"Sir, we're ready to bring our platoons in for a surgical strike on the city's defenses," Captain Rex tells Krell.
"There won't be any need, Captain," Krell states. "All platoons will execute a forward assault along the main route to the city."
"But, sir, General Skywalker's plan was to surprise them with multiple attacks," Rex explains. "If we come in from the main route, they're likely to engage in a full-frontal assault."
"Change of plans, Captain," Krell states. "I'm in command now."
"With all due respect, General," Rex continues, "we don't know what we are up against. It might be wiser to think first-"
"Are you questioning my order?" Krell asks angrilly. "This battalion will take the main road straight to the capital. You will not stop and you will not turn back, regardless of the resistance you meet. We will attack them with all our troops, not some sneak attack with a few men. That is my order, and you will follow it explicitly. Do I make myself clear, CT-7567?"
"Yes, General," Rex sighs.
"Now, engage," Krell commands.
Rex salutes and begins leading us down the main road, as ordered. On the way, the men talk about the general's plan.
"I know you think this is a bad idea," Fives tells Rex.
"I raised my objections to the general, but he didn't agree," Rex says. "So this is it."
"Well, what if he's wrong?" Fives asks. "Then what?"
"This isn't the time for a debate," Rex finishes. "Right now, we have to stay alert."
Minutes later, an explosion blasts from underneath Oz, and we all drop to the ground.
"Mines!" Rex calls. "Nobody move!"
When he gives the signal, we all hesitantly make it to our feet as a trooper sweeps for the mines. That's when the blaster fire starts.
"We're completely surrounded!" someone yells. "Hold your ground!"
"You want a piece of this?" Hardcase shouts, rapidly firing his gun.
"I think Hardcase made 'em mad," Hotshot calls, and I grin. Among this chaos, it's good to hear his voice. Now if only I knew where Lucky and Leadhead are...
A shot barely misses me, bringing me back to the battle. We're pretty much surrounded, and clones are dying all around me.
"We need to pull back," Captain Rex tells us. "Get them to follow us. If we can draw them out, we can see them. If we can see them, we can hit them. All squads, pull back now!"
"This can't be good," Hotshot admits, but he follows orders anyway.
Once we're a short distance back down the road, we're joined by the clones that had stayed back with General Krell. With the extra support, we're able to push the Umbarans back.
"CT-7567," Krell adresses angrilly, nearly knocking me over as he pushes his way to Captain Rex. I go to march up to the interim general, but Tup grabs my arm, pulling me back.
"Do you have a malfunction in your design? You've pulled your forces back from taking the capital city. The enemy now has control of this route. This entire operation has been compromised because of your failure!" On the last two words, Krell jabs his finger into Rex's chest, pushing the clone back a couple steps. Tup let's go of me, and I take the cue.
"General Krell, in case you haven't noticed, Captain Rex just saved this platoon," I defend, standing behind Krell. "Surely you won't fail to recognize that, sir."
YOU ARE READING
Cadet Captured
Fanfiction*Rewriting as a new story, though it is not yet published... There are things I wanted to add/change even before Season 7 came out, so I'm finally doing it. Sorry to those many people who read this first, but I'm hoping the new version will be even...
