Ahhh Thank You This Was So Good! 👀

"You Weren't Loyal To Me": How Crosshair's Brothers Absolutely Failed Him in "The Bad Batch" Season 1

I know I'm not the first person to make these arguments, but after recently rewatching "The Bad Batch" Season 1, I feel compelled to play Devil's Advocate and assert that Crosshair's brothers absolutely failed him in Season 1.

Now, don't mistake me. I don't believe Crosshair was 100% in the right. Once he regained his free will -- whether he actually removed his inhibitor chip, or whether his injury on Bracca deactivated it or lessened its impacts -- he definitely should've left the Empire the first chance he had.

I imagine he was trying to make the best of a bad situation, but I don't see why he would stay with an organization hijacked his mind and ordered him to kill his family, civilians and other people who were trying to do the right thing.

But, I don't think his brothers -- I'm excluding Omega because she's a child and was following everyone else's lead -- are 100% in the right either.

I believe Crosshair's brothers basically abandoned him.

CROSSHAIR'S GREAT INSECURITY?

Now, I understand that they didn't initially plan to abandon Crosshair. But, once they knew he was being mind-controlled and especially once they knew how to undo its effects, they never even considered going back for him.

We never see them debate trying to save Crosshair. They don't discuss whether it's feasible, whether it's worth the risk, how they would even attempt it, etc.

I think this was a much-needed moment that we never get to see. In fact, as others have pointed out, we don't really get much discussion about Crosshair at all.

He's their brother. He's been by their side from infancy through their time as cadets through dozens of missions. Why aren't they more upset about him turning against him? Or being mind-controlled by the Empire?

They seem so blasé about it. Like it's more of an inconvenience than a tragedy, especially by 1.12 "Rescue on Ryloth." Like "Ope, Crosshair's here. I bet he's gonna try to kill us again."

As I'll discuss more later, Hunter gets captured on Daro, and Omega loses her frickin' mind. Even Echo, Wrecker and Tech seemed distressed too, even if the show didn't focused on their reactions as much.

But, Crosshair's mind and body get hijacked by the Empire, and nobody seems to give a shit.

No wonder why Crosshair felt so betrayed and said everything he does in 1.15 and 1.16. It probably confirmed something he always felt, or always feared:

That he was the odd man out in his squad -- the last to be included and the first to be excluded.

That they never cared about him as much as he cared about them.

Based on experiences in my own life, with friends and coworkers, I do wonder if Crosshair was always insecure about his standing within the group. This makes sense given that he's likely the youngest of the four original brothers, and that as a sniper, he isn't always in the middle of the action like they are. His personality doesn't really help either, but his brothers seem to be able to navigate it just fine in their "The Clone Wars" Season 7 arc.

Maybe this is partly why he seemed OK with Echo joining the squad at the end of TCW arc: because he felt like Echo would become the new 'odd man' considering that he didn't grow up with the Bad Batch and wouldn't know Crosshair's brothers like he does.

It's been a while since I watched TCW Season 7, so maybe I'm wrong.

But, I definitely think this is partly why he resents Omega so much in Season 1:

The Bad Batch -- mainly Hunter -- decided to risk their lives and their freedom to go back to Kamino for Omega. She might've been their "little sister," but they'd known her all of one day and Hunter still decided it was worth going back for her.

Yet they never went back for him.

Hell, as far as we the audience know, they never even considered it.

I'm not saying it would have been easy or risk-free. They also now have Omega in their care, and trying to extract Crosshair from Imperial custody while all parties involved would be trying to kill or capture them isn't an easy undertaking.

But, as I'll talk about more later, these guys do rescue and extraction missions all the time. They put their lives on the line for complete strangers several times in Season 1 to save them from Imperial custody, slavery, etc.

And I'm not saying they were wrong to do those things. It was objectively good that the Bad Batch saved the people they did.

But, I can absolutely understand why Crosshair would be infuriated that his brothers take on all these missions to help complete strangers but never bother to help him...

ANALYZING THE BATCH'S DECISIONS BASED ON THE SEASON 1 TIMELINE

I understand that, before he confronts them in the hangar in 1.01 "Aftermath," that they were planning to go back for him. And that they were forced to leave him behind because he was literally gunning for them. And -- as far as his brothers knew -- he was doing it of his own free will.

However, in 1.02 "Cut and Run," Omega tells them about the inhibitor chips, implying that that's how Crosshair is being controlled.

Then in 1.03 "The Replacements," we see that Tech is building a device to locate their inhibitor chips, and Omega tries to tell the Batch and specifically emphasizes to Hunter that Crosshair has no control over his actions. Hunter admits that he's angry at himself for leaving Crosshair behind, and Omega reassures him that they'll get him back someday.

So, it seems like -- at least in Omega's eyes -- the Batch was planning to save Crosshair at some point. And, Hunter at minimum feels guilty for leaving Crosshair on Kamino, even though they didn't really have much of a choice at the time.

However, the Batch gets sidetracked in 1.04 and 1.05. First, they need supplies; then bounty hunters are after Omega; then they need intel on who's after her and why.

Then, by the events of 1.07 "Battle Scars," we see that they've fallen into a routine of doing jobs for Cid. It's safe to assume they've done -- or at least attempted -- a dozen jobs for her at this point, based on Wrecker and Omega's 20 orders of Mantell Mix.

And then Rex shows up and tells them point-blank that the clones can't fight the inhibitor chip's effects, re-emphasizing Omega's earlier point that Crosshair had no control over his actions.

The Batch then experiences this firsthand with Wrecker, whose chip activates before they can extract it. We see that, even with Wrecker fighting the chip's effects with all his might, he endangers his brothers and was *this* close to killing Omega, but thankfully Rex stuns him in the nick of time.

Now, we have confirmation based on both Rex and Wrecker's experiences that removing an active chip restores a clone's free will.

Thus, by the end of 1.07 "Battle Scars," the Batch definitively knows:

Crosshair is being controlled by an inhibitor chip and is being forced to do the Empire's bidding;

How to remove an inhibitor chip; and

That removing a clone's active inhibitor chip will restore his free will

And yet, despite all this knowledge, the only effort they make to save Crosshair is to tell him about the inhibitor chip.

They don't attempt or even discuss possibly stunning him on the artillery deck and taking him with them.

But, admittedly, this isn't the best time to attempt a rescue, as they're outnumbered and essentially trapped aboard the Jedi Cruiser. And then Omega gets captured by Cad Bane and Hunter gets shot, and the others are desperately trying to get off Bracca before Crosshair & co. shoot them down. Fine. Getting off Bracca safely and then trying to find Omega should be their priority.

But, once they recover Omega on Bora Vio, and their lives aren't in immediate danger anymore... this would've been the perfect time to at least debate going back for Crosshair.

Again, they have all the information needed at this point.

As for how they find him, well, I'm sure they could get the information somehow. Or they could just cause a stir somewhere so he'd show up to arrest them again, like he did on Bracca.

But, no, they just continue doing jobs for Cid in 1.10-1.13. They don't bring him up at all until they see him on Ryloth in 1.12 "Rescue on Ryloth," and again, the tone is like, "Well, Crosshair is here. That's annoying."

If not being able to locate him was the only reason they didn't try to save him after 1.08/1.09, that argument doesn't apply to 1.12 "Rescue on Ryloth." He's there. They know he's there. They're already there doing an extraction job anyway... why don't they just grab him too???

Yes, there would be additional risks, but YOUR BROTHER HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED BY THE EMPIRE AND FORCED TO DO ITS BIDDING, AND YOU DON'T SEEM TO GIVE A SHIT!!!

Which brings us nicely to:

THE DOUBLE STANDARD

Throughout Season 1, but especially in the latter half, we see The Batch putting themselves in harm's way for complete strangers, or at most, friends-of-friends.

They rescue Muchi the Rancor and other people from enslavers; they extract the former Separatist Senator from Raxus; they extract the Syndullas from Ryloth; they break Gregor out of the Imperial base on Daro.

In the latter three cases, the Batch went to Imperial-occupied planets and an Imperial base, despite all the risks involved. And, especially when they saved Gregor, they had very little information going in and basically just winged the entire thing.

It just feels like, when you look at all these cases, any argument the Batch could make for not saving Crosshair just falls apart.

"We didn't know where he was." He was on Ryloth -- grab him then.

"We didn't have enough information." You didn't on Daro, and you still snuck into a heavily fortified Imperial base to rescue Gregor.

"Everyone there would've been trying to kill us." You literally extract/rescue people from Imperial forces for a living...

"It would've endangered Omega." Well, buddy, have I got a story for you...

You see, when Hunter falls on Daro and gets captured, the Batch still comes to his rescue despite knowing it's a trap AND THEY BRING OMEGA WITH THEM!!!

Every excuse they could've made for not saving Crosshair sooner is gone. The Batch will literally run into a trap for Hunter, and they constantly throw themselves into danger to save Omega, but they never do the same for Crosshair.

It really feels like such a double standard.

They seem to care about everyone BUT him.

Plus, sadly, there's one more parallel I can draw. One more instance where the Bad Batch put themselves in harm's way to save a fellow clone who was being mind-controlled by their enemies in an attempt to kill them...

Echo.

Yes, remember all the way back in TCW Season 7, when we find out that Echo is the one behind the algorithm that's giving the Separatists an advantage in all these battles?

Even though Rex thought Echo was dead, the minute he suspects Echo's still alive, he goes after him. He even punches Crosshair over it, after Crosshair bullies Rex for leaving Echo for dead at the Citadel.

One of the "regs" went back for his brother despite knowing his was being mind-controlled by the enemy and forced to attack them.

Rex, Anakin and the Bad Batch save Echo from a terrible fate. They extract him from the Separatists, restore his free will and essentially give him his life back.

Yet, when the exact same thing happens to one of their own, the Batch don't even consider going back for Crosshair the way Rex went back for Echo -- hell, the way they went in for Echo too, even though they didn't know him!!

SOME CONSIDERATIONS

I will give the Batch this: once Crosshair confronts them on Kamino and Hunter stuns him, Hunter decides not to leave Crosshair behind this time. And that was even after Crosshair refused to say when he had his chip removed. So, for all they know, he might've been acting of his own free will when he tried to kill them on Bracca.

While taking Crosshair with them at the end of 1.15 was a step in the right direction, I don't think it was enough to make up for everything they failed to do.

And, while he doesn't specify exactly what, Hunter later admits to Crosshair in 3.05 "The Return" that he has regrets too. And considering the context and the timeframe they're talking about, it's possible Hunter regrets not going back for Crosshair sooner/at all, among other mistakes he's made. (Story for another time.)

I'll also give some consideration to Wrecker, who was the only one of the brothers who said he actively missed Crosshair in 1.03 "The Replacements." Tech mentions Crosshair very flippantly a few times, and Echo doesn't really mention him at all.

Obviously, we'll never know for certain, but I do wonder how Crosshair would've reacted if his brothers had rescued him and removed his chip at some point. Would he have stayed with them? Would he have wanted to rejoin the Empire voluntarily?

Considering he (supposedly) had his chip removed and still stayed with the Empire willingly in-universe, it's possible he might've wanted to do the same thing in an AU where his brothers rescued him.

He definitely despised that they were fugitives and "scavenging like rats," while he had authority, respect and purpose as a soldier of the Empire.

But, I think a large component -- although not the only one -- of why he stays with the Empire is that he felt like his brothers abandoned him. He brings this up several times in 1.15 and 1.16, and the way he does indicates this is a major sore spot for him.

We see in 1.01 "Aftermath" that the chip enhancement procedure is painful. He scrunches his face, flexes his hand and squirms around in the chamber. Plus, the machine itself looks similar to the Mind Flayer from other "Star Wars" properties.

Crosshair was literally being tortured by the Empire. Maybe he doesn't recall that once the procedure's done, but we see him getting his chip enhanced in both 1.01 and 1.03, and it's possible it was enhanced even more times off-screen.

I cannot stress enough: the Empire basically took Crosshair prisoner, tortured him and hijacked his free will.

And his brothers essentially did nothing to save him.

It would be one thing if his brothers were civilians like you and me, and didn't know the first thing about how to infiltrate an Imperial compound or how to navigate a firefight despite being outnumbered.

But, that doesn't apply to The Bad Batch. That's literally their bread-and-butter.

And Crosshair -- especially once he seems to regain his free will between the Bracca and Ryloth arcs -- watched his brothers risk their lives to save complete strangers while doing nothing for him.

I would've been livid too.

Not to sound like Tech, but while I don't agree with Crosshair's decision, I can understand why he decided to stay on Kamino rather than go with them at the end of 1.16. His brothers offered him no real comfort and no real apology, and I think he desperately wanted to hear that, especially from Hunter.

I know after everything that's happened -- especially Crosshair refusing to say when he had his chip removed -- that it would've been hard to admit their mistakes. But, Crosshair wanted to hear something beyond: "You can come with us if you want. And if you don't, we don't have to be enemies."

The closest thing to comfort any of them offer is Omega affirming that, despite everything, she still cared about him. This seems to be the only thing that really effects him, that causes him to doubt his decision, that causes him to show any kind of emotion beyond anger.

I legitimately believe that if someone had talked to Crosshair one-on-one for like five minutes, and really showed how much they still cared about him and always did, that he would've rejoined them.

Granted, it's really hard to tell.

Crosshair has, as Tech said, always been severe and unyielding. Plus, he really suffers from this "in for a penny, in for a pound" kind of mindset, which is partly why he stays with the Empire for so long even after regaining his free will.

But the fact that all his brothers leave him on Kamino again so effortlessly, so easily is just tragic. No final goodbye. No hug. No nothing.

For all any of them know, this could be the last time they ever see each other. (And, for Tech and Crosshair, it was.)

I know it wouldn't have been easy after everything that's happened, but for crying out loud, I just wanted them to try.

And I imagine Crosshair did too.

IN CONCLUSION

Honestly, I think the TBB writers and producers purposely never gave us a scene of The Batch debating whether to go after Crosshair, or a scene of them outlining to us the audience why it wasn't possible even though they wanted to.

I think the creative team wanted us to sympathize with Crosshair when he says "You weren't loyal to me," while also arguably giving our protagonists a weakness to overcome later.

This really seems like the case if we look at Season 2.

Once the Batch finds out Crosshair's being detained by the Empire's Advanced Science Division in 2.14 "Tipping Point," they immediately start discussing whether and why they should try to save him, even after everything that happened between them in S1.

On top of that, this time they actually decide to do whatever it takes to get him back, despite limited intel and the imminent danger behind such an undertaking.

I think the Batch genuinely learned from their mistakes in Season 1 and, as Hunter maybe alludes to in 3.05 "The Return," regretted not going back for Crosshair sooner/at all after the Empire started controlling him.

I'll admit: I think when I first watched Season 1, I was basically in the Batch's corner. Crosshair was gunning for them at every opportunity, and Omega's well-being quickly became their priority (understandably so).

But, after rewatching Season 1 -- especially now that the show is over and we see how everyone's arcs play out -- it really hits me just how much Crosshair's brothers failed him in Season 1.

Again, I'm not saying Crosshair didn't make mistakes too. He definitely did.

But Crosshair's brothers failed him first.

Omg it’s me 🥹 I am honored, thank you! 💕💕

Determined to be more direct, Ahsoka laid a hand on Rex’s arm, and he looked up at her. She took a deep breath and tried to be brave. “I, um, knew about tonight.”

Rex breathed in sharply, expression turning unreadable. Ahsoka continued on in a rush before she could lose her nerve. “I know Fives and Jesse were taking you out for drinks to try and find out if you have feelings for me. But it’s okay if you don’t! I just thought maybe you might because well…”

She wagged a finger back and forth between the two of them. “Well, I don’t know about you but I kind of feel like something was happening here. And, um, for a while now, I’ve kind of been wondering how you feel. Because of how I feel.”

— Snips2112, from Chapter 2: An Unexpected (But Welcome) Outcome in ‘Tihaar? More Like Truth Serum’

rex + expressions

Ahh so proud to see this fic getting quoted 🥹 thank you so much!!

“That’s why Echo’s better. You’re up to something.”

“Am not! I’m just trying to determine where I stand. Now I know not to buy your drinks next time, not worth it.”

“Yeah Rex, there’s gotta be someone out there that you like more than Cody or Echo? Who is it?” Jesse added, a devious curl of his lips accompanying the statement. Again, Rex’s mouth betrayed him, and the words tumbled from his lips against his will. “I like Ahsoka more. She’s nice.”

“Just nice?” Fives countered. Then, without subtlety whatsoever, Fives stated, “You like her, don’t you?”

— Snips2112, from Chapter 1: Fives Hatches a Plot in ‘Tihaar? More Like Truth Serum’

Please Don't Make it Real

Summary:

While on Tantiss, Omega provides Crosshair with news he wasn’t expecting to hear. He isn’t ready for it to be real, but unfortunately the reality of life and death waits for no one.

Or, my take on how Crosshair found out about Tech’s death.

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Rating: M

Word Count: 2,535

I feel like a lot of people (myself included) are curious about how Crosshair may have found out about Tech's death. Here is my angsty take on it!

A Well Deserved Rest

Summary: Although he's very proud of the rebel cell he's been able to build over the last few months, Rex is exhausted. When he finds a quiet moment to rest, Ahsoka ensures he finds the rest he deserves.

Fandom: Star Wars

Pairing: Rexsoka

Word Count: ~1,200

Please enjoy this cute little fic <3

Favourite comfort clone reveal (shows you a clone that has never had a day of comfort in his life)

Bellanaris

Summary: After binding himself to the Veil, Solas must reconcile this new fate he is tasked with. Thankfully his beloved Inquisitor is at his side, helping him process the aftermath of such a decision.

(Or: my take on the immediate aftermath of the Redeem Ending in Veilguard)

Fandom: Dragon Age

Pairing: Solas x Female Lavellan

Rating: T

Word count: ~3,900

Hope you all enjoy! I just love Solavellan too much so couldn't resist making this one a little hopeful at the end there. My boy Solas needs a good hug and a kiss and a little hope. Thankfully Lavellan can provide him with all of those things <3

Not the First, But the Best - Parts 2 & 3

Summary: Crosshair and Arlo spend a sweet evening together on their first date, and it goes even better than Crosshair could have expected. What he also didn’t expect was to face the nosy inquiries of his siblings so soon. It would seem nothing stays a secret for long on a tiny island like Pabu.

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Pairing: Crosshair x Original Female Character

Rating: T

Here are Chapters 2 & 3 for my most recent Crosslo fic! Sorry they're a couple days later than promised, but hopefully it's worth the wait! The rest of the series can be found here: Cross My Heart and Help Me Heal.

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.