A Soldier's Secret

Part 8

It was a stalemate. I had a gun to Krell's head, but whoever had shouted had a blaster, and I didn't know if they were hostile.

"Well. A clone, and a shiny, at that, gets the best of me" Krell drawled

"I'm not a shiny, Krell. And you know perfectly well who I am" I sneered "45-19-63. Kill or capture"

"Ah. CT-3905, was it?" He asked "It's a shame I didn't get to see your batchmate...Benny? Go down." He smirked

"I have a gun to your head. You're going to drop the sabres, Krell." I growled. His grip tightened on the handles

Error shouted something, and dropped to his knees. My finger inched toward the trigger, begging me to pull "Now, idiot" I snarled. He didn't let go, and I prepared to pull the trigger as Rex stepped in front of Error and told Krell something I didn't listen to.

"You're nothing but a bunch of clones. What can you do?" Krell smirked, and Snowball leapt at him as Anakin and Obi-Wan burst into the hangar

"You" Anakin spat

"Generals," I said "Permission to fire?"

"Gran-" He started as Snowball froze mid-leap and dropped to the ground, he let out a pained mew. I pulled the trigger, and the deafening sound of my blaster echoed as Krell fell dead. "-Ted" 

Then all hell broke loose

Rex turned into a large cat, started circling Snowball, and hissed at one of the clones I didn't know when he approached. Another clone I didn't know ran up and started asking questions. The Jedi looked as confused as me. I heard it coming before I saw it, and I aimed to my right and fired, hitting a small projectile headed toward Error.

"What the hell?" Skywalker asked

"I have no idea what's going on either" I shrugged "But it looks like Krell's dead, Snowball the cat got hurt, and Rex freaked out cause he cares about the cat" I added.

It didn't take long for Error, Rex and the others to clear out, and the Jedi left to sort out problems with Krell. I escaped into the vents again, crawling to the heater, where the metal was warm. I grumbled about my sore back and settled down for a nap.

I woke to a light rumbling in the heater space. The ship was stopping again, it sounded like. I wondered which planet as I crawled to the barracks. No one was there, and I popped out of the vent and started walking in a random direction. I was lucky to run into the mute clone

"Hey. Any idea where we're going?" I asked

"You don't know? Anyway, we're headed to Umbara. We picked up some supplies, and we're going to relieve some of the forces there until more reinforcements come" He said, "Seriously, you missed the briefing?"

I shrugged and walked away "Thanks," I called over my shoulder. So, we were going to this unknown planet, that might not have trees. Goddammit. I need trees to relax. But we're not going to relax, I scolded myself. We're going to relieve exhausted troops.

We got onto the planet, and I scanned the skyline. There was vegetation, yes, but not the kind I could climb. Oh well, not stopping me! I found a handhold, then tugged myself up the trunk of this sleek, dark blue tree. Those who saw me in the dim light gaped in astonishment, including Commander Tano.

"Told you. Tree magic" Skywalker grinned

"Whatever, Skyguy" She grumbled. I got myself high in the tree, where I could see almost everywhere, my eyes piercing the darkness. I heard the bustle of the troops below, and I grinned as I perched on a swinging branch, looking down at them

"How are you doing down there?" I called to Rex

"Just fine. Are you going to help, or are you going to perch in the tree like an overgrown bird?" He asked

"No, I'm not an overgrown bird, Rex." I shifted my weight, and the branch bent to the ground, and I grabbed a pack of medical stuff. I shifted again, and the branch flew up again, taking me with it. "See? I can be helpful" I scanned the area for another tree. There were a few, leading toward the base. I grinned again and started jumping.

When everyone and every piece of supplies were inside the base, did I return to my sanctuary. It was heaven up here, and it helped me remember more lyrics to my tune "I had a dream I was seven, and climbing my way in a tree. I saw a piece of Heaven, waiting in patience for me" Oh wow, that fits. I wonder who sang it to me. Definitely not Kaminoans, or the trainers. Who did?

"Cedar" My comm buzzed "Where are you?!" Error said

"In a tree. Why?" I asked

"Rex is missing. Get to base ASAP. We're recording anybody who's missing" Error barked. I scowled, but climbed down and into the base.

I submitted to the roll call, and when it was over, I went back into the trees. I watched Error, the mute clone and a few others run around looking for Rex until they all conversed for a few minutes, and all turned into gigantic cats, and started looking again. I didn't know why they were looking so hard, Rex clearly went west about an hour ago, flanked by some randos with guns.

Wait...