Of Love and War Book 3: In The Thick of Battle

Chapter 29: Season 4 (Darkness on Umbara)

"Masters Krell and Tiin will be supporting my troops in the south while Anakin and Zelina's battalions come in from the north and take out enemy reinforcements."

Anakin stood tall beside Obi-Wan as he discussed the overall plan for taking Umbara, letting his gaze slide towards Zelina, who stood in a relaxed yet alert position next to him. She'd been rather...touchy recently. Not with him, not at all; just with anyone who pushed her ever since the fiasco on Naboo. She'd come so close to seeing General Grievous finally pay for his crimes, including what he'd done to Ur-Sema. She'd seen him in the binders and all, ready to be shipped off to the Republic...

...and then Anakin had been captured by Dooku. He'd been unconscious from the torture Dooku had put him through, but Padme had told Anakin later that Zelina had been the first to say they should agree to the trade. Zelina had even sensed Anakin's pain apparently and sensed that he was in danger, but hadn't been able to get ahold of him. Padme had admitted she could clearly see that it had pained Zelina to let Grievous go free, but at the same time Zelina was not about to let Dooku get away with Anakin; she wasn't going to let anyone take him, no matter how big of a reward it would be to the Republic if Anakin wasn't traded. Still, when they'd made the trade, Zelina had been at the front of the group, and when the droids had tossed Anakin's unconscious form to the Gungans, Padme, and Zelina, Zelina had caught him before he could hit the ground. Anakin could practically envision her trembling with barely controlled anger as Grievous went free even now.

So, everyone had been going out of their way not to make her upset, as her temper was shorter than normal. At least she was with Anakin's group, where he could make sure she stayed in line and attempt to cheer her up.

Anakin shook himself out of his thoughts as Obi-Wan continued. "It is imperative that we conquer the capital city as quickly as possible, and hold it."

Anakin decided it was his turn to throw in his opinion. "Our biggest problem is going to be the local militia. The Umbarans have aligned themselves with the Separatists and are heavily armed. Arc Trooper Fives will be assisting Zelina's and my units on special assignment."

Fives stood straighter when he was addressed. "Ready to do my part General Skywalker." He turned to Captain Rex, who had Zelina's three main men—Cruiser, of course, Nex, and Dash, all of them being troopers who were there with her on Geonosis—standing on his other side near her. "Just like old times Rex."

"Remember Anakin, Zelina; Cody and I will be twelve klicks to your south. We're counting on you two to take out those local fighters, or I'm afraid the capital will never surrender," Obi-Wan continued.

Anakin sighed, shaking his head with a small smile on his face. "Do our battalions have to do everything?" he asked, smirking and folding his arms over his chest.

"Hmm, it does feel like that, doesn't it Cruiser?" Zelina asked with a grin, lightly punching her captain's shoulder. Cruiser snickered while Obi-Wan came back with his own witty response.

"You seem to always volunteer," Obi-Wan said with a wry smile before he turned and walked away. Zelina stretched and Anakin clasped her shoulder.

"How are you holding up?" Anakin asked her seriously, pulling her a little ways away from her men. He knew that Zelina didn't like appearing weak in any way in front of the 501st or the 105th, so he decided to keep their conversation away from curious ears.

Zelina shrugged. "A little tired, but not enough to keep me out of battle. Once we get on the ground I'll be more awake than I've been in days."

Anakin rolled his eyes. "That's a very comforting thought Zee."