Steve Rogers had always been a practical man. Since returning to the Jedi Temple, he had led his three teammates in spending every available day in the Temple's vast archives, learning about the history of this immense galaxy through countless holocrons and texts. They understood it was virtually impossible to fully comprehend such a massive civilization, but knowledge was power, and perhaps someday they would discover information about returning home buried within these ancient records.
Therefore, the four Avengers had divided their research responsibilities, selectively studying subjects they deemed most essential: the Galactic Republic's governmental structure, the Jedi Order, the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and most importantly, galactic hyperspace technology—since mastering faster-than-light travel was directly related to whether they could ever return to Earth.
Among the four, Scott was by far the most dedicated and methodical researcher. He spent every available hour learning how this galaxy's transportation technology functioned, attempting to reconcile it with their own Earth-based engineering knowledge. Steve knew that Scott wanted to return home more desperately than any of them, evidenced by how he would secretly place photographs of himself with his daughter Cassie and Hope van Dyne between the pages of technical manuals, stealing quiet moments to look at them when he thought no one was watching.
Meanwhile, Rhodey's Four Finger formation tactics had proven so effective during the destruction of the Malevolence that Jedi Knight Anakin frequently requested both him and Sam to teach advanced flight tactics to clone pilots stationed on Coruscant and nearby Republic bases.
On this particular day, all four Avengers were seated together in their usual corner of the Jedi Temple archives, absorbed in their respective studies.
Suddenly, a gentle and melodious voice interrupted their concentration: "The Force whispered to me that four extraordinary individuals could be found here, and it appears those whispers were accurate."
The four men turned around and observed an elegant alien woman approaching them. Steve immediately recognized her—Jedi Master Tera Sinube.
Tera Sinube smiled warmly and said, "Captain Rogers, I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
"Not at all, Master," Steve replied with genuine courtesy. "We could use a break from our research."
Tera Sinube nodded graciously and offered respectful greetings to Sam, Rhodey, and Scott.
Afterward, she spent considerable time quietly observing the four men, studying their relaxed manner of conversation and noting how the three others—excluding Steve—engaged in playful banter like carefree children despite their obvious maturity. All of this sparked her intellectual curiosity.
"Master, is there something we can assist you with?" Steve asked diplomatically.
Tera Sinube considered her words carefully, gestured for everyone to sit comfortably, then explained: "Actually, I find myself deeply curious about your homeworld and culture."
"Really? What specifically interests you?" Sam asked with characteristic directness.
"I have lived for many centuries," Tera Sinube began thoughtfully. "Throughout that extended lifespan, Master Yoda has been among my few true companions. I have studied countless civilizations, traveled through this galaxy dozens of times, and trained numerous Jedi apprentices. However, I have never encountered individuals like yourselves who originate from a world completely devoid of Force sensitivity. This uniqueness fascinates me. I wish to learn more and understand your perspective, because existence becomes rather tedious when one has spent so much time without discovering something genuinely novel."
The Avengers exchanged meaningful glances, then Sam responded, "Alright, what would you like to know?"
At that same moment, in one of the Temple's main corridors, Master Yoda and Anakin Skywalker were walking together while Yoda delivered a stern critique of Anakin's reckless tactical decisions during their recent mission.
Suddenly, they heard an unusual commotion emanating from the direction of the archives. Yoda altered course toward the library, with Anakin following immediately behind.
They approached the source of the disturbance and discovered that numerous young Padawans, senior scholars, and even several Jedi Masters had gathered in a large circle around one of the Temple's guests—Scott Lang.
At this moment, Scott was speaking with obvious enthusiasm: "Earth—that's our homeworld. It's remarkably different from the planets you have here in this galaxy."
A young Padawan raised his hand eagerly and asked, "What makes it so different?"
Scott paused and began to stammer slightly, "Uh... well, you see... the environment! Yeah, the environmental diversity is completely different."
Everyone looked at this "alien" with puzzlement—he had been so passionate and articulate moments before, but now seemed to be struggling for words.
Scott gathered his thoughts, then continued, "From our observations, most planets in this galaxy appear to have singular environments, or what we would call single biomes. You have ice planets, jungle planets, ocean worlds... Earth contains all of these biomes and many more, all coexisting on a single world."
Rhodey promptly accessed his armor's data storage and projected various holographic images of Earth's diverse environments to substantiate his teammate's claims.
Jocasta Nu examined the holographic displays and murmured to herself, "Fascinating. How could one planet possibly contain such varied ecosystems?"
"I've never encountered such a phenomenon," an elderly Jedi scholar observed with obvious bewilderment. "Every planet in the known galaxy is characterized by its dominant biome. Different sectors may share similar environmental properties, but multiple distinct biomes on a single world is unprecedented. It's absolutely extraordinary."
"A planet containing multiple environmental types... I would very much like to witness such a place firsthand," Tera Sinube added with genuine wonder.
"What must it be like to live in such a diverse world?" Jedi Master Torm wondered aloud.
"Each region has its own character," Steve replied thoughtfully. "No two places are exactly alike. We can only say that Earth contains hundreds of different nations, political factions, and cultural groups."
"How many separate nations exist on this Earth you describe?" inquired a curious Jedi Knight.
"Currently, there are several hundred sovereign states," Sam replied with a casual shrug. "If we include all the nations that have existed throughout recorded history, the number would reach into the thousands. I honestly can't give you an exact count."
"All coexisting on the same planet?" asked an amazed scholar.
"Pretty much, yeah," Scott confirmed.
"Remarkable."
"Not as remarkable as you might think," Sam muttered under his breath. Only Rhodey and Steve heard him clearly, and the latter gave him a gentle elbow to the ribs, causing all three to chuckle quietly.
Yoda released a warm, hearty laugh, and everyone immediately turned to acknowledge Master Yoda with respectful bows.
"Master Yoda," Jocasta Nu said, speaking for all the Jedi present.
"Master," Steve and his three teammates greeted Yoda respectfully.
"Captain Rogers, might I have a word with you privately?" Yoda requested.
Steve nodded, stood up, and followed Yoda along with Anakin.
Yoda led Steve and Anakin to a secluded section of the archives, and the three entered a private meditation chamber furnished with comfortable cushioned seats arranged in a triangle.
"Please, sit," Yoda indicated, gesturing toward the seating. "Important matters to discuss, we have."
Steve glanced at Anakin, who simply shrugged with uncertainty.
"Master Yoda, what did you want to discuss?" Steve asked with characteristic directness.
Yoda spoke with profound gravity: "Tremendous changes, this galaxy has undergone. Before your arrival, no premonition existed, no warning from the Force did we receive. Only after you appeared, fluctuate did the Force begin. Time itself has become uncertain, the future unclear, and shrouded in uncertainty, everything now is."
Steve couldn't comprehend what the diminutive Jedi Master was trying to communicate.
Fortunately, Anakin provided timely clarification: "What Master Yoda is explaining is that you and the other Avengers have fundamentally altered many aspects of galactic events. Your presence here has caused significant disturbances within the Force itself."
"What does that actually mean?" Steve asked with growing confusion. "Beyond what you've told me about the Force previously, I honestly don't understand what this energy field is or how it works."
"Understand your confusion, we do, Captain Rogers," Yoda replied patiently. "In a difficult situation, find ourselves we do. Never before have the Jedi faced what now confronts us. Many doubts and fears spread throughout the Temple. War, Conflict rage across the galaxy, and here by your own choice, you did not come."
Steve felt increasingly overwhelmed. This diminutive alien seemed like an ancient mystic who spoke exclusively in riddles and philosophical abstractions.
"I believe what Master Yoda is trying to convey is that your arrival here isn't your fault, and the Force disturbances weren't caused intentionally by your actions," Anakin translated quickly.
"Thank you for the explanation," Steve replied with obvious relief. "Honestly, this whole Force concept is somewhat beyond my comprehension."
"Understandable, your confusion is, Captain Rogers. Do our best to assist you during your time here, we will," Master Yoda assured him.
At that moment, Anakin suddenly noticed that Steve had been carrying a persistent expression of concern since their first meeting.
Anakin thought of his mother Shmi. Before he had found love with Padmé, his mother had been everything to him. However, even with all his Jedi powers, he had been unable to save her life.
Now sitting before him was a man clearly worried about his missing friends. Granted, these friends possessed capabilities that exceeded most beings in the galaxy, but they were still lost in an unfamiliar galaxy, far from home, in completely alien surroundings.
It had been pure chance that these four Avengers had found each other. But the others...
These Avengers had assisted the Republic and the Jedi Order numerous times, and all the Jedi had offered in return was simple sanctuary within the Temple. Honestly, this seemed woefully inadequate in Anakin's opinion.
Considering this, Anakin looked directly at Steve and said, "Steve, I know you're still worried about your missing friends. If something like this happened to Ahsoka or Obi-Wan, I would feel exactly the same way."
Steve remained silent, allowing Anakin to continue.
"You and the others are welcome to join me and my fleet anytime you wish. We'll help you search for your other teammates."
"Anakin, you don't have to—"
"You're absolutely right," Anakin interrupted. "I don't have to do this. But I want to help. You've accomplished so much for us in such a short time. The least we can do is assist you in finding your teammates."
Steve could only stare in mild amazement at Anakin's straightforward offer. Unlike Chancellor Palpatine's proposal, he could sense no hidden agenda or ulterior motive. He could tell that Anakin genuinely wanted to help.
"Thank you, Anakin," Steve said with sincere gratitude.
"You're welcome, Steve," Anakin replied with a warm smile.
Yoda smiled approvingly as well.
After Steve returned to rejoin his teammates, he gathered the other three together and announced, "Pack your gear. We're departing early tomorrow morning."
"Where are we heading?" Sam asked with curiosity.
"We're accompanying Anakin to the Christophsis system, which falls under his defensive jurisdiction," Steve explained. "As for why we're going, you all understand that we won't locate our missing teammates by remaining here on Coruscant."
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