Clone template

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Aclone template, also known as aprime clone, was the source ofgenetic material that was essential in the process ofcloning.

Overview[]

A primeclone was the designation^[3] of anorganic subject—the original host—whosegenetic code provided the basis for single or multiple clones.^[4] The first step in the process of cloning was the extraction of cells from the prime clone.^[5] The cells could then be artificially manipulated to grow either an exact or modified version of the original subject. Under a stable and unmodified cloning process, a clone was physically identical to the prime clone.^[4] Unstable procedures, however, resulted in physically deformed copies, which were generally termed as genetic failures.^[2]

A prime clone's psychological traits could also be copied and implanted—in the form ofmemory flashes—into a clone subject.^[2] By scanning and duplicating the original host's brain patterns,^[6] a clone could essentially inherit the identity of its template, although some personality traits could be more dominant than others. According toNi-Ke-Vanz, an expert onKhommite cloning processes, clones were psychologically different versions of their genetic donor.^[7] However, the use of memory flashes could also produce mental instability, ranging from confusion toinsanity, thus causing the clone subject to suffer from an identity crisis. A clone could only successfully absorb the memory flashes if it was able to compartmentalize them, thus allowing it to distinguish its own experiences from the genetic template's memories.^[8]

History[]

During theRepublic's decline, prime clones were hired to serve as templates for various small commissioned projects. These projects produced mercenaries, servants, laborers, and workers that were specially tailored for their client's needs.^[10] The creation of aclone army, programmed for absolute loyalty, was first conceived by theOrder of the Sith Lords as part of theiragenda to exact vengeance on theJedi Order and reassertSith hegemony over thegalaxy. In52 BBY, theDark Lord of the SithDarth Plagueis chose theplanetKamino as the covert site for the new army, mainly because its nativespecies—theKaminoans—were regarded as expertscientists in the field of cloning. Although Plagueis originally intended to use aYinchorri host as the basis for the clone army, the Dark Lord was ultimately convinced by the Kaminoans that aHuman template was easier to duplicate and modify.^[11]

Two years later, a clone army would be created by thetechno-lords of theArkanian Dominion during theArkanian Revolution. In response to theArkanian Renegade'scyborgAssimilators, the techno-lordsbioengineered amutantwarrior who would serve as the prime clone for theATHA (Accelerated Transgenic Heuristic Abhorers). Once the Dominion, Republic, and Jedi defeated the Renegades, the Dominion systematically eliminated their Abhorer army. The only survivor was the prime clone Zeta Magnus who hunted down his creators out of revenge and wandered the galaxy for 30 years before swearing fealty toDarth Sidious. Magnus would later recruit aThyrsianSun Guard namedSarsius Torne to serve as the prime clone for his ownarmy of clones.^[12]

After Plagueis waskilled and succeeded byDarth Sidious in32 BBY,^[11] the newSith Master proceeded with the plan for the creation of the Sith's clone army. He instructed hisSith apprentice,Darth Tyranus, to provide a genetic template for the cloners on Kamino. Tyranus invited several of the galaxy's most dangerousmercenaries to join a contest; the objective to capture or kill theDark JediKomari Vosa for the reward of five millioncredits. The victor of the contest was a formerMandalorian-turned-bounty hunter namedJango Fett, who agreed to become the clone army's template in exchange for a considerable amount of money, and under the condition that the first clone would be his to keep.^[1]

Jango Fett lived on Kamino for roughly a decade where he served as both the prime clone and a close adviser in the training of theclone troopers. Fett was given an unaltered clone—neither modified for growth acceleration or tampered with for greater docility—whom he namedBoba Fett. The rest of his clones were engineered to physically grow twice as fast as real Humans, thus allowing them to reach adulthood at a faster rate. By and large, the clones were produced with a diminished sense of individuality to better ensure that they would be loyal to theGalactic Republic; completely susceptible to executing orders without question. By22 BBY, two hundred thousandunits were combat ready,^[4] followed by millions more by the near end of theClone Wars.^[13]

Fett's progeny fulfilled the true purpose behind their creation when Darth Sidious, in his public guise asSupreme Chancellor Palpatine, issuedOrder 66, hence causing the clones to betray and execute theirJediofficers.^[14] Under theera of theGalactic Empire the successor state of the Old Republic, the Fett template was retained as a source forclone soldiers, although new prime clones were later selected, which in turn led to the production of different clones that supplemented the original Fett-based clonetroopers.^[15]

It was generally assumed thatForce-sensitive beings were incapable of becoming clones.^[11] Although the exact reason was unknown, experts like Ni-Ke-Vanz believed thatthe Force somehow interfered with the cloning process, thus making it virtually impossible to create a stable clone from a genetic source with a significantly high percentage inmidi-chlorians.^[7] The creation of Force-sensitive clones was ultimately achieved by Kaminoan technology on two occasions; first in the last years of the Republic;^[16] and then during the time of the Empire.^[2] The first successful attempt was conducted by the Kaminoans in addition to the production of Jango Fett's clone troopers. Genetic samples of theJedi KnightFalon Grey, taken without his knowledge, were used to produce two prototypes:X1 andX2.^[16] In1 BBY, the Sith LordDarth Vader attempted to clone a new secret apprentice after the death of his redeemed disciple,Galen Marek.^[2]

Although Marek was dead, Vader brought the body to Kamino and preserved it within a cold chamber located in theTimira CityCloning Facility,^[17] thus preventing the genetic material from being destroyed by decomposition. Around the same time, Kaminoan technology had been modified by Imperial scientists to create the "accelerated cloning process," an experimental procedure in which clone subjects could be grown to adulthood in the span of a few weeks.^[6] However, the process was highly flawed and led to the production of numerousaberrant monstrosities, both physically deformed and mentally deranged. More stable versions were eventually produced,^[8] including arenegade clone whofled from Kamino.^[2] Yet they too were dismissed as imperfect because of their inability to successfully absorb the memory flashes.^[8][7] However, such failures ultimately led to the creation of asingle clone who exceeded all of the Dark Lord's expectations. Vader judged him to be the only perfect clone in the entire endeavor, and thus allowed the clone to see the corpse of his template.^[17]

After thefragmentation of the Galactic Empire,Grand AdmiralThrawnengineered his own clonearmy for the purpose ofreconquering the galaxy from theNew Republic.^[18] TheChissImperial officer extracted genetic material from multiple templates, includingCorporalTerkuss,LieutenantCreb,^[19]BaronSoontir Fel, and possiblyGeneralMaximilian Veers.^[20] WithSpaarti technology at his disposal, Thrawn's clonestormtroopers were fully grown and combat ready in roughly a year after their creation.^[18]

Before Darth Sidious's demise at theBattle of Endor in4 ABY, the Dark Lord of the Sith used his own genetic code as a template for a series of Spaarti-generated copies; clones meant to serve as a vessel for hisspirit in the event of his original body's destruction.^[21] Through the Force, Sidious had theability totransfer his ownessence into another living organism. Without a host, however, his spirit could not remain in the corporeal plain of existence.^[9] Furthermore, years of over-reliance on thedark side of the Force caused Sidious's soul to have a cancerous effect on his clones, effectively causing them to age at a rapidly accelerated rate. Hence, none of the subjects were able to house their template's dark essence for more than a short period of time.^[21]

List of prime clones[]

For armed forces[]

• Bok, for theCISMorgukai Shadow Army^[23]
• Creb, forThrawn'sclone army^[19]
• Sa Cuis, for theCuis clones (terminated shortly after inception)^[24]
• Soontir Fel, for Thrawn's clone army^[20]
• Boba Fett, for theStormtrooper Corps (terminated shortly after inception)^[6]

• Jango Fett, for theGrand Army of the Republic,^[4] and later the Stormtrooper Corps^[15]
• Falon Grey, for the Grand Army of the Republic throughX1 andX2^[16]
• Daine Jir, for the Stormtrooper Corps^[25]
• Erv Lekauf, for the Stormtrooper Corps^[24]
• Zeta Magnus, for theAccelerated Transgenic Heuristic Abhorers^[12]
• Barrow Oicunn, for the Stormtrooper Corps^[26]
• Nahdonnis Praji, for the Stormtrooper Corps^[27]
• Terkuss, for Thrawn's clone army^[19]
• Sarsius Torne, forTark Squad andZeta Magnus's clone army^[12]
• Maximilian Veers, for Thrawn's clone army(possibly)^[20]
• Death Watch Overlord, for the Stormtrooper Corps^[28]

For single clones[]

• Xandel Carivus, for a clone impersonator^[29]
• Jorus C'baoth, forJoruus C'baoth^[30]
• Feena D'Asta, for a clone impersonator^[29]
• Jango Fett, forBoba Fett^[4]
• Ysanne Isard, for aclone doppelgänger^[20]
• Kyle Katarn, forRunner^[31]
• Obi-Wan Kenobi, for animposter for Zeta Magnus^[12]
• Jaden Korr, forSoldier andIteration^[31]
• Bevel Lemelisk, to test consciousness transferring for Darth Sidious no less than seven times^[20]
• Lumiya, forSeer^[31]
• Darth Maul^[32]
• Galen Marek, for theDark Apprentice;^[17] also resulted in numerousimperfect clones, includingStarkiller^[2]
• Sate Pestage, for a clone impersonator^[20]
• Darth Sidious, for consciousness transferring^[21]
• Anakin Skywalker, for animposter for Zeta Magnus^[12]
• Luke Skywalker, forLuuke Skywalker^[30]
• Kam Solusar, forAlpha^[33]
• Thrawn, for a replacement clone^[34]
• Grodin Tierce, for anexperimental clone^[35]
• Darth Tyranus(possibly adoppelgänger)^[36]
• Darth Vader, byaccident^[37]
• Halagad Ventor, for animposter for Zeta Magnus^[12]

Appearances[]

Sources[]

• Dark Empire Sourcebook
• The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook
• The New Essential Guide to Characters
• The New Essential Chronology
• Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• The Essential Guide to Warfare

Notes and references[]