Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars

"This operation may prove more dangerous than we initially anticipated," Master Plo Koon murmured to himself, his masked features betraying none of the concern evident in his voice. He turned to study Steve with the kind of penetrating gaze that seemed to see straight through to a person's core. "Captain Rogers, you are a man who has experienced many battles across multiple theaters of war. What is your assessment of our current tactical situation?"

Steve crossed his arms and remained silent for a long moment, clearly weighing his words carefully before responding. "To be completely honest, Master Plo, I'm not entirely certain. The sheer scale of a galactic war is beyond anything I've ever encountered before."

Plo Koon turned to face Steve fully, saying nothing but clearly waiting for him to continue his analysis.

"But right now," Steve continued with growing conviction, "the most critical factor is that we need to move immediately. Every minute we spend here debating mission parameters is another minute that Grievous and his droid army have to slaughter more innocent people who can't defend themselves."

"Captain Rogers," Plo Koon said suddenly, catching Steve somewhat off guard, "do you harbor some personal animosity toward droids and artificial intelligences?"

The question clearly surprised Steve, who took a moment to consider his response. "That's... actually a fair observation. We've encountered our own robotic army back on Earth. Their primary objective was the complete extermination of all organic life on our planet."

Plo Koon fell into deep contemplation at this revelation, and his concern deepened considerably as he processed the implications. The Avengers had faced an enemy remarkably similar to the Separatist droid forces—artificial intelligences bent on genocide?

As a Jedi Master, Plo Koon was highly skilled in reading people and detecting deception through the Force. In the brief time he'd spent conversing with Steve, he could sense with absolute certainty that the man was telling the complete truth. Behind his distinctive mask, Plo frowned deeply. He desperately wanted to question Steve in detail about this robotic threat on Earth, but he knew such discussions would have to wait. Their immediate priority had to be the rescue mission at hand.

There were more pressing matters demanding their attention right now.

Steve returned to where his teammates were still engaged in detailed discussions with the clone pilots, demonstrating various aerial combat formations they had learned through years of experience. The Republic pilots listened with genuine fascination, asking technical questions and taking mental notes on tactics they'd never encountered before.

Admiral Yularen's authoritative voice cut through the ongoing conversations: "Shadow Squadron, man your starfighters and prepare for immediate departure. We have a narrow window of opportunity here."

All the pilots immediately moved toward their assigned aircraft with military precision, while the four Avengers followed closely behind to their designated Y-wing bombers, each climbing into the rear gunner positions that had been prepared for them.

"Status report—are you ready for combat operations?" Anakin's voice crackled through the communication channels to the four Avengers.

"We'll get the job done, Skywalker," Steve replied with quiet confidence.

Moments later, Shadow Squadron departed from the Venator-class Star Destroyer's hangar bay, the sleek Republic starfighters emerging into the star-filled void of space in perfect formation.

"Shadow Squadron, tighten up your formation," Anakin instructed through the squadron communication system. "Let's put Colonel Rhodes's Four Finger tactics to the test under real flight conditions."

As they continued through hyperspace toward their destination, the squadron practiced the new tactical formations that Rhodey had introduced, refining their coordination and timing for the upcoming engagement.

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location across the galaxy, Count Dooku sat in his private meditation chamber, his legs crossed in the traditional pose, wrists resting calmly on his knees as he allowed the dark side of the Force to flow through his body like a river of shadow and power.

He could sense that the Force itself was in a constant state of flux—unstable, unpredictable, and fundamentally changed from what it had been for millennia. Despite his considerable skill and experience, he found it increasingly difficult to understand why these dramatic alterations were occurring.

What Count Dooku was absolutely certain of, however, was that he and every other Force-sensitive being in the galaxy had felt that massive shockwave that had rippled through the cosmic fabric several weeks ago. Ever since that moment, the very nature of the Force had become erratic and difficult to read.

Dooku suddenly opened his eyes and immediately dropped to one knee as a holographic projection of his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, materialized before him with the familiar shimmer of long-distance communication technology.

"Master," Dooku said respectfully, bowing his head in acknowledgment of his superior.

"Rise, my apprentice," Sidious commanded in his characteristically measured tone. "There are matters of critical importance we must discuss."

"What would you have me know, my Lord?"

Four distinct figures appeared within the holographic projection, their images rotating slowly to provide complete visual profiles. Dooku looked up and immediately recognized three of the individuals from previous intelligence reports.

"These are the 'Avengers' I mentioned to you previously—the ones who first appeared on Naboo," Dooku observed as he studied the four men carefully. His eyes settled on the newest addition to the group. "However, I am not familiar with this individual."

"He was recently located and reunited with his team," Sidious explained with obvious displeasure. "Colonel James Rhodes, also known as War Machine. He is the one responsible for sabotaging our strategic operations during the Rishi Station incident and subsequently informing the Republic of our planned invasion of Kamino."

"Master," Dooku said slowly, choosing his words with care, "I believe you have had direct contact with these Avengers."

"Yes, Tyrannus," Sidious replied with a slight nod. "I spoke personally with their leader—the man called Steve Rogers, who goes by the moniker Captain America."

"What was your impression of this individual, my Lord?"

Sidious's expression darkened noticeably. "He is... an extremely unpredictable variable in our calculations. For the first time in many years, I found my ability to read people through the Force to be completely ineffective. Captain Rogers is far more complex than I initially assessed. His true identity, his ultimate objectives, his long-term plans—he revealed absolutely nothing of substance despite my best efforts to extract information."

"Is there anything else of significance, Master?" Dooku inquired.

"They clearly originate from a technologically primitive world," Sidious continued, his tone growing more contemplative. "They demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding regarding space travel and galactic politics, yet they possess technological capabilities that are completely beyond our current comprehension."

"Could you provide specific examples?"

Sidious activated a holographic recording that showed footage of Scott Lang in combat during the Battle of Naboo.

Dooku watched in fascination and growing alarm as Ant-Man demonstrated his ability to shrink and enlarge at will, effortlessly dismantling multiple battle droids even while reduced to insect size. What truly shocked the Sith Lord, however, was when Scott threw one of his specialized discs at an AAT tank, causing the massive armored vehicle to shrink instantly to the size of a child's toy.

"How is such technology even possible?" Dooku asked, his voice betraying genuine bewilderment.

"Tyrannus, I share your confusion completely," the Sith Lord admitted with rare honesty. "Even with all my knowledge and experience, I cannot begin to comprehend the scientific principles behind this man's abilities. And you must understand—he represents only one member of a much larger team."

"Exactly how many individuals are we dealing with?" Dooku asked, unable to hide his growing nervousness.

"According to their own statements, there are nine members in total," Sidious replied grimly. "I am inclined to believe this claim is accurate. Only four have revealed themselves thus far. The remaining five are scattered somewhere across the galaxy, their locations completely unknown to us. Each individual appears to possess unique talents and capabilities that far exceed our current understanding of what should be scientifically possible."

"What course of action should I take if I encounter any of these individuals?"

"Capture them if at all possible, and attempt to recruit them to our cause through whatever means necessary," Sidious commanded. "I have developed a strong conviction that whoever successfully controls these Avengers will ultimately determine the fate of this entire galaxy."

Count Dooku raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked with careful diplomacy, "Master, please forgive my directness, but isn't claiming they could determine galactic fate somewhat... excessive?"

The moment Dooku finished speaking, he felt an overwhelming sensation of suffocation enveloping him—a clear demonstration of how seriously his Master regarded this particular threat.

"I am not requesting your opinion on this matter, my apprentice," Sidious said in a voice that brooked no argument. "I am informing you of what you will accomplish."

Dooku coughed slightly, bowed his head in submission, and replied, "I understand completely, my Master. I will carry out your instructions to the letter."

"Excellent." Sidious nodded approvingly, but just as he appeared ready to terminate the communication, Dooku quickly interjected.

"Is there any additional intelligence you can provide about these Avengers that might assist me in future encounters?"

"There is one particularly relevant detail..."

Dooku waited in respectful silence for his Master to elaborate further.

"I mentioned that I spoke directly with their leader, Captain Rogers, did I not?"

Dooku nodded in confirmation.

"He is a man of unwavering moral conviction and clearly an experienced, battle-hardened soldier, but do not allow those characteristics to mislead you. While he may lack any connection to the Force, his intuitive perception appears equally powerful, and he should never be underestimated under any circumstances."

Dooku suddenly recalled a crucial detail from previous reports. "My apprentice, Asajj Ventress, provided me with specifics about her combat engagement with these Avengers following the Battle of Naboo. She reported that her lightsaber was completely unable to penetrate Captain Rogers's shield."

Sidious also remembered that brief holographic communication with Dooku and Ventress, and after a moment of consideration, he said, "I want to conduct a detailed debriefing with her regarding this encounter."

Dooku nodded, understanding that any information concerning the Avengers would now be of paramount interest to his Master. "I will contact her immediately and arrange for her to provide you with a comprehensive report."

"Very good. The matter is now in your hands."

With that final directive, Sidious terminated the communication, leaving Dooku alone with his troubled thoughts. He frowned deeply, realizing that he fundamentally disagreed with the approach Sidious was taking toward these mysterious newcomers.

Suddenly, a new possibility occurred to him.

These Avengers had appeared without warning, with three of them manifesting on the very day the Confederacy invaded Naboo—the same day the Force had experienced those unprecedented fluctuations. Ever since their arrival, the Force had remained unstable and unpredictable.

Could it be possible that these Avengers were somehow responsible for the dramatic changes occurring within the Force itself?

Sidious undoubtedly possessed more information than he was revealing, but given his Master's characteristic cunning and secrecy, he obviously wouldn't share everything he knew.

"If the opportunity presents itself, I need to investigate this matter more thoroughly," Count Dooku mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "During my upcoming missions, there may be chances to learn more about these Avengers and their true capabilities."

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