CC-2224 observed the walls of the sink-hole with little enthusiasm. The 212th Attack Battalion had already ascended to another level. He was here, planning the strategy with several of his lieutenants. He usually had great zeal when in a battle, often yelling commands to his troops, especially when fighting the armies of the brilliant military strategist General Grievous.
But Grievous was dead.
He had received word from General Kenobi that the fearsome cyborg would no longer pose a threat to the battle. He was glad. The general had cost him many of his men. And his death would bring an end to the destruction of the war.
But the battle of Utapau was all but ended.
With no leader, the droid were simply trying to hold ground, and were failing miserably.
Hearing an alien cry, he knew the battle would end even sooner. General Kenobi was returning. He would make things go a lot faster.
He turned and saw Kenobi riding up on his varactyl. He removed his helmet as the Jedi reigned in his mount. He knew it was against protocol to show your face to a superior, but Kenobi was more than a general. He was a friend.
"Commander, contact your troops," he said. "Tell them to move to the higher levels."
"Very good sir," he responded. He began to turn but stopped, remembering the cylindrical item in his belt. "Oh, by the way, I think you'll be needing this."
Kenobi smiled warmly, accepting the hilt of his lightsaber. "Thank you Cody."
Then his eyes were forward, face grimly determined. "Now, let's get a move on, we have a battle to win!"
And he rode away.
Even knowing the general would not hear it, 2224 smiled, responding: "Yessir!" And he replaced his helmet.
As he reached for a communicator to give the orders to his troops, it rang. He pressed the accept button. A hologram flickered to life. It was a man. He was wearing a dark, hooded robe, his face horribly disfigured. He was contemplating hanging up, but the man spoke.
"Commander Cody-"
The unmistakable voice of the Supreme Chancellor. He was listening almost immediately. Palpatine's orders took Priority 1.
"The time has come. Execute Order 66."
For a moment, the clone was shocked. The order he had never expected to hear, had come. The human part of him screamed in protest. But then the soldier side kicked in. Orders were orders.
Especially from the chancellor.
The hologram had already faded, because Palpatine already knew the answer.
"Yes my lord."
He glanced at his side. The AT-TE would be the perfect weapon. Long range, powerful, accurate.
But he hesitated.
This was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
His general.
His ally.
His friend.
But orders were orders.
Almost in agony he gave the command. "BLAST HIM!"
The air shook with the sound of the shot fired from the AT-TE.
And to 2224, all sound ceased as he watched the shot soar across the sink hole.
The explosion was magnificent. Rocks and debris flew from the walls. The varactyl screamed. A humming blue blade flicked and died.
Then he watched as General Kenobi and his mount tumbled from the wall.
As they fell, he could have sworn he saw Kenobi, just for a moment, look at him with a face wrought with fear and pain and a question.
Cody, Why?
And Kenobi disappeared from view.
The splash at the bottom of the sink-hole was the que.
All sound returned, and he found himself once again in the battle.
"Lieutenant! Get the AT-RT's to the upper levels now!"