Defiance and Redemption: Uncovering the Untold Stories of Clones Who Defied Order 66 in Star Wars Canon & Legends

Some clones managed to resist Palpatine's Order 66, both in the canon and Legends. Palpatine had planned the Clone Wars as a Jedi trap, with Order 66 as its culmination. Darth Sidious issued a single command, leading to the Jedi being hunted down and killed throughout the galaxy. However, Star Wars canon has revealed an even darker aspect to Order 66 - the clones were implanted with inhibitor chips that compelled them to obey and betray their Jedi generals.

Despite the compelling nature of Palpatine's command, there were clones who resisted. This defiance was witnessed in both Legends and canon, as some clones chose to aid Jedi in their escape. The stories of these brave clones are depicted in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, which centers around a group of mutant clones who assisted Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger in surviving. Below, you will find a list of all the clones who defied Order 66.

13 Fives

One of the most notable clone troopers in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Fives' journey was extensively portrayed in the animated TV show. He was among the first to uncover the existence of the inhibitor chips and took the initiative to remove his own long before Order 66 came into effect. In a particularly cruel turn of events, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, revealing his Sith identity, disclosed this truth to Fives, fully aware that no one would believe him. Despite managing to inform his fellow clones Rex and Kix about the chips, Fives tragically fell victim to friendly fire and lost his life. Nevertheless, Fives' revelations had a profound impact on the subsequent events in the Star Wars saga.

12 Able

Able-1707, a standard clone trooper featured in Legends' Empire and Rebellion comics, faced a critical situation when his transport was destroyed by the Separatists during the second year of the Clone Wars. Remarkably, he managed to survive for 21 long years on the uninhabited planet of Lubang Minor. It was on this desolate planet that Able would eventually cross paths with Luke Skywalker. In their encounter, Luke enlightened Able about the transformation of the Republic into the Empire. Despite the immense challenges, Able resisted the indoctrination imposed upon him and made the courageous decision to align himself with the rebels. This extraordinary display of individuality and unwavering determination highlights that even standard clone troopers possess exceptional capabilities, making them some of the most formidable non-Force-sensitive warriors in the entire galaxy.

11 Rex

Rex, a beloved character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, stood out as one of the few clones in the canon who defied Order 66. Recognizing the significance of Fives' warnings regarding the inhibitor chips, Rex took them seriously and promptly filed an official report. Armed with this knowledge, he successfully resisted the effects of Order 66, leading to Ahsoka Tano stunning him and removing his chip. With his free will restored, Rex and Ahsoka went into hiding. Subsequently, as depicted in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Rex actively worked against the early Empire and reemerged years later in Star Wars Rebels.

10 HOB-147

HOB-147, an additional character from the Legends universe, made an appearance in the Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures comics as a sarfighter pilot. After his V-19 Torrent was destroyed in a space battle, he was saved by a scavenger. While recovering from his injuries, HOB-147 narrowly escaped Order 66 and later discovered that the scavenger was hiding Jedi younglings. When the Empire intercepted the scavenger's ship, HOB-147 made the decision to deceive the Empire by denying the presence of any Jedi on board.

9 Wolffe

Another character introduced in both Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels is Wolffe, a clone trooper with a tough and grumpy demeanor, but also a hidden friendliness. Throughout the Clone Wars, Wolffe went through some traumatic events, including losing one of his eyes to Asajj Ventress and having it replaced with a cybernetic implant. The story of how Wolffe had his inhibitor chip removed remains untold in the Star Wars universe, but he managed to avoid joining the Empire and eventually found his place in the rebellion.

8 Omega and Yayax Squads

Omega Squad, the stars of Karen Traviss' Republic Commando novels, had a unique bond with the Mandalorians. Their training instructor, Kal Skirata, prioritized the preservation of Mandalorian culture over loyalty to the Empire. In fact, Darman, the squad's demolitions expert, was involved in a romantic relationship with Jedi General Etain Tur-Mukan. Influenced and supported by Skirata, Omega Squad made the bold decision to defy Order 66.

Another group of clone commandos, known as Yayax Squad, played a smaller but significant role in the Republic Commando novels. Similar to Omega Squad, these clones also defied Order 66. Cov, the leader of Yayax Squad, found himself deeply enamored with Kal Skirata's daughter. When the Republic fell, Cov and his squad chose to abandon their duties and join Kal, seeking to spend the rest of their lives on the Mandalorian homeworld. This act of desertion showcased not only the potential for romantic relationships among the clones but also highlighted the unbreakable brotherhood they shared, as they were willing to disregard their most crucial command in order to support their fellow squad members.

7 Kix

A compassionate and reliable clone medic, Kix faithfully served alongside Rex in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In contrast to Rex, Kix paid heed to Fives' warnings regarding the inhibitor chips and was determined to uncover their true purpose. Taking matters into his own hands, Kix courageously decided to remove his inhibitor chip, thereby defying the commands of Order 66. Unfortunately, he was unable to alert anyone about the sinister nature of the chips as Count Dooku and Kix were abducted, ensuring the secrecy surrounding them. Subsequently, Kix was subjected to suspended animation and only awakened years later during the intense conflict between the Resistance and the First Order.

6 Null-Class ARC Troopers

Featured prominently in the Legends-era Republic Commando novels, the six Null-Class ARC Troopers were the initial clones of Jango Fett. However, their Kaminoan creators deemed them flawed due to their excessive independence and callously planned their execution. In a display of deep concern for human life, Kal Skirata saved these young clones and adopted them as his own sons. Given their uncertain position within the Republic army, it is unsurprising that the Null ARC Troopers defied Order 66 and deserted alongside their adoptive father. The Nulls embodied the Mandalorian heritage that all Clone Troopers shared, surpassing the significance of the Jedi, Republic, and Sith's machinations.

5 Gregor

Gregor, a clone commando from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, experienced trauma and injury-induced amnesia during the Clone Wars. He found himself working as a dishwasher in a diner on Abafar until his memories returned, prompting him to rejoin the fight against the Separatist Alliance. Similar to Wolffe and Rex, it remains a mystery as to how Gregor removed his inhibitor chip. Nonetheless, he retained his free will and eventually became a part of the Rebellion, as depicted in Star Wars Rebels. Despite his eccentricity, Gregor displayed bravery during the Liberation of Lothal, sacrificing his life in the process. His demise was a testament to his determination in breaking free from the clutches of Darth Sidious.

4 Maze

Perhaps the most lethal group of clones in the Republic army, the Alpha-Class ARC Troopers were trained directly by Jango Fett and were distinct from other clone troopers due to their lack of mental modifications. Unlike their counterparts, these Alpha clone troopers possessed an independent mindset, leading many of them to reject Order 66. Among them, Maze stood out as an avid reader, holding strong political beliefs and harboring a deep admiration for Jedi Knights. It comes as no surprise that he refused to align himself with a fascist regime or partake in the execution of Jedi.

3 Grey

Introduced into the Star Wars universe through the Star Wars: Kanan comics, Grey served as a loyal member of Jedi Master Depa Billaba's team alongside her Padawan, Caleb Dume. Grey shared a strong bond with both Billaba and Dume, but when the fateful Order 66 was enacted, his inhibitor chip temporarily took control. Despite participating in the tragic shooting of Billaba, Grey's actions began to weigh on his conscience as he relentlessly pursued Dume. It was during this pursuit that Grey's determination reached its peak, enabling him to defy the influence of his inhibitor chip. In a selfless act of sacrifice, Grey sabotaged his own ship, valiantly giving up his life and the lives of his comrades to protect his friend. Grey's journey from initially following Order 66 to ultimately resisting the powerful grip of his inhibitor chip displayed an extraordinary display of mental resilience.

2 The Bad Batch

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and now the stars of their own Disney+ TV show, Clone Force 99 consists of a unique group of clone commandos who possess mutant abilities. As a result of these mutations, they are immune to the effects of their inhibitor chips, enabling them to defy Order 66. Unlike the others, one commando named Echo did not possess these innate mutations. Instead, he was subjected to cybernetic enhancements by the Separatists, which also rendered him resistant to the inhibitor chip. It is worth noting that only a single member of the Bad Batch, Crosshair, actually adhered to Order 66.

1 Cut Lawquane

Cut Lawquane stands out as a unique figure in the Star Wars canon timeline for deserting the clone army. Witnessing the devastating loss of his fellow clones early in the war left him deeply traumatized and disillusioned. In search of a different path, Cut abandoned the Republic and embraced the life of a farmer on Saleucami. In the midst of this new life, he also found love and became a devoted husband and father. Although Cut did not remove his inhibitor chip before Order 66 was executed, his isolation from the Republic military shielded him from being brainwashed, allowing him to resist Palpatine's command. According to Star Wars lore, Rex, a fellow clone, paid a visit to Cut Lawquane shortly after the Clone Wars, potentially aiding him in removing his inhibitor chip.