AND WE ARE BACK! Hello, lovely people!
Venomizer: I really, really wish that we got way more stuff with Boba thinking about his dad. Not just him being mad about it or the implications we get in BOBF. TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS CHILD. I'm glad you like the Tech X Phee and the Hunter dadness!
imaginationflies: The answer is too much time thinking about fanfiction instead of doing my job. And talking out plot lines with my sisters. And years of practice. Omega will either make you your friend or you're die trying. Which is what I'm hoping for several characters in the Bad Batch. I also need Omega and Boba to meet in canon. I'm glad at least one person enjoys my self indulgence. I've considered doing a side fic with those. Though I'd need more time to write out a lot of that self indulgence! But the Jesse and Rhys one is technically done, just not edited...
4thwallbreak: I appreciate the support so much! And yes, this month is what I needed. Both stories have been guided into a new, better direction than what I had before.
If any of you aren't fans of the Tech X Phee, sorry. It's going to continue. I know you're here for the Rexsoka and my ability to torture characters, but Tech X Phee is a very special ship to me. It's contained mostly in the first section here, but there are a couple of plot relevant tidbits in there.
TW: intrusive thoughts
Mando'a translations at the end!
"There we are." Phee Genoa said, pointing.
Tech adjusted his goggles as he followed her gesture to a KST-100 Kestrel light executive transport. He raised an eyebrow.
"Most individuals working outside the law such as yourself do not deal in enough legal credits to purchase such a ship." He said.
Hunter tensed besides Tech. The idea of traveling in a ship that was likely reported stolen would not appeal to him.
"Says who?" Phee Genoa said. "I got the Swoophawk for 60k."
"Impressive, seeing as it retails for 120,000 credits." Tech said.
He considered asking Phee for the name of the merchant she dealt with. When he had time again, he would have liked to restart some of his projects. Some of the supplies he needed were expensive and often of questionable legality.
"Don't get your bandana in a twist." Phee Genoa said to Hunter. "I bought her from a friend who works for the Corellian Engineering Corporation. He let me buy her as a favor. The KST-100 never sold well and they were just going to scrap the ones collecting dust in the warehouses."
Tech saw Hunter relax, but only slightly.
"What's a Swoophawk?" Omega asked as they boarded.
"The Swoophawk-" Phee Genoa started.
"The Swoophawk is a mythological flying creature." Tech interjected. "They originated in the legends of the Jacipri and were believed to herald the end of the universe."
He heard Hunter sigh and knew he had spoken out of turn again. Phee Genoa did not seem angry. If anything, she seemed- amused.
"Well, I guess we've got an expert here." She said.
"Hardly." Tech said, adjusting his goggles. "I only know of them through tangential research."
"You still know more than me." Phee Genoa said. "I had no idea that they came from the Jacipri. But next time, you may want to wait to see how much I know."
She winked and Tech blinked. It was not exactly a reprimand, but something gentler. Before Tech could reply, she delved further into the ship.
Tech took the chance to look around. At first glance, it was as chaotic as the Marauder. The ship was packed with various items and trinkets. As Tech continued to study the surroundings, he found an organization there. Clothes were only draped over one chair. Items relating to hygiene were consigned to a single shelf. Even the seemingly random trinkets hanging from the ceiling came together in a colorful pattern.
"Try not to sit on anything." Phee Genoa called back to them.
Hunter put a hand on Omega's shoulder before the girl could dart around the ship to examine everything.
"It's not our ship." Hunter said quietly.
Omega sighed.
"Give me a moment to get us into hyperspace, hun, and then I'll give you a tour." Phee Genoa said. "But in the meantime, feel free to look around."
Omega perked up immediately. Her curiosity was insatiable. Tech liked to think that was an attribute they shared.
The engine started beneath them. Tech could hear immediately that it was not optimized. That was unsurprising. Most ship owners did not bother tuning the heart of their ships.
Tech found himself heading to the cockpit as Hunter supervised Omega's exploration. Phee Genoa handled the controls confidently.
"I'm assuming you live on Coruscant." She said.
"Correct." Tech replied.
"Haven't been there in a few years." Phee Genoa said. "Last time I went was before the war. I didn't want any part of that."
"The war?" Tech said.
"There was something fishy about the whole thing." Phee Genoa said. "Especially a clone army coming out of nowhere."
"You were right to be suspicious." Tech said. "Seeing as our creation was orchestrated by a Sith Lord."
Phee Genoa gave him an odd look.
"Were you unaware of our origins?" Tech asked.
"No, I'd heard about that." Phee Genoa said. "It's just- most people don't use the word 'creation' to describe their existence."
"It is accurate in our case." Tech said.
"I've found that 'accurate' isn't always the best." Phee Genoa said.
Tech frowned. That was utter nonsense of course. Accuracy should always be strived for. He did not correct her, however. Instead, he listened carefully to the timbre of the engine. He could hear a whirring noise that was common in untuned engines.
"I estimate that your engines are currently running at 80 percent capacity." He said.
Phee Genoa grimaced.
"I know they're not in the greatest shape." She said. "I haven't been able to find a mechanic familiar enough with her type of engine to get her running properly. Shields are on the fritz too."
"I could easily perform any required repairs." Tech said.
Phee Genoa cocked an eyebrow at him.
"What do you charge?"
"Charge?" Tech cocked his head. "Ah. The transactional nature of modern society."
"You say that like you're a stranger to it." Phee Genoa said.
"I am." Tech replied. "Clones do not often expect payment for their assistance. It is not practical for a soldier to do so."
"If only more of the galaxy tried to be that way." Phee Genoa said with a sigh. "Cid's the opposite. She won't do a thing if there's nothing in it for her. She'd sell her own kid if it meant turning a profit."
Tech looked at her. He found himself growing curious about the self professed liberator.
"What of you?" He asked her. "Is that what you are like?"
"I try not to be." Phee Genoa said. "But sometimes I have to take care of myself."
"I suppose that you are providing transport for us without compensation." Tech said.
Phee Genoa looked at him.
"Now hang on," She said. "Who said anything about no compensation?"
Tech felt a momentary freeze of shock and discomfort, but then Phee Genoa laughed.
"Just pulling your leg, Browneyes." She said.
Tech glanced at her.
"Brown is the average phenotype for clones." He said. "Nicknames are to create a unique identity for an individual, are they not?"
"Your eyes are plenty unique." Phee Genoa said with a wink. "In the best way."
For an unknown reason, Tech found himself speechless. He cleared his throat and tried to find a response.
Before he could, the ship jolted as it jumped into hyperspace.
"There." Phee said. She stood up and slipped past Tech. "Hey, hun, you want that tour now?"
"Yes!" Omega said, jumping up from where she sat.
Tech stood by Hunter as Phee explained the many baubles around the ship. Omega listened with a rapt expression. Tech doubted the stories Phee told, but he enjoyed the enthusiasm with which she told them. What he truly appreciated was the attention she paid to Omega, responding to her questions and comments. Tech had observed that when faced with interacting with the Batch, many individuals ignored Omega, or became patronizing.
Hunter watched them interact, arms folded. Tech could tell he disapproved and did not trust Phee yet. Tech would have been more wary, but the information he found on the holonet corroborated with her story. She truly seemed to be a collector of cultural artifacts, and a friendly one at that. Tech had to admit that it was tempting to trust Phee merely because of her apolitical nature. He watched Echo and Omega traverse the political landscape nearly every day and he was not fond of it.
"What's wrong?" Hunter muttered so that Phee and Omega could not hear.
Tech looked at him.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"You're not on your datapad." Hunter said.
Tech looked down to where he held the pad loosely at his side.
"Ah." Tech said. "I am merely listening."
Hunter frowned with a glance at Phee.
"You never just listen." He said.
Hunter was correct, of course. Tech did very few things without multitasking on his datapad.
"That was when I realized I was stuck in a cave with nine angry gundarks." Phee was saying.
Omega gasped appropriately, but Hunter scoffed.
"Nine." He said. "How in the galaxy were you supposed to take down nine gundarks?"
"I am assuming through clever manipulation of her environment and circumstances." Tech said. "That is how she has overcome eighty three percent of the situations she has described in the accounts she has given us."
Phee beamed at Tech. He found his lips twitching up in response.
"Exactly." She said. "Now if you'll listen like Omega and Browneyes here, you'll get to find out."
Hunter rolled his eyes as she continued her story. Tech was still convinced that the accounts were not accurate. He still found value in her voice.
Two stories later, Phee stretched.
"We probably have to switch hyperlanes soon." She said.
"Tech, you've got an incoming message." Hunter said as Phee made her way to the cockpit.
Tech looked down at the flashing light on his data pad.
"So I have." Tech said.
He lifted his data pad and opened the message from Echo.
Then Tech froze. He reread the message.
Echoes of the emotions he knew would overwhelm him later twinged in his chest. Dread, horror, stress.
"Tech?" Hunter asked.
Omega was looking at him now too.
Tech swallowed.
"We were too late." He said. "The Serennians have declared war on the Republic."
"How many people are we allowed to invite?" Jesse asked Rhys eagerly.
Fives watched Rhys laugh and pat Jesse's hand. They were all gathered around the table with Rex and Kix while Gia played nearby. Wedding planning was apparently far more involved than Fives would have guessed.
"As many as you want. Pantoran weddings tend to be big affairs." She said. "Though we might have to save for a bit longer if it's too many."
"I want as many brothers as possible!" Jesse said, eyes bright.
"Always a fan of the spectacle, huh Jesse?" Kix said with a smirk.
"No!" Jesse said, though Fives didn't believe him. "It's the first public clone wedding. Every clone should have a chance to come."
"Gotta show them how it's done, huh?" Kix said. "Let them see we all have a chance."
Not for me. Fives thought.
Senna flashed across his mind and he felt sick.
"Traditionally, the groom cannot tell a lie on the day of the wedding." Rhys said. "At the reception, the brothers or friends of the groom are allowed to ask him one question each, in order to reveal a secret."
Kix and Rex laughed while Fives smiled.
"So you want us to reveal his most embarrassing secret?" Kix asked eagerly. "Oh, this will be fun."
Jesse grinned sheepishly.
"I was thinking you three and Echo." He said.
"I think you'll just need Fives to get that secret out." Rex said with a smile.
Fives tried not to shrink under everyone's gazes.
"Nah, I'm not that good." He said.
"Fives, you always could wheedle the best gossip out of the most tightlipped vod." Jesse said. "One question will be too many."
Fives shrugged his shoulders.
"Make sure he's last." Kix said. "So we have a chance to ask our questions."
Fives felt a twinge of frustration. Didn't they get it?
"Kriff off. Look elsewhere." He said, trying to keep his voice light. "I'm not your man."
The others fell silent and Fives felt his grin slip away. There was sadness in their eyes. He'd kriffed up again.
Just keep your mouth shut. It only gets you in trouble, like with Leaf.
The writhing in his stomach grew worse. He stood up.
"I've got a call to make." He said flatly. "Just remembered."
It wasn't a lie, but he needed to get away before more thoughts of that night overwhelmed him.
Fifteen minutes later, Fives sat alone in his room, staring at the holo in front of him. He could hear Jesse laughing from the front room.
Faced with the prospect of actually making the call, he felt paralyzed. All he had to do was reach out, enter Grif's frequency, and hit a button. Easy.
It wasn't. Fives kept hesitating. He wanted an excuse beyond 'I don't have it in me.'
Because that's what it is. An excuse. You're a coward.
He wouldn't have been so hurt by what Leaf had said if he hadn't been right. He wouldn't have been so overwhelmed by the thoughts if they weren't true. And Senna-
He felt nauseated again as he thought of her. She had been just trying to help him. She likely thought that knowing she was okay would have helped him. It should have helped him. He should have accepted her with open arms.
But he didn't.
Fives forced his hand to move and input Grif's frequency, if only to escape the thoughts.
"Grif here."
"Hey, it's Sinko."
"Sinko?" The shock in Grif's voice was jarring. "Hell, boy, are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Fives said, bemused. "Why wouldn't I be?"
There was a silence on the other end.
"Serreno's declared war. It was announced twenty minutes ago." Grif said quietly. "And I'd heard that the Chancellor is drafting all the clones."
It was as if Fives had been transported back to every hellish battlefield he'd ever been on. He sucked in a breath and was surprised that he tasted no smoke in the air.
"Sinko?" Grif's voice brought him back a little. "You still there?"
"I-" Fives choked out. "Yeah. I'm okay."
"Listen, Sinko. I don't know what's gonna happen, but if it's true and they try to make you fight again, come talk to me. I might be able to work something out." Grif said.
Fives almost laughed through the shock. What choice did he have? If Chancellor Amidala even just asked them to fight, he would, if only for his brothers. Even if the idea made his insides shred themselves with fear.
And apparently, the Chancellor wasn't asking.
"I can't." He managed to grit out. "My brothers-"
"I understand." Grif said. "But- good luck, Sinko."
"You too." Fives whispered. "Thank you."
The comm clicked off and Fives was left with his terror.
A soldier afraid to fight again? Coward.
He couldn't be alone anymore.
His brothers looked up from where they sat around the table as he stumbled from his room. Their smiles failed as they saw him.
"Fives?" Rex asked, standing. "What's wrong?"
Fives searched for Tech or Echo, but no, they wouldn't be here. Tech was still off planet and Echo and Wrecker were still at the Senate. Rex- was Rex strong enough to help him?
It didn't matter. The words burst from his chest.
"We're at war." He said. Once they were out, the words wouldn't stop coming. "And she's making us fight. She promised to keep us safe but we're just tools!"
Rex immediately stood up and crossed the room to take Fives' shoulders.
"Fives." He said. "Take a breath."
Fives tried to. He kept expecting to breathe in the musty air of a battlefield.
"Did the Serennians declare war?" Kix asked from the table.
"Yes." Fives said. "They kriffing did. And the clones are all getting drafted."
"Hang on." Rex said. "Where did you hear this?"
"Does it matter?" Fives asked.
"It does." Rex said in a calm, steady voice.
"It was Grif." Fives said.
He hated that Rex looked relieved.
"We should wait for more information." Rex said.
"Are you saying that Grif's a liar?" Fives snapped.
"I'm sure that Grif's a good man." Rex said. "But he's not exactly close to the Chancellor. Echo and Wrecker will know more."
Fives broke away from Rex and paced. He ignored the stricken faces of Jesse and Rhys.
The Chancellor's a traitor. Fives thought bitterly. All that talk of rights and safety and citizenship and she's just going to throw us back onto the battlefield.
His thoughts followed that line until Echo and Wrecker finally came through the door.
"Echo!" Fives said. "Are we-"
He saw Echo's tired resignation and Fives knew.
"They found out that we're harboring General Kenobi and the others." Echo said. "They ran out of patience."
Anger boiled up in Fives' chest.
"Well, good thing the Republic has a ready-made army then." He spat.
Echo shook his head.
"It's not like that." He said. "There's going to be a draft-"
"Oh, so only some of us will die!" Fives said. "I'm glad that once again we're going to be randomly selected for death!"
"Fives!" Echo said firmly. "It's a Republic-wide draft! Yes, the clones are included, but so is everyone!"
The room fell silent.
"Will people be able to enlist?" Jesse asked quietly.
"Yes." Echo said. "That's the starting plan. The draft won't be for a while yet."
His response broke over Fives with a force that nearly buckled his knees.
"Is she insane?" Fives demanded. "She knows what the Kaminoans bred into us. It won't be a choice for us."
"I know!" Echo snapped. "What is she supposed to do, ban any Tal'solus from enlisting?"
"Yes!" Fives said.
"That would create an outrage, within the Tal'solus community and with the nat borns." Echo said.
"I'd rather that than my idiotic brothers getting themselves killed!" Fives said.
And then he saw the look in Jesse's eyes.
"No." Fives said. "Jesse, how could you even consider-"
Jesse pulled Rhys close with one arm. She was staring at him with wide eyes.
"Jesse." She whispered.
When Jesse spoke, it was to her, not Fives.
"Fives is right." He said. "Most clones will enlist, whether from loyalty or just because it's familiar. I can't trust the natborns to have their backs."
Fives looked away as Jesse touched Rhys' face.
"And the Republic is home. You're home." Jesse said. "How could I not defend you?"
Rhys made a choked noise.
"You aren't going back, not until you marry me." She said.
"Then we do it as soon as possible." Jesse said.
"Tomorrow." Rhys said.
"Tomorrow." Jesse agreed quietly.
He looked at Fives and the rest.
"Will you come?" He asked.
They all nodded, though Fives' anger still burned. Beneath that anger was a fear he didn't want to face.
He didn't really hear the goodbyes Jesse and the others gave. He couldn't believe Chancellor Amidala. They were supposed to be free, not free until the Republic really needed them.
"Ahsoka will be heartbroken." Rex muttered once their guests had left.
Fives let out a bitter laugh.
"What, that her men are being sent to die again?" He asked.
Rex stared straight ahead.
"I meant about missing the wedding." He said in a tight voice.
"That's what you're worried about?" Fives asked. "Not that we're all about to go back to war? That the person who was supposed to protect us is using us?"
"She's not using us." Echo said.
"Isn't she?" Fives said. "She's willing to send us to war like the slaves we were!"
"She was cryin'." Wrecker said, an edge in his voice. "I don't know if you noticed, Echo, but she was cryin' the whole day."
Fives tried to say something, but it was hard to when Wrecker spoke like this.
"She said that no matter what, the clones are gonna volunteer to fight to protect the Republic." Wrecker went on. "There's nothing she can do. We're gonna do it anyway."
"Yeah, we may want to, but a lot of us shouldn't." Fives said. "You're telling me they should let Rex go back on the front lines?"
"I'm willing to go." Rex said quietly.
Fives waved a hand at him.
"My point exactly!" He said. "Clones will pretend to be well enough to fight! We did it with the Kaminoans!"
The dark thoughts rose in him and spilled out his mouth like bile.
"It's all been a trick." He said. "What were we doing, hoping for better? We're all going to die as blaster fodder, just like we were created to be."
He trailed off at the others' expressions. Fives glanced away.
"We don't know if it will even come to blows." Echo said, his voice soft.
Fives shrugged. If it wasn't this conflict, it would be the next. The temptation of a trained army with dogmatic loyalty to the Republic would be too much. The clones had lied to themselves. They weren't people, only tools.
"Are they fighting already?" Omega asked.
Her distress made Tech push aside his own.
"No." Tech said. "This is not like the Clone Wars. Likely this will begin with the shutting down of trade routes, the gathering of troops, the solidifying of alliances-"
The ship jerked as they came out of hyperspace and beeping came from the front. Phee cursed from the cockpit.
"And the shutting down of hyperspace lanes." Tech finished.
"There's a swarm of CIS patrol ships put there." Phee called. "Kriff, hang on."
"We're supposed to be in Republic space!" Hunter hissed.
"Clearly the declaration of war has changed that." Tech said.
He could hear voices from Phee's comm.
"KST-100, proceed to space platform 3962H. Do not re-engage your hyperdrive." A brusque voice said.
"May I ask what's wrong, officer?" Phee said smoothly.
"Due to the conflict between the CIS and Republic, all non official vessels are currently restricted from hyperlane use." The officer said. "Please proceed."
"All right." Phee said.
She returned to the main bay of the ship, eyes serious.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't think it wise to try and run." She said. "There's over a dozen ships out there and the Swoophawk's shields-"
"I understand." Tech said. "However, it is concerning that the entirety of the CIS is choosing to side with Serenno."
"What do we do now?" Omega asked.
Tech looked at her, a terrifying realization dawning on him. Considering Hunter's stiff posture, he had come to the same conclusion.
Omega, a high profile Senator of the Republic, was now trapped in hostile space.
In spite of his growing unease, Tech smiled at her.
"We will figure out a solution." He said. "Like we always do."
Mando'a:
vod: brother
Tal'solus: one blood, name for the clone faction
From the top!
Like I said, Phee and Tech are very special to me. Tech already lives in my heart in part because of his excellent autism representation and to have a beautiful, competent, interesting character show interest in him has helped with some of my own insecurities. ALSO THE CLONES DESERVE TO HAVE CANON LOVE. Also #techlives.
I think Tech starts to like Phee because: 1. her interest in helping people preserve their culture. 2. the way she interacts with Omega. 3. the way she encourages him to live in the present and notice things around him.
I feel like Phee was neutral in the war, but if I were to make her choose, I think she'd be more Separatist honestly. Like true Separatist, like Mina Bonteri.
And uh. Yeah. War started. Oops.
Yay Jesse and Rhys are starting to plan their wedding! The reason it's taken so long is because they've been trying to save for it. I've had a lot of fun coming up with Pantoran traditions, especially the wedding ceremony. You'll see it soon, but I think it's pretty cool.
Fives is still struggling hard. Which is really unfortunate. If only I had any control over that. Rex, on the other hand, is doing SO MUCH BETTER. Oh gosh, my original plan was for him to have another breakdown but THANK THE FORCE I came up with a better storyline.
And now Padme has to deal with the fact that she has a bunch of willing, well trained, loyal soldiers who she desperately does not want to send to war again. I figured that the clones would freak if she exempted them from the draft, and the normal populous would start crying about favoritism.
...there go those wedding plans. Oops. But there's no way Jesse wouldn't go. He's got the freaking Republic cog tattooed on his head. Not to mention that the clones would prefer to have their brothers' backs rather than barely trained natborns.
A few clarifications for the beginning of the war. Unlike the Clone Wars, there's not going to be immediate battles. They need to prepare. And maybe, there will be enough time for Boba to save the day!
Maybe.
And if you're wondering, they had to stop to change hyperspace lanes. Which is a thing I learned about writing this scene.
Okay, that should be everything!
Stay safe, remember to review, and I'll see you all next week for Guilty/Absolved!