AN: Well the next chapter is up and much sooner then I have been updating lately. I hope you enjoy it and thanks to all of you who are patiently waiting for me to update.

Admiral Yelih tried to stand up straighter as they approached the medical bay. There had been more debris then had been expected and the trip that usually took minutes had taken half an hour.

"Someone report."

The medical bay was jammed pack full of clones, both injured and healthy. For a moment they all stared at their Admiral who looked on the verge of collapsing.

"Dammit one of you sorry good for nothing troopers report!"

Yelih ignored the pain, letting his anger block it out. He fully straightened up and the fire behind his eyes lit one underneath the clones.

"Sir, we have no communications….scouting parties are continuously recommending we try and abandon ship."

Admiral Yelih nodded to the clone that finally spoke up. As the Admiral was about to issue an order, a clone pilot appeared out of the lingering smoke, coming at them on a full sprint.

"Sir….we…we are acting as your communications now."

"Explain yourself trooper." The Admiral said confused on how any repairs could have been made with the ship on the verge of collapse.

"Sir….the gunships that were sent down to the planet…we've returned. Two came here and our other went over to the 'Defending Hope.' It's crude but we're using the gunships to communicate between the battle cruisers."

Admiral Yelih nodded. "What's their status?"

The trooper put a hand to his helmet as he apparently listened to someone else on the other end of his com link. Suddenly his head straightened back up.

"They say that they have taken some damage and their communications were taken out. It appears that the 'Guardian of Justice' took the brunt of the attack. They report full life-support and predict shields to be back up within the hour.

"Very well….as of now, I'm ordering all crew to abandon ship….lock any functioning systems down, we'll try and fix this ship later….for now we need to be where we can make defend ourselves and possibly get help to those on the ground."

With the order given, the clones began the long task of transporting everyone to what remained of the hangar deck. Slowly the remaining gunships from both battle cruisers began to ferry all personnel to the 'Defending Hope.'


Commander Thod and Scav wanted to burst out laughing as they saw Cipher and Bac approaching with the jedi general in tow. It was apparent that none of the three approaching them were happy with the situation.

"Orders General?" Thod asked as the three came to a stop before him.

Arima returned the salute that Thod offered her and let out a frustrated sigh. "Ok…we are supposed to launch an attack…..just the five of us…that's all we can spare from defense. You four have been down here the longest and know the area better then anyone. For that reason, I….I think you should plan the mission."

Thod nodded and looked at Scav and then Cipher and Bac in turn. Soon the four were drawing up a plan in the dirt. Arima tried to lean in, but gave up a few minutes later not really sure what they were saying. She hung back from them as the planned their mission, not even sure if she could be of much help. After several more minutes of planning, Cipher broke off from the group and approached Arima.

"Um…Ma'am?"

"Yes….Ci….trooper." Arima said still feeling that she didn't have the right to use the clone's names any longer. If Cipher caught her deliberate avoidance of his name he didn't show any reaction to it.

"We need to know a little bit about you to finish our plan."

Arima looked at the clone confused but followed him the few feet back to the others. She looked at Thod questioningly.

"General…we have come up with a plan on how we would do this if it were just us clones….but we need to know….well how good you are at sensing danger."

Arima thought it over for a moment and then smiled. If all she had to do was use the force to sense threats she would be ok. That was just a part of her. She would literally be just reacting to her environment.

"I'm pretty good. I can usually sense threats or traps up to 50 yards in any direction….but I won't be of much use against snipers. I won't be able to sense them if they are far out."

Thod nodded, "Ok then you are point….you'll lead us in and get us back out. Just leave the rest to us."

The next several minutes were spent explaining the plan a second time and then a third before the clones were sure that Arima knew exactly what was going to happen. Bac seemed to be the most frustrated with the general, but the other three troopers were willing to repeat themselves to ensure the success of the mission.

Finally they gathered their gear and prepared to head out. Arima double checked that her light saber was clipped to her belt and then took in a deep breath. She opened herself up to the force and started to walk towards the base's perimeter. Suddenly she stopped as she sensed something being thrown at her. She whirled around and stuck out her hand. She was surprised to find a blaster carbine hanging in the air in front of her.

"Don't use your saber unless you have to…it will light up the area like a beacon and draw a lot of fire….can't have the general killed on her first mission." Bac said with a little bit of distaste.

Arima used the force to pull the blaster to her hands. "You're wrong trooper." Bac tensed up and she could feel the clone's resentment as he assumed she was going to argue against his reasoning.

"You should have said we can't have the general getting killed on her second mission…the first one was rescuing you four."

Scav and Cipher let out a few muffled chuckles and Bac even seemed to relax a little.

"My mistake then general….let's just try to ensure we all have a third mission." Bac said a surprised smirk hidden behind his helmet.

"Agreed." Arima said and with another deep breath she strode out past the security of the clone sentries and into the unknown in search of the enemy base.


"Sir where is General Bedears?"

Devan looked up to see a clone medic standing at attention.

"She's helping with a mission….what's wrong?"

"Sir…CT-2237 is going into shock….I don't know if he will last much longer….if she wants to be here when he….well…she needs to come quickly."

Devan took in a deep breath. "She can't come trooper….I'll go in her place."

The medic nodded and Devan quickly followed him through the darkness to a small knot of troopers who were kneeling down around a wounded trooper. The circle of troopers opened up to allow the medic and jedi general to enter and then closed up around them.

"I…I…..where…..gen……general?" The wounded trooper coughed.

Devan reached out and grabbed Cry's hand. He took in a long breath and looked at the medic. He pleaded with his eyes for the medic to do something, but the medic merely shook his head. Devan turned his gaze back to the trooper before him.

"Trooper…General Bedears is on a mission….just hold on a little bit, she'll be back soon."

"I….te…tell her to….rem…remember….my….name." Cry choked out.

This drew a low murmur from some of the clones that had gathered. The clone troopers had been taught to expect death. What no one had trained them for was how to fight off the fear of not being remembered. Cry's simple request echoed in each of their hearts. Every clone yearned to be remembered as an individual instead of just another number; another dead trooper to be carried off the battlefield and forgotten.

"I…I promise you she won't forget you." Devan said grabbing the troopers hand tightly.

"Giv….give…her…..these." Cry said and forced his dog tags into the jedi's hand. "You….kn…know….ju….just in……case." Cry said with a weak smile.

Devan nodded, a few tears streaming down his face. He gripped the clone's hand tightly and then let go.

"I'll make sure she gets them."

Cry smiled up at him and then his face began to grow extremely pale. Devan stood up and stepped away. He exited the circle and allowed the troopers to close in where he had been. He saw the medic reach down and grip Cry's hand. He shook his head and the clones that still had them on removed their helmets.

Devan watched as the troopers paid their respects to their fallen comrade. He watched as each one knelt there completely still as if tasked with guarding Cry's body.

"A clone never dies alone." Devan muttered to himself as he turned to walk away. "I know she will remember you." Devan disappeared to check on other parts of the base allowing the troopers to tend to their fallen on their own terms.