In the “Star Wars” galaxy, we’ve all heard of Order 66, the command that caused the clone troopers to turn against the Jedi.
But there’s a less known story, hidden in the “Star Wars: Dark Times” comic series, issues #13-15, that reveals a moment when Darth Vader, the most feared person in the galaxy, felt fear himself.
What’s Order 151?
So, we’ve all heard of Order 66, right? That’s the command that made all the clone troopers turn against the Jedi and start attacking them. But there was another order, one that isn’t talked about much: Order 151.
This was a secret plan cooked up after the Empire took over, at a time when the clone troopers were still around.
Order 151 was sneaky. It was designed by the Emperor, the big bad guy in charge, to create a special group of soldiers. But these weren’t just any soldiers; they were programmed to turn against Darth Vader and take him out if needed. Sounds pretty scary, doesn’t it?
Vader Finds Out
Darth Vader didn’t stay in the dark about this for long. He found out about Order 151 by questioning a clone commander named Vill. Imagine Vader’s surprise and anger when he learned about this betrayal!
So, what did Vader do? He used the Force to choke Commander Vill and then made it look like the guy just tripped and fell off a cliff.!
Even though Order 151 was never actually used, it caused a huge problem between Darth Vader and his boss, the Emperor.
It’s like finding out your best friend had a secret plan to kick you out of the club. Vader might have been tough, but this order showed him that in the Empire, you couldn’t trust anyone, not even your closest allies.
Why did Palpatine do that?
Palpatine, ever the strategist, had a backup plan for virtually every scenario, including the chance that Vader might decide to turn against him. This was in line with the Rule of Two, a core tenet of Sith philosophy established by Darth Bane.
According to this rule, there could only ever be two Sith Lords at a time: a master and an apprentice. This ensured the Sith remained hidden from their enemies and that only the most powerful and cunning would rise to the top.
Yet, Palpatine, Vader, and even Count Dooku, at times, bent this rule by training others, subtly challenging its boundaries.
The Rule of Two was designed to create a perpetual tension between master and apprentice, each knowing that one day, they might have to confront the other.
This dynamic was a driving force behind the Sith’s strength but also a source of constant paranoia.
Palpatine, embracing his dual role as the supreme Sith Lord and Emperor, used his resources wisely. He indoctrinated the clone troopers with numerous orders, including the chilling Order 151, specifically designed to eliminate Vader if he ever stepped out of line.
This plan reveals the intricate layers of manipulation and control Palpatine wielded, not just over the galaxy, but even over his closest ally and apprentice. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of the Sith and their complex, often treacherous relationships.
It shows us that in the world of the Sith, trust is as scarce as it is fragile, and even the mightiest like Vader are not beyond the reach of betrayal.
The Big Picture
This story is more than just a cool, behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars. It shows us that even the strongest and scariest characters have things they’re afraid of.
It also gives us a peek into how tricky and complicated relationships can be when power and betrayal are involved. For Darth Vader, Order 151 was a wakeup call that in the world of the Sith, you always have to watch your back.