Hyperspace Anomaly

Not within protocol

"Checking and no you're not." Cortana said. "Yeah he's right. You are your own unit. Technically only the Chancellor can say what you should do until a proper general takes over..... this is all very loose." She hummed. "Guess they didn't think someone like you would ever appear."

"Why do you ask?" Fives asked curiously. "Are you leaving the 501st?"

"Nope." Cortana said happily. "Just needing to make sure. Don't worry about it."

Chief could tell he was going to hate whatever plan she's cooking up.

Much more times passed before they arrived at their first objective. Everyone was setting up and Rex was reporting to the General, "Sir, we're ready to bring our forward platoons in for a surgical strike on the city's defenses."

Pong Krell waved it off, "There won't be any need, Captain."

Cortana made Chief walk over to see what was going to be happening. "Of course he has his own plan."

Pong Krell crossed his arms, "All platoons will execute a foward assault along the main route to the city."

The Captain protested, "But sir, General Skywalker's plan was to surprise them with multiple attacks. If we come on from the main route they're likely to engage us in a full frontal assault."

"Change of plans, Captain. I'm in command now."

"With all due respect, General, we don't know what we are up against. It might be wiser to think first."

Once again as if expected, the great General looked down at Rex, "Are you questioning my order?" He pulled up the map of the city, "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 explicity! Do I make myself clear CT-7567!"

Then the AI of the century chimes in, "Oh you've made yourself very clear." She said on Pong's com.

Pong Krell quickly grabbed his communicator, "Who is this? How did you get on this secure channel?"

"Cortana!" Chief barked at her. "Lay off!"

Cortana made herself seen on the General's communicator, "Chief just take a back seat. So first off, I've seen civilian radios more secure then this. And second, I see that you're just trying to run these soldiers to the ground. Not even a break. Just continue on and charging. You actually can't be serious now can you?"

Pong growled at her and then looked up at the Spartan. "Control this thing of yours before I have you court martialed."

A scoff was heard from Cortana, "Take it up with the Chancellor. He's the only one who can do something like that. We're volunteers. And we're going to keep helping these men until we finish this war and go home."

Pong Krell turned off his communicator and took out his lightsaber. A green blade shooting out. "Are you going to be halting our advance, putting the entire campaign at jeopardy?"

"No sir!" Chief quickly compiled. "She won't bother you again, sir. I'll make sure of it."

"Chief." Cortana mumbled. "You...you can't be...."

"Good. Now stand back. You'll be with the second wave."

Chief nodded and stood next to him at attention, watching Rex and his platoon march off.

Cortana went silent. Of couse she was already starting to plan her next couse of action. Chief cleared his throat. "Tell Captain Rex to move slowly and have a wide line. Fall back as soon as they are attacked."

Cortana thought over his words for half a millisecond. A long time for an AI of her caliber. "Sure you don't want to just follow orders from 4 arms?"

"Not at all." He mumbled. "I just don't want to rush in and try to take control away from him. The military structure here is very loose. We have to be careful. Stay on comms with Rex and Fives. We can still help."

She smirked at his words. "Oh like the cannons looking down the roads and the landmines? They're getting all the info I can give them. Told you these comms are some of the least secured things I have ever seen."

"Makes our job easier. What's their status?"

"Rex and Fives are telling everyone the plan. They don't like being used as bait... you know a lot of the men aren't liking this but they're still going along. Poor bastards. Well expect Hardcase. He'll rather charge into death if he knew he was going into a fight....Dogma is also put into question. He seems-wait... the battle just started."

And on cue, sounds of blaster fire and cannons were heard. Pong Krell let out a small growl at the sounds. Chief made a quick glance at him but stayed standing like the soldier he was. "What's the status now?"

"They're coming back. Taking a lot of causalities." Cortana said focused. "The Umbarans are everywhere."

The AT-RTs with the second line checked their comms before running forward. Pong Krell was about to question them before he saw the first platoon retreating back. "Get in there and save their necks!" He yelled at the already moving troops. Chief didn't need to hear that twice to start booking it.

As soon as the walkers went past their retreating brothers, everyone turned and took cover before liting up the coming assault. Chief standing next to them, popping heads easily. Not even a full minute passed before the Umbarans retreated.

"They're falling back!" Fives yelled out, despite Hardcase's attempt to call them back.

Before anyone could take a proper breath, Master Pong Krell finally enters after the battle was done. "CT-7567, do you have a malfunction in your design?" He asked shoving a clone out of the way. "You 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!" He yelled shoving his finger into Rex's shoulder.

Fives took a step to the Jedi, "General Krell, in case you haven't noticed Captain Rex just saved this platoon. Surely you won't FAIL to recognize that."

And at the first sight of backtalk, Krell grabbed his lightsaber, "ARC-5555, stand down." His green blade coming out threateningly. Fives staring at the blade and back at the General a few times.

He just gritted his teeth, "Sir yes sir." And walked away.

No one saw it but the Spartan was just a moment away from grabbing his rifle and defending Fives. Luckily it didn't come down to that.

Rex looked back up at Krell, "Sir, if I may address your accusations, I followed your orders, even in the face of a plan that was, in my opinion, severely flawed, a plan that cost us MEN," He took off his helmet, "Not clones! Men!" Pong Krell looked at the small clone, wanting to shut up the still talking clone, "As sure as it is my duty to remain loyal to your command, I also have another duty, to protect those men."

Pong Krell grumbled for a moment, "You have a spark of tenacity, Captain. I'll give you that. I know I don't command like the Jedi you're used to serving, certainly not like General Skywalker. But I have my way. It may be difficult, but these are difficult times. And it's proven effective. I suppose your loyalty to your men is to be commended. They seem to admire this. That's important to an effective commander. All right, Captain Rex, your opinion has been noted. Dismissed." He then turned and walked away.

Fives came back with a smirk under his helmet, "I think he almost complimented you."

Cortana then yelled in everyone's ear, "Eastside! Cannon!"

Eveyone looked and saw a cannon round hit a walker. Everyone jumped to cover and started to open fire.

Cortana groaned. "Is it just me or does he keep leaving as soon as there is a battle! I haven't even seen him kill one Umbaran."

"We'll figure that out after the battle!" Chief yelled out

The rest of the battle will play out next chapter.

A/N
Something new is in the works. No one will be able to guess what it will be. The only hint is, a new book. That's it.