Down in the lower levels, Anakin, Steve, and the clone troopers were facing the same threat, with dozens of small spider droids scuttling around them in coordinated attacks.
"Contact left!"
"They're everywhere!"
"Watch your six!"
Mixer grabbed one of the agile little droids and hurled it against the bulkhead, where Anakin immediately bisected it with his lightsaber in a precise strike.
Steve used his vibranium shield to bat the mechanical creatures aside with devastating efficiency, grabbing any that managed to leap onto him or climb up his uniform, while R2-D2 deployed his shock prod to eliminate the droids that came within range of his defensive systems.
The mechanical threats were quickly neutralized, and Anakin deactivated his lightsaber with a satisfied snap-hiss.
"Excellent work, everyone," Anakin said approvingly, then looked toward his faithful astromech. "You too, buddy."
R2-D2 responded with a series of triumphant electronic beeps.
"Assassin droids? How did those things get aboard this ship?" Rex asked with obvious concern.
"There's your answer," Steve said, pointing toward the empty shipping container while frowning in concentrated thought.
"So the more important question becomes: who smuggled them aboard in the first place?" Skywalker asked grimly.
Back in the dining hall, Obi-Wan picked up one of the deactivated droids to examine its construction and design more closely.
"These remind me of those venomous nano-droids on Kiros, don't they?"
"How could I possibly forget? I still bear the scar from that particular adventure," Satine said with a slight, rueful smile.
"Forgive me, Duchess. I remember quite vividly carrying you to safety during that incident," Obi-Wan said in a tone that carried undertones of deeper meaning.
"I was referring to the scar I received after you accidentally dropped me," Satine replied with playful sarcasm.
"...Ah. Yes, of course," Kenobi muttered with obvious embarrassment.
"Oh my god, could they be any more obvious about their feelings for each other?" Natasha asked in a dry whisper beside Matt. Matt didn't respond verbally, but his increasingly amused smile provided a clear enough answer.
As the aftermath of the attack was being cleaned up in the dining hall, Anakin appeared carrying a datapad containing crucial information. Obi-Wan noticed his former Padawan's arrival and approached to see what had been discovered and why he was delivering the information in person rather than through their comm system.
His expression grew increasingly grim as the Jedi Master was handed the datapad. Reading through the detailed contents, a dark realization appeared on his features.
"It appears that one of our four distinguished senators is a traitor working with the Separatists," Anakin said quietly.
Obi-Wan simply nodded in acknowledgment before he heard a faint mechanical sound behind him. He turned and saw Matt carefully capture one of the mini-droids from the floor before it could escape detection.
"It seems one of our mechanical visitors is still operational," Kenobi observed, then handed the datapad back to Anakin. "I have a plan. Return to the lower decks and eliminate any remaining assassin droids. I'll determine which senator is the traitor."
Anakin nodded and quickly departed for the ship's lower levels, with Natasha accompanying him to assist in the final sweep. Shortly afterward, the senators returned to sit around the elegant dining table, leaving only Matt and Kenobi standing together as they exchanged meaningful glances.
"You're not hungry, Syndulla?" Tal Merrik asked with false concern.
"This level of luxury simply doesn't appeal to me, Senator Merrik," the Twi'lek Senator replied honestly, then looked toward Satine and noticed she wasn't eating either. "Is something troubling you, Duchess?"
"Forgive me, but after what we've just experienced, I find myself without any appetite," Satine said in a subdued tone.
"That's completely understandable under the circumstances," Matt began, still wearing his formal attire. "This has been a distressing experience for everyone."
"Perhaps we should abandon dinner entirely and return to our respective quarters for the remainder of our journey to Coruscant," Merrik suggested, beginning to rise from his seat.
"Wait just a moment, Senator," Obi-Wan interrupted, holding something concealed beneath a dining cloth. "I believe it would be quite educational to dine with such distinguished and honorable individuals before we part ways."
Without warning, Obi-Wan lifted the cloth, revealing the active mini-droid that Matt had captured earlier.
Several senators shifted uncomfortably in their seats when they observed the mechanical creature.
"You see, Mr. Murdock here captured this little fellow as it was attempting to escape the dining hall," Kenobi explained calmly. "However, the location where it was discovered is quite revealing."
Taking the cue from Obi-Wan, Matt stepped forward to continue the investigation.
"When the droids attacked, everyone experienced a significant adrenaline response," Matt began in a measured tone, slowly walking around the table while Kenobi mirrored his movement on the opposite side. "Everyone's heart rate elevated dramatically, and there was obvious panic given the sudden nature of the assault."
Matt focused his enhanced hearing on each person present, monitoring their physiological responses.
"All the senators present showed expected stress responses... except for one," Matt said as Obi-Wan held the mini-droid close to the nervous Rodian senator.
Observing this interrogation technique, Satine rose from her seat with obvious displeasure.
"This borders on torture," she protested.
"Not at all, Duchess," Matt said soothingly. "The situation is completely under our control. Now, where was I? Ah yes, the senators." He positioned himself behind Cham's chair. "One might initially suspect Syndulla, but several factors eliminate that possibility. His combat readiness stems from his experience fighting in the liberation of Ryloth, and he had no prior relationship with either the Duchess or Mandalore until this Senate-arranged meeting."
He moved deliberately toward Merrik, just as Obi-Wan circled toward Satine's position.
"However, there was one individual who remained remarkably calm while carefully ensuring he wasn't targeted by the attacking droids," Matt continued, now standing directly behind Merrik's chair as Kenobi approached the Senator while holding the captured mini-droid.
"Fascinating," Obi-Wan observed with deceptive casualness. "This droid seems particularly attracted to you, Senator Merrik. Any explanation for that unusual behavior?"
Merrik's eyes darted nervously around the room.
"Is everything quite alright, Senator?" Matt asked with barely concealed sarcasm. "You seem somewhat distressed at the moment."
After a tense moment, the Senator laughed with bitter resignation.
"Very clever indeed, Mr. Murdock," Merrik said, then suddenly shoved his chair backward with considerable force while simultaneously striking the contained mini-droid into the air.
Matt attempted to intercept the chair, but wasn't fast enough to prevent Merrik from reaching the Duchess and wrapping his arm around her throat while pressing a concealed blaster to her temple. When Cham attempted to rise from his seat to help, Merrik immediately shot the Twi'lek Senator in the leg, causing him to collapse to the deck in pain.
The released mini-droids immediately swarmed toward the Rodian Senator, but were quickly destroyed by Obi-Wan's lightsaber as he turned to see Merrik backing toward the exit with Satine as his hostage.
"She's coming with me," Merrik declared loudly, and the dining hall doors sealed behind him as he disappeared with his captive.