Zelina stood waiting patiently for General Krell up in the tower of the airbase, staring at the Umbaran communication device with a small frown. They were receiving an incoming transmission from Obi-Wan, but Zelina had to wait until Krell was with her to answer the transmission. Part of her itched to answer the communication early and tell Obi-Wan all about Krell's ridiculous behavior, but she knew now wasn't the time. At the moment, they needed to focus on winning this conflict over Umbara; after that, then she could take her issues with Krell to people who could do something about it.

Zelina looked up at Cruiser, who stood at ease on the other side of the communications system, helmet tucked under his arm. Just a few minutes ago, Zelina had ordered one of her men to make sure they stayed up to date on the orders that Krell gave to the 501st, just so nothing would slip past Zelina while Krell was still in charge. She didn't want any more trooper injustices occurring this close to the mission being done.

The door slid open behind her, cutting Zelina's musings short. "Where is he?" Krell growled in a tone that made Zelina bristle. Obi-Wan deserved more respect than that, even when not in the room.

"We were waiting for you," Zelina said coolly, gesturing towards the communications system as Obi-Wan's form slowly took shape at the panel.

"General Kenobi; do you read me?" Krell asked in a growl. Zelina's lips pursed just slightly, but she didn't say anything as Obi-Wan materialized in front of them.

"Congratulations on your capture of the Umbaran air base General Krell, General Du'ahn," Obi-Wan said, his voice coming out warped by the Umbaran technology. "It's refreshing to have good news."

"There will be time for celebration when we've taken that capital," Krell said stiffly, folding all four of his arms over his chest.

"Yes, well, I'm afraid that's going to be more difficult than anticipated," Obi-Wan muttered, placing a hand on his beard. "Their attacks have increased, and their long range missiles are forcing us to retreat from our positions."

"I was hoping we cut off their arms shipments and supplies when we took this airbase," Krell growled.

"It seems they are receiving new supply shipments directly from a ship orbiting—" Obi-Wan's voice suddenly cut out, his image flickering.

"General Kenobi?" Krell asked in a firm voice.

"...difficulty transmitting...they must be jamming our signals," Obi-Wan said, glancing around and his voice faded in and out of the communications.

"Can't we destroy the supply ship?" Rex asked.

"We're trying," Obi-Wan said pointedly, "but with little success. Their fleet outnumbers ours, and the extra ships we were promised have not yet arrived."

Zelina scowled. Of course they hadn't.

"We'll just have to take that capital regardless of the missiles," Krell growled. Zelina turned on him.

"Easier said than done, General," Zelina said sharply, drawing a curious look from Obi-Wan over her tone of voice. "Besides, the casualties for such an endeavor...they would far out way the value of success. We'd lose more then we'd gain."

"My battalion will meet you at the rendezvous coordinates," Krell said, blatantly ignoring Zelina and causing her temper to heat up.

"We cannot expect—" Obi-Wan started to say firmly before their transmission was suddenly cut.

"I'm trying to get him back Generals," said the communications officer.

"Don't bother; the enemy is jamming our transmissions," Krell said with a growl. "We are on our own."

Krell moved to leave, but Zelina stopped him. "General Krell," she said through forced teeth, doing her best to keep some form of politeness with the situation. "You're not seriously suggesting that the 501st and the 105th walk right through the valley with no cover from the air forces that the Umbarans have?"

"I am not suggesting it, Knight Du'ahn, I am ordering a command," Krell growled.

"That isn't a military tactic, that's throwing all our forces into the furnace," Zelina snarled, standing toe to toe with the imposing Jedi Master. She hardly noticed that the communications room was entirely silent as the two faced off against each other.

"General Kenobi needs these men to help take the capital; I will not accept failure of any kind—not even from one who I'm supposed to be working with," Krell bit back, his face mere inches from Zelina's. She could see the man's abnormally large jowl jiggle and swing back and forth, but she did not flinch.

"I will not put my men on such a suicide mission Krell; I've spent enough time cleaning up your messes," Zelina growled. "If Anakin was here, he would not let you pull such a stunt with his men. You would do well to remember Krell, these are not your men, they are Anakin's men, and despite your title you have no right sending them to the slaughterhouse."

"I will not listen to your mutiny any further Du'ahn! I want you off of this base—now!" Krell roared.

"You don't have the authority to do that General; and if you want me off the base, you'll have to contact the Council—something you can't do since our transmissions are being jammed," Zelina said in a tone of voice that had gotten her backhanded more than once throughout her childhood. She shot Krell a look of utter disgust and repulsion, making her way to the door. "Oh, and by the way, knowing Kenobi on a personal level, I know he was about to tell you not to move the troops towards the capital because of the casualties. You may think you're the high and mighty one Krell, but I'm the one with all the respect around here."

Before he could shout at her or—as the expression on his face suggested—impale her on one of his lightsabers, Zelina left the room, Cruiser close behind her. She turned to her captain, still steaming over the entire situation. "Cruiser, tell the men that no matter what order Krell gives, they are not to obey. With the way he's acting, I expect him to try and start imposing on my area of command as well, and I will not have him send a single member of the 105th on one of his idiotic death-marches."

Cruiser nodded in agreement, completely silent for several long moments. "General, while I appreciate what you're doing for the men...I worry about...well...the situation. Krell called you out for mutiny; if he wants he can declare you a traitor for your unwillingness to cooperate, paint your actions as sabatoge, and...well..."

Zelina glanced at him. "Krell wouldn't dare—if he has a brain, then he has enough presence of mind not to test me. I've made a name of myself already throughout this war—not to sound vain or anything, I'm just pointing it out for the sake of the argument—and he knows that if it was my word against his, he would be seriously doubted, and my word would most likely be favored."

"Ma'am...no disrespect...but out here he could carry it all out and not have to worry about going through the Council, because we're cut off. He could say he was forced to act—" Cruiser started to say, but Zelina cut him off.

"I know what I'm doing Captain, I know the risks I take. I believe each and every one of them to be worth it, and each reason has a name that Krell won't even take the time to learn," Zelina said in a sharp but gentle tone. "You take your own risks every day with your position Cruiser—let me take mine. Now, go relay my orders to the men. If Krell has a problem with it, send him to me, and simply remark how your General is me, you report to me, and you follow my orders."

Cruiser sighed, his Force Presence oozing worry for his commanding officer as he put his helmet under the opposite arm and turned away. "Yes General."

Zelina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she made her way towards the base's hangar; she'd go there to meditate, but be within immediate reach should anyone need her. Hopefully she'd be able to regain control of her temper by the time her services were needed.

*******************************************

"...missles have a hundred megaton yield! We won't even make it to the delta!"

Zelina stayed in her meditative pose just beyond the group of the 501st, listening to the reactions as Rex relayed Krell's unwavering orders, a frown tugging at her lips. So with half their forces gone, Krell was still going to send the men to their deaths—figures.

"What can I do? Both myself and General Du'ahn have tried to reason with him; those are the orders," Rex said firmly.

"Great, another suicide mission—the capital is too well armed," griped another.

"Why does it seem like he has it out for clones?" came another voice.

"What about General Du'ahn's men? Surely she sees the madness in Krell's orders!" the first one said. Zelina thought it was Fives.

"She told Krell he won't have the support of her men, that she won't sent them on such a mission...but he has not changed his orders for the 501st."

There was a brief cry of outrage. "So not only is he sending us to our certain deaths, he's doing so knowing that we're not even going to have the backup that we need!"

"I never said General Du'ahn wasn't going to help us, I just said that she refused to give her men the same orders as Krell. She hasn't said anything as to what her orders will be, just that it won't be Krell's plan."

"I think you're all overreacting; obviously General Krell knows what he's doing. Do you really think he doesn't care if he loses men?" came a new voice.

"I'm not saying that, but I do think that his desire for victory has blinded him to the fact that there are lives at stake," someone else said in a hard tone of voice. "I've never seen a General with these kinds of casualties."

"He's out of control! He's not acting like the other Jedi—just look at how quickly General Du'ahn and General Krell are at each other's throats, and General Du'ahn is one of the best Jedi I've met. General Skywalker holds her in such high praises, he says she's up there with some of the Council members, and has even admitted he thinks her better than him some days—we all know what that means coming from General Skywalker. Krell has no respect for us!"

"Listen, I don't agree with him either, but I don't have a better plan," Rex admitted.

"What about using these starfighters to destroy the ship?" Fives said almost instantly. Zelina opened her eyes at that statement, rising to her feet and approaching them as the conversation continued.

"Our fleet has been trying; the Umbarans have it as protected as the Capital!" Rex stated firmly.

"Hold on Captain...I think Fives might be onto something," Zelina said smoothly, stepping in to join the group. There were several startled and surprised gazes, but Zelina paid their startled expressions no mind. When they snapped to attention, Zelina waved them to an at ease. Instead, she came to stand beside Fives and Hardcase. "Keep talking Fives...you've sparked my curiosity."

Fives grinned, plowing ahead with his plan as it came to mind. "We've got their access codes and their own hardware."

"You were able to crack it?" Rex said in surprise.

"Mhm," Fives said, punching Hardcase's shoulder. "We can sneak right past their blockade and get where our ships can't," Fives said, cracking his knuckles.

"If we take out the supply ship, we take out the supplies to the capital and give Obi-Wan the clear shot at the place that he's needed," Zelina said, taking in the readings on the screen as Hardcase shuffled through them. "I like it. Consider it a plan."

"We still have to get it passed Krell still," Rex pointed out. Zelina's expression darkened.

"Whether Krell gives it the green light or not, I'll authorize the mission and save us all a suicide march," Zelina muttered. "I don't think Anakin would ever forgive me for letting something like that happen to you guys."

She looked up at Hardcase and Fives. "You two get to work figuring out how to work these things. I'll go through my group and see if there's anyone willing to be volunteer pilots for this little mission while Rex goes to Krell. Either way, this is going to happen, even if I have to go behind Krell's back to do it." She straightened up and adjusted her tabard, starting to walk away before she turned back around to address them. "Oh, and boys, by the way—thank you for the compliments."

She left, with several of them blushing and staring as she walked away.

*********************************************

Zelina already had three people volunteer to go up to the supply ship when she felt the first wave of Krell's anger. Purposely, she left her men and found a more secluded area of the air base, knowing that if any of her men saw the coming fight there would be an uprising on her hands—not against her, but against Krell. Without a reasonable motive, she wasn't going to risk such a thing, and Krell treating their favorite General badly wasn't enough of a reason for her.

She ended up nearby the 501st, or at least where they were bunked, awaiting the furious Krell with an alien sense of calm brought on by the Force.

She could sense when he was within hearing range.

"I take it you don't agree with the plan that the men came up with?" Zelina said coolly, turning to face Krell's towering, charging form. Krell finally reached her, grasping her wrist in a grip that hurt more than she was going to admit, twisting her wrist painfully. Her mind flashed back to her treatment when she'd been enslaved to Shal'ma, and suddenly it didn't hurt as much anymore.

"I grow tired of your treachery girl," Krell growled. "How dare you give orders behind my back, and approve this mission without first passing it through me. You will not allow these clones to pilot one of the Umbaran craft, and you will have your battalion march with mine to the Capital tomorrow morning, do I make myself clear."

"You'd be wise to let me go, Krell," Zelina said acidly, her eyes flashing dangerously. She still had some form of control over her temper, but only for the moment.

"Do I make myself clear, Du'ahn!" Krell roared at her. Zelina didn't flinch, though the Force did rush through her and she instinctively centered the power at her wrist, and Krell ripped his hand away with an unsuspecting howl, burned.

"Crystal," Zelina hissed, turning on her heel and leaving the General behind. She resisted rubbing her wrist, refusing to show the weakness even when she was alone.

He'd made himself clear, but there was no way in the Nine Corellian Hells that she was going to follow his orders.

*****************************************

Fives and Rex didn't speak a word as they watched the events unfold in front of them. They had been having an argument of their own when they noticed Krell's lumbering form charging in with a purpose. What they had seen shocked them, though, and whatever margin of respect the two might have held for Krell disappeared at the General's treatment of General Du'ahn. Rex glanced at Fives, and a silent understanding passed between the two. In that moment, Fives knew he had won the argument they'd been having. While Fives rounded up any other men to help with the attack on the supply ship, Rex would look the other way and do his best to cover for his brother. With or without Krell's permission, the supply ship was going to be taken out so that none of the clone brothers would have to march to their deaths the next morning.

******************************************

Zelina stood in front of the window in her chambers, facing the hangar bay. Down below, she knew that two of her men, Keen-eye and Polix, were working on figuring out how to pilot the Umbaran craft with three of Rex's men; Hardcase, Jesse, and Fives. She rubbed her wrist absentmindedly, running a finger down the once-damaged skin. By now, she had healed her minor injury with the Force, and no one would know it was there; there wasn't even a bruise left behind.

She glanced towards the communications tower, where she knew Krell was holed up. One of the men up in the tower had agreed to help her, and was set to alert her should Krell become suspicious of what was happening in the hangar bay. She was close enough to the place that if such a thing should happen, she could get there before him and create a cover story; also, since she had the Force, it would be much easier for her to get away with lying to him if she could cover their tracks the right way and not tip Krell off.

Each of the men down there knew that they were facing court martial should they be discovered before the operation was successful, and most likely when they returned from the mission. The 105th had more breathing room as they were under Zelina's direct control and she could most likely bail them out of such a situation, being their General and all. However, the three with the 501st were not under her control, and if something should happen they were the ones running the biggest risk to their lives. Zelina sincerely hoped that nothing happened to them.

Her com started to go off, and she glanced at the communications tower before she answered it. Had it been an alert about Krell, there would be no transmission, just an alert. An image of Polix appeared, and he glanced nervously up into the air several times over; a loud crashing sound could be heard in the background of the transmission.

"Ah, General, you might want to come down here...I know Krell might not be onto anything right now but, ah, Hardcase is kind of...not in control of the ships in here and it might just become a problem soon..." Polix said slowly. He cursed and ducked as a crate came whizzing close to his head. Zelina cocked an eyebrow in amusement.

"All right Polix, I'll be there soon, don't worry," Zelina said reassuringly, clicking off the transmission and already headed out the door.

By the time Zelina reached the hangar, it was utter chaos. The Umbaran craft was flying chaotically rampant the room, knocking other craft off of their perches all around the place, sending crates through the air and troopers to the ground, and firing lasers at random throughout the room. Zelina grimaced. This wasn't a little situation—this was something that was likely to get them all caught.

Fives was by a communication panel and was sweating bullets, talking in a strained voice that held a false note of casualness to it. Zelina approached him with lightning speed, dodging anything sent her way by the flailing craft along the way.

She heard Krell over the line and immediately scowled.

"...is your CT number? Identify yourself!" Krell asked angrily. At that moment it seemed Hardcase had gotten control of the ship once again, as the craft calmed down and he had a big grin on his face.

"Okay, how about this?" he asked, clenching his fist. Zelina didn't dare shout to warn him so close to the communications, but even if she had she would have been too late. "No, no, no, no! That's gonna leave a mark..."

Out of the ship came to plasma bolts that slammed right into the hangar bay doors with a bone-jarring explosion. Zelina grimaced, looked at Fives, and mouthed 'we're had.'

Fives cut the communication, and Zelina whipped around to face Hardcase. "Hardcase, get out of there! Krell will be here any moment!" she shouted. Then she turned to Fives. "Okay, cover story; someone was trying to find the weapons controls in the ship to deactivate them, and accidentally activated them, sound convincing enough? And all that ruckus was us trying to get the weapons under control and deactivated, whilst I was called down here for help. No one told him, cause I had already been told. Agreed?"

"Sure, whatever you say General Du'ahn," Fives said with a sharp nod. Hardcase had just settled down, and the other men were starting to try and clean up the mess. Fives approached Hardcase. "Are you crazy? You could have gotten us killed! Not to mention ruining our hopes of flying this mission."

"It's a malfunction—no harm done," Hardcase said with a lopsided grin, shrugging his shoulders.

"Explain this; now!" came a new voice, and Zelina turned cold eyes on Krell, who was stomping towards them. Krell's eyes narrowed dangerously at Zelina as he approached. "Du'ahn, what a surprise to find you right at the center of the problem," Krell snarled. Zelina didn't quite understand why, but Fives stiffened when Krell's attention turned on her, and he seemed apprehensive and even...hateful towards the General simply for Krell looking at her. She shook the distraction aside.

"Krell," she addressed coolly. "It seems that Polix was trying to deactivate the weapons on one of the ships to make it safer to study how they worked, but he accidentally activated the weapons and, since no one was in the cockpit, the Umbaran ship got out of control. Polix got ahold of me to ask for my assistance, and though it took some time, Hardcase was able to get in the craft and get it back under control. Simply a slight mishap, a small malfunction, and an honest mistake," Zelina lied smoothly, holding Krell's eyes confidently though she stood firmly in front of the men in a protective stance, hands clasped behind her back. Rex was beside Krell, his eyes showing that he was not fooled by the look on his men's faces.

Krell growled, sizing her up before a smug look fell across his face. Zelina's eyes narrowed imperceptively. "Well then; it looks like I was correct. The Umbaran fighters are dangerous, and not fit for flight," Krell growled at her.

"I disagree Krell," Zelina said smoothly, still holding his gaze. "All that the problem was, was a simple, easy to make mistake on the part of one of my men; it had nothing to do with the fighters, which are actually perfect for flight, one of the best-tuned and effective fighters I've seen."

"Sir, we know how they work now; we just need practice and we could fly these fighters!" Hardcase added passionately.

Krell shook his head and turned his back on them. "Lock down these fighters; I don't want anything else exploding."

"Krell," Zelina started, but Krell cut her off.

"Do you remember our earlier conversation, Du'ahn?" Krell snarled, pausing and inclining his head in her direction. Zelina clenched a fist, her jaw tightening. Krell took that as his answer. "I thought so. These fighters are to be locked down!"

As soon as he was out of earshot, Zelina turned her still hard gaze onto the men that had slowly gathered around. "Don't lock down the fighters; you stay on the track you were on. Get your practice, show each other how to work the fighters, and make sure something like this doesn't happen again. Hardcase, I suggest you show them what not to do."

Rex looked worried. "General Du'ahn, you know your disobeying direct orders from General Krell."

"I know I am Captain, and frankly, I don't care anymore. I'm not putting up with him anymore, and the sooner we can end this Umbaran conflict, the better. If that means taking out that supply ship gets Krell away from us all faster, than I say break every rule in the book you have to in order to achieve that," Zelina said evenly. She turned to walk away, but Rex grabbed her wrist and held it up in better light to look at it. Before Zelina could register what he was doing, Fives spoke.

"You healed up pretty fast," Fives quipped. Zelina pulled her hand out of Rex's grip lightning quick, mild surprise flickering in her eyes that she tried to mask with a scowl.

"I would appreciate if you don't speak of such things Fives," Zelina said calmly, finally catching on. It seemed Krell and Zelina had spectators to their argument. "How many know?"

"Enough," Rex said simply. Zelina took a closer look at Keen-eye and Polix, and knew immediately that they knew as well. "Cruiser knows as well. Krell can't harm you like that without word spreading."

Zelina turned her cool gaze on Rex, cocking an eyebrow. "Captain Rex, that was not harm; I was receiving worse injuries than that at the age of three or four. For me, that was an irritation. I would appreciate it if you men didn't worry yourselves over me, and instead focused on your own problems right now. Trust that I can take care of myself, as I have been doing just that for longer than any of you have been alive, in far worse conditions than I am in now. I'm doing what I have to do, you focus on doing your parts as well and don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing, even if it seems that I don't." Her expression softened a touch, and she placed a hand on Rex's shoulder. "But thank you anyway for the concern; I greatly appreciate it. Now if you don't mind Captain, I believe we're about to discuss some things that you don't need to hear."

Rex sighed and inclined his head in silent compliance, turning to move away from the group. Zelina turned her attention back to the pilots of the forbidden mission. "All right men, do you have any idea on how you're going to carry this plan out?"

Fives nodded, a grin twisting his face. "I've already got one; General Skywalker blew up a droid control ship when he was just a kid, right?"

Zelina nodded, already seeing where this was going. "Yes, during the Battle Over Naboo, back when he was nine and I was six. I wasn't there, of course, I was down on the ground with General Kenobi and his late master, Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Right," Fives said. "He told me the trick was hitting their main reactor from the inside."

"The real trick, Fives, is getting inside. I'm assuming he omitted the part where most of the time he was on autopilot and getting inside the droid ship was an accident, and that he meant to fire at the droids when he hit the reactor?" Zelina said with amusement curling the corners of her mouth. Fives waved a hand.

"Yes, well, that's beside the point," he said with an excited grin.

"Well, that doesn't actually sound so tough," Hardcase mused, a smile spreading across his own face. Zelina chuckled.

"It sounds like a plan. I'll stay down here on the ground and cover your absence as long as I can, and when the five of you get back, I'll be right here to get you out of as much trouble as I can," she said with a nod. Zelina sobered a little, looking the three 501st men in the eyes. "As much as I wish I can, I cannot guarantee you the same level of security I can guarantee my too guys. When you come back, despite what I do, Krell will most likely court martial you, all of you. I wish I had the authority over you, as Krell obviously doesn't deserve it, but the truth of the matter is I can argue with him all I want, but in the end he does hold the power over the 501st right now."

"That doesn't matter to us," Jesse said with a firm nod. "If we had to choose between you and Krell, I think I can speak for the entire 501st that we'd side with you General."

Zelina frowned. "As much as I am flattered by that statement, I'm also worried about it. Krell isn't a Separatist or anything, he's a bad General that will most likely be shot in the back by someone who finally has had enough of him and everyone will look the other way. Still, he's a general, and as much as none of us like him...it is treasonous to say such things. I will not ask you to choose him over me. I will simply do what I can for you, and hope that as many of the 501st makes it out of this fiasco as possible. I will be bringing this issue to the Council the first chance I get though, and considering Obi-Wan is a close friend, that should be rather soon, right after this cursed Umbaran conflict hopefully."

They were silent for a moment before Fives nodded towards her wrist. "What did you do to him General, when he grabbed you? He pulled away like you'd burned him."

"That's because I did, through the Force," Zelina explained calmly. "It wasn't exactly a natural ability that we're taught in the temple, more of an instinctual self-defense mechanism that still happened. Pleny of strange things have happened through the Force due to a reaction without thought to all sorts of events. What you say was one such event, and one I don't think I'll be able to replicate again."

Fives seemed both confused and impressed. "All right then...I'll consider myself honored to have witnessed it."

Zelina smiled softly at the five, taking each of them in. "This is a dangerous mission you're embarking on, but it will save countless lives if you're successful. I will be here waiting when you return. Fly true boys, and may the Force be with you."

*************************************************

Zelina was out with several of the other men, including Cruiser, Dash, and Nex, when the five ships rose into the sky and took off. Some of the men who didn't know what was going on tensed, blasters powering up. Zelina held up a hand to steady them. "Easy boys...just look the other way and pretend you didn't see it. I know what's going on, and that's all that matters," Zelina said calmly, already turning back to the inventory log she'd been shuffling through while the men continued to go through the crates. Cruiser had stayed vigilant by her side since she'd reappeared, and she didn't miss the protective edge to his stance as he kept close to her.

"Cruiser, would you mind giving me enough space to breath?" Zelina finally said in amusement. She could sense Cruisers embarrassment was just as strong as his resolve.

"Sorry General," he said stiffly, but he hardly moved away. Zelina frowned, setting the datapad she'd been holding aside and fixing Cruiser with a knowing stare.

"Cruiser...I know that you know what happened with Krell," she said casually, and Cruiser stiffened. "However, you should also know, considering you've heard the story, that I'm perfectly capable of handling myself around the man. I appreciate your concern, and your desire to protect me, but really, I'm fine, and you don't need to worry yourself the way that you are right now."

Cruiser growled low in his throat. "He had no right to touch you like that. If he were to do it again, I'd—"

"You'd what Cruiser? Shoot him? He's a General, a Jedi Master. As much as I know you don't want to admit it, you know that if anyone is going to deal with him, it has to be me, and you have to trust me to do just that. You know I'm perfectly capable, otherwise I wouldn't be your General, and they wouldn't keep putting me on these missions with Ani."

Cruiser sighed, shaking his head. "Forgive me for asking General, but why do you call Master Skywalker Ani?"

Zelina smiled wistfully. "It's a childhood nickname a select few are privileged to call him by. Me and Padme are the only ones left, pretty much. Master Qui-Gon would call him Ani, and his mother would as well, but that's it. I don't really remember where the nickname came from, I was too young. I think he might have even got it before I was born. Still...only a few call him that, so I wouldn't go using it." She looked up and saw two men of the 501st—one of them being Dogma, who was known to be annoyingly loyal to Krell, the other being Tup—walking as inconspicuously towards the communications tower as they could. Zelina felt a frown tug at her lips, and she stood from her seat on one of the crates. "Excuse me Cruiser...I have to go deal with something for a moment..."

She gracefully stood from her seat, walking towards the pair with a well-practiced confident pace. She stepped right into their way as if she belonged there, cocking an eyebrow at the two; she could feel through the Force that what they were up to was a danger to the mission five good men were attempting to carry out at the moment.

"And where are you two headed right now? I thought you were getting one of your rare breaks right now; you know, lights out in the barracks?" she said smoothly, keeping her tone from being cold or cruel in any way.

Dogma straightened. "We're going to speak to the General Ma'am," he said stiffly.

"Regarding what?" Zelina asked suspiciously, holding Dogma's eyes until he couldn't hold her gaze any longer and he looked away.

"A...personal matter," Dogma said hesitantly.

"Why go all the way up to Krell, when I'm standing right here?" Zelina asked innocently. "I mean, I'm sure whatever you have to say to one General can be said to the other, right Dogma?"

Dogma's mouth thinned. "On second thought ma'am...it's not important..." With that, the trooper turned away, Tup following close behind him. Zelina had the sneaking suspicion Dogma might have bullied the other trooper into coming with him.

"I thought so trooper," Zelina muttered, turning to make her way back to the inventory her and her men were doing.

Well, there was one disaster adverted tonight.

****************************************************

There was a cheer among one of Zelina's men that knew what was going on, and Zelina instantly looked up from what she had been doing, her eyes riveted to the explosion she could see through the clouds in the sky. A grin broke out across her face, and she punched Cruiser's arm.

"Whaddya know? I knew they'd do it," Zelina said with a grin. "it looks like there won't be a suicide march in the morning. I think that calls for some celebration among the men, don't you think?"

Cruiser nodded, the smile on his face priceless. "I think it does General. In fact, if you don't mind, I think we'll pop open some of that smuggled Corellian Fire Whiskey and play some Sabbacc. What do you say?"

Zelina chuckled. "No to the fire whiskey, yes to the Sabbacc. You know I don't drink Captain."

Cruiser shrugged. "It doesn't hurt to try."

Zelina rolled her eyes and handed him the datapad. "All right, you guys finish up here, I'm going to go and make sure that everyone's all right and hopefully dodge Krell. I'll be back."

"Yes Ma'am," Cruiser said with a sharp not, turning to pick up where Zelina had left off while she wandered over to where the men were making their landing.

There were only four fighters. Zelina's heart sank. Who'd been lost in the battle?

As she approached from one side, Rex approached from the other, flanked by another member of the 501st. Zelina scanned over the four; Polix, Keen-eye, Jesse, Fives...

"Where's Hardcase?" the man who had accompanied Rex asked. The four removed their helmets to reveal their grim expressions.

"He didn't make it," Fives said quietly.

"We couldn't have done it without him," Jesse added quietly.

Zelina sighed. "His sacrifice won't be forgotten. He's saved many lives today," she said in a gentle, yet firm tone of voice. Behind her, there was the unmistakable sound of a door opening, and the group turned to see a group of six soldiers approaching, guns set to stun and held at the ready. Immediately the expressions on everyone's faces darkened.

"General Krell wants to see them in the tower," the trooper in the lead said firmly, inclining his head to indicate the four. Zelina scowled and Rex had a particularly sour look on his face. Still, they had all known it was coming. As three of the six moved to surround Keen-eye and Polix, Zelina waved them away.

"I've got them troopers, stand down," she ordered in a firm voice. They seemed all too happy to be left out of the situation, and scampered back to stand with Jesse and Fives. Mentally, Zelina started to prepare herself.

This was going to be interesting.

****************************************

"You wanted to see them Sir," Rex said as the group stepped through the door. Krell had his back towards them.

"Indeed," he rumbled low in his throat. "It seems they have accomplished a very brave act. Unfortunately, they've also committed a serious crime by directly disobeying direct orders," Krell growled as he turned around.

"Actually Krell, they acted under direct orders, from me," Zelina said coolly. Krell's eyes flashed dangerously.

"I thought I told you—" Krell growled dangerously, but Zelina cut him off.

"I said you were clear...I never said that I would consent," Zelina said icily. "I gave them the order because I knew it would save countless lives not only for us, but for General Kenobi's and General Tiin's men as well. I made the call I knew was right, General; no opinion, whether it be from a superior or someone holding all the cards, will sway me from making the decision I believe is right," she said firmly.

"You disobeyed a direct order from a superior," Krell snarled.

"I disagreed with an opinion of someone of equal rank, Krell," Zelina said firmly. "And I made the right call, because my call saved hundreds of lives, with only one casualty, while yours would have wasted thousands most likely, as well as precious time. Say what you want Krell, but everyone that knows what's happened here tonight knows which out of the two of us made the better call."

Krell growled, looking for all the galaxy like he wanted to hit her, but then retracted, glancing at Polix and Keen-eye with obvious distaste. "Your men might have been acting under orders...but CT-5555 and CT-5597 disobeyed my direct orders nonetheless. I was specific in saying that none of the 501st was to participate in such a plan and I ordered the fighters locked down—an order I hear you had the audacity to overrule Du'ahn. Their actions shall be met with the appropriate consequences."

"They're heroes that saved countless lives Krell. All they did was ignore your stupidity," Zelina shot back before she could stop herself. Something dangerous sparked in the Force.

"How dare you," Krell snarled.

"No, how dare you, Krell. You do not deserve the title of General, or Commander, or Captain, Lietenant; you sure as the Force exists do not deserve the rank of Master, Knight, Padawan, or even Initiate. I owe you no respect, and from here on out, I will disregard and counteract any order you give that I deem unfit. If you think that I don't have the spine to stand up to you, either, than you're sorely mistaken, and you forget that I have faced Dooku with a bullet wound to the shoulder longer than Master Kenobi did in full health when I was a Padawan, I have faced his apprentice Ventress, and I have gone toe to toe with Grievous on more than one occasion. You do not scare me one bit Krell, and I will do what I see fit, whether you like it or not."

"You've crossed a line Du'ahn; and you will not like the repercussions," Krell snarled. His eyes snapped back to Fives and Jesse. "Let me be clear about the treason committed by Arc Trooper 5555, and CT-5597; they will be court martialed, they will be found guilty, and they will be executed! Make no mistake...for crossing me, you will pay the price," Krell snapped, glaring everyone down.

Zelina felt relieved that her men were going to get by as they were under her protection, but furious at the treatment of Fives and Jesse. A strange growl emanated from deep within her chest, and across the room a crack began to spiderweb its way up the viewscreen.

"Take them to the holding cells," Krell growled at the guards, who took Fives and Jesse away without a second thought. Krell turned back to Zelina. "Make no mistake Du'ahn, you will see judgment fall upon you and your men as well. It may not be today, but I promise you that day will come, and it will come soon."

"Make no mistake, Krell," Zelina answered back in an acidic tone. "You too have crossed a line today; and I earned all my titles, and have no qualm in doing whatever I deem necessary," she hissed, leaving the end of her sentence open to interpretation before she turned on her heel and gestured for Keen-eye and Polix to follow her, her blood boiling.

She could feel it in the air all around her; soon—very soon—a fight would break out, and this constant back and forth between her and Krell would finally come to an end, with only one of them left standing victorious at the end. It was a feeling, a gut feeling, but not one that Zelina was about to foolishly ignore.

And so she prepared herself.