anonymoose314 - Tumblr blog

anonymoose314 · 2 years ago

Text

Timelines - Part 1

First off, I really enjoyed both Rogue One and Andor and truly believe they are both exceptional examples of storytelling.

My singular issue with Andor was the retcon-ing of previously established canon. Reason being, continuity is really important to maintaining suspension of disbelief. The story is cheapened without it as it feels like the creators are just making it up as they go along (for financial reasons) rather than telling the story 'as it happened'.

In light of this, here are some of my headcanons which I have told myself in order to reconcile Rogue One and Andor in my head, with minimal conflict to either. Plus some extra ones cause I got carried away with the world-building and the characters 😁.

- Cassian was born on Fest (a planet in the neighbouring system to Kenari) in ~26 BBY to Elena and Felix Jeron and named Cassian Jeron

- Kerri Jeron was born 3 years later, in 21BBY.

- When Kerri was learning to talk she could not pronounce 'Cassian' entirely so nicknamed her big brother 'Kassa' which caught on quickly with the rest of their family and friends

- Elena was a Librarian and archivist whose life's work was in preserving and sharing knowledge from all cultures and sources as she believed that education and learning from history was necessary for any improvement to society

- Elena shared her love of stories and books with both her children from babyhood. She would sit with Cassian every evening after long and stressful days at work, and read to and with him

- after Kerri was born, Felix would hold his daughter while sitting in an old, but very comfortable green rocking chair in front of the fireplace while Elena and Cassian would sit together on the sofa. Sometimes the children would be held by the other parent for storytime, but Felix had badly damaged his back at work when Cassian was a toddler and often struggled to lift him without pain as he grew heavier. Regardless of the arrangement, storytime never started until everyone was settled, so no one missed any pages.

- towards the end of the clone wars everything with the riots is pretty much consistent with previous texts including the death of Felix Jeron at Carida Academy (where he was studying in order to change careers to one that did not as much lifting and manual labour due to the damage to his back)

- Cassian was found in the aftermath by a family friend and brought home

- The community became concerned that the republic and separatist forces would destroy their knowledge and heritage (intentionally or accidentally in the fighting) so Elena was assigned/volunteered to create copies of as much of the history, stories, wisdom and learnings of the ~500 years of Festian colonisation (the planet's people having originally discovered Fest as Kenari explorers, Kenari being both the name of the planet and the race of people) to take along with the transport ships and many of the citizens (especially children) to Kenari. The thought process was that Kenari had a larger population with which to protect the information and the children, whereas Fest was a series of small villages and one large town with a university, hospital and library and small spaceport. With only one really traversable path between all the villages and the town (located at the bottom a large mountain range) the Festians knew that the colony was largely indefensible and realised early on that their most precious and vulnerable would need to seek refuge on Kenari, should the war reach Fest.

- the plan had been for a series of 'cargo' transports to leave Fest as citizens were barred from leaving by the separatist forces (so they could be used as living shields if necessary) and the republic bureaucracy was such that application for refuge (especially from a separatist-aligned state) was virtually impossible.

- most families planned to have one parent leave with their children and family-knowledge (books, recipes, maps, written accounts, holos etc) while the other parent and remaining family stayed behind to fight and defend their homes and (in some cases) 20 generations of life's work.

- the transport that Elena was taking belonged to the same friend who rescued Cassian after Felix died and was to be loaded with the copied datacores from the library as well as rations and other supplies and was to ferry the Jerons as well as five other families to safety on Kenari. Elena was able to smuggle both her children and all the datacores onto the transport successfully (with the help of some individuals who would become the Festian Resistance) but received an emergency message from one of the other families saying they would not be able to make it. Elena refused to leave them behind, and hugged and kissed her children goodbye just in case, before leaving the transport to help the others. Her last words to Cassian and Kerri were: 'Whatever happens, I love you more than all the stars, your papa does too, and we will all be together again one day. Look after each other, be brave and above all, be kind.'

- Cassian watched through the window of the transport as his mother left, the remaining families boarded silently and in the dead of night and then as the last group approached the hanger with only the starlight to guide them. Cassian didn't see what happened but blaster fire broke out and the refugees appeared to be caught between republic and separatist forces. Elena appeared, running towards the transport with one of the other children in her arms, limping slightly from a blaster burn to her leg. She was close enough to look up at Cassian through the window one last time before a stray blaster bolt caught her in the back and another almost simultaneously hit the nearby fuel cannisters, engulfing the hanger in flames.

-the pilot fought back his own tears of grief and sorrow for his lost friends but knew he had a duty to protect his charges and took off for Kenari, dodging cannon fire on his way to the upper atmosphere. Despite his best efforts, the ship was damaged but still spaceworthy as they left Fest's orbit and he set coordinates for one of two short jumps to Kenari.

- After the first jump, the ship was in poor shape and the pilot was not confident it would survive the second so, now a safe distance from Fest, he activated the emergency transponder, which broadcast to all nearby ships requesting assistance

- unfortunately, the transponder was detected by a ship of particularly vicious pirates who docked onto the crippled refugee ship and attempted to board. All the adults except the pilot, who was trying to handle the situation from the cockpit, gathered at the docking port in defensive formation. In the subsequent fight, the docking tube was damaged, soon after which it ruptured completely, sending all the remaining combatants (pirate and refugee) into open space.

Despite the critical damage to his ship, the pilot was able to crash land on the surface of Kenari, near a large lake, but the cockpit took most of the damage due to its placement at the front of the ship upon descent. The pilot knew he would die on impact but did it anyway, saving his young charges one last time.

-many of the children had superficial injuries from the crash, but had gathered in the tiny escape pod on the pilot's instructions, which he launched in the opposite direction to the ship's trajectory, successfully reducing the velocity they would impact with to ultimately safe limits as one final act of brilliance, duty and love.

-the nine children, bruised, heartbroken and exhausted as they were, were found by a small group of teens, the scouting party of the Lakeside Clan. They were shepherded to the main camp where the injuries were treated as far as possible and they were accepted into the larger group.

- All children on Fest were at least bilingual -- learning Kenari Proper and the Festian Dialect from their earliest years. Galactic Basic was taught mostly from 'secondary school' equivalent as it broadened opportunities for tertiary education and scholarship. The Kenari language had evolved somewhat, especially the 'common' version but all Kenari children learnt Kenari Proper as well (in order to read, write and speak in official documents and forums such as universities, legislation and court proceedings) where Kenari Common was more like another derivative dialect and evolution of colloquialisms. For this reason, the Festian children could understand and be understood quite clearly in their new home though they continued to speak Festian among each other to preserve their own memories and stories, and as a comfort.

- two years later, the Republic had reformed into the Empire and the separatist movement seemed to have dissolved, but this fact was not broadcast to mid and outer rim planets which had no official affiliation or senate representation during the war (including Ferrix and Kenari) in an attempt to reduce panic and widespread protest (as was later seen on Ferrix when Imperial forces arrived) until the Empire's might could be solidified. This is why Bee, Maarva and Clem referred to the downed and incoming ship as 'Republic' (that being the official designation for the region) despite the clearly Imperial design and operational choices (cold blooded murder and such) which had become increasing violent and intolerant in the months since the reformation. Though the citizens did not have the name, they certainly noticed the difference (the republic having once been a firm, steady --if highly bureaucratic-- but mostly fair and just authority, now displaying cruelty and carnage apparently for the sake of power alone).

- In 16 BBY (nearly 3 years after Palpatine became emperor):

Maarva and Clem Andor were a couple of salvagers of 43 and 45 standard years old, respectively.

-They had both grown up on Ferrix and had been best friends since early childhood, as their respective older sisters became best friends on the first day of school.

They continued to be just friends as they grew up, each with aspirations to leave Ferrix temporarily to study abroad, having both been awarded fairly rare scholarships to study at the Naboo Academy of Sciences. Clem had deferred his own acceptance to go alongside Maarva who, despite being younger, was particularly brilliant and tenacious and had planned to study at NAS since she was twelve years old, just like her older sister who was, at the time, studying tirelessly for her own acceptance. (Due to the social structure laid out under the PreOx corporation, most citizens did not finish standard schooling until age 25 as they were expected to work a near full-time job in addition to their studies, in order to support themselves and their families from early teens)

These plans were brutally disrupted just after Maarva's own graduation and acceptance (a much celebrated event) by the Trade Federation's invasion of Naboo. Both Maarva and Clem's sisters were killed during the incursion and the NAS temporarily rescinded all scholarships as it attempted to rebuild after being near completely destroyed during the occupation.

At the resolution of the Invasion of Naboo, all students who were originally promised places at NAS were guaranteed entry to the courses to be held five or more years later (on the logic that rebuilding would be mostly completed by then).

Maarva and Clem's plans changed after that, they decided to work together and save money like crazy so that a decade from their original planned commencement, they could both support themselves (and their families) while studying. It was a good plan, and evolved into them going into business together as salvagers, working hard, living frugally and sharing their dreams as they had always done. They did not become a couple until they were 30 and 28 respectively, but that is a story for another time. Suffice to say, their sisters both would have laughed uproariously as they had been betting on such an outcome many years previously -- and the echoes of their joy always did seem to smile down from their places on the Wall.

- In an exceptionally ironic and cruel twist of fate, Maarva and Clem's plans to study were delayed yet again as the Separatist Crisis began and war raged across the galaxy. As a colony settlement and trade planet, Ferrix had no particular official allegiance as it did not have representation in any form of a senate (one of the reasons the PreOx corporation got away with so much) and this kept them sheltered from most of the fighting although the economy and standards of living still suffered woefully.

-The younger generation especially was forced to take increasingly risky jobs to provide for their families and keep the heating on through the icy Ferrix winter.

-Maarva and Clem were much adored through town especially in the years after their own parents passed as they put their own dreams on hold (never forgotten, just delayed) to support others in need within their community. Despite living very frugally themselves, they were two of the most generous souls, well known for providing food and shelter and a place on the sofa for anyone who came to them in need. They welcomed people without judgement or reservation and asked only that the 'debt' be paid forward whenever the unfortunate soul was able. They never locked the door, even when they were away on salvaging trips, incase someone needed a safe and sheltered place to stay. No one ever took advantage of this trust in any negative way.

- As busy as they were, working and contributing to the community especially through the Daughters and Honor Guard (in universe version of CWA and Men's Shed, with both being open to any gender and species equivalent although the vast majority of (humanoid) members did join the organisation which matched their sex assigned at birth), any thoughts of a family of their own sort of just...slipped. But by the end of the Separatist Crisis they both realised that despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, it was likely a case of 'now or never' and they decided to stop being quite so careful and just ... see what happened.

- A couple of years later, after tracking a 'Republic' (Imperial) ship to the tropical planet Kenari, they found a young boy, perhaps 8 years old, in the wreckage. Realising that he belonged to the group that had killed the officer outside the ship, and taking into account the inexplicable penchant for needless violence that the Republic forces had displayed of late, they knew that the child, if left alone, would likely be the first casualty of the bloodbath that was surely coming just minutes away.

They, along with their trusty droid companion Bee, took what haul they could carry, sedated the frightened boy and legged it back to their ship. As they took off for Ferrix, Maarva looked back to the child, confused and drowsy as he was waking, and gave a small, sad smile. Realised that her actions would change both their lives forever.

- It took a couple of days to find a translation subroutine compatible with Bee or their datapads at the refueling outpost halfway between Kenari and Ferrix which enabled effective, if stunted, verbal communication with the boy. Maarva and Clem caught each others eyes in horror and guilt as little Cassian was finally able to articulate to them why he was so distraught -- he had a younger sister back on Kenari. His responsibility to take care of her, he said. He promised mama, he said. The Andors raced back to Kenari, heedless of the risk, stopping only to refuel on the way. Little Cassian took their hands, having come to trust and seek comfort from the two warm and caring adults, especially once the language barrier was addressed. He lead them to the campsite by the lake. Maarva and Clem were wary, knowing that something terrible had most likely occurred in their absence and unwilling to have Cassian witness the result. They had no way of finding the camp or its people without him however, and no will to prevent him from trying to find his sister.

When they reached the camp, all that remained were smouldering ruins, blasterfire scars littering the rocks and trees. But thankfully no bodies.

Realising what had happened, little Cassian collapsed to his knees, silent tears streaming down his face. He staggered to his feet and ran across the clearing, systematically checking every nook and cranny, searching every branch of every tree, yelling for Kerri. Begging that she had found somewhere to hide. That they hadn't found her. She was small and quick and clever. She must be ok. Hours later, as nightfall rapidly approached, the exhausted child gave in. Kerri was not here. The monsters in hard shells with no faces had taken her and the others someplace else. Somewhere far away from her brother and their Clan.

The little boy walked slowly back towards the big man who knelt down as he approached. Cassian collapsed into Clem as sobs finally escaped his tiny form, tears hidden as he burrowed into the corner of Clem's shoulder and neck.

The three exhausted humans and one tired droid, his battery drained from constant scanning over the past several hours, stayed for a few minutes more until the sobs gave way to sniffles and the boy quietly, haltingly asked to leave the miserable remains of his former home.

- Cassian barely relinquished his grip on Clem's jacket for the entire week-long trek back to Ferrix, immediately latching back onto either him or Maarva as quickly as humanly possible

-By the time they reached Ferrix, and despite being near catatonic for most of the journey, Cassian could ask for Clem and Maarva and indicate a variety of other basic necessities such as hungry, thirsty, cold, tired.

As they landed in the shipyard, Cassian began to show more interest in his surroundings --fascinated by the wide open plains and the mountains made of scrap and metallic debris as opposed to the trees or rock and snow of either of his previous homes.

- Maarva and Clem forged the documents and told anyone who asked that Cassian had been born on Fest and left any mention of Kenari out to distance him and themselves from being potential witnesses to the destruction on Kenari and painting targets on their backs

- They never stopped searching for any mention of Kenari and it's children however, with Bee devoting much of his time and energy to discreetly sifting through public networks and restricted Imperial channels for any hint that may lead to finding Kerri and the others. Every possible lead was chased down in the old hauler to no avail and despite increasing financial difficulties.

- Over the next few years, Cassian Jeron Andor became known as the shy but curious little boy who followed either Clem, Maarva or Bee anywhere they went. Once his Basic improved, he attended school with the other children in town and became close friends with Bix Caleen. While still shy and quiet, he had an excellent brave face and did not back down from any challenge, physical or intellectual -- proving himself to be incredibly intelligent and reserved but cheeky and confident when the situation required it or when he was comfortable around his family and close friends.

- One of those friends was Brasso, a boy seven years Cassian's senior at nearly 16 when first they met. Brasso was the son of close family friends of the Andors and was seen as a nephew by Clem and Maarva who were also to be his designated guardians should any harm befall his parents.

Brasso always saw Cassian as more of a baby brother than a cousin and adored and protected him as such from the moment they met.

In fact, it was Brasso who was the original owner of Cassian's beloved toy bantha. Maarva and Clem had found the materials and stitched it together as a gift and a comfort object for their best friends' newborn son. After meeting Cassian for the first time, Brasso realised that the Andors now had a son of their own and gifted his much-loved Barny the Bantha (well-worn from years of cuddles as he was) back to Maarva to give to little Cass.

- While Cassian was learning Basic, he and Brasso developed their own hand-speak to communicate which they continued to use many years later when talking was too loud, intense or demanding. Cass would use some of the same signs with Clem and Maarva at times when speaking verbally was difficult as well.

- Cassian was 14 when the Empire came to Ferrix and killed Clem. He was imprisoned for 3 years after attacking the garrison in grief and retaliation, taking down 4 sentries, 6 other stormtroopers and 3 officers before being caught

- When he arrived home at 17, Cassian's untempered rage had distilled into icy fury and he had learned to compartmentalise his emotions, shutting down when they became too overwhelming and rarely letting anyone see beyond the protective facade. Maarva, Bix and Brasso became the exceptions to this but even opening up to them was rare.

- A year later, on a salvaging mission a long way from home, Maarva and Cassian entered the unsteady remains of a long since downed Republic cruiser. While they were inside, one of the rusty support beams gave way and a section of the structure fell. Maarva reacted instantly, shoving her now grown child out of harm's way, but was too late to move herself as well. As the structure collapsed, Maarva was caught, her leg crushed and several ribs and other bones broken. Cassian and Bee worked tirelessly to free her but by the time they made it to the tiny, ill-resourced medical centre at the closest outpost there was nothing they could do to prevent the damage to her organs or properly fix her leg without an even greater risk of death during the surgery.

Cassian left Bee to look after the ship and stayed by Maarva's bedside the entire week she was in the hospital, barely leaving (at her insistence) to shower and eat. While he kept a lonely vigil, Cass recalled the many nights Maarva and Clem had stayed awake, coaxing him back to sleep with their gentle voices and warm arms as he woke with nightmares so terrible no child should have to face.

#andor #maarva andor #clem andor #cassian andor #b2emo #bix caleen #brasso #headcanon #work in progress #rogue one #anti-retcon #star wars andor

1 note · View note