Armor Squad

**Armor Squad** was a military unit of clone troopers organized as part of the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Activated in 20 BBY, two years into the war in response to the Republic military enhancement bill, the squad was placed under the leadership of Sergeant CT-87-4192 as part of the 87th Legion. Assigned to Chagrian Jedi General Kuuzon Ixaz and his Padawan Siobhan Keena, their Legion would participate in several extended planetary campaigns as part of the Outer Rim Sieges.

Assigned as one of General Ixaz's routine security details, Armor Squad would become trusted companions of the Jedi General and his Padawan, frequently fighting at their sides in battle and seeing to their safety off the field. This frequent accompaniment led its members to be present with the Jedi when Order 66 was issued by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, under which they executed both Jedi. Under the influence of their inhibitor chips, the squad would continue to serve during the Republic reorganization in the Galactic Empire, enforcing the rollout of new Imperial laws and policies across former Republic space.

By 15 BBY, however, the Empire had elected to replace the rapidly-aging Clone Troopers with a military force drawn directly from its population, and the remaining members of the 87th Legion were honorably discharged and Armor Squad disbanded. While the Republic had promised legislation to allow for retirement pensions for its clone soldiers, the new Imperial regime constantly delayed or failed to pass votes on bills until the issue was forgotten. With even the relief housing projects meant to provide for them underfunded, the former Sergeant CT-4192 took several members of his squad to seek stability on their own, only to end up in the slums of Nar Shaddaa.

## History

### Training and Formation

Armor Squad's members would each be 'born' as part of Kamino's cloning program for the Republic in 30 BBY, when they were removed from their growth pods. Aging at twice the rate of normal humans, the individuals were trained in simulator facilities and mass classrooms in Tipoca City by bounty hunters hired out by the Kaminoans overseeing the program. When war between the Republic and Separatist alliance broke out in 22 BBY, the clones which would become Armor Squad were still too young. Doubts were cast about whether they would ever deploy when objections in the Galactic Senate were raised about the purchase of additional troopers, but the Republic military enhancement bill was ultimately signed and production of Clone soldiers continued.

In 20 BBY, two years into the Clone Wars, the 87th Legion of the Grand Army of the Republic was formed, and the clone troopers deemed old enough to deploy for combat were drafted into its structure. As the members of the 87th sought to carve out identities for themselves, the members of 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, 1st Company, of the 443rd Battalion took the moniker Armor Squad, and each trooper adopted a nickname based on pieces of the armor they'd studied in training. The 87th would be placed under the leadership of Zabrak General Kuuzon Ixaz, a newly-knighted member of the Jedi Order rushed through his own final Trials to replace Jedi lost to the ongoing war. At his side would be his Pantoran Padawan learner Siobhan Keena, and Commander Slack, CC-3091.

### Battle of Den Tr'boso (20 BBY)

The 87th's first taste of combat came at the Battle of Den Tr'boso, a relatively small skirmish over a potential staging area in its region of the Outer Rim. During the fighting, Armor Squad was called upon by General Ixaz first as a battlefield escort, then as part of the force marshaled to carry out a daring plan led by the Jedi. The battle also marked the 87th's first chance to see Jedi in action, which greatly impressed the clones of Armor Squad. It would also, unfortunately, mark the squad's first casualty, as Trooper CT-87-7499, nicknamed Sabaton, was cut down by blaster fire from a B2-series Super Battle Droid.

### Imperial Service and Dissolution

After settling on Nar Shaddaa, Gambeson did his best to secure housing and employment for his former squad, but finding either proved difficult. While a few secured apartments in run-down mass housing blocks, such as Megablock 17, other squad members—including Hauberk—sought makeshift shelter closer to the manual labor work they managed to find. Even then, Gambeson made more-than-weekly rounds to check up on his former squad, doing what little he could to ensure their well-being.

Unfortunately, Gambeson himself would begin to suffer health complications in 4 ABY. Without means to purchase treatment, he did his best to hide his deteriorating condition even from his friends and carry on. His squad saw through the ruse easily, but only after Gambeson collapsed during a visit to Hauberk did they forcibly bring him to Sector Q-26 Medical Tower #3 for treatment. Seeking credits to pay for his recovery, Hauberk would indebt himself to Bargos the Hutt and begin working for the small-time crime lord.

## Members

* Sgt. Gambeson (CT-87-4192)
* Cpl. Gorget (CT-87-7146)
* Tpr. Hauberk (CT-87-3594)
* Tpr. Sabaton (CT-87-7499) (KIA 20 BBY, Battle of Den Tr'boso)
* Tpr. Spaulder (CT-87-2216)
* Tpr. Rondel (CT-87-5107)
* Tpr. Brigandine (CT-87-5117)
* Tpr. Barbute (CT-87-1180)
* Tpr. Cuirass (CT-87-3235)
* Tpr. Greave (CT-87-8573)

## Behind the Scenes

Armor Squad was created for a game of FFG's Star Wars tabletop RPG, as part of the background for player character Hauberk.

* Plot ideas
	+ Sgt Gambeson isn't getting better; his treatment is going to cost more. This means more debt to Bargos the Hutt, and other members of the squad might start seeking money themselves and get into trouble.
		- One of the troopers seeks out prize money fighting in Nar Shaddaa's arenas, and ends up in debt and hurt himself. The party might find him as he's about to take part in "a one-day-only recreation of the Clone Wars!" against reactivated CIS droids, voiced over by an enthusiastic announcer.