Chapter Text
In the midst of blaster shots and cannon fire on the dry, desert-like planet of Utapau, Commander Cody had found a relatively quiet spot from which he could direct his vod, guiding them on their next actions in the bid to take control of the planet for the Republic. It was not lost on Cody that the war was coming to its end, that this was a pivotal moment in history. The battle was still in full swing all around him, clusters of his battalion attacked the droid army from all angles with the skill and ferocity they’d learned in three long years of war. The alpha himself was in full commander mode, barking orders left and right. All around him voices echoed across the vast canyons and sinkholes, bright lights of blaster shots sped past as, one after the other, the heavy ringing of metal on rock signalled the fall of wave after wave of clankers. The droids were in retreat.
Behind him, familiar thunderous footsteps drew ever closer and shook the dry, almost powder-fine sand that now floated around his ankles in small clouds. He turned to see the High General pull to stop before him atop Boga, his giant varactyl mount. From under his helmet, he gave a sigh of relief. His General, his best friend, his mate; alive and well. Obi-wan had done many great things throughout his celebrated life, and his time with the 212th Attack Battalion had made Cody proud, but perhaps coming in very near the top of that list was when he heard through the battle’s intel holo that Obi-wan had successfully terminated General Grievous. After so many failed attempts, when the coward had slunk away leaving his own troops to die, he was finally defeated. Later, he would tell him how proud he was, but not there, not in the midst of battle. He was still an active soldier, after all. There would be a chance to steal a moment of his General’s time after the battle was won.
Cody turned, approaching as he removed his white and gold helmet with a soft hiss.
The Jedi’s voice was light, if a little breathless, as he spoke. Cody could swear he heard a smile in that tone.
“Commander, contact your troops. Tell them to move to the higher levels.”
Cody tipped his head in acknowledgement,
“Very good sir.”
As he started to turn away, Cody caught himself and turned back with a slight smile.
“Oh, by the way, I think you’ll be needing this.”
He held up his General’s lightsaber and handed it back to its rightful owner. Obi-wan accepted it, and when he spoke, his tone was almost playful - a tone that Cody knew so well, he barely even noticed it at the time.
“Thank you, Cody, now let's get a move on, we’ve got a battle to win here. Hyah!”
“Yes Sir.”
The commander smiled as he put his helmet back on. When he looked again, Obi-wan was gone, leading his loyal varactyl through the archway and making his way up the sandy ridge before them.
Cody knew when looking back on this moment years later, he could pinpoint the exact moment his whole life changed.
Cody looked down at his palm as the holo pad came to life. At first, he was surprised to see a figure he didn't quite recognise. But had certainly heard of. Confusion passed over the commander’s face for mere seconds as the warped man before him spoke, voice rasping.
“Commander Cody, the time has come. Execute order 66.”
CC-2224 responded immediately with a loyal tilt of his white and gold head. After all;
Good soldiers follow orders.
“Yes my Lord.”
He closed the holo pad and looked up to where the traitor and his lizard creature were running over the ridge. CC-2224 looked to his right and didn’t hesitate to give the order.
“Blast him!”
His troops, ever loyal to the cause, complied immediately and with a roar, the cannons blasted the traitor from the wall, where they watched him fall down further and further until he plummeted into the cold pools of water below.
CC-2224 wasted no time, calling for a group of drones.
“Hunt down the traitor and make sure he is dead.”
The commander ordered, and the drones set off. When they returned a short while later, CC-2224 impatiently demanded their report.
“The traitor, nor his body, could not be located. The varactyl is below, shredded from the impact of the rocks. Nothing could have survived.”
CC-2224 pushed the droids aside and looked over the edge, indeed seeing the massive creature, unmoving on the rocks below.
Satisfied enough in the knowledge that no man, even a Jedi Master himself, could survive a fall like that, CC-2224 addressed his troops, his voice loud, clear and without remorse.
“The traitor Kenobi is dead. Long live the empire.”
Somewhere far away from where his body stood under Utapau’s dry heat, Commander Cody screamed out in horror.