So, age swap Obi and Ani, with intersex Obi finding the clones. Clones that claim him due to his stewjon status. I know its been done before, stewjon being somewhat of a status symbol to mandalorians, so I figured I’d try it with you and a youngish Obi?

The day it happened, it had taken the clones only one look, one sniff of the air to know that something was up as the scent abruptly changed, something was going on and no amount of trainers or longnecks could stop them from noticing the beacon following Taun We.

A young, seemingly male baseline human with red hair gathered back in a nerf tail and a braid swinging with beads and threads as green eyes warily observed everything, seemingly unnerved and shocked despite hiding it well from Taun We.

But not from the clones.

They could feel it in their bones, the others emotions. He was nothing like the clones and nothing like the trainers.

Something was different.

This one was different.

They hadn’t had any kind of reaction like this to the trainers, regardless what they were though they were less fond of the Death Watch bastard due to how the Prime reacted to her. Clearly the Prime hated her despite hiring her to train them and no one could claim she wasn’t skilled.

But this one, the Jedi they realized, something was very different.

And it was clear in how the Prime reacted too, the way the man had frozen in the clear hallway above them, eyes on the Jedi that stared him in the eyes, a challenge and a hunger in the Prime’s eyes at the same time.

Somehow, the Prime, Fett, has a handle on that hunger and the challenge, despite being unable to take his eyes off the Jedi that walks on the other side of Taun We, clearly aware of the hunger in the other human.

There is an even more vigilant look in the redhead’s eyes as he disappears with the Prime and Taun We.

Its not until they are on Geonosis that they see him again, this time bruised, injured and bleeding from a split nose, his hands in chains and yet he fights fluidly, falling into line with the troopers as if he knows where he belongs, as if he has fought a war before.

He’s perfect in the vode’s eyes.

His name is Obi-Wan Kenobi, padawan to one Anakin Skywalker, the so called chosen one of the Jedi order, whatever that means. Obi-Wan is turning twenty by human standards this year and he’s a stewjoni.

A fucking stewjoni, the troopers know, they might be clones but hell, the Prime hadn’t neglected this part of them. He had taught the alpha clones the important bits of Mandalorian culture and the alpha clones had taught the rest.

They knew this part as intimately as the back of their hands as learning about it had made them hungry in a way they couldn’t explain or sate.

Stewjon and Mandalore had always been tightly entwined, to claim a Stewjon was a prize no Mandalore should resist if given the opportunity.

Stewjoni with fire in their veins and battle as born and war breed as any mandalorian’s will ever be and that includes the clones, the drums of war beating in their soul as much as anyone else.

And Obi-Wan proves that he is of Stewjon’s blood.

He breezes the war fields as easily as he breathes to the discomfort of many Jedi despite his own master ruffling his hair and praising him with an easy smile and a proud glint in his eyes when Obi-Wan can take over the battlefield.

Cody is the one to become Obi-Wan’s commander when he is knithed, he’s the one that gets to see that the new General has little issue in ordering them around on the field.

But when the battle dies down, something in Obi-Wan falter, as if orders are no longer something he can give and the confusion in him is clear as he struggles, peering coyly at the troopers from under lowered lashes before practically hiding behind his master much to the blond’s confusion and concern.

Its clear Anakin Skywalker knows nothing of the connection between Stewjon and Mandalore.

Something tells Cody that had the blond known, he’d never leave them alone, would have threatened entire battalions to ensure his padawan’s comfort and chastity.

Anakin Skywalker had strange ideas of virtue Cody had to admit, considering how he tries to cover his former padawan up as best as he could.

There is also one more thing that draws inevitably draws the mandalorian’s to stewjoni’s.

Their fertility.

Stewjon is a harsh planet, difficult to survive and due to it, it is common for most members to be intersex.

And the troopers want, hunger, deep in their bones as green eyes stare back at them, challenging yet somehow meek at the same time.

Yet no one makes a move, uncertain how to approach a situation like this.

So they hunger and they watch each other, like circling wolves, nipping at each others heels.

dangerousgalaxy. The senate is trying to use the clones the same way they use the Jedi now? That isn’t going to go over well. If they weren’t already angry enough to do something, they would be now. The guard is probably getting the worst of it, being the most visible to the senate, and the more famous units. How is Fox doing with this news? What about Rex and Bly?

Lowering his pad slowly, Cody stared at Helix, wondering tiredly how much information like this he could handle before his heart burst. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” He stated quietly.

“Chlamydia,” Helix repeated, sounding equally tired. “I got ping in my reports today, got confused for a moment since none of the other medics had logged anything about the vode but then… I noticed it was from the temple.” He rubbed his hand tiredly over his face.

Sitting back in his chair, Cody ran his hand over his face too.

Obi-Wan had chlamydia, his stint at the Rotunda had left even more marks than the visible ones. “…So that’s why I haven’t heard from him or seen him.” He whispered quietly, wishing more than ever that he could just… take a break.

But he couldn’t.

They were SO close.

So close to their goal, everything was in position, all the troopers on Coruscant had gone through the nanobot treatment and the ‘blanket’ was almost done.

When their operation went down, the slicers of the troopers were going to be set in motion, making it a blackout for all information to and from Coruscant, to avoid any senators sending of information or calling for aid.

Or for certain people to activate the clone chips of those that had yet to have it deactivated.

It didn’t change his desire to be able to take a break and go see Obi-Wan though, sit with him, have tea maybe.

‘Tea and hot scones… when this is all done… when… when the coup d’etat is done…’ Cody turned his head to look longingly at one of the floating gardens of Coruscant. Wrapped in a little protective bubble, clean and fresh with trees and plants and some of them even had running water.

He wanted to take Obi-Wan to one, sit with him in quiet peace, promise his Jedi safety.

Promise the entire order safety.

Sit with Obi-Wan with quiet calmness around them, fresh scones from one of Coruscant’s upper bakeries and tea and caff respectively for each of them, being able to relax for once in their damn lives.

And Cody also wanted the satisfaction of knowing he provided Obi-Wan safety. Perhaps a tad selfish of him, but his Jedi meant the world to him, to the entire 212th and Cody wanted the other to feel secure.

Especially on the planet where his home belonged.

To know that Obi-Wan could come and go without worry of being violated, of catching the eye of some sleazy Senator. That Obi-Wan could feel secure and happy that Anakin and Ahsoka was safe, that he could sit and read and not worry.

That Cody could sit with his Jedi and simply… exist.

‘…But not yet. There is still much to do before I rest and so little time.’ Cody turned his head back to Helix. “Alright, so we know why we haven’t seen our Jedi again, he’s likely resting and we know antibiotic messes with his systems,” Cody and Helix sighed together, equally fond and exasperated. “Now, has there been anymore information about the Senators that have started eyeing up troopers?” Cody returned to being the Vod’alor, being responsible and being there for the GAR.

Helix grimaced before nodding. “So far, they haven’t managed to single out a trooper, as far as we know. Fox has ensured that all of his guards are walking in groups of three or four, to prevent them being picked out by anyone with… suspect interests, but I doubt nothing has happened, there’s just too many of us and too many Senators for there to be no incident.” Helix stated grimly.

Cody had to agree to that, nodding slowly. ‘Fox must be very angry, I wouldn’t be shocked if there are more dead Senators now, he’s very protective of his boys.’

Likely, several troopers had experienced the same thing as the Jedi but were hiding it. Cody knew that Fox was trying his best to check with all his men, as were the other leaders but…

Well, unless the victims themselves stepped forward, figuring it out would be hard if a brother was hiding it.

‘But troopers wouldn’t be able to avoid medical help like Jedi do, healing using the Force and such… and vode aren’t meant to be alone. We’re raised together, train together, sleep together… die together. Its going to come out sooner or later, who has been hurt.’ It meant at the very least, no trooper had been injured as severely as the Jedi before had been.

No broken bones or large wounds but there were other ways to harm and hurt a person after all.

Cody once more glanced longingly at the floating garden closest to the barracks.

He had often felt that it was a deliberate taunt.

Placing the garden so close they could see it but knowing they weren’t allowed to enter it, not without special permission.

There were many days he wished he could go back to being just CC-2224, when the responsibilities laid heavy and hard, when the death of his own vode hurt just so much.

But in that moment… he wanted to be Cody.

To sit on the grass with a clear blue sky in the distance and Obi-Wan leaning against his side, warm and steady, his breathing slow and his heart calm.

‘…Soon.’ He reminded himself again, shaking himself slightly as he looked up at Helix standing in front of his desk. “I agree. That’s why we have to be ready. Those who have been hurt will need us, their vode, to help and care. Just as we’ve done for the Jedi. Hopefully, they’ll feel more comfortable coming forward once the Senators are dealt with or their natborn officers.” Cody stated calmly, his mind flashing to Tarkin.

Sighing, Helix nodded too before turning his head to look out Cody’s office window too. “…There’s a large, red sun setting,” He stated slowly, frowning slightly and Cody curiously peered at the setting sun too. Helix was right, it was bright red. “…The General once told me, that a red sun setting often proclaimed violence to come in many cultures.” Helix whispered, staring at the sun.

Cody tilted his head.

He wasn’t sure if he believed that, it was after all just a part of the celestial bodies with no thought of its own except for reflecting rays but…

Well, the sun wasn’t wrong.

Violence was coming for sure, Cody knew that several Senators would not be leaving the Rotunda come two days time, several would be ‘accidental’ casualties in the coup. Then there would be those that would fight, many of those would also die.

The memory of Obi-Wan’s broken body in his arms spurred Cody on and his lips pulled taut into a white, bloodless line. ‘They will all burn, I’ll make sure of that. They will rue the day they thought to touch a Jedi.’

“Ah, one more thing,” Cody returned his attention to Helix, the CMO tapping at his thigh plate slowly. “A few of the CIS Senators that we were going to take out are already deceased.” He stared seriously at Cody.

Cody cocked his brows in surprise. “Oh, natural deaths?” He wondered, a tad bitterly only to blink when Helix shook his head slowly, a smirk curling on his lips.

Only one word came from the medic. “Dooku.”

Freezing, staring at Helix, Cody breathed out. ‘…Former Jedi master, Yan Dooku… Oh.’

for distant pain, does obi-wan ever confront the council (or maybe anakin or qui-gon) about ashoka’s presence in the battlefield? or does he work it out some other way? maybe some protective obi-wan and him bonding with ashoka? (this is such a great series, i’m in love with your writing Ɛ>)

Admittedly, Obi-Wan was avoiding the girl.

Though if asked, he would deny it and claim he was busy and it wasn’t like she was generally in the same area as him.

Mostly because Obi-Wan could sense her and easily managed to avoid going where she was for the most part.

She brought up unpleasant memories and feelings for him, feelings he’d rather not have to confront while he was still preparing to tear into the rest of the council. Or rather, one council member.

Yoda.

His top lip curled as he thought of his grandmaster and all the little threads the old man had pulled on for too many years.

From learning that the old man had managed to send people away from Initiate Kenobi, to reserve him for Jinn when the man didn’t even want a padawan, to many actions throughout Obi-Wan’s youth, to Naboo and then this.

A young padawan, an underage padawan, in the active war zones.

They couldn’t stop masters from taking padawans, that wasn’t how the Jedi worked, but they were suppose to be left behind from the active and terrible war zones.

Ahsoka Tano was underage by the definition of her race, as a togruta she had to be seventeen as togrutas matured slightly quicker than most human races.

Not to mention that she was Anakin Skywalker’s padawan.

One of the most active Jedi General’s in the entire war, being in the thickest of fights.

The things she would have seen, the amount of lives she would have felt be lost…

Obi-Wan fought the urge to vomit, Cerasi’s empty eyes flashing in his mind.

‘What the hell am I suppose to do?’ He buried head in his arms, ignoring the sensations of the troopers concern floating around him. Being in the mess tent was honestly easier than being anywhere else, the amount of people around him thankfully distracting.

Plus, the troopers always made him feel better.

Their presence was soothing.

It didn’t quite bring his mind of the fact that his own fucking great grandmaster had sent an underage padawan to one of the most active war generals. Anakin Skywalker couldn’t keep her trapped on the ship at all times.

Hell, he knew from Depa that she unfortunately had to bring her padawan with her.

Young Caleb was also a minor, but Depa tried to shield him, leave him on the ship or in camp if possible.

She didn’t actively bring him into the thickest of the fights she was in and Depa was also delegated to smaller battles, more a General placed to hold positions once a planet was won, partly in due to her previous injuries and the coma she had been in.

‘What is he thinking!?’ Obi-Wan bit at his bottom lip so hard it started bleeding, grunting slightly at the pain. He ignored Cotton’s worried chirping in his ear, the little insistent nudging at his cheek and ear as she tried to get his attention.

He was too busy thinking.

Obi-Wan couldn’t understand what in the world Yoda was thinking.

He cared about the young of the Jedi order, he always had, he wouldn’t risk them needlessly and by sending Ahsoka Tano to Anakin Skywalker, he was clearly risking her life.

That was the sticking point of it all, the who she was sent to.

The most active of the Jedi Generals they had become, someone close to the Chancellor, who accepted or was sent to some of the most dangerous battlefields of the entire war. Well, at least the public side of the war.

There were the blackops missions, the secret ones, that the public didn’t get to know.

Some of those were even more dangerous.

But Obi-Wan had never brought anyone with him that was underage for those, hell, he even made Zuru stay back for those.

He had never been comfortable with the GAR but understood the need, despite how suspicious their origins were.

So he made sure to leave Zuru in places he would be safe, kept him out of the worst lines of fire if possible and made Zuru simply deliver him or pick him up most of the time.  

“General?” A low, warm voice interrupted Obi-Wan’s circling thoughts. A voice Obi-Wan had started to listen to, even if he consciously didn’t realize it and therefore, he raised his head to blink up at Commander Cody.

The man smiled back at him and sat a cup down in front of the Jedi. Picking up the cup, Obi-Wan blinked into it for a moment then looked up at Cody in surprise. “This is…” He trailed off, too shocked to finish his sentence.

Cody’s smile grew a tad. “Spicy starva tea, Zuru told me you enjoy drinking it,” The commander nodded a tad. “Said it helped with your appetite and that you also enjoyed the flavor.” He tacked on.

Nodding slowly, Obi-Wan took a small sip of it, letting the flavor wash over his tongue. “How?” He wondered.

Spicy starva was from Stewjon and the export of it had become restricted before even the war due to the strict regulations of Stewjon itself.

To have it now…

He couldn’t help but smile, Cotton nuzzling up under his ear as her friend’s mood lifted slightly. “Thank you Cody, this… this is a rare treat for me.” He murmured quietly, looking up at him.

Cody’s lips quirked slightly. “You’re welcome… and there’s a cuddle puddle tonight, just so you know.” He tacked on a wink for Obi-Wan before saluting and making his way to the tent flaps.

‘A cuddle puddle? They consider this area safe then?’ Obi-Wan blew on the tea as he mulled over it, taking a small sip to savor the tea. ‘…It tastes like…’ Smiling into the cup, Obi-Wan settled with the warm weight of Cotton around the neck.

omg you tore my heart out with Dangerous Galaxy but I cannot wait for the vod’e’s vengence. The Senate–the Republic in general–will have no idea how to handle it. No one serves ruthless violent loving protection like a Mandalorian. And the Jedi have the largest collection of Mandalorians in the galaxy. Yep. The Senate is going to bitterly regret all their choices when the Vod’alor is done with them.

In the short time frame they had, there weren’t a lot of things they could do about the biochips inside their heads.

They couldn’t bring every single vode in for surgery, it would be too obvious and time consuming and not every vode might react well to said surgery. The idea of harming their own…

Well, the troopers didn’t want that.

So, the medics ended up brainstorming, having less than three weeks to not only figure out what to do but also deactivate the chips.

Not that they were sure what was on the chips yet but their Vod’alor’s suspicion was a valid one, one that many troopers were starting to believe when presented with the circumstantial evidence they had.

It took a full week before someone finally had a viable solution and in that time frame, two more Senators had been killed and one Jedi had been left in a severe condition.

Much to the rage of said Jedi trooper’s.

They were going to calcify the tissue of the biochip and kill it, leaving the biochip inert and unable to exert any influence on the troopers.

How you might ask?

Nanobots, injected with a programmed purpose to seek out the biochip along with an additional calcium.

This would take care of the biochip.

Honestly, even without the suspicion of what was on the biochip, they might have needed to do this at some point. Biochips were made to control and the troopers refused to be leashed to whoever held the other end of the order.

The knowledge of said biochips made some troopers bitter, but they were used to being bitter about their upbringing, about the longnecks and the Republic’s double standard when it came to the GAR.

Settling onto the bed, Cody eyed Helix as the other filled in a hypospray with solution.

It looked so innocent, almost clear.

The CMO of the 212th had already tested the nanobot injection and calcifying on five other troopers, all of them needing a day of rest but coming out of it no worse for wear. Though Wooley had claimed he tasted blue for five hours, but that could have been a joke.

“Alright Vod’alor, I’m gonna ask you to lay down now,” Helix stepped over to him and Cody grunted but did as told. “The nanobots rushing up to your brain to get to work tends to leave one dizzy we’ve found.” The medic explained.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable out of his armor and the upper blacks, Cody simply nodded and watched as Helix cleaned his upper left arm.

And then the shot was set.

It was felt odd, like a constant pressure for five seconds along with a cold feeling and then it was gone. “…Huh, that wasn’t so bad.” Cody noted quietly, frowning down at his arm.

Helix smiled, setting the hypo aside and pulling off his gloves. “Its not, but like I said, the nanobots moving makes people dizzy, if you feel like you need to vomit, just do it, Boil, Longshot, Commander Fox and Sinker have all already done it.” He explained.

Cody snorted faintly but nodded, only to grunt as he wave of dizziness went through his system.

There was that sensation Helix promised.

Since a days rest was required, each legion and battalion was working slowly through their troopers so not to cause an uproar if a large amount of them were resting.

It was slow going but quicker than surgery would do and would be done before another week had passed.

Of course, there would be the troopers outside of Coruscant, though Alpha-17 had confirmed that on Kamino, they had interrupted the biochip insertion in new troopers and that every trooper on Kamino that had them were slowly being processed to calcify their biochips.

That was good, as long as the troopers kept control of the longnecks, no one would be the wiser and even if someone were to discover that something was up… it was too late by now.

Things were progressing quickly.

There was only one thing bothering Cody at this point, laying in bed in the barracks medbay C, other troopers lining the beds around him, though even the sound of snoring wasn’t what was bothering Cody at this moment.

Just one single thing was truly biting him…

He hadn’t seen Obi-Wan in over a week, not since he had escorted the Jedi back to the temple, his General still bruised and limping but better than when he had come to the barracks.

‘Is he eating? Sleeping? Did General Skywalker make sure he took care of everything? He would have needed to apply bacta for another two days…’ Cody’s dizzy mind whirled with his questions, questions he didn’t have answers to.

His compulsion to check on the other had been kept in check, Cody didn’t want the other to feel trapped or forced to answer. He knew that many Jedi were horrified that the GAR knew about the dark side of their service to the Republic and Cody didn’t want…

He didn’t want Obi-Wan to become uncomfortable with them.

With him.

The last thing Cody wanted was for Obi-Wan to start shying away from him.

It would break his heart for sure.

But when hurt, you didn’t think rationally and the Jedi had gone through decades of harm from people that made the very law they served.

Generations and some Jedi showed the visible proof of it through their behaviors. From Anakin Skywalker’s early war rages as he turned twenty, to Quinlan Vos promiscuous and even Luminara Unduli’s enforced serenity and seemingly cold demeanor.

Abuse and pain like the one the Jedi were going through left scars, even in people prepared for it, generations of hurting Jedi and Cody knew that when things were finally over, he’d have to go through the GAR with a fine toothed comb.

Already a few troopers had cautiously and fearfully come forward to their captains or commanders, admitting that the Jedi weren’t the only ones taken advantage of at times.

In all of this osik, there was only one good thing Cody had come to find.

The service corps of the Jedi were not in the same servitude as the Jedi order.

While part of the Jedi, someone on the council had managed to get it so the agricorps, the explorer corps and healers were not affected by the same orders, though it helped that most of those were not on Coruscant.

They were mostly out of reach for the Senators that might harm them.

Cody wasn’t sure which council member had the wisdom to manage to separate those from the same way the Order answered, he didn’t think it was Yoda as the old troll seemed so exhausted the one time Cody managed to speak to him about what was going on.

The old man had looked so worn out, thin in a way Cody couldn’t explain as he haltingly explained to Cody that it only happened a few fifty years after the Jedi order started serving the Senate. Cody hadn’t asked more, couldn’t stomach seeing how worn out the old Jedi looked.

After seeing generation after generation of the young he cared for being abused in such a way, wouldn’t anyone be exhausted?

‘Not long now… not long and we’ll put a stop to it, all of it.’ Cody reminded himself sternly, fighting a wave of nausea that he wasn’t sure was the nanobots or the reminder.

Regardless, he’d rather not vomit on another medics shoes.

Poor Kix boots.

if you’re still doing distant pain, could we see more stories from obi-wan’s black ops missions/obi-wan being completely reckless and how the clones react to that? maybe some angst from obi-wan worrying he’s not enough for others after qui gon gave him up?? you’re an amazing writer!!!

Gingerly taking a step while holding onto Dogma’s arm, Obi-Wan let out a low groan as it pulled on tender healed skin as his foggy head finally started pushing blood in the right directions. “Shitty titty… blasted naked besalisk, fucking six titted-aaaah.” He grumbled deeply and paused, ignoring both Rex and Cody giving him bemused look and Dogma’s vaguely horrified one.

Zuru was just too used to his General’s behavior to take notice of the cursing and the rather… uniqueness of it. Which was why he was just sitting cross legged on Obi-Wan’s bed, watching closely as Obi-Wan tryingly started walking around after hanging upside down.

“Next time I see Dooku, I’m shoving my lightsaber up his arse.” Obi-Wan growled before carefully pulling away from Dogma’s arm and moving on his own, breathing out heavily as it still made his head feel a bit faint.

But he felt better as he moved, healing skin stretching nicely after the bacta had healed it even if it was sore along with his head.

“Where in galaxy have you seen six tits?” Rex couldn’t finally help but ask, scratching at his blond fuzz.

“Ever seen a naked jawa?” Obi-Wan bounced back, moving between the beds with stronger and stronger steps, ignoring how the rest of the tent paused at the reply.

Dogma gained a more obviously horrified look, echoed by both Rex and Cody, Helix squinting thoughtfully at the ceiling of the tent.

“Okay, hold up, you’ve seen a naked Jawa?” Zuru blinked at him. No one saw a naked jawa, they didn’t undress in front of outsiders from what people could tell and they got really territorial and angry if you tried to pull their hoods down.

“More like stripped it, I had to find my lightsaber somehow, little weasel thought I didn’t notice he stole it.” Obi-Wan grumbled as he paused and carefully stretched. All the bed laying and coddling had left him feeling stiff but thankfully the medics were willing to let him up now.

He ignored the disturbed and shocked looks of the troopers around him as he continued lightly stretching.

People didn’t just undress jawas after all but that was what Obi-Wan had been required to do, to get his lightsaber back.

Finally finished stretching, Obi-Wan turned and gave Zuru an expectant look.

The pilot, attuned as he was to Obi-Wan’s behavior, simply shook his head and threw him a black pouch.

Grinning happily, Obi-Wan made his way over to the mirror, set the black pouch onto the closest surface and fished out a tube of hair mousse from his products.

Quietly, most of the troopers watched Obi-Wan rub the hair product between his hands and run it through his hair, working it up into the faux mohawk he normally sported. “To be fair, I couldn’t have the little bastard open the case, if it found out I had a lightsaber, I’d either have to do some fast talking to convince the mandalorians I was with that I killed a Jedi or flee, compromising my mission.” He drawled slightly.

Perking up, Cody tilted his head. “Mandalorians? You worked with some?” He asked curiously, a tad hopefully. Obi-Wan had come to learn that a lot of the vode liked to assimilate mandalorian culture into their own.

Not really a shock, their progenitor was after all one, had hired many mandalorian teachers that taught the initial troopers and those later on had taught their own brothers.

The blood of true Mandalore flowed through the clones, regardless what kind of complicated view the other mandalorians had on them.

“Spied on them,” Obi-Wan corrected easily, not letting his thoughts escape, tilting his head back and forth before reaching into the bag again for a can of spray. “Death Watch, they’re officially listed as terrorists organization, even by the Republic despite staying on Mandalore most of the time but most consider them a ‘bygone’ threat.” Obi-Wan’s lips pulled into a sneer, alerting everyone what he thought of that decision.

“So you were spying on them to…what?” Rex questioned curiously.

“Correction, I was fucking the leader for information,” Obi-Wan smirked to himself, ignoring the aghast expressions in the mirror. Pre Vizla had been an easy mark for him and chatty once in bed. “To be fair, flash a bit of stewjoni blood at a true mandalorian and they kinda lose their mind, tack in the fact that I could fight and am decently attractive, especially back at twenty five, piece of cake infiltration really.” He chuckled quietly.

Before someone could respond to that, another person spoke up, clearly horrified. “Did the council send you on honeypot missions after you left me?” A strangled voice from the front of the tent question and Obi-Wan paused, turning his head to look at Qui-Gon.

He narrowed his eyes faintly before shrugging. “We do ours for the cause, Deatch Watch leader is a man of convictions with little morals and I knew my duty. Getting him to talk was difficult. So yes.” He turned back, spraying his hair so it would hold the mohawk shape.

Was he proud of that part of his missions repertoire?

No. Had it been necessary to get Pre Vizla talking?

Yes.

Obi-Wan knew that his information had at least helped keep Death Watch from abducting more children and kept them from infiltrating offices of the New Mandalorian government.

Even if Satine refused to listen to sense.

His lip curled a bit as he thought of his old flame before firmly snuffing the thought. If she wanted to suppress everything that made a Mandalorian into a Mando or exile those that didn’t listen, then fine, on her head be the cultural genocide.

She wanted to be the Senate’s little voice, she could stay there and rot for all he cared.

But Obi-Wan had washed his hands on all that, he had given her the information she’d need and what had she done with it?

Nothing.

‘It is times like this I very much wish Jango Fett had become Mand’alor, at least this travesty of a pale imitation culture wouldn’t exist. Nor would the black markets for traditional Mandalorian items.’ He mused to himself, ignoring Qui-Gon watching him with stricken eyes in the mirror.

The clones move forward with their plan to take down the senate. Kix finds something interesting on a fellow clones brains scan that sends alarm bells ringing.- Dangerous Galaxy

Looking up from his pad, Cody raised a brow as Wolffe entered the meeting room, watching quietly as his vod made his way over to the hidden cabinet to bring out the moonshine.

The gruff commander uncorked one, glanced at the others and then started chugging directly from the bottle, causing the rest to exchange resigned, worried looks.

This tended only to happen when Wolffe was geared up from something, generally something relating to his Jedi and with everything the troopers were figuring out about how the Senators treated them, a lot were automatically going that direction.

It didn’t get any better when Rex, with Kix in tow, also went straight for the booze, the two clicking the bottles together before chugging.

Pressing his face into his hands, letting out a deep sigh, Cody wondered if he really wanted to know before his mind reminded him that if it had to do with the Jedi, he had to know with what they were planning to do. “…Okay, what’s up?” He finally questioned after a few moments of the two drinking.

Poor Kix looked lost and a bit disapproving at how his captain and the commander was chugging alcohol but the medic instantly turned to Cody at the question. “We have biochips in our heads.” He announced darkly.

Pausing, Cody stared at him before sighing deeply and getting to his feet, moving over to Wolffe and Rex, holding out his hand while mentally noting that he hoped someone refilled the secret cabinet, it was getting a tad empty.

Rex quietly handed over one of the blank bottles and watched Cody chug from it. “Okay, we’ll talk about that after the meeting. Wolffe?” He turned to his vod, ignoring the shifting holos behind him of the other commanders and captains.

“General Plo let it slip that one of the CIS senators once broke his arm.” Wolffe grumbled, glaring at Cody.

Freezing, bottle of moonshine at his lips, Cody’s mind suddenly kicked into high gear.

Of course, of karking course.

The CIS had Senators in the Rotunda once too.

Karking hell.

Of course they too had access to the Jedi at some point.

Slowly he lowered his bottle, letting a deep breath out through his nose. “You get the name from the General?” He questioned, sighing quietly when Wolffe nodded. “Good, I’ll bring the issue up with Senator Amidala when I meet with her again, get some names… I know she has a big black book, actual book, with names for us.” He murmured tiredly.

He ignored Rex and Wolffe exchanging surprised looks. Padme had explained that she kept the black book with her at all times and inserted names as she either heard from the grape wine or saw for herself that someone hurt the Jedi.

A book, made of paper, after all could not be hacked and a book, simply filled with a random amount of names could mean anything. After all, the Senator was smart enough not to fill in the reason on the paper why those particular names were in it.

Things were starting to line up now, three more weeks and they’d take the Senate and Cody’s gut bubbled a bit with the thought of it.

Troopers were already cautiously being rerouted towards Coruscant, quite a bit of slicing around the natborns required to not let them get suspicious. Hell, Cody had even managed to get Tarkin’s battalion rerouted to Coruscant.

He was one of the natborns that would be a casualty of the coup. Cody did not want a man that disregarded his vode as Tarkin around for the aftermath.

They wouldn’t strictly need the superior numbers, looking at it from a logical point. Most of the Senators had no task force of their own and couldn’t fight worth shit but a voice, deep in Cody’s head, wanted more trooper feet on Coruscant.

Something deep in his mind.

Quietly, he turned his head towards Kix, watching the other quietly converse with Fox. That same little voice whispered that he now knew why he wanted the troopers on Coruscant.

Biochips were things slavers used, he had learned about them after Zygerria.

They were normally implanted into a slave with trigger words, trigger orders.

It could make a normally docile person suddenly turn into a violent maniac with the correct phrase or make someone that constantly fought kneel, the right words and suddenly a person might drop to their knees without understanding why.

Makers, sometimes they didn’t even realize that the order was wrong, that it wasn’t something they’d normally do.

A chill went up Cody’s back at the thought of being forced to do something so ingrained against his own moral code it made him wonder…

The nightmares.

Cody’s hand went tight on the bottle, his eyes widening as the thought occurred to him.

The GAR wide nightmare, the nightmare every member of the entire GAR experienced at least once a week if not more.

The nightmares of murdering their own Jedi, even the young ones.

Could it be that?

He knew, from working closely with Obi-Wan, that the question of the clones creation had always been a weird, blurry spot. The idea of Dooku ordering clones for the Jedi, along with the Jedi he had been working with, always having had big question marks with it, but what if it was so simple as these biochips.

What if the creation of the clone army, what if the nightmares and these biochips were related?

Cody suddenly felt very sick, his own dreams of turning his blaster on Obi-Wan, surfacing hard and fast and he wanted to vomit even as he slowly made his way to his seat, sitting down heavily as he let the implication sink in.

If he was right…

Ka’ra.

There were so many troopers, so many of them on Coruscant at every hour of every day.

If the troopers marched on the temple, their wills wiped, with simply the order of killing every Jedi…

It be a massacre.

Would the chip even make a distinction between the healthy that could fight or the young and the impaired?

Or would they be blasting down every knight, master, padawan, youngling and bed bound Jedi?

The alcohol bubbled in his stomach and Cody felt saliva pool in his mouth, heard Rex ask quietly if he was okay, heard Fox stand as Kix was making his way around the table towards him.

But his mind was caught on Obi-Wan, the sight of his smiling face as Cody gave his saber back, the warm glow of the Jedi’s eyes before his mind twisted the image, Obi-Wan’s eyes wide and full of shock, his own saber piercing his chest, Cody holding the hilt.

Cody turned to the side, just as Kix touched his shoulder and promptly threw up all.

Soooooo, Cody’s moving the time table up? Is he gonna have a meeting with the CCs and high ranking troopers on Coruscant right now to get the word out?

The room was quiet except for the flickering of the comm unit, every trooper unnaturally focused on the vod in the holo.

Cody had finally called Kamino, getting in contact with Alpha. “Look,” Alpha stared down at his hands, not looking at Cody or any of the other clones as he finally spoke. “You all know that Skywalker and I didn’t have the… best of relationship while we worked together.” He grumbled at a few snorts that echoed through the meeting room.

That was putting it mildly and everyone knew it.

There was a reason why Alpha had not gone with Anakin and Rex had become his second after all. As far as the other troopers were aware, Alpha only respected two Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Shaak Ti, the only two he had personally interacted with and gained respect with by being at their side.

After escorting Obi-Wan to the temple, leaving him in a shakily smiling Anakin’s care, Cody had returned, calling together the GAR clone command to forward their plans, bringing up his suggestions on how to take out a few of them and asking Fox for suggestion on how to take out the Chancellor as their seconds took charge in the meantime.

Cody could trust Waxer to keep order while he was busy airing his ideas on how to murder the Chancellor.

Depending on when they took him out, they’d have to either make it look natural or make painful, as many wanted to after hearing how Obi-Wan and Anakin had put their trust in the man, only to be gutted.

Cody had also taken the chance to call Kamino, getting in touch with Alpha, since he had put their plans in danger by shooting Burtoni.

He wanted answers, answers he knew he wouldn’t like but he still needed them, so he knew how to proceed.

Alpha ran a hand over his face, suddenly looking exhausted in the blue light of the holo. “…Did you all know he turned twenty that first year?” He rasped out, a few troopers stilling. “That was his first year as a twenty year old Jedi, first year he was unable to say no.” He stated quietly, as if pained by the information.

Rex let out a rush of air as several vode looked at each other with surprise.

Quite a few of them remembered how reckless and angry Anakin Skywalker the padawan had been.

There were still signs of that recklessness and anger of course but it wasn’t as obvious.

But…

It suddenly made sense.

“…During the Seperatist invasion of Kamino, the first one that is,” Alpha stated, voice slow and steady. “There were three Jedi on Kamino. Shaak Ti, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.” His voice tapered of a bit, dropping his head to stare at his hands.

In the holo, they could see him picking at the armoring on top of his hand, rubbing at the blue paint on the top. “…They stayed a while.” Rex stated in remembrance, swallowing thickly when Alpha nodded, eyes still trained on his own hands.

“Burtoni was here too, due to the invasion, she hadn’t been able to leave, I don’t remember why she was here though. All three Jedi were dodging the longnecks too, I remember them seemingly disappearing sometimes after the attack, as if they didn’t want to be found.” Alpha murmured with bitter regret in his voice.

A few winced.

No, considering the unhealthy interest the kamioan had in them, no wonder they tried to disappear when the Senator was also there.

No one said a word though, waiting on Alpha to find the words he needed to explain. “Didn’t think much of it at the time if I’m honest… and then Burtoni came looking for them, Lama Su and Ko Sai at her heels.” He gritted his teeth, the sound loud enough to be caught in the holocall, grinding slowly and painfully.

No one wanted to ask what had happened.

They could guess, based on conjecture.

The kaminoans had always been disturbingly interested in Jedi and Force sensitive, they knew that. Hell, there had even been a period where the scientists had tried to replicate Force sensitivity in some of the clones.

None of those batches had come out well.

Of course, they were unaware that there were already Force sensitive clones, it happened among them but hidden from the eyes of the demagolka as the interest was disturbing and the young clones had caught on fast that they did not want that attention.

“She took them away.” Rex stated with certainty and Alpha nodded slowly, finally looking up, his gaze both guilty and angry. It was the helpless sort of rage that every Jedi serving trooper had felt when the truth came out.

“She did and I didn’t see them for four days, not until it was time for them to leave. Skywalker wasn’t moving right at the time, he was so pale and angry. But more than that, he almost looked… scared,” Alpha stated quietly, as if all of Anakin’s behavior in the early war made so much more sense. “Kenobi was almost normal by comparison but… he kept favoring his left side and I don’t know if I’m remembering it wrong but I could have sworn his hair was shorter and he too was so pale his freckles stuck out.” He murmured, as if saying it too loudly was too much for him.

Cody wanted to drop his head in his hands.

Or slam it on the table.

Considering what they knew, he could make a few adequate guesses.

Burtoni had come looking for the Jedi with a scientist and the minister, both Jedi were over twenty years of age and therefore unable to reject any request from a senator that wouldn’t leave permanent marks.

The next time Alpha saw either Jedi, they were hurt, pale and upset.

The longnecks had taken samples, most likely a lot of blood and done test on the Jedi, most likely in a twisted attempt to try and clone them or recreate Force sensitivity in clones.

Maybe other things too depending on what they had done and Cody knew he would have slicers get into the data banks of Kamino to find out.

It was one thing when it was Jango Fett, he had willingly donated his samples to be clone, was paid for it.

Hell, even the clones had some agency over the donation of ther sample, minor but some.

The Jedi however couldn’t say no.

How many other Jedi had Burtoni ordered around when she was back on Kamino?

Shaak Ti was there, stationed permanently.

How many experiments had the regal looking togruta been exposed to, how much blood had been taken from her?

What of those Jedi that came to supervise or refuel?

How many had Burtoni harmed?

“…Continue with the cloaking devise to make it seem like Burtoni is alive, I know its awful, but vote like she would have,” He murmured into his hands, feeling more than seeing Alpha tense up. “We’re moving the plans forward, operation Smoked vermin will be done by the end of the month. Just keep the illusion going for a month.” Cody sighed tiredly.

“…As you say Vod’alor.” Alpha murmured quietly, the tapping of a fist against a chestplate filling the air as Cody sought refuge in the darkness of his own hands.

Just quiet and darkness, just for a few moments.

A wholesome fic of Codywan relaxing, them having a day off from the war

Handing over the cups to the other man, Obi-Wan gingerly crawled into the bed behind Cody, settling against the headboard and tucking the pillows around until he was comfortable.

Once done, he took the cups from the other and chuckled as the commander leaned back until his back was against Obi-Wan’s chest, letting out a soft grunt as he pulled the duvet up around them until both commander and general was comfortable. “Okay, give me my hot chocolate.” Cody murmured, voice low to not break the softness that had descended on the rooms of Obi-Wan’s quarters.

With Anakin out and about with a certain Senator and Ahsoka bunking in the padawan dorms and having fessed up, with her lekku’s and cheeks flushing, that she was going with Barris somewhere, they were guaranteed peace and calm.

They sought to make the most of it.

Therefore they had first taken a long water shower together, their bodies warm as they scrubbed each others hair, exchanging lazy kisses and gentle brushes of fingers, taking the time to just… feel each other.

It was soft and warm and something they couldn’t get always, going slow and steady.

Afterwards they had pulled the tv into the bedroom, Cody setting it up so they could watch it from the bed as Obi-Wan went to the kitchen, finding a plate of puff pastries with cream fill in the fridge and making two steaming cups of dark chocolate for them.

In Obi-Wan’s cup, there were a few miniature marshmallows floating about, slowly melting in the heat as he held tie cup tightly, savoring the smell and warmth.

Cody’s meanwhile had a touch of chili in it, heating the drink just right as Cody had a taste for spice like many clones.

There was a very good reason why moonshine and hot sauce were two of the most traded items in the GAR after all along with sweeteners for caff or tea.

The plate of pastries, set on a plate on the night table, combined with the hot chocolate and the warmth of being wrapped up in each other was everything either could want for on the cold Coruscant day.

Being alone, clean, satisfied and also wearing soft worn pj’s, Cody’s loaned from Obi-Wan, made everything even better as the two settled on the movie they had picked out prior to the shower and settling down in bed.

It wasn’t a good one, a silly romcom but the importance wasn’t the movie really but that they were together, curled up together as they watched curiously.

Sipping the coca slowly, Cody let out a relieved hum when he didn’t burn his tongue, smiling when Obi-Wan’s free arm wrapped around his chest to rest over Cody’s heart. “Clingy.” He murmured teasingly.

“Only when its you.” Obi-Wan answered quietly, pressing a soft kiss to Cody’s temple.

The admittance had Cody smiling, the smile growing even wider when Obi-Wan dropped his lips to a dark mark on the commander’s neck.

Soft, warm and cuddled together.

Cody could unfortunately get used to this, as rare as it was in the war. ‘Savor the memory Cody. The war will hold for another day.’ He promised himself as he soaked up the comfort of his Jedi.

Just for this night, it was them, a stupid movie and warm chocolate.

So Cody is Vod’alor in Dangerous Galaxy? How does that happen? Is it because he took point in protecting their Jedi and the others followed? Or something else? I’m very curious!

Rubbing his face tiredly, Cody winced at how pale he looked in the harsh light of the medbay fresher’s mirror. Hell, he had dark bags beneath his eyes and looked slightly red rimmed, he looked quite the sight and Cody just let out a deep sigh before just splashing cold water in his face.

He hadn’t managed to get to sleep after Obi-Wan was settled, regardless how much he tried and Helix had offered him something to sleep on but…

It hadn’t felt right, to sleep when Obi-Wan had trusted him to look out for his six.

Instead, he had asked for a stim, justifying himself for Helix that he wanted to be awake and aware for Obi-Wan.

It was a bit of a cheap move to pull that one, he knew he should sleep, but with slumped shoulders, Helix had understood and given him one stim, just for the morning, just so he could escort Obi-Wan back to the temple.

Of course, he couldn’t leave without a parting, “As my Vod’alor commands.” The snarky little bastard.

Vod’alor.

Such a stupid title.

Brother captain.

He grumbled faintly before pressing his forehead to the cool surface of the mirror, wishing he had a cup of dark, newly brewed caff.

As the highest ranking clone, Cody had ended up being in charge of everything, especially since he had been the one to bring in the information about what was going on behind the scenes.

Of course, it was because Skywalker had needed his help but it made the others automatically defer to him.

Cody had been the youngest of the commander class and yet somehow he was the highest ranking of all of them.

Now he had a title that could bring a lot of trouble with it in the future, as every trooper looked to him.

Even Wolffe and Alpha deferred to him and it was so karking weird, considering how frankly horrible and authoritative those two in particular could get.

He wasn’t sure how he had gotten everyone’s respect enough for them to listen to him like this, to follow his orders as they planned for the fall of the Senate, for a coup d’état that they never outright stated who was taking over for the Chancellor they were going to depose.

Yet everyone looked to Cody, as if they knew it be him, calling him Vod’alor.

It couldn’t simply be that he was highest ranking in the GAR.

Okay, so sure enough, he had maybe, once or twice, slammed every commander of the troopers into the sparring mats.

Or maybe a few dozen times…

Okay, so Cody never lost a sparring match, got his nose broken, got a black eye, hell, Alpha had even broken his leg once and sprained his ribs, but Cody still won.

Looking at his own eyes in the mirror, Cody wondered if it was that. The fact that he had every other leader of the GAR yield to him at some point in time and had yet to lose since he was a blueback.

Since he gained his armor, Cody had not lost to one of his brothers.

So maybe that was why he was Vod’alor, maybe that’s why everyone looked to him, maybe it was because Cody showed that not only did he have the skills to backup his actions but also the leadership and had gained the respect of his fellow vode.

It was conjecture at best, speculations.

But it was the best Cody had and with a tired sigh, he straightened and stepped back out of the fresher, settling back down on the bed he had claimed earlier as he looked to his General.

He looked a lot better now, sleeping calmly if albeit a drugged calm.

The swelling had gone down but the bruising on his face was now apparent and Cody felt the bones in his hands pop when he clenched them into fists.

Rex had gotten back to him an hour ago, they had a name now and if it wasn’t for the fact that Cody wanted to stay at Obi-Wan’s side, he might have done something stupid like killing the bastard right at this moment.

But he wouldn’t.

He’d wait a few days, maybe a week and then, when no one could connect the bastard to Obi-Wan, then Cody would take great pleasure in killing the asshole.

A small, dark smile crossed his lips at the thought.

According to Fox, the Senate was growing paranoid, the whisper of a serial killer had started up due to the amount of brutal deaths the troopers couldn’t quite disguise as drug overdoses or natural causes.

But some of these bastard didn’t deserve a merciful death.

Hell, none of them would have gotten a merciful death if it was up to Cody but they couldn’t take out everyone in the same wa-hmm, actually, maybe there could be an explosion on Coruscant.

For half a minute, Cody sat back against the headboard and fantasied about the Chancellor office exploding, grinning like a lunatic to himself as he thought about it.

He’d bring it up with Cody and the others in command, see what they thought about the idea.

Maybe not the Chancellor office in particular but hell, maybe a banquet with certain people in attendance.

Maybe with a few warnings to certain people to not attend.

Either an explosion or a slow working poison that mimicked something natural.

Actually, that latter one did sound like a good idea for some of the idiots and Cody tapped his lip thoughtfully as he glanced at the chrono, mentally grumbling as he took in that it was still four am.

Still three hours until Helix said he could use the stim.

‘Well, maybe we could use a poison that made them choke on their own blood, have their lungs fill up.’ Cody mused to himself, trying to make the time flow a bit faster. He knew there were a few diseases that did that, they could release a false news that there was some kind of infectious disease on Coruscant and that the troopers avoided it due to their helmets filters.

Fantasizing about the demagolka choking to death on their own fluids was actually entertaining and Cody briefly mused on the idea of him becoming a bit sadistically inclined thanks to all of this.

Then he shrugged and tilted his head, watching Obi-Wan, letting the sound of his even breaths calm his own mind.

‘For them, I’ll be anything in this damn galaxy.’ Cody noted to himself, even as he also made note to talk with Alpha-17, because killing the damn longneck on Kamino had been a risk.

*flails incoherently about Dangerous Galaxy* oh man oh man, that is AMAZING. Cody is FURIOUS. And Longshot, Rex, and Helix are too. Someone’s gonna die for thiiiiiis.How hurt IS Obi-wan? Like, he took a few good hits to the face, and there’s clearly damage from the sexual assault, but what else is he hiding? The way he’s moving and acting it was worse than usual (or what passed for usual in a situation like this) and what ever techniques he usually uses to get through aren’t enough now. Seems like the creep that got to him took out a lot of rage? Bet they blamed Obi-wan for some business that’s going south because of the war or something like that…

Feeling his mouth drop open in shock, Cody stared at Helix for a long moment, struggling before he finally spat out a response. “What?” He rasped.

Grimacing, Helix glanced to the medbed, their comatose General deep breath seemingly giving him strength. “Cock and ball torture, from what I treated, that’s my assumption on what happened, with the swelling and the… the marks.” Helix repeated, stuttering slightly as he grimaced with disgust.

Running his hand over his face, Cody opened his mouth then closed it again, feeling like he had been hit.

Fractured left leg, anal tears, bruising and swelling over his face, rubbed raw wrists and ankles and now this.

When Helix informed him that whoever had their Jedi had used little to no lube and certainly had not stretched him, he thought that was the worst but this was so much more worse.

‘Sadism.’ His mind pointed out, rather unnecessarily.

Cody knew there were people who enjoyed sadomasochism, hell there were people of the other inclination too even, who enjoyed pain and with consent and proper care, sure, that was fine. He didn’t want to know the details but hell, what happened in someone else life with consent was their thing.

But Obi-Wan’s consent…

He swallowed thickly, feeling sick and let out a noise when Helix guided him to sit down on the other bed beside Obi-Wan’s. The grip of the medic’s hands on his shoulder was grounding and Cody forced himself to breath.

He was now grateful that Obi-Wan was in a drugged sleep, Helix having offered it when Obi-Wan curled uncertainly into the crisp bed, glancing around the empty medbay after treatment in a privacy room, Cody holding his hand on the other side of a curtain.

Normally, the medbay would have been full of the other medics and COM’S, brushing up on their skills or helping troopers that had issues that were more chronic, but the medbay of the barracks had been empty when they arrived.

Cody suspected that the news of Obi-Wan arriving had made the entire barracks around and that, as a sign of respect and for the Jedi’s comfort, any unfamiliar medics had cleared out, which seemed to be all of them and supported Cody’s theory that Helix had been sleeping, the 212th medics off duty.

So, for now, the other medics had cleared out.

Just for as long as the Jedi was in house and in need of healing.

Looking to Obi-Wan, Cody let out a deep breath as he stared at the still swollen face of the man as Helix carefully withdrew to check on Obi-Wan. He knew that it would take a few hours before the swelling and bruising would disappear even with treatment but Cody…

The Jedi didn’t deserve this.

The clones didn’t deserve it.

Fox had quietly informed him that a few of the Senators had gotten rough with a few of the shinies on the Guard, so now that was something to be on guard for too. “…One month.” He murmured, Helix pausing in his checks to look at Cody.

The two stared at each other before Helix glanced down at their Jedi, his face tightening before he nodded. “Yes, Vod’alor.” He murmured, his lips twitching with amusement at Cody’s grimace.

A few of the battalions had taken to calling him that lately, vod’alor, as if the title meant anything.

‘Ah, but Mand’alor meant nothing until people were made to respect it, no?’ A voice suspiciously like Alpha-17 barked in his head.

Ugh, he wasn’t dealing with this tonight of all nights and he was almost relieved when his comm rang.

Raising it, Cody felt himself freeze as he took in the number.

Kark, it was Skywalker and Cody glanced quickly to Obi-Wan before answering the comm.

Instantly a frazzled Anakin appeared, Ahsoka peeking around his elbow with wide, worried eyes. “Commander, is Obi-Wan with you?” The blond instantly asked, shifting nervously before looking down at Ahsoka. “He was suppose to… Ahsoka and he had a duel set up on the sky roof but… maybe he forgot it and is with you?”

The Jedi sounded so painfully young that for a moment Cody forgot that technically he was older than Cody. His heart lodged in his throat as he stared at the man, then he glanced to the side again, looking at Obi-Wan’s healing face.

“…I’m sorry sir, but the General was at the Rotunda. He’s here in the barracks now.” Cody stated, tone grim and he closed his eyes when Ahsoka covered her mouth and ducked behind Anakin’s back.

That answered his question on if the commanders knew exactly what was going on.

Anakin’s face fell. “But… he didn’t come home.” The man stated slowly before furrowing his brows.

Then he closed his eyes tightly as realization hit him.

The only reason Obi-Wan wouldn’t return home was if he was injured, if he didn’t want to show his face. “He’s in the medbay, isn’t he?” Anakin whispered.

Unhappily, Cody nodded. “Yes sir. I’m sorry sir.” He whispered, knowing how useless those words were and yet needing to say them.

Anakin said nothing, only ran his hand over his face, shiny nails on display for Cody to see and remember he had an ally in the Senate. “I… just look after him. If he’s not coming here, it means he doesn’t want me to see how he looks. Dex has his diner closed down, he normally goes there when things get… when things are rough.” The blond stated haltingly.

The diner?

Well, the besalisk was friendly, they knew that.

But it was still an odd choice… until Cody realized that Obi-Wan didn’t trust anyone else not to spread gossip and was trying to avoid the temple and in particular Anakin, seeing him in such a state.

So instead of asking questions, he nodded. “Helix has him covered. I’ll stay too,” He promised when Anakin opened his mouth. “I’ll be on the bed beside him, waiting until tomorrow.” He promised the other man.

Anakin shifted before nodding. “Thank you commander. I’ll… see you both tomorrow then.” He whispered, sounding drained and small before he hung up.

Cody stared at his comm link then sighed deeply.

One month.

Just one month.

They’d have to accelerate their plans.

Glancing at Obi-Wan’s face, staring at the bruises and dark marks, taking in the gauze wrapped around wrists, Cody steeled his determination.

One month and the Senate burned.