theworstbatch

[theworstbatch]

Assorted clone doodles from the past week or so LOL, feat. longer-haired Rex (gives off surfer dude vibes) and mohawk Tech (I MISS HIM)

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#bunch

[theworstbatch]

a redraw of a tech from last year :D

#aww mr technology badbatch why are u pouting~? #techie

[theworstbatch]

Wrecker is fine btw after last episode :)

#AWOOGA #wreck

[theworstbatch]

scribbly redraw warmup :]] i miss them, ur honour

#MOHAWK TECH MOHAWK TECH #mega #techie

[theworstbatch]

Omegaaaaaaaa

#OH CUTE!! #mega

[theworstbatch]

It took 2 people to fully convince Crosshair to do a 180 on the Empire - but neither of those people were Bad Batch members.

They couldn't be. What would a squad of defective clones who had been disobeying orders since day 1 know about loyalty to an institution determined to establish order for the good of the galaxy? What would they know about finding purpose in being "good soldiers"?

Now, I DO think the seeds of Crosshair's eventual defection were planted by his brothers. Hunter pointing out that "Blind allegiance makes you a pawn" and then telling Crosshair "All you'll ever be to them is a number" are statements that are proven later to be true. But it takes Cody and Mayday to drive the lessons home.

Cody and Mayday share several characteristics that place them in unique positions to influence Crosshair:

Both are regs who accepted and befriended Crosshair - Cody says he specifically asked for Crosshair for the mission, and Mayday is upfront and friendly to Crosshair right from the start. (Contrast this to the other regs getting up to move tables when Crosshair sits to eat, or the other clone troopers who walk past Crosshair to get onto the shuttle without even sparing him a glance.)

Both are commanders. (I believe Crosshair ultimately respects authority for the most part: even when he was arguing with and challenging Hunter in "Aftermath," he still deferred to Hunter's orders until his inhibitor chip was intensified and he was then promoted to commander.)

Both are loyal soldiers who have served the Empire well - again, these regs are still commanders even under the new government. And we all know how important loyalty to the Empire is to Crosshair at this point.

Both save Crosshair's life during their missions.

In short, both are regs, but they are still soldiers Crosshair can quickly identify with and trust.

I think it's key that Crosshair encountered Cody before Mayday, though. And despite their similarities, both soldiers drive home different points.

CODY

Cody is one of the few regs we know Crosshair already respected - and still respects, given that Crosshair almost smiles when he recognizes him.

(Some proof in case it isn't apparent: Crosshair goes from frowny face...

...to relaxed almost-happy-if-you-squint-just-right face)

Anyway, while Cody does drop some hints early on that he has doubts about the Empire, he is willing to carry out the mission to rescue "Governor" Grotton, showing he will follow orders to a certain extent. However, he shows more restraint than Crosshair might have: he doesn't attack the civilians despite their obvious mistrust of the soldiers, he comes to an understanding with Tawni Ames, he's NOT willing to follow an order to execute her, and he is clearly dismayed and disappointed by her death.

And so, at the end of a "successful" mission, Cody more plainly reveals the depth of his dissatisfaction with following orders against one's own moral scruples:

Hunter had said "Blind allegiance makes you a pawn." And Cody, unwilling to blindly and unquestioningly be a pawn - or act like a battle droid - any longer, goes AWOL.

But that lesson alone isn't enough to make Crosshair turn on the Empire. Instead, he needs Mayday to give him the final push.

MAYDAY

First, Mayday indicates how appalled he is by the idea of anyone leaving their own behind - which we know is a sore spot for Crosshair. But most importantly, Mayday has demonstrated since he was first introduced that he strongly believes in soldiers being loyal to and looking out for each other (which is far different than just being loyal to the Empire).

Second, Mayday unknowingly challenges Crosshair's belief that serving the Empire provides meaningful purpose. (Remember that one of Crosshair's main arguments to his brothers about joining the Empire was so they could "find purpose again.")

Then, he unwittingly goes for the jugular and rips apart the motto Crosshair had adopted.

And then, in case Crosshair has any lingering doubts about the answer to Mayday's rhetorical question, Nolan decidedly answers the question for him.

Hunter had said "All you'll ever be to them is a number," and he is proven right in the most heartbreaking way.

Crosshair had accused his brothers of not being loyal to him; unfortunately, now he sees what true disloyalty looks like. And for Crosshair - severe and unyielding - realizing that he has misplaced his loyalty by giving it to an entity that mocks him and casts him AND those he cares about aside for doing so... this is the final straw.

Thankfully, Crosshair has now rediscovered the people who are worthy of his loyalty.

#meta analysis my beloved <3

[theworstbatch]

Rampart is not having a good time

#haha get eaten idiot

[theworstbatch]

goodmorning to the face card that NEVER declines 🗣️

#HMNGNDFGNDMFGDNM #ABSOLUTELY GOBBLING HIM UP #cross

[theworstbatch]

#oh NICE #bunch #wonder what made tech so pissed lmao

[theworstbatch]

tech in da pocket

#what will he do

[theworstbatch]

you are KIDS. weaponize that. waste her time.

#cant forget the ''miss!! bayrn threw up!!''

[theworstbatch]

Ooo another script! And look — this one comes with expert reviews!

“A merry season full of healing and rebuilding that which we… hmm, how shall I put this?” — Tech

“BLEW UP!” — Wrecker

#i was angry & then i saw this & am calm now. #the power of tech titties #also omg. the freckles!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #techie #fave

[theworstbatch]

Gave up halfway thru ¯\_(•_•)_/¯

#someone woke up on the wrong side of the bunk... #cunter

[theworstbatch]

baby Crosshair hours ✨

#is that glue. #cross

[theworstbatch]

I think Emerie’s been slowly coming round to what she needs to do for a while. Just the fact she's doing the right thing now even though she's visibly scared speaks volumes and I really like that. On top of that there's the fact she refers to the children in the vault as the children or by their names instead of just “the specimens” and how she uses Echo's name as well because she sees them as people and not just part of her work (which isn't a lot) but Omega proved kindness goes a long way in a place like Tantiss.

#I LOVE HERRRRRR I HOPE SHE SURVIVES THE LAST EP <33333 #emmie

[theworstbatch]

IM LOSING MY MIND HERE.

at least Emerie is going to help Echo <3

[theworstbatch]

Do it for her.

#damn right i will #emmie