While three separate rescue operations were underway inside Grievous's flagship, the Republic frigate that Obi-Wan commanded was being drawn alongside the Separatist vessel for the anticipated boarding action.
This development was expected, and Kenobi had prepared the 212th Attack Battalion for a defensive engagement against the cyborg general.
"Remember, our primary objective is to keep Grievous occupied on this vessel until General Skywalker completes his mission," Kenobi instructed the clone troopers around him as they moved into position near where Grievous would breach their hull.
Once in position, a thunderous crash echoed through the ship, indicating that the Separatist boarding craft had successfully docked with their frigate. It wasn't long before four points of intense light appeared on the bulkhead, moving in a precise circular pattern. Moments later, the newly cut section of durasteel was forcibly pushed inward.
"Take cover!" one of the clones shouted as they all dove away from the falling debris.
This breach proved to be somewhat distracting for the Republic defenders, as a squad of commando droids immediately emerged from the newly created opening and began laying down suppressive fire on the clone positions. Kenobi leaped into the fray to provide support, deflecting and redirecting much of the enemy fire back at the attackers. Just then, several MagnaGuards entered the ship, followed closely by General Grievous himself.
Spotting the Jedi Master further down the corridor, Grievous drew two lightsabers from his collection and activated them simultaneously.
"Kenobi," came the cyborg's mechanical growl of recognition.
Inside the Separatist flagship, Anakin and Hope were moving rapidly toward the bridge, having encountered surprisingly little resistance so far.
"How are we doing on Koth's position?" Hope asked the Jedi, checking her wrist communicator to track the captured Master's location.
"We're getting close now."
At the next junction, the two encountered a patrol of six battle droids and immediately drew their respective weapons, engaging without hesitation.
Back on the Republic frigate, Kenobi found himself surrounded by MagnaGuards while keeping a careful eye on the Separatist General.
"So, Kenobi, is everything proceeding according to your plan?"
"That depends entirely on your point of view, General."
Several MagnaGuards struck out with their electro-staffs, forcing the Jedi to pivot and block their coordinated attack before launching his own counteroffensive. As one droid lunged with its weapon, Kenobi sidestepped the strike so that it struck another MagnaGuard directly in the chest. As that droid convulsed from the electrical discharge coursing through its systems, Obi-Wan quickly dismantled it with his lightsaber.
"You wouldn't come here without a comprehensive strategy, and you certainly wouldn't come alone," Grievous observed with obvious calculation. "Tell me, do you really believe Skywalker can successfully rescue Master Koth? Or your Avenger ally?"
On the bridge of the Separatist flagship, tactical droids were monitoring the space battle raging outside their vessel. The engagement had reached something of a stalemate, with neither force making significant tactical progress. The Confederate forces were doing everything possible to eliminate the Republic fleet, and given their numerical superiority, they should have concluded this battle much earlier.
The bridge doors suddenly parted, and several dismembered pieces of battle droids slid across the deck plating before coming to rest near the tactical droid's position. Turning around, it observed General Skywalker of the Jedi Order and Hope of the Avengers entering the command center.
"What an unexpected surprise," Anakin announced with obvious sarcasm.
"Not particularly unexpected, actually."
As the tactical droid finished speaking, approximately a dozen commando droids emerged from concealed positions on the lower level and surrounded the two Republic infiltrators, their weapons trained directly on them.
"Well, at least they're not droidekas," Anakin observed with forced optimism.
"Yeah, at least there's that," came a familiar female voice, causing Hope to tense immediately.
From the bridge's lower level, Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress ascended the command ramp, her yellow eyes focusing specifically on the captured Avenger.
"We've been expecting your arrival."
"The General's tactical assessment of your infiltration patterns proved completely accurate," the tactical droid reported. "Even by my computational standards, the precision was quite impressive."
Hope was genuinely concerned now, her attention divided between Koth's suspended form and Ventress's threatening presence.
"I would have expected you to be more protective of Scott, given how you behave around him," Hope said, causing Ventress to laugh with obvious malice.
"Oh, did you witness our interaction?" Ventress replied with a mocking, predatory expression. "What's wrong? Don't you approve of my hands on your boyfriend?"
Hope's emotions exploded at this provocation, her expression becoming absolutely murderous as all fear was replaced by rage.
"You know what, I'm glad you're here," Hope said, stepping forward with her eyes locked solely on the Dark Acolyte. "I've been hoping for the chance to personally remove your head from your shoulders for touching my man."
Anakin stared at Hope for a moment, genuinely intimidated by this aggressive side of her personality. He could feel nervous tension radiating from her through the Force.
"I'd like to see you try," Ventress said with obvious challenge, igniting her crimson lightsaber.
Meanwhile, Captain Rex, Hardcase, and Echo were systematically eliminating several battle droids in the ship's equipment storage bay. The area wasn't heavily defended, with most of the opposition consisting of standard B1 units, allowing the three clone troopers to overcome the droids with relative ease.
"The droids actually stored Scott's suit here?" Hardcase wondered aloud after the last droid had been neutralized. "Why would they choose such a lightly defended location?"
"Maybe they didn't consider the suit particularly valuable," Echo suggested with a shrug.
"That doesn't make tactical sense," Hardcase countered. "We've all witnessed how extraordinary the Avengers' technology and capabilities are. I would have assumed they'd secure it in a maximum-security facility."
"That just means we caught a lucky break," Rex said, opening a storage container that indeed contained Scott Lang's Ant Man Suit.
Rex carefully retrieved the suit, folded it as compactly as possible, and secured it under his arm.
"Let's move out," Rex commanded, and Echo and Hardcase nodded silently before following their captain toward the extraction point.
"General Skywalker, Lieutenant Wilson," Rex reported over his comm system. "Primary objective accomplished. En route to the extraction point."
"Good to hear, Rex," Sam responded immediately. "We've located Scott and are heading back to rendezvous."
"Any word from the General?" Rex asked with obvious concern.
"Radio silence so far."
Rex simply shook his head grimly. He wanted to believe his commanding officer was handling the situation, but knowing Anakin's tendencies, he was probably in the middle of an intense lightsaber duel. Rex just hoped they could complete this rescue mission before Grievous discovered their presence aboard his flagship.