Chapter Text
They were almost to Kamino, and Obi-Wan couldn't be more grateful. Honestly, he loved the Vode; he really did. It's just that there were so many of them so tightly crowded together. Things were so cramped that people could barely fit through most of the Negotiator's halls.
Obi-Wan attempted to make his way to the bridge for last-minute preparations, but it was slow going. He had to keep stepping over troopers who were napping or playing games in the corridors. He misjudged a step and almost tripped when sturdy hands caught him.
"Hi, precious," said Threepwood with a grin. He held on to Obi-Wan's arms until he managed to steady his feet. A trooper shifted more out of the way with a sleepy apology.
"Hello there, lovebug," replied Obi-Wan gratefully.
"Are you heading to the bridge?" Threepwood asked, turning to walk with Obi-Wan.
"Yes. Walk with me, will you, my love?" Obi-Wan asked, tucking his hand in the crook of Threepwood's elbow.
"It'd be my pleasure, darling. I've missed you." Threepwood smiled down at him. Obi-Wan smiled back with a rueful sigh. With everything so crowded, he'd spent little time alone with his husbands. Forget about any sort of physical intimacy, either. Obi-Wan had happily given up his quarters and office for troopers who needed a quiet place to recuperate after surgery with Snapper and his medics. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of privacy in the barracks.
(And while Obi-Wan might not mind a bit of exhibitionism, he only wanted to show off for his husbands. Thank you very much.)
It would be nice to have their own space again. Obi-Wan had been brainstorming ideas for a more permanent home for him and the 212th one day. And wouldn't that be the best?
For now, though, things were crowded. But to have all these brothers back? – how could anyone complain?
"How's everyone doing, lovebug?" asked Obi-Wan. Threepwood was one of, if not the best, resources for gossip in the entire Vode.
Threepwood grinned at him as they stepped over a pile of paint cans. Someone would soon hear from Cody or Bonus for leaving a mess like that. "Morale is high," Threepwood explained. "Crys told me that the high volume of calls going in and out almost overloaded the comm systems, but they've cobbled together a stronger system. Sure-Shot said we've got plenty of supplies for several more weeks, even with all the extra troopers, which will help feed everyone once we get to Kamino. On the other hand, he is annoyed that we've packed everything so tightly that things are hard to get to."
"I'll send him some more help," mused Obi-Wan.
"He'll appreciate it," said Threepwood. The 212th quartermaster was incredibly organized and hardworking. Unfortunately, he tended to get techy when anyone messed with his almost perfectionistic organizational systems.
"I have a meeting with Snapper later today, but how are the other medics doing?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Good overall. The medics wish they could do more, but the docs at Kamino will have better resources." Threepwood paused momentarily in the hall before continuing with his steps and words. "There's always an underlying fear when a brother is injured. Will their injury be too severe? Are they not worth the resources to save them?"
Obi-Wan let out a slow breath, biting his cheek and letting Threepwood continue. He was sick and tired of the low-grade horror his husbands and their Vode experienced daily.
"But you're here, General Ori'Vod. We trust you one hundred percent. We know you'll fight for every one of us no matter what." Threepwood gave his head a shake before smiling back at Obi-Wan. "We trust you, precious. It's just hard to let go of that old fear."
Obi-Wan stopped and faced Threepwood, holding his hands in his. Fortunately, this part of the corridor was mostly empty. Releasing his emotions, Obi-Wan said, "Thank you, my sweet love. I will protect your brothers. They will be cared for no matter what, even if I have to do everything myself."
Threepwood smiled blindingly. "I know, precious. We all know." He leaned forward and kissed Obi-Wan, long and sweet.
When they pulled away, Threepwood wrapped his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders as they continued toward the bridge.
Earlier that day, in one of the overcrowded cargo holds, Cody addressed a small group of the 212th. "I'm sure you know why I've invited you all here today."
"We're getting promoted?" asked Crys, grinning hopefully.
Cody did a double-take. "No, Crys, you di'kut, you're not getting promoted." Grimacing, he rubbed his forehead.
Boil smacked Crys on the back of the head. Crys yelped sarcastically, "Oh, I'm soooo sorry," and lunged for Boil. A minor scuffle broke out, but Waxer and Threepwood separated the pair.
"All right, are you ready to listen?" asked Cody, already exhausted.
"Yes, Commander," said Sergeant Charm, glaring at the rest, especially Borderline, who held back snickers.
"Clearly, I shouldn't have assumed," Cody began again, "but I thought you would have noticed how many of the Vode are getting handsy with General Vod."
The group let out a collective "Oooooh!"
With a nod, Waxer jumped in, "It's been pretty bad." The ordinarily cheerful trooper crossed his arms and frowned.
Eyeball added, "Quarters are so close that they've been getting away with a lot of touching."
"I haven't seen anything too scandalous," said Boil with a disgruntled glare. "Just a lot of hugging and hand-holding."
Cody nodded. "Not wanting to repeat the mistake of assuming anything, I checked with General Vod. He said nothing untoward has happened, but you know him."
"He's too soft," said Charm, more fond than irritated.
"I've let the officers know what's going on, but they're just as devious," said Cody with a tired shake of his head. "Especially Rex." Favorite brother, his shebs.
"It's been getting worse," said Threepwood. "Little Table is in the medbay after fighting off three ARCs from the 104th Battalion. One of them tried to pinch General Ori'Vod's…" his voice dropped to a whisper, "butt!"
"Good for Table," said Eyeball, impressed. "He's turning into quite the little scrapper."
"Is Tab'ika okay?" asked Waxer.
"He's fine," said Borderline, chuckling. "You should see the ARCs!"
"Good for Table!" repeated Eyeball.
"That's what we need to do," explained Cody.
"Beat up ARC troopers?" blurted Crys with too much excitement.
"No, Crys, come on," Cody said, shaking his head again. "We need to have someone watching over Ob'ika. And we'll need to switch up 212th boys so he doesn't notice that we're following him around."
"Do you think he'll mind?" asked Waxer.
"He won't mind being with us," said Cody firmly.
"But he might mind us 'protecting' him from the Vode," continued Charm, nodding in understanding.
"Exactly," finished Cody. "We have to be subtle." Never mind that 'subtly' was not a skill they possessed.
"I'll go first," offered Threepwood with a smile. "I'm up next for alone time with Ob'ika whenever we have the space again. Besides, it's not like hanging out with him is a hardship."
"We need to let the rest of the 212th know," added Charm.
"Yeah, tell them 'whenever you see Ob'ika alone, stay with him until another 212th can relieve you,' something like that," Borderline said.
"I'll spread the word," Waxer volunteered.
"I'll help!" said Threepwood and Crys together.
Cody sighed in relief. They had a plan. Being protective of Obi-Wan was a habit for the 212th, after all. And they were good at it.
After that, it was uncommon to see Obi-Wan without a member of the 212th hovering nearby, often with an arm slung around his shoulders or hands interlaced. If Obi-Wan caught on to their possessive attitudes, he was generous enough not to confront them. Their visiting brothers certainly noticed, but a few glares (and, if necessary, a few beatdowns on the sparring mats) put them to rights.
They were only a few days from Kamino when Obi-Wan and the senior officers commandeered a small briefing room for their meeting. They had to kick out a few napping brothers, but no one complained. Obi-Wan was just too sweet and apologetic.
"What are our objectives, General?" Cody asked, starting the meeting on time. This mission was officially off the books. Despite their complaining, the Council had kept the fact that Obi-Wan appropriated the Negotiator and taken her to Kamino a secret from the Senate. And besides vaguely threatening promises, Obi-Wan kept his thoughts and motives to himself, even from his husbands and officers.
Admiral Block kept their destination a secret from Navy Sector despite being held in the dark. He cited communication issues and (somewhat gleefully) pretended the various holos that Sector kept sending him were breaking up. (Normally straight-faced SCC Bonus had burst out laughing when Block pretended to fly through a tunnel.) The other nat-borns officers had kept their confusion in check, willing to follow the lead of their Admiral and General.
Now that Obi-Wan had called his officers to this meeting, they were hoping for some light to be shed. Cody, his three captains, and all his lieutenants were sitting around the large conference table. Obi-Wan had invited Captain Rex and the various clone commanders rescued from Serenno.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and a moment to organize his thoughts as he looked around the room at the gathered officers. Then, he smiled softly before clearing his throat. "I have multiple goals that I wish to accomplish at Kamino, but the main one is this: getting you and your brothers free."
"How do you mean, sir?" asked Gregor, leaning in, eyes alight with curiosity.
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest. "The war is over, but technically you all are still the property of the Republic." He spat the word 'property' with vehement disgust. "However, I will use that vile term if I must to get you all away from Kaminoans. Bail Organa and others are furiously working to grant you rights." He paused and frowned, ducking his head. "No, not 'grant' – you can't be given rights because that would imply they could be taken away. Even if you weren't 'born' into them," he muttered angrily before shaking his head and continuing. "None of this should have happened; I'm still so furious at the abhorrent violation of sentient rights—well, never mind that now."
Ending his rant, Obi-Wan looked up and gave them a stiff smile. "I will continue to work out the details on that front. But for now, I will use what I am given and transfer you to the Republic immediately. I know it's a risk, but we'll discuss the other details later."
Cody reached over and laid a hand on Obi-Wan's trembling shoulder. Obi-Wan turned to him and smiled back – a raw but honest smile. "I am so sorry, best beloved."
"Not your fault, sweetheart," replied Cody, squeezing his shoulder. "You – and most of the Jedi – have never treated us less. Never."
"Thank you, sweet Cody." Then, with another deep breath, Obi-Wan continued, "Well, that's the main objective of our mission."
"Can you clarify more, mesh'la?" asked Cog. "What exactly do you want?"
"I want you and your brothers free from Kamino in every possible way. I want every genetic map of your DNA, every tissue sample, every bit of data, and every word of research. I want all of you and everything that belongs to you down to the youngest embryo off that miserable, wet planet. Permanently."
"And what would you do with everything?" asked Snapper, grinning widely in growing excitement.
"Hold on until we can convince the Senate that it belongs to you and you alone. Until your ownership is your own."
"And if we can't convince them?" asked Gryxx, leaning in.
"Doesn't matter; I'm not karking giving it to them," snapped Obi-Wan.
"If they insist?" asked Rex.
"Too fucking bad. I'll—I'll—I'll go on the run if I have to!" Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "I don't care. You are yours and yours alone. And I'm sick of what they made me do – no, what I did – in this war. I'm done. I'm karking done. I've made too many little compromises one after the other, but now I'm finished. I'm not making another one. I don't give a flying fuck." Obi-Wan finished, panting and blinking back angry tears.
In his righteous fury, Obi-Wan hadn't noticed his husbands getting up and crowding around him. With Cog and Snapper's arms wrapped around Obi-Wan's neck and shoulders, Cody leaned over his lap and took his face in his hands, squeezing so gently. Finally, Obi-Wan's teary eyes focused, and he looked up at Cody.
Cody smiled at him. "There you are, sweetheart. We've got you." He kissed Obi-Wan softly on the lips.
"We love you, cyare. So much," whispered Snapper, lips brushing the side of his neck.
"We all do, sir," Rex said across the room. He longed to comfort Obi-Wan but respectfully kept his seat.
"I may not have worked with you much, sir," said Commander Ponds, "but I know my general. And I know all of the Jedi never meant to harm us."
"But we did," whispered Obi-Wan.
"No, pretty, no," said Basher. "You led us into battle. You fought with us, protected us."
"We should have—I should never have—"
"No, dear heart, don't put this on yourself," begged Waxer, squeezing next to Cody. He kissed Obi-Wan on the forehead. "Please, dear heart, know that we love you and that none of us blame you. But being without the Jedi? Without you? That would have hurt us."
"But with you, Obi-Wan? We were so much stronger than without," said Cody, his voice firm. He had gone into full Marshal Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic mode, but his expression was soft, begging Obi-Wan to hear and feel their devotion.
Obi-Wan blinked, rolled his shoulders, and sighed. He took another moment before responding. "All right, my loves. I trust you, and I believe you."
Allowing the comfort to last a few more minutes, Obi-Wan relaxed. Eventually, everyone returned to their spots around the conference table and awaited further instructions. "Well, then," started Obi-Wan, voice steady and sure once again, "I do believe we have plans to make. First off, I want to limit the number of us meeting with the Kaminoans. At the start, at least. Second, I want Cody with me, along with Gregor and his squad in complete commando gear," He ticked off the list of people on his fingers. "I want Feemor to come with us for more Jedi support and Dooku for intimidation." Finally, he looked over at Cody. "Do you think we can keep Dooku under control without a guard?"
Taking a moment to consider Dooku's recent behavior, Cody nodded. "Shouldn't be a problem, sir."
"I'm glad we agree, my dear," continued Obi-Wan. "That's all for now. Once we reach an agreement, I want all of Ghost's medics, all available ARCs, and the rest of the commandos. And not just the 212th," he looked over at Rex and Ponds, "I want all healthy ARCs and commandos kitted out and ready to go. Quartermaster Sure-Shot can kit everyone with spare 212th gear for anyone needing armor or weaponry."
"Yes, sir," replied Rex, excitement twitching at the corners of his mouth. "You expecting a battle, sir?"
Obi-Wan's smile was sharp and cold. "No, my dear, but I believe the adage of speaking softly and carrying a big blaster is wise in this situation. The Kaminoans are not fighters themselves, after all. They use science and technology to keep people fearful and subdued. I am very interested in how they will respond to a force that isn't afraid of them and who is mightier than them. I think it will help us get what we want."
"So you want us a crack a few longneck skulls?" said Gregor with a broad, dangerous grin.
"If you must," said Obi-Wan with a sniff, "but if we're intimidating enough, I don't think we'll have to."
"Shucks," exclaimed Gregor, laughing.
"Oh, my lovely captain, I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun." Obi-Wan grinned at the rest of the troopers. "I'm certain you all will. But one step at a time." With that, they turned back to planning, each enthusiastically devious.