Falling For You

Tech Hotline Bling meme

Please feel free to use! I don't know how people like their meme templates sorry, but the Tech pictures are quite high res if you open in new tab on pc. Credit is not mandatory, but highly appreciated (tbh I'm more interested to see if how other people use this, so please tag me so I can see! 😊)

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.

my lovely friend @gefionne was gracious enough to let me draw some fanart of fen'harel!solas for her amazing (AND VERY DELICIOUS) fanfic, these hands, if not gods! (au! solavellan, smutty, WITH PLOT.) 100/10, would recommend time & time again. read it or i'll beat up vhenan please enjoy the fen'harel tiddies

Why?

Summary: Although he is a man of few words, Crosshair is rather curious. Arlo loves answering his questions.

For @summer-of-bad-batch Prompts: Injured (Week 2 Main Prompt) and Forget I Asked (Week 3 Alternate Prompt)

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Pairing: Crosshair x Original Female Character

Rating: T

Word Count: ~5,100

I was finally able to get something posted for Summer of Bad Batch! Yay! I combined a couple of the prompts, as they both worked well for this fic. This fic belongs to a longer series for Crosshair and my OC, Arlo. A link to the other fics in the series can be found here in my series, Cross My Heart and Help Me Heal.

"At last, he was home. Missing some parts, but still wholly himself."

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’

Omega: You don't like anything Crosshair: True

Shoot Your Shot

Summary: Arlo happens upon Crosshair practising his marksmanship on the beach and he gives her an impromptu lesson.

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Pairing: Crosshair x Original Female Character

Rating: G

Word Count: 4,312

Part 3 of my series, Cross My Heart and Help Me Heal

Hope you enjoy!

rex with long hair............