Battle of the Kaliida Nebula

During 22 BBY, amidst the ongoing Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems engineered a superweapon, specifically the Subjugator-class heavy cruiser named Malevolence. This vessel possessed the capability to overwhelm numerous Galactic Republic fleets through the utilization of its ion pulse cannons. These cannons had the effect of nullifying power to targeted vessels, rendering them vulnerable by disabling their deflector shields and exposing them to the Malevolence's laser cannons. Under the command of General Grievous, this Confederate warship initiated a series of assaults on Republic task forces, leaving no survivors to relay information about the weapon or its attack methods. This led to the Malevolence being referred to as the "mystery weapon" due to its enigmatic nature. The attacks lacked any discernible pattern, causing widespread fear throughout the Republic due to the unpredictable nature of future targets.

Jedi General Plo Koon, a member of the Jedi High Council, volunteered to spearhead the search for this elusive weapon. He led a fleet consisting of several Venator-class Star Destroyers to the Abregado system, where the Malevolence had been previously sighted. Upon Grievous's command, the warship engaged the Republic fleet with its ion cannons, prompting the cruisers to deploy multiple escape pods. Count Dooku, the Confederate Head of State, who was present on the warship, ordered rocket battle droids aboard boarding craft to eliminate the escape pods, aiming to prevent the Republic from gaining knowledge of the warship and its weaponry. However, Koon, along with several clone troopers, were rescued by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano. This allowed them to escape the Malevolence and deliver critical intelligence about the warship to the Republic. Dooku, dissatisfied with Grievous's performance, departed to discuss the general's shortcomings with his Sith Master, Darth Sidious.

Following the revelation of the superweapon's capabilities, Skywalker initiated plans for a counterattack against the Malevolence using Shadow Squadron, a unit of starfighters. The Jedi sought to acquire several BTL-B Y-wing starfighters through Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and Senator Ask Aak, only to discover that these aircraft were still in the experimental phase. Skywalker also learned that the request had to be processed through a Galactic Senate Committee. Unable to secure the bombers through official channels, Skywalker traveled directly to the testing facility located above the planet Bormus, where the fighters were being manufactured. Arriving with Shadow Squadron aboard his personal ship, the Twilight, Skywalker commandeered the bombers under the false pretense that the request had originated from Palpatine himself.

Upon returning to his flagship, the Resolute, Skywalker formulated a plan to lead Shadow Squadron in a direct assault on the Malevolence. He reasoned that while larger cruisers were unable to outmaneuver the warship, the bombers would be agile enough to penetrate its defenses. The squadron's primary target was the Malevolence's bridge, where General Grievous was expected to be in command. Skywalker believed that the death of Grievous would hasten the end of the war. Skywalker commenced preparations for the mission, accompanied by Tano and Plo Koon, with the latter opting to fly in Blade of Dorin, his Delta-7B starfighter.

Count Dooku convened with Darth Sidious and learned about the Republic's classified Outer Rim medical station, the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center, which was providing treatment to over 60,000 injured Republic clones. Following the Malevolence's ambush of a Republic medical convoy in the Ryndellia system, Dooku contacted Grievous and instructed the cyborg general to target the medical center. He reasoned that without the medical base, the Republic would lack a facility to treat its wounded clone troopers. Grievous welcomed this new assignment, interpreting it as a sign that the count had not entirely lost confidence in him after his failure to prevent the Jedi from escaping during the Battle of Abregado. The Malevolence annihilated the convoy and proceeded to jump to hyperspace. However, due to its inability to traverse the nearby Kaliida Nebula, the warship was compelled to take a more circuitous route to reach the medical center.

After learning about the convoy's destruction from Admiral Wullf Yularen, Skywalker deduced that the medical center was the warship's next target. Skywalker intended to lead Shadow Squadron on a shortcut through the nebula to reach the medical station before the warship and planned to attack the Malevolence before it could destroy the base. Admiral Yularen and High Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi decided to take a hyperspace route around the nebula, intending to reinforce Skywalker at the medical center with several Venator-class cruisers, including the Resolute, and Kenobi's flagship, the Negotiator. Yularen alerted the medical center's Kaminoan administrator, Nala Se, about the impending danger, while Kenobi contacted the people of the neighboring planet Naboo. Several Pelta-class frigates were dispatched to assist in evacuating the medical center.

Skywalker, Tano, Koon, and another Jedi Knight departed the Republic fleet with Shadow Squadron. Upon entering the nebula, they encountered several Neebray mantas, prompting Skywalker to instruct the squadron to adopt the single-file Bantha formation and follow him out of the nebula. Clone trooper pilot Matchstick's fighter sustained damage, but the mantas did not cause any casualties, except for pilot Contrail's astromech droid. Shadow Squadron reached the medical center, situated in the Ryndellia system, shortly before the Malevolence emerged from hyperspace and approached the station. By this time, the medical center had evacuated half of its patients with the assistance of the Pelta-class frigates, but the clones undergoing treatment in bacta tanks were unable to be relocated.

As Skywalker, Tano, Koon, the Jedi Knight—piloting a Delta-7B interceptor—and Shadow Squadron approached, the Malevolence engaged the fleeing Pelta-class frigates with its ion cannons. Following the destruction of the frigates, multiple squadrons of Vulture droids were launched from the Malevolence, and these droid starfighters attacked the approaching Shadow Squadron. Despite the risk of his own Vulture droids being caught in the blast, Grievous ordered the warship's ion cannon to target the incoming Y-wing bombers. As the Malevolence discharged its ion cannon, Skywalker immediately commanded his squadron to ascend above the ray's trajectory to evade neutralization. However, Matchstick's fighter experienced a malfunction, causing it to collide with fellow pilot Tag's bomber, while Shadow Six, Seven, and Ten were caught within the ion ray.

Despite the reduction in their numbers, the Republic squadron pressed forward toward the Malevolence, maneuvering through the barrage of laser fire as the warship targeted the medcenter. Another Republic fighter was destroyed, and Tano advised Skywalker that, given their diminished firepower, targeting the bridge was no longer the optimal strategy. Following Koon's suggestion to disable the warship's primary weapon, Skywalker redirected the target to the starboard ion cannon. He, Koon, and the Jedi Knight spearheaded the assault on the cannon. After the cannon sustained hits from proton torpedoes, Grievous attempted to fire the weapon, but both cannons exploded, inflicting further damage on the ship and disabling the Malevolence's hyperdrive.

Kenobi's fleet of Star Destroyers arrived in the star system and directed laser fire at the Confederate warship. Unable to retreat into hyperspace, Grievous ordered the Malevolence to flee toward Confederate-held space. Kenobi contacted Skywalker, commending him on his success. Skywalker, Tano, Koon, and the Jedi Knight then proceeded to the medical station to regroup, refuel their fighters, and provide support to the Republic fleet.

Upon learning of Grievous's failure, Dooku expressed his displeasure. His Sith Master, Darth Sidious, orchestrated a trap for a key Republic figure, creating an opportunity for Grievous to escape. Sidious, using his alias as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, manipulated Senator Padmé Amidala into traveling to the nebula under the guise of meeting with a representative from the InterGalactic Banking Clan to negotiate a treaty with the Republic. Amidala agreed and journeyed to the nebula in her H-type Nubian yacht accompanied by her protocol droid, C-3PO. As the Republic fleet continued its assault on the retreating Malevolence, Amidala emerged from hyperspace directly in front of the Malevolence's bow, realizing that she had been lured into a trap.

Skywalker and Tano returned to the Resolute, and Skywalker contacted Senior Jedi General Luminara Unduli for assistance, only to find that she was engaged in fighting Confederate reinforcements nearby. Admiral Yularen deduced that the warship's hyperdrive was damaged because the Malevolence was not attempting to escape into hyperspace. Capitalizing on the warship's vulnerability, Kenobi ordered all laser fire to be directed at the Malevolence's bridge. The Resolute detected the arrival of Amidala's yacht and contacted the ship. Skywalker was dismayed to learn of Amidala's presence, as she was secretly his wife. To protect the senator, the Republic fleet was forced to cease its laser fire at the Malevolence. Amidala's ship was pulled aboard the Malevolence via a tractor beam, as Grievous intended to use the senator as a hostage to secure the warship's escape. To rescue the senator, Skywalker and Kenobi departed in the Twilight to infiltrate the Malevolence.

Trapped within the warship's main hangar, Amidala set her yacht's engines to self-destruct before escaping and seeking refuge elsewhere with C-3PO, aiming to delay her pursuers. As Grievous arrived to apprehend the senator, the ship detonated, but the cyborg general survived the explosion and ordered a comprehensive search of the ship. While attempting to contact the Republic fleet from a communications panel, Amidala and C-3PO were forced to evade Grievous and a B1-Series battle droid patrol. The senator and her protocol droid learned that the damage to the warship's hyperdrive would be repaired more quickly than initially estimated. Grievous left to inform Dooku of this development, while the droids continued their search for the senator.

As Skywalker and Kenobi boarded the warship, they encountered and eliminated several B1 battle droids. Back aboard the Resolute, Tano and Koon again contacted Unduli for support, and Unduli confirmed that she was en route to the nebula with reinforcements. Amidala contacted the Republic fleet, and Tano patched the communication through to Skywalker and Kenobi, who arranged to rendezvous with Amidala at a rail jet junction in the center of the ship. Upon arriving at the junction, Amidala and C-3PO were ambushed by a battle droid patrol. The senator returned fire at the droids while she and her protocol droid retreated toward the rail jets. Noticing the senator's blaster fire, Skywalker and Kenobi immediately activated their lightsabers and Force Jumped across rail jet cars, dispatching several battle droids en route to the senator. Amidala and C-3PO escaped onto separate rail jet cars, but a B2-HA series super battle droid fired a rocket at the junction toward which Amidala's car was traveling. Skywalker used the Force to pull Amidala onto his car. Kenobi attempted to telekinetically retrieve C-3PO, but the droid was caught on an oncoming car and headed off in another direction.

Upon learning from Amidala about the battle droids' progress in repairing the hyperdrive, Kenobi decided to disable the hyperdrive, while Skywalker and Amidala resolved to sabotage the navigation computer of the Malevolence. Heading to the warship's bridge with the senator, Skywalker dispatched his astromech droid, R2-D2, to rescue C-3PO. The astromech droid halted the protocol droid's rail jet car and led him back to the Twilight. Grievous, however, intercepted the transmission between Kenobi, Skywalker, and Amidala. The cyborg general proceeded to the ship's hyperdrive room to ambush Kenobi. As the Jedi entered the room and approached the battle droids guarding the hyperdrive, droid reinforcements arrived alongside Grievous and targeted Kenobi. Using several droidekas against their comrades, Kenobi Force-pushed two of the droids at the approaching battle droids behind them, then used the remaining droideka's deflector shield as protection from incoming blaster rifle fire from Grievous. Equally matched with Grievous, Kenobi chose to escape, forcing the remaining droideka at Grievous and fleeing. Knocking a B1 battle droid aside in frustration, Grievous ordered the remaining droids to guard the hyperdrive while he personally went to deal with Kenobi.

As Kenobi departed, he contacted Skywalker and Amidala, who were engaged in combat with a patrol of several B2 super battle droids. Kenobi arranged to meet the pair back at the Twilight before their communications were jammed by the Malevolence's droid crew. At the rail jet, Kenobi was pursued by Grievous and several battle droids. The general and the droids jumped toward the Jedi's rail jet car, but the battle droids were destroyed by an incoming rail jet. As Grievous approached, Kenobi noticed a large, mechanical arm hanging over the rail jet and used it to propel himself toward Grievous, landing a kick on the general. The Jedi and cyborg engaged in a duel before Kenobi fled to the front of the car. Grievous slashed at the Jedi, causing Kenobi to lose his balance, but the Jedi was able to escape onto a car below.

Skywalker and Amidala arrived on the bridge of the warship and dispatched the droids that were repairing the Malevolence's hyperdrive. Two super battle droids entered the room, and Skywalker quickly Force-pushed Amidala back into the turbolift before destroying the droids. Intending to reset the navicomputer's coordinates for the hyperspace jump, Skywalker hot-wired the warship's systems while Amidala hid the disabled droids in the turbolift chamber to erase any traces of the fight and evidence of the sabotage. Meanwhile, the Republic fleet prepared to attack the Malevolence once the Jedi returned with the senator, but with communications blocked, the cruisers were unable to contact Skywalker for an update on the mission's status. Finishing their mission, Skywalker and Amidala left the bridge shortly before more battle droids arrived to take command of the Malevolence. The Jedi and senator met up with R2-D2 and C-3PO. At the airlock where the Twilight was docked, Kenobi arrived, pursued by several droidekas. Skywalker used the Force to levitate crates and provide cover for Kenobi. The Republic group then boarded the Twilight and escaped.

By this point in time, the Prindaar system in the Mid Rim's space was where the Malevolence had arrived. The Twilight made its way back to the Republic's assembled fleet, and Grievous, piloting his Soulless One fighter, began a pursuit, supported by a number of Vulture droids. Aboard the Resolute, Koon gave the order for the Star Destroyers to resume firing, with the cruisers re-engaging the retreating Malevolence. As Grievous managed to land a hit on the Twilight, Amidala took control of the laser cannon's targeting system and returned fire on the attacking droid starfighters. The cyborg general then commanded the Malevolence to make for the Confederate base located in Sector Four, stating his intention to meet the warship there, after which the Malevolence began preparations for a jump to hyperspace.

Amidala directed a shot towards Soulless One, but Grievous evaded it, causing a Vulture droid to take the impact. As the Malevolence's crew initiated the warship's hyperdrive, a malfunction occurred in the navicomputer, sending the warship on a course towards the Dead Moon of Antar. Dooku contacted Grievous, informing him that both the Malevolence and the general were expected at the designated rendezvous point, but Grievous terminated the transmission and made his escape into hyperspace. The warship's droid crew was unable to correct the navicomputer's error in time, resulting in the Malevolence's crash into the lifeless moon, thus ending the threat the Confederate warship posed to the Republic.

The Republic Star Destroyer crews offered a small amount of applause following the destruction of the Malevolence. The Confederate's valued warship came to its final rest on the dead moon of Antar, and Dooku's belief in Grievous was further weakened by the Republic's victory. Dooku was prompted to set up a test for his general later in the war due to the destruction of the Malevolence, as well as a string of defeats that followed.

Following the events of the Battle of the Kaliida Nebula, a clone trooper squad under the leadership of Clone Captain Lock was dispatched to the wreckage of the Malevolence to verify its construction by Quarren Separatists at the Pammant Docks. A piece of scrap metal bearing the emblem of the Free Dac Volunteers Engineering Corps, a starship-building organization operating from Pammant, was found among the wreckage, along with a circuit board not manufactured by the Quarrens. Upon the clone squad's return to Coruscant, the circuit board was sent to the Jedi Archives, where Jedi Master Ring-Sol Ambase identified it as being made by KynachTech Industries, a workforce originating from his own homeworld. Master Ambase and the clone trooper squad were then dispatched to Kynachi to investigate the lead, unaware of the trap set by the Dark Lord Darth Sidious. At some point, the Confederacy determined to rebuild the Malevolence, with Grievous personally overseeing the project. Grievous and a squad of battle droids evaded the Jedi Knight who had been involved in the initial attack on the Malevolence and recovered the necessary data from the ship's crash site on the dead moon of Antar. As the new Malevolence began to be reconstructed at Pammant Docks, the Jedi Knight pursued Grievous to Pammant and engaged both Grievous and Count Dooku in a duel.

The Battle of the Kaliida Nebula was presented in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series in 2008. The battle, which was presented over multiple episodes, was among the series' first major engagements, appearing in the first season episodes "Shadow of Malevolence" and "Destroy Malevolence." Furthermore, the battle concluded a three-part story arc in the series that revolved around the Confederate warship Malevolence, which initially appeared in the television series in the episode "Rising Malevolence," as well as Shakedown, an issue of the series' weekly online webcomic that served as a prologue to the episode. Several stories concerning the battle were included in the online comic; Procedure depicted Anakin Skywalker's acquisition of the Y-wing bombers used in the battle shortly before "Shadow of Malevolence," while Agenda portrayed Palpatine's deception of Padmé Amidala, leading up to "Destroy Malevolence."

The Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels video game included Obi-Wan Kenobi's fight with General Grievous on the Malevolence. The 2009 Star Wars: The Clone Wars – The Official Episode Guide: Season 1 specifically mentioned the battle by name. The battle was also featured in the "Starfighter" mini-game of the Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures video game in 2010, which presented a slight inconsistency with "Shadow of Malevolence." In the game, Skywalker flies a Delta-7B interceptor during the initial attack on the Malevolence, but in the episode, Skywalker pilots a BTL-B Y-wing starfighter with Ahsoka Tano. This article assumes that the latter depiction is correct. The 2011 non-canonical video game LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars featured the battle in its humorous depictions of "Shadow of Malevolence" and "Destroy Malevolence."

The BTL-B Y-wing starfighters were shown in action during the battle, which also marked the series debut of Padmé Amidala and C-3PO. Although The Essential Guide to Warfare from 2012 incorrectly claims that the battle occurred in 22 BBY, it was initially considered to be a mistake, as the series was then established to take place in 21 BBY or later. The Official Star Wars Fact File Part 24 later solidified the battle's placement in 22 BBY.