Got a final tomorrow. Wish me luck! In the meantime, please enjoy this chapter. :)

Confrontation (Clone Force 99 pt4)

Arguing never gets anyone anywhere

Steele didn't even get the chance to hear Hunter's answer before an explosion outside caused the call to disconnect. He and Wolffe ran out again to help with defending their base. They immediately seized the nearest available trooper and asked him what's going on.

"I dunno, sirs! The clankers came out of nowhere! General Plo's holding the south flank right now and General Korentayer's at the west end!" The trooper explained in a hurry.

"Thank you!" Steele said before letting him go. He turned to Wolffe. "Go help your general, I'll go help mine!"

Wolffe didn't argue. He and Steele immediately split up.

Everywhere, everyone was fighting hard. Defending the base to the best of their power. But the droids had the upper hand due to their numbers, surprise factor, and unusual jerky movements which caused their blaster fire to go in random directions.

The base was getting more and more overwhelmed.

At the southern gate, Plo and his men were forced to move back due to the sheer pressure of the wave. Suddenly, a nearby lookout tower fell apart, unable to hold up its damage.

"Look out!" Plo shouted in warning.

Before he could attempt to catch the falling debris, it was suddenly blasted into pieces by a starship. The Bad Batch has finally returned.

They landed their ship in front of Plo and his clones. Then stepped out and into the fray.

"Alright!" Wrecker reloaded his blaster. "More action!"

"Looks like we got here in time for the party," Crosshair mused.

Wolffe resisted the urge to throw a rock at him. "Stop standing there and help out!"

"Yes, commander!" Hunter said without question.

With the Bad Batch's help, the defense of the base turned to their side, albeit just a little. The droids still put up a good fight due to their unpredictable movements.

It took the clones all day until the droids were finally wiped out. By then, the base was in shambles. Lookout towers were half gone, border gates were beaten to a pulp, there was smoke and fire everywhere, and nearly all their outer buildings were destroyed.

"Sorry, man. Looks like we're sleeping in tents tonight," one clone said to his friend, who specifically said he 'I'm not gonna sleep in a tent tonight!' while fighting.

That poor clone dropped to his knees.

~ O O O ~

Cleanup of the base was taking place. Everyone pitched in to help clear up the area of destruction and debris. Plo and Aliyah took a couple of clones to help them dispose of fallen droids. The rest remained at base.

"How did this happen?" Wolffe sighed.

Steele couldn't answer. "I don't know."

"I think, I may have an explanation, sirs."

Tech and the rest of the Bad Batch up to the two commanders. All the clones in the area slowed their working pace to hear what Tech had to say.

"Back at the resort, we discovered a locked door and pried it open. It triggered an alarm," Tech revealed. "While Hunter and the others were looking for critical info, I examined the room a bit. And from what I saw, the Separatists made some kind of fail-safe system, in case we managed to follow them thus far. The reprogrammed droids were sent in hopes of wiping us out."

The clones were quiet. Then Wolffe broke the silence. "Steele told you to download what you got and get out. You didn't listen."

"What?" Vito was shocked. "Are you saying they blatantly disobeyed orders and caused this ambush to happen?"

Crosshair dismissed that. "It was for the good of the mission. Besides, the base isn't that bad."

"Isn't that bad!?" Compass couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Take a look." He gestured to the demolished barracks buildings. One of which timely broke in half. "Take a good kriffing look."

"Swear," Wrecker pointed out.

"Shut up!" Crosshair and Compass simultaneously shouted.

The clones and the batch instantly began bickering. Over the state of their base. Over the fact that this ambush could've been easily avoided. Over the need to respect the Republic's confidentiality.

"You're acting as if you want to find out what's inside this datachip! Are you trying to get us all court-martialed?" Kal demanded.

"Yeah, why can't you just follow simple orders?" Boost added in.

"Because we care about the end results." Hunter faced everyone. "It's obvious that this datachip being in enemy hands is putting all of us in danger. And since the Chancellor isn't wholly helping us with this hunt, then he's also putting us in danger."

"That's treason talk!" Dogma cried.

Everyone began clamouring. The place became a pit of insults, swears, and threats.

"Enough!" Steele shouted, his frustration nearing peak. "We've been at each other's throats since day one, and it's not getting us anywhere!" He addressed to the lot of his and Wolffe's men. Then he turned his attention to the batch. "You four! I'm gonna let this go, just this one time. But something like today better not happen again!"

"Funny. As Krell's ex-commander, I thought you'd be more agreeable with us," Crosshair said, arms crossed.

Steele slowly turned his gaze to him. His face devoid of any expression.

"And given your early-war days with that guy, I really thought you'd be a step-up from the regs. But it turns out, you've become brainwashed by your current general."

"Crosshair!" Hunter scolded. "That's too far—"

Whack!

Steele connected his fist to Crosshair's jaw, knocking him out cold onto the ground. Everyone stared in disbelief.

That's when Aliyah and a couple of clones who went for droid disposal turned the corner.

"What," she began as she walked towards the scene, "in the galaxy is going on here?"

Nobody answered. None of them wanted to get the commander in trouble.

Things became more tense when Plo and the rest of the droid disposal clones showed up. Plo immediately took notice of the scene and refused to have silence as an answer.

"If no one starts speaking within the next 5 seconds, then—"

"—It was me." Steele answered blankly. "My fault. Someone go fetch a medic."

He knelt down next to the unconscious Crosshair with Hunter and Wrecker, while Wolffe volunteered to get a medic. Again.

"Hey," Wolffe put a hand on Steele's shoulder. "You sure you're ok?"

Steele breathed, "Just get a medic…"

~ O O O ~

The Bad Batch—minus Crosshair—stood across from the two very tired, but stern-looking, generals. Across from them was Steele, and next to him, was Wolffe. All seven of them, gathered under a recently put-up tent, which served as their replacement briefing building.

Plo, who had his back turned to everyone, turned around to speak. "Let's start with the good news. Crosshair's jaw isn't broken."

Steele and Hunter weakly nodded. Each feeling an equal degree of guilt.

"What's the bad news then?" Wolffe cautiously asked.

"Plo and I decided not to report these events to the Council. And neither will any of you," Aliyah answered. The clones looked at her incredulously. "Treasonous, I know. But if they knew about what happened today, we'd all get sent back effective immediately. This cannot happen again. Understand?"

This time, everybody nodded. Plo was glad to see that at least for now, they're being more agreeable. He relaxed his stance.

"Now, let's talk about today's events." Plo turned to Hunter. "Sergeant, you already explained to me what caused this ambush. The room you broke into triggered an alarm, correct?"

"Yes, general." Hunter truly sounded sincere. "I take full responsibility for the attack."

"I'm glad you're doing that. But nonetheless, it still happened. However I'm sure it was for good reason. Whatever you found in that room, prepare to show it to us tomorrow morning."

Hunter nodded, but he was far from relieved. This conversation wasn't over yet.

"As for the more recent event during cleanup." Plo glanced between the batch and Steele. "From what I know so far, it started off as a dispute over the cause of attack. And ended with Crosshair knocked to the ground. Now, I'd like to hear from each of you, your recap of what happened."

Steele spoke before anyone else could beat him to it. "There's not much to recap. I hit Crosshair, bottom line."

"He was provoked into doing so," Hunter cut in. "Crosshair said some insensitive words, and I will reprimand him later."

"Even so. As a commander, I should have just let it slide."

"Yes, but—"

"—That's enough," Aliyah interrupted. She had a look of disappointment on her face. "There's still some unresolved discomfort here. Steele, Wolffe will temporarily oversee the 304th, just for tonight. Please use this time to cool down and reflect on everything. Same goes for you three."

The batch didn't argue. As for Steele, he expected just as much. But it didn't make it any less painful.

Plo concluded the talk. "So it's decided. You four are exempt from any work tonight. I hope you'll work past your problems by then. You may all leave."

The clones all turned around to exit, with Steele being the first to walk out. And thus, being the first to face the dozens of waiting men outside, concerned over his outcome from the meeting.

"Uh, commander—" Dogma began.

"—Wolffe's your commander for tonight." Steele corrected. He wasn't surprised by the looks and mumbles of confusion. "Don't cause trouble for him…and don't cause trouble for Clone Force 99."

Everyone was speechless as Steele walked off.

~ O O O ~

The sky was now dark. It had been a long day of tent setup, debris cleanup, and equipment salvaging. And of course, treating the injured.

All the while, Steele and the three batch members were exempt from such tasks. The batch paid a visit to Crosshair in his private tent. And just a promised, Hunter reprimanded him—and quite sternly too. The place got quieter as more tents were setup and more injured to taken to rest.

Steele sat in a quiet spot outside the ruins of the base. Trying hard to 'cool down and reflect'. But it was difficult…with all the memories that's been resurfaced.

…"And you think that gives you the ok to disobey me?"…

…Steele looked at his general earnestly. "In these circumstances? Yes, sir."…

…All his clones nodded in agreement. They were so sure that their general would agree with them that they didn't see the first punch coming in.…

Steele rubbed his forehead in dismay. He regretted punching Crosshair. Very, very much.

"Hey, commander." Hunter suddenly appeared behind Steele. Wrecker and Tech were right with him. "Mind if we join you?"

"Go ahead."

Steele gestured to the space next to him. Hunter took a seat on his right, while Wrecker and Tech sat on his left.

"So. How's Crosshair?" Steele asked in concern.

"Awake and functioning. Though, he won't be speaking coherently anytime soon." Hunter did a light chortle. "You should be relieved for that."

"Yeah, you really knocked the lights out of him, commander," Wrecker added. Steele wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not.

But either way, he still felt a need to apologize. "I owe him an apology."

"Look…" Tech adjusted himself so he could face Steele directly. "...we were all acting pretty hot-headed back there. This is a contentious mission to say the least. And we all have our own bias towards certain strategems."

Steele sighed, clearly exasperated. "And your bias is to always challenge everything we give you."

"No." Hunter flatly said. "We weren't always like this—I, wasn't always like this. At least to the degree you see me now."

Steele slowly turned his head to him, giving him his full attention.

"It wasn't until I learnt of Umbara, that I started questioning literally everything they gave me," Hunter revealed.

Umbara…I'm a fool to have thought it only affected the ones who were there. Steele thought as Hunter continued speaking.

"The things that happened on that shadow world? Never existed in our simulations—even the worst-case ones." Hunter looked genuinely upset. "We're only ever taught rules. Rules, rules, rules, rules, so many rules. Serve the Republic, obey your general, protect the people, look out for your brothers. But what if your general belongs to an order whose interests conflict with those of the Republic's? What if…the Republic puts their own people in danger? Best yet, what if you're thrust into a situation where your general deliberately harms you, has turned against the Republic, and massacres your brothers just because he can? Rules will be broken one way or the other, for better or worse. And I don't intend to go down like those who fell on Umbara."

Steele honestly never expected hearing something like this from Hunter. It was eye-opening. He softened his gaze.

"They're nothing like Krell."

"No. Thankfully they're not," Hunter agreed. The tension between them lightened a little. After a peaceful moment of silence, Hunter asked, "So what's it like being Krell's ex-commander?"

"What?"

"It's just something I've been wanting to know for a while," Hunter quickly added. "After Umbara, everyone was practically digging for dirt on Krell's history, including us. And your name came up quite a few times. Former commander to infamous General Krell and managed to outlive him. Can you really blame me for wanting to see what kind of person you were?"

Steele contemplated that question for a good half a minute, before answering. "Well, you've seen me now."

"Yeah. And I'm confused."

"Confused?"

"You don't strike me as someone who's served a tyrant," Hunter explained.

"Other than that knock-out punch you demonstrated today!" Wrecker added.

"Yeah, other than that."

Steele became curious. "Oh? Then what do I strike you as?"

Hunter thought hard for the proper words to use. "Someone who's been in a respectful environment, despite this being a war. And. Someone who puts a lot of value in the people he works with."

"Well." Steele gave a light smile. "You're not wrong."

"Then I hope you'll start questioning events like this," Hunter added. His tone was hard and serious. "For the sake of those you work with."

"I hope I won't ever have to be in events like this again."

~ O O O ~

"Can we get another cable here?" Wolffe demanded while holding up a tent that was on the brink of collapsing in on itself.

Two seconds later, Egad showed up with a cable and handed it over. Wolffe hooked it to the framework before staking it to the ground. The tent was stable again.

He stood back up. "Alright, it's all good."

"Thank you, Wolffe." Standing in front of the tent and holding up an injured soldier, was Plo. He and another medic helped walk him forward. "In you go."

The two carefully put the soldier inside the tent, who managed a soft 'thank you'. The medic stayed behind to continue treatment and Plo came back out.

"Everything's about done, general," Wolffe said as soon as Plo emerged. "Shelters, equipment, patrols, all dealt with."

"How many on patrol?"

"For now? 20."

Plo didn't like the sound of that. "I'll help out on the first watch. Lets nothing eventful will happen tonight."

"Agreed." Wolffe didn't bother trying to talk his general into resting early. Behind him, Aliyah walked up towards them, carrying four rolled-up sleeping bags.

"One for you." Aliyah handed one of the bags she was carrying to Plo. "And one for you." She handed the second one to Wolffe. "Try to stay warm while sleeping out in the open."

"You too," Plo reminded.

Wolffe looked at the fourth sleeping bag that's been put on the ground. "What's with the extra one?"

"That one's for Steele," Aliyah explained. "He won't take a tent even if I offered."

Nearby clones stopped working upon hearing that. Reminders of this afternoon's dispute came back to them. And they still feel the outcome was somewhat unfair.

"General Korentayer…" One of the clones stood up. "...he really was provoked into hitting him."

"Yeah." Another clone joined in. "I mean, c'mon, he was willing to let go of this incident, but that sniper just kept on pushing!"

"Exactly!"

"You know what he said?" Sinker spoke out. "He said, and this is quoting him, 'you've been brainwashed by your current general.'"

Aliyah flinched. Behind her, Plo also looked visibly disturbed. This was unsettling for them to hear. Everyone gave her expectant looks, waiting for her to say something. And she did.

"I gave him, and the three of them, a break from this work. Because I can't condone this arguing anymore in our current situation. We need to start cooperating. I know they made some mistakes but that doesn't mean we have to too. Let's try again tomorrow, ok?"

Aliyah picked up Steele's sleeping bag from the ground, she nestled it under one arm. "Don't sleep on negative emotions tonight."

She walked off.

~ O O O ~

Steele and the three batch members continued conversing. The unresolved discomfort between them was gradually dissipating away. It got to the point where Hunter felt at ease enough to ask Steele a heavy question.

"Tell me commander, what do you want out of this war?"

Being completely caught off-guard by this question, Steele decided to redirect it to Hunter. "You answer first."

Hunter answered almost immediately. "Liberty. Independence. Self-rule." He gestured to Wrecker and Tech. "That's what we want. Now, don't dodge the question."

But Steele really didn't know what to say. He never thought about things like this. It does nothing but bring unwanted complications.

"Hey, look who's coming!" Wrecker nodded behind them.

Steele turned around to see Aliyah walking towards them. He stood up. "General?"

"Catch!"

She threw one of the two giant bundles of sleeping bags at him. He nearly fell back upon catching it. "What's this for?"

"Not enough tents for everyone. This is to make sure you don't freeze to death." Aliyah stopped in front of him and put her own sleeping bag down. She looked at Hunter. "If you don't mind, I'd like to speak with my commander alone."

"Don't mind at all, general." Hunter stood up. "C'mon Tech, Wrecker. Let's retire to the ship. See you both in the morning."

The three clones left the area. As soon as they were out of ear range, Aliyah began the conversation.

"When were you going to tell me about the 'brainwash' comment?"

"Tomorrow morning," Steele replied. "You had enough to deal with for today's events, I didn't want to add to it."

"This isn't adding to it! This is…" Aliyah trailed off, not sure if she should say this or not. "Look, I know that since the start of this hunt, Plo and I have been limiting the things you guys could and could not do, and that only added weight to Crosshair's comment today."

Steele waved a hand in assurance. "It's fine. Really. Politics…can make 'bout anything complicated."

"Just know that I care about you, probably more than I should, and I don't want you or anyone else to think you have no right to voice suspicions or question orders." She narrowed her eyes. "So long you don't end up putting yourself on the Chancellor's blacklist."

Steele only nodded in response. That was good enough for Aliyah. "Alright. Go get some rest."

Next time on The Clone's Hero, the location of the Separatist hideout is pinned, and the Bad Batch are sent to inspect it, with some accompaniment…

Review responses~

Starpottergeek: Thank you. Here's the nxt chapter for you. :)

KarajeJinsta: If everyone cooperated, this arc would take a lot longer lol. Sometimes, you need to force things to move along a little. :)

Akira-Hayama: Very true. It's a shame the show doesn't cover more of these special-forces style squads in action. Maybe they'll give us spinoffs based on them in the future? :)

Lau-SR: I'd say the first step towards cooperation started now and will continue down along this arc. Thanks for the luck, I'm seriously going to need it! XD

Guest: Thank you, but please refrain from using the name 'Guest' in the future. :)

Liam: And you're right. Huge argument, but huge step in resolution. :)

MandyAndyLandyPanda: Eeeehhhh, welcome back! I missed you! How're things going in your life now? I hope you enjoyed catching up to this point in the story, it's always nice welcoming back an old reader. :)

A/N. Summer's almost over. Are any of you going back to school in-person or continuing online classes? What are your thoughts on the upcoming school year? I personally just hope I'll be able to find a job for my next co-op workterm!

Anyways, as always, please favourite, please follow, please review, and please smile!

See you all next time! :)

- MiraLake