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[roseaesynstylae]

Someone please adopt Dogma. The two plot ideas I keep thinking about is either 1) The Bad Batch meets him and decides “our reg, now” or 2) Clan Skirata takes one look at him and go “i’ve only had Dogma for a day and a half, but if anything happens to him, i’ll kill everyone around me.” (I may have my problems with Kal Skirata, but have no issues with his desire to adopt anything within thirty kilometers that is left unattended.)

[roseaesynstylae]

Star Wars: Republic Commando: Hard Contact, Chapter 3

"The Neimodians had a taste for elaborate and wholly inappropriate grandeur, and Ghez Hokan despised them for it.

Lik Ankkit's huge villa was set on top of a hill overlooking a kushayan plantation -- a foolish choice given the prevailing winds, but it seemed to satisfy the Neimodian's need to show he was boss. The location might have made sense from a military perspective, but -- as Ankkit was a bean-counting coward like all his kind -- he didn't need defensibility, either.

No, the Neimodian was a di'kut. A complete and utter di'kut."

Say what you like about Hokan, but he's a great person to kick off the Di'kut Count.

I've always felt that the Neimodians get way too much hatred in-universe. The novel Brotherhood agrees with me.

I agree with Hokan's feelings on ostentatious grandeur; in fiction or in reality, it gives me a massive headache.

Di'kut Count: 3

"Fulier couldn't have been good at calculating odds or he'd have never on Gar-Ul in the tavern. But at least he was prepared to stand up for himself, despite all that mystical nonsense he spouted. Hokan admired guts, even if he rarely tolerated them. They were always in short supply."

This is coming from the villain, so I was debating whether or not to put it on the Jedi-Bashing count; after all, we aren't supposed to side with him. But, as I've previously mentioned, I am not cutting this series even a molecule of slack when it comes to how it regards the Jedi. Can't you just hear Traviss behind the page, commenting that a Mandalorian would have calculated the odds and defeated Hokan easily?

Jedi-Bashing: 4

"Niner wanted to laugh, but you didn't laugh at a Jedi, especially one who seemed to care what happened to you."

This is one of the lines that wouldn't be a problem if it was written by anyone else.

Also, "seemed" to care? Again, if it were anyone else... I'll just say that Plo Koon is living proof that the Jedi genuinely care about the clones.

Jedi-Bashing: 5

"Ah. For all their skills and wisdom, there were still some things the Jedi didn't know. Niner hesitated to to lecture Jusik.

[...]

It wasn't Jusik's fault. He had far bigger issues to worry about. There was no reason for a Jedi commander to concern himself with the details of a clone commando's life. But Niner thought he probably would, and he admired the Padawan all the more for that."

I don't know how many times I'm going to end up saying this (I suspect a lot), but I would not have any issues with these lines if they weren't written by Karen Traviss.

Jedi-Bashing: 6

"He meant good luck. He wanted them to survive.

Niner, who had known for as long as he could remember that he was a soldier bred to die, found that intriguing."

Okay, this is just depressing. The clones' lives are incredibly sad and become more so with every new installment.

Jedi-Bashing: 6

Di'kut Count: 3

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[roseaesynstylae]

Jedi Headcannon:

Now, I know this has probably been already though of but... I wanted to do my own take on this one so...

Jedi and their kyber crystals. Let's go!

I have a few ideas about this one.

First: the kyber crystal to a jedi is what armour is to Mandalorian. And it's been something that has been talked about and written about some. But I don't think it's mentioned and/or used more so here I am.

Second: to touch a kyber is like interacting with Jedi's soul. This is the biggest vulnerability a jedi can show, to anyone. So it is usually considered rude to even ask to see the kyber. That's why the gathering is such an important thing. Bc the babies of the family are getting their souls or the vessel which their soul shall inhibit. As such, the construction and taking care of a saber is also a private family affair.

Third: the kyber is quite literally the physical representation/body/vessel of a Jedi's soul. The Jedi have instincts (at least the Senior Padawans and above bc the little ones need to learn first) to protect their light saber, their crystal and thus the very vessel of their soul outside of their bodies. As such, it not only is their life but also a vulnerable part of themselves. So when a jedi lets you even touch their light saber it means they trust you with their kyber, their soul, their very being. And I think that's beautiful.

And with that, watch as Obi-wan let's Cody hold his saber, and Anakin giving Padme his during Clone Wars. And suddenly it's much more emotional and important.

[roseaesynstylae]

I want to see Wrecker using a rotary cannon, the type Hevy used. He'd easily be able to wield it and it feels like it fits his personality.

(The other weapon I picture him using: a fuckton of explosives.)

[roseaesynstylae]

Star Wars: Republic Commando: Hard Contact, Chapter 2

"Clone personnel have free will, even if they do follow orders. If they couldn't think for themselves, we'd be better off with droids -- and they're a lot cheaper, too. They have to be able to respond to situations we can't imagine. Will that change them in ways we can't predict? Perhaps. But they have to be mentally equipped to win wars. Now thaw these men out. They have a job to do.

-- Jedi Master Arligan Zey, intelligence officer"

I'm going to add any of these...I'm not sure what these extracts at the beginning of the chapters are properly called, but I'll add them whenever they're interesting.

Zey's comment about the clones reminds me of the line from Andor. "We're cheaper than droids, and easier to replace." The difference here is that while clones are more expensive and harder to replace than droids, they're superior.

And yes, Master Zey, it did change them in unexpected ways.

"It didn't feel so bad to be revived after stasis. He was still a commando. They hadn't reconditioned. That meant -- that meant he'd performed to expected standards at Geonosis. He'd done well. He felt positive."

The implication that "under-performing" clones are brainwashed, at best, is one of the Traviss's additions that I genuinely like, emphasizing the cold detachment of the Kaminoans before they become prominent in the series. It's also just a terrifying idea.

"Darman was careful not to stare -- even though any eye movement was disguised by his helmet -- because Jedi knew things without having to see. His instructors had told him so. Jedi were omniscient, omnipotent, and to be obeyed at all times."

And here we see the official beginning of the Jedi-Bashing count. It's subtler here, but it keeps popping up in ways that are unmistakable in the context of the series' attitude toward the Jedi Order. In multiple cases, such as this one, lines that wouldn't make me bat an eye in a different book, (or more accurately, a different author), but make me grit my teeth here.

The way this specific paragraph is written is very similar to how I'd write a passage from the POV of a character who thinks the antagonist is a good person, or is brainwashed, but I want to make it clear what's really going on. Only in this case, it isn't portraying, say, a Sith cult, but the Jedi Order, which is devoted to helping others, enforcing justice, and studying the Force.

Jedi-Bashing: 1

"'This is your unit of four, then? A squad?' He seemed to be recalling a hurried lesson. 'Almost like a family?'"

This might be a stretch, but I'm not cutting this series an iota of slack when it comes to the Jedi Order. The implication here seems to be "Oh look, the Jedi have no idea what a family is! It's so unnatural and wrong, not like the good, wholesome Mandalorians!" Am I being petty? Maybe. Does Kal Skirata ranting about baby-stealers get really fucking old really fucking fast? Definitely.

Jedi-Bashing: 2

"'My squad called me Atin," the wounded commando said.

Niner glanced at Fi but said nothing. Atin was Mandalorian for 'stubborn.'"

Okay, this bit is just funny.

"Darman -- a soldier able to withstand every privation in the field, and whose greatest fear was to whither from age rather than die in combat -- felt inexplicably uncomfortable at the idea of a Jedi having failings."

Jedi-Bashing: 3

"Etain was neither a natural warrior nor a great charmer, but she was aware of her talent for spotting opportunities. It made up for a lot."

In this book, at least, I really like Etain. She's a good audience surrogate and her headspace is easier to get into than the other three narrators.

Jedi-Bashing: 3

Di'kut Count: 1

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[roseaesynstylae]

I refuse to believe that Crosshair isn't a cat.

[roseaesynstylae]

Star Wars: Republic Commando: Hard Contact, Chapter 1

"Republic Commando 1136 studied every face in line waiting to board the gunships.

Some were helmeted, and some were not, but -- one way or another-- they all had his face. And they were all strangers."

While I do not feel particularly friendly toward Karen Traviss, I will give her credit for her skill in writing military-related topics. She used to be a journalist, or so I hear, so that tracks.

"The loadmaster turned to him. He was one of the very, very few outsiders whom Darman had ever seen working with the Grand Army, a short, wrinkled Duros with a temper to match. 'Are you embarking or what?'

Darman continued wiping his helmet. 'I'm waiting for my mates.'

'You shift your shiny silver backside now,' the loadmaster said irritably. 'I got a schedule.'

Darman carefully brought his knuckle plate just under the loadmaster's chin, and held it there. He didn't need to eject the vibroblade and he didn't need to say a word. He'd made his point."

I'll forgive this one. Darman's just come out of an extremely stressful situation, training or no, and I'm pretty sure he's subconsciously aware that the rest of his squad is dead. Small wonder he's reacting badly.

I'm making note of this because of certain moments in future books. (Jaing's gloves, anyone?)

"The field of barq flowed from silver to ruby as the wind from the southwest bent the ripening grain in waves. It could have been a perfect late-summer day; instead it was turning into one of the worst days of Etain Tur-Muken's life."

Etain, honey, you have no idea.

"'I got bottle of urrqal. You want to have party?' He had a remarkably large vocabulary for a Weequay, all of it centered on his baser needs. 'I fun when you get to know me.'"

Either Etain has some prejudices she needs to sort out, or Hondo is an exceptionally well-spoken and eloquent member of his species.

"'...later, but right now, di'kut, I need you to...okay? Or I'll cut...'"

This is purely to kick off the Di'kut Count.

Di'kut Count: 1

"'I'm Fi,' he said, and held out his hand for shaking. 'So you lost your squad too.'

'Niner,' RC-1309 said without taking the proffered hand."

I just wanted to show Fi and Niner's introduction.

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[roseaesynstylae]

Republic Commando: Hard Contact

I got this book recently and, well, there's a lot I want to talk about, good and bad.

Before I get started, here's a link to a very interesting post about Karen Traviss and her writing that sums up the issues that made me hesitant about approaching this series far better than I ever could.

In addition to comments and reaction GIFs, I'm also going to have some counts, just to keep track of things. The first is "Jedi-Bashing," which is self-explanatory; every time the Jedi Order is put down explicitly or implicitly, I add to this. This count is going to be pretty steady throughout this book, but I expect it to skyrocket in subsequent volumes. The second is more lighthearted; it's going to track every time the word di'kut is used. I'm going to add more as I go through the series.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

[roseaesynstylae]

It speaks volumes about Fordo that despite me having no clue about what he looks like under the armor, he managed to single-handedly unlock my competency kink and become one of the hottest men in Star Wars for me.

[roseaesynstylae]

Sev gets off of Kashyyyk, resulting in a tragicomic (or comictragic) stare of confusion at the state of the galaxy.

His reactions, in rough order:

[roseaesynstylae]

I don't usually talk about OCs or Reader-fic (mainly because I just don't have much to say), but Crosshair and a Jedi OC/Reader raises so much angsty possibilities.

[roseaesynstylae]

Tonio just showing up at Massimo’s crack house going “Baby brother!” is one of the funnier mental images PHF gave me. He hugs Massimo, who looks like he wants to set himself on fire, while the rest of the Narcotics Squad stare in varying degrees of confusion.

[roseaesynstylae]

An AU where Jodio and Dragona are two of DIO’s children and show up in Florida to spread chaos.

[roseaesynstylae]

who can relate

[roseaesynstylae]

We're in this strange and wonderful period where the beans want to watch Winnie the Pooh and then go pretend to be Aloy, I'm enjoying it for as long as it lasts

[roseaesynstylae]

If Plo Koon ever met Dred Priest and Isabet Reau, there would be about five seconds of tenseness before the lightsaber came out. "You hurt my children?! You dare?! Electric Judgement!"

[roseaesynstylae]

This is your sign to make an OC by the way.

"Its a mary sue" i Don't Care, Make it.

"I Feel cringy" cringe can be cool too btw. Reclaim cringe. Have fun with it.

"I don't know the lore at all / very well" thats okay !!!!

"It doesn't fit the lore" so? Maybe that can be a new story/plotline

"My OC is my Self insert" HELL YEAH!!!

"My OC is not a Self Insert" HELL YEAH !!!

"I don't know where to start" Picrews, dress up games, etc help me as a base. Its okay to take your time and change the design one to multiple times

"I don't know how to draw/write" its fun, you don't have to know everything i promise. Draw a stick figure. Write a few sentences or a quote.

"I'm afraid of people making fun of me" that is very fair and very valid but please do not let other people control you. Life is short, make something out of it.

"My OC is LGBTQIA+/MOGAI/POC/Disabled/Neurodivergent/Fat/etc" FUCK YEAH??? I LOVE YOU /friendly

"My OC is a Kinsona/Furrysona/TherianSona/Systemsona/Charactersona" THOSE ARE SO COOL AND I WISH TO SEE MORE!!!

"I built an entire AU / original universe with my OCs" you're gonna go places i promise /pos