"What's going on over there, guys?" Sam asked, standing at a holo-table with Steve on the other side, standing with War Machine, Aayla Secura, and Commander Bligh.

“There’s unrest everywhere,” Steve admitted, frowning and crossing his arms.

"We had several skirmishes with the Separatists and the Death Watch. Bligh pointed at him with a frown, helmet tucked under his arm.

"They are testing us, testing the Republic and the Duchess's government." Shaking his head. "They must be planning something."

"Really? They don't want you there?" Sam asked. "I can't imagine why not."

"We made a mistake." A wise voice came from behind.

Sam looked behind him and saw Obi-Wan and Cody coming back from the front.

"Obi-Wan." Aayla greeted, nodding to her fellow Jedi.

"What's the situation on Mandalore?" Obi-Wan asked with a hint of worry in his tone.

"Well, the citizens of Mandalore are certainly not happy with us being here, and we've had some scuffles with the Sith and Death Watch," War Machine said.

"The presence of Republic troops is dividing Satine's people, either to side with Death Watch or to remain with her," Ayla said.

“Maybe that’s why Deathwatch is pushing them harder. They’re hoping people will side with them, but that’s unlikely,” Steve pointed out.

"By the way, how's the progress with Bo-Katan?" Kenobi asked.

War Machine responded, "Matt says it's a very slow process. It hasn't worked out yet.

"What about the protectors who made the statement?" Obi-Wan asked.

“There hasn’t been a lot of response or even show-up,” Bligh said. “Really don’t know what’s going to happen here.”

"Isn't the rest of the Mandalore space occupied by those protectors?" Falcon asked.

“Indeed.” Ella nodded. “But… they are not under our jurisdiction.

"These protectors are different from the Death Watch," Obi-Wan said. "I'm surprised they haven't shown up on Mandalore yet.

"Mandalore is in a state of turmoil. While it is possible that they have greater numbers and resources, we have yet to discover that possibility.

"I heard things aren't going so well in some other parts of the Republic either." Sam mentioned. "Hey, Obi-Wan, Cody. Didn't you guys say Anakin was assigned somewhere else now?

"Yes," Obi-Wan confirmed. "He was sent to Tatooine, where a powerful Separatist fleet was engaged by Jedi Master Feroda and the 369th Battalion."

“It seems like we’re stretched thin everywhere,” Steve said, crossing his arms.

"Indeed," Ayla said. "Master Feroda mentioned that he had intercepted several fleets that were trying to gain a foothold in Hutt space, and that he was outsourcing and selling his droid battalions to any willing buyer."

"They're getting bolder," Cody said in a grim tone.

Scott and Hope chimed in, saying that they had fought off a Separatist fleet alongside Master Kos. It was their second victory. Steve added, causing Falcon to blink.

"A second time?" Sam was obviously worried. "How are the two companions?"

"It is said that Scott, Hope, and Master Koth have been replaced by Master Plo-Queen and Master Kit Fisto, with Quicksilver accompanying them," Obi-Wan said. "Korth and his forces are currently recuperating before returning to Coruscant to reform and strengthen their lost forces."

Speaking of Kos...

Jedi Master Zabrak now stood aboard his flagship, surrounded by his loyal battalion of clone troopers.

The name always brought a smile to his face at the thought of his clone troopers choosing to forgo their original designated numbered battalions and instead use his individual characteristics in order to stand out from the other battalions and regiments.

His fleet had been put to the test in the past few days, with the Horn Squadron suffering heavy losses, especially in the final attack.

Now, his troops needed time to rest and recuperate.

"Hey, Ace, how you doing?"

A smile returned to his face as he turned around and saw Ant-Man walking towards him, a snack bag in his hand. The Zabrak couldn't recognize it, but he had been hearing that these Earth-based foods were starting to spread among the Republic military and were apparently spreading throughout the populace.

"I'm fine, Scott." Cos said kindly. "How are you and Hope?"

"We're fine." Scott said with a shrug. He handed the bag to the Jedi Master. "Want to try it? After countless attempts, I finally found the right formula.

He raised his brows in curiosity and reached into the bag, pulling out some strange thin crisps with some kind of powder on them.

"What is this?" Kos asked.

"Fries," Scott replied. "Sour cream and onions...

Popping the "chips" into his mouth, Kos was pleasantly surprised by the spicy and salty taste.

"It's delicious," Kos admitted, and Scott offered him more, which he happily accepted.

“Yeah, they’re really tasty, but a little unhealthy,” Scott admitted. “Then again, we were running around, so for sure, we were burning off calories and fat.

When the alarm suddenly sounded, it scared the two of them.

"What happened?" Kos asked loudly.

"An enemy ship has emerged from hyperspace," a clone pilot announced.

Kos raised his wrist communicator. "Captain Locke, battle station."

"Yes, General.

Scott contacted his significant other.

"Hope?" Scott said with concern.

Inside the hangar, Hope van Dyne ran around in full suit and new streamlined wristbands.

"I'm fine here, Scott," Hope said over the comlink, running over to a clone that had been injured in a previous battle, and putting him on a stretcher, allowing the clone to take him to the ship's medical bay.

"We have an enemy ship coming."

Scott returned to the bridge with Ace Koss, and the two stood in front, looking out at the vastness of space as the Separatist ship emerged from hyperspace.

"Get everyone ready for battle," Kos ordered, and defensive turbolasers bombarded the Allied ships, and the enemy ships fought back.

As the boat began to rock, Scott's helmet formed around him.

"That ship looks much larger than the last one we captured," Ant-Man said nervously.

Kos had to agree with that, looking down at one of the clone pilots.

"Send a distress beacon immediately." Kos ordered. "Their weapons and numbers far outnumber ours." The clone nodded, and Kos contacted his captain again. "Locke, what's the situation now?"

"The Bugle Company is armed and ready," Captain Locke announced.

"Sir." A clone spoke up, getting the Jedi's attention. "Enemy ships are approaching for a boarding."

"Boarding a plane?" Koss recognized the tactics immediately. "Only one man would do such a thing openly. General Grievous.

Hearing this, Ant-Man turned and left the bridge.

"I'm going there," Scott said to Coss, but Hope seemed to overhear.

"Stay there, Scott," she snapped. "If it's Grievous aboard, he'll head straight for the bridge and Koth, from what we've heard about him. Stay there and help support Koth. I'll stay here with the clones to keep them company."

Scott tried to object, but the ship shook violently, and looked out the window to see that the Separatist ship was now right next to the Star Destroyer.

"Here we go," said Kos.

Down below, Hope and Hornlink stand in front of a door that the droids will use to enter the ship.

"Get ready, men," Captain Locke called out, multiple blasters pointed at the door.

The Wasp's eyes narrowed, her wings extending from her back, and she shrank back, flying towards the door.

Just as it opened, multiple super battle droids suddenly opened fire on the clones. Several were knocked down, but a moment later the first dozen supers were hit with small bolts aimed at their heads, and a moment later the door closed.

A small figure pulled in front of the clones, and then the Wasp appeared in front of them.

"Is everyone okay?" Wasp asked some of the clones, just relieved.

"We could have suffered much more, but you came, Miss Van Dine," Locke said gratefully.

They heard the sound of burning metal, and the clones and the Lone Avenger turned to see a red glowing blade protrude from the door's hinges. It slowly swung in a circle around the door.

"Stand back." Locke shouted.

"I'll hold them off," the Wasp said very seriously, stopping some of the clones.

“You heard me,” Hope said sharply, pulling back his helmet momentarily to adopt a look of total seriousness. “Go regroup. We are not fully prepared for this attack. The least you can do is fall back to a more defensible position.

As soon as Hope finished this sentence, the door flipped over, revealing a Mirialan woman dressed in black and holding a red lightsaber in her hand. Her yellow eyes immediately fell on Hope, and a pair of strong hatred burned out of them.

"You?!" she roared viciously.

"Oh great, it's her," Hope muttered, recognizing the Miriam in front of her as one of the Dooku attendants she and Natasha had encountered not long ago.

Chezoniva.

"I have not forgotten Neimoidia, you little mosquito," Chezzo almost growled.

On the other hand, Hope.

"Mosquito? Is that your best insult? The Wasp was irritated and stood up.

Chezzo just growled, calling to the droid behind her. “Deal with the clone. She’s mine.”

"What makes you so confident?"

Wasp suddenly found herself flying through the air, completely caught off guard by an invisible force that sent her sliding to the ground. She looked up in time to see the Sith attendant lunging at her, lightsaber raised above his head.

In an instant, Wasp shrunk just in time for Cheezawa's lightsaber to slash into the space she once lay in. Looking around with killing intent, she briefly heard the buzz of wings as she felt a sharp kick to her stomach.

After the attack, Chezo grunted as she held an arm to her stomach, only to be beaten to a pulp by a little superheroine. Falling to the ground, Chezo now held her chin, when metallic footsteps could be heard from behind.

She looked up and saw General Grievous pulling his fist back to his side. The droid general was looking at her in annoyance with his yellow slit eyes.

"What are you doing, you idiot?" a stern metallic voice croaked. "Don't you realize we're on a mission?"

"There's an Avenger here," Chezzo hissed, standing up.

"Yes, I know." Grievous said impatiently. "I just shot a small insect that looked like a human.

"That's her." Chezo turned around to see if he could spot her.

"I took care of that insignificant speck." Grievous said in a gruff tone. "Action. We have a mission to accomplish.

Chezzo growled, but obeyed.

"Watch out for a small insect flying around here." Chezzo ordered over the comms. "Although she may be small, she is deadly and dangerous and can cause us great damage.

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