Did some of the clones find a way around their programming?
Star Wars Rebels Season 2 is just around the corner. Aside from Ahsoka and Darth Vader, one of the most anticipated characters returning to the screen is Captain Rex from the Clone Wars show. However, as anyone who saw Revenge of the Sith can tell you, the clone army was programmed to turn on the Jedi (and they did) based on a single order from Palpatine. That Order 66 was the masterstroke that allowed him to transform the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire and consolidate power for himself.
But, it seems, not all the clones were under the Emperor’s thrall. How did this happen… and when?
So, how are Rex and his clones not Imperial soldiers?
Well, we feel the answer to that one is in the Lost Missions, otherwise known as the first few episodes of season 6 they were able to complete before moving to Rebels. In the three episode arc comprised of the stories “The Unknown,” “Conspiracy,” “Fugitive,” and “Orders,” the clone trooper Fives discovered a conspiracy to control the clone army using a biological “inhibitor” chip. Of course, uncovering this secret makes Fives public enemy number one and he is forced to go on the run. He tries to expose the conspiracy, but is hunted and killed by his fellow clone troopers. Fives ends up dying in Rex’s arms, still trying to warn him about the chips.
So… Rex listened?
He must have. Not only that, but he probably convinced a few of his other clone buddies including Commander Wolfe to find and cut out their inhibitor chips.
Check out this picture of Rex. Look at the upper left part of his head:
Notice that scar? It’s also on the other clones:
What convinced Rex?
We’re willing to bet that will be explained, but it stands to reason that Fives piqued Rex’s interest and he started his own discreet investigation afterward. Once Rex confirmed Fives’ findings, he probably kept the information to himself to avoid being killed. After that, it was only a matter of relaying the information to his most trusted men and finding a way to do a little self surgery.
Could Obi-Wan and Anakin have known?
Doubtful. It seems they were both surprised by the idea of Order 66 in Revenge of the Sith.
What about Ahsoka?
We’re less sure about that one. The simple fact of the matter is her whereabouts are unknown during that time frame. So, it’s possible she had a hand in helping the clones or simply didn’t know anything about the matter. Either way, they ended up joining forces somewhere down the road and becoming members of a Rebel cell.
