A returning Echo

Chapter Twenty

The mess continued, stretching down the hall as far as could be seen. It got significantly worse the closer Codo got to the 17th's bunks, and he eventually began to hear yelling and banging.

He entered the closest room as he felt Sans, Hex, and Steele inside. He stood in the doorway as he waited for the clones to notice, but they were hunched over in the middle of the room, talking about some idea they had. He cleared his throat, causing everyone to look at him.

"Sans, Hex, Steele, the council wishes to speak with you," he said, meeting the commander's eyes.

"Is it about y/n?" He asked, his gaze harsh even though he was speaking to Codo.

"No-"

"Then we're not going," Sans replied, turning back to the group.

"Sans, it involves your whole battalion-"

"It's not our whole battalion if y/n isn't in it," he countered without turning.

"Sans," Codo said gently, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder. The clone tensed for a second before relaxing again. "Please, I do not want to fight you on this. I am merely the messenger."

Sans sighed, looking back at the Jedi.

"When do they want to see us?"

"Now."

"Alright, I guess we'll go," he said, standing up, Hex and Steele following. Codo walked with them to the hangar and watched as they sped away. He loved your clones, but not nearly as much as you did. They were a loving and loyal battalion, brothers to each other and you. With another sigh, he turned to walk back inside and talk to them while their leaders were away.

"Commander Sans, Captain Hex, Major Steele," Mace said as the clones stood in the middle of the council chamber. They all had their helmets tucked under their arms and had stern expressions on their faces. "Do you know why we have called you here?"

"I'm assuming it's because of the past few weeks?" Hex responded dryly.

"More of a response to them, but yes," Mace said. "We have decided that it would be best to put you back into action, as to keep you from causing more problems here."

"General Jinn is coming back?" Steele said, his expression turning to excitement.

"No, she is not. At least not yet, that we know of. You will be sent out under the command of General Krell."

"General Krell?" Hex said incredulously.

"Yes, General Krell. You will be under his command and you will follow his plans."

"With all due respect, General Windu," Sans said mockingly, "we don't follow any orders unless y/n is here. Especially not from the likes of General Krell."

"Commander, you will get on that ship and you will lead your men into the battle. Y/n has been taken from the war because she is a threat to herself, the Jedi, and the Republic. Her emotions cloud her and guide her too much. General Krell will be a good example for your battalion to see what a good general should be like."

"What did you just say?" Steele said, his anger suddenly boiling over. Hex barely had time to grab him and pull him back as he attempted to lunge at Mace.

"Y/n is a perfect general! You just don't know what you're talking about!" He yelled as he tried to get away from Hex.

"Vod, calm down! Trust me, I want to hurt him too, but if you do hurt him, you'll never see her again!" Hex said. Steele stopped struggling against Hex and just stared at Mace, letting out angry breaths before he spun around and stormed from the room.