Chapter Text
"Masters Krell and Till will give us air support in the South while Anakin's troops come in from the North, taking out enemy resistance. It is imperative that we conquer the capital city as quickly as possible, and hold it." Kenobi's voice echoed over the room to the troops present for the mission briefing. By his side was General Anakin Skywalker, Captain Rex, and Commander Ahsoka Tano.
"Our biggest problems will be the local militia. The Umbarans have aligned themselves with the Separatists, and are heavily armed." Skywalker's voice held a natural command as he warned his troops of what they would face on the planet. "ARC Trooper Fives will be assisting my unit on this special assignment. The clone, Fives, stood taller when the attention shifted to him and he held his blaster proudly.
"Ready to do my part General Skywalker." Fives gave a firm nod, and the excitement in his voice was obvious to those who knew him the most.
Tano spoke up from her place beside him and nudged him with her elbow, "just like old times." The clone looked at her and though she couldn't see it, a smile made it's way onto his face. It was no secret that the 501st battalion held a close connection to the Togruta, and cared for her like one of their own, but it was strengthened by the fact that she felt the same about them, protecting them fiercely whenever possible.
"Anakin, Ahsoka, remember that Cody and I will be 12 clicks to your South, we're counting on you to take out those militias." Obiwan's voice was firm when he spoke with his former padawan.
Anakin smirked and gave a shrug, "does my battalion have to do everything?" He joked. Ahsoka from her place by Fives and Rex cracked a smile at the banter the two had with one another as a way of showing their brotherly affection.
"You always seem to volunteer." Kenobi's response was light and the two Generals nodded to one another before heading their separate ways.
"Come on Snips, let's go hunt us a militia," Skywalker called over her shoulder and she followed swiftly behind, the troops moving to follow the Commander and General.
She couldn't tell if it was night or day on the planet, she had just been told it was dark for the whole cycle, so it was a miracle anything was alive here at all. She stood by Rex and Fives, hand holding onto the bar above to avoid falling.
They didn't get very far before cannons started to fire at the ships, blasts of green and purple exploding in the sky beside them. The ride got a little bumpy and her grip tightened, thankful she was surrounded by clones in the case her grip failed. They flew by mines that were launched into the air and the pilots did their best to avoid them, however, with all the mines it was hard to get out without a scratch.
With care, she looked out over the edge of the ship, down to all the firepower the Umbarans held to try and attack the Republic. She raised a brow. "That's a looot of firepower." She commented, noticing Hardcase looking next to her.
"Nothing we can't handle, sir." He hummed with excitement and she shook her head with a fond smile. Leave it to Hardcase to gloat about the weaponry. She was about to bite back a response when an explosion must have gone off near them because the ship gave a jerk and her head whipped back, hitting one of the clones who groaned in pain, but dismissed it when she looked to them concerned.
She turned around and yelped when a clone flew into her and knocked her into Hardcase who stabilized her and the clone who had fallen on her. She took one look at the helmet and immediately knew it was Tup. "Hang on tight!" She yelled over the sound and pushed them back to grip tightly on the bar. Tup nodded and held on with both hands this time, unlike most of the others who held with one.
Master Skywalker held the com up to his face and spoke, but it was hard to hear over the war around them.
The ground suddenly became visible and she was almost surprised how close they were with all the fog clouding everything. Hardcase let out a whoop beside her and pumped his free hand, "time to lock and load!"
One of the clones in the back climbed onto the walker, which was then dropped to the ground for the assault. The action was repeated several times, driving the Umbarans attention from the sky to the ground. One by one cannons began to fall, break, or detonate, which would make the plan go much smoother.
By some miracle they got to the landing point and the rest of the troops, including her and Anakin, got off. She immediately ignited her green blade, followed by her cyan one shortly after. She deflected blaster bolts with ease that came to close for her liking. The ships lifted from the ground, and they joined the ground assault, running alongside the rest of the 501st.
The Umbarans were slowly retreating because they kept gaining ground. One bolt she deflected knocked straight into an Umbaran, killing them instantly. She parted off from Skywalker and Rex, following Hardcase and giving him some shielding while he used the machine gun he had to shoot at the enemy.
The Umbarans must've grown tired of running, or they fell back as much as they felt was necessary because they seemed to fall into a stand off. She noted that most of the fire had gone towards her, her glowing sabers must've been an indicator as to where the enemy was. She took it with ease, deflecting bolts one after another. She let out a hiss when a bolt grazed her arm, but she continued on without stopping.
"-the enemy could have the whole place rigged with traps!"
"I can't even see the enemy!" She heard Tup shout over the sound of blasters and cannons, and found her lips quirked upwards for a moment, moving back over to Anakin and Rex.
"That's why they're called the Shadow People, Tup!" Hardcase deadpanned and she laughed, though it wasn't noticeable with the surrounding.
Umbaran bombers flew in overhead, dropping a bomb, and a large explosion was to her right. She hollered out commands to the clones to find cover, moving them back away from where the bombers flew.
She sensed it before she saw it, jumping over the giant vine with ease, but Hardcase wasn't as lucky. She paused and helped him up, making sure he was okay before continuing the advance.
Before she could do much a slick appendage wrapped around her ankle and jerked her back, her sabers falling out of her hands as she was flung into the air, being held upside down. She heard troopers yell around her and saw other troopers had been caught by the same creature, who was frantically flinging them around and growling. She held out a hand and her sabers came flying from wherever she had dropped them and quickly sliced the tentacle around her leg off. She fell to the ground, getting a rough landing but she bounced up with ease, cutting off the other limbs that held her man captive.
Fives was the only one left, but she saw him hold an explosive in hand and threw it into the creature's mouth. It detonated, killing the animal and Fives fell to the ground, Hardcase immediately helping him up.
They found some good cover between lined mounds of dirt, taking a little rest. It had gone quiet, almost uncomfortably, for her tastes. Fives noticed the graze she had gotten on her arm and had sat her down. He didn't have any medical supplies but he had a wet cloth that he tied around her arm, hoping the water would cool the burning buzz it left on the top of her skin.
She had originally protested but he insisted after stating that General Skywalker and Rex wouldn't be happy to see her in anything but 100% health. She had tilted her head at that, usually, Anakin's worry was enough for the battalion to have an instinctive need to protect her, but including the Captain was something done more recently.
A few months prior she had been bedridden for a few weeks because of a mission gone wrong. She had her lower body pinned by the debris of an explosion and it sprained her ankle and fractured her wrist. Her sabers were destroyed, leaving her defenseless. It was only by a miracle that Anakin and Rex had shown up to prevent her from being killed. As soon as she was recovered, the 501st gave her armor for her own use, saying it was to help them worry less for her health. She also had to construct new blades, one the same green as her previous one, and one a brilliant shade of teal. She had to admit it was a little hard to get used to the new sabers, especially with the long and thin hilts she had constructed. She had thought it smart so she could use them are batons if she did not want to give away her identity.
Nonetheless, she thanked him for helping her and moved out to find Skyguy and Rexster. They were up a few rows from her but she got to then with ease, finding herself on Rex's right. She nudged him lightly to let him know of her presence. With his helmet off, she saw how his face softened a little when he saw her in one piece. Then his eyes wandered to the cloth tied around her upper arm. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a trooper reporting in.
"All platoons have reported in, General." She looked to the trooper who had spoken. He must've been a shiny, the way he stood and acted was too formal for him to have been a part of the 501st long. He had a 'v' shaped tattoo on his face, and she had to admit it was a wicked design. The shiny noticed her and saluted her, "Commander."
"Get some rest, we'll be heading out soon." Anakin nodded thanks to the trooper.
But he shook his head, "thank you General, but I'm fine-"
Rex stepped away from her side towards the trooper. "The General's giving you an order, Dogma."
"Of course, sir!" Dogma straightened and turned, hurrying away to rest as he was 'ordered' to.
She bit her bottom lip and watched him fade away into the fog. "He's wound tight, but he's loyal," Rex spoke softly, and she snorted, catching the captain's attention.
"He reminds me of you, back in the day." She hummed thoughtfully, pulling her hands behind her back. Rex let out a chuckle beside her, and she almost felt at peace for a moment.
That peace, however, was swiftly broken when the sounds of blasters and yelling were heard behind them. She drew and ignited her blades without thinking and ran towards the noise, seeing a weird blue scorpion-like creature scuttling about, shocking troopers unconscious. Troopers were shouting and trying to shoot it while trying to attack the Umbarans who had snuck around behind them.
She leaped and swung her blade at the little pest, slicing it in half, allowing the company to focus on the enemy. She checked on the troopers who had been shocked unconscious and made sure they got back on their feet. She didn't get to all of them before a flurry of fire was focused on her, and a blaster bolt came close enough to her montral that the sound echoed in her head. She pressed herself against the mount of Earth, deflecting bullet occasionally.
"EVERYONE! MOVE OUT NOW!" She heard Anakin yell from a few yards away, the platoons following the General, with Ahsoka taking up the back and assuring they weren't followed.
Ahead of her, a trooper had slipped, and she recognized him as Dogma. She clipped her blades, which was very risky, and picked him up, dragging him alongside her. He shouted thanks to her but she had ignored it, focusing on finding the rest of the troops.
They found cover away from the ridge, all the men finding a decent place to hide from the fire of the enemies who had not given chase. Ahsoka found herself looking for Rex and joining him when she did. Subconsciously she placed a hand on his shoulder, and she felt him tense underneath her touch.
A few tense moments passed when the sound of airstrikes came through and two bombers flew overhead at the ridge they had fled from, and a glorious wave of explosive fire roared from the area. "Glad we got off that ridge." Her master commented.
"Ditto." She spoke quietly, her hand slipping from Rex's shoulder. The clone nodded and hummed out a 'yeah' as they watched the flames roar up.
"Ha, that'll teach em." An arm fell over her shoulder and tugged her closer. She chuckled and her hand came to rest on the lower arm of Hardcase. He was always a bit more casual with her than the others, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. It was more of a friendship than a soldier and his commanding officer. Sometimes she wished that the rest of the battalion was in the same mindset. Fives was similar, but not as much, though it was likely because they weren't near each other as often as before.
She sensed tension from Rex and looked up to see him looking directly at her and Hardcase, but with his helmet on it was hard to tell what he was thinking. Hardcase stiffened and his arm fell from her shoulders and he stepped away, almost robotically. Only when he was a few steps away did Rex turn away to face Anakin. Her brows furrowed, lips parted slightly, just deciding to turn around and check on the men.
It wasn't even 10 minutes when the bomber ships were back, but they had a third to accompany them. She stepped away from the men to come to stand to the right of Anakin and crossed her arms.
The ship landed in front of them, and the doors opened. There, in a tall and heavy body, was General Pong Krell. Unconsciously she felt her hands tighten on her plastoid gauntlets. He stepped off the ship, and with the way he landed she was surprised how his reputation as a great general could be true when his steps were so heavy. How was he not mowed down in battle when he wasn't ready to jump away?
"Master Krell," Her master started with surprise in his tone, "-my thanks for the air support."
Krell nodded and crossed two of his four arms in front of him, the other two behind him, "Indeed General Skywalker. The locals have proved to be more resourceful than we anticipated." He hummed. His voice was low with a slight lisp to it, but nothing about that could explain why she felt a shiver run down her spine. He wasn't here just for the thanks.
"But that's not the reason for your visit," Master said aloud. Krell shook his head with a monotone laugh.
"No. The Council has ordered to back to Coruscant, effective immediately." Everyone froze except Anakin.
"What? Why?" He demanded, almost like he was too shocked for words.
"I'm afraid the request was made by the Supreme Chancellor. The Council has obliged, but that is all they would tell me." He spoke calmly to Anakin who only looked more confused. She shot him a concerned glance from the corner of her eye but a slight nod of his head let her know he was okay.
"What- I- I can't just leave my men." He protested but she could already tell he was going to leave.
"Master, if I may? I'll stay here and keep an eye on everyone." She assured him with a small smile and nodded to the ship. "The Chancellor needs you, we'll be okay here."
"I'm afraid," Krell started again and they turned back to him, "they sent me to take over for General Skywalker in his absence. However, you are still welcome to stay with your troops." He spoke to her softly. She furrowed her eyebrows. Did the Council expect her and Anakin to leave their men? She was nearly 20 now, she was more than capable of leading these men and far more likely to establish a firm command than some stranger. Especially if that stranger was Pong Krell.
He had made a name for himself for being a fierce leader, but he was also known to have large clone casualty rates, more than any other Jedi. She heard rumors that he had been the leader of 4 full battalions before those men were killed in battle. She did not want this Jedi to lead her men to their deaths.
She fully intended to protest, but Rex must've seen the annoyance on her face because he stepped up and cut her off. "Don't worry about a thing, sir. The capital will be in Republic hands by the time you get back." He assured Anakin, who nodded. "Master Krell, I'd like you to meet Rex, my first-in-command. You won't find a finer or more loyal trooper anywhere." Then he gestured to her and she put a smile on, "and this is my Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Don't let her young age fool you, she's more capable than most generals." He winked at her, her dark lips pulling back into a smirk as a response.
"Good to hear. I wish you well, Skywalker." Krell placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder and the two exchanged a nod of respect. Anakin slipped down the mound of earth and climbed up onto the ship. Before he could even say anything or wave the ship had taken off.
They were now alone with Krell.
Rex, as usual, made the first move, standing next to Krell. "Your reputation precedes you, General Krell. It is an honor to be serving you." Krell seemed to straighten and puff his chest out a little, something that made her nose scrunch up and roll her cyan eyes.
Krell looked down at Rex with a blank expression before speaking in her low voice. "I find it interesting, Captain," He turned around to face her and the rest of the trooper and she quickly straightened up, avoiding his gaze, "that you are able to recognize the value of honor." He paused for a moment and she thought it was done, but he finished with a snide comment that made her blood boil. "For a clone." Rex was caught off guard because he looked to the General with a tilted head of confusion. Krell looked at him through the corner of his eye and snapped at him. "Stand at attention when I address you." The monotone voice he held when he talked with Master Skywalker was gone, replaced by a cold and bitter one. Rex immediately stood at attention and Krell nodded. "Your flattery is duly noted, but will not be rewarded." She bit the inside of her cheek to prevent her from snapping at the Jedi Master. Finally, he stepped away from Rex's side, one that she took immediately. "There is a reason my command is so effective, and it is because I do things by the book." He lowered himself to look Fives in the face, the clone looked guarded and defensive but the General pulled away and continued to speak. "That includes protocol. Have all platoons ready to move out immediately. That is all." He finished and walked away.
She stood there, stunned at what she had just seen. Every Jedi she had ever met was quite warm to their troops and to others. They were treated with respect as individuals, not just clones in a war. She turned to Rex and wanted to say something but Krell's voice called to her. "Padawan Tano! To me." His voice was firm and she immediately found herself leaving her Captain's side to stand by Master Krell.
They were all quiet as they walked through the misty and dark terrain of the planet. She walked beside Master Krell gracefully, but every once in a while would look over her shoulder at the troops, making sure they were alright. At first, she assumed Krell didn't notice or simply didn't care to notice, but when he scolded her she knew he had been watching her. "Padawan Tano, the more you look over your shoulder, the more likely you will be the first struck by a sniper. Eyes ahead." He ordered. She bit back a remark and did as she was told. In most cases, she'd snap back a response, but that was because she'd be with someone who could take her temper. Master Krell did not seem like the kind of man to tolerate such things, and she, honestly, was almost fearful of what he might do. Not because she was scared for her, but for her men. Krell could easily send her back to Coruscant and then the 501st would be left alone with this unfamiliar General.
A few moments later, "Quicken the pace, battalion, this isn't some training exercise on Kamino!" He snarled over his shoulders. She had slowed her pace down so she came to walk beside Fives. He leaned over to her.
"The uh... new General has a way with words." He commented and the corner of her mouth quirked upwards. She snickered, covering her mouth with her hand, and snapped to attention when Krell looked over his shoulder at them. Her hands fell behind her back as she walked, and her gaze moved to the ground. She heard footsteps quickening and Rex was next to her.
"He's just trying to keep us on schedule. We have a job to do." He reasoned to Fives, who if his helmet wasn't on, would probably be rolling his eyes. "Either way, he's in charge. Just treat him with respect."
"Respect goes both ways, Rex. No one deserves respect, they all have to earn it." She hissed. Rex paused in his pace before he continued, the hesitance barely noticeable.
Soon, Ahsoka paused and Fives, as well as Rex, stopped too. "Commander?"
"Guys, ready your weapons. Fives, give me a leg up, will you?" She said and unclipped her sabers, pointing to two creatures flying towards them with glowing eyes. She stepped back, the men readying their weapons and clearing the way for Tano to have space. At about 10 feet she stopped, and the creatures were almost on them. She took a breath and darted forward. Fives, alarmed, knelt down and cupped his hands together. She placed her foot there and he launched her upwards. Her saber ignited and she immediately cut through one of the creatures, leaving it in two halves on the ground. She landed was ease, like a cat landing on their feet.
The other was still going around and it snapped up one of her men, flying back into the sky. She heard a grunt and saw General Krell leap up onto a plant and launch himself off it onto the other creature. He grabbed the pincers and made the animal drop the trooper, who was immediately helped to his feet. Then he sent the creature to the ground. His two sabers ignited, one blue and the other green, much like hers, though the blue was the standard shade, and stabbed them through the creature's head, killing it instantly. He stood up and clipped his sabers and walked past them all, a tension building around him. "Anyone else wanna play with the animals?" He snarled at the troopers like it had been their fault they were attacked. "Keep moving!" He stalked to the front of the group and continued without waiting for them.
She sighed and clenched her fists. "Come on boys, let's move out. If anyone is hurt speak now!" She called, met with silence. She gestured her head to Master Krell and followed him, the 501st following behind her. Fives caught up to her and walked alongside her while Rex was a bit behind.
12 hours later and they were still walking along at the new pace Krell had set for them. While she was fine, she could tell the men were getting worn. At the least, they needed a few minutes to rest. If Master Skywalker were here they'd have rested at least twice. At least he knew his men needed to be well-rested in order to be able to fight effectively. "Sir," She looked to Fives who had been a little behind her after the 10th hour. "We've been going this pace for 12 hours, the men are getting tired. We need to rest, Commander." He pushed. She looked to Rex, who was next to her with a raised brow and nodded. He sighed under his helmet and quickened his pace to approach Krell.
"General Krell, this ridge," Rex pointed it out to the general, but he hadn't even turned his head, "will make a good place to camp-"
"The men don't need rest," Krell replied cooly. "They need the resolve to complete the task at hand."
"But sir-"
"CT-7567. Are you reading me?" Krell's voice was ice cold and Ahsoka and Fives exchanged a glance. Did he- He called Rex by his number.
"Um, sir?"
"I asked you a question, CT-7567. Do you understand the need to adhere to my strategy?" The Jedi Master growled at Rex. By instinct, she stepped forward to come between them.
"Master Krell, the terrain is extremely hostile, and despite this, the men are making good time." She interrupted, taking a stance in front of Rex. Her arms were behind her back, so the General could not see them clenching and unclenching in frustration. "At the least give them 5 minutes." She spoke calmly despite her real feelings.
"Padawan Tano." He growled and towered over her. She unconsciously took a step back when he took one toward her. "Do you need reminding of this battalion's strategic mission in conquering this planet?" She blinked at him, lost for words. "See these platoons?" She looked behind her at her men who had all paused and were watching them. "Their mission is to take the capital and take it swiftly." He slammed his fists together. She looked down at the ground, like a child being scolded by a parent. In a way, she was exactly that. "Rest is a luxury that the Republic cannot afford to use right now. We are the key to this mission. The other battalions are counting on us to do our part. If we fail, everyone fails. Do you understand this?" He snarled in her face. Not looking him in the eyes she nodded. That must've been all Krell needed because he turned around and continued forward. She fell in line behind him, sending an apologetic look over her shoulder to her exhausted men. She tried.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but they had finally stopped, with the troopers moving ahead to scout the city. She had wanted to go with, but Krell had insisted she stay by his side. It felt wrong, being at the back of her men, instead of at the front or at the least alongside them. However, after Krell's reaction to asking for a simple 5-minute rest, she didn't dare defy his orders. Not at the moment.
About 10 minutes passed when Rex emerged from the haze, helmet between his hand and hip. She smiled and would normally walk forward to greet him, but when she took a single step, Krell's hand fell onto her shoulder and pulled, quite ungently, back to his side. She bit her lip and looked away, a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Sir. Ready to send in forward platoons for a surgical strike on the city's defenses." Rex reported.
Krell smirked and shook his head. "There won't be any need, Captain." He replied cooly, but his calm tone did nothing to calm anything. Beside him, Ahsoka furrowed her eyebrows and looked to him with questioning eyes, to which he didn't see or ignored.
"Sir?"
"All platoons will execute a forward assault along the main route to the city-"
"But sir-" Rex tried to cut in but Krell ignored him. She took that time to cut in and finish for him.
"My Master's plan was to surprise them with multiple attacks, Master Krell. We assumed that was still the plan." She came to his aid and noticed he sent her a bit of a relieved look. Krell seemed to listen to her the most, but that was not saying much. "If we go down the main route, they'll like engage us in a full-frontal assault."
"There has been a change of plans, Padawan Tano." Never before had she hated being classified as a Padawan. He spoke to her as though she were the same 14-year old she had been when she had first become a padawan. Since then she would brag about it, as she was still very young to be out on the battlefield. However, it has been nearly 6 years since then, and she was a grown woman nearing her knighthood. "I'm in charge now, and we will go about this my way."
"With all due respect," she forced the words out as calmly as she could, "we don't know what we are up against, and I do not want to put my men's lives at risk-"
"Are you questioning my authority?" He turned to her, eyes lit ablaze with fury. She swallowed and shook her head. Krell activated the holocam on his wrist and showed her a map of the city. "This battalion will take the main route of the city, straight for the capital. They will not stop, and they will not turn back despite whatever resistance they meet. We will attack with all our troops. Not some sneak attack with a few men." He waved his hand dismissively. She tensed up but did not speak out. "You will follow this order, explicitly. Is that clear, CT-7567." He turned from her to snarl in Rex's face.
Before she could protest at all Rex nodded, "Yes, General." He placed his helmet back on his head. He walked away, disappearing into the mist.
Her mouth opened, "Master, you are going to get them killed. We'll be lucky if even half of them come back." She protested to him but he turned away from her.
"This is the most effective way to do so, Padawan Tano. I don't expect someone so young to understand."
"Oh, I understand plenty." She growled, but Krell did not turn to face her. "If my men are going out there, then so am I." She declared and spun on her heels, stalking after Rex.
A large hand grabbed her arm and yanked her backward, facing Krell who looked at her disapprovingly. "You will do no such thing. The battalion is to go the Main Road. You and I shall wait here-"
"Screw that!" She snarled at him and yanked her arm away. She quickly backed up from him and broke into a run after Rex.
The road, like the rest of the planet, was dark, only visible by the glowing blue stones that outlined the edges. She walked next to Rex, who had originally protested her coming along, but she could tell he was relieved to have her fight beside them, unlike Krell who had stayed behind. She kept her sabers in hand, though she did not ignite them. Her men were behind her and she made sure to check frequently that they were okay, despite going on this suicide run.
"Sir?" She paused for a moment where Tup sped up to her. "Why aren't we sticking to the original plan? Probing the city defenses first-"
Before she could reply Hardcase shrugged, "we can take 'em. Let's do this." He cheered, and her eyes rolled with amusement.
"Leave it to Hardcase to dive in head-first." She joked and nudged him lightly with her elbow.
Hardcase shrugged, and she could tell he was smiling under the helmet when he responded. "That's what I do best, Commander."
"The General's new plan is reckless," Fives argued, bringing back the downer mood, but he was right.
"Ever wonder if the General actually knows what he is doing?" Jesse asked aloud, but the surrounding men just shrugged.
"Commander, you know this is a bad idea," Fives spoke sternly to her but she bowed her head in shame, suddenly unable to look at them.
"I... voiced my concerns to Master Krell, but... he did not agree." She replied. Anakin was not here, so she would take his place, despite what Krell did, this was her Batallion, her men, and they would follow her. "We'll be okay. If we do need to fall back, I will face Krell." She spoke softly. These men were ready to die on her command, it was only fair she'd be willing to do the same for them.
It was quiet out there, enough to make it feel wrong. The only sounds she could hear were the steps of her men and the sounds of the walkers beside them. They had to be nearing the city soon, but the big issue was the clearing between them and the city. The biggest reason her master had wanted to do a sneak attack was that there was no cover surrounding the city, meaning any forward assault would be easily gunned down.
Something stopped her in her tracks, the men halting beside her and behind her. She held up a hand, telling them to stay still. She grabbed a nearby pebble and threw it forward. Not two seconds after she threw it, a green explosion burst up from the ground. "Mines! Everyone stop!" She ordered firmly. The clones instinctively straightened when they heard the authority in her voice. Another explosion rang behind her and she swirled around to see two troopers down, lying lifeless on the road. Tup and Jesse knelt beside them and shook their heads. They were gone.
"Fives, scan for them."
"On it, Commander." Within minutes they discovered the whole road was booby-trapped, and it was only some miracle they had only just hit them. With Fives in the lead, Ahsoka on his heels, made sure to walk with deliberately cautious steps. However, this short-lasting peace fell when a strike from above hit one of the mines and the entire road in that sector had been reduced to rubble. Blaster bolts were fired at them and she called everyone to get off the road, to find any cover possible, all while igniting her sabers. Her troops scattered and she made her move, charging into a group of Umbarans, cutting them down one by one, before moving to the next cluster.
She had been making her way to a few natives that were nearing her men when a blast of pain shot through her leg. She felt to the ground with a cry, hitting the road, stunned for a moment. She could hear someone calling her name, but she wasn't sure who. She pushed herself up and looked to her leg. The space between her kneepad and boot on her right leg has been shot, a nice little hole where she had been hit.
She had to ignore the pain, when the saw the Umbarans closing in on her, deciding to take out the bigger threat. However, they were all shot down before they could reload their blaster. With a throw over her shoulder, she saw Fives, Jesse, and Tup running out to her, risking their own necks. She waved them away to go back, but Fives scooped her up in his arms as Jesse and Tup gave him cover. She hissed when his hand strayed too close to the wound, but she held on tight as the troopers fell back, drawing the Umbarans out from their hiding places.
Unfortunately, that hiding place was everywhere. One by one she saw men fall, even with a surge of fire coming towards her. Each bolt was deflected, though it made the pain in her leg spark whenever she turned, which was annoyingly often.
"We have to fall back! Draw them out!" Rex shouted over the commotion. Even though he couldn't see it she nodded in agreement, standing guard over Kix as he checked on a fallen man.
"If we can see them we can hit them!" Hardcase yelled in agreement. Rex gave the order and they began to fall back. She stayed near the back to deflect bolts aimed at her troopers. She made her own turn to run and catch up, but her knee buckled mid-step. She took a knee and her leg felt numb for a moment.
"Commander!" A hand found her arm and slung it over their shoulder, hauling her along. She let out a groan when her foot caught the occasional rock, rocking her leg. It had gotten to the point that Fives was more carrying her than helping her to walk. She had tried to get him to let go but his grip remained firm. The remaining troopers were up ahead, with reinforcements coming to their aid, likely sent by Krell. They had made a stand there, turning back to the Umbarans and opening their fire on them. The Umbarans shouted to one another in a language foreign to her, likely their plans to move forward or discussing a retreat.
Once among the other troopers, Fives set her down, much to her relief she was getting annoyed being dead weight. She drew her blades and began firing the bolts back at the Umbarans, smirking to herself when they fell due to their own bolt in the face.
With their numbers rapidly falling the Umbarans shouted to one another, then they began to run away, fleeing the Republic's fire. Once the green blaster bolts halted did she sheath her sabers, placing them on her belt with a relieved sigh. That could've been much worse, especially if she had followed Krell's order and stayed behind.
"CT-7567," Krell's voice boomed louder than any blasters could. "Do you have a malfunction in your design? You pulled your forces back! And you, Padawan Tano! I ordered you to stay beside me, yet you ran like a coward." He snarled at them.
"You little-" Her own insult was cut off by her own groan of pain as her leg gave out again. Fives was her knight in shining armor today because he caught her before she hit the ground. She saw Rex take a step forward, concern radiating off him.
"Commander, are you alright?" Kix approached her, already searching through his bag.
"It's just a flesh wound. It shouldn't take too long to heal." She gave a reassuring smile as he placed a bacta patch on her wound. "I'm guessing you want me to take it easy for at least a few hours?" Kix nodded and she sighed. "Fiiinnnneeee. Just for you." She winked, hearing some of the troopers laugh at her stubborn nature. The moment was ruined however, when she heard Krell continuing on his rant to Rex.
"-taking the capital city! The enemy now has control of this route! This entire mission has been compromised. Because of," He poked Rex in the chest, the force enough to make him take a step back, "you!" Another poke and she had enough, the words hadn't even processed it before they left her mouth.
"I called the retreat!" Silence. Krell straightened and turned to her with narrowed eyes. With Fives help she stood up, though she leaned on him for support. "I called the men to fall back. Not Rex. He was following my orders." She spoke calmly as she fought the bile in her throat of having to defend their actions.
"General," Fives cut in next to her, "with all due respect, Commander Tano and Captain Rex just saved us from mass slaughter. Surely you won't fail to recognize that." He spat out, unable to hold his distaste for the new general even more.
"ARC-5555," Krell growled, and suddenly there was a green blade by his face. Fives stiffened, his hold on Ahsoka tightening subconsciously. "Stand down."
Without thinking she had grabbed her own blade and ignited it, pointing it at Krell. "Try it and you will regret it." She thundered, pushing Fives back behind her, standing on her own despite the uncomfortable feeling where her wound was. "In case you couldn't tell we did follow your orders, despite how flawed and dangerous it was. It cost us men." Not clones. She thought silently, knowing everyone else did too. "I have a duty as a Commander to follow my superior's command, but I have another duty, as a Jedi. My duty is to save lives, and that includes the men under my command." She waved her hand to the men watching them.
"You have a spark, Padawan. I'll give you that. I understand I am not like General Skywalker, but my way has been proved effective. Your opinion, however, has been noted." He turned from her and walked away. She snarled at his retreating figure, clipping her blade to her belt. Her arms crossed with a look to kill.
"I think he almost complimented you, Commander." Fives joked.
She rolled her eyes but she had let out a breathy laugh. "Ha, if you can call that a compliment." She snarked.
"Commander," Rex's soft voice called out to her. "What are you doing? I made that order, not you-"
"He would've killed you." She snapped. Her chest tightened at the way he spoke to her like he was mad at her for defending him. "I meant what I said. I have a duty, not to the Republic, or to the Jedi Code, but a duty to my heart to protect as many of you as I can." She spoke firmly, making sure she was loud enough for them all to hear her. "Rex, I want to protect you. So please, let me." She whispered the last part, looking him dead in the eyes.
His hardened golden orbs softened the longer he looked at her. They raked over her face, their gaze making her lekku dark as her cheeks burned. His lips quirked into a smile. "Commander, I-"
"Incoming!" Her head snapped towards the call, followed by the cries of pain from her men. A second blast was shot, sending her and more troops flying before she could react. It was another ambush.