Cad Bane's Apprentice

Carnage of Krell

"You alright Sky?" Fives asked.

Ever since the trio had been put in cells, the young padawan had remained unmoving with her back towards the two clone troopers.

Skysati wiped away the tears when she heard the lift come towards them.

"Fives, Jesse, I'm sorry," Rex said as he approached the Clones "General Krell has ordered your execution immediately,"

Skysati punched the wall in frustration. "He can't do this," she hissed at Rex.

"He has authority to render punishment during combat,"

"I can understand a court-martial and locking us in the brig," Jesse argued, "but executing us?"

"I tried to convince him that it's my fault. But he wouldn't let me,"

"Rex, you have to face it." Skysati said "He's been using you. Using us. He needs our loyalty to control the others," she took an instinctive step back as Rex opened the cell.

"I won't let him get away with this," Rex told Skysati.

"Ah, don't beat yourself up about it," Fives told Skysati as he and Jesse were led out of their cell by other clones. "We made our choice. We knew what the price was,"

"Yeah, speak for yourself," Jesse argued.

"Heh." Fives laughed to lighten the mood "Still got your sense of humor, I see,"

"Yeah, who said I was joking?"

"Well...I guess this is it,"

***

"Line up the prisoners!" Dogma ordered.

"Well, I've officially lost my sense of humor," Fives admitted as they walked into the area.

Skysati made sure to send a glare towards General Krell, the man wasn't even down with the troops, just watching from above.

Dogma walked up to Fives and Jesse "Will the prisoners' request to be blindfolded?"

"Prisoners," Skysati spat "They have names, they're his brothers,"

Fives and Jesse remained silent.

"I'll take that as a no," Dogma.

"I hope you can live with yourself, Dogma," Fives spoke up.

"Ready weapons," Dogma ordered.

"Never thought we'd go out this way," Jesse said.

"Aim,"

"This is wrong!" Skysati exclaimed "General Krell is making a mistake, and he needs to be called on it. No clone should have to go out this way! You are loyal soldiers. You follow orders, but you are not a bunch of unthinking droids! You are men, you must be trusted to make the right decisions, especially when the orders we are given are wrong,"

"Fire!" Dogma ordered.

Skysati reached out her hand to stop the blaster fire, but there was no need as the firing squad missed their shots.

"What...what happened?" Dogma demanded.

Skysati walked forward "They're doing the right thing, Dogma. 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." Dogma exclaimed "We have orders. We have to go through with this,"

"Good luck finding anyone to do it," Rex said.

***

Rex and Skysati walked into the tower.

"You wanted us, sir?" Skysati voiced, her voice no longer wavering, she was done being the weak padawan.

"I ordered those clones to be destroyed," General Krell said. "You are making a mistake by crossing me, Cyneus,"

"It's Padawan, sir. And to some of those Clones out there, General,"

General Krell growled, but Skysati did not back down.

"Generals, there's an incoming transmission," A Trooper informed.

"Put it through," General Krell ordered.

"General," A Clone said over the holo-feed "the Umbarans have stepped up their offensive. We're holding them off. But their squadrons have ambushed one of our platoons, seizing weapons and uniforms. We believe they may be planning to launch a massive attack,"

General Krell turned towards Rex and Skysati "Looks like you have your stay of execution for now. Lock the traitors in the brig..."

"Does that include me, General Krell?" Skysati snapped.

General Krell looked past the Skysati and over at Rex "Prepare your platoons to move out immediately. We need to preempt the enemy by hitting them now with everything we've got. We're finally going to take the capital. And, Captain, make sure the troops are aware that the enemy may disguise themselves as clones to try to trick us,"

"I will, sir,"

Skysati raised an eyebrow at Rex and held out her hand. "I never heard a no," she glanced towards her lightsaber hilt that hung on Rex's belt.