Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars

Rhodey approached the young Jedi Knight with measured steps, his military bearing evident even in the informal setting of the hangar bay. "General Skywalker," he said with a respectful nod.

Anakin turned from his conversation with the clone pilots and acknowledged the greeting. "Colonel Rhodes. Are you ready for your first official mission with the Republic?"

"Well, if I'm being honest," Rhodey replied, glancing at his teammates who had gathered beside him, "our first engagement felt more like we were observers than active participants. I can't help but feel that the four of us could have contributed much more to getting the job done effectively."

Anakin's eyebrows rose with genuine curiosity. "What do you mean by that?"

"Could you have R2 display that ship projection again?" Rhodey requested, his tactical mind already working through possibilities.

The astromech droid beeped in acknowledgment and projected the detailed hologram of General Grievous's massive warship, its threatening silhouette rotating slowly in the blue light.

"From what we understand," Rhodey began, studying the projection intently, "this vessel fires some kind of ion pulse, correct? Not a traditional projectile weapon, but rather a wide-area electromagnetic discharge."

"Exactly," Anakin confirmed. "It releases a massive circular wave of ion energy capable of disabling every operational system on our capital ships, leaving them completely defenseless."

"So it's essentially an EMP weapon," Sam muttered from beside him, his own military experience allowing him to grasp the implications immediately.

"Does the pulse expand in range as it travels?" Rhodey asked, leaning forward to get a better look at the ship's weapon systems.

"It does," Anakin nodded grimly. "That's precisely how it was able to cripple ships as large as the Star Destroyer Endurance."

"What about your current attack formation?" Steve interjected, his tactical instincts raising red flags. "If Shadow Squadron approaches in the standard Republic bombing formation, there's a high probability they'll be completely annihilated by that warship before they can deliver their payload."

Anakin looked directly at the four Avengers, and there was something different in his expression now—less of the cocky confidence he'd displayed earlier and more genuine consideration. "That's exactly what I've been wrestling with. Do you have any alternative suggestions?"

Rhodey nodded and gestured toward the holographic display. "R2, can you project the Shadow Squadron bomber formation as currently planned?"

The droid chirped and complied, showing the Y-wing bombers arranged in their traditional attack pattern.

"Now, R2, could you rearrange them into a diagonal crossing formation, then shift that into a V-shaped attack pattern?"

"Keep going, R2," Anakin urged, his interest clearly piqued. "This looks important."

Within moments, the hologram displayed three different Y-wing formations at the positions Rhodey had requested, each one distinctly different from standard Republic tactics.

"Are you familiar with these types of formations?" Rhodey asked Anakin directly.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Anakin admitted, pointing at the unconventional arrangements. "Where did these come from?"

"Well," Rhodey said, indicating the first formation, "this one is called the Four Finger Formation. It was developed during World War II on Earth and became the foundation for many of our modern aerial combat tactics. Most of our advanced aviation formations evolved from concepts like this."

"You clearly have extensive combat flying experience," Anakin observed with growing respect. "You're Air Force, aren't you?"

"Yes," Rhodey confirmed. "Both Sam and I are Air Force, with specializations in combat aviation and advanced flight systems."

"I could tell during our earlier discussions," Anakin said with genuine appreciation. "Your approach to aerial tactics is quite different from what we typically use."

Rhodey allowed himself a slight smile before returning to the matter at hand. "Anyway, based on what we've learned about their ion cannon, it can instantly disable any spacecraft caught in its electromagnetic pulse radius. So instead of using the circular attack formation you originally proposed, it would be far more effective to employ one of these alternative formations. They would allow the entire squadron to function as a cohesive battle unit while maximizing both mobility and concentrated firepower."

Anakin studied Rhodey with the kind of respect reserved for proven warriors. This was clearly a veteran with extensive real-world combat experience, not just theoretical knowledge.

"Shadow Squadron, assemble for formation briefing!" Anakin called out across the hangar.

Without hesitation, the clone pilots immediately dropped what they were doing and moved with crisp military precision, forming up in front of their commanding officers within seconds.

"Sir!" the squadron responded in perfect unison, their voices echoing through the hangar bay.

"Alright, men," Anakin began, his tone taking on a more formal command cadence. "While our primary mission objectives remain unchanged, you'll be joined by four additional team members: Colonel James Rhodes, Lieutenant Sam Wilson, Captain Steve Rogers, and Scott Lang. Colonel Rhodes and Lieutenant Wilson are both experts in aerial combat tactics, and Colonel Rhodes himself has flown..." He paused, gesturing for Rhodey to provide his own credentials.

"One hundred and thirty-eight combat missions," Rhodey stated matter-of-factly, his voice carrying the weight of hard-earned experience.

Several of the clone pilots' eyes widened at the impressive number, while others regarded the Avengers with newfound respect and curiosity.

"Given that level of experience, you have every reason to follow Colonel Rhodes's tactical guidance as we work together to complete this mission successfully," Anakin concluded, effectively placing Rhodey in a senior advisory role while gesturing for Steve to join him in discussion with Master Plo Koon and Ahsoka.

Rhodey felt slightly uncomfortable under the intense, unblinking stares of the clone pilots, but he quickly cleared his throat and addressed them directly. "Alright, excellent pilots of the Galactic Republic. First and foremost, I want to make it absolutely clear that my teammates and I are not here to take over your squadron, nor do we intend to remain permanently attached to Shadow Squadron. We're here to provide tactical assistance and support where needed."

"Don't let our presence change how you normally operate," Sam added with a casual shrug that helped ease some of the tension.

A clone pilot with distinctive markings on his helmet stepped forward. "Sir, could you explain more about these two formations you mentioned?"

"That's exactly what we need to discuss," Rhodey nodded approvingly. "You all have basic training in flight formations, correct?"

All the clones nodded in confirmation.

Rhodey breathed a small sigh of relief at this news and began providing the clone pilots with a detailed explanation of the formation arrangements, their tactical applications, and the specific advantages they offered in combat situations similar to what they would be facing.

Meanwhile, Steve found himself in discussion with Anakin while Master Plo Koon and Ahsoka listened nearby.

"Captain," Anakin said with genuine concern, "are you absolutely certain you want to be deployed to active front-line combat? If you preferred to remain at the Temple where it's safer, I would completely understand that decision."

"General, I appreciate your concern for our welfare," Steve replied earnestly, "but I've never been the type of person who can sit back and wait for news to come to me. Five of my teammates are missing somewhere in this galaxy, and I refuse to leave their fate to chance or luck. We have to take proactive action rather than waiting passively for others to solve our problems."

Anakin's expression showed clear approval of this attitude, while Plo Koon nodded with understanding.

"Captain Rogers," Master Plo Koon observed with what might have been amusement, "I believe you and Skywalker here will get along quite well."

"That sounds suspiciously like a backhanded compliment, Master Plo," Anakin replied with a wry grin, which earned a quiet chuckle from Ahsoka.

Steve allowed himself a slight smile at the exchange, but his attention was drawn away as Admiral Yularen approached their group with obvious urgency written across his features.

"General Skywalker," Yularen said grimly, his military bearing tense with concern. "We've just received reports that enemy warships have launched an attack against our medical convoy in the Ryndellia system."

"A medical convoy?" Ahsoka's voice was filled with disbelief and righteous anger. "Only someone as despicable as General Grievous would stoop to attacking wounded soldiers and medical personnel."

Steve's expression darkened as he processed this information, feeling a deep sense of revulsion at the thought of defenseless injured clones being slaughtered while trying to receive medical treatment. Whoever this General Grievous was, he clearly had no moral boundaries whatsoever.

"Ryndellia..." Anakin mused, his strategic mind already working through the implications. "That's in the system near Naboo, where our primary medical station is located."

Admiral Yularen nodded, recalling details from previous missions in that sector. "That region contains numerous asteroid clusters and spatial anomalies. Even a fleet as experienced as Grievous's cannot guarantee they won't be forced off course by the navigational hazards in that area."

"It sounds like we need to find the fastest possible route to intercept them," Steve said with growing urgency, "otherwise this Grievous will disappear into the asteroid fields before we can stop the attack."

"Captain Rogers, you've read my thoughts exactly," Anakin replied with determination. "As it happens, we're currently positioned near a known hyperspace shortcut that leads directly to that system. Admiral Yularen, send immediate orders to the medical convoy and inform them of the situation they're about to face."

"I'll handle that right away, General," Yularen replied, already turning to carry out the orders with military efficiency.

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