#captain jek

[mwolf0epsilon]

Even more additions to the previous posts (Part 1, Part 2) because @lost-on-kamino is as equally evil as I am and I love them for it.

Whatever is causing the changes acts like a virus in how it spreads, but behaves far too precisely and intelligently to be a mere disease. It's not only very targeted but also seems to have a set of specific rules (not easy to figure out ones, but there are noticeable pattern in how it decides what to change the clones into). An example of this is that nearly all of the 104th troopers turn into Kel Dor, but one clone stands out... That being Wolffe who becomes a Dathomirian because his negative experience with Ventress largely outweighs the positive impact Plo Koon has had on his life. This means that the clones either become a species that has helped them in a very influential way, or that has helped traumatize them horrendously (which makes Dogma turning into a Besalisk and Tango Squad becoming Geonosians make much more sense in hindsight).

Fox's reason for becoming an Amaran becomes a bit of a mystery, since he doesn't even recall how his escort job with the Amaran Representative of Naboo went. He was swamped with work at the time and the interaction slipped his mind completely. In contrast, Thire's interactions with Mas Amedda are largely negative, Senator Chuchi has always been polite in Thorn's opinion, Jek's past interaction with Yoda was largely positive, Hound's encounter with a Shistavanen was relatively positive in his opinion (it was a nice stall vendor who offered him and Grizzer some food), and Stone REALLY doesn't want to talk about dealing with Representative Binks thank you very much...

There has to be a goal to why the clones are being changed. That much the Jedi figure out, since all of this seems very purposeful. Especially in the way the changes are triggered and the species selected. Trauma and Healing/Growth are very specific conditions. Is the culprit behind all this perhaps trying to tell them something? And if so, then what exactly and why?

[doodlesaresketcheswithnoodles]

wasn't gonna post these, but since it will be a while before I can draw for myself again, here's the coloured sketches of the next SW illustrations I'd prepped up, this time random moments set during the Clone Wars

[itzshrike]

Okay okay we already got tales of the Jedi and are getting tales of the empire but are we forgetting something? 🤨

[mearchy]

The Red Flag Blues - Chapter 1 

(Part 1 of A Red Sun Rising)

Rating: M

Words: 1/11 Chapters, 4.6k words

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Bombing, Violence, Suicide, Police Brutality

Relationships: CC-2224 | Cody & CC-1010 | Fox, Original Clone Trooper Character & Original Clone Trooper Character, CC-1010 | Fox/Clone Commander Thorn, CC-5869 | Stone & Clone Commander Thorn, Minor or Background Relationship(s)

Most Relevant Additional Tags: Deep Dive/Worldbuilding, Coruscant Guard, Enemies to Friends, Fox Is Not A Good Person (genuinely) But He's Trying, Minor CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi, Clone Commander Thorn is So Done, Mandalorian Clone Troopers, Manipulative Sheev Palpatine

Summary:

While on leave on Coruscant, a squad from the 212th battalion is given a straightforward mission - to help track down a Navy officer gone MIA. But everything is not as it seems in the Republic capitol. As he and his men race against the clock to find the officer and secure the valuable intelligence secrets he carries, Marshall Commander Cody becomes increasingly tangled in the obscure politics of the ignominious Coruscant Guard. What they discover about each other will challenge everything they've come to believe about themselves and the war they're fighting - and perhaps, will alter its course irrevocably.

My notes: I’ve been working on this on and off for two-ish years and the fact that I’ve finally got enough nailed down to feel comfortable putting the first chapter up is WILD. Anyway, this is a pretentious depression slurry as well as an opportunity for me to do some worldbuilding and psychological deep dives. It’s definitely heavy angst, but not quite the kind of CG whump that I think pulls fandom hits. I’m still having faith there are a couple kindred nerds out there who want to read something like this. This fic will not be abandoned (a lot is already written) but I make no promises about regular updates.

[thecoffeelorian]

Every Question that TBB Never Answered In Canon!

Every Question I Now Have To Answer In Fanfiction!

Season 1

Why did the others accept Crosshair's 'turn' without question?

Where, when, and from whom did Omega learn how to handle a blaster?

Why was Crosshair only 'kinda' missed?

Where did the Lawquanes disappear to after Saleucami?

Why did they start giving away Crosshair's belongings ages before he supposedly quit?

Why did nobody run the concussion protocols on Wrecker immediately, if at all?

Why, if the chips were THAT dangerous, did no one insist on confirming that Omega didn't secretly also have one?

Furthermore, why trust a person's word alone on anything, when liars can and do exist in Star Wars (cough CID cough)?

Why didn't Hunter tell Rex immediately that Crosshair needed help?

Why didn't Omega's energy bow have a stun setting?

Why didn't Hunter think to use the kill setting for Cad Bane?

Why didn't Omega ever find out that Tech was testing her without her consent?

Why did the squad think Hera Syndulla was hallucinating the Empire's threat level?

Why/How did Omega know how to fix the Marauder despite never seeing anyone else do it?

Why/How did Omega learn how to swim despite never going outside back on Kamino?

Why was Omega suddenly able to lift solid durasteel beams despite having average preteen strength?

Why didn't Omega tell the others about the secret entrance back into Kamino at the very beginning?

Why did nobody press Crosshair for more information about his chip removal?

Why did nobody mention whether or not Crosshair had a chip removal scar?

And finally, why was the squad able to retrieve literally everything from pets to people for credits, but not get a trapped sibling away from Imperials with torture machines?

[sashketter]

Preparing for Tantiss

Summary: While the Bad Batch acquire the coordinates to Tantiss, Rex prepares a ragtag team of familiar faces to follow him to the Imperial base.

Word count: 1.3K

Warnings: A hint of Rexiyo; a smidge, a sampling, an infinitesimal iota, if you will 😊

Notes: I’ve been saying for awhile that the "cavalry" in The Bad Batch finale might not just be clones, but it occurred to me only today to write it tf down, the last two episodes be damned lol This takes place during season 3 episode 13 of The Bad Batch, "Into the Breach." Look to the tags for the “familiar faces” - the cast is too long to list here. I wrote this in a rush, but it builds off some ideas I'm using for a series about Riyo Chuchi and the Clone Underground, specifically using Orto Plutonia as a base and the working relationship between Rex and Riyo.

“Careful with those proton torpedoes!”

“Don’t scratch my ship! I don’t care how well the Republic—"

“Father! Can I show Jek ze fighters?”

The small airbase on Orto Plutonia had proven more useful than Rex could have imagined. Clearing an area large enough to host more than half a dozen starships was a challenge, but the clones and the Talz braved extreme snowstorms in record time. Fortune seemed to smile on them today as the sky cleared and the wind calmed to a whisper. Ready the fleet, the breeze seemed to say. All the ships had spilled out of the hangar and into the open air, everyone enjoying the rare bout of good weather. Rex watches the fruits of his quick and dangerous labor from the edge of the field.

“Transmission from Pantora, sir.” A clone hands Rex a holoprojector, and Riyo Chuchi flickers in his palm.

“How are preparations coming along, captain?” Riyo learned to dispense with pleasantries when it came to Rex and his missions.

“Very well, senator.” Rex learned to keep his reports short when it came to Riyo and her transmissions. “It’s a tight fit with all the aircraft, but we’ll be ready in half a rotation. Hopefully by then, Echo will have transmitted the coordinates.”

Riyo nods, but can’t hide her concern. “Be careful, Rex. I can hold off the Senate for awhile, but not long. If Tantiss is as secretive and well-guarded as you say, people will want to know everything if something,” she searches for the right word, “explosive happens.”

“Understood.” Rex nods. “You be careful yourself.” It’s an earnest warning, but he looks around and finds no one within earshot. He smirks and tries his luck. “Try not to attract any more bombs while I’m busy.”

She huffs, looks around, and counters, “Try not to blow up any more bases.”

Rex returns her smile. She nods, and in an instant, she’s gone. Rex tucks the holoprojector in his belt.

“Uncle Rex!” Shaeeh calls and tugs at his arm. Rex’s heart thumps hard in his chest, taken off-guard by the surprise attack. “Can I come?”

Suu tiptoes from behind and grabs her daughter by the waist and off the ground. “Ay, no, we need someone to watch ze base while we are gone.” She nuzzles Shaeeh on the cheek before putting the child down.

“They’re ready for inspection,” Howzer announces, gesturing towards the noisy airfield. The captains fall into step.

First up are two Y wings parked across from each other. Cham Syndulla climbs down from the cockpit of one while Cut Lawquane stands up from the wheels of the other. Their kids play in the space between.

“Ready and operational, Rex,” Cut reports, wiping his hands with an oil-ridden rag.

“As iz ours,” Cham adds. “Eleni iz ‘aving some trouble with ze turret, but—”

“All fixed!” The men look up in time to see a wrench fly in the air and land with a loud clink on the ground. Eleni appears from the turret, smiling and wiping her forehead. Hera laughs as Chopper rolls loudly, arms flailing, to pick up the wrench.

“Good work.” Rex nods at the men before moving on.

Several meters away is a Nebula-class freighter. An astromech speeds from under its chassis towards Rex, stopping too late and bumping into his shins. He grunts in pain but otherwise ignores the collision. He rubs the droid’s dome.

“Hey, R7. Where’s Rafa?”

“You can’t bank at that speed, Trace!” Rafa’s voice turns the captains’ attention to the left. “The motivators will—”

“You watch! The Silver Angel can handle anything I throw at her.” Trace sees the captains watching her and her sister argue for the umpteenth time. “Oh, hey, captains.” She gives a short salute.

Howzer crosses his arms and shakes his head, but Rex is amused. It reminds him of the first time they met, right after Padmé’s--

“Whoa, Wookiee alert!” Rafa stops Rex’s train of thought. He turns to see three adult Wookiees approach from the right.

Howzer still can’t contain his shock at their ship. “How did they get their hands on a gunship?”

Rex sometimes forgets Howzer had been stationed far from most of the action of the Clone Wars. “General Tarfful fought in the Battle of Kashyyyk,” he gestures towards the heavily-armored Wookiee, “with Master Yoda. And lucky for us, he’s no friend of the Empire.”

A protocol droid ambles from behind the Wookiee general and ahead to the clone captains. “Hello, I am C3-LT, protocol droid for General Tarfful.”

Rex nods. “Please thank the general for his help. We’re well aware of the trouble on Kashyyyk and know that the Wookiees can’t spare much in the way of arms and soldiers.”

The droid turns to the Wookiee retinue and belts out a mountain of Shyriiwook. Tarfful answers in turn, and the droid translates.

“The general says that he is happy to help the clones liberate their people. He says the clones are brave warriors who will always have the Wookiees’ help whenever they ask.”

Howzer continues to be surprised, his eyes wide at the show of loyalty. Rex nods, and Tarfful drops a heavy hand on his shoulder, shaking the captain and roaring in what the clone assumes is a battle cry. The Wookiees turn around and return to their ship.

Rex starts towards the clones’ fighters at the far end of the field when a freighter lands just outside the perimeter. Everyone stops to watch. The snow settles before the ship’s pilot descends from its platform.

“Afternoon, boys,” Phee greets the approaching clones. She stops at the end of the ramp when she sees blasters aimed in her direction. “Hey now, is that any way to welcome Tech’s—”

Rex sighs and lowers a clone’s blaster with his hand, signaling everyone to stand down. “Easy, men. Echo comm’d us about this.”

Phee walks up to Rex. “Name’s Genoa. Phee Genoa.” They shake hands cautiously. “You must be the one in charge.”

“The name’s Rex. Howzer here will catch you up.” He peers behind her and up into her ship. “Where are the cadets?”

Phee smiles and calls out, “It’s alright, boys. Time to play.”

Three clone cadets appear from the belly of Phee’s ship, running in a line down the platform and stopping in a line next to Phee. “Reporting for duty, sir,” one of them announces before saluting.

Rex kneels down on one knee and addresses the boys. “Alright, troopers.” The cadets snap to attention. “Can I count on you to make sure each ship is supplied with its maximum amount of fuel before sunset?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” They chant and salute in unison before running towards the hangar.

Phee chuckles as Rex stands back up. “Is that what you did when you were a cadet? Fill up fuel tanks and clean starships?”

Rex smirks but holds off on telling her stories of caustic chemicals and hazing rituals on Kamino. Instead, he offers, “You’d be surprised what a clone cadet can do at that age.”

Phee puts a hand on his arm and presses, “Are you sure this will work?” Her concern is genuine.

Rex seems to consider her question seriously for a moment before he shrugs. “It has to.” He gestures for her to follow Howzer.

Rex turns around and gazes into the distance. The sun is beginning to hide behind a line of mountain peaks to the west. The air starts to chill. Gregor will have dinner ready soon, and Rex knows that for some, it will be their last meal. But when he turns back to the airfield, all he can see and hear are smiles and laughter, determined faces turning into friendly ones and idle conversations turning into detailed ones. Rex smiles. For now, hope is still on the horizon.

[genericficerblog]

The Dantooine Solstice Festival

Here we go, the Dantooine Solstice Festival fic has started. First Chapter has been posted on ff.net and AO3.

[spiralingemptyness]

I want more… clone hc pt. 2

why not more hc, I’m bored and wanna ramble… sorry if I repeated any.

99 is the best vode, he knows everything. If a brother is said, he’ll hug them, give words of encouragement and stuff and a mysteriously some illegal contraband that whatever the clone likes will randomly show up.

Shaak ti is buff and can hold her own if not demolish the Alphas on the training mats (The Rancor battalion found that out the hard way)

Jek, Rys and Thire became close after the mission with Yoda, Thire is still close with the commanders on Coruscant, but he’s even closer with the other two

While Hound may be a sergeant, he’s still an honorary commander member, he became the little brother of the group

…Thorn didn’t die on Scipio, nope, no way. Amidala saved him, always carrying a blaster or smth.

Dogma became really good at braiding hair because of all the time he braided Tups hair, so after Umbara when he definitely goes to Coruscant, Amidala finds out and sometimes ask him to do her hair.

Colt may essentially be Buir of Kamino, but all the alphas (especially 17) out Buir him, and it can be very comedic how a big burly alpha is hauling a ARC commander just to force them to sleep.

Fox absolutely denies or threaten to black mail shebse squad if they bring up the fact Fox was the first to fold and call Alpha-17 buir.

Colt and Wolffe have regular holo-calls just to shit talk Ventress.

Rex got adopted into Shebse squad after he bit Cody (Wolffe was proud)

When Kix is on shift in medbay, most of the time Jesse is there with him, he doesn’t have to be their but he’s a good batch mate.

Each shebse squad member have a quirk in fighting droids: Cody punches and spin kicks them, Wolffe bits them, Rex throws his blasters at them if they run out of ammo, Fox for some reason carry’s a high voltage taser, Bly drop kicks them, and Ponds throws rocks at them to catch them off guard

On multiple occasions animals like Loth cats and Tookas have been snuck on board the venators and multiple times have had to been taken off board

Fives has a girly scream, Torrent found out after he was caught singing in the barracks

Comet (and Plo Buir) can convice Wolffe to take care of himself (little brother privileges), unlike Boost, Warthog, and Sinker who have to sedate him of physically haul him away from the bridge

MEDICS GIVE STICKERS, if a your a good patient, you get a sticker. So there is a lot of vode with stickers inside or outside there armor

Colt keeps himself loaded with weapons, many different types of blasters, check. Lots of vibroblades and vibroswords (that he stole from commando droids), check. It will take a solid 10 mins for him to de-weapon himself

after Khorm, Plo threatened Captain Ozzel…. It was terrifying, Kit Fisto was both shocked and absolutely scared of getting on Plo Koons bad side.

Monnk collects different shells and rocks from the ocean floor and give them to different vode

kit fisto taught his battalion how to fish, just randomly, out of the blue he said they were going fishing and they went fishing

Ashoka definitely stole the ‘I’m no Jedi’ line from Rex.

everyone form the 212th and some 501st members were more traumatized by a bold Kenobi than the fact he faked his death to be a bounty hunter for a time period

kix has trouble staying warm after the cyro-freeze, like he’ll be bundled up in layers on tatooine

quinlan snuck into fox’s office once and was hit with a data pad on the head when he scared him and got himself a concussion, safe to say he doesn’t sneak up on fox anymore

clones have a sweet tooth

Once Hound got hurt while chasing a suspect and Grizzer went absolutely feral on the person who hurt him, it took Thorn and Stone just to separate him from the suspect, (fox and thire were just watching in shock as they helped hound)

padawans always use vents for travel (ex. Echo: where’s the commander. Fives casually: oh she’s in the vents. Echo: oh.. WHY IS SHE IN THE VENTS)

(Might be in the other one) The corrie guard have a bet everytime a battalion is on leave, the bet is: which members of what battalion will have the most in the drunk tank.

medics have to have a smex-ed meeting with every new shiny that boards

Bly (respectfully, cause he is a gentleman) asked Aayla to wear armor, the next day she was wearing Bly’s spare armor. Bly couldn’t stop blushing the whole day and it made his tattoos orange

When one or more of the Shebse squad is on leave, they bully fox into going to 79’s with them or to take care of himself. Safe to say, that whenever that happens the corrie guard can relax a bit

the most annoying patients for medics is any CO or jedis, all medics curse like sailors

when Kix was a medic shiny he hadn’t yet mastered the disapproval stare or the ‘shut the kark up and do what I say’ stare, so the vode listened to him just because it was so cute and funny, they quickly learned to stop thinking like that.

once after a battle Obi-Wan found Cody lying star fished on his back, he kicked a droid and broke his foot and collapsed once his foot gave out. Obi-wan just sighed, forced healed his foot a bit and carried him to the medics (Cody was turned into a sputtering and flustered mess)

Rex was already being corrupted by Skywalker’s tendencies when he was just a lieutenant in the 212th, Cody was horrified and wanted to bash his head into the wall.

Boil and Waxer secretly adopted Numa after Ryloth, each just co-parenting her

Kids on coruscant would sometimes come up to a guard member and hand them a paper of a drawing, ask for a hug, or just give them goodies. The guard now has a wall full of drawings given to them by kids in the barracks

the guard have stupid names for operations, it’s just a serious op about observing and trying to take down a drug ring (with vos’s help) and it has a name like “operation: too high to fly”

the cadets will hang off from any limb they can reach of their clone trainers and shaak ti

medics will lay on a cot with an injured clone on it to help them sleep, they’ll either be sleeping with them or doing data work

so yah… I’ll make more. Might make some of cod, fnaf , Dc, etc. as well and try to do art as well

[companion-showdown]

Nominations are now open: Which villain would make the best companion?

This tournament is intended to be smaller than usual, so I may be aa little stricter about who qualifies (at least when i'm familiar with the character, which means the EU nominees are going to end up with a lot more leeway)

as some starting rules

You can only nominate actual villains, they must actually be evil, not just dislike/be disliked by the Doctor

They must be an individual (or possibly a small group of individuals), eg you cannot nominate 'a dalek' it must be a specific dalek or daleks you can point to and say that/those ones

No companions, I don't care if they were evil when they met the Doctor or became evil later or were evil the entire time, they cannot already be or have ever been a companion

If there are multiple versions of the same villain (eg because they can regenerate), they will only be included once, either as generically as can be acheived, or a specific one will be chosen through a group stage

If they don't have a name (or you can't remember it) I will do my best to figure it out but try to give me as much context as you can and bare in mind im not psychic

Please bare in mind when you are nominating that I am hoping to keep the number of nominations under 64 to run this as a mini-tournament. This is not a hard rule so if nominations do exceed 64 its not a big deal, just something I'd like everyone to bare in mind (we have now broken 64 so full sized tournament it is

Nominees

The Master (this counts for any and all versions of the Master, a specific one will be chosen during the group stage, I'm preempting their nomination because duh)

Dalek Caan

Angel Bob

Morbius

Beep the Meep

Family of Blood

Meddling Monk

Salamander

Nobody No-One

Scaroth

Madeleine Issigri

JP Kettlewell

Sharaz Jek

Morgaine

Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen

Cassandra

Bonnie (Clara!Zygon)

Davros

The Rani

The Binary Apprentice

the Scream

Timewyrm

Sabbath Dei

Death

Time

Black Guardian

Braxiatel

Aphasia

Luke Rattigan

The UK government

Auton!Boris Johnson

The Statue of Liberty

President Arthur Winters

Dream Lord

The Axos

Sartia

Valeyard

Great Intelligence

House

Not Donna

Captain Wrack

Pirate Sea Devil

Tecteun

The Dalek that offered the doctor tea in Victory of the Daleks

Plastic!Mickey

John Lumic

Miss Foster

Prisoner Zero

Karabraxos

Cessair of Diplos

Andred

Miss Hartigan

Kro'ka

Mr Finch

The Headhunter

Swarm and Azure

Ashad

Lilith

Reverend Golightly

Mr Clever

Toymaker

Justine

Rassilon

Lolita

Eckersley

Soldeed

Pandora

nominations will be open for at least the next 24 hours, that is until 14:00 BST (GMT/UTC+1), 10/04

after that there is no guarantee

[wantonlywindswept]

👀 (which by the way is a genuine reaction to your "I have so many things" tag-comment)

haaah there were. so many ideas. few of them coherent. x_X

this one i do actually want to finish at some point; it's corrie guard shenanigans, SOME of them trust that the jedi might be able to fix things so uh. they try. to maybe do that.

...kidnapping may or may not be involved.

---

Jek liked to think that he was a good soldier.

He wasn't the best--he would happily leave that to Commander Fox's batch and whatever tube glitch had resulted in Captain Rex--but he was decent. A solid middle. He got the job done, he worked hard, he didn't complain. (And not just because complaining on Coruscant could easily mean a recon.)

The point was, he didn't deserve to be put on trial for treason.

"It's only treason if it's against the Republic," Rys pointed out. "This is just standard treachery. That's prison time, at most."

"For natborns, maybe," Jek mourned. "Pretty sure if we fuck up they just send us back to Kamino for a refund."

"You are both following orders," Commander Thire gritted out, "So if anyone is brought up on charges, it will be me."

That made Jek feel a lot better, actually.

"Now shut up."

"Yessir," he and Rys chorused.

They marched crisply on either side of the heavily-laden hovercart, Thire in the lead as they made their way towards the entrance to the Jedi Temple. The loading bay was relatively busy this time of day, which is why Thire chose it, and they didn't expect too much scrutiny: clones came and went from the Temple all the time.

Not Guard clones, admittedly, but this was their city. Technically they had the right to go wherever they wanted.

A thought occurred to Jek then, flitting across his mind like one of those colorful flappy insects that Mack had tattooed on his arm.

"So, what do we do if General Yoda isn't here?"

Thire stumbled over his own feet.

Huh. 

"You mean you haven't already thought about that?" Rys hissed. He laid a hand atop the largest crate--the most important crate--on the hovercart, fingers spread out protectively across the smooth durasteel. "What if they want us to leave it in his room? If he's out on a mission he could be gone for months--"

"We're fucked if he's gone for more than another two hours," Jek pointed out helpfully.

"I will figure it out," Thire snapped. 

Two days into his new commission and he was already able to spew banthashit like the rest of the Commanders. Incredible.

"Are there even any other Jedi we could trust?" Jek asked. They'd met Master Yoda on the mission to Rugosa, so they knew he was a good person, but none of them really had experience with any of the other Jedi.

"Sinker said that General Koon is pretty good," Rys offered.

Thire snorted.

"General Koon actually likes Commander Wolffe. There's gotta be something wrong with him if he willingly puts up with that level of crazy."

"Maybe Kenobi? Commander Fox always bitches about Marshall Commander Cody going on about him."

Rys grimaced, shaking his head.

"He's Skywalker's master."

All three of them shuddered. Skywalker was friends with the Chancellor, and Commander Fox regularly came back from meetings with the Chancellor sporting mysterious injuries that somehow never got recorded on his medical file.

They all knew better to trust anyone that was on good terms with the Chancellor.

"What about General Windu?" Rhys suggested.

"What about me?"

[panther-os]

"so which boys are back in town?" well.... almost all of them?

this was a very nice little set up for the finale. i was worried we were gonna get another plot heavy episode and the end would be super rushed, but that's not the case. they even name dropped the title of episode 15 which had me immediately like 👀

tarkin is a bastard as always. crosshair refusing to give up the batch - including omega - breaks my heart. i also love how they show how fucked up he is by the torture by the way he misses shots - two of them. his whole thing is that he never misses. i'm also getting the sense that emerie only has this job because it pays the bills (her line about her access card not getting crosshair outside makes me think she's not even free to leave) and that she might be an ally next week.

it was good to see riyo with an obviously established halfway home setup in the martez' garage for deserted or rescued clones, but there's still no cody :( and rex was only there in spirit. no phee this episode either which hurted my little tephee shipper heart.

i'm super glad we got to see new clones! i would already die for fireball and the fact that he's wearing 41st ranger armor (like gree and jek in rots) and he and howzer clearly know each other has me 👀 about howzer possibly being assigned there before ryloth.

"fireball" also is the name of a clone pilot captain in the 501st's gold squadron. he showed up in clone wars gambit and we know he had bright red hair with a black streak, liked to play turbodarts, and went by fib for short. so it could also be that he wasn't originally a pilot, was crosstrained, and then got transferred back to ground in the 41st later in the war and so we have a fifth captain to add to keeli, rex, howzer, and wilco's fanon squad.

(i would also die for nemec but i forgot his name and was consumed by fireball's wiki page and various writer-of-fanfic-shaped thoughts)

it was also great to see gregor wearing his gold again and fucking bizarre to see echo without a kama.

speaking of echo, his exchange with hunter was enlightening. echo's really intense about this, even moreso than before, and part of me wonders if that's because he's doing this because fives would, because he's come across so many apathetic brothers he tried to recruit and defaulted to the schpiel, or because both.

by far the best moment, though - even better than tech teaching omega to fly and the "tech turn" - was omega throwing herself into echo's arms and the way he just caught and held her. it's so obvious he misses her too. that's his kid your honor.

this is... actually my new favorite episode, just barely ahead of last week's.

[youngcheesecaketale]

Clonetober #27 Clone Medics and Low Supplies part 16

Here’s 1-15 Part 1  Part 2 Part 3 Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7 Part 8 Part 9  Part 10  Part 11  Part 11 Bonus Part 12 Sneak Peak Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15

After Jesse helped Kix calm the baby down, they heard Cody’s voice on the ship’s intercom informing them that they will be landing soon. Once the ship landed a few feet away from the Lawquane’s house (not too far for Kix to walk), Rex walked up to knock at the door.

Rex was greeted by Jek and Shaeeah Lawquane as they gave Rex a BIG hug that made Rex fall over.

Rex: (on the ground with the kids on him) Good to see you guys too. Have you been good to your Dad and Mom?

Jek & Shaeeah: YES UNCLE Rex!

Rex chuckles then hears a voice. Rex lifts his head up to Suu, standing in the door frame. 

Suu: Good to see you Rex. (smiles) Alright kids. Go get your Father and tell him that one….

Suu was going to tell her kids to tell their Father that “one” of his Brothers is here but didn’t when she saw more Clones coming.

Suu: Umm….kids. Please go get your Father and tell him that we have some unexpected guests.

Jek and Shaeeah: (looked up at their Mother) OK!

Shaeeah: (looks at Jek) Race ya! (runs while laughing)

Jek: (runs after his sister) NO FAR! (jokingly saying)

Kix got so emotional when he saw Shaeeah & Jek jumping on Rex that he started crying. He couldn’t wait to see his little girl running around and laughing but at the same time he didn’t want their baby to grow up too fast.

Jesse helped Kix walk to the house while Cody helped Rex get off the ground.

Suu: Hello Jesse. Kix. How are you boys doing?

Jesse: We….(hears Kix starts sniffling) I’m doing well.

Suu: That’s good. (looks at Kix) Oh. Umm….Is Kix doing….Is he doing OK?

Jesse: Umm…Well….Umm….

Before Jesse could answer, Kix spoke for himself. Well…he spoke in an emotional way.

Kix: I’M PREGNANT!! (sobs so loud but not TOO loud that Cut, Shaeeah, and Jek could hear)

Jesse’s face turned bright red with EMBARRASSMENT. He didn’t know what to say to Suu. He didn’t know what to say to Suu but to his surprise, Suu just chuckled.

Suu: It’s OK Jesse. Kix isn’t the first guy I met before.

Jesse: You…Your…Hus…Husband…like us….

Suu: Oh no. My Husband didn’t give birth. I did.

After Jesse heard this, he felt EVEN MORE EMBARRASSED. He forgot that not EVERYBODY can get PREGNANT. The only reason why he thought that EVERYONE (mostly guys. He forgot that not ALL Men can get PREGNANT and forgot that Women were usually the ones who gave birth) was PREGNANT right was because Jesse has been spending more time with Obi Wan and Jesse’s loving Husband Kix when they did meditations and practicing breathing techniques so both of Obi Wan & Kix can be prepared when they go into labor. (I will write about Obi Wan’s labor later). Cody would sometimes join them in meditation and breathing techniques.

Anyways…Suu explained that they have a LGBTQ+ Newlyweds Couple who just moved in. The Couple just had a baby less than a couple of days ago. Since they didn’t have a clinic or a hospital nearby (also they wouldn’t make it to the clinic or the hospital because their water broke), Suu traveled to their house to deliver their baby.

Kix: (said in a calm voice like nothing ever happened) I’m glad that you were able to help deliver their baby but you don’t have to deliver anymore babies unless you still want to.

Suu: (looked at Kix with a curious face) Oh. How so?

Kix: (gave Suu a smile) There will be a new hospital about a mile (a kilometer) away from here and don’t worry. The hospital will be on someone else’s land so you guys don’t worry. Since you guys saved our Captain who is also our Brother after he got shot. The Medical Staff from the small clinic and I have decided on a name for the new hospital.

Suu: (tilts her head) Oh?

Kix: (smiles at Suu then chuckles) I’m happy to announce that the new hospital will be called the “Lawquane General Hospital” since you saved our Brother and for your new position as Chief Executive Officer or CEO.

Suu: (chuckles with a big smile on her face) Thank you.

Rex: (who was finally on his feet and dust himself off) I didn’t know you became a Medical CEO! No wonder you were so good with changing my bandages and helping me with putting my arm in a sling.

Suu chuckled with a big smile. She told them that she was going into Medical School to get her Master’s Degree before she met her Husband Cut and had kids. She also told them that with the help and support from her family, she was able to set and achieve her highest goal.

After Suu said that, her facial expression changed when she saw Cody.

Suu: (gives Cody the “Don’t Mess With Big Mama Exogroth” Death look) Who are you? Are you to take away my Husband?! Take him away from his WIFE?! From his KIDS?! HIS KIDS?!

After Suu said (“yelled”) that, EVERYONE’S face went pale. Rex, Kix, and Jesse have NEVER seen Suu this angry before.

Cody: (waves both his hands in defense) WOAH! Woah. Woah. (says in a calm voice) We aren’t here to take away your Husband from you, nor from your kids. You don’t need to worry since the old Chancellor was arrested for something horrendous crime. 

After Cody said that, Suu was starting to calm down. She then asked Cody what horrendous crime the old Chancellor did. Everyone just said “Umm…” and either looked away or rubbed the back of their necks. Just as Cody was about to say something, they heard loud laughter coming from inside the house. Suu invited them in as she turned around and walked inside her house. Cody sighed in relief that he didn’t have to explain what that Old Fart Chancellor did as she entered the house.

Cut: Rex! Good to see you. How are you doing?

Rex: I’m doing well. How are you doing?

Cut: I’m doing well. (chuckles)

Rex: (looked confused) What’s so funny?

Cut: Remember when you said “My Family is elsewhere”. 

Rex: Umm…Yes…?

Cut: (chuckles) Now I know what you meant by that since you have a very red kiss on your forehead.

Rex: (laughed) So that’s why my kids were laughing at me.

Cut: (smiled) You have kids?

Rex: (nods his head) Yes. I have twins. A girl named Jasmine Tano Fett and a boy named Jasper Rex Tano Fett. They are 10 yrs old.

Cut: (smiled then saw Jesse & Kix) Jesse! Kix! Good to see you guys too. How are you guys doing?

Jesse: We are doing well….ish.

Cut: (had a curious look on his face) Oh. Is everything OK? (looked at Kix) Hey Kix? Are you feeling alright? You look pale son.

Jesse: Kix is fine because Kix and I…..

Before Jesse could finish, Kix interrupted their conversation. 

Kix: Sorry but where’s the bathroom?

Cut: (looked confused) Uhh….(points his finger) It’s right over there.

Kix said “Thank You” then ran to the bathroom. Even though the door was closed, everyone could hear Kix throwing up. Jesse sighed when he saw his Husband Kix run to the bathroom to throw up. Jesse turned his head when Cut called his name.

Cut: Are you sure that everything is alright?

[mwolf0epsilon]

Cabur Kad'edee

AU where Kamino is commissioned to create a new type of elite clone soldiers designed to have the ability to shapeshift into powerful creatures that can be used to shift the tides out on the battlefield.

This sparks a secretive project known only as the Shifter Initiative, which begins research and work into a completely new venue of cloning and gene-splicing science. It is kept under wraps due to the theoretical nature of recreating in humans something that most humanoids are incapable of doing naturally. And, in due time, the project is even scrapped entirely after being deemed a waste of time and resources.

The tubies selected to carry the implanted gene that would allow for them to shift, never got past decanting due to complications associated with the bodies themselves rejecting the synthetic mutation, and the only surviving subject of the Shifter Initiative (SC-7567) didn't display any form of abilities linked to the project.

Aside from his blond hair and unusually amber colored eyes the freshly decanted baby clone was nothing special, and got sent off to be integrated with a squad of four other regular clones to be trained as any other standard class trooper. With this final reassignment the Shifter Initiative is completely forgotten about.

Three years later, a particularly impatient Trainer loses his temper when cadets Grey, Howzer, Jek, Keeli and Rex fail yet another assignment their terrible teacher had failed to prepare them for. Frustrated, the Trainer sought to make Grey into an example and began to beat the young cadet mercilessly after accusing the "defective" CC of being the cause behind his squad's constant failures and unruliness.

No matter how much the others tried to get the Trainer to let up, the infuriated and stubborn natborn wouldn't back off. The fear of losing one of his ori'vode (one of few who'd protected him from other squads who bullied him for his visual mutations) to the wrath of a Trainer, triggers something dormant within Rex to finally awaken. A power the Kaminoans had thought impossible to implant into a mere clone. One which gives the young boy the necessary means to put an end to the Trainer's abuse for good...

It is thusly with the death of a cruel trainer (severely mauled by a young boy seeking to protect his vod), that the legend of the Cabur Kad'edee (Guardian Sabertooth) begins... A rather well guarded tale that captain Rex of the 501st doesn't share very openly for fear of being seen as nothing more than what he can become should the need arise.

Bonus under the Cut

---

Young Cadets Grey, Jek, Howzer, Keeli and Rex (in sabertooth cub form)

[wreckerdecker]

back at it again with another baby!Omega AU, this time based off s1ep7 Battle Scars. i tried to stay very close to the episode, i hope you like it!!

-

Seeing Rex in Cid’s bar was a huge relief. 

Rex seeing Omega... not so much. 

At first, it’s nice. Hunter, Tech, and Echo sit down with the Captain and nurse a few drinks. It’s far more casual than the war had ever allowed before, but, well, people say the war’s over now. 

“How’d you track us down?” Echo asks curiously, sipping at his own drink. 

“Trace and Rafa Martez. They said a squad of rogue clones helped them on Corellia,” Rex replies slowly, eyes narrowing, and Hunter hides his face behind his cup. “They told me I could find you here. And that you were traveling with a kid.”

A ‘kid’ is one way to put it. Hunter remembers the exact way Rafa’s raspy voice had all but screamed at them, “You brought a baby to this place?!” He doesn’t know the Martez girls past their brief encounter, but surely they’d been a little more detailed than ‘kid’?

“Who is she?”

“Omega,” Hunter says, and the name feels weirdly right on his tongue. “She’s a clone, like us.”

Rex doesn’t have much time to look surprised. He opens his mouth like he wants to ask a question, but in true Wrecker form, their absent brother makes quite the noticeable entrance behind him. 

“Well, look who it is!” Wrecker booms, laughter loud enough to echo through the entire bar. “C’mere, Rex!”

He squeezes Rex tightly in a one-armed hug. Even with one half occupied, he still effortlessly lifts him into the air and Rex’s feet dangle for a few seconds. 

“Good to see you too, Wrecker...” Rex says, but he’s obviously distracted. Right across from him, tucked snugly in the crook of Wrecker’s free elbow, is a baby looking up at him with ridiculously large eyes. Her arms are swaddled to her side but she looks like she’s just as thrilled to see him as Wrecker is. 

He’s so surprised that he stumbles a little when Wrecker finally drops him back to the ground. But he gains his footing quickly, and turns to stare at the infant. He does not bother asking questions, because they are clearly written all over his face. 

Hunter clears his throat. “Rex, this is Omega.”

“I’ve met many clones in my time, but never one like her.” Rex leans in close to her, as if giving her a thorough inspection. Omega stares at him back, and he can’t help but feel as if he’s the one being examined. 

“She’s from the newest generation,” Tech provides, and though his tone is calculating, it is far from cold. “126 days old, as of today’s rotation.” (If it sounds like he’s been keeping agonizingly close track, it’s because he has been.) 

Rex blinks at her. “So small,” he finds himself saying. He’s seen a lot as his time as a solider-- more than any person should, really-- but he’s hard pressed to claim he’s seen many things more precious and tiny and delicate as this. Wrecker notices this, and grins widely. 

“Wanna hold her?” He asks, and does not wait for a reply before cheerfully-- but carefully, always carefully-- placing Omega into Rex’s arms. 

“Oh, uh--”

She settles in naturally with him, and he has no idea how that’s possible. His hands are meant for holding blasters and giving orders to soldiers, not holding something as fragile as this. Omega doesn’t care. She wriggles a little, but she’s used to the hard shell of clone armor, and has very few complaints about it. She makes a sound; Rex isn’t sure if it’s a good one or a bad one, but when he looks up at the boys, none of them seem concerned, so he tells himself to calm down. When was the last time he held a baby this small? Sure, he met Sheeah and Jek when they were young, but they were nowhere near this tiny. He finds himself smiling softly at her.

“I had a pretty similar reaction the first time I held her,” Echo says, holding back a small chuckle and smiling. “You’ll get used to it.”

“She’s beautiful,” Rex says earnestly, and behind the rest of them, Hunter beams. 

Wrecker laughs proudly. “You got that right!”

The peace is short-lived, though, because Wrecker’s laughter is suddenly cut short by a groan. He holds his head. “Tech, I need one of those med patches.”

“You used the last one.”

Rex adjusts Omega in his arms and stands up straight. “What’s wrong...?”

Headaches? More frequent? There’s a pit forming in Rex’s stomach. 

“If you’re concerned about the so-called inhibitor chips, don’t be. Our deviant nature appears to have impeded their functionality.” Tech adjusts his goggles. “Except in Crosshair.”

“You’re telling me you haven’t removed your chips?”

Rex steps back. Omega grips at his chestplate, unaware of her newfound danger but clearly sensing something is wrong. She whines nervously when Rex’s hand hovers over his blaster. The tension in the room is palpable. 

“Rex...?” Hunter asks tensely. He gets up from his stool and steps a little closer. His eyes flick between the blaster and Omega. 

“Those chips make you a threat to everyone around you. Even her. You’re all ticking time bombs.”

He holds Omega tightly. They don’t understand. He’s seen what those chips make the clones do. She is not an exception to their carnage, and he knows it. 

“Take it easy, Capitan...”

The eagerness in which Hunter reaches for Omega only makes Rex step back more. If he loves her, he must understand.

“What’s in your head is more dangerous than you can imagine. I’ve seen what happens when the chip activates, and I don’t want to bury any more of our brothers.” He stops and looks down at the baby. “And Maker forbid, her, too.”

That stings, and badly. Hunter immediately deflates and shrinks back, like he’s been burned, and swallows thickly. Amidst his hurt, he understands it is not a threat-- it is a warning. He locks eyes with Omega, who’s bottom lip sticks out like she’s about to cry, and tenses his jaw. He knows they have to listen.

“How do you suggest we get them out?”

Good question. 

Half a rotation later, Clone Force 99 is on the Marauder on their way to meet Rex on Bracca. Wrecker fidgets anxiously while Tech works on the chip scanner. He mentions Omega does not have an inhibitor chip (he discovered that while scouring through their sister’s one of many stolen medical files) and Hunter almost throws up from relief. 

“Do we really have to do this?” Wrecker asks nervously. Hunter crosses his arms. 

“If Rex is sure, we should trust him.” He looks up at the gunner’s mount, where Omega is sleeping soundly in her bassinet. If Rex’s warnings had even an ounce of truth to it, they have to heed them. 

Echo and Tech successfully land the ship on Bracca. Seeing Rex again is always a relief, and even Omega makes happy noises once he arrives. She’s content with watching the giant, looming ships pass by, and has no complaints being jostled around while they scale the tons of scrap metal. Hunter has her swaddled tightly, and wrapped (probably a bit excessively) so that she’s snug against his back. Tech follows up the rear, ensuring Omega is safely sandwiched between her brothers. 

Wrecker is probably more scared of scaling the cable than Hunter was, which is saying something. The entire cavern was dead silent as Hunter shimmied his way across, save for the distant splashing of the water and Omega’s content coos and gurgles. At least someone enjoyed themself. The tension dissolved as soon as Hunter’s feet hit the ledge floor on the other side, though, and Wrecker was left worrying about no one but himself. 

One near-death experience later, they’re back to traversing through the ghostly ship. The ordeal put both Wrecker and Omega in a bad mood, with Wrecker grumbling about how uncomfortable his wet armor is, and Omega fussing on and off as they walk. When Wrecker finally collapses down onto the surgical pod bench, he’s downright beat. 

“Let’s get this over with,” he huffs. Hunter had unwrapped Omega and brought her close for a small lookover-- (Tech had reassured him she was fine, her scans are perfect, she’s just a little scared, but Hunter had to be one hundred, one thousand percent sure)-- and noticed his brother’s anxiety. Wrecker looks down dejectedly at the floor, worrying his hands together, when Omega’s bright eyes are suddenly looking back up at him. 

“‘Mega!” he gasps, as if he hasn’t seen her for months, and despite his pounding headache his smile is instantly back. He snatches her out of Hunter’s hands and brings her in for a kiss on the cheek. “Mwah! You always know how to cheer me up, kid.”

“There’s your good luck charm,” Hunter says teasingly, then takes the baby back against his chest. Wrecker waves at her as they step back to make way for Tech, who wastes no time in placing the scanner against his head. The surgical powers up while the scanner beeps and blips nonsense. Wrecker’s smile is gone as quickly as it arrived, and his leg starts shaking again. He groans. 

Rex notices Hunter and Echo’s worried frowns and crosses his arms. “It’s more dangerous to leave the inhibitor chips in,” he gently reminds them. 

“We have to do this,” Hunter murmurs, as if he’s convincing himself, and nods. “It’s worth the risk.”

Ninety degrees from his right orbital floor, below the parietal and temporal intersection...

“Get. That. Away from me.” Comes a deep and serious rumble. Wrecker rips off the scanner and shoves it into Tech’s hands, and Hunter and Echo look at each other, then Rex, nervously. Things need to go faster. Wrecker is writhing in pain at this point. He’s groaning and stifling shouts, with a lower success rate by the second. By the time the surgical pod is primed and ready, he’s fallen still and is staring at the floor. All of them step back.

“Relax. This won’t hurt a bit,” Tech says.

And that’s where it all goes wrong.

The way Wrecker grabs Tech’s wrist goes beyond anxiety. It hurts, and Tech feels himself tense up. This isn’t his brother. This is--

Wrecker’s large hand suddenly shoots up and takes Tech by the throat. All he can do is choke out his brother’s name, hoping, praying he can snap him out of it. But when Wrecker glares up at him, Tech’s blood runs cold, because that is not Wrecker-- that is not his brother, that is a total stranger in front of him.

“You’re in direct violation of Order 66.”

Before anyone can so much as turn their heads, Tech is slumped over on the floor, surrounded by scattered gear.

Even with his helmet on, they can feel Wrecker’s glare shoot straight through them. The way he stands, the way he breathes, the way he is, is different. Cold. Strange. 

Angry.

Rex’s blaster goes flying through the air before realization has even fully sunken in. Hunter does the only thing he can think of, which is pull Omega close to him, and dodge the wrath of Wrecker’s own blaster. He’s shooting at them, Maker above, he’s shooting at all of them and he doesn’t even care that his bolts are landing mere inches away from his sister. 

Ever the voice of reason, Echo shouts, “He’ll destroy the equipment if we don’t get him out of here,” and they all wordlessly agree.

“You’re all traitors!” 

It’s a terrifying, booming noise, and Omega’s crying turns into outright shrieking. Hunter knows Wrecker is truly lost, because in no other galaxy would their brother, protector, friend ignore such a heart-shattering sound. He swallows his own heartbreak and sets out to move. 

“I’ll draw him out,” he says quickly. “Echo, take Omega.”

Echo does just that, and he holds her with just as much ferocious protectiveness as Hunter. Once the room is filled with steam, they bolt down the hallway. Omega cries still. Echo knows he has to stay low while carrying her, but when Rex manages to get Wrecker wide open for offense, he knows he has to try. It’s a valiant effort, but Wrecker is a forced for be reckoned with, and he ends up unconscious atop Rex. Omega is still held tightly against him as a last act of protection.

Hunter has to make a decision. Run to grab Omega-- who is clearly alive, given away by her wailing, but could very well be hurt-- or take the chance to stop Wrecker. He debates with himself for what feels like ages, but it’s a mere half second before Hunter is descending towards his brother with a shout. He punches him, and he doesn’t hold back. He’s a strong man as is, but with the rage and terror bubbling inside of him, it’s enough to make Wrecker stumble. Knocking his helmet off is, tactically, a good move; but seeing Wrecker’s crazed eyes staring down at him, he almost wishes he hadn’t. 

No time for that. He manages to climb up Wrecker’s back and wrap his elbow around his neck. He squeezes, hard. 

“Come on, Wrecker. Snap out of it!”

It’s a demand and plea all at once, but that doesn’t matter. It lands on deaf ears. Wrecker slams him into the wall hard enough to see stars, and when he comes to, Wrecker’s forehead is nearly touching his own and he huffs through his nose like a bull.

“All clones in violation of Order 66 shall be terminated.”

He’s choking, and his senses are fading quickly. He can’t die here. He can’t. Omega’s crying is beginning to quiet, and he can’t tell if it’s her or if it’s the life leaving him. The fear, along with the air, sticks in his throat. His legs buckle and he’s on his knees now, but Wrecker keeps pushing. He doesn’t even have the luxury of slumping forward. Instead he’s pushed back at what would be an uncomfortable angle (if he wasn’t busy worrying about a million other things) to the point his hands are brushing his boots.

His boots. He would’ve gasped if he could have. His fingers wrap around the handle of a small vibroknife he’d stashed away between the buckles of his boots just before they’d gone to Corellia. Wrecker is so blind he rage he doesn’t even notice. The only problem is, it’s set to the strongest-- and most lethal-- setting, and the only clear opening he has is a direct hit to Wrecker’s throat.

So, another decision to make. 

He expected the choice to be hard: Omega or Wrecker. Wrecker is his brother, and he’d do anything for him. They grew up together. He’s never known a life without him, and nor does he ever want to. 

But Omega has fallen completely silent, and Hunter makes his decision. 

His hand, albeit weakly, grips the handle of his knife and in one swift motion, unsheathes it and swings it up towards Wrecker’s head. 

Before it can make contact, a wave of blue light suddenly travels down Wrecker’s body, and his eyes roll back. His grip on Hunter’s throat loosens. As Hunter gasps and chokes for air, Wrecker ungracefully falls back and onto the floor in a heap. The vibroknife clatters to the floor next to him. 

There stands Rex, who’s wincing harshly, holding a blaster in one hand and Omega in the other. 

“Omega,” Hunter chokes out, eyes still blurry and brain foggy, and reaches out for her. “Is she--”

“She’s fine,” Rex says quickly. “A few bumps and bruises.”

That’s not fine enough for Hunter, but he’s in no position to argue. They can worry about that later. Rex holsters his blaster and crouches next to Wrecker. 

“Don’t try to stand up with her,” he warns sternly as Hunter gathers the baby into his arms. Hunter does not response and instead pulls her close to him, cupping the back of her head, and murmuring near-incoherent reassurances to her as she whimpers. He gives her a small kiss on the forehead. 

If Rex sees the few tears that run down his face, he chooses to ignore them.

Tech and Echo wake soon enough to help out. Getting Wrecker’s limp body into the surgical pod is quite a task for four injured men, but they’re eventually able to step back and wait for the machine to do what it does. 

Echo holds Omega while Hunter rests. The little girl is fine, like Rex insisted, but she has a sizeable scrape just above her right temple from Echo’s tumble. He already apologized a dozen times, to Hunter, Omega, and anyone who would listen, but it’s unwarranted. Still, seeing the dried blood and irritated skin makes his stomach churn with guilt. 

The surgical pod chimes that it’s job is done and slides Wrecker gently back onto the table, but he’s still out cold. Hunter swallows. 

“He should be awake by now.”

Tech stares at the screen in front of him. “He’s still alive, but his vitals have not stabilized. We won’t know more until he wakes up.”

In front of him, Wrecker sleeps restlessly. His eyes flutter, exposing just enough to show that his eyes are half rolled back into his head. He mumbles incoherently, only a few words making sense at a time. 

“I wan... ‘Mega.” Hunter’s head snaps up. What did he just say? 

“‘Mega...” Wrecker whines again, but he does not sound angry. He sounds sad. They let him sleep. 

Everyone gets some well-earned rest while waiting for Wrecker. It’s actually Omega (who’s migrated to rest atop Rex’s chest) who alerted them when he woke by whining and fussing against Rex’s grip. Hunter swoops in and takes her back, holding her protectively and eyeing his brother as he sits up. 

“Why the long faces?” Wrecker asks, half-serious, and the tension in the room breaks. 

“Welcome back,” Echo says warmly.

One down, three to go. Each surgery is quicker than the last, and soon all four brothers are sporting matching bandages. Hunter has laid Omega out on the now-deactivated surgical pod table, preparing to swaddle her. Everyone else is busying themselves with gathering their gear and scouring the ship for any potential supplies. Almost everyone, that is. 

“Hunter...”

Wrecker is standing nervously behind him, but Hunter knew that far before he spoke. He doesn’t say anything, but does cast him an acknowledging glance from over his shoulder. 

“D’ya think I could hold Omega for a minute?”

It falls quiet. Hunter chews the inside of his cheek. 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now,” he finally replies, and he doesn’t need enhanced senses to feel the tsunami waves of Wrecker’s disappointment. 

“Come on, Hunter, I--”

Before he can make his argument, Omega begins to cry again. That shuts Wrecker up immediately. She starts fighting against her blanket wrap, so Hunter picks her up in hopes of calming her down. Instead, she wriggles anxiously and cries even more. Wrecker looks like he’s going to be sick. 

“Maybe you should go help Tech.” Hunter says firmly. 

“I’m... I’m sorry.” 

Wrecker turns to leave, and once he’s taken a few steps Omega lets out a pathetic wail. Hunter looks down at her and realizes she’s staring directly at Wrecker’s back. She reaches a chubby arm out and grabs at the air, only becoming more distraught once he turns the corner out of sight. 

“Wrecker, wait.”

He comes back around the corner with a confused look. Omega’s wailing dies down into an upset whimper, and she looks at him with her teary eyes. Hunter sighs. 

“She wants you.”

It’s like a switch, the way Wrecker’s face immediately lights up. He pulls off the helmet from atop his head and sets it down, and quickly scoops her up. Her whimpers stop completely, and Wrecker helps wipe her remaining tears from her round cheeks. He notices the scratch on her head, though, and his mouth snaps shut. 

“Did I do that?”

Well, technically, yes, because he’s the one who throw Echo in the way of Rex’s stun ray-- but Hunter’s not stupid, and he knows that won’t help anything. Instead, he shakes his head. 

“No. No, it was an accident. Don’t worry about it.”

He can tell Wrecker is still worrying over it, but there’s not much he can do to remedy it without blatantly lying to his face. So, he steps back, and walks toward the corridor. “I’m going to go talk to Rex,” he says. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Just like that, it’s just the two of them. Wrecker sits down on the table, ignoring it’s creaking protests, and bounces Omega in his arms. She smiles up at him, and he’s suddenly fighting the urge to cry. 

“I tried to control it,” he tells her, hoping in some cosmic way she understands. “I tried as hard as I could. I just... couldn’t make it stop.”

He hasn’t told his brothers, but he remembers. Up until the very last moment, he remembers, and it makes him sick. He remembers hearing Omega shrieking in a terrifying way he’d never heard before, and he was convince he’d killed her.

All he could do then was hope one of them managed to kill him. In the split second between seeing Hunter wielding his vibroknife and the stun ray hitting him, Wrecker remembers feeling sweet relief.

But he’s alive, she’s alive, she’s okay, and so is everybody else, and everything is fine. It’s fine. So why does he still feel so rotten? Especially with Omega here with him. She’s smiling and laughing, trying to grab at his face like she always does. Does she know? Does she understand?

“I’m so sorry, Omega.”

She blows little spit bubbles at him in forgiveness. It usually makes him laugh when she does that, but once she rests her tiny palm against his face, he finds himself crying instead. He shakily runs his thumb over her cheek, like he’s drying tears that aren’t there. She blinks owlishly at him. Oh, what he would give to keep her safe forever.

His bad side is facing the doorway, so Hunter is sure to step extra heavy in an attempt to give him a subtle heads up. Either he doesn’t hear him, or he hears him and he doesn’t care, because Wrecker does not move even after Hunter is in clear sight.

“Hey. You okay?”

A half-hearted nod. It’s silent for a long time, in which Hunter thinks a little prayer hoping that his brother can forgive him. 

Wrecker does the same.

They wordlessly agree it’s time to go. Soon everyone is packed up and leaving the ship-- and the most dangerous pieces of themselves-- behind. It’s a relief they didn’t realize they needed. 

Back on the Marauder, Echo takes first watch. Tech falls asleep in the chair next to him, Hunter curls up in his bunk, and Wrecker sleeps soundly on the floor next to Omega’s bassinet. 

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February Day 9: Breezy

Fandom: SWTOR

Rating: PG

Pairing:  the meet-cute between OC Consular and Rass Ordo; established Theron Shan/Smuggler and Akaavi Spar/Mako (mentioned)

Time:  immediately after 7.2

Words: 1252

~~

Rass Ordo sat with Torian of Clan Cadera, watching the morning at Odessen pick up speed. Mandalore had needed additional medical treatment after her fight with Heta Kol, and the Captain was the only faction leader Shae Vizla trusted.

“She is aruetyc, but she understands,” Mandalore had explained to Jek and Rass, once.  On the Spirit of Vengeance, Rass had gotten to see Captain Corolastor in action. Then, the Captain’s choices on Ruhnok had sealed Rass’s trust in her as well. 

( …he might have been a little infatuated with her until her husband showed up to scour the Vengeance for clues.  Then Rass learned that anything he might have classified as “flirting” was nothing compared to what she said to Theron.  He was thankful for his helmet that day.)

Now, with the stories Torian had about her and the lost Grand Champion, Rass could see why Shae threw her lot in with a smuggler over any other government:  Captain Corolastor always delivered.  

“You ever think of getting with a non-Mandalorian?  If she or he promised to let the kids be raised in the Way?” Rass asked Torian.  He didn’t ask because of a specific person.  It was… other things.  And those things only grew more obvious the more he spent time on Odessen, not strictly among other Mandalorians.

Torian was unflappable. “When I was younger.  You know Akaavi of Clan Spar’s partner, Mako?”

“Yeah.”  

Torian’s expression had only shifted by a millimeter, but on a stoic like him –

“Sheesh.  Really?”

“No hard feelings,” Torian reassured him.  “But… they have decided not to raise ade.  Spar is content to let the Clan name die with her while serving the greater Mandalorian family.  She is… embittered by what other clans have done.”  

Torian’s hair was ruffled by the breeze.  “I should be. But I am not.  Now with the usurper dragging my Clan’s name around the galaxy again –”  

Then Torian frowned, deep and terrible, and Rass finally had an inkling of all the anger and rage the guy had in there.  But Torian was disciplined – had to have been, to survive this long – and he tamped it down.  “I’m caught between two lines of fire.  No one respectable would have or help care for my ade, but if I looked for someone outside, I would just prove Clan Cadera’s unworthiness – lack of quality.”  

“I could have set you up with my sister Layla, if she was still around.  Layla was the best – she would have seen you and not your old man -- ”

The words trailed off, and the two men fell silent, not exactly comfortably.

And that had started Rass’s mental perambulations about who was going to put up with him and his nonsense.  

Rass Ordo knew he was cute, but more like puppy dog cute, as Lane had put it.  He could always count on her for an honest assessment.  Especially after he’d taken a swing – and a hard miss. And Lane seemed to take a bizarre sense of satisfaction out of that – getting him to chase and then ask and then dead cold stop.  

Jekiah was old enough – or almost old enough – to be his father.  Him asking about how to ‘y’know’ was a conversation he didn’t want to have.  Because Rass didn’t need THAT conversation – that was old news, thank his ancestors.  (And he was grateful that the encounters were good enough to be unremarkable but not so awesome that he set too high a bar for himself in the future.)

Jek went home to his family and their ade when he could.  He fought the war, while his riduur trained them to fight. Once the youngest was done, then they’d all return to fight alongside Jek.  Such responsibilities were taken seriously and solemnly –

And it was a good love story for a Mando, for the Ordo Clan, like those that came before him.  

He watched Jek work the job, do it so well… and always keep the holo comm open in case a call came from the covert.  He always looked so … sad when he went to bed alone, without his riduur, because duty called.

He wanted what Jek had, but…not the weight that went with it.

See, that was Rass’s problem.  He liked to tease.  He hadn’t lost his ability to joke and get the job done.  For a lot of people in the Clans, that was a sign of immaturity.  Maybe it was.  But Rass didn’t see why the grindy parts of Resol’nare…had to be a grind.  Yeah, he could understand how his joking could be seen as indirect and not polite by other Mandalorians.

Layla would have been his go-to for advice in this area; they were closer in age, and she understood his… quirks.

Rass missed her a lot. She had so much potential – more than him, he thought.  

~~

Torian decided to spare both of them any continued misery.  “Cantina is open – food?”

“Yeah.”  As oblivious as Rass seemed to be to other social cues, the invitation to eat was never turned down; it’d be rude to do so.

Rass and Torian were heading into the main base as a shuttle came in for a landing.  What stopped them was both Captain Eva Corolastor and Operations Manager (and spymaster) Theron Shan going out to greet it.  

“What’s that about?” Rass asked the slightly older man.

“Other end of the holocron investigation.  Jetii and dar’Jetii trying to figure out Malgus’ plans,” Torian explained in brief.  

He lost Rass’s attention as a massive gust of wind had blown the cloak of the Jetii right over her face.  She took the situation in good humor – she was the one laughing first.

Torian recognized the sound: Fria Whitcord, liaison between the Jedi Order and the Alliance and “cultural immersion specialist” as the Jetii called her.  She … managed to freshen every room she was in – like a nice breeze.  

Not as blustery as the winds today.  

Fria was briikase and dral. Even the dar’Jetii Beniko cracked a smile.  Once the wind died down, Fria tugged down her cloak to greet Eva and Theron properly, both of them smiling at their old friend.

They’d all known each other on Yavin 4, and as time went on, they all seemed to find each other here on Odessen.  Torian knew that made Eva extremely happy

Torian saw Rass’s head tilt. Uh oh.  

Theron and Lana were discussing something behind Eva and Fria, who were talking animatedly about where a young Jedi could hide herself in the galaxy.  

Before Torian could stop him, Rass had planted himself in front of Eva and Fria.  “Hi.”

Before Eva could say anything, Fria had done her job as a cultural immersion specialist: she’d seen the armor, checked the height, recalibrated her stance.  She was giving a perfectly respectful greeting to a Mandalorian.  

Rass was osik at interpreting these things when they came from a non-Mando  –

“Greetings.  You must be Rass Ordo.”

“Uh-huh.”                                            

Torian made eye contact with Eva – mission abort, mission abort, bail, bail, bail.  

But it was too late. “We were going to the cantina – would you and Torian----?”  She was unceasingly polite,

“YES.”

Poor lady.  Didn’t know what she was getting into.

As Torian trailed behind the pair – Fria was talking, and Rass was nodding incessantly, staring at her – he overheard Theron and Eva.

“That’s not going to end well.”

“Oh, let them enjoy it while it lasts.”

Then Rass walked right off the edge of the steps into the cantina and ate the floor.

“…I concede your point. Rass might have to put his helmet on to survive this.”

Theron sighed.  Torian chuckled then helped Fria haul Rass off the floor. 

~~

A/N:  I have always believed that the steps into and out of the Odessen Cantina are an OSHA violation.

@fluffyfebruary @ermingarden @starlightcleric @ayresis @bluephoenix1347

@shynmighty and @queen-scribbles for the Rass Ordo love.