Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars

General Grievous of the Confederacy of Independent Systems stood imposingly on the bridge of the CIS's newest and most devastating warship, the Malevolence. The cyborg general's mechanical frame cast long shadows across the command deck as he surveyed the tactical displays showing their recent victories.

Grievous had already used the Malevolence's ion cannon to devastating effect, crippling several Republic vessels in previous engagements. Now he was en route to his next target, his mechanical mind already calculating the destruction he would unleash.

Count Dooku had decided to check on Grievous's progress personally, materializing as a holographic projection just as the general violently crushed the head of another battle droid that had displeased him.

"You know," Dooku said with obvious irritation, "these droids are not inexpensive to produce. Even the Jedi treat their clone troopers with more consideration than you show our mechanical forces."

Upon hearing Count Dooku's familiar voice, Grievous immediately turned and respectfully acknowledged his superior through the holocommunicator.

"Lord Dooku," Grievous said with a bow that was both respectful and somehow menacing. "We are currently proceeding toward the Republic medical station in the Ryndellia system. Do you have additional instructions for this operation?"

"No, continue with your mission as planned, General Grievous," Dooku replied with a dismissive wave. "However, you should be aware that there may be an unexpected variable in the upcoming engagement."

"What kind of variable?" Grievous asked, his mechanical voice carrying a note of interest rather than concern.

"In addition to the small strike force led by Skywalker that the Republic is sending to attack your vessel, they have also deployed individuals that you may find... particularly challenging."

Dooku proceeded to brief Grievous on the newest addition to the Republic's forces—the Avengers—though he admitted his own knowledge of them remained frustratingly limited.

Even with Dooku's incomplete intelligence, Grievous knew virtually nothing about these newcomers, and he responded with characteristic arrogance. "What does it matter? I will destroy them just as I have destroyed countless other Republic forces I have encountered in battle."

"I strongly suggest you exercise more caution than usual," Dooku warned seriously. "Lord Sidious himself has expressed particular interest in these Avengers. Based on what our Master has told me, these individuals are far from ordinary opponents."

"Lord Sidious specifically mentioned them?" Grievous asked, his tone becoming noticeably more respectful at the mention of their Sith Master.

Dooku nodded gravely. "The most dangerous appears to be the one carrying a shield. According to our intelligence, his defensive weapon can completely block lightsaber attacks. Even a lightsaber blade can only leave superficial marks on its surface but cannot penetrate it whatsoever."

This unexpected revelation clearly surprised Grievous, who paused for a moment in contemplation before breaking into what could only be described as mechanical laughter. "Ah... I do so enjoy attempting the impossible."

Dooku simply stared at General Grievous in silence for several long seconds before terminating the communication without another word.

At that same moment, Shadow Squadron had just emerged from hyperspace and found themselves approaching a massive, swirling nebula that stretched across their field of vision like a cosmic storm system.

"Are we actually going to fly through that thing?" Scott asked nervously, staring at the imposing nebula ahead of them with obvious apprehension.

"We'll make it through just fine, Scott," Anakin assured him with characteristic confidence. "Once we reach the other side, we'll have a clear path to our objective."

"That nebula looks exactly like a massive hurricane," Sam commented, clearly not enthusiastic about their chosen route. "I've flown through plenty of storms, but nothing quite like this."

"Navigating through nebular formations carries significant unpredictable hazards," Master Plo Koon warned solemnly. "I strongly recommend we proceed with extreme caution."

"Don't worry, Master Jedi," one of the Shadow Squadron clones responded through the communication system. "We've handled worse obstacles than this."

Anakin's confidence remained unshaken, radiating the kind of self-assurance that made him both an inspiring leader and a perpetual source of concern for his superiors.

"I sincerely hope you know exactly what you're doing, General Skywalker," Steve said, unable to keep a note of warning out of his voice.

"Come on, Captain Rogers," Anakin replied with good-natured teasing. "Where's that famous adventurous spirit of yours?"

"I left it back on Earth," Steve replied dryly.

"Everyone maintain tight formation and follow my lead," Anakin ordered with renewed authority. "We'll navigate through this nebula without any problems."

As the squadron penetrated deeper into the swirling cosmic phenomenon, many of the clone pilots began to show signs of fatigue from the intense concentration required to maintain formation in the chaotic environment.

To help combat their exhaustion and maintain morale, several clones began chatting with Sam and Rhodey over the communication channels, asking detailed questions about their adventures and battles back on Earth to help pass the tense flight time.

Meanwhile, Ahsoka was working intently at her navigation console, tapping various controls with growing frustration before finally exclaiming, "Ugh, I absolutely hate flying through places like this."

Anakin laughed at his Padawan's complaint. "You need to get comfortable with finding your way when you can't see clearly ahead."

Master Plo Koon added his own wisdom to the exchange: "Anakin is correct, Ahsoka. You must always maintain mental clarity to perceive the path you need to follow, even in the most challenging circumstances."

While the rest of Shadow Squadron remained absorbed in listening to Rhodey recount tales of their battles on Earth, Steve decided to get some answers about their current route.

"Anakin, exactly how much do you know about this particular shortcut? How did you learn about its existence?" Steve asked with obvious concern.

"It's an old smuggling route that pilots used to discuss frequently on Tatooine," Anakin explained casually. "They called it the Balmorra Run."

Master Plo Koon was visibly startled when he heard Anakin mention this specific route, and he immediately sought confirmation. "Did you say the Balmorra Run?"

Suddenly, something appeared on Ahsoka's sensor display, causing her instruments to flash with urgent warnings.

"Skywalker, listen to me very carefully," Plo Koon said with sudden urgency and alarm. "We need to reverse course immediately."

"Absolutely not," Anakin replied stubbornly, rejecting the suggestion without consideration. "Not unless we want to give up any chance of intercepting Grievous."

"Skywalker," Plo Koon said more forcefully, "Balmorra is the primary nesting ground for neebray mantis—giant space-dwelling creatures."

Ahsoka, now breathing heavily with growing anxiety, turned to see an enormous creature moving directly toward their formation through the swirling nebula.

The massive beast released a sound that could only be described as a bone-chilling roar that seemed to vibrate through their starfighters' hulls.

"Evasive maneuvers! Now!" Anakin shouted into his communicator.

Fortunately, due to the tactical formations that Rhodey had taught them, Shadow Squadron managed to avoid the initial giant neebray until they encountered even more of the creatures circling what appeared to be the very heart of the nebula system.

"Those creatures are absolutely massive!" Ahsoka exclaimed in amazement and terror.

"Oh my god," Scott said, his voice pale with fear. "I thought the giant ants I dealt with were intimidating enough."

"Whatever you do, don't fire your weapons or they'll become agitated and attack," Plo Koon warned urgently.

"I don't know if they're going to panic," Ahsoka said with barely controlled hysteria, "but I know I'm about to completely lose it."

"This is absolutely terrifying," Scott shouted, his voice cracking with horror.

Even Steve couldn't deny that flying in such close proximity to these enormous creatures was deeply unsettling—any one of them could easily swat their starfighters aside like insects or simply devour them whole.

"There are way too many of them!" called out the bald clone pilot, Broadside, as his bomber flew dangerously close beneath one of the massive neebray.

Recognizing the severity of their current situation, Anakin quickly formulated an escape plan and transmitted instructions through the communication system: "All fighters, form up directly behind me in single file."

"Copy that, General," the clones responded with disciplined precision.

A long line of Y-wing bombers and Master Plo Koon's starfighter fell into formation, following Anakin as he expertly maneuvered around and between the floating giants, weaving through the nebula with his squadron trailing closely behind in a dangerous game of cosmic hide-and-seek.

"Uh... guys," Scott said, his voice rising to a higher pitch with mounting panic, "I think our situation is about to get significantly worse."

"We need to exit this nebula immediately," Plo Koon said with urgent intensity. "These neebray won't venture beyond the nebula's boundaries."

All fighters pushed their engines to maximum power. After several more minutes of nerve-wracking flight through the creature-infested space, Anakin finally led the squadron clear of the nebula, and everyone released collective sighs of relief.

Steve's expression was stern as he addressed the young Jedi General. "Anakin, I know we've only known each other for a short time, but could we please try to minimize unnecessary risks going forward?"

Anakin responded to Steve's pointed criticism with characteristic nonchalance: "I'll do my best, Captain."

"Now I understand exactly how Scott feels about giant creatures," Rhodey said wearily, rubbing his chest as he tried to calm his racing heart.

Simultaneously, in a hyperspace communication channel, General Kenobi was engaged in a video conference with Admiral Yularen, discussing the evacuation progress.

"The medical station reports that fifty percent of the personnel have been successfully evacuated," Yularen informed him.

This update did not satisfy Obi-Wan in the slightest. "That's insufficient progress. At this rate, they won't be able to evacuate everyone before Grievous arrives and begins his attack."

Yularen nodded his agreement with the grim assessment, then added, "Shadow Squadron still represents our best chance to neutralize Grievous before he can complete his mission."

Back with the strike force, Anakin led Shadow Squadron through open space until they could see their destination ahead.

"There's the medical station!" Ahsoka called out, pointing toward the distant Republic facility.

"It appears we've arrived before Grievous," Plo Koon said with obvious relief.

"So how much time do you estimate we have before he gets here?" Sam asked through the communication system.

"Sir," one of the clone pilots suddenly reported, "our sensors are detecting something approaching from behind us."

"Is it one of those neebray creatures that followed us out of the nebula?" Ahsoka asked with concern.

"Negative," the clone replied with growing alarm. "It just dropped out of hyperspace, and I'm absolutely certain it's not one of our vessels."

"Alright, boys," Anakin commanded, his voice taking on the focused intensity of imminent combat. "Forget about everything else for now. Form up for battle formation—we've got company."

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