Chapter Text
Panic. That was the only word Cody could think of to describe the brotherbond. And his own state of mind. He tried his best to appear unhurried, calm, and submissive as the clones were all ordered directly to their bunks, skipping endurance training. It was just a completely regular day. Other than a stranger infiltrating the brotherbond and Jango Fett maybe going missing.
He knew that he was failing at normalcy, but he took comfort in the fact that he was far from the only one. Out of his squad, only Fox looked somewhat put together, though CT-7567 had him beat due to the large amount of practice he had.
Upon his arrival in the correct hallway, Cody ran quickly through the motions of getting ready to sleep, unable to focus his thoughts. When he was finished, he sat down on his bunk, joined by CT-7567 around five minutes later. His presence was helpful, as it gave Cody someone other than himself to worry about. Not that he was not worried about his squad, but he at least knew how they were feeling.
“How was training today?” It was all Cody could think to say, not wanting to push CT-7567 into talking about the brotherbond when Cody had no idea how CT-7567 was feeling. The hints he had gotten at dinner were not exactly good ones.
After a moment of consideration, CT-7567 hesitantly spoke up. “It was okay. Not too hard.”
(So he wasn’t signaled out too much. Small mercies.) “Any chance that they’ll let you move up again?”
Sighing, CT-7567 flopped down onto Cody’s bed. Thankfully, he had a slight smile on his face as he did so. “No. The squad’s cooperation could use work, and they still refuse to consider me for ARC training.” They both knew that it would never happen.
“That’s rough. I guess you’ll just have to resign yourself to the ‘easy’ classes.” Classes which had been a struggle for Cody’s entire squad, though that was partly due to the higher expectations put on them as CCs.
“Yeah.” CT-7567's smile faded, but more out of exhaustion than anything else. Cody knew exactly how hard he worked to keep up his scores. And what time he got up. So, reluctantly, he gave up on the company. By flicking him in the ear.
“Hey!” CT-7567 sat up, hand clasping around Cody’s wrist as he attempted to repeat his previous action. “What was that for?”
“‘Cause I can’t and won’t carry you to your hallway if you fall asleep on my rack. Get going. You clearly need the rest.” Cody gestured down the hall in the general direction of CT-7567's squad’s area. He then used his left hand to repossess his right one.
CT-7567 blinked, processing. “Right.” He then climbed down the first few rungs on the wall before jumping down the rest of the way. “See you tomorrow?”
“Of course. Try not to fall asleep in class!” CT-7567 smirked, as did Cody and his squad, save Wolffe. He glowered at them all, shutting himself off in his bunk. Cody still could only barely feel him in the bond, but he was not really mad.
CT-7567 left, doing his best to quietly run down the halls, avoiding other brothers. Leaving Cody to his thoughts. And the chaos that was the brotherbond. He should probably deal with that.
Listen up, brothers! I know we’re all scared about the stranger’s intrusion, but that’s no excuse to act like this! We’re soldiers. When there’s a problem, we fix it. Not panic.
It was scary how quickly the bond quieted when he broadcasted to them. Absolute silence, all attention turned towards Cody, his leadership. (I’ll need to get used to that eventually.)
Cody paused, just letting himself breathe as his mind raced a mile a minute, formulating and dismissing ideas. His gaze landed on Fox, who was busy pretending to be reading a datapad, knuckles white. They needed to hide. It would not be the first time that they did so.
When you think about it, this is nothing particularly knew. We’ve always had to keep the brotherbond to ourselves, now we just need to purposefully keep others out.
A single thought came from the sea of brothers, confident. So like a squadbond then? Seems simple enough.
Or like when I tune my squad brothers out because they're idiots?
So we just need to build walls to keep non-brothers out!
There was a flurry of activity in the bond, stillness broken, and Cody was grateful that his brothers caught on so quickly to the fumes of an idea he had presented. It would work for sure. And it was the right thing to do.
Unfortunately, all the planning kept him up, as he found it difficult to not listen to the bond chatter when he was tired. So the night was somewhat sleepless. But it would lead to a bright morning.
...
Reality hit. It was sudden, only a few rotations after the incident that caused them to build walls in the bond. Everyone was only just adjusting to the feeling of restriction on the communication of it, like there was a balcony that they could get over, but would fall down and be left adrift in the sea if they did so. But they were all okay with the new normal. Until they were not.
“All of the finished units are heading out today. My squad is close enough to training completion that I’m included in that number.” CT-7567 was breathless, eyes wide. Cody knew that they were sending out the older CTs and CCs, but he had not thought CT-7567 would be among them. Cody’s own squad was not, and they were much older than CT-7567.
Cody found his voice, giving a weak smile. “Congratulations, CT-7567. You’ve graduated now. How does it feel?”
A small laugh escaped CT-7567. It could have been any emotion but happiness. “Honestly? Not great. I always hoped I’d be sent out with you.”
How Cody wished he could send CT-7567 the reassurance and comfort he so desperately needed. Instead, he settled for resting a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder. “You will. After this mission, or battle, or whatever this turns into, you’ll come back, and we will be stationed together. I promise. So don’t die out there, alright?”
“Of course, sir.” CT-7567 mouthed “Cody” after his overly formal address. Then he stepped away, joining the throng of troopers shipping out.
Cody watched him go until he disappeared onto one of the waiting gunships. Then he glanced up, eyes drawn to the small, green, curiosity that he believed was known as General Yoda.
The General had a curious feel about him in the brotherbond, though most brothers had not noticed it due to their new walls. However, the CCs had, and they were worried. If their brothers could not keep up the barriers, then who knows how many would learn of their secret. If the General learned it, then their purpose would be ripped from them in an instant.
The General caught his gaze, seemingly seeing right through him. Chills went down CC-2224's back, and he felt a pressure on his mind, gentle, but insistent. He raised his mental guard, appearing impassive as he salute the General and turned to leave, as he still had classes to attend to that day, despite the disorganization.
Something about General Yoda called to him, light and free. It wanted to know everything, and part of him agreed. But he held back. Somehow, he knew that the time was not yet right. Although he seriously doubted it ever would be.