Thanks for the overwhelmingly positive feedback, thank you very much.
Son44, trust me I have valid reasons justifying certain elements of your critiques of the chapter and story, while others, you're gonna have to wait for that to happen at a later date and time because having certain things happen immediately like that wouldn't make much sense.
Also there's a little something I found that Paul Rudd AKA Scott Lang/Ant-man did recently before Endgame that I will put into here for shits and giggles.
Speaking of Endgame I only have one thing, AND ONLY ONE THINGS TO SAY.
AND THAT IS AVENGERS ENDGAME OH MY FUCKING MOTHER OF GOD. HOLY SHIT, I CAN'T FUCKING EVEN CONVEY THE HYPE OR PAYOFF PROPERLY OTHER THAN CAPITALIZATION OF THIS AUTHORS NOTE BECAUSE DEAR GOD IN FUCKING HEAVEN ABOVE THIS MOVIE, MOTHERFUCKERS THIS MOVIE! AURGH SKJBNSDKAJGSUDKRJNBVKJXDFVBNDXFJKUHGBJDFZM,VBNDMXNFBVSDXHJCFMVBXCKJHBXNCHXDBCNBGJXHKBHKCF,VSXDJKV,BDFX JCX,KSDBHCF.
I CAN'T DESCRIBE IT, I JUST CAN'T. I THOUGHT I KNEW BUT I DIDN'T HOLY FUCKING HELL ARE YOU GUYS IN FOR A HELLUVA RIDE. AFTER THE NEXT CHAPTER AURGH I CAN'T TALK OR THINK STRAIGHT HOLY SWEET MARVEL MOVIE MAGIC KEVIN GOD FEIGE. HE DID THAT. THAT WAS HIS VISION AND ALL AT MARVEL STUDIOS AND THEY GAVE IT TO US ON A SILVER, GOLD, PLATINUM AND DIAMOND PLATTER.
WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
MUST WRITE FASTER.
RATE READ AND REVIEW AND AS ALWAYS MY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE HAVE A WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL FUCKIGN DAY.
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 7: Hunting Malevolence
Colonel James Rhodes was many things.
Soldier. Air force pilot. Best friends with a headache and a half by the name of one Tony Stark.
But above all else now he was a hero and more importantly, The Avenger known as War Machine.
So when Rhodey found himself standing in the interior of a Venator-Class Star destroyer, he couldn't deny the overwhelming feeling of how tiny he felt staring out into the vast cosmos of space. Decked out in his War Machine armor MK IV(I chose this armor for the time being) he and the rest of the team were all suited up for the upcoming mission they had been chosen to go along with. From behind, Rhodey could hear the bustling and movement of the Clone Troopers of the GAR going about their duties and responsibilities on the ship.
He briefly glanced back to them, spotting Sam amongst the pilots who were showing him how to fly the star fighters of the Republic.
Turning back to the endless expanse of the stars, some other Venators floated by with star fighters flying around the fleet.
"You alright there, Rhodey?"
"As much as I can be, Cap." Rhodey idly said, eyes wandering about the blackness of space with the dotted light stars in the distance.
"Looks like you've got a lot on your mind." Steve said, standing beside the air-force pilot with his arms crossed.
Rhodey snorted, shaking his head while another squadron of V-19 Torrent Starfighters zipped on by.
"Wonder what was on Tony's mind when he went through that wormhole above New York." Rhodey murmured.
Quirking a brow, Steve looked to his fellow soldier. He saw a face going through a litany of emotions from wonder, hesitation, fear and confliction.
"When he saw what was out here…" Rhodey said in a low voice. "It completely changed him. He tried to hide it all he could, but it always weighed on him for years."
Rhodey looked at Steve directly in the eye. "It's what led to Ultron. What led to the changing of the guard with the Avengers."
Steve silently regarded War Machine who gave him a bit of a piercing gaze.
"How is this war gonna change us, Steve?" Rhodey asked, not sugar coating his question.
This was a rather sudden question but from one veteran of war to another, it felt quite justifiable in hindsight. Both men had lost a considerable amount in the many battles they have fought over the years and understand how throwing one's self could shape and change an individual to their own fundamental values and principles.
"I'm not sure." Steve admitted in complete honesty. "The only real reason we're doing this is to find the rest of our friends."
"And I'm completely on board with that." Rhodey said in response. "But what about what comes after? What do we do when we find all our friends? Cause I'm pretty damn sure we're not gonna be as lucky as we got with us four."
"I know, Rhodey, I know." Steve said, frustrated more at himself rather than anyone else due to not knowing what to do in this situation. "I'm going with my gut here and even I know it could lead us into something worse. We're shorthanded with some of our heaviest hitters either lost, back on earth or somewhere else in the cosmos."
Rhodey could only sigh, looking back out into space.
"I didn't mean to harp on you like that Cap." Rhodey said apologetically. "But I just wanna know if this is the right path for us."
"Right now, I think it's our only plan." Steve begrudgingly admitted. "We're gonna have to improvise and learn as we go."
"And when we learn enough?" Rhodey asked with an underlying question.
"We'll branch out on our own." Steve said. "But not to attract suspicion. We left Earth severely unprotected so aside from finding our friends, returning home is priority number one."
Rhodey nodded in agreement before looking back to Sam who was now joined by Scott as the two conversed with Clone Pilots on the functions of the Y-wing bombers.
"Seems like they're getting along with the clones just fine." Steve idly stated, watching Sam crack a joke that actually got a laugh out of the Clones.
"They're efficient." Rhodey noted, observing other Clone troopers and pilots go about their duties in preparing for the upcoming mission under Generals Skywalker and Plo Koon. "Like a well oiled machine."
"They said that they were bred for this." Steve murmured with a disgruntled face making Rhodey look at him in slight shock.
"Wait, Wha…"
War Machine was unable to finish his question as Anakin Skywalker had called forth the meeting of Shadow Squadron for the briefing of the mission.
Rhodey and Steve shared eye contact with one another, both deciding to pick up their prior topic of discussion at a later date.
The four Avengers stood on the side whilst General Skywalker and Admiral Yularen addressed the Shadow squadron on their target, the Astromech R2-D2 beaming up a projection of the ship.
"This strike force has been commissioned by the senate to hunt down the enemies new battleship." Yularen said straight away. "As the bulk of our fleets are engaged on the frontlines, we'll be on our own. General Skywalker has devised our attack strategy."
"Thank you Admiral." Skywalker said respectfully, stepping forward. "While our capital ships are vulnerable to attack due to the enemies ion cannon disabling their systems, I believe a small squadron of bombers can outmaneuver their weapon to target the main objective of the bridge and General Grievous."
"What do you guys think?" Steve asked Sam and Rhodey in a whisper.
"Not entirely sure really." Sam noted, squinting at the projection of the ship. "From the way their phrasing this Ion Cannon that disables their ship systems, sounds like a kind of EMP to me."
"Targeting the bridge seems like a good idea." Rhodey said. "But there's still that weapon of theirs."
"Wouldn't it be smarter to take out the cannon then?" Scott asked, scratching his head in confusion of all this.
"As simple as that sounds, it won't be easy." Steve said, stroking his chin as he continued to observe Anakin's battle strategy.
"Pilots, prepare your bombers." Anakin instructed the Clones who all promptly stood up and walked away to attend to their ships. It was at this point that Jedi Master Plo and Padawan Tano came up to speak with Anakin.
"Your plan is very aggressive, Skywalker." Plo Koon pointed out in his deep baritone voice. "Are you certain of your squadron can complete this mission?"
"Let's ask them." Anakin said, looking to his pilots. "Matchstick."
A bald clone looked to his general.
"You think our boys can pull it off?" Anakin asked with confidence.
"Yes Sir." Matchstick responded in kind. "There hasn't been a mission Shadow Squadron couldn't complete."
"That's right." A clone to Matchsticks left spoke up. "Minimal casualties, maximum effectiveness. That's us."
"Least they're confident." Sam said with a shrug.
"But it could be suicidal." Rhodey commented. "I've seen missions like these a bit too often."
Not waiting for an incentive to do so, Rhodey walked up to the Jedi Knight.
"General Skywalker." Rhodey greeted.
"Colonel Rhodes." Skywalker nodded in turn. "Are you guys ready for your first mission with the Republic?"
"Well, it's more of tag along if anything but still I feel we could do more to help on the mission." Rhodey said with the rest of the Avengers now standing beside him.
"How so?" Anakin asked with intrigue.
"Think little bowl head can bring back that little projection of the ship we're targeting?" Rhodey asked getting an affronted set of beeps and whistles from R2.
Anakin chortled at the comment, giving the Astromech a small smirk. "He's got ya there R2-ey. Come on, bring it back up."
The projection of Grievous' ship was displayed once more.
"So from what we know, this ship fires an ion pulse right?" Rhodey asked Anakin. "Not like missiles or blasters, but a super circle of doom."
Again, Anakin laughed at the commentary of the Colonel finding the way these Earthers speak more and more amusing.
"Yeah, just one large circle of Ion energy that disables all working systems." Anakin said.
"So it is like an EMP." Sam murmured.
"Does it increase in size as it goes?" Rhodey inquired.
"Yes." Anakin confirmed. "It's how it's able to take ships like the Venators."
"What about your attack formation then?" Steve brought up. "Your squadron does run the risk of facing fire from this ship, not just from its primary cannons."
"That is something I have considered." Anakin said, eyeing the target. "You have something you want to say about the formation then?"
Rhodey nodded, holding his hand out straight, palm facing the floor.
"Hey Dome head."
"BEEP BWOOP"
"Right, right, R2, can you display those bombers at my finger-tips?"
R2's head swiveled to face Anakin who shrugged and rolled his hand as a go-ahead.
Acquiescing to James' request, four holographic Y-wings were now displayed running along his fingertips.
"Alright, now can you do a set running across diagonally and another in the formation of the letter V?" Rhodey asked R2.
R2 let out a series of what appeared to be confused hums and whistles.
"Go on R2, this seems important." Anakin urged on.
The projection of three sets of y-wing bombers were now showcased within the positions that Colonel Rhodes had asked upon.
"Do any of these formations look familiar to you?" Rhodey asked Anakin directly.
"That V shaped one does." Anakin said, pointing to said formation and went down. "Same with that diagonal one. Why?"
"Well this…" Rhodey gestured to the first one. "Is called the Finger-Four Formation. Used back in the second world war of Earth and where a lot of our aviation formations come from."
"I take it you have a lot of experience with aviation and piloting." Anakin surmised. "Air-force was the branch of the military you come from, right?"
"Yeah, me and Sam here." Rhodey gesturing his head at the bird-based hero. "Specialize in flying."
"Yeah, saw that on Naboo." Anakin said.
"Hey, I could fly to." Scott raised his hand.
"I don't think flying atop an ant counts, Scott." Rhodey shot down.
"Least you never crashed down into the ocean, right Capsicle?" Sam stated with a grin making his leader roll his eyes, though humor was present in the gesture.
Rhodey smirked slightly at the pun, before facing Anakin again who was awaiting for him to elaborate further on his little display here.
"Any way, from what we've been told, this Ion Cannon of theirs can disable ships in an instant when firing off whatever that pulsing purple circle." Rhodey went on. "So rather than the circular formation you guys are using for this mission, I'd suggest using one of these instead. Make yourselves a combat box for maximum maneuverability and firepower. I know the enemy ships won't allow us to easily zip by and let us land the killing blow."
Anakin watched Rhodey intently, taking note of the experience behind the man's tone. He was a clear veteran and very much knew what he was talking about.
And apparently, Sam Wilson also held expertise in this regard as well.
Nodding, Anakin looked back up to Shadow Squadron.
"Shadow Squadron." Anakin called out to them loudly. "Front and center, this is important."
Without wasting any time, the Clone pilots dropped what they were doing and were now standing at attention and were assembled around Anakin and Rhodes.
"SIR!" The Squadron said collectively aloud.
"Alright boys, aside from this target you know we're being accompanied by four other individuals." Anakin said. "Shadow Squadron, this is Colonel James Rhodes, Lieutenant Sam Wilson, Captain Steve Rogers and… Scott Lang. Colonel Rhodes here along with Lieutenant Wilson are pilot experts to considerable degree. Colonel Rhodes himself here has flown over…"
Anakin left the question hanging as to allow Rhodes to answer.
"Ah, a hundred and thirty-eight combat missions." He said professionally.
Some of the Clones eyes widened at the number with a few looking at each in slightly stunned surprise.
"There, all the more reason for you all to heed Colonel Rhodes's instructions along with the rest of the Avengers." Anakin said, stepping away and leaving to speak with Plo Koon and Ahsoka before… "Captain Rogers? Can I have a word with you?"
Blinking at the sudden request, Steve nodded and walked after him leaving Scott, Sam and Rhodey with Shadow Squadron.
Rhodey felt momentarily awkward at all the exact same pair of eyes directed at him by the Clone Pilots but cleared his throat quickly.
"Alright Pilots." Rhodey began in a casual manner. "I along with my friends aren't here to takeover or throw ourselves around here. We're here to help first and foremost."
"So don't mind us for the most part." Sam said with a shrug.
"Sir." Broadside spoke up. "What exactly are these formations here? We know about the two on the bottom but not the one on the top."
"That's what we're gonna discuss." Rhodey said. "See, you know most of these flight formations, correct?"
He got nods out of all the clones.
"Then we at least got that part out of the way." Rhodey said in relief, now prepping to delve down deep into his explanation of these formations as well as his own spin on them.
Meanwhile, Steve and Anakin were conversing along with Plo Koon and Ahsoka standing by them.
"Are you sure you want to be out on the frontlines like this already Captain?" Anakin asked. "I would understand if you had wanted more time to remain back on Coruscant at the temple and rested more."
"I appreciate the concern, General, but I'd rather we not take advantage of your hospitality." Steve said straight away. "Besides, I'm not one to sit around and twirl my thumbs around waiting for things to get done. My friends and teammates are out there on their own and I'm not gonna let luck dictate whether or not we find them. We have to be out here now then later."
Anakin smirked in approval whilst Plo nodded in understanding.
"I feel you shall get along grandly with Skywalker here then, Captain." Plo said casually.
"That felt like a backhanded compliment, Master Plo." Anakin wryly remarked with Ahsoka giggling at the comment.
Steve grinned slightly at the exchange, turning his attention to Admiral Yularen who approached them with a grave message.
"Skywalker." Yularen gained the generals attention. "The enemy warship has just attacked our convoy of medical transport ships near Ryndellia."
"Medical transports?" Ahsoka said in disbelief and anger. "Only Grievous would get so low in attacking injured soldiers."
Steve frowned at this information, finding great discomfort at the thought of defenseless clones being so easily killed. Whoever this Grievous was clearly had a low standard of morality within this war.
"Ryndellia…" Anakin murmured in thought. "The Ryndellia system near Naboo. Where our medical station just so happens to be stationed."
"His next target then." Plo Koon grimly stated.
"There are many star clusters within that area." Yularen recalled his knowledge of navigation. "Even with a ship like Grievous', he cannot navigate such an area and chart a course that's less than ten parsecs."
"Looks like we're gonna need a shortcut." Steve noted getting a grin out of Anakin.
"You read my mind Captain Rogers." Anakin stated. "And it just so happens we are nearby the perfect one I have in mind. Admiral, get a warning out to the medical station. Tell them what's coming."
"Right away General." Yularen walked off at a brisk pace.
"This Journey may prove to be more dangerous than anticipated." Plo said cautiously. "If you lose anyone before we reach the ship…"
"We won't lose anybody." Anakin said determinedly, moving to check up on his own Y-wing.
Plo and Steve shared a look before the Kel Dor Jedi returned his attention to Anakin.
"I will come along as well then." Plo announced. "Provide fighter escort."
"Any help is welcomed, Master Plo." Anakin said atop the ladder leading up to the pilot's seat of his fighter. "Just try to keep up."
"I had a feeling you'd be coming along." Ahsoka said with a knowing grin. "You're ship has already been prepped."
She moved to join her Jedi master in the Y-wing, leaving Steve and Plo where they stood.
"This mission may prove to be exceptionally difficult." Plo murmured, looking to Steve. "Captain Rogers. You are a man of war, are you not? What say you regarding this situation?"
Rogers blinked at the question, crossing his arms in deep contemplation.
"I'm not exactly sure." Steve admitted. "Galactic warfare feels a bit above my paygrade."
Plo Koon tilted his head but remained silent, allowing Steve to finish.
"But right now, this need to get done." Steve said determinedly. "Every minute we waste in discussing how to get things done, this Grievous adds to his body count and kills off more men for your army while he could just build up more of those droids in a heartbeat."
"Do you have some kind of personal vendetta against droids, Captain?" Plo asked suddenly, surprising Steve somewhat.
"You could say something like that." Steve murmured. "Had a recent run in with a veritable army of Droids being led by its head honcho. His goal was to cause an extinction level event for all life on my planet."
Steve left the Jedi master to rejoin his friends whilst Plo balked at the thought of facing such an enemy. This enemy droid wished to bring about extinction on his planet?
Being a Jedi Master, Plo was very well versed in the force and in utilizing it for short moment he had in speaking with Captain Rogers he found that Steve wasn't exaggerating. Frowning behind his helmet(Or whatever classifies as a frown for a Kel Dor), Plo wished to inquire about such a threat but knew that the story would have to wait.
Right now, there was another more pressing matter at hand.
Steve came back up to his friends who were still discussing and showing the clone pilots on the various flight formations Rhodey and Sam have undergone. The pilots seemed to soak up the information with great gusto and intrigue, their eyes showing clear signs of thought going into these new tactics on display.
Rhodey's little presentation was cut off via Admiral Yularen's voice over the loudspeaker within the hangar bay.
"Attention Shadow Squadron. Man your star fighters and prep for departure."
"You heard 'im boys." Anakin said aloud, voice echoing throughout the hangar. "Let's get this done."
A resounding 'Yes Sir!' from Shadow Squadron was Skywalkers reply with each pilot heading off to their ship.
The Avengers followed their pilots to their assigned bombers, climbing into the gunner back seat.
"You guys ready for this?" Anakin's voice chimed in through the Avengers personal Comms.
"We'll get this done Skywalker." Steve promised.
"Alright then. Watch your six."
A few moments later, Shadow squadron exited their Venators hangar bay flying past the rest of the assembled fleet.
"I hope you know what you're doing Anakin." Obi-wans concerned voice said through the comms.
"Well if I don't, then at least I won't be around to hear I told you so." Anakin quipped.
Obi-wan only rolled his eyes, amused. "That's reassuring. Well, take your shortcut and I'll take the long way. But you'd better be there before I arrive."
"I will." Anakin assured. "Shadow Squadron, tighten formations. Let's test out Colonel Rhodes's… what did you call it again?"
"Combat box, Finger Four formation."
"Right, that. You heard him gentlemen.
Behind Anakin, 16 Y-wing bombers created a formation that resembled two sets of 'finger tips' so to speak with Master Plo Koon's ship backing them up in the rear.
"Call in." Anakin instructed his team.
"Shadow 2, standing by."
"Shadow 3, standing by."
"Shadow 4, standing by."
As Shadow squadron called in to notify that they are ready for battle, R2 let out a few nervous whistles at Ahsoka.
"I know Artooie, this is gonna be a tough one." Ahsoka bemoaned.
"Wonder how they understand each other." Scott murmured through the private comms between him and the other Avengers.
"Probably some techno jargin or them growing up around it." Sam mused with a shrug.
"Shadow 16, standing by." The last Clone Pilot said followed by Plo Koon's affirmation that he was ready as well.
"This is Admiral Yularen." The Admiral's voice was heard by all. "You are cleared for Hyperspace jump. Happy Hunting sir."
"Thanks Admiral."
"Hey Broadside." Shadow 3 called out to his brother. "If we make it through this one, drinks are on me."
"I can already taste it." Broadside stated with anticipation.
"Alright boys, let's go." Anakin announced.
All eighteen fighters zipped away out of sight into the endless abyss of space, leaving behind Kenobi's fleet.
The good general watched them all depart, stroking his beard in thought.
"May the force be with you." Obi-wan muttered.
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location within the galaxy, one Count Dooku currently resided in a meditation chamber. He sat in the center of the room with his legs crossed and wrists resting upon his knees while allowing the flow of the dark side of the course to run through his being.
The Force has been in a constant state of motion, erratic and unpredictable. He was having a hard time as to pinpointing the why this is still happening but the how is easy enough to deduce.
That earlier shockwave he along with undoubtedly every Force-user in the galaxy felt had left quite the mark in the Force. Since then, it had yet to subside.
Dooku's eyes snapped open suddenly and changed his position to that of resting on one knee. Upon doing so a holo-transmission of his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, appeared before him.
"Master." Dooku inclined his body forward in respect.
"Rise, my apprentice." Sidious spoke in his usual sinister tone. "We have much to discuss."
"What of, my Master?"
Before Sidious appeared a set of several screens, each displaying four individuals in particular.
Brow raised, Dooku recognized three out of the four men being shown to him right now.
"These are those 'Avengers' you spoke of who had appeared on Naboo." Dooku noted, eyeing each man intently before landing on the newest addition. "I do not recognize this one."
"He is a recent find for this team of unique individuals." Sidious explained. "This Colonel James Rhodes -I believe his name was- is the man responsible in aiding the Republic forces stationed on the Rishi Moon base and notifying the Republic of the intended invasion of Kamino."
He silently regarded the armored individual, facing his master afterwards.
"These Avengers." Dooku spoke slowly. "I take it you have already met with them, Master."
"Indeed I have, Lord Tyrannus." Sidious confirmed. "And I have even spoken with their leader, the one called Steve Rogers; otherwise known as Captain America."
"He who bears the shield?"
"The very same." Confirmed Sidious.
"What do you make of him, my Master?"
Sidious frowned, hands disappearing into his sleeves. "He is… a difficult man to discern. I, for once, found my abilities in the Force and perception lacking to a degree. Captain Rogers wasn't exactly the most forthcoming as to who he was and what he was planning to do."
"What can you tell me, Master?" Dooku inquired.
"They come from a primitive world apparently." Sidious recalled the general meeting the Superhero team had with him, The Jedi, Clones and senators when they first met. "Not yet fully space-worthy. Yet they boasted technology that even we have not fathomed."
"Such as?"
Sidious simply directed his hand towards a recording of the one called Ant-man in action.
What Dooku saw truly bewildered and astonished. This Ant-man was shrinking and growing on a whim, taking down battle droids left and right with ease. What truly shocked him was the small disk the Ant-man threw at a AAT tank which shrank it down to the size of a toy.
"How in the-"
"I wish I knew as well, Tyrannus. Even I am baffled with what this man can do." Admitted the Sith Lord. "And that's just one of them."
"How many of them are there?" Dooku asked intensely.
"Nine on this apparent current roster of these Avengers." Sidious explained. "They assume, and I am inclined to believe them, that there are five others scattered throughout the Galaxy. Each with their own set of talents and capabilities that are well beyond anything we understand."
"And what must I do if I come across one of these… stragglers?"
"Capture them and do what you must to bring them onto our side. I have the utmost feeling that whoever controls them -much less a few of the whole- will greatly turn the tide of the galaxy."
Dooku rose a brow and voiced his concern. "Forgive my bluntness, Master, but are you merely over-exaggerating?"
The Sith Apprentice soon felt a small tightness around his throat, making him realize on how serious his Master was on the matter.
"I do not tell you this to get your opinion, my Apprentice." Sidious said in a deadly tone. "I tell you this for that is what you must do."
Feeling the pain being released from him, Dooku coughed and massaged his throat. "I understand, my Master. I will do as you demand of me."
"Good." Sidious nodded in approval. The Dark Lord was ready to disconnect when Dooku stopped him. "What is it now?"
"What can you at least tell me about these Avengers?" Dooku asked. "Have you met with any of them personally?"
"In a manner of speaking…"
Dooku silently waited for Sidious to elaborate further and seeing that his Apprentice wouldn't budge on the matter, he decided on telling him a shortened, summarized version of his past meeting.
"I told you that I had spoken with their leader, Captain Rogers, yes?" Dooku nodded. "He is a man of conviction, that much I was able to tell. Experienced and a battle-hardened soldier though do not allow that mere title to deceive you. There is an underlying intelligence and perception to him. He is not one to be underestimated."
Dooku suddenly remembered an important little detail involving a recent attack on a Republic world.
"My apprentice, Ventress, spoke of an encounter with these Avengers." Dooku said. "She told me that here lightsabers were unable to slice through Captain Rogers' shield."
"...I'd like to speak with her more thoroughly on the matter."
The Sith Apprentice nodded, knowing that this recent bit of information peaked his Master's interests more than before. "I'll inform her so she'll give you the full report."
"Good. See that you do."
With that last order, Sidious disconnected, leaving Dooku alone in his thoughts. He held a deep frown, not liking his masters actions and decisions in regards to these sudden newcomers. In a short amount of time, they seemed to have completely caught the attention of his master and has now deemed them necessary in aligning them within his plans.
A stray thought then entered his mind.
These Avengers appeared suddenly and randomly, with three of them on Naboo on the day of the surprise attack by the Confederacy. The day that just so happened to be where the Force shockwave originated from. And has since made the Force eccentric and erratic.
Could it be that these Avengers are the source of this Force upheaval?
His master perhaps knew more than he let on. Then again, that always seemed to be the case with Sidious.
'I'll need to look further more into this when possible.' He thought, stroking his beard. 'With my new task, this might give me the opportunity to do so and find out more of these Avengers and what they are truly capable of.'
However, that had to wait for the time being as he had other matters to attend to.
Speaking of…
Grievous, General the Droid Army of the Confederacy of Independent Systems stood within the bridge of the new warship of the CIS appropriately named the Malevolence.
The Droid General had recently taken out several Republic ships with the Malevolence main weapon. With them out of commission, they were truly vulnerable to their own demise.
He was already on route to his next target, but Dooku had once more decided to drop in on Grievous to check up on his progress.
Seeing Grievous smack the head off yet another battle droid, Dooku voiced his displeasure. "Those are not cheap, you know. Neither the Jedi nor the Republic treat their Clones as such."
Hearing the Count's voice, Grievous whirled around and composed himself in order to address his superior through the holo-coms.
"Count Dooku." Grievous bowed. "We are already on our way to the Republic medical station in the Ryndellia system. Has something changed?"
"No. Keep going on with your mission, General." Dooku waved off. "However, there may be an added variable in the coming conflict."
"Such as…"
"Asides from the Republic launching a small strike force to attack your ship -which Skywalker is leading- there is a select number of individuals you should be weary of."
Dooku then spoke of the new addition to the Republic's ranks: the Avengers.
Not much information was given about them, causing the Kaleesh cyborg to scoff. "What does it matter, Dooku. I'll slay them, much like I have against many other Republic forces I've come across."
"I advice greater caution." Dooku warned. "Master Sidious himself has spoken of these Avengers and it appears they are not so easily underestimated."
"Lord Sidious told you this?" Grievous asked, tone now changing to a more respectful one.
Dooku nodded. "And be most weary against the one shield-bearer, for his shield is able to block lightsaber blades with no signs of penetration, yet alone slash marks."
This tidbit surprised Grievous. After several moments of processing this information, he let out a chuckle. "Oh~ Such a challenge…"
Dooku only regarded the Droid general silently before cutting off communications.
Back with Shadow squadron, the team of bombers had just exited Hyperspace and were now approaching a large cloudy nebula.
"We're going into that?" Scott asked, nervously eyeing the large space matter.
"We'll get through it just fine, Lang." Anakin assured. "Once we get on the other end, we're on the home stretch."
"That Nebula looks like a hurricane really." Sam commented, not exactly liking the look of the place.
"Navigating through a nebula can be dangerous and unpredictable." Plo Koon said warily. "I advise caution."
"Don't worry about us, Master Jedi." Shadow 2 reassured. "We can hold our own. Right Shadow squadron?"
"Copy that Shadow 2."
"Does anyone care what the Padawan thinks?" Ahsoka questioned from her seat in the Y-Wing.
"Of course we care, snips, but we're still going through that nebula." Anakin said with a smug smirk.
Ahsoka smiled when hearing the Astromech giving her a vote of confidence through a series of bleeps and beeps. "Thanks, R2-ey."
"Hope you know what you're getting into, General." Steve chimed in, not at all liking the look of their path.
"Ah come on, Captain Rogers. Where's your sense of adventure?" Anakin asked jokingly.
"Back on Earth." Steve dryly remarked earning a snort out of his friends.
"Just keep a tight formation everyone and follow my lead." Anakin instructed. "We'll make it through this place just fine."
As the squadron ventured deeper and deeper into the nebula, many of the clone pilots started getting weary.
"This soup is thick." Voiced Shadow 2. "Can you see anything?"
"Just keep your eyes on my thruster, Shadow 2." Spoke Anakin.
"This just like Afghan back with Riley." Sam said, squinting his eyes in hopes of possibly seeing clearer through the Nebula.
"Lieutenant Wilson, Sir." Shadow 13, his pilot for the Y-wing spoke up. "General Skywalker said you and Colonel Rhodes are experienced pilots, right?"
Tilting his head at the Clone, Sam shrugged. "More or less. Why?"
"Got any good stories between the two of you to pass the time, sir?"
Sam blinked and looked over to his side, catching sight of Rhodey who was looking in his direction as well. Grinning, Sam glanced back to Shadow 13.
"As a matter of fact, we do." Sam said. "Rhodey, tell them about that time over Iraq with Tony."
"I don't think that counts." Rhodey wryly stated, though he relented in telling the tale. "Alright settle in boys, this is a bit of a doozy."
Rhodey cleared his throat. "Alright, so it's been a few weeks since I found my best friend wandering around in the desert after he was kidnapped and held captive for three months…"
Meanwhile Ahsoka was fiddling with her console, smacking it several times before groaning out in defeat. "Ugh, I hate this place. The scanners are useless."
"This is old-fashioned flying." Anakin chuckled out. "You have to feel your way through to stay on course."
"Anakin is right, Ahsoka." Plo Koon spoke, getting her attention. "Clear your mind, young one, and you will see the path."
"For the benefit of those who can't, how exactly are we supposed to see anything." Scott couldn't help but speak up on that matter.
He was met with silence momentarily, with even Rhodey stopping his tale on his best friend encountering the air force.
"Trust your gut Scott." Steve answered for him. "And in your pilot. They'll get us through this place."
"Spoken like a true Jedi." Anakin teased.
"Well right now, I can't see anything at all." Ahsoka pointed out, making Anakin smirk at her comment.
"I always know where I'm going." Broadside said determinedly.
"Yeah, where's that, Broadside?"
"I'm gonna blow up that battleship".
"A clear path if ever there was one." Plo idly agreed with.
In the meantime, the rest of Shadow squadron was paying rapt attention to Rhodey's tale.
"So I'm standing in command, talking with my friend all the while looking at a humanoid on the underbelly of the je… fighter." Rhodey said with mirthful fondness. "All the while they're trying to get a lock on him and shoot him down."
"That must've been one of crazier moments that I've heard of." Shadow 14, Rhodey's pilot said with a laugh.
"You don't know the half of it." Rhodey let out a frustrated sigh at the memory. "Afterwards, I needed to clean up the whole mess Tony made in order to save his ass."
"How?"
"Saying it was a training exercise that went wrong." Rhodey said flatly, making those who were listening burst out in laughter.
"So, Anakin, what do you know about this shortcut?" Questioned the Star Spangled Avenger. "How'd you hear about it?"
"It's an old smuggler's route. The pilots used to talk about it on Tatooine."
Ahsoka felt her confidence drop even further. "Smuggler's route? That makes me feel better."
"They call it the Balmorra run."
Plo Koon froze when hearing Anakin say this. "Balmorra run?"
Suddenly something binged across Ahsoka's radar. "I think I'm picking up a contact."
"Skywalker, listen to me." Plo urgently spoke out. "We need to turn around."
"We can't, not if we're gonna catch Grievous." Anakin brushed off.
"Another contact." Ahsoka said nervously." This one's much larger."
"Skywalker, Balmorra's the nesting ground of the giant Nebray mantis." Plo frantically stated.
"Another. Another!" Ahsoka gasped, whirling around in time to see a gigantic creature coming right towards them.
It let out a groaning growl.
"Evasive Maneuvers, now!" Anakin ordered.
Luckily, due to the design of their flight formation Shadow squadron evaded the giant Nebray Mantis -as Plo apparently called them- flying around the creature until they encountered more all circling around what appeared to be the center point of the Nebula.
"Those gas-gulpers are huge!" Ahsoka exclaimed.
"Oh man, and I thought giant ants were terrifying." Scott said, paling a bit at seeing the literal heard of these behemoths.
"Don't shoot, or they'll panic." Plo warned.
"They'll panic? I'm about to panic." Ahsoka said incredulously.
"Ugh, this is too much." Scott said, rubbing his head. "Was this in the contract when Hope and I joined the team, Cap?"
"No… no I don't think so." Steve evenly said though even he couldn't deny that nervous feeling at flying so close to something that could swat them aside or eat them with no problem.
"There are so many of them!" Matchstick said, flying below one of the mantis.
"Watch your left, Matchstick." Sam abruptly chimed in, making the pilot pull a sharp right turn away from an appendage of a mantis.
"You alright, Matchstick?" Anakin asked flying by him.
"I'm okay." Matchstick promised. "Thanks for the assist Lieutenant."
"No problem."
"These things are gonna make a meal out of us." Bellowed out the Tortuga padawan.
Seeing their current problem, Anakin quickly got an idea. "All wings, line up behind me."
"Roger that, boss." Responded one of the clones with the others following suit.
A single file line of Y-wing bombers plus Plo Koon's fighter all followed after Anakin who expertly weaved around the Nebray with his squadron close behind him.
During their evasive maneuvers, the Astromech droid of Scott's Y-wing got its domed head smacked clean off. The Ex-convict could only stare with a blank expression whilst watching the dome head of the unfortunate Astromech droid float away into the Nebula.
"Uh… Guys." Scott said with a slightly higher tone. "I think the situations gonna get worse."
"We need to get out of the Nebula." Plo said hurriedly. "They will not follow us out of here."
Their thrusters all flared up, accelerating their progress through the flying heard of Nebray. Anakin flew by one that was particularly large.
"That one looks hungry." Ahsoka said nervously.
"Nah, he's just smiling at you." Anakin quipped, keeping a calm and leveled head.
After several more tense moments of flight, Anakin lead the squadron out of the nebula with a relieved sigh being shared by all.
"Anakin." Steve said. "I know we've only known each other for a short time. But let's try keeping that to a minimum, please?"
Anakin chortled at Cap's exasperated comment. "I'll try my hardest."
"Now I know how ants really feel." Scott said haggardly, rubbing his chest.
"Let's just hope this shortcut of yours paid off."
In the hyperspace lane, General Kenobi was having a video chat with Admiral Yularen.
"The medical station reports that 50% has been evacuated."
This didn't please Obi-wan in the slightest. "That's not good enough." He said, stroking his beard. "They'll never be finished before the enemy arrives."
Yularen nodded in agreement. "Shadow Squadron still has a chance to catch Grievous."
"If they do, we have to be ready… for all our sakes."
Back with said squadron, they flew forward in the emptiness of space until up ahead…
The squadron flew forward in the emptiness of space until up ahead…
"There's the medical station!" Ahsoka said aloud.
"Looks like we made it here before Grievous." Plo noted with relief.
"How far behind do you think he is then?" Sam asked aloud.
"Sir." Broadside spoke up. "We've got a new contact on our radar."
"Did one of those Mantis's follow us?" Ahsoka inquired.
"Negative commander." Broadside checked his reading once more. "This one's coming out of Hyperspace. And it's not one of ours. It's the Malevolence."
"Grievous." Anakin said determinedly.
Lo and behold, the target that was entire objective of mission zipped into view for all to see.
"Alright boys, this is it." Anakin instructed, gripping his controls tighter now. "Get into combat box formation, stick together and watch one another's backs."
On the targeted ship, Grievous had his eyes on the medical station when one of his droids reported a republic Starfighter force coming in from behind.
"Skywalker." Grievous growled out. He also noticed republic medical convoys detaching themselves from the medical station and making a break for it.
"Target those medical frigates." Grievous ordered. "We will not allow any of the republics wounded a chance to escape."
"Sir, what about the Republic Starfighter Squadron." A pilot droid asked.
"Idiot, send out our own fighters in counterattack." Grievous said as if it were the most obvious thing. "Now charge up the cannon."
With Shadow squadron, Steve's eyes narrowed at the build up of energy coming from the side of the Malevolence.
"What are they doing?"
"They're prepping the Ion Cannon." Plo Koon said gravely. "They're targeting the medical convoys!"
"We gotta move." Ahsoka cried out. "Our wounded are gonna get destroyed."
"We've got problems of our own, Commander." Broadside stated, glaring ahead at the incoming Hyena and Vulture droids.
"Shadow Squadron." Rhodey spoke up. "Remember that new trick I showed you?"
He got confirmations from all of them.
"Well now's the time to try it out." Rhodey stated.
4 sets of Finger-four fighters prepared themselves while Anakin lead the charge with Plo flying alongside him now.
As the droid fighters drew closer, Rhodey waited for the right moment until…
"Now!"
A series of displacement roles were performed by the bombers, making a kind of tsunami-esque wave as they arched over the droid fighters and shot them down with a barrage of blaster fire.
"Nice shooting, Shadow Squadron." Anakin praised, seeing the effectiveness of maneuver.
"Don't relax just yet.' Sam said. "We've still got more incoming."
"Break off into your squads." Anakin ordered.
All the while, the Malevolence had succeeded in depowering the group of medical ships that were fleeing. His ship was firing upon the disabled vessels while also turning around to aim the Ion cannon at Skywalkers fighter squadron.
"Prepare to fire the Ion Cannon." Grievous ordered.
"But sir, our own fighters will be caught in the crossfire."
"Just do as I say." Grievous all but cut off.
In space, a dogfight had ensued with the Republic squadron flying rings around the separatist fighters.
"Woo." Sam yelled out, shooting down another Hyena fighter. "Man, these guys are too easy."
"You're really good at that sir." Shadow 13 stated, grinning beneath his helmet.
"Years of practice, my man." Sam said, targeting another fighter.
"They're lining up the cannon on us." Ahsoka shouted, desperately firing at any and all enemy fighters in her sights. "Jeez Sky Guy, can you ever fly a ship straight?"
"Now where's the fun in that." Anakin grunted with a grin, pivoting sharply around a fighter and destroying it with several well placed shots.
Grievous observed the dogfight with narrow eyed anticipation as the Ion cannon fired again.
"Incoming!" Steve shouted.
"Make for the edge of the rays, now!" Anakin shouted, accelerating his ship with five Y-wings flying after him. "Give it everything you've got."
Shadow Squadron scattered about sticking to either to groups of four or five.
Once the Ion Ray sphere passed by, Shadow Squadron reformed its Combat box though some were clearly missing.
"Shadow Squadron, call in." Anakin instructed.
It was quick series of each pilot announcing their survival save for 4, 6, 7 and 10.
"We lost four fighters." Ahsoka said dejectedly.
"They're alive though." Rhodey pointed out with his helmet snapping on quickly to confirm this statement. His scanners indicated this to be true. "Their ships are just out of power, so life support just prolong the inevitable."
"Good to know." Anakin nodded, now gripping the throttle. "We get this done and bring them back home. Shadow 3 promised the first round was on him."
"Damn right, General."
"Tighten formation everyone, we're going in." Anakin said, leading Shadow Squadron straight at the Malevolence.
Onboard the enemy ship, Grievous let out a chuckle.
"Those fools." Grievous said with gleeful sadism. "Skywalker doesn't realize his failure after losing a good number of his ships." He then turned over to one of the droids. "How much longer until our Ion Cannon is charged once more?"
"A few more minutes, General." A pilot Droid stated.
Shadow Squadron was currently bobbing and weaving around the Malevolence, trying their damndest to not get shot down by the enemy's defense turrets.
"We need to stay on course."
"Easy for you to say. This flak is heavy."
"Cut the chatter boys." Steve spoke up. "We're still in this."
"You heard 'im, Shadow Squadron." Scott said as he fired several shots at an incoming Droid fighter.
"Tag." Ahsoka called out to the pilot. "You're breaking off."
"My Stabilizers been hit CommanDAARGH"
"Fighter down." Plo called out, watch in sorrow at the loss of one of the Clones.
"All deflectors double front." Anakin ordered.
"Master, we need a new plan." Ahsoka argued.
Anakin didn't relent, flying as fast as his ship allowed it so. "We can make it, Ahsoka. Just hang in there."
One of the Droids on the bridge of the Malevolence noticed the Republic Squadron not breaking off even under so much fire. "Sir, the enemy fighters are closing."
"Let them come. Prepare the ion cannon." Grievous bellowed out arrogantly. "First we will destroy the medical station. Then we will finish off Skywalker."
One of the droids turned towards the other and spoke. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Watch those towers, boys." Sam warned, aiming down his cannon at some stray Vulture droids.
"We're too close! Loosen up!" Yelled one of the clone pilots before getting shot down, crashing onto the hull of the Malevolence.
"Shadow 9 is down!"
Gritting her teeth, Ahsoka spoke to Anakin and addressed the present issue. "Master, you can make it, but everyone else is getting shot down." She didn't get a response back from him, causing her to yell out. "Master!"
Back aboard the Malevolence, one of the droids reported the Ion Cannon's status. "Station has been targeted, General."
"Start the ion cannon acceleration." Grievous ordered.
After blasting through several more Droid Fighters, Plo Koon came up with a solution to their problem. "If we can do enough damage, the weapon may overload when Grievous tries to fire."
Hearing this, Anakin racked his mind to the fullest capabilities in order to come up with a way to make this happen. Soon enough, one came through.
"Shadow squadron, new target. We're taking out the starboard ion cannon."
Both the present Avengers and rest of Shadow Squadron smiled soon after, whirling their ships around with their new destination in mind.
"Ion cannon 75% charged." Voiced a Separatist droid.
Zooming closer and closer, the Squadron made it behind the Ion Cannon.
"Target those support beams." Rhodey said, helmet still on with his systems aiding in choosing the best areas to do damage.
"Torpedoes away!"
Shadow Squadron unleashed every single Torpedo each remaining Y-wing bomber had, landing successive strike after successive strike. The Torpedo explosions rocked the Malevolence ship to a great degree.
On the Malevolence's bridge, Grievous saw their primary weapon finally reached its full capacity. Without any further notice, he ignored some of the droids' cries and bellowed out the order. "Fire!"
What the droid general did not anticipate however was the immediate backlash of the Ion Cannons damage overloading and damaging the Malevolence further. If one were to look from the outside hull, they'd see that both sides of the Separatist ship exploded. This caused the entire ship to quake, sending Grievous sprawling to the ground.
"Good work, Shadow Squadron." Plo Koon praised.
"Nice job, Ahsoka." Anakin also complimented. "Good back seat piloting."
"I would've done better had you flown in a straight line, master." Ahsoka said cheekily.
Grievous was back on his feet on the bridge of the Malevolence. "Damage report!"
"We've lost both primary weapons, sir." Voiced a droid.
"The hyperdrive has been disabled." Spoke another.
"What?!" Grievous yelled. "Impossible!"
"General." This droid only had more bad news for Grievous "We are picking up Republic warships entering the system."
"Anakin, do you copy?"
Skywalker smiled when hearing Obi-wans voice over the comms, which he responded soon after. "I'm here, Obi-wan."
"Congratulations. It looks like your mission was a success."
"Partially, but Grievous is still alive." Anakin said in mild-disappointment. "The battle was pretty rough on my men. We're heading for the medical station."
Back on his ship, General Kenobi nodded. "We'll take it from here, but don't worry. We'll call when we need you."
"I'll be waiting, Obi-Wan."
Ending the call, Kenobi addressed his crew. "All right, let's finish what Shadow Squadron started. Ahead full and fire everything we've got."
Soon enough, the present Republic Star Destroyers opened fired on the Malevolence as it made a full retreat; no doubt hoping in making it back to Separatist space.
On the Republic Medical Station, Shadow Squadron docked in the landing bay. Each of them made it out of their respective ships in order to properly fuel their transports and get a bit of rest. They needed it, just in case if they'll need to be deployed at a moment's notice.
Climbing down the ladder, Anakin heard Master Plo Koon speaking to him. "Great job, Master Skywalker. Your leadership skills are most impressive."
"You didn't do so bad yourself." Anakin responded back.
"Excuse me? I believe it was my suggestion to change the plan." Said the Tortugan Padawan.
"That's kind of true, Snips. From a certain point of view."
"Hey, don't forget Rhodey's flight formations." Scott added in. "Without them, then we might've lost more out there."
This got the other Avengers and the other Jedi present to nod.
"He's right you know, Anakin."
"Yeah, yeah. I know, Sam." Anakin then turned over to War Machine and gave him a smile. "I should ask more on those formations you have in your arsenal, Colonel. They'll no doubt be essential for later fights."
"I'll do all that I can, General."
As the assembled people went onward to talk to the nearby elevator, Steve spoke to the human Jedi master. "Even though we did a good job on this mission, we can't take the lives we saved lightly."
Anakin nodded as he let out a sigh. "I know I won't. But I also can't take the lives I lost lightly."
"It's something we must bare in our times of leadership. Something that'll linger on for our very lives."
"Speaking from experience?" Anakin questioned.
Steve merely gave the Jedi master a firm nod as he and the others on his team knew all too well on the fact.
"I see." Anakin stopped walking as he addressed the others. "If you'll excuse me, I gotta prepare myself for the upcoming fight."
Captain America nodded. "Don't let us stop you."
General Skywalker nodded as he walked off elsewhere in order to find a quiet place before heading back out to all of the action.
Seeing him off, Rhodey voiced his shared thoughts with Scott and Sam. "Quite the interesting man you've got for a teacher, Ahsoka."
The Padawan merely shook her head with a small grin. "He's one of a kind, Rhodey. I-I mean, Colonel, Colonel. Sorry sir."
"It's alright Tano." Rhodey placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "After this wild flight, you could drop the formalities."
Ahsoka smiled up at Rhodey.
"Just don't let it get to your head, kiddo." Sam said suddenly. "Pretty sure Anakin has that part covered."
Ahsoka only gaped before puffing her cheeks out. "I do not have a big head, that's master Skywalker."
"I know, that's what I just said, kiddo."
"And don't call me Kiddo."
"Would you prefer Snips?"
"WILSON!"
Meanwhile, Steve watched the arrival of more Medical transports and to his relief, the recovery of the several Y-wing bomber ships that had been earlier caught in the Ion cannon.
A strained smile made its way onto Steve's face, glad to see that the Clone pilots and gunners alive and well enough considering the circumstances.
Letting out a shaky sigh, Steve looked forward once more eyes on the Republic fleet in pursuit of a damaged Separatist warship.
Steve narrowed his eyes at the ship, the same one that had intended on attacking the medical facility he currently stood within.
Now Steve had long since wizened up to the great world at large, now universe really. No two sides of a war are completely in the wrong as rarely is that ever the case.
But the fact that this Confederacy of Independent Systems targeted first a world that isn't known for warfare on top of attacking a medical station with no defenses didn't exactly paint the CIS in a positive light thus far from Caps point of view.
Whatever the case may be, Steve knew that he had thrown himself into another war.
And this was only the first of many battles.
Alrighty then, let's leave it off here and pick up immediately in the next chapter.
BIG UPS to ma BOI Jebest who was a gigantic help to this, can't sing his praises enough.
Endgame as you all know is fucking incredible and is just adding more fuel to fire for this story, like my god.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day