36 Intermission - 3: Insubordination

(?, ?, ?)

(? PoV)

The man couldn't understand why they disobeyed.

*Smack* "You useless piece of Bantha schutta, what the hell do I keep you around for?! A droid could do a better job than you, you sack of poodoo. Get out of my sight!" 'His' shout filled the room as he flung away one of his war aids to the ground.

'Useless the lot of them!'

In his anger his fists crashed into the table in front of him, sending splinters of wood flying in all directions, eyes from around the room looked on in silent fear and dread as they watched their commander rage.

'They think I'm too tough, too cynical, toooo logical. Don't they get it! This was war! We needed to win, we needed to start pushing these damned Huks back!'

'So what if we lost a few of our troops as bait, we were fighting for our survival!'

'I'm doing what I must!'

His thoughts raged through multiple complaints as his blood shot eyes darted side to side behind the ever-present mask he always wore, a symbol of his prestige, of the respect they should give him. His eyes roamed from one person to the next challenging any in the room to question his orders, question him.

But even after a few seconds none did.

'They're weak, indecisive, I have to lead them. Schutta, it would be so much easier if they didn't get caught up in their emotions.'

Quiet finally returned to the room as he moved his eyes back to the holo-table in front of him, or in this case, the war table. The real time efforts of his troops played in front of his eyes as the war raged on, one he was determined to win. But it wasn't going good, a troop of ragged soldiers rushed back towards friendly lines as a stronger force pushed them back with bloodlust and violence, men and women dropping every few steps.

His eye twitch and then flickered down to his arms as he felt a new sensation begin to spread through them, blood dripped down from the gashed and bruised forearms that had slammed into the war table.

'Weak.'

The look of disgust was instantly recognizable on his face but hidden as he looked down at his own body.

'Useless flesh…'

'I need more power if I want to turn this around and once I take care of these damn bugs I'll take down their backer, the oh so glorious republic.'

The look of disgust only intensified at the thought of the republic, bile threatening to bubble to the surface as it stuck to the back of his throat. But he didn't have time to be distracted, he forced the feeling of bile down as he refocused on the war table.

'I still have a fight to win.'

"Get your men to blow the thermal charges now. I don't care if our forces are still in the blast radius, do it." His voice was hard as he gave his command, the only trace of emotion, anger that threatened to bubble to the surface should his order be delayed. A hard stare made sure the comms officer quickly relayed the words.

But even with the issuing of the order, no explosion filled the screen, his eyes continued to watch and grow in anger as his forces were slaughtered before his eyes, right over the trap he had laid for the main force that was chasing them!

Finally as the last stragglers started to succumb to the enemy force he couldn't keep his emotions in check and screamed towards someone, anyone in the room that would let his plan not go to waste. In his eyes he could almost see the enemy forces laughing in his face at their pitiful display.

'They are right there, just as planned, blow it now.'

'BLOW THE CHARGES!'

"EXECUTE THE PLAN!"

His deep and menacing voice was deafening as it exploded around the room, causing more to look his way in worry and fear. But even with the outburst nothing changed in front of him, no explosion went off, quiet returned to the room.

The figure might have cared about the looks pointed his way at the outburst but none of that mattered all that matter was…

'…the execution of the plan!'

…..

….

..

As the last of the forces were routed and the enemy started to charge their other defences, quickly moving clear of the trap set below them, 'his' eyes turned cold. Once again a plan on his had been foiled…wasted.

'The emotional factor the downfall of another decisive victory.'

Finally his emotionless voice spoke into the cold of the room, his eyes not for one second leaving the advancing sight of his enemies. "Fall back." Even more of 'his' forces dying as the order to retreat was followed.

The figure stood there, not a sound leaving them as if a statue to those around. He stayed like that for a few minutes before finally moving, twisting away from the table, looking at those in the room.

His eyes in short order quickly locked onto his 'partner', concern flowing in her eyes as she looked at him. When was the last time he had seen that look? If he was questioned he honestly couldn't answer, his best guess would be before the war.

It had been a long time since someone had not looked at him in fear or something else similar, he could easily remember those looks. 'Ignorant schutta can't see how much I help them…guide them, only thinking of those lost in battle.'

His thoughts darkened further as he continued to look into the eyes of his partner. 'This is a war of annihilation and no one is going to come help us. We have to survive on our own!' It was this thought that turned his eyes cold.

As his partner continued to search his eyes, looking…searching for the man she once knew, her 'Jai', it was that look that started to crush her hopes into nothing. The coldness only increased as he mentally started to 'break/improve'.

'I have no time for her sentimentality, it is a weak emotion, like many others that weren't needed.'

'I don't have time to pander to her wants or needs.'

'I 'need' to be better, to become powerful.'

'To show these invaders what happens when they dare attack me!'

Our of pure instinct he grabbed his blade resting next to the war table, still locking eyes with his lover. He knew what had to be done.

'I must gain their obedience through fear, show them that if they will not follow me, then they will die.'

His first victim was already decided as he broke eye contact, eyes as cold and frozen as ice. The Commander of his recently failed plan. 'Directly disobeying orders.' A reason already fit for the public executions in mind, his boots made measured steps as he left the room only one thought as he moved onto his path of domination.

'I will win, no matter what.

A pair of eyes following his every move, and as he left the room a heart began to shatter.