#bad batch gets a medic

[collophora]

TBB cadets ideas

[here-comes-the-moose]

I feel like if Phee was pregnant, she and Tech would act like how my parents acted during each of my mom’s pregnancies.

Phee would just be chilling, doing her own thing and going on as usual pretty much up until it’s time to have the baby (and gets annoyed if she’s told to slow down or take a break), and basically making the whole thing look effortless. Then you have Tech freaking out any time he has to go somewhere for longer than an average workday, constantly asking if she’s comfortable, nearly having a heart attack when he sees her doing things around the house, and tripping over himself to get whatever food she might be craving.

[the-senates-one-fear]

You have so much to do

And I have nothing ahead of me

[somestorythoughts]

Dehydration

Back with some vampire clones!

Echo's throat feels like the air on a desert planet. The nutrients the Techno Union were giving him must have been high in iron or something, because he's well aware that blood brothers don't survive this long with only rations, but he's still so thirsty.

"Rex. Thirsty."

His Captain glances around the room automatically before he turns back to Echo. The General navigating with Tech, it's only vod here. "Blood or water?" He murmurs, the arm around Echo's shoulder's squeezing gently.

"Blood. Please?"

The sergeant - crap what was his name? - glanced up. "You're, what did that medic call them? A redder brother?"

"Blood or redder brother." Rex confirmed. "If you're unfamiliar I guess you don't have any bitten with you?" Bitten, their terms for brothers who are willing to be go-to's for all the blood brothers. Fives had been one.

"I'm not sure what that means?"

Rex grimaced. "How close are we to the Resolute?"

"Tech!" The Sargent calls. "What's our ETA?"

"Twenty-five minutes!" Is the shouted response. The other two troopers are watching, clearly curious.

"And time to get to the medbay." Rex adds. "Thirty minutes Echo. Can you hold on for thirty minutes?" Echo nods, too tired to say more.

Thirty minutes later a surprised Tech watches the ARC trooper they rescued sink alarmingly sharp teeth into the wrist of the ARC who'd accompanied them earlier. "Huh."

"Don't work with the blood brothers a lot do ya?" The ARC asks from where he's carefully holding Echo, apparently very relaxed with the biting. "Echo. You've got to breathe."

There's a snarl and the ARC winces. "Okay maybe you don't."

"Might need another volunteer Jesse." The medic - Kix - muttered. "Echo I'm going to scan you. Stay calm." He waits till he gets an acknowledgement, then starts.

"I have questions." Tech decides.

"Run me through what you know of these prosthetics and we can talk once I know he's stable."

[the-bi-space-ace]

I have this really brutal image in my head of my clone OC Trick with his skeleton tattoos on display and his right finger tattooed now but it's red and dripping as if bleeding, on his knees, eyes wide, tears streaming down his face.

It's all I can think about when I think of That Scene in chapter 16 of The World Tumbles Down.

[soclonely]

The Clones as Things Your Teachers Should Have Told You As A Child To Encourage You

We are all up in the feels of supporting your inner child this week. I'm noticing a pattern of being let down by some of the adults in our life so I am here to be your teacher/coach/parent/stranger/society encouragement right now. Plus I really, really just miss doing these.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rex- "Seeing you guys is the best part of my day!"

Echo-"Your success in the classroom does not define who you really are"

Fives- "I see you."

Jesse- "You don't need college to be successful. A GED is just as good as a high school diploma. Vocational school is just as important and as good as going to a university. Whatever you choose to do with your future, you have my support and guidance."

Kix- "Of course I remember you!" (when you come back to visit, whether it be the next year or 10 years down the line)

Tup- "Even teachers have bad days. I'm sorry I was openly angry and snappy today. I will try to remember to leave my own personal problems at the door next time."

Dogma- "Honestly you aren't going to use this in life, but the state standards require I teach you it. So we are going to get through this as soon as possible" (look honesty is the best policy!)

Hardcase- "You have my full attention."

Coric- "I'm worried about you. Is everything ok?"

Bly- "Sometimes, the only thing holding you back is the attitude you have toward the proble. Its okay to circle back to it when you are feeling better about it"

99- "If you like the things and hobbies you have, other people’s opinion does not matter at all. All you know is that you are happy, and you live for who? Them or you?" (shoutout to my 5th grade teacher who made fun of me for liking star wars)

Cody- "I am sorry you don't trust me. What can I do as your teacher to make you more safe when in my classroom?"

Waxer/Boil- *Put a sticker on your graded paper just because*

Wolffe- "I apologize for grading you on this material and not realizing you were struggling. Would going over it together and redoing the test once you fully understand help? Would a different assignment in its place be okay if you aren't confident

Boost/Sinker- "I believe in you."

Hunter- "If any of you need a quiet place to just take a moment by yourself, my office door is always open and my classroom is empty during these periods"

Wrecker-"Always be yourself because everyone else is taken."

Tech- "I am listening."

Crosshair- "No matter how good you are at something, there's always someone else who can do it better." (some of us needed a little humbling lets be honestl)

Omega- "They’re missing out, because you’re a kid worth knowing." (in response to any exclusionary classmates or just isolation feelings)

Howzer- "Thank you for explaining your situation with me. I will try my best to accomodate you in the meantime"

Fox- "How are you today?"

Gregor- "You know what? I think we've had enough. No homework for the week."

[letsquestjess]

Echo, holding a bottle: Is this whiskey or perfume?

Wrecker, chugs entire bottle:

Wrecker: It's perfume.

[inky-for-a-bit]

The Bad Batch creators making Crosshair suffer more every time he appears:

[feniksiara]

SPOILERS FOR THE NEW BAD BATCH EPISODE(The Outpost)

So we're all collectively agreeing that Mayday is too gorgeous and iconic to die right?

He lived and when Crosshair joins his brothers back he brings Mayday with him thus continuing their accidental adoptions of regs.

They're all confused and meanwhile Crosshair's like "this is my emotional support reg and if anything happens to him I'll kill everyone on this ship and then myself"

[f1zzlest1ckzz]

taking bad batches of joy makes you suffer mental breakdowns at least and seizures at worst . and going off blackberry joy makes you achey ..... interesting..

[matchademi]

Falls:*glaring at Tech* go to kriffing bed

Tech: no *continues working on a project*

Falls:your gonna collapse within the hour and then I'm gonna have to give you fluids and then Omega will be sad

Tech:I can go at least another hour

Falls:*growls firmly grabbing the back of his neck like one would a unruly cat dragging Tech to his bunk* if I was able to force a Alpha to go to sleep I can and will sedate you. You and the Batch really need to learn better self care! If you all are the reason I get another color in my hair I'm gonna sedate all of you but Omega for a ten-day!

Tech:*is out cold the second his head hit the pillow

Falls:stupid Vod'ika *chuckles fondly*

[heyclickadee]

I really hope Omega gets to meet Kix someday. I think it would do both of them some good to know that they’re not alone.

[mooshrems]

i like to think that was a part 2 of the cadet crosshair and tech art i did so itll make sense id patch techs eye up ..

[deejadabbles]

I !!!!

I am speechless!!!!!

The setting is so perfect, of course the boys would realize the true depth of their feelings when she's away (distance makes the heart grow fonder after all)! All off their reactions to the situation are so in character to me, especially Crosshair's of course, can't get close to anyone lest he gets hurt. Wrecker's so warm and eager, Echo the romantic, Tech the practical one, and Hunter so soft and collected about it all, I love them so much 😭 I can't wait for part two, I need more of my boys! Especially in this setting!!

Your work is amazing as always, thank you for writing this 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Also I love that mood board! You have a talent for them, it looks so goooood!

Hello friend! I couldn't find any rules for requests on your blog, so hopefully this one's okay, and if not feel free to ignore it!

Would you be okay with doing a little something based on the idea that all five of the bad batch boys realize that they're all in love with their medic reader? Like maybe they all just KNOW that their other brothers feel the same way about the reader and what they do about it? Do they all talk it over in private? do they just silently start trying to one up each other as a secret competition for her heart? Do they maybe go to the reader themselves instead? Or maybe they decide sharing is caring?? I'd love to hear your take on this concept, headcanons or a fic or whatever you're inspired to do with this idea it's all fine by me!

Please and thank you and also I hope you have a good weekend 💗

I have had the BEST time with this ask, and I hope you love it. This is deffo one I could write about from different angles all day long. I love the boys, but they provide more inspiration than I know what to do with, so this is only part 1 😬 if you had something else in mind, don’t hesitate to let me know. you know I’m always down to write about the boys 🥰

The Bad Batch x afab!Reader

warnings: mention of injury, nothing graphic, poly no clonc*st, Crosshair pining 👀

word count: 3721 (*self control left the chat*)

The Havoc Marauder was never quiet, and now was no exception. Wrecker’s snores, Tech’s tinkering, Echo’s quiet muttering in his sleep, the barely audible sounds of Hunter fiddling with his knife. But there was a hole of silence in the quilt of sound, and it was shaped like you. It’s been 15 rotations, not that Crosshair’s counting, without your laugh ringing out, without your back popping loudly as you stretched when you woke up, without your voice whispering his name, as you sleepily let him know it was his turn on watch.

The five of them had been together, and they’d never needed or wanted anyone else in their space, on their team. Crosshair hadn’t even wanted you around at first. Wrecker had warmed to you quickly, but of course a pretty thing like you would never need the hard sell with Wrecker. Hunter had been wary of you, but in an effort to keep Wrecker from getting too attached, he’d inadvertently formed his own attachment to your presence. As for Tech and Echo, they’d kept their distance well enough, but your quiet intelligence, and curiosity had drawn them in.

Crosshair had been the holdout. Incensed by every breath you drew in his presence. The way you checked in with him after every mission, as if he needed you poking and prodding him. But when he needed stitches, you’d asked for permission to help him. If he didn’t want you to touch him, you wouldn’t.

“I’d never do anything without your consent. You’re in control here,” you’d said, holding your kit in steady hands, as you waited for his decision. He’d watched you with rapt attention through the mirror, your fingers resting gently against his skin, as you carefully cleaned, stitched up, and bandaged the wound on his shoulder.

After that, he would silently request your assistance when he needed it, and over time even when he didn’t need it. He would never say it out loud, but bacta patches placed by your gentle hands worked better. Your stitches were nearly painless. And the way you’d hum while you worked…well, that was just adorable.

When Commander Cody had requested you for a short stint, Wrecker had grumbled endlessly, and Crosshair had been the first to tell him to suck it up because you’d be back in their hair soon enough. He needed the space to clear his head, and he hoped the others would come to their senses without you in their presence.

Wrecker admitted to missing you within 12 hours. Tech kept finding excuses to talk about you. Meanwhile Hunter and Echo kept pointing out things you would like, and setting them aside for you. They had also placed bets on when Crosshair would snap and march onto the Negotiator to steal you back. Not that they would be upset if he did.

When it became clear that Crosshair would rather eat his armor than admit to being the least bit interested in you, the four of them had dragged him into the cockpit to decide what they would do when you returned. The feelings were there, and they weren’t going anywhere, but how to proceed.

“We should just come out and say it!” Wrecker said, feeling like the matter was concluded.

“It needs to be a tad more romantic than that,” Echo said shaking his head.

“According to my observations of her, she would appreciate a romantic gesture,” Tech said.

“Flowers?” Wrecker offered.

“She deserves more than flowers for putting up with us,” Echo said laughing.

“We could make a stop on her home world. It’s not too far out of the way,” Hunter added. “I think she’d like that.”

“This is a waste of time,” Crosshair said rolling his eyes. “You’re fooling yourselves.”

“When have Hunter’s senses ever been wrong?” Tech asked not even bothering to look up. “According to what he’s told me, she’s at the very least physically attracted to us. Based on her behavior that extends to an emotional bond as well.”

“What happened to not getting attached?” Crosshair challenged, and his brothers all looked at each other before looking back at him.

“You know you’re not as subtle as you think, Crosshair,” Echo said.

“And if I can tell how anyone’s feeling, it’s the four of you,” Hunter added.

“You’re all delusional,” Crosshair said shaking his head.

“You had her put a bacta patch on your arm last mission, and you coulda done it yourself,” Wrecker said giving the sniper a playful shove.

“She is our medic, she should at least pretend to do a job around here,” Crosshair said defensively. It was a losing battle, and he knew it. The others were blissfully under your spell, but he was not about to let you hurt him. Not about to let you reject him. No matter how badly he wanted you.

But as the clock rolled into the 16th rotation without you, it was Crosshair who hated your absence more than anyone. The others were open about it in their own ways, but he held it close. It was one of the few secrets he’d kept from his brothers. The realization annoyed him, as he swung his long legs over the side of his bunk to take over on watch for Hunter.

Sensing the tension rolling off of his younger brother, Hunter cleared his throat.

“She’ll be back in 2 rotations, and you’ll get to sleep longer again.” He knew it wasn’t sleep Crosshair was after, but it was the best way to let him know you were on your way back without suggesting the sniper actually missed you lest they wind up in another argument.

“Oh good, the little doctor will be back to baby Wrecker again, and you can all confess your love, and live happily ever after,” Crosshair sneered, but Hunter knew him well. There was no bite in his tone, and his face was more relaxed than Hunter had seen it since you waved goodbye and disappeared into the Negotiator.

“She just commed to see if we could pick her up before our next mission, and I almost said no,” Hunter said absently, as Crosshair dropped into the co-pilot’s seat. It wasn’t true, but he could hear Crosshair’s heart racing, his teeth grinding in frustration.

“I thought you were dying to have her back,” Crosshair bit out.

“Well, Cody’s really wanting to keep her, and it would be a great opportunity for her,” This part was true, but he knew he shouldn’t tease his brother this way even though he was sure whatever doubt your absence hadn’t wiped out, would be obliterated by jealousy.

“Commander Cody has a squad of medics. He doesn’t need her,” Crosshair replied, scoffing. The thought of Cody trying to tempt you away from them with a Star Destroyer and a Jedi annoyed Crosshair down to his bones. You wouldn’t be swayed by a big ship, and fancy toys. Would you?

“You’ve got a point,” Hunter began before putting the last nail in the coffin. “He doesn’t need her…maybe he just wants her.”

He could hear Crosshair’s heart thumping wildly, as he tried to maintain his composure.

“Doubt it,” Crosshair grumbled after several moments spent working to unclench his jaw.

“Guess we’ll find out,” Hunter said, rising from the pilot’s chair. “The call’s recorded, so you can watch it, and see for yourself.”

“I’m sure she’ll never shut up about it when she’s back,” Crosshair said dismissively.

Humming softly with a shrug, Hunter said good night, and left Crosshair alone. The sharpshooter waited until he was sure Hunter was asleep before playing your conversation.

As your form appeared, bathed in blue, a smile tugged at Crosshair’s lips. Had you always been this beautiful?

“Hi, Sarge! It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you boys like crazy,” you nearly moaned.

He’d never heard you make a sound like that. He immediately thought of you making that sound just for him, which annoyed him, but he couldn’t stop listening.

“We miss you too, cyar’ika. I’m sure you’re having fun though,” Hunter replied.

“It’s been nice to stretch my legs a bit and put some of the things I’ve learned to use. Commander Cody’s amazing…he’s uh, asked me if I want to stay on,” You look shy, nervous.

“Oh, is that uh, something you’re interested in?”

“Don’t get me wrong the Negotiator is spectacular, and I’ve enjoyed my time with the 212th,” you bite your lip, shifting your weight. You seem unsure if you should continue. After a moment, you pressed on, “but they’re missing a few things I can’t live without, so I’d like to come home, back to the Marauder I mean.”

“We’ll be glad to have you back,” Hunter replied.

“Good,” You look so relieved. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you boys since I left. Are you getting enough quiet time? Are Tech and Echo sleeping? Is Wreck staying out of trouble? Is Cross eating properly?”

Crosshair barely hears the rest of conversation because he can’t get past the part where you miss them, where you were worried about him.

“I’ll be all packed up and ready to go in two rotations. Do you mind coming to get me?” Your needy tone shakes Crosshair out of his thoughts. “I could get a shuttle, but it would take another rotation or two, and I don’t think I can wait that long.”

Crosshair realized he couldn’t either. He needed you back immediately. Sooner, really.

“Of course, doll,” Hunter says soothingly. “Two rotations, and we’ll be there.”

Reassured, your shoulders relax, “Wonderful! I can’t wait to see all of you! I’m sure Crosshair has enjoyed the break from me, but I’ve missed him so much. I miss all of you, Hunter.” Your voice is so tender, it makes his heart clench.

He had not enjoyed the break at all though. Between his brothers giving him a hard time, and wanting you back, he was miserable.

Two rotations. It wouldn’t be long now.

***

Crosshair’s leg was bouncing, as the Marauder docked with the Negotiator. You were so close, almost home.

The five of them boarded the Star Destroyer, and Crosshair’s eyes began searching for you immediately. Cody was there to greet them, grasping Hunter’s arm in welcome.

“Good to see you, Commander,” Hunter said warmly.

“Good to see you too, Sergeant,” Cody began, “I’m not going to lie, I tried to keep your medic. She’s brilliant, and the men adore her.”

“Of course they do,” Wrecker’s pride in you is evident.

“She said the Negotiator was missing a few necessities,” Cody quirked an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“She’s quite mistaken. The Havoc Marauder is not equipped with even 10% of what a Republic Venator has,” Tech says, brow furrowed.

“It doesn’t have Gonky,” Wrecker said as though it were obvious.

“It doesn’t have the five of you either!” you quipped, appearing at Cody’s elbow.

“Cyar’ika!” Wrecker bellowed, scooping you up and spinning you around.

“Wrecker!” you squealed as you returned his hug as tightly as you could

Crosshair’s heart was pounding again. He waited at the back of the group, watching his brothers welcome you back. Pressing their foreheads to yours, ghosting their fingers over your jaw, holding the back of your head gently. Then you were standing in front of him. Arms clasped behind your back, not reaching for him as you had the others. Respecting his space as always.

“I’m happy to see you too, Cross. Ready to deal with me every day again?”

“Are you ready to deal with me? All of us, again?”

“Ready and looking forward to it!” Your smile is bright and he nearly reached for you then, but he stopped himself.

“Well, Commander, you know where to find us, if you need us…or our medic again,” Hunter said with a grin.

“It was an honor serving alongside the 212th, Commander. I appreciate the opportunity,” You saluted Cody, and the others followed suit.

“The pleasure was all ours,” Cody returned the salute, and watched as the six of you returned to the Marauder.

***

You’re getting settled back into your space on the Marauder, answering questions from Wrecker, curious about the armory and ordnance, and Tech pestering you for every detail about the Negotiator, as Echo and Hunter wait to get a word in edgewise.

“Come on, boys. Give her some breathing room,” Hunter says, scooting them towards the cockpit, ignoring their protests.

“It’s good to have you back, saraad,” Echo said with a soft smile, that made your heart skip a beat.

You smile fondly at them as they go, going back to unpacking your things, and changing.

Crosshair is in his bunk, pretending he’s not watching you, but he can’t focus on anything else. Every inch of skin you reveal is making his body react. His heart thumping, breath growing shallow, as he drinks you in. This isn’t even the first time he’s seen you naked or changing, but it feels different now. He frowns as he notices a bandage on your hip peaking out of your panties, wrapping around your hip. It’s covered swiftly by the bottom half of a fresh set of blacks.

He slid out of his bunk, and you turned to face him, as you pulled the top half down covering your stomach, hiding your skin from his gaze. Naturally, you stepped back to give him space, and you were pleasantly surprised when he deliberately stepped closer. You looked up at him expectantly, eyes searching his for any hint of what he’s up to.

Crosshair was sure he should say something, but his mind was only offering sardonic quips that would convey the truth, but not like he wanted. He lifted a hand, and tapped your hip softly, fingertips resting against you. This was the first time Crosshair had ever touched you without necessity. Your heart sped up, and you swallowed hard.

“What’s this?” he asked, his voice low and even.

“Rooftop sniper,” you shook your head, folding your arms. “One of the other medics wasn’t as lucky. He was still in the med bay when you came to pick me up. No one could have clocked him to be fair.”

“I could have,” Crosshair said, anger simmering under his even tone.

“Well, there’s only one Crosshair in the galaxy. Next time I leave, I’ll take you with me.” You smiled up at him, but his face held the frown.

“Hey, I’m ok. Still good to do my job,” you added, brow furrowing.

“Fucking regs,” He swore, as he shifted his hand to hold your hip gently like you were a fragile thing. A fragile thing that belonged to him.

You hesitated before resting your hand against his chest, tapping your fingertips against the plastoid.

“Cross, I’m home, and in one piece. How can I show you?”

An eyebrow raised at that, sharp eyes taking you in, lingering on your lips, as they parted, a silent invitation for him. He leaned down, bringing his lips close to yours, begging you to close the distance. You wrapped your arms around his trim waist, as you pressed your lips to his softly.

The ache that had been simmering in his chest since you left is morphing into arousal, moving to settle down in his belly. His lips moved tentatively against yours, teeth nipping gently at your bottom lip.

“Hey,” Wrecker protested loudly. “We agreed we’d all talk to her together, Crosshair!”

The two of you break apart, and you clear your throat, your eyes trained on Crosshair.

“Talk to me about what?” You asked, breathlessly.

“Sorry, doll,” Crosshair said before Wrecker tugged him away in a headlock.

“What are you gonna talk to me about?” you asked again.

“When we get home, cyar’ika,” Wrecker said before turning to Crosshair. “Knew you were full of it, Cross!”

You touch your lips, as you watch the pair of them playfully fighting down the corridor. Did that happen? You pinched your arm as hard as you could, grimacing when it hurt, confirming you were awake, Crosshair had just kissed you. What the hell happened while you were gone? And what did they need to talk to you about?

***

In the cockpit on watch, you relaxed in the copilot’s chair, Tech snoozed gently in the pilot’s chair. It was so good to be home despite the fact that there was clearly something going on with your boys. Your alarm beeped, and you rose from the chair, yawning and stretching ready to trade out with Crosshair, and pass out for a little while.

Hunter intercepted you in the hallway with a grin. “I can’t sleep, so I’ll cover for Crosshair. Go get some rest.” He kissed your forehead, and added, “Good to have you home, Doc.”

“Good to be home, Sarge,” you replied before bidding him goodnight, and heading towards your bunk.

“Hunter?” You turn towards him.

“Hmm?” Hunter asks turning to you.

“What happened while I was gone? Why’s everyone acting weird?”

“We’ll talk when we get back to Kamino. Get some rest,” He says with a mysterious grin that makes you bite your lip.

You pout but follow his orders and head to your bunk. You’re about to climb in when you look towards Crosshair’s bunk. He was the least likely to spill the beans, but he had kissed you earlier. Was that the big secret?

You moved to stand near Crosshair’s bunk. Pushing back the privacy curtain, you whispered his name like you normally would to wake him up for his shift.

“My turn already?” he replied sleepily.

“No, Hunter’s there. I was hoping we could talk about earlier, or we could just sleep,” Even after your encounter earlier, he still made you nervous, and you worried you’d made a mistake until he lifted the blankets, and silently invited you into his bed.

You crawled in, and he lowered the blanket over your body before snaking his arm around your waist and pushing his leg between yours. His muscular thigh pressed up against you, sending a wave of heat through your body. He tucked your head beneath his chin, and it became clear he was not saying a word, so you listened to his heartbeat until you were lulled to sleep.

When you woke up a few hours later, you realized that you hadn’t slept well at all while you were gone. You needed to be crammed into the Marauder with your squad to relax. It helped that Crosshair had held you the entire time, and as you stretched and arched your back you realized he was looking at you.

“Did you sleep well?” you asked quietly not wanting to disturb the others. He simply nodded, his eyes roaming your face, as his hand rested on your waist.

“Good. We should be home soon, yeah?” you asked, rolling onto your back before sitting up.

“Something like that,” Crosshair replied cryptically.

You didn’t bother asking what he meant before sliding out of the bunk, and tossing him a smile.

“I’m going to see where we are. Go back to sleep.”

Once again he nodded, but he knew there was no chance of going back to sleep. Not when he knew what they had planned for the day.

You wandered into the cockpit, taking the co-pilot’s seat next to Echo.

“How was your first night back?” Echo asked smiling as you got comfortable in the chair.

“Cozy. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss you guys until I was gone.”

“I don’t think we did either,” he confesses.

“Oh yeah?” You asked, trying not to seem too happy about it.

He nodded, and the two of you were quiet for a moment. As always silence was never awkward with Echo, and while this was no exception, you could feel a tension in the air. It was reminiscent of the one you’d felt the night before when Crosshair had kissed you.

“I don’t suppose I can get you to tell me what’s going on?” You asked, turning the chair towards him and leaning forward.

“Always so impatient, saraad,” Echo says shaking his head.

“I can’t help it. Something’s up. Crosshair has been sweet to me,” you add in a conspiratorial whisper.

Echo huffs out a short laugh.

“Oh has he now?”

“Yeah, and,” you hesistate. You want to keep going, to spill every thought in your head to Echo, but something’s got your tongue. “It’s nothing.” You turn your chair back into place, and ask, “Where are we? How far from home?”

Reluctantly, Echo tears his gaze away from you. He looks over the navicomputer.

“Not far.”

“You wanna get some sleep? I can get us to Kamino safely.”

He raises an eyebrow at that.

“Ok, I can get us there. No promises on the condition,” you concede.

“You’re meant to be resting. Crosshair told us what happened,” Echo trails off.

“I told you he was being sweet to me, but I guess a kiss is a little more than sweet…”

“Kiss?! I meant you getting shot!” Echo hisses trying not to wake the others, as he spins towards you.

“He told you about that?!” You hiss back, spinning towards him.

“Of course he did. Why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t wanna worry you guys. Cross was not happy when he saw the bandage, and…”

“Of course he wasn’t. And I’m not happy you didn’t tell us. We could have lost you,” Echo’s eyes are worried, his brow knit together, as he reaches for your face.

His fingertips have just brushed your jaw when the cockpit opens, and the pair of you sit back and look towards the door.

“You’re supposed to be resting,” Hunter says, gesturing for you to follow him.

“I was,” you pout. “I just wanted to see if we were close to home.”

“That’s funny because it sounded like you were arguing about keeping your injury a secret,” Hunter says. Out of everyone on the ship, you never thought Crosshair would be the one to tell on you.

“No, I was just…trying to…ya know?”

“No, I don’t know, senaar’ika. Now get in your bunk and rest your eyes. I’ll wake you the moment we land.”

“Fine,” you relent, and climb into your bunk, and even your racing brain can’t keep you awake.

taglist: @dystopicjumpsuit (not sure if you wanted to be tagged in everything or not, so just let me know 🥰)

[somestorythoughts]

Eldritch Echo, Pt10

I thought this would be the last chapter...turns out I'm still not sure how to end this. But I think this part is long enough anyway. Enjoy!

They end up in what Fives tells them is called the Room of a Thousand Fountains. He’d ended up here, wandering sleeplessly after the Jedi had invited the Corries into the Temple shortly after everything went down. He drags them, Echo literally, to a labyrinth of rosy gray stone surrounded by bushes with dark green leaves and large indigo flowers.

“Are you two going to be cuddling the entire time?” Crosshair snarks as Fives pulls Echo down to sit next to him on the labyrinth.

“You’re welcome to join if you’re feeling neglected.” Echo retorted with a smirk.

“Nope I got him!” Wrecker grins as he slings an arm over their sniper, careful not to jar his injured leg, and drags them both down into a comfortable sitting position while ignoring Crosshair’s attempts to jab him between the gaps in his armor.

“Irritating cuddle-obsessed tank–”

“Enough.” Hunter and Rex said in the same no-time-for-these-shenanigans voice. They eyed each other while Kix snorted and everyone else found a spot on the stone or grass. Rex continued. “You owe us an explanation trooper. And it better be thorough.”

“Sire yes sir.” Fives salutes sarcastically, but his voice is sincere when he says, “I am sorry. It wasn’t my plan, but once they realized I was still alive and we started plotting, op-sec took over.”

“We understand. Talk.”

“We were fighting on Ringo Veda.” Fives begins for the benefit of Echo and his squad. He leads them through that part of the story; Echo’s eyes wide with shock when he recounts how Tup had killed General Tiplar and Tech’s narrowed when he recounts Nala Se’s actions on Kamino. But everyone stays quiet until he tells them about the chips in their heads.

“There’s WHAT?” Kix shouts.

“Biochips in our heads that wipe away most of our free will and force us to follow orders. I don’t understand how they work; Blood was too busy figuring out how to safely remove them to figure out how to give an answer in plain Basic. He and the Jedi healers could tell you more.” He grimaces. “I suggest going to the healers. Blood needs a break and he’s not going to let himself get one until all the Corries are well, so Bones is trying to keep anything stressful that isn’t directly related to the Corries away.”

“That’s understandable.” Kix murmured. Jesse adds something to his datapad and Fives knows their information broker of a lieutenant is going to have questions for him later.

Fives squeezes Echo’s hand and continues. He tells them about Shaak Ti ordering them to Coruscant, Nala Se drugging him, and finally Chancellor Palpatine’s revelation. He tells them about Order 66.

Rex goes pale. Jesse fumbles his datapad. “What the hell?” Wrecker asks. Direct this one. “Why’d the Chancellor want them dead?”

“The Sith are the old enemies of the Jedi. It probably had as much to do with that grudge as it did the fact that they’d do everything they could to keep the Republic from becoming an Empire.” Fives answers.

“He would have made us kill Ahsoka.” Rex whispers, and both Kix and Jesse freeze.

“All the Jedi cadets.” Jesse adds in horror. The handful of 501st behind him shudder, their own horror joining the noise. Someone’s muttering “no” over and over again, and Fives leans over to see a vod wrap their arms around the trooper next to them. Good.

“Echo.” The sniper says suddenly and Fives whips around. His twin’s frozen and distant and Fives pulls him forward to thump their foreheads together.

“Echo. Hey vod, come back.”

The slicer – Tech Echo said his name was – scoots closer. “Echo. You need to breathe.” His twin inhales sharply and Tech nods. “Good. Now breathe out.” He takes Echo through the breathing exercises while Kix begins to calm the others down. Fives takes a moment to glance over at Echo’s squad. Sergent Hunter and Wrecker both look nauseous. The sniper’s inscrutable but the only expression Fives has seen from him so far has been brief pain, likely due to his injured leg, so he doesn’t take offense.

He turns back to Echo, who’s breathing steadily again. “You alright?”

“Did Rex tell you about Skako Minor?” Echo murmurs.

“Cody did, a little – oh.” Yeah, the realization that they could be mind-controlled would probably be especially terrifying to his twin who’d had his mind torn open. “We’re safe Echo I swear. The slicers have a signal going out that turns the chips off and Blood figured out a way to safely remove it. If everyone wants their chips removed it’ll take a while, but they’re turned off and Palpatine is dead dead dead. No one’s going to make you hurt anyone.”

“I would be interested in learning the details of both the chip and the signal.” Tech states, eyes still on Echo.

“I’ll introduce you to the Corrie slicers.”

“Tell us the rest.” Rex orders. “What happened after?”

“Palpatine let me run, he thought it’d be entertaining. Eventually I made my way to 79s and Kix, asked him to send you that message to meet me in the warehouse.”

“And then Fox showed up.”

Fives sighed. “Yeah. Please don’t stay mad at him Rex, he didn’t have much choice. Turns out the Corries aren’t just undersupplied like we thought, they’re overworked to the point of exhaustion and some of the Senators have been exceptionally nasty. Our dearly beloathed Chancellor had Fox pulled in twenty directions trying to keep everyone safe while being willing and able to order decommissions, and they were constantly terrified someone would catch on to all the vod they were hiding that were supposed to be decommissioned. They’ve got Dogma by the way, he’s been helping out with the Jedi tubelings for the last few days. I think it’s good for him.” It looked like a weight dropped off Rex’s back. “So yeah, faced with the choice of shooting me or pissing off Palpatine, he took the shot. And realized in a split second that I was a twin and shifted to miss my heart.” Fives frowned. “Or his aim was slightly off because of said exhaustion and he didn’t realize I was a twin till he got a better look. I’m not actually certain.”

“You don’t want to find out?” Jesse asked.

“Well I’m not going to ask now, I’m not even sure if he’s awake yet.” Jesse snorts. Fives continues, “I woke up with CMO Blood. Kix, you might have competition for the title of scariest medic.”

“A twin medic who kept his men alive with severe cuts in medical supplies and limited aid from the other vod because we could only send so much bacta?” Kix retorts dryly. “I’ll happily take second, vod deserves first place.”

That gets a few chuckles and a handful of wary looks. “Fair. Anyway, he got Fox, made us both explain the situation. And then we hashed out a plan.”

“He shot you and you had a chill conversation?” Crosshair drawled. Fives raised an eyebrow.

“Look, when a medic who’s about eight feet of bleeding muscle with claws the length of your hand and a mouth like a lamprey tells you to sit your ass down and explain yourself, you say ‘yes sir’ and report. Regardless of whether you’re a twin or not.”

Seems Crosshair couldn’t argue with that. Fives continued. “Deciding to kill Palpatine was the easy part. But if I did it and failed, he’d come down hard on the Corries and anyone he thought I could’ve told about the chips. We didn’t want to go to the Jedi for a lot of reasons. If we went without proof they might not believe us, if they did but opsec wasn’t fully taken into account Palpatine might find out, and even if all of that went well they’d still have to successfully arrest Palpatine without being portrayed as traitors to the Republic. If we killed him without proof the Senators would come down hard on all the troopers and if we failed, well Fox thought he might decommission the entire Guard just to be on the safe side. So Fox set anyone who worked in the Senate regularly to very careful evidence collecting and had his slicers dig into Palpatine while Blood started dechipping people. They didn’t want me in the Senate in case Palpatine sensed my presence or whatever in the Force so I provided unseen back up for the Corries and swiped some food and medical supplies until Commander Thire figured out a way to get me to Kamino. When I got there, I got a medical droid to help me find the files on the chips, I even got records of the Kaminoans interacting with Count Dooku. By the time I got back Blood had finished the dechipping and the slicers had figured out a way to disrupt the chips. We made a few more copies because Blood believes in copying everything unless you want it to never see the light of day, then Fox had some of his fastest troopers run copies to the Temple while he took a squad and I to confront the Chancellor. We recorded it, Fox tried to arrest him so no one could say we didn’t do it by the book, and when he resisted we fought. The Jedi reached us a bit after he blew up.”

They’re silent for a long moment. Then: “What do you mean he blew up?”

[soclonely]

The Clones as My Yearly Affirmations To All Of You

Because sometimes a bad bitch needs reminding they are worthy and loved and growing every day

Rex- I am letting go because I need to grow

Echo- I am ready to move forward with my life

Fives- I am worthy just as I am

Jesse- There are no limits to what I can and will achieve

Kix- I deserve everything good that comes to me

Tup- I release the pain of anger and rage from my body

Dogma- I give myself grace when I make a mistake

Hardcase- I claim my power

Coric- I practice understanding and compassion

Bly- Love flows through my body. I deserve that.

99- I am trusting the phases of life and releasing the past with ease

Cody- The past is over.

Waxer/Boil- Today i will concentrate on taking one step forward, hwoever small

Wolffe- I am able to heal from the hurt of my past

Boost/Sinker- I am worthy of financial stability

Hunter- Forgiveness is a gift to myself

Wrecker- I am forgiving, loving, gentle, and kind

Tech- This is a year of wonderful surprises, good decisions, and creative solutions

Crosshair-I let go of all the barriers and hurdles the come in my way to success.

Omega- I am good enough, just as I am.

Howzer- I deserve to live my life the way i want to

Fox- I am the creator of my own happiness

Gregor- I give my time and energy mindfully.