When I was younger, I remember being blown away by the idea of Order 66, but I never thought about how the clones might have been conditioned for more than just turning on the Jedi.
Fast forward to now, and I discovered this storyline in Star Wars: Dark Times where Vader outright asks a Clone Commander if there’s a secret order to betray him—and let’s just say, things don’t end well for the guy.
It’s such a wild moment that shows how much Palpatine always had Vader on a leash. If you’ve never read this comic, it’s worth diving into for some jaw-dropping Vader lore.
Table of Contents
When Darth Vader Unveiled Palpatine’s Secret Clone Order (151)
If you’re interested in this moment, you can find it in the Star Wars: Dark Times comic series. This series is part of the Legends, so it is not considered canon.
To focus on this specific storyline, you should start with issue #0 and then proceed to issues #13 to #17, titled Blue Harvest.
The events of Star Wars: Dark Times – Blue Harvest take place in 19 BBY, just four months after Order 66.
In issue #15, the Empire has not yet transitioned their army to Stormtroopers, so Darth Vader is still relying on Clone Troopers.
During this time, Darth Vader is sent to Bandomeer by Emperor Palpatine because the Ionite miners of Bandomeer refused to honor their contracts with the newly-formed Galactic Empire.
To enforce respect for the new government, Palpatine orders Vader to deal with the local resistance. The Imperial Army swiftly overwhelms the lightly armed miners and establishes control over the planet.
After the campaign, Vader begins to doubt his current path, especially as Palpatine’s mysterious plans for dealing with surviving Jedi do not include him.
During the battle, Vader questions a Clone Commander, Commander Vill. He asks, “Commander Vill, I have a question. I require a truthful answer.”
Vill responds, “Of course, sir.” Vader continues, “The Emperor foresaw that the Jedi would attempt to thwart his move to consolidate the Republic into an Empire. He prepared you—all of the clones—by indoctrinating you with instructions for Order 66. Have you received a similar order to attack me if the Emperor so commands?”
Vill hesitates and replies, “Uh, Sir… even if there were such an order, I do not have the authority to divulge.”
Upon hearing Vill’s answer, Vader quickly uses the Force to choke the clone commander, then pushes Vill off a cliff.
Understanding that Vill might report this conversation back to the Emperor, Vader eliminates him to prevent Palpatine from learning about their exchange.
Order 151 Was the Emperor’s Failsafe Against Darth Vader
Before we get into what exactly Order 151 is, it’s important to know that this comes from Star Wars Legends continuity—not the official Disney canon—but it’s still a fascinating glimpse into the shadowy politics of the Empire.
So far, Order 151 has only been mentioned once, in the comic series we just talked about (Star Wars: Dark Times), and we never actually see Palpatine try to execute it on the page. Still, its existence says a lot.
Order 151 wasn’t part of the original 150 clone directives. Instead, it was a hidden protocol meant to take out Darth Vader if he ever became a threat or strayed from Palpatine’s control. In other words, this order was just another way for Palpatine to keep the upper hand, making sure that even Vader could be replaced if he showed any hint of betrayal to the Empire or to the Emperor himself.
This Isn’t the First Time Palpatine Had a Plan to Prevent Vader’s Betrayal
1. Using Death Trooper to Control Darth Vader
Order 151 isn’t the only instance where Palpatine had contingency plans to counter Darth Vader’s potential betrayal.
If you’ve been keeping up with the Star Wars comics, you’ll know Palpatine always had schemes in place to maintain control over his apprentice.
In Darth Vader #40, the comic reveals that Vader once commanded a squad of Death Troopers, but these elite soldiers ultimately turned against him. Because Palpatine had secretly conditioned them to follow his orders over Vader’s.
The story follows Palpatine putting Vader through an incredibly harsh trial. When Vader inevitably pushed back, Palpatine was ready. He ordered the Death Troopers—handpicked by Vader himself—to turn on him.
To add insult to injury, Palpatine taunts Vader, saying: “How does it feel to be betrayed by your own Death Troopers? You picked them out yourself. But they obey my command, not yours. Indeed, without my approval… you command no one and nothing.”
2. Palpatine Built the Inquisitors to Replace Vader if He Ever Fell
In the Darth Vader (2017) Marvel comic series, specifically issue #6, we get a closer look at how Palpatine uses the Inquisitors—not just as Jedi hunters, but as a way to keep Vader constantly on edge. This issue is the first time we really see Palpatine’s true intentions behind creating the Inquisitorius and placing them under Vader’s command.
From this story, it becomes clear that the Inquisitors were formed not just to serve the Empire, but to strengthen the Sith Order itself. We see Vader’s first encounter with the Grand Inquisitor, which quickly turns into a lightsaber duel, only for Palpatine to step in and break it up before either can win.
Later in the issue, Vader confronts Palpatine, starting to understand the real reason for the Inquisitors. He realizes they’re more than just another Imperial tool—they’re Palpatine’s backup plan. If Vader ever failed or lost his edge, the Inquisitors would be there to take his place. Vader puts it bluntly: “You sent me to attack him. If he had beaten me… Would he now be at your side?”
Palpatine Makes Vader Pay for His Treason
Up to this point, we’ve seen that Palpatine had countless methods to keep Darth Vader in check and was always ready for the possibility of Vader’s betrayal. But in the canon comic Darth Vader (2020) issue #6, we finally witness the moment Palpatine directly punishes Vader for his treason. Sensing Vader’s disloyalty as he searches for answers about his past, Palpatine decides to make an example out of his apprentice.
With cold efficiency, Palpatine uses the Force to tear apart Vader’s mechanical limbs and destroy his weapon, leaving him broken and almost defenseless. He then drags Vader back to Mustafar—the very planet where Anakin Skywalker was once shattered—and abandons him there, stripped of aid, weapons, and mercy. If Vader wants to survive, he’ll have to do it completely on his own.
This act isn’t just punishment; it’s a brutal reminder of who truly holds the power. Palpatine’s cruelty is on full display, showing that no matter how strong Vader becomes, he is always at the mercy of the Emperor’s will.