Coruscant Guard
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| Coruscant Guard | |
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- "Double your search!"
"Yes, sir! Right away, sir!" - ―Palpatine to Commander Thire in regards to the hunt for Yoda's body
The Coruscant Guard, later commonly known as the Imperial Guard or less commonly the Elite Stormtroopers, began as a Republic military unit comprised of clone shock troopers and were later a specialized branch of the Imperial stormtroopers who served as law enforcers and special operations troops on Coruscant and a few other Core Worlds.
The shock troopers of the Coruscant Guard began their service at the start of the Clone Wars. Their responsibility was to protect important government buildings and maintain the defenses of Coruscant. The Guard also operated a Diplomatic Escort Group to accompany dignitaries or other important persons on special missions and assignments. Through Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's emergency powers, the Guard received the authority to search and detain anyone they felt were a threat even if the Guard had no evidence. As the war continued, the Guard's role expanded and they became Coruscant's secondary police force next to the Coruscant Security Force, a role previously held by the Senate Guard.
With the Declaration of a New Order and the reformation of the Republic into the Galactic Empire, the Guard became Coruscant's primary police force. Enforcing law and order with brutal efficiency, they were a feared organization among the citizens they were to protect. As the clones aged, members of the Guard were recruited from inside the Stormtrooper Corps. However, the Guard remained a separate organization from the stormtroopers assigned to the Coruscant Security Force. The Guard received new armor that was distinct from most clone trooper and stormtrooper armors. Light, yet heavily padded, it provided excellent protections from physical and hand-to-hand attacks. The advanced combat helmet allowed Guards to operate in complete darkness and had a comlink scrambler for direct communication with other Guards. A unit commander had a voice activated heads up display that allowed him to see the positions of the Guards under his command.
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Description
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OrganizationEdit
- "Sir, with the death of Senator Kharrus, are you now in command of the mission?"
"Technically…no."
"Then, uh…who is?"
"Representative Binks is the highest ranking person here." - ―A clone trooper and Stone, after their crash landing on Florrum
The Coruscant Guard was originally a Galactic Republic clone trooper unit led by a clone trooper commander and was organized as part of the Grand Army of the Republic.[2] Founded by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the troopers were responsible for augmenting the Coruscant Security Force and the Senate Guard in police and protection services. During the Galactic Empire, these roles would be expanded.[1]
During the Clone Wars, the clone troopers of the Coruscant Guard operated the Diplomatic Escort Group which was charged with protecting diplomats on key missions. This included both diplomats and Jedi.[10] In addition, the ranks of Senate Security consisted of clone shock troopers that were tasked with the patrolling of the Senate District on Coruscant.[11] Riot clone troopers were units trained in crowd dispersal and provided backup to the CSF. Squads were always ready for deployment, stationed in barracks across Galactic City.[12]
Troopers were often found across Coruscant though were more likely to be found protecting important government offices, transports services, communication facilities and any other locales where large gatherings were expected. They performed these tasks throughout the days of the Clone Wars and the Galactic Empire when they would also take on the primary responsibility to secure and police Coruscant.[7]
They were given a great deal of authority in order for them to accomplish their duty. This included the right to search any facility be it public or private as well as the capacity to arrest any individual for mere suspicion of illegal activity without any need for evidence. During the reign of the Galactic Empire, they were also charged with upholding the image of the Human High Culture and were involved with detaining any suspected Rebel operatives; this turned them into a political force as well as a security force.[13]
ArmorEdit
During the Clone Wars, the clone troopers of the Coruscant Guard utilized the Phase I clone trooper armor. As individuality and creativity steadily became promoted within the Grand Army of the Republic, the Guard used the crimson red color to designate their status as the capital world's police force— their symbol being the emblem of the Galactic Senate, located in the center of their torso or shoulder armor. The symbol was more ornately fashioned on the chest plate of Commander Fox, designating him as the commander of the Guard. The troopers would move to the Phase II clone trooper armor along with most clone troopers when it became available. They retained the crimson red colors on their armor though the markings were changed from the Phase I armor designs.[14]
In the Galactic Civil War, the Coruscant Guards wore light, yet heavily padded, crimson and black armor that provided protection against physical attacks. Their sophisticated battle helmet which was lined with advanced sensors, allowed them to work in complete darkness, and also contained a comlink scrambler for communication with fellow personnel. A unit commander's helmet was also equipped with a voice activated heads-up display that showed Coruscant Guard positions. Optional tracking beacon software let a unit commander know the whereabouts of his subordinates at all times. This display system also provided a useful method of navigating the complex city structure of Imperial Center.[15]
WeaponsEdit
- "Jek. Concerned about weapons you are. Weapons do not win battles. Your mind, powerful it is! Mmm? Out think the droids you can."
- ―High Jedi General Yoda to Jek
During the Clone Wars, the shock troopers carried DC-15A blaster rifles, DC-15S blasters, and thermal detonators. Commander Fox had two DC-17 hand blasters that he carried.[16] During the Mission to Rugosa, Lieutenant Thire and troopers Jek and Rys were also armed with Rocket launchers and Z-6 rotary blaster cannons.[10] The riot clone trooper units were armed with riot shields and stun batons.[12]
During the Imperial era, along with a blaster side arm, Guards would use the Merr-Sonn taser staves. The Merr-Sonn taser staves were used to control crowds and suppress riots. It also had variable power settings and was capable of delivering a lethal or incapacitating charge when it strikes its target. Some Coruscant Guards also carried the more advanced Merr-Sonn R-88 Suppressor riot rifle.[7]
In addition to these weapons and armor, the Coruscant Guard also made use of the Low Altitude Assault Transport and during the Imperial era used the Rapid Deployment Airspeeders as their primary forms of transportation.[17] All Terrain Recon Transports were also a popular vehicle used by this clone trooper division who utilized them in pacifying operations against unruly mobs.[18]
HistoryEdit
The Clone WarsEdit
- "We've secured the Hutt location, sir. Senator Amidala's unharmed and she's returning to the Senate with her protocol droid. We have Lord Ziro in custody. He's claiming he was forced into the kidnapping of Jabba's son by Count Dooku. Zero casualties—unless you count droids, of course."
- ―Clone Commander Fox, reporting the successful hostage extraction
The Republic clone shock troopers were established during the Clone Wars as the Coruscant Guard. They began as a pure-clone unit led by Commander Fox and were initially charged with protecting the Republic Senate facilities and all senators in residence, but not supplanting the non-clone Senate Guard already in place. They were also to assist the Coruscant Security Force with general law enforcement.[1] After Senator Padmé Amidala was captured by Ziro the Hutt, C-3PO contacted the Coruscant Guard about Amidala's abduction and piloted the senator's H-type Nubian yacht to Ziro's Palace, accompanied by Clone Commander Fox and five other Coruscant Guards. Fox's rescue team blasted their way into the palace, destroying the B1 battle droids guarding the entrance in the process. In the ensuing commotion, Amidala freed herself and destroyed the IG-86 droid guarding her with an appropriated E-5 blaster rifle. Taking cover from return fire, the Coruscant Guards made quick work of the remaining security droids. When the last two battle droids were destroyed, the clone troopers surrounded the fleeing Hutt, cutting off his escape.[19][20]
Lieutenant Thire served under Jedi Grand Master Yoda during the Mission to Rugosa, with his men, Jek, and Rys. The Jedi Master had gone to the coral moon of Rugosa to engage in diplomatic negotiations with Katuunko, the king of Toydaria. However, the Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress arrived first to negotiate with Katuunko on behalf of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Republic convoy was ambushed by several Confederate frigates, but Master Yoda and the clone troopers were able to land on the planet though not where the negotiations were to take place. Ventress challenged Master Yoda that she would send her best battle droids against him. If the Jedi Master could defeat her army, then Toydaria would enter the Republic. However, should the Jedi fail, then Toydaria would join the Confederacy. Yoda agreed to this challenge. The Jedi and his clone companions began to make their way towards the negotiation's location. As they made their way through the coral forest, the Jedi and clones encountered heavy fighting by the droid forces. In the ensuing fight Thire was injured. Yet the small force was able to prevail. Count Dooku, seeing that his plot had failed, ordered Ventress to assassinate King Katuunko. Yoda and the clones arrived in time to prevent the king's death though Ventress was able to escape.[10]
During the Senate hostage crisis, shock troopers stormed Palpatine's office to make sure he was safe. They then cornered the bounty hunters outside. However, Palpatine ordered them to stand down, since the bounty hunters had several senators trapped.[16]
The Coruscant Guard were also in charge of guarding the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. If riots or attempted escapes occurred, the troopers could use lethal force to put down the revolts. During one riot, that was instigated by Cad Bane and Boba Fett, several troopers were killed. Though initially attempting to put down the revolt by stunning the prisoners, the troopers switched to lethal force when the revolt became widespread.[21]
Commander Fox was later managing security at a military complex where, among the prisoners, Letta Turmond was being held. Turmond, who had arranged an explosion in the Jedi Temple, requested to see Ahsoka Tano. Soon after the two were left alone in the cell, a shock trooper alerted Fox to the alarming footage on the security cameras; it appeared as though Tano was choking the prisoner. Quickly Fox and two other troopers rushed into the cell, only to find Tano, apparently distraught, bending over Turmond's dead body. Fox commented that he didn't blame Ahsoka for wanting revenge on a traitor, but all the same he had to put her under arrest. Soon after, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka's master, requested to see her. Fox had orders from Admiral Tarkin that nobody was allowed to see her, however, and had two shock troopers activate electrostaffs, threatening to enforce the Admiral's orders with force, before Anakin would leave.
The following day, Tano escaped from prison and had apparently slain at least three clones in order to do so. Fox told his men to shoot to kill, a command that was immediately belayed by General Skywalker, who insisted they capture her alive. After a lengthy chase around the complex, Ahsoka escaped into the large pipe system leading to the Coruscant Underworld. Fox and his men quickly gave pursuit, but arrived too late to keep the Padawan from jumping onto a passing ship and escaping.
After the Duel in the Senate between Yoda and Palpatine, Commander Thire and several shock troopers unsuccessfully searched the Grand Convocation Chamber for Yoda's body. Palpatine ordered Thire to continue the search, however, the Jedi Master had escaped with the aid of Senator Bail Prestor Organa. Palpatine, suspecting that his apprentice Darth Vader was in danger, left Coruscant for Mustafar. A detachment of shock trooper accompanied the Emperor. The troopers soon found the mangled and burned body of Vader. Palpatine was right behind them and as soon as he saw Vader, ordered them to get more help. Both Palpatine and Vader were escorted back to Coruscant and the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, all under the watchful eye of the shock troopers.[22] The clone shock troopers would continue as the Coruscant Guard during the days of the Galactic Empire.[7]
Imperial eraEdit
- "No, the Imperial Guard can do without me. I'd never fit in the suit now. Besides, the Emperor wants fit and dedicated young stormtroopers to do the job, and I'm an old street cop at heart."
- ―Jaller Obrim discussing law enforcement on Coruscant
Upon the Declaration of a New Order, the Republic was reorganized as the first Galactic Empire. Following this event, the Coruscant Guard along with the Royal Guard were given the responsibility of handling the security arrangements of the capital.[23] In this age, the Emperor Palpatine's issued martial law as well as emergency powers as he became the ultimate authority within the new government. His rule led to an empowerment of the Coruscant Guard who now gained the ability to search any facility of dwelling as well as arrest any citizen or locate and detain suspected criminals or sympathizers of the Rebel Alliance.[13] They were in almost all Coruscant's districts and many of them were assigned to watch the city planet's sewers. The Guard quickly became a status symbol for Imperial Center as they had been trained to be elite stormtroopers tasked with police duty on the capital. During the early reign of the Empire, only a few members of the Coruscant Guard were active though their numbers were growing. Some believed that the group would expand to police other disruptive Core Worlds.[15]
Recruitment into the Coruscant Guard involved the culling of the ranks of the Imperial Stormtroopers. Such individuals received special training in marksmanship as well as in riot suppression techniques and criminal investigations. In addition, they were trained in threat assessment as well as in small group tactics. In order to keep at the peak of physical health, the Coruscant Guard often engaged in a strict exercise regimen. They were also given psychological conditioning in order to instill complete loyalty to the Emperor.[13]
Members of the Guard often carried out their duties aggressively and with an undeniable air of superiority. This remained the case even when they faced particularly powerful foes or well connected beings. In terms of tactics, they often made use of cover and the advantage it provided as well as took part in coordinated attacks. Typically, they served only as a police force which was their primary responsibility while a secondary role was serving as soldiers. As such, they made extensive use of stun settings on their weapons as well as stun grenades unless the foe required to be killed with lethal force authorized. More veteran members of the Coruscant Guard often made use of their staffs in order to separate as well as corner their foe. These individuals also often served in a leadership role amongst the Guard units.[17]
It was known that high ranking agents of the Imperial Security Bureau were known to call upon the Guard's services when involved in investigations of powerful political figures.[15]
Shortly before the Battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and Dash Rendar traveled to Coruscant to rescue Princess Leia Organa. In order to rescue her, they went though the sewers underneath Prince Xizor's palace. There they faced several Coruscant Guards on patrol. They were able to defeat them and escape with Princess Organa.[24]
LegacyEdit
During Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire, members of the the 1,001st Stormtrooper Division known as the "Knighthunters", wore armor based on that of the Coruscant Guard.[25]
Notable membersEdit
CC-1010Edit
- "When will you fools learn? No one escapes from Commander Fox."
- ―Commander Fox
Main article: CC-1010, also known as Fox, was the commander of the Coruscant Guard at the start of the Clone Wars. Under his direction, the Coruscant Guard took over responsibilities of guarding important government and infrastructure buildings and installations though they were not always successful in protecting them from serious threats.[16][26]
CC-4477Edit
- "Thire. Rush not into fights. Long is the war. Only by surviving it, will you prevail."
- ―Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Thire
CC-4477, also known as Thire, began as a lieutenant in the Coruscant Guard's Diplomatic Escort Group. It was noted by Master Yoda that Thire was quick to rush into conflict. During the Mission to Rugosa, Thire worked closely alongside Master Yoda. During the fighting Master Yoda would save Thire's life. Dedicated in his duty, Thire quickly rose through the ranks and was the commander of the Coruscant Guard by the time of Order 66. Ironically he was tasked with hunting down the very Jedi Master who had saved his life a few years earlier. With the establishment of the Galactic Empire, Thire served as one of the Emperor's body guards. Under Thire's supervision, the Coruscant Guard transitioned from military and security duties to Coruscant's primary police force.[3]
CC-5869Edit
- "I suggest we stay here and wait for the Republic to send a rescue party."
- ―Commander CC-5869
CC-5869 also refered to as "Stone" was a commander in the Coruscant Guard and in charge of the Diplomatic Escort Group. On a mission to Florrum, Stone was in command of several troopers escorting Senator Kharrus and Representative Jar Jar Binks to deliver credits in the form of spice in exechange for Count Dooku. During the landing the shuttle was fired upon and crashed landing with Senator Kharrus dying in the crash. This made Jar Jar Binks the senior official in charge of the mission. Stone was hesitant about taking orders from Jar Jar yet he followed the chain of command. However he saw Bink's skills and saved his life twice during the mission.[4]
JekEdit
- "Okay clankers, suck lasers!"
- ―Jek to Battle droids
Jek was a clone trooper who served under Thire and Master Yoda during the mission to Rugosa. Initially posted to the Senate District, Jek was anxious to be on the front lines. As an outlet, Jek became an expert in weapons to the point of obsession. When called to escort Master Yoda on a diplomatic mission Jek was eager. It was while on this mission that Jek learned an important lesson from the Jedi Master that the most powerful weapon Jek could use was his mind. Taking the lesson to heart, Jek was able to think up a retrieval plan for Yoda when the Jedi was surrounded by droid forces.[5]
RysEdit
- "Rys. Always focused on the enemy are you. For inspiration, look to yourself and those beside you."
- ―Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Rys
Rys was assigned to the Senate District and like his fellow soldier Jek was eager to fight on the front lines. Frustrated with his posting of protecting the Senate District and serving as a diplomatic escort, Rys felt that the battle needed to be taken to the droids instead of waiting for an attack. This opinion Rys would frequently share with his comrades. When off duty, Rys tracked the movement of Republic fleet assets and followed the war as it unfolded in the Outer Rim, actives he turned into a hobby. [6]
Behind the scenesEdit
The Coruscant Guard were developed for the Shadows of the Empire multimedia project. Kenner developed an action figure of Luke Skywalker in Coruscant Guard armor as a tie-in to the novel. The novel itself refers to them as "Elite Stormtroopers".
The Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series the Coruscant Guard was shown during the Clone Wars era. It also firmly connected the clone shock troopers as being the Coruscant Guard. The series also presented Commander Fox as in charge of the Guard with Thire beginning as a lieutenant with the Diplomatic Escort Group.
The Hasbro toys of the Senate Guard incorrectly name them as Coruscant Guards.
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