Alrighty people, here comes another chapter. This is probably gonna be the last one in a while but I will probably be back by September (this story will be finished eventually).

Chapter 14

Umbara was hell. The strange atmosphere, constant dreary state left by fog, and the natural fauna made the place a cesspit of shit. However, one thing made this place even worse. Its name was Krell. The worthless shit for brains probably wants all the men dead. Jesus, he doesn't even treat us like men. The general's lack of sympathy and lack of militaristic knowledge contributed greatly to everyone's, especially James Williams's, dislike for that specific Jedi. Sooner or later, a trigger will be pulled, and I hope I'm there to see the fucker paint this places' walls red. Despite being surrounded by people to talk to, James worried he might eventually loose his sanity. The nightmares had returned to haunt his dreams, but he learned the men of the 501st also had their demons. The mission they called it, the mission that never ended.

As time dragged on at the Umbaran airbase, the battle of Umbara reached a standstill. Neither side made progress against their oponent, but missile barrages creeped closer and closer towards the temporary clone sanctuary.

"We're fucked if we stay here. Sooner or later, one of those missiles is gonna blow us all sky high," James said to Rex, while entering one of the hangers.

"Yeah, what the kriff is going on?"

Within the building, a single Umbaran fighter was zooming around the air, knocking over crates and bashing into walls. When the little hanger snafu finally ended, Krell decided to grace his soldiers with his presence. Shit. Sergeant Williams thought while sneaking his way out of the hanger. Much to his dismay, the communication device within his belt went off, revealing his position to Krell. Of all times to talk to me, you pick now Ti? Good luck getting yourself out of this one.

"Sergeant Major, what is that?" the general boomed.

"Uh, nothing sir. Just this," he stated, raising the circular device to his shoulder.

"Why is it beeping, sergeant major?"

"Honestly, sir, it's nothing."

Please don't ask to see it.

"If it is nothing, then hand it over."

Dammit!

"Sorry, sir, but it's…uhm…personal. It has do with personal matters."

Krell scowled at him for a moment, but then gave up his interest and resumed interrogating the other occupants of the hanger. When he was outside of the complex and out of the general's range, James answered his call.

"Hi Ti. How've you been?"

"I have been fine, my love. How about you? How are things on Umbara?" the little figure asked.

"Same old, same old. Nothing really new. Krell's still being a dick to everyone, and I'm surviving."

"Should I tell the council about Master Krell? From what you have said, he needs to be removed from his position."

"I don't know. You tell them, they wonder how you know, and then they find out about us. I know we need to tell your council, but it should be on our terms and more or less thought out," James said. Maybe I should just get him removed from his position, can't be that bad?

"Very well then. If it gets any worse, James, I will inform the council, alright. Stay safe out there, my love."

"I will. Goodbye."

With that, he ended the conversation and departed for his bunks. Along the way, the American's thoughts drifted towards a very interesting way of "removing" Krell from his position. No way that's happening, buddy. You may hate the bastard, but you won't kill him.

Upon entering the bunks, he found Trigger and Clubs playing two-man sabaac. Before he could sit down, a resounding no greeted the sergeant.

"No what?"

"You're not playing. Last time we played you cheated and stole all my credits!" the clone exclaimed.

"We both know I wouldn't have to cheat to beat you, you're total shit at the game."

"He has a point," Clubs said.

"Shut up."

Chuckling, James sat down on his bunk and decided to enjoy Trigger's numerous outbursts during the game. Apparently, he doesn't grasp the idea of a poker face. For the ensuing hour of whining and gambling, Sergeant Williams relaxed for the one of the few times since arriving to Umbara. For some odd reason, watching a grown man complain about his cards and loses like a little kid was rather soothing. Unfortunately, his little r and r session was cut short when Rex entered, telling him the general wished to see him.

Upon the American's arrival, General Krell was standing in his tower, gazing out a window at the dense foliage beyond the base's perimeter.

"You called for me, sir."

"Indeed, Sergeant Major. Do you know I can see every transmission sent out of this place."

James gulped.

"No sir. I don't see why you need to tell me this."

It chuckled. "I would like to know who it was you were speaking to earlier today."

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. "Nobody sir."

"Really? Then why did you answer the device?"

"As I stated before, sir, it had to do with personnel matters."

"Personnel matters, or matters involving one Jedi Master Shaak Ti?"

You've got to be shitting me right now! "You must be mistaken sir."

"I heard everything. Trying to overthrow me with that little togrutian bitch you have wrapped around your finger?"

James tensed up, and his fists clenched.

"I sense your anger. You want to kill me don't you? Just because I offended your little slut."

He snapped. Without thinking, James surged for the Jedi who, with the flick of one of his wrists, flung him against the nearby wall. Shockwaves of pain spiraled up the veteran's back, but he willed himself to stand. "Don't you ever talk about her, you sadistic fucker!" he screamed. Krell only laughed as he moved closer towards Sergeant Williams. Very quickly, air refused to circulate through the American's lungs. "Scared to fight me without your force?" he murmured. The general let go of him and called for his clones.

"You will escort the Sergeant Major to his cell where he will await his execution for treason."

"Yes sir."

"I do not think you will be needing this either," Krell said as he removed James's communicator device. Before this is over, you will die. Even if I have to make a deal with the devil.

Complete. Oorah. I was going to make the fight a longer scenario, but Krell seemed like the type of guy to let others do his dirty work. Also, I've been busy and wanted to get a chapter posted before June. Anyway, this will be the last one in awhile, but in the words of the terminator, I'll be back.