Catra took a deep breath before she entered the war room. The many chairs that used to belong to the representatives of the former Princess Alliance surrounded the circular map table, it's broken hologram projectors replaced with advanced horde technology. On the other side of the table, sitting in Queen Angela's former seat of power, a Horde clone with blue skin, red eyes and a white military uniform was carefully examining a holographic representation of the lands around the Whispering Woods. Two normal green eyed guards stood at attention on both sides of him.

"Ah, Director Catra," the general greeted calmly, "How nice of you to finally join us. You are both dismissed."

The two clone soldiers beside him bowed before silently taking their leave out the door Catra entered, one of them giving her a quick look of contempt as he passed by her. When the doors closed behind her, Catra stiffened up as she pulled out a stack of papers and carefully walked up to the table.

"I have prepared my report to Horde Prime regarding the incident at Princess Frosta's birthday party," Catra stated officially, carefully placing her stack on the table.

"We will have time to discuss your failure to secure the princesses safety later, Director," the clone sneered, tenting his claws in front of his face, "But first I wanted to hear from your personal opinion as to why Horde Prime has chosen to give you this assignment in the first place."

"I do not see how that is any of your business," Catra said, as professionally as she could muster, "Horde Prime trusts me to keep the princesses in line and ensure their smooth transition into the Horde hierarchy, that should be all you need to know."

"I believe you are mistaken in your assessment of our Emperor's 'trust' in you as you put it," the clone corrected, "Horde Prime has billions upon billions of worlds to look after. He could hardly be expected to give his personal attention to each and every minor problem that you fail to correct for. Which is why you were ordered to come to this meeting in the first place. So I will ask you again, why do you think you were given this important position on this world?"

"Because no one else knows the Princesses like I do," Catra told the clone, "I know how they think, I know what they want, and I know how to make them work for him. I just don't see why I have to explain this to another Hordak."

"That... term... Hordak..." the clone growled, "Never use it again, in my presence or otherwise. It is the title of a defective failure and it's very existence is an insult to the Horde and our Emperor."

"I'm sorry, sir," Catra apologized, averting her gaze from the clone, "What I meant to say is that I find it difficult to tell any of you clones apart."

"And that is also something what I want impress upon you, Director," the clone stated firmly, "As far as you should be concerned there is no difference between us and our Emperor. That while you may be our Emperor's representative to Etheria, *we* are his representatives to *you*. Do not ever... *ever*... make the mistake of thinking that the power we allow you to hold over your people can possibly put you above or even the equal to me or any one of my brothers. Is that understood?"

Catra's ear twitched slightly to give away her frustration, but she continued to stand at attention. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Yes... sir..." she grumbled, opening her eyes again.

"Good..." the clone said, finally relaxing back into his chair, "Regarding your relationship with the princesses. What is your opinion on their integration into the greater Horde?"

"Spark- that is to say Queen Glimmer, is the key to our hold on the Etherian people," Catra reported, "All the other princesses respect and defer to her, and she is smart enough to know what disloyalty to Horde Prime means for her world and its people."

"The princesses are indeed complying to all matters they are expected to," the clone observed, "But I have noticed that the She-Ra has been seen making openly seditious remarks towards members of the Horde. What measures have you taken to correct this behavior?"

"I am handling Adora very closely and personally," Catra answered, "She had recently become disillusioned with what the Horde represents to Etheria and needs to be reminded of the benefits of working with us. You don't need to worry about her. I will make sure she does the right thing when the time comes."

"I hope so, Director, for your sake," the clone noted, "Now we can discuss the incident that happened during the party and steps we will take to correct it."

The clone offered a claw toward the empty chair to his right. Catra approached cautiously and sat down, focusing her eyes on the map in front of her so as to not look at him directly.

"Tell me what went happened," the clone ordered.

"All the facts are in my report," Catra stated, "In short, I had allowed the princesses to handle their own security arrangements. And that turned out to be a mistake on my part."

"It was an error to be sure," the clone corrected, "But the true mistake would have been accepting the responsibility of your actions and position. Do you see the difference?"

Catra continued staring silently away from the clone. The clone gave a tiny smirk as he gave Catra a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Catra recoiled slightly at the clone's touch.

"Anyone can make an error, Director," lectured the clone, returning his attention to the papers in front of him, "But an error only becomes a mistake when you fail to correct it. That is why we are going to assign each princess vital to this operation one of my brothers to be their personal bodyguard and watch over them."

The clone handed Catra a file which described the detailed profiles and histories of six Horde clones, each matched with a runestone princess.

"The princesses will be resistant to the idea of us interfering in their personal lives," Catra replied, looking through the folder, "They're already on edge after the attack."

"Which is why I want you to convince them of its necessity for their continued safety," the clone explained, "I doubt they could argue against the fact that even a defective clone proved more than capable of ensuring their wellbeing during the incident."

"Yes, sir," Catra said, putting the folder away.

"And in the interest of public safety," the clone continued, "We will report to the Etherian population that the assassination attempt was perpetrated by the Rebel Terrorists that have been allowed to fester in the Whispering Woods."

"How did you find that out?" Catra asked, "I haven't found enough evidence to implicate them yet. From all I could tell, the Etherian Rebels have done everything they could to *prevent* loss of life during our engagements."

"Regardless, that is what officially happened as far as the Horde is concerned," the clone told Catra, "This resistance moment must be quashed at once. They have already cost the Horde too much with their interference."

"They are trying to bait us into a direct attack on the Woods themselves," Catra explained, "That is why I've requested the Horde provide us with enough aerial transports for our supply convoys can avoid the Woods altogether. We need to starve them out."

"Starve them out?" the clone repeated, "From a entrenched location abundant with naturally occurring flora and fauna? We have ignored this problem for far too long. Simply ignoring it further would be counterproductive."

"Alright then," Catra shrugged, "What does the Horde suggest?"

"You must know your enemy to defeat them, Director," the clone answered, "I am to understand the Rebel insurgency mainly consists of former military members from both sides of the war and that you personally fought with and against several members in particular, correct?"

"Bow is the one seen leading these attacks," Catra reported, "I've only fought him a few times. He's too smart for his own good. Reliant on his toys and gadgets in a fight. Worst of all, he's compassionate, even towards his enemies. It makes him unwilling to do what's necessary to win a fight. How's that for knowledge?"

"Far less comprehensive than I had hoped..." the clone sighed, "I want you to lead an incursion into the Whispering Woods. Light infantry only with minimal heavy equipment."

"Yeah, I get it..." Catra sighed back, "I've failed to protect the princesses for you and now you want me to go on a suicide mission to punish me. Horda- Your defective brother didn't like getting his hands dirty either. Ask him how well that worked out."

"This is hardly a suicide mission," the clone scoffed, "Your primary objective will be one of reconnaissance. I want to know where the rebels are coming from, so that we will be better prepared for a larger operation in the woods. Your forces are to record everything you see and hear and are ordered to fall back as soon as the enemy engages with you."

"Very well, sir," Catra said, "When did you want me to leave?"

"As soon as possible after you complete my previous instructions to ensure the princesses safety, Director," the clone ordered, "And don't forget. I want a complete report of the Rebels methods and capabilities. The equipment they are using, how they move, what insults they choose to throw at you. Everything. The tiniest detail can make all the difference when we finally come up with our plan of attack. Understood?"

"Of course, sir," Catra said, standing up from her seat, "And with respect, sir, I look forward to being out in the field again."

"Yes, I had thought you might..." the clone said with a coy smirk, "You are dismissed, Director."

Catra bowed to the general and walked towards the door, hiding a smirk of her own.

"Finally..." she whispered to herself as she left the war room.

~*~

First Analysis of the Director of Etherian Affairs
Horde Unit Theta Rho Reporting

-Subject Catra has proven somewhat tardy when summoned, will need to correct that.
-Has presented a frustrating talent for ambition and insubordination, both will need to be watched carefully.
-At the very least, my brother can not be faulted for instilling proper military decorum in his soldiers, it is obvious she knows the correct way to address a superior officer, she just chooses not to.
-Contrary to previous assumptions about her species, does not like to be pet.
-Shows some promise in understanding long term strategy, with careful tutoring could be expected to master simple assignments.
-As expected, takes a far greater interest in front line command than participating in the bureaucracies of political leadership.
-Will continue to monitor closely for signs of treason