Aboard the Resolute, Sam and Rhodey made their way to their assigned starfighters, joining their squadrons who were reviewing the final mission briefings they'd received from Steve regarding the overall operational plan.
Meanwhile, Steve and Natasha walked alongside Anakin, Aayla, Rex, and Bly through the ship's bustling corridors.
"Commander, are all your troops ready for the assault?" Aayla asked Bly directly.
"Every soldier is prepared and ready, General," Bly replied with confidence. "Lightning and Lucky report that all companies have reached their gunships and walkers."
"Excellent."
"Rex?" Anakin inquired hopefully.
"Same report for the 501st, sir," Rex confirmed. "Echo and Hardcase inform me that everyone's in position and ready to go."
Anakin smiled as he looked ahead to see his Padawan standing among several members of the 501st. Peter sat beside her, still in his suit but holding his mask in his hands. The young hero appeared visibly nervous.
"Are you certain it's wise to bring Parker along?" Anakin asked, turning to Steve, who was also watching the teenager with concern.
Steve immediately shook his head. "Not at all."
"Then why include him in the mission, sir?" Captain Rex asked respectfully, glancing toward the subject of their discussion. "It's not that he lacks ability—he helped keep many of our men alive during the holocron retrieval mission. But this is an active warzone."
"Because if we don't let him come, a kid like Peter will find a way to sneak aboard anyway," Steve said with knowing experience evident in his voice. "Someone like Peter—when he sees a situation where he knows he can help, he won't hesitate to get involved, regardless of orders."
"So he's basically a combination of you and Tony?" Natasha asked with an amused smile, causing Steve to snort in response.
Anakin remained quiet, contemplating what Steve had said. It was unsettling how easily he could relate to that exact mindset.
"Kind of like you and me," Steve added, pulling the Jedi from his thoughts.
"What? I'm not that reckless," Anakin protested, his hypocrisy evident to everyone present.
Steve gave him a look that made both Anakin and Aayla burst into laughter.
"He makes a valid point, Anakin," Aayla said with gentle amusement.
"Well, with all due respect, General," Bly interjected with a knowing tone, "I'm confident I could compile at least a dozen examples of your own reckless behavior."
"I was present for every single one," Bly added, causing the normally composed Twi'lek Jedi to puff out her cheeks as she tried to suppress her laughter, while the others couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.
Steve looked back toward Peter and continued his explanation.
"Peter has incredible instincts when it comes to helping others, even when he doesn't fully understand the situation. He just needs proper guidance, and the rest comes naturally to him," Steve explained. "Besides, he was helping people long before Tony found him, long before any of us ended up here."
As Steve spoke, Anakin's attention drifted to Ahsoka, who was engaged in conversation with several clone troopers, including Fives. The group was sharing some lighthearted moments, but Anakin could sense the underlying fear radiating from his Padawan through their Force bond. He couldn't blame her. This operation was vastly different from Ryloth and their other earlier battles this year. This was a full-scale military assault involving numerous Jedi, entire clone battalions, and the complete Avengers team.
Ahsoka glanced over at Peter before walking over and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The teenager looked at her briefly before returning his gaze to the mask in his hands.
"Nervous?" she asked gently.
Peter didn't try to deny it. "Yeah."
"It's completely normal to feel nervous," Ahsoka assured him, her words carrying to some of the clones she'd been speaking with earlier. "I was terrified during my first few missions too."
"Kid, you've got nothing to worry about," Heavy said, approaching to stand in front of Peter. "Everyone in Domino Squad knows exactly how capable you are after watching you take down that psychopath Krell."
"That's right, you can handle anything, Peter," Ahsoka said brightly.
He managed a forced smile. "That was just one-on-one combat in a confined space where I had more control. This is an open battlefield with thousands of variables."
"Well, we have complete faith in you, kid," Hardcase declared, giving Peter an encouraging pat on the back. "With you, our Jedi, and the rest of the Avengers, we've got this battle locked down."
Peter found himself genuinely surprised by the clone's unwavering trust in him, a sentiment clearly shared by the rest of Domino Squad and the other clones who had participated in the holocron rescue mission.
"Besides, you already saved my life once when you stopped Cad Bane during your first day on Coruscant, and then you went after a Zillo Beast," Ahsoka immediately added, ensuring the other clones could hear about Peter's heroic actions.
"Wait, you actually fought a Zillo Beast?!" Another clone approached Peter with amazement.
"Uh, yeah, just a little," Peter said modestly.
"That's quite an understatement," Ahsoka laughed. "You leaped off our ship without hesitation, swung through the air, and chased it all the way to the Senate building."
"Hold on, are you the guy I saw swinging around on the HoloNews?" another clone asked excitedly.
"There's actual footage of that?" Peter asked in confusion.
"Well, it's encouraging to see everyone in such high spirits."
Everyone turned to see Anakin, Aayla, Steve, and Natasha approaching their group.
"Is everyone prepared?" Steve asked with authority.
"Yes, Captain Rogers," the surrounding clones responded with sharp salutes.
"Then you all know your assignments," Aayla said with Jedi composure. "Remember the operational plan, trust in your training, and maintain unit cohesion. We'll be landing under heavy defensive fire."
"We're ready, General Secura," Heavy replied with confidence.
Nothing more needed to be said as the clones, Jedi, and Avengers began making their way toward their designated LAAT gunships.
"Peter, hold on a moment," Steve called out, catching the young hero's attention.
Peter turned to face the super soldier, briefly glancing at Ahsoka, who simply shrugged.
Steve walked over and positioned himself beside the LAAT gunship they would be using for this mission, placing a steady hand on the young hero's shoulder.
"Are you ready, hero of Queens?"
Somewhat surprisingly, hearing that reference to his hometown made everything feel incredibly real to Peter. Here he was, in the middle of a galactic war, about to set foot on an actual battlefield for the first time in his life.
He wasn't ready. Not really.
Peter took a deep breath and pulled on his mask.
"Ready, Captain," Peter said with determination, though uncertainty still colored his voice.
Steve studied him carefully and released a weary sigh of his own.
"I know that if I tried to keep you on Coruscant, you'd either sneak aboard or cause chaos at the Temple," Steve said, gently adjusting Peter's mask.
Peter hung his head and admitted, "Yeah, I probably would."
"At least you're honest," Steve said with a hint of approval in his tone. "That's exactly why I specifically requested you for my team. Don't go charging into anything reckless or crazy. Stay alert, keep your teammates safe, and watch our backs."
"I will, Captain," Peter replied, showing more determination beneath his mask. Steve patted his shoulder approvingly before both heroes entered the gunship. The side doors sealed shut, and they felt their transport lift off from the hangar deck and accelerate toward Geonosis's atmosphere.
Meanwhile, another Avenger was preparing for ground combat while reconnecting with some of the friends he'd made since arriving in this galaxy.
"Good to see you again, Pietro," Jedi Master Ima-Gun Di said to Pietro with a warm smile.
"Likewise, and great to see you and the rest of the 327th Star Corps too," Pietro replied, embracing Captain Keeli. "Just like on Ryloth, we're going to kick some serious droid ass."
"You'd better save some targets for the rest of us, Maximoff," Keeli said with mock indignation. "Otherwise all this training will be completely wasted."
"I could hold up a few droid heads for you to blast with your DC-15s, if that would make you feel better," Pietro suggested with a grin, causing Keeli to shake him off with his own smirk.
"You actually would do that."
"Master Di."
The three friends turned to see Ki-Adi-Mundi approaching, accompanied by two clone commanders.
"Mundi," Di greeted his fellow Jedi respectfully. "Are all your forces ready?"
"Everything is prepared," Mundi assured him, gesturing toward the two commanders beside him.
"Two commanders?" Pietro looked at both of them curiously. "I thought each legion usually had one commanding officer or captain."
"We're a special case," Clone Commander Jet explained. "The 21st Nova Corps, also known as the Galactic Marines."
"We specialize in planetary assault and siege warfare," Clone Commander Bacara added in a gruff tone.
"Commander Bacara is considered one of the finest clone officers in the entire Grand Army of the Republic," Mundi explained. "Commander Jet has been fighting alongside Bacara and myself since the very beginning of this war. They're two individuals I would trust with my life."
"Honor to meet you both," Di said to the two commanders respectfully.
"Gentlemen," Keeli saluted them both, fully aware of both commanders' reputations, particularly Bacara's.
Bacara was renowned as one of the most efficient and ruthless clone commanders in the entire army, considered by many who had undergone ARC trooper training to be among the most naturally gifted soldiers they'd ever encountered.
"Come on, we have a long day ahead of us," Bacara said seriously, and the group watched as he walked away.
Mundi sighed after a moment. "I apologize for his demeanor. He means well, it's just that his approach sometimes leaves much to be desired."
"That's where I come in, General," Commander Jet said, placing a reassuring hand on Mundi's shoulder, earning an appreciative smile from the Jedi.
"I'm grateful for that balance," Mundi replied.
"It's time. May the Force be with us all."
As Di and Mundi led their forces aboard their gunships, on Kenobi's vessel, three other Avengers were making their own final preparations alongside the clones and Jedi.
"How can you possibly shrink an entire walker to this size?" Barriss Offee asked in amazement, holding up a miniaturized AT-TE while several clones gathered around in fascination.
"We have our methods," Hope said with a playful wink, producing several more tiny AT-TEs. "Here, Commander Gree, distribute these to your men."
"Appreciated," Gree acknowledged with a nod, approaching several clones to hand out the devices.
"So how exactly does this work?" one clone asked with curiosity.
"It's actually quite simple."
Everyone turned to see Scott approaching their group.
"Hope and I have the expansion controls linked to our wrist devices," Scott explained. "Once we're planetside, just deploy them and give us the signal. They'll return to full size instantly."
"Will it actually function properly?" one clone asked skeptically.
"Absolutely," another clone spoke up confidently. This one belonged to the 212th Attack Battalion, his armor completely customized with ARF trooper modifications and earthy camouflage patterns. One distinctive feature that stood out was a small Twi'lek figurine attached to the right side of his helmet.
"Waxer," Hope said with a genuine smile. "Great to see you again."
"Good to see you too, Hope," Waxer replied, removing his helmet to reveal a friendly grin.
"Is the guy in the horned mask another member of your Avengers?"
"Matt?" Scott clarified. "Yeah, he's one of the newer additions from our world who somehow ended up here too. So we've got another boost to our numbers."
"Just how many people are in your Avengers team?" another clone inquired.
Scott considered for a moment. "Right now, nine of us are here together. But we have three others lost somewhere in the galaxy, two back on Earth, and two more... well, who knows where those two ended up."
The clone stared blankly while Barriss furrowed her brow thoughtfully, calculating in her head.
"So there are sixteen of you total," Barriss concluded.
"For now," Scott shrugged. "We're always open to recruiting more when circumstances require it."
"We're really not that selective," Hope added.
"Yeah, if someone like me can make the cut, I'd say pretty much anyone has a shot," Scott joked.
"Someone like you, sir?" a clone asked with confusion.
Hope gave her boyfriend an expectant look, and Scott cringed slightly with self-deprecating humor.
"Well, you see..."
"Alright, everyone!" Commander Gree interrupted, putting on his helmet. "Time to move out! All troops report to your gunships and prepare for departure. We'll be receiving heavy artillery fire as our welcoming committee."
As the 41st Elite Corps began boarding their gunships, most of the 212th was already prepared, with Obi-Wan and Commander Cody being among the last from their battalion to board.
"No sir, I wasn't involved in the First Battle of Geonosis," Cody informed his general as they walked toward Kenobi's gunship.
"Well, you didn't miss much," Obi-Wan replied dryly. "The last time I was here, I was chained to a massive post and attacked by several enormous creatures."
"That sounds..." Cody wasn't entirely sure how to respond to that information. "Eventful."
"Oh, it was," Obi-Wan said with knowing understatement. "For the Geonosians, at least."
"Hey, Obi-Wan!"
Both the clone and Jedi turned to see Scott jogging over to join them at Kenobi's gunship.
"Ah, Scott, good to see you. Are you prepared?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yeah, Hope's already with Luminara and Barriss," Scott confirmed. "I'm assigned to your team."
"Excellent," Obi-Wan said, looking at Cody after a moment. "I'll see you planetside, Commander."
Cody nodded respectfully.
Matt sat in contemplative silence as he tried to process his current circumstances while seated in the gunship that would carry him into battle.
When his old mentor Stick had spoken about war, the blind lawyer was fairly certain this wasn't what he'd had in mind.
Traveling billions of light-years to participate in a conflict straight out of science fiction while serving as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
If he added this to his legal resume, it would certainly make for some interesting client conversations.
"Sir."
Matt looked toward the clone commander assigned to his unit who now stood before him.
"We're ready to deploy," the clone said respectfully.
"Thank you, Commander... Cody, correct?" The clone nodded. "I'm an Avenger, not a soldier. I'll follow your tactical leadership and orders, providing assistance in the ways I know how when and where I can. This is your operation."
"Understood, sir," Cody acknowledged.
Matt sighed quietly to himself and gripped his upgraded billy club. Holding it firmly, he extended it into staff mode, electricity crackling along its length. He adjusted the voltage to maximum before magnetically securing the weapon to his thigh. Taking a deep breath to center himself, Matt felt their gunship angle forward out of the hangar bay and into the coming battle.