Star Wars: The Bad Batch has the opportunity to set up Asajj Ventress’ return as a hero in the established canon. Although she first appears in the Star Wars timeline as a Sith assassin serving Count Dooku, Ventress’ history and fate during the Clone Wars make her far more complex than a simple villain. To that end, Ventress’ imminent return in The Bad Batch may continue her redemption arc seen in The Clone Wars as well as in Dark Disciple written by Christie Golden.
The Empire Is Hunting Force-Sensitive Children
As seen in the episodes of The Bad Batch season 3 released thus far, it’s been confirmed that Project Necromancer is well underway at the dawn of Palpatine’s Galactic Empire. Seeking to provide the Emperor with viable clone host bodies for his spirit to be transferred into in the event of his death, the key is creating clones that are also Force-sensitive. However, it’s a task that’s easier said than done due to most midichlorian count samples either diminishing or degrading the clone body.
To that end, The Bad Batch season 3, episode 8 confirms that the Empire has open contracts for M-count targets. It seems as though they constantly need new donors as the Empire’s Advanced Science Division keeps teasing various blood samples in the hopes of finding a match with the right genetic markers that can maintain a high enough M-count for Palpatine’s needs. This explains why Omega is so coveted by the Empire with the confirmation that her blood has the right genetic traits to successfully accept an M-count transfusion, exactly what they need for Project Necromancer.
Asajj Ventress Has Always Cared Too Much About Children
At the end of The Bad Batch season 3, episode 8, Fennec Shand sends a message to an unknown and off-screen figure, confirming that she had just pulled off a job with two clones asking about the Empire’s M-count bounties. To that end, the odds are good that Ventress was the one on the other line, having connections and her own network with various bounty hunters that could easily include Fennec. That said, it’s very unlikely that Ventress will be seeking out Hunter and Wrecker as a means to deliver on an M-count bounty herself.
Despite becoming a bounty hunter in the Clone Wars’ final days, it’s doubtful Asajj Ventress would accept the Empire’s M-count bounties. The idea of kidnapping kids clashes with her own tragic past where she was taken by the Nightsisters as a child and subsequently enslaved. Likewise, Ventress’ job with Boba Fett proves she’s against dealing with kids when it was revealed that they were delivering a young girl to a prince against her will, having been taken from her family. Rather than continue with the job, Ventress saves the girl and allows her to return with her family.
FAQ
Will Asajj Ventress return as a hero in The Bad Batch?
While nothing is confirmed, the setup in The Bad Batch suggests the possibility of Ventress’ return as a hero, continuing her redemption arc.
What is Project Necromancer in The Bad Batch?
Project Necromancer is an initiative by the Empire to create viable clone host bodies for Emperor Palpatine, utilizing Force-sensitive clones to achieve this goal.
Why is Omega important to the Empire in The Bad Batch?
Omega possesses the genetic traits necessary to accept an M-count transfusion, making her a valuable asset for Project Necromancer.
Will Asajj Ventress accept M-count bounties from the Empire?
Unlikely, as Ventress has shown a strong aversion to harming children, which conflicts with the Empire’s practice of hunting Force-sensitive children for their M-counts.