#AND THE FACT THAT SHE HAS TECHS GOGGLES ON HER SHIP IS SO

[welldressedvillain]

SHE'S GONNA BE A PILOT

TECH WOULD BE SO PROUD

[moodymisty]

Hi. I love your fanfic's, especially Star Wars. ♥️ Can you write something with Tech with the prompt: "Forgive my unkindness, but you are very pleasant to look at." Where Tech sees the reader who just got out of the bath in her room in just her panties, singing a dance song. She sees him and maybe this could end in a make out session? xoxo

Author's Note: Aww thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my stuff! It's been awhile since I've written for Tech, so let's give this a shot, I hope this is close enough to your prompt :3

Summary: Tech accidentally walks in on you putting on a show for one in the refresher, and decides to stay for a minute.

Relationships: Tech/Fem!Reader

Warnings: Lewd but not full NSFW, Making out, Tech is a suave nerd,

Word Count: 1261

It's a miracle in the first place that Tech managed to get the hot water working for the Marauder's refresher again, considering circumstances. He has so many repairs to work on at any one time and with hot water not being necessary for life, the lot of you have been used to bathing in frigid water for a decent bit now.

Getting another mechanic in GAR to fix it would be completely fruitless; For the previous reason, as well as that GAR's rare amount of mechanics are always either off base or trying to solving any myriad of other technical issues. Many of them wouldn't even look at a submitted request like that unless they were bored and just off lunch break.

Needless to say you're eager to get use out of it, having dipped into the refresher once the Batch all left for some mandatory training drills. They don't need them, but it's entertainment you guess, as well as the fact that GAR considers them mandatory for every clone.

It's not as if you don't trust them to be in the ship while you shower, it's more so that bathing is your one time to really relax and unwind; So you're eager to do so without various clanking and shouting in the background.

Your datapad on the tiny counter plays some random music you've collected over the years, the words just barely audible above the noise of the water spraying onto your body and the metal walls of the shower stall. You'd love to use your much larger shower at home, but you're stuck with this for the time being. It could be worse, all things considered. With no one around there's no concerns about anyone hearing your enthusiastic singing, belting along to lyrics and mumbling the words you can't remember fast enough. It's fun; You really needed this after all of the high-wire stress that's been going on.

With your hair finally clean however there isn't much reason to remain in the shower any longer lest you waste water, so you turn it off and step out. You had set out some fresh clothes to change into before getting in, grabbing a towel and drying off before slipping on your top and underwear. Your hair is still slopping wet even after giving it a quick tussle with the towel, and you elect to let it air dry while you work on drying off your legs.

The entire time you sing along to the next song that pops on, distracted by the much more easily heard music now that the water is turned off. You shuffle along with the music the best you can while trying not to slip,

It's at this point you realize you hadn't locked the door, as it slides open while you're half bent over. The music is still playing as Tech looks up from the datapad in his hands, realizing you're barely clothed; Hair still dripping water. Judging by the quiet he's the only one back from drills. He doesn't say anything for a moment, lips closed but eyebrows raised in the slightest hint of surprise.

Standing back upright you lean your hip into the small counter, looking up at Tech standing in the doorway.

"Need something?"

Tech is tall enough to the point that his head is almost brushing against the top of the door at his full height, though it's not as if the Marauder's core shell was designed with premium comfort and stretching room in mind. He pushes up the left side of his goggles with his hand before finally speaking up. Your foot is still tapping to the beat as he does.

"Forgive my leering, but you are very pleasant to look at. I, hadn't expected to find you here."

You'd perhaps be a bit more miffed about him walking in, if he wasn't so fucking cute.

Taking a step to fully enter the refresher he still holds his datapad in his right hand, while the left reaches up and cups gently around your jaw. You can feel the rough fabric of his glove against your skin, thumb gently brushing against your cheek. Your eyes gently close in anticipation of what's to come. Tilting your head upward he quickly leans in to press his lips against yours, googles pressing awkwardly into your skin. You don't mind, but Tech uses his other hand to push them onto his forehead anyways; Just to make things easier.

It allows you to kiss him even more deeply, arms wrapping around his shoulders- fingers tangling in the short hair at the nape of his neck. His free hand lays in the dip of the middle of your back, fingers brushing against the top of your ass. It pushes your hips against his own, as his tongue brushes against your bottom lip.

You moan into his mouth as he takes the tiniest step closer to you, feeling his breath against your face as he only parts to take the shortest, quickest breath.

To think only a short while ago he'd confessed to not really knowing how to kiss- How quick a learner he is.

Pulling away from your lips with a soft pop you can feel the heat on his skin, hand still just above your ass.

"I do have to return to the others."

You pull back and glare at him, kiss swollen lips the main focus of his eyes as you scold him.

"You come in here and kiss me like that only to tell me you're leaving again?" Tech's face is his normal neutral expression, though from so long of being near him you can see the smug satisfaction in his eyes and coating his voice.

This isn't the first time he's left you high and not dry, so to speak. He seems to find the idea of you pining for him while he's unattainable to be enjoyable. The both of you haven't even been in a relationship for that long, and you can already count multiple times he's grasped your thigh or waist, leaning over your shoulder to help you, knowing that those sorts of things turn you on- only to walk off.

Infuriating bastard.

You're suddenly well aware of your half dressed state again, as Tech pulls his goggles back into place and covering the marks they always leave. He leans down to press a bit more chaste kiss to the corner of your mouth, your eyes fluttering closed; But when you attempt to deepen it, he pulls away and you whine.

"I am assuming since you've finished with your shower, you're going to join us?" You cross your arms.

"I don't know. Maybe." It's hard not to smile, while being a bit of a brat that he won't shrug off his brothers just for a moment after riling you up like that. He can see right through it either way.

"That's not going to get me to stay, if that is your plan." You roll your eyes, and pick your pants up off the counter.

"I'll be there in a minute. Right behind you." Gently removing his hand from you back, it brushes along your side in a way you don't know if intentional or not. He then walks off with little fanfare, leaving you to start slipping on your pants with the door still open. With one hand you to turn off the music that had been playing the entire time. You don't know if he's still in the ship when you mumble while tugging on your pants:

"Fucking tease..."

[momojedi]

Bad Batch: Season 3

My Predictions

The final countdown has started and I'm not ready at ALL! Here are some of my predictions for Season 3 and what I could imagine happening!

1. Tech will be back.

Yes, the trope of dead characters returning is incredibly overused. But as many others I have a good reason to believe that Tech might still be alive. Think about it. It’s pretty likely Hemlock managed to locate Tech’s body considering he left us a huge breadcrumb: his goggles.

Why would Hemlock get rid of a genetically enhanced super soldier, especially considering he likely knows how to properly brainwash someone?

I too like to think that Tech might be the black armoured soldier in the front. It’s the same, if not similar armour as Clone X. Maybe these are part of a special type of clone assassins or troopers? Could they be the prototype for the Dark or Death Trooper?

It’s pretty plain to say that Tech will likely come back, though probably not as the Tech we know.

2. Crosshair & Omega Dynamic

We've seen Omega genuinely bond with all of the Bad Batch - except for Crosshair. Despite her trying her best to get to him every time they had the chance to interact, he denied her any kind of response. Whether that would be because he's just too withdrawn or because he refuses to let anyone see his vulnerable side, we don't know so far.

What we do know however, both based on pure logic alone and the fact that we've heard them both involved in a heated debate in the leaked trailer from the Star Wars Celebration last year, is that they likely will spending a lot of time together on-screen now that they're both captives of the Empire.

Hopefully Omega will be able to lift Cross' spirits, he doesn't seem to be doing very well from what we've seen!

3. Ventress will be an enemy!

Asajj Ventress! We all know and love her, so naturally it's incredibly nice to find out that she'll be returning to the screens for the final season of the Bad Batch! Despite they're naturally being some raised eyebrows considering her fate in the Dark Disciple book, I'm curious to see in what way they'll connect the stories!

However, seeing as Ventress could rather be classified as an anti-hero rather than a full on hero, I believe that she won't be helping the Batch but rather fighting them in order to get to what she wants - as she likes to do.

Perhaps she'll end up cooperating when she realises there might be no other solution, but I strongly doubt she'll be any help to them when it comes to following their personal goals.

4. The Fall of the Clone Rebellion

It's sadly no secret that given the events of Rebels and the three remaining clones Rex, Gregor & Wolffe, it's very likely the rebellions aka rescue of the clones didn't go as initially planned.

I could imagine this being explained a bit clearer in the finale, perhaps even leading up to a great fight against the Empire in the end. We can't forget that the series mainly revolves around a rogue batch of clones, so the thought that it might also go out with a clone-centric subject, especially such a big one, isn't necessarily far-fetched.

5. The End of the Mission

And finally, my most tragic prediction: The end of the Bad Batch.

The writers have been making it very clear that season 3 will likely be the darkest season of the show which unfortunately leads me to think that, as much as I'd want it not to be the case, the finale will lead to the ultimate end of Clone Force 99.

I suspect the series to end with the batch ending up together in some way, as the original five, and landing in a tricky life-or-death situation. Perhaps they'll be stuck in a crashing ship with a one-person escape pod or maybe they'll be facing a threatening figure such as Sidious, leading to the decision to sacrifice themselves in order to protect Omega.

Either way, despite season 3 likely becoming a tragic rollercoaster of emotions, I'm glad we had the chance to experience the epic story of the Bad Batch. It's sad to see them go and although these characters have become like a family not only to me, but to many other fans, let's enjoy our last moments with them and let them go out with a bang!

[fanfoolishness]

haunted

Crosshair's first journey to Pabu is more fraught than it would seem. Or: Crosshair sees Tech's goggles for the first time. Set shortly after 3x04, A Different Approach. Heavy Tech grief, hurt no comfort. 1375 words.

-

The Marauder was a ghost ship now.

Crosshair sat in the back of it as far away from Hunter and Wrecker as he could, Batcher wide-eyed and alert at his feet.  Omega was up front with the others, fast asleep draped over Wrecker’s chest, head on his shoulder.  Occasionally Hunter or Wrecker would glance back at him, then back at each other.  That felt right.  He wouldn’t have trusted him either.

They weren’t the source of his unease, anyway.  

The engines hummed around him, familiar as ever, the sound unmistakable.  He used to dream that hum sometimes during his time with the Empire, waking up with a start to realize his cramped quarters were silent. It reverberated around him, soft and almost lulling in the background. 

The smells of the ship were the same, oil and sweat and machinery.  They were intense, but almost comforting.  The problem wasn’t the scent.

But the cabin’s dimensions were wrong.  How could the space feel so vast while the walls were closing in?

Omega had told him as much as she could, in her rare visits stolen down to his cell.  Echo had been gone on and off for some time, feeling called to help the other regs. His absence was not a surprise.  But Tech’s…

Hemlock’s voice, bored, disinterested, cold.  “Your little escape attempt has had some interesting effects.  I wonder what your squad was trying to accomplish.  All they’ve managed to do is lose one of their own.  Two, if you count the young clone.”

Don’t give him the satisfaction --

But he hadn’t been able to stop himself.  “You’re lying.”

Hemlock smirked.  “I have no reason to lie to you, CT-9904.  Omega is now a guest here.  And as for this Tech -- it is always fascinating, to see how clones name each other -- well, it’s not as if there is a shortage of subjects for the Empire’s use.”

His heart stuttering in his chest -- a wave of cold flooding him, crushing him, weighing him down a thousand times more than the straps across his body --

Perhaps it had been for the best that Hemlock had been the one to tell him.  Because the first time Omega managed to sneak down to see him, when she’d looked into his eyes and her face crumpled, when she’d tried and failed to find the words, he’d been able to stop her.  

“I… I know about Tech.”

But hearing the words from Hemlock’s mouth, seeing the tears on Omega’s face, they were nothing compared to the haunting of the Marauder.

Crosshair folded his arms, sinking into himself, his chest heavy.  Hunter sat in the pilot’s seat, something he’d only used to do before Echo joined them and only when Tech needed sleep.  The ship was too tidy, no tangles of wires or signs of half-finished projects scattered around; and far too quiet, no chatter, no facts, no plans, no ideas floated into the air.  The absence was smothering.

There was a flicker of movement up front.  Crosshair glanced over.  Hunter had rotated his chair to quietly talk to Wrecker, and in doing so revealed more of the console.  

Tech’s goggles stared back at him.

Crosshair jerked backward at the sight, accidentally nudging Batcher.  The hound woofed, getting to her feet and moving away, giving him a hurt look.  

The noise started Omega awake.  From Wrecker’s shoulder, she yawned and rubbed her eyes, tilting her head to one side.  

“Crosshair?  Are you okay?”

He ripped his gaze away from Tech’s goggles, staring at her instead, his hand twisting at his side.  “I’m fine,” he said hastily.  “Something must have startled the hound.”

She must have seen his face, the way his eyes were still drawn past her.  Omega glanced back at the console, and went very, very still.

“Kid?” Wrecker asked in concern.

“What is it, Omega?” Hunter asked.

She shook her head, her eyes welling with tears, turning away from the goggles.  “You -- you still have them,” she whispered.  

Hunter blanched, giving Wrecker a pained look.  He reached out, resting his hand on Omega’s shoulder, bowing his head.  “We… yeah.  It’s --”  He swallowed.  “We think about him.  A lot.”

“I -- I never saw them up close before --”  She buried her face in Wrecker’s shoulder, her sudden sobs muffled by his embrace.

“Hey, hey,” Wrecker said, holding her tightly  The three of them drew in close together, bound in a way Crosshair couldn’t begin to imagine.

It was too much.  Crosshair got to his feet, pacing to the back of the ship, rubbing one arm, trying to forget what he’d seen.

Cracks spidering through the right lens, left lens shattered, flecks of dark dried blood and earth on the red bulb’s surface --

He reached out, one hand grasping hold of the wall, fingers digging into its ridged surface.  He clung to it until his hand ached, breathing sharp and shallow and much too fast.

“How did it happen?” he’d asked dully.

“He fell,” she whispered.  “The railcars were damaged.  There was too much weight.  Wrecker tried to get him, but he said -- he said it was the only way -- Plan 99 --”

His throat was closing.  He couldn’t breathe.

“But why were you there at all?” he snarled.  “I tried to warn them -- didn’t they get the message?”

She was trying not to cry, trying to keep her voice down.  She hugged herself, shaking her head.  “We got it.  But he and I wanted to help you -- you’re our brother --”

A sharp shock of pain, his knuckles shrieking.  She stared at him with wide eyes.  He blinked.  Shook out his hand slowly.  

He hadn’t made a single dent in the wall, but his knuckles throbbed for days.

Batcher nudged his leg, whining.  He ignored her.

He should go back.  Go back to his seat before the others missed him, before Omega came to check on him, before Hunter or Wrecker came to keep an eye on him.  He swallowed past the thick lump in his throat, rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.  

Don’t think about him.  Move on.

He made his way back to his seat and slid into it clumsily.  Batcher sat beside him, fixing him with those red eyes, the whole line of her watchful and stiff.  

“What?” he muttered.  She cocked her head, whimpering slightly.  “Leave me alone.”  She gave him an affronted look and lay back down, flopping mournfully to one side.

Crosshair leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes.  He could no longer hear Omega’s crying.  Hunter and Wrecker must have helped calm her down.  At least they knew what to do.

He tried to breathe more deeply, but he seemed to have forgotten how. He listened to the engine hum, and he thought about the voice that should have overlaid it --

“I’ve been devising adjustments to Plan 51.  I see now that the original plan lacked versatility when accounting for adverse weather or significant elevation.  Now listen closely, Hunter, as this hinges upon your enhanced senses and your assessment of the environmental conditions --”

“I’ve completed my newest modifications for the Marauder.  It has been boosted for fuel efficiency, control sensitivity, and I have also fixed the temperature control again -- yes, Wrecker, you are welcome --”

“That was an excellent use of Plan 37, Crosshair.  Your success rate with that particular plan is nothing short of astonishing -- of course, I have never doubted your abilities --”

Crosshair let out a ragged gasp, opening his eyes and staring up at the ceiling.  He rubbed his face with a trembling hand.  It came away damp.

Plan 99.

The Marauder thrummed gently, as familiar as anything, as distant as a stranger.  Crosshair hunched over himself in the dark, listening to the quiet sounds of Hunter or Wrecker occasionally talking, Omega fast asleep once more, Batcher’s breaths nearby.

He remembered Tech’s face first thing in the morning, brown eyes squinting, brow furrowed.  He remembered how he’d immediately slip his goggles on, eyes focusing sharply, mind ready to work.  

He thought of Tech’s face without them, so like his own and unlike, too.

He thought of Tech’s face, just as shattered as the lenses --

Crosshair gazed into the darkness, and only ghosts gazed back.

[phantom-of-the-501st]

Thoughts on TBB 3x10: Identity Crisis and 3x11: Point of No Return

SPOILERS BELOW

Let's not start kidnapping kids for experimentation. That's never going to go well

This show has progressively gotten greyer and it's so depressing. I want my sunshine back

Of course the Empire are experimenting on kids. "Oh we cAn'T fiNd EnOugH aDulTs. We juSt uSe cHilDrEn iNsteAd". 🖕

Ayyyyy Bane is back!

Well he didn't kill the parent so that's something

This is so depressing 😭

"I was following protocol". Everything that comes close to "good soldiers follow orders" makes me really sad

Have we met someone else called Jax? I swear we've heard that name before

The fact that they have 3 specimens but their specimen numbers are much higher than 3 does not make me feel good. What happened to all of the other ones???

"To retrieve it". "It". Literally just an object to Dr Arsehole over here

Trandoshan? Pirate? FUCK YOU CID FOR SPILLING ABOUT PHEE

"Let's just say I'm good at my job" suggests he has picked up a hell of a lot more than 3 kids so where are the others?!

NOT THE LULA DOLL

I feel like this is a good time to note that I still don't like Emerie. Her dedication to Hemlock and her involvement in the Empire up until this point outweigh all of her current actions for me. So no, I still don't like her.

"But what about Nala Se?" I hear you ask. Don't like her either! I respect that she's trying to protect Omega but the number of problems that lanky bitch has caused means that I'm not going to forgive her that easily

People really need to stop leaving the door to their ship open BECAUSE SHIT LIKE THIS HAPPENS

1600??? FOR FUEL?! BITCH THEY TRIED SELLING ECHO FOR 2000

Tbf with fuel prices the way that they are I shouldn't be surprised

NOOOOO NOT PABU 😭

DON'T LEAVE THE GOGGLES THERE

AND LULA TOO?!

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

FUCK THAT'S NOT GOOD

Oof that little bit of Omega's theme really hits in the feels 🥲

Eliminate them? How about no

NOT THE MARAUDER

I KNOW IT WAS IN A TEASER CLIP BUT NOOOOOOOOO

You know what I'm suddenly very glad that the goggles and Lula were off the ship

Nah I don't like that Wrecker's down. He never goes down for long

"Search every domicile" Domicile? DOMICILE?! Now where have we heard someone use that term before...

The Kiners are really popping off with this soundtrack 🔥

Crosshair's little "uh huh" 😭

SOMEONE CALL ECHO FFS

How about no to the recapture plan

If CX-2 turns out to be Tech then we only have 4 episodes left to address that entire storyline and I don't know what to do with that information

Errrrrr Hunter's not gonna be happy when he finds out what Crosshair and Omega have been up to

Neither's Wrecker tbf

Or Echo

Anyway... Cross is going to have a fun time explaining that one

Echo's gonna get a fun call as well. "So errr... The Empire took over Pabu, Omega got herself recaptured by choice and the Marauder is in pieces so... can we get a lift please?"

FUCK CROSSHAIR MISSED THE TRACKER

Me after these episodes

Some solid episodes today. I really enjoyed them! Am I still annoyed that Echo is still stuck as someone to be name dropped but not actually put in the episode? Yes. But these were some strong episodes.

I'm still trying to compute how this is all going to get wrapped up in 4 episodes though. That's really not a lot of time. 😭

BINGO UPDATE

Only just clocked that I have "Batcher dies" written on it. When I wrote it I meant one of the Batch members. I didn't know we were gonna get a hound called Batcher 😅

[twinsunstars]

Thoughts on The Bad Batch Episode 12 - Juggernaut - A Discussion Post

This episode had a lot of action, feelings, and a very unexpected return. Let's return to this week's episode filled with exciting moments and moments filled with worry!

(SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVE NOT SEE THE EPISODE YET! all screencaps from www.cap-that.com! https://www.cap-that.com/starwars/the-bad-batch/312/)

CX-2 returns to Mount Tantiss with Omega, Hemlock coming by to pick her up. He tells Omega to follow him, and CX-2 lets her go of her handcuffs, returning to his ship.

I'm being so serious, we have three episodes left. If CX-2 doesn't get unmasked by the next episode I'm going to lose it. If it ends up happening near finale or even in the finale, it's gotta be a character that's so important to the plot (*cough* Tech) that we had to wait so long for this. But I also feel like if this is Tech, shouldn't it have happened by now at least? I'm so confused.

I saw someone post about this and I didn't notice it at first, but if you zoom in on this shot above, you can see that Hemlock's glove is missing, showing both of his hands clearly. I rewatched the episode and noticed the error, but the second they go back into Tantiss he has it back on.

Hemlock immediately takes Omega to Emerie, wanting her to keep testing Omega to make sure she has the whole M-count thing. Emerie seems reluctant for a bit, but keeps doing her job. Omega tells her that she doesn't have to do this, but Emerie says she has to. But she is happy her sister is safe at least. Omega questions if she is truly safe, and she really isn't. Emerie likely knows this too, but she's still trying to open her eyes more to all the wrongs around her.

Hunter (with Batcher) gets back to Crosshair and a now awake Wrecker, feeling better after getting knocked out in the explosion from last week. Wrecker is upset Crosshair let Omega go, but Crosshair understood her choice and the fact that she let the Empire stop hurting the locals of Pabu.

I got so sad when Crosshair's hand started shaking again, he's so terrified of Mount Tantiss and what he went through. He tells his brothers that there is a way of trying to find Tantiss, and that is through the former Vice Admiral Rampart.

Phee shows up with AZI, having gotten here secretly away from the Empire's eyes. She finally meets Crosshair, and tells him that Tech has told her about him. My heart-

I would have loved to see all of the off-screen interactions Tech and Phee had, he really liked to talk with her, and she loved listening. Lula and Tech's goggles being visible behind Phee and AZI made me even more sad.

Phee goes with the boys to the Imperial labor camp on Erebus, making her ship fall to sneak into the planet undetected. Girl was over here driving in heels; she's such an icon. Wrecker and Crosshair were struggling in the back, and Hunter was worried. His helmet just flying freely when the ship is falling was so funny. Tech would adore Phee's flying since she drives like him. Phee manages to get them in and drops them off to access the prison and find Rampart.

The boys manage to obtain control of a tank transporting prisoners, which Rampart is in. I was not expecting to see him again after what happened in Season 2, as I kinda just left the character behind ever since he got arrested and Hemlock replaced him as the new reappearing villain a few episodes later last season. Someone joked that they Agent Kallus'd him because they added more hair to Rampart, which is just funny. Rampart manages to recognize Crosshair under his armor, and Crosshair was so sassy with him too, I loved it.

The Imperials on the prison base notice something wrong with the tank the Batch stole and go after it, leading to an action-packed chase. (And Hunter drives insanely.) Phee manages to rescue them just in time, shooting down one of the Imperial ships chasing them. Rampart had gotten stunned after trying to shoot the boys, and it was hilarious how they were just throwing him around like a potato sack.

The Batch ask Rampart where Tantiss is, but not even he knows. He says it was designed like that so it wouldn't be found. I was spending some of my free time on Wookiepedia and I wish we could send the Batch the information that Mount Tantiss is on the planet Wayland. It's not coordinates, but it's something.

Meanwhile, Emerie continues to test Omega's blood, and it comes out positive again. She looks at Omega, seeming deeply worried. She doesn't say anything, but Emerie has something on her mind. Hemlock comes back and Emerie tells him about the results, and he wants Omega to come with him. Omega goes to the same place he took Nala Se and Emerie previously, taking her down to The Vault. Omega asks questions about the M-count situation, to which Hemlock gives her vague answers and direct answers about what the Empire has been doing with M-count subjects.

Omega sees the kids in The Vault, frowning. Eva sees Omega and lifts her head from her game, and I just know that she and Omega will be besties. Omega asks who the kids are, and Hemlock replies that they are the pieces of the puzzle that they are trying to solve.

He says, "...this is your new home", and the doors immediately shut behind Omega. The chills I got; and Omega looked scared. The episode ends there, and Omega is locked up again with no direct escape yet.

There wasn't much that I wanted to discuss from this episode, but there are only 3 episodes left, so we are now truly in a big anxious countdown. How will Omega escape this time? Will the Batch manage to obtain coordinates to locate Tantiss? Where's Echo when you need him? Will Emerie wake up soon? Will CX-2 unmask himself soon? There's still so much to unpack, and so little time.

[freesia-writes]

Chapter 14: Incitation

During the Clone Wars, the Bad Batch is tasked with a variety of missions across the galaxy. An unexpected addition to their team throws a wrench in the mix, particularly for Tech, who finds a particular connection with this disillusioned Padawan-turned-mechanic named Vel throughout the events in this action-adventure romance.

COVER ART BY @zaana!! And this was my first fanfic ever, y'all! :D

Master List of Chapters

Author's Note: Another scene I noticed has similarities to TBB Season 2!! LOL. This was before the ipsium cave episode too, so the waterfall and goggle-adjusting was another happy coincidence, believe it or not. LOL

Days faded into weeks and weeks faded into months as Vel grew increasingly fonder of the Marauder crew. The next mission ended up being one of those "adaptation situations" that Hunter seemed to use as a rather all-encompassing phrase, and she found herself sprinting along the edge of a cliff behind Tech. He was simultaneously running and sending coordinates to the rest of the team, who had been split up and tasked with retrieving the ship for a quick pickup. 

They heard branches cracking behind them; they were still being pursued. Vel glanced over her shoulder, missing the fact that Tech had skidded to a halt in front of her, and she ran straight into him. They both tumbled to the ground, his datapad flying off the cliff into the water below. He scrabbled to grab hold of something as he continued to slip downward.

Vel, who had landed on her backside, felt time grind to a halt as he disappeared over the edge of the cliff. "Tech!" she screamed, scrambling to her hands and knees and crawling to where the ground gave way to nothing. She peered down, letting out an audible "Oh!" of relief as she saw him clinging to a thick tree root for dear life. She looked around frantically, searching for a vine or branch or anything she could throw to him.

"It's too slippery!" Tech yelled, fighting to regain his grip, and Vel felt her panic build to a crescendo, then pause. She had an idea. She returned to the edge, forcing herself to focus, fighting with all her might to center herself on the Force within. 

She could feel her heart beating, feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She stretched a hand toward him, willing with all her might that she might connect. She gasped as she felt an awareness of him and focused on pulling it upward with every fiber of her being. He suddenly found it easier to grasp the root, nearly getting an elbow over the top, and then...

He fell.

A long way down. And he landed with a loud splash into the water below. 

"No!" Vel shrieked, and without thinking, jumped off the precipice after him. 

They resurfaced after what felt like an eternity, coughing and spluttering in a sparkling pool below. The entire cliffside, now rising high into the air above them, was made up of a roaring waterfall that created shimmering rainbows of mist that disappeared as quickly as they appeared. They made the relatively short swim to shore, dragging themselves up onto the sand and coughing explosively.

Tech flung his helmet off next to him and tilted his goggles up at the bottom to let some water out before collapsing onto his stomach, chest heaving. Vel was experiencing a similar recovery nearby, although once she had regained her breath, it was gone again as she let out a frustrated yell from the core of her being. She punched the sand, angrily flipping her sopping wet hair out of her face and curling onto her side, dissolving into hefty sobs. 

Taking a moment to assess the situation, Tech pushed himself up to his hands and knees, crawling to her side and sitting on the sand. He was unsure of how to best approach this, not having a positive reason for her current emotional state. He reached out a tentative hand, touching her shoulder gently, bracing himself for an angry outburst or indignant rejection. 

But Vel rolled over, sitting up suddenly and melting into his chest. Tech lifted a leg to brace himself, putting an arm around her shoulders to hold her steady, and simply waited as she cried, considering possible responses. There weren't any opportunities to test them out, however, as Vel launched into mourning. She confessed a lifelong sense of failure, of unworthiness, of never being enough to be worth keeping around. She lamented her lack of specialness, her constant shortcoming, her futile pursuit of purpose, and Tech listened to it all, formulating counterpoints but reserving them for a better time. 

She exhausted herself of all the feelings and beliefs that had been rankling within for ages, then she fell silent, the crashing waterfall and her own shaky breaths the only sounds remaining. "I just want to be enough," she finished, after a quiet moment. 

"What if you are sufficient simply by being who you are?" Tech asked plainly, honey eyes observing her through thick glass. "I am not sure that being particularly unusual is always desirable. In fact, it has been my experience that quite the opposite is often true."

Vel sat up and steadied herself with a deep breath, eyes downcast. "I guess that's my best bet," she replied dejectedly.

Feeling uncharacteristically bold in his need to be understood and propelled by the previous positive experience of physical touch, Tech lifted a hand to her face, raising her chin with two gentle fingers to make eye contact to emphasize his words. Her eyes met his, intense and oversized in his adjusted goggles, and she found herself holding her breath unconsciously as she was enraptured by his earnestness. 

"I would posit instead that your 'best bet' is to fully realize your complete and total sufficiency. You are a fantastic mechanic, a quick learner, and a curious observer of life." Vel's mind was racing at his words, but his honey brown eyes enraptured her completely as he continued. "I do not find you to be lacking in any way," he stated matter-of-factly, desiring to convey a simple truth. He was entirely unaware of the tumultuous storm it was causing within her.

Overcome with affirmation of a deep longing that had been undermining her life for years, Vel let out a breath held far too long. Her hands reached up to either side of Tech's face, cupping his cheeks and leaning in. Her heart was pounding as waves of euphoria cascaded over her at his scent, his presence, just... him. His lips parted and he sucked in a short breath, questions and statements brimming yet, for once, inexplicably held at bay. Swimming with inexpressible gratitude and undeniable affection for him, she brought her lips to his in a tender kiss.

He stiffened for a moment, calculations and questions fighting for priority in his mind, but the novel sense of both delight and contentment kept him from pulling away to further analyze the situation. Vel pulled his face closer, gently yet with just enough strength to convey the deep sense of gratitude and need. His lips were so soft, his sharp features pressed against her own, and she felt herself melt in a way that she knew to be irreparable. Tech found himself still unable to move, simultaneously confused and relaxed, intrigued and alarmed. But as quickly as it began, it was over. Vel pulled back, hand moving toward her mouth as if in slow motion, as if her brain had just caught up with her body.

"I'm so sorry," she spluttered. "I just... that was... I didn't mean..." She dropped her hands to the ground, scooting away from him and turning her face away. "I'm sorry, Tech," she repeated. His eyes fell, darting back and forth in an attempt to wrangle a coherent thought before he raised his head to return his gaze to her.

"An apology is... unnecessary," he replied, adjusting his goggles with a hand that, she noted, had a bit of a tremor to it. "We have narrowly escaped a harrowing fate and it is completely natural to act in illogical ways following such an event."

"That's not it," Vel muttered, rising to her feet. She paused for a moment, closing her eyes and rubbing them with a single hand. How could she even begin to put words to it all?

"Then what precisely—" Tech began, but was interrupted by a voice from his wrist.

"Tech, come in", Hunter demanded, sounding strained, "We made it back to the ship. Where are you?"

"We took a slight unintentional detour," Tech replied, tapping quickly onto his wrist keypad, "But we are alright. Sending our coordinates now. There is a grassy knoll that should be sufficient for landing."

"Copy that," Hunter said. "Be right there."

Vel was pacing restlessly, then stopped to face the waterfall. She felt the incredible weight of the moment, wanting to determine the perfect words or actions before the team arrived on the Marauder. Coming up empty, she shook her head, as if resolving to shake the entire ordeal off, and picked up Tech's helmet. Returning to where he stood, still manipulating his wrist pad, she held it closely in front of her. "I'm sorry, again. And... I would appreciate it if you didn't share this with the others," she said slowly, hating the feeling of vulnerability. 

Tech stopped typing and observed her. His gaze felt heavy, laced with a million attempts to understand and connect. But his words were simple, "I would agree that discretion is the best course of action, all things considered."

Vel nodded, extending his helmet out to him. He took it gently, fitting it over his head in a swift movement of muscle memory. She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a need to say more, to explain somehow or find some kind of resolution. As she was searching for the right words, however, Tech spoke again. "However, I do find it difficult to reconcile the way you can be so proficient in nearly every mechanical wonder and full of appreciation for the way each part contributes to another, and yet you do not see your unique part in the world and the way you contribute to it."

As he finished, the steady hum of the ship grew closer, and the breeze began to grow as the large shape loomed above them. Vel stared at him wordlessly, and he met her gaze evenly. The landing gear met the grass with a less-than-graceful thud, and the stairs folded out to welcome them.

Tech turned and trotted toward the ship, as though he had simply imparted some universal wisdom, and Vel stared after him for a moment before following slowly behind.

———————————

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[mylifeisactuallyamess]

Chapter 21: Choices

A/N: This has taken me a while and I’m sorry! Just been stirring myself in a little spiralling pot of self hatred. You know, the usual. Girlrotting.

Warnings: Mentions of death, stress, panic, feelings, ND behaviour, and Palpatine.

Word Count: 10.5k+ (my finger slipped.)

Masterlist

Tagging: @idoubleswearimawriter @ravenclawbitch426 @dreamqueenkala @moon-wrecked

The entire ship was quiet. Occasionally someone would attempt to get some sleep but there was a quiet restlessness that resided in all them. Even Omega was affected as she tried to meditate in her room. You mainly stayed in your place on the floor, shifting when you got too uncomfortable or when Wrecker took Gonky to exercise his muscles. Not much conversation was had, Echo and Tech discussed Rex’s flight plan while Hunter brooded about the planet they were heading to.

His knife was singing, flipping through the air even though his eyes were trained on a spot on the floor. You had geared up in your armour, feeling more unsettled the closer you got to Coruscant. Tech stayed in the cockpit, going over the intel Rex had sent through and working out every possible outcome he could. What happened between you burned at the forefront of your mind, but now wasn’t the time to confront it.

You looked up as Hunter and Echo silently swapped places, you knew they had come to an unspoken agreement to watch you. He settled in the seat, staring up at the screen with those light honey coloured eyes. “Are you worried?” You asked, making him turn round. “About going back?”

“No. Strategically it makes sense and we should be able to slip under their radar because to the Empire, we don’t exist anymore.”

“With the ship's signature scrambled as well they will not recognise us at all,” Tech announced his arrival into the conversation as he usually did. “I am confident this mission will be a success.”

“Well, we don’t know where Rex has us extracting this data from,” Echo pointed out, motioning with his scomp. “Don’t get too cocky until we know more details.”

“I am not cocky,” Tech responded quickly as he nudged his goggles. “I am sure in our abilities and running the statistics with previous data of extraction missions, I would say we have a very high chance of success.”

“Yeah, we’ve done this before,” Wrecker agreed.

The proximity warnings went off and Hunter pulled the ship from hyperspace before moving to let Tech in the pilot's seat. You followed Omega into the cockpit, getting a look at the planet you’d heard so much about and never seen.

At first the light pattern looked like a scrawling mess, then you saw it was in fact obscured by cloud cover. The darker side of the planet was lit up like the streets of Ord Mantell during a festival. You’d never seen so much life below, so many people crowded all on one planet.

Ships filled the sky, flying to and away from the surface, making their way past the orbiting Venators. Hunter was on high alert, his brow dipping down as he watched the planet get closer through the canopy. Really he didn’t want to be here, or bring you and Omega to somewhere he knew was dangerous for all of you. Automatically you reached out, putting a hand on his shoulder and he acknowledged it with a small nod.

The day was bright, the clouds white and fluffy with the sky a rich blue that you couldn’t help but admire as Tech guided the ship through the tall buildings. Omega was just as enamoured, leaning forward to try and see everything at once with small gasps. She’d never seen a planet like this before. Soon the taller buildings dropped away and Tech followed the service lines to a wide hole in the ground. This led to the lower levels. You watched the sides swallow up the daylight, only artificial light existed down here in the depths of the planet and it gave you a sense of foreboding.

Eventually the ship was set down in the dark, away from everything else on an empty platform. You grabbed your helmet, sticking close to Hunter as he descended the ramp. The air was weirdly cold down here, echoes of ships passing unseen could be heard and your footsteps rang out louder than they should. The Marauder powered down and a door opened ahead with two figures emerging.

One you recognised instantly even without his armour or poncho. Rex stepped forward, wearing a blue outfit that made him look relaxed. His sense of calm washed over you, pulling you in and he gave you a nod which you returned.

“Glad you made it,” he addressed the group. “This is Senator Riyo Chuchi.” Everyone's attention settled on the Pantoran. She had blue skin which reminded you of the bright sky up top, large golden eyes that roamed over the group, with gold markings that stood out on her cheeks. Her hair was a glorious pastel purple; it reminded you of the inside of your purple meiloorun from that day at the festival. “These are the special clones I told you about and their medic.”

“Hello!” You smiled a little at Omega’s instant friendliness.

“Thank you for coming,” the Senator said. Her voice was soft and mellow, a calming tone that you wanted recorded to play in your ears constantly.

“Why are we here, Captain?” Hunter wanted this to be over quickly and he made that clear. Rex shared a look with Riyo and then pointed over his shoulder.

“Inside. There’s something I want you to see.” You followed the boys, pausing at the doorway and looking out into the dark.

“Is…everything all right?” It was the first time Tech had spoken to you. His eyes cast out into the gloom before he looked at you with a slight tilt to his head.

“Yeah, fine.” He seemed satisfied and walked off but you looked back out, not liking the way your skin prickled or how your senses were sparking with something. It felt like you were being watched but by who, or what. You had no idea.

It looked like a stasis chamber but all it did was remind you of your confinement. Rex opened the panel on the top and you came face to face with another clone. Tendrils of your nightmares ensnared you, squeezing on your throat, constricting your chest and you took a step back in horror. There was a void in the box, a silence that nothing could break and it screamed at you.

“He’s an assassin,” Rex clarified to the group. “His identifying numbers been wiped.”

“I was not aware that was possible.” Tech seemed surprised by the information.

“Who was his target?” Hunter asked.

“A clone contact of mine named Slip,” Rex answered heavily. “He said he was in danger. I came to Coruscant to get him out, but the assassin got to him first. Nearly got the Senator too.”

“Why would a clone be targeting another clone or a Senator?” Echo frowned. He knew there was more at work here than what they were seeing.

“To silence us,” Chuchi spoke up. “Admiral Rampart has the entire Senate believing Kamino was lost to a cataclysmic storm.” You felt the boys all tense up but Omega was openly angry as her hands balled into fists. “Slip witnessed the truth. I wanted him to testify to Ramparts crimes.”

“We did this.”

“We were following orders.”

“But we still did it. Our homeworld, destroyed because of us.”

“Good soldiers follow orders…”

The memory was fleeting but it made you suck in a breath as you stared at the dead clone. The pieces were coming together but still the gap yawned widely. You knew what was coming, and yet, didn’t know. It scared the living stars out of you.

Your visions were carrying more and more weight.

“We were there too, Senator.” Echo told her. “I can be your witness.” Your heart was pounding as you watched the discussion between the boys, hating how much this felt like an actual nightmare. Closing your eyes you hoped to wake up from it all, but the boys kept talking.

“Where’s the Venator now?” Wrecker queried loudly, his gruff voice pulling you back into the room.

“Being retrofitted at the Imperial shipyard right here on Coruscant,” Rex explained. “Lots of security, but I know a way in.”

“Rampart’s Defence Recruitment Bill goes to a vote tomorrow. We must prove his crimes before it passes.” Riyo looked up at Rex. “I’ll return to the Senate and garner support where I can.”

“You could still be in danger,” Rex pointed out but you could already see she wasn’t going to back down.

“Then I must be on the right track,” she told him grimly.

“I can go with her and keep an eye out,” Omega piped up, looking round at her brothers.

“You can’t enter the Senate district without an Imperial security clearance,” Chuchi told her.

“That will not be a problem,” Tech added quickly.

“And Stitch…” you looked up to find everyone staring, fingers curled nervously around the base of your helmet as you concentrated on Rex who was coming towards you. “I want to ask you something.” He carried on and you had no choice but to follow him to a shadowy part of the workshop. You looked over his shoulder to see Tech watching, Hunter had his characteristic cross armed stance, but he was scowling as he listened.

“I’m not sure what I can do,” you said quietly to Rex.

“I don’t need you for this mission,” he responded almost apologetically. “But, uh…I need you for afterwards.”

“Afterwards?” You didn’t think the boys were staying, you could sense Hunter’s irritation and constant worry about being here as it was. No way would they stay. “You’re asking me to stay behind?” Hunter jerked in your peripheral, his arms uncrossing as he closed his eyes for a moment. He was definitely listening.

“It’s a big ask,” Rex hurried as your entire body shifted, shrinking away from him and your eyes couldn’t rest on anything as the panic began to take hold. “I wouldn’t be asking it if I wasn’t desperate. I need your help, Stitch.” His eyes were wide, a hand came up to brush over his scalp in an almost nervous gesture. He was holding back, you could feel him wanting to say more.

“I can’t…” your brain was confused, loud thoughts spewing forth at the idea of not being with the boys, not being near Tech. The room swam before you, shelves bending as the shadows stalked you like wild animals. Everything was terrifying here and you wanted to run back out to the Marauder and hide next to Gonky. It was one thing to be left on Ord Mantell where it was safe, completely another to be abandoned in the very centre of the galaxy.

“I can’t say much, right now. I’m sorry for that. Not until this mission is done and then I can explain more.” He was gazing at you, making your breath catch as you caught the pleading light in those eyes you knew so well. If it wasn’t for his hair he’d look exactly like Jango and that made part of you want to lean in his direction, but there was something in you that wanted to run for the deep space. The longer you were here the more this entire planet made your skin crawl. “Think about it.” You heard Rex say, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck as disappointment lay on his shoulders.

Your legs wouldn’t move. Your insides were quivering and you felt the pressure of a panic attack as it wrapped tightly round your lungs. Closing your eyes you tried to find that centre of peace but there was only blackness and twisted chaos…

“Stitch.” A tear escaped when you opened your eyes, looking into those concerned brown eyes that you adored so much. Worry lined Tech’s face and you automatically reached out. Hesitation made it so your motion didn’t complete but he saw and he took a moment to respond. Flexing his own hand in your direction and gently taking your limp fingers in his grip.

You were on the verge of shattering, breath quickening to match the pace of your heart as he stepped closer. You couldn’t stop looking at him, drinking him in as he came so close to you. “Breathe.” Yes, breathe. His eyes watched your lips, darting back to your eyes and you saw a slight blush creep across his cheeks. His hand was warm in yours, even bleeding through the gloves the same as his calmness was slowly beating through your fear. You felt pressure on your wrist, right at your pulse point, his fingers feeling the throb of your body and making sure you were calming down.

“H-he wants me to stay,” you whispered quickly. “He wants me to stay behind when you leave and I don’t know if I can do that, Tech.” He frowned at your words, clearly trying to sort out why Rex would need you to stay behind, processing what that meant.

“Rex would not ask lightly,” he told you slowly.

“Tech…” the tears were coming faster now and your nervous gaze fell on the others as they crowded round the Captain. They needed to move and you were holding things up. “You should go.” Drawing your hand away from him you used it to wipe your face. You pulled everything back inside, sucking it into the black hole of your soul and putting on a mask. They had a job to do and they needed to go now.

Tech didn’t say anything else, he stood there as though he wanted to but then he was turning and joining the others; only to be replaced by Omega.

“We’re going with the Senator!” She gushed happily. “Come on!” She dragged you back to the middle where Tech was already programming the clearance you both needed to enter the Senate District.

“These will get you in and out of the building,” Tech explained. “Omega will be passing as a child on Senator Chuchi’s staff and Stitch will be passing as a guard.”

“I am not a Pantoran,” you blurted out.

“Some of my guards were killed when Rex found me and I would need quick replacements,” the Senator explained kindly. “No one will take any notice that I have hired you, even if they don’t know the reason why.”

“Trained her myself,” Hunter announced, catching your eye, giving a slight nod and a smile. “She’ll pass as a guard easily.” If only you felt that confident in yourself.

“You will need to change,” Riyo gestured to an empty set of armour that sat abandoned on a storage crate. You felt the wave of sadness as she lowered her eyes when Rex picked it up.

“I’ll get changed in the ship.” The material was light and slippy in your hands, it held none of the rigidity that your armour did and you tried to get it to sit right.

Eventually you heard a knock on the door and you told them to come in with an exasperated cry. To your surprise it was Tech who entered, shifting his goggles a little anxiously as he looked you over.

“Senator Chuchi is wondering if you are ready.” He closed the cockpit door behind him and stepped towards you.

“I don’t really know where this goes,” you admitted holding up what looked like a ceremonial blaster holder belt with an extra bit attached. “There’s a cape, an actual cape, Tech.” You spun on the spot grabbing at the maroon material. “How is this…I wish I could wear my armour.” You halted when you felt Tech’s hands rest on your shoulders. The sudden contact had you flinching a little and he lifted the pressure.

“If you stand still, I can correct it,” he commanded quietly. A few moments of silence passed, only the sound of your pulse throbbing filled your ears and you felt the urge to speak.

“Do you know much about Pantorans?” You asked, hoping to distract yourself as Tech stood close, his fingers settling the fabric and gliding over your arms.

“Near-humans from the moon Pantora. The tattoos they wear are a status symbol or family affiliation and based on ancient Pantoran texts. They have an extraordinary resilience to cold temperatures and their architecture is something extraordinary.” You zoned out to his voice, letting him soothe you as he explained in a low tone. He pulled the belt round your middle, checking with his fingers that it wasn’t too tight and you inhaled sharply at the sensation.

He withdrew, looking at you with wide eyes as you stared at each other. “Did I do something?”

“No…I just…” you were gazing at each other, the sound of your intense breaths the only noise in the cockpit. “Where does this go?” You asked, grabbing the last bit that needed attaching.

“Here.” Tech took the strap from you, quickly fastening it under your chin, concentration furrowing his brow as he tried to get it right.

“Tech…?”

“Yes?”

“A-about earlier…”

“Which moment earlier?” Of course he’d need clarification and you suddenly felt sweaty in your new uniform.

“The, um, when I…” you pointed uselessly at his face over his arm and he gave a curt nod.

“Ah.” He took a step back and your chin lowered. You were now fully dressed in the garb of a Pantoran Guard and you’d never felt so uncomfortable before.

“I feel we need to talk about it,” you breathed. Twisting your fingers and shuddering at the sensation of the new gloves. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do it.” Tech was so still and you frowned a little desperately, wishing he would say something to you. “I get it i-if you don’t feel the same.”

“I cannot measure my feelings against yours,” he suddenly said. “I do not know exactly what you are feeling but I can attempt to tell you mine.” His gaze cast hopelessly around, fingers nudging his goggles and you heard him clear his throat.

“I have to admit, I have no experience with this and nothing to compare it to. A situation such as this, it is something strategy cannot help me with.” You waited for him to continue, your entire heart in your mouth. “I have noticed changes when you are around. Here.” He placed a hand over his chestplate, spreading his fingers over his heart and your eyes widened. “When you, uh…” you’d never heard Tech falter for as long as you’d known him, so to hear it now made your whole body miss a beat. His feet shuffled and you watched his fingers curl in agitation. “Touching is not something you seek out,” he restarted in a stronger voice. “And I was surprised—when you—when it…happened.”

You felt a rush of warmth, it pillowed around you and made the sensations in your body stronger. Your chest ached as you listened to him continue to try and untangle his thoughts and translate them into words. That’s when you realised it wasn’t your feelings that were heightening, you were reacting to his and it stole the breath from your lungs making you gasp.

“Tech,” his long winded explanation came to a sudden halt. “You don’t have to make sense of it,” you whispered, your voice breaking. “What’s here,” his eyes watched your fist tap on your own chest. “Cannot be explained with words.” He seemed to deflate with relief and you both stood there for a moment.

“What do we do now?” Tech asked in such a matter of fact tone you almost giggled. “I recognise I do not process, emotions the way others do and it can be frustrating when what I say is interpreted incorrectly, or, as if I do not care.” He clamped his mouth shut and you reached for his hand.

“It’s ok.” His eyes were wide, you could see his neck tensing as he turned to look at you. “Would…would you like to try it again?” His fingers tightened on your hand and you saw him swallow harshly, using his free middle finger to push up his goggles even though they were already sat perfectly.

“Y-yes.” A shiver ran down your spine at his faint stutter and you stepped closer, bumping into his chest plate but he didn’t move away. He was watching you with that heated caramel gaze, his eyes almost crossing the closer you got and you smiled. Drifting your nose against his you moved and kissed him on the cheek first, letting your lips linger against his skin as you soaked him in.

He pressed his face against yours, his head slowly turning until your foreheads were pressed together. “This is called a Keldabe Kiss,” he murmured.

“Oh?” His eyes were shut now and his breath brushed over your cheeks, his hand coming up to rest on your shoulder.

“Also known as a kov’nyn or mirshmure’cya…” Before he could say anymore you pressed your lips against his, Tech’s breath expelled quietly from his nose and you felt his hand slide along your shoulder and up your neck, to find a resting place against your warm cheek. Neither of you moved away, drinking in the sensations of one another, brushing your lips together and enjoying the way he made your soul soar. In this moment you felt you could take on anything, because nothing else mattered; only Tech and the way he was holding you so preciously.

You broke the kiss, smiling a little when he leaned forward to chase your lips before opening his eyes with a slightly dazed expression. “I should go. They’re waiting for me,” you murmured just as you felt someone on the ramp of the ship.

“Stitch? Tech?” You squeezed his hand and then let go, turning to grab the guard's helmet off the console.

“I’m ready,” you called to Hunter as the door opened.

“What, uh, what’s taking so long?” He cast a curious glance at Tech who was still standing in the same place and hadn’t acknowledged his brother at all.

“I couldn’t work out this belt. I’m ready now. Is the Senator ready?” You were trying to act normal, to keep the waver out of your voice with a breezy tone.

“Yeah, she’s waiting with Omega.” His gaze narrowed and he spoke deliberately slowly as though he was trying to figure out something.

“Be careful.” You blurted out, getting a soft smile off Hunter and an abrupt nod off Tech. “I’d rather not use my skills on Coruscant and with none of my equipment.”

“We’ll be fine,” Hunter answered. “We’ll come back for you after the outcome of the Recruitment Bill.” You looked at them one last time, your hand on the edge of the door and you tapped it once before leaving the ship completely.

Tech inhaled quickly and Hunter turned to look at his brother with a raised eyebrow. “How did you know she needed help with the uniform?”

Tech shrugged, “She was taking too long.”

“Did you talk?”

“Talk about what?” Tech refused to look at Hunter, gathering up your armour and heading out of the ship with it, leaving Hunter no choice but to follow.

“She told me what happened.” Tech paused, watching you talking to the Senator through the open door, your hand held Omega’s as you took some final instruction and then you were gone. The feel of you lingered, the warmth of your delicate touch and the scent of your hair was something he’d never let go.

Hunter placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, taking your helmet in his hand as he looked down at it. He huffed lightly at the hidden markings, tilting it so their shadows showed in the thrown light. He remembered Tech etching them out and applying the paint himself, so many small actions that spoke volumes. “You think, she’s going to stay and help Rex?”

“Stitch has her own path to follow. As does Echo.”

“Echo?” Hunter drew back slightly, and wondered what insight Tech had that he didn’t. Or maybe he just didn’t want to see it. “Come on. We need to go over the service tunnel schematics before we leave.”

The Senate building was huge. You walked behind the Senator as she talked to Omega, your senses stretched to the maximum, eyes wide under the low visor. People dressed in all sorts of finery walked the halls, all with guards or other Senators. You could sense feelings of elation, waves of sorrow and down right anger until that was all brushed away by smugness. It made your skin feel like it was being wrapped in something slimy and you shivered in your new clothes. The object of such a disgusting feeling was heading towards you, a spark of surprise shocked you to watch him closely.

“Senator Chuchi.” His voice sounded as slithering and as obnoxious as he looked. You had to refrain from grabbing Omega and pulling her away from the man.

“You seem surprised to see me, Admiral.” Alive. Her voice was clipped but still managed to hold her soft tone. This was the man who was trying to phase out the clones, this was who had destroyed Kamino. This was the man who could make your nightmares, reality.

“Not at all. I was just making preparations for tomorrow's vote,” as he spoke his eyes flickered over Omega and then you. His aloofness not dropping for a second as he looked down on Riyo.

“Indeed. I am looking forward to it,” the Senator responded. Rampart’s attention wandered somewhere else, a welcome distraction before the situation got any worse.

“If you’ll excuse me.” She was already moving, dismissing him as much as he dismissed her. You carried on following the Senator, refusing to look back at Rampart as you felt his frustration blend into annoyance. Your fingers flexed when you came to a stop near a door, looking up and down the corridor and finding it clear. Omega followed Chuchi faithfully, her curious gaze drinking in every sight she could see.

“This is where the Senate gathers to discuss many pressing issues and legislation.” You took your cues from the other guard and stood by the door. He’d given a brief rundown on what was expected of you and then hadn’t spoken a word since. You could hear Chuchi talking to Omega but your attention was drawn by an astromech as it rolled towards you. The droid paused by the door, beeping out a message and then carrying on its way.

“What was that?” Omega asked.

“A message.” Chuchi told her. “Can you keep a secret?” Omega nodded and you fell into step with them. “Come on, he’s waiting.”

Darkness fell on Coruscant. The view from Senator Chuchi’s state rooms was really something. Omega plastered her face against the transparisteel as she stared out at the lights gradually coming on.

“Looks amazing,” she murmured. “So pretty. I’ve read about Coruscant but to see it with my own eyes…do you think it’s pretty?” She turned to look up at you. It really was pretty, the light created a picture of vibrancy as they lit up the night, the tall building even blending in with the stars themselves.

“Yes.” Even here, you were still nervous. In the warmth of the Senator’s quarters you still managed to find a chill that layered on your bones, making you tremble erratically. You couldn’t put your finger on what the issue was, it didn’t have a name, or a face, just a looming nothing that held the weight of everything.

“Are you alright?” Now you smiled, putting a hand on Omega’s shoulder in an attempt to reassure her and to draw some calmness from her.

“Yes. I’ve never met a Kaminoan before.”

“Oh! Well I haven’t met this one but the rest were...” She paused and seemed to struggle for anything to say. So she shrugged and wandered over to join Riyo on the large sofa in the middle of the room. You’d both been fed a decent meal and watered with some fruit wine you didn’t know the name of. It was so sweet it set your teeth on edge, so you didn’t finish the glass.

The doors opened to reveal two of Riyo’s guards and a tall figure that must be Senator Burtoni. You’d studied a lot of different anatomies in your time as a medical student, but Kaminoans had never existed in your Academy’s database so you had no idea what to expect.

She was tall, with willowy arms and legs. Her fingers were long and expressive, every move she made reminded you of wind through the trees and her voice was just light and airy. She was pale, a pearly white in the low light and her eyes glowed like large jewels. You stayed near the window, hands behind your back so you could fidget underneath the cape you were still wearing.

“Senator Burtoni. Thank you for coming.”

“Are armed guards really necessary?” Chuchi dismissed them and the doors closed behind them with a soft shnnkk.

“There is a matter I must discuss with you.” You admired her boldness, the shorter Senator almost squaring up to the Kaminoan as though she expected some resistance. Halle eyed Omega up and then you. Her force presence was so extraordinarily alien, you couldn’t pick apart what she was feeling. Did she recognise Omega for what she was, or was Halle so far detached from her people by being on Coruscant she didn’t know what a female clone would look like?

Seeing not much to interest her she walked over to a chair. “Then speak.”

“Tell me about the missing Senate appropriation funds that were earmarked for operations on Kamino.” You didn’t think Riyo was going to go straight in, but with darkness falling, time was running out. You turned back to look out the window, your mind on the boys and hoping they were all right.

Your thoughts were loud, replaying Rex and his request. You didn’t have a wide skill set, only medical skills were of any note. You knew roughly his operation was helping other clones get out from the clutches of the Empire…but why did he need you specifically? Then there were your feelings for Tech.

The pair of you had barely scratched the surface on what was between you, now you’d established there actually was something between you. Expelling a silent sigh you rubbed your fingertips across your forehead and forced yourself to pay attention to the conversation behind you.

“You’re a fool to bring me here,” Halle chastised Riyo. “Do you know what happens when you dig around where you shouldn’t?”

“Your people deserve to—,” Riyo started to speak but the Kaminoan shut her down immediately.

“My people are gone!” She snapped. “The few remaining Kaminoans scattered throughout the galaxy are of no importance to me, and therefore, not my concern.”

“How can you not care about what happened to Kamino?” Omega spoke up and your breath hitched at the sadness and fury that swept from her like a wave through the room. You tried not to show you were affected, keeping your expression neutral as you watched the conversation before you.

“Why do you care, child?” Halle sneered and your assumption was proven right, she didn’t know about Omega.

“Because, I’m a clone too. It was my home. I was there, I saw the Empire destroy everything and I’m angry.” Omega sniffed glaring at the Kaminoan as her emotions stormed through her. Not only the sorrow of the loss but the confusion of it all. Everyone forgot she was just a child, trying to process everything she’d experienced and still not finding any answers. “What they did, it’s not right.” Her emotions simmered around her, so much more profound than her brothers because they were trained to not dwell on things they couldn’t change. Only to move on and adapt, but Omega didn’t have that luxury.

“I suspected an attack was imminent,” Halle said. “Lama Su was arrogant. Too confident his clones were a necessity to the Empire. But none of us are.”

“Did Admiral Rampart divert the funds?” Chuchi asked, causing Halle to pause for a moment.

“You already know the answer. But yes.” Relief bloomed in the Pantoran, this is what she was chasing, this is what she needed.

“You must testify to that in front of the Senate tomorrow. He cannot continue to get away with what he’s done!” But the Kaminoan didn’t look convinced.

“Rampart is a mere cog in the machine and my word won’t do you any good, you need concrete proof.”

“I need both. And I’m running out of time,” Chuchi admitted.

The room you had been given was the most luxurious you’d ever stayed in. The mattress was too soft, the sheets too smooth, the pillows too fluffy. You hated it. This room wasn’t a bunk on the Marauder surrounded by the comfort that came from the Batch, or your room at the medbay that had been modified to within an inch of its life by Tech.

Sure it was nice, but it wasn’t…home. Omega was fast asleep beside you, her energy calm and barely rippling. You got up and stretched, heading to the window and staring outside. You couldn’t see the shipyards from here but you knew the boys would be carrying out their mission right now.

A headache was brewing between your eyes, one so deep seated you couldn’t rub it away. You shivered, drawing the blanket closer around you and still finding no extra warmth. It felt like that time you woke up from seeing Crosshair on that icy planet. Had that been real? The chill clung to your bones, it made you ache every time you moved and you shivered again.

Maybe you were coming down with something and that was the last thing everyone needed. A sick medic on their hands. Settling down in a chair you closed your eyes and tried to level out your breathing. Breathe in for four and out for four. Bowing your head over your hands as they fisted in the blanket, you tried to find that peace within, the elusive pool that beckoned only once in a while.

After a few minutes you gave up. Surveying the stretch of Coruscant through the window before getting up and leaving the room. It was never truly dark here, shadows were prominent on the floor and in the corners but you could easily see where you were going.

You found some drink, pouring a light coloured liquid into a glass and sniffing it. Your eyebrows flew up as your nose wrinkled at the same time. Smelled like something Tech would put in the Marauder fuel tank but you were going to risk it anyway. You downed the shot, pleasantly surprised by the fragrant taste only for it to burn all the way down your oesophagus and heat up the inside of your stomach. Putting the glass down you decided not to have another. Although, if you didn’t fall asleep soon you might have to.

Even with the alcohol lining your stomach you still felt cold. Such a strange cold as though it had tattooed itself onto the very inner parts of you, leaching everything out of you, leaving you stripped and exhausted. Sitting on the sofa you tried to wrap yourself up better, your lips quivering as you pressed your teeth together.

Then you heard them. Disembodied whispers that made you turn around. “Who’s there?” You breathed, knowing full well you were alone. The silence screamed at you, pressing on your ears, squeezing on your pulsing neck as you drowned against the throb of your headache.

Fleeing back to the bedroom you closed the door and backed up against the wall. You could sense it, seeping under the gap, slow and steady like a moving corpse as it clawed its way across the floor. The whispers came, light and airy until they tickled your skin, making your eyes close as you gasped in fear.

You slid down the wall, hunching on the floor as you tried to control your elevated breathing. You need to bring yourself back.

None of this was real, it wasn’t real.

“Stitch?” Your eyes flew open to see Omega sat up in the bed, her gaze barely there as she rubbed her eyes and yawned. “Why are you on the floor?” You looked around, the terrified feeling was trickling away and you managed a convincing smile.

“I just needed a moment. Want me to get back in?” Omega nodded and you moved, sliding in beside her and accepting the hug she gave you.

“Are they ok?” She suddenly asked quietly and you stiffened.

“I have no way of knowing.” She sighed, pulling herself closer into your side. Putting an arm around her, you forced yourself to relax, not used to having someone else in your sleep space. Your eyes were heavy but sleep still eluded you. Not unfamiliar territory. You listened to Omega’s breathing even out again and silently admired the way she was taking everything so well.

Brushing some blonde hair away from her forehead you felt a strange pang in your chest, a fierce protectiveness that took you by surprise. It wasn’t something you’d really explored before although it had always been there.

Once more you mulled over Rex’s request, torn between wanting to help and staying with Tech. A small tear ran down the side of your face and you quickly swept it up, sniffing lightly as you tried to keep yourself from falling apart. Everything was changing and you had no idea how to stop it.

You had barely got an hours sleep before you were back in your uniform and standing outside. Omega was sighing, tracing patterns on the wall as you both waited for the boys at the designated RV point. There was no one around except one of Chuchi’s guards waiting in a speeder round the corner.

Rubbing your face you tried not to let yourself think the worst and concentrated on the fact you’d heard from Rex and trusting he would have said something if the mission had gone wrong. But then again, maybe he wouldn’t. They would have called you, you’re the medic.

The sound of a speeder had adrenaline coursing through you and you couldn’t help but do a quick head count as they approached only to feel despair when you realised it was just Rex and Echo. There wasn’t time to ask where the others were as Rex leaned over the edge of the stopped speeder

“Get this to Senator Chuchi. Hurry!” He handed the case to Omega and the pair of you hurried to jump into your own speeder, the guard driving you back to the Senate building.

The Senate building wasn’t busy, everyone was in the chamber watching the current proceedings and getting ready to vote on this bill.

You took the stairs in haste, Omega’s hand slightly clammy in yours as you tugged her along behind you. Everything hinged on this, the boys and their fate was going to be decided today and it could shape the rest of everyone’s lives.

The guard showed you to General Organa’s pod and you leaned heavily on the wall to catch your breath as Omega handed him the case. You both slumped onto the floor, giggling softly because you’d done it! The proof was there and you were going to see Rampart get what he deserved.

Your chest was heaving as you peered out into the council chamber, watching the event unfold so you could recount it for the boys when you saw them. But the smile was soon wiped from your face as Senator Chuchi began to play the recording.

It manifested as a huge hologram in the middle of the Senate, easily viewable from all sides, making the domed facilities of Tipoca city unmistakable. It felt like you were there, rain spattered loudly in the recording you could imagine it pattering on your skin. The waves were in turmoil, churning roughly but not enough to hide the blue bolts shot from the ships.

Your jovial mood dissipated. Your heart beat strongly as emotions swirled inside you. The boys had witnessed this, Omega had witnessed this. You reached for her, feeling her hand grasp yours tightly as she tried to keep her tears at bay. Her pangs of pain were vibrant as she relived the horrendous moment.

Suddenly the recording was paused as voices began to rise around the chamber. You could feel the tension, the anger and the mood shifted dramatically, causing the hairs to rise on the back of your neck as a nameless chill to seep through your body. Alarms started blaring, piercing your skull like blaster shots and you moaned at the pain that spread through you.

“Stitch!” Omega whispered when you sagged against the wall, even the guard asked if you were all right and you removed the helmet trying to relieve the pressure that seemed to be pressing on you from all sides. “What’s happening?” Omega asked the guard in a hushed voice.

“The Emperor is coming,” he replied and you sensed fascination as well as a healthy dose of fear radiating from him. It beat on your senses, making you peer out between your fingers to watch the throne rise from the middle of the floor.

He was cloaked, his face hooded by the cowl and it added to his mysterious appearance. The hologram wavered, the picture of Rampart’s deception and lies flickered into nothing and for a moment there was only silence.

The Vice Chancellor spoke, his booming voice carrying easily around the room as he addressed the Senate. “It would appear that Senator Chuchi’s horrific assertions are correct. This unprovoked attack on Kamino was a cowardly act by Admiral Rampart to further his own personal agenda.” The voices of the Senate were nothing but echoing background noise to you. A continuous buzzing that filled your mind as you stared at the Emperor sitting quietly as he observed the reaction.

The chill in your body got worse. Your muscles twitching from the relentless icy touch, but you sweated in your uniform. You felt like he was staring at you, his sightless gaze heavy and unmovable. But that was stupid. He wouldn’t pick you out of all these thousands of people.

You were barely aware of Rampart being arrested or of Mas Amedda calling for order in the vast room. Your eyes were fixed on one point and one point only. As were everyone else’s when he stood to address the Senate for the first time.

“I am deeply troubled by this recent revelation.” The Emperor’s voice was like poison, black and oozing as it dripped into your ears with each word. The tremors that worked their way through your body made you feel like you were losing yourself. Every word he spoke added a weight to your load and soon your knees were attempting to buckle under the pressure. You knew, deep down, you knew what was coming.

“My gratitude to Senator Chuchi for exposing a rogue element within our ranks. Many lives have been lost, but I assure you, Admiral Rampart will face the consequences for his treachery. However, he did not act alone.”

“No!” You barely formed the word, your fingers shaking so badly as tears filled your eyes.

“Stitch, what’s wrong?” But Omega’s question was about to be answered. And not by you.

“The fact that the clones under his command so blindly followed orders, inflicting such carnage without hesitation, gives me pause.” Your breath was gasping as Palpatine’s words erased whatever shred of hope you had left. “Perhaps, it is time for a change. Now more than ever, building a strong galaxy requires protection and security. Due to the nefarious actions of Admiral Rampart and the immediacy of the bill on the floor today, it is my opinion that this legislation is our future.” Your body crumbled. Everything you’d been seeing was going to happen. The clones, their empty armour, the blood between your fingers, their dying cries…you hadn’t done enough to prevent this.

“You need to leave!” The guard gripped your arm and helped you stand. “Take the speeder, go!” The world was spinning, the only thing you could rely on was Omega’s hand in yours as she hurried you out of there.

You sat in the cockpit of the Marauder. They knew to leave you alone, to let you sort out how you were feeling for yourself as they discussed what to do next outside. Everything inside you felt like it had been eaten by a demolition droid and spat out in pieces. The life you had dared to briefly hope for with the boys was dashed, shattered into a million pieces like stars in the galaxy. Wiping your face free of tears you tried to collect yourself, still shaken by your reaction within the Senate building. Your body shook every now and again, the tremors skitting through your body as the chill gripped you on the inside.

Breathing through shaky lips you tried again to fix yourself and rearrange the pieces back to where they belonged. But it was hopeless. Only one thing now could help ease what you were going through, and you were determined to see it through.

Lifting your head, you wiped your face again as someone approached. You could feel him. The slow measure of his steps, the weight of his thoughts and the faint press of apprehension rippled through his calm. Rex stood in the hatch of the cockpit, a small sigh escaping him as he eased himself down into a seat. He wanted to talk, to blurt it all out but he also knew what you’d seen today.

“I’m not here to force you,” he started. In truth you’d already made up your mind. You had witnessed the recording of Kamino, you had felt Omega’s pain as she witnessed it for a second time. The boys had been quiet since the bill passed. They had helped it happen. No one could have predicted Palpatine’s ability to turn it round to his advantage, not even Tech.

You had come here to sort out your own feelings away from the influence of the Batch, to try and pick apart what you wanted to do.

“What, exactly do you need me to do?” You finally asked Rex.

“I need your hands,” Rex said simply, holding his own out absently. “We need your abilities. Clones come to me, not always in the best shape and I am tired,” his voice broke. “I am tired of watching my brothers die.” You knew that feeling. You had seen the empty plates of armour, heard the dying screams and felt the warmth of their life bleeding out onto the ground. “It will be worse than ever now, every clone has the threat of death above their heads and it’s only a matter of time.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Really?” His rush of relief was palpable, you could almost touch it as it filtered around the cockpit. “You don’t know what this means,” he started but you turned your chair to finally face him.

“I do. I know what this means. I can feel it.” Tilting your head to the side you regarded him, tracing the tired lines of his face and the worn look in his eyes. “I am connected to this fight in more ways than I care to admit, with the things I’ve seen. I’m being put on this path and—I’m fed up of fighting it.” Your gaze dropped to the top of your knee and you fought back the urge to cry. “I am not looking forward to telling Omega.”

“It won’t be forever, she will understand.” Rex murmured as steps sounded on the ramp and Echo appeared.

“Rex. Can I talk to you?” Dropping your leg you went to get up but Rex put out a hand to stop you.

“Wait…whatever you want to say can be to both of us.” Echo’s face showed surprise before he could school it into indifference, his golden eyes flicking between you both. “Stitch has agreed to become my medic.”

“She has?” He looked sharply at you, frowning a little. “What about Tech?”

“Tech?” It was Rex’s turn to look a little confused until realisation dawned. “Ah…Tech.” Now you felt embarrassed, shifting on your feet as you glanced up at the ceiling.

“If Stitch is doing her part, I am ready to do mine.” Echo straightened up and fixed his attention on Rex. “I want to help, to do more for our brothers.”

“We’d be lucky to have you,” Rex said with undisguised relief as he clapped Echo on the shoulder. “I’ll get Gregor to set you up. Be just like old times.”

“Yeah,” Echo agreed with a rare smile.

“Stealing my squad, Captain?” Hunter materialised from the darkness of the hold.

“Actually,” Rex rumbled. “I’m stealing one and the other volunteered.”

“Hmmm.” Hunter looked grimly at the group before him, already knowing which was which. He reached for Echo and they knocked their vambraces together. “Good luck, brother. You will always have a place among us.”

“Thanks, Hunter. I’ll never forget what your squad have done for me, but I belong somewhere else now.”

“I know.” Hunter gave him a cursory nod and then moved aside letting Echo and Rex leave until it was just you and him. You didn’t expect this to hurt so much, you felt torn between wanting to go with the Batch and staying here to help Rex. “You have to do what you feel is best,” he told you, clearly trying to gauge how you were feeling about all of this.

Your face crumbled as your mask slipped, spilling forth the cascade of emotions that had gathered in your chest. He approached you quickly, pulling your head into his shoulder as he cradled you to him. “I don’t want to leave you,” you sobbed. “Not Omega, not T-Tech, not Wrecker.”

“They will understand. It won’t be forever, Stitch. We’ll know where you are.” You stayed in his arms, eyes closed as you quietly cried into his chest.

“What am I going to say to him?” You whispered.

“Just tell him the truth. I can guarantee he’s already worked out every possible scenario, so I doubt your choice will come as a shock to him.” You sighed and turned your face, pillowing your cheek on his armour and finally wrapping your own arms around him.

“Saying it makes it real,” you murmured.

“It does,” he hummed in agreement. With a reluctant sigh you broke apart, Hunter taking the comfort and warmth of his embrace with him. “I’ll get him.” You didn’t need clarification as to who he was referring. You began to pace along the length of the cockpit, your fingers dancing along the tops of the chairs as you mouthed silently about what you wanted to say. As soon as you felt him on the ramp your anxiety kicked up a notch and you began to wring your hands together, swallowing down the tears.

“Hunter said you wished to speak to me?” Tech removed his helmet and put it on the console.

“I-I do.” Your voice was weak, wavering with emotion before you’d even said anything and he sighed lightly from behind you. “So you know Rex asked me a question earlier?”

“I assumed it was related to that,” he sounded so calm but there was a tightness to his words that you really had to listen for. He felt tense, agitated as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “You are staying,” he concluded heavily. For the first time, emotion coloured his words and it struck you right in the chest.

“I have to. If I can do anything to prevent my nightmares from becoming real…” your hands lifted to curl into fists, tears raging from your eyes as your jaw clenched. You drew in a breath to try and calm yourself.

“What you are doing is admirable.” You slowly turned, Tech frowned at your armour clearly not able to look you in the face right now and you couldn’t blame him. “I understand your choice to walk a different path, though I may not agree with it. I realise that might be—selfish of me.” You had no idea what to say, his candid response had knocked the wind from under your wings. He seemed to shake himself out of his own reverie, blinking a couple of times before looking up into your face. “I am not entirely sure what you require from me?”

“I don’t know either,” you confessed. “I…I guess this is a goodbye.”

“I am not versed in saying goodbye.” You let out a rough sob, covering your face as you shook. He was sad, you could sense it and he was confused by it. Tech didn’t like change but he always took it in his stride, that’s who he was as a person and soldier. Except this was different.

Overcoming a change in battle was one thing but overcoming a situation that he had no experience in was something else. He could feel that uncomfortable sensation inside, the way his guts knotted and he only knew one way to ease them. He didn’t think, he just acted. You let out a gasp of surprise but you didn’t resist, falling almost gratefully against him as your body tensed with the force of your crying.

His fingers found their way to the back of your head, resting his cheek against you and hooking his other arm around your waist. Your armour knocked against his and he wished just in this moment, neither of you were geared up.

Tech breathed you in, soaking up your scent and feeling you in his arms. Closing his eyes he tried to commit all of this to memory. The sound of your breathing in his ear, the feel of your hands, the texture of your hair, the softness of your cheek against his; he stored it all away in his memory bank. Knowing that he could pull on it at times when he felt he was going to need to remember you the most.

You were staying. Helping Rex with his secret missions and liberating clones. He couldn’t stop the feeling that bubbled up in his chest, a fierce protectiveness and he had the fleeting idea of telling Hunter that he was staying too. But he couldn’t do that to his brothers.

Once they left…there would be no contact, no secret comcalls when you couldn’t sleep, no sitting together and enjoying the silence; no talking in depth about ships or animals or anything else that you might require from him. It made him hold you tighter, letting his face fall into the softness of your neck.

You shifted, moving your face so you could kiss his cheek, wetting his skin with your tears. Closing his eyes he copied, pressing his lips against your cheek and he tasted the saltiness that sat there. Tech’s hand moved, sliding along the curve of your neck to stroke the line of your jaw as your noses knocked into one another.

He ached to kiss you. He had been surprised by the way you had rendered him stupefied earlier and now all he wanted was your lips to banish all the thoughts in his head. Your breath was hot and ragged, dancing across his mouth and mingling with his own as you both seemed frozen. Your lips ghosted over his and he couldn’t resist anymore.

He felt more confident this time, a soft moan rumbling up his throat as you provided that bliss he so desperately sought from you. He didn’t want it to stop, to not feel the way you melted against him or hear the little groan you responded with. He brought his other hand up, cupping your cheeks as he tried to pull you closer, feeling your open mouth against his as you let him in. He didn’t know what he was doing, he just knew he wanted to feel you in every way possible.

Your grip tightened on his hips as he leaned into you so much he made you back up into the pilot's chair. He drank down your gasp of surprise, squeezing his eyes shut even tighter, knowing this moment was coming to an end.

You broke the kiss, resting your forehead against his, the pair of you catching your breath from the intensity of the moment.

“Tech…” his name was the embodiment of the painful ache in your chest. Fear spiked as he pulled away and you fought the temptation to grip him tighter, to hold him close and never let him go.

“I know Wrecker will want to say his goodbye.” Fresh tears made your vision flounder and you nodded, seeing him give you a brief smile and a nod before he disappeared completely.

It felt like your chest was caving in. You struggled to breathe and that’s how Wrecker found you. Gasping and clutching at Tech’s chair in an effort to ground yourself as everything swirled just out of your reach. It was all changing so fast and you knew why but that didn’t make it any easier.

Wrecker tried to put you back together, his large hands held you and his deep voice vibrated through you as he shed his own tears until you both were just a heap on the floor. You were going to miss this clone, something you never thought you would ever think or say. When you’d first seen him he created such a sense of fear in you, you didn’t think you’d ever be able to overcome it. And here you were, right now laying on his broad chest, looking at the lower half of the console not knowing how much time had passed until Hunter appeared in the doorway.

You knew it was time.

He pulled you up, his eyes catching yours for a second as he held out his vambrace and you paused. He gave you a nod, the tiny upturn of a smile at the corner of his mouth as you balled your fist and lifted your own arm. The katarn clacked together twice followed by his hand on the back of your head and he briefly pressed his forehead to yours.

Wrecker was next, he pushed a little forcefully against your arm but you took the hit, letting the bigger clone bend down and put his forehead to yours for a moment. Hunter offered your helmet and you took it. Quickly wiping your face as they followed you out of the ship.

Tech was standing with a hand on Omega’s shoulder talking to Rex and Echo. You quietly joined the group, a sense of guilt twisting your insides as Omega beamed up at you. An anxious silence fell on the group and Hunter sighed, turning to address Rex first.

“If you need anything Rex, just say the word.” His voice was gruff, harder than it was before and you knew this was a blow to him. To all of them. Echo looked at him, resolve evident in his posture. “Wherever you end up, remember what I said.” The change in Omega was instant at Hunter’s words, her joy at having everyone together trickling away as her face fell and realisation dawned in her eyes. “And you,” Hunter murmured. “Stay safe.” A nod was all you could muster.

Wrecker gently hit Echo’s shoulder, “Don’t get into trouble without us,” he said gruffly to Echo. Giving you a gentle shoulder knock as he walked past to the Marauder.

“Without us?”Omega questioned and you kneeled down next to her. “What’s going on?”

“We are staying,” you managed to choke out.

“We? Why?” You glanced at Echo, barely able to keep yourself together.

“Because we are going to help Rex,” you managed to tell her through the burn in your throat.

Echo came up next to you, looking down at her with a soft expression on his face. “The clones will need our help now more than ever. I can’t turn my back on them,” he told her.

“You—you can’t leave!” Her hazel eyes cast frantically between you. “We’re a squad!”

“Omega, this is something I have to do,” Echo stressed firmly but gently.

“And you?” She asked with the beginnings of tears.

“After seeing what happened to Kamino, paired with my nightmares and this outcome at the Senate…if I can do anything to help, I will.” You tried to give her a comforting smile but you were sure it just looked like a grimace.

“We are going where we’re needed,” Echo stressed gently.

“But we need you too! And…” she looked at you again. “What happens now?” Echo crouched down, his helmet on the floor next to yours as he put a hand on the young girl's shoulder.

“It’s not forever. We’ll be back. Keep up with your training while we’re gone. Huh? Understood?” You could feel her trying not to give in to the sadness that filled her even as she threw her arms around both your necks.

“Get Tech to keep your medical knowledge up to scratch,” you whispered, glancing up at him as you spoke. Omega released you both, brushing away the stray tears that had fallen.

“Yes ma’am,” she whispered. You stood up, clutching your helmet in your hands to stop you from throwing yourself at Tech.

“Best of luck, Echo.” His voice was cheery and bright but you sensed what was lurking behind. You saw the way he looked at you, his brow pulling into a tortured expression that made his eyes look so sad behind his goggles. He went to walk away but you lunged for his hand, making him draw abruptly to a halt and he turned to look at you with a puzzled expression. “We have already done our farewell,” he murmured.

“I know but…I can have one more,” you murmured.

“It does not make this any easier,” as he spoke you felt his fingers interlace with yours, giving your hand a squeeze and absently drawing you closer.

“No.” You became aware that everyone was watching you as Tech studied your face. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” you admitted in a breathy rush.

“Then it is worth it.” Tech’s gaze dropped to Omega as she walked past and he let you go, following her to the ship and he didn’t look back.

You stood beside Echo, trying and failing to keep your sobs quiet. You watched the ship start up, gliding effortlessly away while repeating it wasn’t forever, over and over again. But right now it felt like you were never going to see them again.

The sensation of being watched crawled up your spine and you inhaled, turning to the left, eyes searching the gloom and coming up with nothing. It dispersed when Rex came up beside you.

“Come on. There’s someone who is dying to meet you.” The next steps you took, felt like your boots were made of raw doonium. Yet they carried you back inside, to a new chapter and further away from Tech.

[starlightrows]

Hello and welcome back to Krax Watches. Tonight I am binge watching The Bad Batch Season 3, Episodes 10-14.

Episode 10 — Identity Crisis

• The little kids being imprisoned made me cry. Like immediately. I’m on my period okay? Leave me alone

• Why haven’t they killed Nala Se?

• I was hoping we would have more info on Emerie by now. Like is she really a clone? And if she is, is she a female clone of Jango or a clone of someone else?

• I know it’s already been established that Cad Bane is a known child abductor, I hate looking at it with my own two eyeballs every time. ITS LITERALLY A BABY

• I’m so glad Boba Fett murdered Cad Bane like 35 years later.

Episode 11 — Point of No Return

• The second she put down Lula and Tech’s nerd goggles, the ship was toast

• I hope someone kills Sid. Snitches get stitches and also fuck you

• Hunter really fell from like a hundred feet up and just swam his ass back to shore

• I hate that this season has made me go back on my hatred of Crosshair. I still think he’s a crusty dusty musty asshole. But god damn am I weak for sibling tropes, especially older brother tropes.

• You just know he is beating the ever loving shit out of himself for losing Omega to the Empire

• Mystery masked guy, that is definitely Tech, really just allowed Omega to be loose back there behind him while flying at the end there… I know this is still sort of a kids show and they would never actually do this… but Omega could totally bash him in the back of the head while he’s flying. Or garrot him or something. Maybe even yank off his helmet.

Episode 12 — Juggernaut

• Omega looking at Emerie… hello traitor

• Kinda forgot that Crosshair and Phee haven’t met yet

• Phee still refers to Tech as brown eyes, cute! But don’t all of them have brown eyes… ya know… because they’re clones

• …. What was Admiral Rampart arrested for again? I remember hating him… but I can’t remember anything else about him

• Phee is cool as fuck and I love her

• Rampart is racist… alienist… whatever, fuck that guy

• Wouldn’t it have been a wild connection if Rampart was in a work camp or work facility like the one Cassian was in?! Way harder to get him out, but would have been a cool connection

• Wooooooo! Jail break!

• Playing chicken with a tank!

• Lmao throwing Rampart like a sack of potatoes

• I kind of can’t figure out what it is they are trying to accomplish with Omega and the other high M count kiddos. Maybe I’m just dense

Episode 13 — Into the Breach

• It makes me intensely sad thinking about the fact that Omega has spent the majority of her little life in captivity

• They’re making the children take care of the literal baby

• Echo my boy! You’ve returned!

• I like how Omegas legs are almost too big to fit under the table, she’s groaning up 😫

• She’s so devious and crafty, I love Omega

• They stripped the paint off their armor. Why does that feel so foreboding???

• Rampart is cranky because he hasn’t gotten dick in months, damn shame

• Even with the paint stripped off their armor, they look wildly out of place

• Wrecker playing is playing Candy Crush, scrolling space Tumblr, swiping on galactic Hinge, reading fanfic on space AO3

• I want to cuddle that owl baby so bad

• I love bitchy little R2 units

• Crosshair saying, Relax, Echo’s on it, makes me emotional

• Literally can’t believe that fucking worked

Episode 14 — Flash Strike

• Howmst the fuck did they know that it was Clone Force 99 and Rampart? They didn’t get caught by anyone

• I feel like Wrecker hasn’t gotten to do anything or have any personality this season :/ he’s kinda just there

• This bitch with the bangs is going to be an ongoing problem. I hope the children kick her shins until she croaks or something

• Lamo what does Rampart sound like that?!

• Echo really needs to get a prosthetic hand at some point his little screwdriver nub is a dead give away

• Did they leave Batcher on Pabu? I didn’t realize she was missing until now

• Rampart have ZERO self preservation skills. There is almost nothing preventing the batch from killing him

• Inventory droids always have a stick up their ass

• Thanks for the hand! Oh my god 😂 I was right!!

• Please let the monster eat Rampart, PLEASE let the monster eat Rampart. PLEASEEEEEEE

• What the fuuuuuck? I forgot about the Zillo Beast

• I was such an anxious child. I would have been so worried about Omega I would have thrown up

• Omega’s poker face is iconic!

• Let’s go Emerie! You have exactly one opportunity to not fuck this up

The final episode next week is going to be chaotic as fuck. I have no idea what to expect. I feel like there are waaay too many loose ends to tie up. Which further leads me to believe that there’s going to be another spin off about Omega or about Rex or something.

[roninreverie]

Raph's Paper Powers:

I had this idea like a year ago and am never going to get around to drawing it out properly; plus, seeing yet another review channel doing the Frankenfoot episode has reminded me this has been sitting in my drafts for a lot of months. So ENJOY in the only way I can muster right now!

...

[The boys are standing around, Raph patching up Frankenfoot with the last of the tape. Leo and Mikey are praising his skills. Donnie is in the background, hardly paying attention and texting--probably April.]

Mikey: Wow Raph! You sure have a way with Frankenfoot!

Leo: Yeah. Any other paper ninja would be toast and a half by now, but he still looks great, even after all the sparring and wear n tear he goes through.

Raph: What can I say?  Raph just had the magic touch!

Frankenfoot: Buddy!

*RIP!!!*

Raph: Speaking of… don't worry buddy,  Raph’s got ya covered. 

Leo: Oh, hey, I think there's a spare roll of duct tape in the--

(Magically repairs the tear.) 

Leo (cont.): Whaaaaaa?

Mikey: What the heck was that? 

Donnie: Hold the proverbial phone! Did Raph get a new power? I wasn’t paying attention. I’m taking notes this time. Do it again! Do you need me to cause an accident to do it again?

(Buzzsaw comes out, goggles go down, and notepad is opened.) 

Raph: No! What? This? Nah. Buddy just gets tape-heavy after a while and needs a paper-refresh.

Leo: He said as if that’s just something NORMAL to do with his BARE hands!

Mikey: Ohmigosh! Raph! You totally have Origami ninja powers just like the Foot Clan! What’s next? A flaming head?

Leo: Never really saw our Raphy as the hotheaded sort, but-- 

Raph: Huh? Nah… listen guys! This is just buddy's own paper-magic mojo and the healing powers of friendship at work! Nothing Foot Clan about it! 

Leo: What? No way! 

Donnie: Emotional nonsense aside, this ability explains everything and yet nothing! But why manifest now? How? Hmmm?

Mikey: Admit it! You’ve been holding out on us and getting super secret ex-foot recruit training from Cassandra! No fair!

Raph: Wha---no!!?

Donnie: Aha! Of course! The only logical explanation is that Raph must have absorbed a fraction of the unique mystical ability from ingesting that temporarily sentient salami paper that we confronted on that cargo ship the night we first met the Foot.

Mikey: Raph got a new superpower from eating salami-origami!? Lucky…

Leo: Huh… he “ate” himself a new superpower! GASP! Like Kirby!! 

[Cass walking in overhearing everything, she is here for a sparring session of her own, a gym bag over her shoulder.]

Cass: Raph got a new superpower from eating something!? Well don’t hold out! I want some too! Fork it over!

Raph: Oh, hey Cass. Nah, my brother’s are sayin’ I got Foot Clan paper powers just cause I ate some briefly “ninja-fied” salami a long time ago-- but I’m trying to tell them that ain't it and that they’re jumping to conclusions.

Donnie: HOW DARE YOU SIR! I never jump to conclusions! My theories and hypotheses are always based on facts and science thank you very---oof!

(Cass enters, throwing her heavy bag into Donnie and toppling him over.)

Cass: Yeah, no… All of you have it wrong. Dude… origami manipulation is a sacred ability passed down through generations of worthy Foot Clan warriors. It’s even more rare than the flaming skull and footprint ceremony held with Hatsu the boiling tomato soup cauldron of eternal power. 

Leo: Wait, can we go back to that last par---

Cass (Ignoring Leo): Anyway, after learning that Shredder was your ancestor during the whole "stealing your dad's essence and betraying my clan" situation… I realized that must be why that rogue paper ninja--

Frankenfoot: BUDDIES!

Cass (cont.): --was so drawn to you to begin with.  Based on lineage, you all should have the latent abilities for paper no jutsu. Kind of like how you all have your Ninpo thing. Shredder lost his connection to all that after he became Shredder, cutting off his opportunities at gaining full power but he still could pass along the origami technique used by his clan, which managed to continue to this day like with my old sensei. Raph here is obviously just better at harnessing it than the rest of you. I thought everyone here knew this already? It’s kind of obvious.

Mikey: Uhhhh…. It is?

Raph: Aww, thanks Cass!

Frankenfoot: Buddy! 

Leo: Wait! So does that mean we might also be related to the Foot Brute and/ or Lieutenant?  Man Family get-togethers just keep getting more and more awkward in this house.

Donnie: Not everybody in a clan is related, Nardo--- (under his breath with sinister intent) But yes, we can’t rule out the possibility just yet. We’ll need a blood sample to be sure.

Mikey: Daaaaad! Quick! It’s an emergency! I need all the paper we’ve got in the lair!

Splinter (panicked, off-screen): What!?! Wait! Why?!? 

Donnie (taking notes): This is all incredibly useful information… and coming from Cassandra of all sources. 

Cass: Hey!? (Instant Headlock)

Raph: Huh? An ancient clan power that isn't the same as ninpo. Guess I gotta learn more about origami, huh?

Leo: With those digits?  Pffft! Good luck! 

Raph: *Grumbles*

Frankenfoot: Buddy!

[End on Leo making fun of Raph’s huge hands. Splinter trying to make sure whatever Mikey’s doing doesn’t destroy the lair. Donnie getting beat up by Cassandra. Frankenfoot is just happy to be there. April walking in with pizza like that meme from Community where everything is on fire and chaotic.]

____________________________________________________________

Bonus: Comic draft that never made it out of doodles:

[dezgate]

Changed

Pairing: Tech/Atsu Dontell

Words: 1,403

A/N: I finally got this finished!!!!! I feel kinda happy with out this turned out, I posted it on A03 (Dezgate) as well if you wanna read it there ^w^!!!! Tags: (SFW) Tech being a dad, MLM ships, Fluff, Au of an Au, Bad Batch on Pabu

It was quiet aboard the Marauder, while the others were enjoying their time on Padu, going to the dock for fishing or simply taking walks around the sandy beaches, or watching/participating in the numerous activities around the island the Bad Batch found at least one thing to fill their time with. As the day dragged on, the sun began to set as the lights began to shimmer through the homes in the city, making for a beautiful gaze, most of the Bad Batch were set on a nice long walk around the island. However, this left Tech alone on the ship, keeping the lights dim as he leaned back into the now padded seat, which was more comfortable than it was before. His goggles pressed against his forehead, turning his recorder off, as the red light was noticeably the brightest thing in the cockpit of the ship. His breathing noticeably slowed, almost dozing off, yet still alert enough to cradle the baby which laid asleep in his arms. 

His tired gaze turned slightly to the window, looking at the shining stars in the darkening skies, following the clouds as every now and then they’d cover the moon, making the ship darker but after about 3-5 minutes would illuminate the insides of the cockpit once more. Despite the hatch to the ship being closed, the sounds of the bugs outside could still be heard, little crick or chirps would drown out the sounds of Tech’s breathing. His forces began to turn to the infant child that remained sleeping in his arms. He studied her face with his eyes, taking in her curls, the pout of her lips, the way her tiny face pressed against his chest, it couldn’t help make his normally neutral expression turn to a soft mellow look. 

Tech continued eyeing the baby in his arms, placing a gentle kiss to her soft forehead causing her to coo a little in her peaceful sleep. A smile creeped along Tech’s face, he let out a chuckle as he looked back out to the world outside, looking at the glowing stars. “Did you know that Stars take 10 million years to form? In fact the stars we look at each night could be long dead by now, yet we would never know? Stars are also born in clouds of gas and dust. One such stellar nursery is the Orion Nebula, an enormous cloud of gas and dust many light-years across. Turbulence from deep within these clouds creates high density regions called knots. These knots contain sufficient mass that the gas and dust can begin to collapse from gravitational attraction. As it collapses, pressure from gravity causes the material at the center to heat up, creating a protostar. One day, this core becomes hot enough to ignite fusion and a star is born.” He says proudly, looking at Mei who has remained fast asleep. “Although, you are too young to understand what I am communicating to you. Perhaps when you get to speaking age I will inform you more about space, it is important that you know such vital information.” His tone sounded matter of factly.  

Mei began to slowly wake up, yawing a bit as she stared up at Tech with her big brown eyes. Emitting some babbling sounds as she wriggled in Tech’s grasp. Tech rocked her very carefully, standing up and going to the window and turning mei so she could take a glance outside. “Each time we take you into space, you seem to always fall asleep. I assume you just enjoy the twinkling of the stars, or maybe the humming of the ship? Although I am unsure how you enjoy the sounds of the ship, especially when you wake up at the slightest of sounds. However, it is quite astonishing how you behave.” 

Tech is beginning to enjoy the quiet, he knows he rarely gets some peace and quiet but when he does he cannot help but bask in it. Mei, on the other hand, had no problems being her noisy little self, especially if she’s playing with Omega or Wrecker. However, for now she wriggled in Tech’s arms, seemingly becoming more restless. The infant makes little babbled sounds, her brown eyes looking around before staring back up to Tech, who chuckles. “I suppose wiggling like this is normal? Although, it could mean you’re hungry. It’s been a while since you’ve gotten food.” Tech mumbles to himself more than the wriggling infant in his arms. He walks over to the cleaned out storage crate that now holds a lot of baby items, formula, blankets, toys, clothes, everything Mei needs. Tech crouches down to grab the formula that was neatly packaged in a dark blue and gray box. Using his unoccupied hand he grabbed the tiny bottle, bringing it to the heating pad and laying it there for a solid minute. Though, in a span of said minute Mei began to scream her head off, startling the clone. For a three month old Mei can surely scream when she wants something. Tech gave an exasperated sigh, he understood that Mei was incapable of properly expressing emotion yet he never enjoyed loud noises, let alone screaming. 

He finishes fixing up the small bottle for Mei, who had yet to stop screaming. Bring the top of the bottle to the crying infant who began to relax as she noms on the rubber part of the bottle. Tech makes a faint smile as he walks out of the Marauder and into Atsu’s ship, The Starhammer. The starhammer was more homely feeling, stringed lights in certain places with a tiny bassinet for Mei to sleep in. Little black and purple blankets scattered around the bassinet, a blue curtain covering the crib which blinded the bright lights of the ship. There were about 3 pushies in the crib, a normal looking tooka, a porg which looked older than Mei and a tooka plush that looked similar to Wrecker’s, yet this one was purple and gray. It also happened to be Mei’s favorite one, whenever the rest of the bad batch would care for her they always made sure Mei had her favorite plush. 

After a half an hour, Mei finished about half of her bottle before getting fussy again, wriggling around in Tech’s arms. Tech, who had been sitting with Mei in his arms, looked half asleep. It was very uncommon for Tech to appear this tired, however ever since he and Attsu had Mei he became more exhausted. He actually was enjoying the thrills of a nap which he used to never take. The clone took Mei over to her crib and set her down, letting her crawl around and cling to her tooka plushie, all while making happy babbling laughs. Tech chuckled, watching how happy his daughter was now. “You certainly have Atsu’s smile.” He whispers, taking a hand to Mei’s chubby cheeks. Despite how rare it was to see Atsu smile, he could never forget the raw joy on Atsu and his face when they held Mei in their arms for the first time. 

Mei climbed on top of her plushie and began to snuggle it, gently placing herself between the big tooka plush and the smaller porg plush. She looked up at Tech and reached her tiny hands up in a gripping motion, cooing as she fell forward onto her plushie. “Oh well, maybe next time you-” Tech scolded but eventually caught himself before softly placing Mei on her back. “I..” Tech mumbled, before releasing a soft sigh and patting Mei’s head. “I’m sorry, I need to be a little understanding, I suppose.” He pulls the blankets over the yawning child. The clone pulled up the chair and leaned against the crib, he yawned himself and stared at Mei who was starting to fall back asleep. Tech closed his eyes, listening to the gentle breaths from the baby. 

.

.

.

.

.

“Tech? Your brothers and I are- Oh.” Atsu walks to the part of the ship where Tech is, walking up to him and takes his goggles off. He grabbed a blanket and placed it on Tech. He looks in the crib seeing Mei’s snoring while her body is close to the side of the crib to try and snuggle Tech. “Sleep well you two..” Dimming the lights to the room and heading to the padded cots and laying down, drifting off to sleep.

[im-no-jedi]

MLWTBB: Master and Commander

Part 11 of the “My Life With The Bad Batch” series, a (mostly) canon compliant self-insert story set in “The Bad Batch”  

rated: T warnings: descriptions of food and eating, implied self-harm, gun violence relationships: Hunter/self-insert, Omega & self-insert (adopted siblings), The Bad Batch & self-insert chapter word count: 3700+ words

✨MLWTBB masterlist✨

summary: when Hannah’s already hectic life becomes almost too much to bear, Master Gildish gifts her a new companion to help ease the burdens, as well as give Hannah a new friend to live with. however, the Bad Batch are not so thrilled with Hannah’s new robotic ally, which causes major tension in Hannah’s relationship with Echo and Hunter.

notes: welcome back to another episode of Drama Time everyone 😋 I thought about splitting this one in two, but I think it flows better all together; plus I really wanted to keep the tensions high for as long as possible. I won’t lie about shedding some tears while writing this one, but that’s pretty common for me in general 😝

A/N: this story has not been proofread by anyone other than myself. so apologies for any uncaught errors 😬

previous chapter

Chapter 7: The Truth Hurts

______________________________________________________________

“Run it again,” Echo said sternly. His arms were tightly crossed against his chest, and his brows had practically merged with his eye sockets from how low they’d gotten. It was a look normally seen on Hunter, who was sitting next to him in an almost identical position.

“That won’t be necessary,” Tech replied with a sigh. “Running the scan for a third time won’t provide any different results than the previous two.” He put his datapad away and gave his goggles a quick adjustment. “You’re just going to have to accept the fact that this droid is exactly as Hannah described: free of any and all previous programming aside from pure personality.”

Echo let out a huff through his nose, and his frown somehow turned down more than it already was. He looked over to Hannah, who stood smugly next to Tech, and he gave her a harsh glare.

“I don’t know what else to say to convince you guys,” Hannah said with a shrug. “Even Bolo and Ketch can vouch for him at this point.” She gestured at them with her thumb, and both of them responded with enthusiastic nods.

It didn’t seem like Echo planned on easing up anytime soon, but Hunter managed to give a relenting sigh and shook his head. “Let ‘im go,” he said to Wrecker, not even looking at him.

Wrecker gave a nod in response and slowly let up the firm grip he had on the Battle Droid. The droid shivered a bit and shook out his arms once he was free. “Wow, you really are super strong, Mister Wrecker!” the droid said cheerfully. “I was worried you were gonna crush me there for a second!”

“Yeah, well I will if ya do anythin’ funny!” Wrecker replied, his face turned down into an intimidating scowl.

“Master Hannah says I’m unintentionally funny, so I can’t promise anything!”

Wrecker’s scowl turned into confusion, while Hannah could barely hold back her giggles.

In an effort to continue reassuring the others, Tech told them that even if the droid didn’t have his memory wiped, there was a very low chance he’d be any sort of a threat due to there not being any Droid Command ships in existence anymore. As far as Tech was concerned, the only commands the droid would follow now would be Hannah’s.

“I highly doubt Master Gildish would have even considered giving Hannah the droid if that weren’t true,” Tech continued. “He’s not a fool.”

Despite hearing that, Hunter and Echo’s expressions didn’t change, and they continued to look at the droid with pure hostility. Wrecker, however, seemed to be more curious at least. “You really helped Hannah clean this place up?” he asked the droid.

“I sure did!” the Battle Droid replied. “And I made drinks for those two over there.” He gestured to Bolo and Ketch, who raised their cups in acknowledgement. “I also made Master Hannah’s caf for her this morning and tidied up her bed before we came here. Oh, and I chased off a roach that was scaring her. She really hates bugs.”

Hannah nodded in agreement.

After studying the droid for another moment, Wrecker’s expression began to soften, and he gave the droid an approving nod. “Well, sounds like you’re takin’ care of her real good then. I’m still gonna be watchin’ you though!” 

“That’s fine! I don’t mind!” The droid adjusted his hat and stepped behind Wrecker to start wiping down one of the game tables, blissfully ignorant of any other glares he was getting.

Now that things had finally calmed down for the most part, Hannah felt more at ease letting the droid out of her sight. Up until then, she was constantly worried one of the boys would try and take the droid down at any moment. The tension in the room hadn’t been that high since the Pyke Syndicate showed up for Roland. But unlike then, Hannah had much more control over the situation and made sure nothing was going to happen if she had anything to do with it.

There were still a couple of problems that needed to be dealt with though.

“Well, that’s three down,” Hannah said as she approached the two still sitting at the bar. “Now it’s just you two that need to give him a chance.”

“Yeah, not happening,” Echo sternly replied. His brows were still turned down into an intense scowl, and it seemed like he might never uncross his arms ever again.

“Well, staying stubborn about it isn’t gonna do any good,” Hannah said with a huff. “You both just have to accept the fact that he isn’t a threat anymore, simple as that.”

“It’s not that simple,” Hunter stated, his own brows still furrowed into a deep scowl.

“I know, I know,” Hannah taunted while rolling her eyes. “You guys are still stuck on the whole grudge thing, I get it.”

Echo finally unfurled his arms as he stood up in front of Hannah. “No, I really don’t think you do! This isn’t just a grudge, Hannah. This is about having one of our mortal enemies just walkin’ around like it’s nothing!” 

“Mortal enemies?” Hannah could barely hold back a laugh. “Wooooow. You really know how to hold a grudge, don’t ya?”

Hunter now stood up as well, taking position next to Echo. “Don’t treat this like a joke, Hannah. It’s serious.”

“Oh, you think I’m not being serious?” Hannah retorted, firmly planting her hands on her hips. “Cause guess what, I’m very serious about defending my boy from all of you.”

“Your boy??” Neither Echo nor Hunter could believe what they were hearing and looked at Hannah in disbelief and disgust.

Then Hannah suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see the droid standing behind her expectantly. “All the tables are clean, master,” he said proudly. “Is there anything else I can do?”

“You could take a long walk,” Hunter commented under his breath, earning a harsh glance from Hannah.

Thinking about it, Hannah didn’t know of anything else that needed to be done in the parlor at the moment. The only thing she could think of was checking the refresher, especially since she might’ve made a little mess in there earlier from cleaning herself.

“Yeah, have Commander Clanker deal with the sewage,” Echo commented, not bothering to hide it like Hunter did. “It fits him better. Dumb droid...”

The hard glare Hannah gave him could’ve pierced through the walls. The droid, however, was ignorant to the insult and looked at Echo curiously. “Commander Clanker? Is that my name?”

“Absolutely not,” Hannah retorted. “’Clanker’ is a derogatory term, not a name.”

“Derogatory’s a bit extreme,” Hunter said, quirking an eyebrow.

Tech suddenly appeared near the group, startling Hannah enough to make her squeal. “Technically speaking, the term ‘clanker’ is a moniker we use for all droids, usually in a hostile manner. Therefore, yes, it would be classified as a derogatory term.”

The smug look on Hannah’s face made both Echo and Hunter groan and roll their eyes. 

Then Omega appeared near the group as well, thankfully not spooking Hannah as much. “How about just ‘Clank’, then? That’s not derogatory, is it?”

Hannah let out a sigh, then turned to the droid. “It’s up to him what he wants to be called. I’m not gonna pick a name for him unless he wants me to.”

The droid had been pondering ever since Omega spoke and let out a thoughtful hum. “Clank sounds nice!” he said cheerfully.

“Alright then,” Hannah responded with a giggle. “Clank it is!”

“Commander Clank!” The droid proudly proclaimed, planting his hands on his robotic hips confidently.

“Oh great,” Echo lamented, rolling his eyes.

The newly named Clank hummed thoughtfully again, then looked at Hunter. “Hey, if I’m a commander, then doesn’t that mean I actually outrank you, sergeant?”

The immediate silence from Hunter was downright petrifying. His brows practically fell into his eyes, and his face began to grow red with anger. “No,” he growled, staring down Clank with daggers in his eyes.

“Ahh, you’re probably right,” Clank responded, ignoring Hunter’s hostility. “It doesn’t matter anyway since Master Hannah is the highest authority here.”

Hannah tightly pursed her lips to keep from bursting out laughing, while Hunter’s face continued to grow redder.

Tech leaned down to Omega and said, “I think I’m beginning to see why she values the droid so much.” 

Omega could only nod in agreement.

Eventually, Clank decided to go check the refresher since he wasn’t doing much good just standing there anymore. And once he was gone, Hannah used that opportunity to confront Echo and Hunter about their bad attitudes. She didn’t appreciate how hostile they were being, nor did she think it was justified in any way. Clank hadn’t personally done anything bad to them, so it was unfair to lump him in with every other Battle Droid they’d encountered before. And he was genuinely trying to be helpful, which so far had been exactly what he was.

“And what if he isn’t?” Hunter asked, maintaining his stern composure. “What if something happens to trigger his old programming again?”

“Did you not hear Tech earlier?” Hannah responded. “That’s practically impossible. And besides, I happen to know a few guys who are really good at programming and could probably prevent that from ever happening.” She shot a glance over at Tech, who acknowledged her with a nod. “You’re worried for nothing, Hunter.”

“Well, do ya blame him?” Echo interjected. “Or are you still refusing to see it from our perspective?”

“I do see it from your perspective,” Hannah answered. “I’m clearly well aware of your history with those droids. But unlike you guys, I’m willing to give him a chance at a new life. It still feels like you’re just holding onto a grudge instead of moving on.”

Something inside Echo suddenly snapped. “It’s more than just a damn grudge!” Echo shouted so harshly, it startled Hannah a bit. “You don’t get it! Of course you can forgive him! You didn’t have to endure years of being shot at by them nearly every day! You didn’t have to worry about whether or not your shots were gonna be better than theirs! You didn’t have to watch your own squad, your brothers, get gunned down by them right in front of you!”

The look on Echo’s face as he ranted was devastating. There was anger in his voice, but it was bolstered by desperation. His eyes alone spoke more of the horrors he’d seen than his words did. Even his posture, which on the surface seemed proud, held a weight to it that Hannah could literally feel. Echo wasn’t just angry. He was hurt.

“You can try to defend him all you want,” Echo continued, an obvious hitch in his voice. “But nothing will change the fact that that droid was a killer. A killer who killed my brothers. And probably other innocent people too.”

There was nothing Hannah could say in retaliation to that. She already knew all of it, of course. But hearing it from Echo and enduring the pure pain he emitted nearly made her crumble to the floor. Her lip trembled from how upset she was, and she stared back at Echo silently, wishing there was a way to end the pain, for both of them.

“I... I did that?”

A voice from the hallway suddenly drew everyone’s attention. Standing in the doorway was Clank, cloth in hand, and looking at everyone curiously. But it wasn’t his usual curiousness. The tone of his voice alone gave away how despondent he was.

Nobody knew how to respond. It was like a dense fog had filled the room, silencing anyone who tried to speak. Hannah was absolutely grief-stricken and could only look at him as such.

Then the droid stepped a bit further into the room, towards Hannah. “Did... did I really kill innocent people, master?” His voice still held the same despondent yet curious tone, and he clutched the cloth in both hands against his chest innocently.

Hannah’s lip began to tremble more. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. The room remained silent.

Eventually, the one to finally speak up was Tech, who approached Clank with slight hesitancy. “We don’t know for certain the extent of your personal life before all this. It’s simply an assumption based on other droids of your model. Which we’ve had multiple encounters with on the battlefield.”

Clank took a moment to absorb Tech’s words before responding. “So... we weren’t allies then... we were...”

“Enemies,” Echo interjected, his tone still harsh as ever.

Like Echo, the droid’s posture spoke more than words could. His tall, lean frame slowly began to droop from the weight of what he’d heard. A soft, dejected sigh could be heard from him, and his head turned away solemnly.

“Clank...” Hannah approached him with glassy eyes and tenderly placed a hand on his shoulder. “I... I’m sorry... I didn’t wanna tell you...”

“It’s fine,” Clank replied, his tone matching the solemness of his posture. “I’ll just... be over here... if you need me...” Still slumped over, Clank dragged himself over to a corner of the room, sighing heavily once he got there, and drearily faced the wall, away from everyone.

Now more heart-broken than ever, Hannah slowly slouched onto one of the stools and clutched her hands to her face to hide her tears. It didn’t seem like things could get any worse.

She was wrong.

“Poor guy,” Omega lamented as she looked at Clank in the corner. “I feel bad for him.”

Without remorse, Echo promptly replied, “I don’t.”

That was the final straw for Hannah. Her chest began to heave out of pure anger, and her hands tightened into fists against her face. As bad as she felt for Echo before, it paled in comparison to her overall distress from the situation, especially now seeing Clank so upset. Plus, it was hard to feel bad for him while Echo was still being so hostile.

Hannah let out a harsh huff through her teeth and whipped her head in Echo’s direction. “Echo, I swear, if you don’t quit it, I’m gonna actually lose it.”

“Quit what?” Echo retorted. “Speaking my mind? Am I not allowed to do that anymore?”

“Not like that!” Hannah quickly got back on her feet to face Echo, her hands still balled into fists from anger. “You’re being a complete jerk!”

“Well, excuse me for not being sensitive about a kriffing droid!” Echo’s hand also balled into a fist from how angry he was, and he stared back at Hannah with the same hostility she had towards him now.

Hannah approached Echo in a way that almost made him think she was going to plow him down like a tank. Her voice was both desperate and enraged. “He’s not just a droid. He’s my droid. And if you can’t accept that, then there’s the door!!” She thrust a hand out towards the entry door before huffing in Echo’s face, then stomped away from him angrily. Echo remained where he was, but turned away from everyone with his arms crossed, clearly seething.

Once again, the tension in the room had risen to almost unbearable levels. Omega pleadingly looked between Tech and Wrecker, but neither of them knew what to say; plus, they knew better than to get involved. Hunter had different feelings on the matter though, and after a moment, he approached Hannah from behind.

“This isn’t going very well,” Hunter plainly said.

“Gee, thanks for the insight,” Hannah sarcastically replied with a scoff.

Hunter sighed before continuing. “You heard all that stuff Echo said. I dunno what ya expected.”

Hannah turned her face back just enough to catch Hunter in her peripheral sight. It was clear from her tone that she was on the verge of another outburst at any moment. “I expected you guys to at least try to act civil. But no, you went straight for the hostile route and never stopped.”

Against his better nature, Hunter decided to tread into dangerous waters with her. “You haven’t exactly been pleasant either, ya know.”

Hannah gave a look of disbelief and turned her face more towards Hunter. “Only because you two are being such jerks to Clank!”

“Hannah, he’s just a droid.”

If steam could’ve come out of Hannah’s ears, it would have. She angrily whipped around to face Hunter, her face quickly growing red. “He’s not just a droid! I’ll keep saying it until you guys get it into your stubborn heads! He is my droid. My. Droid. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to accept it. Period.”

Ever the level-headed one, Hunter maintained his calmer composure, but it was clear Hannah’s attitude was starting to aggravate him. “Does what Echo said not mean anything to you? I may not be as passionate about it as he is, but he’s not the only one who’s had to deal with those droids for the last few years.”

“I am well aware of that. And yet, Tech and Wrecker don’t seem to have as much of a problem as you and Echo do, for some reason. They’re at least trying, which is more than you two can say.” Hannah’s tone was downright condescending, and Hunter’s scowl deepened as a result.

“I’m just trying to keep everyone safe here,” Hunter responded, calmly but sternly. “And I can’t trust a droid who used to kill Clones for a living, even if his memories are gone. Especially around Omega.” He gestured to his little sister for emphasis.

Hannah stepped closer to Hunter, staring into his eyes with a harshness that would’ve instantly crumbled most others. “Do you really think I would be flippant about something like that? I’m just as committed to protecting this family as you are, Hunter. If anything, Clank can be extra protection now.”

Hunter’s eyes turned down into a harshness rivaling Hannah’s. “You are not givin’ that thing a blaster,” he said in a commanding tone.

“I will do whatever I want with my droid, thank you,” Hannah replied defiantly.

It was clear Hunter was slowly starting to lose his cool, and his chest began to heave in frustration.

“Do you remember what you said to me yesterday?” Hannah stepped even closer, only a hand’s length from Hunter now. “You wanted me to get someone to help me, yes? Well, there he is.” She gestured to the still moping Clank in the corner. “That droid is the exact answer you wanted for me. Probably even more than that. But you’re so stuck on your beliefs and worries that you can’t even see that.” She let out a scoff that almost sounded more like a chuckle. “Honestly? It almost feels like you’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” Hunter retorted, letting out a scoff of his own.

“You’re worried I’m gonna replace you with him, admit it.”

“What, that’s... you’re not attracted to him, are you?”

“No!! That’s not what I mean!”

“Well then don’t say things like that, good grief!”

Hannah stared at him silently in disbelief for a moment. “Why would you possibly even think that’s what I meant??”

“I don’t--” Hunter let out a long sigh through his nose and pinched the bridge of it. “Never mind, forget it. This whole thing is ridiculous...”

“Yeah, no kidding!” Hannah scoffed again and crossed her arms. “I feel like I’m back in the Prism Palace, fighting for my own freedom again!”

Hunter gave her a baffled look. “Seriously? Ok, now you’re overreacting.”

“Oh, I’m overreacting? Says the guy afraid of one little droid.”

“For good reason!”

“Really? Do you need to go back to Kamino and learn how to shoot again, sergeant?”

That finally got Hunter to break, and he shouted uncharacteristically. “Would ya quit with the attitude already? You’re just being ridiculous!”

“And you’re being a stubborn asshole!!”

And with that, Hannah gave one last angry huff before storming off into the hallway, towards the refresher. It almost sounded like she punched the button for the door before everything fell silent once again.

“Well, that really helped,” Echo sarcastically commented.

Hunter’s face twitched from how frustrated he was, and he turned back to Echo with a scowl rivaling the one he’d been giving Clank all day. “And I’m not the only stubborn asshole in the room right now.”

Like Hunter, Echo’s hostile scowl returned, and a growl erupted from his throat before he began angrily advancing on Hunter, hand balled into a fist.

That finally got the others to step in. Omega grabbed Hunter by the arm and pulled him back, while Wrecker straight up grappled Echo to keep him from attacking Hunter. And Tech planted himself in-between everyone as a human barrier, arms held out protectively.

None of them realized they were being watched.

“Huh...” Clank stood in the corner of the room, now facing out instead of towards the wall. He’d heard the whole conversation between Hannah and Hunter, and now seeing the scuffle breaking out between the Clones, he began to question his entire existence there. It was normal for families to fight, Omega had told him. But this was too much. Hannah seemed to want him there, sure. But he didn’t want to be a burden. He didn’t want to divide Hannah’s family. She’d been so kind to him, it only felt right to return that kindness. Even if that meant removing himself from her life entirely.

And so, in the midst of the commotion, Clank quietly headed for the door, intent on leaving. He took a brief look back at the Clones, who were too caught up in their fight to notice him. He remembered the holo-image in Hannah’s apartment and how happy they all looked together. Maybe they could be happy again once he was gone.

“Anything for my master,” he thought to himself, and then finally took his leave.

Droids couldn’t cry. It was debatable whether or not they could even be sad. But much like the metaphorical fog that had clouded the parlor earlier, a dreary gray cloud hung over Clank’s head as he left, raining invisible wet drops down his long, robotic face.

[next chapter]

[themovieblogonline]

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2: Who Redesigned The Boys’ Armour And Why? 

One of Star Wars' newest additions to their franchise is the animated The Bad Batch series. Season 1 continued the adventures of Clone Force 99, originally introduced in The Clone Wars season 7. The series focuses on how this group of Clones reacted to Order 66 and their place in the universe after the fact. While the change in status quo in the universe divided the elite group of clones, they also welcomed a new team member in Omega; a young girl who is a clone just like them. The Bad Batch season 2 premiere sees the team return, but with an entirely new look. And I have some thoughts about who possibly designed those new looks. And it’s pretty cute, if true. Disclaimer: Please note that the following will include spoilers for The Bad Batch season 2 premiere, episode 1 titled ‘Spoils Of War’. The Bad Batch Season 2 Premiere In the premiere of The Bad Batch season 2, we see the boys pick up where they spent most of season 1, doing jobs for Cid (Rhea Perlman). Last we saw them, the Batch, along with Omega, survived the destruction of Kamino and went off on their own, leaving behind Crosshair, who refused to join them. The season 2 premiere picks up on a lighter note, as the Bad Batch (all voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) are in a tight spot on a planet full of oversized crabs. We right away see just how far Omega has progressed in her training with the Squad from season 1, as she’s hanging off of the ship providing cover fire as the boys escape their outrageous predicament. She’s a complete badass! While still being an excitable kid. Omega’s (Michelle Ang) dynamic with the rest of the team is as cute as ever, but there’s one aspect of this season 2 premiere that might make their relationship even cuter! The Bad Batch: From Clone Wars To Their Own Show When the Bad Batch first appeared in the first four episodes of season 7 of The Clone Wars, they looked slightly different. Their armour began as an offshoot of the regulation Clone Trooper armour, with obvious modifications based on each of their unique skill sets. The armour was darker than the white clone trooper armour, with variations of dark grey with some red accents. Each member of the Bad Batch had their own modified helmet though. Wrecker’s was big and bulky with a menacing grimace paint job on it. Tech had a helmet that allowed him to see using his special goggles. Hunter and Crosshair had their own special helmets to take advantage of their skills. And when Echo joined them, his helmet had to accommodate for his cybernetic impacts on his head. But the Bad Batch season 2 premiere reveals even more changes to their armour. Changing Colours Has Thematic Implications In Bad Batch Season 2 Premiere The Bad Batch season 2 premiere shows a more colourful former Clone Force 99. The overall colour of their armour has changed. Instead of a uniform grey, the armour has more different colours throughout, with different areas in different colours. The colours vary from their grey to black, navy and even lighter greys throughout. On top of which, there’s also a lot of colourful paintwork on their helmets and accents throughout. Given how the Batch are now not just rogue Clone Troopers, but a team of their own, with no allegiance to anyone but themselves, the change in armour colour makes sense. It aligns with where the team was at the end of season 1. They were no longer a special team of Clone Troopers serving the Republic, but mercenaries, taking on jobs to survive. Their only loyalty is to their own. So the change in their armour colours symbolizes this shift in their ideals and philosophy. But it serves a practical purpose too. Given that the Clone Troopers and the future Stormtroopers who serve the Empire are always in all white, separating themselves as much as possible from them, lets others know that they are not part of the Empire. Who Redesigned The Bad Batch’s New Armour Colors? But the cutest thing about this redesign is who might have done it. Given everything we know about these characters, I don’t see Echo and Hunter sitting around deciding on what bright colours to add to their armour. Or Tech attempting to calculate which colour combinations best complement each other from a strategic standpoint. Wrecker, I can see absolutely doing all of this. But the most logical explanation is that this shift in a bright color palette is something that Omega suggested. The entire dynamic between Omega and the Bad Batch, specifically Hunter, is a very older brother-younger sister vibe, or even a father-daughter relationship. So it makes sense that the child of the group would recommend a fun and bright aesthetic for their previously dull and dark armour. But what’s even cuter, is that the boys totally accepted and went along with it. It’s just like how some kids will want to paint their father’s nails or do makeup, and the dads just accept and even get into it, for the sake of their daughter’s happiness. And just thinking that Omega might have excitedly wanted to update the boy’s armour, and they happily agreed is a bit of headcanon that enhances their relationship so much more to me. And also might show just how much she means to them. The Bad Batch season 2 premiere episode is now streaming on Disney+. Do you think Omega was responsible for the boys’ new looks? Or do you think it was for some other reason? Let me know in the comments below. Read the full article

[sageislostinspring]

the bad batch reacts to you going into labor

A/N - I decided to write this after getting inspired by my wifey, @kirinpl (ilysm)

Warnings: Pregnancy/child birth

Word count - 5.6k

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Tech

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When your water breaks, he wasn't even there. He and his brothers were finishing up a job Cid had sent them on. Meanwhile, you were with Omega and Cid, helping clean up the bar and talking about what you'll name the baby. As you were drying the cups you just cleaned, you felt a pop. There was a silent moment as you gave Cid an alarmed look before looking down, seeing the small clear liquid beneath you. Once Cid has gotten you into her office and is resting, she, with the help of Omega, decides to close up the parlor so you can have some privacy.  So when they get a call from Cid, the whole batch just hears your screams of pain and Omega yelling very loudly, "THE BABY IS COMING!"

Tech's heart drops the moment he hears you scream of pain and when Omega says the baby is coming, he kicks the ship into hyperdrive and takes a very short cut just to get back to you. In order to get them there safely, Hunter has Wrecker hold him in one place so he can try and calm down. Once Wrecker gets Tech to start talking with you, he'll say how sorry he is for not being there  and ask how far apart the contractions are. It doesn't help when the connection is lost. Tech is full of panic, as soon as the ship is landed, he is the first one off the ship. He ran even faster Crosshair and Echo combined. When he and the batch ran into Cid's parlor to see Omega running back into Cid's office with towels and water. Hunter quickly runs over to Omega to make sure she is alright and all the batch hears from her is, "I am never having kids."

Tech takes off his helmet and runs over into Cid's office, finding you hunched over and gripping onto the desk for dear life as you ride out another contraction. Tech rushes to your side, repeating how he is sorry he wasn't here when it started. He'll hold your hand tightly as he asks Cid of every detail of what has been happening during your labor. Tech is quick to order his brothers to gather all the blankets and towels they could find as he kindly thanks Omega for what she gathered beforehand. As he takes the blankets from his brothers, he starts to create a comfortable place on the couch for you to lay down. Once he is finished and has you resting, his nerves are still on edge. You can always tell by either the way he chews his lip or how his hands fidge to how fast he'll bounce his knees. After all the time you have spent with him, you have always noticed the little things he does. Like how whenever he gets too stressed with a project and can't seem to figure out the solution, he'll cry, or how when he is at a social event, he'll start to ramble on about facts of many different things around him because he is so nervous and he'll do say anything about everything just to strike a common interest with the person he is speaking to. So you take his hand and get him to look you in your eyes, you can see the tears slowly starting to slide down past his goggles, as you ask him to tell you what he has noticed about your guy's baby during your pregnancy.  He'll let out a soft hickey and sniffle before he smiles and begins to list everything he has noticed from when the first time you had morning sickness to how the baby kicked whenever they heard his voice. 

He remembers the very first time when the baby kicked. He was resting his head on your bump, listening to the baby move and you talk about your day. As he begins to talk about the key features of your favorite flower, the batch interrupts his adorable lecture as they walk back onto the ship. As Tech starts to try to get interested in the conversation, he feels a sharp yet gentle kick against his hand which causes you to stop laughing and him to fall silent as he stares at your bump in amazement. Hunter was able to sense the movement and is excited but is able to keep it hidden as he asks if they upset the baby from listening to Tech's lecture. Cue the rest of the batch wanting to feel the baby kick and you laughing as you agree with Hunter's statement, Tech is still speechless but is smiling brighter than ever. 

Once you get Tech's nerves to settle, he lets out one last sniffle before telling you how much he loves you to which you respond with a soft and tired laugh, stating that he stole the words out of your mouth. After Cid gets the batch cleared out of her office to go wait with Hunter who is comforting Omega in the parlor, Tech starts to follow every step he put in the birth plan you both created a few months ago. Every time a contraction would hit, Tech would get you to breathe with him through the pain. Keeping a towel over his shoulder so he can wipe away the sweat along the back of your neck and forehead, keeping you hydrated through the long hours and helping you walk around the parlor to help move things along faster. Tech and you are always laughing as you hear the batch's encouraging words and the occasional yells of "HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GONNA TAKE?!" or "DID YOU HAVE TH- OH YOU'RE JUST WALKING AGAIN, STOP MESSING WITH US!"

After a few hours, Cid grabs Tech to take over while she goes to get more water. While she is gone, Tech is the one to deliver your baby. When you give your final push and Tech catches the baby into his skilled hands, for the first time, he goes speechless. He takes off his goggles just to stare into your little one's eyes. Tech lets out silent sobs as he sits right next to you, holding the baby, taking in all their features. Like how they have your eyes and his nose along with his hair. He places them back onto your chest and wraps you in his arms, yours tiredly wrapping around his shoulders as you hold each other, taking in the moment together. Cid will come back and smile before going back to the rest of them saying that the baby is finally here. To which Omega runs into the room with the rest of the batch following in after her, eager to meet the baby.

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Wrecker

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When your water broke, it was during a mission. The team and you got separated while taking enemy fire. All you can think is why now of the times!? So after you climb up to the highest point and hide yourself in a corner, you make the call on the comm's. After hearing all of the batch sound off and call for you in the comm repeatedly, you decide to tell them the news. Oh boy, as soon as you say "My water broke, the baby is coming." You can only imagine how fast Wrecker reacted. "CYAR'IKA WHERE ARE YOU?!" Once Crosshair has got eyes on you, Wrecker takes off to you, throwing everyone who gets in his way of getting to his babies. He'll find the trail of your water and blood mixed leading him right to you. His heart hurts when he sees how much pain you are in but it melts as soon as you look up at him, although you had tears in yours eyes, and say "We're gonna meet our adi'ka's, cyar'ika'' He starts to tear up as he picks you up, holding you close to him as he starts to carry you back to the ship. "I know, cyar'ika. I can't wait to meet them too." 

Once he meets back up with the rest of the batch, while they are running, in Tech like fashion, Tech starts to ask you how far apart the contractions, what time did your water break, and many other questions. As you start to answer some of them, a huge wave of pain crashes over your body and you scream so loudly in pain, it makes Crosshair jump in surprise. You yell that the baby is coming now and cling tightly onto Wrecker, full on this man thought his arm might snap from how hard your grip was. 

Hunter and Omega are sent back to the ship to go gather supplies as Crosshair and Tech look for a comfortable place for you to rest. Echo and Wrecker trying their best to comfort you. Wrecker starts to feel very anxious and holds you even closer to his chest, all his problems he could usually punch and they'd be gone. But now that you are here in his arms and wailing in pain, knowing there is nothing he can do but hold you, it makes him feel weak. Echo would hold your other hand and he feels like crying as well, damn you got a very deadly grip on you. As Tech comes back to say they found a spot for you, Hunter and Omega come back with supplies. As Tech and Echo set up the spot hidden away from the reminder of the mission you were on, Wrecker sits down, holding you close as he helps you get as comfortable as you can. As you are kicking off your now soaked pants and underwear, you let out another scream in pain. Hunter decides it'll be better if he took Omega and himself to go help Crosshair with looking out. Although they aren't that far away from you. After a few hours and yelling, You throw your head back against Wrecker's shoulder as you push with all your might, Wrecker whispering sweet words and promises into your ear when all of the sudden, you hear the cries of your first born and soon after a minute, the second cries of your second born. Everyone is surprised and amazed, you had just given birth to twins. Wrecker quickly sits up with you, both eager to meet your babies after waiting for so long. 

As soon as Echo and Tech place them on your chest, you both break into soft sobs, smiling down at them as their tiny eyes peer up back at you. The whole batch was surprised to see tears falling down Wrecker's face as he looked at his family. Tech and Echo smile softly at each other, extremely tired but nowhere as tired as you were, and they quietly take pictures of you and Wrecker, capturing this moment of happiness to remind them what they are all fighting for. They both leave to tell Hunter, Crosshair, and Omega. Surprisingly, Crosshair is the most eager to meet the newborns. They all walk back in to be met with the sight of Wrecker cradling you in his arms as you cradling your babies even closer. Crosshair and Hunter's face dropping cause Tech and Echo failed to mention the fact that you had given birth to twins. Everyone is in tears, even Crosshair. Wrecker gently holding his babies in his arms, holding them with such a gentle touch and full of love. (ngl, he is holding them like he held that bomb in ep 8) Soon, everyone gets their turn at holding the little ones. Each one of them smiling and crying softly as they look down at their new members. Hunter kneels down alongside you and Wrecker as you hand Omega the babies gently so she can hold them. 

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Echo

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Echo was at your side every waking moment and no matter where you went, he was there to help you and check on you and the baby. When your water breaks, you are laying out on a rock, sun bathing, while watching Omega as she looks at her surroundings with such curiosity. 

Thankfully, you both had your comm's with you. All you could think of is Echo telling you "I told you so" after having spent hours trying to convince him to let you go walk with Omega, promising to take it easy. As you call Omega to your side and begin walking back, you comm in to let them what was happening. Unfortunately, as you start to say that your water broke, the intense pain of a contraction crashes down on you and you let out a loud scream in pain. Poor Omega is so scared and she uses to hers to tell them that your water broke. Echo is out the door faster than light, Tech was impressed and made a mental note to run some tests relating to the subject. The rest of the batch follow after him shortly after, Tech stays behind to fire up the ship so they can get you to the nearest hospital.

Echo laughs softly and starts to tear up when reality hits him that this is happening, you both are going to have a baby, a child you both created. Despite his slender frame, he is very strong so he is quick to scoop you up into his arms as they all make it as fast as they can back to the ship.

 They all find you when Hunter catches the scent of blood, all of them are very surprised when they see you, sitting up against a rock, talking to Omega to help comfort her and telling her stories to help ignore the pain. Echo is by your side instantly and helps you to your feet, asking how you are feeling and how far apart the contractions are. Everyone is extremely surprised at how calm you are despite seeing the way your face will contort from the extreme waves of pain. All you say is how much you can't wait to meet your baby, his and yours, and saying how they'll have his eyes and your hair. 

Once everyone is back on the ship, Tech takes off, having called in ahead of time to get a room for you ready. Echo gently holding you and letting him squeeze the life out of his arms as each contraction hit. You would laugh and continue to tell stories about missions and fairytales you heard when you were a baby to Omega to help her stay calm, mostly doing it for the whole batch really.

When you finally get into your room, the labor lasts for hours and it breaks his heart seeing you go through such pain. He'd be with you throughout the whole process. He'd help you walk around the room and to the waiting room where the batch would be, he'd hold your hands as you use a yoga ball to help release the pain, stress, and help the baby come sooner.

After long hours of labor, at midnight during a full moon, you and Echo welcome your baby into the world. As soon as their cries fill the room, through all the sweat and tears, you let out soft tears of joy and smile as you stare down at your creation. Echo is in complete tears as he looks at you both, his family. 

You basically end up placing the baby in his arms when he isn't expecting it but at the same time is. But as soon as his s/o places them in his arm, he would be a pro at holding his baby and he'd just be smiling as he stares into his little ones eyes. Echo places his baby gently back into your arms before leaving to tell the batch. Soon you hear the sound of thundering footsteps and are met with the sight of Omega and Wrecker along with the rest of the batch eager to meet the newest member to their family. After everyone has their turn of holding the baby, you notice something interesting about your newborn, they were born 5 pounds and 55 ounces. 

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Crosshair

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It was a cozy morning, you and Crosshair were curled up together, under the blankets. Only the soft grey light enters into your bedroom through your window. The sounds of thunder and rain could be heard from your window. Crosshair used to hate the sound of rain because of his past but now with you in his arms, he loved the sound and he was about to have another reason to love it more very soon. His hand gently rubbing under your huge bump, you were both anxious. Just waiting for the second for you to pop and finally get to see your child. Crosshair slowly untangled his long legs from yours as he got up to go make you tea, only stopping himself to give you and your bump a kiss, before putting on a pair of sweatpants and a tank top to leave your shared bedroom. 

As he was on his way down the stairs, he noticed Hunter running up carrying towels. It doesn't take him long to figure it out and runs back upstairs, bursting into the room to see you standing up, gripping the doorframe leading into your bathroom for dear life. Under your feet is a clear puddle. He is by your side faster than a split second and the moment he reaches your side, there is a loud thunder crash in the distance, gently holding you as you let out a soft yelp of pain as you feel the waves of contractions start to get more painful. Hunter hands you a towel before nodding to Crosshair who tells him where the go bags are. It took a lot of convincing to let Crosshair feel comfortable with you going to have your babies in a hospital but after listening very closely to Tech's research, he had finally agreed and packed two go bags for when the time came. Crosshair quickly helps you get dressed and down the stairs, getting the bags from Hunter before asking him to get the ship ready. 

Crosshair helps you down the rest of the stairs, the house is full of life. Omega and the rest of the men look very confused as they see Hunter run out the door, until all their eyes land on you as you hold a towel gently between your legs, taking deep breaths as Crosshair helps you stand up. Omega and Wrecker getting excited as they ask is it time, to which you'll smile and nod before your face grimaces from the new way of pain, you cling tightly to Crosshair's upper back as you try to ride out the pain, biting back your scream so you don't scare Omega. Echo and Wrecker are quick to go help Hunter get the ship ready, while Tech sticks close to you and Crosshair, asking questions so he can inform the nurses and doctors as much as he can on your behalf. Crosshair may look calm and collected on the outside, hell he may still have his resting bitch face he wears every day, but when you look into his eyes. He is so scared and worried, is a complete mess, he's worried about you, the baby, how he'll be as a father. All it takes is for you to put your hand on the side of his face and smile, saying that he'll be the best father and you'll be alright. To him, physical and verbal affection is very important to him so this gesture will help soothe his anxieties for a while. 

The storm outside slightly grows stronger with every contraction hitting you. Once the ship is ready, everyone piles in. As you lay on one of the bunks, leaning against Crosshair's chest, you start to tell stories about your family to Omega to help soothe her. One thing that peaks everyone's interest is when you mention the fact that every child that was born into your family, always had a great storm that always began when it came close to when the water breaks and always ended when the baby was born. The louder the thunder crashes always meant that the baby would be strong and smart, the more it rained always meant that the baby would have a strong connection to emotions and observing, if there was an equal amount of both the higher the chances of the baby being gentle, strong, and a natural born leader or there would be twins. When you finish explaining that fact to the batch, there is a loud sound of thunder, you let out a scream of pain as a stronger sensation of pain hits you. This peaks Tech's interest and he starts to take notes, timing every moment a contraction hits and when they would hear thunder. 

When you arrive, Crosshair is quick to pick you up and carry you into the hospital, Tech running in with you so he can relay the information to the nurse checking you into a room. As soon as you get placed into a room, you can already tell that Crosshair hates the idea. From how cold it feels to the smell of how clean the hallways are, it's too clean. All those thoughts get pushed to the back of his head when you cry out in pain, followed shortly by a loud thunder and rain growing stronger. Crosshair is quick to be by your side, softly holding your hips as you hold onto his biceps, gently swaying yourself side to side to help ease up the pain and further the process. Not long after you get into your room and change into a gown, Hunter comes in with your bags. Shortly following after him, is the rest of the batch and Tech talking with the nurse, who is at this point probably annoyed by his random facts about natural births. Echo would be a total sweetheart, always making sure to get you towels and water, while Wrecker and Omega went on snack runs to see where to find the best food, if there was any. Hunter would sure to keep Wrecker and Omega in check, always getting them to calm down so they don't overwhelm you. Tech would be conducting his experiment while asking you about your family history, finding it very fasticating to witness a birth like this. 

Crosshair would be holding your hand the entire time, would come very close to snapping at the nurses and doctor when they say they can't start helping you until you are dilated. Crosshair doesn't leave your side at all, he is always there, helping you try to take your mind off the pain by taking you on walks up and down the hallway, swaying with you as the storm grows stronger, he even helps you back and forth from the bathroom. He'll kiss your forehead as he whispers about how close he is to hitting anyone who tells you to wait longer and how much he loves you. When the time comes, Hunter gets everyone out of the room so it can be just the two of you, the nurses, and doctor. 

The storm grows stronger with every push you give, the emergency lights kicking on about halfway through. Crosshair keeps cleaning off the sweat on your forehead and whispers soft words of encouragement to help you keep going. When you let out your final scream followed by a loud crash of thunder, your baby's cries are all that is heard. Crosshair is so quick to get to his baby and as he cuts the cord, he stares into his little one's eyes. He gently sits down next to you as he places the newborn onto your chest. Tech is the first one to burst into the room, asking if the baby is here due to the sudden end of the storm. Hunter and Echo are right behind him, ready to go to pull him back when all three of them see the infant on your chest. Wrecker and Omega walk in soon after, stopping in place right next to the rest of the batch. You let out an exhausted chuckle as your tired eyes look from the group of amazed faces back down to your baby. 

Crosshair lays down next to you on the bed, his arm around your shoulder as he gently rubs his baby's head. When one of the nurses walk back in to take the baby to be examined, Crosshair does not hesitant to bring out his knife while holding you and the baby as he just stares deep into the poor nurse's soul, all she did was ask for the baby because they have to make sure they're healthy.

"Crosshair, they have to make sure our ad'ika is fine" "Over my dead body, Tech can do it"

As Crosshair looks over at your messy hair, sweaty forehead, and tired eyes, it amazes him to see that after hours of pain, you still manage to have a smile on your face. Crosshair brings you in close as he holds you and the baby in his arms, like someone will tear you apart from each other, and whispers how much he loves you.

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Hunter

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Hunter suddenly woke up from his deep sleep and looked around your bedroom, something in his senses had awoken him but he couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly. He looks down to see you peacefully sleep, your head laying on top of his chest, listening to his heart beat. His warm brown eyes smile down at you and his hand gently rubs your cheek before gliding down to rest on your large bump that was pushed up against his side, he chuckled as he felt his baby kick his hand in response to their father's hand. As he is laying back down, you start to slowly wake up and curl up closer to him. 

Hunter tries to make you fall back asleep but you say with your voice full of sleep that you want to talk with him. It was rare for you two to sit and talk alone in silence. He decides to let you stay up and is still not fully sure why he was awakened so suddenly. As the two of you talk about how excited you both are about meeting your newborn, introducing them to Omega and the batch, and spending time together. You, Hunter, Omega, and your newborn. Right as Hunter places a soft kiss on your lips, he senses why he woke up. Your water is about to break and you were having very soft contractions that were about to get worse. Right as you ask Hunter what is wrong as he sits up, holding you in his arms, you feel a pop and water leaking down your legs. 

He is quick to act and carefully lifts you out of bed, carrying you into the bathroom. After he helps you clean yourself up and get dressed comfortably, he is quick to get Tech and Echo up. As he fills in what is happening to them, Tech reassures him it'll take hours before you are ready to start giving birth and that he needs to stay by your side for the time being. As Tech and Echo start to get up, Crosshair leans against the doorway asking what is happening. As soon as Crosshair is over, so is Wrecker and Omega. As Hunter explains to them what is happening, Omega's once sleep-ridden eyes are now full of excitement and it doesn't take her long to run over to your bedroom to see you. 

As Tech and Hunter walk into your bedroom, they are met with the sight of you and Omega talking. Omega's hand gently resting on your bump, your hand resting on top of hers, to feel the baby kicking. Tech takes notes about the time your water broke and how far apart the contractions are as Hunter changes to sheets. As Omega runs off with Tech to help make sure all the go bags are ready for when they go to the hospital. Hunter slowly walks over to you and places his hand on your bump while his other rests on the back of your head, pressing his forehead against yours as he looks from your eyes to your large bump. He'll smile and laugh as you say how the baby is going to love him the most. 

Hunter knows how good of a mother you'll be just by seeing how well you interact with Omega, from playing games of holochess with her to always buying things you know she'll love. He has seen how close you two have gotten to each other. His heart always melted when he heard you call Omega, my ka'ra, and Omega call you, buir. One of his favorite memories by far was when you taught Omega to swim while he and his brothers were out getting supplies. He remembers that day very clearly, the sounds of your's and Omega's laughter as you swam backwards away from her, egging on Omega to catch you. One of his favorite memories was when you decided to teach Omega how to braid hair on others and herself, letting her do some braids in your hair as it got longer due to your pregnancy and getting Hunter to sit still long enough for you and Omega to braid his. The final one you both chuckle about together as you both sway back and forth holding each other close was when the batch decided to have a movie night, it was actually a week ago from today when Omega fall asleep curled up between you and Hunter, gently holding onto your hand as she let out soft snoozes. You were snuggling up against Hunter, passed out, with one arm wrapped protectively over Omega's sleeping form and resting against Hunter's side while gently holding Omega's hand with your other arm. Tech had gotten a few pictures from that night and everyone in the batch agreed that the one with the three of you, soon to be four, was the best one of the night.

Hunter places a gentle kiss on your forehead as he holds you against him, the weight of guilt starting to weigh heavy on his shoulder as his senses pick up how much pain you are in. As you let out a very shaky breath, you give him a gentle smile as you tell him how he is going to be such a great father to your children and how excited Omega will be to have some siblings. This helps soothe some of Hunter's nerves. He worries about how he will mess something up or be too tough on his kids like he was in the beginning with Omega back on Saleucami. Soon that all changes when it comes time for you to start pushing. Hunter will try his best to not black out from overstimulation. From your cries of pain to the overbearing smell of bleach and other cleaning products, it takes almost all of Hunter's strength to not pass out. As dawn starts to break the night sky, the cries of your baby fills the room. Of all the things that have brought pain to Hunter's sensitive ears, this sound brought him so much joy and love. 

When his eyes meet his newborn's, all his worries are destroyed and all that matters is that moment you place your baby into his arms. Everything in the world seems to stop as Hunter's eyes scan over the small and delicate infant in his arms. Hunter's heart and walls all melt away when his finger is trapped in the tiny grip of his baby's hand. Tears sliding down his face faster as he realizes that his baby, a baby that was created with someone who loves all of him and Omega for who they are, is in his arms. All his life, he only knew war and fighting to survive. He always thought that settling down and having a family of his own would be a distant dream but now, his dreams are coming true. When Hunter places the baby back into your arms and sits in the chair he had pulled over to be close to you both, overstimulation catches up to him and he passes out for almost an hour.

Hunter slowly wakes up to hear the gentle melody of your voice singing a lullaby to your baby, who is now sleeping peacefully on your chest. Once he is awake and alert to his surroundings again, he finally decides it is time for Omega and his brothers to meet the newest member of the batch. Turning the corner into the waiting room, Hunter is met with the sight of Omega drawing small markings onto Crosshair's knife, Wrecker pacing around the room, Tech and Echo talking, something along the lines of color from what Hunter could hear. Omega is the first to notice Hunter and runs over to him, asking how you and the baby are. The rest of the batch are quick to follow Omega over to their brother to hear the news. Hunter laughs at how eager they all are to meet the infant. Once everyone has made it back to the room, you call Omega over to your side. As she climbs up onto the bed with you, Hunter sits next to her and smiles as she is introduced to her sibling. At this moment, Hunter realized that he had the perfect family. He had his brothers who were all tearing up at the moment happening in front of them. He had you gently cradling Omega close to you as she held her younger sibling in her arms, promising them that she'd be the best older sister she could for them.

[ollovae3]

OC Personality Sheet / Tag Game

Rules: Copy and paste these questions and make your own post, please do not add onto this one, it’ll get too long too fast. Mahalo. Then tag some of your friends to let them know you’d like to hear more about their OCs! (original by @queen-breha-organa )

I was tagged by Ivy, @gruvu, and @mostlyvoidsometimesstars!!

Name: Bu’ycyar Cerar

Pronouns: She/her

Nickname: Bee, Umaan’ika, Uj’ika

One Word To Sum Them Up: Confident

Noun to Describe Them: Anchor

Temperament: Calm

MBTI Type: ISFJ

Enneagram Type: 1w9

Other’s First Impression of Them: Cold, intimidating, threatening, focused, quiet, honorable, honest, and vicious.

General Likes: Art, hunting (bounties and food), food from home, and making people proud of her or impressed.

General Dislikes: Arrogance, denting her armor, others assuming she understands what they’re implying, and having to be entirely still.

Romantic Status:

Arc 1: Single, but crushing.

Arc 2: Recovering relationship, tentatively dating.

Arc 3: Stable dating relationship.

TBoBF: Married

Love Interest(s): 

Exes: Aloryc (Abusive, bad breakup)

Current: Boba Fett (Rivals-to-lovers)

Good Friend(s): Esme, a fellow Mando and friend from home (guess who??? Forgot to tag?? 💀 So sorry @oddityhag 😭); Boba, her partner, friend, and lover.

Enemy: Aloryc, Ori’copaad.

Hobbies: Drawing, painting, studying news/new hunting research, and studying ancient history.

Songs They Relate To: Keep The Wolves Away by Uncle Lucius, Hayloft II by Mother Mother, Bayou by Mountains Of The Moon, and Devana by Jan Janko Močnik.

Fictional Characters Similar To Their Personality: Eowyn, Sansa, Tauriel, and/or Susan Pevensie

Fun Fact: Loves learning, but not being taught. Giving her something related to a current hyperfixation or special interest will have her disappearing for as long as possible, or playing it on her helmet while fixing things on the ship. Also has a 12y.o. tooka cat named Alor’ika, a brown tabby.

Free Space/Ramble: Her family is similar to mine, so don’t get too close or they’ll adopt you. Her dad may have nearly shot Boba twice (thought he was a kidnapper first since she never brought partners home, then again because he broke her heart after Arc 1), but he’s good with him now?? Her mom is both an amazing cook and an amazing “tech-witch” for the clan! Also, Bee technically has kinda bad eyesight, but she’s got a prescription visor and goggles/glasses if she knows she needs them (usually at home). She and her kih’vod are… strained, but she’s polite and still helps if she needs it. Hmm…. She’s also got some semi-religious, semi-ethnic, tattoos, which need a redesign but are attached to her sect of Mando religion and her clan’s culture!

Tags: Not sure if y’all did these already since my notifs are terrible and I’ve been away? But if you’re game or have another OC to use this for: @singsofecho  @brekkie-e @milfdindjarin @arcjesse

[kimageddon]

Star Wars Fics

I was challenged by @ashotofspotchka . So I did it.

The Prompt

Made this a Tech x Reader fic. I got inspired. And became a bit longer that intended.

I heard y'like Tech?? @eyecandyeoz @fallenrepublick (tag a fan!)

The Wedding

Well this was a right mess to be in. How had you even gotten into this situation? Oh of course… Cid. As much as you admired her, she was a tricky one. If not for her you would have never been invited to her salon, nor would you have met the most frustrating band of men you’d encountered. And their adorable little sister of course.

Had you not taken that job with them a few months ago, you would not have gotten to know them so well. Not been put in so many ridiculous situations and nearly losing your head. You wouldn’t have that new scar across your thigh… and you wouldn’t have grown to like them so much.

Damn it. Your mentor always told you not to get too attached to people, one never knew when they would find each other on opposite sides of the field so to speak. Casual acquaintances were one thing. Friendship was not a good idea. Anything more was downright dangerous. You told yourself it was alright to have a little affection for them. That it was alright to laugh and make jokes, to share a meal with them, to make them smile. That was alright… wasn’t it?

You let out a sigh wishing the ceremony would soon be over. Not that it wasn’t lovely. Of course it was. The venue was beautifully decorated, from the flowers to the guests, everything was stunning. A perfect picture of romance and love and devotion.

You usually detested weddings. There was one incident when you were young and… well it spoiled the idea of them to you. Though this was… actually rather nice. The group, you included, were tasked with providing security for the wedding as a favour to one of Cid’s associates. It was one of the more ridiculous missions… though even you had to admit, you cleaned up alright in a silken dress and heels. It had been a while since you’d had to go undercover and this was… well it was rather fun.

The downside of course had been seeing the boys in their suits. It wasn’t good for your heart. If they looked a picture of badass intimidation in full armour, then the five of them in suits were just perfect.

Hunter even had his hair swept back, though it took you a second to recognise him without the bandana. Wrecker had been a little grumbly about feeling unprotected but was very pleased when you told him he was very handsome. Crosshair had rolled his eyes at first, but gotten very offended when you snatched his toothpick from his lips. Echo had a moment when he was finally dressed. You’d been tying his bowtie when he’d let out a little huff and gave a small smile, saying he “felt human again.” Your heart broke at these words because even with his brothers he still felt… lesser. You had been quick to assure him that he was more human than anyone you knew and that the prosthetics meant nothing on that. Seeing him puff up with pride again was worth nearly getting shot last week.

Even Omega had a pretty dress on and flats tied to her ankles with ribbons. You and she had picked a dress to match Hunter’s suit specifically, she looked up to her big brother so very much, you often thought he was more like a father really, but kept these thoughts to yourself for now.

The last one to join you was the one that affected you the most of course. Tech stepped out onto the landing platform looking like a million credits and like he should have a hot woman on each arm. Like he could make any woman swoon with just a wink.

Hot damn.

Of course he would not do such a thing, and was just looking around, observing the surroundings for possible points of attack, vulnerability and in general taking in the surroundings. As you were also meant be doing. Internally you swore and after drinking in his obliviously gorgeous self, you’d returned to praising the way Omega had pinned her hair without needing your help.

Tech had of course been one of the members of the self-proclaimed ‘Bad Batch’ that you had found the most interesting. He always knew at least five facts about the planet or target or mission that the others didn’t. Always reading, always observing. His eyes behind his goggles were never still. One could think him cold if they didn’t look close enough. But he had a deep passion for knowledge, for technology… its no wonder he had chosen such a name. Practical. To the point. You liked that about him. You like quite a bit about him as you recently discovered. The way he could fix anything. The way his eyes lit up when he talked about learning new things. The way he was so damn efficient at his job, he knew the Havoc Marauder inside and out. The little smile when the two of you shared an inside joke. Or the way he rolled his eyes whenever one of his brothers exasperated him. The way he was always right there to help Omega over large stones or down the stairs of the ship. He was so thoughtful like that, despite not really talking about it.

Actually no. No, you didn't like that. It was just positive observations. That’s all. He was a colleague… maybe a friend. Maybe. There was nothing more to it, you told yourself. There wasn’t anything meant in the little brushes of your fingers when you two passed items between each other. Or passed in the hold of the ship. Or when you were squashed together when hiding from Imps. He didn’t think like that. Right?

Currently, you were standing on one side of the large room, waiting for the bride to arrive. On one side were you, Hunter and Crosshair, standing alongside the pews. On the other, was Omega, Echo, Wrecker and Tech. You wished Tech was on your side of the room, then he wouldn’t be in your vision at least. Not that it meant anything! You were allowed to admire the handsome technician of course, but that's all it was. He certainly wasn’t looking back at you every minute or so either. You were probably imagining it. You had to keep your eyes out for any breaches in security. Any guests acting strange. Certainly not staring at the drop-dead gorgeous clone in glasses across from you.

“Feeling alright, Feisty?” Hunter asked in a low whisper. You smirked at the nickname, apparently you had made an impression on them in the first mission when the client had gotten too mouthy. “Your heart rate is higher than usual.” He added, and you could hear definite amusement in his tone.

You pursed your lips together, trying not to smile from embarrassment. “I’m fine Hunter.” You replied out of the corner of your mouth. Another sweep of the venue with your eyes-- oh kriff Tech was looking your way. Your eyes met for just a second before you tore them away. You heard Hunter chuckle.

“You sure?” He muttered, folding his arms,

“Shut up, Hunter.” You retorted with a soft huff. He chuckled again and you felt your face grow hot. By the nine moons of Endor you wanted to run. It was then the music began and you steeled yourself. The ceremony was beginning.

It was lovely, really. Very sweet, lovely and romantic. The Togruta and his Twi’lek bride seemed very in love if the look on the groom's face was to be believed. He practically lit up like a beacon on seeing her. You had the brief thought... would anyone do that for you? Before immediately pushing it away. Those sorts of thoughts were dangerous. You were sure that it was going to be boring… but you couldn’t help but get a little distracted when they began to say their vows.

“...my darling. There is so much I want to say to you. So much I have felt and left unsaid, I am sure you know just how I feel just by the way I look at you.”

Your eyes instinctively flicked to the otherside of the room. You glimpsed his eyes on you and was immediately caught in the depths of his soft brown eyes. The gentle and kind look you had seen many times, but thought nothing of. He was just kind, that’s who he was. In this moment though-- you were sure there was… a little more to it.

“...It was not easy to let myself open up… to bring myself to acknowledge my feelings but in one moment I knew they were endless and unrelenting. I love you from the depth of my soul and I never want to be apart from you…”

Oh hells… these vows were so saccharine sweet that normally you would be gagging… but these ones hit a little too close to home. You couldn’t stop your eyes from being tugged toward the suited clone trooper opposite you, no matter how you forced them away, to scan the room for danger, they were always drawn back to him. Always him.

“...When I met you you were just so wild. Such a firecracker…!”

There was a laugh across the room and you almost jumped, reminding yourself you were in a crowd. Though none of them paid attention to you. Only one.

“...It was like seeing the sun for the first time, with you in my world colours were brighter, food was sweeter, I found myself longing for times when we could be together, even in the small moments…”

You recalled the times Tech and yourself had been together, doing maintenance, repairs, listening to the music through the entertainment channels. The little laughs, the simple things.

“...not everything was easy, and there has been so much danger…”

You remembered your last serious injury, the piece of twisted metal sticking out of your leg while you hauled ass back to the ship, firing behind you to cover the boys. The way Tech’s eyes had become as big as moons when you finally collapsed, and they saw how bad the injury was.

“... but I always trusted you to get me through anything. I love you, my darling. With all my heart, and soul and with every beat of my heart and breath in my body. I will be yours even after all the stars in the galaxy burn out.”

You had been unable to tear your gaze from Tech’s for the last minute or so and you could feel your face burn. It was only when the vows were done and the bride and groom kissed, their hands wrapped together in a red ribbon and the other guests clapped in support that you snapped out of your little reverie. You joined, half-heartedly in the applause but you felt… strange. You really wanted this mission to be over. Or a drink. Yeah, a drink would be good.