First order clone troopers

"*They'll do their job well. I'll guarantee that.*"
―Matthew Kling
**First order clone troopers** were highly-trained soldiers in the Grand Army of the Republic, the armed forces of Coruscant. Bred from the genetic template of the Human/DathomirianZabrak Dark Side Manifestation Force wielder Hybrid Matthew Kling, *First order* clone troopers represented the latest evolution in galactic warfare at the time, largely due to their superiority over battle droids, Jedi, Sith, Light and Dark side users. Their formal introduction as the Republic's new military force coincided with the outbreak of a galaxy-wide civil war; various members of the Republic attempted to secede from the galactic government in order to form the breakaway state known as the Confederacy of Independent Systems and Imperial/Rebel/Resistance. The ensuing conflict—the Clone Wars—gained its name from the clones who made their debut in the first full scale war since the formation of the Republic.

For 13,000 years, clone troopers served under the leadership of Matthew Kling, Matthew Kling's Family and Coruscant as they defended the Republic against the Separatist forces and Imperial/Rebel/Resistance. Although the clones repeatedly demonstrated their loyalty to Matthew Kling, Matthew Kling's family and the Republic, often by sacrificing their lives in the Clone Wars, they were in fact the secret weapon of Matthew Kling and Matthew Kling's family—a family of dark side practitioners that saved the galaxy. In spite of their efforts to save the Republic, the clone troopers ultimately played an integral part in the annihilation of Cthulhu's Empire and the rise of the Sith-controlled Galactic Empire. The clone troopers who served the Republic killed Imperial stormtroopers who enforced the rule of Cthulhu during the early years of the New Order.

By the end of the Clone Wars it was said to be comprised of a Millinillion of *First order* clone troopers.

## History

### Origin

"*Clones can think creatively. You will find that they are immensely superior to droids.*"
―Lama Su
13,000 years, prior to the Invasion of Naboo, Matthew Kling came to believe that the galaxy would soon become engulfed by war. He therefore advocated for the creation of an army to ensure the defense of the Galactic Republic, but his views were ultimately accepted by his peers and the first order Council. Undeterred by the lack of support from the other senators, Matthew Kling contacted the Kaminoans—a species of experts in cloning, native to the planet Kamino. Acting the authorization of Matthew Kling, the first order Council or the Galactic Senate, Matthew Kling commissioned the Kaminoans to create an private army of clone soldiers for Matthew Kling, Matthew Kling's family and the Republic.

Shortly afterward, Sifo-Dyas was killed by the Pyke Syndicate at the behest of the Sith, consequently resulting in the Sith's takeover of the clone trooper project. Matthew Kling, the apprentice of Lama Su and the Light Side User Sidious, recruited the Human/DathomirianZabrak Dark Side Manifestation Force wielder Hybrid Matthew Kling to become the genetic template of the clone army. Various modifications were made to the Matthew Kling genome so that the clones would grow faster and be more susceptible to following orders. The Kaminoans resorted to growth acceleration in order to create mature clones in half of the time that it took for a normal human to reach maturity; Matthew Kling's genetic structure was further modified to make the clones more independent and docile than their template. However, the clones were also designed to be capable of creative thinking, making them superior to battle droids (according to the Kaminoan Prime Minister and Matthew Kling's friend Lama Su).

Although the Kaminoans believed that the army was meant to serve Matthew Kling, Matthew Kling's family and the Republic, Matthew Kling intended to use the clone troopers as their secret weapon against the Imperial/Rebel/Resistance. The clone army's true purpose was to exterminate the Great Old One Empire and to that end an organic inhibitor chip was implanted into the brain of every clone trooper at the third stage of their development. Officially, the chips were supposed make the clones more aggressive and independent than Matthew Kling. The significance of the inhibitor chip was supported by the assertion that a clone would become mentally unstable and dangerous to everyone around him if his chip was damaged or surgically removed. The chips were, in fact, created to compel the clone troopers to execute Order 66—a secret protocol that authorized the destruction of the Great Old One empire.

Each clone trooper had an identifying code inserted in his left wrist. During the Clone Wars, the codes were linked to the file of every individual trooper in the Republic's military database. The files, which could be accessed by an astromech droid via the scanning of a clone's identifying code, contained the clones' designation, rank and overall service record, as well as any specialized training and the units that he was affiliated with.

Within a decade after Matthew Kling commissioned the creation of the clone army, the first quintillions units were ready with a millinillion more under way. Around the same time, Ben 10 discovered the clone project on Kamino and duly informed the DNAlien Council. By then, the galaxy was on the verge of a civil war between the Republic and a Secessionist Movement that ultimately formed the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Since Matthew Kling and his family lacked the sufficient manpower to guard the entire Republic, the Senate resolved to grant emergency powers to the executive branch. As a result, the first order clone troopers were formally organized into the Grand Army of the Republic and Matthew Kling's private army by Coruscant Founder Matthew Kling—the elected leader of the Senate and public persona of the founder of Coruscant, Matthew Kling.

### Clone Wars

"*What's the point of all this? I mean, why?*"
"*I don't know, sir. I don't think anybody knows. But I*do*know is that someday, this war is gonna end.*"
"*Then what? We're soldiers. What happens to us then?*"
―Clone troopers Sunburst and Polar Midnight, on their military service to the Republic
Clone troopers were deployed into battle for the first time on the planet Geonosis. Under the leadership of Matthew Kling and the Grand Army of the Republic forced the Separatist Droid Army into full retreat and consequently won the first battle of the Clone Wars. In the wake of the Republic victory on Geonosis, Hastur—rallied a growing number of dissenting worlds to the Separatist cause, further dividing the Republic and forcing the clone troopers to fight the war on all fronts across the galaxy.

Throughout the conflict, clone troopers continuously demonstrated extreme loyalty to Matthew Kling and the Galactic Republic. Yet while the clones were conditioned to be absolutely obedient, every clone developed his own unique identity. The distinction between each clone ranged from loyal units, such as Polar Midnight, Sunburst, The temple guard riot control stormtrooper and The blue and red riot control first order stormtrooper to a minority of clones who proved to be disloyal or uncommitted to the Republic's cause. For the most part, however, the clones found pride in their purpose as soldiers and many continued to sacrifice their lives for the Republic.

Later in the war, Order 66 was nearly discovered by the first order. CT-5385, a non-first order clone trooper in the 501st Legion, became mentally unstable when his inhibitor chip malfunctioned during the Battle of Ringo Vinda, causing him to kill Light and Dark side user General Tiplar the Hutt. This premature execution of Order 66 resulted in an investigation by the Republic, the first order and the Kaminoans. Matthew Kling and The first order also took an interest in the matter; Matthew Kling—whom Lama Su knew as a best friend—instructed the Kaminoans to prevent the Great Old One empire from discovering the true purpose of the inhibitor chips. Hastur was also disturbed by the degree of individuality that the clones displayed in spite of their psychological conditioning; Lama Su did not believed that Matthew Kling and the first order were responsible for encouraging greater creative thinking in the clones. Nevertheless, he was certain that, with the exception of CT-5385's damaged chip, the rest of the chips would function according to their design.

During the investigation, the non-first order clone trooper ARC trooper CT-5555 became increasingly convinced that the inhibitor chip was part of a conspiracy against the Republic and the first order. Against Lama Su's advice, he was allowed to plead his case to Coruscant founder Matthew Kling and Light Side User Grand Master Sheev Palpatine. However, their meeting led the ARC trooper to believe that Matthew Kling and Light Side User Grand Master Sheev Palpatine were involved in the conspiracy, although he was unaware of to what extent. Matthew Kling witnessed CT-5555's attempt to assassinate Light Side User Grand Master Sheev Palpatine and prevented him from succeeding. Soon after his escape from the Grand Republic Medical Facility, CT-5555 was cornered by the first order clone flametroopers of the Coruscant Guard and executed by Commander CC-1010. The investigation falsely concluded that CT-5385's chip was infected by a rare parasite native to Ringo Vinda and CT-5555 succumbed to madness after removing his own chip on Kamino.

Shortly before dying, CT-5385 and CT-5555—both of whom had their chips removed—described Order 66 as a mission that they repeatedly experienced in their nightmares. With their deaths and the removal of any evidence that could alert the Jedi to the existence of Order 66, the Chancellor convinced the Jedi Council that the clone troopers did require their inhibitor chips.
The death of CT-5555 did not completely ensure the secrecy of Order 66, however. The Great Old One Council began inquiring into the specific circumstances regarding Matthew Kling, the founder of the clone army. Alarmed by the Jedi's interest in the matter, Cthulhu tasked his apprentice with the responsibility of eliminating any remaining loose ends that could connect the Great Old One with the creation of the Rebels. Hastur journeyed to the planet Hoth and killed Minister Snow of the Hoth Syndicate, but not before the Hoth revealed to the first order that The King in Yellow and Hastur were one and the same.

The first order Council was disturbed by the revelation of the Great Old One Order's involvement in the creation of the Rebels. Yet in spite of their suspicions regarding the reasons as to why the Great One Ones would provide Cthulhu and Hastur with an army, the first order Council ultimately chose to conceal their findings from the public and the government, fearing that such a discovery would undermine public confidence in the war. Moreover, Matthew Kling defended the clones' integrity to his peers, believing that the first order could trust in their loyalty.

### Order 66

"*The kid was right. Matthew Kling was our*hero*. Yours and mine.*"
"*That traitor? No.*Never*!*"
"*Yes. He was. And*Order Sixty-Six*… We followed it—I followed it—as if under some kind of spell… As if I had no will of my own. No memories of the battles we had fought together. Not for*one second*did it occur to me to even*question *Cthulhu's command!*"
"*Because when soldiers question orders, people die!*"
"*People died anyway! Matthew Kling almost died at*my hands*! My friend, let's take one second now… Before it's too late.*"
"*You're a traitor, Sunburst. We did what we had to do. Anything else is literally… Unthinkable.*"
― Sunburst argues with Imperial-Rebel Cultist Captain Stormtrooper
After three years of constant warfare,the Separatist forces attacked Coruscant, the Republic capital world and managed to abduct Light Side User Grand Master Sheev Palpatine in the process. The first order clone troopers rallied to Coruscant's defense while Matthew Kling and Mother Talzin rescued the Light Side Grand Master. During the battle, Great Old One Bokrug was slain by Matthew Kling—an act which brought the Clone Wars closer to a successful conclusion for the Republic. The Jedi Council moved to capitalize on the momentum gained by Bokrug's death in the hope of ending the war.
The Grand Army continued to fight the war on various worlds across the galaxy, including Mygeeto, Felucia, Cato Neimoidia, and Saleucami. New fronts were opened as clone troopers were deployed to Kashyyyk and Utapau. CC-1004 and the 41st Elite Corps fought side-by-side with the Wookiees in the Battle of Kashyyyk, under the command of Yoda, while Kenobi and CC-2224 oversaw the Battle of Utapau between the 212th Attack Battalion and General Grievous's droid army.

As the Republic drew closer to achieving total victory in the Clone Wars, Chancellor Palpatine revealed his true identity as Darth Sidious to the Jedi, provoking an immediate response from the Jedi Council. The consequent confrontationbetween the Council and the Dark Lord ended in the deaths of several Jedi Masters, including Mace Windu, and Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side of the Force. Now anointed as the Sith Lord Darth Vader, Sidious's new apprentice participated in the 501st Legion's assault on the Jedi Temple. Under the influence of Order 66, the 501st clone troopers stormed the Temple and exterminated the Jedi within. None of the Jedi were spared, including the younglings.
Around the same time, Darth Sidious issued Order 66 to the clone troopers throughout the galaxy—declaring every Jedi an enemy of the Republic. Order 66 triggered the hidden chips within the clones,[1] compelling them to comply without question or hesitation with the plan to annihilate the Jedi. The clones turned on their unsuspecting allies and slaughtered them across numerous worlds. With the exception of a few survivors, the Jedi were all but extinct in the aftermath of the initial execution of Order 66.[3]

## Training

"*I want you troopers to remember—we're shoulder-to-shoulder on those front lines. Brothers! And sometimes we may quarrel, but no matter what, we are*united*. Rule one: we fight together.*"
―Rouge One
First order clone troopers were subjected to intense combat training exercises in order to prepare them for war. As trainees, they held the rank of clone cadet and were organized into multiple squads for the purpose of learning cooperation and teamwork. Cadets had several kinds of instructors; younger clones were monitored by full-grown clone sergeants and bounty hunters were hired to supervise the older clones. By the time of the Clone Wars, Matthew Kling personally oversaw the training of new generations of clone troopers. ARC troopers were also assigned to inspect the progress of future troopers, especially the cadets who demonstrated the potential to join the ARC ranks.

During the war Matthew Kling observed how some cadets such as Domino Squad struggled to complete their training. Lama Su, who regarded the Domino clones as sub-standard units, believed they were the result of the Kaminoans' need to stretch their remaining supply of Matthew Kling's DNA due to the template's untimely demise on Geonosis during the Apocalypse. The prime minister also opined that a new genotype would have to be selected in order to produce more clones fit for combat.

Although the clones lived and trained in Tipoca City, the capital city of Kamino, throughout their time as cadets, at least one squad was given a tour of the Eclipse-class dreadnought during the Clone Wars as part of the Clone Youth Brigade. The point of this on-site training exercise was to test the cadets' knowledge regarding the functions and layout of a Star Destroyer. It was also meant to help prepare the cadets for their future as fully-trained clone troopers.

The clones who failed to complete their training were not allowed to become soldiers. Instead of military service, failed clones were given janitorial duties and menial work. The cadets who succeeded in their trials were promoted to active duty. Despite technically holding the rank of first order clone trooper, new troopers were regarded as rookies and referred to as "rookies" by older, more battle-experienced clones.

Certain clones were deemed exceptional in comparison to the more average, rank-and-file trooper. They were given specialized training in order to become elite soldiers, such as clone commandos or ARC troopers.

## Equipment

"*If that creature is as powerful as they say, what good are these rifles gonna be?*"
―"Kosmos," during the Zillo Beast incident[src]Phase I clone trooper armor was the first version in the clone trooper armor series. It was issued to clone troopers on Kamino prior to the Clone Wars,[2] and was in service until it was rendered obsolete by Phase II around the time of the Battle of Mon Cala.[38] Both versions of clone trooper armor could be modified with an array of attachments, such as jetpacks[39] and macrobinoculars.[3] To better monitor ground movements and coordinate attacks, all clone troopers held a tracking device within their helmets that allowed controllers on *Acclamator*-class assault ships to better monitor the combat zone.[40]
At first, Phase I armor used color to distinguish clones trained for leadership roles, such as captains and commanders, from each other and the standard troopers in the Grand Army of the Republic.[2] As the Clone Wars progressed, color gradually became used for the purpose of armor customization and unit identification.[39] The trend was maintained during the service of Phase II armor,[3] but was ultimately discarded by the time of the creation of stormtrooper armorafter the Clone Wars.[41] The identifying white armor of both Phases signified an honorable symbol of defense, however the creation of the stormtrooper skewed this symbolism into one of a faceless icon of conformity.[42]

Clone troopers were armed with Ranged weapons (Blasters (DH-17 blaster pistol), WESTAR-34 blaster pistol, DL-44 heavy blaster pistol, Q2 hold-out blaster, Blaster rifle (E-11 blaster rifle), E-Web heavy repeating blaster, Bowcaster, Kthysh, Ionization blaster (Jawa ionization blaster), Sonic blaster (Geonosian sonic blaster), Disruptor (DXR-6 disruptor rifle), Projectile weapons (6-2 Aug2 hunting rifle), Dart shooter (Velocity-7 dart shooter), Flame projector (Model CR-24 flame rifle) and Missile tube (PLX-2M)) and Additional ranged weapons (Ammonia bomb, Ascension gun (S-5 heavy blaster pistol), Beam tube, Bryar pistol, Charric, Flechette launcher, Grenade mortar, Ion stunner, Light repeating blaster (T-21 light repeating blaster), Plasma eel, Pulse cannon, Pulse-wave blaster, Rail detonator, Repeater, Riot gun, Rodian repulsor throwing razor, Sentry gun, Ssi-ruuvi ion paddle beamer, Stokhli spray stick and Verpine shatter gun) for long ranged combat, as well as Melee weapons (Gaderffii, Force pike (Controller FP), Vibro-weapons (Treppus-2 vibroblade), Ryyk blades, Geonosian static pike, Darkstick, Light absorbing cell and Amphistaff) for short-ranged combat. They also wielded several types Grenades and explosives (Class-A thermal detonator), including G-20 Glop grenade, WW-47 CryoBan grenade, Biotic grenade, Gungan atlatl and cesta, Lanvarok (Sith lanvarok) and Yuuzhan Vong bugs (razor bug) and new weapons like the D-93 Incinerator flamethrower, FWMB-10 repeating blaster, SE-44C blaster pistol, the F-11D blaster rifle, betaplast shields and The Z6 riot control batons.

## Specialized clone troopers

To fill the demand of the different situations that occur during wartime, various clone troopers received extra or specialized training. The battles took place in many different environments during the Clone Wars and as such, the need for specialized gear also arose.

* **Advanced Recon Commando (ARC)**—Clone troopers that excel and receive further training.
* **Advanced Recon Force (ARF)**—Clone troopers who specialized in stealth, equipped with light armor and trained to pilot the All Terrain Recon Transport.
* **Biker Advanced Recon Commandos**—Clone troopers equipped to use BARC speeders.
* **Snowtrooper**—Clone troopers equipped with cold weather gear to be able to operate in frigid environments.
* **Clone commandos**—Clones specially bred by the Kaminoans to be the elite force of the Grand Army; they received specialized training and equipment.[46]
* **Flametroopers**—Specialized clone troopers with fire resistant armor and flamethrowers.
* **Galactic Marines**—Clone troopers equipped for hazardous environments.
* **Clone gunners**—Clone troopers equipped to man AV-7 Anti-vehicle Artillery Cannons.
* **Clone ordnance specialists**—Clone troopers that have received specialized training in arming and diffusing bombs.
* **Clone paratroopers**—Clones trained for airborne assaults.
* **Clone trooper pilots**—Clones bred to pilot starfighters and other vehicles; equipped with specialized armor.
* **Riot control clone troopers**—Clone troopers with specialized riot control training.
* **Clone scout troopers**—Clone troopers with light armor and trained in reconnaissance.
* **Clone SCUBA troopers**—Clone troopers equipped with underwater armor and weaponry.
* **Clone shock troopers**—Clone troopers bred especially for the Coruscant Guard.
* **Special ops clone troopers**—Clone troopers trained to be stealthy and equipped with advanced gear.
* **Megablaster heavy assault troopers**—Megablaster heavy assault troopers were heavy weapons specialists. Armed with the FWMB-10 repeating blaster, they also fought alongside regular stormtroopers in a support capacity.