Chapter Text
“So… you’re going to meet with him then?”
Commander Cody chuckled, straightening up and looking over his shoulder at his younger vod. Captain Rex was looking at him with narrowed eyes, holding his helmet loosely in one hand.
“Yes.” He replied simply. “Yes, I am going to meet with him. Right now. And don’t you have somewhere to be, Rex?”
Rex stiffened, made no move to leave. “He isn’t like the other Jedi.” Rex insisted. “Can you trust him?”
Cody shrugged. “Suppose we’ll have to find out then, won’t we?” He smirked. “Do your job, Captain, let me worry about mine.”
Rex frowned, but turned at last, stepping out the door and leaving Cody on his own.
~
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood quietly on the landing platform, his hands folded respectfully behind his back. He was dressed in a simple tunic, his heart thudding lightly in his chest. It was rare that soldiers ever came to the AgriCorps – there was never any real need for them there – but now that the war was over, they were coming in hoards, the Republic not knowing what to do with their massive clone armies.
Today, Obi-Wan was expecting a particularly special soldier.
A commander, he’d been told. Well, former commander, Obi-Wan mentally corrected himself. These men weren’t soldiers, not anymore. The Commander – former Commander – had been sent by the Republic, along with a team of other soldiers, to help Obi-Wan find a hospitable, relatively uninhabited planet where the clone army could safely inhabit, which, Obi-Wan had come to realize, was much easier said than done.
The gunship came into view at last, breaking free of the atmosphere as it prepared to land on the platform. Obi-Wan stayed put, serenely watching the gunship descend onto the landing platform and settle into place. The hatch fell open, and at once, the familiar skeletal white clone armor came into view, though this clone had orange highlights painted across his armor. He was flanked by ten other troopers, all sporting various unique armor designs, all in the same uniform orange.
“Are you Obi-Wan Kenobi?” The leader of the pack asked, his voice sounding robotic underneath the helmet. Obi-Wan nodded, inclining his head slightly in a bow.
“Yes. I trust you’re the Com-.” Not Commander. “I take it you’re… the soldier they sent to help me?”
The clone nodded, finally removing his helmet, and Obi-Wan took in his features. The same face as all the other clones, yes, same hair, same skin, same eyes, but there was a sort of elder wisdom to his eyes, a tiny freckle on his lower lip that was unique, setting him apart from the other clones Obi-Wan had seen. Finally, there was the hook-shaped scar, curving around his eye before proceeding up the side of his head and hooking once more towards his temple.
“I’m Cody.” He introduced himself, nodding respectfully once to Obi-Wan. “My men and I are here to help you locate a planet for the rest of my brothers to live peacefully.”
“Yes, follow me.” Obi-Wan answered, leading him into one of the main AgriCorps buildings. The interactions with Cody so far had felt stiff, to Obi-Wan. Unusual, seeing how he’d never felt uncomfortable around any of the other clones before. What makes this one different?
“We’ve looked into several planets we reclaimed from the Separatists at the end of the war.” Obi-Wan explained, pulling up a holo-map at one of the large round tables in the center of the expansive meeting room. “We’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities.”
“Let’s hear it.” Cody nodded, beckoning his men in as they removed their helmets. Once again, Obi-Wan looked around at the sea of familiar faces, noting the different hair styles, scars, tattoos even. All things that set them apart from one another. How unusual.
“The first is called Talula,” Obi-Wan told the trooper, pointing to one of the spheres on the map and enlarging the planet. “It’s uninhabited, perfect to house all the clones in the army, though it’s primarily a snow planet.”
“Is it habitable?” Cody questioned, narrowing his eyes at the planet.
“Certainly.” Obi-Wan nodded. “We’ve sent workers out there to inspect the land. Farming is a little difficult, but hunting is always an option. It’s cold, but there’s always an opportunity for fire, fuel. The Separatists primarily used the planet as a mine for Tibanna fuel.”
Cody nodded, his lips pursed. “Next planet?”
Obi-Wan swiped to another planet. “This one’s called Pacata.” Obi-Wan pointed to it, enhancing the image. “This planet is more desert, habited by a few rural farming villages but we’ve spoken to them, you won’t have any issues.” He pointed to some statistics highlighting the side of the screen. “Water’s a bit scarce, that’s the only potential problem. There’s not a lot of hunting to be done, but there’s possibility for farming in a small section of the year, during the rainy season.”
“There’s millions of clones scattered across the galaxy that need a home.” Cody told him, his eyes narrowing. “Millions of men cannot be expected to live on a planet with barely enough water for those who currently live there.” He sighed. “And the last planet?”
Obi-Wan hesitated, but pulled up the planet at his request. “This is Sendana.” He said quietly. “Lush forests, rivers, plenty of animals to hunt, rich farmland… a mecca, for someone who’s looking to settle.”
Cody perked up. “That sounds perfect.” He nodded. “Sendana. That’s where we’ll go.”
“There is a slight problem.” Obi-Wan frowned. “Sendana is still inhabited by Separatists Loyalists. Several villages comprised primarily of bandits.”
Cody deflated, but squared his shoulders. “If they are Separatist loyalists, then they have no place there anyway. We can drive them out.”
“Drive them out?” Obi-Wan repeated. “They’ve taken over the Separatist outpost that used to be there, they have tanks, they’ve reprogrammed droids.” Obi-Wan shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s not possible, Com – Cody.”
“Maybe for you.” Cody replied, glancing around to his men. “If this is the only way my brothers and I have a safe place to live, then we’re willing to fight one last battle for home.”
Obi-Wan nodded. “Well, I cannot speak for you or your – your brothers.” Obi-Wan answered, trying to pick up on Cody’s terminology. “But I give you my word, we will do whatever we can to assist you.”
Cody nodded. “Captain Rex, one of my most trusted, is currently tasked with rounding up the remaining soldiers scattered around the galaxy. I’ll have him detour with us to Sendana to begin an attack.”
“We’ll need to review the maps again.” Obi-Wan continued. “I’m afraid a band of clone troopers will not be enough to eradicate the remaining Separatist forces.”
“Not just a band of clones.” Cody shook his head. “We’ll have you with us as well.”
Obi-Wan blinked in relative surprise. “I beg your pardon?” He asked. “I’ll be… you’d like for me to join you? Commander, you deeply misunderstand.” Obi-Wan chuckled. “I haven’t been trained for battle, I work here, in the AgriCorps fields.”
“We’ll train you.” Cody answered simply. “It’s in your blood, you’ll get the hang of it quickly.” He assured him. “Don’t worry, sir. You’ll be fine with us.” He cleared his throat, nodding to his men briefly before turning back to Obi-Wan. “Could you direct us to where we’re staying? I need to contact Captain Rex.”
Obi-Wan nodded, still a little out of his element from being told he would be fighting alongside the clone troopers. “Yes. Yes of course.” He nodded. “Right this way.”
He was going to have to fight.
~