"What's the situation over there, guys?" Sam asked, standing at a holotable with Steve on the opposite side, alongside Rhodes, Aayla Secura, and Commander Bly.
"There's unrest everywhere we turn," Steve admitted grimly, frowning as he crossed his arms.
"We've had multiple skirmishes with both Separatist forces and Death Watch operatives," Bly reported, his helmet tucked under his arm as he gestured at the tactical display. "They're clearly testing us—probing both the Republic's resolve and the Duchess's government."
"They must be planning something significant," Aayla observed, shaking her head with obvious concern.
"Really? The Mandalorians don't want you there?" Sam asked with obvious sarcasm. "I can't imagine why they'd object to foreign military occupation."
"We made a serious miscalculation," came a familiar voice from behind them.
Sam turned to see Obi-Wan and Cody returning from the front lines, both looking weary from their recent mission.
"Obi-Wan," Aayla greeted with a respectful nod to her fellow Jedi.
"What's the current situation on Mandalore?" Obi-Wan asked, unable to completely hide the worry in his voice.
"Well, the Mandalorian citizens are definitely not happy about our presence, and we've encountered resistance from both Separatist agents and Death Watch cells," Rhodes reported factually.
"The deployment of Republic forces is creating a dangerous division among Satine's people—they're being forced to choose between supporting Death Watch or remaining loyal to her government," Aayla explained.
"That's probably exactly what Death Watch is hoping for," Steve pointed out strategically. "They're trying to push the population toward their extremist ideology, though it's unclear how successful they'll be."
"By the way, how's the interrogation of Bo-Katan progressing?" Kenobi inquired.
Rhodes shook his head. "Matt says it's an extremely slow process. She hasn't given us anything useful yet."
"What about those self-proclaimed 'True Mandalorians' who made the public challenge?" Obi-Wan asked with growing concern.
"There's been virtually no response or activity from them," Bly reported. "We honestly have no idea what they're planning."
"Isn't the rest of Mandalorian space supposedly controlled by these protector clans?" Sam asked for clarification.
"Indeed," Aayla confirmed with a nod. "But they exist outside Republic jurisdiction and authority."
"These protector groups are fundamentally different from Death Watch," Obi-Wan observed thoughtfully. "I'm surprised they haven't intervened on Mandalore yet, given the crisis."
"Mandalore is currently in complete political chaos. While it's possible these protectors possess greater numbers and resources than we estimate, we haven't been able to confirm that assessment," Aayla said.
"I heard things aren't going particularly well in other sectors of the Republic either," Sam mentioned, changing the subject. "Hey, Obi-Wan, Cody—didn't you mention that Anakin was reassigned somewhere else recently?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan confirmed with obvious concern. "He was deployed to Tatooine, where a substantial Separatist fleet engaged Jedi Master Fisto and the 369th Clone Battalion."
"It feels like we're being stretched dangerously thin across every front," Steve observed, crossing his arms with growing frustration.
"Absolutely," Aayla agreed grimly. "Master Fisto reported intercepting multiple enemy fleets attempting to establish footholds throughout Hutt space, apparently selling droid armies to any willing buyer."
"The Separatists are definitely getting bolder and more aggressive," Cody noted in an ominous tone.
"Scott and Hope mentioned they fought off another Separatist fleet alongside Master Koth recently," Steve added, causing Sam to look up with obvious concern. "That was their second major engagement."
"A second battle already?" Sam asked with obvious worry. "How are our teammates holding up?"
"From what I understand, Scott, Hope, and Master Koth have been reinforced by Master Plo Koon and Master Kit Fisto, with Pietro accompanying the new task force," Obi-Wan explained. "Koth and his surviving forces are currently recuperating before returning to Coruscant to regroup and replace their losses."
Speaking of Master Koth...
Jedi Master Eeth Koth now stood aboard his flagship's bridge, surrounded by the loyal clone troopers of his battalion.
The unit designation always brought a slight smile to his face, remembering how his clone soldiers had chosen to abandon their original numerical designations and instead adopt callsigns based on his personal characteristics—a way to distinguish themselves from other battalions and regiments throughout the Republic military.
His fleet had been severely tested over the past several days, with the Horn Company suffering devastating casualties, particularly during their last major engagement.
Now, his remaining troops desperately needed time to rest and recover from their ordeal.
"Hey there, Eeth. How are you holding up?"
A genuine smile returned to his face as he turned to see Scott approaching, carrying a small bag of what appeared to be food. The Zabrak couldn't identify the contents, but he'd been hearing that these Earth-based snacks were beginning to spread throughout the Republic military and were apparently becoming popular among civilian populations as well.
"I'm managing well enough, Scott," Koth replied warmly. "How are you and Hope handling everything?"
"We're doing okay," Scott said with a casual shrug, offering the bag to the Jedi Master. "Want to try some? After countless attempts, I finally perfected the recipe."
Koth raised his eyebrows curiously and reached into the bag, pulling out several thin, crispy wafers covered with some kind of seasoning powder.
"What exactly is this?" Koth asked with genuine interest.
"Potato chips," Scott explained proudly. "Sour cream and onion flavor..."
Popping the "chips" into his mouth, Koth was pleasantly surprised by the tangy, salty taste combination.
"These are quite delicious," Koth admitted appreciatively, and Scott offered him more, which he gladly accepted.
"Yeah, they're really addictive, though probably not the healthiest option," Scott acknowledged. "Then again, with all the running around we've been doing lately, we're definitely burning off the calories."
Suddenly, the ship's alert klaxons began wailing, startling both of them.
"What's happening?" Koth called out urgently.
"Enemy vessels have just dropped out of hyperspace," a clone communications officer announced from his station.
Koth activated his wrist communicator immediately. "Captain Lock, all hands to battle stations."
"Yes, General."
Scott quickly contacted his partner through his comm system.
"Hope?" Scott called with obvious concern.
Down in the hangar bay, Hope van Dyne was moving efficiently in her full Hope suit, checking on clone troopers who had been wounded in their previous engagement.
"I'm fine down here, Scott," Hope replied over the comm channel, helping a injured clone onto a medical stretcher so he could be transported to the ship's medical bay.
"We've got incoming hostiles."
Scott returned to the bridge alongside Eeth Koth, and both stood at the forward observation deck, watching as a massive Separatist warship emerged from hyperspace.
"All batteries, prepare for combat," Koth ordered as defensive turbolaser arrays opened fire on the enemy vessel, which immediately returned fire with devastating effect.
As the ship began shuddering under enemy bombardment, Scott's helmet materialized around his head.
"That ship looks significantly larger than the last one we encountered," Scott observed nervously.
Koth had to agree with that assessment, turning to address one of his communications officers.
"Transmit a priority distress beacon immediately," Koth commanded. "Their firepower and numbers vastly exceed our current capabilities." The clone nodded acknowledgment, and Koth contacted his ground forces commander. "Lock, what's our defensive status?"
"Horn Company is armed and ready for action," Captain Lock reported professionally.
"Sir," another clone spoke up, getting the Jedi's immediate attention. "Enemy boarding craft are approaching our hull."
"Boarding action?" Koth recognized the aggressive tactic immediately. "Only one commander would attempt something so brazenly direct. General Grievous."
Hearing this ominous name, Scott immediately left the bridge.
"I'm heading down there," Scott announced to Koth, but Hope's voice crackled through his comm system.
"Stay where you are, Scott," she commanded firmly. "If Grievous is leading the boarding party, he'll head straight for the bridge and Koth, based on everything we've heard about his tactics. Stay there and provide support for Eeth. I'll remain here with the clones to hold the perimeter."
Scott started to object, but the ship shook violently as he looked through the viewport to see the massive Separatist vessel now positioned directly alongside their Star Destroyer.
"Here we go," Koth said grimly.
Down in the lower decks, Hope and Horn Company stood ready in front of an access door that enemy boarding craft would likely breach.
"Stand ready, men," Captain Lock called out as multiple blaster rifles aimed at the sealed entrance.
Hope's eyes narrowed with determination, her wings extending from her back as she shrank down to insect size and flew toward the door.
The moment it exploded inward, multiple super battle droids immediately opened fire on the clone positions. Several troopers were knocked down by the initial barrage, but then the first wave of droids began collapsing as small energy bolts struck their optical sensors with pinpoint accuracy.
A tiny figure darted between the fallen droids before Hope suddenly returned to full size in front of the clone formation.
"Is everyone all right?" Hope asked, checking on the wounded clones with obvious concern.
"We could have suffered far more casualties without your intervention, Miss van Dyne," Lock said with sincere gratitude.
They heard the distinctive sound of superheated metal being cut, and the clones and their Avenger ally turned to see a glowing red blade protruding through the door's reinforced hinges, slowly cutting a circular opening.
"Fall back to secondary positions," Lock shouted to his men.
"I'll hold them here," Hope said with deadly seriousness, stopping several clones from retreating.
"You heard her," Hope said firmly, retracting her helmet momentarily to show her completely serious expression. "Regroup at the next defensive line. We weren't fully prepared for this assault. The least you can do is fall back to more defensible positions."
As soon as Hope finished speaking, the cut section of door crashed inward, revealing a Mirialan woman dressed in black combat gear and wielding a crimson lightsaber. Her yellow eyes immediately locked onto Hope, burning with unmistakable hatred.
"You!" she snarled with vicious recognition.
"Oh, wonderful—it's her again," Hope muttered, immediately recognizing the Mirialan as one of Count Dooku's Dark Acolytes she and Natasha had encountered during their previous mission.
Asajj Ventress.
"I have not forgotten Neimoidia, you insignificant insect," Ventress practically growled with rage.
"Insect? Is that really the best insult you can manage?" Hope replied with obvious irritation, rising into a combat stance.
Ventress simply snarled, calling to the battle droids behind her. "Eliminate the clones. She belongs to me."
"What makes you so confident about that?"
Suddenly, Hope found herself flying through the air, completely caught off guard by an invisible Force push that sent her sliding across the deck plating. She looked up just in time to see the Dark Acolyte lunging forward with her lightsaber raised for a killing strike.
In an instant, Hope shrank just as Ventress's lightsaber slashed through the space she had occupied moments before. Scanning the area with murderous intent, Ventress briefly heard the high-pitched buzz of wings before feeling a devastating kick to her midsection.
Following up her attack, the tiny superheroine continued her assault as Ventress doubled over, clutching her stomach. As the Dark Acolyte fell to one knee, heavy metallic footsteps echoed from behind her.
She looked up to see General Grievous retracting his massive fist, the cyborg general staring down at her with obvious annoyance in his yellow optical sensors.
"What are you doing, you fool?" his harsh metallic voice rasped. "Don't you realize we have an objective to complete?"
"There's an Avenger present," Ventress hissed, climbing back to her feet.
"Yes, I'm aware," Grievous replied with obvious impatience. "I just swatted a small pest that appeared to be humanoid."
"That was her," Ventress said, scanning the area for any sign of her tiny opponent.
"I dealt with that insignificant speck," Grievous stated dismissively. "Move. We have a mission to accomplish."
Ventress growled with frustration but obeyed the command.
"All units, watch for a small flying target in this sector," Ventress ordered over her comm system. "Though she may appear diminutive, she is extremely dangerous and capable of inflicting significant damage to our operation."