Title: What Happened to the Clone Troopers After the Prequel Trilogy? The Untold Story Revealed
The Fate of Clone Troopers After Order 66
The animated series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” delves deep into what happened to the clones after Order 66, as it follows a group of specialized troopers unaffected by that command in the wake of the Clone Wars. In order to restrict access to cloning technology, the Empire destroys Kamino’s Tipoca City and the cloning facilities therein. This destructive act also pushes the Senate to authorize a widespread military recruitment bill. Forming an army from citizen recruits serves a dual purpose: It’s cheaper than cloning perfect soldiers, and it ensures an extra level of loyalty from occupied worlds. You’re much less likely to rebel against the Empire when your neighbor’s kid is in the army.
The Rise of TK Stormtroopers
The first wave of non-clone Imperial troopers, known as TK stormtroopers, are recruited very soon after the Empire is established. These soldiers are trained by clone veterans under an initiative called Project War-Mantle and wear armor similar to both the final generation of clone armor and the eventual armor seen in the original trilogy.
Challenges Faced by Clone Veterans
Though some galactic representatives like Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora push for additional legislation to take care of clone veterans, former troopers still suffer greatly. The accelerated aging of the clones’ genetic programming means advanced health issues for some, and the Order 66 trigger leaves significant psychological trauma on the clones forced to carry it out. In “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” an unhoused clone is seen begging on the streets of Daiyu.