust cloud in the corridor. As soon as it cleared, they found a grinning Obi-Wan standing on top of the rubble. "Need some help?"

"Oh, so good to see you, Master Kenobi," Laken said, not bothering to hide the relief in her eyes.

"How is it that you always manage to show up at the right time?" Aurora asked after extinguishing her lightsaber.

The grin on the Kenobi man's face did nothing but grow before responding. "It's one of my many abilities. Now let's go."

Before any of them had a chance to respond, the Jedi Master turned and sprinted down another hallway. Aurora couldn't help but sigh as she and the rest of their allies followed. It didn't take the Jinn woman long to catch up to Obi-Wan as they raced toward their next destination. "I take it that things are going well."

"The lab is secure, and hopefully Anakin has reached Padmé by now," the Kenobi man responded before leading them down another corridor.

But what they didn't expect was to be ambushed by another group of battle droids. The Jedi didn't hesitate to deflect their attacks while the clones regrouped behind the safety of the wall. That continued for another moment before Aurora began speaking. "I'll keep the droids occupied, Obi-Wan. Take Laken and Ahsoka and go get the bombs."

The Jedi Master hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should leave Aurora alone or not. But he knew he needed to focus on the mission. So after letting out a long sigh, he ran down the corridor with the Padawans and some of the clones toward where the bombs were stored. It wasn't much longer after they left when Aurora's team defeated the droids. Instead of joining Obi-Wan, the Jinn woman led her battalion further into the lab, wanting to make sure there weren't any more surprises. They barely made it into the next corridor when a familiar voice greeted them. Aurora didn't think twice about leading them toward the sound. It didn't take them long to find Anakin, Padmé, Jar Jar, and a small group of clones in one of the small rooms.

"Did you find the doctor?" Aurora asked, only for the Skywalker boy to send her a slightly annoyed look.

"I'm working on it," Anakin said, ignoring the eye roll from the brunette woman before continuing to speak, "but we've got another problem. There's a missing bomb and a trigger-happy mad doctor on the loose."

"Missing bomb?" Padmé repeated, drawing everyone's attention toward her, "I saw Dr. Vindi give a little droid a bomb."

"We need to split up and find that droid," the Skywalker boy declared, earning a nod in agreement from Aurora.

Not even a second after that passed when the Jinn woman led her clones down another hallway. As they ran, all Aurora could think about was Laken and Grizz. She knew that her Padawan would be safe with Obi-Wan, but she had no idea where the lieutenant was. The Jinn woman could only hope that he was somewhere safe.

Despite covering every inch of the lab in their section, Aurora and her team came up short. They had no clue where the droid that took the bomb was. They could only hope that Anakin had found it and was getting it taken care of. Just as the Jinn woman was about to contact her fellow Jedi, her communicator started to blink. A wave of confusion washed over her as she pushed the button, only to be greeted by the person she least expected.

"Aurora, I found the last bomb. We're in the greenhouse," Padmé said with a hint of desperation in her voice.

The Jedi Knight quickly brought her communicator up to her mouth to respond. "I passed that room a few minutes ago. Stay there. I have a member of the bomb squad with me."

Aurora only had to backtrack one hallway to find the Amidala girl, who was holding the bomb tightly against her chest. Shade, their resident bomb squad clone, didn't hesitate to approach her. He carefully took the explosive from her before pulling out his tools. Everyone watched with anticipation in their eyes as he cut a few of the wires. That was all it took for the red light to disappear, signalling that the bomb was no longer active.

"Deactivated," Shade announced before turning to look at his allies, "plenty of time to spare."

Aurora let out a relieved sigh right as her comms started beeping. She quickly answered the call before Obi-Wan's voice greeted her. "Aurora, are you there? Are you alright?"

"I'm here and everyone's fine," the Jinn woman responded, causing the Kenobi man to let out a relieved sigh himself. However, only Anakin was around to witness it. "Shade deactivated the final bomb. Were you able to find the crazy doctor?"

"Taken care of," the Jedi Master announced with a hint of pride in his voice, "Anakin and I will meet you down there after we take Dr. Vindi to Theed."

"Copy that. See you soon," Aurora said before ending the call.

Just as she thought they were officially in the clear, Shade gestured for her to come over. A confused look soon appeared on the Jinn woman's face as she approached him. But it instantly faded when she saw there was an empty space in the bomb. "It looks like the chamber that holds the virus is missing."

Aurora just stared at the empty space until a wave of realization washed over her. "That droid must've taken it. Sound the alarm. We need to find it as soon as possible."

────── ✩✩✩ ──────

────── ✩✩✩ ──────