Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Star Wars: The Clone Wars
A/N: OK as the site was done due to a power failure not too long ago that also messed with the reviews and the email alerts, I decided to wait for that to be fixed by writing ahead then noticed I had a Ch for all but two stories so decided on doing all as one large update.
Also, I'll be having some rain go by for the week so also sped through USM, RWBY, and Young Justice stories so apologies for the quality mainly on those as they were the last ones I worked on, and was running on empty, and speeding through to get them up in case power/internet goes out.
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Beta: Chaos-PSD. Contributor: KuronoDono12.
Chapter LI: Darkness On Umbara.
The First Step Towards Loyalty Is Trust.
War in the Expansion Region! As the Separatists tighten their grip over vital but isolated supply routes, the Republic launches a lightning strike into a remote, ghost nebula, to control the strategic system of Umbara. Republic forces smash through the Separatist blockade in an effort to claim the shadowy world.
The Negotiator.
Obi-Wan and Anakin were explaining their plan to the clones on a hologram map in the hangar.
"Masters Krell and Tiin will be supporting my troops in the south, while Anakin's battalion comes in from the north and takes out enemy reinforcements. General Uzumaki is in the East battling as well. It is imperative that we conquer the capital city as quickly as possible, and hold it." Obi-Wan explained before Anakin took a step forward.
"Our biggest problem is gonna be the local militia. The Umbarans have aligned themselves with the Separatists and are heavily armed. ARC Trooper Fives will be assisting my units on special assignments."
"Ready to do my part, General Skywalker." Fives with blue on his armor nodded before looking over at Rex. "Nice to have you on board. Just like old times, Rex."
"Remember, Anakin, Cody, and I will be 12 clicks to your south. We're counting on you to take out those local fighters, or, I'm afraid, the capital will never surrender."
"Does my battalion have to do everything?" Anakin asked with a sigh at his Master while crossing his arms.
"You seem to always volunteer."
The hologram shuts off as Obi-Wan leaves while Anakin gets on a gunship. "Alright, let's go!" Rex ordered the other clones.
They flew to the planet revealing its endless night before Anakin looked out at the battles below. "There's a lot of surface fire."
"They ain't got nothing we can't handle, sir." Another clone said to Anakin before the turret was shot off.
"You hanging in there, Tup?" Rex asked the clone beside him.
"So far so good, Captain."
Naruto.
"Call in an air strike on the enemy positions."
Naruto said while he was in a gunship with Alpha who nodded. "We'll head towards either Kenobi or Skywalker's men to help them out.
Naruto nodded and opened his mouth to speak just as the ship was hit.
BOOM!
The ship flew down to the ground as the pilot pulled on the stick hard to try and gain control before they crashed. Naruto used the Force to slow them down for a second before the ship hit the ground and slid as BD held onto the strap on his chest.
Boom!
The ship explodes before the door is pushed off, having Naruto fall to his knees, and cuts and burns healing. He groaned before stumbling out and fell down. He then looked around and saw men in black space suits and helmets walking toward him.
He tried to move his left arm only to hiss as he dislocated it. He looked to his right and saw his blaster on the ground before pulling it in his hand via the Force and shot each man before sighing and fell to his back. "Not so uncivilized now, Obi-Wan… Not so uncivilized now."
"Sir!"
Naruto slowly sat up to see Alpha and the others running up to him. "Casualties?"
"Bit and Jam sir."
"Damn it." Naruto cursed before looking to see Bones and stood. "Dislocated my shoulder."
"It'll hurt worse going in."
"Yeah, yeah, just-!"
Crack!
"Son of a bitch!" Naruto cursed holding his arm.
"It's also easier if you don't expect it."
Anakin.
"Don't stray too far. The enemy could have the whole place rigged with traps."
Anakin yelled out deflecting green blasts as he ran. He saw forked tanks shooting fields of electricity out as some of his men ran up on walkers to deal with them. "I can't even see the enemy!" Tup yelled out as he fired.
"That's why they're called the Shadow People, Tup."
"Everybody, take cover!"
Boom!
A ship flew by and dropped a bomb, causing it to explode in green fire. "Go, go, go!"
They continued running before one clone saw a large vine on the ground. "Look, it's just a vine. Keep moving, Hardcase."
"Yeah, I got it all under control," Hardcase said, pulling up his minigun.
The vine wrapped around the clone and pulled him in the air and over to the right revealing a mouth in the ground before another came out of its mouth to pull one clone in. "That's not right!"
Fives threw a grenade over the mouth, having them explode inside killing the plant.
Boom!
"Nice work, Fives."
"Hardcase, right?" Five asked, fixing his helmet.
"Yeah, that's what they call me."
Naruto's Battalion.
"Alpha, you take the left. Fordo, the right. Keep grenades for the carnivorous plants."
Naruto, leaning against a large plant, ordered his men. "What about you, General?"
"Me?" Naruto asked before crouching and putting mud over his face. "I got above." BD looked over his shoulder and beeps at that. "Oh, come on, trust me!"
Naruto climbed the plant as his men ran on the sides shooting at people in space suits and helmets. Running on the leaves to have them connect to the other and jump on it. Landing in the middle he saw a group of men before quickly shooting them and ran to another plant.
Anakin's Battalion.
"All platoons have reported in, General."
One clone holding his helmet ran up to Anakin and Rex in a ditch. "Get some rest." Anakin smiled as he picked up binoculars.
"Thank you, sir. I'm fine."
"The General's giving you an order, Dogma," Rex told the clone as he turned to face him.
"Of course, sir!" Dogma then turned to run off at that before Rex looked at Anakin. "He's wound tight, but he's loyal."
"He kind of reminds me of you."
"Maybe, back in the day," Rex said before they heard a yell.
"What is that?"
"Look out!"
"Ambush! They're behind us!"
They looked to see insects running around shocking the clones before they were fired at. "The enemy's circled behind us," Fives said, putting on his helmet as Rex followed and ran with him and Anakin.
"Everybody, we must defend our backs!"
Naruto.
Naruto dropped on two men impaling them with his blades as Alpha shot one that came up behind him. Naruto stood back up and turned his blades off as Fordo walked over. "Generals Kenobi and Skywalker's landed and are fighting sir."
"(Tsk!) Missed all the hard work as usual." Naruto said, hooking the blades on his belt.
"General Kenobi's battalion is pushing towards the capital."
Naruto nodded at that. "OK, we'll need to move out as soon as the men are ready."
Anakin's Battalion.
"General Krell's here?"
Dogma asked Fives who looked over. "Something big must be going on.
Krell's a Besalisks, with tan skin and had four arms, the bottom two having armor. He's wearing the standard Jedi robes, and two double-bladed lightsabers hooked on each waist.
"Master Krell, my thanks for the air support." Anakin nodded to the alien.
"Indeed, General Skywalker. The locals have proven to be more resourceful than we anticipated."
"But that's not the reason for your visit?" Anakin asked, having Krell shake his head.
"No. The Council has ordered you back to Coruscant, effective immediately."
"What?" Anakin asked in surprise. "Why?"
"I'm afraid a request was made by the Supreme Chancellor, and the Council obliged. That is all they would tell me." Krell answered, hands behind his back.
"Well, I can't just leave my men."
"I'll be taking over in the interim."
"Don't worry about a thing, sir," Rex said to Anakin. "We'll have this city under Republic control by the time you're back."
"Master Krell, this is Rex, my first in command. You won't find a finer and more loyal trooper anywhere."
Krell nodded at that. "Good to hear that. I wish you well, Skywalker." Krell said, putting a hand on Anakin's shoulder before he left via gunship.
"Your reputation precedes you, General. It is an honor to be serving you." Rex said, walking to stand beside Krell.
"I find it very interesting, Captain, that you are able to recognize the value of honor, for a clone." Rex looked surprised at that before Krell spoke again as he looked forward to the group. "Stand at attention when I address you." Rex stood straight at that before Krell continued. "Your flattery is duly 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. Have all platoons ready to move out immediately. That is all."
Naruto.
"Shit!"
Naruto cursed as he and his clones walked through the forest to a clearing. "Bout damn time! Fordo, call in a ship to get us."
"Roger sir!"
"The rest of ya, rest up."
"Sir, yes sir!"
Krell And The Clones.
Krell had changed the battle plan and settled on a full-frontal assault on the capital's main road instead. The battalion begins to run into enemy traps, with mines and an all-out ambush that kills many of the troopers. Rex orders his troopers to retreat in order to attain a more advantageous fighting position.
Though frustrated by the clones' retreat, Krell ordered additional troopers and AT-RT drivers to save Rex and his men. After they manage to repel the natives, Krell immediately begins to criticize Rex for retreating and compromising his plans. Rex and Fives stand up to him, voicing their protests and pointing out that, while they are aware of the importance of their mission, they are also concerned about the welfare of their men. Suddenly, the Umbarans launch a counter-attack on them.
Turning the tide! As Separatist control over vital but isolated supply routes expands, Republic forces invade a key planet, the darkened world of Umbara. In the midst of helping Obi-Wan Kenobi's battalion conquer the Umbaran capital, Anakin Skywalker is called away to Coruscant. His battalion is temporarily placed under the command of Jedi General Pong Krell, a shrewd and temperamental leader. Krell's reckless strategy forced Captain Rex to retreat with his platoons in a disastrous defeat….
Umbara.
"We have got to move before those fighters come back. "
Rex yelled holding his pistols up as he shot at a small ship. "Rex! Rex, over here!"
Rex turned to see a group of clones running before he and his group started running as well. "Jesse, take the right flank. Dogma, take the left flank."
They continued shooting before Krell pulled a hologram of Obi-Wan. "The capital city's too fortified. We need your battalion to help us take it."
"Resistance from the Umbarans has been greater than anticipated. We're holding our ground at the moment." Krell replied before Obi-Wan pointed to his right.
"We've gathered intel on an airbase to the west. It is re-supplying the capital's defenses."
"Incoming! Incoming!"
"Get down, get down!"
Boom!
A grenade went off by them before Obi-Wan continued. "If you could capture that airbase, it would sever the capital's supply lines allowing the rest of our forces to move in."
"I'll see to it that the airbase is placed under our control," Krell replied, looking down at the hologram.
"Remember, General Krell, the entire invasion depends on your battalion."
"Captain Rex, have those coordinates mapped and all troops ready to move out immediately! Yes, General!"
Naruto's Battalion.
A group of Umbarans came to a clearing surrounded by plants holding rifles before one in the back was grabbed by a clone who used mud to blend in with one plant. Another grabbed the other man in the back from a bush and pulled him in. Several more clones dropped upside down from the plants showing they had wires on their backs and pulled three more men up in the leaves.
Naruto then dropped down on the last man, hitting him with his shoto before turning the red blade off. "How far is that ship?"
"Several klicks out sir."
"Hopefully there won't be too many coming here then."
"General Kenobi is having a hard time sir, the enemy's putting up a hell of a fight."
"Obi-Wan will be fine, Burner… It's Anakin I'm more worried about." Naruto said as BD dropped down to shake the mud off him.
"General Skywalker got called off sir." Burner explained having Naruto turn to him.
"What?"
"Yes, shortly after arriving, the Council pulled him out. As General Krell took his place."
"Oh, not that bastard." Naruto sighed as BD got on his back.
501st Legion.
"A full-forward assault would leave us too exposed. We have to look at other options."
Fives without his helmet spoke up before Rex pulled him aside from the others as they were resting. "Fives. It would help if you eased their minds." He said once they got out of earshot.
"What, you mean coax them into following another one of Krell's suicide missions? We lost a lot of men last time." Fives said remembering the last battle.
"Krell may do things differently, but he is effective in getting them done. He's a recognized war hero."
"He may have had some victories, but have you seen his casualty numbers? More troopers have been killed under his command than anyone else!"
"That's the price of war, Fives. We're soldiers. We have a duty to follow orders and, if we must, lay down our lives for victory." Rex explained having Fives scoff.
"General Uzumaki still has clones from his first group. He cares about us, even those not in his legion. He helped get 99 out when Kamino was attacked." He said before Rex turned to leave and grabbed his shoulder. "So do you still believe that, or is that what you were engineered to think?"
"I honor my code. That's what I believe." Rex replied walking away.
Later, the group crawled to the top of a hill before Rex looked through binoculars. "Is everyone clear on the plan? Hardcase?"
"Yes, sir."
"Fives, are you clear?"
"Yeah."
"All right, get in your group. Let's move out." Rex stood up and jogged down the hill with the others.
"Everybody stay alert. Fingers on the trigger." Fives spoke up before one clone saw a group of flying animals flying back where they came.
"They look spooked."
Suddenly, the ground shook, having them stop. "What the…" A large mechanical caterpillar came out of the ground and roared.
"Oh, skrag!"
"Blast it!"
"Look out!"
"Its head is ray-shielded!"
The group started shooting at the caterpillar with their rocket launchers hitting the sides
Naruto's Battalion.
"Look out!"
Naruto deflected a blast as he saw a large spider tank coming towards him. "Need an RPG Draft!"
"On it sir!"
A clone ran up and pulled a rocket launcher up before being joined by two more. "Aim at the glass!"
The three clones aimed at the glass in front, having each missile hit it and cracked it. Naruto ran forward and hit it with his shoto before jumping in, destroying the controls, and took the man out.
"Everyone alright?"
"Yes sir!"
"OK, not going to open my mouth this time," Naruto said, jumping out and having BD scan the tank.
"(Trills!)"
501st Legion.
As the troops continue to advance, they encounter spider cannons, whose heavy firepower forces them into retreat yet again. Krell refuses to accept Rex's retreat or send him reinforcements, stubbornly insisting that he and his men are not to give any ground to the enemy. The battalion sustains heavy casualties, and the mobile cannons prove impervious to their rocket launchers.
"We're finished."
"We've still got some fight left in us, Tup, and I've got an idea," Rex said looking at a cannon via binoculars.
"What were you thinking?" Fives asked Rex, having him glance back.
"Remember what you were saying about finding another way to destroy those tanks?"
"Yeah.
"Well, I have a mission for you," Rex said looking forward before explaining.
Later, Krell called via hologram. "CT-7567, where are you?"
"General Krell, we've come up with a plan to infiltrate the airbase."
"What is your plan?" Krell asked as Rex looked to the side.
"I've dispatched two men on a stealth incursion into the airbase. They've been ordered to co-opt starfighters and use them against the tanks."
"You what? You've put this entire assault on your hope that two clones can do what your entire group could not?" Krell asked in anger as the clone looked down.
"Sir, the rocket launchers don't work on these tanks and it'll be easier to slip by undetected while the rest of us keep the tanks occupied."
Up ahead, Fives and Hardcase reach the compound, where both men quickly take possession of a pair of Umbaran fighters. After some harrowing maneuvers, the clones manage to get the fighters airborne and make for the battlefield. The commandeered fighters arrive just as Rex and his men are on the brink of defeat.
The superior firepower of the Umbaran aircraft makes quick work of the tanks, and the enemy vehicles are subdued in short order, allowing the remaining clones to advance and secure the airbase. Krell eyes the successful stunt with cold acknowledgment and orders Appo and the rest of the battalion to move out.
At the base, Rex praises Fives and Hardcase, before being confronted by General Krell. After reporting the success of the mission, Krell proves dismissive of the clones' losses, declaring it the price of victory, before departing, leaving Rex indignant but silent.
Invasion in peril! Republic forces struggle to take Umbara, a hostile planet completely enshrouded in darkness. Jedi General Pong Krell and Captain Rex lead a battalion against a constant attack by a brutal enemy. Krell's aggressive and reckless strategies backfire, killing many clones. Despite the Jedi General's dangerous tactics, Captain Rex's squad successfully captures a critical airbase. This further fuels the mistrust of Krell's leadership, dividing his men….
501st Legion.
"The insurgents have stepped up their attacks, sir."
One clone said to Krell as they walked through the airfield arresting several men. "They want their base back. We cannot let our guard down for a moment. Have all Umbaran security re-configured and locked down. Interrogate the prisoners if you have to, but I want this base under our complete control and I don't want excuses." Krell explained before Rex walked up to the Jedi.
"Sir, there's a transmission from General Kenobi."
"I'll take it to the tower."
Going into the tower, they brought up a hologram of Obi-Wan that was just white blocks in his shape. "General Kenobi, do you read me?"
"Congratulations on your capture of the Umbaran airbase, General. It's refreshing to have good news."
"There will be time for celebration when we've taken that capital," Krell replied, crossing his arms.
"Yes. Well, I'm afraid that's going to be more difficult than anticipated. Their attacks have increased and their long-range missiles are forcing us to retreat from our positions."
"I was hoping we cut off their arms shipments and supplies when we took this airbase.
"It seems they're receiving new arms shipments directly from a supply ship orbiting…" Obi-Wan became static for a second before Krell spoke up.
"General Kenobi?"
"We've been having difficulty transmitting…" He said with spotty wording. "They must be jamming our signals," Obi-Wan explained before Rex took a step forward.
"Can't we destroy the supply ship?"
"We're trying, but with little success. Their fleet outnumbers ours and the extra ships we were promised have not yet arrived."
"We'll just have to take that capital regardless of the missiles. My battalion will meet you at the rendezvous coordinates." Krell explained clenching his fist.
"We cannot expect…"
The signal went out as the clone at the console looked at multiple screens. "I'm trying to get him back, sir."
"Don't bother. The enemy is jamming our transmissions. We are on our own.
Outside, Fives was working on one of the ships before another clone walked up to him. "Hey, how's it coming?"
"Tricky piece of hardware."
"Krell's got Jesse stacking ordnance."
Fives continued working before speaking. "I'm still waiting for Krell to thank us for handing this base over to him."
Krell then walked out with Rex and pointed at containers. "Have those containers searched and all weapons prepped and loaded. Have the battalion ready to move out in 12 hours. We're advancing on the capital."
"Sir, shall I try to get a message to General Kenobi? Shouldn't we coordinate our attack, especially in light of the recent threat?" Rex asked as they continued walking the base
"General Kenobi has his hands full, same as us. We need to throw everything we have at them, now!"
"We'd be marching into a blast zone, sir," Rex said before stopping at a nearby explosion.
Boom!
"Blasted insurgents. I realize you haven't agreed with all my strategies, Captain. But you are smart enough and loyal enough to obey my orders. Now, prepare those troops!" Krell ordered the clone before leaving.
Rex then went to the other clones and saw Fives talking to the other clones after working on the ship before explaining the plan and having Fives speak. "Those missiles have 100 megaton yield. We won't even make it to the delta."
"What can I do? I've tried to reason with him. Those are the orders."
"Great. Another suicide mission. The capital is too well armed." One clone said having Rex look over before another spoke.
"Why does it seem like he has it out for clones?"
"I think you're all overreacting." One who was sitting down, side of his head shaved. "Obviously, General Krell knows what he's doing. Do you really think he doesn't care if he loses men?
"I'm not saying that. But I do think his desire for victory has blinded him to the fact that there are lives at stake. I've never seen a general with these kinds of casualties." The first clone spoke before Fives stood up and looked at the group.
"He's out of control! He's not acting like the other Jedi. He has no respect for us."
"Listen, I don't agree with him either, but I don't have a better plan." Rex calmly spoke walking over.
"So 'Follow Orders'?" Fives asked, looking at Rex. "General Uzumaki told me something at Kamino before I graduated. "Those that break the rules or don't follow orders are scum, that's true. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
Naruto's Battalion.
Naruto sneezed as he and his men took supplies from the men they just fought. "You alright, sir?"
"Yeah, I think someone's talking about me though," Naruto replied as he started to help. "I'm guessing the ship's holed up?"
"Yes sir," Alpha replied as he put grenades in his pack. "One of those tanks spotted them.
"Of course," Naruto said before bringing up his saber to block a shot. "Look out!" Naruto blocked another shot and brought up his shoto to deflect another. "Move!"
The group then started firing at the enemy before running.
501st Legion.
After leaving the barracks, Fives confronts Rex, challenging him for standing for Krell's plan. Rex attempts to convince Fives that they are honor-bound to follow their orders and consider themselves as part of the greater picture, without questioning. Growing frustrated at that, Fives insists that he cannot follow orders that he knows are wrong and allow others to suffer as a result, expressing the sentiment that he cares more for the lives of his friends than doing what is right.
Fives breaks off the conversation, stating that he intends to find accomplices for his plan, leaving Rex increasingly disturbed and torn.
In the hangar, Fives and Hardcase attempt a sneak crash course with one of the Umbaran fighters. However, the fighter proved too hard to control for Hardcase, causing damage and disruption to the facility. Finally, one of their fellow troopers and a missile accidentally fired by Hardcase give the game away.
Fives and Hardcase just barely manage to explain the mayhem away with a booby trap left in the fighter's programming, but this only serves to reinforce Krell's argument that the fighter infiltration mission will lead to disaster, and he officially discards the plan, and leaves.
"Nice work." Fives sarcastically said to Hardcase. "Now we know how to fly them, and we won't be able to get near them."
"Oh, come on. That won't stop us. It's just a procedure. We can sneak in and be out before Krell knows anything." Hardcase spoke before hearing clapping as Jesse walked up.
"I thought the plan was to destroy the enemy ship with the fighters, not blow up our own hangar." He said before stopping by them as Fives sighed.
"Look, I agree we should go through with this. So, are you two volunteering to be my pilots, or what
"I'm in regardless of the consequences," Hardcase said with a grin as Jesse crossed his arms and sighed.
"Flying these fighters beats blindly walking into a bunch of missiles, so, I'm in. We just need a plan."
"Already got one.
"General Skywalker blew up a droid control ship when he was just a kid," Fives explained, picking up a console. "And he told me the trick was hitting the main reactor from the inside."
"Oh. Well, that won't be so tough." Hardcase smiles at that before looking up at Jesse.
Later, the three with their helmets on ran up to Rex who was outside ordering men. "Fives, what are you doing out here? You should be in the barracks."
"I found my pilots. We're going after that supply ship." Fives explained to Rex who took off his helmet.
"Are you out of your mind? It's a suicide mission, not to mention against orders."
"It's the right thing to do. We have to try."
Rex just sighed at that before speaking. "It sounds like you intend to go through with it."
"If you're going to try to stop us, we need to know," Fives said as Rex closed his eyes for a moment.
"I can't help you when you get caught."
Fives nodded at that. "I understand, sir."
The three then walk away having Rex put his helmet back on.
Naruto's Battalion.
Naruto hit a man before looking back at his group. "Everyone OK?"
"Yes sir!"
"Same here!"
"I could use a drink!"
"There's always one." Naruto sighed before looking at Fordo. "How are we on supplies?"
"Good, sir! With what we took from the enemy we haven't used much!"
Naruto nodded before seeing three ships fly up from an airfield and into the sky. "What the hell? Why are they going up?"
"Republic air forces made their way here sir," Fordo replied, walking up. "They could be reinforcements for a battle."
"Alright!" Naruto clapped his hands at that. "Finish up and let's move back to the clearing!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
Fives, Hardcase, And Jesse.
The rogue troopers commandeer three of the Umbaran fighters and take off towards the supply fleet. They then made it to the atmosphere and found the supply fleet under heavy attack from Republic space forces. They manage to sneak their way into the supply ship's main hangar, but a battle droid eventually discovers the pilots' true nature and raises the alarm.
The reactor is put on ray shields immediately, foiling the clones' attempt to blast them and leaving them to face an approaching droid interception force. Hardcase spontaneously detaches a missile pod from his fighter and, exiting his vessel, guides it by hand into the reactor system, sacrificing himself to ensure the mission's success.
Fives and Jesse then make it back to the airbase and are met by Rex and Tup. "Where's Hardcase?"
"He didn't make it," Fives explained, walking out of the ship with Fives and taking off their helmet.
"We couldn't have done it without him."
After a solemn moment of silence, three clones walked up to them. "General Krell would like to see them in the tower."
The group walks into the tower and up to the Jedi. "You want to see them, sir?" Rex asked as Krell had his back to them.
"Indeed. It seems they have accomplished a very brave act. Unfortunately, they've also committed a serious crime by directly disobeying my order."
"With all due respect, sir, the order to attack the cargo vessel was mine," Rex said, taking a step forward at that. "If there's a punishment to be given, it should be directed toward me. I'm their commanding officer."
"General, sir, Captain Rex is attempting to take the blame for actions that were clearly mine," Fives spoke up at that.
"Fives!"
"I request that his admission of guilt be denied and full blame placed upon me."
"Oh, do you?" Krell asked, turning to them. "You willfully countermand my direct order, and now you have the audacity to request who should bear the punishment of your insurrection? Let me be clear about the punishment for the treason committed by ARC Trooper 5555, and CT-5597. They will be court-martialed, and they will be found guilty. And they will be executed! Make no mistake. For crossing me, you will pay the price."
While fighting to control the darkened world of Umbara, Anakin Skywalker's battalion is temporarily placed under the command of Jedi General Pong Krell. As Krell's disastrous strategies result in increasing casualties, his men begin to turn against him. Captain Rex struggles to balance loyalty between his commander and his fellow men. Under his watch, Fives and Jesse disobey Krell's orders, resulting in their court-martial….
Airfield.
Rex holding his helmet walked up to Krell before speaking. "General Krell, I respectfully request you reconsider court-martial Fives and Jesse."
"The actions of ARC trooper 5555 and CT-5597 were a clear act of treachery and disregard for my command. If punishment isn't swift, their defiance may inspire others to follow suit."
"Sir, the men are with you. It's just that some of them feel you're putting their lives in danger needlessly." Rex argued with the Jedi.
"All the more reason to send a clear message that I am in charge and insubordination will not be tolerated. The truth is, these clones have had a difficult time respecting my command since the beginning. I've seen it before. Some clones are just defective. They aren't able to succumb to authority. You're right, Captain. I don't think I can court-martial them. It will only be a waste of time and that's something we don't have. I'm afraid they'll need to be disposed of. Prepare a squad for execution."
Krell explained walking to the hologram, shocking Rex. "What? But, sir…"
"You heard me, Captain. Have it done immediately, or I'll do it myself."
Rex sighed before he and the four clones went to the cells and to the one that held Fives and Jesse. "Fives, Jesse, I'm sorry. General Krell has ordered your execution immediately."
"What? But how? He can't do this!" Jesse yelled out as Rex looked down.
"He has authority to render punishment during combat."
"I can understand a court-martial and locking us up in the brig, but executing us?"
"I tried to convince him that it's my fault, but he wouldn't let me," Rex explained before Fives walked up.
"Rex, you have to face it, he's been using you. He needs your loyalty to control the others."
Rex then opened the cells up as a clone walked in. "I won't let him get away with this."
"Don't beat yourself up about it," Fives spoke as he and Jesse walked out. We made our choice. We knew what the price was."
"Speak for yourself."
"Still got your sense of humor, I see," Fives said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, who said I was joking?"
"Well… I guess this is it."
They walked outside where they saw a firing squad led by Dogma. "Line up the prisoners."
The two were placed on the wall at that. Well, I've officially lost my sense of humor." Jesse spoke to Fives as he saw Krell watching from the tower.
"Will the prisoners request to be blindfolded?" Dogma asked the two who stayed quiet. "I'll take that as a no."
"I hope you can live with yourself, Dogma," Fives said as Dogma moved to the side.
"Ready weapons. Aim."
"Wait!" Fives yelled out looking at the squad. "This is wrong and we all know it! The general is making a mistake, and he needs to be called on it. No clone should have to go out this way! We're loyal soldiers! We follow orders, but we are not a bunch of unthinking droids! We are men! We must be trusted to make the right decisions! Especially when the orders we are given are wrong!"
"Fire!" Dogma yelled as the squad shot the wall instead. "What... What happened?"
"They're doing the right thing, Dogma," Rex explained as the men dropped their weapons. "Because if this is how soldiers are rewarded for heroic actions, then one day, every man in this battalion may face a similar fate. Take off their binders."
"No! We have orders! We have to go through with this!" Dogma yelled out as the men released the two clones.
"Good luck finding anyone to do it."
After the failed execution, General Krell orders Rex and Dogma to the tower, addressing the former as making a big mistake by crossing him. Before Rex and Krell can come to blows over the matter, the tower receives a transmission from a clone scout, informing them that the Umbarans are preparing another offensive, possibly with the aid of clone armor and weapons captured from a platoon
Krell decides on a preemptive strike. The troops move out but are ambushed by what they believe to be the enemy in disguise.
Naruto.
"How far are we?"
Naruto asked in a gunship that flew above the plantation. "Shouldn't be too far now sir!"
As they traveled, they saw shots being fired by two sides before Naruto narrowed his eyes. Bringing up a pair of binoculars, he saw two squads of clones firing on each other, one in blue, the other yellow. "What the hell? Get over there!" The gunship flew over before Naruto dropped down between the two squads and threw his arms out. The shots froze beside him before speaking. "This is General Naruto Uzumaki! All clones STAND DOWN!"
The clones stopped firing, having Naruto throw his hands up, having the shots follow by going up in the air. "Now, why the hell are you all fighting?!"
"Sir." Rex walked up to him taking off his helmet. "General Krell told us to come here and that the enemy would most likely be wearing stolen armor."
"Sir!"
Naruto turned to see Fordo walking toward him. "We found the leader of the other squad, Waxer. Bones is treating him now."
Naruto nodded and walked to Bones to see him fixing a clone. "He going to be alright?"
"Took a couple of shots but he'll live."
"Waxer," Naruto said, crouching down to the clone. "Tell me who gave you the orders to attack."
"It... It was General Krell. (Cough!) He sent us to these coordinates to stop the enemy. We thought they were wearing our armor, (Cough!) but it was…"
"Clones." Naruto finished clasping his hands. "Rest up. Alpha."
"Yes sir!"
"You're in charge here. Rex… Get a group and take me to Krell."
Naruto walked with clones from the 501st Legion to the tower. Rex got Fives and Jesse out of the cells before Naruto came up to the tower with the other clones. "General Krell, you are being relieved of duty, surrender now."
"General Uzumaki, explain your actions!"
"For ordering your troops against one another," Naruto explained, putting his hands on his belt by his waist. "But I'm sure I can find more."
"Oh, that." Krell chuckled before turning to face them. "I'm surprised you figured it out."
"I hate to repeat myself… Surrender, and give me your sabers." Naruto spoke, pulling his hands off his belt as the clones raised their rifles at Krell.
Krell threw his hands out throwing all but Naruto, who also threw his hands up back with the Force. "You dare to attack a Jedi?"
"You no longer have that right!" Naruto yelled, pulling his saber up and turning it on. "By the order of the Jedi and Council, I hereby strip you of your rank!"
Krell pulled his dual sabers out before being thrown into the glass by Naruto. Naruto ran over having Krell break the glass and jump out. "Damn it!" Naruto cursed before seeing a wire going to the ground. "BD!"
BD jumped off and jumped up to the wire and wrapped his feet around it. Naruto grabbed the droid and zip-lined down. Once getting to the ground, Naruto landed in a roll and let BD jump back on before dashing after Krell in the plants. After running for several minutes, he came to a stop and looked around. And turned, bringing his saber up to block Krell's.
Naruto pushed him back before they clashed several times before circling each other. They dashed to clash again before Naruto jumped back and tossed his shoto that was deflected. Naruto then pulled it back as Krell dashed over, and jumped over him before Naruto raised his blade and sliced Krell's arms off. "Huh… Didn't need any high ground for that."
Later, Naruto stood at the cells that now housed Krell who had bandages on his stumps. "Why, Krell? Why kill your own men?"
"Because I can. Because they fell for it. Because they're inferior."
"But you're a Jedi! How could you?" Rex asked as he took a step forward.
"A Jedi? Ha-Ha-Ha! I'm no longer naive enough to be a Jedi. A new power is rising, I've foreseen it. The Jedi are going to lose this war, and the Republic will be ripped apart from the inside. In its place is going to rise a new order, and I will rule as part of it." Krell replied as he stood.
"You're a Separatist!"
"I serve no one's side, only my own. And soon, my new master." Krell explained as Naruto crossed his arms.
"You're an agent of Dooku."
"Not yet, but when I get out of here, I will be. After I've succeeded in driving the Republic from Umbara, the Count will reward my actions and make me his new apprentice."
"How could you do this?"
Naruto turned to see Dogma yelling from his cell after he tried to stop the clones before surrendering. "You had my trust! My loyalty! I followed all of your orders, and you made me kill my brothers."
"Ha-Ha-Ha! That's because you were the biggest fool of them all, Dogma. I counted on blind loyalty like yours to make my plan succeed."
"That will never happen. You're a traitor, Krell." Naruto said before motioning to Rex. "And you'll be dealt with as one."
"You never learn… The Umbarans are going to retake this base. And when they do, I will be free." Krell grinned before a clone ran in.
"General, we've repaired the transmitter. It looks like it was sabotaged. We received a message from General Kenobi. His forces have captured the capital, but the remaining Umbarans are heading here!"
"Get everyone on the perimeter! We need to prepare for a full-scale attack." Naruto ordered looking over his shoulder.
"Yes, sir!"
Naruto walked out with the clones before bringing up his comms. "Alpha, Fordo, and Krell sabotaged the transmitter. He's been against us from the beginning. Attack any and all Umbarans."
"If the Umbarans get to him, he'll turn over all our intel," Fives spoke up as he was now back in his armor. "The defense codes, everything. He'll strike a crippling blow to the Republic."
"Something has to be done," Jesse spoke up as he walked up.
"Then we can't risk the possibility that he might escape." Naruto sighed before walking back inside. "As long as Krell's alive, he's a threat to every one of us."
"I agree."
They walked in as Naruto opened the cell. "Turn around and step toward the wall. On your knees."
Krell did so before speaking. "I can sense your fear. What are you waiting for? The Umbarans are getting closer-!"
He was shot in the head, having Naruto turned to see that Dogma, who was let out as well, took Fives' pistol and shot Krell. "I... I had to. He betrayed us."
"I didn't see a thing," Naruto said before looking down at Krell. "When the fights are over, dump him in the plants, he doesn't deserve a Jedi funeral." He said as BD dropped down and kicked Krell before stumbling back as he lost balance for a second.
They all went outside before Fives walked up to Naruto. "General Kenobi's battalions have routed the last hold-outs of Umbarans, and we've secured all sectors. We did it. We took Umbara."
"What's the point of all this?"
Naruto turned to see Rex sighing. "I mean, why?"
"War is ugly," Naruto said, looking at the injured clones. "But sometimes, it isn't when you're fighting for your fellow soldiers or helping out a village. Or just a single child." He pointed at Numa's picture on his arm before smiling. "Someday this war is gonna end."
"Then what? We're soldiers. What happens to us then?"
"Settle down, train military, or join another. While this war will be over… Battles won't be."
Coruscant, Jed Temple.
A hologram of Naruto stood before the Jedi. "I think you really need to look at any battalion with a high death rate."
"Why is that?" Mace asked while seated.
"Because we should weed out those that are like Krell… This order hasn't been in this kind of fight in a LONG time… How many Jedi out there are disillusioned or getting there because we're straying from what the Jedi stands for? Krell, Prosset? Hell, that might be the reason why people join the Separatists. They see them as a better choice because in their mind, 'At least the Separatists don't use people as cannon fodder but just machines'."
"Look into it, we will," Yoda said from his seat. "Right you are, have Jedi sullying the name we cannot."
Naruto nodded before disappearing.
To Be Continued.
A/N: Thanks for reading and let me know of any mistakes.
Beta: Chaos-PSD. Contributor: KuronoDono12.
OK as the site was done due to a power failure not too long ago that also messed with the reviews and the email alerts, I decided to wait for that to be fixed by writing ahead then noticed I had a Ch for all but two stories so decided on doing all as one large update.
Also, I'll be having some rain go by for the week so also sped through USM, RWBY, and Young Justice stories so apologies for the quality mainly on those as they were the last ones I worked on, and was running on empty, and speeding through to get them up in case power/internet goes out.
When getting to the last full week of October uploads will slow down for a while… Just until I write out a chapter ahead for all stories so I can be one Ch ahead for the holidays and upload all either the day before or on it same for Christmas end of Nov I'll again write out a chapter ahead for each story before updating one to have them all be updated on Christmas.
Next to be updated will be Shinobi on Board as I'll start over on the published order
Nothing else to say.
Talk To You Later,
Lone Wolf Out.🐺