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rainintheevening · 1 year ago

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How Qui-Gon saves Anakin (and the Galaxy): Part 2

Putting this in a new post. Deleted the other one. With @novelmonger's help (thanks, love), I hashed out the events of both AotC and RotS in my Qui-Gon is Obi-Wan’s Father AU. This is also a Qui-Gon Lives AU. Since I'm telling this story. Just realized I'm taking a page out of @authortobenamedlater's book, in spewing dozens of details about some AU I will never fully write out. :D You can find the other parts by searching for the #qui-gon is obi-wan's father au tag under this. (Don't know how to make that a link, sorry.)

-OKAY, QUI-GON IS ALIVE, but medically retired from any active duty. Maybe he's even technically resigned from the Order so he has more freedom of movement?

-Equally important is OBI-WAN IS ANAKIN’S MASTER. He is still absolutely ESSENTIAL to Anakin’s life, and him making it out of the war without falling to the Dark Side. Obi-Wan just gets some help here.

-Having Qui-Gon to talk to and hang out with and dream up madcap schemes with makes it a lot harder for Palpatine to get at Anakin for several years. Anakin sees how much better he makes Qui-Gon feel, and he likes that sense of being important.

-When Palpatine does start getting Anakin’s ear, when he's a teen, he finds it much harder to undermine both Qui-Gon influence and Obi-Wan's teachings.

-This leads to a period when Palps tries several times to arrange Qui-Gon's accidental death, and fails in a beautifully comical fashion each time. Probably also tries to arrange Obi-Wan’s death? And also fails.

-As things ramp up with the Separatists, Anakin and Obi-Wan get sent away more and more often, which makes Palpatine happy. But his grip on Anakin is far looser than he'd like it to be, and he knows he'll need back up plans for if he can't turn him.

-I think Anakin comes into AotC steadier this way. Like he's still messy, still frustrated with a lot of things, still restless and totally acting like a 20-year-old, but he's just... got better balast in his boat.

-Anyway I'm going with the story from the EU, of Qui-Gon sending Shmi a valuable gift for her to buy her freedom, except now he survives so he can tell Anakin about that.

-I feel like Anakin would be more likely to talk to Qui-Gon than Obi-Wan about his dreams of his mother, especially because Qui-Gon actually knew Shmi. Maybe Qui-Gon would talk more about Shmi, say things like, "She'd be proud of you" or, "What would your mother think?"

-So Anakin does admit to Qui-Gon he's been having what he thinks are visions. Obi-Wan and Anakin have their mission protecting Padmè. But Qui-Gon might just say, "Okay, I'll go to Tatooine and check on Shmi." Of course everyone protests, that that's probably not a good idea, seeing as he's never been back in the field since his injury, and lately his health's been declining. This is where it would be especially handy to not be a member of the Order anymore, so he can just shrug, tweak Obi-Wan’s nose in that horribly embarrassing way of a dad, hug the immensely anxious Anakin, and say he'll comm as soon as he knows anything.

-Also, I like to imagine Padmé offering Qui-Gon an invitation to visit Naboo again. Maybe Qui-Gon says he'll come by to visit when he's done checking on Shmi. He doesn't exactly say it, but he's definitely thinking he should visit while he can, because he can feel he doesn't have more than a couple years left.

-Qui-Gon goes to Tatooine. He finds out Shmi's been kidnapped, and with Owen's help goes to find her. Dunno whether Qui-Gon attempts to bargain, or goes in for sneaking? He's not really in the best shape for much sneaking, so it would probably be an attempt at bargaining. Maybe gets some advice from whatever local taught Din how to talk with them?!

-They rescue Shmi, but she’s still in terrible shape. Qui-Gon comms Anakin as soon as they get her back to the farm. There's no good medical help on Tatooine, so Padmé who's listening in immediately tells him to bring her to Naboo. Qui-Gon doesn't have room on his ship for such a thing, if he even brought a starship of his own, he probably would have flown public transport, and he doesn't think he can get Shmi there in time with a hired freighter. So Padmé says, "Then we'll come to you." Anakin doesn't even think to protest. He and Padmé are thinking with one mind now.

-They get to Tatooine, but Shmi is too far gone. She sees Anakin, and Padmé, gets a chance to speak to her son, before she dies. Qui-Gon is right there to catch Anakin as he falls into grief (and anger).

-Qui-Gon traipses along with Padmé and Anakin to Geonosis. He's pretty worn out by now. Of course he recommends Anakin follow orders and stay on Tatooine. Of course that makes Anakin grumpier, and Padmé sticks her chin out and says, "We're going." Qui-Gon shrugs, boards the ship. It is admittedly hard for him to sit by when Obi-Wan's in danger, but by now he's gotten really good at thinking of helpful things to do with his brain and his hands, and maybe he finds the command centre after battle is joined? And helps out there? Qui-Gon limps into the command centre, where a rather flustered young Jedi, and a very patient clone commander are trying to coordinate things. To the Jedi: "Do you have a lightsaber and two good legs? Yes? Then get out there."

-Qui-Gon would be very saddened and disappointed to find out Dooku is behind the Separatists. Not to mention that his old master was totally fine with overseeing Obi-Wan and Anakin and Padmé's deaths.

-When Anakin takes Padmé back to Naboo Qui-Gon takes up Padmé's earlier invitation to come visit, and probably on the flight there he coaxes Anakin into a conversation about Padmé and what he's going to do about his feelings for her. Because Qui-Gon has eyes in his head. He's also been in love before. Yes, that was 35 years ago, but it's not the kind of thing you easily forget. Also, no offense to Obi-Wan, but Qui-Gon's not gonna beat around the bush. He's gonna dive straight in: "You've got strong feelings for Padmè. Pretty sure she feels the same about you. What are you going to do about it?"

-The outcome is that Anakin takes that huge step and leaves the Jedi to marry Padmé. But he's still going to fight, and ptetty much as a Jedi. Because he's needed, the Senate (aka Palpatine) doesn't care whether he's technically a Jedi or not, it's how powerful is he, how well can he fight? He will still totally be accepted into the GAR.

-Totally gonna write a scene of Anakin talking to Obi-Wan about his decision, and the actual resignation. Mmmm, heck yes.

-Padmé and Anakin have a proper wedding, with family and friends and all. It's all wonderful. Qui-Gon gets coaxed into making a speech. Ah, totally want to write a scene for this too.

-This would totally be a happy ending, except we've got the war to deal with.

-Anakin gets assigned to 501st under Obi-Wan’s command in the 3rd Systems Army. He and Obi-Wan work together as well as they ever did. (So much better without any terrible or awkward secrets hanging between them.)

-Maybe Qui-Gon manages to meet with Dooku, tries to talk to him. Dooku seems affected in the moment, but it doesn't make any real difference.

-And Qui-Gon is dying. He can tell his body’s giving out. The hard work of the wonderful surgeons on Naboo is hitting its expiration date. He's got to make sure his boys are prepared for his death, especially Anakin.

(Aaaand I'm continuing this in an RotS post aka part 3!)

#qui-gon is obi-wan's father au #headcanons #qui gon jinn #obi wan kenobi #anakin skywalker #attack of the clones au #star wars #promises of fools au

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team-jedi · 2 years ago

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padme and Palpatine are from the same planet so that’s she’s out

Anakin is out for obvious reasons

Any and all Clones are out so they are not demonized by the republic, the people were already leery of them and from what I hear of the BB the people want to essentially kill them. If they kill a beloved senator the clones would be screwed over and the Jedi wouldn’t be able to save them.

Satine would immediately want to tell Obi-Wan about the Sith Lord and not being able to tell him would not happen, she’d do something to tell him I feel (or I hope) and/or would join the separatists movement

Ashoka is out because of her relationship to Padme and Anakin and she is reckless

R2D2 is too loyal to Anakin

Obi-Wan could kill Palpatine like he wouldn’t hesitate type of way but I don’t think he would be able to straight up kill him power wise.

I choose Yoda because power wise he has that ability and I think he could do it, if he had the element of surprise

But on second thought, Dooku should and could do it. I feel like if Dooku really knew what Palpatine had planned he would not have sided with him. Also he’d have the element of surprise and it’d be poetic and *in Palpatines creepy voice* ironic for him to killed by an apprentice like he killed his master

I know you said tags but that’s too much for the tags

Please explain your reasoning in the tags and may the Force be with you.

#master yoda

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lowquat · 2 years ago

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i’m wondering if the show will ever address the fact that andor was basically taken from his people without his consent by a white woman?? like how does he really feel about maarva?

#i know she essentially saved him from the separatists #so it's complicated #but that also feels purposeful #andor #andor spoilers

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smhalltheurlsaretaken · 4 years ago

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"The prequels Jedi were corrupt," is something I've just stumbled upon, again.

How are they though? How? I want an example, a single example of corruption.

Do they take bribes? No they don't, not that we ever see. What would they even do with bribes? They don't pursue material wealth.

Do they influence politicians to gain power? Lol, Riyo Chuchi almost bosses Obi-Wan Kenobi, member of the High Council, around and only backs down because he makes a reasoned argument she agrees with. Padmé Amidala is literally the only politician we see getting influenced by a Jedi to a Jedi's benefit (*cough* Anakin diverting her from her duties *cough*). The Council systematically gets shut down when they try to get something from the Senate (like when they try to get Palpatine not to bring the Zillo beast to Coruscant - Obi-Wan and Padmé *do* ask Anakin to speak to Palpatine, and it does precisely nothing.)

Do they accept a corrupt leadership? In a sense but they don't benefit from it (since most of the Senate doesn't trust them, drafted them into a war they never wanted to be part of, and essentially forces them to send their teenagers into battle because they are stretched so thin) which makes all the difference. They don't enable the corrupt system because it profits them, they support it because the alternatives they have are worse (the Separatists during TCW, who are backed by mega corporations like the Commerce Guild, Techno Union and Trade Federation, and who enslave the Twi'Lek, the Mon Calamari and the Togruta onscreen, just for starters, and use weapons of mass destruction like the Malevolence or that defoliator thing they almost test on the Lurmen when Republic weapons are specifically made not to target organic beings - see the Zillo beast arc) and because the Senate has the authority to order the Jedi to kick people out (Ahsoka) or to drop investigations (Maul in s4, Kamino in s6), and can declare them all traitors. The Jedi don't have the means to go against the whole Republic, and frankly making sure politicians aren't corrupt should primarily be the job of the billions of citizens, not theirs (the 10000~ space monks who have kids to raise and Sith Lords to deal with and would very much like to spend their days meditating and being nerds ("I was going to study that!") and helping people.)

Do they lie to their subordinates to get more power? The Council doesn't lie about its beliefs, and its members actively practice what they preach (letting go of things, staying in control of yourself, protecting the helpless...) so no manipulation there, and while they do lie or cover up things from time to time it's never to achieve power or to benefit themselves directly. The Rako Hardeen act? They lie to save the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, who, as far they know at this point, is their legitimate Commander-in-Chief. OpSec isn't corruption. They cover up the discovery that Dooku made the Clone Army to protect the Clones themselves (as stated by Yoda) and because the public would freak out and then they'd have a civil war on top of a galactic war to deal with. It doesn't benefit them, exactly, because they explicitly say they're not happy about the decision but don't see another way out. ("The right path, no. The only path.") Oh, and Obi-Wan literally tells Rex, Ahsoka and Bo-Katan about Sidious, because the Jedi aren't secretive as a rule. They share intel easily if it'll help people.

Do they seek power in any way? Ffs, when they go against Palpatine – the Sith Lord who orchestrated an entire and forced hundreds of them to for in it, along with hundreds of thousands of Clones and millions of civilians – Mace tried to arrest him twice in the name of the Senate. "In the name of the Galactic Senate, you're under arrest" and after Palpatine kills three Council members "you're under arrest, my Lord." He only tries to kill him without a trial after Sheev blasts him full of lightning for like two freaking minutes. Talk about a coup. (By the way, arresting the Commander-in-Chief of your armies when you have proof of his own corruption, when he has given himself control over the banks (Clovis arc), gotten more emergency powers (RotS), holds power over the courts (Wrong Jedi arc) and has stayed in office for longer than his term? That's not corruption, that's actively fighting fascism.)

You could argue that Obi-Wan sending troops to Mandalore is a misuse of power, but there's a Sith Lord there who could potentially tell them the identity of Sidious and this help end the war. Also, it doesn't benefit him directly since it puts Ahsoka in danger, it divides his fleet and it could get him in trouble since he didn't make the operation a secret in any way. The one time Obi-Wan does go to Mandalore for his own benefit, he does it without backup and without even using Republic property since he borrows Anakin's ship.

So maybe the Jedi are corrupt because they distort their old ideals and preach a false image of the Force? They are corrupt in the sense that they are stagnant and the Dark Side corrupted them? But... Yoda is the Order's greatest critic (see AotC) which points to self-awareness, as he's one of their most important leader, the "fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate to suffering" credo is literally how Lucas describes the Force working (see @gffa 's collection of quotes) so they are narratively correct on most of their doctrines (same goes for attachment as Lucas defines it, in opposition to love), and Yoda and Obi-Wan the quintessential Jedi are deemed worthy of immortality by non-Jedi entities. The Jedi constantly talk about how hard war is because it's against who they are at their very core ("we are keepers of the peace, not soldiers," "we are peace keepers," "unfortunately war tends to distort our point of view; if we sacrifice our ideals, even for victory, we may lose that which is most important, our honor," etc) and every decision they take is motivated by the need to protect civilians and the Order. They don't join the war, they get drafted. Hear that, Rebels!Yoda? This is why I base my understanding of Star Wars on the movies and TCW alone, aka Lucas' canon. I swear, idk wrote that part about "the Jedi joining the conflict swiftly in their arrogance" but that's not what happens in the movies. They literally go save a high profile politician and two of their own from unlawful execution and try to arrest Dooku for being a terrorist (he hired people to kill a political opponent) and a threat to the safety of the Republic (he's literally manufacturing entire armies and talking about going to war), and 200 of them get slaughtered for it, and then they get drafted as Generals despite having no military expertise and they can't say no because again, the Senate can (and would) label them as traitors, and if they don't fight the Clones have people like Tarkin leading them. (You know, just the guy who later commits genocide on a whole planet.)

Seriously, I want one, just one concrete example of the PT Order/Council being corrupt, because it's such a common accusation that surely it must be grounded in canon somehow. Right? Right?

#oh no wait it's not #because the jedi being corrupt is literally propaganda created by Palpatine #ffs I've seen sw creators say that and dudes no #in defense of the jedi #jedi positivity #jedi order #jedi council #meta #my meta #more like me ranting #sw talk

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bestworstcase · 3 years ago

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on ‘villainy’ and varian’s and cassandra’s moral codes

for all that varian’s and cassandra’s villain arcs get compared to death they’re really more different than they are similar, and i think one of the more interesting distinctions is the characters’ moral perspectives on their own actions--namely that varian recognizes his own choices as villainous and consciously self-identifies as a ‘bad guy’ and cassandra not only…doesn’t do that but appears legitimately taken aback when varian says she’s ‘become the villain.’ from this we can infer that varian is transgressing his own personal sense of right and wrong while cassandra isn’t.

and… well with varian i think it’s pretty straightforward: he’s a kid who desperately wants to make the world a better place and make his father proud, but his impulsivity and recklessness and general disregard for lab safety foil his plans and get him into trouble. then one of his accidents puts his dad into what is essentially a magical coma and varian becomes singularly focused on reviving him--and, when he realizes that the king is more invested in covering up the problem than fixing it and his only hope lies with a zealously guarded relic belonging to the kingdom, he decides that the only way to achieve this goal is to start breaking the rules.

so he asks rapunzel--his friend who promised to help him--to retrieve some information the king is trying to steal from him, and then persuades her to help him access the sundrop vault; then when she balks at stealing it he makes it clear that he no longer trusts her and escapes with the flower. at this point he’s in the morally dubious zone; being strategic about what he tells rapunzel to make sure she helps him, spiking cookies with truth serum to sow chaos and get information he needs, and doing things that are crimes on paper but also largely victimless. i think these were things varian could probably rationalize as okay--not exactly good, but no one got hurt and he got what he needed.

except the flower’s magic is gone. he drugged the palace, manipulated rapunzel and broke her trust in him, and committed treason all for something useless because the actual magic of the sundrop is in rapunzel herself. now he’s in trouble, because he needs rapunzel’s help but his desperate measures guaranteed she won’t be willing to help him again. and this is when varian realizes that his only options are 1. give up on saving his dad and turn himself in and hope rapunzel takes pity on him, or 2. accept that no one is going to help him now and do whatever it takes to free quirin himself.

so--mutating ruddiger, attacking the city, kidnapping arianna and threatening her with encasement in amber, building an automaton army to defend him while he works--these are all things that varian feels are wrong, but chooses to do anyway because he doesn’t trust that anyone else will even try to save his father. despite his anger and his rationalizations, at the end of the day varian sees himself as doing bad things for good reasons. (“Believe me, I know/I’ve sunk pretty low” & “I’m the bad guy, that’s fine”)

and when his reasons fall through--when he fails to free his dad--he falls quickly into guilt and despair over having hurt people for nothing. he stews for a year in how unforgivable and ashamed he feels, and even when he teams up with the separatists, he’s doing it in, basically, pursuit of a reset button: he wants to take back what he did. and when rapunzel shows him that he can be forgiven, he can have a second chance, he does have people who are willing to help him and trust him again, he drops the memory-wiping idea and his alliance with the separatists without a second thought--because what rapunzel actually does is give him a way to pursue his goals without sacrificing his conscience, which is what he really needed the whole time.

now, cassandra, on the other hand…

cass is an interesting character in this regard because, while she does want to be a hero, she’s not at all altruistic. she’s consumed by her lack of autonomy and she craves not only control over her own life but also respect from the people around her--her desire to be a hero is very self-interested, at its core. and moreover she has a somewhat fatalistic view of the world wherein some people (not her) matter and some… just don’t.

moreover cassandra, despite her ambitions of becoming a guard, doesn’t so much as blink at eugene’s or the pub thugs’ criminal pasts--she is suspicious of lance at first, but on the grounds that he’s an unrepentant thief who showed up out of the blue under suspicious circumstances to ‘reconnect’ with his old partner in crime; eugene is also distrustful of lance, for the exact same reasons--and of course she doesn’t think twice about breaking the law herself. literally one of the very first things we see cassandra do is commit treason to make her friend happy. cass doesn’t care about the law, and she only wants to be a guard because she associates getting the job with having her dad’s approval and it’s also her ticket out of lifelong servitude.

on the other hand, cass does seem have a strong sense of right and wrong where people she cares about are concerned. she is constantly putting the desires and well-being of her friends ahead of not just her ambitions (e.g. in beginnings for rapunzel, or great expotations for varian) but also her own safety (e.g. risking her livelihood and home to sneak rapunzel out for the night in bea, or setting aside her misgivings about the sketchy bird people in freebird).

which is all to say--cass isn’t exactly amoral but the moral framework through which she sees the world is… more complicated than varian’s. she doesn’t seem particularly motivated to help strangers but she’ll move mountains to help people she cares about; she doesn’t care much about rules or laws except insofar as she doesn’t want to get caught breaking them, and she has this hierarchical mindset that some people matter--meaning, they get to make decisions for themselves and have people care about what they need and want--and some don’t, and that she herself is stuck in the latter category despite her best efforts to climb out of it.

which brings us to the subject of the moonstone, and cassandra’s villain arc, and why cass, unlike varian, doesn’t consider herself a bad person.

i think what it comes down to most is this: taking the moonstone is an act of defiance against not only rapunzel but also fate itself. waiting in the wings sets up cassandra’s resigned acceptance of this hierarchical order and her own cosmic insignificance, and then in crossing the line she REJECTS that same order. she’s raging against rapunzel but also against the cultural and legal and destined systems that put rapunzel on top and forced cass into subservience. she is very literally fighting for her freedom against the universe itself.

and when cass was not an altruistic or heavily morally motivated or even particularly law-abiding person before, and when her conscience has always been predominantly oriented around taking care of her friends first and herself second, and when the thing that drove her to this breaking point was her friends spitting that back in her face… well.

it’s easy to say “cass literally tried to murder rapunzel a bunch of times, how can she possibly believe she’s the good guy?”--but rapunzel maimed cass, blamed her for it, and consistently prioritized her destiny over cassandra’s wellbeing; and rapunzel represents the cosmic order that cass is fighting to liberate herself from. and while i know that the -popular- take on be very afraid is “cass is terrified of hurting rapunzel,” i submit it’s actually “cass is terrified of having to fight rapunzel, because she still believes that fate is literally tilted in rapunzel’s favor and she can’t win a direct fight with rapunzel.” that’s why she’s so scared; that’s why rapunzel seemingly deleting the red rocks hardens her resolve; that’s why she marches into corona with maximum drama and bluster and builds a fortress and tries so hard to mess with rapunzel’s head before the battle begins. she’s trying to even the odds. and that’s why, when rapunzel stomps her into the curb, cassandra’s immediate response is “i need an army.”

cassandra isn’t scared for rapunzel. she is scared OF rapunzel.

we do also see cass trying not to harm people she considers to be innocent bystanders; she uses the truth serum on varian bc she needs the incantation, but afterwards she doesn’t even bother to restrain him until after he starts pestering her, she says flat out that she doesn’t want him to get hurt when she fights rapunzel; similarly she is willing to hurt calliope to force rapunzel to comply, but--despite her deep personal dislike of calliope--uses a minimum amount of force and again verbally expresses that she doesn’t particularly want to hurt her, that it’s a means to an end and nothing more. attacking rapunzel? that’s fine, rapunzel is her enemy. attacking eugene? of course, he’s rapunzel’s closest ally. mind controlling the brotherhood? that kills two birds with one stone--eliminating powerful enemies with a vested interest in taking the moonstone away from her and turning them into allies who can level the playing field between her and rapunzel. and when she does finally snap and raze corona to the ground? the people of corona attacked her first. i think cass ABSOLUTELY sees herself as fighting a purely defensive war against people who have or will hurt her.

and this is, of course, ultimately why varian failed to get through to her during ‘nothing left to lose’--he appealed to her sense of morality and her sense of morality shrugged.

as for the thing that snaps her out of it? the moment that forces her to question whether she’s really as right as she thinks she is? it’s learning who her new friend really is. it’s the shock of finding out that she’s been allied with, confiding in, taking advice from a legendary villain, from a monster she likely grew up hearing stories about. cass takes it as a given that zhan tiri is evil--and if she’s friends with zhan tiri, what does that make her? and even then, cass is resistant to the idea that she might be a villain--“No, no, I’m nothing like you. Just because I’m pursuing my destiny doesn’t make me a bad person!”--which is, ultimately, very telling of her whole mindset. she’s not a bad guy, she’s fighting for her freedom. she’s not a bad guy, she’s protecting herself against people who want to exploit her. she’s not a bad guy, she’s just putting herself first for once.

and OAH generally, i’d argue, is not actually about cassandra trying to reconcile with rapunzel or redeem herself or be a better person, it’s… literally cass trying frantically to prove she’s NOT the bad guy. it’s “oh yeah? you think i’m a bad person? well could a bad guy do THIS? *lies and impersonates a former coworker and gets up on a stage to justify her own actions in front of a crowd*” it’s “a bad guy wouldn’t apologize, rapunzel never apologized for anything, and to prove i’m a better person I’M going to apologize! see? SEE!?”--and then everyone in corona attacks her and she goes “FINE, i’m the bad guy, fuck you all” and wrecks the place.

only then--only in plus est en vous--does cassandra get into a mindset similar to varian’s, of “i am the bad guy but if i can pull this off it will be worth it.” she’s not sorry. she still sees rapunzel as an enemy trying to get her under control again, and the only thing that’s really changed is cassandra acknowledging that she has in fact done bad things too.

and… i would argue that by the end of plus est cassandra… feels some guilt but isn’t sorry. “i’ve failed” and “i’ve done terrible things” and “i tried to prove i was more than everyone thought but they were right”--her anguish is not like varian’s anguish in RR, where he was consumed with despair because no one could possibly forgive him for the things he did. cassandra is upset because she did awful things and failed and she perceives that failure as proof of her own worthlessness. she’s right back to feeling how she felt in waiting in the wings but with a hefty new helping of self-disgust and shame for having been stupid enough to believe she could change anything for herself.

she’s not sorry. she’s not pleading for forgiveness. she just wants rapunzel to give up and leave her alone--& then, after rapunzel convinces her that she’s wrong, and she does have worth as a person, and she does have a destiny of her own, cass does what’s necessary to clean up the crisis she created and then… just bounces. she gets the freedom she wanted and leaves without a backward glance.

(which. good for her.)

tl;dr: varian’s villain arc explores his moral scruples and what it takes for him to be willing to ignore them, whereas cassandra’s villain arc explores her incendiary reaction to a lifetime of injustices; she isn’t amoral but her sense of right and wrong is, unlike varian’s, very contextual and personal. varian is a pragmatic idealist who wants to be lawful good but is capable of setting his own morals aside in pursuit of a goal he considers to be important enough, and cassandra is one radicalizing incident away from realizing that her grievances are not a unique personal failing but a systemic problem and then leading a class uprising.

#tts

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shenanigans-and-imagines · 4 years ago

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Zena Lorell

Basics

Full Name: Zena Lorell

Age: 29 as of The Mandalorian: Season One

Sexual Orientation: Demisexual

Appearance

Species: Human

Skin Tone: Medium Tan

Eye Color: Hazel

Hair Color: Black

Hairstyle: Short curly bob

Build: Wiry

Height: 5’ 9”

Style: Usually seen in green work coveralls and boots; rarely ever completely clean

Personality

General Personality Traits: Stubborn, Compassionate, Guarded

Strengths: Intuitive, Dependable, Resourceful

Flaws: Abrasive, Stubborn, Withdrawn

Habits And Mannerisms: Always has to be fiddling with something be it tools, a loose coin or even just her hair

Secrets: There was a time, right when everyone her age was leaving either enlisting in the Imperial army or running off to the rebellion where she wished her father would just die already. She felt awful thinking it. Her father wasn’t a bad man, but he was a drunk a couldn’t look after himself. There were times he’d go on a bender and she hoped maybe she’d wake up, somebody would knock on her door and tell her, her father was gone. But it didn’t happen, and she would get this twisting feeling in her stomach every time the thought crossed her mind.

Regrets: Not leaving Mir years ago

Skills/Talents: Brilliant mechanic, excellent judge of character, able to contort herself into small spaces despite her height

Likes: Puzzles, Open skies, Exploring new planets

Dislikes: Alcohol, Thunder, Having to wear anything with a skirt

Guilty Pleasure: Doesn’t have many pleasures to feel guilty about; however I do see her having the equivalent of basic bitch music taste, will listen to any bad cheesy pop song that comes over the airwaves in a galaxy far far away

Defining Moment: Realizing the money doesn’t really matter to her anymore and she just wants to stay on The Razor Crest

Relationships

Friends: None really, she has acquaintances and not much else. But, Din gets there eventually.

Enemies: Imps (Imperials)

Rivals: She’s always in friendly competition with fellow mechanics to find the quickest and more efficient solution, but that’s all business. No personal rivals to speak of.

Lovers: She has an ex-boyfriend who went off to fight in the rebellion and never came back. She doesn’t know if that means he’s dead or just never wanted to come back. Other than that, nothing.

Relationship Status: Single and not interested in mingling. (At least at the moment)

Reputation: Doesn’t flirt and has a hard time recognizing when she’s being flirted with; has been called the equivalent of “fringed bitch” in a variety of languages over the years

Miscellaneous

Current Residence: The Razor Crest

Collections: Various fine tools meant for a variety of droids, ships and so on

Accent: Standard American

Voice: Low and a little husky

Signature Quote: “You owe me.”

Song: TBA

Backstory

Zena was born in a small outpost on the plateaus of Mir, a small planet in the far most reaches of the Outer Rim. Living so far from the core worlds, the population of Mir was able to stay out of The Clone Wars since neither the Republic nor the Separatist thought it held any strategic value. If was only after the end of the war did the population start to feel the reach of the Empire. Zena spent her early life following her father around in his workshop, asking questions when she could and staying quiet when men in uniforms and white armor came in to make special requests.

It was also during this time, she started to become aware of her father’s problems with alcohol. While he was functional for the most part, there was more than one occasion where she and her mother would have to go into the shop and finish wiring on a droid or ship just before the costumer arrived. Between her and her mother, they were able to keep it all together. Her father had a better grip on himself and was always loving and supportive when he was sober. But, things took a turn for the worse when Zena’s mother died unexpectedly leaving it just the two of them when she was seventeen.

Her father took it badly and Zena essentially inherited the business, working hard to keep them afloat. It was also during this time a lot of her friends were leaving Mir. The Imperial Academy was a guarantee ticket off world and promised a steady paycheck to send back to the folks and the ability to see the galaxy. A lot of people took it, despite a lot of grumbling about “core world folks butting their noses into people’s business”. Others still were starting to get wise to what a threat the Empire was. Rebels cells were growing on neighboring planets and some left without a word.

Zena wanted to join them, but she knew she couldn’t leave her father all on his own, even if she could send him money. So, she stayed and soon enough, she was left behind. She honed her craft, gaining a reputation of being one of the best mechanics in the system. There were still moments where her dad would sober up long enough to help in the shop and the two of them could have long conversations like they used to, but like clockwork he’d find himself in the cantina again and Zena would be left on her own.

She kept on like that until finally the alcohol finally took its toll. Her father died in his sleep when she was twenty four, just after Mir had gotten news of the destruction of the second Death Star and the death of the Emperor. She was free.

For the next five years, she started saving money. Every little bit of credits she could hoard together, she kept hidden all over her house. She was going to leave Mir. She was going to get her own ship, be her own Captain, and fly away from that hellhole and never look back. Finally, she was going to do what she wanted to do. That is, until a Mandalorian came into her shop asking for information.

#star wars #the mandalorian #din djarin #star wars oc #sw oc #the mandalorian oc #zena lorell

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clonesimp · 4 years ago

Text

More Than A Princess | Cody

To say Cody wasn’t fond of this mission was an understatement. He absolutely hated it and would rather clean the mess hall for a week.

What was the mission you might be asking? Well it was simple. The 212th was assigned to protect a royal family from Separatists invading their planet. Apparently, this royal family was one of the main families funding the Republic. So the survival of this family was essential to the Republic.

But why did Cody hate this mission? It was because of the royal family itself. He heard rumors that all they cared about was their wealth and how they had a cold persona. He also heard murmurs about how they didn’t care for anyone else and was only helping the Republic simply because when the Separatists asked for their alliance, they didn’t offer that much money.

Despite if those rumors were true or not, he was determined to not let this royal family intimidate him.

---

He lied. He was slightly intimidated. One look at the Princess and he was practically swooning. Her face was beautiful and she carried herself elegantly. She had this aura around her that automatically attracted Cody. It didn’t help him when he was assigned to personally protect her, while Obi-Wan was to protect the King and Queen.

“I cannot say how much I appreciate your service to protect us General Kenobi,” the King said.

‘Yeah right,’ Cody thought. The King could care less about the General or his service. All he probably cared about was that he was keeping his family alive.

“The pleasure is all mine, your majesty. It is my duty to protect those in need,” Obi-Wan said back.

“Please General, you are a guest on our planet. You should join us for dinner.” The Queen spoke now and her tone of voice made it seem like she was demanding him, not asking.

“Of course, I would love to join for dinner.”

With that, they all moved inside the castle with Cody and the Princess walking side-by-side. It just occurred to Cody that she still hasn’t spoken a word. All he remembered was that she did a curtsy when he and Obi-Wan arrived.

Why was it important for Cody to hear your voice? It’s not like he needed to know what it sounded like, it wasn’t vital information.

But why couldn’t he stop thinking about it?

---

Dinner with the royal family was over and everyone started to get out of the dining room. Obi-Wan was to escort the King and Queen while Cody was to escort Princess (Y/N). He learned your name by hearing the Queen introduce you to Obi-Wan.

Why did the Queen have to introduce you? Why couldn’t you do it yourself? These questions roamed his mind while he was walking with you to your room. You still haven’t said a word the whole time he’s been around you.

You were leading the way to your room since he had no idea where it was. This was his first time at the castle after all, but if he was going to be guarding you then he had to know how to get to your room.

He noticed that he had arrived at your room when you stopped in front of two grand doors at the end of the hallway.

Okay, this shouldn’t be hard to remember.

“Thank you for walking me to my room Commander,” you finally spoke.

Oh kriff. Your voice was angelic and was music to his ears. He could listen to you talk all day and he wouldn’t be annoyed.

Seconds had gone by without a word exchanged. You stared into his helmet while he looked back at you. What you didn’t know was that Cody was analyzing your face. He analyzed how perfectly the moon radiated off your skin, or how your hair flowed gracefully down your neck.

He quickly regained his posture and said “it’s my duty ma’am.”

“Goodnight Commander. I hope you sleep well tonight,” and with that you gave him a smile and walked into your room.

Oh how smitten he was for you.

Cody did not sleep well that night. All he could think about was you and how you enraptured his thoughts.

---

Cody got on board the transport and looked around for an empty seat. He was surprised to find that the only empty seat on the transport was the one next to yours.

So he walked past some other people that were on the transport which were advisors of the royal family or some clones and sat down next to you. Your attention was out the window and it wasn’t until he sat down that you noticed he was on the transport.

You gave him the most heart-warming smile that made his whole body jittery.

“Hello Commander, did you sleep well last night?”

“Oh uh… yes I did.” Lie. “How well did you sleep last night?”

“I slept great. Thanks for asking.” You gave him another smile and redirected your attention out the window.

This was new to Cody. No one had really asked how he slept, not even his brothers. Everyone slept in the barracks and they all knew how uncomfortable they were, so there was no point in asking.

“Oh I almost forgot something,” you went under your seat to grab a small basket. You unraveled the cloth that covered it and handed it to Cody. The scent that came out of the basket was rich and enticing that almost made Cody drool. Inside the basket were some pastries.

“Grab one. It’s for you.” Your gaze lingered on him as he put a hand in the basket and grabbed one… what was this exactly?

As if you read his thoughts you said, “it’s an exo-protein wafer if you’re wondering. I made some for your brothers but I’m not sure if they’ll like it, so you’re the first person to try this.”

This was new to Cody. No one made anything for him or his brothers. So why were you doing something nice for them? It confused him as to why a princess would spend her time doing something kind for other people.

Cody took one bite out of the wafer and his taste buds exploded. The wafer was delicious and it was both savory and sweet at the same time. It was so full of flavor that he ate the rest in one big chomp. Suddenly realizing what he did, he looked away embarrassingly trying to avoid eye contact. You giggled in response.

“So, I take it that you like it?”

“I love it. You did a really good job making these.”

“Thank you Commander.”

You tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and put the basket back under your seat after he grabbed another one. Knowing that you brought a smile to his face made your face blush.

“So why did you make these for us clones? We’re not anything special.”

“What are you talking about? You guys are special. I really appreciate the army protecting me and my family.”

“Just doing our duty ma’am,” Cody said instinctively. Not a lot of people appreciated him and his brothers efforts, but whenever someone did he would mutter those same words. However, when you said it he could tell you genuinely meant it.

“I have to save some of these for your brothers, but I’ll make more for you when we get back to the castle.”

“I would love that.”

---

Everything was absolute chaos. For some reason on the way back to the castle, you were ambushed by Separatists. Now Cody and his brothers had to fight off these droids that were blocking the way to the castle.

Cody ordered you to take some cover and hide behind a large rock. His attention wasn’t entirely on you since his mind was focused on the battlefield.

One second he looked at you, and the next you grabbed a blaster and started shooting back at the droids. He was utterly shocked to the point that he stopped shooting and directed his whole attention to you, and how wonderful you looked using a blaster.

“Cody look out!”

All of a sudden, you pushed him to the ground and he saw a blaster bolt go through you. Luckily it didn’t hit you or Cody, otherwise you two would be dead from a head shot. You had just saved him from getting killed.

Now he realized that you were on top of him, hovering over his body. You were panting heavily and had your arms around his head holding yourself up.

He never saw such a beautiful sight before.

Noticing the awkward position you two were in, you got back up and went back to shooting the droids. Throughout the rest of the battle all you could think of was how handsome Cody looked beneath your body.

---

“I gotta say, I’m impressed how good you are with a blaster. It’s not everyday you see royalty shooting down droids without missing a single shot.”

“Whenever mother and father are out of the castle, I go to the training grounds to practice with a blaster.”

You and Cody were walking back to your room talking about the battle that occurred today. He was fascinated by how flawless you handled yourself in battle and was surprised you weren’t a warrior.

After the battle, you gave the wafers to some of his closest brothers and they all insisted that you ate dinner with them. You happily agreed and spent dinnertime sitting next to Cody and listening to stories told by some of his brothers.

“Well, here we are.”

You both had finally reached your room and it saddened Cody because he did not want the night to end. Neither did you.

“Thanks again for walking with me Cody.”

“No problem your highness.”

Cody grabbed your hand and gave your knuckles a sweet kiss. He looked back at you lovingly and you couldn’t help but fall in love with the man before you.

He bent his head down next to your ear and whispered, “goodnight (Y/N),” only for you to hear.

“Goodnight Cody.” You smiled and opened the doors to your room, but before you walked in you turned back around to him.

“Oh, Cody?”

“Hm?”

You leaned forward and kissed his lips, using your right hand to caress his cheek.

“Sleep well,” and with that you walked into your room and closed the doors.

Cody unconsciously moved his hand up to his lips and licked them. He really wanted you to kiss him again.

#commander cody #commander cody x reader #cody x reader #commander cody imagine #star wars the clone wars #star wars #star wars x reader #The Clone Wars #the clone wars imagine #the clone wars x reader #swtcw #tcw #cody imagine #cody

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tarisilmarwen · 3 years ago

Note

Had do you Anakin‘s path as a Jedi would’ve been affected had say his mother Shimi survived by the time he gained Knighthood?

You just want me to keep kicking that hornet's nest don't you? Lol.

Well Anakin's issues with attachment, his unwillingness to examine and be mindful of his emotions, and his inability to accept loss don't magically go away just because his mom stays alive. AOTC would definitely play out a lot differently.

It kind of depends on how Shmi survived. If we’re going by the tack of he managed to rescue her from the Tusken camp that would be one divergent path, but if she was never in danger in the first place Anakin may not have gotten his dream premonitions at all. And therefore would not have been on Tatooine, close by to Geonosis, to get Obi-Wan’s distress call.

If Anakin and Padme weren’t there to interfere with Obi-Wan’s execution I think it’s highly likely that it would have been successful. After all, we know Palpatine had been eyeing Anakin as a possible apprentice/victory gift to himself and what better way to destabilize Anakin than to arrange the murder of his mentor and friend? (And what better way to sucker the Jedi into having to fight a war than murdering one of theirs?) So in this hypothetical what if scenario the triggering event to start Anakin’s fall might have been Obi-Wan’s death (and boy Obi-Wan dying would have a lot of repercussions down the line). I couldn’t say if Anakin would fall right away, or if he would just slowly become more and more brutal/Knight Templar as a general in the Clone Wars. (Which he kind of did to some extent in the later seasons of TWC.) This tack might actually wind up backfiring on Palpatine depending on if Anakin learns that he as Sidious was responsible for the whole war and thus manipulated the circumstances by which Obi-Wan was killed. In that kind of hypothetical I could see Anakin falling and leaving the Jedi because they didn’t go far enough to punish and take revenge on the Separatists, but he’d be more a rogue Darksider. Essentially a new Dooku but without the puppeteer master.

Of course, even with the first scenario (Anakin goes to Tatooine and saves his mom in time), I almost feel like that’s just kicking the can down the road a bit, because, again, Anakin’s issues don’t go away just because mom didn’t die. It’s definitely possible that Padme being in danger of dying via childbirth would still have been the major event that causes Anakin to fall.

I dunno honestly, I mean it’s fun to speculate about how tweaked circumstances would affect Anakin’s choices (hell that’s what fanfic is for lol) but it’s not generally my field of interest so I don’t think I have any elaborate headcanons or ideas about how things would change with that particular change of Shmi not dying.

I mean my favorite “Anakin doesn’t fall” scenarios are 1. Anakin waits five more goddamn minutes in the Senate chamber and doesn’t run off like an idiot, and 2. Zillo beast eats Palpatine. XD

Ultimately it’s down to Anakin realizing he’s a mess and needs to work on himself, in my opinion, and that’s gonna be a constant no matter how the story is changed around him.

#what a clown i love him #askbox #star wars #meta rambling #obi-wan

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leverage-ot3 · 4 years ago

Text

notable moments from The Stork Job

leverage 1.06

Joe: Where is he? What have you done with him?

Dana: Why haven't you returned our calls?

Joe: Did you think we'd just go away?

Dana: We’ve given you the money. What else do you want? (approaches Irena) What have you done with Luca?!

(thug grabs Dana and pushes her aside)

Joe: Dana!

(Joe goes to help Dana and is stopped by the thug. Joe punches the thug, who then beats him into the ground as Irena and Nicolas walk away. Thug leaves, and Dana crawls to his side)

yo can we take a moment to respect and love these parents??? like technically luca was just a kid they were going to adopt but these two were ready to THROW DOWN for him because even though they didn’t really know each other, he was going to be their kid if that’s the last thing they did

- - - - -

Dana: $120,000. We had to take a second mortgage out on the house.

Nate: Well, we can get the money back.

Dana: We don't want the money. All we want is Luca.

Nate: Right. (looks at picture of Luca)

we love to see the clients being noble as hell

- - - - -

Eliot: Are we seriously considering this, huh? Swiping a kid?

Nate: Yeah, well -- What happened to you?

Eliot (scrapes on his face): Well, how was I supposed to know it was a lesbian bar?

...I bet it was from something fucking stupid

eliot “distinctive” spencer would have known it was a lesbian bar

(edit: I heard that on the commentary for that episode CK got the injury from trying to play football while wearing cowboy boots and honestly what a chaotic fav)

- - - - -

Eliot: How do we even know this kid is an orphan?

Parker: See him pocketing those cookies? He’s hoarding food. That bag on the table -- he keeps his essentials light and portable. He knows he's gonna be taken away at any moment. And there, when she goes to touch him, he flinches. He’s expecting… for her to... Trust me. He’s an orphan.

parker’s Tragic Backstory™ is about to be told in 40 minutes, let’s go

- - - - -

Sophie: Hey, can we -- can we stop off in Paris on the way?

Nate: Uh... maybe on the way back.

Sophie: Cool

sophie loves paris and was so happy and excited im-

- - - - -

Parker: Yes. And she's with someone.

Eliot: That’s never stopped me before

parker, rolling her eyes: bruh

- - - - -

sophie being “princess magda of slovenia” rb if u agree

- - - - -

Nate: You know, just hurry up.

Hardison: It’s not so fun working in the crappy command center, is it? No, see, you're usually off doing your European spy thing. Well, welcome to my world.

(Computer shows facial recognition program working on picture Eliot sent. Hardison offers Sophie a bottle of pop)

Hardison: Orangescu?

even in a foreign country hardison manages to get something akin to orange soda

- - - - -

Sophie: Who was it? -- Dagmar from the car-rental place was a lovely girl, but listen, Irina’s a professional grifter. She's gonna see straight through your moves. She does this for a living. You know, gets people to like her and trust her, even to fall in love with her. She doesn't do this for sport.

Nate: Mm. Sounds like someone I know.

s a v a g e

- - - - -

Nicolas: Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Tell me, Hardison, what brings you to Serbia?

Hardison: Oh, do my fangs and cape frighten you

hardison being Done™ with a skeevy guy hitting on parker and making jokes to ease the tension 🥰

- - - - -

parker says that sleeping is one of her hobbies and honestly bitch me too

- - - - -

Parker: It’s amazing how far Serbia’s come, but the scars must still be there. I mean, all the families who suffered during the war.

Nicolas: Yes, but history always has its casualties.

Parker: Yes, but those families and those children.

Nicolas: It’s tragic, yes. But the strong, the smart, the... the beautiful, they survive.

[Flashback]

(Joe, Dana and Luca on home move.)

Joe: Smile!

Dana: Smile.

(A young Parker swinging, cuts to Luca sitting in the car that will take him away, cuts to young Parker on a merry-go-round, cuts to Luca being driven away)

Woman: What’s wrong?

(a young Parker in a car holding her bunny, cuts to Nicolas driving the car that takes Luca away)

Nicolas: It’s time to go.

[American Embassy]

Nicolas: Not everyone is worth saving.

(Parker gropes behind her and grabs a fork from the table, stabbing Nicolas with it. Everyone in the room looks in their direction)

parker’s past is developed a lot in this episode and we love to see it + bby you can stab anyone you want

- - - - -

parker fucking yeeting out the window is me after I do anything remotely embarrassing

- - - - -

Eliot: I’m lucky to have you on such a short notice. (takes paper from man) Zhavaliti. Is that right? Zhavaliti? Thank you? See? Yeah? No? Welcome to the set.

Hardison: Fire in the hole!

(Hardison sets off explosion of flame behind them)

Eliot: Yeah, it's exciting, isn’t it?

Irena: yes.

Eliot: That guy's our special-effects guy. He ain't all there.

friendship means gently bullying each other

- - - - -

Parker (sits down near prop truck): This is ridiculous.

Hardison (sits down next to her with fake gun): Tell me about it. We’re supposed to believe these are real?

Parker: This is what he expects me to do, fetch scripts and water?

Hardison: No, it's a trust thing. He just needs to know that you’re gonna go along with the game plan.

Parker: Yeah, yeah. I get it; we're a team.

Hardison: A little more than a team. I’m just saying

this was such a big episode for parker and her opening up to the team (hardison in specific)

- - - - -

Hardison (picks up papers): Sophie, are you -- seriously, Sophie. It was supposed to be a two-page scene between Irina and a boy.

(Eliot grabs pages)

Sophie: That’s still the heart of it.

Eliot: "The heart of it"? There’s like 10 pages here! You have a stunt. You have special effects.

Parker: "Sister Magda crosses and gets a loaf of bread." Wait, who's sister Magda?

(Sophie rolls out dramatically wearing a nun’s costume while ethereal music is playing)

Hardison: Tell me you didn't see that coming.

(Eliot grabs the pages and walks away)

sophie: is dramatic

eliot: surprised pikachu face

hardison: ??? were you expecting something else

- - - - -

Sophie: Listen. All right, look, look -- look at all this. This is my world, okay? You need -- you need someone to, I don't know, crawl through an air duct, you call Parker. Bash her head in - Eliot. Internet porn -- Hardison. If you need someone to take over a movie, then...

Nate: yes, an -- an actor. Right

sOpHiE bRuH

poor hardison, he never gets enough credit

- - - - -

Nate: And... cut!

(everyone claps, Sophie sits up, smiling)

Eliot: She can't act.

Nate: She can act when it's an act.

Eliot (going to Sophie): Unbelievable.

Sophie Really?! Really?!

Eliot: Yeah, really. It was great.

eliot is such a supportive friend because literally his jaw dropped at her acting and literally the first thing he did when they said cut was rush over to her and compliment her

eliot is secretly a hype man disguised in many layers of gruff

- - - - -

Hardison: Just take it slow until she leads you to Luca.

Parker: I can't believe they sent you to babysit me.

Hardison: I’m here on my own

hardison cares about her so quickly I’m soft

- - - - -

parker’s haunted look and glassy eyes when she stumbles into the room with all the children? her heavy breathing? how she has to brace herself on a bed frame so that she doesn’t fall over? heartbreaking

- - - - -

[Harbor]

(van pulls to a stop and Parker and Hardison get out, Parker pacing nervously)

Parker: This isn't just an adoption scam.

Hardison: I know. I already called Nate.

Parker: These are arms dealers, and they're using the orphanage for cover.

Hardison: I already called Nate. Now, look, we can go over this with the others back at the hotel.

Parker: We have to bail.

Hardison: No. no, no, no. What about Luca and the others? We can't leave them like that.

Parker: Why not?

Hardison: You don't mean that.

Parker: You think this is the only crappy orphanage in this place? This is a country full of orphans, okay? We can't save them all.

Hardison: No, but we can save this one. Parker, we can -- we can save this one. Look, I know growing up was tough. I-I know that you -- you grew up in the system. It was -- it was bad. I know. It was, it was worse than bad, but that doesn't mean that all foster parents are monsters. Mine wasn't.

Parker: You grew up with your grandmother.

Hardison: We called her "nana," but she was our foster mom. She, uh... she -- she would cuss like a sailor. The old girl would tan your ass just as soon as look at you. But -- but she fed us, she bathed us, she put a roof over our head. And, oh, she would raise hell if you so much as looked at us crooked.

Parker: Yeah?

Hardison: Yeah.

Parker: Well, you were lucky. No. We’ll put these kids in the system, and odds are, they're gonna -- they're gonna... (trying not to cry) they're gonna turn out like me.

Hardison: I like how you turned out.

(Parker breathes hard, getting control of herself)

Hardison: Let’s go

this whole conversation was a lot meta wise but also this was one of the real defining moments in their relationship in s1. it’s also one of the first times parker starts to open up to the team for real, even if it’s only hardison

also, I personally will never get over the “I like how you turned out”

- - - - -

Hardison: I ran humpty and dumpty through the usual databases. Chechen separatists. Seriously bad dudes.

(Eliot chuckles)

Hardison: After reading their bios, I don't think I’m ever gonna sleep again.

Eliot: Never tell a Chechen his sister has a nice smile. Trust me

eliot is an idiot

- - - - -

Nate: Okay, let's go. (leads Luca forward)

Sophie (in Serbian): Everything’s going to be okay. Do you understand?

Eliot: Maybe this will help.

(Eliot leads Luca over to the Mortons)

Dana: Hi, Luca. Do you remember us?

(Luca smiles, Dana hugs him)

Dana: Thank you.

Joe: Thank you so much. Come on.

(The Mortons and Luca get in their car)

Eliot: I got to tell you, I had my doubts at first, this feels pretty good

and the eliot-being-soft-around-kids saga B E G I N S

- - - - -

parker trying her best to translate but just making the kids giggle

“men will sadden you” same

and what gets the kids up and going? Haagen-Dazs

- - - - -

fierce, determined parker beating up scumbags is my sexuality

parker isn’t violent a lot in terms of being anywhere close to the team’s fighter/hitter, but she fights so hard for the kids in this episode and it’s one of the only times we see her fight fight and that shows just how much she cares

- - - - -

Parker: Shh, shh, be quiet, they have armed guards at that door.

(door bursts open and a man falls through. Eliot stands in the doorway, looking angry)

Sophie: No, they don't

her team always has her back, even if they’re angry at her trying to go at it alone

- - - - -

parker spreading herself out to cover as much space as possible, bracing herself to get shot over and over with the hopes that at least none of the kids will im-

she’s so selfless sksjdnnsns

- - - - -

eliot being all gruff that things happened the way they did but smiling at the exploding building because they did it and the kids were safe

- - - - -

THE FUCKING PROP TRUCK PLAYING SPOOKY AND WEREWOLF NOISES AS THEY DRIVE AWAY JUST TO MOCK THEM

bonus: nate’s “anD CUT”

- - - - -

Parker: Hey, how did you know I’d be at the orphanage?

Nate: Thank Hardison for that. (follows Eliot)

Hardison: You know you could have gotten killed. Did -- did you even have an exit strategy?

Parker: I didn't really think that far ahead.

Hardison: You don't work alone anymore. You know that, right?

Parker: I know.

Hardison: We're a team…?

Parker: We're a little more than a team.

this important conversation but also HARDISONS SMILE

- - - - -

Parker: (gets on the van) Hey, Nate. I have to tell you something.

Nate: What is it?

Parker: We have to stop at Hagen Daaz.

Children: Hagen Daaz!!!

after all that they deserve like a billion pints of ice cream

#leverage #the stork job #leverage 1.06 #leverage 1x06 #notable moments #mine #leverage season 1 #season 1

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writerbuddha · 4 years ago

Text

6+1 roles of Padmé in the AOTC you might not noticed – Character analysis

In Attack of the Clones, Padmé’s most prominent role is to be the woman who loved Darth Vader (analysis of the love story will be coming soon!); however, this is not all what she stands for in the second episode of the Skywalker Saga.

Number 1. – She is the Anti-Emperor

As the plot begins, Padmé is no longer the queen of Naboo, instead, she is the senator of Naboo. While many is confused why does the significant shift in her character, George Lucas used her to portray the perfect political leader. Padmé Amidala was the beloved queen of Naboo, and as Anakin points out, she was so popular among her people they even tried to change the constitution to keep her in power. However, she refused – even when she could undermine the democratic system of her planet, she chose to put her crown down when her terms ended, and she was relieved, as she had no attachment to the power. However, she still serving her people as the second most important politician of Naboo, replacing Palpatine.

In Phantom Menace, she woke up from her slumber of passivity and she is trying to wake her fellow senators up, to save the Galactic Republic. In fact, it’s clear she is the only one in the Senate who is in Palpatine’s way, since she has the same power as Palpatine, not given by office but by her ability to lead the senators. This is why Palpatine was so eager to remove her from the capital.

Padmé’s role as a senator also mirrors Princess Leia’s status in the Original Trilogy, yet its essentially different. In the Empire Strikes Back, Leia was still addressed as a Princess, however, this is nothing but a gesture. The Alderaan – her world, her people, her kingdom – was destroyed. While she was robbed from her crown, Padmé turned it over to her successor.

Number 2. - Preserver of Democracy

In the movie when Anakin and Padmé are enjoying each other’s company on Naboo, they are discussing the ideal political system. Padmé’s anti-Emperor role is more prominent here and remains in the Revenge of the Sith, too.

Anakin belives the Galaxy should be ruled by him, his fatal flaw is that he thinks he can do things better than anyone and he would ensure the rule of justice and peace by force. Padmé is different: she believes the democratic system, what can ensure that people are doing what is the best for everyone because their intentions are honest, rather than because they are forced to do so. Anakin’s version of the victory of good is an illusion, because greed and selfishness are forced into hiding. He offers this version to Padmé in Revenge of the Sith, saying: “ We can make things the way we want them to be!” Padmé rejects this: her version offers a real victory, because it is takes more time and requires more sacrifices but one day it is able abolish greed and selfishness.

Number 3. – The second Qui-Gon Jinn

In Attack of the Clones, as they are preparing to leave for Naboo, Anakin declares his belief about he is way better than Obi-Wan, but this is not just about being stronger in the Force. He constantly challenges the decisions of both the Jedi Council and Obi-Wan, believing he knows better than them, clearly mirroring Qui-Gon’s rebellious behavior toward the Council: he wants to protect Padmé, but not just guarding her life, he wants to catch the one who is trying to kill her. Listen what he says about Obi-Wan. “He is wise as Master Yoda, he is as powerful as Master Windu”, then: “I am ahead of him”. So, he indirectly states he is wiser and more powerful than Yoda and Windu, too, and he is a better Jedi.

This changes after he butchered the sand people – he realizes, he is not the hero he believed himself to be. So, this time, when Windu orders him to stay right where he is, and protect Padmé, and do not go to Geonosis to save Obi-Wan, for the first time of his life, he wants to do as he was told to. This time, Padmé is the one who step up and say, they must save Obi-Wan, regardless what the Council said, and leads Anakin back to his old self, encouraging him to rely on his own opinion. Her actions were selfless and heroic, yet unwise, but it was the right thing to do - she serves as the antithesis of Anakin’s behavior, since she is not willing to follow orders what are contradicting with her moral code, she never fool herself into thinking she knows better than anyone. It’s important to point out Padmé is not responsible for Anakin’s fall – she generates situations in which Anakin must chose, but it’s only depended on him what he reads into Padmé’s behavior.

Number 4. - Next stop: War!

In the Attack of the Clones as Padmé and Anakin are trying to survive on the conveyor belt of the droid factory. This is the only part of the Prequel Trilogy, including Revenge of the Sith when Padmé is lost and don’t know what to do – and the metaphor is painfully obvious.

She fell into a world what prepares tools of bloodshed, and all she can do is trying to avoid being crushed on the path what drags her toward war, beyond her control. When she reaches the end of the conveyor belt, she is captured, and taken to the place where the first battle of the Clone Wars will erupt. This is the allegory of Palpatine’s trap for everything she represents.

Number 5. – “I am a senator”

At the fireplace scene, Padmé refuses to give in to her feelings, saying, Anakin is a Jedi, and “I am a senator”. By this, she doesn’t mean their position is so different. On the contrary, she reminds Anakin they both swore to put other’s interests and needs before their own, to live for others.

Anakin is about to become a Jedi Knight, and Padmé represents her whole world. Their relationship would break their commitment for others, since Anakin swore not to form attachments and Padmé feels if she does something for herself it would distract her from her duties. She is the one who remains faithful to her oath until the very end, not giving up her principles, making her the one who was able to keep balance between love and duty.

Number 6. – She would be the perfect Separatist, but she is a loyalist

The Separatist movement was established because of the Naboo crisis, since the incident revealed the weakness of the Galactic Republic. And Padmé is one of the individuals in the Galaxy, whose place should be on Dooku’s side. But despite the Republic let her down, she chose to save it. The difference between her and the separatists senators is while they all recognized the crisis of the Republic the separatist chose to serve their own interests – and their own planet’s interests – and gave up on the alliance, Padmé remained loyal the union, and fighting for its soul, for herself and for trillions of others.Her willingness to fight for the Republic is one of the traits why she is dangerous to Palpatine and why is the ideal politician in Star Wars.

+1 - she is a Nexu

In the Arena of Geonosis, all the three main characters are forced to face with three beasts: a Reek, a Nexu and an Acklay. Each beasts represents their fighting styles like in Saolin Kung-Fu: the Reek is driven by blind anger and uses raw strenght to attack, the Acklay is using logic and the Nexu is creative, persistent, brave, suprising and deadly.

#star wars padme #attack of the clones #star wars aotc #star wars #star wars prequels

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legobiwan · 5 years ago

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TCW Rewatch: “Bombad Jedi” (S1, E8)

This opening is great because it is such a mirror of the conversations Obi-wan and Anakin have been having via their own holotransmissions. “You’re doing something dangerous.” “For the right reasons.” “But you’re doing something dangerous.” While it’s true Padmé rose to power at an extraordinarily young age (what were you doing when you were 14, because I was on the fledgling internet, tying up my parents’ phone line and reading fanfic on geocities sites and yahoo circles and you know what, I’m just not going explain myself any further more than 20 years later.)

Anyway, the point being Padmé is essentially taking on Anakin’s role here as the feisty one while Palpatine is playing at Obi-wan’s caution (although he doesn’t mean it, of course, but it is an interesting parallel).

Padmé: “He’s a very old family friend...” ATTACHMENT, AMIDALA. Same issues as Anakin, no wonder they got embroiled so quickly.

That planetary shield, though, what a Work of Arc...er, I mean Art

Does Padmé speak Rodian or the Pimsleur “best of?”

Wow, the planning by Dooku and Sidious here. Relief has been cut off due to the war, the Republic is acting too slow (due to the Senate), here the CIS will come to your rescue and save your people from starving, I mean, it’s diabolical and manipulative to the hilt, but also genius.

Uncle Omo raises a good point, too. Where is the Republic when his planet’s people are starving? (They, and the Jedi, can’t be everywhere, of course. Between the corruption in the Senate and the Jedi having their hands tied the overwhelming circumstances were going to play out badly in so many systems.)

UNDERRATED INSULT OF THE CENTURY HERE:

Okay, so I am fully on-board the Jar Jar defense squad. (There are dozens (maybe) of us! Dozens!) Jar Jar is not stupid, nor does he lack for courage. What he does lack is physical awareness of his surroundings, which leads to his often cataclysmic clumsiness. Now, in a universe where Padmé couldn’t get decent obstetric care when she was pregnant (at least, that’s how it looked to us), it is not totally surprising that Jar Jar’s seemingly neurological/perceptive issues go unaddressed (I’m not here to diagnose him, I am not a doctor, only a partial one and that degree wouldn’t help anyone except classical music critics in need, which is...not a thing.) Not to mention the Gungan society seems pretty severe to outliers so we shouldn’t be shocked Jar Jar didn’t get the support he needed and was exiled. A theory, but one I’m willing to ride with.

"The Separatist Way?” Uhhhh, Padmé, I’m not even going to go there:

YIKES

Holy crap, Threepio is such a bro in this sequence but seriously. Amidala. Skywalker. You are the worst at this clandestine affair garbage. Almost as bad as the kids I had to boot out at a summer camp I was managing who were smuggling in alcohol as minors and left their name badges with the empty bottles stuffed away in a drawer, I mean, did you really not think I would catch you. Come. On.

Honestly. I wouldn't even be shocked if Anakin’s name was embroidered in the collar somewhere.

SITH LORD JAR JAR hahahahhaa

Let’s not discount the fact Jar Jar figured out immediately where Padmé was being kept and went to her aid - he s not a coward. Not to mention when he was attacked, he played to his strengths and went underwater, as he is a Gungan and can do that.

Padmé has a thing about keeping lock-picking equipment on her person and I wonder if this is a Senate thing, a Naboo thing, or an Amidala thing, and why.

PACK IT IN, FRIENDS, PADMÉ HAS THE HIGH GROUND

Man, Palpy is so FULL OF IT at the end. Oh yes, we would be happy to send aid, you orchestrated this entire scenario oh my word, I love the Prequel Era.

Takeaways: Jar Jar is not as dumb as we assume, Padmé is both a badass and as impulsive as Anakin, and Sidious and Dooku are MASTERS at manipulating politics.

#hello there #legobiwan rewatches tcw #padme amidala #jar jar binks #threepio #jar jar defense squad #OH GOODY THE HONDO OBI WAN DOOKU EPISODES ARE NEXT I CANNOT WAIT

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arabian-bloodstream · 5 years ago

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Why I love ‘Attack of the Clones’

I think that Attack of the Clones is the underrated gem of the Star Wars universe. Yeah, I said it. And here is my review of the film and why I think so!

The beginning of the film sets up the rest of the film so well. It's beautifully done. We begin with Amidala's attack, which is a neat reference to how Padme had her bodyguard/double all throughout The Phantom Menace. From that we get the concise, digestible explanation of the Separatist vs. the Republic, and why the Jedi Knights are needed and why Amidala specifically needs Jedi protection as well. It wasn't ham-handed, it wasn't confusing, it flowed so naturally. By the way, it also proved how wrong the Machete Cut is (which cuts out TPM). You *need* TPM for the moments between Amidala/Palpatine to work, and boy, do they work.

Speaking of Amidala needing Jedi protection, what that scene also gave us what further insight into Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship. Further insight because our first introduction to the two with Anakin as a young man was fantastic. Say what you will about Hayden Christensen's acting–and, no, I don't blame him, I've seen him in other things, he's been good–but he and Ewan MacGregor are fantastic together. Great chemistry, wonderful ying and yang. Their quick ride in the elevator showed a bit of sibling, but also a touch of a father/son vibe, with a dose of mentorship. Overall their friendship shone through. Ah, until that scene with Amidala when the mentorship came into strong play and whoo, boy! that little "discussion" about what a Jedi mandate is and is not right in front of Amidala and her entourage was the very definition of AWKWARD! It set up the differences right off the bat between Anakin and Obi-Wan and really Anakin and the Jedi.

OK, fine, the scene could have been better (as so many in this film--but the same could be said for Revenge of the Sith) had Hayden Christensen done a better acting job. However, as I wrote above, it's really not that Christensen is a bad actor, it's that he's an actor who truly needs direction. For example, Samuel L. Jackson is not a bad actor. At all. And, yet, he's kinda dreadful in these films. Frankly, I never thought I'd think that SLJ is a bad actor. However, He is in this Prequel Trilogy and that's because George Lucas is not a strong director for actors. So Christensen's acting woes can be laid at the feet of Lucas. MacGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid are simply the types of actors who can deliver a performance without the aid of director to guide them. Some can do so better than others. Christensen isn't one of them. So essentially I just accepted that I could harp on the less than stellar acting coming from the co-lead thanks (or no thanks) to the direction or enjoy the overall storytelling, the brilliant weaving together of the threads and how well the characters, the plots and the action pieces worked.

Yes, the actions pieces... like the chase sequence with Obi-Wan, Anakin and Amidala's would-be assassin. That was awesome. Thrilling, sharply-directed and I just loved the humor. The banter was just top-notch between Anakin and Obi-Wan. When Obi-Wan asked what took Anakin so long, had he stopped with just saying he was looking for a speeder he liked it would have been eh, a one-liner without any punch but he kept it up while Obi-Wan was giving directions, with bits about what he liked in a speeder which gave just enough resonance that it had the feel of a long-running joke. This gave it a touch of realism, familiarity to their relationship. It was great, and, again, Christensen and MacGregor are just so good together. Lucas wrote these two so, so well.

And he knew how to twist the knife! Obi-Wan to Anakin: "Why do I think you're going to be the death of me?" {SOBS}

OK, so I wrote above about how if one can put aside Christensen's acting issues it is very possible to see the good of this film. A shining example of this is the juxtaposition of Kamino and the Lake Country on Naboo. Firstly, let's just talk about the awesome of Kamino itself. I simply cannot get over how GORGEOUS everything about Kamino is. The aliens, the design of the infrastructure, the costuming, it's just all top-notch gorgeous. I love every single, solitary moment of the Kamino stuff. The creation and history of the clones, Boba Fett's backstory, him being a clone of Jango–the one who wasn't changed or accelerated, how it so naturally fit into the introduction of the Clone Wars. So brilliant. And also how Jango and the clones were tied into that exhilarating open sequence/attack on Amidala. Aah, just so good.

Now, let's tie that brilliance in with Lake Country... because it *does* tie into Kamino and that is a big reason why I just can't hate on the love story as presented in Attack of the Clones. Because of *how* it's presented. By giving us Anakin and Padme falling in love in the Lake Country at the same time we (through Obi-Wan) learned about Kamino and the clones we saw love and war side by side. It made perfect sense juxtaposing the Lake Country and Kamino. You have the two young lovers falling on the one side, and the Clone army, set up for war, on the other. We know that Anakin falling in love with Padme is going to eventually lead him to take the Dark Path, and the Clone Army is going to turn on the Jedi somehow. Having the introduction of the clones and the introduction of the love story juxtaposed is brilliant because here you have the two key forces that BRING THE JEDI DOWN: Order 66 and Anakin Skywalker falling in love. It's so perfect.

Yes, yes, again, the love story section probably features Christensen's worst acting, but again, I blame Lucas. As for the actual scenes themselves (outside of his acting), well, I like them. I'm fine with the over-the-top dialogue. I don't think there was anything wrong with it. Was it extra? Yes. Is he a Skywalker? Yes. Are Skywalkers extra? Is the sky blue? It's who he is, he's gonna go overboard with his exclamations. It's completely in character for the Skywalkers and for Anakin Skywalker. Totally. Also, in addition to his over-the-top exclamations of love, these scenes also showed us that before he went fully Dark Side, yes, Anakin already did believe in the idea of someone like the Emperor. That idea was something he was for.

Oh, and biggie here, I absolutely think that the "I don't like sand" was a fantastic line. It was about Tatooine and all that it represented, and like he said the opposite of what Padme was. It just meant so much and was (a) a callback to his childhood as a slave, being owned by someone, and the freedom that his mother never got, and (b) foreshadowing for what was to come with Shmi's death because "sand" was representative of Tatooine. *sigh* Yeah, Shmi. Man, oh, man. Shmi's death scene just guts me every time. Seriously, it makes me cry. Now, this... this is easily Christensen's best acting in the entire trilogy. The love and connection is just immediately there between them and when she's gone his devastation is so real and that switch from pain to anger is just ON! Ugh, and when he starts killing and then it swipes to Yoda and we hear Qui-Gon crying out "Anakin! Anakin!" it just breaks my heart. This is one of the best scenes in the entire Saga.

And then were back to the action. The "machines making machines" set piece and the arena sequence are both awesome and fun, with Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan showing off their skills, wit, bravery, bravado and just overall awesome. And in between the two, oh, I loved, loved the scene between Anakin and Padme before they were brought out into the arena where she confessed her love ("I truly, deeply love you"). It was a beautiful scene, my favorite Anakin/Padme scene. I don't think that Christensen and Portman had the best chemistry or that Anakin/Padme love story was the best written, but this scene was one that I think showed the best promise of what could have been had a better director (sorry, George) and a better love story writer had taken on that aspect. Anyway, back to the action, past the arena battle where the trio were losing despite a valiant effort before the Jedi showed up was awesome, but then they were losing too... until Yoda showing up with the clones and took over and that was awesome!

OK, we're reaching the end now and still we're continuing to get those signs of what's to come. Anakin is truly caught between love over duty, wanting to save Padme over going after Dooku and Obi-Wan is witness and has to really push to keep him on the right path. But wait there's more goodness ahead! Oh, yeah, the triple header of a lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan and Dooku! But wait! There's even more! And better! I just... man... I will never not love the Yoda/Dooku lightsaber fight because, dude, Yoda in a lightsaber fight is AWESOME!

Finally, we reach the end and for those who have seen the Original Trilogy we know where this all leads and so it's perfect. This wedding of Anakin and Padme with no dialogue, just the two at the Lake Country on Naboo where they fell in love. It's perfectly done because it should be a happy occasion, but it's a somber affair. Even during their wedding kiss, neither is really smiling. The final long shot of the two, with R2 and C3P0 as their only guests on the balcony where they shared their first kiss against that gorgeous backdrop is so lovely... ah, but we know, we know there is no happy ending here. As the overall feel of the scene tells us despite the visual beauty of it.

So, yeah, this is why I love this movie. This is all the good, the great I see in it.Attack of the Clones: Underrated gem of the Star Wars universe.

#attack of the clones #star wars #anidala #anakin x padme #anakin x amidala

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coldtomyflash · 5 years ago

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I know your prompts are closed at the moment, but I've just had a light bulb moment that now just won't go away. I hope you'll put this out into the world anyway in the hopes that other writers might take a crack at it since you've probably got the wi(l)dest and most active coldflash reach that I can see. Please consider: Coldflash Firefly AU with Len as Captain Malcolm Reynolds. I have no idea where Barry will fit in with/sans powers but I JUST HAVE A BURNING NEED PLS HELP THANKS

Hmm okay Len as Mal?

If we make Barry the classic love interest in-universe, that puts Barry as Inara? But honestly I feel like we’d make Barry the doctor. What’s his name - Simon? River’s older brother.

Okay, so setup for those who haven’t seen Firefly, or haven’t seen it recently: it’s a space western in which mankind has colonized... nearby star-systems? Not the whole galaxy I don’t think but like, there’s a lot of planets? The Core Planets or whatever have basically this level of imperial control, and more resources etc - they’re the rich and powerful. The border planets are a bit lawless and like the wild west, though technically under the same jurisdiction as the Core.

Len (Mal) is Captain of Serenity, a spaceship that essentially is a transport vessel for small runs between border planets. He was part of a failed separatist rebellion against the core, and since half his business is illegal smuggling and some casual thievery, he does his best to stay away from the military and Core police-ships, etc.

Okay actual plot - there’s Len, the Captain. His sister, Lisa, who acts as First Mate, and who’s married to the navigator, Cisco. Caitlin, the ship mechanic (trust me, it actually fits), who is pretty much the only one that their violent mercenary muscle Mick doesn’t get at odds with.

Then we’ve got the more lawful members. In this world, there’s a rather respected and elevated position called a Companion, who is a sex worker but who also provides a great deal of companionship and works for predominately wealthy clients. Her presence on board gives the ship some respectability. I feel like the role of Companion in this AU is best suited for Iris, given the character’s grace and beauty, but also struggle with that for reasons I’ll get into in a sec.

So enter the inciting elements of the narrative: The Serenity is looking to take on passengers for a trip and they have some hot cargo they’re hiding/transporting, and part of the point of taking on passengers is to legitimize the trip and hide that cargo.

They take on a Doctor and a Shepherd (Reverend? Pastor? I legit don’t know the difference between these religious roles).

So by age and process of elimination the Shepherd goes to Joe, but I also think it honestly really fits, in the sense that the Shepherd is a secret badass who’s always dropping wisdom and has a history with the military that’s shrouded in mystery. Having Joe take up this role in the AU as a sort of father figure to the ship members makes a lot of sense.

Then we’ve got Barry! Finally. 3/4 into this answer and haven’t discussed Barry.

Barry’s a doctor from the Core. What’s this fancy-pants doing all the way out here, what’s with his weird ass cargo, and why’s he so goddamn cagey? Why’s he so jumpy when they run the risk of being boarded by the military? What’s he got to hide - isn’t he just a doctor?

Len does not like Barry showing up on his ship and shovelling lies in his direction and almost getting his ship boarded and his cargo found out and - that could have all been a goddamn disaster and clearly this guy is more trouble than he’s worth and Len’s had it up to here.

He opens Barry’s cargo.

Barry’s cargo, in which the cryo-frozen (still alive, just asleep) body of his sister is naked and waiting. Len gets the wrong idea. Barry gets punched. Barry is forced to explain -

It’s his sister. She was more or less abducted by the government. No one would believe him. He spent years saving her, and now they want her back. He doesn’t know what they did to her, but he knows it wasn’t good. She means everything to him - he’ll give up anything he has to protect her.

You can imagine why this pulls on Len’s heartstrings.

And - you can hopefully understand why I’m so torn on where to put Iris in this narrative. The Companion - the beautiful ingenue who Len holds a candle for even though she’s way out of his league, who is smart and sharp and capable? Or the most important person in the world to Barry and the one he’s doing all he can to protect? His best friend and a person he sees as a sister (blood relative or not, she means the world to him). Not to mention a super badass who everyone on the ship adores.

Best alternate options for the role of Companion on the ship seem to be Hartley and... I’m not even sure? Someone’s favorite Rogue? Just pick one, basically. Alternate options for River (the sister/friend/person Barry is seeking to protect and who he’s been smuggling around in cryo-freeze until right now) don’t seem to be forthcoming. Nora, possibly, or if you stretch in an interesting way then Wally? But I just have a hard time looking beyond people sees as super close and ideally familial to get at that connection.

So that’s where I’m at. Someone should write the thing. Play around with Firefly canon. Focus on the gvt more than the reavers but just like - get into it. Get into the space western of it all. Focus on the overarching plot and not the episodic ones and just take liberties with it all, but go hard and have fun.

Someone pls write the thing.

(Did I mention that the Captain and the Doctor argue a lot and that when I watched the show like a decade ago, I definitely shipped them? Because I definitely shipped them. City boy out of his depth in the west, but earning the Captain’s respect over time. The Captain threatening him but then slowly realizing that the Doctor has become part of his crew and thus part of the people he cares about and trusts? Gah!)

#coldflash #au's #firefly au #write the thing #Anonymous

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seeking-star-wars · 5 years ago

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Obi-wan Kenobi Reading List

Below the cut is a list of books that Obi-wan Kenobi appears in. The list is in chronological order using the Canon timeline from Wookieepedia, with the title of the book, author of the book, a brief synopsis of the book, and a link to the book on Amazon. The Amazon link takes you to Kindle option, but you can select physical or audiobook from the same page.

Some books focus on Obi-wan specifically, in some he’s a supporting character, and in some, he only appears briefly or as a memory.

Age of Republic - Heroes

by Jody Houser, Ethan Sacks, Marc Guggenheim, Cory Smith, Leinil Francis Yu, Paolo Villanelli, Casper Wijngaard

Collects Star Wars: Age of Republic - Anakin Skywalker 1, Star Wars: Age of Republic - Obi-Wan Kenobi 1, Star Wars: Age of Republic - Padme Amidala 1, Star Wars: Age of Republic - Qui-Gon Jinn 1; material from Star Wars: Age of Republic Special 1. This is the Age of Star Wars — an epic series of adventures uniting your favorite characters from all three trilogies! Join the greatest heroes of the Old Republic. Witness the moments that define them, the incredible battles that shaped them — and their eternal conflict between light and darkness! Maverick Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn is known to bend the rules — but a mission gone awry forces him to confront his conflicting beliefs! Anakin Skywalker has a chance to strike a devastating blow to the separatist cause. Will he choose the darker path or hold true to the Jedi code? Padmé Amidala sets out on a secret mission! Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Jedi, takes on an apprentice. Will his mission alongside his young Padawan bring them closer together or sow the seeds that will drive them apart? Plus: Mace Windu, Captain Rex...and Jar Jar Binks!

Master & Apprentice

by Claudia Gray

A Jedi must be a fearless warrior, a guardian of justice, and a scholar in the ways of the Force. But perhaps a Jedi’s most essential duty is to pass on what they have learned. Master Yoda trained Dooku; Dooku trained Qui-Gon Jinn; and now Qui-Gon has a Padawan of his own. But while Qui-Gon has faced all manner of threats and danger as a Jedi, nothing has ever scared him like the thought of failing his apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi has deep respect for his Master, but struggles to understand him. Why must Qui-Gon so often disregard the laws that bind the Jedi? Why is Qui-Gon drawn to ancient Jedi prophecies instead of more practical concerns? And why wasn’t Obi-Wan told that Qui-Gon is considering an invitation to join the Jedi Council—knowing it would mean the end of their partnership? The simple answer scares him: Obi-Wan has failed his Master. When Jedi Rael Averross, another former student of Dooku, requests their assistance with a political dispute, Jinn and Kenobi travel to the royal court of Pijal for what may be their final mission together. What should be a simple assignment quickly becomes clouded by deceit, and by visions of violent disaster that take hold in Qui-Gon’s mind. As Qui-Gon’s faith in prophecy grows, Obi-Wan’s faith in him is tested—just as a threat surfaces that will demand that Master and apprentice come together as never before, or be divided forever.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Adaptation by Terry Brooks

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, an evil legacy long believed dead is stirring. Now the dark side of the Force threatens to overwhelm the light, and only an ancient Jedi prophecy stands between hope and doom for the entire galaxy. On the green, unspoiled world of Naboo, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, arrive to protect the realm’s young queen as she seeks a diplomatic solution to end the siege of her planet by Trade Federation warships. At the same time, on desert-swept Tatooine, a slave boy named Anakin Skywalker, who possesses a strange ability for understanding the “rightness” of things, toils by day and dreams by night—of becoming a Jedi Knight and finding a way to win freedom for himself and his beloved mother. It will be the unexpected meeting of Jedi, Queen, and a gifted boy that will mark the start of a drama that will become legend. Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years, plus a brand-new Darth Maul short story by New York Times bestselling author James Luceno!

Obi-wan & Anakin, Complete

by Charles Soule and Marco Checchetto

Collects Obi-Wan and Anakin #1-5 single issues. Before their military heroism in the Clone Wars, before their tragic battle on Mustafar and many decades before their final confrontation on the Death Star, they were Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Now join them a few years into Anakin's, "chosen one" training. Teacher and student have grown closer over time, but it's been a difficult road. And things aren't about to get any easier. In fact, when they're called to a remote planet for assistance, the pair may be pushed to their breaking point. As they find themselves stranded on a strange world of primitive technology and deadly natives, will they be able to save themselves? When war breaks out around them, master and apprentice will find themselves on opposite sides!

Queen’s Shadow

by E. K. Johnston

Written by the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Ahsoka! When Padmé Naberrie, "Queen Amidala" of Naboo, steps down from her position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo's representative in the Galactic Senate. Padmé is unsure about taking on the new role, but cannot turn down the request to serve her people. Together with her most loyal handmaidens, Padmé must figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen's shadow.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Adaptation by R.A. Salvatore

Mischievous and resolved, courageous to the point of recklessness, Anakin Skywalker has come of age in a time of great upheaval. The nineteen-year-old apprentice to Obi-Wan Kenobi is an enigma to the Jedi Council, and a challenge to his Jedi Master. Time has not dulled Anakin’s ambition, nor has his Jedi training tamed his independent streak. When an attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala’s life brings them together for the first time in ten years, it is clear that time also has not dulled Anakin’s intense feelings for the beautiful diplomat. The attack on Senator Amidala just before a crucial vote thrusts the Republic even closer to the edge of disaster. Masters Yoda and Mace Windu sense enormous unease. The dark side is growing, clouding the Jedi’s perception of the events. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, a slow rumble is building into the roar of thousands of soldiers readying for battle. But even as the Republic falters around them, Anakin and Padmé find a connection so intense that all else begins to fall away. Anakin will lose himself—and his way—in emotions a Jedi, sworn to hold allegiance only to the Order, is forbidden to have. Based on the story by George Lucas and the screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathan Hales, this intense and revealing novel by bestselling author R. A. Salvatore sheds new light on the legend of Star Wars—and skillfully illuminates one of our most beloved sagas. Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

Star Wars Adventures I

by Landry Q. Walker, Cavan Scott, Derek Charm, Eric Jones, Elsa Charretier

Brand-new Star Wars comic book stories for readers of all ages! These new adventures make this sprawling universe more accessible than ever. Travel to a galaxy far, far away in the first volume of an all-new series as a rotating cast of characters (and creators!) journey through Star Wars history! Stories range from before the events of the first film all the way up to Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, in theatres December 2017. Characters major and minor, classic and new, expand the world of Star Wars into new territory, telling larger-than-life stories that encapsulate the breadth of the galactic struggle between good and evil for a new generation of fans

Dark Disciple

by Christie Golden

The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side. In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself. But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest. Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Adaptation by Matthew Stover

The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at hand After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor’ s disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die. As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin–tormented by unspeakable visions– edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic . . . and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader. Based on the screenplay of the eagerly anticipated final film in George Lucas’s epic saga, bestselling Star Wars author Matthew Stover’s novel crackles with action, captures the iconic characters in all their complexity, and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle in stunning style. Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

Ahsoka

by E. K. Johnston

Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance….

Lords of the Sith

by Paul S. Kemp

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . When the Emperor and his notorious apprentice, Darth Vader, find themselves stranded in the middle of insurgent action on an inhospitable planet, they must rely on each other, the Force, and their own ruthlessness to prevail. “It appears things are as you suspected, Lord Vader. We are indeed hunted.” Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, is just a memory. Darth Vader, newly anointed Sith Lord, is ascendant. The Emperor’s chosen apprentice has swiftly proven his loyalty to the dark side. Still, the history of the Sith Order is one of duplicity, betrayal, and acolytes violently usurping their Masters—and the truest measure of Vader’s allegiance has yet to be taken. Until now. On Ryloth, a planet crucial to the growing Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as “spice,” an aggressive resistance movement has arisen, led by Cham Syndulla, an idealistic freedom fighter, and Isval, a vengeful former slave. But Emperor Palpatine means to control the embattled world and its precious resources—by political power or firepower—and he will be neither intimidated nor denied. Accompanied by his merciless disciple, Darth Vader, he sets out on a rare personal mission to ensure his will is done. For Syndulla and Isval, it’s the opportunity to strike at the very heart of the ruthless dictatorship sweeping the galaxy. And for the Emperor and Darth Vader, Ryloth becomes more than just a matter of putting down an insurrection: When an ambush sends them crashing to the planet’s surface, where inhospitable terrain and an army of resistance fighters await them, they will find their relationship tested as never before. With only their lightsabers, the dark side of the Force, and each other to depend on, the two Sith must decide if the brutal bond they share will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries.

Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir

by Jeremy Barlow, Juan Frigeri

Collecting Star Wars: Darth Maul - Son of Dathomir #1-4 and material from Star Wars Tales #7-9. Getting cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi and being rejected by his former Sith Master Darth Sidious isn't going to defeat Darth Maul. In fact, it only makes him mad enough to take on the galaxy - with an army of Mandalorians! After forming the Shadow Collective - a criminal organization composed of the Hutts, Black Sun, the Mandalorians, and the fearsome Nightbrothers - Maul wages war against Darth Sidious and his generals, Count Dooku and General Grievous! Adapted from unproduced screenplays for Season 6 of The Clone Wars television show, this is the final chapter planned for Darth Maul' saga.

Star Wars #7

by Jason Aaron, John Cassaday, Simone Bianchi

A special one-off tale of Ben Kenobi! Injustice reigns on Tatooine as villainous scum run rampant. Will Ben risk revealing himself to do what's right? Guest artist Simone Bianchi (Wolverine, Astonishing X-Men) joins writer Jason Aaron for this special tale!

Star Wars #15

by Jason Aaron, Mike Mayhew

FROM THE JOURNALS OF OBI-WAN KENOBI. Another tale of Obi-Wan's exile on Tatooine! Owen Lars took Luke in...but he refused to let Ben be part of his life. Why? What trouble could have been stirred up by Ben protecting Luke?

Star Wars #20

by Jason Aaron, Mike Mayhew

Another dive into the journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi! Jabba has hired bounty hunter Black Krrsantan to find out who's been thwarting his men! The old hermit of the dune wastes might know something about that.

A New Dawn

By John Jackson Miller with a foreword by Dave Filoni

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . “The war is over. The Separatists have been defeated, and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning.”—Emperor Palpatine For a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights brought peace and order to the Galactic Republic, aided by their connection to the mystical energy field known as the Force. But they were betrayed—and the entire galaxy has paid the price. It is the Age of the Empire. Now Emperor Palpatine, once Chancellor of the Republic and secretly a Sith follower of the dark side of the Force, has brought his own peace and order to the galaxy. Peace through brutal repression, and order through increasing control of his subjects’ lives. But even as the Emperor tightens his iron grip, others have begun to question his means and motives. And still others, whose lives were destroyed by Palpatine’s machinations, lay scattered about the galaxy like unexploded bombs, waiting to go off. . . . The first Star Wars novel created in collaboration with the Lucasfilm Story Group, Star Wars: A New Dawn is set during the legendary “Dark Times” between Episodes III and IV and tells the story of how two of the lead characters from the animated series Star Wars Rebels first came to cross paths. Featuring a foreword by Dave Filoni.

Tales from Vader’s Castle

by Cavan Scott, Derek Charm, Chris Fenoglio, Corin Howell, Robert Hack, Charles Paul Willson III

How do a band of rebels distract themselves when sneaking into the creepiest place in the galaxy? Tell scary stories of course! Follow Lina Graf, Crater, and friends as they sneak—and fight—their way into the terrifying castle of Darth Vader! Along the way, they’ll trade spooky stories featuring the most terrifying villains and creatures in the universe!

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Adaptation by George Lucas

Kindle | Other Versions

The classic adventure that started it all A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . . Luke Skywalker lived and worked on his uncle's farm on the remote planet of Tatooine—and he was bored beyond belief. He yearned for adventures out among the stars, adventures that would take him beyond the farthest galaxies to distant and alien worlds. But Luke gets more than he bargained for when he intercepts a cryptic message from a beautiful princess held captive by a dark and powerful warlord. Luke doesn't know who she is, but he knows he has to save her—and soon, because time is running out. Armed only with courage and with the lightsaber that had been his father's, Luke is catapulted into the middle of the most savage space war ever—and headed straight for a desperate encounter on the enemy battle station known as the Death Star. . . .

From a Certain Point of View

by Renee Ahdieh, Meg Cabot, Pierce Brown, Nnedi Okorafor, Sabaa Tahir

On May 25, 1977, the world was introduced to Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and a galaxy full of possibilities. In honor of the fortieth anniversary, more than forty contributors lend their vision to this retelling of Star Wars. Each of the forty short stories reimagines a moment from the original film, but through the eyes of a supporting character. From a Certain Point of View features contributions by bestselling authors, trendsetting artists, and treasured voices from the literary history of Star Wars: • Gary Whitta bridges the gap from Rogue One to A New Hope through the eyes of Captain Antilles. • Aunt Beru finds her voice in an intimate character study by Meg Cabot. • Nnedi Okorofor brings dignity and depth to a most unlikely character: the monster in the trash compactor. • Pablo Hidalgo provides a chilling glimpse inside the mind of Grand Moff Tarkin. • Pierce Brown chronicles Biggs Darklighter’s final flight during the Rebellion’s harrowing attack on the Death Star. • Wil Wheaton spins a poignant tale of the rebels left behind on Yavin. Plus thirty-four more hilarious, heartbreaking, and astonishing tales from: Ben Acker • Renée Ahdieh • Tom Angleberger • Ben Blacker • Jeffrey Brown • Rae Carson • Adam Christopher • Zoraida Córdova • Delilah S. Dawson • Kelly Sue DeConnick • Paul Dini • Ian Doescher • Ashley Eckstein • Matt Fraction • Alexander Freed • Jason Fry • Kieron Gillen • Christie Golden • Claudia Gray • E. K. Johnston • Paul S. Kemp • Mur Lafferty • Ken Liu • Griffin McElroy • John Jackson Miller • Daniel José Older • Mallory Ortberg • Beth Revis • Madeleine Roux • Greg Rucka • Gary D. Schmidt • Cavan Scott • Charles Soule • Sabaa Tahir • Elizabeth Wein • Glen Weldon • Chuck Wendig All participating authors have generously forgone any compensation for their stories. Instead, their proceeds will be donated to First Book—a leading nonprofit that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to educators and organizations serving children in need. To further celebrate the launch of this book and both companies’ longstanding relationships with First Book, Penguin Random House has donated $100,000 to First Book, and Disney/Lucasfilm has donated 100,000 children’s books—valued at $1,000,000—to support First Book and their mission of providing equal access to quality education. Over the past sixteen years, Disney and Penguin Random House combined have donated more than eighty-eight million books to First Book.

Heir to the Jedi

by Kevin Hearne

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . A thrilling new adventure set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and—for the first time ever—written entirely from Luke Skywalker’s first-person point of view. Luke Skywalker’s game-changing destruction of the Death Star has made him not only a hero of the Rebel Alliance but a valuable asset in the ongoing battle against the Empire. Though he’s a long way from mastering the power of the Force, there’s no denying his phenomenal skills as a pilot—and in the eyes of Rebel leaders Princess Leia Organa and Admiral Ackbar, there’s no one better qualified to carry out a daring rescue mission crucial to the Alliance cause. A brilliant alien cryptographer renowned for her ability to breach even the most advanced communications systems is being detained by Imperial agents determined to exploit her exceptional talents for the Empire’s purposes. But the prospective spy’s sympathies lie with the Rebels, and she’s willing to join their effort in exchange for being reunited with her family. It’s an opportunity to gain a critical edge against the Empire that’s too precious to pass up. It’s also a job that demands the element of surprise. So Luke and the ever-resourceful droid R2-D2 swap their trusty X-wing fighter for a sleek space yacht piloted by brash recruit Nakari Kelen, daughter of a biotech mogul, who’s got a score of her own to settle with the Empire. Challenged by ruthless Imperial bodyguards, death-dealing enemy battleships, merciless bounty hunters, and monstrous brain-eating parasites, Luke plunges head-on into a high-stakes espionage operation that will push his abilities as a Rebel fighter and would-be Jedi to the limit. If ever he needed the wisdom of Obi-Wan Kenobi to shepherd him through danger, it’s now. But Luke will have to rely on himself, his friends, and his own burgeoning relationship with the Force to survive.

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Adaptation by Donald F. Glut

Based on the story by George Lucas and the screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan The adventures of Luke Skywalker did not end with the destruction of the Death Star. Though the Rebel Alliance won a significant battle, the war against the Empire has only just begun. Several months have passed, and the Rebels have established a hidden outpost on the frozen wasteland of Hoth. But even on that icy backwater planet, they cannot escape the evil Darth Vader’s notice for long. Soon Luke, Han, Princess Leia, and their faithful companions will be forced to flee, scattering in all directions—with the Dark Lord’s minions in fevered pursuit.

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Adaptation by James Khan

It was a dark time for the rebel alliance...Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, had been delivered into the hands of the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt. Determined to rescue him, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian launched a hazardous mission against Jabba's Tatooine stronghold. The Rebel commanders gathered all the warships of the Rebel fleet into a single giant armada. And Darth Vader and the Emperor, who had ordered construction to begin on a new and even more powerful Death Star, were making plans to crush the Rebel Alliance once and for all.

Aftermath: Life Debt

by Chuck Wendig

It is a dark time for the Empire. . . . The Emperor is dead, and the remnants of his former Empire are in retreat. As the New Republic fights to restore a lasting peace to the galaxy, some dare to imagine new beginnings and new destinies. For Han Solo, that means settling his last outstanding debt, by helping Chewbacca liberate the Wookiee’s homeworld of Kashyyyk. Meanwhile, Norra Wexley and her band of Imperial hunters pursue Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and the Empire’s remaining leadership across the galaxy. Even as more and more officers are brought to justice, Sloane continues to elude the New Republic, and Norra fears Sloane may be searching for a means to save the crumbling Empire from oblivion. But the hunt for Sloane is cut short when Norra receives an urgent request from Princess Leia Organa. The attempt to liberate Kashyyyk has carried Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a band of smugglers into an ambush—resulting in Chewie’s capture and Han’s disappearance. Breaking away from their official mission and racing toward the Millennium Falcon’s last known location, Norra and her crew prepare for any challenge that stands between them and their missing comrades. But they can’t anticipate the true depth of the danger that awaits them—or the ruthlessness of the enemy drawing them into his crosshairs.

#seeking star wars #star wars #obi-wan kenobi #reading list #canon books

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maulusque · 6 years ago

Text

here’s an idea

some of the jedi actually have their shit together re: the morality of a slave army.

Namely Aayla Secura and Plo Koon. From the start of the war, they both voiced opposition to taking part, specifically citing the clones’ situation. The Council convinced them to take part as generals anyway, on the basis that at least they could do some good for the clones as generals, whereas if they sat out and let another take their place, they wouldn’t be able to do anything. They feel like hypocrites, like slave owners, but they both vow to do everything in their power to see the clones freed. After the war. And the war just keeps, happening, you know? It seems like there’s always somewhere where they and their troops are needed, innocent civilians to save, and they can prioritize civilian lives over the clones’ lives, right? I mean, at least the clones are trained for this. They both care as much as they can for the men they have, but they still lead them to battle, lead them to their deaths, requisition more troops from Kamino with the same forms they requisition more blasters with.

Eventually, as the war drags on and on and on, and their best intentions for the clones are stymied by exhaustion, death, and bureaucracy, both Plo and Aayla realize, independently, that they need to take drastic action if they want to be able to consider themselves Jedi, or even good people. Because they haven’t done right by the clones. Whatever their intentions, they have been complicit in slavery, in child abuse, in murder and torture. Making the clones wait until the end of the war for their freedom is cruel and inhumane, and unless they prioritize freedom and justice for their men now, then they are no better than the slave lords of the outer rim, who sit in their massive palaces with fortunes built on slavery. So, they reach out. They talk to their Commanders. Bly and Wolffe put them in touch with Cody, and with each other. Cody and the other Commanders have been talking, in secret. They, too, have realized that the war isn’t going to end anytime soon, and even if it does, what happens to them?

Cody is reluctant to trust Aayla and Plo, but Bly and Wolffe vouch for them. He asks them, if you are truly willing to help us, you have to realize that this might mean quitting the Jedi Order. This might mean turning against your fellow Jedi. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to, say, kill Mace Windu, or Depa Billaba, or Ahsoka Tano, if it means our freedom? Aayla and Plo say yes, they are. And they are. This had been one of the toughest choices they’ve had to make in their lives, when it should have been one of the easiest. They are Jedi, and they will fight against injustice and slavery wherever it may be, no matter who is perpetrating it.

So Cody sets them to work. Aayla reaches out to her old master, Quinlan Vos. In this universe, instead of being a racist dickhead, his anti-clone sentiment is born from the fact that he utterly disagrees with the idea of Jedi waging war, and has transformed that into resenting the clones. He’s spent the entire war being literally as far away from it as possible, ignoring the Council as much as he can. Eventually, though, he undergoes a mr. darcy-like transformation, realizes what an asshole he’s been, and when Aayla comes knocking, he’s already been smuggling troopers slated for decomissioning to safe planets.

Plo Koon reaches out to Ahsoka. In the time since she’s left the order, she’s done a lot of growing up. Outside of the stress of constant war, and the influence of the Council and Anakin, she’s done a lot of thinking and also undergone Character Growth, realizing how unfair the clones’ situation is, and how she contributed to it, how she ignored the power differential between them. She jumps at the chance to help. (it does take her a bit to get used to the idea that she’s not a leader here, not a commander- she’s a useful agent, and her input is appreciated, but she and the Jedi with her are not in charge). Ahsoka approaches Rex, he tells her what happened to Fives. Ahsoka does some digging, and uncovers the chips. She takes the info straight to Rex, who, with the other Commanders and the medics, coordinate a massive, secret de-chipping operation under the guise of every trooper needing a vaccine to combat some new disease making the rounds.

Once Cody and the others are fairly sure that the majority of the army has been dechipped, the Commanders make their move, and the entire GAR goes on strike. Every Commander has passed down orders to their captains, and the captains have passed it down to their men, so everyone is briefed on what to do and how to behave. Any troops currently engaged in battle abandon whatever objective they had, fighting only to their extraction point. GAR ships abandon contested space, re-centering around Republic planets and bases. Troopers are ordered to only perform the duties necessary to keep the ships running and keep everyone alive. Food, sanitation, medical, and defense if they are attacked. Many battalions are essentially dead in space, or on whatever planet they were on, because their Jedi leaders won’t relinquish the bridges of their ships, but their troops refuse to fight. So Aayla, Plo, and the other allied Jedi are able to take their troops to these stranded groups, giving them supplies, taking the wounded, helping them defend against separatist forces if they need it.

Cody and the other Commanders have put together a document, and they send two copies. One to the Senate, and one to the Jedi Council. It is a list of grievances, followed by a list of demands.

Needless to say, the Jedi Council are forced into a negotiation pretty damn quick. The Commanders insist that a representative of the Senate, someone with the authority to speak for them, be present too. The clones refuse to send their representatives to Coruscant, because they don’t trust the Jedi Council or the Senate not to execute them. Anakin Skywalker volunteers his ship as a neutral place- sure, the 501st is on strike, but it’s a Jedi ship, so both parties should feel about as equally uncomfortable.

At the negotiations, representing the Clone Troopers: Commander Cody, Commander Wolffe, Commander Bly, and Captain Rex. Plo Koon, Aayla Secura, Quinlan Vos, and Ahsoka Tano are there to, mostly to say what the clones say, but louder and with a Jedi voice, so the council might actually listen. Present on behalf of the Jedi: Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and, ironically enough, Plo Koon, who volunteered when Yoda asked for Council members willing to participate in the negotiations. Present on behalf of the Senate: Senator Bail Organa, Senator Halle Burtoni of Kamino, and Chancellor Palpatine. Anakin is there, too, of course. It’s his ship, after all. Cody starts off by re-listing their grievances, the crimes committed against the Clone Troopers (he’s left the chips off the list- they’re still not 100% sure who’s behind it and don’t want to endanger the troops still chipped). Yoda and Mace try to interrupt him many times, but Cody just keeps talking over them, and Plo Koon keeps going “no let him finish this sounds interesting”.

When Cody finishes, Halle Burtoni erupts into a rant about “traitors” and “defective products”. Senator Organa thinks Cody has a point. A good one. A lot of good ones, actually. Palpatine is quiet, silently calculating how he can turn this to his advantage. Yoda spouts off with a bunch of Jedi platitudes about perspective, the greater good, blah blah blah. Cody just looks at him and says “sir, you’re full of shit.” Before anyone can get on his case for it, Rex stands and starts reading off their demands. Obi-Wan keeps interrupting, with things like “surely, we can negotiate” or “I agree that you and your men have a right to these things, but in war, certain sacrifices must be made” and “can’t this wait until after we defeat the separatists?” Rex tells him to shut the hell up and listen for once in his goddamn life (quote). Obi-Wan turns to Anakin and says “Anakin, I thought you taught your men more respect than that!” but Anakin says “Actually, Master, I agree with Rex.” Before THAT can blow up, Yoda tries to calm things down with “discuss your requests, we must” but Wolffe’s like “Not requests. Demands. We are not here to negotiate, we are here to tell you what you must do if you want to keep your army.” There’s arguing. There’s yelling. Aayla makes an impassioned speech about freedom. Anakin and Ahsoka have a quick hushed aside, in which it takes Anakin about 30 seconds to decide he’s quitting the Order, too. Yoda and Mace ask Plo to back them up, but he just points at Wolffe and goes “my son”. Cody, Rex, Bly, and Wolffe are doing an excellent job of looking like the only professionals in the room.

Eventually, Bail Organa asks everyone to calm down. “Commanders, I hear your grievances, and I understand that you have been treated wrongly. I propose that I introduce a bill in the Senate, to legally grant your demands-by the way, can I have a copy of that list?- We might have to do some arm-twisting to get the votes, but if you and your brothers hold steadfast in your strike, I’m sure it won’t take too long for the Senators to come around- especially those whose planets are close to Separatist activity.” Yoda mumbles something about needing to meditate before taking any action. Bail turns to Palpatine, who hasn’t said a word so far. “What do you think, Chancellor? Such a bill would move through the Senate much faster with your backing.”

Palpatine has been watching the proceedings, and thinking. This could totally work out for him. Anakin and Obi-Wan are on opposite sides of this debate, and he didn’t even have to do anything to drive this wedge between them. Anakin is primed to declare against the Jedi Order. If he plays his ace card soon, the Clone Troopers massacre the Jedi, and, combined with their current strike, is more than enough justification for him to declare them all defective traitors and have them all killed via the chips, leaving Anakin with no one and nothing. Then, it’s a simple matter of unleashing him on the Separatists, having him commit more and more atrocities in the name of victory... unless, of course, Anakin decides to help the clones and participate in Order 66 himself, in which case, his job is done! And he might not even need to kill Padme to do it! At least, not until after the children are born and he can assess whether he wants one of them as an apprentice instead of their father. So Palpatine stands, walks over to Cody, and says, “Commander Cody, the time has come. Execute Order 66.”

And Cody says “Fuck you, Chancellor.” and punches him in the face. In the ensuing shitstorm, a lot of stuff is revealed. Palpatine is a sith lord- the angry Force lightning kind of made it obvious. Anakin has good reflexes, jumping in front of the lightning and absorbing the blast to protect Cody (he’s the most powerful Force-sensitive in a thousand years at least, he’ll be fine). Rex has good aim and good priorities- his pistols are drawn and Palpatine has two smoking holes where his eyes were before Anakin has finished screaming and collapsing dramatically. “Oh my fucking god,” Mace Windu says, realizing that they’ve been living in the pocket of a Sith Lord for a good decade and that he is an idiot. Wolffe is trying to get past Plo Koon, who jumped in front of him the moment Cody punched Palpatine. Aayla and Bly both tried to jump in front of each other (Bly won, because Aayla may be a Jedi but she’s shorter than he is), and Ahsoka, who didn’t get the chance to jump in front of anybody, just goes “yikes”. Obi-Wan, who is currently evaluating all of his life choices and also just how well he really knows his Commander, goes “agreed”.

Anyway Bail gets the bill passed and is elected chancellor, and immediately enters into negotiations with the Separatists (dooku mysteriously vanished, high-tailing it out of there when his master died, and suddenly the separatist forces are much less blood-thirsty and sentient-rights violating when he’s not leading them). Yoda retires to a swamp planet, Mace decides to de-centralize the Jedi Order, re-write a lot of rules and Jedi philosophy, and moves to a new Temple being built on Hoth or something.

The clones are freed, given citizenship, backpay, and reparations, funded mostly by the Senate taxing the shit out of the Banking Clans and the Trade Federation. They objected strenuously, but couldn’t really do much about it with an entire clone army breathing down their necks. There’s a big search for a home for the clones, and a planet that will agree to host them. This is when the clan leaders of the Mandalorian Houses come forward- not the New Mandalorians, but the Mandalorians of the traditional, warrior culture, kicked out of Mandalore by the new government, living as a diaspora all over the galaxy. They say they will claim the Clones as theirs, accept them as their own clan. Their motives are manifold- one, the Clones were trained by Mandalorians, including Jango Fett, and clone culture borrows a lot from the Mandalorians. Secondly, it’ll really piss off Satine Kryze’s government, Thirdly, the promises made to the clones in Organa’s bill could be leveraged into a win-win for the Mandalorian Clans and the Clones. The Clones get their citizenship, and the Mandalorian Clans get recognized as an independent political entity, separate from New Mandalore, and as such, not subject to their laws, and entitled to a Senator of their own, as well as protection and recognition for their citizens spread throughout the Galaxy.

Additionally, many planets offer citizenship programs to the clones, especially those whose populations had been decimated by the war. Governments are desperate for able-bodied people to come in and fill in the economic gap left by the war to stave off economic collapse. The Senate further creates programs to make it easier for clones to gain citizenship on planets that might not be so eager for them to live there, and for clones who are disabled and unable to work. So many clones end up with dual citizenship- Mandalorian Clans, and their home planet of choice.

Many choose to stay in the army- it’s familiar, it’s easier than trying to find a job and pay rent (especially when you’ve never heard of a job, salary, or rent growing up), it’s where their brothers are, and hey, they’re getting paid now. Anakin talks to Rex, and together, they take the 501st to the Outer Rim and wreck shit on the Hutts and their slave empire. After fulfilling his childhood dream of liberating Tattooine, Anakin retires to raise his children with his wife. Wolffe spends a few years traveling the galaxy alone, seeing new places and meeting new people. Eventually he returns to Coruscant, and when he leaves, a newly retired Plo Koon goes with him, and together they see as much of the galaxy as they can. Cody and Rex spend a while helping to settle their vod’e, taking the cadets and babies from Kamino and setting up home bases all over the galaxy, where they are raised by their older brothers. Cody discovers that he loves teaching. Rex finds out that he really likes kids. Eventually, Cody and Rex retire, but they still spend a lot of time with the clone children, and with their brothers. Ahsoka drops by every once in a while. Bail spends his career rooting out corruption and establishing requirements that Republic planets must elect their senators by popular vote. Everyone is reasonably content, oh and also Fives didn’t really die, he was wearing a blaster-proof vest and went into hiding, he rescued Echo and they both live the rest of their lives happily together.

#Clone Wars #SW TCW #cody #rex #aayla secura #plo koon #jedi not being stupid

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