Senate Guard
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- "The Senate Guards surely afford more than adequate protection…"
- ―Supreme Chancellor Palpatine[8]
TheSenate Guard, colloquially called theBlue Guard, and less frequently theRepublic Guard, or sometimes prior to22 BBY, theCoruscant Guard, was anelitesecurity force of theGalactic Republic. Its duties were tosafeguard theGalactic Senate and were based on thegalacticcapitalplanet ofCoruscant and had a tradition that went back thousands of years, making it one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in service to the Republic. It also served as a secondary police force for Coruscant in addition to theCoruscant Security Force. Next to theJedi Order, the Senate Guards were seen as the defenders of democracy and symbols of peace and security on Coruscant. In law enforcement circles, Senate Guard investigations were well known for meticulous and excellent investigative and forensic work. The Senate Guard's specialized division, theSenate Commandos, were the best of the Senate Guard. When not conducting police investigations or taking on secret missions for the Republic government, the Senate Commandos took a leading role in the protection of dignitaries and government property. The Senate Guards were a frequent sight in the halls of theSenate Building, their ceremonial uniforms and robes helping to blend in with the formal settings. In the waning days of the Republic,Supreme ChancellorPalpatine formed a personnel security detail, theRed Guard, who he favoured over the Senate Guard. He additionally began to phase out the Senate Guard with theclone shock troopers of theCoruscant Guard. AsGalactic Emperor, Palpatine disbanded the Senate Guard altogether and replaced them with hisEmperor's Royal Guard and theImperialstormtroopers, and to a lesser extent theImperial Senate Guard andImperial Senate Sentinels.
Description[]
Duties and organization[]
- "While I regret that it had to turn violent, my guards acted per orders and are to be commended. We have a responsibility to the representatives of the Republic. We have hundreds of delegates arriving in the coming days, and we have to make sure they are safe, and to do so, we have to clear those entryways."
- ―Jesra Loture, Captain of the Senate Guard[9]
Senate Guards
The Senate Guard was anelitesecurity force that was responsible for defending theSenators andSupreme Chancellors of theGalactic Republic. Centered on thegalacticcapitalplanet ofCoruscant, the Senate Guard tradition went back thousands of years and it was as old as theGalactic Senate itself. Senate Guards were more than justbodyguards as they were alsopolice officers. The distinctive and familiar blue armor and robes of the Guard served as symbols of both peace and security inGalactic City for which the Guard operated as a secondary police force. In order to protect the thousands of senators, the Guard was responsible not only for theSenate Building, but also the entireSenate District. Senate Guards would also be found on senatorial transports, in order to protect their charges, and conducting secretive government missions. Guards worked to protect senators from external threats such asassassinations but also from internal threats such as the bribery of senators which Guards had to report to their superiors. As time went on, the Senate Guard became a legacy system with several generations entering the service. Especially in the waning days of the Republic, the legacy system allowed corruption to breed such as senators paying their Guards to look the other way on criminal acts. This, despite the efforts of the loyalinternal affairs department.[2]
To become a Senate Guard, candidates would go through a full training program while those who had previous experience as planetary police officers would go through a shortened training program. Immediately after graduating, Guards were given therank ofprivate and generally assigned to theSenate Guard Headquarters where they processedprisoners and profiled suspects.Corporals were assigned to protect a prominent senator, a group of less prominent senators, or government VIPs. Thesergeants handed out bodyguard detail assignments and provided security for theGrand Convocation Chamber which was overseen by theSergeant at Arms. Alieutenant would oversee asquad, composed of two to four Guards.Commanders were responsible for task forces of six to eight guards. The leader of the Senate Guard was called theCaptain of the Guard who answered to aSenate committee and officials in the RepublicJudicial Department. The elite of the Senate Guards would become a part of theSenate Commando division, considered the best and bravest of the Guards. Led by acaptain, the Senate Commandos were volunteers who were selected and had to undergo a grueling four week combat training program. Often they were called on to perform secret government missions or conducted police investigations. They wore armor that was more functional then their regular Guard counterparts.[2]
Training and equipment[]
- "The blue guards started telling everyone to clear the doors, and then people started shouting back. They [the protestors] tried to push back, and that's when the rifles came out."
- ―Lia Reicheds, Senate clerk[9]
Senate Guards in robes and armor.
Prospective recruits were cautiously selected from among the most respected law enforcement agencies in the galaxy. Part of the guidelines for selection involved the fact that all candidates must be superb combatants and that they be completely dedicated to the Galactic Republic. The candidates were trained at theSenate Guard Academy and upon graduation assigned to headquarters[2] By the end of the Republic, membership in the Senate Guard increasingly became hereditary, with several generations of some families serving in their ranks. This meant that candidates were often dominated with family connections. However, acceptance was extended to distinguished members from recognized planetary law enforcement bodies. Should that be the case, these more experienced recruits often went through a shortened academy training program.[2][10]
The most notable element of the Senate Guard was their symbolic blue robes and helmets. Their blue armor had remained as a trustworthy symbol of both peace and security of the Galactic Capital for thousands of years.[1] The design of the armor was inspired by the ancientarmor worn byMandalorian Neo-Crusaders during theMandalorian Wars.[11] The striking blue robes had another symbolic meaning of representing the supreme authority of the Senate along with its long tradition of a wise and just rule. In addition to the robes, the helmets had large crests and the uniform consisted of simple drapes but these were ceremonial rather than functional.[12] In terms of weaponry, new guardsmen were often provided withceremonial rifles that were distinctive, powerful and accurate. These weapons were noted for capable of firing a strong stun blast and while they were known for being primarily ceremonial, they saw increasing usage during the final years of the Republic. Should their mission or security demand it, guardsmen were known to discard their long weapons in order to be outfitted with more practical forms of weaponry.[3] The Guard were given extensiveblaster training and instructed in the use ofForce pikes. They were also drilled in theHijkatamartial arts discipline. Furthermore, they also utilized enhanced armor compared to one of a clone with a distinct blue paint job. To get around the capital, Senate Guards used aspeeder. When in more serious situations, the Guard used a heavily armed assault vehicle.[10]
Among the facilities available, the Republic Guard used fully equipped and modern analysis laboratory's which were used to help them conduct their investigations. In the field, specialanalysis droids were used that released their sensitive data only to the appropriate officers.[10]
Relationship with other law enforcement[]
- "And you have primacy? I thought the city came under CSF jurisdiction."
"Not as long as I have a Senator and his aide in danger." - ―RC-1309 "Niner" and Commander Obrim[13]
The Senate Guard worked closely with the Coruscant Security Force.
The Senate Guard worked most closely with theCoruscant Security Force, though the two had a rivalry. The Senate Guard served as police force for Coruscant, but was secondary to the CSF which had primary jurisdiction of Galactic City. However, in cases involving the safety of senators, the Senate Guard also had primary jurisdiction.[13] There were exceptions as the murder ofSenatorOnaconda Farr was investigated by the CSF, not the Senate Guard.[14]
Among the skills that distinguished the Guard was their use of some of the best investigative and forensic work in capital. However, this had the effect of leading to some among the ranks of the Blue Guard to be distrustful of theJedi as the Guard preferred to deal in cold hard facts. Thus, they often relied on the field of forensic evidence rather than rely on what they believed to be the mysticism ofForce sorcery. As such, they were often at odds with theJedi Order due to their less tangible methods of evidence gathering.[2]
With the coming of the Clone Wars theCoruscant Guard was formed to assist the CSF in securing the capitol. Theclone shock troopers of the Coruscant Guard took over the responsibility of the Senate Guard as Coruscant's secondary police force which diminished the power of the Senate Guard. When theRed Guard was formed to protect the Supreme Chancellor, the power of the Senate Guard was further diminished.[2]
History[]
Early history[]
- "He comes from generations of Guards on your side as well mine!"
- ―Sagoro Autem[15]
The history of the Senate Guard was ancient and was as old as that of the Galactic Senate itself, thus tracing its origin to the ancient times of the Republic. It's known that among the artwork of the earliest times of the Republic, images of silent Guardsmen had been present during these earlier centuries as a silent testament during diplomatic negotiations that force was ready to be used if diplomacy itself failed.[2]
Separatist crisis[]
Senate Guards attempt to restrain a protester in front of the Senate Building.
During the time of theSeparatist Crisis, the Guard was led byJesra Loture.[1] By22 BBY, Supreme ChancellorPalpatine began marginalizing the role of the Senate Guard. Instead of relying on them, he began installing his own elite guard that consisted of red robed warriors that became known as theRed Guard.[1] These soldiers were selected from the ranks of the Senate Commandos and took over the responsibility of security for the Chancellor.
This section of the article assumes 100% game completion. Any alternate stories may be noted in the "Behind the scenes" section. The events in this section may or may not have been confirmed ascanon within theStar Wars Legends continuity. |
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The Senate Guard[16] launched an undercover operation to investigate theBlack Heth gang that had been operating on the lower levels. Theundercover informant sent in to investigate was discovered by the gang and held at a constructions site. The Senate Guard requested the assistance of the Jedi and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had also been investigating the Black Heth, to assist in the rescue the informant. Fighting his way through several Black Heth thugs, Kenobi was able to prevent the execution of the informant who was being questioned as to his true identity. The informant passed on to Kenobi that the Black Heth were importing large quantities of illegal weapons into Coruscant. Kenobi then took charge of the investigation, eventually tracking down and eliminating the smuggling operation.[17]
War begins[]
- "Senate Security Committee wants this ended fast to show Haruun Kal we're in control. They can't just walk in here, grab a Senator, and hold the Republic's finest at bay."
"Maybe the Republic's finest, or you to be exact, should have concentrated on ensuring secure transportation for Senators." - ―Senate Guard Commander Jaller Obrim and CSF Lieutenant Dovel[13]
During theClone Wars, the blue-armored Senate Guard were the elite honor guard to high-ranking government officials on Coruscant, and rarely left the capitol except on the most important Senate business.[2] In the early days of the war,[18]Korunterrorists under the leadership ofNuriin-Arseized theGalactic City Spaceport and took several hostages, including SenatorMeena Tills and heraide,Vun Merett Jai. The terrorists demanded that theGalactic Republic withdraw its forces and cease interference in theaffairs of theirhomeworld,Haruun Kal. The Senator's involvement prompted Obrim and a Senate Guard detachment to respond to the hostage crisis, as did theCoruscant Security Force, theclone commando unitOmega Squad,MandalorianSergeantKal Skirata, andNullARCCaptainNull-11, nicknamed "Ordo."[13]
Jedi MasterKaim attempted to negotiate with the Korun terrorists, but theykilled him and threw his body, strapped with explosives, outside of thespaceport.ClonecommandoRC-8015, nicknamed "Fi," jumped onto theJedi before the explosion went off, an act that saved the lives of the CSF police officers standing nearby. The hostage siege was brought to an end as the commando team forcefully entered the building and killed the terrorists.[13] Fi survived the blast, and his heroism was remembered by Obrim and the CSF for a long time thereafter.[19]
Traitor in the ranks[]
Main article:Rescue on the Tranquility
Captain Argyus betrays the Republic
After thecapture ofNeimoidianTrade FederationViceroyNute Gunray, a member of theSeparatist Council and an enemy of the Republic,[21] CaptainFaro Argyus along with additional commandos were sent to guard the captive viceroy while he was aboard theStar DestroyerTranquility en route to Coruscant. However, Argyus had been contacted bySeparatist leaderCountDooku and bribed into releasing the viceroy and returning him safely to Separatistspace. Not wanting to be forever bound to Republic guardsmen duty, Argyus secretly changed allegiances. During theTranquility's journey, thewarship cameunder attack byvulture droids and threeDroch-class boarding ships, which pierced the hull of theTranquility, releasing a Separatist boarding party. Eventually,clone troopers under the leadership ofCommanderGree destroyed the invadingbattle droids, but they had only been a distraction to allow SeparatistassassinAsajj Ventress to infiltrate and cripple the Republic warship.[20]
Ventress briefly rescued Gunray in the detention level, despite Argyus's conveyed attempt to prevent it. VentressForce-pushed Argyus out of her way, intent on departing with the viceroy. The arrival ofJedi MasterLuminara Unduli thwarted Gunray's escape, however, and forced Ventress to flee. Unduli pursued Ventress into the engine room of theTranquility, leavingAhsoka Tano, thePadawan ofJedi KnightAnakin Skywalker, to guard the captive viceroy alongside Argyus, his commandos, and Gree. Argyus told the Padawan that following one's heart made them distinct fromdroids. At his urging, Tano went off to find Ventress, leaving Gunray under the watch of Argyus, his men, and Gree. In the course of her engagement with the Jedi, Ventress sent an all-clear signal to Argyus.[20]
His true loyalties revealed to the Republic, Argyus killed his fellow commandos, released Gunray, and took the Neimoidian viceroy as a living shield. Only Gree stood in his way. During the scuffle that followed, Gunray hit the clone over the head with the butt of Argyus's blaster, knocking him unconscious. Argyus signaled Ventress to inform her of his success and he and Gunray made it to a dockedConsular-class frigate, which they used to make their escape. Ventress, meanwhile, had eluded the Jedi and entered anescape pod, arriving aboard the escapingcruiser before reaching Separatist space. Argyus arrogantly gloated to Ventress abouthis mission's success, and thathe had been responsible for Gunray's rescue. Ventress silenced his gloating permanently,impaling him with herlightsaber and killing him.[20]
Rampage on Coruscant[]
- "You go, sir."
- ―The Commando sacrifices himself for the Chancellor[22]
The Zillo Beast spots Palpatine and the Senate Guard
After discovering the last knownZillo Beast during thebattle onMalastare, the Republic's scientific community and Chancellor Palpatine both desired to study the beast's invulnerable scales to create impenetrable armor for the Republic's clone troopers. However, they decided to conduct this study on Coruscant, and subsequently transported the heavily sedated beast to theRepublic Science and Technical Center. Senate Guards accompanied Palpatine as the beast arrived under heavy guard.DoctorSionver Boll, throughout the course of her examination of the beast, found that she couldn't remove the Zillo Beast's scales without harming it. On briefing Palpatine of this, he ordered her to kill it, angering the Zillo Beast. Later, during the attempted execution, the beast escaped from the facility and began arampage across Coruscant. As alarms began wailing across Coruscant, orders were given for the Senate staff to evacuate to the lower levels. Upon the Zillo Beast's arrival at the Republic Executive building, looking for the Chancellor, Palpatine agreed to evacuate as well.[22]
Accompanied by Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker,R2-D2, andC-3PO, they left theChancellor's Suite through an emergency escape tunnel and boarded theExecutive Shuttle that was piloted by aSenate Commando. As the shuttle left the docking bay, it was seized by the Zillo Beast. Skywalker cut the shuttle in half, loosening the passenger compartment from the beast's grip. However, the Commando and Palpatine were unable to jump from the falling shuttle. Upon it landing on the ground, the Zillo Beast noticed the Chancellor and the Commando and moved towards them just as R2-D2 arrived. Seeing the Zillo beast come towards them and knowing that R2-D2 could not carry both of them, the Commando forced Palpatine onto the droid to be carried to safety, sacrificing himself as the beast slammed its foot down on top of the shuttle's remains, killing the Commando. With the Chancellor in safety, Republic forces began a bombardment of poisonous gas, killing the beast. The next day, Palpatine, accompanied by robed Senate Guards, ordered the dead beast to be cloned.[22]
Assassination attempts[]
A Senate Commando conducts a sweep
Four Senate Commandos were stationed aboard theNew Mandalorian vesselCoronet as bridge crew under the command of CaptainGray. They were taken bysurprise and killed byMandalore SenatorTal Merrik, a secretDeath Watchoperative who attempted to abductDutchessSatine Kryze. The Dutchess was rescued by theJedi and Merrik was killed,[23] Later Kryze had a clandestine meeting with aRepublic Ministry of Intelligence agent,Davu Golec. ADeath Watch assassin murdered Golec during the meeting, however,the police probe that found Kryze noticed that she had a weapon and identified her as a suspect. The Duchess fled, resulting in a chase by the police though Kryze was able to elude them. While the police kept searching for her, she met with Jedi Master Kenobi inCoruscant Park and gave him a video concerningRepublic aid for theMandalore system. With the information in secure hands, she surrendered to Senate Guards at the Senate Building. The video was played for the Senate, resulting in the Duchess's extortion and the resolution of the situation.[24]
A time later, Senate Commandos accompanied Senator Padmé Amidala to theAlderaan Conference on the Clone War Refugee Crisis. Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano went with them as well after receiving severalForce visions that she believed indicated a threat against the life of Senator Amidala. Tano stood with the Senate Guards at the front of the room during the speech. It was at that point that she felt adisturbance in the Force. Rushing to the walkway above the room, Tano interrupted the bounty hunterAurra Sing shortly before the assassin fired a shot at the senator. The shot struck Amidala in the arm, wounding her though not seriously. The Senate Guards rushed in to cover the Senator as Tano chased Sing. However she lost sight of the assassin. To set a trap for Sing, adroid was dressed up in Amidala's robes and entered the meeting room under a heavy Senate Commando guard force. Senate Commandos also swept the corridors and the walkways around the meeting room, ensuring that the area was secure. From her sleeping quarters, Amidala spoke through the droid using a comlink. However, Sing, realizing it was a trap, attempted to kill Amidala in her quarters. She was again interrupted by Tano who used her lightsaber to deflect the bolt. Amidala managed to stun the assassin just as CaptainGregar Typho and the Senate Commandos forced their way into the room and placed Sing under arrest.[25]
Attack on the Senate[]
Main article:Senate hostage crisis
Senate Commandos in front of the Executive Building.
Arriving on Coruscant, Bane's team split up to gain entrance to the Executive Building. Bane, Alama, a sentinel droid, and twodroid commandos arrived at the building in anairspeeder, where they were confronted by a squad of Senate Commando guards. From an adjacent tower, Sing distracted the guards with covering sniper fire, taking out most of the Commandos by herself, while Alama and the droids also engaged the Senate Guards. Bane eliminated the guardcaptain and the commando droids dressed up in the Senate Guards' armor to ensure that the fight would go undiscovered. Sing, Robonino, and thesentineldroids arrived at the scene in a second airspeeder. Leaving both commando droids outside to clear the platform of the dead Senate Guards, the team of bounty hunters made their way into the complex.[26]
Disposing of a guard stationed at the Executive Building'spower control room, the group also destroyed an assistant droid, theprotocol droid, aWED-15 Treadwell, and theastromech droid in the room. Leaving Robonino to sabotage the building's power distribution network, the rest of the team headed to the meeting of senators. On the way to theEast Wing of the building where the senators had gathered, Bane tossed athermal detonator into the Senate Commandos' barracks when two shifts were assembled there. Sing eliminated the only survivor with a shot to the head. The group then entered the Annex Dome, surrounding and takingprisoner Senators Organa, Amidala,Philo,Dantum Roohd,Zinn Paulness,Onaconda Farr,Riyo Chuchi,Jakker-Sun,[26]Kin Robb,[23] and aChristophsian senator, as well as C-3PO. Bane made contact with Palpatine who eventually agreed to Ziro's release.[26]
Diplomatic functions[]
- "Captain Taggart, we've got incoming clankers!"
"We'll cover you, sir!" - ―Ahsoka Tano and Taggart[27]
Senate Guards would continue to stand watch over the Senate and Republic Executive buildings.[28] A special honor guard was present at thefuneral of the murdered senator,Onaconda Farr. However, theCoruscant Security Force was instead called in and the investigation was led byLieutenantTan Divo. The inspector was given charge of the Senate Guards to assist in protecting the involved senators.[14]
Senate Guards protecting the Festival of Light
When Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore hosted apeace conference on her planet to find a peaceful solution that would end the war between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, CaptainTaggart, several Senate Guards, and Padawan Ahsoka Tano were sent along to protect the Republic delegation, which consisted of Senators Padmé Amidala, Bail Prestor Organa, andMon Mothma. During the conference, Taggart and some of his men, were stationed at thedocks with thePhoenix, the Republic delegation'stransport, while the conference was held in theSundari Royal Palace. However, during that time, Tano, along with the former Separatist,Lux Bonteri, arrived where Taggart and his men were standing guard. Tano had rescued Bonteri from a potential execution by the Separatists for interrupting the peace conference, and the duo was chased by SeparatistBX-series droid commandos. After Tano told Taggart that she and Bonteri were being chased by commando droids, the Captain and his men responded by giving them cover fire to reach thePhoenix, which attracted thebattle droids' attention. Both sides sustained several losses in the following fight.[27]
Senate Guards, along with shock troopers of the Coruscant Guard and JediMace Windu andAnakin Skywalker, escorted Chancellor Palpatine to the planetNaboo for the upcomingFestival of Light. One of the Commandos responsible for guarding the Chancellor was amaleHuman designated asSG-1984. During the ceremony, Cade Bane andMoralo Eval put their plan into action under the direction of Count Dooku to kidnap Palpatine. Together with their group of bounty hunters which included a disguised Obi-Wan Kenobi asRako Hardeen, they infiltrated the security detail usingholographic disguise matrices. Askirmish broke out and the Senate Guards moved in to protect Palpatine. However, using the disguise matrix, Eval and Bane were able to seize Palpatine and fled. They were pursued by Kenobi who was able to capture them shortly before the arrival of Windu, Skywalker, and a Coruscant Guard trooper who arrested the two kidnappers.[29]
Senate Guards also accompanied Senator Amidala on adiplomatic mission to the planetScipio however they had to remain at the gates since the area was a neutral zone under the control of theInterGalactic Banking Clan.[30]
The Battle of Coruscant[]
During the Battle of Coruscant, Shaak Ti and two other Jedi, along with a clone task force and one Senate Guard came to500 Republica take the Chancellor to his bunker. Before they could, General Grievous arrived. Shaak Ti, The Chancellor and the other Jedi withdrew from the scene, leaving the task force and the Senate Guard to fight Grievous. The clones and the Guard were swiftly defeated, and Grievous went after the Jedi.[31]
Last days[]
A Senate Guard in 19 BBY.
In the final days of the Clone Wars, the Blue Guard underwent a cosmetic change; the elaborate crests were removed from their helmets, and the open face was covered by a black visor similar to that of the Red Guard.[2]
Following the creation of theGalactic Empire, the post of Supreme Chancellor was removed by Palpatine who declared himselfEmperor. This change saw his Red Guard becoming the newEmperor's Royal Guard that saw to his protection. Furthermore, the proliferation of clone forces led to the Guard being largely redundant and they were gradually phased out of service.[1]
By2 BBY, the Senate Guard had been re-established as theImperial Senate Guard. Members wore armor identical to the Royal Guard and theEmperor's Shadow Guard, albeit blue in color. Additionally, like the Royal and Shadow Guards, Senate Guards of this era utilizedlightsaber pikes, possibly indicating that they wereDark Side Adepts. They still functioned as bodyguards (and possibly enforcers) of Imperial Senators while serving the Emperor's will.Galen Marek would fight manyImperial Senate Guard during his part in the formation of theRebel Alliance.[32]
Behind the scenes[]
TheHasbro toys name the Senate Guards as the Coruscant Guard. The "Coruscant Guard," however, was initially made up entirely of clones, whereas the Senate Guard had no clones among the ranks. It is possible that the misnomer could have been due to the fact that the Coruscant Guard were also assigned to protect the Republic Senate facilities and all senators in residence, augmenting, but not supplanting, the non-clone Senate Guard already in place.
AQuarren is mentioned as working for the Coruscant Guard inStar Wars: Obi-Wan however this is most likely referring to the Senate Guard[16]
When they first appeared inThe Phantom Menace, they were intended to be the direct predecessors of the Royal Guard. However, this idea was abandoned inAttack of the Clones, where they appear side-by-side, where the Red Guard would be the direct predecessors of the Royal Guard.
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
- "Force Fiction" — Star Wars Tales 7
- "Hate Leads to Lollipops" — Star Wars Tales 9
- "Sithisis" —Star Wars: Visionaries
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
- LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace
Sources[]
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Notes and references[]
- Related categories:
- Senate Guard
- Related Categories:
- Senate Guard