Cody stood in the shadows, far away from everyone, watching as Mace walked up to the dais, bowing to the figures placed on pedestals. He turned back to the crowd, speaking softly, his face torn by grief. Cody strained to hear what he said, but all he heard was a strange echoing. He watched as a padiwan stepped up, handing Mace a torch. Mace nodded to him, then turned back the figures. Their faces came into focus and Cody's heart broke in two. They called out to him, strapped down to the pedestals. The Grand Chamber slowly changed into gray room, machines everywhere. Mace turned into a black-cloaked figure, hunched over by some great weight. The torch turned into a lightsaber and the being turned to him, his figure twisted by hate. He laughed, a cold laugh, filling the entire room with it.
"Thank you, Commander," the figure smiled malevolently, then turned to the first figure, driving the blade into his chest. Then it was Cody driving the blade into the figure's chest, looking down into the pain-twisted face of his victim.
Cody woke with a start, struggling against the restraints that held him to the cold hard table. He looked around, his eyes wide; trying to see the faces of the beings in the shadows, "Let me go! I didn't do it! I didn't help him! I swear!"
The figures didn't move, just stared at him, their eyes burning out of the darkness, accusing him.
He struggled against the restraints, almost sobbing, "I would never kill Kenobi!"
"I know," a calm voice said and Cody's eyes snapped open. He was gasping for air, his eyes wild as he looked around. The white washed walls and beeping monitors were amazingly comforting for him. He lay back, relaxing. It had only been a dream, nothing more. He was safe in the med station on board….
Cody sat up, looking at the people sitting there. Obi-wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex; his friends. He would never hurt them, he kept telling himself, he would never do that.
Obi-wan answered the unspoken question," You're onboard the Vengeance. It's been three days since the Battle of Yavin."
Cody nodded, trying to remember. He and Kenobi had been standing on the bridge and then….nothing.
"What happened?" Cody croaked, his throat dry and scratchy.
"You took a hit for Obi-wan. Very stupid, mind you, but you saved everyone,"Ahsoka squeezed his hand. Cody tried to remember. Flashes, images came to mind. They all had entered the throne room on the Death Star, then Rex was being thrown across the room by some kind've lightning. These red guards had appeared, attacking the him and the Jedi. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Cody saw Palpatine raise his hand towards Obi-wan. There was a ripple in the air and Cody threw himself in the way. Something had hit him and he had been sent flying….
Cody looked up, breathing hard, "What was it?"
"Palpatine had ripped aside the barriers you had placed on your mind and used your fears against you. We weren't able to drive the rest of it out until a couple hours ago," Anakin looked as exhausted as he sounded.
"Thank you," Cody whispered, laying his head back, feeling completely spent.
"It should be us thanking you, Cody," Ahsoka whispered, looking at the others, relief in all their eyes.