"Now the Republic will learn of our ion cannon!" (pointed silence) "Your failure is most unfortunate. I will have to discuss this with my master."
―Grievous and Count Dooku, shortly after Grievous' failure to stop a Republic ship from fleeing — Listen (file info)[src]
The Malevolence attacks Plo Koon's fleet in the Abregado system.
In 22 BBY[6] during the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems built a superweapon, the Subjugator-class heavy cruiserMalevolence, that was capable of defeating numerous Galactic Republicfleets at a time with its ion cannons. The cannons neutralized the power of their targets, leaving the quarries vulnerable to laser fire from the Malevolence without the ability to use deflector shields.[1] Under the command of GeneralGrievous, the Malevolence eliminated several Republic task forces, leaving no survivors to spread the news of the warship or its unforeseen ion cannons. Because its origins and methods of attack were unknown to the Republic, the Malevolence was dubbed the "mystery weapon." The random targets did not hint at a pattern,[7] and the unpredictability of future targets spread fear across the citizens of the Republic.[8]
After Jedi GeneralPlo Koon tracked the Malevolence to the Abregado system, his fleet of several Venator-class Star Destroyers was attacked by the warship's ion cannons on Grievous's order. The Confederate Head of StateCountDooku was aboard the warship and ordered the pods to be eliminated, not intending to allow the Republic to learn of the warship and its weapons. However, Koon and several clone troopers were rescued by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Jedi CommanderAhsoka Tano, and were able to escape the Malevolence, taking the knowledge of the warship to the Republic. Dooku considered the battle to be a defeat, and his trust in Grievous was diminished,[1] while Grievous himself resolved to ambush other Republic forces.[3]
The Malevolence targets the fleeing Pelta-class frigate with its ion cannons.
A Republic medical convoy, consisting of several Pelta-class frigates as well as a Venator-class Star Destroyer escort,[3] was passing through the Ryndellia system[5] when it was intercepted by General Grievous and the Malevolence near the planetRyndellia. The warship attacked the cruiser and two of the frigates with its numerous turbolaser cannons, while the last frigate fled. Noticing this, Grievous ordered the ship's ion cannons to be fired at the frigate. The clonetroopers piloting the vessel attempted to jump to hyperspace but were unable to set the coordinates in time to do so. The frigate's power was neutralized by the ion cannons, and the Malevolence directed laser fire at it. When a B1 battle droid commented on his inability to target anything, Grievous smashed the droid aside.[3]
Dooku was watching the cyborg General's progress through a holotransmission and was pleased that the medical convoy had been eliminated.[3] The Sith Lord had recently met with his Sith Master and had learned of the Republic's secret Outer Rimmedical center, which was treating over 60,000 wounded clones.[9] Dooku assigned the medical center as the Malevolence's new target, and the assignment boosted Grievous's confidence, as it showed that the Count had not completely lost his faith in the General since his recent setback at Abregado. As the damaged frigate deployed several escape pods, Grievous ordered the pods to be targeted.[3]
"Skywalker! The enemy has attacked our convoy of medical transports near Ryndellia." "Medical transports? Only General Grievous would go after clones who can't fight back." "The Ryndellia system… Near Naboo? Isn't that where our medical base is? I bet that will be his next target."
Following Dooku's orders, the Malevolence jumped to hyperspace and headed for the medical center. General Anakin Skywalker received a report from AdmiralWullf Yularen of the medical convoy's destruction in the Ryndellia system, and the Jedi deduced that Grievous was heading for the medical station. As Skywalker had already planned a counterattack on the Malevolence, he intended to intercept the warship before it could attack the medical base. Skywalker led Shadow Squadron[3] in recently acquired BTL-B Y-wing starfighters[10] on a shortcut through the Kaliida Nebula, and was accompanied by his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, as well as General Plo Koon. Admiral Yularen warned the KaminoanNala Se—the medical station's administrator[5]—of the impending danger, and the station began evacuations of its patients.[3]