Chapter 3 - Converging
They're still cleaning up from the aftermath of the battle – without the Umbaranas ships, they were able to forcibly push the wave back and they're moving forward again – when Cody sees incoming Umbaran ships. Two of them –
Wait.
Two?
He approaches the ships warily as they land, a much too cheerful looking Anakin and Oddball clamoring out.
"Good job with that fighter," Anakin's saying, looking to Oddball.
"That was fun," he says, with a laugh, "How did you know how to do that?"
"I can fly any ship," Anakin tells him dryly.
"What's going on?" Cody asks dubiously. This is not how he expected Oddball chasing the Sith down to go.
"Sir," Oddball greets, straightening the moment he seems to realize that he has an audience. Cody can't believe Anakin's back here and it looks entirely willing. He's walking free and that... Cody has no idea what's happening anymore. Did he really mean it when he implied he was going to help them?
"I brought him back," Oddball replies cheerily.
"I came back," Anakin corrects, "And we took out the command ship. They won't be getting anymore supplies down here."
He stills. "You... what?"
"He showed me how to blow up the droid control ship, by hitting the main reactor from the inside," Oddball interjects, "We did it together."
".. You blew it up?" he repeats, incredulously. General Kenobi had been telling him they had no way of doing that and then – Anakin helped them? Actually helped them, not just to keep a few more of the clones' alive? That –
"It's a useful trick to know," Anakin replies with a shrug.
"I'd still like to know how you know that," Oddball says.
"I did it when I was nine on Naboo. I blew up the droid control ship that was blockading the plane." He sounds a little abashed maybe at talking about it.
"Why?" Cody asks, "Why would you turn on the Umbarans? You didn't seem keen on joining up with the Republic when we last talked." He was hoping that he was getting through to him but he didn't expect anything to change that fast.
Anakin's expression shadows a bit. There's something haunted in his gaze now. Something that looks a mix of guilt and pain and – A mess of other emotions Cody can't entirely read. "I saw how many of you were dying. I couldn't... do nothing about it. Not when I was watching it happen and knew I could stop it if I tried."
Why does he care about that so much? But it's obvious he does and it's... genuine. He can't doubt that anymore.
"Thank you," Cody tells him sincerely, though he's feeling unreasonably overwhelmed with gratitude and when he's feeling that toward someone who's supposed to be their enemy, he doesn't quite know how to handle that.
Anakin nods, that almost shy smile on his face again.
"That's odd," supplies Oddball who always manages to say the oddest things, "I never did think to ask why you're doing this. I thought you liked the Seppies."
"I don't know that I think either side is right but I had to pick one eventually," he replies quietly. He's not really looking at them anymore, but Cody can see the traces of fear in his eyes again. He's still afraid – of his master. But the Republic should be able to keep him safe.
Oddball nods. "Well, that was fun. Beats being stuck here on the ground. If we ever need to fly one of those ships again, I'll be happy to offer."
"I don't doubt it," Cody replies dryly.
"I can give you flying lessons about the rest of the unusual controls later," Anakin adds, mildly amused.
Oddball looks at Cody, almost hopefully.
"Yes, but later," he concedes, "We don't have time for it right now."
His brother nods, turning to go.
Cody should keep moving himself but he just... doesn't understand. "You could have escaped if you wanted," he says finally.
Anakin looks up at him, gaze burning with sincerity. The intensity of the gaze is almost too overwhelming for Cody to hold it. "I thought about it," Anakin admits, "I – I wasn't planning to come back but I..." he glances around, staring into the darkness almost anxiously, as though seeing something far away that Cody knows nothing of. Whatever he was about to say, he seems to rethink it. "You really trust that the Jedi will... help me?"
"That's what they're meant to do. Of course they will." They'll do the mission, just like the clones, even if their missions aren't always the same. All that matters to the Jedi is the mission also and Cody can respect even if sometimes... Thoughts of Krell flicker through his mind unwittingly again. "I don't know the rest of the Council, but you already know General Kenobi."
Anakin nods again, that haunted look lingering in his eyes. He's still afraid but despite that he chose to help them. That means... a lot.
Whatever he's thinking, he doesn't say and Cody doesn't ask. There's no time to keep talking. Not now, at least.
"How's your arm?" Cody asks as an afterthought. He suddenly feels kind of bad about when he shot him when he was first captured.
Anakin shifts his shoulders a bit, half as though suddenly remembering that the injury is still healing. "It's getting better. It's fine," he brushes it off.
He could put him back in binders but well – doing that now doesn't feel right. Not after he helped them willingly. He'll just... let it go. And hope that isn't a mistake even if more and more, he's beginning to think Anakin is starting to want to stay.
**w**
The next transmission Cody gets as they're trying to keep moving is making staticky sounds. It's a hologram of Krell, but barely being transmitted enough to fully form.
"- Urgent – information – " Most of the words are cutting out.
"What is it, General?" he presses.
The line flickers, clearing up a bit. "The Umbarans have attacked clone positions and they've taken our gear. Except an attack with them disguised in clone armor," Krell says.
That's concerning.
The hologram flickers off before he can reply but at least they have the info.
"We'll keep an eye out for it," Waxer speaks up, where he's standing next to Cody, close enough to have overheard the transmission.
"We'll have to let the rest of the boys know," he agrees. How is Rex doing? He must know that information at least, if Krell does. He is... hopefully alright. Not that Cody will know until after the battle is over.
"Something is not right," Anakin speaks up, approaching them. He's moving freely now and he certainly seems more comfortable with it.
"Not right how?" Cody inquires, frowning.
"With his warning. I don't know what it is. Something about him – I don't know." He trails off, shifting a bit. "The Force is warning me of something. I don't know if it has to do with him or something about the warning."
Cody doesn't much follow. "We'll be careful," he settles for, "But we need to move out. You can – "
"Can I come?" Anakin interjects, "I... I can help. If something's wrong, I will know."
Cody nods. There's no point arguing. He's already helped them and he doesn't think it's a ploy even if he won't let his guard down quite yet. "Let's move out."
**w**
Cody scans the area through a pair of macrobinoculars, where he can see movement in the trees a distance ahead of them. Back to how frustrating the darkness is, though at least it's giving him and his boys cover right now.
"That's the enemy, alright," he realizes finally, lowering the macrobinoculars, "They've disguised themselves as clones." He has no idea how they got so much clone armor, though. There's dozens of them out there. It's strange but it is what it is. At least they were warned.
Anakin frowns, that tingly sensation when he's using the Force flaring around him. "Are you sure it's the enemy?"
He doesn't have the chance to finish the sentence.
A blaster shot rings out, tearing right through the tree branches of the tree next to him. Cody ducks instinctively, whipping out his blasters to fire back. That pretty much answers whether or not these are enemy. They're attacking them.
Anakin darts away from him, disappearing somewhere into the darkness and this time Cody doesn't worry about it half as much as last time.
He'll... come back. Like last time.
Even if he doesn't fully get what's with him.
Blaster shots are flying back and forth and he loses himself in the fray of the battle, which has only lasted a couple minute so far, though neither side is gaining any advantage.
"Stop!" a voice yells and Cody looks up sharply.
It's Anakin, ducking the blaster fire as he runs back over to him, "They're clones! Those aren't Umbarans! They're clones."
Cody freezes.
So do the boys around him.
"I saw them! And I can sense it," Anakin calls breathlessly.
He jerks up his macrobinocluars once just to make sure. And that happens to be the very moment he sees one of the ones on the other side go down, his helmet sliding a bit off his head and – Anakin is right. That's a clone. It's one of the 501st. The armor wasn't stolen. That's one of his brothers.
It's one of his brothers. What – what's happening –
"Take your helmets off!" Cody yells to the others, horror flooding him full-force. "Show them that we're clones!"
The boys around him immediately start doing it and the firing stops quickly.
The clones through the trees start taking their helmets off too.
It doesn't feel fully real what just happened until he sees it – all of them are clones. They just... attacked their own forces?
Anakin looks like he's feeling downright sick next to him. Cody can entirely relate. What just – How did this just happen?
Anakin crouches on the ground next to one of the injured clones, hand on his shoulder.
A quick glance shows that it's Waxer. He's groaning quietly, hand pressed against his chest. A blaster shot's burned all the way through his armor, probably all the way through him. The wound could be fatal but unless it hit just right to mis his heart. This is Waxer and he's dying and that's expected for all the brothers Cody knows no matter how much it hurts, but not from one of their own brothers. From one – of the – what –
"You'll be alright," Anakin's promising him, helping him get a little closer to a tree so he can lean against it. "We'll get you help."
Waxer's only reply is a muffled groan. "It's ... too late..." he rasps weakly, finally. "Finish the..."
"No," Anakin objects stubbornly. His hands flutter at his sides uncertainly, before he reaches up, lifting Waxer's helmet off and pressing a hand to his head. That staticky, tingly feeling that Cody can always sense in the air whenever he's using the Force flares around him. Cody could swear it seems to be wrapping around Waxer too.
"What are you doing?" he asks, finally managing to find his voice as he surveys the damage, the knot of horror tight in his chest. He needs to find out who gave the 501st the orders to come here. That doesn't make sense. Something isn't right about this. Something's – wrong.
"Force healing," Anakin explains, "I – I don't really know how to do it, but I tried. I... hope it will be enough."
...People can heal with this Force? He's only slightly surprised. Not that he has the mental space to think about that right now. He needs to know what happened.
And then, moving through the 501st boys, Cody spots Rex.
Rex, who's here and at least he's still alive. He scrambles over to him instantly, heart still hammering.
Rex looks so lost and confused and just as gutted as Cody himself is presently feeling, but relief floods his face instantly the moment he sees him. "Cody?"
"Who gave you the order to attack us?" Cody demands.
"I don't understand," Rex replies, "General Krell sent us here. He said there would be clones here disguised as the 212th."
Wait.
Wait.
"He's the one who told us to come here and expect Umbranas to be disguised in 501st armor!" Cody exclaims. Something isn't adding up or maybe what it actually means is – is –
Kriff.
This doesn't seem possible and yet there is only one thing this means
"I don't understand," Rex says, but from the way the look in his eyes is slowly shifting, Cody thinks he's beginning to realize the same thing he did.
"Krell set you up."
Anakin is standing now, an obvious anger burning in his eyes, next to Waxer on the ground. Waxer who's dying because of Krell's orders and that wasn't a simple mistake.
A Jedi betrayed them. He's committed treason.
Why?
"So I can see," Cody realizes, the knot of sickening horror and anger inside of him steadily growing as all the implications start to sink in, "I don't believe there's a way to get ahold of General Kenobi in time. We'll have to handle this on our own."
Rex looks visibly uncertain, even if Cody can see the anger burning in his eyes. But there's fear too. He knows Rex is – afraid of their general. From what he's heard of him, there's no way he couldn't be. "He betrayed us," Rex says, slowly, "All this time we were loyal to him and he betrayed us?" It's more a question than a statement, like he can hardly believe it either even if he doesn't think he's overly shocked either. There was always something off about Krell, even if he never imagined it was this.
"I can't believe a Jedi would do this," Anakin says, "But... I expect that if was willing to go this far, this isn't where he's going to stop. I... I expect he intends to openly turn on you next, and... likely join the Separatists. I didn't know about this. I didn't know it was the plan." Anakin's gaze shifts away a bit, something like guilt flickering in his eyes.
He doesn't doubt that.
"We have to stop him," Cody states firmly, even as anxiety flares inside of him. He's never had to deal with aa traitorous Jedi before. Krell might be a traitor but the fact that he's a Jedi makes his mind instantly say superior and – "There's no one else here so we have to stop him ourselves."
Rex nods, even if he looks wary. But he's also angry. Furious. After how many of his brothers he's lost because of Krel's reckless strategies, Cody can entirely relate to that. He wants to talk to Rex, but now isn't the time for that. "I'll gather the boys," he decides determinedly.
"What about the Commander? Where is she?" Cody queries, before Rex turns to go.
"She was injured in one of the last attacks, in an ambush."
"You have a commander?" Anakin interjects,
"Krell's padawan. Ahsoka Tano," Cody explains, before looking back to Rex, "I assume there's no way she could be involved in her master's... actions." Cody has only worked with Commander Tano briefly in the past so he doesn't really know but the mere fact that a Jedi he's meant is willing to betray them has set off every alarm bell in his mind.
"No," Rex answers instantly, firmly, "She would never."
"Then do you think she would help us?" The commander should know more than anyone how to handle a traitorous Jedi. She's a Jedi too and probably the only one they'd be able to get ahold of.
"She was recovering. We can tell her but if Krell's betrayed us, he's going to see this coming before we get back to the base," Rex replies, face shadowed. "If we want to catch him by surprise, I don't think we'll have time to tell her first."
"Send one of the boys to get her, then," Cody suggests, "We'll get everyone else in position."
Rex nods.
It takes some minutes to get all the injured out of the way and all those who are still in fighting condition gathered. Anakin is lingering near Cody as always, a silent support. He didn't realize how much security that's been giving him until this moment, when it suddenly sinks in just how relieved he is that Anakin is going to be there when they go to confront Krell.
He's a Sith too and he could easily turn on them when Krell is, but he... doesn't seem to have any such interests. And Cody can never say how grateful he is to him even if he still doesn't understand it. But Anakin isn't like any Force user or even any natborn that he's ever met before. He cares about them for them. Because – because they're clones. Not because of the mission or because of anything else. He doesn't understand it.
Cody looks to Rex, nodding to him. He'll let him do the talking. He – he needs the chance to do that when his general betrayed him.
"We all know who's responsible for what happened out there," Rex starts, looking between his brothers, "What we don't know is why. Something has to be done. What I'm proposing is highly treasonous. If any man chooses to opt out, do it now."
None of the boys step aside, not that Cody expected they would. They're all ready, then.
"From this point on, we're entering uncharted territory. I say we move to arrest General Krell for treason against the Republic."
A chorus of "yes, sir's," echo through the gathered clones.
They're ready, then.
"I'm coming," Anakin speaks up, shifting a little. He seems almost uncomfortable about something. "Do you – do you have my lightsaber around here? You don't have to give it to me but – "
"I don't," Cody says and he can't deny how the smallest swell of disappointment he feels at the answer. It'll make Anakin helping them significantly harder for him. "General Kenobi took it with him when he left."
Anakin nods, visibly disappointed, but he doesn't say anything more.
He can't deny that he's wary of how this is going to end. He doesn't know if this is the right choice technically, if they really have the authority to do this but Krell is a traitor. He's not a Jedi anymore, even if his mind isn't really accepting that. He can't believe Krell did this to Rex and his brothers and he is so angry. All this time, he thought he was careless with the clones because he was trying to get the mission done, no matter what, but was that never true at all? Was it just because he – what? Wanted them to die?
They head for the compound together. Some of the boys take positions outside the command center where Krell is. Rex and Cody go in the front together, Anakin following behind them.
They keep their hands on their blasters as they enter the command center room.
"General Krell, you are being relieved of duty," Rex begins, stepping forward though from the way his hands are practically crushing around his blasters, Cody can see easily that he's... afraid.
Krell turns around slowly, four arms crossed across his chest. "It's treason, then. You're committing mutiny. I hope you are ready to face the consequences."
Rex's hands on his blasters tighten further.
"We know what you've done," Cody replies evenly, starting forward, anger burning hot inside of him.
Rex is completely rigid, now that they're here in Krell's presence. "You betrayed us," he accuses.
"Oh, did I?" Krell asks, flippantly. It makes Cody so angry.
"You ordered us to attack each other!" Rex throws back.
"Oh, that. I'm surprised you were able to figure it out, for a clone."
"We were loyal to you. We were always loyal to you. How could you do this?" Rex demands, "You're a Jedi."
He laughs, something dark and almost crazed about it. "I'm no longer naive enough to be a Jedi. Your blind loyalty is what I've always needed to make my plans succeed and you always gave that." He laughs again.
Cody cannot wait to shoot him.
Maybe he shouldn't think that about a Jedi – former Jedi – but he can't help it.
"Even if this is your duty, that doesn't give any of your superiors an excuse for not treating you fairly,"
"You're still a person. You're all people. Not just numbers."
"You're with the Separatists. You're Fallen," Anakin realizes, eyes narrowing. It's the first time he's spoken, but he's braced like he's expecting an attack.
"Once I prove myself to my new master, yes," he sneers. If he recognizes Anakin, he doesn't indicate anything. Anakin was a masked figure when they apprehended him, though. It's possible not many know about him.
"Surrender," Cody warns.
Krell looks between them, then lashes out wildly, a Force shove flinging all the clones surrounding him to the floor and he whips out his lightsabers.
Or tries to, because the lightsabers are abruptly yanked from his hands, landing in Anakin's instead.
Cody and Rex start shooting and all the clones follow suit, as they clamor to their feet. Krell flips into the air, dodging their shots but without his lightsabers, it's not enough to stop one shot form catching him in the shoulder. He Force-shoves them down again, though Anakin counters him this time, throwing him back, nearly giving Cody the opportunity to shoot him. but Krel's a Jedi Master and it shows. He jumps out of the way of their shots, jumping out the window beyond, the glass shattering.
Anakin drops the lightsabers to the floor and runs after Krell, jumping out the window.
Right.
Because Jedi can do that without any issue.
Cody spins and runs for the door, the rest of the boys close behind.
Krell can't get to his lightsabers anymore, but it doesn't look like that's made him any less deadly. He's running past the clones, throwing them out of his way or snapping their necks. He's already made it a short distance into the when Cody sees a flash of green through the trees. Running ahead to follow it, it's to see Commander Tano standing in front of Krell, green lightsabers out.
"How can you do this?" she yells. She looks angry and hurt – and in a lot of ways, this is far more personal for her because Krell was raising her. It's something a lot more personal than the relationship between a General and their clone commander or captain.
"You have seen the weakness of the Jedi, the way they are failing. Something new will arise. You have the chance to be a part of it. Don't waste it."
"I'm not joining you!" she shouts back, "You – you – You're a traitor! How could you turn the clones on each other like that?"
"The Republic forces have to be routed from Umbara. The clones are collateral. They're nothing but creatures bred in some laboratory – "
Krell chokes, eyes widening as his hands flail wildly, reaching for his neck.
Cody half thinks it's Ahsoka who's strangling him, but no, it's... Anakin? He's standing with a hand raised, in Krell's general direction. His eyes have burned yellow – wait why are his eyes yellow? That's not normal. His eyes are supposed to be... blue?
It's the first time he's truly remembered that Anakin is still a Sith, despite how soft and light he seems to be.
The Commander's gaze darts wildly between Krell and Anakin, as she seems to realize what's happening.
A blaster shot rings out suddenly, the shot burning its way right through Krell's heart.
Cody jerks at the unexpectedness of it, turning sharply towards his brothers. Rex's blaster is the one smoking. He lowers it a little shakily, as though it's only sinking in right now what he just did.
"He betrayed us," Rex says. He always sounds level when he talks but his voice is practically shaking right now. "I had too."
"After everything he's done to all of you, it was the only way," Anakin tells him, voice oddly gentle as he drops Krell to the ground.
Which is when it really sinks in that this is over and it also means that... they killed a Jedi. He was a traitor, yes, but he was still a Jedi and Cody doesn't know what that's going to mean. He doesn't know what consequences Rex could face for this, but –
"Is he really dead?" Cody has to ask finally, stepping forward.
"Yes," Anakin assures, glancing down at the body.
The Commander is standing frozen, staring at the body on the ground. If she's upset by it, Cody can't fully tell but she certainly doesn't look happy despite the rage she was showing moments before. This was her master, to be fair.
Rex still looks shaken. "What are we going to... tell the Council? Or the Republic?" he asks, looking to Cody as though he could have the answers. But he's the only older brother Rex has here.
Cody knows what this could mean for them, this kind of unauthorized action. He thinks the Council would listen considering they have evidence but... He understands Rex's fear, especially since he's the one who did it and the clones don't have the authority to make that kind of choice.
"I'll tell them what happened," Commander Tano speaks up, slowly turning away from the body. She walks over to Rex, and the two exchange a wordless glance.
Rex nods a bit, whatever silent communication is passing between them.
Finally she looks away, gaze settling on Anakin. "Who is that?"
"Anakin Skywalker," he replies, before Cody can, "I was Separatist. Now... I don't know. I had no idea Krell was going to betray, much less how he was going to go about it. I didn't know this was under Dooku's orders." He sounds sincere and that he cares so much, that he's basically saying that he's doing this because of them – because their lives are at stake – means more than Cody could ever say. He doesn't even understand it.
"You're a Dark Sider," the Commander accuses, eyes narrowed.
Cody has never understood what those terms even mean.
"I am."
"Then why would you help us?"
Anakin glances away, expression shadowed. "I already told you. And the rest is... a long story."
"I need to contact General Kenobi," Cody finally interjects. He'd like to explain this to General Kenobi soon, even if he's admittedly a bit... nervous about it.
"I'm coming," the Commander says immediately, turning to follow him.
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