This Is So Good!!!

This is so good!!!

Plan 66

There were plenty of disadvantages to being experimental commandos, Hunter remarked to himself as the squad staggered towards their barracks, but there were upsides here and there. For instance, after a typically torturous day of training, testing, and reg torment, they were making their way towards their own private room- far from the prying eyes and muttered comments of regs and kaminoans alike. Granted, they were returning to said barracks in various states of exhaustion, many hours after late-meal, because maybe those disadvantages were just a bit more substantial. 

The door to the barracks slid open and the 99s swiftly scattered to various corners of the room. Hunter paused for a moment in the doorway, savouring the feeling of safety. His squad was here, together, and for now he could keep them all in his sight and away from danger. 

Hunter sat on his bunk and began readjusting his senses to the Kamino rain outside and the permanently unfortunate smell of the 99s’ barracks. His brothers were doing similar activities to declare to the world that they were done for the day- Wrecker began rummaging through the plentiful supply of snacks they absolutely weren’t supposed to keep in their room, Tech left his datapad on his rack and beelined it for the refresher before anyone else could claim the first sonic, and Crosshair collapsed face-first on his bunk and buried his head under a pillow without even pausing to remove his training armour. 

A few minutes passed in blessed peace. Wrecker began hoisting heavy objects over his head, Hunter began sorting through command training assignments he was expected to have done several months ago, and Tech emerged from the sonic and reclaimed his data pad. Hunter absentmindedly watched his brother coast through unknown reaches of the holonet that gave Tech his infinite wisdom. As he watched, Tech’s darting eyes stopped flitting behind their goggles and he sat down suddenly. “This is… not ideal.” He said, voice shaking very slightly. “Hunter? I-“

Crosshair’s voice emanated from his bunk, “I swear, if those bastards spring another of their ‘surprise assessments’ on us, Kamino will burn.”

“No, it is not-“ Tech cut himself off with a harsh exhale and simply turned his datapad around, the illuminated screen casting eerie light across the floor. Hunter edged forewarned and read off the screen: OFFICIAL G.A.R. REPORT FROM UMBARAN FRONT- FRIENDLY FIRE CASUALTY NUMBERS RISING

Hunter would have read more, but Tech turned the screen back around and pressed the datapad to his chest. “I read it,” Tech said, “it is a disturbing incident that merits immediate discussion.”

Hunter called over their other two brothers and they waited in tense silence for Tech to explain. “I have compiled an explanation from various official and unofficial sources,” Tech began. “From my understanding, the 501st and 212th legions suffered significant losses in a friendly fire incident arranged by their Jedi general.

“A Jedi did this?!” Wrecker gasped, “I thought they were in our side!”

“Indeed,” Tech said, “a Besalisk Jedi Master by the name of Pong Krell, who seemingly planned to leave the Jedi order and offer his services to the Separatists. 

The regs apprehended him, losing more men in the effort. He was executed on Umbara.”

“Who did it?” Hunter asked in morbid fascination. “Wouldn’t killing a Jedi be a death sentence for a clone? Did the 501st lose their commander? Was it… Cody?”

 “It would seem he was killed by CT-6922, otherwise known as Dogma. I have been unable to locate Dogma in any subsequent reports or communications. Furthermore, his number has been deleted from the Kaminoan database.”

“He killed a traitor,” Cosshair muttered, glaring at nothing, “and they made him disappear.”

 “So it would appear.” Tech put aside his datapad and levelled a serious stare at his brothers. Hunter felt Tech’s eyes catch his and hold his gaze. “I am reluctant to accept that all the Jedi will turn on their soldiers so easily. However, it is now a proven possibility. As such, it seems prudent to be prepared in case we are ever in the presence of a Jedi who wishes us harm.”

The squad exchanged glances. Wrecker was the first to break the silence. “But… will we even be working with Jedi? The regs have generals, but we’ll be on our own once we graduate, won’t we? We only really report to Cody.”

Hunter sighed. Time to be the sergent, he supposed. “It doesn’t hurt to be prepared, I guess. Cody’s got a Jedi. We can’t avoid them completely.”

Tech nodded once and set his datapad on his lap, hands poised to type. “Precisely. As such, we need a plan. Just in case.”

They nodded along grimly and echoed him, “just in case.”

___________________

The discussion took hours. Jedi, it turns out, were not very easy to kill. But the Bad Batch weren’t the Bad Batch for nothing. As such, many scrapped ideas, shouting matches, and some very unhappy consciences later, they had a plan. It wasn’t perfect and it certainly wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Eventually, Tech finished typing. “Well,” he sighed, “I suppose that is that. Now it needs a name. The next available numerical designation is fifty-t-“ 

“Sixty-Six,” Crosshair interrupted unexpectedly. Throughout the entire discussion, he had been very quiet, providing ideas when required, but largely just observing as the plan came together. Yet every time they flagged, every time Hunter threw his hands up in despair and declared it was futile, he was there. He’d set a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and meet his gaze with a look that said far better than Crosshair himself ever could that he needed to stay strong for the sake of the squad.

That look was no where to be seen, now. In its place was an oddly dark, thousand-yard stare that put his brother uncomfortably in mind of a corpse. “It’s got to be Plan Sixty-Six.”

Tech, puzzled, tried to argue that “It does not makes sense to skip the preceding numbers for this one in particular,” but then Wrecker spoke up:

“No, he’s right. It’s gotta be that. It just feels… right”

Hunter found himself nodding along. For some reason, as soon as Crosshair said it, there was no alternative. Even Tech conceded the point, muttering some rationalization involving multiples of eleven.

In the dark, mind still spinning with the news of Umbara and the newly minted “plan 66”, Hunter was struck by the creeping feeling that they had just taken once step closer to something terrible. Something inescapable. 

Something horribly, world-shakingly, inevitable.

I love this so much! So many people think Hunter didn’t evolve in the show because it wasn’t a huge change like Crosshair’s. But compare Season 7 CW Hunter to the version we get in TBB and he’s very different. He’s also a Dad figure to the rest of the Batch, even if he’s the same age. He takes that role on constantly. He’s my favorite member of the Batch. Galaxies best Dad!

Hunter's character arc: from solider to father

As I re-watch episodes of The Bad Batch, I've come to realise just how perfectly laid out Hunter's character arc from solider to father is, right from the beginning of the series, gradually developing over the course of the show.

In the pilot episode of the show, the Batch makes the choice to go back and rescue Omega and take her with them as they flee Kamino, a decision which leaves them with a new responsibility (should they choose to accept it) — a child. Then, in episode 2, we're reintroduced to Cut Lawquane from The Clone Wars, a clone who deserted from the GAR, settled down, and has a family. In a way, it's a glimpse at a possible future for Hunter (and the rest of the Batch) — he just doesn't see it yet. In fact, quite the opposite. Rather than seeing Cut's life and parenting abilities as something to learn from or aspire to, Hunter is convinced Omega would be better off with the Lawquane's instead and tries to send her off with them. The episode ends with Omega remaining with the Batch and making it clear to Hunter that she wants to stay with them, and Hunter agrees, officially accepting this new responsibility.

There is a particular conversation in the episode between Hunter and Cut that perfectly foreshadows the series' ending 👌, while also presenting Hunter with what will eventually become his desire and new path:

Hunter: So, where will you and your family go next? Cut: I suppose find a remote piece of land on a distant planet. That's all we really need. Hunter: That's the key to not being found? Cut: You wanna know how to disappear? Put being a soldier behind you and make a new life for yourself.

The rest of season sees Hunter and the rest of the Batch embracing their new responsibility as their lives begin to revolve more and more around caring for Omega, protecting her, keeping her safe, and teaching her as she becomes a crucial member of their team and family.

In season 2, we see Hunter much more directly confronted, on multiple occasions, with this question of what he really wants to do with his life and he begins to grapple with it in a more serious way. We see Hunter and Echo at odds over their differing goals and desires. While Echo wants to keep on fighting and do more to help others, Hunter doesn't have the same desire, his focus entirely on keeping his team, his family, safe — especially Omega. Neither of them are "wrong", and I think the show does a great job of presenting that; they just want two different things, which is why Echo decides to leave and pursue his goal.

In the episode 'Tribe', on Kashyyyk, we see Hunter beginning to ponder what it is he wishes for the future and we get a little glimpse, through his conversation with, Yanna, at what it is he truly wants — to leave the war behind and give Omega a safe and happy childhood.

Hunter: They're both just kids. But they don't get to be. Not in this galaxy. Yanna (translated by Tech): When a young one leaves, the trees weep. But when they return, the trees sing. As this child [Gungi] has found his new home, perhaps, one day, we all will find a new path. Hunter: Hopefully... (sighs) ...one far away from war.

Then, the episode 'Pabu' presents Hunter with just that, a secluded and safe paradise where he and the Batch could settle down and raise Omega in peace. Hunter's desire goes from a wishful hope to an actual real possibility, if he chooses it.

Hunter: Phee said the villagers here are refugees. Shep: Many, yes. Pabu has been a safe haven for those forced to flee their homes during the war and others after. Hunter: And you're not worried the Empire will show up? Shep: Why would they? We're a remote island with limited resources. But if they do, we'll manage. Some come to Pabu looking for a clean slate. A chance to start over. As a father, you couldn't ask for a better place to raise a child. Something to think about, isn't it? Hunter: You're suggesting we all stay on Pabu permanently? Shep: She seems to like it here. A little stability might do you all some good.

The season 2 finale then turns everything on its head by giving Hunter the very thing he feared. He couldn't keep his family safe. Tech is dead, and Omega is taken. With Omega captured, him and Wrecker spend their time doing whatever they can for even the smallest scrap on intel on where she may be, as they cross the galaxy over and over in search of her. She is their only priority.

Once Omega returns to them, Hunter's main focus is once again doing everything he can to keep her safe. When she is taken again, his sole focus is once more getting her back at all costs.

Once Omega is back, Hemlock dead, his project destroyed, and the fight finally over, they are all at last free to be "whatever they want". The conversation between Omega and Hunter as they both sit beneath the tree together, both finally at peace, Omega moving to rest her head against his shoulder so perfectly portrays exactly what he wants, what they both want, and finally can have. Hunter finally gets to leave his solider life behind, settle down somewhere safe and peaceful, and be a father to Omega as she enjoys the childhood he had hoped to give her. It's a beautiful, heartwarming conclusion to Hunter's character arc in the show (and we even get to see old man Hunter enter the next phase of his fatherhood journey as he watches grow up Omega set off on her own adventure 😭). ❤️❤️

It's the ending that was always coming, right from the beginning. Hunter was always going to make it to end, always going to retire and settle down, and be a father to Omega. I really love the storytelling in this show and the fact that we got such a beautiful, satisfying ending to Hunter's character arc.

Didn’t need my heart anyway

The Bad Batch (2021–2024) // Ashe Vernon, Wrong Side of a Fistfight

Gah! I love this series so much!

And now to the real deal.

Unlike Atlantis, Hemlock has everyone here as prisoners, Tech is the last one to be fished out of the lake. Also Crosshair's already in the “post-Tantiss” phase. And that was the most difficult piece so far. Sucked me dry. But that doesn't mean I'm tired.

@techwrecker @lonewolflupe @ithillia @profettshonalfettfettishist

Yes, give us all the clones! Especially more Bad Batch. I neeeeeeeed it!

Just give me more clones...

You know, I don't really care that much about all the lore and what is or isn't canon, the jedi and sith stuff...just give me clones. That's all I want.

Awwww

You can’t tell me this didn’t happen