Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars

At the Republic medical station, Shadow Squadron's battered starfighters sat in the landing bay while their pilots disembarked and ground crews immediately began refueling and conducting emergency repairs on the battle-damaged craft.

As Anakin stepped down from his fighter, Master Plo Koon approached and offered his assessment. "Well executed, Skywalker. Your leadership under fire was exemplary."

"You performed admirably as well, Master Plo," Anakin responded with genuine respect.

"I think it was my suggestion to modify our attack approach that made the difference," Ahsoka interjected with youthful pride.

"You're absolutely right, Snips," Anakin said with an easy smile. "From a tactical standpoint, your adaptability contributed significantly to our success."

"Hey, don't forget about Rhodey's flight formations," Scott added earnestly. "Without the Four Finger tactics, our casualties could have been much worse."

The other Avengers and all the Jedi present nodded in acknowledgment. They recognized that Rhodey's tactical innovations had been a crucial factor in their early combat effectiveness.

Anakin turned to look directly at Rhodey and offered him a respectful smile. "When we have more time, I'd like to learn about other tactics you've mastered. I have a feeling those strategies will be essential for future engagements."

"I'll share everything I know, General," Rhodey replied with professional camaraderie.

After the pilots finished their post-flight procedures, they gathered to conduct an informal after-action review of the battle. Steve addressed Anakin with the tone of an experienced commander: "Although we accomplished our primary objectives, we can't afford to become complacent about our success."

Anakin nodded soberly and sighed. "You're right. We also lost some excellent pilots today—good men who trusted us to bring them home."

"That's part of the burden of command," Steve said quietly. "It's something that keeps repeating itself throughout a leader's career, and it never gets easier to bear."

"You speak from experience?" Anakin asked, recognizing the weight behind Steve's words.

Steve simply nodded firmly, because both he and every other Avenger understood that harsh reality all too well.

"I understand what you mean. If you'll excuse me, I need to prepare for the next phase of operations," Anakin said before turning to leave.

Watching the young Jedi General walk away, Sam turned to Ahsoka with genuine interest. "Your Master is quite a remarkable person, Ahsoka."

The young Padawan smiled and shook her head. "In my opinion, he's absolutely unique, Lieutenant Wilson."

"I know—that's exactly what I meant, kid," Sam said with friendly warmth.

"Don't call me 'kid,'" Ahsoka protested with mock indignation.

"So should I call you 'kiddo' instead?" Sam teased.

"Wilson!" Ahsoka exclaimed in exasperation.

Meanwhile, Steve observed more medical frigates arriving at the station and felt genuine relief upon discovering that several Y-wing bombers that had been disabled by the ion cannon blast had been successfully recovered by search-and-rescue teams.

A smile crossed Steve's face as he watched the rescued clone pilots being helped from their damaged fighters. He was grateful to see these men still alive, and considering the desperate circumstances they'd faced, they had all performed beyond expectations.

Steve's attention then shifted to the Republic fleet in the distance, which was continuing its relentless pursuit of the Separatist warship Malevolence.

From Steve's perspective, this Confederacy of Independent Systems was deliberately targeting non-combatant facilities, as evidenced by their unprovoked attack on a defenseless medical station—a clear violation of the rules of warfare that he found morally reprehensible.

Whatever the broader political circumstances might be, Steve realized he had now committed himself and the rest of the Avengers to another war that should never have been their responsibility. Based on today's events, this appeared to be merely the first of many battles they would face in this strange new galaxy.

At that same moment, General Grievous paced frantically across the damaged bridge of the Malevolence, his mechanical frame radiating fury over how close they had come to achieving their objectives before being thwarted by Skywalker's squadron at the last possible moment.

An enraged Grievous vented his frustration on nearby battle droids, and several unfortunate B1 units were completely destroyed by his powerful cybernetic fists, their components scattered across the deck plating.

After this brief outburst, Grievous regained his composure and acknowledged that his only viable option now was to retreat beyond the effective range of the pursuing Republic fleet as quickly as possible.

"Status report on the hyperdrive systems!" Grievous barked at his remaining tactical droids.

"General," one of the pilot droids reported nervously, "hyperdrive is currently operating at approximately sixty percent efficiency, but the continuous Republic bombardment is making repair operations extremely difficult."

Grievous's mechanical voice rose to a roar: "Where are our reinforcement fleets?"

"They are currently engaged with another Republic task force and cannot provide assistance," another pilot droid informed him with obvious reluctance.

Grievous angrily kicked the unfortunate droid across the bridge and said with cold determination: "We must escape this engagement zone immediately and complete hyperdrive repairs at all costs!"

The Malevolence was now limping slowly ahead of the pursuing Republic fleet commanded by Jedi Masters Plo Koon and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Republic forces maintained continuous bombardment, their turbolasers pounding the massive Separatist vessel without any intention of reducing their fire intensity.

Behind the two Jedi commanders stood Admiral Yularen, while three senior officers analyzed the damage assessment data on the enemy warship.

Obi-Wan glanced toward his clone commander and inquired, "Admiral, what's your evaluation of the enemy vessel's current condition?"

"The Malevolence's hyperdrive has sustained significant damage," Yularen reported, "but the ship is so massive that our combined firepower cannot achieve complete destruction in a reasonable timeframe."

Plo Koon nodded gravely. "We need to call in additional reinforcements, or Grievous will eventually manage to escape."

Kenobi and Plo Koon had just finished their strategic discussion when they heard familiar voices behind them. They turned to see Anakin and Ahsoka entering the bridge, accompanied by Steve and Scott.

"Anakin, Captain Rogers, Mr. Lang—your timing is perfect," Obi-Wan said with obvious relief.

"Good to be here," Scott replied simply before his attention was immediately captured by the one-sided space battle unfolding before them. He muttered to himself, "I wonder how long this bombardment is going to continue."

"Hopefully not much longer," Ahsoka commented with growing impatience.

"Skywalker," Plo Koon asked, "have you been able to establish contact with Master Luminara?"

"She's currently engaged with a nearby Separatist reinforcement fleet," Anakin explained. "Unless she can defeat those enemy forces decisively, she won't be able to provide us with any tactical support."

Upon hearing this update, both Jedi Masters nodded with visible disappointment at the strategic complications.

The Republic fleet continued its relentless assault on the Malevolence, while Grievous shouted angrily at his crew as the ship shuddered under constant bombardment: "Damage assessment report!"

"Hyperdrive remains non-functional and forward engines are losing power rapidly," a droid pilot informed him with mechanical precision. "Our primary weapon systems have been completely destroyed, and we are unable to mount any effective counterattack."

Grievous ground his mechanical teeth while staring menacingly at his droid attendants, genuinely wanting to reduce them all to scrap metal. Glancing at the nearby droids, he roared, "What are you still doing here? Get to the engine compartments and initiate emergency repairs!"

Several battle droids quickly scattered to carry out his orders.

Suddenly, his personal communicator activated, and he immediately recognized the distinctive signal pattern without needing to check the identification.

"General Grievous," came the familiar, measured voice of Count Dooku.

"Lord Dooku," Grievous replied, offering a respectful bow despite his current circumstances.

"What is the current tactical status of the Malevolence?" Dooku inquired with characteristic calm.

"The damage... isn't too severe..." Grievous began, attempting to downplay their desperate situation.

Count Dooku simply stared at him through the holographic projection without saying anything. Grievous understood perfectly well that his lies would not resolve their current predicament, and he certainly couldn't deceive Count Dooku.

"General, based on my analysis of your current situation, I have prepared a contingency plan," Dooku continued. "If you follow my instructions precisely, you will escape your present circumstances and potentially regain tactical advantage."

"That will not be necessary, Count Dooku," Grievous responded with stubborn pride. "I assure you that the Jedi and the Galactic Republic forces will not succeed in capturing either myself or the Malevolence."

"Grievous," Dooku said with barely controlled irritation, "I remind you that under no circumstances can the Malevolence be allowed to fall into Republic hands. The consequences of such a failure would be far beyond your ability to comprehend. You must understand that this current disaster is entirely the result of your arrogance and tactical errors."

Dooku ignored Grievous's emotional state and continued with calculated precision: "There is a high-ranking Galactic Republic Senator currently traveling in your direction. If you can secure her as a hostage, the Jedi will be forced to cease their attack immediately."

General Grievous reluctantly accepted these orders, saying through gritted mechanical teeth, "As you command, Master Dooku."

At that moment, the Republic fleet continued its relentless pursuit of the damaged Malevolence.

"Admiral, situation report," Obi-Wan requested.

"Master Skywalker," Yularen replied, "based on our current sensor readings, the enemy vessel shows no signs of preparing for a hyperspace jump."

Hearing this assessment, both Scott and Anakin wondered what Grievous could possibly be planning.

"So that means they can't escape, and we'll eventually overtake them, right?" Scott asked for clarification.

Anakin nodded confidently. "Their hyperdrive must be more severely damaged than we initially estimated."

"This is our opportunity," Obi-Wan declared with firm resolve. "All ships, increase to maximum speed and concentrate all firepower on the Malevolence."

Meanwhile, completely unknown to the Republic forces, a single vessel was traveling through hyperspace, heading directly toward the battlefield at maximum velocity.

Aboard this spacecraft was none other than Senator Padmé Amidala, accompanied by her protocol droid C-3PO, inadvertently flying straight into the trap that Count Dooku had so carefully prepared.

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