“No Point In Carrying Deadweight.”

Came across another debate about the "inhibitor chips vs. no chips" storyline for the clones. Saw the usual complaint that the inhibitor chips are a cop out to absolve the clones of any responsibility for their actions.

Thing is...

For a long time, practically none of the clones knew their actions during Order 66 were influenced by programming via implanted brain chips. Omega was the first clone who for sure knew the chips were even a thing; Tech figured it out and Rex finally understood and fully accepted Fives' claims during Order 66; the rest of Clone Force 99 eventually accepts the truth; and I'm sure Rex got through to the clones who became part of his network.

But that's a tiny fraction of the clones who make up the GAR. (We find out over a decade later in Rebels that apparently the story of the inhibitor chips had circulated, but we don't know to what extent the story spread or if it was ever validated to the general public as more than a rumor.)

So, during Order 66 and for years thereafter, the clones thought they were acting of their own accord.

We never see the clones using the chips as an excuse for their behavior, likely because most of the clones don't even know about them.

And frankly, I find it even more tragic that these loyal, honorable men thought they had freely chosen to turn on the Jedi and others who had been their allies, genuinely thought they were stopping a Jedi coup, when they really didn't have much of a choice at all, not even the option to stop and think about what they were doing before they did it.

And even those clones who DO know what's going on are too horrified by their behavior to even entertain the notion of excusing themselves.

Just look at Rex's face when he's about to shoot Ahsoka. He's conflicted, he's terrified. Rex later talks about the chip and tells the Bad Batch it's not something they can control if it activates; but even then he's sharing that to convince them to choose to remove the chips, not to give them an excuse for their behavior.

And can any of us mistake Wrecker's shame over his actions while the inhibitor chip was activated as him justifying himself? He describes what it felt like, and we know as well as he does that he literally had no control over himself, yet he still apologizes for what he did.

AND THEN we have Crosshair, Mr. "Does it really matter when I got my chip removed?" -

Crosshair knows about the chip, knows what it was supposed to do, had it removed, and still insists that he was in full control of himself and his decisions all along. Even later, when he admits to making mistakes and having regrets, he never blames the inhibitor chip for his actions.

Basically - I have no issue whatsoever with the inhibitor chip plotline. I actually prefer it. Not even taking into account the fact that it makes a ton of sense that Palpatine wouldn't leave anything regarding something as pivotal to his plans as Order 66 up to chance, the inhibitor chips add another layer of tragedy and complexity to the clones in that while we the audience know they have more of their autonomy stripped away from them, as far as the clones are aware the chips don't even exist and they are in full control of their own actions; and the clones who DO know about the chips tend to acknowledge their effects while still not using them to justify their behavior or refuse any responsibility.

Unbidden - Update

Sorry guys! I know I promised the last chapter would be up tonight, but life has seen fit to get in the way.

It will be posted tomorrow. Sorry for the delay and thank you all for the love you've given the fic so far <3

That Familiar, Yet Unfamiliar Feeling - Part 6

Summary: Lost and adrift after the events of Order 66, Ahsoka and Rex struggle to find their place in this new reality. Both need to deal with the loss in their own way; as they help each other in this shared struggle, their relationship blossoms into something neither expected. As the threat of the Empire grows, can such a tentative, new connection be sustained? Or will they be torn apart by their duty to fight?

Fandom: The Clone Wars

Pairing: Rexsoka

Rating: M

Chapter Word Count: ~4,600

Please take note, this chapter is quite dark at the beginning, with themes of grief and depression stages of grief. Specific warnings in the chapter notes!

For the kiss roulette, please do prompt 40. An impulsive kiss, for Fivesoka 👀

Thank you so much for the ask! This is the first ever fivesoka piece I’ve written, so I hope you enjoy! It’s a little longer than planned but that’s a good kind of mistake to make as far as I’m concerned 😉

Without further ado, here’s the fic:

Impulse

Fives dropped down beside Ahsoka, landing heavily and somewhat unsteadily on his backside. Leaning over and squishing his shoulder against hers he asked, “Would you like some?”

He wiggled a mug holding a rather strong smelling alcoholic liquid and gave her an exaggerated wink. Ahsoka smiled and shook her head.

“I don’t think so, Fives. I don’t partake of anything Hardcase brews.”

Fives chuckled and shrugged, making a face as he took a sip.

“Why not?” He asked.

“Because I value the lining of my stomach,” Ahsoka muttered with a roll of her eyes.

“It’s not that bad!” Fives insisted, although the way his face contorted into a grimace as he took another swig had Ahsoka bursting into uncharacteristic fit of giggles.

Fives grinned, seemingly happy to have elicited such a reaction from her. Nudging her side with his elbow, he questioned, “What are you doing all alone anyways? You should join us and celebrate.”

Ahsoka smiled wanly. “I am celebrating,” she insisted.

“Looks to me like you’re brooding. And given that we just won the war, I’ll have none of that.”

Ahsoka scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest, regarding him incredulously. “Since when did it become regulation to order your commanding officer around?”

Fives grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, tucking her into his side. Ahsoka ignored the way her heart jumped along in her chest at the proximity.

“War’s over, ‘Soka. I don’t think you’re going to be my commanding officer much longer.”

“That’s what worries me,” Ahsoka admitted, leaning into his half embrace a little more, seeking what comfort she could. “It won’t be the same without everyone around.”

She gestured to the gathered soldiers for effect, and felt more than saw Fives nod against her montral. She shivered at the gentle contact, enjoying the scratchy feeling of his goatee against her skin.

As her eyes flicked up to Fives once more she felt the impulsive words tumble from her lips before she could stop them.

“It won’t be the same… without you.”

Fives’ eyes widened at her statement and his throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously. Still, he tightened his arm about her shoulders and leaned in slightly, setting Ahsoka’s heart aflight in her chest once more.

“Without me?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow in a teasing manner, but Ahsoka was caught off guard by the earnest hope in his eyes, sparkling and flickering as the flames from the bonfire turned his deep brown eyes to a pleasant amber. “What do I have to do with anything?”

Ahsoka tried to form a response. She really did. But when her lips parted, instead of speaking she leaned forward suddenly, closing the distance between them and pressing her lips to Fives’ mouth. The kiss was brief and exhilarating; when she pulled away she heaved a terrified breath, instantly aware of the implications of what she’d done.

Fives looked as stunned as she felt, eyes wide and lips parted, staring back at her in awe.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that,” Ahsoka stammered, trying and failing to think of some way to explain her way out of this scenario.

Fives blinked a couple times before finally seeming to reboot his mind. Shaking his head lightly, he smirked and cupped her cheek, running his thumb across her cheekbone.

Slowly, he leaned in, keeping his eyes on hers until the last second. As her eyes fluttered closed, Ahsoka was only aware of the warmth of his breath on her lips and the gentle motion of his fingers against her cheek. The suspense nearly stopped her heart in her chest as she waited for Fives to kiss her.

When he finally pressed his lips to hers, Ahsoka was sure her heart did a full flip in her chest before it resumed beating behind her ribs. Fives’ lips were soft and purposeful against her own, and Ahsoka relished in the sweet sensation, feeling it was entirely too early when he eventually pulled away.

Fives moved so he could cradle her face between his hands.

“Well… I meant to do that,” he said, smiling softly. Ahsoka giggled and grinned, her cheeks pressing sweetly into the palms of his hands. Fives grinned with her and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Whatever happens next, ‘Soka, I know what I want. The only way you’ll be without me is if you send me away yourself,” he promised, reassuring her with an overly exaggerated stern look, couching the expression with a wink.

Ahsoka wrapped her arms around him and pulled Fives into a tight embrace.

“Never let me go,” she ordered. She hoped it would be the last order she’d ever give as his commanding officer.

“Never,” he agreed.

Online shopping time 🛒 Echo realized that an extra hand can come in handy for disguise 😅 and if Crosshair’s getting one anyways and they are on sale… well why not 😎

Hold on to Me

Summary: Redeployed to assist Rex and the rest of the 332nd Division during the Battle of Raxus, Ahsoka searches for Rex, desperately hoping to find him amongst the living.

For Rexsoka Monthly April Prompt: They'll hear you/us

Last Line Challenge

Rules: In a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you like).

Thanks for the tag @whyamismall !

Here are the last two lines from the most recent fic I’ve been working on:

She slipped her arms down to wrap around his midsection and sighed happily against his chest. Although he didn’t often say it, it was moments like this when she knew just how much he loved her.

No pressure tags: @tealmisthams @ladylucksrogue @saviinika @mschiefmanagxd @acatinwinterfell @kybercrystals94 and anyone else who wants to participate!

Why you should write healthy marriages:

1. They aren’t done enough.

2. They help other people understand what a healthy relationship looks like.

3. Fights can last for weeks and still be part of a healthy marriage.

4. Stereotypes. Break all the marriage stereotypes.

5. Soft cute couple moments DON’T stop after marriage.

6. Marriage is completely independent of character arcs. Those two individuals with trauma will still be two individuals with trauma but with gold rings.

7. A healthy marriage is one where people understand that their partners have baggage/trauma/flaws, but love them even in rough patches. 

8. It isn’t that healthy marriages aren’t compelling, it’s that people don’t know how to write marriages correctly. 

9. Marriages being an end goal often perpetuates that women are trophies to be won.

10. Marriages being an end goal often perpetuates that someone’s “freedom” ends there. Bury this trope, please, I beg of you.

Disobedient Hands

Summary: Wanting to remain useful to The Bad Batch in their fight against the Empire, Crosshair seeks out help for his tremor shortly after arriving on Pabu. What he finds is a bit more than he bargained for, and he realizes sometimes the most important healing is more than physical.

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Pairing: Crosshair x Original Female Character

Rating: T

Word count: 4,681

This fic is the first in a series I am actively writing about Crosshair and my OC, Arlo! All are posted on ao3 and will be a part of my series, Cross My Heart and Help Me Heal

Hope you enjoy!