And now its time to begin the arc that most people skip over. I don't know why they do, maybe it's because Waxer and Hardcase die in this arc, or its because Ahsoka doesn't get any screen time except for that cameo in the first episode. Either way, its time for Umbara.

Been a while since we have seen Kilo, The Lagoon crew, Erik, Fenrir and Lycan hasn't it. Well don't worry, you will be seeing them all in this arc. Its time to begin. Disclaimers are the same as before. Enjoy.

Chapter 14: Darkness of Umbara

September 19th, 2018, 21BBY

Umbara, Expansion Region Ghost Nebula

0730 hours

Normal point of view

Lolo's actions really messed up the galaxy.

When she murdered Mee Deechi to cover her tracks after she murdered Onaconda Farr, she unknowingly caused the Umbarans to leave the republic and join the Separatist Alliance. Now the war was arriving on their planet.

Led by Barriss and Ahsoka, the separatist blockade was broken and the Acclamator ships began their descent to the surface of the shadow world.

Inside one of the transports, clones sporting the newer Phase 2 armor gathered around as Anakin and Obi-Wan began the briefing. "Masters Krell and Tinn will be supporting my troops in the south, while Anakin and Master Kota's battalions come in from the north and take out enemy reinforcements. It is imperative that we conquer the capital as quickly as possible and hold it." Obi-Wan explained as R2 brought up a map of the terrain. "Our biggest problem is going to be the local militia. The Umbarans have allied themselves with the Separatists and our heavily armed." Anakin added before turning towards the Domino ARC troopers. "Domino squad will assist my unit on special assignment."

"Ready to do our part General Skywalker." Fives said as Robert, The Expendables, Revy, Rock, Shoda, Erik, Fenrir and Lycan entered the hanger with their gear.

Attached to Roberts armor was the more modern version of the MG42, the MG3 modified to fire the same 7.92x57mm ammo as the infamous buzz saw of the third Reich army with a 200-hundred round drum magazine and red dot sight. His Morita rested in his hands while his BFG was also attached to his back and in his holsters were his handcannon and 1911.

Erik had two Glock 21 .45 caliber pistols in his holsters underneath his armors shoulder area, a HK416 assault rifle with a holographic sight, forward red hand grip underneath the barrel and fifty-round magazine slung across his back and in his hands an FN-P90 submachine gun with a reflex sight in addition to his twin W-35 blaster pistols and blade gauntlets.

Shoda in modified phase one clone armor fitted for her figure, inserted a forty-five-round magazine into her Beretta ARX-160 which sported and under-barrel GLX-160 grenade launcher and ACOG sight. In her armors holsters, a pair of .40 caliber Beretta PX4 pistols with laser pointers.

Barney was equipped with his custom M29 in his back hostler, his twin Kimbers in his holsters, a War Sport LVOC assault rifle with a sixty-round magazine, forward hand grip and red dot sight.

Cassie was armed with a Bushmaster ARC which also had been modified with a sixty-round magazine and holographic sight but sported an M203 grenade launcher. A pair of 9mm Micro Uzi's were strapped to her waist and her dad's Colt Python holstered to her lower right leg.

Lee checked the scope of his HK PSG-1 sniper rifle and slung it across his back before unslinging his Howa Type 89 assault rifle and slid an improved red dot sight across the rail on the top of the rifle before checking his weapons magazine. "Loaded up." The British uncle of the Lone Wolf said.

Billy checked the ejection port of his Daewoo K1A assault rifle equipped with an ACOG sight, he didn't want to have a stove pipe jam on his rifle. "No jam." He said as he slung the rifle over his shoulder and checked his DC15s blaster rifle.

Ray and Lincoln pumped their respective shotguns. Ray was armed with a Pancor Jackhammer shotgun equipped with a twenty round magazine and red dot sight while Lincoln had a USAS-12 equipped with a twenty-round drum magazine. Ray also had an AKM fitted with a Russian made red-dot sight and fifty-round drum magazine and a pair of Walther P99 pistols in his holsters. Lincoln had the same Valmet M78 light machine gun that Robert used on Nod Kartha along with Glock 18 machine pistols, each sporting a thirty-three-round magazine.

Caesar had his usual AA12 shotgun, but across his back was a M16A4 assault rifle with an under-barrel Masterkey shotgun. In his holsters were two HK USP Match .45 caliber pistols. "Cocked, Locked and ready to rock." The African American member of the unit said as he walked over.

Gunner had his favorite M79 grenade Launcher and a HK33A2 rifle with a forty-round magazine, under-barrel HK79 grenade launcher and a pair of .357 Desert Eagle hand guns. Across his chest were two bandoliers full of grenade launcher rounds. "Ever hear of overkill general?" A clone trooper asked as he walked over. "We will be facing a lot of enemy emplacements down there." Gunner replied to the trooper.

As for Fenrir, Rock and Revy, they stuck with their usual equipment. Lycan however wore custom made armor created by Erik to protect their wolf companion from enemy attacks.

"The enemy will have the advantage since they know the terrain better than we do." Robert said as he walked over to the gunship. "So, two members of the Expendables will be going with each general. Barney and Cassie with me, Anakin, Erik, Fenrir, Rock, Revy and Shoda. Lee and Caesar with Kenobi and Tinn, Ray and Billy with Kota and Lincoln and Gunner with Krell. Each of them has experience fighting militias using guerilla tactics so defer to them on what you should do." he added.

"Remember Anakin, Cody and I will be twelve clicks to your south, were counting on you to take out those local fighters, or I'm afraid the capital will never surrender." Obi-Wan said to his old padawan. "Don't worry Obi-Wan, we will get the job done." Anakin reassured his master before turning to Robert. "Once our objective is complete, Sergeant Lehner will begin to assist the air forces in taking down the enemy air power. Even when the capital surrenders there will still be those who will continue to fight, so we are counting on you to help push them back." He added. "I will fly circles around those motherfuckers." Robert said through gritted teeth as everyone boarded their perspective gunships, the invasion had begun.

Following their escort of Z95 headhunters, the gunships took off from the Acclamator and began their descent to the surface as enemy anti-aircraft fire fired around them and enemy fighters zoomed past them. The hatches soon opened, and Anakin looked towards the ground below. "There's a lot of surface fire." Rex said to his general. "They ain't got nothing we can't handle sir." Hardcase stated.

No sooner had he spoke, enemy triple a struck one of the gunships sending it plummeting to the surface in a fireball. "General Skywalker, I've turned the lights out. Our night vision sensors are having a tough time in this chop. I hope we don't overshoot the landing site." Hawk called over the commlink. "Just get us as close as you can." Anakin reassured the pilot. "Time to Lock and Load." Hardcase shouted, lifting his Z6 rotary blaster with one hand by the grip as ARFT pilots hoped on their AT-RT's and once the gunships were close enough to the ground departed from the gunships and soon came to a stop several clicks from the enemy's positions.

Umbaran soldiers in their bodysuits fired their blasters at the clones who then charged forward, many of them getting killed by enemy artillery. Umbaran hover tanks were able to kill a few walkers with their electromagnetic plasma cannons, but with the AT-RT's maneuverability where able to knock out the tanks keeping them focused on the walkers as the gunships dropped off the troopers before returning to the ships.

The Umbarans began to retreat, but clones still fell to enemy blaster fire. One Umbaran took a clone down with a headshot and was about to target another clone when he was pounced on by Lycan who distracted the gurellia long enough for Fenrir to deliver a downward cross slash to the soldier's chest with his vibro-sword killing the enemy combatant while Anakin and Rex followed behind him. "This area has a ridge about 23 degrees north-northwest." Rex said as he fired his twin pistols at the enemy. "Good. We can use that as a staging area." Anakin agreed as he and the battalion charged forwards towards the enemy fire.

"Keep moving, we gotta claim that ridge. The other battalions are counting on us." Rex shouted to the members of Torrent company. "Don't stray to far. The enemy could have the whole place rigged with traps." Anakin warned the men behind him.

"I can't even see the enemy." One of the troopers shouted, firing their rifle into the fog but failed to hit any targets. "That's why there called the shadow people, Tup." Hardcase remined the rookie as they pressed forward towards the enemy position.

Pulling out his BFG Robert targeted an approaching enemy fighter, charged up the weapon and pulled the trigger sending a green bolt of plasma hurling towards the fighter, destroying it and sending it crashing into one of the enemy tanks on the ridge. "That's one less headache to worry about." He said and began to press forward when something grabbed his leg. "What the, FUCK!" Robert shouted as he was lifted into the air and dropped his weapon. He was caught by a Vixus, a native lifeform to the planet and looked as it opened its mouth and saw rows of razor sharp teeth waiting for its meal. "Sorry freak, I'm not on the menu." He quipped, pulling a detonator from his belt and threw it towards the creature which grabbed it with one of its tentacles, swallowing it before exploding. "Bad case of indigestion." He joked, pulling himself back to his feet as Erik handed him the BFG and the two continued towards the ridge line, watching as Fives pulled the same tactic Robert just pulled.

Once the enemy had retreated, the troopers took positions in the trench the Umbarans had dug and took some much-needed rest. As they did, Robert was talking to Kilo squad and standing by four Barc speeder bikes. "Communications can't get through. Breach I need you guys running messages to the others. Inform Master Kota of our progress and provide his Militia support if they need it." Robert instructed his squad before switching his commlink to a new frequency. "This frequency will keep you four in direct contact with my aunt and uncles and myself. I have a really strong feeling that something unexpected will happen soon." He added.

"What makes you so sure?" Breach asked as Duke, Dutch and Blake hopped on their speeder bikes. "Call it a disturbance in the force." Robert said. "Got it kid." Breach replied before boarding his own speeder and zoomed away with his brothers as Robert went over to Echo and Hevy. "You too doing all right?" the earth born asked the other two dominos. "We're doing all right. It's just that neither of us thought we would make ARC Trooper after what happened at the Rishi outpost." Echo admitted as a formation of ARC-170s flew overhead chasing a squadron of Umbaran starfighters. "Well I knew we would make ARC Trooper one day, I just wish Droidbait and Cutup were here with us." Hevy sighed thinking about his brothers.

"Well they may not be here physically, but they are here in your hearts." Robert said putting his hand to Hevy's heart. "As long as you never forget them, they will always be with you." he assured the trooper who smiled. "Thanks kid." Hevy said as Robert made his way towards Erik and Fenrir. "So how are the two love birds doing?" Robert joked to the pair he nicknamed 'The Gruesome Twosome' since they have been working together for quite a few years. "Doing fine Sergeant. Doing fine." Fenrir replied as he brought up a projection of Riyo wearing the same white Lingerie she wore after their date before Scarif.

"You're a lucky man Fenrir, you to Erik. You both have someone worth fighting for." Robert said just as Shoda, Revy and Rock arrived and saw Riyo in that clothing. "Damn. Blue skinned girl looks like a regular hooker." Revy said before Shoda elbowed her in the gut. "What she means is, that Senator Chuchi looks sexy in that outfit of hers." Shoda corrected. "Right Revy?" "Yeah sure, what she said." Revy replied weekly, the elbow to the gut hurt her. "You really need to think before you talk Two-Hands." Erik replied before Rock stepped up towards Robert. "The generals and Captain Rex are waiting for you at the other end of the trench." Rock explained. "Got it." Robert said and went to find them.

As he passed the troopers that had setup sniping positions he spotted Anakin watching a series of explosions occur through his micro-binoculars. "General Kenobi's battalion sir?" Rex asked. "They're pushing towards the capital. We'll be moving out as soon as the men are ready." Anakin answered his captain as Robert looked towards the area they were talking about. "Waxer, Boil, Longshot, Mitch and Gearshift will make it through this. All they have to do is stick to the plan and we should take this planet in a few days." Robert stated, thinking about his comrades in the 212th that were taking the hard part of the invasion. "And then we can celebrate your birthday." Cassie added handing Robert a can of Diet Coke which he drank. Today, Robert turned sixteen.

Soon a trooper with short black hair and brown eyes ran up to them with, his helmet off and in his hands. "All platoons have reported in General." The trooper reported.

"Get some rest." Anakin responded, but surprisingly the trooper refused the offer until Rex the trooper, Dogma that the General had given him a direct order and kindly took the offer and went to get a little shuteye. "He's wound tight, but he's loyal." Rex said to Anakin about the rookie trooper. Anakin found it kind of amusing as it reminded him of Rex back in the early days of the war. This made Cassie giggle a little, thinking about what her boyfriend was like before she met him.

Unbeknownst to them, while the troopers caught their breath two Umbaran soldiers managed to sneak around them and released a Millicreep assassin droid onto their enemy. Hearing something, Lycan ran towards one of the Umbarans and pounced on him, but not quick enough to stop the assassin droid from killing one clone and distracting the others allowing the Umbaran's to launch a surprise attack. "CCCCOOOOONNNNNTTTTTAAAAACCCCCTTTTT!" Robert shouted, firing his Morita at the enemy combatants, soon joined by Erik and the others who fired their own weapons at the enemy, each of them killing three soldiers.

As the platoons fought bravely, Rex suggested that they call in an airstrike on the enemy positions but urged that they move to the south in case the bombers overshot the target area. "Sounds like a good plan Captain." Barney said as he downed three Umbaran soldiers with his LVOC as Cassie fired her grenade launcher at the enemy, before she vaulted over the trench and ran down the ridge. "Follow the Captains girl." A trooper shouted before he was killed by a headshot. Naturally this made the others follow Cassie and began to fall back.

Once they arrived at the bottom of the ridge they waited, unsure if the bombers were coming. The feeling of a uncertainty soon faded as two Y-Wings came in from the south and dropped their payloads on the enemy position as the ridge exploded like a fuel line. "Good old Oddball, always on target." Jesse complimented. "Glad we got off that ridge." Rex said with a sigh of relief. "That will teach them." Hardcase said. But he was wrong.

Cassie's point of view

1005 hours

Had I not been wearing my combat gear, I would be wearing my blue V-neck dress, choker and gloves and would be dancing with the man I love. Our last date didn't go so well because of that terrorist attack and Robert going off on his own to find Ahsoka after she was kidnapped really hampered the relationship between me and Rex. Or so I thought.

Naturally Rex was also concerned about Roberts rash behavior those odd months ago and understood why I was more focused on trying to figure out what was going on with him. He would do the same thing if he were in my position. Making out with Rex before I left to accompany the late Master Piel, he really admired my body and said that no matter what I wear, I was still the most beautiful women he had ever met.

It's true. Whether I am wearing a lacy black corset with a bit of cleavage being shown or a red dress, I was a beautiful woman who was tough to crack from interrogation as I proved when I was at the Citadel. Something about the capture really bugged me, Wilhuff Tarkin republic navy Captain, and supporter of the current Chancellor had me thinking that Tarkin had sold us out and was secretly working for the Separatists. Every time we thought we were home free, the droids were on us.

I had no proof of this, but I didn't trust him. He was a military leader who wanted to pursue a career in politics, two things that don't mix. Should he have his way, he could be appointed Governor of a sector of space, maybe even Earth if he ever found his way there.

My thoughts were soon interrupted as two Headhunters zoomed in escorting a single gunship. The doors to the gunship opened and exiting the craft was a four-armed creature wearing Jedi robes with black hair. Attached to his waist were two collapsible double-bladed lightsabers. As he leapt down from the gunship I spotted Lincoln and Gunner and saw Roberts scowl as the newcomer approached Skywalker.

"Master Krell, my thanks for the air support." Anakin thanked.

Pong Krell: one of the Jedi who instructed Robert in the ways of the force with brutal methods. "Well, if it isn't mister 'I should give up learning how to be a pilot and I will never amount to anything'." Robert said silently to me.

"Indeed Skywalker. The locals have proven more resourceful then we anticipated." The general said looking towards Robert with a distrustful look. "I think he heard you." I said to my nephew.

"But that's not the reason for your visit." Anakin stated. "No, the council has ordered you back to Coruscant, effective immediately." Krell stated bluntly. "What!?" I thought to myself. Ordering a general back to command, in the middle of a battle no-less was stupid. "What? Why?" Anakin asked stunned by this order. "I'm afraid a request was made by the supreme chancellor and the council obliged, that is all they would tell me." Krell explained.

Anakin wasn't to keen on leaving his men here, in the middle of a battle. But Krell assured him that he would be taking over in the interim. "Don't worry about a thing sir, we'll have the city in republic control by the time you get back." My boyfriend assured Anakin. "Master Krell, this is Captain Rex, my first in command. You won't find a finer or loyal trooper anywhere." Anakin said introducing Rex to Krell. "That's good to hear." Krell responded before looking at me, Erik, Fenrir, Lycan, Revy, Shoda, Rock, Barney and Robert. "I take it these are our allies that have been with us since Nod Kartha and D'Qar?" Krell asked curiously. "Yes, master and I can assure you that they are fine allies for the republic. They are willing to put their lives on the line for freedom." Anakin said as he boarded the gunship, but not before he whispered something into Gunners ear before departing.

"Your reputation proceeds you General. It is an honor to be serving you." Rex said to Krell. "I find it interesting, captain that you are able to recognize the value of honor, for a clone.: Krell said surprising Rex. This made me mad. Rex is more than a clone, to me he is a person. "Stand at attention when I address you." Krell demanded too which Rex did so. "Your flattery is dully noted, but it will not be rewarded. There's a reason my command is so effective, and it's because I do things by the book, and that includes protocol." He said as he passed Fives, Hevy and Echo. "Have all platoons ready to move out. That is all." Krell said before walking over to me.

"So, you are the one who I heard has fallen in love with a clone? I find it amusing that your heart would be captured by one like that. Personally, I don't care, but I hear that you are an accomplished soldier. Is that right?" Krell asked me. "Yes, it is. But I hear that you were the one who injured my Nephew when you were training him in the ways of the force." I countered.

"Nephew? Ah you mean the Lone Wolf." Krell asked in surprise and turned his attention towards Robert. "So, I see that you are still alive after all this time. Well I must congratulate boy, for being the first Jedi/Soldier of the order. But make no mistake, I will not take things easy on you because I taught you what I know about the force." Krell said, looking into the Jaig Eyes on Roberts helmet.

Robert said nothing and Krell walked past him. "Let's get one thing clear, Krell. My aunt and uncles have the same rank as you, so they have just as much authority as you do. I strongly urge that you run the plans you have by them before executing them. Its only a thought." Robert said angrily before walking towards one of the AT-RT walkers and asked the pilot if he was injured.

From the corner of my eye, I saw that Krell didn't like how Robert spoke to him, but it looked like he ignored it. "Did the chancellor really request Anakin back?" I asked Lincoln as we followed the platoons. "I don't know, but if he did, Obi-Wan or Tinn would have contacted us since they are on the council and council gave the order." Lincoln answered. "So, what did Anakin ask you to do Gunner?" I asked our explosives expert. "Skywalker told me to keep an eye on Krell and report to him if the general makes any alterations to original plan." Gunner explained quietly.

"Quicken that pace battalion. This isn't some training course on Kamino!" Krell barked as we made our way through the hostile environment. Earlier, Krell had sent Fenrir, Erik and Lycan ahead to scout for any enemy units and had reported back that they found no hostiles. We were wrong for coming at us from 1'o clock high was a pair of banshee's another native lifeform to the planet. "We got uglies coming in." Revy stated as she fired her pistols followed by everyone else.

Our shots missed, and the fliers got one of the walker drivers and one of the other troopers. We couldn't save the driver, but Krell leapt into the air and killed both banshees with his sabers just as Erik, Fenrir and Lycan returned. "Anyone else want to stop and play with the animals?" Krell asked stepping on the still living banshee killing it. "Didn't think so. Now keep moving!" Krell shouted and continued forwards. "What an asshole." I said under my breath and followed.

Roberts point of view

2205 hours

Twelve hours. That's how long we were marching. Despite the suggestion from Rex to allow the men to catch their breath, Krell urged us to press on. Even me, with the training I received from Bric, El-Les and my family, I was reaching my limits. But I pressed on nonetheless.

Krell was really starting to piss me off, calling Rex by his number instead of his name, leaving Erik and the others behind when they stopped to take a rest. I couldn't take it anymore, so the moment I had the chance I snuck behind one of the planet's tree's and contacted Breach.

"Breach are you there? Wreckers come in, do you read me?" I said into the commlink. "Sorry Robert. Your squad mates are a little preoccupied now." I heard Kota say through the commlink. "Even better I hear you master Kota. Did you receive any notification from Obi-Wan that Anakin was to be sent back to Coruscant?" I asked.

Kota was shocked by this news. "Why would Skywalker be sent back to Coruscant?" Kota asked, and I explained the situation with Krell. "This isn't right. Even the Chancellor would know better that to call a general back from the frontlines. Be on your guard with Krell. I sense something extremely wrong with the situation. I will notify you when your squad arrives. For now, stick to the original plan and if Krell gives you different orders, ignore him and refer him to me." Kota suggested. "Roger that, General." I said before I rejoined the battalion.

As we continued further and further towards the capital I noticed Echo and Hevy approaching me. They explained that they just received orders from Obi-Wan to scout a nearby enemy airbase to see if its active. They tried to get permission from Krell, but he denied their request, so they came to me after receiving the green light from Cassie and the others. They were also to take Erik and the others with them. I gave them my approval and the two went back along the way we came to link up with the others.

As they disappeared, I couldn't help but think of Ahsoka. Normally padawans were to be by their master's side at all times, but I knew that she was given the job helping to break the enemy blockade with Barriss. Both are skilled pilots, but Barriss wasn't to keen on taking the life of other pilots, so I gave her some advice and suggested that she focus on the droid fighters and leave the Umbaran fighters to the other pilots.

I kind of wished I was up in the air now, assisting them with the air battle. But I had my duty as did they. As I turned around and caught up with the platoon, I came face to face with Krell. "Why were you falling behind Sergeant?" Krell demanded. "I thought we were being followed so I decided to bring up the rear." I lied. I didn't want Echo and Hevy to get chewed out because of me. Krell just looked at me with those yellow eyes of his, his stare made my spine shiver. "Pick up the pace or you will be left behind." He stated before returning to the front. "Yes sir." I said sarcastically and quietly.

After about another half hour of marching we arrived at the main route to the capital. "Sir's, we're ready to bring our forward platoons in for a surgical strike on the cities defenses." Rex said. "Finally! Its time to kick some ass. I have been waiting to blow something up." Gunner proclaimed, flipping his M79 up. "That won't be necessary Captain. All platoons will execute a full-frontal assault along the main route to the city." Krell stated.

"That's a bad idea. They will most likely have the main road rigged with mines and most likely engage us in a full-frontal attack. Skywalker's plan was to surprise them with multiple attacks." Barney said but Krell just ignored him. "All platoons will move along the main road and attack the city. That is an order General Ross. You and the others will follow me and bring up the rear." Krell said, shocking Barney and the others.

They preferred to fight up front and not just follow the bodies to the objective. "Me and the others will follow our own plans. You can do what you want, we're sticking with the guys up front." Barney said angrily and followed Rex and the others towards the death trap with me right behind them, but not before I turned around and face Krell. "If we all die, the blood will be on your hands asshole." I snarled before heading back along the road.

The rest of the battalion was onboard for this plan. Hardcase just wanted to dive right into the action, but Dogma he believed that Krell knew what he was doing. Fives brought this up Rex and the others, but Rex couldn't do anything else at this point. "Eh, its too quiet out there." Tup said. "Am I the only one who can feel crosshairs right about here?" I asked and pointed my finger to my head. No sooner had I asked the question two explosions occurred killing several troopers. "I TOLD FROG FACE THAT THE ENEMY RIGGED THE ROAD WITH MINES!" Gunner shouted as two troopers checked some of their brothers. Oz and Ringo were dead.

Fives was able to locate more mines, but no sooner had he did, the Umbarans ambushed us again. "WERE COMPLETELY EXPOSED!" Tup shouted as he fired his blaster at two Umbaran soldiers killing them. "Hold your ground." Rex said as he fired his pistols in two different directions. Hardcase was having the time of his life as he spun around and mowed the enemy down with bursts of his blaster cannon as snipers in the trees and enemy artillery killed more troopers. "I think Hardcase made them mad." Jesse said more and more enemy soldiers rushed our position.

I retaliated with a full burst of rifle fire, blowing the legs off one soldier, the arm of another and the head off another soldier. Ducking down behind a destroyed walker. I pulled out my BFG and spotted one of the enemy artillery units atop a nearby hill. "FUCKERS!" I shouted, charging up my plasma weapon and fired it at the direction of the artillery. From the briefing, I read that most of the Umbaran vehicles were Ray Shielded. Good thing that didn't mater since the BFG can pierce through Ray shields. I watched as the bolt of plasma hit the artillery unit and destroyed in, turning around in time to see fives deliver a blast to one of the enemy soldier's face.

"Rex. Fall back, we can't take them like this." I shouted as more troopers were cut down by enemy fire. "Barney, Cassie, Gunner, Lincoln we'll provided covering fire." I shouted to my family who nodded in agreement. "Roger that kid, you stay alive. Here me?" Rex shouted as I pulled out the modern Buzzsaw. "SIR YES SIR!" I responded.

(Never Back Down by Nine Lashes Begins)

As the enemy entered our line of sight, they were met by a barrage of bullet fire. "LIGHTEM UP!" I shouted and pulled the trigger of the MG3. The rata-at-at-at of the gun was music to my ears. Each shot cut down one hostile after another with spent casings clattering to the ground.

Lincoln had taken up position behind another downed walker and fired his own machine gun. He must have mowed down at least six enemy foot mobiles before loading a new drum magazine to his M78. "Eat Lead." He shouted before lobbing a grenade towards several Umbarans and watched the explosive dismember three soldiers at once.

Cassie fired her ACR in short controlled bursts and downed two squads of Umbarans before ducking down to reload her rifle. Just as she loaded a fresh magazine into her rifle, an Umbaran in one of the nearby trees took potshots at her. Quickly, she took one of her micro Uzi's and fired a spray of 9mm rounds at the sniper, killing him from over several feet emptying her weapons fifty round magazine. "Guess he's fallen for me." She joked as the body of the soldier fell to the ground.

Barney and Gunner each fired a torrent of rifle fire as they covered me while I reloaded my machine gun. "Really wish we had some armor." Barney said as artillery fire began to get closer and closer with each shot. "Begin to fall back. Once we get a good distance from the enemy set up firing positions and let them have it." I shouted and began to sprint back towards the rest of the platoon with my family following close behind.

We made it just as the artillery hit our previous positions and blew the downed walkers to pieces. Extending my guns bipod, I placed the butt close to my shoulder and fired the moment the shadow people came into view. This time Gunner and Cassie greeted them with 40mm grenade rounds and took out several more soldiers as they rushed forwards.

"SHIT THEY KEEP COMING!" Barney shouted as he loaded up his rifle. "HOLD THE LINE! LET'S SHOW THEM WHY WE ARE ALSO KNOWN AS DEVILS!" I shouted over the roar of weapons fire and downed six more enemy combatants. "We could really use a Gundam right about now." Lincoln said as he lobbed two grenades towards the approaching enemy forces killing two more squads. "Forget Gundam's we could use the Autobots right about now." I corrected as pulled back the receiver of my machine gun having loaded a fresh drum magazine into the weapon. I had over eight magazines remaining.

"WE CAN'T LAST MUCH LONGER!" Cassie shouted as she downed a cluster of enemy soldiers with her dual Uzi's, emptying both machine pistols magazines. "We'll give these bastards a warm welcome to hell with all the lead we are throwing their way." I chuckled as I switched my BFG to blaster mode, stood up and fired.

At six-hundred rounds per minute like the M60 I sprayed hundreds of plasma bolts on the approaching enemy units. I turned my attention towards another approaching unit of enemies and fired again, downing them in a matter of seconds emptying my weapons current power pack but they kept coming. "COVER ME!" I shouted and extended my hand towards one of the nearby tree's along the road. As hard as I could I uprooted the tree and brought it crashing down along the road, blocking the Umbarans advance before I did the same thing again with another tree and blocked off the hole road. "That should keep them busy for a while." I panted as we headed back towards Krell.

(Song ends)

When we returned, Krell was none to pleased with our delayed return. Several umbaran corpses littered the road and the ones that were still alive were mowed down by bursts of rifle fire.

"Looks we missed one hell of a party." I said to Rex as I walked over to the captain. "You don't know the half of it." Rex replied as Krell approached us. "CT-7567 and Sergeant Lehner, do you both having hearing issues? You pulled back your forces from taking the capital! The enemy will now has control of this route. This entire operation has been compromised because of your failures." Krell yelled at us.

"Sir incase you didn't notice. Captain Rex and Staff Sergeant Lehner just saved this platoon. Surely you won't fail to recognize that!" Fives said in protest. "ARC-5555, stand down." Krell ordered activating one of the green blades of one of his sabers.

That was the last straw, no one threatens my friend and gets away with it. "LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING PONG KRELL! JEDI GENERAL AND TEMPORAY LEADER OF THE 501ST! NO ONE THREATENS MY FRIENDS AND LIVES TO REGRET IT. WE LOST A LOT OF GOOD MEN BACK THEIR BECAUSE OF YOUR FUCKING WORLD WAR 1 BATTLE PLAN! NEXT TIME YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING THIS FUCKED UP, I WILL RIP YOUR HEART OUT AND FORCE YOU TO EAT IT!" I shouted as Fives stepped back and Krell deactivated his saber.

Rex than stated that the lives we lost were not clones, but men. "It may be our duty to follow your orders, but we have another duty to protect these men." Rex stated.

"You both have a spark of tenacity. I admit I do not command as well as the Jedi you are used to working with, certainly not like General Skywalker. But I have my way, it may be difficult, but these are difficult times and its proven effective. Your loyalty to your men is to be commended, they seem to admire this, that's important for an effective commander and future general. Alright Captain Rex, Sergeant Lehner your opinions have been noted. Dismissed." He said before turning away.

"I hate his guts." I said to Rex as Fives walked over to us. "I think he almost complimented you two." The ARC trooper said. "Its hard to tell." Rex sighed. "Next time he comes up with a reckless plan, let me take the risk and you guys can catch your breath." I suggested just enemy artillery fire killed more of the men. "Bastards must have regrouped and flanked us." I said setting up my machine gun on a wrecked walker as a trooper was hit by enemy fire. I turned sixteen a few hours ago and now I was in hell. Some birthday, but things were about to get a lot worse and by the time the battle would end I would take a change for the worse.

Part one of my version of Umbara complete. Three to go and there will be plenty of more changes to the actual episodes, particularly when it comes to the death of two troopers. One from the 501st and one from the 212th. I figured I would include Kota since I don't really know which battles he played key roles in since we never got to see him outside of the force unleashed games.

Until next time, please rate and review.