by Lou Anders
“Have you seen his casualty numbers?” Fives asked. “More troops have been killed under his command than anyone else.”
“That’s the price of war,” Rex said. “We’re soldiers. We have a duty to follow orders even if we must lay down our lives for victory.” He began to walk away.
Fives grabbed his arm. “Do you believe that, or is that what you were engineered to think?”
“I honor my code,” Rex returned, and shook Fives off.
Their first sign of the Umbaran attack was a boom and the shaking ground. Moments after that, immense robotic centipedes piloted by Umbarans burst from the ground, laying waste among the squads with blaster fire. The clone troopers’ blaster fire ricocheted harmlessly from the centipedes’ heads, which contained the cockpits.
“The heads are ray-shielded,” Fives called out. “We need rocket launchers!”
“Bring up the launchers,” Rex said. He pointed to a narrow corridor. “Spread detonators along there. Trap the tanks in the bottleneck. We’re going to blow those things sky-high.”
Troopers hurried to obey, completing the trap just in time.
Rex hit the detonator’s trigger once the centipedes arrived, and the bottleneck went up in flames.
Their triumph was short-lived. Rex peered through his macrobinoculars again—and spotted a massive silhouette: a walker tank. “Fall back now!” Rex yelled.
His warning was too late. The incoming blast laid waste to yet more of his troops.
As Rex and his men retreated, Rex received a call from Krell, who was observing from a safe distance. “What are you doing?” Krell demanded. “Captain, continue your attack.”
Rex outlined the situation. “Sir, we need reinforcements.”
“The rest of the battalion is holding the entrance to the gorge, Captain. They’re guarding it so your troops can break through to the air base. You must stand your ground. That’s an order!” With that, Krell signed off.
Rex didn’t like this, but he’d given his recommendation and Krell had rejected it. “You heard the general,” he said to the troops over the noise of blaster fire.
The order hadn’t improved Fives’s attitude. “I used to think that General Krell was reckless,” he said, “but now I think he just hates clones.”
Dogma backed Rex up, although Rex almost wished he wouldn’t. “The captain is right. Let’s move out.”
“We can’t take them head-on. We need to find another way,” Fives said.
Rex gave Fives a penetrating look. “You got any ideas?”
But Fives shook his head.
The tanks soon came into range. Their bubble cockpits glowed malevolently in the darkness. Green balls of plasma arced through the air and landed amid the troops. Men went down; others were sent flying. Injured men wept and groaned.
If the tide didn’t turn soon, they were finished.
Rex remembered Fives’s remark about finding another way to destroy the tanks. He had an idea. “Fives,” he called out.
Fives looked at him. “What are you thinking?”
“I have a mission for you and Hardcase.”
Krell noticed that the assault wasn’t going as ordered. “Seetee-Seven-Five-Six-Seven, where are you?”
“I’ve dispatched two men on a stealth incursion into the air base,” Rex said, glad that he was talking to Krell over a holo. He hadn’t forgotten how Krell had drawn his lightsaber on Fives. “They’ve been ordered to co-opt enemy starfighters and use them against the tanks.”
Krell scoffed. “You’re hoping two clones can do what your entire group could not?”
This is for my men, Rex reminded himself. “Sir, rocket launchers don’t work on those tanks, and it’ll be easier for them to slip by while the rest of us keep the tanks occupied.”
“Captain,” Krell boomed, “you will launch a full-forward strike immediately! Or you will be relieved of duty.”
Rex could only do so much in the face of a direct order. He ordered the troops to hold position. The more time he could buy before they faced the tanks again, the better.
But time ran out, and the troops recommenced their advance. Once again the tanks took their toll. Rex’s heart ached at the cries of the wounded.
Just when Rex was beginning to wonder if he’d gambled poorly, two Umbaran fighters, their angled, hip-bone-shaped frames surrounding bulbous glowing cockpits, swooped into view. Fives and Hardcase! Their fire took out the Umbaran tanks in short order. The troops cheered as the Umbarans’ defenses were knocked out.
Once the fighters had landed safely and the base had been secured, Rex congratulated Fives and Hardcase for their bravery. Rex knew they wouldn’t receive any thanks from their general.
Krell arrived and sought Rex out. “Captain, report. What is our situation?”
“General,” Rex said, “we have taken the base and cut off enemy supply lines to the capital.”
“Luck has smiled on you today, Captain,” Krell said.
Rex bristled. “It wasn’t luck, sir. A lot of men died to take this base.” He could have named them—but Krell wouldn’t care.
“The price for victory,” Krell said. “Someday you’ll realize this.”
Krell set up his command in the air base’s control tower. General Kenobi called him with another emergency. Too bad the general doesn’t know what we’re paying for these victories, Rex thought. Kenobi would have been appalled by Krell’s tactics.
“Congratulations on your capture of the Umbaran air base, General,” Kenobi said. “It’s refreshing to have good news.”
“There will be time for celebration when we’ve taken the capital,” Krell said.
“That’s going to be more difficult than anticipated,” Kenobi said. “The attacks have increased and their long-range missiles are forcing us to retreat.”
“I was hoping we’d cut off their arms shipments when we took this air base.”
“They’re receiving new shipments directly from a supply ship orbiting—” The signal cut out, then Kenobi said, “They must be jamming our signals.”
“Can’t we destroy the supply ship?” Rex said, asking the obvious question.
Kenobi said, “We’ve been trying, but their fleet outnumbers ours.”
“We’ll take the capital despite the missiles,” Krell assured him. “My battalion will meet you at the rendezvous coordinates.”
Krell’s orders called for another frontal assault—this time in the face of missiles. The discontent among Rex’s troops grew.
“We won’t make it,” Fives said.
“I’ve tried to reason with him. Those are the orders,” Rex reminded him.
Jesse had objections, too. “Another suicide mission. The capital is too well armed.”
“You’re all overreacting,” Dogma said flatly. “General Krell knows what he’s doing. Do you really think he doesn’t care if he loses men?”
Men, Rex thought. Krell had made it clear what he thought of the difference between clones and men.
“His desire for victory has blinded him to the fact that there are lives at stake,” Jesse responded. “Look at his casualties.”
“He has no respect for us,” Fives said.
“I don’t agree with him, either,” Rex said, to quell the argument, “but I don’t have a better plan.”
But Fives did. “What about using these captured starfighters to destroy the supply ship?” He gestured at one. “We’ve got their access codes and their hardware. We can sneak past their blockade, get where our ships can’t. If we take out that supply ship, then we cut off arms to the capital.”
It was a good plan. “I’ll take it to the general,” Rex said.
Krell dismissed Fives’s plan out of hand. Rex was left to bring the bad news to the barracks. “The assault on the capital will continue as planned,” he said.
Jesse scowled. “That’s it? We just march into those missiles?”
“There’s another option. Go ahead with our plan, and suffer the consequences,
” Fives said slowly.
“You’d be court-martialed,” Rex warned him. “If it were up to me and we had the time and the training, I’d say do it. But it’s out of my hands, and you are no pilots.”
“If Hardcase can fly one, we all can,” Jesse scoffed.
“If we’re in their fighters, they’re not going to be shooting at us,” Fives added.
Dogma arrived then, ending the discussion. Fives followed Rex out of the barracks.
“This is about more than following orders,” Fives said, his voice taut with suppressed anger.
“It is,” Rex said, searching for the right words. “It’s about honor.”
“Where’s the honor in marching blindly to our deaths?”
Rex shook his head. “It’s not our call. We’re part of something larger.”
“I can’t follow orders when I know they’re wrong. Especially when lives are at stake.”
Rex hardened his voice. “You will if you support the system we fight for.”
“I do support it,” Fives said, his voice rising. “But I’m not just another number! None of us are.” He turned on his heel.
“Where are you going?” Rex called after him.
“To round up some pilots,” Fives said.
Rex was ordering a perimeter sweep at the air base when three troopers approached him: Fives, Jesse, and Hardcase. “What are you doing here?” Rex asked. “You should be in the barracks.”
“I found my pilots,” Fives said. “We’re going after that supply ship.”
“It’s a suicide mission and it’s against orders,” Rex said. Krell had had the fighters locked down.
“It’s the right thing to do. If you’re going to try to stop us,” Fives said, “we need to know.”
There was only one answer Rex could give. “I can’t help you when you get caught.”
“I understand, sir,” Fives said.
Rex wondered if he’d ever see them again.
Only Fives and Jesse returned.
Hardcase had sacrificed himself to take out the supply ship. Rex wanted to mourn Hardcase properly, but there was no time. Krell had ordered Rex to escort the two troopers to the tower.
Krell examined Fives and Jesse once Rex brought them in. “They committed a very brave act,” he said. “Unfortunately,” and his voice deepened ominously, “they committed a crime by disobeying my order.”
“With all due respect, sir, the order to attack the cargo vessel was mine,” Rex lied. “Any punishment should be directed toward me. I’m their commanding officer.”
But Fives couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “Sir,” he said, “Captain Rex is attempting to take the blame for actions that were clearly mine. I request that the captain’s admission of guilt be denied and full blame placed upon me.”
“Do you?” Krell sneered. “You disobeyed my direct order, and you want to decide who should be punished for your insurrection?” He shoved Fives in the chest. “Let me be clear about the penalty for the treason committed by ARC trooper five-five-five-five and Seetee-Five-Five-Nine-Seven.”
Fives and Jesse, Rex thought angrily.
“They will be court-martialed. They will be found guilty. And they will be executed.”
After Fives and Jesse had been escorted out, Rex tried to intervene. “General Krell,” he said, “I respectfully request you reconsider court-martialing Fives and Jesse.”
“Their actions were a clear act of disregard for my command,” Krell returned. “If punishment isn’t swift, their defiance may inspire others to follow suit.”
“The men are with you. It’s just that some feel you are putting their lives in danger needlessly.”
“They haven’t respected my command since the beginning,” Krell said. “I’ve seen it before. Some clones are just defective.”
Krell paused, then said: “You’re right, Captain. I don’t think I can court-martial them.” Whatever hope those words might have given Rex was dashed when Krell added, “Prepare a squad for execution.”
Rex brought the bad news to Fives and Jesse, who were locked in a cell in the bowels of the base. The least he could do was tell them in person. “I’m sorry,” he said heavily. “General Krell has ordered your execution immediately.”
“He can’t do this!” Jesse exclaimed.
“He has authority to render punishment during combat.”
“I can understand a court-martial,” Jesse said, “but executing us?”
Rex grimaced. “I tried to convince him that it’s my fault, but he wouldn’t let me.”
Fives said, “Rex, you have to face it, he’s been using you. He needs your loyalty to control the others.”
Rex couldn’t argue the point. “I won’t let him get away with this.” With that, he opened the cell and watched the troopers lead Fives and Jesse away.
Rex put Dogma in charge of the execution squad, trusting him to carry out the orders. But Rex couldn’t help asking himself if it wasn’t cowardice, asking another man to do something distasteful.
“Line up the prisoners,” Dogma said.
Fives and Jesse arrived under guard. Rex brought up the rear.
“Will the prisoners request to be blindfolded?” Dogma asked.
Fives and Jesse, their backs to the wall, stared at him.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Dogma said. “Ready weapons.”
The squad cocked their rifles.
“Aim.”
They aimed.
“Wait!” Fives cried out. “The general is making a mistake. No clone should have to go out this way! We’re loyal soldiers. We follow orders, but we aren’t unthinking droids. We are men! We must be trusted to make the right decisions, especially when the orders we’re given are wrong!”
Dogma was unmoved. “Fire!”
Rifle blasts scorched the air—and hit the wall behind Fives and Jesse. Each shot had gone wide.
“What happened?” Dogma demanded.
As one, the squad dropped their rifles.
Rex couldn’t hide his relief. “They’re doing the right thing, Dogma,” he said. It had taken this to help him see that. “If this is how soldiers are rewarded for heroism, then one day every man in this battalion may face a similar fate. Take off their binders.”
A strange lightness filled his chest. He was disobeying orders.
He should have done it earlier.
Krell summoned Rex once he heard. The moment Rex entered, Krell snapped, “I ordered those clones to be destroyed. You’re making a mistake by crossing me, clone.”
Rex met his gaze. “It’s Captain, sir.”
They were interrupted by an incoming transmission. “General,” a trooper said over the holo, “the Umbarans have stepped up their offensive.” Rex recognized him as Waxer. “We’re holding them off, but their squadrons have ambushed one of our platoons, seizing our weapons and uniforms. We believe they’re planning a massive attack.”
Krell turned to Rex. “You have your stay of execution—for now. Lock the traitors in the brig, and prepare to move out. We need to hit the enemy with everything we’ve got. We’re finally going to take the capital.” As Rex prepared to leave, Krell added, “Make sure the troops are aware that the enemy may disguise themselves as clones to try to trick us.”
Rex had almost gotten used to Umbara’s shadowed terrain. He observed as Tup pointed out the tentacle-vined vixil plants to Dogma. “Watch out for those,” Tup said. “I saw one attack Hardcase.” He threw a rock at the plant. It opened its maw, which glowed malevolently, and lashed out with tongue and tentacles in an attempt to find its prey.
Soon Rex had no attention to spare even for the vicious plants. Enemy blaster fire pierced the darkness. “Get those mortars up here!” Rex bellowed. “Anyone have a visual?”
“Negative,” Kix called back. “Too dark.”
The blaster fire intensified, and troops scrambled for cover.
“Wait!” It was Kix again. “I see them.” Dark shapes rushed them. “They’re disguised as
clones.”
Rex’s blood sang with fury. The enemy fought as well as clones, too. They aimed with devastating precision. His men were taking heavy casualties.
Driven to unmask his opponents, Rex sprinted ahead of the main force. He spotted one of the fallen hostiles and bent to remove the stolen helmet. To his horror, the unmoving face he revealed was the same as his.
“Stop firing!” Rex yelled. “We’re shooting at our own men! They’re not Umbarans, they’re clones! Take off your helmets! Show them you’re not the enemy.”
Disorder spread at the appalling news. Rex’s troops hesitated. But one by one, they followed his orders.
“Look!” Rex called to the other side—their own side. He grabbed a trooper and pulled off his helmet. “We’re all clones!”
The men on both sides stopped firing and stared at each other, aghast.
Kix ran up to Rex. “Captain, I’ve found their platoon leader. It’s Waxer. He’s still alive.”
Rex heard what Kix wasn’t saying. We almost killed him. He followed Kix to the shadow of a tree where Waxer lay broken. The other man didn’t have much time left.
“Waxer,” Rex said gently. “Tell me who ordered you to attack us.”
Waxer coughed. “It was General Krell. He sent us here to stop the enemy. We thought the Umbarans were wearing our armor”—the same story Krell had fed Rex—“but it was you.”
Rex clenched his hands as Waxer took his last breath.
In the battle’s aftermath, Rex addressed his men. “We know who’s responsible for what happened. What we don’t know is why. Something has to be done. What I’m proposing is highly treasonous. If anyone wants to opt out, do it now.”
No one did.
There was no other honorable course of action left. “We will arrest General Krell for treason against the Republic,” Rex said.
Armed and armored, they marched to the tower. On their way they stopped by the brig and freed Jesse and Fives, who joined them.
The clones confronted Krell on the tower’s top floor. Troopers spread out to surround him. Rex entered last. “General Krell,” he said, “you are relieved of duty.”