Scott Lang was being held in a solitary detention cell aboard General Grievous's flagship, with Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress standing guard in front of him. With his Ant Man Suit confiscated, leaving him in only his undergarments, it was... a rather compromising situation, to say the least.
The pale Dathomirian had been studying him intently, and he couldn't help but stare back defiantly, though with obvious discomfort.
"So are you planning to stand there gawking at me all day?" he asked with forced bravado. "Because if so, I'm going to have to start charging admission."
"And why would I want to do that?" she replied with a predatory smile.
"Because otherwise I'll have to start billing you. What's the local currency here? Credits, right? Five credits per minute for the show."
A malicious grin spread across Ventress's face as she gave him a look that sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. She was studying him like a piece of meat being prepared for slaughter.
"Seriously, knock it off. That's really creepy," Scott muttered uncomfortably. "Great! Now I know what it feels like to be objectified by a psychopath."
Ventress simply rose from her chair and slowly approached the captured Avenger. She placed a single finger against his chest and began tracing a line downward while circling around him like a predator.
"Take it as a compliment. Attractive men like yourself should feel flattered," she said with a sickeningly sweet edge to her voice. "People like you—perfectly proportioned, but not an insufferable egomaniac."
Scott squirmed uncomfortably and laughed nervously. "If you weren't planning to run me through with your lightsaber afterward, I might be."
She slipped her fingers under his chin and then grasped it firmly with her entire hand. "Oh, I'll definitely have my way with you. Extract every piece of knowledge about your unique abilities from that handsome head of yours."
"Torture," Scott said flatly once she released him. "I see. You prefer the hands-on approach to information extraction."
"I have so many creative ideas, darling," Ventress leaned closer and licked Scott's cheek, which made him recoil in disgust. "I can't wait to try them all on you."
Scott simply shuddered as she walked out of the cell.
"Man, if Hope sees this footage later..." Scott muttered to himself.
On the bridge of the Separatist flagship, Grievous strode into the command center as a tactical droid delivered its latest status report.
"Sir, we have successfully entered the Saleucami system," the tactical droid announced.
"Begin preparations for planetary landing operations," Grievous commanded, then turned his attention to the captured Jedi Master suspended in a containment field at the center of the bridge. The general preferred to keep his prized prisoner in close proximity until further notice.
"Yes, my lord."
However...
"Uh, sir, multiple vessels are dropping out of hyperspace," a droid at the sensor station called out urgently.
"Republic or Separatist designation?"
Grievous had barely finished asking when a Republic fleet materialized from hyperspace directly in front of the Confederate formation.
"Republic forces. Three cruiser-class vessels, four frigate-class escorts."
Grievous simply turned to his captive Jedi and spoke with obvious condescension. "You see? Your compassionate friends have come to rescue you, exactly as I predicted they would."
The Republic frigates immediately began their attack run directly toward Grievous's flagship, and the general watched their approach with keen interest.
"The lead Republic vessel is transmitting a communication request, my master," the tactical droid reported.
"Put it through."
A holographic display materialized above the main command console, showing the Separatist general the familiar face of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"General, I told you I would catch up with you eventually."
"Kenobi. What an unexpected pleasure. I assume you're here to bring me to justice?" Grievous replied with obvious sarcasm.
"You know me too well."
"Indeed I do." The transmission abruptly ended, and Grievous barked his tactical orders. "All batteries, prepare to fire. And maintain maximum alert status. Whenever Kenobi appears, you can be certain that Skywalker is lurking nearby."
"Enemy vessels demonstrate superior speed and maneuverability. I recommend exercising caution," the tactical droid advised.
"Draw them in closer. I want to board that ship personally. I'm going to eliminate Kenobi once and for all," Grievous ordered before contacting the ship's Dark Acolyte. "Ventress. The Republic fleet has arrived to rescue our prisoners. Remain vigilant. The Avenger we failed to capture will undoubtedly attempt to liberate her comrades."
"You don't need to remind me of the obvious, Grievous."
He simply shook his head, finding it increasingly irritating to work with these arrogant Dark Side adepts.
Aboard Kenobi's flagship, the Jedi Master observed as the Separatist fleet began their bombardment.
"Well, we certainly got his attention," Obi-Wan said with a wry smile, activating his communicator. "Admiral Yularen, keep Grievous's fleet fully engaged so Anakin's insertion won't be detected."
"Yes, General," Yularen responded professionally. "Launching all fighters. All batteries may fire at will."
The two fleets engaged in fierce combat, with Republic starfighters supported by frigate escorts exchanging devastating fire with the enemy formation.
"Commander Cody, do we have precise coordinates on the command ship?" Kenobi asked his second-in-command.
"We're uploading them to General Skywalker now, sir."
Meanwhile, Anakin sat in the pilot's seat of his personal fighter, with Sam leaning forward in anticipation behind him.
"We're receiving General Kenobi's targeting coordinates now."
"So Anakin, what kind of approach are we talking about here?" Sam asked, having learned about the Jedi's flying tendencies by this point. "How close are we getting to Grievous's ship?"
"Pretty close," was Anakin's characteristically vague response. "Everyone buckle up."
"What's your definition of 'pretty close'?" Sam asked dryly. "Like, close enough to still be fighting? Or close enough to ram his hull?"
"Close enough to get the job done efficiently," Anakin said with his trademark smirk.
"That's not remotely helpful, Sky Guy."
Anakin's eyebrow twitched as several clones chuckled at the nickname.
"Aren't you a pilot yourself?"
"I fly with a wingsuit, Anakin. That's completely different."
"Sounds totally suicidal, if you ask me."
"You're talking?"
Anakin grinned in response.
With that exchange concluded, Anakin engaged the hyperdrive.
Back above the planet Saleucami, the battle continued to rage as both forces unleashed everything they had at each other.
Aboard the Confederacy flagship, Grievous descended the bridge command platform as his sickly yellow optical sensors focused on his target vessel.
"Deploy a tractor beam, lock onto Kenobi's ship, and prepare boarding parties for immediate assault."
The droids complied, and moments later Kenobi's cruiser shuddered under the mechanical grip.
"Sir, should we target the tractor beam projector?" Commander Cody inquired.
"No, Cody. Let them think they have us trapped," Kenobi instructed the clone commander. "We need to provide maximum distraction for Anakin's infiltration."
Aboard his fighter, Anakin was monitoring his sensor readings and quickly announced his status.
"Dropping out of hyperspace in three... two... one," Anakin called out.
Moments later, they emerged from FTL and dove directly into the ongoing space battle. Anakin skillfully maneuvered around the massive Separatist flagship until he was able to invert his fighter and magnetically clamp it to the underside of Grievous's vessel.
"Main power is offline," Anakin announced proudly, looking back at Sam. "So how was that for precision flying?"
"Why aren't we falling toward the planet right now?" Sam asked with obvious concern.
"Magnetic docking clamps," Anakin explained, patting his control panel.
"You know, considering how you dropped out of hyperspace, I'm amazed we're not embedded in the corridors of this ship."
"Well, maybe next time we'll try that approach."
Inside the enemy vessel, several battle droids patrolled a maintenance corridor. They passed a large circular conduit, completely unaware of the blue lightsaber blade that emerged from within and began cutting an entry point for Anakin Skywalker and Sam Wilson.
Stepping out into the hallway, Anakin spotted the droid patrol rounding a corner and disappearing from sight.
"All clear, Rex," Anakin signaled for Rex and the other clones to emerge from the conduit.
"Roger that, sir," Rex confirmed as Fives, Echo, Hardcase, and Heavy secured their extraction point while Anakin and Sam studied the corridor the droids had used.
"Maintain position here and guard our exit route. This may be our only way off this ship," Anakin ordered.
Sam surveyed the hallway and quickly voiced the question on both his and Skywalker's minds. "Where do you think Koth and Scott are being held?"
Anakin activated his wrist scanner. "I've got a lock on Koth's position. He's being held on the ship's bridge. What about Scott's Avenger beacon?"
"Nothing from his signal," Sam replied, checking his own tracking device.
"Where's Hope?"
As if the universe wanted to answer that question, a tiny object flew into the corridor and streaked directly toward the Republic rescue team.
"Sam!" Hope exclaimed with obvious relief as she returned to full size in front of them.
"Hope!" Sam responded, and the two Avengers immediately embraced.
"Anakin! Rex, Domino Squad!" Hope noticed the others, her expression showing indescribable happiness. "I'm so glad to see you all came for the rescue."
"Good to see you're safe, Hope," Anakin said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder with a warm smile.
"Miss van Dyne," Rex and the other clones nodded respectfully.
"Oh, guys," Hope gave the clones an appreciative smile. "I think we're past the formal stage by now."
"I'm relieved you're okay, Hope," Sam said seriously. "But what about Scott?"
Hope's expression darkened at the mention of her partner. "He's being held in solitary confinement by one of Dooku's Dark Acolytes. They confiscated his suit and stored it elsewhere on the ship. No doubt hoping to reverse-engineer my father's technology."
"Which acolyte are we dealing with?"
"Ventress."
"The one you and Natasha encountered on Neimoidia?" Sam confirmed, and Hope nodded grimly.
"An entire droid army with shrinking capabilities?" Anakin muttered, clearly not liking that possibility at all.
"I know where they're keeping the suit," Hope announced.
"Then we'll need to split into three teams," Anakin decided, turning to Rex. "Rex, take two men and recover that suit. We cannot allow it to fall into enemy hands."
"Echo, Hardcase, you're with me," Rex commanded. "Fives, secure our extraction point. Kix, accompany Sam."
"Yes, sir!"
"Lead the way, Hope," Rex said, correcting his formal address.
She approached Rex, activated her beacon, and synchronized it with Rex's communications system.
"There, the location is locked into your nav system," Hope confirmed, and Rex nodded his appreciation.
"Hope," Sam began, "you go with Anakin to retrieve Koth. I'll extract Scott from his cell."
Hope hesitated at this proposal. "Are you sure about that, Sam? What if you encounter Ventress?"
"If we run into her, we'll handle the situation appropriately," Sam said with quiet confidence.
She started to object, but Anakin placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her toward him.
"He'll be fine," Anakin assured her, and Hope remained silent for a moment before nodding her agreement.
As the teams formed and separated, they moved quickly toward their respective objectives.