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#Temple Guard OC Squad
kiwikipedia · 2 years
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The thing about the Jedi Temple Guard is people tend to forget that their oath states that they must protect and defend the Order, by any means, no matter the cost. Perhaps next time, Anakin might think twice about marching on the Temple with the intent to kill while over a hundred Jedi with no qualms about killing in order to protect the Order are stationed there— even if it means bringing him or the clones to death with their own hands and their identities known. Even if that means, for Ashe, killing the Clones that he once saw as friends.
(AU notes and Taglist below, ID in rb)
As per usual, I’ve wanted to do another AU with the Jedi Temple Guard. I don’t have it all mapped out but the general premise is that the Jedi Temple Guard are just a defensive and protection unit during a time of peace, they are uniform, and considered a single body lead by the Head of the Guard (Be it the Head Guard (different) assuming the position at the time or the Head of Security who has been granted that position).
They don ivory and gold as a sign of peace within the Temple, and are without a face. However, the moment danger comes to the Temple, when an enemy army is at their doorstep? They change. This moment is the only time when their faces and identities are known individually without breaking their oath, because is it not honorable for your enemy to know who it is they will die to?
Nonetheless, this face of the Jedi Temple Guard is that of a necessary monster— because the Jedi do kill wantonly, but protect, and yet, when it comes down to it, who is it that protect the Jedi Order? The Temple Guard will kill in order to defend, and perhaps they are monsters because of it.
But these are things that Anakin Skywalker did not know, things that Palaptine did not know. Because when Cin Drallig felt the snap in the Force signifying that four Masters had been killed, so did the rest of the Guard. And thus they acted accordingly. Palpatine expected for the Jedi to be taken off guard, as did Anakin as he lead the 501st to the Temple.
He did not expect to see the Jedi Temple Guard without their masks of white and gold waiting for him at every turn, he did not expect the wild and vicious side of the Jedi, who used their lightsabers as much as they used mundane weapons and their own fists, unflinching and not hesitating at all when facing down the Clones that the Jedi trusted so much.
Taglist:
@jedifisto @spaceydragons @purgetrooperfox @spacerocksarethebestrocks @insanelytomato @maulpunk @certified-anakinfucker @d3epfriedangels @iamthespacegeneral @thecodyagenda @dilf-archivist @txtalnyx @jawajawas
Taglist Form or feel free to ask me to get tagged (just DM!)
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fours-a-party · 2 years
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Unspoken Guard Rule: If Cin Doesn’t See You Do It, It Didn’t Happen
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graves-doodles · 5 months
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So what if… 👉👈 I made all these Link OCs and didn't know what to do with them, so I decided to make them all meet or something idk and this is a meet the squad kinda post...?
Keeping this unbelievably abridged, they'll probably get their own individual posts or somethin' Garo Mask- I feel like I introduced this man so many times. But this guy? Honestly he's the only Link here actively fighting both Ganondorf and Zelda by the end of his story. Crow- He lost his Zelda and she gave him the Triforce of Wisdom before she went and the Zelda who replaced her is holding the Triforce of Power (Gan has Courage, what fun a Ganonfriend!) also he is in fact a bird sometimes. Doctor- He has the full Triforce but at the cost of being held hostage at the castle for like a century being used as a power source before Ganondorf unknowingly freed him. The process dyed his hair and fingers from so much use so he hides his hands. Semi-evil Zelda since it was her ancestor who did that to him but she has the thought of getting him back to continue more and more often Neon- The man, the beloved, the reluctant, what can I say Nightlight- Unfortunately… I havent really got his back story yet, so he's just here to hang out? Snake (and Mint)- A baby boy! He's just a lil guy! His Hyrule isn't in any real danger though Ganondorf, the mongoose lookin mf, does snap and whine a lot at Zelda, owl coded Queen beloved Earth- one of the newer ones, this guy is just tired af. He is just the princess's body guard because there's already a Hero running around, thats what happens when you wake up in a completely different era after a long nap trapped in the ground Plants- Small baby, shy child. His Hyrule has absolutely no problems fr fr. Him, Zelda, and Ganondorf all hang out together regularly via them visiting him. He is the forest sage after all, he doesn't want to leave the temple grounds for anything. Just in case. Wrangle- Ah, he falls in with Nightlight where Im not entirely sure of a story for him yet. But! He's the only one here besides Snake who has a companion! Bonnie is such a lil sweetheart!
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bolithesenate · 3 months
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Overview of the Guard OCs
sorted by age:
Masin Vel Afad - Masin is the product of me going 'what if there was a Guard that's older than Cin, actually?' Like, yes, that's his boss, but also Masin had that mask since before Cin was a Battlemaster, so really. Who is winning here. Raised two Padawans successfully to Knighthood prior to joining the Guard and is the most dad-coded jedi to ever exist. Some voices claim he was born a dad.
Hack - saw entirely too many shitty cop holodramas as a Youngling, latched onto the 'grumpy hacker' stereotype and made it his entire personality. He is one of the Guard's internal IT team, since his stature (he is toydarian) doesn't really allow for him to, well, blend in with the visible Guards. There were some attempts at stacking several smaller Guards ontop of each other but that resulted in 4 traumatized crèchelings and one very angry Cin Drallig. Voices claim that that was Hack's villain origin story and the reason for his incessant blackmailing-fetish.
Ranatward 'Nat' Missalek - rumored to be the source of all chaos in the Guard. Would not claim otherwise. Although xe is a Jedi through and through and takes a lot of pride in being a member of the Order, xe has a very social streak that some mighr claim is antithetical to the work as a Guard. But those who work with xem know that's not true because Nat is the kit that holds them together. Sometimes literally, xe is very much a hugger.
Zessh Jarid - take your Grandma's old and kinda grumpy cat. Subtract the age and give her opposable thumbs and space magic. Now you have Zessh. Her favorite assignments are those where they have to take up post near the Crèches, she could watch the Initiates play all day long. There are many pots going on on how long it will take her to get over her pride and give up the mask in favor of taking a Padawan or becoming a Crèchemaster (or both). She herself has actually placed a bid as well, which some voices may claim is unfair, but no one knows on what.
Yon Tar - is voices. Feemor's older Crèchemate. As children they looked a lot alike (minus the glowing) so they were mixed up several times. He was the one who first approached Cin to take Feemor into the Guard after he was repudiated. In the same proposal he offered to discreetly disappear Qui-Gon Jinn, which was vetoed by the Battlemaster. But Yon still has the plan, as a contingency. He was Mace Windu's Padawan before Depa Billaba and originally joined the Guard to avoid having to interact with people and politicians outside the Order. They always get weird about his diathim heritage.
Yorra-Serra - was the Squad Baby before Feemor joined and is very much enjoying life as a middle child now. Is in the strange position to be a second-generation Temple Guard, although she only found out about that after she joined. Her Master had been a Guard before they retired, became an Archivist and raised Yorra to Knighthood. The one Knight in that particular Guard Squad that seems impervious to blackmail - mostly because both Yon and Hack have yet to find some on her.
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eternal-transcience · 5 months
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M.I.A (Chapter 3 Rex x F!OC)
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Main Pairing: Rex x Peonia Ylandra Side Pairings: Rex & Ace, Fives x Peonia (Unrequited feelings), Fives & Jesse, Genre of story: Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort Genre of Chapter: Angst. Characters: Captain Rex, Fives, ARC Commander Ace (OC), Captain Baron (OC), Major Damnata (OC), Peonia Ylandra (OC), Lieutenant Arc (OC), General Aurora Ylandra (OC), Jesse, Lieutenant Achilles (OC), Sergent Sevens. Mentioned Characters: Echo, Kandosii (OC) Words: 5,216 Parts: 3 / 5 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5)) Warnings: Medically necessary injections, Sevens has Order Sixty Six as a possibility and Achilles is treating it like an impossible conspiracy theory,but Aurora isn't sure on the Senate anymore herself, also it's very loosely described in a nightmare format. Notes: Pre Umbara, Post Citadel. Rex is in pining angst.Is 70 per cent of the angst. There's a little bit of tenderness from Ace to Aurora <3 But Fives and Re are the Angsty Source Today Songs listened to while writing: The Monster (Clones, Clones' Sacrifice, Burying The Dead (It's Over Now), The Clones (Sad Themes), It's All of Us, Victory and Death, Crash Course Moon, Y Wing, Burying The Dead), plus some songs from my rather long playlist AO3 Masterlists: x reader, oc x canon & oc x oc, 210th Squad (in the works) Reblogs and comments make the world go round <3 Tags at the end!
Aurora paced the med bay. Back. Forth.  Chin between her right thumb and forefinger, vambrace visible beneath the fallen sleeve of her right arm, hand guards worn proudly on top of dark gloves.
Back…. Forth…
Her brows were knitted together in thought, but she was still listening to the troop beneath it all, eyes sometimes reacting to an exclamation that surprised her, or lips quirking at one of Jesse’s jokes to Damnata, or Baron ruffling Fives’ hair like an older brother before he left to get the portable radio Aurora’s brother had brought on board during an inspection of her men. Arc, according to Achilles, found music helped him sleep and recover from hardships.
And if this wasn’t a hardship, Fives didn’t know what would be.
Despite it all, The General paced.
Paced was the wrong word. Fives did watch her walk from one side of the room to the other, but she was ambling, thinking, focused but distracted. He cocked a brow up at it, allowing the medical droid to check the healing process of his temple beneath the patch. He had worked with her on multiple occasions and had been on the Adoria a handful of times, but she had always seemed collected. Calm. Good-natured. Something between Generals Kenobi, Koon and a healthy glug (or three) of Skywalker with how she bantered around, treating them like brothers and not friends who were soldiers and numbers. 
Nothing like this.
It was almost unnerving.
“You’ll get used to it.” Achilles closed the life support’s lid over Arc. He checked the fluids and blood for adequate transfusion before removing his surgical gloves.  His hair was messier than before from the surgical hat he had to wear during an emergency procedure to find the site of Arc’s internal bleeding, release the pressure, repair it, and stitch him back together again. 
“The General does this often?”
“Depends how worried she is.” 
Fives watched as she, once more, walked to the far wall, talking about the scans with the admiral on the bridge. “And… how worried is this?”
The medic, now placing his armour back on, watched Aurora for a moment before his eyes closed and a sigh passed his lips. “Pretty bad…. Unless she gets contact from the Commander and Rex soon,  she’s going to be stuck in her head.”
Fives quirked a brow, a light tease escaping him with a half smile. “I thought Jedi are good at not doing that?”
“Not everyone is as good as another, but she’s good at not letting it destroy her, too.” He tightened his utility belt around his middle. “Work with her at all, you realise she’s not as detached from people as a Jedi should be...Work with her day in, day out, through good and bad, you realise she’s stronger in mind and heart than the council gives her credit for.”
“They don’t trust her then?”
“I wouldn’t say they don’t trust her, General Koon’s worked with us enough times to trust us wholeheartedly, but… a handful don’t appreciate her. I don’t think anyway. The Commander would tell you she has to double her efforts to get listened to by some of the members-”
A protest from Sevens caused a medicine table to slide into an astromech unit, causing a complaint in beeps and trills he recognised as being similar to R2’s but a somewhat lower pitch, and the clone sighed in apology, pulling one arm out of his blacks. “I know, Pyramid, but if Ezster let me take my own shirt off, it wouldn’t’ve banged into you.”
It was almost amusing, hearing the back and forth of a betrayed, and upset (but not angry) olive green droid, and a half-dressed man with a tattoo of the 210th emblem (what could only, at its best, be described as one squared up heart, elongated, within another, and in the centre, tall and proud, was their General’s lightsaber. From the three points at the top of the blade, were three elongated, pointed ovals to represent light, he assumed) on his right shoulder, and the Corrie Guard emblem on his left,, trying to solve the problem diplomatically.
Aurora paused her amble to oversee the broken peace before continuing again once the ex-guard had given the astromech a rub on the head in apology.
After a small smile, she continued again.
“And she’s always in the med bay?”
“Only when there are injuries and illness. She’s here in case Sevens needs a distraction from any needle today, and on the off chance negative side effects happen from any antibiotics or blood draws. She helps with the bandages usually.”
“Usually?”
“When there are many injuries after a mission and not enough medical staff.” Baron finished his cup of warm, malted milk drink as he entered, the radio in his free hand playing quietly to not disturb anyone. The device was placed next to the life support  “As there isn’t any that we've not already patched up, or… in Arc’s case, mostly have under control, she’s waiting with us as our General, and as part of the backup.”
“General Ylandra’s got our back, and we have hers.” Damnata gave Jesse a glass of water before approaching Fives with the other - he accepted it gladly. “Not all of the Jedi would be willing to be part of the team; it’s too close to being a soldier. Something they’ve not had to be since the last war.”
“It breaks their role as peacekeepers.” Sevens winced as a needle went into his neck, sweat beading his forehead. It seemed a fear of needles was part of him. Fives didn’t blame him. Some of the medical tests were brutal on Kamino. “But as the General says, when peace is broken, and you can’t keep it, you have to achieve it, and sometimes that means fighting. Being peacekeepers means being adaptable and doing everything possible to bring it back. Even if it means being a General.”
“There was Sith Oppression once, Empires built on Slavery, no different to Tattooine or The Zygerrians, but…worse.” Damnata took his seat next to Fives. “A war broke out between them and the Jedi, and with the Republic working with the Jedi, the Sith Empire was brought to an end.”
“The General believes the Jedi and the Republic alike have forgotten that, as much as it is a duty of the Jedi to keep the peace when it can be achieved, when it can’t they’ve been warriors. To keep peace, it has to be there. For it to be there, you have to seek it. And when diplomacy fails and war breaks, you have to fight.”
“There were more Jedi then.” Achilles took a pack of bacta patches and made his way to Jesse, whose left shoulder was bare for a patch to be placed upon the blaster graze. “It was easier to be spread out to do both.” He was gentle, taking out a patch, like he learnt from the same people as Kix did.
Somehow, that was comforting.
“Was it though?” Sevens stretched out an arm. “I mean, it’s war. Jedi are expected to do almost everything by Republic Politicians - be Generals, but be peacekeepers. Be politically neutral, but have one of their councillors represent the Chancellor, tread on political eggshells, and follow every Senator’s whim.” His arm returned to the medical bed, hands clinging to the edge as stitches closed a wound. “There may have been more back then, but the Sith were worse than the Seppies. They killed with the force, tortured with the force, electrocuted you to death with the force, and broke your mind with it. They killed Jedi for sport, even enslaved them like trophies. Clankers can’t do that.”
“General Ylanrda….” When Jesse spoke, Aurora stopped, no longer conversing with the Admiral, and her eyes found him with a kind encouragement. But Jesse looked more concerned, and his voice carried the disbelief in its saddest form. “Is it true? What the Sith did?”
She blinked for a moment, catching up with the conversation, and then her expression turned sombre. “I don’t know everything, I admit, but The Sith Race, as it started, was nothing to joke about. Over time and interbreeding, the pureblood lines began to die, and Sith became a term best used to describe the dark side of the force, or people that used something neutral for evil: death, torture, mind control…”
General Ylandra leaned against the wall, her hand slowly rising with elegantly postured fingers (enhanced by her nails, which were painted a pale purple on this occasion and freshly so) to lift Baron’s empty cup with the force, guiding it to the sink for such things when Achilles was on his break.
“There was the Army of Light - Jedi Crusaders liberating Sith Occupied planets, including Coruscant.  When the Sith was believed extinct, the Republic was reborn and The Great Peace began, with any threats of war outbreaks swiftly quelled by the Jedi Order for a thousand years.” With the cup now in the sink, her arms settled on loosely folding with her hands resting on her biceps and her fingers following their curvature.
“The Old Republic became the darkest era, and untalked about. Forgotten. Then, The Clone Army - you - became the first Republic Army in a thousand years, and the Jedi have returned to crusaders and liberating planets from Dooku’s droid armies. Still, the millennia of forgetting the Jedi-Sith war has meant the people have forgotten that before our ‘Great Peace’, the Jedi were warriors fighting for their freedom. And now it’s caused whispers and fractures within the people and the very order itself.”
“It’s happened because a dark era became forbidden. And the Senate is the biggest fracture, and cause, of it all.” Sevens spoke lowly, almost angry at the thought. “As a Corrie, I had to watch them bicker about it every meeting. There could be a plot to kill the Jedi; I wouldn’t even question its legitimacy.”
“Oh come on, Sevens.” Achilles released a sigh.”We’ve been through this before. It would be suicide to the Republic.”
“Yes, but the birth of an Empire.” Sevens turned then, and Fives exchanged a look with Jesse in mild concern before looking back at the ex-guard. It was farfetched, but his confidence in it made it difficult to ignore. “You’ve not seen the Senators or heard them talk. They’re politicians. They care about themselves and only themselves. The Chancellor doesn’t care. The Senate doesn’t care. If they did, he would have been out of office by now. This war is based on corruption, but The Chancellor is the most corrupt.” Baron stood from his seat, arms folded, tone carrying a warning. His brows were drawn together now, eyes narrowed enough to show his displeasure, but they remained open enough to tell the younger Clone that he understood. “Careful, Sevens… That sounds treacherous.”
“Sir, I would never betray my brothers or the Jedi. The Seppies have done horrible things, are led by Sith and would ally themselves with anyone to win – I’d rather die than turn my back on the Jedi. But the Chancellor has the Senate wrapped around his fingers and he’s using them. You see it all as a guard.” “Seeing and hearing doesn’t make it true, Trooper.”
“Sir, the evidence is our nightmare. We all have the same one. Look around us in the Galaxy: no other race in the galaxy shares the same nightmare. We all know what it is, we’re just too cowardly to do anything about it.”
“General,” now the medic looked at Aurora in desperation, distress on his usually calm face, sombreness taking over everyone else’s… “please tell him to drop it. It’s impossible.”
The room was silent. The air turned heavy. 
Every Clone in the room feared it.
The nightmare, consistent, haunting, everywhere. Hazy, but filled with lightsabers deflecting bullets, voices trying to stop them, and no matter how hard he would try, he couldn’t. Then it would full silent, brothers once warm in personality now cold, and before he could see the body… he’d awake. Coated in sweat, cold and clammy, and wanting to sit beneath a shower for an hour until they were composed again.
But deep down, he knew who the body was without having to look. Jedi was the first word in his mind after it.
They all woke at night from it. The first time, they spoke of it as cadets. Never after. Not once they were under the command of Jedi Generals. He didn’t believe it was connected, but it was… impossible to be a coincidence, surely?
What if…
What if he was onto something?
What if he was right? 
“I… I’m not sure anymore…” Fives saw the General, someone who had given Peonia her unrelenting faith in the Republic,  look to the ground with a timid voice. It did nothing to alleviate the nagging thought. It made it nag deeper, claw away at his chest in fear. “The darkness within the force makes it difficult to sense much of anything, let alone make it make sense.”
“Surely the republic turning against the Jedi would be unheard of?” Fives stood, the words falling from him in a hurry. It was the only thing he could do to try to ease his mind that it was just a nightmare and nothing more to come. “They respect you and once the war’s over, you’ll be back to peacekeeping.”
He watched her lips curl upward, tight yet trying, whilst she removed her cloak to reveal her body, armoured with full plastoid. He was surprised she still wore it whilst others stopped. “I hope you’re right, Fives.  But something doesn’t feel right… Nothing does.” A small laugh. “So far, only one good thing’s come out of this war, and that’s you: Clones. Wonderfully brilliant beings. If we didn’t have this war, I’d not have the best squad in the GAR, would I?”
The heavy atmosphere gave way to allow a tease.
Jesse stood with his hands on the table, a challenging gleam in his eye and a grin that made so many in 79s fawn over him (Peonia had said Jesse’s charm came partly from how babyfaced he looked, which only made his friend stutter whilst she and half the squad - including Rex - laughed in pure affection). “No, the best are us boys.” He swung his arm around Fives’ shoulder, and Fives laughed as he did the same in turn. “General Skywalker would have something to say about your claim.”
“Whilst you boys and Rex are quite good,” she met the challenge with a gleam of her own, “they’re not my boys in pink..”
A range of groans and laughter of pure affection echoed until the beep of her communicator silenced them. “General, this is Captain Rex. We have visuals on the base, twenty klicks from our position.”
“Alright, Rex.” She gestured her hand to follow her and all who could follow, including Sevens with Damnata helping him carry his armour as he slipped his shirt back on. “We’re on our way.”
“Sir… Commander Ace would sooner you stay on the ship….”
“Whilst I understand his concern, I’ll be part of the team. Nia’s my sister, afterall, and would do the same if it was me in her position. We’ll make contact once we’re on the final approach..”
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“We’re on the final approach to the base, Commander. What’s your status?”
“Alive, unharmed and not spotted, General. Approaching a ventilation access shaft we spotted on the map that should get us to Peonia.”
“Alright, Commander. Any sign of Kandosii?”
“Negative, General.”
“We’ll make him our priority. Falling radio silent in three minutes.” 
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Rex raised a brow at the coolness with which the Commander spoke, having been so warm toward her two hours ago when they landed and before the sun had given way to two moons, their helmets now on night vision. The trek had been… nothing short of eventful for fifteen minutes, finding small, three-piece patrols of B1 Battle droids every klick,  abandoned scavenger sites (or, so the scans passed onto them said), and the sets of footprints that followed their path ended long ago to be replaced with kicked up dirt from speeders.
The footprints showed signs of Kandosii (or, that was who they were assuming was with Peonia) supporting Nia, who they knew was injured. His prints disappeared at the same time, though the signs of fighting were crystal clear with blood left behind on the tip of a knife (blood that was not Nia’s or a clone’s based on scans, but the DNA ‘code’ had to be sent to the bridge for better, more detailed answers).
That was a good sign they were still together when they were taken, and the team could only view it as a good sign they still were. Or, at the very least, not too far away from each other.
Yet the front courtyard, empty of guard postings due to the combined talents of Ace with a sniper rifle and Rex lightly guiding EMP grenades to knock out the security, revealed no clues on anything more than the speeder. The speeder they only knew had their victims in by the discovery of a smaller drop of Peonia’s blood.
At Ace’s hand signal, Rex moved forward.
His eyes glared for a moment as he passed the vehicle, vowing to find them both before the damn Separatists could do anything to them.
He closed the grate of the ventilation shaft behind him, his form crouched low as he followed Ace (well aware of the sniper on the Commander’s back) through the tunnels quietly until their height tripled. There was no chance of getting caught with the small vents in each room being close to the top, allowing Ace to keep the holomap open in the unknown territory. Despite the height of the section they were in, it was narrow and easier to manoeuvre sideways. If they were to be facing forward, there would only be an inch between their shoulders and the walls, making it difficult to fight if it came to it.
Ace signalled up to the hatch at the end, closed but not unsealable. With a small burner of sorts that formed a laser, he began to break it open.
He had been quiet since Rex had last made contact with the General. When that happened, the Commander had been recalibrating the filters of his helmet after being caught in a net trap and set upon by scavengers that left as soon as they saw plastoid (leaves and twigs had gotten caught and caused problems that needed urgent addressing). With the bucket off, Rex saw Ace’s brows furrow at the General’s decision to come planetside. It wasn’t his usual disappointed dismay on his features, but frustration and concern rolled into one. His jaw had turned tense, and a fresh scratch on his neck almost bled more from the muscle it was on turning rigid. He mumbled something quietly, though Rex knew it was in Mando’a, and with how he had only spoken since about their planned rescue, and how almost cold Ace had been, he assumed the annoyance had yet to leave him.
“Sir, I… can’t help but notice you’re frustrated?”
A pause and a calm, but… sadly inquisitive voice followed it.  “I’m hiding it, though, right?”
“...No.” Rex heard Ace’s sigh and he looked away in thought for a moment. He suspected he knew why he was frustrated… he wouldn’t be too dissimilar if Nia went against a similar order, but there had to be more to it. The Commander had, by his own confession, mentioned he cared deeply about the General, and Rex doubted he imagined the shared look of affection between the two… Even so, it wasn’t out of character for her to make that sort of decision. It was almost commonplace. When someone was her responsibility, she took it seriously. Jedi or no, a sister she shouldn’t have been making contact with or not, he understood enough from Peonia’s high praise that Aurora felt a sense of responsibility over the wellbeing of her family.
It was the only reason she was a Jedi: to end a civil war her Uncle had begun. The Jedi Masters themselves could do nothing in negotiations to change that. The existence of a force-sensitive child, sired by a former Jedi, existing in the royal bloodline was one too many and, so, he forced the family apart. Despite it all, Nia had said Aurora found a way to keep in contact, to look out for her from afar if her aid was wanted. The professionalism mask to hide any attachment was well drilled between them: more than one Jedi, professional only.
“The General’s doing what she thinks is right, Sir.” “I know… Still, I wish she left it to us. We’re more than capable.” “The scans alone show a small army. We need her and that backup to stand a chance of success.”
“Too many things can go wrong, and we’d lose more than one Ylandra.”
“Can’t be worse than Skywalker’s plans.”
That got a small breath of a chuckle. “I suppose you’re right. And nothing is worse than Krell’s.” The hatch loosened and Ace returned to hand signals.
Covert, quick, clean and silent. 
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Rex almost coughed at the stench three minutes away from the hatch, deep inside the base. It smelt like death and electricity, burnt flesh and metal. If it wasn’t for how long he had been on the lines, desensitised, in part, to it, he was certain his gut would have churned.
The filters in his helmet barely helped, if they did anything at all. “Commander,” he raised a brow at the closeness of the feminine voice, and the shadow cast through the next grate. Ace looked through it, expression invisible beneath the bucket. “Never thought we’d cross paths.”
“General?” Ace’s voice fell quiet and Rex saddled up to him, looking through the bars to find Fives and Jesse accompanying General Ylandra. “Is this… the backup?” She shook her head. “Nope, four others are down the way. Peonia’s easier to reach covertly with you two. We’ve got Kandosii’s position covered. Keep following this tunnel until the next turn. There’ll be a repair shaft blocked by a small door. Get through there, then down the first hatch. You’ll be in the room where Nia’s being held captive.” “And what about you?” The Commander’s fingers touched the grate. If he was to be any closer, Rex would have thought he wanted to slither between the bars to her. As it was, the position and tone to anyone else, without the context of self-admittance, would make the touch one of balance and the intonation of his words was only concern for a leader and friend. But with it… a fine line between friend and… friend.  “Where are you going?”
The coldness from earlier was gone and something told Rex that if the grate wasn’t there, Ace’s hands would be twitching to hold hers.
A feeling he knew all too well.
“We’re securing the area and causing a distraction at both ends of this corridor.” Fives made a gesture with his head and Rex must have looked at him in a particular manner without realising it, for regardless of being unable to see the dismay on his face, Fives spoke next as if he could. “We’ve got the all-clear to be out here, Rex. We’ll be fine.”
“I’ve got his back, Sir.” Jesse leaned on Fives, voice full of humour, “and General’s got an eye on us.”
“Be careful out there. Echo’s not here to make sure you stay out of trouble, so I expect to hear that you didn’t cause any chaos.” “Don’t worry, Rex.” Fives became serious, sombre… but certain. His grief, though hidden beneath his bucket, was revealed with clarity that rivalled the melted ice from a planet’s poles. “He’s the angel on my shoulder.” He looked to Jesse, and he lightly nudged him off. “Not you. You’re the devil.” “I’m an innocent man, Fives. I would never be your devil. You’re my devil.”
“Alright lads, we’ve got work to do.” General Ylandra looked first at Rex. “Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll look after them. Baron’s got the others.” “That concerns me.” Ace shook his head. “But not as much as you being here, Ma’am. You’ve heard of what Krell did by now, and you’ve not slept well in days by the looks of it…”
Rex stayed as still as a statue, but his eyes moved away from the pair as he warmed in the awkwardness. There was professionalism there, and it wasn’t questionable. But the way the Commander spoke also carried something underlying that was, quite possibly, breaking protocol rather than following it. 
It was quiet, but the statement of concern was almost… fearful and addressed outside of his usual authoritative but calm ways. Like there was an endearing term on the tip of his tongue.
Rex knew that one, too. How often had he caught himself nearly calling Peonia beautiful in Mando’a? More times than he dared to admit. “If I weren’t here, Commander, I’d be worrying the crew. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll, uh,” Rex cleared his throat, thankful he had his helmet on so no one could see how tempted he was to look anywhere but out the grate. “I’ll keep an eye on your Commander, Sir.”
“And you’ll keep an eye on my sister’s favourite, Ace?”
Rex’s face warmed.
Tell Rex I love him. In case I don't make it.
The words returned to him so quickly it nearly winded his very thoughts. There was nothing but sincerity in her tone — even in the hologram it was undeniable — and yet it carried regret. Regret about what? How the feelings came to be known? Her situation? Having feelings for him when a relationship between them was forbidden?
“Yes, Ma’am.”
His heart went tight whenever she hurt and all he could do was hold her shoulders (unless she wanted something deeper); all he wanted to do, in those moments of vulnerable fragility was pull her right up close and keep her there until she stopped hurting, and longer to make sure. 
He wanted to embrace her into his neck like he did on the LAAT after leaving the Citadel. He wanted to rest his chin atop her head, tilt his face so his cheek rested there, and feel her breaths settle. He wanted so desperately to be her rock the way she had, without realising, become the earth beneath his feet. To feel her heart racing against his chest, away from plastoid. To be in silence with her as he rubbed her back. 
He wanted to hold her tight.
He looked at her smile, particularly when it was sent to him, and he’d only know how to return it. He’d hear her laugh, especially if it was to something he said, and he’d only know how to melt. He’d watch her interact with his squad, and he’d only know how to adore her beyond the threshold he thought he had.
He’d watch her bite her lip or roll it between her teeth, and he’d stare, only wondering how it would feel for their lips to touch. Even a graze. A graze part of him knew he’d want to take more of if she allowed him to, half hungered and half yearned. He would hear her hum and he wondered if she would still hum if he held her from behind, if she would turn and continue to hum as they shared a chaste kiss in secret greeting.
He wondered if she had had thoughts cross her mind of the same calibre, or if she simply wasn’t interested. She wouldn’t be the first person to say those three words as strictly platonic. She described Echo and Fives as such often, but always in a way where everyone knew she meant it purely as friends and nothing more. And whilst it didn’t sound platonic when she said it about him… maybe the as a friend part was cut or forgotten as the droids overwhelmed her.
It hurt like ice sliding through his arteries at the thought they couldn’t be together, let alone try, because not only were they in the GAR, but he was also a clone.
“Good luck out there, boys. Fives, Jesse, let’s go set some traps. Quietly. “
A number.
Expendable.
They were created solely for fighting and to die fighting. To age rapidly. To die at forty but looking like eighty. To only be thrown into heavy fire by the senate in a war they never, truly, understood except for peace, never knowing what it was like before, never experiencing the galaxy before the war began. Only to ever know how to fight. Never how to love or settle down.
Not without breaking the rules. Not without getting into trouble for being a living creature with a heart and a mind. 
The only difference between them and droids was they could make their own decisions.
But could they?
It stung to know he’d burn to feel her embrace, never to know its comforting warmth, until there ever came a day she would stop seeking him out; he’d allow her to. He’d carry the burns on his soul and she would leave with none.
Ace’s hand on his chestplate stopped him. Rex didn’t know how long they had been moving again, or when they did, but the scenery was a welcome change with the opening of the hatch. The commander signalled him to clamber down the ladder first, his form led on his front with his sniper positioned at the entrance to the room below.
Rex’s feet on the steel bars echoed in the room and, at first, it was all he could hear. The sounds of clipping and clopping, heavy in a cold, destitute room, were the only greeting. More haunting still came when he touched the floor. Electricity pulsed in the air. In front of him? The contraption he believed to be the source. He’d seen more than one of them during rescue missions to know the imprisonment was going to be in front of it.
Sure enough, as he turned to his right, his breath caught in his throat. Suspended, hung to dry, and ghostly pale… “Sir… You might want to let The General know we’ve found Nia…” Rex allowed his feet to approach her, a hand rising as if to touch her through the pale RAY Shield. Her head was bowed low, her hair loose from its ponytail, her clothes torn, and her palm and sides injured. “And if she’s here…”
“Kandosii could be nearby.” Ace’s voice echoed in his ears. “I’ll get the General on the case. Bring down the RAY shield and get her out of there, Rex. I’ll see if that cursed contraption behind you has the data of her vitals ”
Rex didn’t need to be told twice, pistol already in his head and a blaster bolt on its way to the generator.
His hands ripped open her shackles. Her body fell onto him.
All he could do was hold her tenderly as he lowered her to the floor, and cradled her limp form within his embrace.
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Tag List: @sev-on-kamino (because so many clone sillies), @anxiouspineapple99 and @starrylothcat
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writingforfun0714 · 26 days
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Hi everyone,
First off, I’m so sorry I’ve been inactive. I’ve been busy with life as we all get sometimes.
Here is Chapter One of my Bad Batch fanfic Our Love which I definitely recommend reading before this.
Warnings: spoilers for TBB, spoilers for CW, AU fanfic, Jedi OC fanfic, POV changes, lemme know if I need anything else
Our Love
Chapter 2: Good Soldiers Follow Orders
Words: 8,216
3rd POV
Padawan Wyyntrr’s ship drops out of hyperspace after hours of travel as it approaches Coruscant. Wyyntrr gasps slightly as he catches his breath from sobbing.
“Approaching Coruscant,” the ship’s AI system alerts the blind albino Wookiee. Wyyntrr wondered if the Jedi at the Temple even knew what was happening to the clones.
Wyyntrr shuts off the autopilot and flies the ship himself once he gets close to the planet’s atmosphere. He’s able to use the Force to guide him to the Jedi Temple but something’s different. The Temple didn’t feel like it normally did to the blind albino Wookiee padawan.
The ship slows down and lowers onto the landing platform and Wyyntrr walks out holding his lightsaber, though keeping it off for now. Usually Temple guards would be posted but Wyyntrr doesn’t sense them. In fact…he doesn’t sense anyone. The Force feels cold…dark. He knows this isn’t right. Unbeknownst to Wyyntrr, the Jedi Temple lays in ruin.
He walks cautiously up through the ruined entrance and that’s when he can sense life fading. His blood red eyes widen and he gasps when he realizes he’s walking past slain Jedi and Temple guards.
“N-No…No-no-no!” Wyyntrr starts to panic. He starts running inside until he trips over something, tumbling to the floor, grunting slightly. The Wookiee shakes off the daze and reaches out to feel for what he tripped over and when his hands touch flesh that’s still warm, he yanks back, gasping in fear as more tears start falling into his snow-white fur. Wyyntrr scrambles to his feet and keeps moving, searching the areas himself, hoping, praying that there were survivors.
Back on Kamino, Crosshair is ordered to report to Governor Tarkin. The sniper grabs his helmet before exiting his now empty barracks. There are a few things that still belong to everyone still laying about the room but most everything else is on the ship. Everything of importance at least.
As Crosshair walks through the hallways, he sees squads of troopers walking in formation through the halls. Crosshair keeps to himself as he gets to Tarkin’s office. The door whooshes open and the sniper sees Governor Tarkin sitting at his desk with another Imperial officer sitting across from him.
“CT-9904, this is Officer Rampart. From now on you will be reporting directly to him, understood?” Tarkin asks.
“Yes sir,” Crosshair replies curtly.
“I’ve requested you CT-9904 because of your skills specifically. Emperor Palpatine has ambitions beyond the clone army in regards to Kaminoan technology and Officer Rampart has brought to my attention the value of conscripted soldiers,” Tarkin explains and Crosshair glares coldly at Rampart at the suggestion of being replaced.
“Do not worry. You have proven your worth by complying with Order 66, which is why I am offering you a place within our new Empire. You will be leading a squad of TK troopers back to Onderon to clear out the insurgents. They were obviously too much for you alone to handle and I believe you work best with a squad,” Tarkin says and Crosshair shifts on his feet.
“Here is your mission objective. Your new squad is waiting for you in the barracks,” Tarkin says, handing Crosshair a datapad. The sniper takes it and nods.
“Yes sir,” he replies. He turns to walk out when Tarkin clears his throat.
“CT-9904,” he says and Crosshair stops and turns to face the older man.
“I hope you understand that you are in charge of this experimental squad because out of your original squad, you were the only one that was able to do what needs to be done,” Tarkin explains and Crosshair nods.
“I..understand sir,” the sniper says and Tarkin nods and waves a dismissive hand at the clone, who walks out.
As Crosshair makes his way back to the barracks, he looks at the datapad.
LOCATION: ONDERON
MISSION: ELIMINATE ALL INSURGENTS
He feels his muscles clench and he stops in his tracks. Crosshair breathes as he feels an overwhelming urge to comply with the mission. Memories of meeting Saw Gerrera and his people flash in his memory, but it’s like none of that matters now. Something feels wrong and there’s nothing the sniper can do about it.
Meanwhile…
The Havoc Marauder zips through hyperspace. After about an hour, Youngling Maisy and Omega finally went through every nook and cranny of the ship. Wrecker even got to show the girls his Tooka doll, Lula.
“I think Lula likes you,” Wrecker says. Omega hugs the doll before offering Lula to Maisy. The Youngling takes it and looks at it.
The Crèche Masters all kept toys like Lula for the Younglings but it’s not like the toys belonged to the Younglings. They were communal toys. The Jedi didn’t really promote attachment, even to objects. Maisy didn’t understand the need to own such a thing because the Crèche Masters always had what she needed. So her only belongings were really the drawings taped up on Master Jaeruho’s ship and the Jedi clothes she wore.
“Well, I have bad news and worse news,” Echo announces, getting everyone’s attention. Maisy quickly hands Lula back to Omega, but before she can ask the younger girl what’s wrong, Hunter steps towards the ARC trooper.
“What’s going on?” Hunter asks.
“I located Captain Rex’s last known position,” Echo says.
“And?”
“After being promoted to Commander, Rex was given command of half of the 501st and sent to Mandalore,” Echo says.
“That’s strange. Why split the battalion?” Wrecker asks.
“I’m not sure—a lot of the report was redacted and sealed,” Echo admits.
“So what’s the ‘worse’ part?” Hunter asks.
“On the way back to Coruscant, Rex’s venator-class starship, the Tribunal, was heavily damaged and destroyed mid-hyperspace,” Echo says, “He is presumed missing since no evidence of his body was found.”
“If we’re not going to Rex, then where are we going?” Omega asks. Maisy tenses.
“Nowhere important, just an asteroid belt in a backwater part of space the Empire won’t know about,” Hunter explains.
“You said you would take me to the Jedi Temple!” Maisy argues.
“We will, I promise. It’s dangerous now so we can’t just go to the Temple. We were hoping to have our friend, Captain Rex, get us there, but…” Hunter trails off, and even though Maisy is only 4 years old, she understands what Hunter said.
The ship lurches out of hyperspace and slows down.
“Don’t worry kid, we’ll get you home, I promise,” Omega says, putting a hand on the Youngling’s shoulder.
“Wrecker, how’s our ration supply?” Hunter asks.
“Runnin’ low sarge,” Wrecker says. That’s when Tech joins the group after hiding the ship in between 2 large asteroids.
“You know, Coruscant is a big planet,” Tech says.
“Where are you going with this Tech?” Hunter asks.
“We could go to Coruscant and go through the Lower Levels up to the surface,” Tech explains. Hunter raises an eyebrow.
“Hm..interesting,” Hunter thinks on Tech’s plan.
“Coruscant is the heart of the Empire now so if we do this, we’d need to go in quiet,” Tech adds.
“Uhm, what about-..” Wrecker trails off, but motions not-so-subtly towards the girls.
“Hey!” They exclaim.
“We won’t get in the way, and I can protect Maisy,” Omega says assuredly. Hunter looks at the pleading looks the girls are giving him and nods.
“Alright, but you do what I say when I say it, no questions asked got it?” Hunter asks and the girls nod excitedly. Hunter looks to Tech.
“Put in the coordinates for Coruscant,” Hunter orders and Tech nods before heading to the pilot’s seat.
Hunter’s POV
“Put in the coordinates for Coruscant,” I tell Tech and he nods before heading over to the pilot’s seat. The girls talk excitedly about the planet and because the Youngling’s been there before, tells Omega all about it.
“Wow! So there’s no nature anywhere?” Omega asks the younger girl, who thinks on the question. I feel the ship lurch into hyperspace.
“There’s only one thing I know about. The tree. There’s a tree in the Jedi Temple’s courtyard,” I hear Maisy say.
“I can’t wait to show you around, you’re gonna love it,” Maisy says. I don’t have the heart to ruin it for her…at least not yet. It’s likely the Temple is in ruin and if I’m being completely honest with myself, I don’t even want to be going to Coruscant.
Personally I get really intense headaches due to my enhanced ability being around so much electromagnetic energy. Not to mention that it’s now the heart of the Empire. Every bone in my body, all my instincts are telling me that the girls are not safe here. But the promise I made the Youngling rings in my head. Besides, we’re not Jedi. We can’t protect her, but Omega’s different. She’s a clone like us. I feel my hand shake so I clasp my other hand over to try and stop the shaking. If anything happened to the kids…
“Hey, you ok?” Echo asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at him and manage to shake my head.
“Look…I’m not so sure we should even be doing this if I’m honest,” I admit.
“What? Why?” Echo asks.
“Echo, we have kids with us and we’re going into the heart of the Empire. Wrecker’s right, we have to be cautious,” I tell him but frown when I see the confusion.
“You don’t think they’re capable?” He asks.
“That’s not what I said-“ I try, but he holds up his real hand.
“Look Hunter, I know she’s young, but Maisy is a Jedi. You guys haven’t worked with them like I have. My commander was around Omega’s age and she did things I never would’ve thought possible for someone so young,” Echo argues. I sigh when I realize he has a point.
“You’re right, we don’t work with the Jedi. I just…don’t want you to overestimate Maisy and her Jedi powers. She’s just a kid, and we don’t even know if she can even control it like the older Jedi,” I explain and Echo nods.
“We can protect her, we’re an elite squad, remember?” Echo assures me before joining the kids. As Echo joins the kids, my thoughts wander to Crosshair.
Echo’s POV
The kids call my name as I talk with Hunter. I join the girls and see Maisy sitting on the edge of the gunner’s mount with her legs hanging where the ladder is. Omega is looking around the gunner’s mount seat. I smile.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“We need a 3rd person for this Jedi game Maisy’s teaching me,” Omega explains. I nod.
“Ok,” I say and join the girls up in the gunners mount. We all sit cross-legged though I’m a bit more cramped just because I’m an adult. Maisy explains the rules before starting.
After getting the hang of it, my mind flashes to Rex and Fives.
“Echo? Echo are you ok?” Omega asks.
“Huh?” I ask.
“It’s your turn,” Maisy says.
“Oh, sorry-it’s just…this reminds me of a game I’d play with Captain Rex and my old squad mate Fives,” I explain. I tap Maisy’s hand and she adds one finger to her left hand as part of the game.
“He’ll be able to get us to General Skywalker,” I tell her.
“Echo-“ Hunter interrupts.
“He would survive. They both would. Rex is formidable and resilient and the General has a padawan to protect,” I assure him.
“A padawan? Who?” Maisy asks.
“Ahsoka Tano,” I say. Her eyes widen.
“She came to talk to my class one time at the Temple,” Maisy explains and that’s when I see tears form in the little girl’s eyes, the loss is still clearly fresh.
“My Master was killed because he saved me. They could be dead!” Maisy suddenly exclaims. I flinch at the little girl’s outburst.
“It wasn’t your fault Maisy. There wasn’t anything either of us could’ve done,” Omega says, putting a hand on the Youngling’s shoulder. Being on Kamino when Order 66 happened, I’m sure it was different compared to being on the war front. Maisy hugs Omega tightly, who returns the gesture.
That’s when Hunter and Wrecker join us. Maisy pulls back and the girls look at them.
“I think we’ve got a seat for you ready Maisy, just need you to come try it out,” Wrecker says. Maisy wipes her eyes, nods and hops down to follow Wrecker up to the front. Omega moves but I silently motion for her to stay.
“Omega, I wanna ask you something,” I tell the girl quietly. She nods.
“What is it?”
“Did…Did Maisy see?” I ask and Omega immediately knows what I’m talking about. She turns sad and she nods slightly.
“Yeah…I saved her…that’s why I promised I’d stay with her and get her back to the Jedi Temple safely,” Omega explains. I put my real hand on her knee.
“You did good…soldier,” I tell her and she beams, lighting up happily before nodding once.
3rd POV
Wrecker shows Maisy the safety seat he made out of basic spare parts laying around as the ship comes out of hyperspace.
“Omega!” Maisy calls and the older girls runs up.
“Look,” Maisy tells her, pointing but the older girl is already in awe.
“Echo, I need you to pilot the ship while I make a fake chain code,” Tech says and switches seats with him.
“What’s a chain code?” Hunter asks.
“It’s the Empire’s new way of identifying people,” Tech explains.
“And you’re just now telling us about them?!” Echo demands from the pilot seat.
“Well I only just learned of them moments ago. Do not worry, I am nearly finished,” Tech says as he programs his datapad. He presses a button and a small disk is ejected from the bottom.
“Got it,” Tech says, showing the small metal disk before heading over to the console. Tech inserts the disk and prepares to transmit the data.
“The Empire will think we’re nothing but a cargo ship,” Tech assures Hunter as the ship approaches a nearby venator-class starship.
“Approaching vessel identify yourself,” a voice announces over the comms. Tech gives Echo a thumbs up.
“Transmitting now,” Echo answers and a tense moment passes.
“All clear for Lower Level admission,” the voice announces and the boys sigh with relief.
“See? No need to worry,” Tech says before Echo they continue towards Coruscant.
As the ship gets closer, everything gets bigger and bigger. Omega awes at the enormous buildings, bright colorful lights and the sheer number of people.
“It’s so big,” Omega awes quietly but there is something that catches her attention.
“You’re from here, right Maisy?” Omega asks and Maisy nods.
“Where’s your water?” Omega asks and Maisy blinks.
“Water? There are water tanks all over,” Maisy explains.
“But…no natural water? You know, like an ocean?” Omega asks and Maisy shakes her head.
“Not on Coruscant. Too many people,” Maisy explains.
Once they get to the Surface Level, Hunter groans and braces himself.
“Hunter?” Maisy asks, getting everyone’s attention.
“What’s wrong Hunter?” Omega asks. Being Nala Se’s medical assistant, she can see the squint in Hunter’s eyes and how tense his neck muscles are. A headache.
“Coruscant has such a high level of electromagnetic energy that Hunter’s senses are overloaded…headaches, dizziness, sometimes nausea…but he usually adjusts after-“ Echo explains but that’s when Tech wordlessly grabs a medical stim and injects Hunter with bacta.
“Gah! Tech!” Hunter exclaims, rubbing his arm where Tech pierced him.
“After that,” Echo says, referring to the shot.
They fly with traffic until they get to a tunnel that leads down to the Lower Levels. Maisy clings to Omega’s hand and the female clone looks down at the Youngling.
“The Masters would tell us it’s dangerous down here,” Maisy explains.
“Dangerous?” Omega asks and looks to Hunter.
“Just stay with us and you’ll be fine,” the sergeant says.
Tech flies the ship to a landing dock that only has 2 other ships and lets the ship down easily.
“Here, you can hold Lula. She’s good to hug if you’re scared,” Wrecker offers Maisy, who shakes her head.
“She’s yours though,” Maisy argues gently. She learned from the Crèche masters that even though the Jedi do not have personal objects of attachment, that others do and to respect them.
“Maybe we can find something for you while we’re here,” Omega says and Maisy nods because despite being a Jedi, she is only 4.
“Ok, stay with us and don’t leave our sights,” Hunter tells the girls.
“Are you sure we’ll be ok?” Maisy asks and Hunter nods.
“Here,” Omega says, kneeling down in front of the Youngling. She takes off her head circlet that matches Nala Se’s which makes her bangs fall naturally. Omega turns Maisy and carefully puts the insignia around Maisy like a necklace.
“There. That’ll keep you safe,” Omega says and Maisy smiles.
“Thanks,” she says, looking at the carving before Hunter gathers the girls and the squad heads off the ship.
As they walk into the nearest district, Omega grabs hold of Maisy’s hand and they start making their way into the giant city.
“Where are we going?” Wrecker asks.
“We need to get to a central computer console. That way we can check on the status of the Jedi Temple,” Echo explains.
“The nearest terminal is located by a garage not too far from here,” Tech adds when he taps on his datapad.
“Lead the way Tech,” Hunter says and lets the goggled clone lead. The girls look around as they walk past various shops, vendors and people walking the streets like them.
The group finally gets to the computer terminal.
“Give me a minute ok?” Echo asks and uses his scomp to plug in. While they wait for Echo, a young woman from the garage nearby approaches the group stealthily. Maisy notices first and gasps, getting everyone else’s attention. The boys immediately draw their blasters and point them at the hooded figure.
“Not another step,” Hunter threatens.
“It’s ok, I’m not armed,” the voice of a young female says.
“You’re clones, aren’t you?” She asks and at first no one answers. Echo and Tech share a look while Hunter glances at Wrecker.
“If we are?” Wrecker asks.
“CT-7567,” the female says and the boys freeze.
“W-What did you say?” Echo asks in shock.
“CT-7567…he told me to say that to any clones I come across,” she says as she lowers her hood. She has tan skin, dark eyes and short, curly hair that’s shaved on the sides and long on top.
“That means something to you, doesn’t it?” The woman asks but she knows already.
“Who are you?” Echo asks.
“Martez. Trace Martez,” she introduces.
The computer console beeps, getting Echo’s attention.
“Blast it, the only thing I could find out is that the whole Temple area is sealed off,” Echo announces as the others put their blasters away.
“C’mon, we shouldn’t talk outside,” the young woman, Trace, says, ushering the group to follow her.
“My garage is right over there,” she explains, pointing to the small garage tucked in between two shops.
“Stay close,” Hunter whispers to the girls. Omega nods and keeps a firm grip on Maisy’s hand.
Back on Kamino…
A heavy storm rages on with no end in sight. Crosshair has been assigned a new experimental squad of ‘TK troopers’ and even though he hasn’t said anything, he’s wondering who the squad is. The sniper’s never heard of that designation before.
He gets to the barracks and sees troopers in dark armor like his new Imperial armor is but is surprised to see a female among them. Their helmets are different too and Crosshair realizes they’re not clones. They spot Crosshair and look at him.
“Look, it’s the clone,” one of the troopers says before taking off his helmet. The others follow suit and Crosshair sees how different they look.
“Humph, I guess the new Empire’s going for quantity over quality,” Crosshair sneers.
“Yeah well at least I joined the Empire because I wanted to, not because I was created to,” the blonde trooper says.
“Clearly you were never a soldier because as your superior, you will address me as sir, understood?” Crosshair growls and at first the trooper doesn’t reply, allowing a tense moment to pass before sighing.
“Yes..sir,” he says and Crosshair smirks before pulling out his datapad.
“Here, our mission debrief,” the sniper says and tosses the datapad to the troopers, who gather around to look at it.
“I expect all of you to follow orders,” Crosshair says before they gather what they need for the mission and head out.
The new squad boards the ship and Crosshair’s reminded of the Marauder. Instead a generic gunship waits for them but the instant he has that thought, he feels his muscles tense and that same urgent sense to complete the mission overcomes the sniper. Crosshair feels his legs moving forward almost against his will but deep down…the desire to complete the mission burns through him.
The ship lurches up and out into the storm and at first Crosshair is ignoring the rest of the squad as they talk with each other.
“Hey…can I ask you something?” The blond trooper from earlier asks the sniper. Crosshair glances at him, shifting his toothpick.
“I joined the Empire because they saved my home town from starvation and infections…I wanted to join. But…why are you here?” He asks. Ever since the chip augmentation, Crosshair hasn’t really thought about why but he remembers a thought he had back on Kaller.
“I saw the singular moment when the galaxy changed. I was part of it. I need to be part of the new galaxy, the newly formed Empire. They provide stability and order now that the war is over,” Crosshair explains as the ship exits the atmosphere and enters hyperspace.
The rest of the trip was quiet. Once the squad arrives at Onderon, Crosshair takes the lead. The sniper motions with his hand to follow his lead before running into the dense jungle-like forests.
Crosshair treks through the familiar area and heads to the last place he was at when meeting Saw Gerrera. The sniper sees an empty clearing but picks up signs of a trail.
“They’ve moved,” he alerts the rest of the squad and continues on the trail.
As they pass a small creek, one of the troopers stops.
“Wait—Commander-look,” he says, pointing. Crosshair stops and looks to see another set of footprints in the mud. But…they’re tiny.
“There are kids here?” One of the troopers asks.
“Insurgents are insurgents,” Crosshair growls. The TK troopers don’t argue but share an unsure glance before continuing to follow Crosshair.
Once the squad is close, the troopers use their helmet visor’s heat signature feature to identify the insurgents while Crosshair finds the high ground and uses his rifle scope. Instead of talking, Crosshair and his squad attack the unsuspecting civilians turned rebels. The squad easily disarms and ambushes their targets and Crosshair intelligently stays hidden in the forest to watch as his squad does the actual capture. The squad surrounds the group.
“Who are you?” The blonde trooper, designated ES-01, asks.
“We are a growing few that’s willing to stand up to the Empire-“ a female with brown hair answers.
“And our families,” she says, looking at the children with them. ES-01 sighs, dropping his weapon to the ground and looks away.
“I can’t go through with it,” he says, taking off his helmet, letting that drop too. The other TK troopers look at each other before lowering their weapons as well.
“Insurgents aren’t survivors,” he says, looking at her.
“What are you doing ES-01?!” Crosshair demands over the comlink in a deadly almost raspy tone.
“Doing what’s right,” ES-01 responds before shutting off his receiver.
ES-01 turns to the nearest captive and frees her, unlocking the cuffs. She rubs her wrists and looks at ES-01 before nodding slightly. He gives her a small smile but that’s when a single blaster bolt whizzes by and strikes the young woman in the head.
“No!” ES-01 gasps and catches her limp body. The others in the squad stand by in shock before looking where the bolt came from. Out of the shadows in the forest walks Crosshair.
“What are you doing?! These are innocent people!” ES-01 argues.
“You wanted to know why I joined the Empire?” Crosshair asks and ES-01 goes quiet.
“Power. You see…power doesn’t come to those who are born strongest or smartest…no, it comes to those who will do anything to achieve it. The Empire values strength and power above all else to provide stability and peace and I am showing them I can do what needs to be done,” Crosshair explains.
“I didn’t join the Empire to execute civilians. I’m not following orders and neither are they. C’mon, don’t listen to this clone,” ES-01 says, trying to convince the rest of the squad to turn, and at first, they all hesitate, looking between Crosshair and ES-01. The blond trooper looks at his squad mates.
“ES-01,” Crosshair says getting his attention. When the trooper turns back, he sees Crosshair pointing a blaster pistol at him. Crosshair fires a single shot and ES-01 falls limply to the ground next to the dead civilian. The other hostages gasp and yelp in fear.
“Good soldiers follow orders,” Crosshair growls.
“Crosshair! Crosshair please!” One of the hostages exclaims, using the sniper’s name.
“What about earlier?! Do your words mean nothing?” He asks.
Crosshair’s POV
“Crosshair! Crosshair please!” One of the hostages exclaims, using my name. He’s a male Twi’lek and has a bit of an accent.
“What about earlier?! Do your words mean nothing?” He asks. Memories from my first visit, from talking with Saw flash by in my mind but a searing wave of pain in my head causes me to growl and shut my eyes. No…none of that matters now. But…but it should. I just…any thought of resistance or independence feels painful. It’s either them or me.
“Good soldiers follow orders,” I repeat almost robotically before firing a single headshot at the Twi’lek, killing him. The other hostages cry out and gasp but that’s when I turn to the rest of my squad.
Even though I’m wearing a helmet, I can tell my glare gets through the visor. One trooper raises their blaster and the others follow suit. Without waiting, the other TK troopers fire on the remaining hostages like a firing squad.
“Burn down the camp,” I order and the troopers use their flamethrower packs to incinerate everything, including ES-01.
As the fire grows and consumes everything, the others decide to go wait on the ship but I stare at the fire, thinking on what I’ve done. No…I…I followed orders. I..I will be rewarded upon return and even if I won’t…it’s better than the excruciating pain in my head when trying to disobey. Ever since getting ambushed and experimented on, I have been different. I can feel it, deep down. I can’t think about it for too long because the pain happens. I turn away and head back to the ship.
After boarding, the ship takes off and it’s completely silent between everyone all the way back to Kamino. As we fly through the stormy atmosphere, the ship rattles and shakes as lighting flashes that’s quickly followed by a crack of thunder.
The ship lands in one of the hundreds of identical hangars located all over Tipoca City. The squad exits the ship and I see Governor Tarkin and Admiral Rampart waiting for us. The two approach me.
“I see your mission was a success, despite the loss of one of your troopers,” Rampart notes and I nod.
“All insurgents were eliminated,” I confirm.
“Very good CT—9904. Admiral, I understand why you place such value on conscripted soldiers and I think CT—9904 is the perfect example for future clone troopers and their value within the Empire. Do not worry CT—9904, I will inform Dr. Nala Se of your achievement,” Governor Tarkin says before looking at me then turning back to Rampart. I manage to hold my ground but I feel my blood run cold at the name of the chief Kaminoan scientist.
“Admiral,” Tarkin says and walks out, leaving me alone with the man.
“You are dismissed,” he tells me. I spin on my heels and hurry out silently, following my new squad.
We walk through the sterile halls. When I was younger, these halls were torture. Nothing but testing. Physical tests to strengthen us for battle and mental tests to make sure our mental fortitude could stand up to the horrors of war. Any emotional outburst or independent thoughts were met with punishments by Nala Se. The memory makes me shiver as I follow the group. Hunter, Tech or Wrecker would comfort me when we were young if I needed it. Other times, albeit a bit reluctant, I would comfort them. I miss them. We get to the barracks and the others walk in. I sigh before following, wondering what else is going to change.
There’s a tense quiet in the room and I can tell the others are against me…of course they are, after what I did. There’s only one other person I can possibly talk to. Commander Cody. Before the 501st, Cody was the only clone we’ve worked closely with. I wonder where he is and what he’s doing.
On Coruscant…
3rd POV
Trace escorts CF99 to her garage and they look around until they spot a man in white and blue painted clone armor talking with another young woman, not much older than Trace and who looks a bit like Trace herself. Echo’s eyes widen in shock first and he freezes.
“R-Rex?” Echo asks. The Captain turns around and spots the group of clone troopers in black, red and white armor.
“Echo?” Rex asks before his legs suddenly spring the captain forward and the two embrace tightly.
“I can’t believe it. You’re alive-“ Echo comments as tears stream down his face.
“And what about you? I never thought I’d see you boys much less here on Coruscant,” Rex says, equally tearful as he pulls back to look at the rest of the squad. Hunter approaches the captain and the two clasp hands.
“Hunter,”
“Rex,” the two greet, smiling but that’s when Rex notices they’re a man down.
“Where’s Crosshair?” Rex asks.
“It’s a long story-“ Hunter says.
Wrecker approaches Rex, being out of earshot and easily picks up the Captain, hugging him.
“It’s good to see you too Wrecker,” Rex tells the demolitions expert before exchanging a friendly nod of acknowledgement from Tech.
“It is rather surprising to see you here Captain,” Tech says but before Rex can respond,Omega steps into his view and the Captain freezes. Rex looks at Omega and he can tell by her eyes and face that she’s a clone. The young female clone reminds Rex of himself.
“Rex, this is Omega,” Hunter introduces. Rex takes a couple steps towards Omega and kneels down.
“In all my years I’ve seen many clones, but never one like you,” Rex says. Omega looks at him.
“You’re a generation one,” she says and he blinks in surprise.
“How’d you know that?” Rex asks.
“The lines on your face. I was Nala Se’s personal medical assistant. Generation one clones are the oldest clones,” Omega explains. Rex smirks.
“I’m impressed. How old are you kid?” Rex asks.
“11,” she says.
“Ah, a shiny,” Rex smiles and Omega beams at the nickname. She had heard many clones over the years call each other that. The more experienced ones would take the cadets under their wings…but not Omega. She was to follow Nala Se instead.
That’s when Maisy pokes her head out from behind Tech to look at Captain Rex. He sees the smaller, younger girl and blinks in shock.
“Oh-wh-who are you?” Rex asks but he spots a thin long braid in the girl’s shaggy, wild dark brown hair. He looks at her tan and beige robes.
“It’s ok,” Echo tells Maisy, seeing how unsure the little girl looks.
“Rex, this is Maisy,” Echo introduces. She looks between Rex and the other young woman.
“I’m Raffa, Trace’s older sister,” she explains and motions for everyone to come further in. There’s a small office area with a door so they walk in for privacy.
Once the door’s shut, Rex turns to Maisy.
“You’re a Jedi, aren’t you?” He asks. Maisy looks at Omega and the others. The older girl nods encouragingly as she puts a hand on the younger’s shoulder. Maisy nods.
“I’m a Youngling,” Maisy explains and Rex and the Martez sisters’ eyes widen in shock.
“That’s why we came here,” Echo tells Rex, “to get her back to the Jedi at the Temple. I tried looking for you, but your file the Empire has on you has labeled you MIA.”
“A lot’s happened since Order 66. Where were you boys when it happened?” Rex asks.
“We were with General Bilaba and Commander Dume on Kaller,” Hunter explains, “the General’s battalion turned on them and..” he trails off but Rex nods understandingly.
“We weren’t affected but Crosshair was,” Hunter adds and Rex’s eyes widen.
“I let the Commander go and…Crosshair disagreed with my decision…my decisions,” Hunter explains, glancing at the girls.
“Me and Master Jae were on Kamino-“ Maisy says as her lip quivers and Omega comes up to the Youngling to pick her up.
“I promised Maisy we’d get her back to the Jedi Temple,” Omega explains holding the little girl in her arms.
“And how did you two meet?” Echo asks the Martez sisters.
“Our friend introduced us after the clones turned,” Rafa explains.
“Your file in the Empire’s records state you’re MIA but there’s nothing else about the rest of the 501st,” Echo says and Rex sighs, nodding.
“After you joined Clone Force 99, Commander Tano returned in need of men to help her retake Mandalore from Darth Maul,” Rex explains. Omega and Maisy share a look as the Youngling’s grip on her tunic tightens.
“The Jedi Council wouldn’t allow reinforcements since Ahsoka wasn’t part of the Order anymore but General Skywalker decided to split the 501st in half. Jesse, Vaughn along with myself were all assigned with Commander Tano on the Tribunal when Order 66 happened. I…I fought with everything I had but it was all Ahsoka. She managed to subdue me and remove my inhibitor chip. The Commander and I were the only survivors,” Rex explains, rubbing his scarred temple, where the chip used to be.
“The other half…they came here…to the Temple. General Skywalker was here on Coruscant to save the Chancellor and the 501st left to storm the Temple, at least that’s what I’ve heard from the info I’ve managed to get,” Rex says.
“That means the Temple is no longer safe,” Hunter says and Rex nods.
“I know, but I’m hoping to get to the Temple to find my medic Kix. He wasn’t with my half of the 501st during Order 66 and I know he would never attack the Jedi,” Rex explains.
“That’s the best we can hope for under these circumstances,” Tech says, fiddling with his datapad.
“What about your Commander? Why can’t you contact her to come get the Youngling?” Hunter asks.
“After we escaped our crashing venator-class ship, Commander Tano decided to go into hiding, leaving no trace of her existence. The last time I saw her was…at a funeral,” Rex says, his eyes full of sadness.
“You’re going to the Temple? I thought the entire area was sealed off,” Echo says and Rex nods.
“There is a way in I know of,” Rex explains. Maisy looks at the soldiers before feeling something…something familiar. It’s the feeling the Youngling would get when she was around other Jedi. She could sense their presence through the Force. It feels…like a call for help.
“We hafta hurry,” Maisy says and Omega nods.
“Here, these’ll get you to the surface,” Trace says, handing Hunter a leather pouch.
“What…what is this?” Hunter asks, looking inside. He pulls out a handful of credits.
“It’s to bribe the transportation employees. You guys don’t have chain codes,” Rafa explains.
“Chain codes?” Hunter asks. She nods.
“Just another way for the new Empire to keep tabs on you. But everyone here has a price,” Rafa explains.
“Why are you helping us? Not everyone can spare this kind of cash,” Hunter asks. The sisters share a look before turning back to the squad.
“We have a complicated relationship with the Jedi but the clones were the ones that were there for us to help us rebuild what little was left of our home. So, when our friend contacted us, she gave us a mission to help any defecting clones that want to escape the Empire,” Rafa explains. Hunter nods appreciatively.
“Keep the commlink open. I’ll be back in a few days,” Rex tells the Martez sisters, who nod.
“If you hear from her, tell her-“ Rex begins to tell the two mechanics.
“We know Cap,” Trace says, saluting him and Rex nods. He grabs his pack before motioning to everyone.
“Let’s go,” Rex says and the group heads out.
They step into a lift and once the doors close, Rex takes off his pack and takes out a bunch of clothes, handing them out.
“Here, just in case,” Rex says and Hunter nods and has Echo, Tech and Wrecker all put on the ponchos Rex gave out. It’s a long trek to the surface level taking a maze of lifts, taxis, and a tram but they finally reach the surface of Coruscant with a mere 5 credits left. The whole time Echo was telling stories about Kix and different missions he went on.
“When Rex told me about Fives, I knew I could count on Kix to listen to me,” Echo explains to the girls, who are sitting on opposite sides of the ARC trooper.
“Look-there!” Maisy says, pointing on the window. The others follow her finger and see a giant building that makes a distinct shape in the skyline, poking out over the other buildings.
The closer they get to the Temple, the stronger Maisy feels the call for help. She wonders if the feeling is because of Order 66. The taxi the squad managed to squeeze into comes to a stop at a platform just outside the Temple.
The group heads out and looks around. It’s interesting how the whole galaxy had changed but the constant chaos of Coruscant seems unfazed.
“Oh kriff,” Rex grumbles.
“What is it?” Tech asks.
“That’s the way into the Temple…it’s swarming with the Coruscant guard now,” Rex says.
“Now?” Echo asks.
“It wasn’t earlier. I don’t know any other way in-“ Rex says.
“I can get us in,” Maisy pipes up. The soldiers and even Omega looks down at her.
“Really?” Omega asks and Maisy nods.
“We have to get in,” the Youngling says, clearly determined.
“Lead the way kid,” Rex tells the younger girl, who nods.
“This way,” Maisy says, grabbing Omega’s hand, pointing.
The squad walks inconspicuously down different alleyways until they come upon a dead end.
“Great,” Hunter sighs.
“There,” Maisy points to the grate on the ground before running over to it. She tries grabbing it but the metal is too heavy for the Youngling so Omega helps her. The two girls struggle to get the grate off but they manage to do so with a grunt of effort.
“We’re going through the sewers?” Hunter asks.
“It goes to a bathroom in the Temple,” Maisy explains.
“How do you know?” Omega asks-not with any venom in her tone but pure curiosity.
“I saw the door once. It was boarded over but I can get through it,” Maisy explains.
“Alright, I’ll go in first,” Rex says and climbs down the rusted ladder. Maisy follows him and the rest of the squad follows the Youngling.
Rex uses his helmet light to see and once he gets to the ground, he holds his hands out for the Youngling.
“I’ve got ya,” Rex assures the Youngling as he lifts her down to the floor. She looks up and helps Rex with the others. The boys grab their torches and shines the light around the dark but empty tunnel.
“Ugh, it smells in here,” Wrecker groans.
“That way,” Maisy points and the group starts walking.
Meanwhile….
3rd POV
On Kamino, Crosshair heads to the mess hall after feeling stifled in the barracks with the other troopers. His new squad leaves much to be desired as far as a team goes and the sniper can’t get his mind off of Cody. Perhaps if his own squad wouldn’t help him, maybe the clone who vouched for them would. After all Cody was a Marshal Commander. If anyone could help the sniper, it’d be him.
He heads to the library to see if he can look up where Commander Cody is stationed. The sniper finds a computer out of the way and secluded though it’s practically empty anyways. He sits at the chair and turns on the monitor. Not that he didn’t know how to use a computer, he just wasn’t as proficient and as fast as Tech or Echo.
Crosshair’s POV
I type in the search file and put all the info in. CT Number: CT-2224. Designation: Cody. Battalion: 212 and finally, Rank: Marshal Commander. I hit the ‘enter’ key on the keyboard and the screen loads before a bunch of info appears on the screen. My eyes scan each line.
CT-2224 Status: Alive. Rank: Commander. Currently stationed on Utapau. This information seems pretty recent but my eyes stop when I get to the last part.
“Successfully executed Order 66,” I read. It doesn’t say when he will return. There’s only one place in all of Kamino where things are truly said: the mess hall. I log out of the computer and hurry out of the library.
I make my way to the mess hall and when I walk in I see it’s a bit crowded. Cody belonged to the 212th so anyone who served in that battalion or who worked closely with the 212th would know something. I glance around and that’s when I spot two troopers in golden yellow painted armor. They’re alone so I grab a tray of food before making my way over.
Once I get close, the two stop talking and look at me.
“You mind? Everywhere else is full,” I ask, motioning with my head to the noisy mess hall. The two share a look before shrugging so I sit.
“Haven’t seen you before,” the trooper on the left says, taking off his helmet. His mop of messy blond hair and 5 o’clock shadow makes the man look…battle-worn.
“Name’s Crys, that’s Trapper,” the blonde trooper introduces.
“Crosshair,” I introduce myself before taking my helmet off.
“Woah, you’re a CT-99? I heard you guys completed more suicide missions than a battalion,” Crys tells me. I nod.
“Where’s the rest of your squad?” Trapper asks curiously.
“Busy…I’m actually looking for one of your boys,” I explain.
“Oh yeah?”
“Commander Cody. He knows me and my squad well and was wondering if anyone in the 212th knew where he was?” I ask. The two exchange a look before leaning in closer to me.
“There’s talk Cody was reassigned,” Trapper whispers.
“We’ve heard some of our brothers talk about Cody…how he’d talk about the Empire. But he’s been reporting to Governor Tarkin so it’s only a matter of time before he shows back up here,” Crys adds in a hushed tone.
“Thanks,” I tell them before standing and grabbing my tray. They nod and I walk off to find Admiral Rampart. I have to convince him to let me go find Cody.
As I walk through the halls, I actually pass by Admiral Rampart.
“Ahem-Admiral-a word?” I clear my throat before I ask, causing the man to look up, mildly irritated at me but motions for me to follow him anyways.
“What is it CT—9904? You completed your mission on Onderon and there haven’t been any new assignments for you yet,” Rampart tells me.
“I understand—sir—I was just wondering about my new squad,” I say.
“What about them?”
“Well sir, one of them disobeyed orders,” I say, though not explaining what happened.
“I’ve talked with Governor Tarkin and we agree that one casualty is worth the price of success. How many droids did the Separatists go through? How many clones?” He asks.
“Actually that’s what I mean. I was wondering if maybe a clone trooper could replace the trooper I lost on Onderon? Commander Cody perhaps? I’ve worked with him before and he is just as if not more capable than I am-“ I vouch for the commander but Rampart holds up a hand, stopping my slight rambling.
“I do recognize the value of you clones CT—9904, but the whole point of your new squad is to prove that conscripted soldiers can and will follow orders. As for CC—2224, he has been assigned on a mission to Dantooine,” Rampart adds that last part about Cody rather off-handedly. My eyes widen but I nod in acknowledgement.
“Actually, since you seem to show such enthusiasm and eagerness, I’m going to assign you and your new squad a rather…controversial mission,” Rampart says.
“Controversial?” I ask.
“As such I hope you understand that this mission comes with a certain level of discretion? Here’s everything you need to know,” he says, handing me another datapad. I look at it and nod.
“Yes sir. We will prep and leave immediately,” I tell Rampart before we part ways and I head to the lift.
Once I’m alone in the lift, I think on our conversation and look at the datapad.
“Destroy Separatist stronghold on Ankus and eliminate any and all survivors,” I read. If I use my time wisely, I could complete my mission then go to the nearby planet of Dantooine to look for Cody. But the mission comes first—it always does.
Back on Coruscant…
3rd POV
Youngling Maisy manages to successfully guide the group through the tunnels and into the Temple. They get to the sealed off door so Rex, Echo and Tech get to work.
“We hafta hurry,” Maisy repeats.
“Why? No one’s after us,” Omega says.
“You don’t hear the call for help?” Maisy asks and Omega frowns in confusion.
“Call for help?” She asks worriedly.
“No one’s calling for help kid,” Hunter tells the Youngling.
Before the younger girl can argue, Echo, Tech and Rex get through the door and make a hole to climb through. They walk into a storage closet before stealthily walking out with the rest of the group following.
Rex uses his torch to look around. It’s a bathroom that looks as if it’s been unused for years.
“Where are we?” Rex asks.
“We’re underneath the Archives,” Maisy explains, “there’s the way out,” she points.
Rex, Hunter and Echo are out first and the rest follow. The group makes their way down the eerily empty and silent corridor. There’s no sign of anyone.
They keep walking but stop when they get to a destroyed room. Maisy gasps quietly as her eyes widen, seeing the dead bodies. Omega notices and immediately pulls the little girl into her so the Youngling’s face is buried in her hip.
“Don’t look,” Omega instructs and Maisy nods, letting Omega pick her up.
“They’re…501st,” Echo gasps as Rex stares at the bodies. Rex looks over at a Jedi. A Mon Cala Jedi he doesn’t know, but it doesn’t matter.
“We should keep moving,” Hunter says and Rex nods, leading the way.
They get to the destroyed great room and bodies are laying everywhere.
“Wait—we hafta go that way-“ Maisy points to the left.
“What? Why?” Echo and Omega ask.
“It’s the call for help—it’s that way-“ the Youngling points before squirming out of Omega’s arms. She hurries down the connecting hall and clones chase after her.
“Wait! Maisy!” They call but the Youngling keeps running.
Maisy’s POV
“Wait! Maisy!” I hear the others call out for me, but I keep running. I’m so close. I can feel it. The hall opens up to a destroyed room and that’s when I notice the dead Younglings. I gasp, slowing down, allowing the others to catch up. They see the bodies as well.
“Even the children,” Rex gasps, clearly in shock that his men would do such a thing.
Me and Omega walk towards the pile of rubble at the back and when we come around the pile, we gasp when we see a white Wookiee.
End.
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stars-n-spice · 6 days
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Guardians Ship Sheet!
Since I'm a bit of a sucker for cute/creative ship names that aren't just the individual's names combined, I decided to call Hunter and Jung "Guardians"!
This is really only because they're both guardians in one sense or another. Hunter of Omega/his squad and Jung was formally a Jedi Temple Guard before, y'know, everything went to shit.
I realize that they're the only ones not with an 'S' ship name; all my other ones are Starburst, Sharpshooters, and Scompscope. And then there's "Guardians." Ah well...
Also! These two are in a QPR (queer-platonic relationship). They do a lot of "normal" couple things like living together, sharing a bed, raising Omega together, and "romantic" things like holding each other's hands or giving each other forehead kisses and whatnot, but that's as far as it goes. They are not sexually intimate and have no desire to be. (I'm a huge fan of the aroace Hunter headcanon if you couldn't tell-)
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More Information:
Baddies Batch (squad of TBB S/Os) Guardians Basic Info Sheet Wrecker x OC Ship Sheets Echo x OC Ship Sheets Crosshair x OC Ship Sheets
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sunshinesdaydream · 9 months
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I would love to know more about your ocs please info dump! :D
Info dump my OCs? Well, um I guess you asked for it. Long post, so much of it is below the cut. Both my original squad of Clone OCs and Corrie OCs, My Cultural Advisor, and the Jedi assigned to my original squad.
I haven't introduced them yet because they are part of a fic that is in an outline phase.
Meet "Mask Squad"-Assigned to gather information from all sources and process it for the protection of the republic. Secret even from most of the GAR. Goes by multiple other code names to blend if joining others.
Sargent Cypher-The Number Cruncher and Code Breaker. Excellent slicer, but not quite as fast as some of the others. Keeps his black hair buzzed short for convenience. Coded message is tattooed on his collarbone. Introverted and a bit quiet. The others adore him, so they listen to him easily... most of the time.
Livewire-Fastest Slicer they have. Also pretty fast at sorting and processing data. Fair at Code Breaking. His curly hair is a bit long on the top, but buzzed along the sides. It has pink streaks through it. His name and the names of the whole squad (including the Jedi) in multiple colors on his left arm. Hasn't had the patience to sit through more, though he would like them. ADHD. Fidgets madly. Laughs a lot.
Rave- Main Pilot, Slicer and 2nd gunner. Also decent at sorting and processing the data as needed. LOVES music and LOVES to dance. Has slight gene mutation that makes his hair more wavy than curly. Asymmetrical bob that is just a bit past his jawline, with an undercut. Many, many tattoos.
Shadow-Slicer and gunner. Also in charge of cargo and supplies. Tied for best at disguise. Best at infiltration. Can be absolutely silent and sneak up on anyone. Which he uses to pull pranks on the others. Keeps his hair buzzed short for ease of disguises.
Shift-Squad Medic and solid at slicing. Tied with Shadow for best at disguise. Very good at infiltration as well. Genderfluid, loosely prefers they/them but won't correct anyone if they use other pronouns because they aren't hard attached to any of them. Has LONG curly hair. Almost as quiet as Cypher, but less because introversion more because they are just really chill.
Jedi Knight Jade- Left on temple stairs as an infant. Was padawan to Jocosta Nu. Dedicated to learning and archiving until "drug out of the archives" to head this group.
Since this has already run long and I have to go to sleep soon I'm going to leave you with the links to my basics for my other OCs.
I have more info dump on all of them if you would like me to tag you in it later?
Amea Allossun - Cultural Advisor to the Senate and Fox's love intrest
Corrie Guard OCs
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finniigan · 2 years
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Flare rescuing Eli during order 66
I scribbled down a bit more of their story in my notes app so enjoy some disjointed lore below :)
M'eliwar
Togruta male with olive green/white montrals, orange skin and amber eyes. Grows up to be 6'3". Not very skilled with a lightsaber (he wasn't old enough to start properly learning when order 66 happened), but is intuitive with the force and has a talent for mental/emotional shielding. Was a very clingy and openly affectionate kid especially with the clones, so order 66 really messed him up (he suddenly had to fear for his life from the adults he'd always trusted most).
Flare
A clone who is half blind, with a star scar round one eye from a welding accident. His role was engineer clone, in charge of ship maintenance for his squad and their allies. His squad mainly took on relief mission and long term defense/aid for the GAR's more vulnerable allies. Flare has a bright and sunny disposition and he kept team morale high whenever he could - but he fell into an apathetic and closed off personality after order 66, and kept his guard up for years afterwards, only relaxing with his adopted kid Eli.
Lore
Flare and his brothers came across M'eliwar on one of their usual missions, when the jedi knight leading them felt a force sensitive youngling nearby. They spent a couple months communally taking care of the kid before they could get him back to the jedi temple, and M'eliwar grew especially close to Flare.
Flare had a faulty chip from the accident that left him blind in one eye - it was never picked up on or fixed, as his accident occured the same day as an attempted attack on Kamino by the seperatists. (Since his batch were raised towards the end of the war, staff and resources were spread thin already, so he was released as fit for duty without a full checkup). The faulty chip meant he was one of the only clones in his batch to survive and escape order 66 without his chip activating.
He was horrified to find out what was happening with his brothers, but realised he couldn't show his emotions, for fear of them finding out he's not planning to follow orders. After all, his brothers had just gunned down Jedi friends of many years, so he reasoned there was nothing to stop them from shooting him just as easily.
Flare broke off from his group as they were clearing out the last stragglers and survivors from the jedi temple. He found Eli hiding under a pile of padawan bodies and somehow snuck him out amidst the blaster fire and confusion. He used the last of his imperial clearances right after order 66 to steal a cargo ship and jumped between outer rim planets. He came across a mandalorian helmet and breastplate that he repainted to avoid suspicion, and disguised himself as a retired bounty hunter settling down with a kid. Flare traded and bartered for more pieces of armor through the years, aquiring some for the kid too (though Eli grew quick, and with his intimidating size not many people picked fights with them anyway.)
Phewwwww it took me a sec to rewrite my notes to be actually coherent xD now its all in past tense and full sentences look at me go im such a writer /s (theres a reason why i stick to art lol) anyway im having fun making ocs again and thats all that matters :pp
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theladyghost · 10 months
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Gladiator 300th Chapter Celebration
Thank you @kigozula for organizing this event to mark the 300th chapter of this amazing fic!
Favorite…:
1. OC: Shoji, he’s a sweetheart!
2. Guard: Haoren, just for the way he roasted Fei Li in the Spirit Library arc (sorry Fei Li)
3. Gladiator: Sokka and Toph aside? Rhenzi.
4. Sponsor: Azula aside? Yang. He’s a riot.
5. Pair/Couple: Kori and Sneers
6. Friendship: Azula and Song
7. Villain/Antagonist/Opponent: Rhone. His story was quite interesting.
8. Suitor for Azula: Aonu
9. Place: Northern Air Temple
10. Event: Azula’s birthday (took place in part 1, but I guess it still counts)
Favorite Top Three…:
Kisses (in Part 2):
1. Fire Nation Festival #2 arc 7 (when they thought Zhao knew the truth)
2. Fire Nation Festivals #2 arc 7 (after they they learn that Zhao got the wrong idea)
3. Firelord for a week arc 4 (before facing Rhone)
Lovemaking:
1. Fire Nation Festivals #2 arc 2 (The Palanquin)
2. Return to Shu Jing arc 6 (the hot springs cove)
3. Gladiator and Sponsor Race arc 9 (Oma and Shu’s tomb)
This or That:
1. Part 2 or Part 3: Part 2, mainly because Part 3 is not finished yet.
2. Zuki family or Mai Jian family: Mai Jian family. Yuudai is hilarious. My inner 3 year old related to him a lot at Ty Lee and Haru’s wedding. And Ruon Jian and Mai are cute together.
3.Fire Nation Festivals arc or Anniversary arc: I can’t possibly choose, I’m sorry.
4. Captain Rui Shi or Captain Fei Li: Captain Rui Shi (again, I’m sorry Fei Li)
5. Ozai or Zhao: Zhao
6. Scavenger Hunt, Pairs Tournament, Gladiator Brawn or Sponsor Race: Damn, this one is so hard… I’m going with the Gladiator and Sponsor Race.
7. Appa or Xin Long: Xin Long
8. Sokka’s Squad or Azula’s Squad: Azula’s Squad
9. Mai or Ty Lee: Ty Lee <3
10. Shoji or Kino: Shoji
11. Haru or Ruon Jian: Ruon Jian
Others:
1. Place I’d like to visit: Ember Island
2. If I’d could give the Part 2 a title what it would be: True Home. Because in Part 2 they find their place of belonging near each other. Corny I know.
3. What I most look forward to: Sokka and Ozai’s confrontation/Azula meeting Hakoda and Gran-Gran
5. Fave artwork for Part 2: I love several, but the one that comes to my mind right now is the one where Sokka and Azula take part in the Spicy Ramen Challenge. Imo Seyary Minamoto writing really shines in the most humorous moments of the narrative. And Sokka and Azula being their ridiculously competitive selves over something like an absurd eating contest? What’s not to love?
Guessing Time:
1. Future ship: Soooo, sometime ago someone went to seyary’s inbox to ask her about Sokka and Yue’s future interactions in Gladiator and she answered that while they’ll form a friednship, there’s no room for a romance between them in this story. Then she implied that Yue will find love with someone else, so I sent my guess to Seyary’s inbox and going by her answer to kigozula’s post, I think I might be onto something. However, revealing my suspections might be spoilery, so I refrain from doing so.
2. When will Azula and Zhao get a divorce: I think that Ozai has to be dealt with first. But maybe the spirit oasis thing will be Zhao’s downfall.
3. Hakoda’s first meeting with Azula and Hotaru: Hakoda and Azula will have a very difficult conversation about Azula’s capturing Sokka and taking him alway from home. But after hearing Sokka’s version of the story, Hakoda will be able to forgive Azula. And he will be super emotional upon meeting his granddaughter
4. Ozai and Ursa reunion: Ozai might flip his shit
5. What Ozai’s future looks like: Hard to tell. I’m not sure if he’s going to die or have his bending removed like it happened in canon.
6. When Azula visits the South Pole for the first time: I hope to see her interacting with Gran-Gran, who’ll tell her all sorts of embarrassing stories about Sokka’s childhood. Azula will get lots of ammunition to make fun of him, he’ll state his so called manliness once again, and she’ll think it’s adorable
7. First thing Sokka and Azula will do upon reuniting: The two of them are horny as hell, so… Just kidding! Seyary posted that artwork where they reunite in a battle and make out, but I trust them to have a full conversation before jumping each other’s bones. There’ll be crying involved.
Quiz:
1. First Gladiator Sokka faced: The Spawn of the Volcano, I think…
2. How long they’ve been together: 3 years
3. First person to find out about Sokkla’s relationship: Rui Shi (If we’re taking that day in Shu Jing as the starting point of their relationship)
4. Who was onto them from the start: Song
5. Ozai’s first love: I don’t remember. In my defense, I still have some arcs left to read and I don’t exactly read them in order…
6. First event The Princess and The Blue Wolf participated in: Scavenger Hunt
7. How many times the Blue Wolf fought in the Slate:Twice
8. Which Azula’s suitor got closer to being crown prince: Out of all Azula’s suitors? Kuan, I guess…
9. How old were Aang when he was frozen in the Iceberg: I’ll just say 18, but I really can’t remember *hides in utter shame and humiliation*
Words for the author @seyaryminamoto
Dear Seyary Minamoto: I already told you most things I wanted to by sending some anon messages to your blog askbox. Well, now you know it was me. But I think it doesn’t hurt to repeat myself: I started reading Gladiator recently and I’m almost done with it, cause it’s addictive. It’s crazy to think you’ve been writing this story for so many years. Your dedication it’s really appreciated by your readers. I mean, it’s such a long fic and I’m amazed by your attention to every little detail, at how every aspect of the plot seems to be crafted well in advance. Like Azula telling Sokka about the bloodlust spear for the first time in chapter 46 when their partnership was just beginning, only for it to be brought up again years later at chapter 206! Or Sokka writing his haiku on chapter 37 and the very same words causing a powerful emotional reaction in Azula on chapter 276! I look back to the beginning of the journey and think about everything these characters have been through and how much they’ve grown ever since… it’s overwhelming! Can’t even imagine how it must feel for you. The characters and their universe might’ve been created by Bryke, but just by changing a small detail from canon you brought to life something that feels entirely new. Honestly, I wish I could read it all for the first time again, because I already reread my favorite bits so many times that I know them by heart now. Can’t wait to see what you have planned for the future chapters!
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vodika-vibes · 8 months
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Let's talk about how the rise of the Empire effected the lives of my ocs, shall we?
Dusk: Suddenly a single father to three traumatized children. His chip never activated after serious head trauma at the start of the war. Wasn't killed, or arrested, because three years in the Guard taught him how to play pretend real good.
Kanna: Survives the Purge. Her Master flung herself over Kanna, and Kanna ended up having to use the blood of her family members to fake her own death. Was smuggled out of the temple by Jedi Master Quinlan Vos.
Fira: Retreats to the Outer Rim with her crew. Focuses her attention on freeing slaves there. The clones are now beyond her help.
Cal: Re-Enrolls in law school to keep her new family safe. Is a lot more careful about her civil disobedience. The members of the Daines house join the Rebellion.
Raiya: Runs as far away as she can. Refuses to join the Rebellion, even when Rex comes to recruit her. Joins a Bio-Medical company in the hopes of easing some of the massive guilt she feels.
Riff: Becomes a Purge Trooper. Manages to kill 6 jedi with his bare hands over the course off three months. Loses an arm to the Seventh Jedi and is rescued by Wolffe.
Grain: Is unable to fight the Chip. Ends up on Kamino with the rest of his brothers. Never makes it off Kamino.
Go: His chip activates and then malfunctions, is almost killed by his brothers in the Shadow Squad, escapes with Xyn.
Xyn: His chip doesn't activate, likely due to an injury sustained as a Cadet. Escapes the base with the aid of Go.
Dorian: Becomes a Purge Trooper alongside Riff, never manages to kill or capture any Jedi. But does manage to keep Riff alive after his arm is cut off.
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kiwikipedia · 1 year
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The one that even the Temple Guard call the “Demon” stands at the top of the stairs to the Great Hall that leads to the rest of the Temple— those who have bypassed the first defense by leaving their comrades to die at the hands of the Front-line and the Battlemaster of the Temple will come face to face with him. But this is as far as many will manage to get if they only go with a frontal assault— because when the Order went out to defend no matter the cost, Hakra accepted this and knew that the men that had once served with the Jedi before him were now his enemies. And he would not stop until they were all dealt with.
(Taglist, Alt version, and ID below)
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im almost mad at how well this turned out lmaooo like damn how am I supposed to best this one now?
Taglist:
@jedifisto​​ @spaceydragons​​ @purgetrooperfox​​ @spacerocksarethebestrocks​@insanelytomato @maulpunk​ @certified-anakinfucker​ @d3epfriedangels​ @iamthespacegeneral​ @thecodyagenda​ @dilf-archivist​ @txtalnyx​ @jawajawas​
Taglist Form or feel free to ask me to get tagged (just DM!)
[ ID: A mostly grayscale colored image of my OC, Hakra Dorgoa, a masculine humanoid with horns like a Japanese oni and long, dark hair. He wears the Jedi Temple Guard uniform without the mask. He is posed mid-leap with his body twisted partially away from the viewer but his face is turned so he is looking over his shoulder at the viewer. His eyes show that he is looking directly forwards. Hakra has both of his arms out, with the farthest back one bent at the elbow holding his lightsaber. It is positioned behind the body. The other one is in front of the body and extended downwards at an angle. His front and hands are covered in blood, along with parts of his hair and face. Unlike the rest of the image, however, the blood, lightsaber, and his eyes are colored with the blood being red, lightsaber being yellow, and his eyes a brighter red than the blood. His hair is tied back in a ponytail. His expression is that of a very sharp-toothed grin, as if he is enthusiastic about the fact that he's entering a fight. The background is that of a staircase, giving the illusion that he has leaped off of the stairs towards the viewer in preparation to fight. /ID End]
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fours-a-party · 2 years
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After the war was over and the Guard had more freedom, someone asked Ashe about why the Guard wasn’t present during the Holocron Heist...
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There aren’t a lot of Temple Guards, so they do have to rotate out who is where at what time so they dont all get burnt out and exhausted— it just happened that Bane broke in when the shifts were changing and the patrols were lighter
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kyber-kisses · 10 months
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Have a little blurb backstory about my Jedi OC, Asha. I was bored and decided to write a lil something:
Captain Rex x Jedi OC
Deep down Asha knows she remembers the first time she ever saw Rex, then again when she first saw him he was still only a number, his name was hey to be born yet.
Surprisingly though the strongest thing she can recall from the memory is the smell. Kaminos cloning facility smelled medicinal, much like the handful of medbays and hospitals she had been in before. In a way it looked like a hospital too, with its cold white lights and pristine hallways.
Her first thought had been how awful it would be to grow up in a place like it.
The memory is hazy, it belongs to a more youthful mind. She remembers trailing behind her former master as they are given a tour of the facility. It’s barely been a month since she moved up from padawan to full fledged knight, yet she still follows Plo Koon around like lost loth cat kitten.
Her eyes are curious, filled with wonder as she takes in the rounded hallways and their severe lack of color. She’s quiet, hands folded neatly behind her back as she follows Plo Koon, the Kel-dor busy in his own conversation with one of the kaminoans.
That’s when Asha sees the first glimpse of true color since stepping onto the landing platform. The bold red of the clone cadet uniforms are hard to miss as a handful of them are led down the hallway in the opposite direction. They stand barely at the height of her chest. Some of them stay facing forward, others send her and her former master a quick glance as they pass by.
But it’s the one at the back of the group that makes Asha pause in her steps, looking over her shoulder at him. He stands out from the rest with the fuzzy blonde hair atop his head. His expression is neutral as he looks at her, head tilted slightly.
He’s probably never seen a Jedi.
He has paused in his steps to look at her, but a moment later is pulled back to his squad by his number being called. And with that he turns and races to catch up to the departing group.
Neither of them know who the other is in that moment. All they know is that the other stands out from what would be considered regular.
—————————
In the following year the galaxy plummets into war, and Asha is shoved into it without so much as warning. She grew up in the temple with the notion that she would be a peacekeeper but that’s not what the galaxy wants. Instead, like so many others she stamped with the title of General and is told to lead countless clones into battles they probably will not walk away from.
It damages her psyche, even though she does everything she can to make sure it doesn’t. She keeps close to her battalion. She watches over them, because despite everything they are now her family. She protects them in whatever way she can, and when she loses one she lets herself feel the loss.
She’s grateful for Mayday as well. He’s a good commander, he’s patient and he listens to her thoughts when she struggles. She had his loyalty from the moment he was assigned to her battalion. In a way he becomes her first true friend outside the Jedi order.
And then five months into the war, Asha slips up. It’s supposed to be a relatively easy mission but like always something goes sideways. She’s determined to not lose anyone else but in doing so she makes an error and instead loses half her men.
Her action and miscalculation cause an uproar in the both the Grand Army and the Jedi order. She’s stripped of her battalion, her remaining troops divided and shipped off to other legions. Mayday too.
She spends two weeks confined to the Jedi temple as the council decides the next course of action for her. They see her as immature, unfit to lead her own battalion. She’s given two options; become a temple guard or join the 501st as a co-commander.
She’s afraid of getting more men killed and chooses the former, trading out her normal robes of beige and green for the stiff white and gold uniforms of the guards. She doesn’t talk to anyone for several weeks. She retreats in on herself, blaming herself for the actions that got her to this point.
And then Anakin fucking Skywalker has to go and get himself injured and that one small action uproots her life all over again.
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clonehub · 2 years
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I've got plenty of good endings for my OCs cause I deal with trauma via Healing Arcs so 👌
Sigma Squad: escape Kamino with Onosa'i, Myna finally gets to have her Verd'goten and joins her clan, Angel and Juno join as well, while Black-eye, Blast, and Ny move to other work but coome home often. Black-eye becomes a hunter specialized in kidnapping rescues, Blast becomes a damn prolific painter with a bit of a cult following due to no one knowing his face, and Ny gets to go in to fully pursue their musical dreams (particularly with rebel aligned planets and in creating anti-imperial content)!!
Spider and Darrah: They manage an escape from the temple, and while it takes a while, they eventually get used to a life on a backwater planet! After staying with pirates for a bit, he's got good cooking and general labour/guard skills, so working at a local cantina (in the back so he's not spotted often) makes enough money that he's able to provide for his now finally fully-adooted daughter! He makes sure she goes to school, keeps her powers under wraps, and they get to enjoy a relatively calm life out there!
Tra': crashed on Mirial, and ended up staying!! Became a farmer with the people who saved him, and gets very sweet on @friedennic 's gal Quisa!! Eventually gets married and while he's got a host of injuries that flare up after the crash, he and the vode that remained in the village enjoy a very normal life with a new family. He even gets to be a dad and gets Mirialan tattoos!!
Of adopted canon characters since canon can Suck A Rock:
Thorn and Avi get out, after a Lot Of Trauma, and get to also enjoy a semi-quiet life eventually, with him as a sort of town deputy and Avi as a local healer!
Alpha-17 also gets out, having escaped with a batch or two of cadets and tubies the Empire had planned to leave behind. He eventually gets to reunite with Onosa'i, and show off his new-and-improved cane-blaster! (Also please Ignore the fact he's let these cadets call him dad he swears he's not a dad figure he says as he hugs one kid and tosses the hutt-ball for another.)
i love this for all of them!
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sailorchips · 2 years
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Guardians of Peace
THE SQUAD IS HERE!! Here are my 9 Genshin OCs based on the “Nine Pillars of Peace” quest in Liyue! I made a whole fan-quest line for them all ajlkdf
Here’s a quick introduction to each of them, feel free to ask questions!!
Jiaqian - geo claymore, wants to destroy the economy
Hisashi - cryo catalyst, painter with memory loss
Ursi - anemo catalyst, bear with ptsd
Yuyan - geo bow, miss ma’am holding down the fort
Akane - pyro sword, smol dragon
Lux - hydro sword or polearm, overdramatic shapeshifter
Charian - dendro polearm, science experiment gone wrong
Mansur - hydro claymore, an oasis personified
Kawil - electro polearm, short king snake man
A summarization of their story is below the cut—you can also read a more detailed backstory & character profiles in this Quotev book! The book has a lot of detail but I’m also open to making more posts here about the characters if people are interested :DD
STORYLINE
Thousands of years ago (before the Archon War), Celestia chose and/or sent down 9 beings to regulate the 9 “mortal desires” mentioned in the canon quest. These beings would be granted immense power to help them “guard”/regulate their assigned mortal desire and protect all beings in Teyvat from succumbing to them.
The original 9 were from different parts of Teyvat but eventually created their home base—Peacekeeper Temple—in Cuijue Slope with the permission of Morax, the God of Geo, who helped create their Guardian contract. Although they would hold meetings in the temple, they were free to come and go to carry out their duties as Guardians.
Morax also helped create the physical 9 pillars of peace. Each of the 9 beings bonded their life force to the pillar that represented the mortal desire they would guard. This bond gave them enhanced physical/elemental abilities, but also powers specific to their mortal desire. However, this bond also permanently made them immune to whichever desire they regulated. From then on, they were called Guardians (or “Peacekeepers” to those in Liyue).
Sadly, a betrayal occurs during the Archon War—all 9 pillars are sealed, therefore stripping all the Guardians of their enhanced abilities. As a result, 2 of them die in the war and the rest are injured and/or imprisoned, which disbands the Guardians. The 2 perished Guardians are reincarnated as Akane and Charian.
FAN-QUEST LINE
I’m in the process of writing a fanfic (see the Quotev book linked above) about their quest line, but basically it works like an story quest except each character gets their own section!
After you complete the canon Nine Pillars of Peace quest and the Liyue archon quests, Zhongli meets with you and asks you to investigate some strange earthquakes happening in Cuijue Slope (the temple).
There, you meet Jiaqian wrecking the place (LMAO) with his elemental abilities. When you talk to him, he expresses his desire to rid Teyvat of all mora because humanity has become too greedy and needs to be set back to teach him a lesson.
From then on, you have to solve problems arising from the Guardians popping up in different parts of Teyvat. It turns out that unsealing the pillars (which is what you do in the canon quest) also returned all of the Guardians’ powers. And, spoilers, many of them are not happy that they were imprisoned or hurt 🤡
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