In the hangar bay of the Resolute, Scott was working alongside Hope and Rhodes, the three of them modifying several Republic starfighters under the watchful eyes of clone pilots.
"So what exactly are you doing?" asked the clone pilot designated Broadside. He, along with Rogue and the rest of Blue Squadron, had been observing Hope, Scott, and Rhodes install strange panels into several fighters and connect them to the control systems.
"This is technology my father and I developed back on Earth," Hope explained, holding up a welding tool for Scott. "We perfected it a while ago, though I think only a few people have seen it in action."
With their installation complete, the three Avengers stepped back to join the clone pilots.
Hope raised a small remote device and pressed the central activation button.
Instantly, all the modified ships shrank down to toy-sized starfighters.
"Whoa!" came the nearly collective reaction from the clones.
While some had witnessed various Avenger abilities before, this was entirely new. They'd heard that these two heroes could change their own size, but apparently they could affect other objects as well.
A moment later, the miniaturized starfighters returned to normal size.
"All right, that'll work," Scott muttered, approaching the nearest fighter and quickly climbing into the cockpit.
Within moments, the fighter lifted off and hovered in mid-air. Everyone in the hangar stopped their work to stare at the floating ship. After a few seconds, the starfighter shrank again, and several people noticed a tiny flare from the engines at the point where the ship had miniaturized.
"Woohoo! It works!" Scott's voice crackled through the Avengers' comm system.
Rhodes grinned approvingly while Hope smiled with satisfaction.
"Excellent," Hope said. "All right, Scott, bring her back."
Scott's fighter expanded to normal size and touched down gently. An exhilarated Scott leaped out of the cockpit.
"It worked perfectly," Scott declared, pumping his fist. "They're all ready for Jabiim."
The clone pilots regarded the Avengers with curious expressions.
"Jabiim?" another clone pilot-technician asked with obvious confusion. "You're planning to use this technology against Jabiim?"
Rhodes shook his head. "Not us. You."
This revelation surprised the assembled clone pilots.
"Us?" a pilot designated Tucker asked in amazement. "Why us?"
"Well, aside from the fact that we've worked together extensively, Ahsoka and Anakin specifically recommended you," Rhodes explained. "Blue Squadron and Rogue Squadron are the two starfighter units we've flown alongside most often. When we go to Jabiim, we're trusting these modified fighters to you."
It was impossible to miss the growing mixture of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness building among the clones as they processed this information.
"You're certain about this, Colonel?" Broadside asked with slight apprehension.
"It shouldn't be too complicated," Scott assured them. "We'll give you intensive training on how the systems operate. For the most part, it's fairly straightforward. Fortunately, you're not the ones being affected by the Pym Particles—it's the ships."
"We just need all of you to adjust slightly to the change in perspective," Hope added. "It's crucial to keep your mind clear and focused, because shrinking can be disorienting initially."
"We'll need every advantage we can get," Rhodes said, his tone becoming gravely serious. "Ultron will try to outmatch us in both firepower and tactical intelligence. To you, he might seem like just another oversized droid. To us, he's an entity that nearly succeeded in exterminating all life on our planet. Do not underestimate him."
Those final comments about extinction were enough to temper some of the excitement the clones had built up about these advanced ships. Many could see that the Avengers were taking this mission far more seriously than almost any previous operation.
Watching beings whose skills, abilities, and technology rivaled—and in some cases surpassed—those of Jedi Knights display such determination and concern simultaneously was a rare sight for those who knew the Avengers well.
And deeply unsettling.
"All right," Rhodes said. "Who's volunteering first? I need three pilots."
While this group of Avengers handled fighter modifications, the rest had assembled in the war room.
Three Jedi Masters and three clone commanders were present in person, with others participating via holographic transmission, nearly filling the bridge's command center.
The Jedi task force included Anakin, Obi-Wan, Aayla, Ima-Gun Di, Plo Koon, and Luminara. Their clone officers—Rex, Cody, Bly, Kili, Wolffe, and Gree—stood beside their respective generals.
The Earth heroes present were Steve, Natasha, Sam, Pietro, Matt, and the newest addition to their group, the Black Panther.
"I never imagined I'd encounter something like this so suddenly," Wakandan Prince T'Challa murmured as he stood with the Avengers facing the assembly of Jedi and clones.
Beside him stood one of the few people he'd known before arriving in this galaxy—Matt Murdock.
The blind lawyer from Hell's Kitchen hummed thoughtfully.
"When we all first arrived here, we felt exactly the same way," Matt responded.
T'Challa simply nodded, studying the collection of Jedi and clone officers.
When he'd been brought aboard, some Republic personnel and even fellow Avengers had been surprised that the Prince insisted on joining this mission.
They'd assumed that after being isolated in this galaxy for so long, he'd prefer to remain on Coruscant and recover.
Instead, they'd discovered a royal who was extremely eager to contribute alongside the Avengers, stating that for now, it was wiser to remain with them than to stay behind. Based on his demeanor, he genuinely wanted to be involved, and the Avengers had simply accepted him, recognizing that someone of his character wouldn't casually avoid such responsibility.
Now he stood with them, observing the strategic briefing.
A moment later, Mace Windu and Master Yoda joined via holographic transmission, appearing on the holo-table.
"Now everyone is present," Obi-Wan announced, taking a moment to survey the assembled group.
"Begin, we should," said Yoda's small projection.
The large group nodded as a new projection materialized before them—the planet they were currently approaching.
"This is Jabiim," Plo Koon began. "An Outer Rim world that has maintained allegiance to the Republic for centuries. Recently, it has become a flashpoint between Republic and Separatist forces, a conflict exacerbated by civil war erupting between the planet's native population—those loyal to us and those supporting the Separatists."
"What makes this planet strategically significant?" Natasha asked directly. "I don't mean to be blunt, but you mentioned it's an Outer Rim world. Wouldn't it be difficult to maintain control, considering the distance from Coruscant or even Kamino?"
"It remains part of the Republic, and we will not abandon it to enemy occupation," Obi-Wan replied firmly. "This planet is as strategically important to us as it is to the Separatists."
"And apparently to Ultron now," Aayla observed.
"He targeted this world for a specific reason. There's something he wants there," Steve said emphatically, stepping forward.
"What exactly?" Bly asked pointedly. Some Jedi and clones knew basic information about Jabiim, but didn't fully understand this Outer Rim world's importance.
"Before the war began, substantial ore deposits were discovered there, and after hostilities commenced, the Republic realized these materials could be utilized in our campaign against the Separatists," Mace Windu revealed, causing several Avengers to visibly frown.
"So this planet only became important to you after you discovered it had exploitable resources?" Pietro said, glaring at the Jedi Council Master.
Mace Windu met Pietro's gaze with steady resolve.
"That was not our primary consideration," Windu replied calmly.
"Really?" Pietro said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, surprising many present. "How convenient. I bet you barely acknowledged this planet existed until you learned about the ore deposits."
The Jedi and clones were taken aback by this sudden hostility from the usually cocky but easygoing Avenger.
"This is war, Mr. Maximoff," Windu said evenly. "Difficult choices must be made daily."
Pietro was on the verge of an explosive response when he felt Cap's firm hand on his shoulder. He looked back to see the Avengers' leader shaking his head, silently telling him to stand down. This wasn't the time for such confrontations.
Pietro stepped back, though his obviously angry expression remained unchanged.