The Clone Wars One Shots

Hearing Impaired Part 5

Weeks later, not one member of the Bad Batch had recovered from Crosshair's betrayal. Who could blame you? It felt so surreal, like some cruel nightmare that you were still waiting to wake up from. How could this have happened?

Tech and Omega had explained the existence and function of the inhibitor chips, and theorized that the Kaminoan doctors had somehow intensified the programming of Crosshair's upon realizing that he had nearly obeyed Order 66. It made sense, but still felt wrong. Not incorrect, just cruel beyond imagination. How were you supposed to get him back? How could you possibly remove something from his head that you knew nothing about? Removing the chip could kill him, for all you knew. You couldn't risk that. You wouldn't hurt your brother, not after everything you had been through together.

Your family's plans had been constantly changing since you escaped Kamino. Living on Saleucami was a bust, as was hiding out on Idaflor. Now, you worked for a former Jedi informant named Cid, who owned a run-down parlor on Ord Mantell. You worked as mercenaries for her, and she paid you small portions of what she earned from each job. Nobody thought your cut was fair, but you understood. It wasn't a coincidence that your misfit squadron had been able to stay in one place for so long without being tracked down. You were sure Cid had a hand in it. She protected you, and the small payments were just the cherry on top.

Unfortunately, this agreement hadn't been fully explained to your group, who were big spenders. When Cid revealed the enormous debt you had acquired, you nearly passed out. Unsurprisingly, a large portion of it was due to Wrecker and Omega's tradition of buying and consuming Mantell mix by the carton after every mission, but you couldn't blame them for it. Mantel mix was too delicious to pass up.

That fateful day was when a familiar face turned up in the parlor.

The man, the myth, the legend himself:

Captain Rex.

He told you about the dangers of the inhibitor chips, and how if you knew what was best for you, you'd get yours out as soon as possible. Seeing as his had been removed yet he was still just as badass as ever, you determined that the chips weren't necessary for survival, and had likely been added to the genetic codes of each clone after they were created, not during the process. Still creepy, but slightly less terrifying.

You travelled to Bracca to remove your chips onboard the wreckage of a Venator-class ship that had been buried in rubble. After several challenges, your group made it to the medical bay, where Wrecker's chip would be the first to be removed.

You and Echo set up the equipment needed for the operation as Tech prepared Wrecker. He had located an anomaly near the large clone's right orbital floor, which you safely assumed was the chip. All that was left to do was cut open Wrecker's head, remove it, and stitch everything back together. Simple enough, for three geniuses such as yourselves.

But not really.

Just as it seemed things were going right, the chip reacted to its near-termination. In one last, desperate act, it seized control of Wrecker - a fact that was unbeknownst to you at the moment.

When Tech was just about to administer the anesthetics for the operation, Wrecker seized him around the throat and hurled him at you, slamming both of you back into the wall. Tech was knocked out immediately from the impact, but you swung in and out of consciousness as battle raged around you for several minutes before coming too, head pounding.

As you groggily opened your eyes, a strange sensation filled your head, causing you to freeze. It was similar to what you had felt when Order 66 was first issued, but stronger. However, something felt different. You couldn't explain it, but it was almost like something inside your own mind was slowly separating from the rest of your thoughts. It felt like instinct, or that little voice of reason, but different.