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"Incoming!"
A loud crack bang erupted from close to him, the world turning on its side as Cody toppled with it. He hit the ground harshly, failing to catch himself and the static that filled his head on the impact making it hard to think.
The world was ringing violently around him, noises of blaster fire muffled as Cody forced his arms to work with him and shove his body upwards. He didn't have time to lay around, eyes blinking against the dust and trying to focus on anything, but it was made hard by the pounding headache that had now formed. He absently wondered if the adrenaline was hiding a nasty head injury, the pain in his limbs something distant and the only thing preventing him from standing being a heavy weight over his whole body.
But instead of giving in to that weight, he forced his head up, scanning as much of the battlefield as he could with his blurry vision. He spied a few other clones scattered about, medics running around and once white and orange armour died a deep shade of red. It made him feel slightly sick, the swaying of his vision not doing much to help that. He tried to look at where the enemy was, some clankers marching forwards from where the missile cut through their forces. They would be split at this rate, a clean cut away leaving him and a few other highly disoriented clones for dead. He had to move.
Shakily, he pulled himself to his knees, the buzz of com-chatter burning at his ears as people demanded for updates on positions and casualty counts. He could hear his name being thrown around, not any other real words being distinguishable through the garbage. He thought he heard the General's name as well, but he couldn't stop to think too harshly about it, already pulling himself over to another trooper to check them over.
He recognised the armour, a newer clone who had quickly earned a spot within the 212th ranks with his boldness and bravery. Cody couldn't feel a heartbeat. He dropped the body and moved to the next, sticking as closely to cover as he could and pulling bodies out of the line of sight before checking them over.
It was like that for a little bit, Cody checking as many people as he could and finding most dead while two slowly came to and moved to a lightly safer position. The droids were focusing on the other side of where they cut through, Cody and the two others not any kind of real concern for the tactical droid ordering those tin cans around. His head was still buzzing, but slowly he was able to better focus and picked up a few things shouted agonist the chaos on his comms.
" I need another medic with me on the 5th. "
" Anyone have eyes on the General? "
" Nothing here, sir. No sign of the Commander either. "
" The droids are cutting us off! "
Cody tried to unscramble some of the words which blended together, the Commander pulling himself back behind cover with the two other heavily injured clones before he spoke.
"What's the situation?"
Multiple voices rang out through the comm all at once, Cody not able to tell who they each are as they fussed themselves together. The trooper to his immediate right - Bleck, if he wasn't mistaken - must have noticed his wince as he called into the line asking everyone to quite nicely shut the kriff up. It did the trick well enough as Waxer became the only voice invading Cody's ears.
" Is that you, Commander? " He sounded almost surprised. " What is your situation? Do you need a medic? "
He almost reprimanded him for ignoring his question when another explosion went off. All Cody could manage was another curse as Bleck checked over their cover to make sure they were still safe.
"I am fine, Waxer," He began, ignoring the pain present in all his limbs. "We will need medics over here to access all the casualties-" He hadn't had the chance to check them all. Someone could still be alive. "- but I am currently here with 2 troopers and we have found a piece of cover. What is your status?"
More gunfire could be heard from both just past their cover and over the comms. " We've lost sight of the General, sir. I called for backup from the 501st when you weren't responding and, with their help, we should be able to blast our way through these droids to get to you. "
Cody nodded absently, playing through all the events leading up to here. General Kenobi knew this would be a hard-fought battle, General Skywalker telling him that the 501st would be there as quickly as possible. Cody just hoped that wouldn't be too much longer.
But then, Cody's mind snapped onto one fact. "You've lost eyes on the General?"
Waxer sighed. " Last anyone saw of him was near you, sir. As far as we're aware, he was caught in the blast. "
Well isn't that just great .
"Keep me updated, lieutenant," He felt himself nod, signalling to both Bleck and Simmer - he believed it was - to fan out. "I'll get eyes on the General and inform you on our side of things as soon as I can. I trust you to manage the 212th until I can get there."
" Yes, sir, " Waxer signed off quickly, a few other orders being barked down another comm channel as Cody pulled himself to his feet.
He eyed the pair of troopers he had been mercifully supplied, grateful that they were even still alive as they snuck around in search of their General. He wasn't fully sure the reasoning behind how they managed to openly avoid being shot at, the droid army apparently perfectly happy being occupied with the rest of the 212th. Figures they would be stupid enough to think him dead. Everyone always did think far less of clones.
Cody gave one more look towards Bleck and Simmer before he spun on his heels, keeping low as he scanned the battlefield for any sign of his General. He kept an ear out on the comm channels, listening to the shuffling of droid feet and clone shouts alike as he moved. He didn't see any sign of the signature Jedi robes at first, dust littering the corpses of his vod'e and the marching of droids doing nothing more than to pick up more of the stupid stuff. He was starting to doubt he was even here, maybe lost in the sea of movement that was a warzone, when he saw a small shift far off to the side.
Cody was moving before he even knew who it was, a small amount of hope in finding another vod or the General alive outweighing any doubt in his mind about approaching them as he slowly managed to decipher who it was. They were dusty, the fabric bunched around their form as they groaned. Cody had to restrain a relieved laugh at seeing the man alive.
"General Kenobi," He greeted lowly, quickly pulling the robes away from the man's face so he could examine if he was okay to be moved. He knew that getting the Jedi behind cover was crucial, but he also knew moving an injured man could lead to him dying. And his General looked a decent bit worst off than the other troopers he had pulled out of the line of sight.
He checked him over quickly, discovering a large gash in his leg that was likely to be infected and a million other much smaller, less significant cuts littering the man's pale body. His robes were torn and bloody but were likely the least of his worries.
"Sir," Cody tried again for a response, worried about a possible concussion or more major head injury. "Are you alright, sir?"
The man below him groaned and rolled over slightly, opening his eyes and blinking up at Cody slowly. "Cody?"
"Yes, sir," He began, glancing up and grateful to see Simmer and Bleck moving towards him. "Just one moment, General. We're going to get you out of the line of fire, sir."
He seemed troubled by this, tilting his head to stare around at the environment they were in. Cody didn't think he could see any droids from where he was lying so heavily against the ground. "Cody. Are the men alright?"
Cody blinked. "The men, sir?"
General Kenobi nodded and Cody had to pause. His stupid Jedi probably threw himself in front of the missile in an attempt to save some soldiers' lives. Again.
"They are alright, sir," He half lied, the bodies of his vod'e being telling enough without the tightness in Cody's shoulders. "Waxer has everything under control."
The Jedi seemed to relax at this, Simmer being quick to grab the man's legs as Bleck supported his head as soon as Cody gave the order and the trio moved him as far back behind cover as possible. Cody knew this was the easy part, glancing over the rock to make sure they hadn't been followed or spotted before he leaned heavily against the rock and sighed. He hated this. The waiting around with little else he could do except comm for help and pray. He hated the not being there fighting beside his siblings yet knew it would be pointless to get himself killed running in there. His General needed him to protect him, not just his men. Cody knew that his vod'e were born to die in the name of protecting the Jetii . He would honour their service by keeping General Kenobi breathing for all of them.
He reached up to his comm, eying Simmer as the young trooper poked his head over their cover. "Waxer, we have found the General."
He either forgot to connect to the command comm line or his top men had gotten very sloppy as he heard a chorus of whoops come from the other end. He choose to ignore it, telling Waxer to get Helix to their position as soon as possible. That at least seemed to snap everyone back to attention as a new goal was set, a kind of time limit on how long they could take. Cody knew that the 212th would never get downright reckless, but he did know them to be stupid when it came to protecting their General. Cody was guilty of this all the same so he didn't fault them. He just kind of hoped they wouldn't all get themselves killed.
Suddenly, Simmer pulled himself back behind the cover and met eyes with Cody, shoulders wound up tightly. Bleck turned to meet his eye and the two troopers gave a nod of understanding before Cody even had a chance to say anything.
"Sir," Simmer began, voice tight and yet somewhat sheepish. "We may have been spotted."
Cody gave an exasperated sigh. He knew their safety was too good to be true.
Bleck spun around, making eye contact with Simmer again before he spoke. "Simmer and I can create a distraction while you get the General out of here, sir."
Cody knew what that meant. This was their offer to give their life up to protect their General. Someone had to stay behind to get the General out of here and that was going to be Cody, the one labelled as the most important trooper out of the three. It made him feel sick, the obvious knowledge that they weren't going to make it out of this present - Simmer and Bleck knowing the exact same thing Cody did, fully ready to lay down both of their lives for a cause they thought was greater than them both - but Cody knew this was the only way. If they had been spotted, they would need to make an opening so the General could escape. Unfortunately, he couldn't do that on his own.
"Be smart about it," Cody said, leaning down to assist General Kenobi to his feet as the disoriented Jedi swayed. "I want to see the both of you again after this."
He watched Simmer nod as Bleck peaked around their cover, blaster fire barely missing his head as he cursed. Cody didn't berate him for this, just nodding at the pair of them and memorising their armour silently as the pair of them quickly formulated a plan with one another.
Cody waited, his General's arm wrapped tightly over his shoulders so that he could start moving as soon as the two troopers gave the order. He could hear a few droids shouting over the noise of the rest of the battle, announcing their presence and drawing far too much attention to them. The General moved, having been terribly quiet but not unresponsive. Cody thought he would take it, things being made easier without him arguing against the two clones leaving even when Cody wanted nothing more than to find a better plan. Maybe they could get the rest of the 212th to charge? How many other clones would be lost trying to save these two?
"Simmer, Bleck," They both turned at their names, Cody trying to meet both of their eyes through their respective buckets. "You've done good out here. You're both incredible men and it was a service to be able to command you."
Simmer glanced away while Bleck straightened, giving him a tight nod. "Thank you, sir. It was an honour to serve under the both of you."
General Kenobi shifted, giving the two clones the saddest and most pitiful look Cody had ever seen from the highly regarded man. "Thank you both. I hope we see you again."
Bleck nudged Simmer and the man sighed, the pair nodding at one another before they shifted so they were ready to run out. Cody absently wondered if they were batchmates.
"See you on the other side, Commander," Bleck gave him a mock salute as he turned, Simmer at his side and both blasters clenched tightly. They had one more moment of silence just standing there before Bleck charged, shouting as he went. "Come get us, you blasted tin cans!"
Simmer went not a moment afterwards, whooping as he charged and Cody took that as his chance, lifting himself and the General from their position knelt down so they could get moving. He stuck near cover, keeping a steady pace and the General able to walk mostly but still needing that little bit extra help that Cody supplied. He didn't look back, not as he heard a scream that resonated in his nightmares and not as the voices only connected to his brothers and one other faded out into the noises of blaster fire. He didn't turn around as he made his way into a smaller opening in the rocks, slipping out of sight and silently hoping that this would either hide them well enough or have another way out. He refused to turn around when he checked on the General, the man's face pinched together in pain and sadness. Cody wondered if he felt Simmer's light go out in the Force, felt as Bleck faded away alongside his vod . He had mentioned something about being able to feel that once.
But they had to keep moving, Cody leading them through the cut in the stone which shifted into a cave the further they went. General Kenobi shifted, more than what he had been doing previously as they walked.
"This is a dead end," He announced, glancing towards Cody as the Marshall Commander paused. "The droids are also coming our way. I believe we might have been spotted, Commander."
"You couldn't have mentioned that sooner?" He tried not to glare too harshly at the Jedi, turning to see how long they might have. The path they had taken winded slightly, blocking what vision he would have had of the entrance. He could already hear their thumping feet, marching towards them in what had to be a group of at least 30.
"I'm sorry, Cody," The General, for his part, did look apologetic. "I think I hit my head during the explosion."
He sent a glance down to the General, cursing again as he started making his way further into the cave. He hit his comm unit and spoke as he went. "We're going to need backup here soon. We've been cornered and I doubt I'll be able to hold them off for very long on my own."
" Sir! " Cody wasn't able to place exactly who was talking, the comm line muffled by the noise of war coming from the other end. " The 501st should be here soon. We'll get to your position as soon as possible. "
Cody nodded to himself, his General looking up towards him. "Sounds good. Keep me updated."
General Kenobi waited a moment longer before he spoke. "Is that our reinforcements, Commander?"
"Hopefully," He eyed one of two paths, his General pointing him towards one which Cody led them down without a second of hesitation.
They made it to a dead end soon enough, no cover to be seen anywhere and the space decently enclosed. He set his General down slowly, the man not even bothering to protest, before he turned back and headed the small ways back to where they had come from. He peeked around the corner and listened. They would be here soon.
"Cody!" He turned back and quickly walked over, concerned for his General until he just saw the man sitting there, a lazy smile on his face. "Calm down, Commander. We should be safe here."
He raised an eyebrow. "You just said that the clankers were following us?"
"Yes," He tilted his head off to the side, mirth sprinkling his features as if they weren't trapped in a cave in the middle of a warzone. "But the Force has well assured me that we will both be fine."
Cody tried not to scoff, knowing after getting this far into the war to have some faith in the Force. But that little part of him that never could really trust it still spoke out louder than anything else, telling him about how both Simmer and Bleck died just so the Force could reassure them now they would be okay. How the Force would know such a thing was beyond Cody, but he wouldn't say that to the General. He had already had his fair share of doubting moments where he was far too vocal about his own beliefs.
"If you say so, sir," He moved to sit beside the General, taking a quick stock of him and the deep cut on his leg. It had slowed its bleeding, the man's leg soaked through but the piece of robe either Simmer or Bleck must have wrapped around it held true. He would be fine; Some bacta and a good bit of rest would patch him right up. If they could manage to keep the General resting that was.
He eyed his injuries for a moment longer before taking catalogue of his own. There was a soreness in all his limbs, a persistent arching in his neck which he knew should be checked out by a medic as soon as possible. He could feel bruises as well, ones from where his legs hit the ground too harshly and others from various other issues from throughout the day. He was exhausted but knew better than to let his guard down even now. Even with his General's weak assurances.
He continued to listen to the thumping of footsteps, shifting from sitting to crouching the closer they got. He doubted they would not check in here, doubted that they would make it out of this without a fight, but he held out hope. He held out hope that Simmer and Bleck hadn't died in vain.
"Calm, Cody," The Jedi tried quietly, also shifting his spot so his hand rested on his lightsaber. "We will be alright."
Cody gave him a look before he paused. He looked just as exhausted as Cody felt, easygoing attitude having been a front and truth within the way he now held himself, shoulders tight and face pinched together in obvious pain.
So Cody tried to trust him, blaster still raised but faith put in the man's tired words. He forced his shoulders to relax as much as he could, listening as closely as he could to both the comm chatter as well as the thumping of metal feet as they slowly approached. He heard them stop, droid voices ringing through the cave system as they debated which way to turn. It was a few more moments of this, both himself and the General tensing when the footsteps started again before Cody heard them start to fade, relief not yet making a home in his chest as he knew they would have to come back. A dead end only ever led back to the start.
And so Cody waited, his breathing silenced as he kept it low enough to not echo through his helmet and out into the air. He tried to listen, hearing the voices of the droids as they came to a dead end and eventually heard their footsteps begin to ring throughout the cave system again as they marched. The General shifted, sucking in a breath and wincing harshly. Cody silently shifted in front of him and didn't look back, eyes locked forwards and the feeling of his General's eyes scanning his back one he had long since grown used to.
The footsteps got louder. Cody took aim at the first droid who appeared around their corner and shot. It went down. 5 more flooded out to replace it.
"Aw!" A B1 gave Cody a once over and leaned forward sadly. "It's just a clone."
One next to it shifted, glancing behind Cody. "I think it's guarding that Jedi there."
The first one paused, seemingly confused. "A Jedi? Get him!"
Cody was about to shoot again when a commando droid emerged, a single hand raised to stop the other droids from firing. Cody raised an eyebrow but didn't lower his blaster.
"Stop," The commando droid started, taking a step forward which allowed for more B1s to file in. "We must wait."
"Wait?" General Kenobi parroted. "What would they be waiting for?"
They didn't receive an answer, all the droids simply shifting into better positions. Cody restrained a curse as he counted their numbers in his head.
"I thought you knew what was happening," Cody tried not to sound bitter, failing somewhat as the second part of his sentence left his mouth. "I thought the Force said we'd be fine."
"And we will be, my dear Commander," He could hear the light smile in the man's voice. "I promise you, we will be."
Cody bit back another response, keeping as still as possible and his sights trained on the commando droid. He knew logically that there was no way he could fight his way out of this - not like this - but there was a chance he could buy his general some time. Although, he wasn't sure how good any of that would be with the 40 or so B1s all crammed into this tight space, guns following any slight movement Cody made. He just needed to think. He could figure this out.
He focused on the noises around him, the harsh breathing of his General drowning out most other things but the loud chattering of a B1 towards the back of the pack informing Cody that they had called in some sort of backup. The reason why was something Cody couldn't place. Both he and General Kenobi would be dead in an instant if they just opened fire right now. The fact that they hadn't yet didn't quite feel like the luck he was hoping on. It felt more like delaying the inevitable
He heard his General shift and moved more to the side to better block him from sight, the droids in front of him trialling his movement as he went. He heard a sharp noise come from behind him and restrained himself from turning around. He knew the damage was bad, he just hoped that General Kenobi would be able to hold out until reinforcements arrived. Cody hoped he himself would be able to hold out against this load of bantha shit.
"Cody," His General sounded from being safely tucked behind him, Cody ignoring the fact that it sounded a decent bit weaker than it had before as he hummed. "I think more might be coming."
Cody bit back a curse. "More? Why not just shoot us down now?"
He heard another shift behind him but Cody ignored it as he saw movement towards the back of the clankers' pack, tracing the movement until a tactical droid showed its ugly face with a handful of commando droids tailing it.
"We have them cornered, sir," One of the B1s cheered, seeming proud of itself. "What are your orders?"
The tactical droid seemed to eye Cody carefully, faceplate tilting to the side in an attempt to see General Kenobi behind him. Cody shifted again to better shield him and aimed his blaster straight at the tactical droid, the commando droids shifting to block his line of sight in a similar fashion.
"Take out the clone on my command," The tactical droid started, having easily made its mind up on the usefulness of the clone commander. "Leave the Jedi. He has been requested alive."
Cody ground his teeth as all the droids shifted, awaiting their order to charge and likely looking for a good way to kill Cody while leaving his General alive. He could feel it as General Kenobi moved.
"Get behind me, Cody," The clone didn't need to turn around to know the stupid Jedi was now standing, Cody moving to stand as well from where he was knelt and shifting a small bit more forwards.
"No can do, General," Cody pointed his blaster at the head of a commando droid. "I'm sure I can take out enough of them to get you an opening."
He watched General Kenobi walk forwards, barely holding himself steady as he glares at the army in front of them. "You contacted for backup, yes, Commander?"
"Of course, sir," He answered, moving to get back in front of his General as one of the commando droids shifted forwards. "Their orders are to take me out, sir. Get behind me and I'll clear you a way out."
"Actually, Cody," His General sent him a sideways glance. "I see that as all the more reason for you to stand behind me."
Cody gave him a once over, eying his dusty figure and poorly hidden injuries. He tried not to scoff. "With all due respect, sir. I do not see it very likely you will be able to hold them off for too much longer."
The tactical droid moved slightly into Cody's line of sight, apparently never having left. Cody assumed it was because it wasn't all too normal for an exchange like this to be between some clone and a Jedi.
General Kenobi moved to block the tactical droid's sight of Cody, nearly toppling forward with the motion to where Cody had to grab his shoulder. He kept eye contact with the tactical droid, the clanker just silently watching them. Was it waiting for Cody to strike first? Did it want to know what he would do?
"Cody," General Kenobi breathed, voice weak and posture one of someone who knew a losing battle. "Take my lightsaber."
"What?" Cody sputtered out. "Sir, what do you-"
"Listen to me, Cody," His General made eye contact with the clone Commander. "It is the only way both of us are getting out of this."
Cody eyed the blade, thinking back to his training and how easy it would be to use. Still, it felt wrong.
"Sir-"
"This isn't up for debate, my friend," His General smiled at him. Cody watched the tactical droid lift its hand up in preparation to order the attack, apparently tired of waiting for whatever it was waiting for. "I trust you."
The tactical droid dropped his hand and gave the command, Cody's hands moving before his brain caught up as he lifted the blade and began deflecting shots. The movement came naturally to him, the 'saber seeming to guide his hand as he moved in front of his General and focused entirely on staying alive.
"That's it!" The Jedi called, laughing heartily as he spoke.
"Shut up and grab a blaster," Cody spat out, shifting the way he held the blade as he realised that his shots were only being deflected but weren't doing much damage. He had deflected shots before in his training, Alpha-17 talking endlessly about the need to be flexible in all situations. He supposed now was proof of that, the lightsaber weirdly weighted in his hands as he tossed it back and forth. It was light yet balanced nicely to sit in his hands comfortably, movement made easy as it almost seemed to cut the very air it passed through instead of just pushing it aside. It was beyond strange in Cody's opinion, and not something he believed he would ever be used to.
He heard his General scoff as reached for the blaster Cody had dropped to the floor in his reckless attempt to get a hold of the lightsaber before his own head was blown off. "As you wish, Commander."
Cody ignored him, satisfied with the supporting blaster fire that began as General Kenobi lowered himself back to the ground. It was unsurprising that he was exhausted. Cody was exhausted and he hadn't been nearly as close to that explosion. That stupid thing having split the General and Commander from their troops and having led them to this very situation. He absently wondered how far out Rex and his men were.
He cursed when a shot got past, lightly grazing his shoulder and hitting the rock behind him. The droids were aiming high, likely avoiding the Jedi as best as they could by just not shooting anywhere near him. Didn't mean their poor aim didn't lead to a few shots becoming too close for comfort.
"Focus, Commander," His General shot up at him, likely seeing how tense his shoulders were and probably sensing his anxieties no matter how hard Cody had tried to build his barriers to block him out. "You're doing exceptionally well."
Cody tried not to think of how easily this could all turn sideways, allowing his mind to slip into the easily practised movements that came with his extended clone training. He kept a keen eye on all the droids, not missing when a few too many began to drop and the tactical droid moved to get away. He almost wanted to give chase but held himself steady as one of the commando droids stepped forwards.
There were three in total, faceplates dead and serious as the first of them dashed forwards. Cody had barely a moment to duck out of the way of its sweeping punch, moving upwards without a second's pause so he could cut through the tin can. It surprised him how easily the blade sliced through the usually durable material.
But then it was back into the fight, the remaining two commando droids having been ordered to follow the tactical droid as it made its way out of the line of fire, Cody watching it leave and feeling irritated at how easily it escaped. He couldn't even think about giving chase with the number of B1s blocking their exit, his injured General keeping his feet pinned even as he wants to move. He felt like a sitting duck here even with the lightsaber.
The droids pushed forwards, Cody's deflecting and the blaster shots from General Kenobi only doing so much as they crept forward. There were still about 15 of them, Cody's accuracy improving as they got closer but his room to move becoming all the more restricted at the same time. He doubted the pair of them would make it out of this.
That was until he saw a handful of droids towards the back of the pack suddenly collapse, a couple more spinning around with startled shouts as their own heads were blown off. It was only a couple more tiring seconds of deflecting fire before Cody was able to lower his weapon, eyes barely focusing properly as he saw a mix of blue, white and orange charge towards him, the lightsaber deactivating as if it has never been lit in the first place.
Cody had never been so relieved to see General Skywalker's face in his entire life.
"Master!" The young Jedi called out, Commander Tano moving with him as they pushed past Cody. "Are you alright?"
"I am, yes," Cody eyed him and General Kenobi laughed, accepting General Skywalker's help in getting situated into a better position as Commander Tano called over the 501st medic team. "I have my gracious Commander to thank for that."
General Skywalker sent Cody a look, one unreadable as Kix moved in between the Jedi to get a better look at General Kenobi. He gave a small nod of acknowledgement at the clone Commander, Cody being quick to send one back as the 212th medic, Helix, suddenly appeared and began asking Cody questions pertaining to his health.
"I don't even know how you're still alive, sir," Helix joked, the scanner in his hand beeping as it finished its analysis. "Our scanners were picking up 50 odd droids out here."
Cody let himself shrug, General Kenobi's lightsaber still sat loosely in his hands as he eyed the soldiers of the 212th and 501st. It seemed Rex was debriefing them, the rest of the medics caring for any other injured as Kix and Helix fussed over their 2 biggest headaches. He wondered how long it would be until his vod'ika was demanding a full report, a large group of shinies watching him with no small amount of wonder as they whispered amongst themselves.
The onslaught of questions eventually ended, Commander Tano and General Skywalker hovering around General Kenobi and basically forbidding anyone, even Cody, from going near him. It meant that Cody was forced to hold onto his General's lightsaber, it clipped against his belt in the same spot it always was whenever his General was stupid enough to lose it.
"Hey," Rex walked over, giving him a proper once over before nodding to himself, seemingly satisfied with Helix's more thorough scan as he gestured for Cody to follow. "The plan is to stay here tonight and head out again in the morning. It looks like your General could use it."
Cody hummed lamely, following behind Rex and nodding at any troopers who saluted in his direction. They seemed to be more focused on what he was doing today, not just the shinies. He thought about the fact it would be best to get moving sooner, the tactical droid likely having escaped but his General not in any state to move. He would just have to assign some troopers to guard the entrance. "Just don't tell him that. He'll be upset to know we've only settled to give him rest."
Rex scoffed. "That's why I didn't mention you need it as well."
Cody gave him a stiff glare but didn't chase it, his limbs sore and body exhausted. It seems Rex caught onto that as well as he turned towards a nearby wall, stopping abruptly and gesturing for Cody to sit. Cody raised an eyebrow at him, now aware of the fact that he must have taken his bucket off at some point without realising it. Helix probably made him during his examination.
"I've got the troops handled," Rex started, gesturing more wildly as he glared right back at Cody's unhappy face. "You should get some rest."
Cody went to argue against him when he spotted a group of 212th shinies hovering near them. He caught the gaze of one of them and they glanced away quickly. Most of the shinies in the 212th knew not to bug him this way which confused him, Waxer and Boil usually on top of sharing extravagant stories about their Commander but also quick to scold anyone who sought to bother the busy clone. Most of the 501st was the same, Rex ordering his men to be well-behaved around other companies. This was most certainly odd.
"What's up with the shinies?" Cody changed the subject, Rex looking like he wanted to change it back before he sent a glance over his shoulder. He looked tired as he sighed.
"Some of the troops have been claiming you were using a lightsaber," Rex looked exhausted now, stretching slightly and casually signalling over Jesse who had been hovering nearby to scatter the younger clones. "Apparently it was you who was deflecting that blaster fire. Or so I have been told."
There was a question in his words, one subtle but still clear to his ori'vod . Cody was silent as he watched the shinies wander away, a harsh reprimand being expected from any 212th or 501st veteran who learned of what they had been doing. His men were always looking to make his life that little bit easier.
Rex raised an eyebrow at Cody's silence, the Marshall Commander debating his words to himself as he searched for what would be the best thing to say. What was the chance he was reported for something like this?
"I was," He settled on lamely, nodding at Rex's wide-eyed stare to further confirm it. "At the command of General Kenobi, of course."
Rex seemed to think for a moment, eying the lightsaber at Cody's waist. "It was that bad, huh?"
Cody almost scoffed. "You say that as if it is common for a clone to wield a lightsaber in any situation."
"It doesn't surprise me knowing your Jedi," Rex laughed. "How many times have you been forced to mind his lightsaber, again?"
"Am I supposed to keep count?" Cody sat down against the wall, Rex seeming pleased with this as he smiled mostly to himself.
"I wouldn't," Rex sits next to him, moving over so their shoulders are touching. "You've got far too much to keep track of as it is."
Cody nodded, the exhaustion from today weighing on him finally as he leaned against Rex. He knew his vod'ika had positioned himself like this for this exact reason, wanting Cody to rest and knowing that he was never one to turn down a chance to drag any of his vod’e into sleeping with him. Cody just tried to ignore the obvious soft looks some of his own men were giving him, Rex mumbling over to Waxer about what needed to be done before they set out tomorrow and passing off both of their duties for the night into his more than capable hands.
Rex then shifted, getting more comfortable as he sighed. "Don't worry, Codes. We've got this handled."
And like that, Cody allowed himself to fall asleep.
—
The next morning was a mess, the troopers having cleared up far before Rex even allowed Cody to stand. It was only once they were ready to go, that the clone Captain finally gave way and they started moving to their next position.
The entire 212th seemed rather on edge, both Waxer and Boil hovering nearby to Cody and Wooley never leaving his side. Rex had taken charge, Commander Tano and General Skywalker far too focused on keeping everyone away from General Kenobi to even notice nor care about what happened to the troops behind them. Overprotective di’kuts , the lot of them.
None of the shinies were allowed near Cody per order of Waxer and pretty much every other senior clone but that didn't stop Cody from hearing what they were saying. No one could confirm it, but the rumour about a Marshall Commander wielding a lightsaber to save his Jedi was one that circulated quickly. The blade at Cody's hip felt heavy, all eyes settled on him as they walked. He had to get rid of it.
And so he paused Wooley mid-sentence, the younger clone waiting for him to speak patiently. Cody offered to smile in an attempt to make it known it wasn't something too serious, the practically shiny returning it kindly.
"I need to hand this back to the General," He informed, gesturing at his waist. Wooley nodded. "Wait here. I'm not sure if the Commander and General will let anyone through let alone some random clone from the 212th."
He hadn't meant it rudely and Wooley didn't take it that way, simply stepping back and allowing Cody to pick up his pace so he could match their Jedi companions. He approached at the side of Commander Tano, General Skywalker glaring at him as soon as he sensed him but the young padawan almost seemed relieved. She moved back to allow Cody entrance and General Kenobi immediately glanced over, eyes lighting up when they settled on him.
"Commander Cody!" He began, gesturing for him to move closer even with General Skywalker's glare. "Good to see you are doing alright."
"The same to you, sir," He offered a salute, easily matching their pace as they walked. He hesitated the smallest moment as he glanced at General Skywalker before he then held up his General's lightsaber. "I thought you might want this back."
General Kenobi smiled, taking it carefully in his hands and checking it over as if Cody would ever let anything happen to it. He looked at it for another moment, seeming pleased as he spoke. "Maybe we should look into getting you one of these for yourself, Commander. You used it quite well."
He made an effort not to flinch when Skywalker shifted. "He used it?!"
"Did I not already mention this?" General Kenobi didn't seem off put, clipping the lightsaber to his belt as if it was just another time he had dropped it. "Cody here used it and saved my life. He would make an excellent Jedi."
Cody felt weird about that comment. Clones weren't Jedi. "With all due respect, sir," He cut in before General Skywalker could talk. "I'm not Force-sensitive."
The Jedi seemed to think on this, running his fingers down his bread absently. "Maybe not. But you do have the spunk that comes with being a Jedi and leader."
"Spunk," Cody repeated, rolling the word off his tongue and praying that he would never hear his General say it ever again. "A Jedi needs to have spunk, sir?"
"Indeed they do," He was smiling, something cheeky that most would probably miss. "Or at least, all of the Jedi I have taught and met have had it. That and discipline. All of which, if I'm not mistaken, you have, Commander."
General Skywalker looked livid, Commander Tano bouncing excitedly from next to Cody as if her master wasn't about to explode at the very idea of a clone wielding a lightsaber. "That would be amazing! You would be able to practice with me!"
Cody gave her a look, still disbelieving. "I don't think the Council would approve of it, sir."
"We'll see," General Kenobi had that gleam in his eye, the one which Cody knew would never fade fully even after the atrocities of war. He and General Skywalker had that alike, the shine of mischief in their eyes which connected them as padawan and master. Cody could see how they were related only in moments like this. "Either way, I would be more than happy if you trained using my lightsaber in the meantime. Who knows when the next battle may require you to borrow it."
"I thought your lightsaber was meant to be your life, sir?" Cody watched as General Skywalker nodded aggressively at his statement.
He watched his General pause, meeting Cody's eyes as if convincing him of this one thing was the most important thing in the world to him. "And I told you, Cody, I trust you."
And at that stage, Cody choose to drop it, leaving that conversation there as he thought. A Jedi, trusting some lowly clone Commander. Why would he do that?
Cody would never understand it, not even later back on the Negotiator where the Jedi assured him all over again, holding out the blade as an offer to take it and train with him.
"I trust you with my lightsaber, Cody, because I trust you with my life," He spoke it as if it was as easy as that - as if it made the most sense out of anything in the world. "I trust you with my everything. I don't fear losing my lightsaber because I always know you will bring it back to me. Just as I don't fear for my life because I know you will always be there to protect me."
The confusion must have been clear on his face, General Kenobi signalling for him to speak what was on his mind. "But... why, sir?"
"You put your trust in me, Cody," His General held out the lightsaber again to him. "You entrusted your own life and the life of your vod'e into me. It is only fair I do the same to you."
"You're our General, sir," He pushed, the Jedi waving him off quickly. "It's our job to protect and serve you. To trust you."
"But that doesn't mean you had to give me your name," This seemed to finalise it for the General, him seeming content with this answer. "Your names are important to you. I know you didn't wish to give it to me at first but then you trusted me with it. You tell me the troopers' names when introducing them to me. Maybe you are made to trust us Jedi, or maybe you choose to trust us."
Cody stared at him, unbelieving in his words. "But why would you then trust me, sir?"
"You clones don't have much besides your armour and your names," He gestured down at himself, down at the armour Cody associated with his vod'e . With his family. "You gave me both. You entrusted me with your everything. It is only fair I do the same."
This time when his General held out the blade, he took it. He held it carefully in his hands and ran his fingers over the metal after a moment of silence. A Jetii's lightsaber was their life. Cody would protect his General's with everything he had.
"You ready to begin, Cody?"
"Yes, sir."