In the Absence of Man/ Chapter 4: A Compromised Brother

Commanders Fil and Ponds tended to Fil’s wounded left arm. Determined, Fil got up and started to dart his way to the window. Ponds followed him. Fil tried with the arm that works best to pull at the bars in the window. “Commander, what are you doing?” asked Ponds.

“What the Hell does it look like?” Fil responded.

“Sir, you are in no condition to do this. We have to keep moving.”

Fil snarled at Ponds. “What the Hell do you know about being in no condition. Huh?”

“What is that supposed to mean, Fil?”

“I think you know.” Fil turned his whole body to face Ponds. He walked towards him while Ponds moved back a little. “When I got hurt on the moon of Vassek, it was because my neck was wrapped around a giant monster’s tail. Now, I just shrugged off a little creature’s stampede into my arm. So what. Besides, have you ever gotten hurt, coward?”

“That’s enough!” Ponds yelled. Fil speedily walked right passed Ponds, purposely bumping into him. Ponds attempted to stop Fil from going any further without him so he grabbed his hand. However, Fil turned around and clocked Ponds right in the face and fell down. “Fil, what are you doing?”

Fil used his right fist to continuously punch Ponds in the face. Ponds tried to counter Fil’s attacks but Fil was was prepared for him. Out of nowhere, Commander Fil pulled out one of his DC-17 pistols and aimed it right in between Ponds’ eyes. Shocked, Ponds tried his best not to make any more sudden movements that might force Fil to fire upon him. “Fil, no! We’re brothers! Don’t shoot!” Ponds cried out.

“Are we?” Fil replied in a hostile attitude. That question really got to Commander Ponds; both emotionally and mentally.

“Of course we are brothers. Now don’t shoot! Please.” Commander Fil contemplated to himself for seconds that felt like long and menacing hours. He breathed in and out and steadily lowered his pistol.

Shaking his head, he cried out, “what have I done?”

Over more loudspeakers that were in the same room that Fil and Ponds were in, Clyde let out a sardonic guffaw. “Isn’t this cute? Brothers fighting and making up afterwards. I love it. Unfortunately, it won’t last long. Fil, why don’t you reveal to Ponds and me your secret that you cleverly managed to keep hidden all this time?”

Fil knew exactly what he was talking about, but pretended not to know. “What are you talking about? I don’t have any secret.”

“Ha! I’ve been keeping tabs on the Republic and Separatists for a while now. I think you know what I’m talking about, clone.” Fil didn’t reply. It had been eleven seconds before Clyde Burrell said what he was about to say. “Do you want me to roll the audio clip?”

Fil bit his lip and his face reddened. Ponds stared at Fil. “Brother… brother?!” Fil snapped out of his contemplation. “What is he talking about?”

“You honestly believe this guy’s crap? More than me??” Fil snapped.

“I don't know, sir. I don’t know.”

Clyde smiled. “Hey Fil! I’m gonna roll that clip now!” Fil picked up his DC-15 rifle and aimed it at the loudspeakers. He shot them. “Okay, listen, bud. If you’re gonna try to get out of a situation, make it less obvious that you have something to hide. Shooting at these heavily enforced intercoms just made you look more guilty.” Ponds didn’t know what to do besides listen to what Clyde had to offer. “Here’s the tape.”

“NO!” Fil screamed. The audio clip of Fil was already rolling. ''This is CC-3714 a.k.a. Fil. I’m en route to Coruscant with my brother-in-arms Commander Stone and Senator Padme Amidala. Our frigate was recently attacked by a Separatist flagship. I was the one who redirected the senator away from the safe-room, and now it seems like clone trooper Will is getting punished for it. I’ve collected and exported the Republic data to you… shoot, I have to go.''

Clyde pressed a button so he could talk to the clones in the other room. “Looks like Fil was right, Ponds. He isn’t your brother. Both of you are just expendables. But Fil. Fil is less than an expendable. He is a cowardly traitor who matters to no one in this galaxy. That is why he exported vital data to a frickin’ bounty hunter. Fil, you failed as a soldier and a brother.”

Ponds’ jaw dropped down to the ground. He finally had to close his mouth due to it getting dry. “Fil, if we get out of here, you’ll be court martialed,” Ponds told him. Suddenly, Fil drew one of his pistols and aimed it Ponds but this time, he opened fire.