The Malevolence was a Subjugator-class heavy cruiser that served within the naval forces of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and was used as the flagship of Kaleesh Separatist General Grievous during the Clone Wars. Designed in secret on the planet Pammant by Ruggle Schmong from a discarded SoroSuub Corporation starship design, the Malevolence was one of two examples of the Subjugator-class model, and additionally served as the lead ship and initial testbed for the entire class.
In 22 BBY, the Malevolence caused significant damage to the Galactic Republic and its naval forces by launching a series of attacks against several of its fleets throughout the galaxy. However, despite the warship’s classification as a «mystery weapon,» the Malevolence was later discovered by the Republic following the Battle of Abregado, after Jedi General Plo Koon managed to escape the destruction of his fleet and report his findings to the Republic.
Sometime after, the Malevolence had targeted the Republic’s secret Outer Rim medical station located in the Ryndellia system. However, while attempting to destroy the station, the dreadnought became crippled by a squadron of BTL-B Y-wing starfighter/bombers led by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker. Following the attempted destruction of the medical station, the Malevolence was destroyed by Generals Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who infiltrated the warship in order to rescue a captive Republic Senator, Padmé Amidala, during which Skywalker managed to sabotage the Malevolence‘s navigation computer to direct it into the nearby Dead Moon of Antar.
Despite the Malevolence‘s destruction, the Confederacy navy still maintained a small number of Subjugator-class heavy cruisers. However, due to its loss, the remaining ships of the class were held in reserve and saw rare deployment for the rest of the war.