"Rex, Cody and Clone Force 99, an unorthodox, elite squad also known as the Bad Batch, look to recover the Republic’s strategy algorithm from Admiral Trench. But a haunting truth awaits…”
As you’ve probably heard by now, Dave Filoni surprised the world at San Diego Comic-Con by announcing they would finally be airing a seventh season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on the Disney streaming service. The 12-episode season will wrap up storylines and unfinished arcs that were left on the table after the show was cancelled back in 2014.
One of those stories was a four-episode arc, starting with an episode titled “Bad Batch”, and was set to kick off season seven. The episodes, written by Brent Friedman, were one of the few remaining production titles that were released online, although unfinished, and made available to the public. It focuses on a unique squad of clones called “Clone Force 99” who teamed up with Republic forces to stop CIS Admiral Trench and his Separatist forces from destroying the Republic Shipyards on Anaxes.
While Clone Force 99 was accompanied by familiar Republic clone troopers CC-2225 “Cody”, CT-7567 “Rex”, CT-5597 “Jesse” and CT-6116 “Kix”, they themselves were a unique group of “altered” clones who underwent genetic experiments at the hands of the Kaminoans. They were attempting to make “super soldiers” from clones who were born with what they called “desirable genetic mutations” which separated them from the rest of their fellow clone troopers.
The end results were four troopers that looked and sounded different from the rest of the clones or “regs” and even each other, taking on distinguishable characteristics which made telling them apart quite easy. Because of their unique abilities, mutations, unorthodox style and aggressive attitudes, they were given the nickname “Bad Batch”. In the series, it’s Commander Cody’s idea to bring them in, mentioning he’s worked with them before. And although characters such as Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker figure into the storyline, it focuses mostly on the relationship between Cody, Rex and Clone Force 99.
So, what’s so special about the “Bad Batch”? Let’s have a look…
HUNTER
While Clone Force 99 didn’t directly report to anyone, Sergeant Hunter was most definitely the leader of the Bad Batch. His combat abilities superseded that of the others and thanks to his mutation, had greatly enhanced senses including an off the charts sense of smell and the capability to sense strong electromagnetic emissions from great distances.
He’s the most congenial of the squad but very straightforward and businesslike in his approach. He armed himself with two DC-17 hand blasters and was highly skilled in with a vibrobalde, preferring to fight up close and personal.
CROSSHAIR
The aptly named Crosshair was the sharpshooter of the group outfitting himself with 773 Firepuncher blaster rifle. Likely the most unapproachable of the team, he didn’t say much and was aloof when it came time to work with others. It was Crosshair who referred to the regular Clone troopers as “regs” and was quick to point out their flaws.
His no-nonsense approach and dry personality put him at odds with the other members of his team on occasion but when it came for action, Crosshair was as good as they come at taking out battle droids. 
TECH
The “brains” of the group, Tech’s mutation gave him unparalleled skills in the fields of technology, engineering, decryption and languages. He was the most physically altered during the cloning process and barely resembles the Jango Fett style of Clone we’re used to seeing.
His high functioning brain meant he was very talkative and open to conversations about almost anything that came to his mind. Preferring technology and gadgets over standard weapons, Tech’s modified suit came equipped with a specialized visor which doubled as a computer display. While he did carry and use a blaster, he had a computer terminal installed into his right forearm which he used for quick calculations, translations and recordings.
WRECKER
Finally, we have Wrecker, the brawn of the group. His mutations gave Wrecker vast superhuman strength which he proved by lifting an LAAT gunship on his own. He was as you would expect someone to be who had enormous amounts of strength, brash, bold and loud. He was short tempered and seemed to enjoy blowing things up and destroying battle droids by the dozens.
He is most definitely the strongest personally of the Bad Batch and that would occasionally cause tensions with other members, mostly Crosshair. The most heavily armed of the squad, Wrecker would carry with him a Z-6 rotary blaster cannon, a rocket launcher and a DC-17MBR.
So, there’s the Bad Batch, George Lucas's version of the Dirty Dozen and a group we should see a lot of if the new Clone Wars trailer is to be believed. If you watch the unfinished version of these episodes and compare them to the beginning of the trailer, I think you’ll make that connection since its pretty obvious. You can watch the trailer again below and keep an eye out for Hunter at the beginning standing beside Anakin.
What does everybody think? Other than the "Bad Batch" arc, what other storylines will we see? "Siege of Mandalore" seems likely, but what else?
Now, we just sit and wait! Next year can’t come soon enough…
Till next time…MTFBWY.
Pictures courtesy of StarWars.com
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