By George & Josh Bate
The latest Star Wars book, Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel, takes place between episodes 13 and 14 of the hit series Star Wars: The Bad Batch, meaning the beloved Tech is still alive in the novel. Author Lamar Giles takes full advantage of this fact by richly expanding upon Tech’s burgeoning romance with Phee.
Unlike the series, which doesn’t really go beyond the point of flirting with the two characters, Giles gives Pheetech shippers plenty of love to feast on here. The novel is more overt in its handling of Tech and Phee’s feelings toward one another, although never in a way that contradicts how they were depicted in the series. Some of the novel’s most touching moments come in the form of Tech’s uncertainty in managing feelings he has never experienced before and Phee’s playful, yet quietly considerate, depiction of her own romantic feelings.
Below are some of the best Tech and Phee romance moments in Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel. Light spoilers ahead.
He liked being in close proximity to Phee. The why and how of that was somewhat of a mystery to him, which was unnerving. He couldn’t crack the calculus of him and her. But he’d keep trying.
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Tech marveled at her audacity.
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Phee settled into the copilot chair next to Tech and leaned close in a way most copilots didn’t. “Me joining you wont make it hard for you to concentrate, will it, Brown Eyes?”
“I’m used to piloting in all sorts of conditions. Through asteroid belts, evading missile attacks, slimy monsters clinging to theh ull. So, your presence, while welcome, won’t distract me.”
“You always know the sweet things a girl wants to hear.”
He cleared his throat and checked his consoles. All ship systems normal. His systems, though… he estimated his body temperature might have raised by at least a degree, and his pulse felt slightly elevated…. as was often the case when Phee was in such close proximity.”
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He liked a lot of what Phee said. And did. He should tell her. Soon.
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Phee: “Hey, Brown Eyes. You’re missing an impressive view.”
Tech: “Somehow, I doubt that.”
Phee: “I was talking about me.”
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Her fingers grazed Tech’s. Two thumbs, barely touching. Tech thought the room got awfully warm.
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Tech: “I’d love more data on the potential number of clone offspring throughout the galaxy, but I imagine that would be hard to come by.”
Phee: “You’re good at solving hard problems. The big question is, if you could gather the data, what would you do with it? What would it mean for ‘you’?”
Tech: “I…”
Tech didn’t know what to say…Tech shoved the chart toward the checkout in a hurry.
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“I haven’t found much joy in this life,” Tech said. “When I have, it’s rarely warranted verbal acknowledgment. If a sunset inspires glee, there’s no point in telling the sun.
“Agreed. I have never met a talkative sun. Where are you going with this?”
“When verbal acknowledgment is warranted, I have come to believe it imperative that the words be spoken. I enjoy putting your mind at ease. That makes me happy.”
Phee grinned slyly and placed her hand over his on the console. Her touch was welcome.
She said, “Acknowledgment appreciated. You can keep going if you want.”
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Tech was next to Phee – no space between them. They bumped elbows as they dug into their plates. Their thighs brushed. Tech said, ‘Are you enjoying the meal?’
Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel is now available.
