Ch7: The Cold (In which it's finally the clones turn to take care of their General)

General Plo Koon sat in meditation as the Venator-class Star Destroyer that was his flagship hovered over Kabal. Its orbit directly above the largest island on the mostly ocean covered world. The trade federation had abandoned this world in a strategic move for the Republic to raise taxes on the imports, as it was an Outer Rim planet in the Mayagil sector, in the Sharlissian Trade Corridor, which was quite a distance from the core worlds. However when the Republic did not do so Count Dooku had encouraged riots regardless, and when that too failed the rioters being discovered as receiving separatist reimbursement for their troubles, the prime minister had finally called in the Republic against the blockade that the separatists had finally brought. The planet was still neutral in the war but it was a start.

Plo Koon sank deeper into the force as the sharp pain of loss permeated his being. He had felt it across half the galaxy when it had happened, before he had had it confirmed by Commander Wolffe. General Kenobi, Council member and Jedi Master was dead. Jabiim, he'd read the reports, it had been a massacre. A part of him wished that he himself had been stationed on the world. Kenobi was, or had been a brilliant tactician, and an unparalleled swordsman, but what he had in those regards he lacked in experience and in patience. All this being said after receiving a report from Wolffe on the conditions which had been prevalent on Jabiim even he doubted on what it was he could have done to prevent the terrible tragedy and losses of life that had torn the planet asunder.

The Republic had been ill prepared for the rains which had turned the soils of Jabiim to mud, slowed down by the elements the walkers and equipment had been compromised. The rains and atmosphere had severely impeded orbital and air support. And what was more; the Republic radio communications and sensors were scrambled by the turbulent atmospheric conditions of the planet. It had been all but impossible to call for reinforcements, the battle all but fated for a Republic loss. He'd nearly doubled over when he'd felt it. So many Jedi dead, so many padawans slaughtered. The Jedi Council members may not have had force bonds with those that had perished but they were still all more closely connected through the force then most Jedi. He was in the midst of the battle on Kabal himself but upon his near collapse, Wolffe took over all but ordering him back onto the flagship. They had lost too many Jedi for him to be putting himself in harm's way when it was clear that he was not well, and Plo Koon had been in no condition to continue, he'd felt the loss of too many Jedi across the galaxy and Obi Wan Kenobi had been the tipping point. He had been fortunate he'd lasted as long as he had. Perhaps only Master Yoda had yet to quit a battle from an overload of the increasing deaths felt through the force burning out the senses but it was so, though no Jedi spoke of it each had their limits, and Obi Wan Kenobi had been his.

Obi Wan Kenobi, he has been the youngest on the Jedi Council, the youngest to ever sit on the Council as well. Many would forget his youth because of his demeanor. But Plo Koon never could, because though his beard hid his face nothing could shield his presence in the force, full of wit and sarcasm. It was a young force presence, and to lose the future, that, that was something even he had trouble releasing into the force. He sank deeper still, feeling the planet below and the battle that raged. He could feel the men in walkers, their urgency yet hope in a victory. His presence brushed past the Commander, by the war table, and though the other clones had ignored his presence as he sank deeper in meditation he could feel Wolffe turn at the feeling, as if someone had placed a hand on his shoulder, before turning back and resuming another set of orders in the assured manner of one who could already see the victory that was to come. He felt his Commanders exhaustion, the exhaustion but elation of the troops. The pilots whose thrill at flying never ceased and the lights of the galaxies beyond. But through it all he felt a pain that he had felt many times before, the pain of the knowledge that another promising light had been extinguished earlier then he would have wished into the force. This time it was merely more personal and therefore harder to release.

His skin felt heavy, as if something had coated it with durasteel. This was not a good sign and while he was tempted to brush such a thing away and find healing in the embrace of the force he knew from experience that some things were best left to a medical droid, or in this case a medic. He commed a surprised Coric but found that he had not in him to chuckle as the clone fumbled for proper protocol as medics were often free of such a thing when in the field. I was several minutes before Coric would be up and so he waited while resuming his meditations in the force.

-0-0-0-

"So what's the verdict?"

"The verdict?" Coric was folding a strip of bandages lengthwise when Wolffe strode into the med ward in his white uniform, indicating that he had been on the Destroyer for quite some time now. The scalpels and syringes all sterilized, check, bacta patches ready and counted for, bandages, almost done with that…

"For the General, he caught something down on Kabal didn't he?" General Koon hadn't told him that he couldn't share the verdict, and it was common protocol for Commanders and the like to know of each other's illnesses in the case that one had to replace the other, while the other recovered so he relented as he subconsciously sifted through the various medical equipment he had just finished checking up on.

"I'm not sure what the name is, I haven't exactly received in depth medical training for Kel Dor physiology. But yea, he's got some sort of bacterial virus? That's what it looks like anyway." There was no need for formalities, he'd patched Wolffe up enough times and it wasn't like this was an official inspection or anything.

"Is it akin to one of us catching a cold?" He followed Wolffe's gaze to the bacta tanks sighing to himself, he had really been looking forward to five minutes of quiet.

"Something like that. I don't want to bore you with the details…" He turned to put the bandages and several syringes away hoping that Wolffe would get the message. That he was a bit busy getting ready for whenever the wounded would be brought on board, but the Commander ignored this and merely leaned against one of the tables folding his arms across his chest.

"Humor me, I've just deployed the walkers so I've got a good hour or so to burn." Coric smirked knowing that Wolffe had added that last bit to keep him up to speed and humor him. He may well be a medic but he was always interested in what it was that was going on wherever the battle raged. He would be having to clean up the Commanders bloody mess after all. He sighed leaving his equipment and settling in a chair and folding his arms as well, if he was going to be humoring anyone anyway, he may as well be resting his legs while the peace and quiet lasted.

"Kabal's oceanic life forms have certain bacterial like viruses which I suspected could possibly infect General Koon. He stayed out of the water at this suggestion, but now I'm thinking the atmosphere may have had something to do with it though it did not rain. I've just did several standard medscans on him, nothing to be worried about, except the fact that well, I've never heard of a Jedi catching a cold before." Wolffe chuckled at that and Coric found that he too found it quite funny.

"Well Jedi or not he's still a biological being right?" Wolffe turned to go but paused by the door turning back slightly a thin frown on his face. "You don't happen to know how long the cold will last do you?"

"Two days at most, or so I'm thinking, but as I said I didn't receive that much training on nonhuman physiology." Wolffe seemed satisfied with the answer and Coric all but groaned when upon Wolffe's exit Tweak was brought in on a stretcher, a critical case no doubt as he was flown in from the battlefield itself followed by several other troopers limping or being carried in. There went his brief respite, then again it wasn't like he had anything better planned to do. Slipping on some standard gloves he was ready to treat his first patient of the hour.

-0-0-0-

For the first time in a long time, Plo Koon was in bed. It was ironic really, and humbling at the same time. He'd taken blaster bolts, survived the pressure of space, could trek through snows and sands for hours even days without tiring, and yet all it took was one small microscopic organism to bring him down. He coughed bringing up a hand in habit though his mask covered his mouth. His sinuses hurt, particularly the sensitive and thin tracheas that supplemented any Kel Dor's breathing. Force he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so terrible. He could feel moisture on his dry skin as it produced the mucus necessary to flush out whatever had invaded his body. He focused on the small bacterial like cell which he could feel multiplying within himself. He could sense that it would not survive rapid shifts in temperature, but even with the force he had to be careful not to damage his own organs. The body was a fragile thing, and using the force within it was far more difficult than simply force pushing a rock or propelling oneself with the force.

It was why in his mind healers would always remain in high regard. Healing something, be it the body or the mind, was far more difficult than breaking the body or mind. If he were back in the temple he had no doubt it would have taken Vokara Che three hours at most to flush out the infection, however he was too far from Coruscant and so he would make do with what he had. Coric had provided some medication which he thought would be helpful and which he himself new to be helpful in times past to those of his species physiology, however this was a relatively new bacteria and though he had taken a standard dose of tablets with the purpose of cleaning his bloodstream of infections he felt that it would be best if he complemented the effort with the force. He sank into his meditation contemplating the ceiling and the best candidate to replace Master Kenobi's Council seat when he heard a light wrap on the door.

"Come in." He was not surprised to see Wolffe, he had felt his presence and those of the men still waging the battle below, and so he was expecting an update. He was not however expecting the large mug the Commander had with him.

"General, permission to approach sir?" He couldn't keep the amusement out of his voice at that. For all of Wolffe's military training and vast knowledge, for all of his brilliant strategies and capabilities, the Commanders hesitance when having to deviate from protocol was at times somewhat amusing. "You may."

He peered curiously at the cup as it was lowered onto the small table by his bedside before the Commander resumed a parade rest folding his arms behind his back. "It's bantha milk sir, with Alderaanian nectar. I am aware that nectar from Dorin is far more effective in fighting a cold for your physiology, but we didn't stock up on that…"

The unspoken , I didn't expect you to catch a cold so we didn't bother getting any was not spoken aloud, but he chuckled anyway. Though it came out more as semi chuckle through his cough, he was not touched any less by the gesture. "Thank you Wolffe." He sat up; thanking the force he could still do that without assistance. He picked up the mug studying the blue liquid and allowing his Commander some space within which to continue as he felt that the Commander had more to say through the force.

"We also received a transmission from Padawan Tano…I wasn't sure if you were still awake, Coric informed me he'd just been up to see you thirty or so minutes ago, so I took the liberty of taking a message. I didn't tell her you were sick sir, if that's alright with you; I'm not exactly sure what the standard protocol is on that… But uh you can call her back I'm sure you'd still catch her sir. "

"Thank you Wolffe but there will be no need." Interestingly enough the Commander was more concerned that he should have checked on his General first before telling little Soka that he was currently otherwise occupied but had no issues with the omission itself. And Plo Koon couldn't blame him. With General Kenobi dead there was no need to stir panic with another Council member's sickness, which would be healed within a day or so and would only cause more worry then was called for. "I will hear the message now."

"Yes sir." Wolffe pulled the holo from a side pocket handing it to Plo Koon.

The holo started up and the image of Ashoka blinked into existence, her stance and clasped but fidgety hands giving off an undertone of anxiety. "Hey Master Plo, this is Ashoka, I'm just sort of popping in to tell you that I'm still grounded on Coruscant. Master Skyguy's been ordered to run the evacuation on Jabiim by the Supreme Chancellor, so I guess I'm stuck back here till he gets back." She paused rubbing her arm to stall and reassure herself. He sighed it was not too hard to discern what she would speak off next. "I still can't believe Master Kenobi is gone. I mean, I just spoke with him several days ago via holo. And only two weeks ago he was showing me some new katas. I guess that's how the force works. You gotta value what you have or you might lose it." She sighed dejectedly. "I'm just calling to let you know that they want to hold the funeral on Coruscant when Master Skyguy gets back, I'm not sure when exactly… Master Skyguy wants to keep looking for a body before they make any arrangements but Master Yoda says that they'll wait two weeks before holding the funeral. So I suppose it's gonna be then… I guess what I'm trying to say is stay safe Master Plo, and may the force be with you."

He was silent for a long time after that. He was pulled out of his thought by his Commander who had shifted from one foot to the other bringing him back from his musing on what Ashoka had said. "Thank you Wolffe. How goes the battle."

"It's going well sir, I've just deployed the Republic walkers, they should be able to punch a hole through the separatist's defenses allowing us to route our men and secure the city. It should be half an hour more before they begin the final assault. It's one of the slowest battles thus far if I do have to say so myself."

"That is good news." A republic victory was something the Republic sorely needed. And looking at Wolffe's concerned yet somewhat bored demeanor Plo Koon was left wondering if perhaps they would have made a difference had they been stationed on Jabiim. Master Kenobi and Skywalker were ingenious in unorthodox situations. But sometimes merely outmaneuvering your opponent was what the battle required and Plo Koon was once again left to wonder why it was that he has not been stationed on Jabiim.

Wolffe coughed tactfully catching his attention once more. "Sir if I may, I need to return to the war table."

"Of course Commander, I will not keep you, you are dismissed." He drank the pleasantly scalding beverage slowly as he watched the Commander go a thin smile gracing his lips before a sigh reverberated through his bones. And he was left alone to battle his illness and the gaping hole that Kenobi had left in the force.

-0-0-0-

It was dark and disorienting, just like his first mission. Breathing was somewhat difficult, his rebreather had broken. Something he'd feared could happen ever since he'd begun his apprenticeship. To a Kel Dor, his mask was his life, and he was torn as to whether he should search for his Master or use the force to improvise, he wasn't sure he could, but the ship was a good hour away. There were screeches around him in the dark pit that he had fallen into. He wasn't sure what species these particularly beings were from but he could sense they were carnivorous, and they were hungry. He could feel his fear; it was almost tangible through the force.

He woke with a sudden start, a dark almost imperceptible shape moving to his side. He lashed out instantly and instinctively only to hear a human grunt before said human slid to the floor from the wall he'd been tossed into. Plo Koon returned to his consciousness in seconds alarmed, as his eyes searched for who it was he had tossed across half the room, finding the Commander in the dimly lit room. Wolffe was pushing himself up from the floor and wincing as he did so before rising and brushing himself off.

"I'm sorry, Wolffe are you alright?"

"Yes sir, sorry if I startled you sir, but you hadn't moved for hours and when you did I wanted to be sure you were alright."

It had been years since he'd needed to sleep. No doubt he'd been more worn out by the healing trance then he'd thought and must have drifted and transitioned to sleep from his trance. He couldn't hide the slight worry in his voice. "It is I who must apologize Wolffe I had not realized my sleep would be that deep. Is everything alright?" The Commander resumed his seat by Plo Koon's side and for a moment he was worried that perhaps he was more sick then he'd initially thought.

"Yes sir, sorry if my presence is inconveniencing you, but Coric said someone should monitor you as he's not familiar with Kel Dor physiology in terms of how the sickness could progress. He would have been here himself but, he's also the best surgeon that we have even though he doesn't sound like it." Plo Koon couldn't hold back chuckle at that, as well as allowing the chuckle to bring him a pathway to release his tension from his dreaming as he released his tension into the force, he was more troubled by the dream then he had initially thought he would be. "The battle was a Republic victory. We've mostly finished mopping up on Kabal so he's been in the operation room since. He would have sent another medic, however I'm the next well versed person on Kel Dor physiology and well, I thought you might possibly wish to wake up to a more familiar face?" The unspoken I wanted to make sure you were alright and you're always there when I'm sick so technically it must be allowed somewhere in the protocol hung unspoken in the air.

"That is very kind of you Wolffe."

"Just doing my job…" The Commander rubbed the back of his neck in what Plo Koon knew to be the universal sign of human sheepishness and was amused by it. It was no question that he as a Jedi could read the minds of others, and interestingly enough Wolffe never minded, which was quite novel as humans were always wary of those who could read their minds. And so the Commander no doubt knew that he could see right through him which only made the gesture more endearing. "So um, how are you feeling General?" I'm really worried but I'm pretending to be all professional about asking. Also I've never seen a Jedi sick before…this is normal right?

Koon couldn't suppress his chuckle at that. "I have been better Wolffe, however I believe that several more hours of rest will suffice."

"Is there anything you might require, Sir? If you are up to it I can give you a debriefing on how the battle had proceeded."

"That would be prudent Commander." Plo Koon wanted nothing more than to fall back into the deep folds of the force so that he could increase the speed of his recovery. However, with his connection to the force so turbulent after Obi Wan's death that was easier said than done, he found that just hearing someone's voice as he sank into his healing trance could be both helpful and at times comforting. Wolffe started from the top, numbers, strategies, deployment, his voice was even but with hints of emotion as he spoke of casualties, grief and regret, and their defensive maneuvers, pride and hope. By the time he reached the actual battle itself Plo Koon was deep in his meditations. And if he would have bothered to sense the room about him as he slept, he would have known that Wolffe had stayed, and sometime after the seventh hour of pondering the next battle and next deployment while watching General Koon's condition, he had drifted off to sleep as well.

When Plo Koon awoke thirty hours later finally flushing out the bacteria it was to an empty room and a datapad outlining their fleets next deployment and several battle strategies as well as a thermos filled with bantha milk mixed with Alderaanian nectar. Picking up the beverage and sensing the room about him a warm but sad smile graced his masked features. Obi Wan Kenobi was gone, as were many other Jedi Knights and padawan's. It was painful it was brutal, but through it all he would not be alone. The hole that Obi Wan left still ached as did Jabiim. But he found that if he focused on the datapad and the force around him, the pain was easier to bear.


InkWizard: Thanks for the reviews! You requested I involve Plo Koon in the next installment more and maybe do a chapter on Plo Koon narrating the Abregado escape pod episode. I don't know whether I will do that in the future but I thought about it and inspiration struck me for this ch so here you go;)

Alrighty! A bit different than usual because it includes a lot more Plo Koon POV. Honestly the guy is pretty hard to write mostly because I didn't really watch that much clone wars. I hope I did him justice. I chose this piece because I wanted to show that Obi Wan's supposed death on Jabiim didn't just affect Anakin it affected all the Jedi on the Council as well as those outside. I also feel that death is not an easy thing to just let go off. Plo Koon may not have the time to think on the death but when he does no doubt it's hard for him to accept. I also wanted to show how Plo Koon views the clones. He really thinks of them as people and individuals and they all love him for it. I was watching a video clip on youtube of when the Wolffepack brings relief to Aleen you can clearly see Plo Koon's picture on the transports its actually kind of neat and cool. Wolffe turning at Plo Koon's brush of his mind? Wolffe isn't a force sensitive obviously but if you read the other ch Wolffe has felt what a Jedi's mind feels like so he would no doubt feel a shift, the others haven't studied the force or taken meditation lessons from Plo Koon. Also Wolffe doesn't exactly feel Plo Koon because Plo Koon was just brushing the edges of his mind but he does feel something. Or that's what I assume anyway. Well tell me what you thought and of course weather I got Plo Koon down fine.

Thanks Stella Polare for reminding me that not everyone is familiar with the Jabiim arc. For those of you who are not familiar with the Jabiim arc Obi Wan is not dead, he gets taken off Jabiim by Ventress who puts a Sith mask on him to torture him with the dark side so everyone thinks he's dead because the Jedi can't feel him through the force, until he escapes and is saved by I believe Anakin. So he's still very much alive I didn't kill him off. Hope I cleared that up, Laters!