Clone Troopers - Blog Posts
Clone Trooper “Jingle” (oc) trying to bring down injuries for the betterment of the republic
this is Fern! @everythingfandom24601 's OC from their fic : https://www.wattpad.com/user/AbiGrace24601
I truly love this very much and encourage you to check it out!!
Love this. It's been an honor. <3
Thank you The Bad Batch & everyone involved for this wild & amazing journey full of joy, tears, awe, new friendships & beautiful artistry! You'll forever be an inspiration. 🫡 🖤❤️🖤
Both! 😍
💙🧡❤️
💙❤️Happy Valentine's Day!❤️💙
This year, decided to do a set!
"Spice" - Alpha-17 x Obi-Wan
"Sugar" - Fordo x Obi-Wan
Do you prefer your romance to be Sweet❤️ or Spicy💙?
~~
PLEASE DO NOT REUPLOAD, EDIT, TRANSLATE, OR OTHERWISE USE MY ART. To share, please reblog! Reblogs and comments greatly appreciated!!!
❀ You can see the rest of my art through the Masterpost pinned to the top of my blog!
I can totally imagine them doing goofy things like this in their spare time.😆 Those top two are definitely doing it together, no question. I wouldn't be surprised if Plo gave Wolffe some pointers, tbh. And honestly, with all the BS Fox puts up with, he should meditate from time to time.🤣
clone troopers imitating jedi
battlefront ii emotes: choker, choked, lightsaber fight, & meditate
Looky looky, now there's clone trooper armor for me to draw. 😊 Thanks to @tinytape for finding this for me.
Basic Guide to Clone Trooper Armour
I don’t know about you guys, but I have a hard time keeping the terms for various parts of clone armour straight in my mind. So, I decided to make this Guide To Armour, to make my life easier for those times I’m drawing or writing stuff and need to reference what this, that or the other piece is called, how it’s put on or taken off. (I’ve also tried to include/come up with some casual or slang terms for some parts because you cannot seriously expect these guys to use the Right Proper Terminology for everything all of the time.)
This is based on the Clone Wars cartoons, because that’s what I know best. Also, this is just the standard armour of regular troopers; if y’all want something about the possible additions/variations that you could have then lmk and I’ll see what I can put together I guess?
Note: a lot of this terminology is taken from medieval knights’ armour. Many terms are originally French; alternative names provided where possible. I did do a bit of research on medieval plate armour, which is the closest thing I can think of to clone armour, but I am by no means an expert so if you have any input or corrections feel free to @ me. Likewise, if you’ve cosplayed as a clone trooper or stormtrooper, I’d very much like to hear about your experience wearing this stuff, how it moves and how it might be similar or different to the “real thing” so to speak.
Figure 1: Clone trooper armour, front view. Kix got chosen for this because he’s a vain little bastard and loves to be painted. (ETA: this diagram now comes with a second, funnier version.)
(long post under cut)
Keep reading
Well, now I gotta try to draw some Mandalorian armor (despite being terrible at armor in general)...
While I'm here, though, have you done anything like this for clone trooper armor? If you have, I wanna see it.
Mandalorian Armor, a simple guide
Oh dear. Several months late, but here we go. This will be a broad term overview of mando armor in canon at the moment, not an exhaustive list. Feel free to skip “materials & history” if you’d just like some more concrete guidelines and refs!
(Remember to click on the images for a better look!)
Material & History
A Small Intro Course
Mandalorian armor is supposed to be made out of beskar, an alloy (and yes all beskar is an alloy in disney canon (at least as of May 2021), like steel for example. Yes even “pure” beskar). The secrets of how to make it is limited to the Mandalorians, and the materials used to make it are most likely limited to Mandalore or the Mandalore system. It’s been in confirmed use as an armor material for at least 900 years & can take straight blaster bolts or hold off the circulating energy blade of a lightsaber for short periods of time, possibly until the beskar heats up enough to loose its integrity, but the heat would most likely cause serious damage to the wearers body before that.
Beskar armor is most often inherited, passed from generation to generation and reforged to suit the current wearers needs. It’s seen as passing down the history, the battles and the will of those who have worn it before and making it your own. However the material is rare, possibly because the mines have run dry ages ago (old EU), or because war and/or the New Mandalorians stopping production. The Empire interfering by taking over Mandalore and trying to get their hands on as much beskar as possibly and then later “glassing” the planet while hunting its only known creators surely did not help either, in any case.
This means that not all Mandalorians had access to the material, or at least large enough amounts to make a full suit of armor. This lead to the make of “impure” beskar that can take less of a brunt & armor made of other metals such as durasteel. This is most likely what makes up the majority of Din’s kit, beyond the helmet and possibly the chest piece, when he’s introduced in S1 and he still wears pieces that might be one of these materials as of Season 2.
Characters like Sabine Wren, Bo-Katan Kryze and Boba Fett all inherited their armor from their aliit (clan/family) through several generations and it’s most likely already pure beskar based on its age and how it reacts to blasterfire.
The armor is most often painted and there are various designs and colors that indicate personality, achievements or allegiances, but that would have to be another post. (Would anyone like a post on Mandalorian armor fashion? Because I have thoughts)
Helmet
Let’s start from the top. The helmet, aka the bucket. The buy’ce.
In the “modern” era it’s usually a helmet with a rounded top and some kind of cheek indents. It has a T (or occasionally closer to a Y) shaped visor that obscures the wearers face. It also contains a large amount of technology that allows for various visual filters, binoculars, built in comms and audio enhancers (allowing for near perfect 360° hearing in the old EU, as possibly shown by Din Djarin in the new), among other things. The earcaps seen on most modern styles of helmet allows for various specialized attachments, like rangefinders.
The styles of the helmets vary between clans and eras, but there’s a few distinct modern bases that are pretty easy to identify as Mandalorian and worn by all major Mandalorian characters.
The Boba Fett, based on the original helmet as seen in the OT, and worn by basically every male character with various types of cheek indents, ridges and the like. Some are thinner or longer, but the base of the design is still very clearly the OG Boba Fett helmet. T visor, sharp slope indent that takes up the entire cheek, long ear caps & a brow ridge.
Visual Reference
The Nite Owl, based on the helmet worn by Bo-Katan and the Nite Owls in TCW. It has a cat eyed Y visor and a more of a cut out cheek indent style, or simply a less severe smaller curve under the visor ridge (the area painted red on Boba Fett’s helmet).
Visual Reference
The Kast, is the rarest so far only seen on Rook Kast & the Maul-aligned female Mandalorians. It slopes slightly inwards below the uniquely shaped T visor and has no ear caps.
Visual References
And finally, some mandalorian helmets with slightly more unique shapes and/or shape combinations that put them outside the general easy to identify pile.
From left to right, The Armorer, Paz Vizsla, Pre Vizsla and Fenn Rau:
Chest, Neck, Back & Shoulders
As with everything else, there are various styles for these pieces of armor, but here are some basics.
Breastplate
Most commonly visibly segmented into three big parts, two on the chest and one below, with a small diamond shaped heart piece in the middle. The heart piece design can also been seen on Mandalorian clothing and architecture. In The Mandalorian these parts are generally attached together to give the armor a more solid look, but they are still distinguishable. Before the fall of the empire several female mandos favoured a more solid two part design that interlocked with their neck piece and had a thin rectangular bar instead of a classic heart piece. During the clone wars women of the faction supporting Maul (mostly clan Kast and clan Saxon) used a semi-connected two part design with six smaller pieces trailing down the stomach, three on each side. There are also various other designs with solid one part chest pieces, but most at least have a variation of the heart piece in the middle, as seen on Paz Vizsla.
The chest piece usually does not go below the navel, for bending over reasons.
Neckplate
Either two pieces on the side of the neck, or a longer single piece that goes in front of the neck & sits over the collarbones. Both of these variations are usually semi connected to, or line up with where the backplate ends.
Shoulders
Bell type, like Din Djarin & Axe Woves wear. The Classic, aka the style worn by Boba Fett, Ursa Wren & most grunts. And finally a slightly rounded middle ground, smaller than the Bell but sits over the shoulder and is often favored by female characters like Bo-Katan, female Mauldalorians & Sabine Wren.
Backplate
Usually as long as the chest piece, used to protect the back and to mount jetpacks, and other useful things, on.
Jetpack
Technically not a piece of armor, but sometimes armored. Comes in various sizes and styles.
Visual References
Vambraces & Handplates
Vambraces
Both forearm protection and weapons. Developed to give a Mandalorian that extra edge when fighting stronger opponents. To that goal, they’re often fitted with various attachments such as flamethrowers, retractable blades, shield emitters, repulsors, grappling lines, magnets, missiles and various types of darts, including the whistling birds seen in The Mandalorian.
Handplates
It’s a plate that goes on your hand. Nothing more, nothing less. Can of course be fitted with various other weapons, as long as they fit.
Visual References
The Codpiece, Buttplate & Hip Plates
Ah yes. Well.
All pieces are usually worn tucked underneath and/or attached to the waist sash/girth belt/belt.
Codpiece
Look, it’s a codpiece. It’s there to protect your sensitive parts. There are less bulky variations for people who can do without the extra space. Those are often segmented. Some wear more of a lower stomach plate. Others don’t bother, or only wear theirs when they might need it since I imagine it can be a bit uncomfortable to wear day to day.
Buttplate
It’s a plate that goes over your butt. And I mean just above, not on. Din has one, Boba has one. It’s a thing. Why? Because bruising you tailbone hurts like hell.
Hip Plates
They’re plates that go on your hips. Only confirmed sighting has been on Din, but we’ve also got some good shots of them because of this so I put them in anyway.
Visual References
Thighs, Knees, Shins, Ankles & Feet
Varies from completely covered to almost no armor at all. On one end you’ve got Jango Fett, and on the other you’ve got Boba Fett. Ironic, in a way.
Thigh plates
Generally sit either on the front of the thigh or on the outer sides. The outward style thigh plates are more form fitting and allow for holsters to be mounted directly onto the plate, this was popular during the Clone Wars era. The front facing plates are often different sizes, possibly depending on your dominant hand/how you prefer to hold your weapon of choice.
Knee armor/pads
For knee protection, unless you’re like Boba Fett, then they’re also dart launchers. In the old EU the darts were laced with neurotoxin, but that seems to have been removed for new canon. Sit nebulously in the knee region.
Shin, Ankle and/or Boot plates
Over your shins, ankles and feet, for all your literal ass kicking needs. Comes in various types including but not limited to: boot caps, ankle plates, shin guards and of course full on greaves.
Visual References
-
So there you have it! A broad overview of Mandalorian armor. This has been in my drafts for months at this point so I’m not going to go over this again so you’ll have to excuse any weird phrasing or misspelt words. And how messy the visual ref sheets got. (I’m also considering putting together something for different eras & allegiances based on design, accessories, paintjobs, etc, but that will have to be another day.)
I am now one with the Force now, and all thanks to the sheer PERFECTION of this post!
flirting with the clone troopers
I got bored and wrote a thing. Please enjoy my short little drabble on what flirting with the clone troopers would be like. It’s trash but it’s my trash <3
masterlist
Keep reading
Chapter 11 of burc’ya kadale ~ Friendly Fire has been posted to ao3 as of 3/24/23!
———
CC-1010 'Fox': I thought you should know, Thorn was on an escort mission, guarding Senator Amidala on Scipio. There was a Separatist attack, besides the Senator, there were no survivors.
CC-1010 'Fox': I'm sorry, there was nothing anyone could have done.
CC-1010 'Fox' is offline
Fox turned his datapad off quickly, he didn't need to... didn't want to see the replies from Thorn's batchmates. Fox had failed them, he wasn't able to keep Thorn safe.
———
Chapter 3 of At the Captain’s Orders has been posted on ao3 as of 3/21/23
———
Rex followed Bly down the hall, "So what happened exactly?' Rex asked.
"Basically, Wolffe and Cody were sparring, they got carried away and Cody managed to trap himself under some of the weights that were hanging on the rack on the wall."
"He what?" Rex asked. "How the hell did he manage that?"
"I don't know I wasn't there, I just picked up the comm call from Ponds because Wolffe was laughing too hard to comm for help."
———
Chapter 6 of haat cuyir let dayn ~ Truth Revealed has been posted on ao3 as of 3/16/23
———
"What? Fox what the hell are you talking about?" Bly spoke up before Wolffe could continue the argument.
"I'm talking about the decommissioning's that’s been happening to my men since the beginning of the war. I have done everything I can to protect my men, I will not have the GAR come in and put my men at risk, because your actions create consequences for my troops." Fox stated allowing it to sit for a moment. Fox watched as his ex-batchers thought about what Fox had just revealed to them. It wasn't all of it, but it was hopefully enough to get them to start listening to him and to get the GAR men to at least back off a bit.
———
Chapter 10 of Shebse and Rex comm chat has been posted on ao3!!
Chapter 10 of burc’ya kadale ~ Friendly Fire
Has been posted on ao3!
I think I found my new favorite Galactic Empire Senator… Riyo Chuchi you are incredible!
You continue your stand for Clone rights! We the fandom stand with you! 🫡
At The Captains Orders Updated on ao3
Chapter Summary:
“Low Priority Message - 'Cody'
Message: 'Comm me when you wake up and don't even think about ignoring me, Rex.'
Huh,
Cody's mad at him, great! but why? What did he do this time?”
Hello there peoples! If you are reading this then thank you! cause I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing right now…
Anyways, so the whole point of this post is to share my WIPs that I am currently working on…
So my @ on ao3 is Coruscant_Senate_Building where I post Star Wars related stories, here’s a link-
-to my Dashboard with 6 posted and 2 of those being WIPs, and 4 of them being completed works. I post about one update per WIP every 1-2 months but there’s usually at least one update a month.
WIPs:
Updated: 3/24/23 burc’ya kadale ~ Friendly Fire: 11 of ? chapters posted
Updated : 3/16/23 haat cuyir let dayn ~ Truth Revealed: 6 of ? chapters posted
Completed works:
At The Captains Orders
Completed 3/21/23
Shebse and Rex Comm Chat:
Completed 2/28/23
The Thrilling Adventures of Gonky:
Completed: 8/2/22
haryc be akaanir ~ Tired of the Fight
Completed: 3/24/22
That is it for now so, *two finger salute falling backwards out of view* 🫡
The Bad Batch s2e12 Review and Discussion - The Breaking Point of Crosshair
Massive Spoilers Ahead!
That was by far one of the greatest episodes I think i've ever watched. I don't even know where to begin and I do not say this lightly - I have been thoroughly broken by this show. I am genuinely heartbroken at this point.
First and foremost, the music was on point. It hit every single emotion it wanted to convey and it complimented the themes of this episode perfectly. Kevin Kiner remains to be one of the best composers, in my opinion.
Secondly, the symbolism that was the lone ice vulture flying above Crosshair's head throughout the episode was just poetic. It really got the message across to the viewers that Crosshair is utterly and brutally alone. He is nothing more than something that is “expendable” in the eyes of the Empire. This episode made that evermore clearer to Cross.
Thirdly, the new clone introduced in this episode, Commander Mayday, was a perfect way to SHOW (and not just tell) Crosshair the tragedies, the mistreatment and the injustices that the clones are facing. Throughout the entire episode, both Cross and the viewers were reminded of just how poorly the clones are being treated. Mayday's inevitable death was the final moment for Crosshair; It genuinely broke him (and me, frankly). The lieutenant (I forgot his name because idfc) really rubbed it into Crosshair’s face about what the clones mean to the Empire.
The emotions that we get to see Crosshair experience throughout this episode really show just how broken his spirit is; he has reached his breaking point. He was left both physically and emotionally devastated by the end of his mission; losing yet another companion, another brother. Someone whom he was just beginning to confide in, especially to feel less alone. I also found it quite fascinating to see him express distress when the ship blew up and caused him a sort-of sensory overload. A bit of an ode to the Batches enhanced features.
I appreciated the little details of him shivering in the cold as he and Mayday made their way back to the outpost; huddling together to survive. on top of that, his facial expressions really showed just how lost, distraught, devastated and broken he has become. Truly, what a masterful episode. Crosshair shooting the lieutenant by the end of the episode was his moment of “going awol,” albeit, in the most devastating and heart wrenching way.
The ending of this episode was rather concerning. I literally have no idea what that lady poked his neck with nor do I have the faintest idea as to why he's on Tantiss but I'm very nervous about it. I hope he isn't being brainwashed again or [arguably] even worse, becoming the prototype of a dark trooper. Istfg If this happens, You’ll be hearing from my therapist and my lawyer, Filoni. For the love of all things decent in this world, please let him go home to his family.
This episode, once again, cements exactly why I love Crosshair's character so much. Truly a terribly tragic character and I ate that shit up. I'm shellshocked.
20/10. Feelings have been hurt.
The Bad Batch Season 2 Episode 7 & 8 Review and Discussion - The Consequences of Truth
MASSIVE SPOILER WARNING!
First and foremost, these two episodes were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. It had the same energy that peek Clone Wars had. And the politics. The politics of the clones and the military are some of the best moments to me, as they flesh out the world that our beloved characters live in.
Riyo Chuchi is the absolute goat. End of discussion. I’m so glad that someone is finally stepping up to fight for the clones and their rights, even though it may inevitably be all for nothing. Nevertheless, it was so good to see her appear in TBB, and I love what she was standing for. How the clones have been treated has always broken my heart. They have always deserved so much more and while I know not much will come out of this, it’s good to know that there are people who see them and recognize what they did for the galaxy. Also, it was really nice to see Bail. I wish we got a bit more of him but I understand that perhaps he wants to lay low and not have a target on his back, especially when considering his position in all of this (being the adoptive father of Leia, spearheading the pre-rebellion, etc.)
Seeing the truth be revealed in regards to what really happened to Tipoca City, while short lived, was a victory to me. The dramatic irony that was Rampart saying he was “just following orders,” in the same way that the clones are “just following orders,” was masterful. And to hammer it home, Palpatine saying that “if the clones blindly follow orders” then they need to usher in a new military; thus the introduction of the storm troopers, That stung. Yet, I cannot say I’m necessarily surprised since we are all aware by now of how well Palpatine plays his cards. I am devastated, regardless, at how easy it was for him to spin it around in his favour.
The final scenes of episode 8 was heartbreaking to say the least. I didn’t expect it at all and I’m honestly really concerned for Echo now that he’s decided to stay with Rex. As we have all speculated, there has to be some sort of event that will push Rex over the edge, enough for him to want to stop fighting. I fear that the possibility of Echo dying has increased because of his decision to stay with Rex and moreover, the chances that his death being the breaking point for Rex has increased. I really hope that isn’t the case though, I don’t think I’d ever recover from that. Plus, It would feel a bit cheap to kill him AGAIN.
To continue from that, the bad batch’s numbers are growing eerily thin. They are now down to four 3.5 members (no offence to Omega, love her character, but let’s be real for a second, she’s not a soldier, she’s a child). I don’t really know what this could mean for them in the long run. All I know is that the family dynamic is breaking down and they may need to start considering their place in all of this; perhaps joining the fight alongside Rex and Echo.
Overall, these two episodes were on par, if not even better, than episode three. They really gave viewers the insight into the function of the galaxy and its politics at this point in the timeline. Moreover, the tragedy of the clones has been especially highlighted here and it really cements their place in the galaxy. 10/10.
Star Wars The Clone Wars: A Series Like No Other
I don't think I will ever be able to truly put into words just how important The Clone Wars is to me, but I will try. This is, arguably, one of the greatest (if not the greatest) series of all time. The impact that I has had on so many peoples lives is like nothing I’ve ever seen. For myself, its impact on my life is one of strongest.
I, like many others, grew up with this show and loved it right from the very beginning (yes, even the movie and season 1 & 2). I remember coming home from school every Friday to see each new episode. I remember the devastation I felt when the series was cancelled. I remember the excitement I felt when the series finale was announced. The journey that it has taken me on is like nothing I’ve ever or will ever experience again. I grew up alongside these characters, I felt their joy, their hope, their pain and their suffering. When a character died, it was as if I had lost a loved one. No series has ever been able to evoke such strong emotions from me like that and honestly, I’m low key scarred because of it. I’m haunted by the mere thought of character’s deaths (any and every clone, tbh) or whenever I think about the last two episodes of the series. It’s unbearably tragic and heart-wrenching. Whenever I rewatch certain scenes, it ends with me uncontrollably sobbing (I wish I was joking, but no, this happens every time I do my annual rewatch). I seriously will never recover from some of the stuff that happened in this show, that’s how strongly its affected me.
Star Wars The Clone Wars has shaped who I am today and has taught me so many valuable lessons. At least for me, one of the reasons why I love it so much is because it tackles a lot critical issues that are relevant to our real world; the politics are some of my favourite episodes. Brotherhood, friendship, love, morality, loyalty, ethics, courage, honour, redemption, etc. These are but a few themes throughout this series that are impactful to me. Most importantly, this is what I think of as the core of Star Wars. I know many folks feel the exact same way I do, and that's one of the reasons why I love this community.
The world couldn't have asked for a better series, nor I, a better story.
The Solitary Clone is a Masterpiece **MASSIVE SPOILERS!** Episode 3 Discussion PART 2
I absolutely loved that we got more discussion in regards to the politics of it all, especially with the Separatists and the clever callback to TCW with Mina Bonteri. The final scenes where the Separatist governor, Tawni, discusses the failed efforts that they made to put an end to the war, and how "peace was never an option" was masterful. And the cherry on top was when Cody attempts to negotiate with her and successfully convinces her, only for Grotton to order her execution. The continued use of symbolism with un-helmeted clones to show those that they are freethinkers rebelling is subtle yet brilliant. Cody's agency and resolve stops him from doing what he knows is wrong, and the final straw for him is when Tawni is ultimately shot by Crosshair. And I'll be honest, I really did not expect this. I was somewhat disappointed in Crosshair's decision, yet I also understand that he as a character must get worse before he can get better. He is also not at the same stage that Cody is at (as stated before), so he is still following orders blindly and without a second thought about the consequences or repercussions of his actions. When Crosshair and Cody are boarding the ship, as I referenced earlier to the discussion of the Defence Recruitment bill, Cody witnesses this first-hand when a ship arrives with TK troopers. The clones are doing the dirty work, while we actively see the Empire not only replace them, but moving in to occupy more sovereign worlds. The expansion of Palpatine's iron grip continues to grow. The conclusion to this episode was devastating, to say the least. Cody and Crosshair speak, once again in front of the clone memorial. this time, Cody says a few very important words that show the viewers that he has made his decision, and that [I believe] will stick with Cross, "You know what makes us different from battle droids? We make our own decisions. Our own choices. And...We have to live with them too." I loved this scene for a few reasons. Firstly, because wow, that hit me right in the feels and secondly, because Cody is planting the seeds for Crosshair to really reflect on what he has done and what he will do. Crosshair has been given two opportunities to get out this situation, both times have been squandered. Now more than ever, Crosshair will have to face the consequences of his actions and, moreover, will have an even harder time getting out of this. He is, once again, alone. To conclude, this episode ends with Crosshair waking up in a similar way to how the episode started. The use of visual repetition shows how bleak and depressing Crosshair's life has become. Going to eat alone, and getting called to Rampart's office and going to speak with Rampart once again. The part that really hammered home the fact that the clones are just numbers to the Empire was when Cross asks what about Cody (in regards to his next mission), and Rampart doesn't care to recognize who he is talking about until Cross says Cody's CT number. Again, they are just numbers; this fact could very well be a tipping point for Crosshair if it continues to occur. Cody is declared to have gone "awol" and Crosshair, while it is subtle, appears distraught and confused. And the part that really hits the nail in the coffin is when Rampart makes the crude statement about how all the clones around Cross seem to be going awol and that their loyalty is becoming increasingly hard to come by. Again, another important moment because loyalty is a big part of Crosshair's story arc and if he correlates loyalty to the clones, something (the clones) that is slowly but surely being phased out, then he is losing his grip on what is keeping him with the Empire in the first place. Sorry for how long this was, but I really just needed to completely dissect this episode because it was genuinely a masterpiece. It was literature and art and everything I love in stories.
"The Solitary Clone" is a Masterpiece **MASSIVE SPOILERS!** Episode 3 Discussion PART 1
Today's episode of The Bad Batch was truly a work of art. I wanted to discuss just how well executed of an episode it was, especially because this is my shit as an English major. I love the tragedy and the multiple levels of symbolism in literature. This will be divided into two parts because for some reason, Tumblr isn’t letting me post it in one :/ Okay, first and foremost, they did an excellent job in setting the tone for this episode. From the way that it opened with Crosshair waking up in his drab and dimly lit room (a nice call back to Kallus from Rebels), to him going to eat with other clones that end up leaving when he sits with them, and even when he is called to Ramparts office. Right off the bat, the viewers are immersed in what Crosshair is feeling and thinking. He is very much alone, isolated and conflicted (more on this later). I also wanted to note the importance of the scene were the two clones are discussing the Defence Recruitment bill that would effectively see clones filtered out and replaced by citizens (I'll reference this later on too). When Crosshair goes to speak with Rampart, immediately I'm heartbroken to hear how long he was stranded on Kamino (32 rotations...wtf). Moreover, the way I see it, Rampart is a representative (literally and metaphorically) of the Empires value or lack thereof. His blatant disregard and disrespect to Crosshair, and in turn soldiers in general, could be the breaking point for Cross if this treatment continues (which I'm guessing it will). The way I understand and interpret it, Crosshair is confused and conflicted about everything. He remains with the Empire because it's easy and because it's the only life he's ever known. Leaving that life behind and deserting it means that he must face himself in order to understand 1) who he is, 2) what he wants and 3) what/who he cares about. He isn't at that stage of his story...yet. But we as the viewers are slowly but surely seeing his resolve begin to break through these interactions and experiences (discussed above). Now, the scene with Crosshair and Cody. Everyone has already analyzed this to death but I'll just reiterate it. Cody and Crosshair meet in front of the clone memorial and they have a brief conversation before going on their mission. This scene is great because we see them testing each other in this conversation and seeing where they stand/how they feel about everything that's happened and is happening. Cody, obviously, is further along in his realizations than Crosshair is. We see this through the ways that Cody looks at the memorial and Crosshair respectively. He is uncertain, sad and also very confused. The scene where Cody mentions the uncertainty of the clones as well as how more and more of them (including the bad batch) are going awol is great. As I mentioned above, this is Cody testing the waters with Crosshair to see where he stands in all this. And when Cross responds by saying that "they are traitors just like the Jedi," it is fantastic because the tension only increases. Cody is visibly distraught by this (probably because he is remembering what he was forced to do) and falls back onto the "good soldiers follow orders." Well played Filoni et al.
Slick Headcanons (and subsequent characters)
Instead of being executed, he was/found a way to get locked up in Coruscant prison.
When Boba Fett is arrested, Slick is the one to save him from getting executed/sent back to the Kaminoans. Somehow.
Slick is also the one to save Dogma from getting decommissioned or reconditioned, instead gaining a prison mate.
Boba has some sort of familial relationship with them, if only because of proximity.
Slick and the Coruscant Guard have some sort of understanding. (This is a different post about my au that will eventually exist).
Dogma doesn’t really warm up to Slick until he gets news of what happens to Tup and subsequently, Fives.
All three of them survive, and later have varying levels of closeness with Rex and “others”.
There’s more, but that’s a different post. This stuff can pass in canon. The rest are more… au-esque.
Frist time in Tumbrl, maybe deleted this later full draw in Ig @Leimadoodles
so... should I like, start writing small stories like one-shots etc.
with like, star wars/clone wars characters???
would y'all want that?
Phase-I Clone Trooper Armor
Although the Phase-II Clone Trooper Armor always got a lot of love…The Phase-I Clone Trooper Armor was always the best design to me due to the Phase-I Armor's likeness to Jango Fett's Mandalorian Armor.
From the Phase-I Clone Trooper Armor. To the Phase-I Clone Commando Katarn-Class Armor. And especially the Phase-I ARC Trooper Armor with its numerous Mandalorian influences (Helmet mounted Rangefinder, Kama, Jetpacks, Wrist Rockets, etc.)
Phase-I Armor for the Win...!
Mandalorian Bounty Hunter Jango Fett & The Clones
Wanted to post this to show that during his origin story in the classic 2002 video game Star Wars Bounty Hunter, Jango Fett did indeed care about the Clones. Jango said he was "proud" of them; he even let this be known to his son Boba Fett.
(Unlike the in-universe narrative claiming Jango cared nothing about the Clones & the only Clone Jango ever cared about was Boba.)
In the following Cutscene Storyboards from Star Wars Bounty Hunter, Mandalorian Bounty Hunter (And Prime Clone Template) Jango Fett said his Clones were a damn fine Army, ready for battle. When Jango discussed this with Boba, Jango told him: "You shouldn't feel sorry for them. I don't. I feel…Proud."
And I❤️this from @fox-trot talking about Jango Fett & his concerns with the lives & treatment of the Clones….
Jango Fett consistently fought the Kaminoans over reconditioning/ decommissioning. In the early days he managed to convince the Kaminoans to change the expected standard, allowing for more leniency regarding deviations in physical appearance, speech patterns, behavior, temperament, etc. This saved many lives. He also regularly stepped in & rescued clones scheduled to be reconditioned for ‘aberrant’ behavior or mental health concerns. The Null ARCs & Delta Squad were saved from death because of his intervention. He also had a secret operation where he smuggled at-risk clones off of Kamino.
happy echo day guys!!! (14/09)
(ik this isnt echo but its his vod’ika from Our Own Choices saying happy echo day)
(im scared to mess up drawing echo so yea)
Our Own Choices
Chapter 11
General Skywalker comes in to check on us. I don't say anything to Echo, because I know that anything that will come out will be a pile of emotional shit. And I don't wanna do that in front of General Skywalker, Tech, or even Rex. Too embarrassing. Besides, Echo probably won't give a shit.
I can still hear some blaster fire from outside. "Situations almost under control out there," General Skywalker says. "How's it going in here?"
"I'm still trying to decrypt Echo's cerebral interface," Tech reports. "Until I do, we cannot disconnect him from this computer system."
"How's he doing, Rex?" General Skywalker's tone softens. Rex stands up. "He's too weak to walk. Very disoriented. Doesn't even remember how he got here. He remembers being at the Citadel, but that's about it."
Who wouldn't remember that?
"Any word on the extraction squad?"
"We called it in, but no word back," Rex replies.
A droid comes flying into the room, and I assume it's thrown by Wrecker. "Well, that's no surprise." Maybe General Skywalker's referring to the extraction squad and the droid that just crashed in here. "We knew when we got into this we'd be on our own."
Hunter, Wrecker and Crosshair back into the room, closing the doors. "It's gonna get more difficult to get outta here," Hunter says, loud enough so that all of us can hear it. "There are several squads of droids closing in." I hear Hunter and Crosshair sealing the door.
Shit.
"Enemy approaching. Droids. Lots of em," Crosshair says.
"How long can you hold them off?" General Skywalker asks.
"How long do you need?" Hunter replies.
"Tech, how much longer?"
"Not yet. I need more time."
I can feel the atmosphere get more tense.
Everything's gonna be okay. Everything's gonna be okay.
Yea right it is.
Shut the kriff/fuck up.
No you.
I look at Hunter and Crosshair, who are sealing another pair of blast doors. I look over at Tech, who's pressing a few buttons before saying, "I've got it. We can unplug him now." And then he takes off his helmet, showing his receding hairline.
Echo turns around, and Rex and I start unplugging him, ripping off a wire from one side of his neck, and then the other. Echo clutches onto the control panel, I can tell it hurts a lot.
Sorry.
And then Rex rips out the last cable from his head, and Echo falls to the ground, groaning slightly. "Rex?"
"What is it?" Rex looks concerned. Echo coughs a bit, before smiling slightly. "I got a big headache."
"Better to feel something than nothing, old buddy," Rex says, smiling.
"At least your sense of humor's still intact. Now what our fucking plan on getting outta here?" I ask.
Echo coughs slightly. "There's an exhaust vent that leads to the cooling systems right there," he says, pointing upwards at a circular vent on the ceiling.
"They've breached the front door," Hunter reports. "It won't be long before they're through the second."
I look up at the exhaust vent. How the kriff are we supposed to get up there?
Echo uses his cybernetic arm and plugs it into the control panel, turning some stuff. "That should get it open."
I look up. The exhaust vent opens, revealing an upwards tunnel that's glowing blue.
"Great. Now how do we get up there?" Crosshair asks. Bro literally spoke my mind.
"I can help with that," Wrecker replies, and I see him grabbing a slightly confused Hunter and throwing him up the vent.
"WRECKER WHAT R U DOING-"
I hold back a laugh as Hunter shouts, "A heads-up would've been nice!"
One by one, Wrecker throws each of us up the vent, and after he throws Tech up, it's my turn.
"Just don't grab me by the ass," I warn him, for obvious reasons.
So he grabs me by the sides and throws me up, and I grab the side of the vent, climbing up behind Tech. Rex follows behind me. Fives and Echo usually do that, but I guess since Echo's not really functioning right now and Fives is DEAD COS FUCKING FOX KILLED HIM-
Rex just likes to make sure I don't fall to my death. I'm really tempted to kick him.
We climb up to reach the cooling systems and Crosshair helps me up. I hear an explosion down below and assume that's Wrecker's work.
We walk through the cooling vents and Rex and I help Echo walk. Echo says that he can find us a safe way outta here. My fingers are slightly cold, because it's a cooling system, obviously. My gloves don't help much, considering they leave my fingers exposed. It's a design choice. It looks cool.
"Well, there is a way," Echo says, and he's referring to how we're gonna escape this place. "But you're not gonna like it."
We walk through the cooling systems for a while, General Skywalker and Echo leading the way, until we reach a door that opens up to the above of a large metal pipe connecting to another of those floating city buildings. It's windy as we step out. I don't particularly like heights either. Echo was right. I don't like this at all.
"I don't know about this," Rex says as he looks out.
"I'm telling you, there's a landing pad on that other building," Echo says, pointing to the building across the pipe.
"So you think there's a ship there we can steal?" Hunter steps out as well.
"Well, I hope there's a ship we can steal," Echo replies.
R u serious right now bro
"Let's hope this trip isn't for nothing," Hunter says as General Skywalker, Echo and Rex start walking across the pipe.
If it is, I'm definitely hacking your Call of Duty account and using up all your COD points.
I follow behind Rex, and Hunter and the batch are behind me.
"Oh boy, I can't even look," I hear Wrecker say from the back.
"Then don't," I reply from the front.
"Just keep walking, Tech," Wrecker says.
"That's fine, but if you fall don't take me with you."
"Uh oh, I looked," Wrecker sounds scared. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
"If you vomit don't vomit on Tech," I tell him.
"Hang on Wrecker, we're almost there," Hunter tries to calm down a currently very freaked out Wrecker.
I hear that familiar sound of droids coming from the front, and draw my knife and pistol, trying to keep my balance on the pipe. To be honest, drawing my weapons makes it easier.
"Turn around! Go back!" General Skywalker shouts from the front, and I see him igniting his lightsaber. When we turn around, we see some more droids coming from the back.
Shit. We're either fucked or very fucked.
I hear General Skywalker deflecting a blast bolt at a droid and Tech shoots another, I throw one of my knives at one of the droids' heads, and the droid falls from the pipe.
I never liked that knife anyway.
I see Crosshair falling from the pipe and Wrecker, despite his intense af fear of heights, literally jumps down and catches Crosshair, hanging by the legs from a support just below the pipe.
Stupid ass. Bro could've died.
"Anyone got a brilliant idea?" General Skywalker shouts.
"I do have a brilliant idea," Tech responds.
"I'm hanging here!" Wrecker shouts from below.
"When the locals attacked us, I recorded the creature's distress call," Tech says, tapping a few buttons on his datapad.
"He records everything. It's a hobby," Hunter says, as I shoot a few more of the droids, not wanting to use my knives because those things are expensive.
"Which allows us to call those flying creatures to us," Tech continues, and presses a button which produces a really high-pitched screeching noise, and we cover our ears to try and block out the sound.
"Ow! Enough with the sound!" Wrecker shouts, and he and Crosshair shoot from below. Crosshair's literally hanging from Wrecker, and he literally puts all his trust into Wrecker not to let him fall while he shoots the droids.
Really wish I had friends like that. Oh wait, I did. Yea, that was Fives. And Echo. But I was closer to Fives.
"There is our ride out of here!" Tech says, pointing at some shadows in the clouds which I could only assume to be the flying creatures that he called, and we all look up at them as they fly up and past us.
"Now how do we get on them?" General Skywalker asks, and I shoot another droid.
We jump you fucking dumbass.
"How else? We jump," Tech replies as the flying creatures fly below us, and General Skywalker jumps and lands on one of them.
You can do this.
I can hear my heart pounding in my chest, and I see Hunter looking at me expectantly, and because I have to impress the batch, I use what little strength is left in my legs and jump off, trying not to close my eyes.
I land on one of them, on its back. I'm breathing heavily. That choking feeling when I'm in a life-threatening situation starts surfacing, and I'm trying to calm down, gulping down dust-filled air like I'm resurfacing from a deep dive.
And now I'm starting to get angry. Getting scared like this makes me feel weak in front of the others. I don't like it. I hate this.
Suddenly, a blaster bolt whizzes past my head, and I look back seeing a bunch of droids shooting at us.
Gotta steer this thing. But I don't know how. My legs grip the flying creature tighter, because I have no interest in dying today.
I turn back and aim with my pistol, lining the back sight up with the front sight and aiming slightly below the droid's head, and I shoot. It hits the droid in the head and I shoot at the others.
We fly sideways, and I was just aiming at another droid when I feel a sharp pain shoot through my right hand. It slams against a rock, hard, and my pistol flies out of my hand, and my hand doesn't feel so good. I grit my teeth as I'm almost thrown off the flying creature, and I'm hanging on for dear life on the creature's tail with my left hand.
I can barely move my right hand, it hurts so much. But with one last clench of my fist, which sends jolts of pain shooting down my arm, I shoot my grappling hook at the back of the creature, pulling myself up as I retract my grappling hook.
"Hey ad'ika! How you holding up?" I hear Echo shout from the flying creature next to me.
I take a few moments to regain my sense of surroundings and find out that we outmaneuvered all the droids.
Should I shout back? That could come off as cringe to the batch.
I nod at him as we land back in the Poletec village. Before the flying creature lands, I jump off and land on my feet, dusting myself off, at least hoping to look slightly cool to the batch. My injured hand throbs as I land, but I try to act as if it doesn't hurt at all.
The Poletec leader comes up to us and starts shouting shit at us.
"Their leader is impressed that we tamed the Keeradaks," Tech translates. "But he wants to know why we returned here."
"Tell him we had no choice. Tell him...that we wore out our welcome in Purkoll," General Skywalker tells Tech, who translates and speaks back to the Poletec leader in that weird ass language again.
I nudge Crosshair in the side. "Keep reminding Tech about how goofy he sounds rn." Crosshair nods back, and I think he has the biggest smirk ever under that helmet.
Suddenly, blaster fire rains down from above, and I draw my other pistol with my good hand, General Skywalker ignites his lightsaber. The flying creatures take flight and fly away, and Crosshair shoots at the incoming droids, hitting one and sending it spiraling to the ground, leaving behind a trail of smoke. I manage to hit one as well with my pistol, and as the droids fly away, I keep my pistol in my hand, my other arm hanging by my side as I try not to move it.
"Not good," General Skywalker says. "If I know Tambor, he'll come after us. Us and the Poletecs, with everything he's got."
The Poletec leader starts talking shit to us again.
"What's he saying, Tech?" General Skywalker asks.
"He says that we have broken our word. We have brought the war to his village."
"You're right," Rex speaks up, stepping forward and taking off his helmet. "Tell him he's right, Tech. Tell him we didn't plan to drag his people into war. But look what the Separatists did to one of our people." He points at Echo, and all the Poletecs look at him, all gasping, looking slightly horrified.
"They took away his freedom, his humanity. They tried to turn him into a machine. The Techno Union claim they're neutral, but they have chosen sides. Now your people have to choose."
"Couldn't have said it better, Rex," General Skywalker says.
That was a good speech, Da-Rex.
Crosshair scoffs. "Let's hope it works. Because I see forces coming. More than we can handle alone."
Our Own Choices
Chapter 4
Separatist attack! After the destruction of the outpost on the Rishi moon, General Grievous and Asajj Ventress plan an attack on the planet Kamino, home of the cloning factories. Meanwhile, aboard a Jedi cruiser, Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi examine an intercepted message from General Grievous.
Rex comes into the barracks soon enough, and I'm showing Fives and Echo this new song on the holonet called "Toxic" from Boywithuke when Rex walks in. My helmet's sitting at the side, I trust Fives and Echo enough to not reveal my secret to the Kaminoans.
When Rex walks in, Fives and Echo stand at attention and I'm just leaning against the wall behind them.
"I'm guessing you have something to tell us?" I ask Rex.
"Mhm. Separatists are planning an attack on Kamino. We're going home."
And then Rex walks out of the room.
"Kamino?! This just got personal," Fives says, Echo agrees with him.
"I'm guessing I'm gonna be the only one out of you three looking at the bigger picture and not just personally," I roll my eyes. "As much as I hate that place, if it's destroyed, the production of more clones will be stopped, and we will definitely lose the war and all of us will die."
"Hey, you're not the only one looking at the bigger picture," Fives nudges me in the side.
Soon enough, we head out of the jedi cruiser with the other troopers, as usual I'm walking behind the rest, my helmet on.
So we take a stroll through Kamino, a place that I never wanted to go back to.
"Ah, look around Fives. Feels like yesterday we were here," Echo says as a group of younger clones pass us. "Heading to target practice."
"Heh, remember that?"
"Do I ever."
"Feels like yesterday I was here, heading to cleaning duty," I mutter under my breath.
And then in front of us I see 99, struggling with carrying a few guns, dropping a few on the floor. I run over and help him pick some up, he doesn't recognize me with the helmet on.
"Hey, 99!" Echo calls out.
Well, 99 can recognize them, but not me.
"Heh, you actually remembered us," Fives sounds slightly impressed.
"Oh, I remember all my brothers. Is Hevy here? Where's he?"
I don't even think he remembers me.
"Hevy's dead. Sacrificed himself on the Rishi outpost," I explain for Echo and Fives. I can talk about his death so casually now, I get over these kinds of things quite quickly.
"He saved our lives, but he gave up his own," Echo continues.
"Oh, uh, I see," 99 says, showing Echo and Fives some random medal thing that they probably got in the past.
"Hevy...gave you his medal?" Fives asks.
99 closes his eyes for a moment, before asking,"So, why have you returned to Kamino?"
"Wasn't my choice," I tell him. My helmet's still on, I can't take it off with all the Kaminoans and other troopers here.
"The Generals received word of an impending attack here," Fives explains.
"Well, how can I help?"
Fives and Echo give each other a look before nodding at each other, and they tell 99 the plan.
"So uh, 99, do you remember...me?" I ask.
"Not with your helmet on," 99 replies. "Why not you take it off? We're safe for now."
"Not safe for me. I have no interest in going back to cleaning duty."
"It's you...you're that female clone, aren't you? So...you're a soldier now?"
I nod. "Keep your voice down, we don't want others to hear that."
"Oh right, sorry," 99 whispers. "So are you gonna join those...yknow...group of different clones?"
"You mean the ipad kid, the one with dog shit for hair, the buff af one, and the old man?"
Fives and Echo hold in their laughter, but I can see it on their faces.
99 chuckles, "Yea, you ever thought about maybe joining them?"
I think for a moment, and as I'm about to reply, the lighting turns red, signaling an attack. I see other troopers running to the front, and Fives and Echo are called in by the commander, and I follow them.
We reach the dude that sent for Fives and Echo.
"Sir, you sent for us?"
"It's a dangerous assignment, but I want you two up on the bridge in sniper positions."
"Yes sir, we're on it."
And then as Fives and Echo head up to the bridge, the dude stops me before I can run off with them.
"Aren't you a bit young to be fighting?" he asks. "Get in there with the others."
"With all due respect sir, I can handle myself," I say. "Besides, someone's gotta cover Fives and Echo." Without waiting for a response, I run off to the bridge.
I can hear the blaster fire already starting, I don't look back, I just keep running.
I reach Fives and Echo, where they're dealing with some of the droids already. I narrowly miss a blaster bolt to the face, and take cover next to them.
"There's gotta be a better defensive position than this, this place is shitty to snipe from," I say as I start shooting at the droids down below.
I see 99 coming up behind us. "I...I brought you some ammo," he says, dropping the bag on his shoulder.
"Is there a better spot than this, a better defensive position we can take?" Fives asks.
"Droids! Behind us!" Echo shouts, and Fives pushes 99 to the ground to let him take cover.
I notice that there are grenades in the bag that 99 was carrying, which is now lying on the ground, so I take one of them from the bag and throw it at the droids.
The grenade explodes on contact, knocking all the droids down.
"There's more," 99 says, pointing at where the smoke is clearing.
Echo, Fives and I point our blasters at that area, until I see some kids walking out. They look like 12 year olds, 2 years younger than me.
"Cadets, what're you doing here?" Echo asks.
"We got separated from our group," one of the kids says.
"Where were they taking you?"
"The barracks."
"Oh, I know the best way there," 99 says, and we all follow him as he half-runs to the barracks.
We reach the barracks and the kids sit down on the beds.
"What are we gonna do?" one of them asks.
Fives and Echo look down at the floor.
"A separatist victory means...death...for all of us," 99 says.
"Oh hell nah I have no interest in dying today," I lean against a wall.
"The cadet is right. What are we gonna do?" 99 asks.
"We fight."
I look to the side, and see commander Cody and Rex taking off their helmets.
"Ayyy Rex, what took you so long?" I ask when I see him. Rex rolls his eyes.
The cadets stand up. "But our training's not finished."
Fives steps forward. "Look around. We're one and the same. Same heart, same blood. Your training is in your blood. And my blood's boiling for a fight."
"That's one of the most useful things you've said today," I nudge Fives in the side.
"This is our home. This is our war," Echo says.
"What about weapons?" one of the cadets asks.
"The armory," 99 suggests. "It's just a few corridors away, here in the barracks. I can retrieve all the firepower we need. So who wants to blast some droids?"
Rex, Cody, Fives, Echo and I give a downwards nod of respect to 99 and Rex, Cody and I head to the armory with 99.
"Here it is, everything we need is here," 99 says, he's panting a bit.
Rex and Cody get some weapons and I get a few pistols, a few grenades, and just stuff them on my belt, running out of the room and passing a few to the cadets.
"What about you?" one of them asks as I hand them my second last pistol.
"I only need 1 pistol."
I hear one of the droids shooting at the door to the barracks, and as the door opens, we start shooting at them through the door. As the droids advance, we back up, finding whatever cover we can get behind boxes or the beds.
I hear some blaster bolts whizz past my shoulder, and I take cover with Fives and Echo, shooting at the droids. As they advance, we continue backing up, taking some more cover behind the boxes. Rex throws a grenade at the droids, which misses, and I can feel the force of the explosion from here.
"Cadets, now!" Rex shouts into the comlink and the cadets start shooting at the droids from the high ground where they were initially hidden from view. They manage to knock down quite a few droids, making it much easier.
Cody throws another grenade at the droids, and as the smoke clears, more droids start coming in.
I hear 99 get shot, and he's tryna make his way to the armory. I run towards the droids, strafing so that I avoid blaster fire, and I try to slice up the droids as fast as I can with my sword, and when Fives and Echo help me shoot down the last one, I look back and I see 99's body on the floor. It feels like someone tightened their grip on my stomach, and I run to 99, kneeling beside him as Echo holds him in his arms.
"We..." Cody sighs. "Lost a true soldier."
"He really was one of us."
I bite my lip under my helmet, I can feel the tears coming but I don't let them flow, so I just walk away and sit on one of the beds, looking away, softly singing under my helmet to distract myself from 99's body. ("Toxic" from Boywithuke my new fav song lmao)
Later, all of us start walking out to the outdoor platform, the battle has ended. I'm leaning against a wall, watching Echo and Fives do their thing. I still have the grenades clipped to my belt, I'm throwing my knife up in the air and catching it, just like I always do.
I see Rex motioning for me to come over with Echo and Fives, and we all stand at attention (I'm just following what Echo and Fives are doing, just because I have no idea what I'm supposed to do)
"You all really stepped up in the heat of battle," Cody says.
"We did what we had to do, sir," Echo says.
"What any clone would've done," Fives continues.
"All of you showed valor out there. Real courage. Reminds me of me, actually," Rex says.
"Don't flatter yourself, we all already know," I smirk under my helmet, Rex chuckles a bit, looking at me.
"Echo, Fives, Aris, you're officially being made ARC troopers," Cody says. Echo looks at Fives, and we're all kind of a bit in shock.
"I don't think the Separatists will be coming back anytime soon," Rex says. "But if they do, Kamino will be lucky to have clones like you defending it. Good job, men."
Rex and Cody salute and Fives and Echo does the same, so I just follow them.
As I walk away with Rex, he pats me on the back. "Good job ad'ika."
"Rex, I don't wanna be an ARC trooper," I say quietly.
"Why not?" Rex looks confused.
"Too many expectations. I'm not like Fives or Echo. I'm just a kid. And besides, I don't deserve this, 99 does."
"Kid, 99's-"
"Dead, yea I know, and I've accepted that, just don't make me an ARC trooper, okay?"
Rex sighs. "Okay, ad'ika."
I nod at him. "Thanks dad."
Rex chuckles a bit.
"Okay fine, you can call me that."