#hemlock x tech

[lifblogs]

Rating: Explicit Pairing: Royce Hemlock/Tech | CX-2, Non-Consensual Pairing Word Count: 2551 Summary: What happens after the first scene of chapter 5 of Brother, Hold Me Up. Hemlock hungers for his creation, CX-2, and CX-2 must earn his pain meds. WARNINGS: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Gore

[skywalkerrtno]

Immediately thought about this

[zoeykallus]

Hello there! May I ask for a big favor? Could you write about Tech, after THE FALL, you know? About how he survived, maybe badly hurt, and how Hemlock wants to experiment on him. But female reader is an assistant scientist or nurse working there, and they fall in love, and she frees him?

Aloha!

Sorry for the late (and very long) response! Okay, this is something I can get behind. Hold on, I got you.

Tech x Fem!Reader One-shot - AFTER THE FALL

Warnings: ANGST/Hurt/Injured Tech/Tension/Fluff/Comfort

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Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

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First, euphoria floods him as he is slowed down more or less gently by the branches of one of the huge trees. But then he hits a thicker branch that breaks several of his ribs. Tech can't breathe for a moment, falling further, he slows down as he continues to fall through a tangle of branches. He loses his helmet, the branches whip him in the face, leaving bloody bruises. Then he loses his goggles. His hands automatically shielding his face as best he can. He can barely see, but he knows the ground is getting closer. The impact is hard, not fatal thanks to the tree, but extremely painful nonetheless. His right shin breaks, the sound unnaturally loud, and the pain travels through his body like a lightning strike, sharp and violent. The impact on the broken ribs does the rest. At first, his breath catches and his voice gets stuck in his throat. But finally a scream comes across his lips, shortly followed by a groan, his breath heavy with pain. But not only pain, also panic is spreading. He is badly injured, defenseless, in the middle of a forest full of alien flora and fauna and the Imperials who will surely search for his corpse soon and if he was unlucky, they would find one too. Tech lost his weapons in the fall, his visual aid, helmet and probably a few other things. For a moment, he wishes he had just died quickly, cursing the tree that gave him false hope only to take it away.

His fingers feel for the com on his wrist, unsuccessfully. He pulls off his glove with his teeth to feel for it more effectively. His fingers slide to the com again. Broken. "Kriffin hells," Tech groans in pain. It doesn't matter that he's still alive, without a com, with his injuries, without his goggles, in the middle of nowhere, his chances of survival are practically non-existent. He can only see his surroundings dimly, blurred outlines, blurred colors. The pain is bad enough to make him nauseous. Tech tries to breathe against the pain and rummages blindly with his fingers in his remaining belt pouches for the emergency painkiller. Some of the pouches are torn from his belt, and the belt itself is also hanging by a thread. He finds what he is looking for, hastily injects himself in the leg. The drug works quickly, the pain slowly subsides. Tech allows himself to breathe for a moment. The pain may be temporarily relieved, but his situation has not changed. He is afraid, for the first time in his life he is really frightened. It's a more than uncomfortable feeling. He is alone, helpless, his brothers think he is dead. Tech feels the wind brush across his damp face, and he realizes he's crying. "Pull yourself together, Tech, you're a soldier, you're smart, you'll find a way out," he says to himself, trying desperately to believe his own words.

But he can hardly move despite painkillers, he doesn't even know where to go, can't see his surroundings properly. Tech tries to crawl, but he repeatedly has to give up and lie down. The hours pass and the painkiller begins to wear off. The pain slowly creeps back into his body, steadily, increasing. On impulse, he calls Hunter's name, the big brother who always bailed him out, even as a cadet. He knows no one can hear him, but it's a helpless, automatic impulse. At some point he begins to drift, he's not sure if he's just tired, if he's dying, or just passing out, Tech just knows that his senses are fading, little by little, slowly enveloping him in darkness.

Lights, echoing voices, the smell of disinfectants, are the first things that reach Tech's senses as he slowly regains consciousness. The ground on which he lies is cool, hard. He can't immediately make out the words being spoken around him, he only understands snatches of them. "... the wounds will heal.... much potential.... take good care of him.... this will be an interesting project" Slowly he feels parts of his body again. The pain is just dull now, like an echo. Tech feels sluggish and suspects that he has been given strong painkillers. It is relatively cool in the room, he feels that all his equipment has been taken from him. The fabric on his skin is not that of his blacks, he has been clothed. He blinks several times, noticing that his vision is clearer. Tech wants to feel his face to see what visual aid he has been given, but he cannot lift his arms, there is resistance. He has been strapped to the surface on which he is lying. A figure appears next to him, his gaze clears, and he looks into the face of a woman, he finds her pretty, and somehow she seems familiar to him, but he doesn't immediately know why.

A man's voice snaps him out of his thoughts.

"You are not to make small talk with the project, only inject the serum".

Startled, you look up and into the face of Doctor Hemlock. His blue eyes are cold, despite the implied smile on his lips.

"Do what I told you and run some scans, then I need you in my office".

"Yes, Doctor," you say quietly, opening the small case of injections.

Hemlock looks at Tech, their eyes meeting.

"We'll see if we can't improve you," he says to the restrained Tech.

"Enhance?" the latter asks in alarm.

"A serum used for genetic manipulation, it should theoretically unlock more hidden abilities," is the brief explanation he receives, "I'm not going to lie, this whole thing could get very uncomfortable, painful, but a seasoned soldier can take a beating, can't he?"

With those words, Hemlock turns away.

Tech watches Hemlock disappear again, then his gaze twitches back and forth between you and the small case.

"This is a dangerous experiment," Tech says quietly, his tone clearly resonating with his unease, "genetic manipulation is a delicate thing."

"I know," you say quietly, taking one of the injections from the case.

Tech begins to struggle against the restraints, whereupon two Stormtroopers he hadn't noticed before start to stir. You pause and say to the men, "He's strapped down, no danger of escape, and no danger to me. There are other, more dangerous projects you should be monitoring."

The men look at each other, finally one says, "Fine by me. But call us if he gives you any trouble"

You nod curtly and wait for the troopers to leave the room. Tech is still writhing in his restraints on the table, but can barely move a millimeter.

"Calm down, Tech," you say gently.

He sees you coming closer with the injection and his breathing quickens, panicked.

"Now listen to me carefully," you say seriously, "I've switched injections. This room is video monitored, but without audio. So try to keep a low profile"

Tech blinks several times. The tone in your voice, conspiratorial, serious but gentle. He's torn between hope, fear and doubt.

"I switched out the injections. This is just saline and some food coloring to make it look just like the serum. Nothing at all will happen to you from this injection."

Tech frowns critically and says stubbornly, "Why should I believe you?"

You sigh softly and say, "I know it doesn't inspire confidence that I'm working with Hemlock. I just want to take away your fear, you'll see that nothing will happen to you from the injections."

"If you really want to help me, free me," Tech says shakily.

" This is not something I can do so easily-"

"Then why should I believe that nonsense!" he interrupts you angrily.

You push up his sleeve, feeling his muscles tense. He is still squirming uselessly in the buckles with which he is tied to the stretcher.

"Be reasonable, Tech, you're too badly hurt to try to escape, the baccta will take a few hours before you can walk again without assistance. That being said, this facility is well secured. Lots of troopers, droids, alarm system, lockdown mechanisms. You wouldn't get far, we need a plan first. Crosshair and I have been working on it for a few days. I just hope I can fool Hemlock with the serum long enough to get it done."

Tech's eyes grow wide, "You talked to Crosshair?"

You nod and say, "Daily, since he got here."

"How is he?"

"Better than you at the moment, even though he provoked Hemlock several times in the beginning, and he was often disciplined"

"Disciplined?" asks Tech brightly.

"Torture by electric shocks. Hemlock calls that corrective education."

Tech grits his teeth, then looks at you questioningly, "So you're helping him too. Why are you helping us anyway?"

You put the needle in place and Tech flinches briefly as he feels the sting.

"Because what's happening here isn't right. There are a lot of disobedient clones here, clones who have defied orders and Order 66. You guys have been through more than enough already. At some point, this nightmare has to stop. I only came here with Hemlock because I thought we could make a difference for the clones. But I soon found out that Hemlock had other interests and missions. So at first I started to ease the circumstances for the patients as much as I could. And little by little I managed to trick Hemlock into replacing the serum and so on. But it's only a matter of time before he figures it out. The doctor is anything but stupid, at the moment he's just very busy, with many… projects, probably the only reason why he hasn't caught me yet."

Tech blinks several times. The injection is over; at the moment, he feels nothing.

"You're taking a big risk," he says quietly.

You nod nervously and say, "I know if I get caught there will be no punishment, only execution."

The days pass, Tech's wounds heal, and you regularly send messages back and forth between the two brothers. You secretly pass on plans and ideas. But something is missing. The guys need floor plans, accurate data on troop movements around the compound, and information on all security and surveillance systems.

Getting this information is damn dangerous for you, but still you do it, little by little, skillfully, using the access codes of other employees among others. For days on end, you're under a constant flow of adrenaline, always in danger of being discovered. But you've finally gathered everything that's needed, except weapons.

"I don't know how to get weapons, the medical staff doesn't have weapons, only the troopers, and they're unlikely to give me their weapons willingly, I'm not a fighter," you say dejectedly.

Crosshair growls softly, "I'll figure something out, you've already done more than enough".

You say quietly, "I've given Tech all the information, like I did you".

Crosshair wants to nod, but his head is strapped to the table as you give him the fake injection.

"Good," he mumbles softly.

His serious face softens a little when he sees your worried expression.

"Don't worry, it's up to me and Tech now. You did what you could. Maybe you should come with us."

You look at him in surprise.

"Come with you?"

Crosshair shows a barely noticeable smirk and says, "Yeah, sure. Tech would be very pleased. If I remember correctly, he had quite a crush on you back when you were working on Kamino."

You pause in your movement, surprised.

"What?"

Crosshair laughs softly, "Don't tell me you didn't notice. From the moment you started working in the infirmary, he regularly hurt himself on his tools or fell, which miraculously almost never happened to him before you showed up. I told him several times it would be easier to just ask for your com number, but our Tech was just too shy. He was very disappointed when you suddenly disappeared."

"I had been transferred to Coruscant, unfortunately," you say quietly, still intrigued, surprised, and flattered by the news. You liked Tech back then, too. He always told a lot of stories, he had whole stories to tell to every question you asked him.

Suddenly Crosshair's expression changes, his eyes shift to the right, looking behind you. You hear the typical sound of troopers in gear.

"Hemlock wants to see you, it's urgent," growls one of the two troopers who have entered the room. You turn around and see that both men have their weapons at the ready.

"But I'm still not-"

"Right now," the second interrupts you.

Panic rises in you, burning hot and freezing cold at the same time. He must have figured out what you were doing, you think nervously. Crosshair thinks the same thing and automatically braces himself against the restraints, whereupon one of the troopers smacks him in the forehead.

You sit in the chair opposite Hemlock, at his desk. The desk is so gigantic that you both seem quite small next to it. Behind him a huge panoramic window, forest, mountains and clouds can be seen.

You have your hands folded in your lap, nervously kneading your fingers.

Two troopers stand at the door in a guarded position. Hemlock in front of you is calm, he doesn't seem furiously angry as you expected. Not at all. He seems strangely composed, calm, collected. You are not sure what would have frightened you more. There was something strangely, ominously subliminal about this calm, something you couldn't directly grasp, but it was there. Like a monster waiting in ambush.

"I know what you've done," Hemlock says quietly, after an awkward, seemingly eternal period of silence.

"Doctor?" you ask cautiously, still clinging to the hope that you're here for different reasons than you think.

"Please don't insult my intelligence by pretending you don't know what I'm talking about."

You remain silent, not knowing what to say anyway.

After what feels like an eternity, you sigh, and somehow some of the tension that has clung to you for so long falls away.

You say indifferently, "I would say I'm sorry, but that would be a lie."

Hemlock laughs softly.

"I have to admit, you have more moxie in your bones than most troopers I know. You may not be a fighter in the usual sense, but girl, you have guts."

You blink, trying not to let on that you're confused at the moment and don't quite know where you stand.

Hemlock claps his hands a few times, making you frown critically.

"You need to use that grit more constructively!" he says, suddenly sounding excited.

You want to sound cool, to say something cheeky, to not mince words, but his demeanor elicits only a confused, "Huh?" from you.

"I know," Hemlock says indulgently, almost understanding, "You think you're doing something good here, for these men. But you're missing the big picture."

As he stands up and comes around the table, you automatically stand up as well, prompting the troopers to point their weapons at you, but Hemlock waves them off with a simple gesture and the men lower their weapons.

You back away a step as he walks toward you. Hemlock stops, reading your posture, your demeanor.

"You don't have to be afraid of me, I wasn't planning to hurt you," he says calmly and finally continues explaining, "Now this big picture I'm talking about is why we're all doing these projects. The reason why all these projects are necessary."

You shake your head and say, "Nothing justifies what is happening to these people here".

Hemlock raises his finger and corrects you, "Clones, my dear, clones, not people. Copies of a man, not even a particularly honorable one. Copies of a bounty hunter. But that's not the point. What I'm getting at is the big picture. The purpose of these experiments."

"Improved soldiers for the Empire"

Hemlock smiles.

"That's right, my dear, that's right. Better soldiers, for the protection of our Empire and all the people who live in it, for the protection of every single citizen. Yes, we are experiencing setbacks and some of the clones are suffering terrible agonies, but the end certainly justifies the means in this case"

You shake your head and say, "No it doesn't, it shouldn't."

Hemlock shrugs.

"Wait until your home world is attacked, and no adequate protection is in place, then I'm sure you'll think differently"

Hemlock walks slowly, leisurely up and down. His gait is supposed to make you think he is relaxed, sure of himself, but the fact that he is walking up and down at all already exposes his inner turmoil.

You watch him and finally ask, "Why so restless?"

Hemlock stops, turns back to you, and looks at you critically.

"I'm thinking about what to do with you. Basically, you sabotaged me and probably broke some other rules that I don't know about at the moment. Normally I wouldn't think twice about that, but you're a very good assistant, despite everything"

Your heart hammers nervously in your chest.

"So you won't have me executed?"

Hemlock clicks his tongue and shakes his head.

"No. But I need to make sure you don't do something so reckless again".

Distracted by an unusual flying Omicron shuttle you see through the panoramic window, you say something absent-mindedly.

"And what do you have in mind, Doctor?"

Before he can discuss what exactly he means by that, the power goes out, for a few seconds, then the emergency power comes on and a shrill alarm sounds. A metal shield covers the huge window, blocking your view of the shuttle.

Hemlock seems tense. He tries to contact someone, but the com systems don't work. Your pulse is racing, nervousness, excitement. You know this can only be a sign that Tech and Crosshair are on the run. The Omicron shuttle, must be their brothers.

It's a satisfaction to see Hemlock panic, trying to make contact with his men, trying to grasp the situation, figure out what's going on. But then he spins around, furious, and he sees the smile on your face before you can hide it.

The doctor reaches into a drawer at his desk and pulls out a blaster from it, pointing it at you.

"You! This is your doing, this has something to do with you and those clones from the 99 batch!"

You blink, suddenly back in fear mode. You're relatively sure, that blaster in his hand, isn't set to stun.

The sound of a plasma cutter distracts you both. Someone is cutting through the metal guard and glass on the paned window.

"What the hell-"

With a clang and a thump, the material comes loose and falls into the room, directly behind it the ramp of a shuttle and an armed Tech in full gear. You barely have time to react, or say anything. Tech stuns Hemlock and the troopers with quick, well-aimed shots, deftly puts the weapons away again, and finally reaches out his hand to you.

"What are you waiting for? Come here!" he calls to you.

Your heart pounds in your throat as you grab his hand, and he gently pulls you toward him and into the shuttle, closing the ramp immediately after. He gently but firmly pushes you into a seat and straps you in.

"Hold on tight, we're not safe yet".

As if his words were the cue, the shuttle suddenly comes under fire and Tech rushes back into the cockpit. Crosshair sits at the gun, across from you sits a giant who grins kindly at you, next to him a clone who has almost more prosthetics than body parts on his body, also with a smile on his face.

The evasive maneuvers are violent, daring, you are jolted back and forth in your seat. You know Tech is at the wheel, and he's one hell of a pilot. Hell of a good one. Your hands are clutched to the seat, you're getting hot and cold, your pulse is racing. It's like the worst, gnarliest roller coaster ride of your life. Tossed back and forth in your seatbelt.

Then, finally, the shuttle settles into a steady position, and you hear the typical gentle noise of hyperspace.

Tech comes back out of the cockpit and looks at you.

"Are you all right? You look a little light-headed," he says with concern, and unbuckles your seatbelt.

You're dizzy and reality hasn't quite gotten through to you yet, but you finally nod and say, "Sure, I'm fine."

"I guess she's not used to combat maneuvers," the giant says with a laugh.

Crosshair, climbing out of the gun seat, laughs softly, still wearing the suit from Hemlock's facility.

"Tech's maneuvers take some getting used to," he says, winking at you.

Tech is indignant, "My maneuvers are extremely effective and have saved us several times, including today"

You slowly stand up, but your wobbly knees shake, and you practically fall towards him.

With a "Woah", he catches you, with his arms around your hips, your hands braced on his breastplate.

You look up and as your eyes meet, Tech's ears flush red.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asks quietly.

In the background, Echo pushes the rest of the group into the cockpit to give you a small moment of privacy.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Crosshair still trying to look around the corner, but a hand on his collar pulls him away.

You blink and look at Tech again.

You laugh softly, nervously, his arms around your middle releasing a swarm of butterflies in your stomach. Almost automatically, your hands move to his shoulders.

"Sure, I'm fine. It's just like Crosshair said, I'm not used to this kind of flying. Impressive, I didn't think we'd escape."

Tech smirks flattered.

"Thank you for not leaving me behind," you say softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth, whereupon his ears turn even redder.

Tech blinks several times, then smiles nervously and says, "You didn't think we'd leave without you, did you?"

You grin at each other.

Still smirking, Tech says, "This time I'm not letting you go without asking for your com number."

@rintheemolion

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[clownery-and-fuckery]

Comfort !!!! soft PheeTech is my favourite thing to write, can't wait for her to beat up Hemlock and save Tech <33

No spoilers, just my own theories <3

"Well that can't be comfortable."

He jumps, looking over to the doorway. Phee is leaning on the doorframe, shooting him a disapproving look. She's in her nightwear, hair ruffled from sleep. Sleep she still should be getting. Sleep that avoids him like the plague.

"Come on, sweetheart," She says softly. "Time for bed."

She urges him, begs him, but he won't. Can't. He draws up further, arms tucking his knees to his chest as he lowers his chin into the dip between his tightly coiled limbs. He watches her wearily, cautious.

Her heart breaks for him. She walks over slowly, hands stretched to show him that they're not holding anything. Not moving to harm, just to hold.

He allows her to come closer, until he can feel her warmth as her hands slowly card through his hair. She notices the sheen of sweat on his face, the glaze in his eyes. The fear is palpable. She's sure the eldest can taste it from wherever he's sleeping tonight. If he's sleeping at all.

"Nightmare?" She asks in a whisper.

He twitches, jerkily as he takes a shuttering breath. She hums, hands gentle as they brush over his shaking shoulders, finding his trembling hands to clasp. They shake harder in her grip, and his brows furrow, darting between her and their joined hands. Waiting, anticipating.

Her heart clenches again. "I'm not going to hurt you." She promises softly. "You're not there anymore, love. You're home."

He watches her with blank eyes. His hands don't stop shaking.

She's seen this before. She saw the state of the sniper's hands, the quake as he picked up his rifle. The only information he ever disclosed was resistance wasn't easy. The cost of his hands was a sacrifice he wished he hadn't had to make.

Irreversible damage. That's what it was.

It made her blood boil, and her eyes soften. She presses a feather-light kiss to his scarred knuckles. She ignores the reflexive flinch.

She meets his gaze, and finds recognition. He grounds himself with her lips, gentle and loving as she presses another kiss to his hands. The tremors don't stop, but they lessen. That's all she needs.

"Hi," She greets with a smile, relived to find him present. She waits till he nods in acknowledgement to ask. "What're you doing out here so late?"

Her whisper brings another shaky breath, a hitch that catches them both off guard. His mouth opens, but no sound follows. She nods in understanding.

"Can't or won't?" She asks in a hush. "Tap my hand, please."

One jutted tap hit her hand softly. Can't. She nods again, pressing another kiss to his fingers.

"Alright," She says, standing slowly, methodically. His eyes widen for a fraction of a second, until she leans close again. "It's alright, let's get you comfy, okay?" Her voice is low, inviting. There is no pressure in her stance.

He watches her and nods. She raises him to his feet, hearing creak of uncooperative limbs, feels the tension in him as he hisses, voice breaking as pain shoots through him.

"I've got you," She assures. "Lean on me, I won't let you fall."

And she doesn't. They walk through the house, the waves from the sea of Pabu filling the silence. She can feel him relaxing the further into the house they go. She talks the whole way, hushed encouragement easing the shake in his knees.

The low lights of the lanterns outside light the way, barely illumating the space enough for them to see. Phee knows the way, she's walked this path many times before. The company doesn't make the journey any different.

She leads him into the room, eases him under the covers. She doesn't let him go for a second.

"Now," She sighs once they finally sink into the mattress. "Isn't that better?"

He hums, curling into her. Their legs intertwine, his face turns to burrow into the crook of her neck, like he belongs there. Like he's always belong there. Maybe he has.

She cards her hand through his hair, the other trailing down to pick up his hands, to press more soft kisses to the calloused skin. "Love," She says quietly, waiting for him to hum again. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

He stilled. His trigger finger twitched harshly, snapping like he still held a blaster. Phee barely reacted beyond a small glance towards it.

It took a long moment for him to answer. "I–" His voice is hoarse, eyes misty as he avoids eye contact. "I forgot."

"Forgot?" She echoes, rubbing soothing circles into his back. "Forgot what?"

His voice breaks. "I forgot where I was."

Phee has the decency to hide her reaction, pulling him closer and pressing a firmer kiss to his head. "Oh, sweetheart.."

She doesn't know what else to say. He continues, speaking into her.

"It was too dark to tell–" He breaks off again, coiling up to the point that Phee can feel him as he pulls in on himself. "–it was cold. I couldn't tell."

Phee nods, taking a deep breath as she hugs him closer. She can feel how tense he is against her, hands shaking as his trigger finger pulls against nothing. Reflexive, preventive.

"You're on Pabu," She reminds carefully, rubbing into his shoulder, knowing where the knots are before he has to ask.

She feels them loosen beneath her hands, feels him sagging against her with a breath of relief. "You're with your brothers. With me. You're safe."

He's putty in her hands in seconds, sighing contently as she works through the kinks in his shoulder with startling proficiency. "You're never going back to that place. It's gone. He's gone."

He stills at the mention of the doctor. Phee pushes forward, reworking where the tension returned. "You survived," She continues, bringing her hands to cup his cheeks, wiping at his eyes before pressing their foreheads together.

"I promise you, everything is alright now." She whispers against him, breath fanning his face as she readjusts, tugging the blankets up around them.

"It's time to sleep," She says, watching him absentmindedly rub his eyes, yawning as he struggles to hold his heavy eyes open. She smiles gently.

He will never admit to the whine that leaves him when she dims the lights again. "I know," She coos, all smiles as she hugs him closer. "But you're tired, love. It's time to rest."

He opens his mouth to complain, but all that leaves him is a yawn before he settles, tucked up against her. He's asleep in moments, snoring away as his cold nose presses against her neck.

She feels something inside her relax, knowing that it's over. That he's here, that they were all here. That they were never leaving again. She presses another kiss to his forehead, mindful not to wake him.

"Goodnight, Brown Eyes," She whispers, drifting off herself. She would have to tell Hunter, she could already see the blinker of Tech's comm. But he could wait. They all could afford to wait.

They had all the time in the world, now.

[xecutivecucumber]

Executive Cucumber's Thoughts on The Bad Batch 03×12!

Spoilers under the cut

Let start out by saying holy heck that was the cool down episode I needed. My sister watched it before me and was able to tell me that Tech/CX-2 wasn't in it for a significant amount, so I was able to get past my disappointment and not be stressed out during the episode. Yes, I'm still on the 'Tech is CX-2 Bandwagon.' I do think they should have revealed him to the audience earlier, because I have to actively avoid Bad Batch social media (*cough*reddit*cough*) for my own mental health because of the negativity around the idea. It's really draining.

Anyway, on to the actual episode!

Today I realized that I might be triggered by Omega being trapped at Tantiss because of some past experiences. (And yes, if you've read my fics you know that I've done it to her too, but I have control over that and I think the problem is the lack of control I have)

Hi Tech! I love you! Please be un brainwashed soon!

I want to murder Hemlock. I don't know if I've ever hated a Star Wars villain like this before. It feels so personal.

It devastates me that they're going to take Omega's clothes away. Clothes that were given to her by people who love her. Ow.

Also you're playing a dangerous game, not keeping those binders on her, Hemlock.

'Is everything all right, Dr. Karr?' 'No, the Jango parent gene got awakened in me and that does not go away'

Why does Emerie think she HAS to do this?

I'm a little disappointed we didn't see Hunter find out about Omega. He's probably just in 'go' mode, honestly. Adrenaline and all that.

Crosshair is so proud of Omega oh my gosh.

PHEE MY QUEEEEEEEEEN

Oh my gosh Tech told Phee about Crosshair. That implies that had more time than we saw. That makes me so happy and sad.

Phee talks about Tech with such fondness. You can tell how much she cared about him. I feel like I'm watching a widow who's processed her grief but still talks about her husband because she loved him.

Also, looking at Phee, she doesn't really have any implied make up on. She's very natural. Good for her.

...Rampart looks kinda good with a beard.

Okay Tech would find the stunt Phee pulled extremely attractive.

This is the closest we've gotten to the original Batch we've gotten in a very long time. It feels good to see them go mission mode with Crosshair.

This is reminding me of Eriadu and I don't like it.

Crosshair asking Wrecker if he remembered whatever plan and then patiently waiting for him to remember lives rent free in my head he's so sweet.

WRECKER'S THEME IS BACK BABY

Also, Crosshair's theme is played in this really fun way?

Crosshair should be allowed to kick Rampart in the balls. As a treat.

Rampart you snake. Crosshair should have shot him in the leg instead of stunning him.

My sister pointed out that the juggernaut represents how the Batch is right now. You cannot stop them.

Man, it's nice to not to be as conflicted when the TK troopers die, as opposed to when clones were sent against them. Quick thought though, does Wolffe have all the remaining clones?

Man these guys get BRUTALIZED.

Them throwing around passed out Rampart is amazing and should continue to happen.

Okay Wrecker has his knife out HE IS READY TO TORTURE A MAN.

Frick you Rampart. He is the worst replacement for Omega.

Aww they probably didn't bring Batcher on the mission to protect her. (Plus she a half trained dog and it was a stealth mission)

And then the boys spent the next hour arguing over who has to call Echo and tell him.

Hemlock you FOULE you're giving Omega ALLIES. Also why are you telling her all this. She will use it against you.

Gall, I hate Hemlock.

Again, I really needed this cool down episode. Though I'm afraid the final three episodes are going to hurt. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SHOW WHY IS IT STRESSING ME OUT SO MUCH. ALSO WAITING A WEEK FOR EPISODES ALSO SUCKS. A LOT.

[ashes-2-ashes57cba]

Masterlist

Episodes will be posted weekly (hopefully).

The Clone Wars

The Bad Batch

A Distant Echo

On the Wings of Keerdaks

Unfinished Business

The Bad Batch: Specter (season 1)

Aftermath

Cut and Run

Replacements

Cornered

Rampage

Decommissioned

Battle Scars

Reunion

Bounty Lost

Common Ground

Devil’s Deal

Rescue on Ryloth

Infested

War-Mantle 

Return to Kamino

Kamino Lost

The Bad Batch: Valkyrie (season 2)

Spoils of War

Ruins of War

The Solitary Clone (part 1)

The Solitary Clone (part 2)

The Pilgrimage 

Entombed

Tribe

Truth and Consequences

The Crossing

Retrieval

Metamorphosis

The Outpost

Pabu

Tipping Point

The Summit

Plan 99

[ghostedgrim]

I need y'all's help!

I want yo create a gender neutral reader that gets thrown into the Bad Batch world. They're an astronaut from a world that recently discovered hyperspeed, and was apart of the first mission to use it. Mission goes wrong and know they find themselves in Imperial territory.

Here's where I need help: Codename

Now the codename would be one they were given prior to going on the mission. The name will be used throughout the story (diary entries, having their name announced, etc) it's my way of avoiding using y/n.

VOTE HERE

[melymigo]

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE X-CLONE THING AND WITH SCORCH?!!! WHAT DID THEY DO TO MY SUNSHINE?!!!😭😭😭💔

Crosshair, you need to tell your brothers what happened there and what they did to you. 😭🖤💔

I hope he finds the strength to tell his brothers. And I hope his family gives him the support he needs.

[calebjorgens2024]

when I fell asleep at 3:00 in the afternoon and awoke at 8:00, I dreamt that Scorch is actually a deep-cover agent for Rex. And being a trained clone commando, he hides his intentions very very well. What I can recall is that Scorch has hidden guilt about taking Omega away but he had no choice but to do his duty and that he was secretly glad she and Crosshair had escaped Weyland and Mount Tantiss. What I can recall is that, as Omega escaped; Scorch would mutter to himself “stay safe sister. Run away and never look back. It’s a dangerous galaxy out there.”

this could be the start of an idea of mine of which Scorch plays his role as a seemingly subservient clone commando very well!

[knightprincess]

Forgive Me (Echo x Medic Reader) Part 27

Words: 1.9k Warning: Angst-heavy chapter with a few little "surprises." I'm sad to say this journey is coming to an end. May the force be with you x Pronouns Used: She/Her - use of Y/N, and the reader is referred to as "Snap."

“Was that the rest of your squad?” asked Emerie, watching as the black-clad troopers took the remaining three members of Clone Force 99 away. Although she was concerned for them, it didn’t override her need to protect the children wandering the warzone the facility had become. Echo could only nod to the question; despite the dread building up further, he was at least glad they had gotten into the facility. Although now he made the mental note to rescue them after helping to get the kids to safety and finding (Y/N) at some point.

“Where are they being taken?” asked Echo, trying to remain in his role as a TK Trooper, even if all he wanted to do was tear the armor off and go after Hunter, Crosshair, and Wrecker. To go after Snap and finally be the man he’d all but promised her he’d be so long ago. Give her the life she deserves.

“I don’t know,” honestly responded Emerie, as it slowly dawned on her how little she truly knew about the goings on within the facility. Within the last few hours, she learned about the Zilo Beast, a near-indestructible creature kept in the sub-levels of the facility. From Hemlock’s concerned rants, she knew about the Dark Trooper project now, too, and only parts of what Project Necromancer truly included.

Elsewhere in the facility, Hemlock pridefully walked into the circular room, an almost wicked grin on his features at finally capturing the remaining members of the original Clone Force 99. For a few short seconds, his eyes found (Y/N), still trapped within the reconditioning device, passed out now, although she still muttered “Tech” every now and again. Almost as if she was calling for someone to rescue her from the hell she’d been put through.

“If you survive, you’ll all be great assets to the empire,” worded Hemlock, turning his attention to Hunter after taunting him about the possibility of losing another brother. In truth, he’d hoped all of them survived, including (Y/N). He’d hoped to reunite Clone Force 99 again; after all, they were a force to be reckoned with during the war, and there was no reason to think it could be any different now. (Y/N) as both their creator and commander, the unit would be unmatched.

“We’ll survive … but you won’t,” breathlessly replied Hunter, determination alight in his smokey voice. One way or another, Hemlock would pay; he would fall and be the message to the empire. After receiving the news the databanks had been destroyed, Hemlock once again turned on Hunter’s machine, almost smiling sadistically as he left the circular room to the sound of Hunter screaming out in pain, his heightened senses being overwhelmed to a torturous degree.

“Tech,” mumbled Snap, this time as if she was calling out to another, her eyes barely open as she tried to move her restrained arm, as if she was going to point at someone. The CX Trooper present seemed to take notice of her mumbled words, at least enough, where he’d chosen to turn off Hunter’s machine and end the misery the enhanced soldier was going through. “Cody,” added (Y/N), the name seemingly making the topper stop altogether, as if he recognized the name and, by extension, the Civvi medic calling it.

“That name,” spoke the black-clade trooper, standing between (Y/N) reconditioning device and Crosshair��s. “Who is … Cody?” he asked, a sense of both recognition and curiosity breaking through, confusion too.

“You,” whispered Snap, “You’re Cody.”

“No,”

“I … I did … this to you … Forgive me, Cody.”

“I’m not Cody.”

“The others … Comet, Dogma … Tech … M’sorry.”

“That’s not me, I’m CX-3. I’m a soldier of the Empire,” argued the black-clad trooper, stepping back enough to notice Omega trying to release Wrecker. To which he turned his attention to her.

“Wolffe … you need … Wolffe,” uttered (Y/N) again before passing out, not seeing the confusion paint on Wrecker’s features; he’d heard everything; the trooper was a friend, someone they knew, and Tech was one of the four they’d fought in the landing bay.

“Which one is Tech?” asked Hunter upon being released from the machine. He’d wobbled over to Snap while Wrecker released Crosshair, at least while Cody was knocked out. “Snap!” urgently called the sergeant, pulling the fragile medic from the machine. Although it soon dawned on him that she’d already spent some time going through the torturous process, her mind was scattered at best and broken at worst.

“Tech,” mumbled (Y/N), just about finding the strength to point in CX-2 direction. Crosshair seemed to understand instantly. Reality dawned on the sniper: the reasons why CX-2 knew them so well, why he ignored orders, why he targeted Crosshair in particular. CX-2 wasn’t an ordinary clone but their thought-lost brother. “Necklace … Goggles … Clone Force 99,” she added, reaching to pull at the necklace hanging from her neck.

“You two go after Omega,” spoke Wrecker, “I’ll take care of Snap. These two aren’t going anywhere,” he added, reaching to pull the civvi medic into his arms, carrying her to the window, away from the machine used as an instrument of suffering. “Who’s who Snap?” asked Wrecker, allowing her to tell him who each black-clad trooper was, if only so they could be saved.

“Wolffe …” whispered Snap, as if she hadn’t realized Wrecker was the one caring for her. “Comet.”

“Oi, Wolffe, your CX Trooper is Comet,” yelled Wrecker, alerting Wolffe to the truth before the killing shot could be delivered. The shock written across the former Commander’s face left little to the imagination regarding his thoughts. His only response was to throw his blaster away and reach to tear the helmet from his enemy. If only to confirm he truly was Comet, his brother.

“Dogma,”

“You got it, Snap,” soothed the human bulldozer. “Echo!” called Wrecker, distracting both the Arc Trooper and the CX one. “You’re fighting Dogma.”

“Fives…”

“Snap … Snap … Wake up … Come on (Y/N), wake up,” said Wrecker, gently shaking the civvi in the hopes of waking her again. His instinct to protect kicked in upon seeing the reflection of CX-2 looming closer. Wrecker doubted Snap would lie about who each trooper was, but simultaneously, the human bulldozer had trouble accepting Tech was one of them. After all, he’d seen him fall and felt helpless to stop it or save him.

“Wrecker!” called Echo after working with Wolffe and the remaining prisoners to incapacitate the two troopers in the training facility. “Where’s the others? Snap? Omega?”

“Hunter and Crosshair went after Omega, Hemlock took her,” voiced Wrecker, “I got Snap. She’s the one who said who the troopers were,” he added, not being able to speak of (Y/N)’s wellbeing. How could he say she’d been tortured, so much so that she likely didn’t know where she was, let alone recognize those around her?

“Tech,” mumbled Snap, almost like the name was repeating in her broken mind. Once again, CX-2 crept closer but still kept his distance. Almost like he recognized the name, knew it was his own, but didn’t know what to do with the information.

“Bring her to the shuttle,” Echo called, feeling the terror build up. Wolffe, too, seemed to feel it as he searched for a way to the circular room.

“Not … not without … Tech … Cody,” started Snap, struggling to find the words to speak what floated around in her head, conveying the message she wanted to get across. “Reverse … Necklace … Rex … Fives,”

“Hey!” yelped Wrecker, as he was all but pushed aside by CX-2 and Snap taken from him. Wrecker would have protested but stopped himself from doing so upon seeing the black-clad trooper seemed to understand her.

With a shaky hand (Y/N) reached out, pressing the button on the side of the CX-2 helmet, revealing his face, just in time for Crosshair and Hunter to return with Omega. She didn’t hear the sharp intakes of breaths or Omega’s squeak. Tech looked back at her with mismatched eyes, seemingly ignoring his family around them.

“M’sorry Tech … I … I can … reverse it,”

“We can,” replied Tech, taking hold of (Y/N)’s shaking hand, at least trying to comfort her. Although his mind wasn’t his own, he could tell the damage done to Snap was likely worse than she was showing now.

“Come with us,” called Hunter, trying to ignore the obvious signs the Trooper he now knew for certain was Tech displayed. He was going to run and likely take Snap with him. “We’ll help keep both girls safe, away from harm and the empire,” he pleaded. His heart couldn’t take losing Tech again, especially after just getting him back.

With a subtle nod, Tech agreed. However, he refused to allow another to carry (Y/N) and protected her instead.

“Cody…”

“I’ve got it,” called Wrecker as he all put clobbered the former Marshal Commander over the head with a piece of thick mental before throwing him over his shoulder—a satisfied smile on his lips.

“Fives … chamber … code.”

“Fives, as in Domino Fives? Echo’s twin?” asked Omega, a sense of dread again. Fives was dead. Everyone knew it. He was killed by Fox during the war after being involved in an entire conspiracy and assassination plot.

“1 … 9 … 1 … 6 … 7 … 5 …5 … 1 … 7” Snap mumbled with resolve to succeed. Despite her dire situation and crumbling mind, she was still determined not to leave anyone behind, especially a friend. “Rex … Gregor … Reverse.”

“Get Fives, then we move out,” ordered Hunter, allowing Crosshair to pull Omega closer. Hunter moved closer to Tech, noticing the hesitation shown briefly before he realized there was no threat to either. “Will she survive?” asked Hunter, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. He didn’t need to be a genius to know severe damage had been inflicted on (Y/N). Her torture and suffering extended past the reconditioned machines.

“Yes,” replied Tech, holding Snap a little closer as if she was about the only thing grounding him to reality. “But her mind …”

With a heavy sigh, Hunter nodded to say he understood. Snap would survive, but her mind would be unlikely to heal. Once she woke up again, a question would remain about how much she remembered. That likely motivated her to say the names of those around her, the troopers she had turned into elite soldiers, and why she was so determined to convey her message.

“Echo and the others are waiting,” called Wrecker, with Cody flung over one shoulder and Fives over the other. “He’s not gonna know what to do,” he added, quickly understanding Echo would be torn between his thought-lost brother, Tech, and Snap. His loyalties would be tested as he would be faced with a decision and a cruel one at that. Continue his fight against the empire or stay by Snap’s side, holding on to the slither of hope she could return to her previous self.

“Whatever he decides, we’ll take care of Snap,” pointedly replied Crosshair as the group slowly made their way toward the docking bay. Navigating the halls, some in disaray while others remained in prime condition—a reflection of the group in a way. “We’re family, after all.”

“And we don’t leave our own behind,” added Omega, not noticing how her words seemed to affect Tech. Like before, he recognized the words spoken and the person who had voiced them. Perhaps Snap was right; neither he nor the other CX-Troopers were a lost course. She had ensured they could be saved, even if she couldn’t.

Series Masterlist

[talesfrommedinastation]

Hemlock suddenly snatched Tech’s data pad away from Emerie, and held it before them. No numbers or information was displayed on the screen that she had pulled up. 

Instead, it was a picture. 

It was Tech, sitting in front of Omega, both of whom wore the navy and silver uniforms of the Transport Union, clearly at an award ceremony. Omega’s arms were around Tech, and a little girl sat on his lap. Her brown hair and eyes matched Tech’s, while her pretty smiling face was a mirror of Omega’s, and Emerie’s as well. She held a toy tooka, just like Lula, and was happily cuddled into Tech’s arms. 

Hemlock chuckled, as if he had just heard a good joke, looking at the picture.

“I most certainly would not have guessed this was possible, but variables are a core part of any scientific experiment. Who knew that clones were so paternal? ” He asked aloud to no one in particular. 

'The Discovery' Into the Techiverse

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Things are heating up on Into the Techiverse. While Tech is distracting Hemlock (and getting to Omega), Crosshair is being rescued. And the lurca hounds? Well, they're about to do something wild in the next chapter. Maybe that includes Batcher!

God bless Tech, looking through pictures of alternative versions of himself, including one where he's an officer with a wife and daughter.

OCs in here belong to @moosethren @wrenkenstein @techs-stitches and @ilikemymendarkandfictional.

[sweaters-and-vertigo]

hemlock, throwing tech’s goggles at hunter: here’s a keepsake of your dead brother :)

me, who had some hope that tech was still alive:

[clownery-and-fuckery]

Hello okay request for the injury dialogue prompts:

7 + 8 + 13

TechPhee with an injured Tech- maybe he’s just been revealed to be CX-2 and is himself again- and with a comforting Phee

I love hurt comfort sm so I swear there better be no angst…maybe just a lil bit…but don’t kill him

thank you :)

Hello hi yes I know you said NO angst..... however. I bring you this with the promise of a part 2.

with NO hurt, full comfort. I swear it.

I simply couldn't stop the direction this one took 😔 its a "gets worse before it gets better" i SWEAR

Prompts:

"No, no, stop. Stop talking like that. You're gonna be fine."

"Okay. Okay, here's what we're gonna do– fuck."

"I would believe that you're fine, but you have a goddamn knife sticking out of your leg, so."

Warnings: violence/implied abuse

Pabu, her only home, was burning. She could hear faintly, over her own harsh breathing, people screaming as they ran and fled the chaos. She felt people hitting her as they rushed past.

She could hear Omega in the crowd, yelling refusals as Wrecker held her tight, gunning it for the Marauder. She heard Hunter speaking to Crosshair, ordering him around.

"Phee!" She heard. "Phee, we have to go!"

And Phee spotted him, then, across the courtyard. Hunter was still limping, bleeding from their fight. The Imperial, the aggressor.

Oh, but how could Phee be angry? How could Phee be anything but glad as she looked across and saw the eyes that haunted her every dream?

How could she go, when Brown Eyes- when her Tech was so close?

"Phee!" Hunter shouted as she took off in a sprint, rushing across the courtyard to get to the Imperial, who's mask had shattered and cracked, revealing one dull eye for her.

"Tech!" She hadn't realised she had regained the power to speak until she was screaming, knocking through people to get to him. To hold him and to take him away. "Tech-!"

Phee watched his eyes widen, watched the fear glaze over, watched him scrambled and run away. She slowed only for a moment, confused.

He was running away from her? Why would he–? Tech didn't run. Not Tech, not her—

Hunter grabbed her arm, and tore their way back to the Marauder. They watched Pabu burn as they escaped with as many as they could gather.

Phee had swore. She had screamed, she may have even cried, she wasn't sure all she knew was she was angry.

"You told me he was dead!" She shouted. "You said there was nothing you could've done!"

"Phee–" Hunter's hands were slapped away.

"No!" She yelled. "No- no, you left him." She glared at him. "You left him there."

The trip was quite. Phee could feel the grief rolling off the ship. Or maybe its just her.

She left them on the first planet they land on. Told them not to look, not to contact, not to ask. She only felt a small stab of regret as she listened to Omega cry.

She wouldn't go back. Not until she could prove she was right.

So, she searched. She searched and looked until she found him again. Looked until she could get them a moment alone.

It wasn't perfect. He was distracted, pained and panic-struck. Rex's rebels were looking for him. His leg was bleeding.

Phee took that opportunity to grab him, to hide them. She heard his breath hitch, watched him struggle to escape her grip.

Watched how wide his eyes were when she finally figured out how to get his blasted helmet off his head, throwing it roughly to the side.

"Tech," Phee breathed. She watched him freeze. Watched his resolve crumble as his eyes grew glassy again.

"Phee." He responded in kind.

And just like that, her composure was lost, and she grappled him into a hug so tight, his ribs creaked, and she could feel them through his suit.

"The Empire starve their assassins now?" Phee joked, a wet laugh leaving her. Tech snorted, clutching her tight.

"I guess." He mumbled into her hair, sniffling.

They stayed there for an age before she finally pulled back, looking him over. "Are you hurt?" She asked.

He smiled through the pain, nodding. "I'm fine." He assured. Phee raised a brow.

"See," She rolled her eyes. "I would believe that you're fine, but you have a goddamn knife sticking out of your leg, so."

Tech blinked, looking to it. "Ah," He murmured. "That is not ideal."

"I'll say." Phee reached to help, only for him to flinch harshly, pulling back. She froze, hands outstretched as she glanced up to him.

"Don't–" He gasped suddenly. "–please." He added hastily. "I can handle it."

She slowly retreated. He nodded greatfully, breathing easier before he reached down, yanking the knife out of his leg with a short cry.

That should've hurt more, Phee thought distantly. Instead, she dropped to her knees with him, hesitating to reach out again.

"Tech?" She said. He hummed, patching himself up. "Come with me."

Tech froze, looking up to her. "Come home to me, to your brother's," She pleaded. "We miss you, we're—"

Tech shot forward, covering her mouth. "Don't." He breathed. "Don't tell me where you are. Don't tell me anything."

"Brown Eyes," She pushed his hand away. "It's–" She let out a small breath. "Whatever they did to you, we can fix it–"

"No." Tech said firmly, eyes shining. "No, you can't– you can't fix me."

Phee frowned. "They–" Tech hesitated, eyes downcast. "He-... I can't be fixed." He said shakily. "He made sure of that."

She hesitated. "Hemlock?" She asked in a whisper. Tech nodded shortly, refusing to look at her. "What did he do?"

"I–" Tech drew up, eyes alight with nothing short of fear before he looked away again. From under his blacks, Phee caught sight of a surgical scar.

She reached forward, fingers brushing against it. Tech flinched hard, throwing himself backwards with a strangled cry.

Phee jumped. "I'm sorry–!" She reached to help him up. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking–"

Only Tech wasn't listening. Covering his ears, he laid curled up on the grass, slurred strings of nonsense leaving him. Phee only caught apologies, and a term she hadn't heard since Crosshair finally told her what had happened to him.

"Good soldiers follow orders."

"Did he–" Phee asked, grasping his arms to break him out of whatever frenzy he had worked himself into. "–did he chip you?"

"Good–" Tech choked out. "–follow orders- follow orders—"

He gasped wetly in her hold, forehead pressed into her shoulder. "Ruined," He sniffed. "He ruined–"

Phee gasped sharply. "No, no, stop. Stop talking like that. You're gonna be fine." She rubbed his back gently, rocking in time with him as he burrowed into her. "He hasn't ruined you. We're going to figure this out, alright?"

Tech said nothing, only sniffling as he pressed further against her. She held him close, mumbling into his hair as she rubbed his back.

"It's alright," She whispered, pressing a kiss against his lips when he finally drew back. "We're going to figure this out. I swear it."

"Phee–" Tech choked out around a sob. She hushed him, pulling him closer.

"Just relax," She encouraged. "Just take a breath, alright? I'm not going anywhere."

Tech wasn't sure how long they sat there, curled up together. His hands fisted in her clothes, her hands delicate in their touch. It was the softest touch he had felt in months.

His being wracked with sobs at the sheer gentleness she held him with. The delicacy in her hold seemed to shattered him.

He slumped into her arms, breathing shakily as she kissed his head gently. "There we go," She whispered. "There's my Tech"

He sniffed tiredly, burrowing into her. "I've missed you so much," She murmured. "You have no idea how long I looked. Even when they told me–"

Her breath hitched, her grip tightened. "I didn't wanna believe it." She admitted. "A guy as smart as you? My Tech? It didn't seem real."

He felt her pull him closer. "I'm so glad it wasn't," She breathed. "You must've been through so much in those labs."

Again, tears pricked at Tech's eyes. He was so tired.

"I know," Phee seemed to respond, running her hand through his hair. "You must be exhausted. You look it."

He was. He was tired and sore and scared. He wanted to go home.

Fresh pain blossomed in him when he remembered it was him that took their home away—

"Shh," Phee was there, grounding him with small circles in his shoulder blades. "Shh, love, I'm here. I've got you."

The comm on his wrist began to beep, and Tech clutched her tighter, a short sound of fear escaping. "Phee," He whispered, terrified.

"What is it, love?" She asked, brows furrowed.

"It's–" An Imperial ship moved overhead. That seemed to answer her question.

She looked to him, eyes wide. "We have to go–" She said in a rush, getting up and pulling him with her. "Come on, we can get you some sort of disguise—"

Tech's heart broke. "Phee—"

"We can find a ship,"

"Phee–"

"We'll contact your brother's, or that Rex guy– or- or—"

"Phee."

She turned to him, eyes shining. He stared back, dark circles under his eyes. He looked as shattered as Phee felt as he took her hand in his.

"I can't go," He whispered what they both knew. "I can't leave."

"Yes you can." She said firmly, jaw set. "We can– or—"

"Phee."

"I'm not ready to lose you again!" She shouted, finally. She felt her chest tighten as Tech flinched, spine straightening.

"I–" She slumped in defeat. "I'm sorry, I didn't meant to yell."

"I know," Tech squeezed her hand. "It's okay."

They both winced at the sound of a ramp lowering. Phee looked to Tech, lost. She hated that he stared back, just as stuck as she was.

There was no way out of this. Tech seemed to tense with the voice that called from the ramp.

Phee recognised the voice only from the small audio recording Echo had recovered from Tech's goggles.

Hemlock.

Tech's breath quickened. "I can't go back–" He admitted suddenly. "Phee-"

"I know." She whispered back, hiding them in the fauna. She tried her best to think, think- find a way out. Find a way to safety.

"Okay. Okay, here's what we're gonna do– fuck." She swore, drawing a blank. There wasn't a way out of this. Tech could be tracked. Tech said they couldn't tell him anything. She didnt know what that meant yet.

From above her, stray tears dropped onto her. "Phee," He clasped her, drawing her up for one desperate, searing kiss. She returned in full, rubbing the tears from his face as she did.

"I'm so sorry." He murmured against her, head bent in shame.

"Don't be," She assured mindlessly. "I'm coming back for you. You're coming home."

He smiled, thoroughly disbelieving her.

Then, he let her go. Phee watched, hidden, as Tech picked up his helmet. Watched it click into place as Tech disappeared under it, becoming someone else.

Phee watched him finally join Hemlock at the ramp. Watched him approach Tech, take his face in his hand and examine him.

Phee felt disgust curl up her spine as he removed his helmet easily, taking his face closer, just how Phee had moments ago.

She nearly shouted in rage when Hemlock's hand streaked across Tech's face, slapping him solidly.

And Phee watched.

Watched the last remains of her home disappear into an Imperial cruiser. Watched Tech walk back into something neither of them were sure he'd walk away from.

Stray tears fell from her eyes as she was stuck on the ground, watching.

[heyclickadee]

Okay, but it’d be really funny if Tech actually was in the season three teaser they showed at Celebration, but he was just in the Clone X armor—not because he’s been clone x’d (listen, I’ll take if it it means he’s alive and recoverable, but it is my least favorite of the Tech lives theories), but because after he fell and snuck off Eriadu he snuck into Rex’s base and stole the armor they got off of the OG Clone X so he could sneak around. And by ‘funny’ I mean that I will need to wander into the woods and yell at the trees for an hour if it turns out to be the case.

Edit: Okay, I googled “clone x” to see if I could find a screenshot of Clone X from the teaser and check his posture, but this is the first thing that came up:

I’m dying now.

[ashes-2-ashes57cba]

The Bad Batch: Valkyrie

Episode 10: Metamorphosis

*osi'kyr: "shit", Mando'a

He walked carefully—methodically—down the dim hallway; commando guards lined the wall, surrounding the only active cell. He stepped up to it, looking down on the Kaminoan holed up inside.

“It’s been a long time, Mistress Se,” he said. Part of him reminisced about the times they shared working together.

“Indeed, Doctor Hemlock. Not since the project,” Nala Se mused, tilting her head. He ignored the remark.

“How it pains me to see you like this,” Hemlock said instead. “Why does someone so talented prefer to rot in a cell instead of using their gifts to better the galaxy?”

“I am not especially motivated to continue my work after the Empire destroyed my civilization,” said Nala Se, narrowing her eyes at the man.

“What was done on Kamino was unfortunate,” he said without remorse, “but know that your research remains intact. It’ll now serve a higher purpose. The Emperor’s purpose. Don’t you wish to be a part of such a scientific achievement again? After our previous failure?”

“I know what Emperor Palpatine seeks to accomplish, and he will not have my cooperation,” Nala Se vowed. Hemlock quietly seethed.

“Perhaps you require the right incentive. Know that I’ll be taking over operations here on Tantiss, and I can do far worse than confine you to a cell,” he threatened. “I’ll let you think on that.”

“Doctor,” one of his assistants, Emerie Karr, approached. Hemlock stepped aside with her. “We lost communication with transport 904,” she carefully reported. The doctor slowly sighed, considering their options.

“Have the recovery teams begin a search. We need that asset contained,” he ordered. “And, Emerie, were there any other Kaminoans taken off-world prior to the destruction of Tipoca City?”

“Their prime minister. He remains in Imperial custody on Coruscant,” she answered.

“Have him brought here. I wish to speak to him personally.”

“Of course,” Emerie nodded. “Anything else, sir?” Hemlock thought carefully. Nala Se had reminded him of their previous failure… he theorized for a good reason.

“Pull up everything we have left on Project Valkyrie brought directly to my office.”

“Not sure what’s got you all twisted up in knots.”

“Try being hot and hungry for almost a day, then being almost killed by an egomaniac in an ipsium mine!” Specter snapped at the hologram of Cid.

“We were stranded on that planet, Cid. We needed you, and you left us,” added Omega, calmer than Specter but just as angry.

“You’re fine now, aren’t you? And you got your ship back!” said Cid. Specter scoffed and pinched the bridge of her nose, Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah, with no help from you,” grumbled Wrecker.

“Do you wanna mope or make more money? Because I got a tip on a downed ship, which means cargo ripe for the taking. I’ll even give you 30% of the cut,” Cid offered.

“That is our standard percentage,” Tech reminded.

“Alright. This one time, let’s say 35%.” Specter raised a brow, still not enticed. “Okay, 40!” Still no response. “Fine, 50% as a token of my goodwill, that you seem to have forgotten! I’m sending you the intel now. Don’t come back unless you scavenge something valuable,” Cid threatened.

“What makes you think we’d come back at all?” Hunter questioned, crossing his arms. Specter glanced at him.

“Don’t test me, Bandana. Just get it done,” Cid narrowed her eyes before signing off. Specter sighed, moving to sit in the chair behind Tech.

“Severing ties with Cid could be problematic, considering what she knows about us. Perhaps we choose a diplomatic solution and complete this one last mission for her,” Tech suggested, handing the data pad to Hunter.

“Cid only sent coordinates. No ship transponder code or indication of what caused it to crash,” he said.

“Limited intel. Heh, there’s a surprise,” said Wrecker, taking a bit of his rations.

“How hard could scavenging cargo be?” Omega wondered. Specter said nothing, considering every possibility; Hunter noticed her apprehension.

“Let’s set a course. Spec?” he stood up and instructed before looking at Specter and nodding towards the hold. She wordlessly followed him, still mulling things over. “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

“I’m just worried,” she said. “Not only about the job, but about Cid. I don’t know if she’ll let us go after this.” Hunter hummed, allowing her to continue. “Why don’t we just leave now? She doesn’t know where we are so she can’t send people after us; we could find some quiet land and settle down and put all of this behind us,” she said, growing increasingly panicked. Hunter pulled her close and embraced her, calming her down.

“I thought about it too, starlight. But we have to do this right; after this I promise you, we will stop working for Cid, alright?” he said, pulling away a little. She took a breath and nodded, meeting his eyes. He smiled, tucking a strand of hair out of her face. “We’ll be okay.”

“I know,” she whispered, before leaning up to quickly kiss him. “I trust you.”

The Marauder dropped out of hyperspace, Hunter piloted their approach toward the coordinates while the others prepared themselves in the hold. Specter checked the blade on her axe.

“Any chips on that yet?” asked Wrecker.

“Actually, no. Whatever this material is, it’s strong and forged well,” she said, flicking the metal and letting it resonate.

“Hey, there’s a village here,” Omega observed from the tail gun.

“That would explain how the wreckage was reported so quickly,” Tech said from the console, analyzing the landscape data. “The crashed vessel appears mostly intact. The cargo aboard should be in fair enough condition to transport.”

“We’re coming up to the site,” Hunter announced from the cockpit. Tech got up to land the ship while the others got ready and donned their helmets, exiting into the night with only their flashlights to light the way. Hunter nodded the group forward, leading them to the downed ship. Specter ran her hand along the hull.

“What kind of ship is this?” asked Wrecker.

“Don’t know. No hull markings,” Hunter answered.

“Based on the severity of the impact and the lack of communication signals, the crew aboard most likely perished,” Tech theorized.

“We don’t know for sure. They could be trapped inside! Come on,” Omega insisted, leading them inside. Specter went to follow, but hesitated in the doorway, gazing into the darkness inside, and turning to face the dark woods behind her.

“What is it?” Hunter asked.

“You don’t feel that?”

“Feel what?” Hunter shrugged. Specter looked around again but decided to shake it off, quietly following behind the sergeant.

Darkness seemed to engulf the inside of the ship; Hunter cautiously led the team while Specter guarded the rear.

She couldn’t explain it, but she felt something in the air. Like a bolt of lighting struck the halls and left the area electrified. Specter deemed it a Valkyrie sense.

“Where is everyone?” Omega whispered as they continued down a hallway. There were no signs of bodies or violence. She flinched at the sound of a metallic clang and electric sizzle: Wrecker tripped over something.

“Check it out! High-volt electrostaff,” he picked up the weapon and ogled at it.

“Hey, you take that, and then me with my axe; we’ll be unstoppable,” Specter mused before catching sight of the something on the wall.

“Something… unfortunate happened here,” said Tech as he shone his light. There were deep scratches and claw marks on the wall. Omega didn’t catch it, but Specter noticed a bloodied handprint.

“Whatever did this wasn’t human,” said Hunter. Specter shivered as she traced the claw marks.

“I will get the power restored and check data logs on the bridge,” Tech set out the other way.

“By yourself?” Omega asked after him.

“At least let me come with you,” Specter added.

“Your concern is not warranted. I will be fine,” Tech headed off to the bridge. They watched him disappear around the corner before Hunter broke the silence.

“Spec, you wanna get on that?”

“On it.”

Through the darkness, he found his way to the room; it was a mess, panels and wires were undone and control stations were toppled over. He found a terminal and plugged his datapad in, getting to work.

He dropped it and reached for his pistol, aiming at the entryway, only to find-

“Specter. I told you I would be fine.”

“You did. I didn’t listen,” she teased. He sighed, nodding his head for her to join him. “Perhaps I could-” she stopped, they both pointed their blasters at the doorway upon hearing the sound of shifting metal. Nothing. They slowly lowered their weapons, still cautious of whatever lurked in the shadows. “See? You need me to watch your back.”

“...You do have a better eye for detail than I do,” Tech slowly admitted, returning to his work. “This shouldn’t take long.”

“Oh, don’t say that,” Specter grumbled.

“Why? Feeling superstitious? That is unlike you,” he commented. She shrugged.

“I don’t know. Maybe I am, but this place…” she glanced around the room, “there’s something about it. There’s something here that just isn’t right, I can feel it.”

“‘Feel’? Like Hunter’s senses?”

“Like Valkyrie senses,” she corrected. Tech only hummed in response.

“Tech, Specter, find anything on the bridge?” Hunter came in over the comm.

“Not yet. Still rerouting the reserve power,” Tech reported, signaling Specter to be ready at an upright console. “Stand by. The grid should be restored momentarily.” She fiddled with the controls, managing to get the system to recognize that it needed to restart and power up.

“Got it. Just needs to cycle through,” she confirmed with a thumbs up.

Shifting metal down the hall caught their attention. The pair shared a glance before moving to investigate. Looking down the hall, they found nothing in the darkness, until a panel came loose and a mangled droid fell out of the alcove.

“Danger. Danger,” it repeated. Specter knelt down to cradle its head and hold it upright.

“What happened? What attacked this ship?” Tech questioned. The droid only repeated its phrase before its power cells gave out. Specter laid it on the ground and stood up.

“I really don’t like this,” she whispered.

“Perhaps we should regroup with the others,” Tech suggested. “Although I do have a theory…”

They both perked up at the sound of rumbling metal. Something was awake and on the move. Adrenaline started pumping through Specter’s veins, preparing her for whatever came next.

“Theorize on the way. Let’s go,” Specter nodded toward the exit. Tech followed, starting to do a scan on his data pad. “I recognize some of this design. I think this is a Kaminoan vessel; but maybe from a different sect.”

“I agree. But I cannot fathom how it could possibly have gotten into this situation,” he replied. They paused as the hum of the ship’s power grid filled the air.

“But I think we can both agree on its purpose…” Tech silently agreed with her. He knew she was smart, he even theorized that one of her genetically modified traits included accelerated learning; having taught her himself, Tech trusted her the most with the Marauder’s maintenance, along with other skills. “Hey, you alright, Tech?”

“Of course. I am just thinking.”

“Tech, Specter, we’ve got a problem. Get off the ship. Now!” Hunter suddenly ordered on the comm.

“I suspect this is some type of research vessel,” Tech reported, picking up the pace and lightly jogging in tandem with Specter, tracking a heat and energy signature on his data pad.

“A Kaminoan one,” she added, glancing at the data.

“We know! And whatever they were researching just got loose,” said Hunter, “and it’s headed your way.”

The pair ran down the corridors, jumping over debris until the sound of crackling energy grew louder and louder. They heard a monstrous shriek as they turned a corner, finding a creature absorbing electricity from a power cell like a full meal.

“Fascinating,” Tech breathed in awe.

“Yeah, what a fascinating way to die,” Specter hissed, gripping Tech’s arm and guiding him a few steps back from the creature. She blinked and she swore in that second it grew bigger.

Something disturbed it from the other side of the hall; Specter caught a glimpse of Wrecker, Hunter, and Omega with her energy bow. They fired at the beast, attempting to neutralize it, but merely gained its attention. With its back to them, Tech found a way they could all escape.

“Take cover!” he shouted. In a split second he grabbed Specter’s arm and pulled her upwind of him before firing a single shot at the power cell. It exploded in a burst of light and flame, punching a hole through the ship. Specter waved away smoke as the creature scampered away; the Batch regrouped and caught a glimpse of it heading into the woods. “The creature appears to be headed in the direction of the village,” said Tech, tracking its path through his visor.

“We’re the ones who let it out. We have to neutralize it before it hurts anyone,” said Hunter.

“How? Our blasters are useless on it,” questioned Wrecker.

“My axe won’t do much at this point,” added Specter.

“Given the fact that the crew was most likely eaten by the creature, I doubt it is currently hungry,” theorized Tech. Omega flinched.

“It ate the crew?” she gasped, clutching her bow and backing up into Wrecker.

“How is that helping, Tech?” he scolded, putting a hand on the girl’s shoulder. Specter jutted her elbow into Tech’s side, shaking her head at his brazen and graphic description.

“It ate the crew…” Omega whispered again.

“Access the lab files and find out what species we’re dealing with and how to stop it,” Hunter instructed.

“I can help,” Omega stepped forward, “I know my way around Kaminoan tech.”

“Go. Wrecker, Specter, with me.” The team split up; Tech and Omega headed back inside the crashed ship while the others made their way to the Marauder. Specter tossed aside her helmet and hopped in the pilot’s seat, Hunter sat next to her while Wrecker went to man the tail gun; they took off in search of the creature, using their searchlight to light up the dark woods.

“See anything?” Wrecker shouted from the back. Specter stood up in her seat a little as Hunter checked the thermal scopes.

“Zero, two five,” he reported. Specter adjusted her course, bringing them just ahead of the creature’s trajectory so Wrecker could fire at it. She heard blaster shots, followed by a thud.

“What is he doing back there?” she questioned.

“Did you get it?” Hunter asked.

“No,” Wrecker groaned.

“And we just lost it on our scopes,” Specter hissed.

“It should still be heading to the village. Let’s see if we can catch up with it,” Hunter suggested. Specter flew onward, trying to comb through her memory. “What is it?”

“It just feels familiar…” she muttered. “I remember reading reports about it and just thinking how it could have ended up so much worse.” Hunter only hummed in response; he was already regretting taking this mission and dreading the aftermath.

“Hunter,” Tech came in over the comm, “the creature is the same species that attacked Coruscant during the war.”

“Ha! I knew it!” Specter cheered as they flew closer to the edge of the village.

“You must not let it get near the power grid, or it will increase exponentially in size,” Tech finished.

“Too late,” said Hunter.

“Osi’kyr,” Specter exhaled at the sight. The beast was huge, climbing up the spire of the power grid with bolts of electricity crackling around its body; it roared and bent over to swing its spiked tail.

“Specter. Specter! Turn!” Hunter frantically cried. Specter snapped out of it and turned the steering yoke hard. The spiked tail barely brushed against their hull.

“That was close,” she sighed. “I’ll circle around for another pass. Wrecker, get ready to lay heavy fire!”

“On it!” They watched the creature roar again, facing them with narrowed yellow eyes. Specter made her approach, Wrecker blasted it but it made no difference.

“Stop it before it gets any larger!’ Hunter urged.

“Too late, it absorbed all the power from the grid, look,” said Specter, pointing up at the village where all the lights sparked before going dark.

“We’ve got ships on our tail,” Hunter announced, tracking them in their scopes. Specter pulled up, just barely avoiding the blasterfire that followed.

“Where’d they come from?” Wrecker questioned.

“Imperial cruisers,” said Hunter, pointing up through the viewport where three gray triangles floated above the atmosphere.

“Hold on,” Specter warned, powering the thrusters and launching them faster through the clouds to avoid the ships.

“Tech, Omega, you’ve got Imperials inbound. Get out of there!” Hunter warned over the comms. Specter maneuvered the ship by the site, dodging the Imperial’s attacks.

“They’re not killing it. They’re taking it!” she heard Wrecker exclaim. And indeed, another transport vessel flew into view, pinpointing electrical rays on the beast until it went down. A claw from the belly of the ship emerged and brought it inside.

“Let’s not be next,” said Specter, brushing it off and flying the ship upward in a steep climb. “Hang on to something, boys,” she warned. Just before breaking through the atmosphere, Specter cut the thrusters, using what momentum they had to angle the ship nose down. As the attacking ships grew closer and zero-gravity began to give way, she activated the thrusters and punched it, zooming past the ships before they could even turn to follow. Diving toward the ground, she pulled up just before hitting the treeline, leveling out. Wrecker groaned from the rear gun; Hunter relaxed in his seat.

“Hunter, we are clear of the vessel and heading to the landing zone,” reported Tech.

“Copy that,” Hunter relayed. Specter adjusted their path and headed toward their coordinates, just as the Imperial fighters caught up to them and fired; Wrecker laid cover fire, finally destroying the three ships as they approached the landing zone. Specter lowered the ramp, only allowing enough time for Tech and Omega to jump on before speeding off and entering hyperspace.

“The crashed vessel was part of an Imperial cloning operation,” said Tech.

“The Empire cloned the Zillo Beast?” Hunter questioned, leaning up against Tech’s chair at the inner console.

“Yes and no. The directive came straight from the Supreme Chancellor before he became Emperor,” he explained.

“What’s he want with it?” asked Wrecker.

“The creature’s genetic material has the potential to be weaponized in the hands of the right scientist.” Specter shivered at the thought, not just at the idea of the Zillo Beast becoming even more dangerous, but if the Valkyries had come into full fruition. Perhaps their—her—DNA alone wasn’t the most deadly, but her creator intended for them to be weapons; she couldn’t bear to think of the terrible deeds they would have been ordered to do, or the experiments conducted on them.

“Where were they taking the creature?” Hunter asked.

“Unknown. The ship did not have a destination logged.” Tech paused, finding his words and adjusting his goggles. “Hunter, there is far more to this than we realized. From what I have gathered, I suspect the Empire did not destroy the cities on Kamino to end cloning. They merely wanted to control it.”

“That makes sense. Especially if the Emperor has a history with the Zillo Beast, there’s no doubt he’d want to experiment on it more. They’ve already got the infrastructure,” Specter added. Hunter stepped away, considering the information and what they’d seen.

“Send the data to Echo and Rex,” he instructed. “See what they can find out.”

Royce Hemlock strolled down the hall, becoming more and more acquainted with his new facility. He had great confidence that he would be successful with his upcoming projects, but he was still determined to acquire Nala Se’s expertise.

“Doctor,” Emerie called from an adjoining hall. “The creature has been recovered and is now safely secured below,” she reported.

“Good. And our other guest?” he inquired.

“The shuttle is arriving now.” Hemlock nodded and went to step away before Emerie stopped him. “There’s something else too. About Project Valkyrie.”

“Can it wait until I reach my office?” he asked, wanting to move on with his task.

“See for yourself, sir,” she handed him her data pad. He took it, eyes wide at the images pulled up.

She was real.

He scrolled through the gallery of images, spanning all the way from her training days on Kamino, to her most recent sighting on Serenno. Hemlock stared, he could feel a simmering excitement course through his veins, only to quench the rush by handing the data pad back to Emerie and massaging his gloved hand.

“So the Valkyrie lives...”