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knightprincess · 1 month

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Forgive Me (Echo x Medic Reader) Part 23

Words: 1.9K Warning: This one is a little heavy - mentions of depression, PTSD and Torture (Reconditioning) Pronouns Used: She/Her - (use of Y/N) Note: I am having trouble accessing the series masterlist. I will link it as soon as I can.

5 Months Later

(Y/N) wandered around her lab on Tantis, a depressed sigh escaping her as she continued her repetitive routine—one she hated as much as she did the empire. Snap should have been happy, even hopeful Omega had escaped the secret scientific base with Crosshair, but instead, she felt the opposite: terrified. The empire had discovered how valuable the young clone was and would hunt her down as if she were their prey.

"We have a new subject for you," came a demanding voice from behind (Y/N), the voice of a female scientist. Snap hadn't bothered to learn her name, as she hadn't expected to be there for so long. The plan was to get as much information as possible within a four-week period, and then she'd be extracted. (Y/N) turned, nodding silently, before retrieving her datapad, if only to find out who the poor soul she had been charged with tormenting this time was. She preyed on the maker. It wasn't another clone she knew, a prayer that was quickly rejected as her heart sank the moment her saddened eyes found the identification number. CC-3636.

"Wolffe," quickly whispered Snap, as her voice became trapped in her tightening throat and the familiar anxious feelings of the walls closing in around her and being trapped reared its head again. She'd hoped to see the Commander again, but not like this. She still hadn't forgiven herself for turning Tech into a Shadow, one of the many operatives at the empire's beck and call. She knew Wolffe wouldn't be as terrible, but it wouldn't be easier either. He was a friend, a brother to her, and now she was tasked with turning him into another of the empire's shadow assassins.

(Y/N) soon left her quiet lab, and with dread clouding her mind, she headed toward the large round room reserved for the reconditioning she was to put all shadow operatives through. The torture room as she had unceremoniously labeled it. Ever since Omega and Crosshair had escaped, security had been far tighter; Mistress Nala Se had been locked away in a cell as punishment for her part in the breakout. Where as Emerie Carr had been promoted to head scientist of Project Necromancer. The base seemed colder and grew colder the more the empire strangled the wider galaxy.

The moment Snap entered the rounded room, she was met with silence. Two TK Troopers stood guard over Wolffe as if he were a dangerous criminal; the Commander himself at least seemed peaceful. There was little doubt in (Y/N)'s mind that he'd been dosed with something before being transported to the secretive scientific base.

"You may leave," spoke Snap, her voice cold and sharp as it cut through the silence and ricocheted off the durasteel walls. Both plastid-clad men seemed confused by her dismissal of them, sharing a glance before turning their attention back to her.

"Negative, Ma'am," replied the taller of the two, shaking his head as if to convey the message quicker. "We have orders to stay for your safety. The clone is a dangerous insurgent," he uttered; the unnamed soldier had expected to see fear flash across (Y/N) features. Instead, her expression remained neutral, even more so as she buried the truth she knew. Wolffe wouldn't hurt her, although she'd admit she was terrified he was there. She questioned whether Tarkin had figured out where Wolffe's loyalty truly lay or if the commander had done something to earn the wrath of the empire.

"That was not a request," replied (Y/N), her bottled-up anger and self-hatred slipping through ever so slightly. "If you wish to stand guard, then do so outside the room. Being within will only distract me from my work," she added, turning her attention back to the datapad as she walked over to the small office and storage area, retrieving the medical supplies needed to complete the first of many tasks.

Wolffe seemed to regain consciousness as Snap went about the assessment. His sight blurry as he glanced around the room, but as it began to focus, the commander panicked, even more so upon becoming aware he was in an unknown place, a laboratory of some kind, restrained by the wrists, ankles, and several other areas, including his head. He'd been able to yell out to be let free of the restraint demand even when (Y/N) came into view, reaching to release the restraint around his head and loosening those around his torso and wrists.

Although some relief had washed over his clouded mind, it was quickly overcome with concern. (Y/N) was before him now but far different than he'd observed her to be in the past. There was no warmth to her now; she had closed herself off completely as if to protect herself and what remained of her fractured heart. Her touch was still gentle but didn't have the same comfort as before. It was as if the empire had broken her down and molded what remained into something else. As they did with his slowly disappearing brothers.

"(Y/N)," whispered Wolffe, wanting to reach out to her but found it impossible with the restraints. "Snap," he called, thankful that she had turned her attention to him. She quickly moved to wipe away the stray tear running down her cheek as if rubbing away any sign of weakness the empire could exploit. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't suppress her true self when someone called her by the affectionate nickname.

"They want to repurpose you," whispered (Y/N), a ragged sigh escaping her as she tried to recompose herself long enough to explain what she was tasked with doing. "I'm supposed to recondition you and ensure you're loyal to the empire. You'll become a shadow like Tech and Cody," she added, unsure how to feel when Wolffe had understood so quickly what that meant, what he'd be put through to achieve the goal.

"Were they successful?" questioned Wolffe, digging for even the littlest shred of hope. (Y/N) only nodded, Cody had been one of the first she'd succeeded with, he stopped fighting after she took over from Rampart. Tech had been successful, too, although his deviant nature had yielded some interesting results and a slither of hope. "Remember Wabani?" asked the commander, resigning himself to the fate ahead. He would have fought tooth and nail to escape if it were anyone else. He would have made things as difficult as possible. Snap was different. Only now did it truly resonate with Wolffe the meaning behind Gregor's words. Snap was the weapon the empire had against the clones.

"Forgive me," voiced Snap, gently squeezing his hand before the interrogation droid floated closer. Just like with Cody and Tech, she intended to botch the reconditioning, if only so it could be reversed. However, it didn't bring her any comfort, knowing each of them would remember the torture, the agonizing pain, and the scary after-effects of it all. Like Crosshair did, although (Y/N) wondered if the sniper had realized he was the key to finding the secret scientific base.

The reconditioning had only partially worked on Crosshair; his deviant and defiant nature had prevented most of it from sticking. Although the torture had left its mark, the nerve damage was a constant reminder, as were the flashbacks and nightmares. Upon realizing nothing wouldn't permanently stick with the sniper, Snap had taken a leap of faith, implanting a small microchip with the information she'd recovered and the coordinates of the base. Crosshair had everything, even if unknowingly. Even if she were caught, her mission would succeed the moment those fighting against the empire recovered the information.

"Mistress," voiced CX-2 from beneath his helmet, his voice mechanical and unrecognizable via it. With his return, Snap knew he had successfully retrieved Omega. The civvi medic knew why he'd come to her. All Shadow troopers knew to find her upon return to undergo a medical evaluation.

"Are the others okay?" questioned Snap, adverting her eyes away from Wolffe's torture. His screams and howls of pain would haunt her, just like the others before had. CX-2 could only nod, moving to block her view of the interrogation droid and Wolffe helplessly strapped down to the operating table. As if shades of his old self shone through, the shadow operative reached for her datapad, turned off the droid with little hesitation, and completed the actions that Snap was paralyzed to do.

Carefully, he nudged her to the small lift, the round observation tower servicing as her medical bay for all the Shadow Operatives. Upon perching on the end of the examination table, he removed the black helmet, placing it at his side, his vision turning blurry now, only outlines of objects and shadows moving across the room. (Y/N)'s presence being the clearest thing there.

"Your injuries are almost healed," spoke Snap, her voice calmer now as her gentle hand traced the scars scattering his face and neck. "Is there any pain? Your eye, neck, or cybernetics?" she asked, detecting Tech's inner struggle. His deviant nature had prevented the reconditioning from permanently sticking but had resulted in what was equal to two worlds colliding within his head, essentially doubling his suffering and pain. "The migraines, are they any better?"

"Anyone else would have deemed me a lost cause," Tech commented in response, focusing his blurred vision on her. His miss-matched eyes were similar to Wolffe's now. One is golden brown, and the other is a cold, clouded silver. "There is little you can do to fix my vision, Cyare. My goggles shattered the way they did, and the shards from the train did more damage than I care to admit."

"And I did further damage with the reconditioning," replied (Y/N), stepping back in an attempt to regain her slipping composure. She'd reached her limit weeks ago but forced all her feelings into a little box and buried them at the back of her mind to try and fix those she was forced to break. She did this to pull off a facade of confidence and hide the true terrified little girl she truly was inside.

"CX-2," called Hemlock the moment he entered the tinted room. As per usual, he had a calm and reserved aura about him, yet his eyes glistered with anger, even malice—an unusual sight, to say the least. "Take her into custody. Ensure she's properly secured in a cell," he ordered, ignoring the confusion and fear appearing across Snap's features. Instead, Hemlock's attention turned to Wolffe, helplessly strapped to a table, in and out of consciousness as he tried to order his scrambled thoughts and senses. The recent call with Tarkin only proved to shake Hemlock's trust in those around him, even more so if the admiral's theory was correct. (Y/N) was working with the tormented commander and against the empire.

"It's only until my investigation is complete. Admiral Tarkin brought a concerning theory to my attention," reported Hemlock, cluing the civvi medic in and alerting her to her dire situation, even more so when it dawned on her that her time for escape and rescue had passed. The only way she was likely to leave the facility was if the empire wanted her to.

Series Masterlist

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adh-d2 · 2 months

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The dad and the dog he didn't want 😭

#im not crying youre crying #seriously #the only time we've EVER seen him with an expression this soft is when someone mentions Tech #ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh #the bad batch #sw tbb #the bad batch season 3 spoilers #the bad batch spoilers #tbb spoilers #tbb crosshair #tbb batcher #batcher my beloved #tbb season 3 spoilers #the bad batch season 3 #tbb season 3 #tbb s3e5 #the return #my content

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movietimegirl · 2 months

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Lesson: Never swim in a Florida lake. Meditate instead.

#the bad batch #tbb crosshair #tbb omega #tbb batcher #tbb hunter #tbb wrecker #fennec shand #Gungi got mentioned #crosshair got alot to catch up on #he should watch S1 and S2 of tbb #the bad batch memes #meme #star wars meme

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papanowo · 1 year

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can’t wait for crosshairs mental illness arc

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questforgalas · 3 months

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Crosshair's rules for childcare:

Always self deprecate

Let them make the rules

Give them a blaster

#have i mentioned how much i love him?#have i mentioned how much i love his character development?#have i mentioned how much i love how quickly he stops pushing away as soon as he can?#star wars #the bad batch #crosshair #tbb #tbb crosshair #tbb spoilers #the bad batch spoilers

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starfleetspectre · 1 year

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Do you watch the bad batch? Anything bad batch please🫶 I love your art🥹

thirst trap(even though you didn't say thirst trap in the request)incoming

here you go anon

#let's not mention that finale #the bad batch #crosshair #eyes up here anon

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mooonjin · 2 months

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OH NO WHATS GONNA HAPPENN WHATS GONNA HAPPEN NEXT NOOO IM SO SCARED

spoilers for tbb 03x09!!!!

this shot of pabu... yeah we are not lasting

RETURN THE ZA QUEEEEEEEN

wrecker teasing crosshair about making new friends T-T

RAAA BROTHERZZZZZ

oooooo theyre SO protective

LMAO HER FACE

GAWDAAAAAAAAAAAAMNNNN

he just looks litte sily heheheeh

[REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED]

THIS ANGLE HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

they lowkey got their ass kicked like shes a ex-sith lord apprentice LMAO

IM GONNA TAKE THEM ALL (not in a fight)

CROSS CLOSEUP

ooh LALALALALA

crosshairs face when omega rebutted his point about people changing

"you're an odd little clone." "thanks! ^v^"

THIS SHOT OF THEM WATCHING FROM AFAR LMAOOOOO IM DEAD

AND THEN VENTRESS SPOTTING WRECKER

omg crosshair already waiting for omega even BEFORE the door opened

EEEE LOOKAT THEM

i genuinely thought ventress was gonna smack his hand away

GAWDDD THIS SHOT

#the bad batch #star wars #mooonjin talks #tbb #wrecker #crosshair #hunter #omega #the bad batch season three #asajj ventress #ANOTHER TECH MENTION #FORCE SENSITIVE OMEGA IS INSANE #animators PLS give me more wrekcer shots #PPSPLSPSLS #HUNTER WAS MADDDDDD HOT THIS EP #ASAJJ VENTRESS QUEEN #tbb season three #batcher

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b4adb4tcher · 5 days

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hot take but while i do not like that crosshair’s hand was cut off and definitely agree that it being cut off is problematic if it was done to “cure” his hand tremors

i do think this scene is fucking hilarious

his little wiggle and push push are so funny to me i have no idea why but i wouldn’t trade it for anything. i love him but i LOVE when the writers get his ass

gif credits- @theworstbatch

#honorary mentions #his kicky legs while hes getting fried by an ion cannon on bracca #every time he almost drowns #getting thrown around by hunter #getting thrown around by ventress #its comedy fucking gold actually #the bad batch #star wars #tbb #the bad batch season 3 #tbb spoilers #tbb crosshair #crosshair

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drafthorsemath · 10 months

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Crosshair’s Redemption

I posted this here in response to an earlier post, but also thought this should just live on its own on my blog, so apologies if you’ve seen it twice. Essentially, here are some thoughts about whether Crosshair should be held accountable for his actions with the Empire. Spoilers for The Bad Batch Season 2.

I’ll start by saying that Crosshair is already holding himself accountable, even if he’s not calling it that. When people say they want redemption for Crosshair, often, from what I’ve seen, they either implicitly or explicitly want him specifically to suffer in some way and many don’t seem to realize that he is already suffering. They seem to think he deserves that suffering and then some. In some cases, they flat out want him dead and think that is the only way for him to “pay” and be redeemed. I won’t even pretend I’m not projecting when I say that as a cult survivor, that hurts me to my core because I relate to him so much and I suppose I’m at the point in all this when I can talk more about what it’s like to be in a cult and why people do what they do. (If you want to hear what it’s like growing up in a doomsday cult, I’ve been interviewed for two podcasts and can direct you there and my DMs are open.)

No, I didn’t murder anyone, so you might think Crosshair has done worse than I have. I’m not here to argue about that, but in some ways I think helping to destroy someone’s life or sense of self without killing them can be just as bad, no? I definitely hurt people, even if I didn’t kill them. I hurt them deeply, just as I was hurt, but is that an excuse? No. But also, I was under the influence of many layers of authority in my cult. Did they put a gun to my head and “make” me do hurtful things? No, but they also constructed the situation so that it very much felt like life or death. I did what I had to do to survive. Does that mean I’m not accountable? Also no. Amazingly, it’s complicated. I’ve certainly paid for my time in the cult even though I was born into it. No one else showed up and passed down a punishment, but figuring out how to grieve, make right, help others, and build a life while thoroughly traumatized was pretty damn punishing.

How is my survival in a cult any different than Crosshair trying to survive? Different than Crosshair telling Hunter there is a place for all of them in the Empire? Any different than Crosshair saying he made his choice and the clones that matter will be just fine? Crosshair may try to play it cool and seem unaffected, but this man is doing what he feels he needs to do in order to survive in circumstances that are not of his choosing.

I think by The Outpost it becomes very clear that Crosshair is changing, even though we see glimpses earlier. He was literally pushed to the point where he thought his life would end for killing Nolan. You can argue that he didn’t know for sure if his life would be over, but when he killed that asshole, he could have been shot where he was and he knew it. He knew by that point that the Empire did not care about him at all and he still pulled the trigger.

Crosshair started holding himself accountable the moment he started making different decisions. The moment he went from playing along to survive to actively going against the Empire was when he started holding himself accountable.

We should also talk about the chip that was (is?) in his head. He was very much being controlled at least at the beginning of season 1. We know that the clones acted the way they did during Order 66 because of the chips. Should he still be held responsible for what he did under the influence of the chip? Then what about Cody and Bly and Wolffe and every other clone who killed or tried to kill the Jedi? Like where do we draw the line? Is it even our job to draw the line? Is it the job of the Rebellion to draw the line? I don’t think it is. I think it’s fine for the Rebellion to say, “if you don’t see what you did as a problem, then we don’t want to work with you,” but I don’t think they should get a firing squad or pass down a punishment. In Rebels, did the Rebellion not want to work with Rex, Gregor, or Wolffe? Kanan had feelings about it, sure, but ultimately no one made them atone for being clones under the influence of a chip.

It’s always interesting to me that people talk about Crosshair atoning, but not Vader or Sidious or Kylo Ren or any number of lower level cult leaders like Rampart. Maybe it’s because we already know what will happen to Vader, Kylo, and Sidious. Maybe it’s because they die and we figure that has to cover all their transgressions, but we don’t know how Crosshair’s story will end and people want to make sure there’s some “justice.”

Throughout season 2, although there’s not a ton of Crosshair shown, we see he’s really miserable. He’s not sleeping, he’s not eating, he was left on the platform for 32 rotations. He looks like hell and he feels like hell. He is so expressive and it’s clear he’s miserable by the look on his face. Isn’t he already paying for his bounded choice? Being in a cult is already awful, it’s really traumatizing, but people seem to love to pile on more guilt and then blame cult members like if they just weren’t so stupid none of this would have happened. Ultimately, the only people in cults who are irredeemable are the upper cult leaders. Sidious does not care about anyone but himself. He can’t be redeemed. Everyone else though? There’s hope for them. Don’t we want a better world where people can learn from their mistakes and help others? Where growing and bettering oneself is an ongoing process that lasts a life time? How many awful things need to happen to Crosshair before people will say “okay you ticked enough boxes, I forgive you now”? He is a complicated man, but he has empathy and he loves and cares for his family. Again this doesn’t mean he gets off without paying for what he’s done, but also, he’s already paying for his choices by living in a version of hell. Being in a cult is terrible and soul-crushing for everyone but the top cult leader.

I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention how Crosshair spent the end of season 2 strapped to a table, able to fight drugs in his system to get far enough to warn his siblings that the Empire is after Omega. While the full message didn’t get out, he did his utmost to warn them. He didn’t try to run for himself. He tried to save his family. If that isn’t Crosshair trying to do better and holding himself accountable then I don’t know what is.

Ultimately, I think when people want someone to hold Crosshair accountable, they are missing a part of his humanity and they assume he must want all that has happened. It’s like they think someone must dish out justice because surely he doesn’t realize how badly he screwed up, but Crosshair knows he messed up and now he has to reckon with it. Assigning the Rebellion or some person or group the job of holding him accountable only furthers the us versus them that cults instill into their members. It will only push him away further. Do you want to know what happened between me and the people who felt I needed to be held accountable for my time in a cult (that I was born into, just like the clones)? I never spoke to them again and I had one less person offering support as I tried to build some semblance of a life. The few threads of connection that I had were ultimately severed because they felt I hadn’t gone through enough.

Let Crosshair go on this journey. Let him try to do what is right, because he’s well on his way. Let him grieve for all that has happened and all he’s done. Because I promise, he’s grieving. He’s lonely and guilting himself to his core. It’s written all over his face.

#tbb crosshair #the bad batch #crosshair #tbb #tbb meta #the empire is a cult #when i don't know whether to post something on its own or reply with it so i do both i guess #the bad batch crosshair #cw cult mention #cw cult #cw cult recovery

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kybercrystals94 · 14 days

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The Last Time

Read here on Ao3!

Angstpril 2024 | Day 30 | Prompt 30: The Last Time

Rated: G | Words: 1562 | Summary: “...it was the last time…” | Character Focus: Hunter, Tech, Crosshair, Wrecker, Echo

“Are you awake?” Tech’s voice asks, right at the edge of Hunter’s bunk.

Hunter doesn’t know how anyone can sleep with the hurricane raging outside the walls. It sounds like the entire city might topple under the weight of its rampant fury. Not that Hunter’s scared. His blanket is only pulled up over his head because the flashes of lightning burn his eyes. But the thin blanket does not protect his frayed senses from the bone rattling thunder and the constant barrage of torrential rain lashing against the walls and windows.

“I’m awake,” Hunter says, voice muffled into his fabric sanctuary.

The edge of his mattress dips as Tech sits down next to him. “Excellent. Would you like to see the weather radar I have accessed?”

No, Hunter thinks, but he hears the slight tremble in his brother’s voice. With a sigh, he leaves the small comfort of his makeshift barrier and sits up. “Sure, Tech.”

It is the middle of their sleep cycle. Their barracks should be dark, but the incessant lightning keeps the room lit with a flickering, white light. Tech does not wait for further invitation before he scrambles the rest of the way into Hunter’s bunk, putting himself between Hunter and the wall. He props his data pad between them, the screen a mass of twisting colors. “We are here,” Tech says, pointing to a tiny blip amongst the chaos.

“What do the different colors mean?” Hunter asks. He already knows. Reading weather maps is a basic part of their training; however, he also knows that Tech finds comfort in over-explaining even the most rudimentary facts.

Hunter becomes so engrossed in the rambled explanation of weather patterns, that he doesn’t notice the shadow prowling across the room until it speaks almost directly into his ear. “What are you doing?”

Hunter won’t admit if his nerves also leapt bodily in surprise, but Tech startles, the small jerk of motion jarring against Hunter’s side.

Crosshair stands there, arms crossed tightly over his chest, shoulders hiked just a little towards his ears, waiting for an answer.

“Tech’s showing me his weather map,” Hunter says.

Crosshair shifts his weight, sharp eyes cutting away. “I want to see when this karking storm is gonna end,” he mumbles. Like Tech, he does not wait for an invitation to clamber into the bunk. Crosshair puts himself between Tech and the wall. Hunter shifts a little to make more room, Tech tucked snugly in the middle.

Tech starts his explanation all over again, moving the data pad to rest in his lap so that all three of them can see.

“Hey!” an indignant shout comes from across the room. There’s a loud thump, the thudding of feet running across the room. Wrecker looms over Hunter’s crowded bunk, blanket wrapped around his shoulders like a cape. “No one told me we were sharing a bunk tonight. I don’t want to be alone either!”

“We aren’t sharing a bunk,” Tech corrects him, “I am showing Hunter and Crosshair the storm’s progress on my radar.”

Wrecker grins. “Then I want to see too!”

He dives into the bunk amidst shouts of protest, wedging himself into the nonexistent space between Crosshair and the wall. Hunter is nearly shoved out of his own bed, clinging to Tech’s arm to keep himself from toppling to the floor.

“We can’t all fit!” Crosshair squawks.

“Yes, we can!” Wrecker says, sounding all too pleased with himself.

“Wrecker,” Crosshair wheezes, “your elbow is digging into my ribs.”

“Oh, sorry,” Wrecker says.

Another pause.

“Wrecker, your elbow is still digging into my ribs.”

“I know, but I’m really comfortable,” Wrecker sighs.

Tech huffs. “At least one of us is.”

Hunter is halfway off the bunk. “We can make this work,” he says, “but not like this.” He drops to the floor and stands up.

“How?” Crosshair asks.

“Sideways,” Hunter says. “Now move.”

“We’re too tall to fit sideways,” Tech points out.

“Do you want to share my bunk or not?” Hunter asks.

At that, his brothers don’t argue, quickly rearranging themselves. Sitting up as they had been, their feet - with the exception of Wrecker - come just to the edge of the thin mattress. They leave space for Hunter between the head of the bed and Tech. Hunter climbs into his allocated spot, and they situate his and Wrecker’s blankets over all four of them.

“Now,” Tech says, taking out his data pad. “Shall I start again?”

They listen to Tech talk about the storm, hardly noticing the stark flashes of lightning or the grumbling of the thunder or the endless onslaught of rain, until one by one they fall asleep.

But it is the last time the four share a bunk.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

"Stop looking at my cards!” Wrecker cries, holding his splay of cards against his chest.

Crosshair scoffs, sitting back. “I would if you’d stop waving them directly in my face.”

“Maybe if you stayed on your side of the table...”

“Can we play just one game without an argument?” Hunter asks, the patience in his voice becoming transparently thin.

A brief moment of silence. Wrecker puts down a card.

“Wrecker, that is an illegal play,” Tech says.

“Is not,” Wrecker says.

Crosshair picks up the card and flicks it back at Wrecker. “Is so. Take it back.”

Wrecker grumbles, but puts the card back in his hand.

The game continues without further incident until Crosshair wins the round.

“How did you know I was bluffing?” Tech asks as Crosshair sweeps his winnings of spare bolts and screws into his pile.

Crosshair grins. “You’ve got a tell.”

“Really? What is it?” Wrecker asks eagerly, squinting at Tech.

Tech rolls his eyes, gathering the cards to shuffle. “I do not have a tell.”

“He does,” Crosshair says to Wrecker, ignoring Tech, “but I’m not going to give it away. It’s my strategy. He counts cards, and I read his tells.”

Hunter groans. “Tech…”

“That is not cheating!” Tech cries, indignant.

“With your enhancement…”

“Now wait a minute–”

“Yeah! Using enhancements is cheating!” Wrecker declares.

Tech huffs. “Then Crosshair shouldn’t be able to read my tells,” he says, then adds, glancing at Wrecker, “not that I have any.”

“How the kark am I supposed to play then? Blindfolded?” Crosshair cries.

Tech shrugs indifferently. “If necessary.”

The table erupts in a tangle of arguments, rational and irrational alike.

It is the last time they play cards before Echo joins the Batch.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

“Here we are,” Hunter says cheerfully, stepping into the clearing and removing his helmet. He takes a deep breath, enjoying the inhalation of pure air, rich with the scents of primitive wilderness. The only electromagnetic signals his senses can pick up are from the Marauder an hour’s march away, and the faint output of Tech’s data pad and their gear.

“If by here you mean the middle of nowhere, then you are correct,” Tech grumbles, shrugging out of his pack and putting it against a tree.

“It was Hunter’s turn to pick our shore leave,” Echo says diplomatically. “So middle of nowhere it is.”

“I like it!” Wrecker booms, scaring away a bird that had been watching them from a nearby branch. “We haven’t been camping in ages!”

Crosshair sighs. “What do you call what we just did on our last mission?”

“Just ‘cause we had to sleep outside doesn’t mean it was camping,” Wrecker says. “Camping means we have a campfire and don’t have to worry about getting our heads shot off by clankers.”

“Now we just have to worry about our heads being bitten off by wild animals,” Crosshair retorts.

Tech immediately cuts in. “There are no predators on this planet capable of such a feat. I made sure of it.”

“See? I feel safer already.” Echo chuckles, pulling off his helmet and grinning at Hunter. “I think I’m gonna like this shore leave. We’ll have some peace and quiet if we can get these two to quit their whining,” he says, nodding at Crosshair and Tech.

Echo receives twin expressions of indignation in response.

However, that night, around the crackling warmth of the campfire, the complaints of the early afternoon are forgotten. The soft sounds of nighttime embrace them, soothing chaotic nature for something tranquil. They watch the stars overhead as things unreachable, winking pinpricks of light against a velvety, black canopy of sky.

Hunter takes first watch, eager to enjoy the serenity they’ve found. Crosshair comes to sit next to him once their brothers have fallen asleep. He bumps his shoulder against the Sargeant’s, and Hunter nudges him back. They don’t speak for long, peaceful minutes, appreciating one another’s quiet company.

“Do you think we could live like this? After the war?” Hunter asks at last, voice hushed.

Crosshair doesn’t answer right away, leaning forward and bracing his forearms on his knees, watching the flames of the fire dance and spark. “We’re soldiers,” he says, “we don’t know anything but war.”

“We could learn,” Hunter says. “Adapt.”

Crosshair chuckles. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

It is the last time they have shore leave before their mission to Kaller.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Hunter tries to remember the last words he said to Omega.

The last meaningful words.

The last words she might remember him by.

In case this mission goes wrong.

In case it was the last time he ever saw her.

But he can’t remember.

END

That's a wrap! [[On the eve of the Bad Batch series finale too!! 🥲]] 30 angsty prompts fulfilled in 30 days! I am honored to have gotten to collaborate alongside the endlessly talented @the-little-moment and @just-here-with-my-thoughts this month!

A master list post is coming soon with links to all 30 stories/chapters completed this month! So keep an eye out for that ☺️

Happy last Bad Batch eve, my lovelies! **sob**

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Tag List: @followthepurrgil @isthereanechoinhere96 @amorfista @mooncommlink @arctrooper69 @nagyanna424 @proteatook @ezras-left-thumb @maeashryver @merkitty49

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knightprincess · 5 months

Text

Forgive Me (Echo x Medic Reader) Part 17

Words: 2.9K Warnings: None (we're in the Bad Batch Territory now) Pairing: Echo & Medic Reader Pronouns: She/Her - mentions of Y/N and Y/L/N A/N - Forgive me for taking so long to update, my laptop erased everything and not so smart me didn't have back ups. Anyways Happy Holidays, wishing all a good new year x

Silence prevailed. The Marauder was quieter than it had ever been before; no one dared speak as reality slowly began to sink into each member of the elite squad. Not only were they now traitors to the new power, deserters, but they had also broken their own wordless promise by leaving Crosshair in the grip of the newly founded Empire. Although they had succeeded in retrieving Omega and sparing her from a fate few could imagine, it didn't soothe the guilt of leaving Crosshair to fend for himself in a place where few would see him as anything more than an object, an unfeeling piece of equipment, an number.

On top of that came the realization that thousands, if not millions, of Clones across the galaxy had been slaughtered amidst their effort to fulfill the directions of Order 66, an order that took away their free will and suppressed everything that made them human. An order that forced them to turn on and betray their friends in the Jedi and any innocent who stood in their way. An order that went against who they were and against anything any clone could have truly desired. Slowly, it was becoming obvious that Crosshair, too, had fallen victim to the galaxy-wide sweep of Order 66.

As Tech did more research, it became obvious it wasn't just the Jedi targeted. The Civvi personnel had been to. Those considered valuable had been sent to different divisions amongst all the chaos, whereas those deemed useless had been mercilessly executed alongside the Jedi. Echo was unsure what was worse, fearing his friends and brothers had been killed or finding out (Y/N) could also be among the lost. Despite his best efforts, the battle-worn Arc Trooper couldn't bring himself to speak the words ringing through his mind. The words that could shatter what remained of his resolve or fan the flames of hope. It had been Wrecker who had bravely worded the question.

"What about (Y/N)? You said she was on Coruscant." Wrecker's voice had softly rumbled through the tight confinements of the Marauder, bouncing on the durasteel walls as if to trap all of them in an unending loop with the question and any fears it would bring forth. Omega had spoken up curiously after finally diverting her attention away from the swirling colors of hyperspace, asking who the Civvi was, trying her hardest to break up the harrowing atmosphere that had since settled over the cold modified attack shuttle.

"I can't find any trace of her," answered Tech, pushing his goggles back up the bridge of his nose; he soon returned to tapping away at his holopad, a renewed determination to find the answers to lingering questions and maybe settle their growing nerves. If they could save even one they cared for, then their efforts and hope wouldn't be in vain. "It appears others are uncounted for as well. Commanders Wolffe, Thire, and Blackout are among them," he commented, intending to grow the small amount of hope each had, but especially for Echo, who had already lost so much and stood to lose more.

"Where are we heading anyway?" asked Echo, attempting to change the subject and drown the dread beginning to take hold in the pit of his stomach. All he wanted now was a distraction, if only so he could ignore the growing concerns and silence the thoughts of terror floating through his mind as if to torment him more than the Separatists did during the war. The Arc Trooper was well aware the Batch had built up a network of contacts during their assignments across the galaxy. Rex and Cody were among them, as were Senators, Civvi Personnel, and random civilians across the galaxy.

"Saleucami," announced Hunter, confidence flooding his smokey voice, even if his honey-colored eyes didn't echo it. "There's a friend there that's been hiding for years. Figured he'd be the best person to get advice from," he added, recalling when the batch had come across Cut and Su. It had been one of their first assignments off Kamino. At first, each had assumed he was just undercover for something but soon learned otherwise when he interrogated them, believing the Republic had sent them to retrieve or execute him for treason. They'd parted on good terms, though, keeping his whereabouts a secret and stopping off every now and again to visit when they were close by. They'd slowly built a friendship to the point Cut was one of the few they trusted.

"Found something," announced Tech, a forefinger pointed upwards, although a neutral expression painted upon his features, clearly stating he didn't know if his findings were good or not. "Two of the (Y/L/N) sisters are accounted for, Devika. She still remains in the Senate. Senators Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and Riyo Chuchi have taken her under their wing. Isolde is listed among the military base casualties, as is her husband Octavius," he added, unsure if (Y/N) being unaccounted for is a good thing or not. It certainly brought up more questions and barely answered others.

"She got away?" commented Omega, her voice full of hope and optimism despite the dire situation placed before her. Despite not knowing much about the civvi medic, it was clear she meant a lot to the clones who did know her. Some who came back to Kamino often spoke of the civvi medics, how some were far gentler than the Kaminoans. Others spoke of the medics being friendly and good listeners, brave even for fearlessly volunteering despite the cost of doing so. Risking their lives to ensure clones were taken care of, too.

Soon enough, the squad and Omega landed on Saleucami, landing on the outskirts of what appeared to be a farm. The fields of crops appeared about ready to be harvested. In the middle of the farm was a small homestead, surrounded by electrical fences to keep away deadly wild beasts that often roamed the area. No doubt there were other boogie traps set up to catch intruders unaware. One of which Wrecker found, made up of a laser trigger and repurposed B1 battle droids, their battery had long since gone flat.

The group had been met at the homestead by Su, brandishing a rifle, no doubt loaded and ready to use. Clung to her were her two children, Jek and Shaeeah, both seemed more curious than frightened despite the difficult time the entire galaxy faced. Both their faces lit up as they recognized the majority of the intruding group, excited even to see Omega with them, a child herself around the same age. Su lowered her rifle soon enough, as did Cut when he appeared from the rows of crops nearby. Both welcomed the former Republic soldiers before getting down to obvious business.

"Rex passed through here the day before yesterday," spoke Cut, giving hope not all was lost. "Wolffe and a medic the day before that," he added, sparking some interest among the group. Even more so at the mention of a medic being with him, despite the odds, Echo couldn't help the curiosity get the better of him and hope filled his heart. Could the medic be Snap? Had Wolffe saved her from whatever fate the Empire had in mind? Could his Snap have survived the slaughter at the military base?

"Wolffe was here?" questioned Hunter, recalling hearing many stories of the gruff commander, although the batch never had the chance to work with him. "Who was the medic?" he voiced, asking the questions all were thinking. Su and Cut glanced at each other. The sudden hope and the change in each of the enhanced soldiers suggested the medic was of great interest to them, perhaps a connection.

"He called her Snap," replied Su, finding herself uncertain if they should share the information; after all, Wolffe had made it clear his intention was to protect her from the Empire, indicating they would hunt her for some reason or another. "She's as stubborn as he is, insisted on tending to the wounds sustained."

"We have to find her and Wolffe," voiced Echo, the words escaping his lips the moment they popped to mind; he didn't spare a second to think about it. Hunter, Tech, and Wrecker all shared a glance as if confirming they were thinking the same thing before either of them spoke up. "Did they say where they were going?" asked the Arc Trooper, determined to keep to the promise he'd made (Y/N) before joining the Bad Batch moons prior. Determined to find her again while refusing to allow the empire to take anyone else away.

"Didn't say, but I wouldn't suggest going after either of them with the little one in your company," uttered Cut, showing his concern for Omega, even more so as he remembered Wolffe sharing his concerns and something Rex had mentioned the following day. "Rex mentioned the Empire highly valued her; they're hunting her. She was supposed to be taken to a top-secret division somewhere." cluing the four troopers in on the dangers that would await if they chose to pursue finding the medic, commander, or captain.

"She's alive, Echo, right now that's what matters. You know she'll be safe with Wolffe," said Hunter, taking Cut's advice and thinking of Omega and what was best for her. She was already stuck with four men who had no clue what to do with her, let alone care for or raise a child. It would be cruel to throw her in danger to try and find someone all considered a friend, all of them loved in their own way.

"But ..." started Echo as if to protest.

"Cut's right. Plus, if we did find Snap, she'd rip us all a new one for putting Omega in harm's way," voiced Wrecker, recalling witnessing Snap whack an incompetent member of the Civvi personnel upside the head. The sound of her hand colliding with the back of the blonde's head was enough to make even the toughest man cringe. The fury that blazed in her eyes that day could warm both Hoth and Ilum or freeze the desert planets of the outer rim.

"I have little doubt we will meet Snap again sometime down the road, but for now, we are on different paths," started Tech, becoming the voice of reason, whilst noting both Su and Cut had gone quiet, observing the interactions. "She's a survivor, a fighter. Eventually, she'll reappear. As Cody said, she had an army of big brothers. She has Wolffe; she's alive; we could ask no more than that," he added, thankful at least one of the few he had grown fond of had survived even when others hadn't been as fortunate. However, he did question how Wolffe had found her. Was it during the chaos of Order 66 or after it? Did he have help, or was it a coincidence he'd found her? Were there others out there helping, or was it just Wolffe and maybe Rex? Had the commander been affected by Order 66, or was he one of a few who had been immune to the effects?

There are so many questions with no answers to them. Echo soon sighed, resigning himself to doing what was best for Omega, even when every fiber of his being was screaming at him to find (Y/N) to help protect her. As the conversation continued, the Arc Trooper began to zone out. Thinking about what was and what is still to come. About all the wrongs he so desperately wanted to make up for, the redemption he sought after. His many brothers across the galaxy as well, both those who had fallen during the order and those now forced to serve the empire, the very thing they were fighting the war to prevent. He thought about Rex out there somewhere, no doubt with a mission in mind. The surviving Jedi who now hid across the galaxy, friends who had lost nearly everything.

Just as he began to think of Omega, although he didn't regret taking her from Kamino, he wasn't okay with the cost. Leaving Crosshair behind when it was so clear he needed them just as much as they needed him. Echo knew keeping Omega with them would complicate a lot of things; they would need to change how they did things to ensure she was safe and adjust other things for her. They would need to ensure she was their top priority, that she had the things she needed and had the skills needed to survive in the cruel galaxy. But more importantly, they had to remember Omega was a child, not a soldiers trained for battle.

"Echo," called Tech from close by, tapping his shoulder a few times to gain his attention before motioning for the Arch Trooper to accompany him. The moment the two left the homestead, a sharp sigh escaped Tech, one that appeared to surprise the enhanced clone when it passed his lips. "I will continue to search for her, while building the detector device, perhaps luck will be in our favor and we'll cross paths sooner rather than later" softly worded Tech, allowing hope to tint his voice. Although he also hoped to be given the chance to rescue Crosshair at some point, the guilt of leaving the silver-haired sniper behind weighed on him heavily, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud.

"Somethings not right," commented Echo, his voice quiet, as if his words were a secret he didn't want others to know. "Why would they execute Octavius, one of the best cryptographers the GAR had to offer? Yet insist on capturing Snap; what do they want her for?" he added, confusion lacing his voice, but concern and uncertainty also tainted it. Tech only glanced at him as both entered the Marauder, observing the mess either Wrecker or Omega had made at some point. The enhanced clone didn't voice his opinions, noting it would do little to soothe Echo or offer him anything in the way of comfort.

Deep down, Tech had questioned the same thing but had come to the conclusion that Octavius had been killed by another member of the personnel or even a rogue clone. After all, if Wolffe had retrieved (Y/N) from the base, then there had to be others helping him. Perhaps Commander Fox or the missing Thire had lent a helping hand. Maybe members of the 501st to disobey the order had aided, at least the half on Coruscant.

"I have a feeling we're not going to like the answer when we get it," voiced Tech, not admitting he had asked the same question regarding (Y/N). From the many thoughts flooding his mind, the scenarios could have been more desirable. Ranging from holding her captive and using her to lure other rogue clones, knowing they wouldn't abandon their friend, to using her for some top-secret experiment. After all, the emperor had ordered the death of her elder sister, so it wasn't a stretch to think he had a use for both (Y/N) and Devika, too. "I will see what I can uncover; if they plan to hunt her, then she is of more value than either of us initially thought. For now, though, it's better to keep a low profile. If the empire finds we are looking for her, they will likely use us or you as bait to get to her," announced Tech, speaking logically.

After all, the Empire had already displayed they would do whatever was necessary to achieve their goals, regardless of the cost or the opinions of those they supposedly served. They told lies and manipulated to ensure they were presented in the best possible light. For now, Order 66 was hidden, so it appeared like the clones had executed the Jedi willingly. The emperor had played a game of chess to an excellent degree, manipulating and playing both sides. To the separatists, the Republic was corrupt and no longer worked, whereas the Separatists were responsible for tearing the once peaceful galaxy apart in the eyes of the Republic.

The Jedi had become warmongers, and the senators were greedy on both sides. The Sith hid in the shadows for the most part, although there had been rumors of a mysterious apprentice the Emperor now had. The daunting Vader. Count Dooku, on the other hand, had by far received the worst treatment since his death, blamed for starting the war and plunging the galaxy into chaos. Only General Grievous had been judged as harshly for picking up where Dooku had left off; instead of ending the war, he continued with the desire for revenge against the republic.

For now, the Clones hadn't received any judgment nor praise for their part in the war. Instead, their future hung in limbo. It was only a matter of time before they were branded as a weapon too dangerous to be controlled and decommissioned as the battle droids had been. Whether another purpose would be found for them or they would be abandoned was another question. After all, they were created for war, and many members of the imperial personnel had already made their opinions clear: clones were nothing more than weapons that had outlived their usefulness. Now, they had completed their purpose, and the war was over.

"For now, we have to focus on stabilizing our own futures. We'd be little use to Snap if we are running from the empire as well," he added, seemingly getting through to Echo, who nodded before focusing on the task ahead of them. How were they going to get away from the empire and help the Lawqaune family disappear as well? Especially with all the new restrictions and other implements put in place.

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