Clone Wars One-Shots *Humor*

III. Commander Cody and the Ohnaka Gang (Part 1)

      "Commander, that won't be a problem, will it?" Obi-Wan Kenobi's eyes narrow.  "Commander?"

     General Kenobi's voice rings through Cody's ears. The General's latest instructions to travel to Florrum and escort Hondo Ohnaka – the pirate lord – to an unknown destination seems unusually strange. Why the Republic needed Hondo's help delivering supplies is beyond Commander Cody, but he nods with affirmation nonetheless. "No, General, no problems here."

     "Good," Kenobi confirms, "Remember, try not to cause too much trouble. Last time, I was imprisoned with Count Dooku and held for ransom, no thanks to Anakin."

     "That sounds...interesting," Cody comments.

     Kenobi shrugs, a smirk flashing across his face. "Yes, it was."

     "I'll schedule our departure at once," Cody responds.

     The General shakes his head. "Oh, no, Commander. I'm afraid I will not be joining you this time. You are to bring a handful of troops and escort the pirate back to Coruscant without me. I have an urgent matter to attend."

     "Yes, sir," Cody pauses, unsure about this new assignment, "I'll, er, bring my best men, General."

     "Yes," Kenobi agrees. "Take one of the frigate ships. Hondo should be at Florrum when you arrive."

     Commander Cody salutes the General before turning back to his men - the 212th Battalion. Orange stripes and patterns line their helmets, concealing their expressions. He points towards a few standing at the front of the group. "Helix, Waxer, Boil, Gearshift, and Longshot - prepare the frigate ship. Looks like we've got another escort mission."

     "Alright!" Waxer exclaims, followed by Boil's grumbling and complaints.

     Transport ships and frigates line the hangar from beginning to end. Clone troopers pace across the bustling floor, transporting crates from ship to ship. General Kenobi joins Skywalker and some of the 501st further down the hangar, leaving Cody and his clones by themselves. The crew assembles their gear rather swiftly before leaving for the transport frigate.

     "Where do you think we're headed this time?" Waxer questions.

     "Nowhere good," Boil comments.

     Gearshift hogs his heavy machine blaster up the loading ramp somewhat effortlessly. He rolls his eyes. "Probably another droid-infested stinkhole," he groans, slamming his gun against the rack.

     "Alright, enough of the chatter, let's get this transport loaded," Cody commands, silencing the clones.

     The clones make good time loading up the ship. Before long, they are ready to leave on their mission. After boarding the frigate, they enter the deck of the cramped ship.

     Worn seats line the inside of the vessel along with windows along the length of the walls. A few stray crates lie in the cargo hold, visible from the main deck. Two clones pilot the ship behind a closed door. Cody disappears behind the cockpit door, leaving the clones to themselves.

     Gearshift rubs his bald head before dropping himself onto one of the chairs. "It's going to be a long night."

     Waxer joins him, followed by the rest of the clones.

     "Tell me about it," Boil grumbles, "Last time I was in a piece of junk like this was on--"

     "Cut it out," Helix snaps, laying vertically on a row of seats. "I'm trying to sleep."

     The ship creaks and turns as the engine starts, propelling it off the ground. The frigate slips through the blue ray shield and manoeuvres out of the Republic Cruiser. Within moments, blue streaks fly by the windows as the ship enters hyperspace.