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"Oh come on, don't tell me you're honestly scandalized? I'd ask if you boys from the 501st don't gossip about your Jedi, but considering just who your general is and the fact that I know Rex and Tano are running the books on when Skywalker and Amidala will realize that everybody knows about them and how they will react, that can't be it. So what's the matter with you shiny?" Cody drawled, absentmindedly hoping that his own general didn't know, that Cody would be a lot richer if Skywalker actually managed to have a heart attack.
The younger trooper looked uncomfortable but still managed to mumble something about not being a kriffing shiny. Well at least he had some spirit. So more wheedling was probably in order if Cody wanted a real bitching session instead of just ranting at a wall.
He was just about to try again with some quip about Bly and his crush on General Secura, that a blind man would be able to see from orbit, when the door to the lounge burst open, admitting a frazzled looking Fox, his eyes drifting all over the place and zeroing in on Cody with unerring precision and making his way over to where they were seated.
"Kriffing hells vod. The way you look makes me feel like I need a drink. What's the problem?"
"You. All of you. Do you even know how many Legions are currently on Coruscant? Do you? Too. Many. Because some son-of-a-bantha-and-a-gundark politician who for some unfathomable reason thinks he has any fucking clue about the war suggested that a bunch of ships and troops be recalled for inspection."
Cody winced. Well that was… unfortunate, but not really anything new. A bunch of natborn politicians still not trusting them wouldn't have Fox looking like this. But-
"That's got to be a logistical nightmare. I thought it was weird that the 212th and the 501st got recalled at the same time, but there are more? That's gotta be hell on the ones left on the front. We're already spread too thin."
"You tell me" but the anger seemed to drain out of Fox as he spoke. Unfortunately it also seemed to have been the only thing keeping him upright, so Cody ignored his feeble protests as he led him over to the nearest couch.
"You need sleep vod. Delegate some. That's what subordinates are for, and I guarantee you they will be more than happy to take some of your workload to give you a bit of a break."
"I'll sleep when I'm dead. I just need some caf"
While he was fairly sure that Fox was joking, it was said in such a flat voice that the joke fell flat on its face and just groaned weakly. Oh well that metaphor had gotten away from him. No matter. Fox was still talking.
"Besides I need to coordinate with the temple and for some sith-damned reason I'm the only one who's actually authorized to make any decisions in regards to Jedi. No matter that Thorn, Thire and Stone are also Commanders."
At that a slow smirk crept its way onto Cody's face. "Well why don't you just say so. If you're coordinating with the order I'm sure your special friend would be more than willing to assist you. And also keep you in bed long enough that maybe you'll actually sleep for once, before you collapse."
The choking noise in the background reminded Cody that the not-a-shiny was still there. But he didn't really have time to ponder that, as Fox's hand shot out and grabbed him by the collar of his blacks. Suddenly awake and on alert again Fox mustered him.
"How do you know about that?"
"Are you serious? I'm pretty sure all the CCs know. And you know soldiers gossip like no tomorrow. Maybe you would remember that if you ever start delegating and actually spend some time with your brothers."
The hand was dropped from his collar so Fox could rest his ellbows on his knees and drop his face into his hands.
"Everyone?"
"Pretty much, at least among the upper ranks. To be honest I wasn't aware that you weren't aware. You traumatized Ponds."
Fox gave indistinct groan. "What did he see?"
"If you don't remember, I'm not telling you. But from what he said I could have known you would have been distracted."
Another groan.
"You haven't answered my question yet. Why don't you comm him to see if he can help?"
"He's the master of the order. He's busy enough without me putting this on him too."
As if on cue Fox's comm gave a shrill beep. He gave it a half desperate half relieved glance, and with the words "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere. Let talk about this again never. Nice seeing you vod" Fox got up and walked out of the room at a pace that was just barely not a run.
Cody sighed deeply and gave the half catatonic looking trooper sitting across from him another glance. He'd comm Rex about him later, but first-
After a quick comm to his general, Cody made his way to his temporary barracks, assured that General Windu would take care of Fox. Obi-Wan hadn't even tried to sound surprised. Apparently the Jedi Council were just as big a bunch of gossips as the CCs. Good to know.