Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars

Colonel James Rhodes was many things throughout his distinguished career: a seasoned soldier, an elite Air Force pilot, and Tony Stark's closest friend. But above all else, he had become something he'd never expected—a hero, one of the Avengers known to the world as War Machine.

Now, as Rhodey found himself standing in the massive hangar bay of a Venator-class Star Destroyer, he couldn't shake the feeling of how impossibly small he felt against the backdrop of infinite space stretching beyond the magnetic barrier. The stars seemed so distant and cold, nothing like the familiar blue skies of Earth he was accustomed to flying through. He and the rest of his team were fully suited up and ready for whatever mission lay ahead, but the weight of their situation pressed heavily on his shoulders.

He glanced back at the bustling activity behind him, where dozens of clone troopers moved with practiced efficiency. Sam was deep in conversation with a group of Republic pilots who were enthusiastically explaining the intricacies of flying a Republic starfighter, their animated gestures and technical jargon creating a buzz of excitement in the hangar.

Beyond the energy barrier, an entire fleet of Republic warships maintained formation as they traveled through hyperspace, their angular hulls cutting through the star-streaked void like massive predators hunting through an ocean of darkness.

"You doing alright, Rhodey?" Steve asked, approaching his teammate with genuine concern evident in his voice. Even without his enhanced senses, he could tell something was weighing heavily on the Air Force colonel's mind.

"I'm fine, Cap," Rhodey replied absently, though his eyes remained fixed on the mesmerizing dance of stars beyond the hangar opening. His voice carried none of its usual confidence.

"Doesn't look like it," Steve observed, moving to stand beside his friend with his arms crossed. "Something's eating at you."

Rhodey let out a long breath, his helmet tucked under one arm as he watched another squadron of V-19 Torrent starfighters streak past the Star Destroyer in perfect formation. The sight should have been impressive, but instead it only seemed to deepen whatever internal struggle he was facing.

"I keep wondering what Tony was thinking when he went through that wormhole over New York," Rhodey said quietly, his voice barely audible over the ambient noise of the hangar. "When he saw what was waiting for us out there in the cosmos."

Steve's expression grew more serious as he studied his teammate's profile. He could see the complex mix of emotions playing across Rhodey's features—curiosity warring with apprehension, determination battling against doubt.

"That experience... it completely changed him," Rhodey continued, his voice heavy with the weight of years of observation and friendship. "He tried his best to hide it, to act like the same old Tony, but I could see it. He carried the burden of that knowledge for years, and it ate away at him piece by piece."

Rhodey turned to face Steve directly, and there was an intensity in his eyes that spoke of deeper fears. "That's what led to Ultron being created, you know. That's what ultimately tore the Avengers apart—Tony's need to prepare for threats we couldn't even imagine."

Steve remained silent, understanding that sometimes the best thing he could do was simply listen.

"Cap," Rhodey said, his voice taking on a more urgent tone, "what kind of impact is this war going to have on us? On who we are as people, as heroes?"

It was a profound question, one that cut straight to the heart of their current predicament. Both men had seen their share of conflict over the years, had watched good people make impossible choices under the pressure of war. They understood all too well how easily one's fundamental values and principles could be compromised when survival was on the line.

Steve was quiet for a long moment before answering. "Honestly? I don't know, Rhodey. The only thing I'm certain of right now is that we need to find the rest of our team."

"I'm completely on board with that goal," Rhodey responded earnestly. "But what happens after that? What do we do once we've reunited everyone? Because I'm pretty sure we're not going to be as fortunate as we were when the four of us found each other so quickly."

"I know," Steve said, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that betrayed his own frustration. "Believe me, I know."

The admission hung in the air between them. Steve Rogers, the man who always seemed to have a plan, who could inspire confidence even in the darkest of situations, was just as lost as the rest of them in this strange new galaxy.

"The truth is, I'm flying blind here," Steve continued, his voice carrying the weight of command decisions made without complete information. "I'm following my instincts even though I know they might lead us into an even worse situation. But right now, we're operating with a skeleton crew. Some of our most important team members are either missing somewhere in this galaxy, stuck back on Earth, or scattered across who knows how many other dimensions or realities."

Rhodey could only nod and turn his gaze back toward the star field, processing the implications of their situation.

"Look, Cap, I don't mean to sound like I'm second-guessing you," Rhodey said, his tone apologetic. "I just need to know that we're on the right path here. That we're not making decisions that we'll regret later."

"Right now, finding our people is the only concrete objective I can give you," Steve replied with characteristic honesty. "We're in a galaxy we know nothing about, dealing with political situations and conflicts we barely understand. All we can do is take this one step at a time and adapt our plans as we learn more about our environment."

"And what happens when we do understand enough?" Rhodey pressed, getting to the heart of his concerns. "What's our long-term strategy for existing in a universe where Earth might as well be a myth?"

Steve's expression grew more resolute. "We become self-sufficient without drawing unwanted attention to ourselves. We don't make ourselves dependent on any single faction or government. Our departure from Earth was sudden and unplanned—our world had no time to prepare for our absence. So in addition to finding our teammates, getting home has to be our primary objective."

Rhodey nodded his agreement, then looked back toward where Sam was now joined by Scott, both of them engaged in an animated discussion with several clone pilots about the capabilities of Y-wing bombers. The easy camaraderie between the Avengers and the Republic forces was evident.

"They seem to be getting along well with the clones," Steve observed, watching as Sam made some joke that had the entire group laughing.

"They are impressive soldiers," Rhodey admitted, observing the seamless coordination of clone troopers and pilots as they prepared for their upcoming mission under the command of Generals Skywalker and Plo Koon. "Like a well-oiled machine, every part working in perfect harmony with the others."

"The clones keep saying they were 'born for this,'" Steve muttered, though his expression clearly showed his discomfort with that particular phrase and its implications.

Before Rhodey could respond to that troubling observation, Anakin Skywalker's voice cut through the hangar noise, calling for Shadow Squadron to assemble for their mission briefing.

Steve and Rhodey exchanged a meaningful look, both silently agreeing to continue their conversation later when they had more privacy and time to properly discuss the philosophical and practical challenges they were facing.

The four Avengers positioned themselves where they could observe as General Skywalker and Admiral Yularen began briefing Shadow Squadron on their upcoming mission. The astromech droid R2-D2 projected a detailed holographic display of their target—a massive enemy warship that looked formidable even in miniature.

"The Senate has authorized this strike force to hunt down and destroy the enemy's newest superweapon," Admiral Yularen explained with military precision. "With the majority of our fleet engaged on multiple front lines across the galaxy, we'll be operating independently on this mission. General Skywalker has developed our tactical approach."

Anakin stepped forward, his youthful confidence evident as he addressed the assembled pilots. "The enemy's new ship is equipped with powerful ion cannons capable of disabling our capital ships' combat systems, leaving them defenseless. However, I believe a small squadron of bombers can slip past their defenses and strike at two critical targets—the bridge and General Grievous himself."

"What do you think?" Steve whispered to his teammates, keeping his voice low enough not to disrupt the briefing.

"It's risky," Sam replied quietly, squinting at the holographic projection of the enemy vessel. "From what they're describing, those ion cannons sound like some kind of electromagnetic pulse weapon. If they can disable entire capital ships, what's to stop them from doing the same to smaller craft?"

"Targeting the bridge makes tactical sense," Rhodey added, his Air Force experience evident in his analysis. "But those weapons systems will still be operational, and they'll definitely try to swat us out of space before we can complete our attack run."

"Why not just use long-range artillery?" Scott asked with genuine puzzlement. "Stay at a safe distance and pound them with heavy guns?"

"That's the logical approach," Steve agreed, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he continued to study Anakin's tactical display. "But something tells me the situation isn't that simple, or they would have tried that already."

"Pilots, prepare your bombers for final systems checks," Anakin ordered, and the clone pilots immediately snapped to attention before moving toward their assigned starfighters. As they dispersed, Jedi Master Plo Koon and Padawan Ahsoka Tano approached Anakin, their expressions showing clear concern.

"Skywalker," Plo Koon said in a low voice, though his words were still audible to the nearby Avengers, "your plan is extremely aggressive and carries significant risk. Are you confident that Shadow Squadron can accomplish this mission successfully?"

"Let's ask them directly," Anakin replied, turning toward his pilots with unwavering confidence.

A bald clone pilot, apparently the squadron leader, looked toward his general with steady eyes.

"Do you believe you can complete this mission?" Anakin asked, his voice carrying absolute faith in his men.

"Yes, General," the clone responded without hesitation, his voice ringing with conviction. "There is no mission Shadow Squadron cannot accomplish."

"That's correct, sir," another clone pilot added from nearby. "Minimal casualties, maximum efficiency—that's what Shadow Squadron delivers every time."

"Well, at least they're confident," Sam observed quietly, watching the exchange with mixed feelings.

"Confidence is important," Rhodey replied, his tone carrying the weight of hard-earned experience, "but blind faith isn't the key to victory. I've seen too many missions like this during my time in the Air Force. What they're proposing here is tantamount to a suicide run, no matter how you dress it up with tactical jargon."

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