Outside the city, Captain America frantically drew the attention of the droid army, ensuring the AAT battle tanks focused their fire on him rather than the defenseless civilians. He repeatedly hurled his shield at the nearest tank, each throw leaving a significant dent in its metal hull.
The civilians had taken shelter in a nearby school building while Cap, Falcon, and the clone troopers engaged the droid infantry and tanks outside.
They had lost many comrades, including Parker, but every survivor continued to fight with unwavering determination.
As Cap diverted the tanks' attention, the clones and Falcon executed swift, coordinated strikes against the battle droids manning the vehicles.
Captain America managed to bait one tank's main laser cannon into rotating a full 180 degrees, exposing its vulnerable front section. He suddenly accelerated, circled around to the tank's front, and scrambled up to the entry hatch. Raising his shield, he brought it down with tremendous force on the hatch beneath the laser cannon barrel.
Feeling the hatch vibrate under his feet, Captain America retreated slightly, waiting for it to open.
The moment a battle droid emerged from the hatch, Captain America seized it by its mechanical neck and hurled it from the tank.
"I need a granade!" Captain America shouted to the nearby clone troopers.
"Sir, granade ready!" Luke called out, tossing the requested explosive into Cap's outstretched hand.
Without hesitation, Captain America dropped the grenade through the open hatch, hearing only the panicked electronic chatter of the droids inside before the tank erupted in a ball of flame.
"What a beautiful display of fireworks," Jolly remarked, staring at the smoldering wreckage. He turned his gaze toward Captain America and Falcon in the distance and exclaimed, "Those two are absolutely terrifying."
"Brother, I'm genuinely grateful they're on our side," Chuck said earnestly.
"Yeah, if they were enemies..." Jolly trailed off, shuddering involuntarily as he contemplated the possibility, his eyes reflecting genuine fear.
Falcon landed beside Captain America, frowning as he surveyed the destroyed tank, then looked up at his teammate.
The two Avengers exchanged smiles before turning to check on the regrouped clone troopers and civilians emerging cautiously from the school building.
"Gregar," Captain America addressed the deputy captain of the Naboo Security Forces, "how much farther?"
"We're close now," Gregar replied, glancing around warily. He leaned on a security officer for support, having been wounded in the previous engagement.
"Vulture droids incoming!" a clone trooper suddenly shouted.
Everyone looked up to see a massive shadow descending rapidly toward their position.
It was a damaged Vulture droid, plummeting directly toward them.
"Run!" Captain America bellowed, and everyone scrambled for cover as quickly as possible.
The Vulture droid crashed into the building they had been using for shelter, sending debris and rubble flying in all directions.
Captain America gritted his teeth and extricated himself from the wreckage, slightly disoriented. He quickly surveyed the damage around him.
The scene was grim—people struggled to stand, many nursing fresh wounds, while others lay motionless on the ground. Among the casualties were clone troopers, Naboo security personnel, and civilians.
To prevent the injured from fleeing in panic, Captain America immediately began triage and treatment of the wounded.
Thankfully, Falcon had been airborne during the crash and escaped injury. He now returned to assist those in need.
Uninjured clone troopers joined Captain America and Falcon in their efforts to help the survivors.
The toll was heavy—several clone troopers had been killed in the attack, along with multiple Naboo security personnel and six civilians.
After helping an elderly man to his feet, Captain America's attention was suddenly drawn to two still forms lying amid the rubble. His eyes widened in recognition as he sprinted toward them.
"Sora?" Captain America called anxiously, "Ryoo?"
His heart raced. He knew these two were members of Naboo's royal family—if anything happened to the mother and daughter, the consequences would be severe. With trepidation, he pressed his fingers to Sora's neck, exhaling with relief when he detected a pulse.
Beside her, Ryoo moaned softly and slowly opened her eyes.
"Mr. Rogers?" Ryoo said weakly.
"Hey, little princess," Captain America said gently, taking her hand and carefully helping her up. Ryoo noticed her mother lying still on the ground and called out anxiously, "Mom?"
"Your mother's going to be fine. She's just unconscious," Captain America reassured her, then moved to Sora's side. Noting the bruise on her temple, he surmised she had been knocked out by the impact. He set his shield aside and carefully lifted her in his arms.
"Ryoo," Captain America said, crouching down, "can you climb onto my back and hold on tight?"
Ryoo looked at Cap and nodded resolutely, though fear still lingered in her eyes.
"Captain," Falcon called, helping Sergeant Buck toward them.
"What's the situation, Falcon?" Captain America asked.
"I've lost four more brothers, sir," Buck reported grimly, "along with eight civilians and three security officers."
"Can we make it to the palace on foot?" Captain America asked.
"We're very close now," Gregar's strained voice came from nearby. Captain America and Falcon turned to see him supported by two security guards.
Gregar looked at Captain America with determination despite his injuries and said, "If we leave now, we should reach the palace within minutes."
"Alright, is everyone ready to move out?" Captain America asked, surveying the group.
"We're ready," Gregar confirmed, then addressed the survivors with firm resolve, "And if we don't reach the palace, we die."
"Then let's move. Now." Captain America ordered.