Rexsoka Week 2021 Day 1: Boredom

Anyone else completely normal about the scene with Omega and Tech in The Crossing and Omega says 'we're a family, aren't we?' and the writers could have 100 percent could have had Tech say 'technically, we do not fall under the traditional family structure' or something like that and we would have been mildly disappointed but unsurprised but instead they had him acknowledge that they are a family and even saying 'of course' they're a family which just was such a beautiful moment in which he breaks autism stereotypes and is just a beautiful person that I love?

FORGET EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN THE FANDOM RIGHT NOW:

I think I've finally come up with a ship name for TechPhee:

TechnoloPhee.

Like Technology.

You're welcome.

Rexsoka Week 2021 Day 4: It Happened Once in a Dream

Back aboard the depression train!

Day 4: It Happened Once in a Dream:

The small home Ahsoka and Rex kept was quiet. It always was, but now the silence was oppressive. Ahsoka had to say something as Hera walked with her to Rex's room.

"Thank you for staying with him." She said. 

"It was my pleasure." Hera said. "He's like family."

Ahsoka smiled a little. Rex had been practically adopted by the Ghost family for which Ahsoka was grateful. They had supported him while she was gone.

"How was Corvus?" Hera asked.

Ahsoka knew the true question. 'Is there news of Ezra?' Ahsoka hesitated. She didn't want to give Hera false hope. 

"It might be something." Ahsoka admitted. "I'll ask Sabine to check it out with me."

Hera's eyes widened.

"Thank you, Ahsoka." She said. 

"It's my pleasure." Ahsoka said. "I want to bring him home."

Then she was in front of Rex's door. The plain wood was daunting to her. Rex had deteriorated quickly after she had left for Corvus. She wasn't sure she wanted to see him in such a state.

"Go on." Hera said. "He's been waiting for you."

Ahsoka opened the door.

She had imagined Rex transformed into a skeletal, decrepit wretch. What she saw was just Rex, but a little thinner and paler than usual. A little more tired. He was sleeping peacefully in the neat bed.

"I hope he wakes up soon." Hera said. "He sleeps a lot these days."

"He'll wake for me." Ahsoka said. 

"I'll- give you some privacy." Hera said, and left Ahsoka alone with Rex.

Ahsoka slowly approached his bedside. His face was placid. She hoped his nightmares had finally left him. 

Ahsoka leaned down and pressed her lips to his head. His eyes flickered open as she pulled back. He smiled at her, eyes shining like they had twenty-eight years ago. 

"'Soka." He said warmly.

He took her hand in both of his. His grip was weaker than it had ever been.

"Rex." Ahsoka said. "How are you?"

Rex chuckled.

"I'm hanging on." He said. His voice was soft. "I don't do much anymore. Hera and Jacen have been taking good care of me."

"What's the doctor saying?" Ahsoka asked.

Rex let out a long sigh.

"I'm just running out of steam, Ahsoka." He said. "Haven't been the same since the battle of Endor. And we weren't built to last long."

Fear bubbled in Ahsoka's chest. He spoke so casually of his death. Fitting for a soldier born to die.

"Isn't there anything they can do?" Ahsoka burst out. "Rex, you're only forty-one!"

"I don't feel it." Rex said with a smile. Then, seeing her face, squeezed her hand. "It's all right. I saw the end of the Empire. There's not much more I could wish for. And- I'll be with my brothers."

There was so much more Ahsoka could wish for, like a Rex who could stay by her side for years to come. A Rex who could give her what she had wanted since the Siege of Mandalore. Suddenly the words she'd kept in her heart for all the years couldn't stay silent any longer.

"I love you." She whispered.

Rex's eyes shimmered at her profession.

"I love you too, 'Soka." He said.

Ahsoka shook her head, unsure if he understood what she meant.

"No, Rex." She said. "I love you."

She leaned forward and kissed his lips for just a moment. He took a sharp breath.

"Like that." She said softly.

"Oh." Rex said. More tears threatened to overflow in his eyes. "Oh, Ahsoka." 

He looked down at their entwined hands.

"I- I wanted that." He murmured. "For a long time, ever since the Siege of Mandalore."

Ahsoka felt a burning in her throat. She knew he had felt that way about her. The way he had acted during the siege and right after told all. 

"If things were different-" Ahsoka said.

"If things were different." Rex agreed.

If things were different they could have had a life together. They could have stopped fighting. Rex could have lived a full life with her. 

But because of the Empire, because of Palpatine, that life was forced to live only in their dreams.

Check it out and my ongoing Rexsoka fics on A03!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34125910/chapters/85045030

https://archiveofourown.org/users/ExecutiveCucumber/works

OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH!!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!! Thank you @apparentlyautistick for sharing your awesome art!!! (You've done Commander Jr's ears so perfectly!!!)

fanart of ExecutaveCucumber’s Across the Stars fic on Ao3 (absolutely you need to read it!!)

Regarding Rexsoka Week 2022

Hey everyone who follows me on Tumblr!

I totally plan on participating in Rexsoka Week this year, but unfortunately the actual week of it lands right on my finals week. So I will have those stories up, just not for a week or so after the actual week. Sorry to keep you guys waiting, but I kind of have to graduate college.

Preach it!

A couple points of note before we venture into Bad Batch season 3 tomorrow...

Let us remember a few things before Bad Batch season 3 begins tomorrow.

It is NOT Dave Filoni that we "blame" for any emotional trauma. It is Jennifer Corbett and Brad Rau 😝 He may be one of the executive producers, but Filoni hasn't been involved in the writing of this show since the pilot, it's all Jennifer and Brad.

Our theories/headcanons are NOT canon! Which also means that if your theories don't pan out, it's NOT "bad writing". WE are not the tellers of this story, we are the receivers of it. We do not determine how this season is going to go. That is Jennifer, Brad and Lucasfilm. So don't get mad and pissy if certain theories don't happen or if things didn't go the way you thought they would. (Unless anyone dies, then you have every right to be mad 😝)

BE! PATIENT!! If we haven't seen certain characters in a while...be patient. They might show up in the next episode or two. You never know. If we haven't had certain questions answered yet...be patient. They'll most likely get answered in time. There are 16 episodes, so not everything is gonna happen at once. It's okay to wonder, but don't be getting mad that certain things haven't happened yet. We've got a couple months of this and it's gonna be a very long ride if you're not patient!

If things happen in the show that you don't agree with, but other people do, don't be rude about it. Either just keep scrolling and don't engage with discussions about those topics if you're not gonna be nice about them or just block the posts/people who talk about them. It's not that hard!

ACT YOUR AGE!! A good majority of us in this fandom are adults. ACT like adults and don't get pissy about things. Get as emotional as you want (cuz we all know it's inevitable), but still be mature about it all. Follow all of the above points and you should be fine. Don't be hateful, don't be rude, don't act like you're better than anyone, etc.

If anyone has other things they think the fandom needs reminding of before tomorrow, feel free to add them!

Otherwise...once more unto the breach, my friends 🥺 We're in for a long, emotional ride, so let's get through it together!

Rexsoka Week 2021 Day 3: Bitter, not Sweet

I think this is the one with the most angst. Well, until we get to day 7.

Day 3: Bitter, not sweet

Rex moved among the crowds of the market. It always surprised him when the marketplaces of backwater planets like this bustled. He quietly made his purchases at different stalls. No one recognized him, thanks to the bounty hunter's helmet Ahsoka had found for him.

"Thank you." Rex said quietly to the last vendor.

He handed the young woman a handful of credits and picked up his bundles. To his surprise, the vendor began packing up her stall. Looking around, Rex could see many merchants doing the same.

"What's going on?" Rex asked.

The woman looked from side to side.

"The Imperials have sent those devils." She whispered. "Those Inquisitors."

Rex's heart plummeted. Not here.

"Better make yourself scarce too." The woman said before hurrying away.

Rex watched her go, weighing his options. The streets were becoming barren. If he went looking for Ahsoka, he'd stick out. He should head back for the ship and wait it out.

Rex found himself running the opposite direction of their ship. She was too precious to leave to chance.

Ahsoka had been on the other side of the market. If she was smart, which she was, she would have disappeared with the fleeing crowds. But if she was noble, which she was, she'd try and find out who the Inquisitors were searching for and help them.

Rex bet on the latter.

He reached the beginnings of the backways of the town, alleys and narrow streets ideal for losing an enemy. Rex plunged in. 

His heart nearly stopped as he distantly heard the hum of a lightsaber.

Ahsoka didn't have her sabers anymore.

Rex ran harder, and then harder still when the sound abruptly stopped. He stopped before rounding a corner, voices becoming apparent.

"She doesn't have lightsabers." One voice said. "But she definitely was a Force user."

"Lord Vader will be pleased regardless." Another said. "Come on. She wasn't our original target."

Rex stole a glance around the corner.

Two dark figures stood over a crumpled form of blue, white and orange.

Rex couldn't move at first. The dark figures leapt over a near wall, leaving the body.

Finally Rex was able to force his limbs into action. He tore off his helmet as he ran.

He reached the body, and his world fell apart.

Her blue eyes stared at the wall. The lightsaber stroke that had killed her was a deep slash in her chest. It had severed one of her lekku.

Rex pulled her into his arms.

"'Soka." He called, as if calling to her could bring her back. He had called hundreds of names. None of them had ever come back.

"'Soka." He said again. "I'm sorry."

He had been the one to choose this planet. He had convinced her it was safe, despite her uneasy feelings. It was his fault.

He reached down and caressed her face before closing her eyes.

"Ni-" Rex could hardly speak for the tears he was holding back. But he had to say this, even if it was far too late. "Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum, 'Soka."

And though it was too late, he leaned down and kissed her still warm lips.

The tears broke through. He had dreamed that her lips were the sweetest thing in the galaxy. But that kiss was more bitter than he could have imagined.

Check it out and my ongoing Rexsoka fics on A03!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34125910/chapters/84998950

https://archiveofourown.org/users/ExecutiveCucumber/works

Something for the Tech fans (including me. I am a Tech fan)

Okay, so I know that the ship I write for isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But there are some scenes that don’t involve the ship that I’m really proud of and I think would appeal to a wider audience. So I’m going to start posting scenes that I really like with enough context for things to make sense. 

For my regular followers and readers, this will be things that you’ve seen before.

Today’s sample!

Tech has a breakdown

The context:

In a world where Order 66 kind of happens, but Anakin doesn’t turn and starts an early rebellion with the clones, Omega is kidnapped by bounty hunters sent by the Empire in order to win Nala Se’s cooperation. The Bad Batch works with Anakin’s rebellion in the hopes of finding some clue of her whereabouts. They’ve found the bounty hunters who took Omega: Taja and Admani Desai, Togruta siblings who were lied to by Nala Se and have agreed to help the Batch find Omega. Tech especially has taken this badly, spending weeks pushing himself to his limit trying to crack the deeper Imperial codes in order to find Omega. Taja has formed a connection with Tech as they’ve worked together, empathizing with him as she has lost siblings as well. Crosshair has also never left the Batch.

That should be everything! I hope you enjoy!

Tech stared at the information on his datapad. He did not understand it. He needed to understand it. He tightened his grip on the datapad and tried to focus on each character one at a time. 

It did not help that he could hear the others talk quietly on the other end of the ship. He would not be here if Hunter had not forbidden him from finding somewhere he could do his work in peace.

It took far too long for him to realize that the pad was telling him his latest attempt at cracking the Imperial's secrets was unsuccessful.

Tech swore.

Frustration and anger like he had rarely felt before consumed his chest. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he do this simple kriffing thing?

"Tech." 

The rage he felt at himself redirected at the interruption. 

"What is it?" Tech snapped.

"You need to take a break." Hunter said.

He and Wrecker had approached Tech.

"No." Tech said. "What I need is to succeed. I need to find a way to bypass their security."

Burning tears sprang to his eyes. He furiously dug the heel of his palm under his goggles to press them away.

"It needs to work." He mumbled. "I need it to work."

"Give me your data pad." Hunter said. 

Tech pulled away from him. 

"No." He said. "I can continue. I am fine."

"You're not." Hunter said. "You haven't slept or eaten in a rotation and you've barely gone to the fresher. Give me the data pad. That's an order." 

Tech pulled it away from him.

“Come on, Tech.” Wrecker said, reaching for the pad. “Don’t-”

“If you touch this, I will destroy Lula.” Tech said. “If you cared for Omega a fraction of how you dote on that idiotic toy, we would not have lost her!”

Wrecker drew back as if punched. Shame mingled with Tech’s anger and frustration as he saw the wounded look in Wrecker’s eyes. Crosshair, Hunter, and Echo were staring at him. He could feel their disapproval. Crosshair opened his mouth and Tech knew he could not hear the words his brother would throw at him.

Tech tucked his datapad to his chest and fled.

The sunlight of Yavin IV blinded him momentarily. He hurried across the landing area and to the main temple. Surely there would be somewhere he could hide from his brothers' anger and censure. 

He found himself in a cold, dark stone room. There was nothing in it save a few containers of spare equipment. Good. He could be alone here.

Tech held out his datapad with trembling hands. He still felt a pang when he saw the negative result there. He took a deep breath. He could do this. He had to.

The next six attempts were failures.

He was a failure.

Tech hurled the datapad at the wall. The crunch of the screen breaking made no dent in his miasma of emotions. 

It wasn't working and he had hurt Wrecker and Omega was still out of reach-

The words ran over and over in his head, interrupted only by thoughts of worthless and failure. 

Tech fell to his knees and curled in on himself. Shameful tears stung his eyes. For the first time since Omega was taken, for the first time since he was a child, Tech cried. He dug his fingernails into his arms as he sobbed. The pain was welcome. 

The door opened and Tech cringed away from the light. There was no one that he wished to be the one to find him. The regs would be cruel and even worse, his brothers would attempt to help him.

He waited for the questions, the demands.

What are you doing?

Why are you in here?

Are you crying?

Come out of there.

 None came. The door closed again, leaving Tech in the soothing darkness. There was no silhouette joining him in the room when he looked up. 

Tech curled up again on the floor, trying to keep his mind away from what had pushed him to this state. He let it go blank, and the world seemed to disappear from around him.

Voices jolted Tech back to reality. He sat up, unsure of where he was. To his surprise, a blanket fell off of his shoulders. He looked around and slowly the memory of his breakdown came back to him. 

But then- where did the blanket come from? If his brothers had found him, they would have taken him back to the Marauder. Tech became more confused as he picked up a ration bar and a canteen that had not been there before. He would have thought it was Omega if she were not gone. It was something she would do.

The voices outside sounded again and this time Tech could distinguish the words.

"Ma'am, I need you to stand aside now." 

That was a trooper's voice.

"I'm under orders from Clone Force 99." A familiar, melodic voice said. "No one is to enter this room."

Taja?

Tech got to his feet. He hesitated, and then picked up his broken data pad from the floor.

"Uh huh." The trooper said. "Why don't I just comm Sergeant Hunter and see if that's true."

"That won't be necessary." Tech said, opening the door. 

His ears had not deceived him. It was Taja standing as if on guard duty outside the closet door. 

"She was doing me a favor. I needed some quiet for my research." Tech was surprised with how steady his voice was.

The clone trooper looked between the two of them before shrugging and moving on.

Tech wanted to speak the moment the guard was out of earshot, but found himself unable. The shame of the moment seemed to seep in. She had seen him at his lowest. Words seemed inconsequential in the wake of it.

The long moments dragged before he finally managed to speak.

"How did you know?" He asked.

He did not understand. She should have left him alone. Tech was sure that most of the individuals at the base would have done so, or, if they cared to, have gotten his brothers.

Taja's pale green eyes met his and he averted his gaze. 

"My sister would have similar episodes." She said. "I assumed you did not need more stimulation.

Tech didn't know quite how to reply. He merely pressed his broken datapad to his chest.

"Thank you." He finally mumbled. 

"I am glad to help." Taja replied. 

Tech cleared his throat.

"I was unaware you and your brother had returned." He said.

Taja nodded.

"We have been in contact with some of the leaders of the Rebellion, concerning the increasing number of slavers in the galaxy." She said. "We have come to discuss the possibility of raiding a slave camp near here."

"And by some of the leaders, you mean General Skywalker." Tech said.

Taja smiled.

"Too clever by half." She said.

For the first time since Omega was taken, Tech felt a faint urge to smile.

That urge fled when a loud voice cracked through the air.

"Tech!"

Wrecker was barreling towards them. Taja took a step back as he drew near. He skidded to a stop in front of them, looking between them with his brow creased with worry. He lifted his hands, as if he wanted to grab Tech in a hug, which he probably did. Tech was glad that he abstained.

"You okay?" Wrecker asked. "It's been hours and we couldn't find you."

Tech felt some of his guilt return at Wrecker's concerned tone.

"I apologize." He muttered. "I did not intend-"

"It’s okay!" Wrecker said quickly. "I’m not mad, you know. Just worried."

He paused. 

"We're all worried, Tech." 

Tech looked down at the ground. His wretchedness that he had forgotten for a moment returned in full force. 

"I do not understand." He finally said. "Omega is gone. How can you stand not doing anything?"

Wrecker looked again as if Tech had hit him and more guilt piled onto Tech. 

"Cause I can't do anything." Wrecker said. He sounded close to tears. "I'm not smart like you. If I could help Omega by blowin' things up, or taking apart a bomb, or punching something, I would. But I can't."

"Then you understand that my work is of the utmost importance." Tech said. "I am the only one who can find her."

"Maybe." Wrecker said. "The Rebellion still might find somethin' out. But Tech, what would Omega say if she saw you doing this yourself?"

Tech knew exactly how she would react. Her eyes would go wide. He could hear her voice.

"Tech!" She would say. 

And it would be all she needed to say.

"I miss her." Tech said.

"Me too." Wrecker said. 

Tech became aware of Taja looking between them. 

"If I may," She said. "I understand what you are going through. You hurt, you are angry. You feel that the hole in your heart will never be filled."

Tech blinked at her astute description of how he was feeling. Taja looked at him. 

"It will not be this painful forever." She said. "But regardless, your sister is alive. There is hope."

"Yeah!" Wrecker said. "We're gonna find her and we're gonna bring her home, okay?"

Tech looked between Taja and Wrecker. For once, he felt no urge to contradict Wrecker or point out the probability.

"Okay." He said.

"I must go." Taja said. "Admani and I have our meeting."

Tech nodded to her. She smiled back. He liked it when she smiled. 

"So, is she your girlfriend?" Wrecker whispered as Taja disappeared around a corner.

Tech frowned.

"That is not the nature of our relationship." He said.

Wrecker grinned in a way that Tech was not fond of. 

"Uh huh." Wrecker said.

Tech shook his head. 

Romance and partners were never something that Tech had considered. They were clones bred to fight a war. The things that other beings considered natural were not options for them. Even now, Tech had far more pressing matters than whether or not he had a partner. It was even difficult for him to conceptualize.

Though, when it came to potential mates, he could do far worse. She was pleasing to the eye, even with her disfigurement. Perhaps more so because of it. She stood with pride, as if challenging others to mention it. 

He found her coloring aesthetically pleasing and her eyes striking. She was intelligent, worked well with him, and also seemed to understand how Tech's mind worked. And she cared about him, for whatever reason.

No, he doubted he could do better when it came to a possible partner.

He doubted she felt the same way. It was one thing to help him with his troubles and to be a good mission partner. It was quite another to consider Tech in a romantic light. Tech had no data on how partners he found attractive reacted to him. But he had a feeling that any testing would not end with the results he wanted.

I know the finale has left us feeling things (and I one day might share my thoughts on them, but honestly staying off of most social media platforms around this time has been really good for my mental), so let's go back to an episode many of us loved: The Crossing. Here's an excellent analysis of the episode looking at it through the 'Tech is autistic' lens.

I have been betrayed. Bamboozled. Hurt.

I have just witnessed my beloved cat, whose name is Phee, BAT MY SEASON 2 BLACK SERIES TECH OFF OF HIS SHELF.

HOW COULD SHE DO THIS TO ME? HAVEN'T I SEEN HIM FALL ENOUGH???