Feature: Star Wars May 4th collection
The Dark Side of Command: 10 Orders from the Star Wars Universe
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"These aren't the orders you're looking for..." Or are they? In the vast Star Wars universe, Palpatine's contingency orders represent some of the most calculating and sinister military directives ever conceived. While Order 66 may have taken the spotlight in the films, it was actually just one of over 150 contingency orders created for the Grand Army of the Republic. As we explore these galaxy-altering commands, remember that you can bring a piece of that far-away galaxy into your home with our Star Wars collection.
1. Order 66: The Great Jedi Purge
The most notorious of all imperial directives, Order 66 transformed the Clone Army into Jedi hunters overnight. Also known as Clone Protocol 66, this top-secret contingency order identified all Jedi as traitors to the Galactic Republic, marking them for immediate execution by their own clone troops. What made this order particularly devastating was how it exploited the trust between Jedi commanders and their clone soldiers, turning loyal allies into executioners in an instant.
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2. Order 65: The Chancellor's Checkmate
In a fascinating twist, Order 65 was designed to do the exact opposite of Order 66 - it would turn the clone army against Chancellor Palpatine himself. This order authorised clone troopers to detain the Supreme Chancellor, with lethal force if necessary, should he be deemed unfit to lead. Of course, Palpatine included this order deliberately to divert suspicion from his true plans. It's the ultimate political "force" field - crafting the very weapon that could destroy you as the perfect cover.
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3. Order 5: The Military Coup Protocol
Should the Chancellor be declared unfit to issue orders, Order 5 stated that the Chief of Defense Staff would assume command and form a strategic cell of senior officers until a successor was appointed. This order essentially authorised a military takeover of the Republic in certain circumstances - a convenient tool for Palpatine's potential power consolidation if things didn't go according to plan.
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4. Base Delta Zero: Planetary Devastation
Though not technically numbered among the contingency orders, Base Delta Zero was a terrifying naval code for orbital bombardment capable of completely destroying a planetary surface. Publicly, the Empire claimed this was an initiative for "liberating planets" - but in reality, it meant the total extermination of target populations. This scorched-earth policy on a planetary scale served no military function except to instil fear throughout the galaxy.
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5. Order 151: The Vader Contingency
Even Darth Vader wasn't immune to Palpatine's paranoia. After the rise of the Empire, Palpatine secretly created Order 151 specifically to eliminate Darth Vader should the need arise. This demonstrates how the Emperor's scheming never ended, always preparing for every possibility - including the betrayal of his own apprentice. The Sith Lord discovered this contingency plan's existence and eliminated the clone commander who knew about it to cover up this knowledge.
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6. Order 4: The Chain of Command
In the event of Chancellor incapacitation, Order 4 would transfer GAR command to the vice chair of the Senate. During the Clone Wars, this was Mas Amedda - a notoriously corrupt politician well before Palpatine's rise. This order ensured that even if something happened to Palpatine, power would still remain within his corrupt inner circle.
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7. Order 99: The Separatist Beta Test
Before implementing Order 66, Palpatine created Order 99 as a test run among the Separatist droid army. This order made the droids switch sides, moving to the opposing faction - providing a crucial test for the later Clone betrayal. This reveals the meticulous planning behind Palpatine's schemes, testing his tactics with droids before risking them with his precious clone army.
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8. Order 67: Breakdance with the Droid Army, Then Clean Clone Armour
Not all orders were deadly serious. Order 67 instructed clone troopers to "Begin breakdancing with the Droid Army, then clean as much clone Armour as possible." While clearly not an actual military directive, this humorous addition to Star Wars lore reminds us that even in the darkest corners of the galaxy, there's room for a little levity. Perhaps the Separatists would have been too confused by clone moonwalking to continue fighting!
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9. Order 7: Imperial Detailing
In the lighter side of imperial directives, Order 7 simply instructed clones to "Wash Palpatine's Ship." Even Sith Lords need their starships detailed occasionally! This humorous take on the contingency orders reminds us that not every imperial command involved galactic domination. Who knew that keeping the Emperor's shuttle spotless was important enough to be codified as an official order?
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10. Republic Commando Order 66
While Order 66 affected all clone troopers, it had special significance for the elite Republic Commandos. These highly trained special forces soldiers had developed greater independence and deeper bonds with their Jedi generals. When Order 66 was executed, many Republic Commandos like the famous Delta Squad faced a terrible dilemma - their programming versus their developed sense of individual identity. This internal conflict made the famous order even more tragic for these elite soldiers.
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May The Fourth Be With You
These contingency orders reveal the brilliant, if twisted, mind behind Palpatine's rise to power. By embedding his true objectives within a maze of seemingly legitimate military protocols, he was able to execute his plans while maintaining plausible deniability.
Whether you're a supporter of the Republic or secretly cheer for the Empire, our Star Wars collection has something for every fan. From games and collectibles to holiday decorations, you can celebrate your love for that galaxy far, far away without having to worry about any sinister orders being executed.
Remember, in our universe, the only order you need to follow is to have fun! Shop our Star Wars collection today, and as always... may the Force be with you!
