What If The Droids Saved The Jedi During Order 66? Let’s explore the depths of this scenario in the video.
After the Battle of Onderon, Republic strategists, including the Jedi, discuss the latest developments. Although it was a Republic victory, they observed troubling changes in the droids' behavior.
The droids were better disciplined and employed smarter tactics. There were rumors that the Separatists were deploying a new generation of super tactical droids that were better commanders than the standard droid commanders.
The Battle of Onderon confirmed these rumors, as both Saw Gerrera and the royal military reported the presence of these droids.
Captain Rex: This poses a problem for our strategists. The droids use algorithms to predict our moves and develop counter-maneuvers for our tactics. It's why the tricks we use become less effective over time. If they have new commanders, our strategies can become outdated even faster."
Anakin: "Well, I guess we just have to be smarter than them."
Obi-Wan: "Unfortunately, things are not that simple. It won’t matter how smart we are if these droids can predict our moves. What we need is some intelligence on these droid models."
Cody: "I’m glad you mentioned that, General. I propose a standing order for Republic troops to capture an intact super tactical droid for analysis. That way, we can let the boys figure out how they work."
The other officers agreed to this proposal and got their opportunity during the Battle of Ringo Vinda. In the final stages of the campaign, clone trooper Tup’s inhibitor chip malfunctioned, causing him to activate Order 66 prematurely. The droid commander of this operation, Kraken, noticed this and was ordered by Admiral Trench to capture Tup for examination. However, his transport was intercepted by Anakin, Fives, and Rex.
• Tup Gets Rescued [HD] 3:30-3:46
The clones storm the shuttle, cutting down the droid guards. Kraken leaps forward and scores a few blows before Anakin slices off his arms. As the droid stumbles back, he holds his lightsaber against him.
Anakin: Whats going on? What do you know about this clone?
Kraken: I am programmed to resist intimidation.
Although Anakin wants to destroy him, he knows there is too much data in that droid to risk losing. Instead, he takes a droid popper from Fives and temporarily disables him.
They take Kraken back to Coruscant to begin going through his databanks. This proves to be more difficult than they think, as many of the droid's logs are protected, stifling the efforts of the researchers.
One person who offers to help is Anakin. Using his years of experience building and modifying droids, he helps the research team crack the codes keeping them out of the databanks.
They immediately begin poring over the files and recordings of the droid. One of the most recent ones that got their attention was a conversation between Dooku and Trench regarding Tup. As Anakin and the research team listen to it, they notice the change in Dooku's demeanor after he hears Trench’s report. They note how hurriedly he ends the transmission just as Tup is kidnapped shortly after.
Kraken: "What are you doing to me?"
Anakin: "Getting answers, droid. Now try not to cause too much of a fuss. We don’t want to cause a malfunction."
Kraken: "You mean like your soldier?"
Anakin: "Careful, droid. That's a living thing you’re talking about."
Kraken: "One who had something malfunctioning in his brain. I saw the situation, Jedi. Look how that clone moved and started acting. He did not simply attack you because he wanted to; he could not help himself. How can that happen unless something in his head was malfunctioning or someone made him do it?"
Anakin can’t think of a rebuttal. Although he hates to admit it, the droid raises a good point. Tup’s behavior was odd. Instead, he turns his attention back to gathering more information on the super tactical droid.
He learns that these command droids transmit signals to the other droids, relaying instructions, which is how they can coordinate battles. With this information, Anakin and the other Jedi begin researching how to replicate these commands to try and take control of at least a portion of the droids.
Despite this victory, Anakin cannot let himself rest easy as Kraken’s words continue to ring in his head. A seed of doubt grows in his mind, especially as he hears Fives mentioning some inhibitor chip.
However, the ARC trooper dies before he reveals more, leaving Anakin with no leads. Palpatine himself visits Anakin after the clone's funeral and assures Anakin that he is not to blame for what happened and that Fives’ death was due to battlefield stress and substance abuse.