Good news: update was quicker than normal! Bad news: it wasn't as quick as I would have liked it...
And we will just get to the part two and skip review comments.
Cue part two: The Feeling of Betrayal!
Kriff, this chapter title screams angst...
Cody knew something was up as soon as General Skywalker came off the shuttle. First of all, the shuttle was unexpected and it's arrival sudden. Second of all, there was a complete and utter stranger with him, bald, dressed in rugged clothing, practically gray skin, and a large facial tattoo across his face. And finally, the two were arguing very loudly, not even attempting to keep their conversation private.
The commander had just finished his request for a new General and redeployment and was literally about to send it when the shuttle had arrived and he had been alerted. His first thought was that the Council had already decided to send a replacement Jedi and General Skywalker was there to introduce him.
Clearly, this was not the reason based on the argument and appearance of the stranger, who was clearly not a Jedi.
"-I don't even know what to think anymore!" Anakin threw his arms in the air, marching towards the elevator to the command center.
The stranger rubbed his forehead, as if frustrated with the Jedi, "Anakin, calm yourself. You're making a scene."
Cody had been walking towards them with a datapad and literally dropped it. He could have sworn he heard…
Anakin and the stranger reached the elevator and the doors opened. However, the Jedi was able to get out one last sentence before the doors closed.
"I am making a scene? I'm not the one who faked my death, Obi-Wan!"
"Ana-" the door cut off whatever sentence was next, but no one really cared.
Literally every clone in ear shot froze in place and stared, eyes wide and mouths gaping open. No one moved for several minutes, trying to figure out what they had just heard and seen.
Cody was just coming around when General Skywalker suddenly stormed out from the elevator and marched to his ship. The commander hesitated for a moment before rushing after him. "Uh, General Skywalker? I have-"
"Am I overreacting?" The Jedi suddenly whirled around and pointed at Cody, his face clearly angry.
Cody stepped back a little confused, "Sir? I'm not sure I understand the question."
Anakin waved angrily towards the elevator, "If I faked my death and didn't tell him, wouldn't he be angry?"
"Uh… Yes?" Cody tilted his head, now very confused.
The Jedi seemed satisfied and calmed down remarkably. "Good. As you were Commander." He began to walk away again and Cody quickly stopped him.
"Uh, sir? Who was that you were with?" Cody inquired, his heart pounding. Was that…?
Anakin pinched his nose. "That was Obi-Wan in a very good disguise of Rako Hardeen. Ugh! I can't believe the council didn't tell me they were going to fake kill him!" He marched off without another word, leaving a speechless attack battalion behind him.
The first emotion Cody felt was shock followed by joy. Extreme joy. He looked around at the men, eyes wide. He grinned at Wooley. "Looks like we won't need a new General, after all."
Several men gave out a large whoop and some threw their helmets in the air. Work had completely stopped and coms were being called and messages sent around the ship. General Kenobi was alive!
After the initial reaction the joy faded into confusion. Which was quickly replaced by anger. Cody thought back to all the pain and emotions his brother's had gone through and felt a deep rage rise up.
The rest of the men were not far behind and with no order given all the clones gathered in the hanger to talk about the new… events.
Cody called the men to attention and glanced to one of the newer recruits. "Zee! What's the update on the General?"
"Commander," Zee gave a small salute, "He is in his room. General Skywalker informed me that he was… removing the disguise."
"Ah," was all Cody could say, his blood boiling. "Did General Skywalker give the reason why the General… faked his death?"
"No, sir."
A wave of annoyance fell across the men and several cried out in protest. Cody himself felt annoyed at being left out of the loop. Were they just clones? The nasty business from General Krell only a few battles back had left a nasty scar on all clone's minds. Almost like an insecurity. And everyone hated it.
Only Tile seemed to find any sort of explanation. "Maybe General Kenobi wanted to tell us, but didn't have time. He could have gotten the mission right after he left the ship." He gave a sweet smile, "The general would never have done that to us by choice."
Cody had to agree and ordered the men to settle down. "I'm sure the general will explain when he gets settled. Until then, do your duties and jobs. You're dismissed."
Most of the men left, but a few lingered in the hanger. Cody was retrieving his datapad when the elevators slid open to reveal-
-a bald Obi-Wan.
Cody almost started laughing at how ridiculous he looked, but managed to keep a straight face. The Jedi scanned the clones before setting his gaze on Cody and giving a small smile. As he approached, Cody felt his fear's relax. Here came the general to explain everything. Just as it should be.
"Cody! I've missed you! And the men!" Obi-Wan placed a hand on the Commander's shoulder. "How was everything while I was gone?"
Cody almost flinched, but he held it back. "As well as to be expected, sir."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly, "Good, good…" He looked expectantly at Cody, as if waiting for something but Cody didn't have the faintest idea on what he was supposed to do. The two stood there for a few moments before Obi-Wan gave a shrug. "Alright, Cody. I expect a report on the men's doings while I was gone in the morning. Have a good day, Cody." He turned and marched down the lines giving smiles and greetings to all the men in his way, as if nothing had changed.
He didn't notice the half-hearted responses or the frowns.
Cody had never been so angry with his General. Never, in his entire career had he wanted to slap the man until now. Kriff, he wanted to push him into an escape pod and get him off the Negotiator, but that would have been treason.
The entire clone population felt the same way. As the days passed, no explanation was given. No apology, or even a mention of the incident was said from the Jedi. And every clone was fuming. Most clones either avoided him altogether or only spoke when needed. And even then the answers were short and choppy ending or starting with, 'Sir'. Either Obi-Wan didn't notice or chose to ignore it.
"Cody!" the general called, snapping Cody into a stiff attention.
He had been talking to Wooley, but the captain turned away and quickly made his way down the hall in the opposite direction. But even at that speed, Cody saw the flash of anger in the man's eye's and was positive he had an identical expression. He took a deep breath and forced the emotion down, turning around. "Yes, sir?"
"I just got a call from Anakin. Apparently, he has walked into a trap. Again. He needs assistance and we're it." Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, running his hand across the very short bristles of hair that had been growing back the past few days.
Cody nodded. "I'll get the men ready, sir."
"Thank you, Cody." Obi-Wan frowned slightly, "Cody… is something wrong?"
"No, sir." Cody quickly shook his head, trying to push the anger in his throat down.
"Are you sure? You look rather pale."
"Sir." Cody balled his fists, "General Skywalker?"
"Right. We'll talk later."
Cody took that as his leave and quickly ran down the hall, calling up on his com. Time to go save Skywalker and Rex. Again. For some reason, Cody didn't feel as annoyed as he usually did.
The battle had been fought and won (although by the time they got there, Anakin and the 501st had pretty much straightened the entire matter out). The Jedi were giving the Council their report leaving the clones to themselves.
Rex, Cody, Wooley, Fives, and Boil were sitting together in the mess of the Negotiator.
Cody rubbed his eyes and shook his head, "We aren't over-reacting, are we?"
Rex frowned, "I don't think so. If General Skywalker had pulled the same stunt I would have expected an apology. Kriff, I still do. His fake death affected us too!"
Fives gave a nod. "I had never seen General Skywalker so angry. It was like looking at General Kre-" He cut himself off a little too late and looked down at his hands, ashamed.
"Don't even put their names in the same sentence," Boil spat out. "Or that title. He was no General."
No one spoke after that, the memory still fresh in their mind.
Cody, again, felt the scar Krell had left on the clones. On all clones. He wondered if it would ever fade. Looking around at the angry brothers, he didn't feel like it would. Especially with Obi-Wan's actions at the forefront of their minds.
As General Skywalker appeared to take the men from the 501st back to their ship with Obi-Wan, Cody couldn't help but feel like screaming. Both Generals were going around and checking with each men and calling them by name, as they did whenever possible after every battle. It had made everyone feel wanted and like they belonged. But this time, Cody felt cold and lifeless as his general made his way around.
A cold blanket seemed to have enveloped the entire 212th and their General didn't seem to notice.
Obi-Wan had thought it was the hair-cut. He admitted, it looked a tad strange and felt extremely uncomfortable to be bald. No one had asked about it, much to his shock and pleasure. He had been expecting a lecture from at least Bacta about the health hazards of a cold head. But even the medic had seemed a bit turned off by the hairdo.
After a week, a short stubble had grown and his original hair line had returned, although not the same length. Over the next few weeks it would return to normal and the Jedi would look like his old self. Obi-Wan shrugged it off. What was done was done and he was confident the men would have accustomed to it by now.
Which is why he was so confused when he walked into the noisy mess hall that the noise died almost instantly. He looked around at the suddenly blank faces who found their food more interesting than the surrounding men. Obi-Wan carefully navigated through the tables to the food line. Most men in the line quickly moved away. A few gave a sloppy salute before hurrying over to a table with the food on their plates, whether they were done or not.
Obi-Wan frowned deeper, grabbing a plate and exiting the room. The chatter grew again as soon as the doors closed leaving a puzzled Obi-Wan to eat alone. He shrugged it aside, after a moment. His men would come accustomed to the hair eventually.
After a short lunch, the Jedi decided to head down to one of the training rooms. If he recalled correctly, some of the younger men trained about now and it often involved a game. He found the group in training room 4, playing some sort of dodgeball game that involved stun blasters. When he arrived, Tile had been running from a very happy Trigger, but both froze when they saw him.
Obi-Wan gave a small smile. "Tile, Trigger, Zee, Cliff, Click, Buzzer." He nodded at each clone in turn. No one smiled back. Ignoring the fact, Obi-Wan continued, "May I join you in your… training exercise?"
No one spoke for a moment, each clone looking at one another. Zee finally spoke up, picking up his blaster, "Actually, we were just leaving, sir." He left without another word, followed shortly behind by his fellow clones.
Obi-Wan frowned but gave a quick little nod. "Oh, that's alright. Perhaps another-"
The door closed behind Tile leaving an empty room.
"-time." Obi-Wan finished to no one. Something was wrong with his men- and it was definitely not his haircut. And he was going to figure out what.
Later the same day, the general called Cody into his office. Cody was less than thrilled, but orders were orders (although the way Obi-Wan phrased it sounded more like an invite).
Obi-Wan smiled brightly at Cody when his commander entered. "Cody! I'm so glad you came. Would you like some tea?"
Cody shook his head, his lips pressed together in a tight line. Obi-Wan motioned for the man to sit down. The commander remained standing.
Obi-Wan frowned slightly. "I was hoping you could answer some questions for me."
"Of course, sir."
"Cody…" Obi-Wan tilted his head slightly. "Something is wrong with the men." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
"I haven't noticed, sir." Cody glued his eyes to a spot behind his general, unwilling to look him in the eye.
Obi-Wan frowned. "Really? It is quite obvious to me. They are withdrawn and rather sullen."
"They act fine around me, sir." Which was true… Cody got along great with the men, as long as his general was not in the room.
"Cody." Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. "Is something bugging you?"
"No, sir." Cody gritted his teeth slightly, keeping his voice even. "If nothing is wrong with you, then I am perfectly happy, sir."
The general had been taking a sip of tea, but froze, his cup held up to his mouth. He stared at Cody, slowly putting the cup down. "Cody… Are you alright?"
Cody didn't speak for a moment. "Permission to leave, sir?"
"... Of course. Good day-"
Cody didn't even wait for him to finish, but left without a word.
"-Cody." Obi-Wan looked down at his tea. It suddenly didn't look so appetizing.
It took Rex to explain everything, and that was after Anakin and him crash landed in the hangar, a few days later. Anakin was in the medical bay getting patched up leaving Rex to explain what had happened. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan was too distracted to even hear a tenth of the story. He simply wrote down 'Anakin', in all caps and tuned out the Captain, his thoughts racing.
"... Sir?" Rex waved a hand in front of the Jedi.
Obi-Wan snapped his gaze back to the clone. "Sorry. What is it?"
"Sir, I don't mean to pry but…" Rex relaxed from his stance slightly. "Are you alright?" He noted the bags under Obi-Wan's eyes and the dazed look.
Obi-Wan waved the comment aside. "Of course, Rex. I just haven't slept well the past few days. My mind has been distracted."
"If you don't mind me asking, sir, but distracted by what?"
Obi-Wan gave a small almost sad smile. "It is nice to know at least you still care, Rex."
"Sir?"
"Nothing, Captain. Just my own personal issues." Obi-Wan waved his hand in a dismissive manner.
Rex frowned, trying to understand. A sudden light leapt in his eyes. "Sir, are you distracted by the men?"
"Well," The general rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, I am. Something is bugging them and I haven't the slightest idea of what it is."
Rex hesitated for a moment. "Permission to speak, sir?"
"Uh…" Obi-Wan tilted his head slightly. "Of course, Rex."
"Perhaps they are looking for an apology."
"An apology?" Obi-Wan asked, his confusion growing. "For what?"
"Faking your death, sir."
"Oh, that," Obi-Wan dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "No, that's not it."
Rex frowned, "What makes you so sure, sir?"
"Because," the Jedi turned to his paperwork, "They didn't know about it until after I was back."
Rex stared at the General, eyes wide. He couldn't seem to speak for a moment before practically forcing out the word, "Sir?"
Something about the tone alerted Obi-Wan that something was wrong. The Jedi looked up, his uneasiness growing. "Yes?"
"... I told them the day after the...incident, under General Skywalker's orders."
Obi-Wan's mouth dropped open. He tried to speak but nothing came out of his mouth but silent words. He managed to recover, quickly demanding, "They were told I was dead?"
"Yes, sir."
"Oh." The response was small and quiet. A new layer of fear seemed to appear on Obi-Wan's shoulders. "I… I did not plan on that. The Council was just going to send a message that the 212th were going to have leave until further notice. The why was not to be given."
"Sorry, sir." Rex made an apologetic gesture, "I was sent and Master Skywalker thought it would be good for them to know."
Obi-Wan pinched his nose. "Of course this is Anakin's fault…" He stood up, a new resolve building, "Well, I need to speak with Cody at once. Thank you for the information, Captain. You are dismissed."
Rex gave a quick salute before heading out. He made a mental note to call Cody at a later date to see how the apology went. And to give his own apology on the matter.
The apology did not go well. Correction: it went awful. Obi-Wan informed Cody that it had not been his plan to inform the clones of his 'fake death' and sincerely apologized for any hurt or pain he caused them. Maybe it was the way he said it. Or maybe it was the fact that Obi-Wan hadn't noticed until now. Most are not completely sure what happened but everyone knew it ended with a yelling match between the general and commander that involved the words "Kriff, stupid, Tatooine, and Krell," before the two stormed off in separate directions.
The rest of the day, Obi-Wan paced in his room, trying to find a solution. He had apologized. And he really felt sorry. Was he so disconnected with his own men that he hadn't realized every single one of them was furious with him? Apparently so. What did that make him, as their general? Uncaring? Uncivilized? A kriffin' idiot who deserved to be thrown in a sarlacc pit? The Jedi didn't know, but he was determined to make things right.
The next morning Obi-Wan woke up bright and early, ready to try and fix this. He offered to train with the less experienced recruits (even offering to use a blaster instead of his lightsaber). He volunteered to help Bacta in the medical bay- a place he avoided everyday of his life. He asked the mechanics if they needed any help cleaning the transport ships or unloading any cargo. Literally every job he could think of on the Negotiator, he volunteered for. All steered him away- some even refusing to speak to him.
How could their general have been so blind to their pain? The news had spread like a wildfire and a new layer of anger had been built on top of the old ones.
At the end of the long and fruitless day, Obi-Wan retired to his room earlier than usual. He was unable to sleep, however, staring at the ceiling with his thoughts whirling around. He could bake them a cake- No, not even food would make up this mess. He could ask the Council for a month's leave to some remote planet and take them to relax- No, they already had a month's leave and men were needed for the Republic. Nothing stood out to Obi-Wan as a good solution to the problem.
Just looking at the Jedi made the clones more angry! How could he apologize if none of them could even talk to him?
Obi-Wan sighed, accepting the facts. There would be nothing he could do to make it up to them. But he could try and make their lives less painful. Sleep long forgotten, Obi-Wan swung his legs over the bed and sat up. He grabbed a datapad and began to scroll through the records of the Jedi currently in the temple.
"If the 212th can't have me as a General, then I should find a suitable replacement." Obi-Wan shoved down the sorrow he felt at the thought. He wanted what was best for his- these men. And if leaving was what was best, then he would do just that.
Cody's eyes followed the general as he walked through the halls of the Negotiator. The Jedi's focus was completely devoted to a datapad- the same datapad he had been absorbed in for the past three days. Come to think of it, Obi-Wan hadn't really spoken to anyone in the last three days. Cody frowned slightly. Maybe he should check on him…
The hall was empty except for them, so Cody expected at least a greeting. When it wasn't forthcoming, the clone took the initiative. "Sir?"
The Jedi didn't appear to hear him and continued walking.
"Sir!" Cody's voice rang out a little sharper than he had intended, but it did the job. Obi-Wan's head shot up from the pad and looked over at Cody. "Yes, Commander?" His question was dull and monotone.
Cody hesitated. He had fought alongside the Jedi for a long enough time to know when something was wrong with the man. His eyes were a deep gray and seemed to carry a sorrow that Cody was unable to identify. "Sir… I… I just wanted to tell you I will be in the training room with some of the veterans for a special training session."
Obi-Wan nodded distractedly. "Of course, Commander." He walked off without another word.
Cody frowned slightly. 'Commander… he called me Commander twice.' He glanced around the hall, looking for another clone or a droid or something. The corridor was empty. The frown deepened as did the worry. Obi-Wan never called him Commander in private. Ever.
Something was very, very wrong.
Maybe he should try to figure out why the general was suddenly so subdued… No! Cody quickly shoved the thought away. He hurt us, remember? He thought to himself.
But the distracted and flat expression on Obi-Wan's face was enough to make the clone consider that maybe, just maybe, they had been a little too harsh…
Cody took a breath finally deciding that he wouldn't reach out to the general just yet, but he would definitely change his conduct around the general and watch the Jedi a little closer.
"So sure about this, are you?" The even smaller than usual Grand Master asked, his blue hologram flickering.
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "I believe it will be the best for the men."
Yoda slowly shook his head. "Giving up, you are."
"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan stood up a little straighter, "I have done everything I could think of, but the damage is too great. I have done all I could… it is time for someone else to try and fix this mess."
Yoda didn't answer for a moment. "My great-grand padawan, you are. Your judgement, I trust. Inform your men of this change before making this request, you should."
"Master, I hardly think-"
"Inform them, you will. Then request, you will make." It was not a request. Yoda gave a knowing smile. "Talk with you soon, I will. May the Force be with you." The hologram flickered and died before Obi-Wan could respond.
Two hours later, the mid-day meal was called for. Most clones cheerfully made their way to the mess, looking forward to their meal. Everyone was chatting and laughing when Obi-Wan nervously entered the mess.
The voices almost immediately died and grew back into a more hushed whisper. Some of the men ignored the general, but most watched him, curious on what the general was going to do after almost a week of isolation.
To many people's shock he avoided the lunch line and headed to the center of the mess hall. Coming to a stop at an empty table, he climbed up on the top and stood above everyone. In a loud and clear voice he called for attention. The talk died immediately, this time from an order.
"It has come to my attention," Obi-Wan started slowly, "that I have made a mistake that has cost me your trust." He hesitated. "It was not my intention to let you know about my fake 'demise' but Anakin took things into his own hands. Again. I also should have informed you about the mission, but secrecy was of the up most importance and I was under orders from the council themselves to not tell anyone. But I should have told you somehow or ensured that you would have been properly informed of the situation sooner." He straightened his shoulders. "For this, I apologize."
Silence.
"And," Obi-Wan's voice wavered slightly, but he pulled himself together, "Due to this… situation, I have decided it would be best if the 212th receive a new General." He paused. "I will be sending in the request this afternoon and will most likely be removed within the week."
No one moved or made a sound.
Obi-Wan gave a half-hearted smile. "That is all. You may go back to your meal." He climbed down the table and began to walk out of the mess hall, trying to ignore the men around him.
No one moved, the only footsteps echoing out was the withdrawing General. If anyone dropped anything it would echo out like a blaster shot. Each step seemed to pierce into Obi-Wan's already saddened heart. 'This is for them, it is for them, it is for them,' he repeated the words over and over again, trying to find some sort of solace in them. None, if any came.
Obi-Wan was right at the door when one of the clones suddenly broke ranks, throwing his arms around the General and literally yanked him backwards. The Jedi froze and looked down at a crying Tile.
"Please… don't leave again… I don't know-" Ti cut off and burst into sobs, practically clinging to the man who he considered an elder brother.
Obi-Wan gently patted his head and was about to insist it was for the best when another clone sprinted forward and stood in front of the door out. Boil crossed his arms and glared with a look of, 'Don't even think about leaving this room or I will kill you very slowly'.
Bacta showed up out of nowhere and began to yell something in Obi-Wan's ear, but the Jedi was too confused to pay attention. What in the galaxy was going on? Didn't they want him to leave?
"-AND THAT IS THAT!" Bacta finished with a huff.
Obi-Wan blinked, "What is what?"
"You. Are. NOT. Leaving." Bacta stamped his foot on the ground, emphasizing each word.
The spell was broken and every clone in the room surged forward in a tidal wave. After the door was blocked and their general was pulled into the center of the room, unable to leave if he wanted to as Tile had still not let go.
Cody was called in and he arrived perplexed to find every available brother literally restraining the general, who looked equally perplexed. "Did I miss something?"
Tile babbled something about making the general stay and Bacta started lecturing everyone about how the silent treatment doesn't help anyone. But Boil brought everyone back into the present by marching forward and standing at attention in front of Obi-Wan.
"General, I ask forgiveness for what I'm about to do."
Obi-Wan blinked bewildered, "Uh…"
Boil raised his hand and smacked the Jedi across the face, stepping back quickly and standing at attention again. "Please forgive me, General. But that was really stupid."
"... Which part?"
"Faking your death and resigning because we refused to forgive you."
Obi-Wan blinked. "Well… in that case, I think I deserved that, Boil."
Cody stepped forward. "But don't do it again or I'll have you court martialed." The pieces finally fit and Cody gently pried Ti off the general. "General… I'm-"
"Ah!" Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't want to hear it, Commander. We all make mistakes."
Tile calmed down before grabbing Cody and pushing him down next to Obi-Wan. He gave a small grin. "Besides, you would have left your pillow behind!"
Both general and commander looked up at the ceiling, exasperated.
Then Bacta ordered a clone pile right in the mess hall, with Obi-Wan right in the middle until the general swore he would not pull a stunt like that again. Every clone immediately obeyed.
The last thing Obi-Wan remembered before falling asleep was Cody giving him a gentle hug. "You can't lose us that easily, General…"
Well... that was fun. Review please!