The journey back to the Senate building proceeded far more smoothly than expected. With the Avengers providing protective escort for the Duchess, she wasn't subjected to rough treatment when brought in for "questioning."
The same couldn't be said for Bo-Katan.
The moment the Duchess's sister was spotted by Republic Guards, they immediately placed her in custody. Unlike her fellow Death Watch operatives, she offered no resistance to arrest.
The captured Death Watch members had refused to divulge any information about their organization, forcing them to resort to desperate measures. Most of them activated poison capsules hidden in their teeth and died within minutes of capture. The last terrorist nearly succeeded in taking his own life, but Cap quickly knocked the man unconscious before he could complete the act.
Nevertheless, the group rushed directly to Palpatine's office to present the authentic holographic message instead of the fabricated version that had been displayed earlier. There was no time to convene an emergency Senate session, but they hoped Palpatine would personally overturn the Senate's decision to occupy Mandalore.
Captain Rogers, Natasha, Matt, Kenobi, Satine, and Padmé all stood in tense silence as they watched the genuine message from Deputy Minister Jerec play before Palpatine and Mas Amedda.
"Our government's actions have brought us into a period of civil unrest. To acknowledge this publicly would invite widespread panic throughout our cities. Death Watch has proven far more organized and dangerous than we initially estimated. But we have been preparing for this eventuality. We possess the capability to stop them. However, if we are to combat them effectively, we must have the courage to stand firm in defense of our peaceful principles. We must reject any offers of Republic military assistance. This government will act independently—not out of stubborn pride, but for the safety of our people. Republic intervention would only escalate the violence and provide our enemies with propaganda. That is precisely why our administration refuses the Jedi Council's offers of aid. We must trust in the wisdom of Duchess Satine's leadership. If we abandon that trust, it will ultimately lead to our destruction."
When the message concluded, an uncomfortable silence filled Palpatine's luxurious office as he studied the assembled group before him.
Padmé spoke with barely contained triumph in her voice. "This evidence is more than sufficient to prove that the information presented to the Senate was deliberately altered and falsified in an attempt to undermine Satine's legitimate authority."
Standing behind them, the Avengers along with Obi-Wan and Satine observed as Palpatine maintained his composed expression for several long moments. He didn't respond immediately, clearly considering his options.
"This recording does indeed change much of what we were previously shown," Palpatine acknowledged aloud, his tone carefully measured.
"But the Senate's decision has been made and it will stand," Palpatine declared with absolute finality. "The Republic will proceed with the occupation of Mandalore."
Both Satine and Padmé were visibly shocked by this pronouncement, while Obi-Wan looked toward the Duchess with obvious concern. The three Avengers remained silent, simply observing as the political exchange grew increasingly heated.
"But you cannot! Didn't you see the evidence we just presented?" Satine demanded incredulously.
"Duchess Satine, you have overlooked several crucial details that, frankly, do nothing to alleviate my growing concerns about this situation," Palpatine said, fixing Satine with an unwavering stare. "While I genuinely appreciate having such dedicated advocates for peace and democracy, you fail to grasp the true scope of this crisis. There are now three distinct Mandalorian factions operating within your space—one with confirmed Separatist backing, another that has openly challenged the Republic's authority, and if they truly represent the ancient Mandalorian warrior traditions that once terrorized the galaxy, they may prove to be an even greater threat than the Separatists themselves."
"But they don't represent all Mandalorians," Satine countered fiercely. "You heard Jerec's complete message—you know we were prepared to handle this internally."
"Were you really?" Palpatine shot back sharply. "It's one thing to prepare for a rogue splinter faction, but what about these other warriors? One group has already transmitted direct threats to this very Senate, while another has repeatedly attempted to assassinate you. Let's not forget that only your capital world of Mandalore has maintained its alliance with the Republic. Concordia was revealed to be harboring Death Watch operations right under your administration's oversight, and your own capital came under attack during an official visit from Jedi Master Kenobi. While you may dispute these facts, the pattern of instability cannot be easily dismissed."
"Yes, because you consistently make unilateral decisions without consulting me, rather than upholding the democratic principles you claim to represent," Satine replied with obvious sarcasm, leaning forward against the conference table.
Palpatine sighed with apparent regret and gave her what seemed like a sympathetic look. "I'm truly sorry, Duchess, but this matter has moved beyond my direct control."
"What do you mean by that?" Satine asked, her hands clenching into fists.
Mas Amedda spoke on behalf of the Chancellor. "Due to your recent actions as a fugitive from Republic justice—an unfortunate characterization for someone who champions peaceful resolution—the Senate has lost confidence in your ability to govern effectively."
"But I was protecting myself from assassins!" Satine protested vehemently. "My informant was murdered, and then—"
"The majority of the Senate doesn't view the situation that way," Amedda interrupted smoothly. "And it's now irrelevant because the occupation fleet has already departed for Mandalore to... ensure you cannot interfere with the peacekeeping mission."
A flash of genuine anger crossed Satine's features as she stared first at Amedda, then directly at Palpatine.
"You have absolutely no idea what you're unleashing. This action will drag Mandalore into the very war we've spent decades trying to avoid," Satine said, striking the table with her fist for emphasis.
"That's precisely what the occupation is designed to prevent," Mas Amedda replied with insufferable smugness, as if stating the most obvious fact in the galaxy.
"Then I hope you realize that once your occupation begins, the blood of innocent civilians will be on your hands and yours alone," Satine said with cold fury. "Though I'm certain that won't trouble you overmuch, considering this war you've already failed to prevent."
Satine turned and stormed toward the exit, her face barely containing her rage and frustration. Padmé remained behind for a moment, exchanging an apologetic look with her fellow Senator before following the Duchess.
Kenobi accompanied Satine from the office, with the three Avengers following silently behind them.
Once they were well clear of Palpatine's chambers, Steve spoke quietly to his teammates.
"What's your assessment of him?" Steve asked in a low voice.
"He reminds me way too much of Alexander Pierce," Natasha said with obvious distaste.
"You noticed that too?"
"Pierce..." Matt said thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly, wasn't he the former director of SHIELD?"
"Yeah, until we discovered he was actually the secret leader of HYDRA all along."
"I remember hearing about that scandal in the news last year," Matt recalled. "A master manipulator masquerading as a righteous public servant."
"Sound familiar?" Natasha observed grimly. "HYDRA hadn't made any public moves for decades, but they were systematically manipulating events from the shadows so they could eventually seize control. They even planted their agents throughout SHIELD's command structure to ensure their takeover would proceed as smoothly as possible."
"Fortunately for the world, they underestimated some of us," Steve added.
"So what's your take on all this, Cap?" Matt asked. "What should our next move be?"
Steve remained silent for several moments, his gaze following the Duchess and the Jedi Master who were engaged in intense conversation ahead of them.
"We need to proceed very carefully here," Steve said in a measured tone. "Our primary objective remains finding our missing teammates and getting home safely. We're still newcomers to this whole galactic political situation."
"Better stay on our guard then," Matt agreed, with confirming nods from both Natasha and Steve.