Captain America surveyed the scene around the droids and their captives, noting the tactical elements: sloping walls, a nearby fountain, and several tapestries hanging overhead. Within moments, a battle plan crystallized in his mind.
He turned to address the group. "Everyone spread out. Use the stands and stalls as cover and wait for my signal. Falcon, prepare for air support!"
"On it, Cap," Falcon replied, having already marked the target location with Redwing's sensors and his tactical HUD.
"Copy that. Let's move!" Buck ordered.
Working in pairs, the clone troopers sprang into action, using alleyways and market stalls to quietly surround the battle droids, while Cap remained in position with Falcon, Buck, and Parker.
Meanwhile, the droids continued their mechanical bickering, oblivious to the impending attack.
One of the captured clone troopers caught a glimpse of white armor flashing briefly between the market stands. He instantly recognized that his brothers were preparing an assault.
The clone grinned beneath his helmet, noticing several B1 battle droids scanning the area with bored indifference while the command units in front continued debating their next move.
If the droids spotted his comrades, the rescue attempt would fail. He needed to create a distraction—fast.
The captive trooper shouted at the nearest droid, drawing its attention with an elaborate stream of insults.
"Uh, what's he saying?" asked one battle droid.
"No idea. I've never guarded clone prisoners before," another replied, turning toward a droid with commander markings. "What about you, Commander? Have you ever handled prisoners? Do you know what he's talking about?"
The command droid froze momentarily before responding, "Well... of course I have! But I've never actually communicated with them."
"Then what should we do?"
The clone trooper continued his verbal assault, his posture radiating defiance and contempt.
As all the droids' attention focused on the insolent prisoner, a vibranium shield suddenly cut through the air, smashing through the command droid and several unfortunate B1s nearby. The shield ricocheted off a wall multiple times, slicing through the cords holding the tapestries overhead, which fell onto the remaining droids, momentarily blinding them.
"Hey! What's happening?" a B1 droid cried in panic.
"Now!" Cap shouted.
Falcon launched a salvo of micro-missiles from his wing pack and soared forward alongside Captain America, who caught his returning shield mid-stride. Simultaneously, the hidden clone troopers emerged from all directions. Within seconds, the droid squad was reduced to scattered parts.
The civilians exhaled in collective relief and gratitude, some even cheering the victory.
Falcon's warning cut through the celebration: "More droids incoming!"
Several metallic spheres rolled toward them at high speed, then unfolded into combat-ready formations as they approached. They were destroyer droids—droidekas—and everyone was shocked to see them activate personal shield generators. The droidekas raised their twin blasters and opened fire indiscriminately.
"Take cover!" Captain America yelled, positioning himself in front of the civilians to shield them from the barrage.
Falcon had already taken to the sky when the new threat appeared, while the clone troopers ducked behind market stands, stalls, and the nearby fountain to avoid the concentrated fire.
Tragically, several clone troopers weren't fast enough and were hit, falling instantly.
Captain America moved with such speed that he appeared almost as a blur. He dodged incoming blaster bolts while attempting to deflect some back toward the droidekas using his shield. He wasn't certain if his shield could perform this function, but discovered that the vibranium indeed repelled blaster fire effectively. However, the redirected bolts were simply absorbed by the droidekas' ray shields.
"Anyone have ideas for taking these things down?" Captain America called out.
Rick shouted back, "Sir, their ray shields deflect energy weapons, but physical objects moving fast enough can penetrate them!"
"You hear that, Falcon?" Captain America transmitted over their comm link.
"Loud and clear, Cap," Falcon acknowledged from above. He immediately adjusted his flight path and dove sharply, building tremendous speed before smashing directly through a droideka, reducing it to scattered components. This time, the destroyed droid stayed down.
Rick's theory was proven correct—Falcon had combined his gravitational momentum, velocity, and mass to physically break through the droid's shield. Without pausing, he soared back into the air to prepare for another attack run.
After several more devastating diving attacks, Falcon surveyed the area. "All clear!" he announced.
Captain America was checking on the civilians when a small, gentle voice called out to him.
"Mr. Rogers?"
Captain America turned to see a little girl making her way through the crowd—none other than Ryoo Naberrie.
"Ryoo?" Captain America said with surprise, then noticed her mother Sora emerging from the crowd behind her.
"Did you defeat all those bad droids?" Ryoo asked, looking up at him with wide-eyed admiration.
"I just helped a little," Captain America said with a smile, kneeling to her level. He pulled out the small bouquet of flowers she had given him earlier and gently shook them playfully.
Ryoo beamed happily, while her mother Sora offered a grateful smile.
"Thank you so much," Sora said earnestly.
"No need for thanks," Captain America dismissed with a wave of his hand. Then, recalling the ongoing threat, he stood and said, "We can't be certain there won't be another attack. We need to get everyone to safety as quickly as possible."
"I believe I can help with that," said one of the freed captives, a uniformed man with a metal eyepatch over his left eye, as he stepped forward.
"I'm Captain Gregar Typho of Naboo's Royal Security Forces," the man introduced himself. "I can't thank you and the clone troopers enough for what you've done here."
"We're just doing our duty. I'm Captain Steve Rogers, and this is Lieutenant Sam Wilson," Captain America replied modestly, introducing himself and Falcon.
Gregar nodded respectfully. "Captain Rogers, I believe our best course of action is to escort everyone to Theed Palace. It's the most fortified position in the city and the safest place for these civilians until Republic reinforcements arrive."
"What about people in other parts of the city?" Falcon interjected.
"I understand your concern, sir, but everyone here—myself included—knows that ensuring the royal family's safety takes precedence," Gregar replied firmly.
"The royal family?" Captain America asked, confused, until he noticed Gregar glancing meaningfully toward Sora and Ryoo.
Before Cap could inquire further, a damaged Vulture droid crashed nearby, crushing several clone troopers in the process.
"Damn it," Captain America muttered, looking from the distant palace to the frightened civilians, his frustration evident.
"Alright, form a protective formation around the civilians," he ordered, moving to assist an injured clone. "Wounded and children in the center. Stay close to walls and alleys. Everyone remain alert and keep with the group." He turned to Typho. "Gregar, do you know the fastest route to the palace?"
"Of course, Captain," Gregar confirmed.
"Then lead the way," Captain America gestured forward. "Falcon, is Redwing still operational?"
"Affirmative," Falcon replied crisply.
"Keep me updated on any developments," Captain America instructed, turning his attention back to the civilians and young Ryoo. "Everyone, move out!"