Crosshair was a crucial member of Clone Force 99 — otherwise known as The Bad Batch. The Bad Batch is named for both their ferocious battlefield style and status as defective clones; when their genetic batch failed, each clone was imbued with a unique set of characteristics. These characteristics, ranging from exceptional strength to above-average tracking skills, created a nontraditional yetsuccessful clone force. While they are united in their black sheep-of-the-family status, the clones differ in their core beliefs.
Season 1 ofStar Wars: The Bad Batchshowed a break in the clone brotherhood. The Bad Batch witnessed andfailed to carry out Order 66.Because of their genetic oddity, the clones were not as affected by their inhibitor chips. This eventually revealed a split between those who remained loyal to the newfound Empire without the influence of the chip (Crosshair), and those critical of the Empire (everyone else). The remainder of the season followed Crosshair’s criminal pursuit of the Bad Batch and their attempts at evading him and the Empire.
In season two, the series pivoted to have Vice Admiral Rampart (and by extension, the Empire) as the primary antagonist. Crosshair has ceased chasing his brothers, and he returned to his role as a clone commando and sniper. So far, audiences can learn three things from his return to the Empire: Crosshair is an incredibly talented marksman, he isstillan outcast among clones, and he is in terrible, terrible danger.
Crosshair is Alive… and a Liar
After the destruction of Kamino in season one, it was unclear whether Crosshair survived. He remained on a vacant landing platform as his brothers boardedThe Marauder. As the Bad Batch escaped their home planet, Crosshair stayed behind, his fate left ambiguous in the season one finale. Season two showed that Crosshair is alive, well, and working for the empire. Ina meeting with Vice Admiral Rampart,Crosshair confessed that he stayed on the shipping platform for thirty-two rotations (i.e., thirty-two days). Crosshair was likely picked up by a patrol, and he returned to his former role because he is a “soldier for the empire.”
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But how loyal is he, really?Star Wars: The Bad Batchestablished that after each mission, Empire forces are required to give a full mission write-up to their superiors. This is hinted at throughStar Wars: The Clone Warsand confirmed when Admiral Rampart killed clone Sergeant Wilco because he refused to falsify his required report. This means that when Crosshair gave his report to the Empire, he either 1) confirmed that the Bad Batch perished or 2) omitted their interactions entirely. Both options paint him in a good light, cover for his clone brothers, and are explicit, unmistakable lies to the Empire.
What’s more, even if Vice Admiral Rampart is the only person that wrote a report, his information had to come from Crosshair. It is an undeniable fact that regardless of who authored what and how it was said: Crosshair lied to the Empire to protect his brothers.
Commander Cody, Crosshair, and the Clones That Defected
Crosshair’s deception isn’t the only concern for this season ofThe Bad Batch. Season two, episode three, “The Solitary Clone” showcased Commander Cody ata pivotal moment in his military career. Like Rex, Fives, and many clone “Regs” depicted inStar Wars, Cody fell victim to his inhibitor chip during the events of Order 66. As time passed and its influence diminished, Cody was left with profound guilt over his actions during the fall of the Republic. As Cody worked alongside Crosshair on a “peaceful, diplomatic mission,” he resisted the violent, authoritarian methods that the Empire now used. His newfound perspective gave the mission-turned-conflict a layer of nuance that Crosshair hasn’t grasped — yet.
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Crosshair and Cody last spoke when they returned to command. The pair stood in front of the Battle Memorial as Codyquestioned the Empire. As he walked away, Cody said, “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.” Whether this is a slight to Crosshair’s cutthroat conduct or a personal admission from Cody, it reveals that more clones are challenging the new tyrannical rule. From Crosshair’s perspective, the Bad Batch defecting might have been painful, but for him, it was a matter of opinion.
Commander Cody, however, is different. This decorated, well-respected, comrade and brother-in-arms planted a seed of doubt in Crosshair’s mind before defecting like many soldiers before him. Did Commander Cody sway Crosshair’s beliefs?CouldCommander Cody sway Crosshair’s beliefs? What led Cody away from the Empire: confirmation of a military dictatorship, or Crosshair’s ironclad dedication?
What’s Waiting in Season Two
Crosshair is in for a wild ride in season two ofStar Wars: The Bad Batch. For Crosshair to emerge from this season completely unscathed, many things would have to be overlooked. The Empire would have to ignore his protection of Clone Force 99, his deception, his involvement in the early events ofThe Bad Batch, and hisgrowing connections to traitorous clones.At this point, everything leading up to season two, episode three has branded Crosshair as at best, suspicious, at worst, a traitor.
Even if every piece of evidence stacked against him had an explanation, it wouldn’t matter. Crosshair is a genetic oddity that the Empire will cast aside at the soonest opportunity. He is a failed relic of the past with questionable allegiance to the cause; the events of “The Solitary Clone” have all but painted a target on his back. Rampart said it best in an icy meeting with Crosshair: “Clone loyalty does not seem to be as advertised anymore… Funny, isn’t it, how these clones around you keep disappearing?”
