#i want cody to have a chip removal

[jockbots]

At any given point, assume I am thinking about Commander Cody

[fellthemarvelous]

Without hope, we have nothing.

(Spoilers and speculation included a bit further down)

This is actually a post about the Bad Batch and not Star Wars Rebels, but this bit is important so...

Try not to cry when you remember that Tech is the one who taught Hera Syndulla how to mask her ship's signature, a move that made her a massive threat to the Empire and a move that she often used to her advantage. She was such a threat to the Empire that they wanted to capture her alive so they could make an example of her for her years of defiance.

And then also try not to cry when you remember that when Hera was taken prisoner by the Empire, Kanan Jarrus sacrificed his life to free her and save the future of the Rebellion. Try not to cry when you think about the fact that Kanan Jarrus aka Caleb Dume was the Jedi padawan the Bad Batch protected (except for Crosshair) from the Empire during Order 66 by claiming Hunter killed him.

Hunter, Tech, Wrecker and Echo lied to the Empire to protect a Jedi.

And Tech taught Hera how to evade the Empire when the Bad Batch helped her family (Chopper included) escape Ryloth after being accused of treason.

Clone Force 99's actions had a direct outcome on the success of the Rebellion. They refused to commit treason against the Republic and all they did was commit treason against the Empire. They were strong enough to resist the effects of the inhibitor chip (Crosshair and Wrecker for awhile), outright ignored Order 66 (Hunter and Tech), or were tortured and turned partially into a machine against his will by the Techno Union and used as a weapon against the Republic who, upon rescue, immediately jumped back into Separatist territory and fucked their asses up (Echo). Luckily, with the help of Rex, they got their chips removed after Wrecker tried to kill all of them.

Everything under the cut is pure speculation. I'm having a galaxy brain moment, I just have no idea if it's pointing me in the right direction or not lol.

If you disagree with me, I don't need you to rudely tell me why.

After his time on Tantiss, Crosshair can now identify with Echo more than anyone else in the Bad Batch (and Tech if CX-2 is Tech).

When they went to rescue Echo, Crosshair is the one who snidely told Captain Rex that he would have left Echo behind too.

Which is exactly what happened to Crosshair when the Empire turned him into a weapon against his own brothers. He had no choice because the Empire attached him to a machine and amped up the effect of his inhibitor chip so he could not disobey orders.

Rex told Cody "I think Echo is still alive" and Cody told him that was impossible. Anakin accompanied him on this rescue mission with The Bad Batch (we know Cody would have too if he hadn't been injured).

I think that if Tech is CX-2, Crosshair already knows or highly suspects it. He's terrified of Tantiss. I think we're going to have a parallel moment of Crosshair possibly saying the same thing, knowing that he could never leave a brother behind again after what he went through, especially if CX-2 is Tech. (I also wouldn't be surprised if Omega suspected something after her trip back to Tantiss with CX-2.)

We never saw Echo's body after the explosion. Instead we got this image. An empty helmet and a droid arm.

Crosshair defected from the Empire when he witnessed the Empire tell him that Mayday was only a clone and not worth giving medical attention to. Those actions resulted in the death of Mayday and that's when Crosshair chose to shoot an Imperial officer between the eyes (similar to Dogma's execution of General Krell in many ways).

If Tech is CX-2, that is the second Bad Batcher the Empire has turned into an enemy against his brothers.

This is the last we saw of Tech.

Hemlock was fucking lying when he said that Tech's glasses were all they recovered. Why the hell would he have found Tech's glasses and not Tech? All we see below him are clouds. And this is the last bit of Tech we see. That gun is in the shot with his glasses for a reason.

I feel like this is going to parallel Echo's rescue from Skako Minor. Tech and Echo are both highly intelligent huge ass nerds (remember that the battle plans being used against the Republic were written by both Rex and Echo, and Cody acknowledged that Rex was one of their best strategists in the GAR) who always ended up working best together.

Part of me wonders if we are heading into a show centered on the clone troopers in a post Order 66 world going up against the Empire as they try to rescue more of their brothers. Enough to become a problem for the Empire.

Part of me also wonders if the inclusion of Force sensitive children in the Bad Batch means Rex will need to call Ahsoka into the fray. Wolffe has only appeared once so he hasn't even switched sides, let alone even started blocking Ahsoka's messages to Rex yet. During the Clone Wars she had to save Force sensitive children from Darth Sidious. During the Rebellion, the saved more Force sensitive children from Darth Sidious. It makes me wonder if she is also going to save Force sensitive children from this too? I might be reaching a bit too much here, but it could be a possibility! She seems to always show up when Force sensitive children need to be rescued from Darth Sidious.

No matter what ending we get for the Bad Batch, I know it's going to leave us with hope for the future because the message in Star Wars has always shown us that hope will always be stronger than fear.

A simple act of kindness can fill a galaxy with hope.

Without hope, we have nothing.

These episodes are all relevant to Echo's journey. The Domino Squad was referred to as a bad batch and Echo was the one who seemed to struggle the most with orders that conflicted with doing what needed to be done. He is the one who memorized the regulations manual after all. And now the Bad Batch are on a similar journey because they have never trusted regs before, but now it seems they might have to trust the regs to come to help them the way they helped Rex and Echo before the war ended. The way they helped Gregor after the war ended.

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but that's a fanfic I can always write!! I don't want to get into who I think is going to die or survive, but I have my suspicions there too and I'm already in too much pain to keep going.

[toska-writes]

helloo! i love your writing so much and i wonder would you like to write commander cody with padawan reader, it's after order 66. and as we know in bad batch s2 he's gone to AWOL right? so what if he go to other planets anywhere and meet reader again (let's pretend he already removed his chip lol) imagine how he feels guilt meeting his little padawan after trying to kill her and her master (obi-wan) and how the reader react meeting him again especially looking at her cody sun armor become gray like shadow unlike him.

(sorry if my english kinda messed up, and have a great day!! <3)

Wow, just wow

“Sunshine”

Summary: after order 66 Cody jumps at only the chance to get at least one person from his old life back- no matter the cost

Paring: Cody x GN padawan Reader (it’s platonic!)

Warning: hurt/comfort nightmares ptsd let me know if I missed anything

Word count: 1822

Notes: I’m very proud of this one and I hope you enjoy! It’s also not proofread because I need some sleep

Cody’s head hurt again.

But it wasn’t like last time, he was in control now and always will be.

“How are you feeling Kotes?” Rex came around the tables and laid a hand on Cody’s shoulder.

To be honest Cody wasn’t sure what he was feeling, if anything. Nausea sat in the pit of his stomach but he feared that it wasn’t just from the procedure he went through.

A hand reached up to the side of his head, the fresh bandage felt course under his hand- the all to familiar feeling of before.

“I’m fine.” Cody’s voice was raspy and burned his throat- Rex picked up on this and quickly went to get him a drink of water.

There he sat alone.

He was alone for a while now, but nothing like this. If you went back a few week you would see the small spark of hope illuminating in his eyes.

Cody wasn’t sure of a lot of things since the war ended but maybe it was the illusion of hope that he and Crosshair could escape together.

“Good soldiers follow orders.”

Then Cody went AWOL. Finally it seemed that he got his mind right- the headaches and the dreams that plagued him however said otherwise.

Rex walked back in. Cody’s eyes were clouded in thought as he sat unmoving on the table.

Placing a ginger hand on his knee Rex has never seen is brother in such a state. But the way he felt in this moment- finally getting his free will totally returned to him was something he would never forget.

“Hey Kotes,” Rex helped him to his feet and lend him out into the halls. “We found something you might need to take a look at.”

Cody almost instantly snapped back to attention as the pair of brothers made their way back to the ship they arrived on.

“A few radars picked up on some chatter from the bounty hunters guild.” Rex returned to the Captain Cody knows and loves, things were going back to how they use to be.

“Why would your crew have any interest in the guilds?” Cody questioned, a little slow to connect the dots. “Your fighting an empire here.”

Rex stared at him for a moment, his try at a sarcastic tone clearly flew over Rex’s head.

It was one of the only times Cody has ever seen Rex so unsure about what he was about to say. “We picked up Y/N’s location. The bounty for Jedi are unbelievably high and I’m worried if one of us doesn’t get there in time it might go sour.”

Cody froze in his seat, the end of Rex’s sentence seemed to go blurry. The moment replayed every hour of the day, awake or asleep. He memorized the moment when he watched Obi-wan fall from that terrible hight.

He remembered the look you gave him as he turned to you, your lightsaber coming up in your shaky hands staring at him.

“Cody what’s going on?”

“I- they made it?” Cody looked at Rex, the dark thought that he was playing a terrible joke on him.

Rex only nodded his confirmation. Waiting for Cody to see just want he would do.

You wouldn’t want to see him. Cody didn’t even want to see himself. The terrors he’s created would never wash off no matter how hard he scrubbed.

The armor that surrounded him all his life was striped away, just like everything he has ever known. His sunshine was stripped away as well.

Taking a shaky breath in Cody whispered. “Take me to them.”

•••

Your head hurt again.

It was just like the last time, the moment you realized nobody was on your side anymore.

The purge left you stranded by yourself, unsure of what to do you fled as far as you could.

The outer rim served its purpose for now but the empire was expanding, and the hunters became bolder with their search.

Against your better judgment you tried to reach Ahsoka, Hunter even but it was no use.

Maybe now you were by yourself. Cutoff.

You sat up straight in your makeshift bed. The sheets bawled into your fist as your chest heaved and sweet ran down your back.

You weren’t safe even in your own mind.

You watched him fall. The scream you let out as you lost him over the edge. Everyone around you went off.

Cody. Your Cody turned to you next- all around you heard the all too familiar sound of blasters raising. Cody aimed for you as you brought your weapon up, the thought of hurting any of them never crossed your mind before.

“Cody.” You had tried. “Cody what’s going on?”

The blaster that was shot at you was the moment you woke this time. Other times you weren’t as lucky to be spared with the memory.

The sky was masked with the darkness of the night, your clock told you at you barely sleep 2 hours since you tried to go to sleep.

You gathered yourself as practically dragged yourself to the only window in your “home”

This wasn’t home. Nothing would come close to what the word use to mean to you, but it was soemthing keeping you mildly safe.

The sky above never really changed, it was the only constant you found after the end of the war. The only thing you could depend on that would never harm you.

Your head buzzed again, for a split second you turned to your hidden saber, the weapon you couldn’t pick up since you arrived on this rock. The crystal within buzzed constantly in your ear, begging to be picked up once again.

It use to be a background noise that grounded you, but things have changed.

You stared into the darkness for a moment, the lightsaber wasn’t it. Turning your attention back to the outside world the familiar feeling felt crooked in your chest.

It wasn’t really right, but it was something you recognized none the less.

A cloak that you threw around yourself countless times before made its way to your shoulders- masking you from others and you left closing your door silently behind you.

For a moment you thought maybe, just maybe it was your master heat to tell you everything would be ok, to help you just as he had countless times before.

But you couldn’t think like that, like you use too. Hope burned within you as you followed the force you tried desperately to get rid of.

•••

Cody tried the comm channel he used countless times before, he could practically put it in with his eyes closed.

But of course no answer.

He did try once before- the first night he ran from the empire, alone in the back of a transport ship he tried to reach the Jedi he grew fond of.

It was one of the only instants the commanders eyes watered slightly and his nose ran.

Rex was waiting near by with the ship as he walked the streets of this planet alone. His armor was covered with a poncho Rex lent him and frankly it was the best he could do.

He hoped that you weren’t here, the disgusting streets and inhabitants made him sick. But what if this was better than see him again?

Cody shook that last thought. His hand shook slightly at his side which was a nervous habit he picked up a long time ago.

His eyes scanned the dark scenery for any sign that you might have been here, a sign Cody hoped nobody else could pick up on.

On instinct he turned down an alley to his left, this was definitely not the place to be at this time.

His eyes squinted trying to pin point a figure towards the end. This was the only time he wished for his helmet that didn’t seem his own.

Something ate at the inside of him again. His breath was sparse wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him. If his mind was no longer his own.

The figure took a few steps from the shadows that engulfed them. The moon illuminated someone that haunted every minute of his life.

You held a blaster out in front of you, but this time you didn’t shake.

Cody didn’t dare take another step. His eyes were firmly planted on the ground as he kneeled down dropping his blaster in front of him.

“Cody?”

He could only nod, afraid that his voice would highlight just how vulnerable he felt in this very moment.

But he had to say something, he couldn’t leave you again.

“I’m- I’m so sorry kid.” His voice broke through his words. This uncertain feeling engulfed him like a flame showing no mercy. “Sorry, I’m sorry.”

You stared at him for a moment. Taking in the sight- clearly things were different. The sunshine was stripped from him. His eyes, though they tried to avoid you, seemed hollow.

You thought of two things in this moment.

You wanted to run, run from someone that could hurt you all over again, someone that you weren’t even sure you could trust.

Or

You could try to hang onto one of the only things that you so desperately needed. You needed someone.

The blaster clanked to the ground as you walked to Cody. Your guard was up but the tears betrayed what you were really hoping for.

You hoped that Cody was himself again.

Cody looked up, your familiar eyes caught his own. The tears that he dried so many times fell across your cheeks, and he only wished to dry them one more time.

“I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say, his mind left him and he could only mutter the only words that went through his head, as if they could make everything better.

You kneeled down with him. For a second Cody thought this might be a dream of his own and this was the moment that he would loose you once again.

But you stayed.

Quickly you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him flushed against you.

Cody wasted no time crushing you into him. You cling to him as he continued to whisper small apologies into your hair.

Through the muffled sniffles you voiced. “I liked your other armor kot’ika.”

For the first time in a while Cody found himself giving an actual laugh.

He nodded as he griped you even tighter as if he was afraid that if he let go you would leave.

“I think I could use some help painting it again.” He spoke a little louder. The emotions still sounded in his voice.

It was your turn to nod into his chest. For the first time in a while You found yourself crying tears of relief that finally someone was here for you again.

This time you weren’t going to let him go again.

_____________________________________

Taglist: @arctrooper69 @thereforepizza @padawancat97

[stars-n-spice]

Questions TBB Better Fucking Answer Soon:

Where the FUCK is Tech??? Stop fucking giving us hope that he might be C2-X or whatever the fuck. Fucking show us his dead body or give him back to us!

Where the FUCK is Cody?? Huh??? Where did he go??? Only acceptable answer? He's on his way to Tatooine to be with Obi-Wan. You reveal that and all will be forgiven. I promise. Maybe.

WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED WITH WOLFFE FOR LETTING REX AND THE GANG GET AWAY HUH??? I'M SURE THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES!! WHEN THE FUCK ARE WE GOING TO GET HIM BACK???

What the fuck is up with Omega. Straight up. What. How. and Why? Same with Emerie. How the fuck did they come to be? Are they trans? yes. next question.

Also why does Emerie get a last name and nobody else does, hm? Why is she Emerie Karr, is that like,, did she choose that or like?? Ok dumb question sure but like,, EXPLAIN HOW AND WHY OR JUST CONFIRM SHE'S TRANS OR SOMETHING C'MON NOW.

SHOW US WHAT THE FUCK IS IN THOSE FUCKING TUBES!

I'm sorry, I'm yelling but I've spent most of this season fucking confused and frustrated.

Where the fuck did the zillo beast go? And when is it going to eat Hemlock and Palpatine?

So...Senator Chuchi and Clone Revolution when?

And like...Cid is just...she's just going to be able to get away with what she did? We're just gonna forget about her? I mean sure, but I really thought they'd bring her back or something.

What the fuck happened to Crosshair on Tatniss? Wait, nevermind, don't tell me, I don't want to know, it'll only make me sad-

WAIT SO LIKE,, DID CROSSHAIR EVER ACTUALLY GET HIS FUCKING CHIP REMOVED OR NOT???

Explain again Hunter's enhanced senses and why the fuck he seems to have lost them in this season.

Also answer why Wrecker is the most perfect man ever? Why did they craft the most wonderful man to exist and then make him not real? You trying to kill me or what?

Feel free to add on because there are only the ones on the top of my head.

[fanfic-obsessed]

Responding to the Talk Shop Tuesdays post!

Leverage x Star Wars. Thoughts?

(I've had vague wonderings of leverage-style clone wars shenanigans but can't really get past "someone talks them into wrecking Palpatine's shit and they do" so I'm just throwing this into the air).

Alternatively, if you also have no thoughts there, favorite way you've written Palpatine accidentally shooting himself in the foot?

Oooh, Leverage and Start wars. I had not had that thought before…now I do. It’s legally required. 

I know you said during the clone wars but post Order 66 immediately came to mind. Let's start with our cast.

Mastermind: Cody (initially this was going to be Obi Wan with Cody being the hitter, but bear with me I think this will be even better). Cody deserts the empire, a broken man, lost everything. He thinks everyone he ever loved is dead.  A few years after his desertion, he gets his chip removed through a series of unfortunate events (though he never actually finds out what it is or what it does). He is drifting through life, doing just enough work to get the money to keep drinking. An honest man. And a smart one. 

Grifter: Obi Wan. After the Order goes out. After Anakin. After the birth of the twins, Obi Wan does spend a year or two on Tatooine. But Owen Lars makes a very specific good point, even a single slip up (and there are always slip ups), will bring the Empires attention to Tatooine (They believe Anakin is dead, so it is the Emperor’s attention that Obi Wan fears) and with that to Luke. It is better if Obi Wan is anywhere else. Owen is gracious in victory and agrees to updates up to four times a year.  So Obi Wan, Ben, loses himself. A new name every night, a new planet, a new voice.  The galaxy is a large place and Ben knows how to slip through and around the cracks.  Though no one has made the connection yet, a number Ben’s alias’s are wanted by the Empire, the Hutts, and the remaining Mandalorians (current total bounty’s, in credits, for all of his other aliases almost reaches the Empire’s bounty for Obi Wan Kenobi).

Hitter:  Boba Fett. Bounty Hunter. The only clone who wasn’t (who was a son). Often underestimated because of his youth. Alone by both circumstances and choice (even with Pond's death, Boba would be welcomed by most clones had he been willing to see them as sentient).  He is a teen when our team comes together and is still one of the most dangerous people in the galaxy. At first he barely considers any of these people sentient and is not sure why he is sticking around, but this is also the safest he has felt since his father had died. 

Hacker: Echo. After Tech’s death Echo found that he could not stay with the Bad Batch.  The ghosts of everybody he had lost draped around him, weighing him down, leaving Echo feeling he could not go back to the Rebels or Rex either.  He skimmed enough credits from various Empire accounts that he was able to buy himself a ship, which he then modified. He decided he would find, no matter the firewalls, every scrap of video or information regarding his lost brothers (all of them). That they would not be forgotten. When he found information that was pertinent to the Rebels, or the Bad Batch  he would send it along, but he now worked alone.

Thief: Reva. After the purge Reva hid for hours under the bodies of her friends. Before it was dark enough that her movement would not immediately give her away. Then weeks creeping through the lower levels of the temple before she could find a way to escape (All the while the giggles of her friend echoed in her head- This part of the temple had always been off limits and they had all talked about being big and strong and facing what was waiting in the dark-Reva did not feel big and strong now, but there was nothing more in the dark she feared). She taught herself to step soundlessly, barely touching the ground. She taught herself how to make herself small, or just big enough (just enough to wedge herself into a small, high, space).  It is amazing what one can learn if survival is on the line. Those hours coveted in the blood of her friends, the Force echoing with the horror her family was experiencing, then the weeks in the dark tunnels changed Reva irrevocably. Before she can be found by the Empire, she is found by a Master thief who sees in her his chance to pass on his legacy (Reva is just the right kind of broken).

Now that we have our cast, let’s look at how they come together. 

I love the Leverage Pilot, so let’s use that as a Framework.

Cody is drinking on Ord Mantell, approximately 14 BBY or 985 AAR,  when he is approached a Falleen Noble, who wants to hire him to run a job (though I do not know what the Falleen noble would say, I do imagine Cody saying Nate’s line “You know that part of the conversation where I punch you in the neck nine or ten times? We’re coming up on that pretty quick”). The Noble has hired Boba, Echo, and Reva as the rest of the crew.  The job is to steal back some plans (let's be honest this job does not matter much).  

The Job goes well, but when Echo mentions how well it went, he gets the brush off. Due to the fact that Cody still does not know about the chips, every other member of the crew has issues with clones. We speed run through the Falleen noble gathering them together for one last betrayal and an explosion. 

They wake up in a med ward. All of their DNA is being run. This is bad news. Standard panel would show that Reva is Force Sensitive (though no one else in the room knows that). It would also mark the other three as clones (Even Boba). Though the Empire does not particularly care about employing Clones, they would still pay handsomely for escaped clones.

This is where we veer slightly.  

Reva’s panic in the Force draws the attention of Obi Wan, calling himself Ben right now.  Enough time has passed (and enough has happened that all of their Force signatures had changed) that Ben only just recognizes Echo, and no one else.   For a single moment Ben hesitates, they are not his business (Ben also does not know why he was shot at) and are possibly his enemies.  But there was Echo, familiar if only just, and with him someone who was Force sensitive. A young force sensitive (in Ben’s mind anyone who is the right age that they could have been in the council room that day was someone to protect, because he failed those initiates). 

Ben is very good at grifting, so is easily able to get the four out of there (They also do not recognize him) and get them to a safe house.  There are several moments of uncomfortable silence before Ben greets Echo with a teasing, “Hello There Echo” in his real accent and voice. 

Cody is the one who frowns and peers at Ben (clean shaven), because it couldn’t be…

Echo asks who Ben is, Ben smiles sadly and says “I suppose it has been many years since Skako”

This told Echo next to nothing (he’s been back to Skako Minor a couple of times since the war) but Cody just straight up sits on the floor in shock (Trying to say general and Obi Wan and you’re alive all at once-it is a little unintelligible). When Ben looks directly at Cody for the first time (Ben can’t quite let himself focus on any of the clones, for fear of what he would see)  he realizes exactly who it is.

Ben, by sheer happenstance, manages to sit in a chair. This is followed by Echo needing to explain about the chips and order 66 (“There was what in my head!?!”/”You all had what in your heads?!?”).

I picture them absentmindedly destroying Falleen Noble, in a similar way to the show. They do it because he tried to kill them/did not pay them (Ben took that personally for all of them- Cody: He tried to kill us, that is a bit more important than not paying up Ben<waving a hand>:Trying to kill you is nothing, but not paying you is just rude.) 

I picture that they decide they might as well stay together, and grow into a found family (with Codywan being the exhausted parents) traveling around to help people ala leverage. They cannot and do not start going after the empire immediately. None of them want to draw the attention of the Empire, but if some of their jobs do include liberating people and occasionally planets, well they just have to be careful to not bite off more than they can chew and not to leave any tracks. They also do stop at Tatooine every so often (It turns out Owen likes Ben an awful lot more when he is not camped out in their backyard) so Luke knows them.  

I imagine that when Leia is kidnapped, a few years later, Bail is still able to reach Ben. The Leverage crew immediately go to save her. It is during this that it becomes known that Reva had been in the Temple, had been in the council room. This is very swiftly followed by the realization that Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader (which none of the crew had known).

This…This is what circles them back around to take on the Empire (a cross between Leverage Season 3 and Leverage Season 4). They still work to help people, but it becomes more pointed. Throughout their new self appointed mission, Ben starts to train Reva, to help her overcome the trauma of the Purge.  

As they are now acting more deliberately against the Empire they begin to come across more familiar faces. Rebels (including Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor). Bail reintroduces them to Fulcrum (Ahsoka has mixed feelings about Obi Wan in particular. He challenges the way she remembers Anakin with rosy glasses). 

It certainly ends with Palpatine staring in abject shock as his empire burns around him.  Vader is being escorted to get correctly fitting prosthetics, from which he will go to prison. Bail ends up taking the Emperor position to start working on turning the Empire back to a Republic. 

Our team keeps going on finding people who need…Leverage

My favorite way that Palpatine shot himself in the foot is in Read the Fine Print  where Palptines first domino was his last, because he did not pay attention to a sub clause in the treaty. 

That was fun. Thank you @somestorythoughts

[dalekofchaos]

Stuff like this is why I don't think the inhibitor chips were necessary.

Why make up bullshit chips that turn Clones into cartoonish "good soldiers follow orders" when Clones just naturally hating the Jedi for being incompetent generals getting their brothers in arms killed and then said brothers dying for traitors, but the real tragedy of it all is that it was all for a lie.

Order 66 was just an emergency order like the others one. For example Order 65 declared that the Chancellor is no longer able to rule the republic, therefore he has to be removed from office, if necessary with lethal force. If the jedi could have convinced the senate, that Palpatine was a sith who orchestrated the clone wars and the senate would vote for the Order 65, Palpatine would be attacked by clone troopers instead of the jedi.

These Orders were also no secret, they were written down and the clones trained these orders on Kamino a thousand times. The jedi just forgot, that the clones were fighting for the republic and not for them, and when the supreme commander of the army, in this case Palpatine because of his emergency powers, orders them to kill their field commanders, they would do so, without question, just like the kaminoans said.

In my opinion this makes a whole lot of great stories impossible like the relationship between Darman Skirata and Etain. Also it would make way more sense when Lucasfilm wants to show more survivors of Order 66, because the only clones in canon who didn't follow the order were the Bad Batch, Rex and Gregor. In Legends many clones just didn't follow the order because of their moral compass or thought it's a trap of the separatists and we could see how the clones deal with their decision to kill the jedi, in Legends some of them developed PTSD and other thought it was necessary.

In my opinion they just took a whole lot away of the personality and individuality of the clones with the inhibitor chips and turned them into mindless killer machines and I don't like that, especially after we see in the clone wars series their personality for the first time and see that the clones are individuals even when they look exactly the same, something the movies failed to show us.

Imagine a plot line where, instead of a chip telling them to betray the Jedi, troopers like Cody got a message telling them the Jedi had betrayed the Republic and attempted to murder the Chancellor. That the Jedi were now considered enemies of the Republic and had to be exterminated before they could overthrow the democracy. Forced to choose between the Jedi generals and the Republic and Supreme Chancellor, the unquestionably loyal Clones support the Republic.

It could have added many complex layers. The Clones have to live with their decisions. Maybe some regret it and wish they'd decided otherwise. Others feel their hand was forced. Others that the Jedi were traitors and never doubted their choice for a second.

Or the conflict of Rex. What if he'd been among the 501st attacking the Jedi Temple with Anakin, but split from them at the end of his own free will? Rex, who was always loyal to Anakin, and a close friend, breaks from him and flees. How does he feel about it? Does he feel he did the right thing by betraying Anakin to save the Jedi? Or does he feel he abandoned his Commander and should have stayed loyal? Maybe he struggles with it every day, wondering if he made the right choice. Or imagine if Anakin came for Ahsoka and was about to kill her and Rex chose Ahsoka over Order 66 because he knew in his heart it was wrong and tossed a flash grenade and fled with Ahsoka.

Overall, I feel like the inhibitor chip arc made the story of Order 66 somewhat boring and too black and white. It could have been a fantastic jumping off point for the complexities of mixed loyalties, of following orders, of the failures of the Republic and of the Jedi, of how not only Palpatine's villainy but his charisma and personality led to rigid loyalty among the clones.

And honestly I feel like the inhibitor chips were created to weasel out of complex storytelling, just like JJ Abrams weaseled out of dealing with Finn's PTSD of being a child soldier.

[kotemf]

Codywan week - day 1

This is my fill for the first day of @codywanweek. You can read here, on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/1467166344-codywan-week-2024-day-1), or on Ao3 (https://archiveofourown.org/works/57917695). Hope you like it :).

  Prompt: different order 66, lightsaber / lightsaber training, truth spell/serum

  Obi-Wan was sitting on an uncomfortable plastic chair in the med bay, right next to Cody's bed, and reading through the messages on his data pad.

  The war just ended. They killed general Grievous, the last high ranking CIS officer. There was no one to lead the droid army now. Most of the remaining Separatist forces surrendered or ran. The few who were still trying to fight were quickly dealt with.

  It didn't have to be like that, though. Not if Palpatine made the call, not if the chips in the clones' brains were activated. Only thanks to commander Fox and the Coruscant Guard, Palpatine's treacherous plot was revealed in the last possible moment. All of the clones were getting their chips removed now, Cody already had his out and should be waking up at any moment.

  Finally, Obi-Wan felt the bright ray of sunshine, that was his commander, wake up in the force. He set the data pad aside in favor of focusing on Cody. He knew from his own experience how dizzy and disorientated the cheap GAR medication could make a person. Cody will be lucky if he remembers his name.

  "Trainer Gilamar?" Cody groaned before he even opened his eyes. Obi-Wan had no idea who that was but he assumed it was one of the mandalorians who trained the clones when they were still little cadets. Poor Cody probably had no idea where he was at the moment.

  "No, Cody, I'm not trainer Gilamar. I'm Obi-Wan. Remember me, darling?"

  "Obi-Wan?" Cody whispered as if he couldn't quite believe it indeed was him. He still hadn't opened his eyes, he probably forgot his eyes were closed. He snuggled into his blanket. "I love Obi-Wan."

  Now that was just sweet. "I love you too, Cody." Obi-Wan stroked Cody's dark hair gently.

  Cody hummed absentmindedly. "I like it when you do that. Can you keep doing that?"

  That had to be an effect of the drugs. Cody was never this honest. He was grateful for what he got, he would never ask for more.

  "You stopped," Cody complained. Another thing that he would never do was there not for the drugs in his system. For the three years they had known each other, Obi-Wan has never heard his commander complain. For the few months they have been secretly dating, his cyare has never complained either.

  "Sorry, love." Obi-Wan continued brushing his fingers through Cody's curls. "How are you feeling?"

  Cody took almost a minute to answer. Obi-Wan was starting to fear that the clone has fallen asleep when Cody spoke again. "My head hurts."

  "Anything more?"

  "'m tired."

  That was perhaps the first time that Cody hasn't tried to hide anything from Obi-Wan. He had a habit of hiding his injuries, staying up until late at night to finish his paper work without saying a word. "Okay. Thank you for being honest with me. Can you open your eyes?"

  "Open my eyes?"

  "Yes, open your eyes. Can you do it for me, love?"

  "Okay," Cody reluctantly agreed. He stretched slowly, sluggishly rolled over so he was lying on his back and then finally opened his eyes. He closed them after mere seconds on blinking at the harsh lights of the med bay. "It's too bright."

  "Do you want me to turn the lights off?"

  "Yes."

  Obi-Wan reached out for the light switch. He hesitated before pressing the button. The room had no windows, the room was going to turn completely dark. Cody didn't like the dark. He never said so outright but Obi-Wan could sense his discomfort when in the dark and he also noticed that Cody often forgot to turn off the small lamp by his bed. How was he going to react to being in pitch darkness in this state? Obi-Wan guessed he will have to try. He turned the lights off. "Better?"

  He couldn't see Cody opening his eyes but he guessed that was what the soldier did. "I can't see anything," Cody panicked. "No. It's too dark. I hate this."

  Then the only thing Obi-Wan could do was to turn the lights back on. Only that was going to hurt Cody's eyes more and possibly even make his head hurt more. Well, there was one more option...

  Obi-Wan lit up his lightsaber. "Is this good?" he asked as the soft blue light illuminated the room."

  "Your lightsaber?"

  "Yes, my lightsaber."

  "You keep loosing it," Cody accused. He was right, Obi-Wan has lost his weapon many times on the battlefield. His commander always found it and brought it back to him. Their last battle on Utapau was no different.

  "I'm lucky enough to have you. You always find it."

  "I always wanted to try to use it."

  "Really?" Why didn't Cody tell him? Obi-Wan would gladly teach him. "Do you want me to show you something."

  "But... lightsabers are for the Jedi."

  "You don't need to be a force user to use a lightsaber. Sit up and give me your hand," Obi-Wan ordered. He put the lightsaber on the training mode before placing it in Cody's hand and gently closing the clone's fingers around the metal handle. "Can you hold it on your own."

  "Yeah." Cody sounded confident. Obi-Wan let go of his hand and let Cody get used to the weight of the saber.

  "This is the basic grip. All younglings learn this," Obi-Wan explained as he guided Cody's arm into the common grip that younglings used when practicing their first katas.

  "Can you teach me more?"

  "When you aren't on bed rest anymore, alright?"

  Cody sighed dramatically. "Bed rest sucks."

  "I know, love, I know." Obi-Wan kissed the top of Cody's head comfortingly before gently removing the lightsaber from Cody's hand. "You will be fine in no time." That's what the medics said. Obi-Wan hoped they were right. He knew how much his cyare hated bed rest.

[staycalmandhugaclone]

Identity Pt 7

Part (7) of Identity, the next arc of Doc's Misadventures! If you're new, start at the beginning with Touch Starved!

Yuh know... there are chapters that are just so much harder to write because I elected to keep Doc unnamed... I'm standing by that decision, but that doesn't mean I won't bitch about it on occasion

Warnings: Flashbacks/PTSD, description of torture, loads of angst, reference to gore, profanity, self-deprecating thoughts

WC: 3,926

“So much for keeping that squad of yours off my back.”

He’d already removed his helmet before I’d entered, yet my gaze still settled blindly on the dark transparasteel shielded beneath the extended ridge of his visor, attention absently noting how clearly the burnt orange reflected atop the polished surface of his pale desk, and I found myself remembering the immaculate attire boasted by those at the gala, how carefully the droids had been prepared for display, void of even a scuff of dust, yet Cody had made no effort to hide the marks left upon him by war.

So much of that brilliant orange had been worn and chipped away that the rays of light adorning his chestplate were nearly unrecognizable absent the memory of how clearly they once shone. Even the base white yielded to the grey of raw composite below from constant wear and abuse. He could have it repainted or replaced, could elect for a separate set entirely to keep pristine for these moments between battles, but he stood before me with no thought wasted toward such excess. He’d earned every scar carved into flesh and armor alike, and he wore them with neither pride nor shame but with the simple acceptance that they were a part of him.

My chest hitched at the belated realization that he’d spoken, that I’d been silent long enough to prompt him to call my name with a hesitant concern, brows drawing slightly together as his head ducked slightly to study me with eyes that I knew had seen the death of thousands of brothers yet still held such kindness. I gave a quick nod, tongue slipping over my lips in preparation for a response I hadn’t yet thought of.

“I think Wolffe has more to worry about from them than you do.” I offered, body shifting back to attention as though it might make up for how heavily my voice fell in something far closer to a mutter than a proper reply. Drawing in a quick breath, I tried to force some composure over myself, determined to dispel the commander’s worries.

“The initial stage of the mission went smoothly – I met with the contact and acquired the datachip, and reported a significant portion of the Separatist defenses to Commander Wolffe through the comm in the bracelet.” Cody didn’t move as I spoke, arms relaxed at his sides, gaze still focused on me, and I found myself wondering if he was searching for any sign that I’d been compromised; that I was damaged beyond further use to the GAR and unfit to return to my unit, and that thought was enough to send my heart racing, nerves lighting with fresh anxiety until my fingers tensed with the need to fidget.

“You’re not on trial here.” He murmured suddenly, and I froze, unsure if I felt caught – trapped – or if I could allow myself a taste of comfort offered in the gentleness of his voice, the softness of his eyes. Still, I cursed the way my breath threatened to shake. “I’ve seen soldiers with more years on the battlefield than you break from that kind of torture… It’s okay to struggle with what happened.” I wanted to turn away, to hide from everything he saw when he looked at me in that moment, and I was almost shocked at the anger that warmed my chest, unsure if it stemmed from some want to prove him wrong or simply from needing to prove to myself that it hadn’t broken me.

“I appreciate that, Commander. All the same…” I knew he gleaned no reassurance from the mediated determination forced into words spoken with far more strength than I felt, but pushed myself to continue regardless. “After the exchange, I continued patrolling. A woman took notice of me.” My lips twitched into the beginnings of a scowl at my ignorance in that moment but refused to let myself stop. “I’m afraid I never got her name, but I later learned that she was the one who orchestrated the gala; that she… handpicked each of the members in attendance.” I knew Wolffe’s report would have detailed all of this; that nothing I’d told him offered new insight, but such was the nature of debriefing: hearing the same story told from different mouths in search of any sign variation, for the smallest detail that might have only been noticed by accident in the hopes that it could reveal something profound.

“She asked me to dance. I attempted to decline but came to the conclusion that doing so might draw too much attention. Afterwards, the speaker was introduced – the same woman who’d approached me. She insisted I accompany her to the podium, which I now understand was her way of keeping me from leaving. Her speech had barely started when an explosion blew out the back wall.” The scent of ozone and burnt hair lingered beneath the subtle staleness of the ship’s recycled air.

“I understand you sustained some injuries from that explosion.” He prompted after a moment’s pause, and I gave another quick nod.

“Suspected concussion, some burns and bruises.” The brief, itemized response left me absent any emotion, thoughts sifting through the snips I could only barely remember; bodies undoubtedly void of life beside those vying to escape still burning debris; screams reverberating throughout a ceiling designed to echo music not the sounds of agony filling that elaborate hall. “Maybe a dozen guards surrounded the speaker. I couldn’t see her status, but she must have been alert enough to talk. One of them approached me. I was too disoriented to move, and they sedated me.”

I didn’t notice that he’d moved until he called my name, eyes flicking back up to find him now seated in the chair behind his desk, and part of me recognized exactly what he was doing; wanted to snap at him for thinking I needed such a rote example of physical de-escalation, shout my insult at his hope that some ancient part of my brain would recognize his laxed stance and find enough comfort in it that I might mimic him, but I could feel how quickly my heart raced, noted the stiff movement of my chest around too-shallow breaths, and I knew why he’d felt the need to try.

My gaze dropped to the chair beside me, hand hesitantly shifting to rest atop the pale plastoid. I imagined myself pulling it out enough to slip into the seat, thought of what posture might be most appropriate when finding oneself across from one of the highest ranking members of the GAR, and then I remembered how my body had strained against the reclined seat in that filthy cell, robbed of leverage and hope and autonomy, and I quietly let my hand return to my side.

“I’m not sure how long I was unconscious.” I continued as though nothing had happened, pointedly forcing my attention back to him. “I was restrained when I woke up. A man was already attempting to interrogate me. I-” My voice caught, jaw freezing at the memory of his callused fingers gripping me hard enough for the bone to ache. Breath fleeing lightly parted lips in a huff, I couldn’t keep myself from turning away once more, studying walls not tarnished with dirt and blood and all manner of nightmares.

“He wanted to know who was responsible for the explosion, then asked general things about me: my name, where I’m from.”

“What did you tell him?” I didn’t even try to look at him again, though I couldn’t dismiss my reluctant gratitude at how quietly he spoke, how free his voice was of any judgement or disappointment. My head shook before I could form an actual answer.

“I didn’t… I didn’t say anything.” The words felt weird as they dragged up my throat, as though my body was going through the motions of speech before my mind could anticipate the sensation of anything other than the burn of frigid water. “Then he put a cloth over my head.” I didn’t want to hear it. “Turned on a… spigot or… I don’t know – I couldn’t see where the water came from.” But my lips kept moving despite how my chest threatened to lock around what precious air filled my lungs. “He didn’t… It wouldn’t stop.” I remembered not being able to tell up from down as that icy liquid poured over me, remembered that first rush of true panic.

Again, Cody called my name, but that earlier softness was gone, replaced with something firmer, commanding, and it was just enough to rip my attention away from the deafening sound of crashing water. He wasn’t sitting anymore, stance rigid, hand clasped about the corner of his desk as though he’d paused midway to me.

“I want you to take a slow breath and tell me where we are.” He ordered, and only then did I realize how quickly my diaphragm bucked with rushed gasps. Shame sent heat up my neck and across my cheeks as I caught my lip between my teeth in an effort to force some control back over myself. Still, it took several seconds before I could bring myself to speak, breathing only just quieting.

“The Negotiator.” I answered roughly, unable to hide the annoyance in my voice, the disdain for my own weakness, but he drew no attention to either as he visibly eased the tension from his stance.

“Good.” There was no trace of condescension in that murmured word, and something about that left me feeling even more defeated, shoulders innately trying to tuck into my chest. “We’ll stop there for now. Take a day. Tend your injuries. We can finish this later.” My teeth ground against the violent rebuke sitting atop my tongue, mind balking at the thought of delaying this, of trying to walk away with that impending conversation looming over me.

“I’m fine. We can finish this now.” I stated firmly, expression pinched into something I hoped illustrated my determination rather than my fear. He didn’t respond for several, long seconds, but finally yielded with a slow exhale before motioning me to continue. I had to swallow back the stiffness in my throat, resettle the weight between my feet to convince my back to straighten.

“I was rendered unconscious.” Empty words, carefully void of all trace of emotion lest they cripple me. “The cloth was still over my eyes when I came to. The man immediately attempted to question me again – asking my name, who I worked with.” My head flinched at the ghost of water droplets hitting my forehead. “He repeatedly demanded I tell him who ordered the attack and who the primary target was.”

“Did you tell him about Commander Wolffe’s presence there?” Again, his voice fell into a gentle whisper, tiptoeing around the edge of pushing me too far, and part of me tried to remember that I should have rebelled against being coddled like that, but I merely shook my head in reply. “What did you tell him?” He asked softly. Something shouted at me to remain silent – to say nothing lest I reveal everything.

“I don’t know.” I muttered, faltering thoughts straining to remember who I was speaking with despite the rancid scent of filth filling the room that was somehow too light and too dark at the same time. “I… I said I didn’t know.” I clarified, neck seizing as I tried to swallow against the sudden dryness of my mouth. “And he’d… every time I did, he’d…” I choked around an attempt to clear my throat, eyelids straining to blink away the memory of that black fabric trapping me in utter darkness. “He’d pull the mask back down and… he’d wait until I was just about to pass out before turning the water off.” Something about my voice sounded wrong… drawn too thin… like my lungs were being stretched, squeezed.

“Did you tell him anything about the GAR’s involvement? Or the contact you were sent to meet with?” Again, I merely shook my head, unsure if my eyes were closed or if I’d feel that harsh fabric upon drawing my fingers over my face, and the sensation of cloth against my skin ruined me.

In an instant, my torso curled forward, hand clawing at my hair to rip away that wretched sack, my other arm thrashing against whatever held it trapped to my chest in sharp, desperate jerks that sent agony tearing through the joint. I couldn’t understand that the cloth I’d felt was from my own glove, that my arm was held fast by a split rather than those cruel restraints; that the frigid liquid soaking into my blacks was sweat as panic ripped all memory of thought from my mind.

The depth of familiarity that should have accompanied the voice echoing around me was muted beneath how violently my heart slammed against my ribs, the wheezed keening of frantic breaths stolen in what little time I knew lingered before that putrid water would again fill my lungs.

Something touched my arm, and my body reacted in a feral rush of terror, legs snapping out to launch myself away with enough force to nearly rip that coveted air from me at the powerful impact of my back slamming into the wall, and still I felt myself straining to escape, to vanish, feet pressing into the front of my boots until my toes ached.

“…otiator… safe…” Snips of words that held no meaning echoed amidst demands screaming from the shadows, questions I couldn’t answer laced between an icy guilt of knowing I was no better than the man torturing me.

“…eed you t…”

I couldn’t tell who was screaming, stomach churning at the scent of flesh burnt by blaster fire and explosions, and I sobbed at the knowledge that nothing I could do would get the bleeding to stop in time, that I deserved the hatred in his eyes in that first moment that understanding dawned on him even as his life slipped through my fingers.

“…member where… not…”

The shriek of my pistol morphed into his cries, and I realized I’d never bothered to note where his fingers had fallen, only felt the relief of watching him tumble closer and closer to breaking, to telling me what I needed to know, and I felt sickened at the certainty that the man in that cell had felt that same exhilaration granted by what self-deception promised us that fault lie only with the one refusing to answer our questions… how easy it was to believe that our cruelty was justified…

My body shied from a touch I should have known without thought, deaf to gentle words and blind to the concern darkening eyes I’d found comfort in so many times before. In that moment, however, I couldn’t remember the safety once so inherent to his presence, nerves screaming with a terror I had no hope of freeing myself from. He didn’t shy in the face of my panic, touch following me with a quiet persistence untainted by the impatient indifference that had left my jaw bruised and tugged so roughly at the sack clinging to my face between shouted questions, and, for that reason only, I found myself hesitating.

Trembling violently against a chill that no longer sank into my bones from fabric left soaked by hours of torture, I found myself again trying to find something beyond the memory of that almost perfect darkness, wide eyes darting all around for some glimpse of a reality that was lost to me.

“…d… don’t kn… I… I don’t know…” Was that my voice?

“Shh, just look at me, Doc.” Something swept carefully along the ridge of my cheekbone, and I felt myself flinch sharply away even as my mind longed to cling to the tenderness of that touch.

“N… I-I d…” Ruined, broken fragments of pleading words that I knew would bring me no relief stammered from lips shaking too violently to attempt real speech. Someone called my name, and I felt myself sob at the fleeting warmth laced through a smoky voice I so desperately wanted to remember.

“Just look at me, cyare… I’m right here…” I could feel the heat of his words washing over my cheek. There was no lingering stench of stale beer nor rancid sweat, no overwhelming taste of copper from old blood, and that didn’t make sense amidst the certainty of what nightmares engulfed me. “Good… that’s good…” He murmured, fingers shifting ever so slightly through my hair, and I couldn’t fight the shiver that swept down my spine. “I want you to try to breathe with me, Doc… nice and slow…” Was I looking at him? I couldn’t tell. My head swam, vision too blurry to make out more than churning colors… but… even that was different, brighter than the devouring darkness that had robbed me of all sense of self.

I vaguely understood that I was still pinning myself against the wall, fingers tangled into my hair as though it might keep that mask from blinding me again, that I’d slid down so far as to nearly be curled in a ball against the corner; that the man speaking so gently to me had lowered himself onto a knee at my side, callused hands delicate in how he cradled my face between them, how he wordlessly wiped away the line of tears falling from my eyes, and I somehow noted the slow rise of shoulders broadened by that familiar, dark armor illustrating his own mediated breaths.

“Come on, Doc… breathe.” It wasn’t a command. He was begging me. There was a whisper of logic reminding me of the dangers of hyperventilating – the way that imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide impairs cognitive function, how it increases blood pH and causes systemic upheaval; remembered that he could hear how quickly my heart was racing, smell the adrenaline flooding my veins. My hand tentatively shifted, fingertips just skimming the thick tendons lining his wrist, and I saw how quickly he stilled at my touch.

“H… Hunter?” I could barely whisper his name, only then realizing my eyes had locked onto his, and the way his body sank with a relief that should have left me ashamed only worked to further drive away dreams that I knew would haunt me for years to come. In that moment, though, I allowed myself to focus only on the man before me as his hand trailed lightly through my hair.

“Yeah… Yeah, it’s me.” He sighed, shifting his weight thoughtlessly in silent invitation, and I needed no further incentive, feet scrambling even as my legs folded uselessly beneath me, hand abandoning his wrist in favor of darting toward him for my arm to lock around the back of his neck in an effort to drag me closer. He didn’t hesitate, embrace instantly drawing me flush against his chest, and I sobbed at the familiar earthiness of his scent.

“I’ve got you, cyare… I’ve got you.” Another shiver tore through me at the warmth of his words fluttering atop my scalp, and I pressed myself harder against him because of it, the hand still trapped by that splint latching uselessly about the lip of his armor. “Alright… Just breathe, Doc… You’re alright…” How could I not melt into his touch at the softness in his voice, air fleeing me in a shuttered huff before forcing some steadiness into the next inhale, if only to hear the quiet “Good” whisper past his lips once more.

He made no effort to rush me as that panic gradually quelled, moving only to ease me closer against him as he leaned back to unfurl his leg, and I tried to ignore the static prickling up my own legs at nerves reawakened by the subtle change. I wondered if he was listening to the gradual slowing of my heart, if he was torn between the want to ask endless questions I was too frightened to answer or if he was too busy pushing back plumes of anger that the mission had clearly gone so wrong, forcing him to pick up the pieces… and then I felt that shame.

Body tensing, I couldn’t help but pull away from him slightly, head falling to my chest as my teeth burred into my lip. I could see his attention shift, gaze studying me expectantly though he kept purposefully silent. Cheeks warming as understanding finally dawned on me, as I realized just how deeply I’d broken and where, I stole only a quick glance around us, half expecting to find Cody watching with arms crossed about his chest and a knowing darkness in his eyes, but I saw no one else in the room.

“Cody’s outside with Wolffe.” Hunter explained quietly, and my brows drew together in confusion.

“Wolffe?” I asked, voice still too unsteady to keep from breaking.

“Cody called us both. I just got here first.” He explained, thumb absently dancing against my back. I took a moment to make sense of his words before a tiny huff of laughter escaped me, and my arms instantly tightened around him once more, but this time the gesture was driven by an affection I couldn’t bring myself to try to explain. I knew how far away the hanger was; could guess how much time had passed since I’d said my farewells to my old Commander, and I didn’t doubt just how hard Hunter had pushed himself if he reached me before Wolffe could.

At that, he paused slightly before returning the embrace. While that brief note of mirth was a desperately needed reprieve, it quickly ceded in light of the still wretched truth evident in the very need that had brought him so swiftly to me. I’d crumbled beneath the weight of all the horrors I’d done in those past weeks, beneath the horrors that had been done to me. There was no hiding from that truth; no means of denying the display of devastation and fear that had overcome me in front of the damn Marshall Commander himself… and a new fear brought back the ghostly chill that was so eager to whisper through my chest.

“Is… is Cody going to…” I couldn’t finish, my tentative grasp on control already threatening to cave at the mere thought of being discharged from the GAR because of this. It took him a moment to understand what I was asking, but then he answered me absent hesitation or doubt.

“No.” He leaned back just enough to meet my eyes, hand cupping the back of my head to keep my gaze turned toward him that I might see the conviction fueling his words. “He knows things have been… hard lately… and then this… but he’s leaving that decision up to me, and I’m not ready to let you go yet… Not unless that’s what you want.” He added, head ducking down slightly in an unspoken question. Unable to even try to respond, I quickly shook my head, overwhelmed by a relief I hadn’t begun to let myself hope for. He let out a carefully slowed breath before pulling me against him once more, and I finally managed to feel the stretch of air filling my lungs, the warmth of a safety somehow still untouched by a lifetime of terror, and I knew I would never be able to find the words to tell him just how much he meant to me, how desperately I needed him, so I merely hugged him harder.

Next Chapter

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[writingforfun0714]

So I’ve seen all current episodes of Bad Batch S3 and I will post about it but I wanna talk specifically about the reunion scene.

Hunter and Wrecker shouldn’t have looked at Crosshair like that. Yes-I know there is history. I actually wasn’t expecting hugs/tears either, just genuine shock and nothing more.

I’ve heard people say Hunter and Wrecker are justified in their reaction, but to me, it seems like sloppy writing.

We know Hunter and Wrecker don’t know what Cross has been through. We know that the group knows about the chip removal (Cross says he had his chip removed). Crosshair killed the rest of his new squad and saved Omega, not to mention that Hunter told Crosshair that they might want different things but that doesn’t make them enemies and that they never were enemies—all in S1. And, in S2 Tech tells the group that he found a coded transmission from Crosshair and Wrecker even asks if Crosshair has turned on the Empire.

The last time Hunter and Crosshair saw each other, they left amicably/mutually. Crosshair chose not to go with them, despite Hunter’s offer. Even Wrecker told Crosshair that they still would’ve taken him back. S1 made it so that it was up to Crosshair to come back or not. In S2, Crosshair hardly got any screen time. We first see him in S2 is with Cody on a mission not even related to the Batch. The 2nd time is during his mission with Mayday and after killing Nolan is taken to Tantiss. The last time we see him is warning the group but he gets caught by Hemlock. We do see him once more but he’s unconscious on a table as Omega arrives by the S2 finale. Crosshair didn’t do shit to CF99 during S2 and even gave them cause to think he is defecting by S2.

So after all that, it’s a little odd to see Hunter and Wrecker look at Crosshair with such anger that would’ve made sense mid S1 but not when Hunter literally told Crosshair

‘We want different things Crosshair. That doesn’t mean we have to be enemies’ —Hunter 1x16 (around the 23min mark)

[dangraccoon]

Just Fine

Day 30 ~ recovery ~ hospital bed ~ holding back tears ~ "what have I done?" ~

Cody

Word Count: 925 Content: inhibitor chips, mind control, mandalorian traditions, secret relationship/marriage, brotherly affection (NOT cloneshipping), implied/referenced suicidal thoughts

Mando'a Guide: ori'vod - big brother verd'ika - private (rank), can be used affectionately for a child as "little soldier"; depends on context osik - shit buir - parent haat'miit be riduurok - oath of marriage nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la - not gone, merely marching far away (paying respects to a fallen comrade)

“The surgery is complete,” AZI chirped.

“Thanks, AZI,” Rex nodded.

The room set aside for chip removals was clean and somewhat bare, unlike the rest of Hunter’s well-loved house on Pabu. Tech had said it was to maintain a “sterile environment”, but that didn’t keep Rex’s need for a distraction at bay.

The anxiety of waiting for a brother to wake up after his chip removal washed over him like a high tide as it always did, so he watched his ori’vod’s chest rise and fall with his breath. It was always nerve-wracking, but it was worse when he was close to the brother.

“Rex?” Omega said, appearing beside him, her hand resting gently on his arm.

“Yeah, kid?” he tried to smile.

Omega saw past it. She was good at that kind of thing. “He’s going to be okay,” she assured him.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I know.”

“Then what’s worrying you?”

Rex sighed, running his hands over his face. “Most of the batchers were lucky; their chips didn’t activate before they were removed. Wrecker and Crosshair were a bit different though, right?” 

Omega nodded. 

“Well, for a lot of us, the chip… it changed us. We didn’t know about them at all. Only the few of us who did know could fight it because we knew what we were fighting. Everyone else, though… they didn’t know that they were doing things they wouldn’t normally do. And almost all of them were led to do… horrible things.”

Omega gasped softly, tears starting to line her eyes. “Cross felt so guilty once we removed his chip. He wanted… he tried to…”

Rex nodded, taking her hand in his. “But we were there to help him get better. He doesn’t want that anymore,” he reminded her.

She nodded, wiping a stray tear on her sleeve. “Do you think Cody will feel like that when he wakes up?”

Rex sighed, his eyes turning back to the former commander. “It’s hard to say. Echo was looking for his file so we could get a better idea of what he went through, but…” Rex’s chest ached.

“But?” Omega nudged. 

“Before the… the end of the war, Cody was–”

Rex was cut off by a soft groan from the bed. He jumped up to be in his brother’s view.

“Rex,” Cody chuckled. “Should’a known you wouldn’t go watch a holo-drama or something.”

Omega giggled on his other side. “He didn’t leave once.”

“Hey verd'ika,” he grinned warmly at her.

“How ya feeling, vod?” Rex said, his hand gently touching Cody’s arm.

Cody seemed to pause to think about it. He glanced at Omega briefly before looking back at Rex. “I’m fine. Would you believe my head feels lighter?”

Omega chuckled again and Cody’s lips pulled into a smile at the soft sound but Rex’s eyes narrowed. He knew this dance. “Cody,” he nearly growled.

“Rex,” Cody responded, his voice perfectly affable to anyone who didn’t know better. Rex, however, did know better. He knew that tone was a warning. Not around her.

Tech entered as the door slid open, eyes on his datapad. “Omega, I am in search of my ten-millimeter span– oh,” he said, his eyes lifting to see Cody smirking at him. “It is good to see you awake, Commander.”

“And it’s good to see you haven’t changed, Tech,” he chuckled.

Omega scowled. “Your ten-millimeter? I put that back.”

“It is not in its place,” Tech informed her.

“I always put it back!” she grumbled as she left the room, dragging Tech with her.

“That batch,” Cody grinned. “Don’t think I’ve ever–”

“Alright, cut the osik, Codes,” Rex interrupted. “How are you really feeling?”

Cody tried to look irritated at being interrupted but failed, his eyes falling to his lap. He sighed. “I’m tired, Rex.”

Rex nodded and kept listening but Cody didn’t continue. “Cody, you’re not the first clone to get his chip removed, and maker-willing you’re not the last–”

“I mean it, Rex, I’m fi–”

“Yeah, you’re ‘fine’,” Rex threw his hands up as he walked away from the bed. “You’re ‘fine’ like Crosshair was ‘fine’. You’re ‘fine’ like Howzer was ‘fine’. Like I was ‘fine’. We’re all just ‘fine’.”

Cody’s eyes shut. “How’d Bly and Gree feel? Or Grey? How about Wolffe? General Koon was like a buir to him. How’d he feel when he got that thing out?”

Rex turned back. “What?”

“They loved their Generals and they killed them,” Cody explained, his voice that perfect commander facade of emotionless calm. “You can tell me about Howzer and Cross if you want, I don’t doubt they had their share of shame and guilt. But I’m not sure they executed the person they loved more than anything.” His voice cracked at the end, his jaw setting.

Rex sighed. “I know the two of you were… close, but I didn’t–”

“No one did,” Cody whispered. “It needed to be that way.”

“Cody–”

“We said the haat'miit be riduurok,” Cody sniffled, unable to stop the tears from flowing now. “On Geonosis, at Point Rain over a private comm channel. We… we thought it was the end. M-maker, Rex– what have I done?”

Rex’s heart dropped into his boots. He didn’t know what to say– how do you comfort someone who was forced to kill their husband? He came back to sit on the edge of the bed, wrapping his hand around the back of Cody’s neck. He gently pressed his forehead to his brother’s.

“Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la,” he whispered, pulling his sobbing brother into a tight hug.

Mando'a Guide: ori'vod - big brother verd'ika - private (rank), can be used affectionately for a child as "little soldier"; depends on context osik - shit buir - parent haat'miit be riduurok - oath of marriage nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la - not gone, merely marching far away (paying respects to a fallen comrade)

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[ficfinder-general]

I'm new to Codywan. Doyou have a list of Must Reads or Fandom Classics or anything like that? (Bonus points for longfic!)

Funnily enough, I'm not sure I'm an expert on Fandom Classics, but I do think that the long Clone Wars rewrites/fix-its are a perfect way to start! (And then you can move on to shorter fics and crazy AUs haha) So these are all longer, and can be fit into TCW continuity, even if they diverge at some point because the writers can't help themselves and will fix canon (as they should).

{recs under the cut, please mind the tags listed on ao3}

in our hearts some ancient song by whimsicalimages (@keensers)- Fives discovers the chips, he's on the run and gambles his life on the assumption that there's something going on between Cody and his general, so they would help him. Some amazing lore in this fic. 40k words

Golden Shield of Brightness by NerJetii (@nerjetii)- Soulmate AU, your soulmates' (romantic and platonic) names are written on your wrists. "Only" 15k, but I would recommend it even if you're not a fan of soulmate AUs (=they don't fall into each other's arms just because they're soulmates). Focuses on Obi-Wan, mostly, but we also learn a bit about how the Kaminoans treated the clones.

I am teaching myself how to be free by tattooedgreenhouse (@gershwyndl) - this might be THE Clone Wars rewrite for me because the author has taken upon themselves to literally retell the whole series from Cody's AND Obi-Wan's POV. It's ambitious, I'm pretty sure it's technically canon compliant, but we do get our happy ending. Appropriately, it's 113k long.

i'll orbit your flickering star by sunskippa (@sunskippa) - Also a Clone Wars rewrite (by this I mean that it goes through the events of the series from Cody's POV), also canon compliant, 78k words. Might be my favourite ending in the genre, beautiful. I don't even know how to sell this, but it's a must-read imo

|to failure sweet victor| by littlekaracan (@cillyscribbles)- 20k words. In case you've read all those rewrites and you just want to skip to the part where Cody leaves the Empire and they find each other again on Tatooine *with a twist*

you read my mind, I'll read yours series by sospes - This is very much canon divergent. Starts off as a mission fic, Cody and Obi-Wan discover an artefact that creates a Force-bond between them. Misunderstandings ensue. Look at the tags/ratings, some of the works later on are spicier/angstier. But you could also read the first one and call it a day if those aren't your jam. (The whole thing is 166k long at the moment.)

will you be an anarchist with me? by a_alene (@birdiedoessw) - an outsider POV (Rex's) on Cody's and Obi-Wan's relationship. With the extra twist that they can't stand each other at the beginning of the war. This is something I would've loved to read when I was getting into codywan, it's a great way to start. (25k words)

shoulder the sky series by Night Fury (@shootingstarpilot) - Last but not least, an ongoing series (all but two works are finished, more than 200k words atm). You'll have to "get through" the first work to read the more codywan-focused fics (and I don't mean this in a bad way because the story is a m a z i n g. Just so you know.) To be honest, I think it might be a bit confusing to read at the moment because as far as I can see a work was removed from the series, but it's still up? I'm not sure what happened there, but I suppose you could simply read all the author's works in chronological order :D This series is pretty much Obi-Wan AND clone troopers focused and relies a lot on the Jedi Apprentice series (which isn't canon anymore) but you're gonna be fine if you haven't read it.

(If anyone reads this, please feel free to add your own suggestions!)

[gospelofme]

Some thoughts about Wolffe in episode 7 of The Bad Batch

It was interesting to see that he’s kept his same armor design. I noticed Cody had kept his more or less, but had changed the color to grey and altered the design slightly. Perhaps Wolffe did so because the Wolfpack is still a thing or perhaps he’s honoring them.

He still has that intimidating reputation. That has obviously carried over from the Republic era to the Imperial era. Even the TK troopers and Commandos respect him (at least to his face). He’s in charge of Commandos, clones, and TK troopers and it’s a clear leadership. There isn’t an Imperial officer breathing down his neck or micromanaging him.

The way he had a “don’t fuck with me” attitude towards the Shadow Operative was classic Wolffe. He obviously doesn’t give a fuck about this guy’s elite training. He’s not afraid of him in any way and I’m confident Wolffe could kick his ass. And I think Wolffe is confident of that as well. I’ll be thinking about the way he walked into and pushed aside the Shadow Operative with his body.

He didn’t bring any TK troopers with him to intercept “the rogue clones”. Only clone troopers. I feel like this was intentional. I think he knew he’d be able to communicate better with other clones if that’s who he brought with him. Plus I wonder if those were the ones he hand selected because he trusts them the most. The TK troopers don’t seem to have an issue answering to him, but I get the impression Wolffe doesn’t trust any non-clone.

We know Wolffe eventually joins up with Rex. I initially thought that maybe he was a double agent, but I feel like he was genuinely shocked Rex was alive. That revelation coupled with the claim of clone experimentation by the Empire could be what sparks that rebellion inside him. I don’t think the Empire lied about Rex being dead (I think they assumed he was because he was recorded to be on the ship when it crashed into the moon). But Wolffe does end up extremely paranoid about the Empire finding them in Rebels, even going so far as to intercept Ahsoka’s messages to Rex, thinking it was a trick by the Empire.

I am hoping that they give us more Wolffe in the coming episodes. Especially since Rex knows Wolffe is alive and can be reasoned with to a degree. I would be disappointed if they don’t really show us how Rex, Gregor, and Wolffe come to be their trio we know in Rebels. Of course that makes me worried for Echo…

I wouldn’t be opposed to Wolffe doing his own investigating and perhaps becoming a double agent for Rex. I’m not sure what level of clearance he has, but he’s high up enough to be sent to order around a classified soldier and retrieve Omega for Hemlock. I’m not sure if he knows that’s who she’s for or if she’s simply wanted and he doesn’t give a fuck why. Because like Rex said, Wolffe was trained to follow orders and not ask why.

Wolffe likely has his inhibitor chip, so Rex would need to figure out a way to remove that. I’m curious as to how they’re doing that, unless they have secured the medical machine used to extract them. I don’t see Rex risking clones that still have their chips around Ahsoka. Plus he seemed really strict on having the Bad Batch remove theirs before even dealing with them. I know I read somewhere that after Order 66 was complete enough for the Emperor that the chips were deactivated, but I’m not sure if that’s current canon or now lore.

[reader6898]

So, I've been working on a au series with the bad batch and this is what I have so far

* The clones have equal rights and actually get paid for once

* Order 66 never happened and everyone lives happily ever after

* The Jedi found out about the chips and were able to successfully have them all removed from the clones (Fives is a hero)

* Evil Palps was "mysteriously" killed (it was Fox)

Now on for the bad batch part

* the batch are wealthy bounty hunters

* They work with Cody and Rex occasionally (Cody and Rex like to hire them for tough jobs)

* Hunter meets his partner through Omega as she's Omega's teacher

* Wrecker meets his partner at the flower shop she runs and helps her out

* Crosshair meets his girlfriend at Dex's diner as she's a waitress and also a single mother (this gives off sugar baby and sugar daddy vibes)

* Echo's partner is Omega's babysitter

*Tech meets his partner when he accompanies Omega as a chaperone when her class goes on a field trip to the science museum. They don't actually interact but Tech finds her through an escort service website that he joined and that's how they start meeting and talking to one another when they match (I don't even know how I came up with this one but Tech seems like the type to go on an escort service website and meet someone through there)

* Omega goes to school and is living a normal life as a child

* The batch adopted Omega as they didn't want her staying on Kamino

* When the batch get hired to do jobs with Cody or Rex and have to work with their men they actually get along with the regs

That's all for now. I'm planning on a doing mini series with each of these storylines and if all goes well I might do more with other clones with different storylines. Let me know what all of you think of this

[awlimagines]

art by @kinokoshoujoart

Day Two - Cody/Gordy

It would be a lie to say Gordy didn’t expect you to say yes when he invited you to join him in ice sculpting. Your unbridled enthusiasm for life was what first caught his eye. So, he knew before asking you would accept regardless of what it was. What he didn’t expect was your competitive nature. Forget-Me-Not Valley didn’t have many events other towns did that involved competition. 

Your frequent insistence that you could do this and to focus on his work had chased Gordy from hovering directly over you. His purple gaze drifted to check on you far too often to know what he was creating at this point. Gordy froze as he prepared to place the finishing touches on his sculpture. Between his last check and this one, you had removed your gloves. A brief panic flooded him as he tried to calculate the time in between. Your fingertips were the bright, angry red of the initial stages of frostbite. 

“Y/N,” Gordy called, his tools dropped and forgotten in the snow to approach you. Gordy gently pulled you away from the ice when you failed to answer or acknowledge him. He tried to ignore your blush as you bumped against him. 

“Gordy, I need to finish. It still looks terrible! You can’t even tell what it is,” you pouted, gazing up at him from beneath your lashes. 

Gordy tore his gaze from your face to examine your ice sculpture instead. He couldn’t let himself be swayed by you so easily. The artist would give you anything you wanted if you kept looking at him in such a way. You had chipped the ice away at solid angles. It wasn’t smooth and perfect, but Gordy could quickly tell what it was. 

“It looks great, especially without sculpting experience—a very charming chicken,” Gordy complimented. 

It matched perfectly with his ice sculpture of a rooster he couldn’t help but note. Your deep blush mixed with a silent protest as he stepped from where you had nestled into his side. Gordy swiftly activated the hand warmer from his pocket before thrusting it between your hands. His hands sandwiched yours as he lowered to blow warm air on your fingertips gently.  Gordy hoped his blush was hidden better than yours as he planned for your next date.

[techtalksfics]

My General (Crosshair x f!reader - Part 1/2)

Summary: Hunter contacts the one person that Crosshair will need, once they got him back.

Authors Note: I wanted to do a Crosshair finds his way back story but I guess this was always going to be a little sad.

Warnings: None. So this chapter is very angsty SFW but it will heat up in the next chapter! Word Count: 2.5 K

They finally had him back.

Crosshair, as grumpy and taciturn as ever, was reunited with his Bad Batch brothers. After Cody's desertion, it didn't take long for Crosshair to realise it was now or never. If he stayed, he would have lost his brothers entirely and forever. The whole process, the Empire, had demolished his head, his psyche had been poisoned by the enhancement of his inhibitor chip.

He was broken, confused and angry. He was angry at Hunter for leaving him; he was at the Empire for using him. But, most of all, he was angry at himself for everything he had done wrong.

But, he asked for their help and they gave it, gladly and without question. He was, and always would be, their brother. Once he had been put under, in order to have his chip removed entirely, Hunter had been the one to say it. The one thing that they were pretending that they knew nothing of.

It had been forbidden.

"We are going to have to comm her," Hunter sighed, running his hand across his face, "she has a right to know that he came back."

After their first successful mission as a group, reunited, they were celebrating together in Cid's. Crosshair still hadn't fully readjusted to Wrecker's emphatic, brotherly hugs nor Hunter's questions about how he was feeling.

And so, he simply sat, quiet and unmoving, in the corner seat of the parlour. He simply observed the scenario unfolding around him. He didn't feel he had much to say.

He wasn't even sure that he would ever be the same with his brothers. He wasn't sure if he could ever truly trust them to have his back again.

They all heard the footsteps, as they clobbered their way down the steps towards Cid's.

The heavy clunk of boots hitting their ears, one by one. Closer and closer until a figure appeared in the doorway of the parlour. Hunter had been waiting to hear those footsteps for days - he was worried that you wouldn't come.

There, at the door, was the one person Crosshair truly believed to be dead. That is what the Empire had declared in their reports, at least. As you appeared in the doorway, Crosshair was stunned. You were here, in Ord Mantell, with your hands on your hips, staring into the room. Looking at each of your brothers with a gentle smile, remembering the first time you had met them. It all looked very much the same. When your eyes settled on Crosshair, he stood slowly, sliding out of the chair, and walked towards you cautiously.

He was convinced you were a dream, a dream from a simpler time. He was worried if he moved too fast, you would be gone.

"You really are here," you finally said, breaking the iced atmosphere in the room. "You really did come back." You pulled at the fingers of your right glove, one by one, until it slipped away from your hand delicately.

He had always liked your delicate and dainty hands.

Just like Crosshair, you were terrified of moving too fast. In fear that this whole thing was a dream. You were afraid of moving too fast, of pushing too hard. But you couldn't believe he was really here. Once the glove was held in your other hand, you tentatively lifted your hand towards his cheek.

He leant into your fingers, which were softly closed, and closed his eyes. Your skin was so warm on his cold skin.

He looked so frail, so skinny. A shadow of the real Crosshair.

But to him, you looked perfect. You were here, his general. You had never kissed him, never slept with him and hardly even been around him except for on those rare missions. But he was yours, truly, and you were his, fully. You were his Jedi general. His commander. He would go anywhere with you. Anywhere for you.

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

There had been one touch earlier, years earlier, which had almost been as the one before you now. His position had been hit by the bombardment of a Separatist tank and your heart had plummeted in your chest. You instantly began to retreat towards his position, ordering the others of 99 to continue pushing forward, to not give up your position. You had said you would save their brother and they knew that you would. They believed in you and they had always known of your special bond with Crosshair.

When you reached his position, he was lying on his back and was groaning. As you rushed to help him, you breathed out his name and his head snapped towards you. You reached for his helmet and slowly began to remove it. When his brown eyes finally pierced yours, you slowly reached out and touched his cheek.

Feeling him through the force, to ensure he is okay, you reminded yourself in that moment. That was all it could ever be. You were a Jedi and a General. He was clone troopers and your favourite deviant defect.

As you touched his cheek for the first time, the whole world stopped for Crosshair. Despite the screams of clones in the background, as Wrecker bulldozed them off of the bridge.

Your eyes bore into his momentarily, before you asked if he was okay.

He nodded once, a very curt nod. He breathed in and swallowed. "Tell me what you need, my general," he responded and with a smile, you told him to find cover over the second bridge. "Sir, yes sir," he affirmed flippantly.

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

He couldn't believe you were here, touching his cheek so gently. After what he had done.

After what he had done, he remembered. In that moment, he remembered every bad thing he had done, every bad decision he had made. He had hunted her kind; he had tried to kill the young padawan. If Hunter hadn't have helped him...

He tried to shake the thoughts, but he couldn't. They were seared into his mind, along with the residuals of the enhancements of his inhibitor chip. He knew you could feel his pain in this moment and that was the last thing he wanted. You frowned as you asked, "what did they do to you?"

"Good soldiers follow orders," he mumbled. In that moment, it was as if lightning struck your hand and you pulled it back from his face so quickly. It had been a while since you had heard those words so truly. But they were words you'd never forget. His eyes snapped open as your hand retreated.

He knew you would have heard those words by now. Perhaps you'd even heard them at the time. Perhaps you had fought for your life as the Republic crumbled around you. He looked at you with a frown on his lips, "I'm sorry."

"I..." you trailed off and looked to the others for solace. But you found none. The room was silent, and every face bore a frown. You felt a surge of so many emotions as you looked at Clone Force 99. You felt elated by the sight of your old friends. You felt angered by the sight of a broken Crosshair. A good soldier following orders. You felt pity and pain and the pointlessness of everything the Jedi had stood for. Everything you had stood for. "I have to go. I - I can't do this. I'm sorry."

And with that, you left. You left as quickly and gracefully as you had arrived.

Hunter rushed to his brothers side, placing a hand on his shoulder before heading out of the door and into the evening heat of Ord Mantell. It didn't take him long to track you.

You had left a messy trail of shoe prints, fingerprints and tears. You also had not gotten very far away from the parlour before collapsing into your tears. So consumed by it all.

"It shouldn't be this hard." You said as he approached. He had tried to come towards you quietly but, well, the force is the force. You had always had a strong connection with it. "He looks so...broken."

"They," Hunter cleared his throat, "ran experiments. Left him alone without food or water for 32 rotations. Pushed him through command posts, hunting us. He barely ate or slept, even when he could. He is broken." His hand came to your shoulder, but you couldn't bring yourself to face your old friend.

You wiped the tears from your eyes. "He cares for you though, still," Hunter confirms, "as he always did. He may not even understand it. But following you, was never just a command as a clone. It was his will as a man. He would've gladly followed you anywhere."

As you turned to face him, he looked at you with a deep brotherly concern. The pain of it all was almost too much for you to bear and it was plastered across your face. "I can't help him, Hunter. I can't even help myself."

"Just don't leave, yet." Hunter asked this favour of you, of an old friend. "Please."

"Alright, Hunter. I won't go, not yet."

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

But you didn't return to Cid's. Not that night or any of the other three nights you were there.

Instead, you had headed to the Old Ord Mantell City ruins. You had camped out there for three days, trying to clear your mind. To commune with your Master. You'd had no luck with that since Order 66.

The sun was beginning to set on the old city; the ruins of an old civilisation from an era now forgotten. You kicked at the dirt, watching as it unsettled and floated just above the ground before landing soundless once again.

You honestly didn't know why you were still here. It is not as if the city had a pleasant history. Just like this ruined city, your relationship with the Bad Batch, with Crosshair, was long forgotten.

"Hunter said you had headed out this way," the sultry sound of Crosshair's voice made you jump. You had been so lost in your thoughts that you hadn't even felt his approach. He wasn't in his armour anymore. He wore a simple and light black cloth across his chest and legs. Light enough that he could feel the breeze across his skin. He truly looked so fragile as a civilian, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"All of it." As you tried to stare him down, you realised how angry you truly were. At him. At the Empire. You scoffed and repeated his words, 'all of it'.

"Yes, all of it," you kicked at the dirt again as you spoke, "the Empire," you flipped your hand one way, "the Jedi," your hand flipped the other way, "the Sith." You stilled your hand this time, feeling the force about your fingers. "The failures of my people to do the one thing that was so fundamental to their core. Protect the people. Protect the fucking peace. We were nothing more than pawns in a game of war." You squinted as the sun reappeared from behind the ruin, behind Crosshair's head. His silhouetted form was frozen in space. "All of that is your fault, is it?" You didn't even know why you were arguing all of this.

"They were your friends, and they were killed. They were systematically killed by the people I put my faith in." Crosshair held up his hands slightly and moved towards you. "I should have kept my faith in my brothers. In you."

"You think I'm angry because you, what -" You yelled, turning away from him, "because you left me and fought for them? No, Crosshair," you sighed, "that wasn't your choice." You scoffed, "I am angry that my people failed you. They failed everyone. I have lost everything and everyone I held dear." You were yelling at the top of your lungs now, but not at Crosshair. You were just yelling into the wind. Your voice carried throughout the ruins. You felt the pain coursing throughout your system, and you were tired. You were so very, very tired.

"You didn't lose me."

"Good solider's follow orders, isn't that right?" You regretted it instantly.

He recoiled away from you the second you said it. He had managed to creep towards you; he was almost close enough to reach out and touch you but now? How could he? How could he touch you after this?

You regretted those words more than any you had ever spoken. He'd had no control and you knew it. He'd been conditioned and controlled. None of this was his fault. You had failed him, not the other way around. You opened your mouth to speak but no sound came out. You simply sank to your knees in front of him and cried out a simple, "I'm sorry that I failed you, Crosshair."

He realised, in that moment, that you were as broken as he was. Perhaps there was enough left unbroken for the two of you to patch each other up. He realised he at least wanted to try and find out. He wanted to try because you were on your knees before him, crying. You were in pieces before him.

So, he sank to his knees in front of you and reached his un-gloved hand to your cheek. You felt him graze his knuckles across your cheekbone.

"My general," he whispers, as you continue to sob, "are you okay?" He repeated the words you had uttered to each other in secret all those years ago. You looked up at him, feeling the water still brimming under your eyes. As you shook your head in defeat, he said, "tell me what you need."

His hands found the points where your shoulders met your neck and he pushed your hair away. He rested his hands around the crook of your neck as he watched you try and centre yourself.

You eyes finally snapped up to his, red from the tears and the pain.

"I came here for you, Cross." You stated it so matter-of-factly to him that he was a left a little startled. "Hunter, he reached out more than once when you were working with the Empire. He begged me to help and I couldn't give it. I was weak. But then I hear from him, one final time, after months of silence and he said you were back and so, here I am." You sighed as you grasped at his hands at the base of his neck. Sighing at the sensation of your soft skin on his rough hands. You leant your head into one of his hands and closed your eyes. "I am sorry that I failed you Crosshair. But I promise... I will always come back for you. You are not my solider, and I am not your general. Yooba solus ner aliit."

You were his family. That is what you had told him. His love, he thought. Your affirmation made him smile, the first real smile he had felt on his lips in months.

He rested his forehead against yours and sighed so softly. He affirmed, "you will always be my general."

[chopper-base]

I bet you were great at the interview! Here's a question and I bet you will answer it so well.

Excuse me, yes, Mr. Base. How do you feel about Crosshair Bad Batch?

*starts excitedly vibrating*

How do I feel about Crosshair? Oh hoho! It should not be possible to love a character as much as I love Crosshair! (You may have not asked for a rant, but you are getting a rant)

I get that a lot of people were hating on him for the whole "sticking with the Empire" osik, but Crosshair, like the rest of the batch, were bred and made to be soldiers. Crosshair was, unfortunately, the only one with an active chip which, from the beginning, caused a huge tear in their squad. You have to realize, though, the batch’s whole thing of "never leave our own behind" was huge to them. No matter the mission, they stuck together and cared for each other. And in Crosshair's mind, when he needed the batch most, when his mind wasn't his own, they left him.

Yes, they didn't have much of a choice, but even after finding out about the chips, they still didn't go back for him. All Crosshair saw was them leaving him behind. Over and over and over again. In his mind, they had replaced him with Omega, so even after he got his chip removed, he stayed. He felt that the Empire was all he had. Being a soldier was all he had.

Even when given the chance to rejoin the batch, he refused. He couldn't see himself fitting back in with his brothers after everything that had happened. It's evident how much he still cares for them. They're his squad. His brothers. His family. He offered them a spot in the Empire. Not just to be soldiers, but to try to give them a purpose again. To fight for something. But the batch had found other things to fight for and had seen the evils of the Empire from a different angle. He chooses a different path, one that eventually led to more death and hurting. But also, in the end, led to his realization. He saw the way Cody reacted when he said, "Then they're traitors." He saw the way Cody almost seemed to deflate. I think this was the first spark in his realization.

Come the outpost, it took watching the Empire phase out, replace, and discard the clones for him to realize that he was next. That being a soldier wasn't something he could be anymore. He watched Mayday take his last breath. The lieutenant did nothing but watch as someone he began to care for died when it could have been avoided.

Even in the hands of Hemlock, being left behind again, he still risks his life to tell the batch to hide. He knows how much the batch cares about Omega, and even if he sees her as replacing him, he still is trying to protect her. He wants his family safe. He's not hoping for a rescue. He's not expecting his brother to come swooping in to save him. He's just praying they get away. Hide from what he knows the Empire will do to them.

Anyway, that's my take on him. Also, he's cute, and I wanna cuddle his skinny, tall ass til he accepts the affection-