Okay so... I'll admit, I didn't expect as much of a reaction as I got given what I said last time. So, thank you, for showing me you still read and like this story. I, really meant a lot to me. I just hope ya'll don't go hibernating again =P
Also, hope you all "Guests" find your responses - there's plenty of ya so I kinda added some way to find yourself? I don't even know.

Elizaguana: Yeah, don't worry, I will - people gave me a reason to

Guest: It's alright, just, I don't ask for essays or anything - simple reviews are loved as well =)

Guest (Two-cents): Ah, I guess that's fair. But still, there were smaller changes between, or additions/explanations - could have tried to comment something on that. And at the same time, if that 'story building' doesn't get proper support, the rest might not even get made. I get what you're saying, but it doesn't really put more confidence in me. And I hope so too =P

Guest (Loyal Reader): Awww mate! You don't have to worry about me not writing (I would only have kinda half-assed it then) since the responses are... going up. Still, I'm so glad you enjoy my stories so much! It means much to me! Thank you!

Andrew: Guess we'll just have to wait and see, eh? xD

ShadowWanderer: Hah, thanks! Glad you like and hope you enjoy where it goes!

Elemental-master0506: Thanks, and, no worries - I'm not quitting (now, anyway) since people woke up. Happy to hear you like my portrayal - it's always great to hear that!

sunburst223: I won't so, you don't have to worry. Ah, I guess, but at times, it just... gets too much, so I lose confidence. Though, it apparently crawled back, so, there's that =P

nurbb: Honestly, that wasn't my intention, so sorry about the panic xD But yeah, it was disheartening, but recent feedback has made me want to write this again. Hopefully it lasts =)

Okay, okay, here we go people. This one was... I mean. It hurt me, though probably because I know what all of it means. You all, not so much. Still!
Read, review and enjoy~ =D

Chapter 8

"So, we got pilots, we got fighters… Do we have a plan?" Jesse asked, looking at the others in the hanger.

"As a matter of fact, we do," Fives smiled, as Tup and Dogma shared a brief look of worry. "General Skywalker blew up a droid control ship when he was just a kid, and he told me the trick, is hitting their main reactor, from the inside."

"Oh," Hardcase blinked at the simplicity, before grinning. "Well, that won't be so though." They've done more crazy and more dangerous things in the past. This was nothing.

"Assuming you can get inside," Dogma was sitting on some crates, rubbing his shoulder. He fell out of the pod very ungracefully after his attempt at flying. It was pretty awful, but not as bad as Kix's – the man came out three different shades of green.

"Who'll have time to look at them? And in the Umbaran fighters, the enemy won't suspect them," Tup shrugged, sitting next to Dogma.

"Yeah, but what about our pilots? They won't have time to check as well, and they shoot better than any clanker," Kix spoke up, arms folded as he leaned on the side of a ship.

"Rex said he has something in mind for that… We'll just have to leave that to him," Fives looked up from the ground, to his brothers. "We leave in twenty so get ready."

"I might have an idea, actually," Dogma spoke up, again, looking at the ground slightly embarrassed. "Just in case someone does look into the pod."

"Dogma?" Tup looked puzzled, likely trying to figure out what his friend has in mind.

"Remember what Mecha and Gear did?"

"Oh… Oh! Oh no…" the expressions passing through the rookie's face made the veterans wonder if they even want to know.

"You boys feel like sharing?" the older brothers shared an amused look as the two rookies grinned.

"Frost," Rex called, walking quickly to the tech expert. "I need your help."

"Sir?" Frost blinked, rushing a salute. Right now was actually the best time to do something, since the General was off in his room, meditating or something.

"You can still send signals off the planet, right?" the Captain seemed in a hurry and the tech experts were actually nervous for it.

"Y-Yes sir! But, they won't be able to understand anything," Frost automatically blurred out, not entirely sure what was going on.

"That'll be fine. I'll be sending a coded signal to Commander Cody," there was a confidant grin on the blonde's face that put them at ease.

"…Why now, if I may ask?" Frost's curiosity got the better of him as he worked on the long distance communicator.

"Something's come up and the signals are… not easy to hear. And Cody is one of the few who'll understand them even – it's something not even you boys know about," the techs looked surprised, and even a bit challenged. How bad could it be?

"All set sir," Frost gave room as the blonde stepped to the control panel.

"You may want to disconnect your com. links to the transmitter," Rex said, looking at them as two out of four did so. The other two - Fangs and Jammer both seemed to take the challenge. "I warned you."

As the Captain started inputting the codes, the two heard a slight ringing in their buckets. And a few seconds later, the ringing turned up a lot, to a near screech, as they threw off their helmets to save their ears.

"I told you so," Rex gave a sympathetic look as the two returned sheepish grins. So, maybe they should have listened to their superior.

"What was that?" Xin asked, looking at a chart which showed the signals.

"I just sent our brothers in the sky some information," Rex said simply, staring at the sky. He wasn't sure if he could tell the techs about their plan to use to fighters. They were constantly near Krell, and he would likely start prodding them with the Force once he got back.

"Let's hope no one goes deaf up there then…"

"I'm sure Cody'll figure it out – they're his codes after all."

Just as the last bits of the signal were being transmitted, the doors of the control room opened and a presence made itself known in the room. Rex's body moved on its own to try and hide the screen behind his back as he turned to the Besalisk.

"Captain," Krell locked his eyes with the blonde's, sounding mildly surprised. "I would have imagined you'd be preparing the troops."

"I am sir. Just asking the tech boys if they see a weak point in the enemy attack perimeter," the Captain said effortlessly, while the rest shared a quick glance.

"And?" asked as he frowned, folding his arms.

"Nothing, unfortunately," was the answer as Frost nodded. "Now, if I'm excused, I'd like some more time to prepare," Rex gave a salute and walked past the Jedi, when he was grabbed by his forearm.

"Do not think you are fooling me, clone," came the whisper, eyes looking at him from the side and seemed to shine with anger.

"How could I, sir? I'm just a mindless lab freak," Rex said back evenly, even if his eyes burned with a deeper hatred.

The standoff lasted a few seconds longer, before Pong released the soldier and straightened his back, eyes still locked on the blonde. The Captain stayed still for a moment longer, sending a final glare at the General, before leaving the control room. The tech experts shared a quick look of worry, and could almost feeling the tension rising in the Jedi. Whatever the Captain had planned, had better work.

"Sir, incoming signal!" Algo called, getting the Commander's attention.

"From who?" Cody walked closer, confused for a moment. Who'd be sending a signal?

"…The 501st," Algo sounded just as surprised, looking at the man and was about to open it, when Cody grabbed his hand.

"Wait!" the tech man froze, eyes wide in fear. "If it's only a signal, it might be from Rex… Let me handle it."

"…As you say, Commander," Algo nodded, even if he was still baffled and moved to give the superior officer some space.

"What do you have for me, Rex ol' boy…" the Commander said to himself, connecting the transmitter with his helmet and then to his wrist communicator. As he allowed the signal to pass, he braced for the shriek and then relaxed when it started being decoded. Mostly only officer ranked clones know of this code and the frequency you need to decode it, so it lessened the chance of someone catching important messages. It took less than a minute for the message to be decoded and Cody started with the replay, to see what it was all about.

"Cody –zzz- we have a plan in the making but we –zzz- need you to inform others not to shoot at incoming – zzz- Umbaran ships. We'll be sending –zzz- three so tell everyone to not shoot –zzz- We're counting on you."

"…Why am I not surprised?" Cody mused, a smile on his face as he ended the transmission.

"Sir?" Algo asked, still as confused as before.

"I need you to get some information to Commander Tano and her Squad. Help is on the way."

"Everything is set," Rex said as he walked into the hanger, the boys getting to attention. "But you need to move fast. I think Krell is onto us," he added as some shared a worried look.

"Damn… We won't let you down," Fives nodded in assurance.

"This is then," Jesse let out a shaky breath.

"It's now or never," Hardcase gave a nervous chuckle.

"You better come back," Kix looked at them both, before pulling them into a hug. "I won't forgive you if either of you dies," he said fearfully, and all three of them shook slightly.

"Don't try and be a hero," Rex said to Fives as the ARC gave a small smile. "You don't get to die either."

"Copy that, Captain," Fives gave a weak salute.

"You can do it! We believe in you!" Tup grinned as the trio turned to see the rookies either nodding or giving thumbs up. It somehow… put them at ease.

"We'll be waiting for the whole story when you get back!" Dogma added as they each settled into a pod and activated it.

"We won't be gone long!" with a final grin, they started up the fighters and flew out of the hanger as expertly as they could.

"Be safe out there…" Kix whispered, watching the ships leave.

Rex looked at the medic, his expression turning to sorrow. As much as he wished to, he didn't want to get his hopes up. Too much was unknown, was new and strange – he can't expect for all of them to return. He's lost enough brothers in different situations to know this is likely a one-way trip.

"They're in a live or die situation, and I can't do anything to help. Again. Seems some things never change…" the blonde thought to himself, eyes going to the sky. In the back of his mind, he recalled their dying moments. "At least this time, I won't have to watch them die…" he thought bitterly, swallowing a lump. That way of thinking didn't help, but he couldn't help it. Sending out his brother to die while he's safe back at base… it's infuriating. And a far too familiar feeling.

Pretty much everyone saw the fighters leave, and while there was a short span of panic, nothing too bad happened. Surprising, since Krell didn't show up either. Not that anyone was complaining, but somehow, the fact the Jedi didn't try and murder them put them all more on edge.

Pong, on the other hand, stood in the tower, hands behind his back a frown on his face. He watched the fighters leave, eyes narrowing. He couldn't exactly tell who the pilots were, but it didn't matter – he knew who was an accomplice.

"Sir, supply ship incoming," Xin informed, leaning slightly out of his chair. "I'll call the men to pick up."

"There's a package there I shall be picking up personally," the General said in a dismissive tone and turned to leave. "And inform the Captain I would like to speak to him."

"It's too late to turn back now, isn't it?" Jesse asked in a half excited, half nervous tone, glancing at the airbase in the distance.

"True there! Just hope it works!" Hardcase did a small roll over the other two. His control was probably the best out all of them.

"Well it's sure better than Krell's plan," Fives grinned under the bucket, shaking his head at the hyper soldier's enthusiasm.

"You know I'm doing this mostly because I don't like him," Jesse wasn't sure what prompted the words, but he felt like he should say it.

"Haha! I'm just doing it for fun!" Hardcase added, the laugh making the other two snort or chuckle.

"That's reason enough," Fives couldn't stop grinning as they got further and further away from the ground.

And as they flew closer, the sounds of battle could be heard. The trio each took a steady breath, focusing on not gripping anything, unless they want to lose control of the fighters and probably fall do their death. But when they broke through the mist and clouds, the view which greeted them stole their breath.

"Whoa! What the-?!" Fives had to do a double take as he watched the air. It was… completely new to all three of them. They weren't somewhere in the back of the ship, only hearing the battle and experiencing some turbulence – they were heard first into this and it was terrifying. Enemies and allies all around, blaster fire coming from all directions and a constant fear of collision. Made them amazed at how the pilots manage this so easily.

"I'm really not liking this!" Jesse's voice shook as he saw brother being shot down by the Umbarans. Suddenly, he didn't believe they wouldn't be identified and attacked, and if that were to happen, none of them were skilled enough to actually maneuver.

"Easy Jess, don't get an itchy finger now!" Hardcase still somehow managed to joke around as they closed in on the supply ship. They saw a squad of Umbaran ships on their tail, before they changed direction.

"Looks like they think we're Umbaran alright…" Jesse let out a silent breath of relief, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Supply ship dead ahead!" Fives pointed out as the three moved into formation.

"Let's do this!" Hardcase took the lead, avoiding the debris around them.

"Don't forget about Dogma's little upgrade!" Jesse reminded as the other two muttered something under their breath. All of them then activated an additional switch, which engulfed their pods in a black energy field, but only from the outside. They could all still clearly see out of their pods.

"Two would-be engineers back on Kamino rigged up one of those deflector shields, hoping to make it stronger. But they made it actually made it impossible to see past, unless you were inside it," Tup had said as he helped Dogma with the addition to the fighters.

"The trainers were both mad that they tried to cheat, but impressed at what they did. It was a good cover to set up an ambush or confuse enemies, so they allowed it. It's still in development, but our whole batch learned how to make it," Dogma grinned from under the ship, a smudge of oil on his face.

"I keep learning more and more about you every minute Dogma. Glad you decided to help," Fives had laughed, watching and learning.

As they neared the supply ship, a squad of Hyena Bombers got into the way, likely an automatic defense if any ship got too close. The trio wasn't sure what to do – if they attack they'll expose themselves. And if they can't maneuver out of this, they're going to crash. Luckily, a rain of blaster fire came down on the Hyenas, obliterating them and clearing the path for the boys.

They saw Shadow Squadron fly by, with Ahsoka's signature fighter. For a second, all of them forgot what was happening as they couldn't believe what happened. But a moment later, they saw the looming shadow of the supply ship and regained themselves, flying straight ahead. As they flew past the plethora of droids, they eyed them nervously, wondering of this thing Dogma set up would really work. And as they neared the reactor, they saw they were in the clear – the rookie really came through. They weren't checking of the droids reported fighters in the hanger – they speed up to get to the reactor core before anything could happen.

"Reactor core locked," Fives held his breath as he checked the navigation.
"Prepare missiles!" they could see the core then.
"Fire!"

Rex was walking with Appo and Kix to where the supply ship was supposed to land and saw the General already waiting there. He tensed up and stood at attention automatically as they neared. The Jedi still hasn't said anything about the fighters and it was causing the blonde to worry ten times more than normal.

"Sir, you wished to see me?" Rex asked, voice passive as he watched the ship land.

Krell glanced over his shoulder at the soldiers, expression unreadable, before walking over to the supply ship, speaking: "Privately, yes."

Kix hardened his look into a glare and Appo glanced sideways at the Captain. Rex could feel the worry and anger from his brothers and forced himself to remain calm and collect. He really didn't like how this was going, but if it saved his brothers…

"Perhaps it'd be better back at the tower," the blonde said simply, watching the doors open and more soldiers stepping off.

"Indeed," Pong sounded so dismissive it sent shivers up his spine.

"Sir, this one is for you," Smokes patted a box, looking at the datapad. It was longer than it was tall, and incased in metal, with certain panels and buttons on the side and top. "We'll get it unloaded for you."

"No need," the Jedi lifted two of his arms and used the Force to bring the crate up. "Captain, I trust you can handle the supplies?" Krell turned, keeping the crate floating in front of him.

"Certainly sir," Rex gave a nod, glancing at the new comers – they were already moving the rest of the supplies.

"Good. I'll see you back at the tower," with that, the General left, apparently not seeing or ignoring the death glare Kix was giving him.

"Calm down Kix," the Captain said, cupping the man on the shoulder. "We got supplies for the wounded – I need you to help them."

"…Of course…" the medic seemed to calm down, letting out a deep breath.

"…Stop worrying about them, okay?"

"I can't help it – it's in my nature."

They watched the torpedoes fly towards the reactor and the world seemed to slow down. They could hear their own breath in their helmets, and everything else was background noise. The slow shift of the ship turning seemed to take forever was the core was struck and exploded a moment later. The bright color filled their vision before they noticed they had fully turned around and flying away from certain death.

"Wahooo!" Hardcase yelled as they sped past droids, shaking his head because that was insane and it worked.

"Keep it up – we need to get out!" Jesse dared not to look back, but he could almost feel the fire licking at his ship.

"It's gonna be a close call!" Fives held his breath, glancing at his back before seeing the exit to the hanger.

In a second, they were out and behind them, the supply ship exploded and imploded, falling apart. Almost everyone's attention was on the ship as the trio cheered and flew around space, relief washing over them. They did it. They actually did. Fives did a last look behind him, seeing his brothers already picking off the enemy as they tried to retreat. That went much better than he expected.

"Hardcase watch your flank!" the yell from Jesse got his attention as he saw a squad of Hyenas coming around and firing at anything in their path – including them.

Hardcase's side got hit and lit up, sparks and smoke creating a trail. The hyper soldier tried to stabilize the fighter, but he was losing control and fast. Jesse was still yelling as Fives felt numb. He allowed himself a moment of victory and then this happens – can they really not get past something with a brother dying?

"I'm going down," Hardcase spoke through gritted teeth, his ship losing speed and height.

"M-Maybe we can help him land!" Jesse was panicking as he flew to the damaged fighter's side and Fives followed him automatically.

"No, get out of here! You'll crash with me!" the hyper brother looked from one side to the other, still trying to regain control.

"I'm not leaving!" Jesse screamed and the ARC could have sworn he heard his voice break. Both of them were stunned by the sudden burst of emotion, but then again, in a situation like this, it was only understandable. "No way in fucking hell am I abandoning you. And you don't get to die, got it?!"

"Jess-," Hardcase choked on his own breath, throat stuffed. He's only seen his brother like that two times – when they got into a fight back on Kamino, and when Spots and Oberon died.

"If you go, I go! I'm not standing by, watching another brother die!" the raw emotion in the voice made it hard to breath as nothing else mattered than this moment.

"But Kix-?" Hardcase couldn't let Jesse die with him. Especially not with Kix still behind – it'd probably kill him fully and truly.

"…He'll understand." The sorrow in the silent words seemed to cast a silence around the trio, despite what was happening around them.

As Fives listened to the exchange, he couldn't help the twisting feeling in his gut. He couldn't do anything to help – not really. And the bond between these two was so strong… it reminded him of Echo. Echo…

Taking a deep breath, the ARC moved in closer and tried to connect the side of his ship to that of Hardcase's, hoping to be able to regain control back as well. The shocked intake of breath from the other two didn't take his attention, but he did speak.

"Neither of you is dying – not today. Your brothers would want you to live, remember? And you can't do that to Kix. So get a grip and help me!" he didn't want to yell, but the intensity of the moment was taking over and he was doing his best to cover up the panic.

"…Right," Jesse only hesitated a moment before doing the same as they continued to dive, the ground getting closer and closer. They weren't even sure where they were anymore, but their priority was surviving.

"…Thank you," Hardcase whispered, feeling his eyes sting a little. But he blinked it away, putting his focus on the controls – he can't start slacking now or he'll bring the whole team down. And he'd never forgive himself for that.

"Let's hope Kix doesn't murder us for this stunt," the humorless laughter that the three let out took them by surprise, but they didn't care. It's an old habit every 501st soldier learns and it's near impossible to break.

"Commander, three more incoming!" she heard over the com. and turned, blasting the incoming enemy fighters.

"Almost done boys," Ahsoka grinned as she joined in the formation. She wasn't sure what would happen, when Cody called her and told her what the 501st had planned. Somehow, she wasn't surprised, but she was worried. The three fighters, she knew who it was instantly and decided to do what she could to help. And then, the supply ship went boom and she and the boys had laughed because that's how the 501st does it. And yet…

There was a sudden shriek in the Force – like a bolt of lightning passing through her. She actually lost a bit of balance, before regaining herself, hand on her head. The ringing in her ears made her wonder if it was something else, but no, the chill up her spine was present.

"Commander?" Broadside asked in concern, flying next to her.

"Something's happened…" she whispered, eyes wide. She couldn't pinpoint the source of the shriek in this mess, but in the pit of her stomach, she knew who it was.

"Stay still would you," Kix muttered, bandaging Zipper over the leg. He was focused solely on his work, or he'd go mad with worry. Rex had given him plenty of work, even when he's done here, so he wasn't concerned he'd be thinking about it too much. Or, so he hoped.

A sudden cold wrapped around him, around his heart, and the breath got taken from his chest. He actually let out a choked sound, causing Zipper to look over in worry. But the medic couldn't focus on him, the pain and coldness inside him too strong.

"Kix? Kix, you okay?" the question and the touch on the shoulder were numb to him as Kix started crying, not even knowing why. It just… happened.

"No…" a pained whisper escaped him, hands shaking. "Please, no…" he closed his eyes, more tears falling as he trembled. There was some yelling around, but he was deaf to it. "Don't take them away from me as well…"

Rex was walking towards the tower when the sky lit up and everyone looked up, seeing the bright colors fill the darkness. Some shouts and calls were made, but the blonde grinned, shaking his head. They did it. Again. Maybe he should get them some training as pilots after all. On second thought, best not. Who knows what they'd do with proper training.

"Sir!" Dogma and Tup were running towards him, looking anxious and worried. Not exactly what he expected, given what they saw happen.

"What is it?" his grin faltered as he mentally smacked himself for getting his hopes up. There was no assurance they survived that.

"We lost contact with them!" Tup swallowed, regaining his breath. "Happened soon after the supply ship went up." Dread gripped the Captain as his eyes opened wide.

"And the trackers? Those fighters should still be connected to the base," Rex swallowed a lump in his throat.

"Something's blocking it. And all communications. We're in complete radio silence, whether we like it or not," Dogma explained, looking worried.

"…" Rex said nothing, but looked over his shoulder at the tower. Somehow, he feared what would happen now more than ever. "Alright… You two head back to the hanger and try to see what you can do. And whatever you do, don't tell Kix yet – nothing's certain yet and we don't need him losing it."

"Understood!" the rookies gave salutes and turned to rush back as the blonde turned fully around and stared at the tower. Time to face the monster.

Krell set the crate down next to the table in the room he picked for himself, wondering what this even was. Walked over and was a bit confused as to how this would help him in any way. He was expecting a datapad or a computer – maybe a droid. This was too big for any of that and it clearly held something precious as the code to open it was one he got from Lord Tyranus. He just hoped the Sith wasn't mocking him. He took the datapad off from the slot on the side and set it on the table. He'd probably need that later.

As Pong entered the code, the top opened up by splitting in half and mist rose out of it, engulfing the nearby space. It was cold, actually, and Krell frowned, waving his hand over it to clear it away. And when it did, he froze himself. Looking down, he was confused, shocked, slightly disgusted and disbelieving. He blindly reached for the datapad, never taking eyes off the contents of the box. As he started it up, he read the message Tyranus left him and blinked a few times just to make sure he was reading it right.

Cut! Well, that happened. A lot, I think? Too much? Eh... I think it's about time things started to pick up, but maybe I'm still keeping it too vague? I'll try and make it more exciting next chapter =D
Reminder that, if anyone really loves my stories and wants to support me, I have a Ko-Fi account where you can buy me a coffee. You can find me under the same name as here - Lamker. Also, I have a tumblr blog, brothers-all, so check that out (some posts, my own edits and other star wars stuff)
Anyway, I do hope you enjoyed and please do review! I love to know what you all think!
Till next time~