#212th week

Umbara had been a total fiasco. Without their usual Jedi and on a hostile planet left to their own devices, the campaign had been long for the men of the 501st and 212th battalions.

And on top of that, it turned out that General Krell, called in to replace Skywalker as head of the 501st, was a fallen Jedi who was actually working with the Separatists.

It was because of him and his repugnant methods that the two battalions had ended up shooting at each other, convinced that those they were facing were Umbarans who had stolen their armor.

Cody doesn't even dare imagine the damage it would have caused if Rex had been a little less brilliant and hadn't realized the deception so quickly. But luckily for them, Rex was really that brilliant, and with some of his troopers, had discovered the deception and managed to contact Cody to warn him of what was really going on before the two battalions could meet on the battlefield and exterminate each other while thinking they were taking down the enemy.

Cody wasn't entirely sure how it all ended for the 501st, but he had learned, again from Rex, that one of his rookies had killed the Jedi responsible for all this violence. On one hand, Cody was relieved by this outcome, but he was also worried about Rex's trooper, Dogma, he thought. Killing a Natborn, even one who had turned out to be a traitor, was no small matter, and Cody really didn't want him to get into trouble for this act of bravery. He would have to talk to his own Jedi. General Kenobi deeply loved his men, and all the Vode, and Cody knew he would help him.

As soon as he could, he needed to find time to debrief with Rex so that he could then report back to Kenobi on the whole situation. Kenobi liked the Vode, and he was influential among the Jedi. If Cody could convince him of Dogma's innocence, or at least the righteousness of his actions, then he knew Kenobi would do everything in his power and more to ensure nothing happened to Dogma.

From what he understood, Dogma wasn't the only member of the 501st who could get into trouble for disobeying their corrupt Jedi's orders. Cody didn't know everything, but he had heard about Tup, Dogma's twin, who had helped subdue Krell. Fives, Jesse, and Hardcase had also conducted a parallel operation to destroy a Separatist supply ship, with Hardcase barely escaping.

Cody really needed to check in with Rex to get the list of troopers he would have to give to Kenobi so that the latter could make sure they were not decommissioned.

But he could do that later because, for now, he had other priorities. Indeed, before taking care of his little brother's battalion, Cody had to take care of his own. Because even though it could have been much worse, the Battle of Umbara had still been hellish, and there had been a lot of casualties in the ranks of the 212th. They had lost many men, even more were wounded, and the rest were traumatized by the violence of the campaign.

After campaigns like this, Cody put his paperwork aside to focus on his men. He knew he wouldn't get much sleep tonight, busy with all his administrative tasks, but that didn't matter. His men needed him, needed to know he was with them, that he was suffering with them, that he was just as affected as they were by this disastrous campaign. If he had to lose a few nights of sleep to show them his support, he would do it without hesitation.

That's how, barely having left the atmosphere of Umbara, Cody began his rounds, stopping at each dorm and offering a few words of comfort to his troopers. More than ever, he was encouraging contact between his men.

Cody entered the third dorm of his tour to find a scene similar to the previous ones. The twenty or so troopers were gathered in a corner of the large room, mattresses and blankets moved to form a protective cocoon.

The troopers looked up when Cody entered the room and there was a moment of hesitation before one of them, a young trooper with curly hair that reached his shoulders, jumped to his feet. "Commander Cody, sir!" He exclaimed, snapping to attention, his comrades immediately imitating him.

"At ease, Waves." Cody assured the first trooper. "No need to stand at attention, not now."

Waves, not quite knowing how to react but not wanting to disobey his Commander, lowered his arm but did not really relax. At a glance, Cody saw that the other troopers weren't any better.

"You... You've come for an inspection, Commander?" Star, who was called that because of the star-shaped scar he had on his left cheek, asked.

“Absolutely not, Star, far from it. I just came to see how you were doing. I know the campaign on Umbara has been very tough for all of us. I wanted to make sure everyone is as well as possible.”

There was another brief silence in the room before Star sighed. “We… We're doing the best we can, sir. It's complicated, but at least we haven't lost anyone from our team. I know others haven't been as lucky as us.”

Cody nodded. Indeed. Few teams had returned intact. Unfortunately, he couldn't bring back their lost brothers. But he could support them through this ordeal.

And rather than letting his men gather in small groups, each in their own barracks, Cody had an idea.

"Wait a minute." He asked, before turning slightly and taking out his comm, sending the call to his Jedi.

"Cody, what can I do for you, my dear?" Obi-Wan asked, quickly picking up his comm.

“Do you know how long we are in transit, Sir?”

“Oh, at least three days. We're leaving for Coruscant. The journey should go smoothly.”

“Perfect. Permission to requisition the loading bays, sir?”

There was a brief silence before Obi-Wan responded. “Well, I don't think we'll need it in the next few days. Agreed, Commander.”

“Thank you General, I will give you a report on the situation as soon as possible.”

“I have no doubts, Cody, I trust you.”

Cody hung up quickly but entered a new code.

Boxes, the hangar manager, answered immediately. “Commander, Cody, sir?”

“Requisition of loading bays, Boxes. Cuddle Stack Protocol.”

"On it, Commander." The trooper readily agreed.

Communication then cut out and Cody turned back to the group of troopers he was with, who were looking at him as if a new head had grown on him.

"Um... What is the Cuddle Pile Protocol, sir?" Waves asked hesitantly.

“Instead of staying in our own little groups, we'll be together tonight. The Cuddle Pile protocol requires clearing and reorganizing the cargo bays to accommodate all the troopers on this ship. So grab your blankets and pillows and head to the main cargo bay, troopers. A sleepover is in the works.”

"A battalion-wide sleepover?" Luca, a trooper with short red hair, repeated visibly excited.

“Affirmative, trooper. I'll leave you now; I must warn the others. I will, of course, join you.”

Cody quickly left that dorm and headed towards the next one, spreading the word about the Cuddle Pile protocol.

In less than two hours, the loading bays no longer resembled storage areas, but a vast dormitory. Some soldiers had brought thin mattresses from the barracks, but the majority had made do with blankets and pillows and were huddled together.

There were always groups, since it was impossible for the several thousand soldiers to all be together, but at least they were all gathered in the same place. Cody would be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying it as much as his men. Right there, like that, he had all his brothers before his eyes. He could watch over them all at once without moving from that spot.

But even though almost all the troopers were gathered here, a few were still missing. There were those who ensured the Negotiator's smooth operation even during the night shifts and who, unfortunately, couldn't leave their posts to join the Cuddle Pile. But these troopers weren't alone either, and Cody had arranged for no one to be alone that night, with groups of at least three vode together, regardless of their assigned post.

And there were also the vode from the medbay, who were too injured to get out of there and join the Cuddle Pile.

Cody hadn't been to the medbay yet to do his rounds today, so that's where he headed when the Cuddle Pile was installed.

"Commander, need anything?" Ivy greeted as Cody entered the medbay.

“I don't need anything, Ivy, I'm just making my rounds. If any of you would like and are able to, the Cuddle Pile protocol has been implemented in the loading bays.”

Ivy looked up from the datapad she was holding to look at her Commander. “I will spread the word. But I fear few of us will be able to join you. This campaign has been catastrophic and many of our vode are in need of intensive care.”

"I'm well aware of that." Cody agreed. "Would it be possible to make an exception to the rules so that those who can't leave the medbay are allowed at least one visitor for the entire night? If possible, I'd like to avoid anyone spending the night alone.”

Ivy did not respond immediately but turned her head towards Helix, the CMO, who had approached upon seeing Cody talking with one of his medics.

Helix frowned but finally let out a small sigh. "One visitor. And they must not interfere with the treatment. And they must leave the room if we ask them to." Agreed Helix.

“These rules will be followed.” Cody assured. “I’ll do my rounds and break the news to our wounded. As I told Ivy, the Cuddle Pile protocol has been implemented in the cargo bays. I know you might not be able to go there, so if you’d like to have a batchmate or a comrade who isn’t working in the medbay with you tonight, that’s possible.”

Helix nodded but did not respond verbally, going back to what he was doing before Cody arrived.

Cody, meanwhile, began his rounds in the infirmary, visiting all the injured vode, from Nima who had a bad concussion, to Spark, who had had a leg torn off, to Gal, whom they were not sure they could save because of the shrapnel in their chest.

Cody spent a few minutes with each of them, telling them they were allowed one visitor for the entire night. Cody made a few calls, asking the vode in question to come and join their friends at the medbay.

To finish his tour, Cody went to Waxer, who had been wounded by the men of the 501st who had mistaken him for an Umbaran. That's how Rex realized the deception and was able to stop his men before they opened fire on the 212th's vode.

Waxer was the only one wounded by friendly blasters. Fortunately for him, Kix, the 501st's CMO, was on Umbara and not far from him when he was wounded and was able to treat Waxer on the spot, stabilizing him enough to be brought back to the Negotiator, where Press, Hemo, and Boney were able to save him.

Cody didn’t remember his lieutenant's exact injuries, but he knew it had been a close call. When Cody arrived in the right room, he wasn't really surprised to see that Waxer wasn't alone.

“Boil.” He said simply, closing the door behind him.

Boil, who had not heard him enter, jumped and raised his head. "Commander." He saluted simply, straightening in his chair without actually standing up. "Do you need anything? I know I'm not supposed to stay here overnight, but Boney said I could stay a few more hours. I don't—"

"Everything's okay, Boil." Cody interrupted gently. "I spoke to Helix and you can stay here all night if you want."

The relief was clearly visible on Boil's face. "Really?" He asked, not really daring to believe it.

“Really. The Cuddle Pile Protocol has been activated, but I know some of our vod can't leave the medbay. That doesn't mean they have to stay alone. Helix has agreed to allow a permanent visitor for tonight, provided they don't interfere with care and obey the medics' instructions without question.”

"Of course." Boil assured him immediately. "I don't want to leave him, but I don't want to prevent him from receiving care either. Absolutely not." He added, refocusing his attention on Waxer.

Cody also took this moment to focus on his injured lieutenant. Waxer was currently unconscious and had an oxygen mask on his face. He had a few scratches on his face and his complexion was pale, but that was all Cody could see. Several tubes and lines were attached to his body, but all were hidden by the sheet and blanket covering him.

"How is he?" Cody finally asked.

"As well as possible." Boil replied, taking Waxer's hand in his own again and squeezing it gently. "I don't remember all the details, but his stomach and intestines were affected. Hemo assured me he'll survive, but it's still too early to say what condition he'll be in, or if he'll still be fit for service."

Boil had uttered that last sentence in an anguished whisper, and Cody understood. For them clones, being unfit for service could be worse than death. But fortunately, they had a General who didn't decommission them the moment they lost their perfect effectiveness.

“No matter his condition or what he needs, he'll have it. Even if he can no longer serve in the field, we won't abandon him. And even if Waxer never sets foot on a battlefield again, his expertise and skills are numerous and he’s still valuable. I promise you he won't leave the 212th and you won't be separated. I'll personally see to that, and I know the General agrees with me.”

Boil didn't respond, unsure of what to say and moved by his Commander's words. He knew Kenobi cared about his men, and Cody even more so, but hearing it spoken aloud was something else entirely. Hearing clearly that, regardless of his injuries, Waxer would stay with the 212th, with Boil, was an incredible relief.

The relief was so great that Boil felt a tear roll down his cheek.

Cody, the observant bastard, obviously spotted it too. And if Boil hoped his Commander would say nothing and let it slide, he was wrong. “Boil.” Cody called, placing a hand on his lieutenant's shoulder.

Boil did not respond and closed his eyes to try to stem the coming tears.

"Boil, look at me." Cody insisted.

The lieutenant shook his head sharply, fresh tears escaping from his eyes.

"Come here." Cody demanded, gently forcing Boil to let go off Waxer's hand, which he was gripping tightly. "Come here. That's an order." Cody added in a mock-stern voice.

Boil stifled something that sounded more like a sob than a laugh but eventually gave in, letting Cody manipulate him and soon finding himself embraced by his Commander, his face buried in his neck and his hands gripping his shirt tightly.

"Everything's going to be alright." Cody assured him, putting an arm around Boil's shoulders, his other hand in his hair, pulling him close. "Waxer's going to be fine, and everything's going to be alright, I promise."

"I was so scared." Boil confessed, his voice breaking. "When I heard he was seriously injured, I... I thought I'd never see him again."

“I know. I know what he means to you, and I understand your fear. But I promise you, everything is going to be okay. Waxer is doing as well as he can be and is receiving the best possible care. He has the best support group possible. He has incredible friends who will be there for him no matter what, and he has you. Whatever he needs, he won't be alone, and I know you'll be by his side. So everything will be alright. And you're not alone either, don't forget that. I'm here to help you, and so is the rest of the Ghost Company. Wooley was really worried about you.”

Boil stifled a small, strangled laugh. "Soft baby Wooley." He chuckled. "He worries far too much about others."

“He does. But don't worry too much about him, he was in good company with Crys, Gearshift and Longshot.”

Boil didn't respond and instead leaned further into his older brother commander's arms. The two men didn't move until another voice rang out in the room.

“Boil? Cody?”

The two officers immediately turned to the bed to see that Waxer was awake, at least partly, but had his brows furrowed.

“Hey.” Boil said softly, pulling away from Cody and sitting back down by the other man's bedside, taking his hand in his.

Waxer frowned. "Are you alright?" He asked in a hoarse voice.

“You’re the one asking that? I'm not the one stuck in a hospital bed.”

"No, but I’m not crying in Cody's arms." ​​Waxer retorted.

Boil shook his head but managed to smile, running a finger over Waxer's eyebrows. "Everything's fine, I promise. I'm fine and so are you." He assured gently.

Waxer held his gaze for a moment before nodding slightly and letting his gaze move until it met Cody's, who was looking at the two men with a tender smile. “Glad to see you awake, Lieutenant.”

"Glad to be awake, Commander." Waxer replied.

Cody gave him one last smile. “With that, I'll leave you gentlemen. Remember to call the medics if necessary.”

"Promise, Cody." Boil assured him, Waxer nodding gently.

Cody nodded in turn, looked at the two men one last time before leaving the room. They would be fine; they weren't alone.

Cody exchanged a few nods with the medics he passed on his way out and was pleased to see a few other vode, keeping the medics on duty company.

Relieved and knowing that no one would spend the night alone, Cody left the medbay and headed towards the loading bays. He had promised he would return and spend the night with his troops, after all.

However, before reaching the hangars, Cody came face to face with his Jedi. "General." He saluted simply.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Hello there, Cody, I was just looking for you, dear."

“Did you need anything, sir? I haven't started the paperwork of this campaign yet, but I promise to-”

“No, no, don't worry about that for now.” Obi-Wan shut down. “I know this campaign has been trying for all of you; the paperwork can wait a few days. No, I wanted to ask something else.”

“Well, ask away, General.”

“While walking through the corridors, I heard several vode talking about a particular protocol and I was wondering about it, that is all.”

"What protocol, sir?" Cody inquired, even though he had an idea.

“Cuddle Pile Protocol. If this is something private, I don't have to know all the ins and outs, but I admit I'm curious.”

Cody hesitated for a moment before deciding that showing him what it was would be more effective and clearer than trying to explain it to Obi-Wan. Besides, he trusted his Jedi; everything would be fine.

"Follow me." He invited Obi-Wan, heading towards the observation docks of the loading bays.

Having an overview of the situation would help Obi-Wan get an idea of ​​what was happening.

Obi-Wan, although curious, asked no further questions and simply followed his Commander.

A few minutes later, they arrived at their destination and without a word, Cody pointed to the cargo bays through the observation windows. The thousands of soldiers who made up the 212th were gathered in small groups, talking among themselves, sleeping huddled together, or doing other quiet activities of that kind.

“Here is the Cuddle Pile Protocol, Sir.”

“I see. That also explains the request to requisition the loading bays that you submitted to me earlier.”

“Affirmative. The campaign on Umbara was brutal, and while many losses were avoided when Captain Rex uncovered the fallen Jedi's machinations, we lost a great many vode. I felt that gathering together this evening would be most beneficial. I have also authorized the vode who cannot be here due to their obligations to have one or two vode with them tonight. This includes the wounded from the medbay, the medics, and those ensuring the Negotiator's continuous operation.”

Obi-Wan nodded, letting his gaze sweep over the scene before him before continuing. “Is this the first time this protocol has been activated on the Negotiator?”

“It is, General. Because despite its positive effects on troop morale, this protocol is lengthy to implement and leaves us vulnerable. However, I felt that tonight, the advantages of initiating this protocol outweigh the risks.”

Obi-Wan nodded again and let his gaze wander over the ocean of life before him. To savor it even more, the Jedi closed his eyes, focusing on the thousands of Force signatures nearby. To him, each being, each vode, was like a star of light and heat. When they gathered together, the vode formed galaxies, clusters of stars. Observing them in this way gave Obi-Wan the same feeling as stargazing in the dark of night on a peaceful planet.

And despite the horrors of the last campaign, he felt at peace.

Cody watched his Jedi watch and admire the scene unfolding beneath them and couldn't help but smile as he noticed Obi-Wan relax as he observed the vode, both with his eyes and with the Force.

The Cuddle Pile Protocol's primary purpose was to boost the morale of its troops, but if their Jedi also benefited from it, that was definitely a bonus point.