Neyo watched the recording, numb. No. It couldn't be. I-it just couldn't. His friend, mentor and above all Brother, was dead. That's what General Windu said. He couldn't believe it... So the general showed him the recording. And there it was:

Aurra Sing was standing over him, blaster casually at her side. First, Boba Fett spoke towards the camera:

"Mace Windu, you were lucky to escape. Your friends here were not so fortunate. "

Neyo looked down at his friends face, it was defiant. Then Aurra stepped closer to the camera and spoke.

"Until you face Boba, these men will be killed one at a time."

She turned to Ponds," What's your name?"

Ponds gave her no answer, just turned his head. Aurra's face twisted into a snarl. She kicked him hard, making him grunt in pain.

"NAME?!

"CT-411" Ponds bit out.

Neyo gave a weak laugh, trust Ponds to be stubborn. Then that laugh changed to horror as Aurra spoke again, clearly disgusted.

" Ugh, pathetic, Boba do it."

Neyo's breath caught in his throat and he started shaking beneath his armour.

Boba tightened his grip on his already raised blaster. He held it back, ready to pull the trigger but his hand was shaking.

Aurra was watching disgusted, "BOBA!"

There was a few seconds of more hesitation... then it fell. So Aurra did it. Without thought. Without hesitation. Aurra killed his brother.

The recording continued but he didn't hear it.

"Only two to go Windu, come and find us. We'll be waiting."

Then it ended. There was silence from Windu. Neyo was staring at that last frozen image, tears rolling down his face. No. Ponds eyes rolled back in his head and he fell. Blaster wound smoking.

Neyo was glad for his helmet it hid his silent crying. There was a second of silence, and Neyo was vaguely aware of General Windu watching him. His face was emotionless, he didn't care. His closest brother was gone and he didn't care. Neyo was frozen, he couldn't speak so Windu did.

"I'm sorry for your loss. But you are now Commander, Neyo. We're heading back to Coruscant now. We'll arrive in three hours, have the men ready."

That's all he said. He left, just like that. There were five words of regret then nothing. He didn't care. Neyo looked up as he walked out, there was no remorse on his face. Sudden anger flared up and he brought his fist down on the holoprojector as Windu disappeared.

It sparked out of existence. He stormed out of the room and into his quarters. He threw off his helmet and it crashed into the wall, then he sank to his knees, sobbing... No. The brother who said that he'd be there for him always... was gone. His best friend... The one person he could truly trust... Was gone...

Clicky stumbled in, a few minutes later, in the same state. He collapsed to his knees next to him and pulled him close, both sobbing as one.

...

Neyo stood over the battlefield, looking across his dead brothers. Windu was in his tent, meditating or something. He didn't care. Neyo gave a bitter laugh, remembering when he had first learnt that lesson. He just stared into the distance. The night was deceivingly peaceful. Really, brothers were dying across the galaxy and the Jedi didn't care.

He was vaguely aware of a presence coming upon him. It put a hand on his shoulder then made some clicking noises. Clicky it was then. The clicks were slower than usual so that he could understand them.

Morse: Neyo... I know who you're thinking about... I am too.

Neyo dipped his head, willing fresh tears not to fall. It never seemed to get easier.

Morse: I love you brother... and I'm here.

The tears did fall, tracking their way slowly down his face. Clicky turned him around and pulled him into a hug. They sank to the floor... So many gone... Ponds was gone... And today so many more...