(So this is a new arc of the series. We'll be shifting focus from the 501 over to the 212th for a couple of chapters. enjoy)
Cody POV, Location: Terlani
There was a reason General Kenobi had been nicknamed 'the Negotiator' by the wider Republic. While he typically fought with his lightsaber over his words, Cody knew that the General would much rather prefer to talk things out peacefully. A quality which Cody admired. He was lucky to be serving alongside a man as level headed and calm under pressure as General Kenobi. And he knew General Kenobi appreciated his support. Even if it was during meetings such as this.
Terlani was a neutral planet, and while the 212th and droid armies had been prepared to go to war over it, the ruler of the planet, Queen Ginerwe, offered a more peaceful solution, and had decided that the two parties negotiate. Luckily enough, General Kenobi was an excellent negotiator. General Kenobi currently sat inside a dining hall with the Queen herself, a Separatist General, and several of the Queen's guardsmen. Cody stood outside the room alongside three of his men. Waxer, Boil, and Pincher.
Waxer and Boil he had brown to become very familiar with… Pincher on the other hand, was a newer addition to the 212th. He served as a medic in Waxer and Boil's squad, and seemed to have a knack for making trouble with Waxer as of late, much to Boil's annoyance, and, though Cody would never admit it, he found it quite entertaining. They stood outside the entrance to the dining hall currently. There was a railing nearby, as stairs led up to the dining room. It was on these railings where Waxer and Pincher had currently placed themselves, leaning back on them.
"Hey Boil! When do ya think negotiations will be up?" Waxer asked. Boil huffed, and ignored the question.
"Would you show some respect? Quit leaning on the railing!" Boil said emphatically.
"Sorry. Force of habit." Waxer said exaggeratedly, making a big motion of lifting his elbows off the railing.
"No it's not, it's your choice!"
"That mustache of yours is a choice." Pincher interjected. Boil tensed as Waxer high fived Pincher.
"That was a good one, kid." Waxer praised. Cody coughed, and Pincher and Waxer immediately straightened. "Sorry sir!" Waxer said. Cody smirked underneath his helmet.
"No worries, Waxer. Just try to keep a decent posture. We're in a palace after all." Cody pointed out, gesturing to the large chandelier in the hall that they were currently seated in. Waxer nodded.
"Yes sir." He acknowledged, and remained silent. Cody glanced down the hall, where two Separatist leaders were having an exchange with a Tactical Droid.
"Why are they bringing a Tact if they aren't planning on invading?" Pincher pondered out loud. Waxer elbowed him and Pincher let out a grunt, shutting up quickly. The Separatists looked towards the clones, and Cody gestured for his men to get quiet. Suddenly, the doors opened. One of the Queen's hooded advisors beckoned towards Cody, who glanced over at his troops.
"Looks like Cody gets an invite." Pincher remarked.
"Don't let it go to his head." Waxer added. Cody shook his head and pointed to Boil.
"Keep an eye on them." He ordered. Boil nodded, and turned to berate the two as Cody stepped into the dining room. It was ginormous, and had a long table running through the room. At the end of the table sat the Queen, who was human. On the right side of the table sat Obi-Wan. Opposite of him sat the human Separatist Negotiator Rimbor Talsban. He was widely known as a charismatic public figure, and had a talent of swaying people with his tongue. No doubt why he had been sent here. Obi-Wan's eyes lit up when he saw Cody.
"Ah, Cody! There are you. Please, come here." Obi-Wan greeted warmly. Cody nodded obediently, walking over to Obi-Wan's side of the table, standing near him. Rimbor raised an eyebrow and turned his attention to the Queen.
"If we could resume negotiations, your majesty?" He asked. Obi-Wan raised a hand, and the Queen looked over, nodding for him to proceed. Rimbor looked relatively annoyed.
"Yes, Master Jedi?" The Queen asked. The Queen seemed to be about Obi-Wan's age. She had long brown hair that curled at the end, and blue eyes. Obi-Wan smiled in appreciation.
"Deepest apologies, ma'am, but I was wondering if we could accommodate my Commander here with a seat?" Cody raised an eyebrow, and Rimbor huffed, but the Queen nodded, and her servants pulled out a chair for Cody to sit beside Obi-Wan. Cody took his seat and removed his helmet. Rimbor coughed.
"Now, if we could continue?" Rimbor asked. The Queen nodded
"I concur with mister Talsban. I'm sure it would be most beneficial for you to hear the Republic's side of this story." Obi-Wan said before Rimbor could speak. Cody stifled a smirk as Rimbor cast a glare over at Cody's General.
"Very well, Master Jedi." The Queen acknowledged. Obi-Wan nodded, beginning what Cody knew would be quite the long case for the Republic.
"Your Majesty, as I have mentioned, I come before you today not as a warrior, but as a humble servant of the Republic. The Republic stands as a bastion of democracy and justice, a beacon of hope in a galaxy torn apart by conflict."
"And what, Master Kenobi, does the Republic offer Terlani that the Confederacy does not?" Queen Ginerwe questioned.
"Stability, Your Majesty. The Republic offers stability and security. With the might of the Grand Army of the Republic at our disposal, we have maintained peace on countless worlds. As a Jedi, my allegiance is not only to the Republic, but also to peace. And to democracy. Those are the foundations upon which we Jedi base our lives." Obi-Wan explained.
"Ahem." Rimbor said. "If I may interject, the Confederacy of Independent Systems also seeks to establish peace. We have millions on our planets who yearn for freedom, for true independence! For the right to live our own lives. To do what we want."
"Yet it is the way that the Separatists go about achieving this freedom which is alarming, Your Highness. My Commander can attest, we have lost countless men to the CIS' droid armies. Good soldiers." Obi-Wan said, gesturing to Cody, who nodded firmly.
"Is this true, Commander?" Queen Ginerwe asked. Cody nodded.
"Yes, your Majesty. I've seen many of my brothers fall to the Separatists during this war. Too many." Cody stated.
"Your Majesty, while I do admit, there have been unfortunate casualties of many Clone troopers, I implore you to see that this is of no fault of the Separatists." Rimbor said. "These brave men were bred for combat. To fight for the Republic! Yet this so called Republic has not given these men a choice into the lives they were born into. They force these men to fight for them! And the Jedi who seek to establish 'peace' and 'freedom' have only encouraged them. These clones are slaves! Slaves to the Republic, and slaves to the Jedi." Cody clenched his fists as he felt anger ripple throughout his body. Obi-Wan gave him a look that clearly read for him to calm himself. Cody took a deep breath, when he heard his name spoken.
"Commander… Cody, is it? Do you feel what Rimbor has said is true?" The Queen asked, clearly intrigued. Cody shook his head.
"No, Your Highness. I am proud to fight for this Republic. I'm proud to serve along with my brothers. I am not a slave. None of us are. We may not have asked for this war, but it does give us purpose in life. And there's no Jedi I would rather spend that life serving alongside than the man sitting next to me." Cody said. He gave Obi-Wan a glance, and the General had his eyebrows raised, and his eyes went soft. He looked touched at Cody's gesture. Cody gave him a smile. The General was a good man. A good friend. He was as much of a brother as any of Cody's men. Across the table, Rimbor coughed.
"The Commander may be able to speak for himself, but what about the clone army as a whole? Can you really trust the Republic if they enslave and program these men to follow their orders?" Rimbor asked. Cody gritted his teeth. He wasn't a slave, and neither were his brothers. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.
"Your Majesty, this debate about the clone troopers does not pertain to the issue at hand, which is why Terlani should either side with the Separatists or the Republic. This argument can be saved for a later date. As for right now, I suggest we remain on track." Obi-Wan said, giving Rimbor a pointed look. The Queen nodded.
"I agree, Master Kenobi. We have gotten off course. I would now like to hear Mr Talsban's argument as to why Terlani should join the Confederacy." The Queen stated. Rimbor smiled smugly as he began his argument.
"Your Majesty, I come to you not as an adversary, but as a friend offering you and your people an opportunity for true sovereignty and prosperity. The Separatist movement represents a future free from the shackles of the Republic's oppressive bureaucracy. Imagine, Queen Ginerwe, a galaxy where you are free to govern your own affairs, where the resources of your planet are used for the betterment of your citizens, not drained by the Republic's insatiable appetite for control. The Separatists offer not just independence, but a partnership built on mutual respect and shared values." Rimbor stated grandly.
"And what would the Separatist's reaction be should I remain neutral?" The Queen asked. Rimbor bowed his head.
"We would consider it an unfortunate loss of an incredibly beneficial partnership, but rest assured, no action will be taken against your planet, just like no action has been taken against any other neutral planet refusing to join us." Rimbor stated solemnly. Cody and Obi-Wan glanced at one another. Cody raised an eyebrow and leaned in.
"That's not true. There have been several planets that the Separatists have attacked for remaining neutral." Cody muttered. Obi-Wan nodded. The Queen spoke up.
"You have both given me much to consider. You may now be dismissed." The Queen said.
Obi-Wan and Rimbor both stood up, bowing. Cody followed in suite, and followed his General out into the hall. As they walked out, Rimbor walked down the hall to his Tactical Droids. Cody glanced over at Boil, Waxer, and Pincher. Cody turned to Obi-Wan.
"Rimbor's story doesn't line up. The Separatists have chosen to attack every planet that chooses to remain neutral. Why would this be any different?" Cody wondered aloud. Obi-Wan stroked his chin, nodding.
"I have a feeling you are right, my friend. Have your men do some investigative work. Find out what's going on here." Obi-Wan ordered. Cody nodded, and turned to his men as Obi-Wan stepped away. Boil, Waxer, and Pincher stood at attention.
"Talsban is acting suspicious. Waxer and Boil, follow him, see what you can learn, if anything. Pincher, you're with me and the General just in case anything happens." Cody ordered.
"On it, sir." Boil acknowledged. "Come on, Waxer." The two clones walked off as Pincher stuck with Cody.
"What do you think is going on here, Commander?" Pincher asked.
"I'm not sure. All I know is I have a bad feeling about this." Cody murmured, as he watched Waxer and Boil go.
Boil POV, Location: Palace Halls
Boil and Waxer moved cautiously through the shadowed corridors of the palace, trailing after the Separatist aide, Rimbor Talsban, and two Tactical Droids. The droids' mechanical footsteps echoed softly as they navigated the labyrinthine hallways.
"Stay close, Boil. We can't lose them." Waxer whispered behind Boil. Boil rolled his eyes.
"No duh. Let's see what they're up to." He replied. They followed at a distance, using the palace's ornate columns and draperies as cover. Boil could hear the low hum of conversation as Rimbor spoke to the droids.
"The Jedi and his clones suspect something, but they don't know the full extent of our plan. We must act swiftly and decisively." Rimbor told his droids. One of the Tactical Droids nodded.
"Affirmative. Shall we proceed with the scheduled plan?" The Droid asked. Rimbor shook his head.
"No, no. Tomorrow is too late. The plan proceeds tonight." He said to the droids. The clankers nodded in affirmation before they continued following him down the hall. Boil looked at Waxer. Waxer nudged him.
"What are we supposed to get from that, huh?" Waxer asked incredulously.
"We have confirmation they're planning something. We just need to figure out what." Boil wondered aloud.
"Planning what? An attack on the Queen? An attack on us? We need to go deeper." Waxer urged.
"I know, I know, just hang on." Boil said, raising a hand. "We have to be careful about this, otherwise we'll get caught."
"And Rimbor will use us to help prove his arguments against the Republic." Waxer sighed. "Your right."
"As always." Boil smirked. Waxer punched him in the shoulder.
"That right, di'kut?" He asked. Boil raised an eyebrow.
"You're learning Mando'a then?" He asked. Waxer shrugged.
"Eh. Just the insulting words. Useful whenever there's a di'kut officer around."
"Careful throwing around words like that near Cody." Boil warned. Waxer shrugged.
"I'll be fine. Speaking of Cody, think we should report in?" Waxer asked. Boil nodded. He gestured for Waxer to follow him back down the hallway.
"Yeah. Come on, vod. We'll figure out what the Seppies are up to. Eventually."
Commander Cody POV, Location: Hallway
Cody stood next to General Kenobi, who had his hands clasped behind his back. He looked calm on the outside, but Cody now knew the General well enough to tell that he had something on his mind. No doubt the recent altercation with Rimbor in the Dining Room. Cody coughed.
"I want you to know I meant what I said, General. I'm proud to serve the Republic." Cody assured him. Obi-Wan glanced at him with a frown.
"I know you are, Cody. But what about the others? Waxer. Boil. Pincher. Where is their choice in the matter?" He pondered.
"We have no other purpose but this, General. It's what we were trained to do after all." Cody reminded him. Obi-Wan nodded.
"Yes. Trained since birth. Bought and exchanged like property." He said, disgusted. "As much as I hate to admit it, there is truth to what Rimbor said. You should have a choice, regardless of whether you want to serve or not. All of you." Obi-Wan said.
Cody just offered a weak smile and nodded. "Yes sir. Maybe we should. Maybe we should."
But they didn't. Obi-Wan sighed.
"I cannot do much about this. After all, you clones, however awful it may be, are still recognized as only mere property of the Republic, meaning the Jedi cannot intervene on it likely until after the war is over. But I will discuss it with my colleagues at the Temple." Obi-Wan put a hand on Cody's shoulder. "You should get just as many rights as me, if not more." He said, locking eyes with Cody. Cody blinked, in shock and not quite sure how to react. Nobody had really spoken to him like this before. Of course, he had talks with the other CO's about what it would be like for them to go out and live their lives. Rex always said he wanted to stay in the army, but Cody had heard of others who had different opinions.
Bly had mentioned it on and off, as had Gree. Commander Levet had said he'd like to own a farm one day. And Cody was sure that there were others out there. But they'd never been given the chance. Never been given the choice. But Obi-Wan, his General, a man Cody had only known for a few months now, was willing to give him that. And that meant more than his General would ever know.