Where The Bad Batch Are At The End Of The Clone Wars
Clone Force 99, also known as the "Bad Batch," has taken the Star Wars universe by a storm ever since their introduction in season 7 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The team of elite operatives with favorable genetic mutations (Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker, and Tech) also welcomed fan-favorite clone trooper Echo into their ranks, turning the group into an unstoppable five-man squad.
With Star Wars: The Bad Batch coming in hot on none other than the upcoming Star Wars Day (May the Fourth), hype has been building up rapidly thanks to the animated series' content and setting. Ever since the release of the show's official trailer back in December 2020, fans have been speculating on several hot issues, such as where the Bad Batch might be at in the Star Wars timeline:
1. Approaching The End of the Clone Wars
While the precise "starting time" of The Bad Batch is not confirmed, one could reasonably speculate that the series begins sometime between the Battle of Anaxes and the execution of Order 66. As part of the Outer Rim campaigns toward the end of the Clone Wars, the Bad Batch are likely sent on special missions in yet-to-be-introduced locations before they are recalled back to Kamino, as revealed in the trailer.
A probable story arc for this time period would be one on Zygerria, the home planet to the notorious Zigerrian slave empire introduced in earlier seasons of The Clone Wars series. The trailer features a number of shots of the planet, including a fight scene between a Zygerrian slaver and Hunter (who is wearing his clone armor).
There is also a remote possibility of an arc on Kashyyyk - the Bad Batch was originally set to appear in such an arc in The Clone Wars show before the series was cancelled. Fans therefore theorize the incorporation of the team's mission on Kashyyyk, in which they embark on a mission to fight Babwa Venomor, a Trandoshan Separatist leader in the planetary war. The team may even witness Order 66, as Jedi Masters Luminara Unduli and Yoda are present on the planet (as seen in Revenge of the Sith).
2. The Inhibitor Chips and Order 66
Another heated topic of discussion among fans is the role of inhibitor chips - while the original four-member team may not have had inhibitor chips implanted (as they were initially regarded as rejects), Echo would definitely have had an inhibitor chip when the execution of Order 66 was ordered, as he was bred, trained, and fought as a regular clone trooper throughout The Clone Wars series.
An important question therefore arises: did (and how did) the Bad Batch find out about the inhibitor chips? Tech and Echo, being the brains of the team, may play a role in uncovering the grand scheme of things on their own, and it would be nice to see The Bad Batch tie with season 7 of The Clone Wars - possibly linking with the message from Fives or the report by Rex on the inhibitor chips.
The Bad Batch also carries enormous potential in explaining whether and how the team removed the chips. The official trailer shows that the Bad Batch is on Kamino (along with many other clone troopers and Kamino security forces in an assembly area) to watch Emperor Palpatine's iconic Empire ascension speech in the Galactic Senate building. There were also multiple scenes of the new (Death Trooper predecessor?) "elite squad troopers," with the Bad Batch likely finding themselves in skirmishes or all-out fights with the ordinary clones, who may have been ordered to hunt down the team following a potential "betrayal" by removing the chips and leaving the newly formed Empire.
3. Mercenary Life and Finding New Purpose
According to the official announcement about The Bad Batch series, the end of the Clone Wars and subsequent turmoil leads the group into searching for new purpose. From what was discussed within the Star Wars community, the team would likely become mercenaries and take on daring missions, rather than being enlisted into Imperial forces.
A surprising reveal in the show's trailer was the inclusion of Fennec Shand, a bounty hunter first introduced in The Mandalorian live-action TV series. This possibly hints at the Bad Batch crossing paths with Shand, maybe joining forces as a small, merry band of mercenaries before encountering and/or joining colossal crime syndicates like Crimson Dawn.
Speculations also cover a potential link with Star Wars Rebels, in which clone Captain Rex and Commanders Wolffe and Gregor are revealed to have had their inhibitor chips removed and living on board a retired AT-TE walker. It would be a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
4. (Remote) Connection with the Empire?
Fans have also noted the (canon) comic appearance of "Task Force 99," a team of elite soldiers with individual unique specializations serving the Empire. Also known as Special Commando Advanced Recon (SCAR) Squadron, there are clearly some inspirational ties between it and the Bad Batch. It would be an exciting addition to The Bad Batch series if origins of the Imperial task force are explained and linked with the story of the protagonists.
Source(s): Screen Rant