After a conversation with @gaeasun I have decided to incorporate Tup's chip being a nuisance well before his deployment in more ways than the occasional migraine, into the overall story of the FIAU.
By this I mean, even as a cadet random orders would fire off occasionally, but not to the extent where they completely overwrote whatever he was doing or his personality. Rather, he would sometimes just go nonverbal (Order 6), stop listening to his trainers in favour of someone else that seemed like they knew what they were doing (Orders 4, 5 and 65), snitched on his fellow troopers for the most minor things (Order 37), and other such oddities that seemed a little out of character for him compared to his usual friendly and helpful disposition.
You'd think this would have raised suspicion that something might be off with Tup early on, but this is where the second part of the headcanon gets a little more tragic: No one ever suspected a thing because Dogma went out of his way to overcompensate his own behavior (acting incredibly strict and very persnickety to the point where it got extremely annoying) to keep attentions off of his brother.
Over-time acting this way just became natural to Dogma (because he did it so much and he also took a little pride in being a good exemplary soldier) who's loyalty towards Tup and Perfect Soldier™ act certainly helped to divert people's dislike/ire towards his "infuriating boot-licking" ways. He wasn't one to really care for big crowds anyway. He was content having a friend in Tup rather than please the masses.
To rub further salt in the wound, after Umbara it becomes very obvious to Tup how much Dogma used to cover for him. He hadn't ever realized his bouts of migranes and "quirkiness" were so troublesome until he found himself having to hide it all by himself...
It certainly puts into perspective how much he took Dogma's dedication for granted.
The Force looks over those and with a simple twist of the wheel, fates have changed. But is it for Better or for Worse?
For Ponds? He’s not so sure.
(Based in the Forceful Intervention AU Me and Eps have (which also includes: Coruscant Guard Dogma and AI Tup and Fives!
I got really upset when we watched the Boba arc in Clone Wars, and wanted to give Ponds a chance, and then @mwolf0epsilon decided to put a wrench in the works and we ended up with something!)
Also avaliable on AO3!
The first thing Pond realises when he wakes up is the clouded noise surrounding him.
It's... not all there.
What... happened...?
Wait... The Crash.
Admiral Kilian.
He had stayed behind with the Admiral to ensure the Endurance had landed upright with many of the staff.
Then... the Bounty Hunters! A Cadet was helping them... They killed... the rest of the men and saw relevance in keeping the Admiral, himself and a Navigation officer, to be used as hostages against their true objective, General Windu.
Ponds swore to himself they'd never touch the Jedi General. The man had cared for his troopers and his brothers and considering the lack of support from the general public, it was appreciated. Even General Windu had his moments in which his troops had laughed and enjoyed the General's more hidden side.
The trap had been laid and sprung... and then... they... Windu escaped and they went after him... Though the Admiral, himself and the Officer were left in the back compartment. But that's all he could remember since... wait what?
What had happened.
Ponds’ head couldn’t keep afloat… but he had to focus.
He felt himself being moved, picked up before… the Cadet… Yes he could hear his voice more clearly. There was a bit of an argument from what he could tell.
But the pain… it kept lingering.
Why couldn’t he wake up?
It was a while later before he felt himself wake up once more. His arms were bound a bit tighter and he couldn’t feel his wrists at all. But it was quiet. The Bounty Hunters were likely deciding what to do now.
“Commander Ponds. Are you…” Kilian’s voice seemed to halt as Ponds groaned as he lifted his head. Blindfolds now? These Bounty Hunters were really something, he cursed. Kilian was hesitant, likely to ensure their conversations weren't heard.
Also why was his face sticky?
“Son. Can you hear me?”
“Yes Sir. Just… wondering how it's so dark.” Ponds responded promptly. He could feel the Admiral hesitate beside him. Why…? That’s when he heard the Officer lean as much as he could.
“What do you remember?”
“I remember… the recording for the General… They were going to execute me… That Cadet couldn’t so that Bounty Hunter took the shot. But I guess she missed.” Ponds’ eye twitch at the thought. But that didn’t explain the pain or the numbing sensation that something was off.
Then there was silence.
“Sir. She didn’t miss.”
Pause.
“What”
“She didn’t miss. We thought you were dead, son.” Kilian explained and the Admiral turned to the Officer.
“You ended up turning your head just a fraction. The Bolt went through and caused damage to your sight-“
Ponds fell silent.
“B-But the angle wouldn’t have reached both eyes…”
“After the Cadet discovered you were alive, the Trandoshan decided to make them match.” Killian muttered softly. as if not to flare up the stirring panic in the Commander. He’d give him his due, the Commander seemed calm; however the officer seemed to recognise otherwise
Did that mean... He's lost his sight?
What would that mean for 91st... he wouldn't be able to lead them without his sight... His thoughts glazed over in such thoughts... He'd be decommissioned. Sent away from his Vod, would he be able to say goodbye to his batchmates?
Cody, Wolffe, Bly, Fox...
He's made promises to them... to see them at 79s on one of Fox's rare nights off.
Rex would turn up as he always seems to find his way to Cody.
Even as a Cadet who snuck off from the CT training rooms... He'd always end up within the CC rooms. And it had been nice for Fox to realise he wasn't defective. That there were others who were naturally blonde like him. Plus Ponds was the one to 'claim' the Trooper. He became his vod'ika as soon as he crawled through the same vents to join their piles. Twice.
Then to discover there were more of his Batch? Adopted into their ever growing Commanders batch, Fox had certainly found himself an Ally within Jek while Howzer and Keeli looked up to Bly and Wolffe. Styles had taken time to allow himself to open up to the group, but with Ponds looking out for him? He was unstoppable.
"Commander?"
"Commander!"
The voices were urgent as he was pulled from his thoughts. He... hadn't experienced one of those in a while. Alpha-17 had managed to ease his thoughts whenever he went into a spiral of thoughts. And being around General Windu had also helped; the Jedi had oozed a sense of ease for the men. Despite running into battle, the General had their back no matter the odds. Ponds had felt lucky to have him.
He turned to the voices of Admiral Kilian and the Officer... Bitter. That was the Officer's name. He had gotten it from trying one of the local fruits during a Campaign and hadn't expected the bitter aftertaste. His Vod had also joked that Bitter had gotten his name due to working with Natborns... and just the treatment he had gotten while asking a simple question.
He had noticed that Kilian had made note of such. The Admiral kept a tight ship after all, and no one would be fighting while he was on deck. The 91st had grown to respect the Admiral.
"Easy Commander. Come back to us." The Admiral had spoken with a similar calm. Ponds felt himself take a deep breath.
"But where does that leave me?" Ponds had questioned as Bitter raised an eyebrow.
"The General likely thinks I'm dead and you two will be the ones they'll be coming to save." He had admitted as Bitter slowly realised what he had meant.
They were still hostages. Ponds was not. He would be free credits to the Bounty Hunters.
No one would be looking for the now blinded commander.
"We'll tell the General." Bitter insisted, small promises... really. Ponds fell silent, and with no more reassurances, the Officer and Admiral left the Commander to his thoughts.
Ponds awoke again, more like startled awake. Gasping for Air as he lifted himself from the floor. His right arm… hurt. He wasn’t sure what to make of that, but there was one thing he could tell almost instantly. The room was cold yet Ponds was sweating. He was on his own in a large environment without any knowledge of where he may be due to his lack of sigh.
After all, all Clones knew what happened to a useless clone. He’d be forced to March On, no goodbyes if he returned to the Republic. And to the Republic and certainly the Jedi who had witnessed the hostage video… He was dead already. There would be no reunion, no hope for him. But he had hoped Bitter could pass on his story to the 91st, he had hoped that Kilian would remember him for being a good soldier… but most of all, he hoped that General Windu would recall the days they were just friends… not Jedi and Commander.
It took a few moments for him to recall the numbing sensation of bacta. He tried to grip his right hand and felt nothing. That was weird, he thought and swiped through open air again where his bindings sat a little higher on his elbows instead.
After a third drowsy attempt, his heart paused and he thought back to what had happened. And then the truth unravelled. Ponds had woken up earlier when The Bounty Hunters arrived at Florrium, the Trandoshan tried to take the Admiral and Bitter. The commander had fought back, hands freed and then… those teeth. The Clone remembered his shrieks and swallowed the growing bile in his throat, shaking his head to clear the image that would have sprouted.
He was now truly useless, he thought wistfully as he leaned back against the wall, fingers tracing the new configuration of his right arm. It had been cared for, was that due to the Cadet? But he thought for his future… and what that would now involve a half baked clone. All the Separatists would need was his mind. All those tactics and mission records; he would not bow however, he would not back down to anything those Clankers threw at him. He was a loyal soldier, to the end. Ponds held his head up high and waited for his end.
.
..
...
?
Or so he thought. He heard a speeder pull up closeby, the echoes of the engine rattling around the warehouse.
No, he wouldn’t go down without a fight. Wincing, Ponds got to his feet and headed in the direction of dusty footsteps as they approached his location. The warehouse doors opened and Ponds stood strong before he heard murmurs among this crowd. One however broke into a sprint towards the Clone, a gentle talon gently pulling him into a hug.
“Rest now, Ponds.” The familiar rumble of General Plo Koon’s voice murmured so softly to him. “You are in safe hands.”
This was not real. Plo Koon wouldn’t be here, he’d be helping save the Hostages. But seeing as how Wolffe’s eyes lit up when he spoke of the General; His words, a comfort after the Malevolence, Ponds had often thought that Wolffe had certainly seen the Kel Dor as a father figure the clones had a lack of.
That would be nice. To have someone to watch over them like 17 had done on Kamino.
“Thank you… General.”
And with that, Ponds felt the world drop from underneath him.
He could smell something sweet and someone by his side. Were those covers? This wasn’t certainly his bunk. Ponds shifted uncomfortably in his bed just as a hand landed on his shoulder. He jolted.
“Be at ease, Ponds.”
General Windu.
Ponds felt his chest breath a little easier knowing his General… wait Windu?
He turned his head in the direction of General Windu. The Jedi’s hand shifted as if to express his amusement over the Commander’s confusion.
“Gen-“
“Not here Ponds. Call me Mace.”
Then… they were not on the battlefield. They were safe… home? A snore broke his thoughts and he turned his head confused but also instantly recognising the snores from… vod piles on Kamino. Only Fox would snore his head off and not care on what his batchmates thought, ori’vod privileges he called it.
“Fox, Rex and Wolffe are here. Your other brothers are still in the field, but hope to hear from you soon.” Gen-Mace explained softly as if not to awaken the pile of clones around Ponds’ bed.
As if to answer Pond’s confusion, he hears the General take a seat somewhere, not by the chair holding the person who was currently holding his hand.
Likely Rex, Ponds thought softly.
“They’ve been waiting for you to wake up. You got infected through the damage to your arm and when you arrived back to Coruscant, some of the off duty 501st medics kept you alive until you were brought into the Hospital-“
“Wait… Why not the Barracks, Sir?”
“Then we could have both Healers and Medics present during your recovery. Admiral Gilian reported to me about what happened with the Bounty Hunters as you were going through surgery.”
Ponds was… speechless. All he did was what he was taught to do, being expendable to the Republic, to lay down his life and not expect anything back for his services.
“How is the Admiral…? And Bitter?” Ponds questioned as Mace hummed.
“Always focused on others, Commander. They have made a full recovery and have been awaiting the news of you waking up. It’s been a week since you went under.”
Mace had waited as Ponds absorbed the information, leaning back. It had been a lot to wake up to, the Jedi feeling the waves of uncertainty from the Clone sitting uncomfortably as if he didn’t deserve any of this despite his ordeal. Mace’s hand kept firm on the Commander’s shoulder.
“Do not worry about the future, Ponds. But You’ll be the first to hear that I am withdrawing from the frontlines unless requested.”
Ponds turned stunned to the General, bumping Rex’s hand as Pond’s vod’ika slowly awoke drowsily.
“You can’t!” Ponds tried to retort, was it because of him? What was going to happen to the 91st-
“Ponds. It’s okay. The 91st will continue on. Though they are given a choice to remain on Coruscant or to follow their new Clone Commander, Neyo. General Tuteru and Commander Crow will cover our Battalion’s current situation with their forces. It’s so I can keep watch from the temple, but also see your recovery to the fullest until you are able to work as my aide for battle tactics.”
“…Sir?”
“Ponds, I will still want your expertise on the field, no matter your condition. You may be blinded now, however you still have a sharp vision for battle. You are not useless. And your eyes will help us as we work alongside the Coruscant Guard. We can ask our medics to see if you are able to get something done about your hand, I know Skywalker has put himself forward to help.”
Mace watched as Ponds lean back quiet in thought. He could tell on the Clone’s face that he had expected nothing. That he would be left behind as another body in the Republic’s wake. And with each battle, Mace could feel the sadness slowly wavering through the Clones. Their emotions shifting and changing to hide any sort of emotion to prevent them being decommissioned. And considering the larger wave of anxiety held over the Guard… Mace knew he’d be better suited to remain behind. As much as he could keep to the code, he had gained something through his men.
Respect.
And in return, he respected them and their choices. And they had let him be at ease when he needed time. Considering when the Admiral had heard of the suggested surgery, he stated that he would cover the costs. Mace had suspected Ponds may have made an impression of the old Admiral, even at the Admiral’s instance that it was because the Republic couldn’t afford to lose a soldier like Ponds.
“Ponds…?” Rex murmured as he rubbed his eyes as the General and Commander turned to face the sleepy Captain who shot up and stumbled to salute through his dazed state.
“General Windu- Sir!”
“It’s alright Captain. I was just leaving, I’ll be meeting with Ponds soon after your visit is complete…” Mace had smiled warmly before departing as Wolffe felt the General pass by, nudging the snoring Fox in the face as the Commander startled awake.
“Ponds!” Fox shoved Wolffe back who growled as he made it to Ponds’ side. “I would ask how you’re feeling, but-“
“Like Kriff.” Ponds smirked back, Wolffe dragging a third chair over.
“We saw your partner waiting in the emergency wait room. Seeing as they got out, they’ve been waiting to hear about your condition. Would we need to leave the room when they arrive?” Wolffe teased as Ponds’ face turned red. The Endurance’s Cook had gained a fancy with the Commander, only the two finally being pushed together after the vod and head chef had found out. Granted it had only been little steps, not to push each other's boundaries; but he could tell the Nautolan thought the galaxy of him.
Ponds relaxed into his bed as his brothers shared a laugh as Rex looked over.
“We’ll let them know about you waking up… But do you want to sleep more, Ponds…?” The youngest of the brothers asked as Fox and Wolffe turned to their ori’vod.
“Maybe… All I feel like is that I’ve slept for ages.” Ponds muttered as Fox looked over before slowly climbing into his bed and cuddling up to the older clone.
“Well I want to sleep too. Best keep you Company.” Fox agreed as Wolffe turned to his twin batchmate.
“Force knows you need it.” Wolffe huffed before climbing and pushing himself on top of Fox as the two began to squabble over sleeping arrangements. Ponds snorts as he glanced towards Rex and pat the free side of his bed. Rex instantly climbed in and kept close to Ponds.
“Reminds me of Kamino when we all tried to fit in one pod. Alpha 17 didn’t like that, but found it amusing when instead of one Cadet, 10 cadets did so.” Rex mused softly as he closed his eyes again. Ponds could tell the fatigue through his vod’s eyes and hummed.
“Well rest all you want. I’m not going anywhere.”
It seemed that Fox and Wolffe had stopped bickering to finally settle in their positions close to their ori’vod, eyes drifting off. And Ponds knew that once he awoke, Cody and Bly would find their way into the pile.
And that was alright.
Pondering if I should add Jek-14 to the Forceful Intervention Verse.
Mostly because I think it'd be very interesting to have Fox, who's been tortured by a Sith Master, had his neck snapped by said Sith Master's pet project, been forsaken by the GAR for choosing the Guard's well being over Ahsoka's or Fives's (who he never met under better circumstances other than them being fugitives of the law), and is currently going through a purposeful vengeance arc where he searches for and rescues clones that were never taken in by Rex's rebellion (for this or that reason) to take them to Epifania where they can be free, only to come across this very strange anti-social clone with unnatural eyes, a lightsaber strapped to his belt, and a goddamn Force Lightening arm.
Now, Fox is (unsurprisingly and very understandably) suspicious and somewhat fearful of Force Sensitives. Especially ones that can zap him into oblivion. But this is a vod and, even if he doesn't act like it, Fox shouldn't just give up on him and carry on his merry way.
So he won't. He's better than that. He has to be better than that if he hopes to save all of the renegades like himself and the Guard Remnant. It's both penance for his prior compliance and a vow to fuck Palpatine's shit up.
Meanwhile Jek-14 trusts literally no one because there's always some ulterior motive for everyone's vested interest in him (considering the circumstances of his creation). This strange clone showing up one day and insisting on dragging him somewhere where he can "live free among other clones", doesn't really strike him as a selfless endeavor. Especially considering Jek-14 doesn't see himself as a vod because he wasn't raised with other clones and has killed many in the past (he regrets it now that he's no longer Dooku's pet project, but there's no going back and he knows clones don't take kindly to outsiders who murder their kin even if they were just following orders/their life's purpose).
I'm not really putting it into words the way I want it because my brain is pretty fried from the current heat wave. But like...
Tulpa: Why is it that any time I ask you both about the 501st, you always find a way to avoid talking about them? Don't I get to know more about your first battalion? I don't even know what this guy's name is! -holding up his trooper doll which Dogma painted to look like Tup-
Dogma, sweating: Is anyone thirsty? I got fresh juice, caf, tea...
Sponge, amused: I'd like some juice.
Tulpa, frustrated: See?! This is what I'm talking about! You never give me a straight answer!
Dogma: Of course I never give you a straight answer! Son I thought by now you would have figured out that I'm gay!
Sponge: And I'm bisexual. I don't do straight.
Tulpa, flabbergasted: ...
Dogma: Check-mate. Drink your juice.
Tulpa, groaning: I hate this household.
After some new developments within the canon itself, plus some thoughts on certain characters and their story arcs having changed, I've decided that the Forceful Intervention Verse needed some refurbishing.
There's a lot that's changed and some things that will stay the same. That said, a lot of the Our Bonds are Forged in the Stars series fics are now technically defunct as they don't 100% fit the story anymore, but @lost-on-kamino's A Different View fic is still valid and their writing is great, so I'd give it a read!
All AU Info under the cut!
---
Summary: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For every choice a consequence. In one universe, a series of actions and choices slowly doomed an entire kin to extinction, leaving only three brothers to deal with the guilt and grief until their very last breath. But in another universe, a slightly different outcome leads to the surviving clones getting a chance that would have otherwise been stolen from them.
(Note: The overall timeline is nodded at via the eras in which each storyline takes place. The storylines themselves are not presented in order and can actually happen simultaneously due to some plot points overarching.)
--Story Arcs--
-Clone Wars Era-
A Marshal Commander's Cautionary Tale - Prior to Fox being appointed as the head of the Coruscant Guard, his temporary predecessor begins to notice shady happenings involving Palpatine and the Republic's overall corrupt government. Throughout the course of several weeks while Fox transitions from a position of battlefield command to stationary bureaucracy, Sturm uncovers the Sith Master's plot against the Jedi and ends up not only being silenced for it, but also becomes a cautionary tale that serves to keep in line the newly promoted Marshal Commander of the Guard.
Sturm's Legacy - After his betrayal of the GAR and apprehending on Christophsis, Slick ends up being surrendered into the custody of the Senate Bureau of Intelligence under the pretense of being interrogated for information. In reality, Palpatine merely tossed Slick at the feet of his more bloodthirsty underlings, so that they could do with him whatever they pleased and be somewhat appeased by the Chancellor's "most graceful generosity". Tortured for several days and then thrown out with the trash, Slick is found and rescued by a few Guard patrolmen, and his horrific treatment sparks the seeds of rebellion in Fox and his men.
Ponds Survives - By sheer dumb luck and a few inches, Aurra Sing's shot does not kill Ponds as intended. Left permanently blind and with a traumatic brain injury, Mace Windu's loyal commander is permanently relegated to the Jedi Temple in an effort to keep him out of Kamino's radar while he adapts to his new circumstances. This later affects the outcome of Operation Nightfall, as Ponds manages to help coordinate the evacuation of several Jedi, younglings and important documents out of Imperial space (ultimately preserving a part of the teachings, but not being able to save the Jedi Order itself from being eradicated).
The CG Recovery Program for Wayward Brothers - Through Fox's meticulous planning, clones of various battalions that have been slatted for decommission are pulled into the Coruscant Guard for safeguarding. They are either given new numbers/designations (in the hopes to keep them away from further scrutiny), or are spirited away to secret housing within the deeper levels of Coruscant that have been essentially lost to time.
D22 the "Rookie" - During a heavily publicized mockery of a trial, after realizing that the Chancellor planned to use a heavily traumatized Dogma as a scapegoat for the entire incident on Umbara, Fox orchestrates an elaborate rescue mission that involves a bit of smoke, a few mirrors and an obscene amount of fake blood. Tricking the entire Republic and GAR into believing the rookie sergeant was killed in a prison riot ends up being much more easy than anticipated, especially when the best position for him ends up being one of constant surveillance (After all, who in their right mind that wants to stay under the radar, would even dare to become the Coruscant Guard's archivist?).
Cats in Strange Places - There's something odd about the steadily increasing number of stray tookas and loth cats, that keep cropping up in places where the Jedi and clones have been. One cat in particular seems to be in multiple places at once, something which doesn't appear to surprise the Coruscant Guard whom seem familiar with this particular feline.
Seeds of Doubt - Prior to escaping prison, Boba's negative perspective of the clones begin to shift as he learns more about them through observation and brief interactions with the Coruscant Guard. Caught between a desire to preserve the memory of his father and his longing to have a family, the renegade clone's drive for revenge slowly becomes the foundation for his future as the Daimyo of Tatooine.
Resource Management - Palpatine gathers test subjects (MIA & supposedly KIA clones) to use in his personal experiments. These various projects serve to look into achieving immortality, to test ancient forms of Sith alchemy, and/or to test the usefulness of recovered artifacts. Many are given to Dr. Hemlock to use in his own projects (including high profile clones from certain battalions), while others are used in Palpatine's own personal experiments.
-Post Order 66-
Clone Resistance Story Arc
Echo and Rex cut ties with CF99 - After the loss of Tech, Echo and Hunter's relationship becomes extremely strained, which leads to longer and longer periods of absence between Echo and the squad. Even after Omega and Crosshair escape from Tantiss, both Echo and Rex slowly begin to permanently part ways with CF99 (seeing as Echo no longer feels welcomed or respected, and Rex cannot afford to stop all rescuing efforts when things are beginning to heat up on their end). Agreeing that it is in everyone's best interest to formally cut ties (rather than force one another to do something they don't want to do), the two groups simply move on with their lives. While 3/4 of CF99 are not pleased with this choice (with Omega being especially upset about it), Hunter is content to focus on giving Omega a better life after everything she's gone through.
The Smuggler & the Dove - Rex establishes a clone smuggling network with the help of two ex-GAR members, so as to more efficiently track down and transport scattered clone stragglers that not even the Empire managed to gather on Tantiss, or that had escaped from the Imperial research base during CF99's rescue of Omega. Both Mae and Dove seem to have personal reasons to want in on this operation, while also having secrets of their own that they keep hidden well away from the clone captain.
The AI Conscience Program - While on a recon mission, Echo discovers some very unusual classified data within an Imperial research vessel. A few weeks of unexplained symptoms and bouts of sleepwalking after accidentally downloading more than just the research files later, Echo's two new "guests" (AI copies of Fives and Tup created for unknown purposes) make themselves known and embark on a quest to acquire bodies of their own.
Forgive and Forget - During a high-stakes mission with Rex, a run in with Fox proves disastrous, when a rather violent altercation breaks out between Echo and the ex-Marshal Commander of the Guard. An altercation that ends with the three of them captured by opportunistic slavers. Despite past transgressions and some bitterness, Fox does everything in his power to get Rex and Echo out of the mess they landed themselves in. And, through being forced to work together, some past misunderstandings and awful truths come to light.
The Failsafe - Echo and Dove are both captured after a mission goes terribly wrong. While Dove is taken away to forcefully take part in an Inquisitorium-funded experiment, Echo is pulled away to be tortured for information. Unwilling to give away any intel that may jeopardize the clone resistance, Echo resorts to a failsafe he had Tech install into his neural relay in case of his potential capture. This failsafe turns out to be a mind-wipe that leaves him with amnesia, but no less capable of escaping his captors via a hastily stolen supply ship.
Cody Wakes Up - Having been used as a prototype for the Dark Trooper project, Cody ends up as a withdrawn semi-mechanical shadow of his former self. However, upon being selected to serve as a warden for Dove while she is experimented on, Cody slowly has his humanity reawakened by her insistent kindness. Thirsty for both revenge and freedom, the cyborg commander unleashes all hell upon the research station and manages to rescue both himself, Dove, and the results of her experimentation.
Epifania Story Arc
The Great Coruscanti Escape - Several Coruscant Guard members who's chips didn't activate, begin the arduous task of escaping the heart of the Empire by all means necessary. Many fail along the way, but others refuse to give in. Even if their GAR brothers seem to have forsaken them completely.
The Archivist and the Communications Officer - Dogma emerges from the isolation of the CG Archives long after Order 66 was given out. Startled and very confused by the state of things, he manages to reunite with Rhythm and the both of them escape Coruscant together in search of somewhere safe to lay low.
The New Sheriff in Town - After landing on the rather quaint (and hard to find) planet of Epifania, Dogma and Rhythm accidentally find themselves in the middle of a dispute between the small town of Bakkskrash and a gang of thugs. A dispute that ends with the leader of said gang dead by Dogma's hands, the daughter of the town mayor safe from danger, and a shiny sheriff's badge in Dogma's possession. Neither Rhythm nor Dogma know how they ended up in this position but it might as well happen.
The Guard Remnant - After becoming the new law enforcers for the small town of Bakkskrash, Sheriff Dogma and Deputy Rhythm discover that they are not the only clones who've chosen Epifania as a safe place to hide. Reunited with the Guard Remnant (a small group of Guardsmen that managed to escape Coruscant by the skin of their teeth), the duo take it upon themselves to both maintain order in their new home, as well as help the others find their places within the community.
The Lost Children of Mandalore - Epifania's rich history as a safe haven is slowly revealed, when the Guard Remnant is introduced to the various ancient Mando clans that dwell on the planet. Known as the Lost Children of Mandalore, these clans (many lineages spanning back to the Old Republic era) are not only the last remnants of Mandalorian culture that has been lost to time and New Mandalorian creed, but also more than eager to accept the clones as their own due to their heritage and compatible code of honor.
Wilhelm and the Ghost Archivist - The ever present and peacefully dormant Wilhelm, protector of Epifania, awakens from his centuries long nap to welcome a new archivist into his expansive halls. Surrounded by the unending knowledge of many a millennia past, Tech's restless spirit finds both peace and purpose keeping track and documenting all ongoing galactic affairs.
Little Tulpa - A visit from the ever cantankerous Sponge leaves Dogma with a responsibility he never considered he'd ever be confronted with: That of parenthood. Perhaps raising an innocent little tubie will do the reluctant Sheriff of Bakkskrash some good? And perhaps the presence of a young child will ease the pain of the Guard Remnant who's own childhoods were stolen from them.
Of Unexpected Reunions & Mixed Feelings - After traveling with Mae for a while on their journey to create new better bodies for themselves (or at least better than the two BD Units they'd hijacked), the AI copies of Fives and Tup are unexpectedly reunited with Dogma. Mae proposes to the sheriff that he help her create Replica Droids for the two AIs to claim as their own bodies, through the simple donation of a DNA sample so that the two could more easily acclimate to their new corporeal forms. An idea that (due to years of unaddressed trauma and bitterness) Dogma promptly rejects, much to the horror of Fives and Tup who do not understand why their brother would deny them this chance so easily.
The Sulu Ra Chronicles - An old nightmare rears his ugly head back into Dogma's life, threatening to uproot everything he's built for himself, his young son and his brothers. Some tests are merely of the mind. Others are physical chores of herculean nature. Sulu Ra and his machinations and twisted experiments prove to be both, especially when it comes to how willing his intended target's allies are to keep him out of the Mad Cloner of Kamino's grasp.
Upgrading Echo - The amnesiac Echo's escape pod somehow manages to get past Epifania's vast meteor field, and crash-lands near one of the many Mandalorian settlements. Scared, confused and unsure who to trust, Echo becomes a bit of a local cryptid until he is finally captured and dragged to the only medic in the area: Sponge. Helping heal wounds and medical issues that have gone untreated for far too long is only half the battle. Upgrading some of his cybernetic prosthetics another quarter of the battle. The true challenge is helping the once proud ARC trooper regain his memories and sense of community...
Synthetic Genetics - After overcoming many trials and tribulations (many of them extremely emotionally tolling), both Echo and Dogma reach a point where they are willing to reconcile their relationships with Fives and Tup, and allow for Mae to use their DNA samples to be taken and used to create Replica Droids to house the two AI consciences.
Final Stand at the Farmstead - A notoriously violent group of slavers makes its way into Epifania and begins to terrorize the local towns in search of easy merchandising. Upon discovering the Sponge Clan's farmstead, a brutal battle ends in tremendous sacrifice for a clone medic and their four legged companion, as well as the unification of the many clans of the Lost Children of Mandalore who declare any enemy of the clones as their own enemy. Epifania becomes an official sanctuary planet for clones.
Fox's Warpath Story Arc
A Twist of Fate - Having witnessed the deaths of several of his Guard brothers and had his neck snapped by Vader, Fox feels like his time (and what little luck he ever had) has inevitably run out. Much to his horror however, an old ally stumbles across him and decides to lend an unwelcome helping hand. Forced to live despite having no real desire to carry on, Fox wanders aimlessly from planet to planet while trying to come to terms with all his past failures.
A Stumble in the Dark - After accidentally crash-landing on Epifania, a severely injured Fox stumbles across a water well and passes out from exhaustion after drinking his fill. He is woken up quite rudely when Dogma literally trips over him, while on his daily trip to collect water for the town of Bakkskrash. Fox is thusly reunited with what is left of his family.
Live, says the Ferryman - Despite his body being on the mend and having been reunited with his Guard brothers, Fox's despondent and withdrawn nature begins to worry several people. Recognizing where his depression might be leading him to, an entity that has grown quite fond of the clones (especially the Coruscant Guard) decides to give the lost commander some sense of direction. Sometimes the best revenge starts out with living well out of pure spite.
Fox the Bounty Hunter - Having overcome the stagnant cycle of self-pity and apathy he'd trapped himself in, Fox decides to do something about the Guardsmen still trapped within Palpatine's grasp. While gaining some prestige as a bounty hunter simply known as Rosso Vulpes, Fox enacts the second and third stages of his revenge by rescuing brothers that Rex's clone resistance has overlooked, as well as killing past abusers that had once crushed the Coruscant Guard under their heel.
The Clone Scrapheap - Several months after Tantiss's fall, Fox manages to locate one of Hemlock's private shuttles that seems to be traveling the galaxy seemingly on autopilot. Boarding the ship, Fox not only discovers what has happened to many brothers who were unaccounted for during the liberation of Tantiss, but also comes to a terrible realization over who is unwittingly commandeering the ship and its twisted experiments.
Operation: Delta Squad - After being promised valuable information that would speed up his imperial clone liberation mission, Fox agrees to work with a remorseful Scorch (who was rescued from the ruins of Tantiss but left physically disabled by his encounter with CF99) in locating the rest of his squad (who were being used as ransom by Hemlock to keep him in line prior to the destruction of the research facility). Tracking down the remainder of Delta Squad proves to be a bit of a challenge, but it's a mission that comes with a much welcomed surprise in the end.
Falling with Style - After four years of agonizing search, blood, sweat and tears (many of which were spent tracking down, rescuing and relegating forgotten or abandoned clones to new housing), Fox finally finds the two brothers he's wanted to free the most: Thire and Alpha-17, the only remaining vode still under Imperial control. Knowing fully well that this will be his very last mission, Fox gives it his all to save his ex-Guard kih'vod and the closest thing he ever had to a buir. While victory is sweet and the return to Epifania is celebrated, Fox has very little time remaining. His wounds are much too severe this time.
Rebirth of the Soul: The Candlelit Fox - Having fulfilled the purpose he gave himself, enjoyed what little he could live as a free soul, and watched his family both heal and thrive in their adopted home-world, Fox feels content enough with all he's achieved to let his ailing body draw final breath. A visit from the Ferryman of Epifania offers him a chance to leave a much more long lasting legacy. Fox passes on, and from his ashes rises Vela the Traveler, a fledgling Force Entity and patron saint of lost wandering souls.
-Rebels Era-
Force Wound Story Arc
The Thing in the Storm - After the Tribunal's grave-site was disturbed by Vader's dark presence, a powerful Force Wound forcefully tethered to the realm of the living the countless restless spirits of those who'd died in the crash. Confused, in pain and terrified, the amalgamated 332nd Company began to hunt down the one they believed was responsible for their abandonment and agony (Rex).
King Hunt - Long after Rex tried to run his Clone Resistance and eventually settled down on Seelos with Wolffe and Gregor, the amalgamated 332nd Company had spent years trying to lure the captain with elaborate distress messages. Those unfortunate enough to heed the call were consumed by the ravenous Force Anomaly, which only lost more of its humanity the more lifeforms it assimilated into itself. Well into the full swing of the conflict between the Rebellion and the Empire, Thing in the Storm manages to finally find a way off its moon-prison, bringing the hunt for the "traitorous king" to the wider galaxy.
Force Bleed - As the Thing in the Storm grows stronger and more bloodthirsty, its presence begins to be noticed by both still active clones and anyone who has been touched by the Force. Having recently been reunited with Omega after she'd joined the Rebellion, both Echo and Dove sense the impending danger that is actively seeking out Rex, and decided to embark on a journey to warn the captain of the violent storm that is brewing in the horizon.
The Storm Approaches - Dove, Echo and Cody manage to locate and reunite with Rex, who's been lured out into a snowy planet very similar to the moon where the Tribunal crashed. The similarities do not go unnoticed by the captain, who is uneasy throughout his trek trying to figure out what brought him to such a desolate planet with no real signs of life to be seen. Realizing this is an elaborate trap, Dove finds the group some shelter before a massive storm-front hits their location. Then a most perilous game of cat and mouse truly begins.
A Friend in the Dark - After dodging several ambushes and attacks from the incomprehensible abomination hiding within the storm, the group gets rescued by a familiar mercenary who may have been trying to unsuccessfully heal the horrific wound in the Force that the restless spirits of the 332nd Company have become. Zed warns the group that the Thing in the Storm is not at fault for its own actions (as they are a victim of terrible circumstances), but that if any further attempts to bring them to reason fail to work they will have no other choice but to destroy it to prevent any more damage to be done to the Force itself.
Jesse Wakes Up - Now knowing the true identities of the Thing in the Storm, a guilt-ridden Rex decides to give himself up to appease the monster his brothers have become. Dove, Cody and Echo do not agree to this plan however, and convince Rex to instead try to talk things out. Initially this does not prove fruitful, as the amalgamated 332nd are so consumed by their collective fear and anger that they immediately lash out. But, as the group tries time and time again to reach out and calm them, Jesse's consciousness begins to reawaken within the abomination.
A Monster at their Side - After regaining full control of his senses and then reigning in the rest of the terrified souls that form their amalgamated form, a repentant Jesse begs Rex for forgiveness over what transpired on the Tribunal. After being told of what truly went down on the day Order 66 rang out, Jesse decides to join the Rebellion as both an intelligence officer and potential assassin (as his new abilities as an eldritch abomination make him an ideal infiltration unit). He hopes that by doing some good, he will be able to make up for all the pain and chaos he and the rest of the 332nd caused as the Thing in the Storm.
-Sequels Era-
The Auction - Aoife a semi-omniscient gal completely out of her element, is tossed into a rather unexpected misadventure when she stumbles upon a black market auction that has a rather pricey and rare treasure among many stolen goods: A clone trooper frozen in carbonite. Unwilling to just let this slide, Aoife reluctantly bites off more than she can chew in her attempt to do the right thing.
A Colossal Conundrum - Having managed to successfully thaw out Hardcase (a clone that should very much not be alive) and explained to him that he has woken up 30 years in the future, Aoife has very few options when it comes to getting him medical attention as neither of them have a credit to spare between them. Undeterred by carbonite sickness or even the poorly treated burns he's saddled with from his stunt in Umbara, Hardcase attempts to break away and help himself. This in turn ends with them both stowing away in a supply ship that is headed straight for a Space Station known simply as the Colossus.
Friend or Foe? - While doing their best to get by while doing small jobs for Captain Doza on the Colossus, Hardcase and Aoife come across a few friendly faces who seem to be familiar with the nearly forgotten clone army. These new allies are certainly comforting to have around (especially for Hardcase who is still adjusting to being without his brothers), but they seem to be keeping tabs on something that is happening behind closed doors. Something that has to do with the new hotshot pilot/mechanic that Jerek Yeager has taken in...
Adrift in a Galaxy Far Far Away - With the Colossus on the move and Kaz's ties to the Resistance becoming all but confirmed, Hardcase is struggling with just sitting around doing nothing while Aoife's mind seems elsewhere. A certain Kel Dor mechanic decides to step in and try to help the antsy clone make up his mind, while a mysterious child that seems aware of Aoife's odd circumstances begins to follow her around like a shadow.
Ah! Pirates! - A chance run in with the Crimson Corsair reveals what it was that was bothering Aoife so much: The fact she knew Hardcase was not the very last clone, and that she wasn't entirely sure how to bring it up with him because she did not know how to track down the other living clone trooper. A little upset with her but not one to hold a grudge, Hardcase quickly reassures his friend that he's not mad at her for not telling him sooner (after all what good would it have done if he'd known and been unable to find his brother?). Both end up making a vow to both find a way to find Kix and to find a way to get Aoife back home. Which means both finding a way to track down and contact the Meson Martinet and her crew, as well as find someone who may or may not know something about what exactly brought Aoife into this particular universe.
Seeing Double - When a seemingly charming merchant comes to the Colossus on a business venture, things turn a little sideways when a supposed pirate appears and begins causing trouble for the Space Station. Teaming up with Kaz and the Aces, Hardcase and Aoife attempt to scare off the pirate, only to instead find out that not everything is as it seems. The clone army may slowly be falling into obscurity, but various bits and pieces of their history have value and Hardcase would rather die than let them fall into the hands of those who hold no respect for his vode or their culture.
Triple Brotherly Reunion - Dominik keeps up with his end of the deal he made with Hardcase and Aoife, and gets them a meeting with the crew of the Meson Martinet. While on their way to the meeting spot in Takodana, the duo is followed and seemingly hunted by something that keeps scaring off the local fauna... Hardcase and Kix are about to find yet another impossible remnant of the past, while Aoife slowly realizes that nothing is as black and white or set in stone as she's been lead to believe. Not even what should be considered the "canon events" of a universe.
"That's not how you use that word..." Xabe frowned as she tentatively pointed out what had been bothering her for a while now.
It's not like it was all that important a detail, really, but she'd come to understand that the clones were Mandalorian by birthright and not much else. They had their own heavily-militaristic culture and seemed to not really have that big of a grasp of the language itself.
Sure, they seemed fluent enough in certain phrases.
The amount of spar challenges that started off with a taunting 'Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?' were enumerable and fairly endearing.
But some words they used fairly commonly didn't seem like they were understood correctly.
'Vod'ika' was one of them.
Fox paused, seeming caught off guard by her statement.
He watched her with his tired yet unbearably attentive eye.
There was a spark of something there. Not judgement. Not anger.
An emotion she couldn't put a name to. One full of passion.
But Fox never spoke harshly and he certainly wouldn't start now.
Instead sighing and setting down his tools to focus his attention entirely on her.
"What word?" He asks patiently.
"Vod'ika." She responds calmly. "The way you use it... It seems you should be using kih'vod instead. It means younger sibling."
"Uh-uh..." He lazily scratched under his chin, watching her with an impassive expression. "I know what kih'vod means. Just as I know what ori'vod and vod'ika means."
"Then why not use kih'vod when addressing your younger siblings?" Xabe asked out of genuine curiosity. If he knew then why did he use the term incorrectly?
"Because vod'ika means to me something different than it means to you..." Fox responded with a tired smile. "Where we came from, Mando'a was only taught to the most elite. And even then it was very limited grammatically wise... Most clones never got to hear a lick of it until the Alphas, Nulls and Commandos began to revolt silently against Prime and all of those who kept us isolated. We created our own culture, our own language, with what little we could learn of other tidbits of language we could scrounge up."
Xabe listened with interest, eyes wide at realizing her mistake.
Fox seemed to take it in kind, smiling at her like he would smile at a doe-eyed ik'aad.
"In Mando'a, perhaps vod'ika is not the correct term for me to call my younger siblings... But in Vod'Mando'a it is not only the correct term but also reserved for batch and battalion only." Fox looked out towards the well, where the others were collecting water. He smiled fondly as he watched them mess around and splash each other whenever they could. They were enjoying their freedom. "Ours is a lonesome and likely dying dialect... But it is ours and no one can tell us how to use it. We follow our own rules."
Fox, arms crossed as he stares up at Olly with clear disappointment: I don't think I need to tell you why I've called you into my office.
Olly, looking miserable from both having to crouch because he's far too tall to stand straight inside Fox's office, and because he knows perfectly well why he's been summoned: No, sir.
Fox: Then you know why I'm currently not very pleased with you.
Olly: Yes, sir.
Fox, sighing: You should have deleted that cam footage Olly. We have procedures and contingencies in place specifically to avoid these kinds of situations.
Olly: It wouldn't have mattered sir. He would have found a way to recover the footage sooner or later. He's their brand of stubborn.
Fox: ... Why did you tell him about what happened that night?
Olly: ...I was hurt. And instead of addressing it properly, I buried my worries beneath my work. So when he confronted me about it, I lashed out...
Fox: ...
Olly: It shouldn't have happened. I should have been a better brother to him.
Fox: I think a lot of his vode before you, should have been better brothers to him. But my opinion on the matter matters little in the end. Just... Make sure you tell him you're sorry.
Olly: ...I will.
Olly, backs out of the office and goes back to work while trying not to think about how Dogma's been obsessively rewatching his cam footage of 79's from the night prior to the Guard rescuing him:
Fox, sighing and going back to signing flimsywork: There has to be a better way to deal with all of this heartache...
