Chapter Text
“Alright listen up” Obi-wan ordered. The troopes all gathered around him to listen to their briefing.
“You know your marching orders the safety of the Duke Cody and Prince Rex is of the upmost importance. The Death Watch will stop at nothing to assassinate the Duke before he pleads their case to the Senate” Obi-wan explained, he glanced around his men’s helmeted faces he knew all eyes were on him, they were well trained soldiers and cunning clones.
Boba Fett’s clones to be exact.
He couldn’t imagine how weird it must be for them, they were technically protecting their younger brothers.
Anakin’s voice cut through Obi-wan’s thoughts “The Death Watch maybe backed by the Separatists to stay sharp, R2 use your scanners and scan for any suspicious droid activity.”
The R2 unit beeped in response and wheeled off to commence his orders.
“Anything else sir?” Captain Jesse asked in his usual flat voice.
“No that will be all Captain” Obi-wan nodded his head at the 501st Captain who briefly nodded back then turned to Obi’s own Commander, Boil, who was about to walk away.
Obi-wan’s comm beeped getting his attention, “Yes?” After a brief pause a voice replied.
“The Duke and his retinue requests your presence.” The voice said, Obi-wan huffed a little and replied.
“Very well.” He gestured to Anakin and the Commanders to follow him into the elevator that had just opened behind him. His mind wandered back to when he had first meet the Duke and the High-Prince, he remembered a time when he once called them close friends and with Cody maybe even more.
“I sense some anxiety from you about the Duke” Anakin nudged him out his memory hole, “He couldn't be in safer hands.” Anakin continued attempting to reassure his former master.
“Yes, I know.” Obi-wan replied bluntly, trying to forget that this feeling of turmoil in his stomach was getting to him.
“Then why.......” Anakin paused trying to figure out how word the next part without further upsetting Obi-wan.
“Never mind. It's all in the past.” Obi cut in, he was staring harshly at the ground as if he thought it might just collapse and kill all of them, to be honest that would be easier than having to listen to Cody complain about a war he wasn’t even apart of.
“Oh, so you're close to him?” Anakin smirked and raised an eyebrow, Obi-wan saw in the corner of his eye Boil’s helmet tilt in confusion.
He abandoned his conquest on hoping the floor might swallow and glared at his former apprentice “I knew him..... A long time ago.” He explained.
They arrived on the main floor of the ship, Anakin ordered Boil and Jesse to remain in the elevator and go supervise downstairs.
They entered the relaxation quarters to the Duke’s mouth already chewing down on the politics of the war.
“War is intolerable! We have been deceived into thinking that we must be a part of it. I say the moment we committed to fighting, we already lost.” Cody complained, to the other Senators in the room.
“Excuse me, your honour, are you suggesting we oppose the war on Humanitarian grounds?” Tal Merrik suggested in a tone that made the idea seem ludicrous.
Rex chuckled “And I thought I was the one with the crazy plans” he smirked at his brother, who rolled his eyes in return but continued.
“I'm going to oppose it as an affront to life itself. As the designated regent of 1,500 systems, I speak for thousands of worlds that have urged me to allow them to stay neutral in this war.” Cody carried on, senators were nodding their heads in agreement.
“And yet some might argue that the strongest defence is a swift and decisive offence.” Obi-wan couldn’t help but interrupt, Cody looked down at him from the incliner he and Rex were sitting on, Rex smiled and tilted his head giving a expression of agreement. His brother however clearly didn’t share his views on the intrusion.
“You are quite the general now, aren't you, Master Kenobi?” Cody raises his head and looked at him over his nose.
“Forgive me for interrupting, Your highness. I meant no disrespect.” Obi-wan bowed in respect but kept his eyes of Cody, he could see his beautiful features soften just a fraction, his amber eyes locked on to his and he could sworn he saw a faint blush dance across Cody’s cheek.
“Really? Senators, I presume you are acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-wan Kenobi?” Cody quickly recovered himself and opened his hand to Kenobi. The Senators all nodded their heads in acknowledgement
“Your Majesty is too kind.” Obi-wan responded with a little more sarcasm than he intended.
“You're right. I am.” Cody looked down at his hands. Anakin raised an eyebrow and was visibually restraining himself from commenting.
“Allow me to introduce my fellow jedi Anakin Skywalker” Obi-wan stepped aside to let Anakin come up next to him.
“Your servant, my lord.” Anakin bowed, he glanced over to Rex and bowed to him to. “Lords” he corrected himself.
“About time I got some recognition” Rex quipped, Anakin grinned at the Prince’s response.
“Fine cause you're getting so touchy......This is Prince Rex of Concordia, Captain of the Mandalorian Honour Guard, current heir to the throne of Mandalore and my pain in the ass brother” Cody smirked fondly at his brother who had been quite happily taking in the impressive titles until the last one and was now glaring daggers at his twin.
“Thanks Codes” he muttered.
“Your a warrior then by the sound of it” Anakin asked looking particularly interested at the sword on Rex’s hip.
Rex nodded “I can also tell that you to are a fighter.” Anakin smiled and raised his head.
“I remember a time when jedi were not generals but peacekeepers.” Cody butted in.
“We are protectors, your Majesty......yours, at the moment.” Anakin fired back unheatedly. “We fight for peace.” He elaborated.
“What an amusing contradiction.” Cody huffed amused. Obi-wan stepped in before Anakin decided to get anymore mouthy.
“What Master Skywalker means is that we are acting at the behest of your Majesty. To protect you from the Death Watch and the separatists who don’t share your neutral point of view.”
“I asked for no such thing.” Cody was starting to sound annoyed now.
“That may be so, but a majority of your court did.” Obi-wan fired back, Rex shifted his hand out towards his brother as if trying to stop him.
“I do not remember you as one to hide behind excuses.” Cody rose from his seat and walked down the steps, the long blue tail of his senatorial garment dragged along the stone. Obi-wan huffed.
“I do not remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities.” He said putting down the drink he had received earlier and walking toward the approaching Duke.
“I am certain we all agree. Duke Cody and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every dilemma.” Orn Free Taa concluded for everyone before the two could argue anymore.
“Indeed.” The other senators agreed.
Free Taa continued “Now, in regard to the senate Vote, we think....”
“I think a multitude makes Discord, not good counsel.” Cody interrupted still watching Obi-wan with a look of wounded pride.
“Right again, my lord.” Free Taa bowed.
“There may be two sides to every argument but the Duke only favors his.” Obi said turning to Anakin who just nodded. Cody watched the two Jedi mumble to each other before continuing.
“A republic military presense is the only sure defence against the separatists.
Even extremists can be reasoned with.” Cody said hopefully again causing the other senators to nod. However Obi-wan didn’t miss the way Rex rolled his eyes at his brother’s statement.
“Perhaps, if one can be heard over a the clanking of their battle droids.” Obi walked back over towards him.
“The sarcasm of a soldier.” Cody sneered now approaching Obi-wan as well.
“The delusion of a dreamer.” Obi-wan sassed back, by this point they were centimetres away from each others faces. Obi-wan could feel Cody’s breath now, it was still as he remembered it, warm with a faint tinge of alcohol.
“Duke, Master jedi, It's been a long trip.
I think we could all use a little rest and refreshment.” Merrik stepped in thankfully stopping both adults.
“Hear, hear.” Rex said rising from his seat a look of amusement covered his face as if he was watching some soap opera.
“Now let us put politics aside until after dinner.” Orn Free Taa nodded at the Prince.
“Fine” the two said in unison looking at Free Taa, Cody pushed past Obi and walked out the room closely followed by his brother who nodded at both Jedi before running after his brother.
Obi-wan stormed off himself to the elevator, Anakin walked a few moments later in an attempt to comfort his fuming master.
“You and Cody have a history.” Anakin said looking up from where he was fiddling with his comm link.
Obi-wan sighed and looked down. “An extended mission when I was younger. Master Qui-gon and I spent a year on Mandalore protecting the Duke and the Prince from insurgents who had threatened their world after their parents were murdered. They sent bounty hunters after us. We were always on the run, living hand-to-mouth, never sure what the next day would bring.” He shook his head and played with his beard
“Sounds romantic.” Anakin smiled at him, Obi-wan just gave him a disappointed look.
Cody stormed into his own quarters, ripped of his head dress and threw it in the direction of the chair in the corner of the room, he flopped face first on the bed and breathed heavily.
After several moments of wonderful silence Rex walked in and sat down next to him.
“What do you want” Cody grumbled into the mattress.
“Just wanted to make sure you are okay brother you seem on edge” Rex said in Mando’a.
Cody rolled over and looked at his brother’s sympathetic face.
“10,000 Jedi in the galaxy and they had to send Kenobi, the only one I have personal history with.” Cody sighed in Mando’a and sat up.
“That’s your fault, you two did bang after all!” Rex cried in Mando’a and laughed when he got a pillow swung into his face.
“Rex we didn’t......well we.......shut up” Cody grinned when Rex grabbed the other pillow on the bed and pounced at him.
Cody blocked him with his own pillow but he did still get whacked in the stomach. The two laughed as the fight ensued until they broke a vase that was on the bedside cabinet, not either twin cared much.
Obi-wan huffed as he walked into his quarters, Anakin was still pestering him. For an explanation to what actually happened, eventually Obi-wan gave in.
“A civil war killed most of Cody’s people, hence his aversion to violence. When they returned, Cody took on the task of rebuilding his world alone.” Obi-wan explained, as he sat back in his chair.
“You didn't stay to help him?” Anakin questioned.
“That would have been problematic. My duty as a jedi demanded I be elsewhere.” Obi-wan rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to stop the approaching headache.
“Demanded? But it's obvious you had Feelings for him!” Anakin looked hurt for his Master, “Surely that would affect your decision.”
“Oh, it did. I live by the jedi code.” Obi-wan sighed, of course Cody had asked him to stay but he was loyal and he had already made a choice to be a Jedi, sort of.
“Of course. As Master Yoda says, "a jedi must not form attachments.” Anakin sounded really disappointed but there was nothing either Jedi could do it was the law for them after all.
"Yes. But he usually leaves out the undercurrent of remorse.” Obi-wan agreed and looked at the back wall in pity.
Beep! The sound of a comm got both of their attention. “Yes, captain?” Obi-wan answered.
“General, something's wrong with Skywalker’s astromech. Scared him a real good, sir. I've also lost contact with two of my men.” Jesse explained.
“I'm on my way down to assist you.” Obi-wan replied and then switched off his comm link.
“I'll go, master. If there's something dangerous down there, the clones and I can handle it.” Anakin got up sounding reluctant and left the room.
Obi-Wan made his way briskly to the dinning hall, where the senators were eating.
“Deep-fried nuna legs. Mmm, delicious.” Orn Free Taa already had a plate of food piled up. Obi-wan also couldn’t help but notice the white feather stuck between Cody’s dark blue over coat and emerald green under shirt. Obi-wan was slightly baffled to why Cody hadn’t changed for dinner like he remembered. The Duke was still wearing the dark blue over coat and leggings that had a strip of material hanging loosely infront and behind Cody’s legs, he still was wearing the emerald green under shirt and blue slip shoes. He had however put on another larger head dress on, it was the same one he usually wore on Mandalore. It wasn’t until Obi-Wan came back to reality that he realised that everyone was staring at him and waiting for an explanation, Rex was sniggering behind his hand, Obi-Wan just scowled at him.
“I beg your pardon, senators. Our men are investigating a situation below decks. I respectfully ask you to wait here until it is settled.” Obi-Wan said as he took the seat opposite the Duke and waited for Anakins report.