Ok… guess you folks are all in favor of Cody and Jen. Like… overwhelmingly so.
Sorry MK, I know you had your reasons and all but for once, I decided to leave it in the hands of the readers and they chose Cody. Good arguments still, always appreciate your feedback.
So, anyway, here's a cool tidbit about the publishing of this chapter.
I'm updating this from Japan. How cool is that?
After some serious, and I do mean serious bullshit revolving around life and ESPECIALLY my job, I basically needed a serious vacation to refuel, get my creative juices flowing once more and just one day into Japan and boom, finally got my wind back and churned this one out.
More to tell and touch on but I'll save that at the end of the Chapter.
So for now, as per the norm…
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 118: Band of Brothers Volume 4 Battle and Purpose
-Undisclosed planet: Several weeks after the start of the war-
"What's the damage?"
Commander Bly of the 327th wordlessly held out the datapad to his newly assigned Jedi General, Aayla Secura.
She took the device from his hands and held it in front of her, the information regarding casualties and further outcomes of the battle they had just participated in.
"63 dead, 119 wounded." Aayla muttered, frowning to herself at the numbers. "More than last time."
"It could have been worse, General." Bly quietly stated. "When we first got here, we lost hundreds of men."
The Twi'lek Jedi bristled at that reminder, internally berating herself for her decisions that day.
All around the pair, the 327th were going about multiple tasks and duties as they established their forward operating base upon the planet of Felucia.
Upon the start of the war, Felucia rapidly became a heavily contested planet between the Republic and Separatists due to its positioning between the warring factions.
The 327th sky corps was among the first to be deployed into the jungle planet and they were quick to learn just how intensely entrenched the Separatists had become in such a short amount of time.
Still, despite the losses, they had gained ground and the men were in high spirits.
Aayla saw several of her best men seated around a fire, helmets off with a small pot hovering over the flames. The clones were conversing with each other, laughing and making faces at whatever it was that was being cooked in the pot.
"I don't know if we should be envious or glad that the clankers don't eat their own food." Flash remarked, holding up an unidentifiable piece of… something that was supposed to be edible. "What even is this?"
"Food, supposedly." Lucky quipped, snatching the supposed food out of Flash's hands and tossing it away. "Likely for the generals and commanders that the Sep's brought in."
Flash glanced over to a large stack of crates filled with supplies that would only be consumed and utilized by anyone but droids.
"How many did they bring, an army?" He couldn't help but say.
"Neimoidians," Cameron spoke up, stirring the contents in the pot and adding a pinch of salt. "Greedy bastards but hey, least we got more than the usual to cook with."
"How we lookin' Cameron?"
The Clone in question stirred the contents of the pot inside, taking a small spoonful for a taste before humming in satisfaction.
"We're good," He declares. "We're lookin' good."
"How can you be certain?" Lucky wryly remarked, peering down at the concoction his brother made. "We're clones. We've never cooked before."
"Hey, if ya got a reservation somewhere on Felucia, just let me know." The Clone Cook shit back.
"When and where did you even learn to cook? Or even have the time for it?"
"Gotta have a hobby of some kind, Flash." Cameron casually rebuked, shooing him away as he added some condiments to the food. "Alright, come and get it boys."
The clones held out their bowls with Cameron distributing a soup-like dish with some types of meats and vegetables.
They dug in with most appearing to enjoy what was cooked up.
"Hey, not bad Cameron." One of the Clones said.
"Yeah, I'm not vomiting." Flash remarked, grinning at the face the Clone Cook directed at him.
"Glowin' review, brother." Cameron dryly said.
"Boys." Spoke a female voice and the men turned to see Aayla and Bly standing near them.
The latter quickly held up his hand, seeing them about to stand at attention.
"No need boys, you're off duty." The Commander said. "Enjoy your meal, you've earned it."
There were murmurs of 'yes sir' and 'thanks', the clones all returning to eating their meals.
"What have you got here, boys?" Aayla queried, peeking into the contents of the pot. "Looks fresh."
"Yeah, Cam here made it." Lucky said with his cheek full, pointing at his brother.
"Truly?" Aayla mused in intrigue. "May I?"
Cameron appeared slightly flustered at the request, fumbling a bit to get an empty bowl before being able to hand it over to his Jedi general.
She gave him an appreciative smile, filled her bowl up, took a quick taste, and humming aloud.
"This is quite hearty, Cameron."
The clone blinked, a small smile forming. "Ya think so, General?"
"Yeah, not bad." Bly spoke up, having gotten some for himself. "Good mixture. Ya made this yourself?"
"Kinda just went with my gut on this one." Cameron admitted bashfully. "I mean, I sorta fell into looking at recipes and all by accident and just…" He shrugged. "I dunno, I liked the idea of just cookin'."
Aayla bobbed her head side-to-side. "Maybe that can be your calling. Once this war is through, perhaps you can become a galaxy-renowned chef."
Cameron snorted derisively. "I wouldn't be too sure about that general. I'm a clone. My duty is to my brothers and the Republic."
The Twi'lek Jedi found herself frowning at the statement, sensing a resigned acceptance in those words.
"Come now, Cameron." Aayla spoke up empathetically. "You all are clones, yes and like the Jedi, are duty-bound to the Republic. But you still have a choice in your life for what comes after. Even now. Don't deny yourself a chance for something different when the time comes. You owe it to yourself to do so."
The look of surprise Cameron had was one shared by the rest of the clones to varying degrees, with the clone cook soon developing a wide, appreciative smile.
"Thank you, general." Cameron sincerely said.
"Well now," Flash clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Guess that means you gotta expand your pallet."
"Maybe you can have a place to yourself for the boys." Lucky suggested.
Cameron hummed to himself, rubbing his chin. "Ya know… that actually sounds like a great idea."
"Let's win the war first." Bly commented, an amused smirk in place.
"Come now, Commander," Aayla jokingly chided. "It's good to have desires beyond the war. Cameron can feed many after the wars end when we will undoubtedly have to rebuild."
-Scene Cut-
Commander Wolffe of the 104th stood at the head of his company which had been traveling down a road for several hours now.
Right by his side was Jedi Master Plo Koon, General of the 104th and one of the most powerful Jedi alive today.
The pair had endured much in the short time they had been paired together, being thrown into some harrowing battles that hardened their men and instilled in them a great amount of experience.
Currently, their mission was on a Separatist-occupied world and their objective was to systematically take out Separatist outposts that had shield generators, supply depots, Anti-aircraft artillery, repair stations for ships and such and whatever was deemed a necessary target in their campaign.
For the most part, their operations have gone smoothly enough.
However…
Several developments, or rather one in particular arose during their multiple battles on this world.
The planet held a substantial droid force but there was a heavy complement of Separatist citizens who were fighting alongside the clankers, putting up heavy resistance, far more than the 104th were used to with just droids.
Rather than the straightforward, predictable, single-file tactics that the droids employed, taking on live enemies was a different beast for the 104th.
Yes, they were still far more skilled and superior in terms of training and combat prowess since they were born and bred for this war but the Sep volunteer corps proved to be an adverse and dangerous foe.
Rather than programming and coding, these enemies were motivated by emotions and a foundational reason as to why they chose to fight.
The clones still regarded them as traitors yet all the same, a begrudging respect was starting to develop for these Seppies who willingly chose to put their lives on the line and-
"It appears we have arrived." Plo Koon's deep baritone voice cut through Wolffe's thoughts, the Clone Commander spotting a sizable town with movement already seen by the pair.
"Spread out." Wolffe immediately shouted and the large company of the 104th dispersed into small groups, beginning to surround the town.
The Clones saw more Separatist soldiers than droids, all getting into their own defensive positions.
Comet, Boost and Sinker all stopped behind a building for cover, quickly readying their weapons.
Both Boost and Sinker were ready to fire when they saw Comet appearing idle.
The two clones soon realized that the rest of their brothers had yet to engage, even their Jedi general.
"Why aren't you shooting?" Sinker quickly asked Comet, the clone shaking his head.
"We're not being shot at yet."
"What?" Boost said in bewilderment. "What do you mean?"
"Republic rules of engagement against contested planets. Unless the civilian populace fires at us, we can't engage unless we know they're our ene-" Comet was cut off by several stray blaster bolts whizzing by his helmet. " Now they're shooting at us."
"That is honestly the stupidest thing I've heard." Sinker grunted out, raising his rifle and joining his brothers as they fired upon the town.
"You say that now."
"I'll say that always." Sinker retorted, jumping back behind the building as a torrent of blaster fire was sent their way.
On his end, Wolffe was directing his men into battle with Plo Koon providing cover, deflecting almost every blaster bolt sent his way.
"Get up!" He called out to clones that had rushed into nearby ditches for cover. "Keep moving! You're a sitting Bantha fodder down there. Go! Go! Go!"
The men of the 104th quickly followed the orders of their commander and began rushing into the two, firing at the Separatist forces.
Plo Koon marched forward, sending back multiple bolts, a grouping of clones forming around him.
Further back, the AT-TEs trudged towards the town, the walking tanks firing at several buildings, destroying them in the process.
"Oi, oi, remember brothers, no excess damage." The clone pilot at the head of the line of AT-TEs said through their comms.
Wolffe ran at full speed at a Super-Battle Droid, shoulder-tackling the larger adversary and bringing it down, riddling it with blaster bolts.
"Sergeant Bull!" The Commander shouted, a Clone Sergeant appearing beside him a second later. "Take your men and move up that right flank. Get some on the roof and use the alleyways and exterior of the two for cover."
"Sir."
Bull broke into a run, making three chopping gestures with his arm, multiple clones broke into three groups and ran in the directed areas their sergeant pointed to.
Blaster bolts flew from all sides, men and droids dropping every few seconds.
"Keep moving." Wolffe ordered several clones using debris for cover. "General Plo is hogging all the action to himself."
Said Kel-Dor Jedi was leading a dozen of his men, blue lightning coursing around his arms that shifted in a golden yellow. Thrusting his hand forward, Plo Koon unleashed his specialized variant of Force Lightning he dubbed Electric Judgement.
The lightning struck down a number of enemies, being droids and separative soldiers. The droids were quickly destroyed or short-circuited via the electricity. As for the separate assaulters they experienced a level of pain and discomfort but were subdued and unconscious rather than killed.
Master Plo understood that fighting in this war there would be death but he would rather fight droids than separatist soldiers. Despite them being enemies of the Republic, they were still living beings and the Jedi are supposed to protect life and only take it in the most extreme or dire circumstances. Even with the war, he believed in staying his hand to the best of his ability.
Still, he wasn't a naive fool, perhaps just a tad too optimistic.
That didn't mean he was defenseless nor would he allow for his men to die so easily.
Thus with every soldier he cut down, Plo would whisper a small ancient Kel-Dor prayer hoping they would find peace within the Force.
Over with Sergeant Bull, the 104th trooper was dragging an injured brother to cover.
"Medic!" He yelled out, turning around to fire at several droids that rounded a corner. "Hash, Webb, Cobb, take that building."
The three named clones sprinted at their assigned target, Webb taking point. Getting in close, Webb slowed down for a brief moment before winding his leg up and booting the door open. He rushed in, followed quickly by Hash and Cobb.
Blaster fire and nasally cries of B1 droids were heard inside and the three clones soon burst out onto the roof. There were several droids and Seppie soldiers that were quickly dealt with.
Cobb and Hash peaked out from the top, spotting Bull and gave him a thumbs up. He returned the gesture, then pointed at his eyes and made a circle with his hand.
Nodding, the three clones quickly made a scan of the town. They spotted Commander Wolffe and General Plo advancing forward and off to the right flank, Comet, Boost and Sinker were getting headway though with a far greater degree of difficulty.
An AT-TE had made its way through the center pathway that divided the town, a garrison of clones surrounding the tank.
Sergeant Bull suddenly rushed out from a nearby alleyway, waving his arms to hail the tank.
He quickly rushed over and climbed up to where the tank driver was and pointed ahead to the right.
"We have an enemy tank stationed on the other side of the building."
"I don't see it."
"Not picking up on anything on the scanners." Another clone in the tank spoke up.
"Put a couple of shells through there and you'll see it."
"Sorry, Sarge, we got orders to not do unnecessary damage to the buildings." The pilot apologetically said.
"I'm telling you, they're right there."
"I'd believe you if I can see 'em. Sadly I don't right now."
Bull grit his teeth beneath his helmet, wildly looking around until he remembered Hash, Webb and Cobb were still on their rooftop.
"Webb, Cobb, I need visual confirmation on the enemy tank." He quickly said through the comm link.
The two clones moved fast, scanning the area until spotting a well-disguised AAT tank hidden behind a building with cloth and other materials.
"Tank spotted, sergeant." Cobb stated.
"Draw that bastard out." Bull ordered and Webb and Cobb called Hash over and the trio primed thermal detonators.
Hash and Cobb looked over at Webb, getting into position with Webb nodding a moment later. They activated their detonators and tossed them at full force.
One attached itself to the hull of the tank, the other two landing right in front of it. The resulting explosions rocked the AAT, visibly damaging the tank yet it wasn't taken out of commission.
That became evident when the cannon began to move and angled itself in the direction of the three clones on the rooftop.
"Shit!" Webb cursed. " MOVE!"
The three clones ran to the other end of the roof just as the Separatist tank fired. The shot blasted the top of the building apart, sending the three clones flying from the roof.
They crashed down on the ground hard, Cobb let out a particularly loud, strangled scream.
Webb felt pain coursing through his body as he forced himself to stand, his legs screaming against this. He forcibly limped over to Cobb, falling to his knees.
"You alright, brother?"
Cobb moaned in pain, his hands grasping his right thigh.
"My leg." He managed out through pained breaths. "I felt something snap."
Webb winced, glancing around, a small amount of relief coming over him, seeing Hash back on his feet and running to them.
"How is he?" Hash asked straight away.
"Broken leg." Webb replied.
"And you?"
"Alive."
Hash let out a mirthful snort. "Good enough."
Without being prompted, Hash moved to heft Cobb up and with all his might, got him draped over his shoulders in a fireman carry. Just as he did that, blaster fire sailed past them.
"For Kriff's sake!" Cobb groaned out.
"Let's get outta here." Webb yelled and he and Hash ran off to join back up with the rest of the 104th.
Behind them was a squadron of droids and Seppie soldiers with the AAT tank rounding right behind them.
The tank fired at the retreating clones, a building blowing up next to them.
"Son of a bitch!" Webb yelled, stumbling down to the ground.
"So much for avoiding excessive collateral." Hash harshly said.
Suddenly, two large explosions came from the AAT, the tank collapsing to the ground. The squadron surrounding the tank was sent scattering around it from the explosion. Some tried to get up when blaster bolts and blue lightsaber took them out.
Plo Koon, Commander Wolffe and Sergeant Bull with a large squad of the 104th and an AT-TE tank appeared from behind a building.
"Boys," Sergeant Bull jogged over to them.
"You came just in time, sir." Webb gratefully said.
"Cobb, are you alright?" Plo's baritone voice chimed in, the Kel-Dor Jedi appearing next to the injured clone who had been set down by Hash.
"Broken leg, general." Cobb replied with a hint of humor. "Nothing I can't walk off."
"Hilarious," Wolffe remarked. "Webb, Hash?"
"We can still move, Commander." The latter said and Wolffe nodded.
"Both of you get Cobb out of here and to a medic, get the three of you checked out."
"Sir."
Webb and Hash got Cobbs arms on their shoulders and they hastily moved to the back of the assault line.
Plo and Wolffe glanced at each other and nodded, directing the troops to the last remaining pockets of Seppie resistance in the town.
In another part of the battlefield, a small group of troopers were stuck in a trench.
"Oh for God's sake, IT'S A KRIFFING BARN!" Boost shouted over the hail of blaster bolts. "What in the Forces name is in there?!"
"Whatever it is, must be something important." Sinker said, almost conversationally despite being prone on the incline of the trench.
Suddenly, the blaster fire directed at them lessened, giving the trapped clones the chance to poke their heads out to see what had changed.
"General Plo!" Comet shouted in relief. "Commander Wolffe!"
"We have our window, brothers!" Boost yelled, jumping out of the trench with the rest following suit.
The assault on the barn was quick and effective, the defenses the Separatists had whittled away due to the dual-pronged assault. The barn doors flew open and out ran the last holdouts of the separatists defending the building.
Comet and Sinker shot down several soldiers that charged at them, killing most save one who managed to fling himself forward in a desperate move. He socked Sinker in the face yet was bashed in the back of the head by Comet with the butt of his rifle.
The soldier collapsed in a groan before being kicked over by Comet, the Clone shoved the rifle in the man's face.
Normally, the 104th clone would have put a blaster bolt in this man's head but something stayed his hand. Comet saw the face of the soldier and found himself pausing.
It… it was a kid… a young kid.
He couldn't tell how old he was precisely but Comet was able to identify the young man was at least mid to late teens.
The Clone stilled, eyes widening beneath his helmet. The teen gazed back, both with defiance and absolute fear.
Comet gazed at the boy for what felt like hours when only seconds flew by, the battle raging on.
Without even realizing what he was doing, his finger subconsciously toggled on the setting of his rifle and he fired a translucent blue circle that knocked the teen out.
Sinker blinked, looking at his brother in surprise.
"Comet?"
Said clone merely shook his head, crouching to cuff the unconscious teen and turned to run off, rejoining the battle. Sinker stared at the retreating form of his brother before gazing down at the stunned teen.
He suddenly felt a pit form in his stomach and Sinker shook his head, steeling his nerves and moved to get back into the fight.
It didn't take long for the remaining enemy forces to either be swept aside or taken prisoner. The droids were destroyed while live soldiers were rounded up.
These POWs were being intensely watched by Comet, or rather, one specific Separatist soldier had the clones undivided attention.
The teen soldier was on the ground, face down on his knees, his arms wrapped around his legs.
Comet had been so absorbed in staring at the teen, he didn't notice Jedi Master Plo had seated himself beside him.
The clone turned and was about to stand when the Kel-Dor placed a hand on the trooper's shoulder, easing him to remain seated.
"Is everything alright, Comet?" The Jedi gently asked. "You've been seated here since the end of the battle."
He didn't respond at first, his head tilting down with his eyes flickering at the prisoners a few times.
Plo took note of this, glancing over to the POWs.
"The prisoners? Has something happened to them?"
Comet remained silent until he released an uncomfortable grunt.
"There's a kid there… he doesn't look all that old. 16, 17, maybe 18 if I could guess his age." He murmured. "We took him prisoner and…"
Plo didn't respond, not yet at least. He patiently waited for Comet to try to properly formulate his thoughts as it appeared to be deeply troubling him.
"I froze up when I saw his face." Comet quietly said. "He looked… terrified. Of me. Of dying. Of… all of it."
The Jedi Master was silent in all this, the flow of the Force allowing him to pick up on the conflicted feelings of the Clone.
"I'd rather fight droids." Comet stated.
"I understand." Plo gently said.
The Clone glanced at his general and though the Kel-Dors eyes were obscured by his goggles, he sensed no deceit or false empathy from the man. The Jedi Master patted his soldier's shoulder.
"Go and get some rest, Comet," Plo suggested. "You've had a long day."
Comet said nothing yet nodded in appreciation, all the same, standing to leave the Jedi Master to himself.
No less than a few seconds later did Wolffe join his Jedi General.
"Everything alright, General?" The Commander of the 104th and Koon quietly contemplated the question.
"Comet just learned there is more to this war than what he was trained for on Kamino." Plo said after a few moments.
Wolffe frowned, gazing over to the aforementioned Trooper, seeing him walk into a building in the town they now occupied.
"Commander Wolffe." Plo's baritone voice vibrated intensely. "May I ask you a question?"
The 104th Trooper arched a brow of confusion but nodded for the go-ahead.
"What is your purpose?"
Wolffe blinked several times.
"What now?" The Commander blurted out.
"What is your purpose, Commander?" Plo asked again, this time more intently.
The Clone was thrown by this question, staring at his Jedi general to see if he was pulling his leg or something but sensed none of that.
"To… to win the war sir." Wolffe stated as though it was the most obvious of answers. "To ensure victory for the Republic."
"And what then? What comes after?"
"After?" Wolffe parroted, now thoroughly bewildered. "After the… war…?"
Now the trooper was frowning heavily.
That was… certainly not a question he was anticipating.
And it bothered him far more than it should have. Something Plo picked up on quite quickly.
"Apologies, my friend." The Kel-Dor Jedi stated. "I did not mean to ask you such a matter at this time."
"It's alright, General." Wolffe earnestly said. "You have a lot on your mind."
"Don't we all." Plo remarked, standing up. "Get some rest yourself, Commander. The day is ours but this is but a footnote in our campaign."
"I would recommend you do the same, sir." Wolffe said in return.
"I shall hold you to make sure I do just that." Plo replied in good nature.
-Scene Cut-
-Modern-day-
"A peace treaty?"
"It's what I heard from General Skywalker." Captain Rex gruffly said, crossing his arms with his eyes narrowing at the topic. "The politicians from both sides have had multiple meetings since Ultron's defeat. That's been the main point of discussion between both sides."
Cody hummed to himself, a deep frown marring his face.
"Any headway?"
Rex merely shrugged. "Not my forte, brother."
The Commander of the 212th was silent for a few seconds, rubbing his chin as his mind processed everything he and Rex had discussed in the past hour.
"What do you make of it?" Cody asked after a prolonged silence. "The idea of a peace treaty being signed."
Rex didn't respond for a few moments, releasing a sigh at first.
"Well… isn't this what we were trained for? To win this war?" The tone the Captain held was one of clear uncertainty, one the 212th clone trooper easily picked up on.
Cody let out a derisive snort. "I don't know if this counts as winning the war. Or the war that we were trained for, for that matter."
The shaved-blond-haired Clone couldn't disagree with that statement.
"No, I'm pretty sure that the war we trained for is long gone. Ultron saw to that."
"So again, that begs the question, what do we make of it? More importantly, what now? We're clones. We were made for war, to fight for the Republic, for its people. This war with the Separatists… it feels final." Cody appeared troubled by that last word. "We've reached the end."
"But is that really the case?" Rex countered, eyes sharpening as he turned to gaze at his brother. "After all that, all we went through, do you really think this is the end?"
Cody silently regarded the 501st Captain for a few seconds before shaking his head.
"No… no, we are not done." He resolutely said. "Not by a longshot."
Rex found himself grunting in agreement. "The Avengers, those Guardians of the Galaxy… they've shown us that our big galaxy is a small fish in an endless universe of threats that can come from beyond the boundaries of what we know. Ultron saw to that himself."
"So that means it's not over." Cody quietly murmured. "Whatever it is that we can call this right now."
The Captain of the 501st snorted aloud. "Likely never will be, now. After all that, I'd wager any chances of having career changes for men like us have evaporated."
"Then that Pershing scientist better speed up his process of undoing our accelerated aging." Cody wryly said. "Cuz if that's the case, we're gonna be needed by the galaxy for a looooong time."
The clone Captain released a dry, grumbling chuckle.
"Deliah would say otherwise." He remarked. "She'd love to hear that my life has been prolonged but I bet she'd be cross and annoyed that I spent most of it fighting."
At the mention of the Zeltron mechanic, Cody eyed his friend with an indiscernible look yet his eyes held a pinch of mischief.
"Oh? She'd be upset, would she?" Cody said with a tone that Rex was quick to pick up on.
He bristled slightly, already sensing what was to come and opted to go towards the issue rather than try to deflect it.
"Yes, yes, get it out of your system." Rex snipped, looking away with an annoyed look. "Deliah and I are together and yes, she dragged me away from the party to do exactly what your mind is concluding to have happened. Ya happy?"
At that, Cody burst out laughing, a rare sight to be sure but given how the stalwart and famed Captain Rex was flustered and embarrassed, it was hard to withhold such an action.
"I never thought I'd see the day." Cody chuckled, wiping a tear away. "The great and fearless Captain Rex in love and has a girlfriend. The boys haven't stopped babbling about you two since you first met."
Rex huffed, turning away from the Commander.
Cody mocking and teasing him?
He can't say he has seen everything just yet but there's a considerable amount on his metaphorical list he would consider crossed out by this point.
"Oh yeah, well what about Walters?" Rex quickly retorted, recalling seeing a particularly "interesting" interaction between Cody and the Jade Lawyer at the celebration party. "Seemed awfully chummy with you, from what I saw."
Cody's smirk dissipated, morphing into a squirming frown.
"She's… Walters is…" The Commander let out an audible grunt. "She's shameless. I've seen how Deliah acts around you and Walters is like that, if not double or even triple that."
"She does have a boldness to her." Rex idly remarked. "Deliah is fairly forward but with what I've gauged with Ms. Walters-"
"She hates to be called that." Cody interrupted.
Rex glanced at his brother inquisitively.
Cody grumbled to himself. "Jen doesn't like being called "Ms.". Told me it makes her feel old."
"I'm still new to this whole relationship thing but I have heard how some ladies act when it comes to age and such." Rex remarked. "Maybe Deliah can give you a few pointers."
"Oh yeah? And what would they be?"
Before the Clone Captain could respond, both he and Cody heard their names being called out by two familiar voices. The pair turned to see their Jedi Generals approaching them and from the onset, the Clones saw that the Jedi conveyed a rather unusual air around them.
They looked slightly uncertain, Obi-Wan more so than Anakin but there was a solemn determination all the same.
Now most would think this to be a strange observation and even question how these men would so easily discern these aspects in such a short amount of time. But when one spends time with an individual day in and day out in war, the observant tends to develop the ability to ascertain their comrades' moods and demeanors.
"General Skywalker, General Kenobi." Rex greeted and Anakin waved his hand down.
"No need for the formalities anymore Rex." Anakin stated with his usual roguish grin. "Pretty sure we're well past that now."
"All the same to you, general." Cody respectfully said. "Some habits are hard to break."
Obi-Wan's lip twitched upwards at that.
"Is there something you need, Generals?" The Commander asked a second later and both Jedi nodded.
"Yes." Anakin's expression shifted back into one of seriousness. "We need the both of you to come with us. There's something important we have to show you."
"What's it about?" Rex found himself asking.
"Something that involves you two and every remaining clone in the Grand Army." Obi-Wan gravely said, slightly alarming the two Clones.
"Come on," Anakin gestured for them to follow in the direction they came from. "The others are getting everyone else."
Rex and Cody were curious as to who these others would be but figured that asking wouldn't be all that necessary since they'd see them in a bit. Both had some guesses, figuring there might be other Jedi and many high-ranking clones in attendance given the unknown gravity of the situation.
It didn't take long for Anakin and Obi-Wan to lead Rex and Cody into a considerably large meeting room and the assumptions both clones had about who would be here turned out to be true.
Many Clone Captains and Commanders were in attendance, practically all of whom Cody and Rex knew as well as their respective Jedi Generals.
On top of that was nearly the entire Jedi Council, Padawans like Ahsoka and Barriss along with the twelve Avengers that have been in the galaxy the longest along with Doctor Strange, Iron Man and Shuri.
Rex and Cody shared a look, glancing at the other clone Captains and Commanders, a silent query as to whether they had any idea why they had all been gathered here. They received looks and shrugs that indicated they had no idea what was going on and were just as curious as they were.
"Alright, everyone is here." Anakin declared.
"Which means we can finally get started." Steve Rogers spoke up.
Rex didn't bother to wait. "What is this all about, Captain Rogers? General Skywalker said that this has to do with all of us."
"You'd be right." Natasha answered instead of Steve. "This is something we discovered a while back and have been holding it close to the chest. Now though, after everything we've learned and our own ideas on how to tackle this."
" This being…?" Commander Wolffe rolled his hand and Sam Wilson stepped forward, pressing a button on his wrist pad.
In the center of the room, a holo-display of a strange shape within a chip was shown and the Clones all looked at it in bewilderment. They glanced around the room, looking at each other and then at the Jedi and Avengers, taking note of their faces.
There was a grim and troubled look many Jedi held with some of the Avengers sharing it mixed with anger and… sorrow? For who?
Them? The clones?
Why?
These were the thoughts that ran through the minds of the clones until Commander Bly asked the question on all their minds.
"And… what are those supposed to be?"
"Inhibitor Chips." Anakin hoarsely said, tone laced with anger. "They're inside the heads of all the Clones. And when the right phrase or order is given… they take away your free will and force you to obey without fail."
The mood shifted dramatically and the clones all paled somewhat and were clearly startled by this revelation.
"What?"
"This… This is…"
"What do you mean?"
"How is this even possible?"
"Who put those chips in our heads?"
"That's something that's gonna take a bit of time to explain." Colonel Rhodes cut in through the litany of questions. "So you all better get comfortable and… maybe take something for the headache you'll all likely get after we've told you everything."
AN
Alright, so this one took a while.
Life hasn't been as cooperative with the boys and the three of us have had our hands full with work, family and the usual priorities and shit that took focus away from our stories. Unfortunate but that's life. Outside of our control.
So, as I write this, I am flying to Japan for a much-needed vacation on top of a needed recharge to get my writing juices flowing again.
Originally, this chapter was to have two additional scenes with Luminara's 41st legion and Ima-Gun-Di's 71st legion, focusing more on the relationship between Jedi and Clone Commander/Captain on top of the chapter name. Battles and discussions and introspection of the purpose of the Clones like we touched on with these three scenes.
But due to how long it has taken to get this chapter out, I opted to cut them out and place them in a later chapter in this arc. This chapter wasn't tricky per se , just a lack of time, energy and motivation. Work specifically has beat the fuck out of us.
Things seem to be stabilizing but I'm holding my breath, seeing what happens. This year just hasn't been the best, truth be told.
Until then, thank you all for your patience and anticipation. I know some of you feared that this may have been abandoned but not so. No fucking way. Too much time and effort has been placed into this and ALL our stories.
In the words of Winston Churchill, We shall go on to the end.
Till next time folks.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.