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.
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.
This Isn’t the First Time Palpatine Had a Plan to Prevent Vader’s Betrayal
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.”