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Cody had written rookies up for mistakes less stupid than this. Drilled into them, time and again, the necessity of sticking together, of not getting caught alone. And Cody had fallen for it himself. Been separated from his men on a routine scout, and been made a hypocrite of by clankers. They had him pinned down behind a boulder - many such littered all around this rocky Outer Rim moon - taking turns to shoot.
Their aim was terrible - Cody could shoot better with his feet - but sooner or later they were bound to get lucky. And Cody only had so much power in his power pack. He'd run out long before all the clankers had exhausted theirs.
Just when Cody thought all was lost, he heard the hum of a lightsaber igniting behind him. He didn't turn, trusting in the sight of red blaster bolts being deflected back at their shooters. Trusting in the Jedi, Cody raised his own blaster again, fighting with renewed vigor.
Fighting alongside the Jedi was incredible. Even though it was just the two of them against a small division of battle droids, Cody felt invincible. More protected, more synchronized than he had with any other Jedi he'd fought alonside.
The General - no Jedi Cody had yet met, but he had only met a handful -strolled up to Cody's side, almost lazily flicking his hand at the clankers. They flew into the rocks, shattering with the faintest cry of “no fair” lingering in the air.
Dark blue tunic, carefully styled auburn hair; no Jedi Cody recognised by sight, either. Yet there was something about him, in the curl of his lips, the way he held himself, the slight tilt of his head as he regarded Cody with warm eyes. Familiar, Cody's instincts said, right.
“Marshall Commander.”
Cody dipped his head, wishing he had his bucket to hide his expression. Blushing like a shiny at a simple gaze was unprofessional to say the least. “General.”
“Not a General,” the Jedi corrected easily. “I've yet to take an active part in this war.”
Cody stood straighter, military precise. “My apologies, sir.”
The Jedi found that amusing, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. “There's no need to stand on formalities with me, Commander,” he chided, looking more like he was sharing a joke with Cody than having one at his expense. “My name is Obi-Wan.”
“Commander Cody, sir,” Cody replied, nodding his head again in deference. Rules and regulations existed for reasons, after all. Perhaps especially to stop Cody from responding to the invitation in the Jedi's eyes.
Obi-Wan, fortunately, didn't appear offended. Another soft chuckle sounding over the chirrups of the local fauna. “Stubborn,” he praised, something in his tone sending a little zing through Cody. “Refreshing.”
Cody's eyebrows jumped, “Sir?”
Obi-Wan waved a hand, silently reassuring Cody it was fine that he didn't understand. “Conversations with members of the Grand Army are so much more intellectually stimulating than with Battle Droids.”
Cody held a laugh back in his throat. “Not a fan of the-” Cody dropped his voice into his imitation of Rex imitating the battle droids “- Roger Roger, sir?”
The Jedi- Obi-Wan chuckled, his eyes sparkling like some pristine otherworldly ocean. “I can't say that I am, Commander.”
“Conversation isn't a prerequisite for shooting a blaster,” Cody offered, earning himself another smile at his dry tone.
“No,” Obi-Wan conceded. “But it does make things much more interesting.”
Interesting… “Are you familiar with General Skywalker, sir?”
Obi-Wan's eyes sparkled. “What has Anakin done this time?”
Cody wasn't a trooper prone to gossip, but Obi-Wan did ask. “Captain Rex says he makes battles more interesting by Force throwing them off exploding things. Sir.”
The Jedi heaved an exasperated, far too amused sigh. “That does sound like Anakin.”
Yes, it did. Cody still hadn't forgiven him for the one and only time he'd considered throwing Cody off an exploding building. If he was meant to fly, he'd wear a jetpack.
“We should be getting back to the command centre,” Cody sighed, head already throbbing with the triplicate reports he'd have to write about how he'd landed himself in this situation. Fox would read it and give him hell for cycles. “General Skywalker and Commander Tano will be waiting for us.”
An emotion tangibly like regret passed over Obi-Wan's eyes, banished with a charming smile and another elegant wave of his hand.
“Entertaining as a family reunion would be, my dear,” he said, the endearment causing little winged creatures to erupt in Cody's stomach. “I'm afraid I cannot accompany you.”
Family reunion? Entertaining? Cody's brain screeched to a halt, freezing with the unpleasant lurch of being thrown off a building without warning. There was only one name they rarely spoke, argued about in hushed whispers. A Jedi cautionary tale.
“You're Kenobi.”
Obi-Wan gave a little bow, spreading his arms wide. “That is what I'm told, yes.”
Betrayal panged hot and bitter in Cody's chest. Stinging in all the places Obi-Wan's presence had felt so right.
“You lied to me.”
“Lie is such an ugly term,” Obi-Wan tsked, his smirk curling unasked for warmth through Cody's chest. “I simply actively participated in a campaign of misinformation.” He inclined his head, eyes sparkling. “Misinformation you started, if you'll recall, my dear.”
Cody narrowed his eyes, staunchly refusing to be charmed by the misdirection. “You lied.”
Obi-Wan offered an elegant shrug. “I am a Sith Lord.”
Automatically, dutifully, Cody raised his blaster on Obi-Wan. Part of his mind, that traitorous organ in his chest, his lungs that caught on his breath, all rebelled at the act.
The Sith simply sighed, as if humouring Cody, then twitched a single finger. Cody's blaster wrenched out of his grip, shattering amongst the remains of the clankers.
That easy. Obi-Wan would only have to flick his hand and Cody could join the remnants of the battle. Could be killed so easily. And here he was, still alive. Obi-Wan didn't even seem tempted to act on his Sith nature and kill him.
“You should have killed me.” Cody crossed his arms, glaring at the Sith. “Why did you save me?”
A soft, open look appeared on Obi-Wan's face, banishing the sting of irrational betrayal.
“Ask me again sometime, my dear. I may tell you.” He tilted his head, as if listening to something Cody couldn't hear. “Anakin is coming for you, and he's brought several of your brothers.”
Good news, Cody knew. Yet his heart twisted uncomfortably in his chest.
Blue eyes softened, impossibly tender once more. “I will see you soon, my dear.”
Obi-Wan kissed Cody's cheek, then walked off. Sauntering away as if Cody's men weren't moments away from finding him. As if he knew Cody was watching - admiring (the audacity of, Cody insisted to himself) - him.
Just before he disappeared between two towering boulders, Obi-Wan turned and wiggled his fingers. A wave and smile that seemed to linger even as the Sith disappeared.
Cody was still watching the gap in the rocks, unable to tear himself away, when Skywalker and Rex came charging to his aid.
Rex clapped him on the shoulder, Skywalker frowning at the destruction that was too much even for Cody to have achieved on his own.
“What happened?” Skywalker's concern was distracted, like he was sensing the ghost of Obi-Wan's presence on almost the exact spot he currently stood.
Despite himself, Cody cast one final glance at the rocks. The very air seeming to ring with Obi-Wan's promise. Soon.
“I think I just met Obi-Wan Kenobi.”