Coruscant Guard/Legends

"We live to serve."

- Trooper Jek of the Coruscant Guard

The Coruscant Guard, later also known as the Imperial Guard or the Elite Stormtroopers, was formed under the Galactic Republic in 22 BBY as an elite, specialized division of the Grand Army of the Republic stationed on the capital planet of Coruscant. Composed of clone shock troopers, so named because of their focus on lighting fast responses, the Coruscant Guards were considered among best and most loyal of the clone troopers in service during the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

The Coruscant Guard's primary responsibility was to protect Coruscant and the Galactic Senate. Mostly, the Coruscant Guard was found protecting vital infrastructure and government buildings as well as serving as guards at the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. Through the Diplomatic Escort Group, they provided details for senators and other important Republic dignitaries traveling off planet. The Guard also served as peacekeepers, assisting Coruscant's civilian police, the Coruscant Security Force (CSF). They coordinated their activities with them through the Homeworld Security Command and deployed riot clone troopers to assist the CSF in patrolling the streets of Galactic City. The Guards were given broad authority of arrest and detention through Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's emergency powers which was viewed with disquiet and concern by some.

Led by Clone Commander CC-1010, nicknamed "Fox", the Coruscant Guard was involved in several incidents during the war. Notable among them were the raid on Ziro's Palace during which they rescued Senator Padmé Amidala from Ziro the Hutt, escorting Jedi Grand Master Yoda on a mission to the moon of Rugosa, protecting Representative Jar Jar Binks during the mission to the planet Florrum, storming the Republic Executive Building during the Senate hostage crisis, putting down a riot at the Central Detention Center, serving as guards to Chancellor Palpatine during the Festival of Light on the planet Naboo, and pursuing and capturing Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano after her arrest for the supposed murder of Letta Turmond and subsequent escape from the Republic military base.

With the Declaration of a New Order in 19 BBY, the Republic became the Galactic Empire and Palpatine declared himself Emperor. After Master Yoda's duel with Palpatine, the Coruscant Guards, now under the command of ARC trained and promoted Commander CC-4477, nicknamed "Thire," searched for Yoda and also escorted Palpatine to the planet Mustafar to retrieve the severely injured Darth Vader. Though in far less numbers than their civilian counterparts in the CSF, the Coruscant Guards were made the primary police force for Coruscant, sharing responsibility for the capital's security with the Emperor's Royal Guard and placing the CSF in a much diminished support capacity. The Guard continued with mostly protecting important government buildings and infrastructure though they could take over any cases they so chose, especially if requested to assist the Imperial Security Bureau.

During the war, the Coruscant Guards had been the first to be nicknamed "Stormtroopers" by the Coruscant population, a term that was swiftly applied to all of the clone forces now reorganized into the Stormtrooper Corps. As the clones aged, members of the Guard were recruited from inside the Stormtrooper Corps, however, the Guard remained a separate organization from the Stormtrooper Command structure as well as from the stormtroopers assigned to the CSF. They also received distinct crimson-colored armor that was light, yet heavily padded, and made them into a easily recognized presence. The Guards became ruthless symbols of Palpatine's power, not only on Coruscant, but a few other select Core Worlds as well. With the capture of Coruscant by the New Republic in 7 ABY, the Coruscant Guards and all other stormtrooper units on Coruscant were disbanded.

Organization
"Sorry sir, but the Admiral's order stands"

- Commander Fox to Anakin Skywalker

The Coruscant Guard was first organized under the Galactic Republic as a division of the Grand Army of the Republic and was stationed on the capital planet of Coruscant to serve as peacekeepers. Though considered a specialized rapid response and urban police force, the Guard was not a part of the Special Operations Brigade and instead was led by a clone trooper commander under the supervision of the Homeworld Security Command. The Guard itself consisted of clone shock troopers, so called because of their focus on lighting fast responses. Within the Guard, shock troopers could be assigned to two specialized duties. One was the riot clone troopers who were trained in crowd dispersal and urban patrol. Squads of riot troopers were always ready for deployment, stationed in barracks across Galactic City. The second was the Diplomatic Escort Group duty during which troopers charged with protecting Republic officials on key missions. The Diplomatic Escort Group was led by a clone commander, though he was subordinate to the overall commander of the Guard.

The primary duty of the Coruscant Guard was the security of Coruscant, but more importantly the safety of the galactic government. This task gave the Guard and its commander a wide jurisdiction and far reaching authority. Many responsibilities previously held by the Senate Guard such as ensuring the security of the Senate District, escorting traveling government officials, and protecting important Republic missions, increasingly became the purview of the Coruscant Guard. In addition to protecting government buildings, the Guard was also made responsible for protecting vital infrastructure and business areas of Coruscant as well as acting as prison guards at the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center.

While the Coruscant Security Force (CSF) focused on local policing, the Coruscant Guard acted as a rapid reaction force and in support of the CSF. However, as the Guard's mandate included the security of the government, they could commandeer any resource from the CSF they chose to accomplish this mission. Under the Galactic Empire, the authority of the Guard was expanded yet their duties and organization changed little. Though composed of specially trained stormtroopers, the Coruscant Guard remained separate from the overall command structure of the Stormtrooper Corps. They were given primacy on all investigations and police activity on Coruscant, though they were few in number. As such, general policing was still carried out primarily by the CSF.

Armor


As unit of the Grand Army, the Coruscant Guard originally utilized the Phase I clone trooper armor. The Grand Army at first used colors on armor to designate military rank. However the Coruscant Guard was one of the first divisions to utilize color to designate unit affiliation rather than rank. As such, all shock troopers had crimson markings on their armor, crimson being the color of Coruscant and the Republic government. Additionally, the symbol of the Galactic Senate was painted on the armor. While it was normally situated at the middle of the chest plate, it was also at times painted on shoulder or upper arm plates. Various troopers also made additionally modifications to their armor, a trait that would become increasingly common among the Grand army.

The Coruscant Guard later adopted the new Phase II clone trooper armor along with the rest of the army. They retained the crimson red colors on their armor though the markings were changed from their previous Phase I armor designs. Specialized modifications were completely removed and all shock troopers carried the exact same marking design. Additionally the Senate symbol was removed from the armor plates of the shock troopers. A notable exception was the markings present on the armor of the Guard commander which, while crimson as before, was a different pattern then the rest of the Guard and he retained the Senate's symbol on his shoulder plates.

During the Imperial era, the Coruscant Guard was issued distinctive armor. Unique to only members of the Guard and in keeping with the established precedent, the armor was colored completely in crimson. Underneath, Guards wore a black body glove suit. In contrast to the plastoid Stormtrooper armor worn by other units, was designed for urban policing. Heavily padded, yet light and versatile, the armor protected Guards from physical attacks and the majority of weapons they were expected to encounter. The helmets worn by the Guards was lined with advanced sensors, which allowed them to work in complete darkness. They also contained a comlink scrambler for communication with fellow personnel. Unit commanders' helmets were also equipped with a voice activated heads-up display with tracking beacon software that let them know the whereabouts of their subordinates at all times.

Equipment
"Jek. Concerned about weapons you are. Weapons do not win battles. Your mind, powerful it is! Mmm? Out think the droids you can."

- Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Trooper Jek

As part of the Grand Army, the Coruscant Guard was equipped with the weaponry that was carried by most other military units. For general duties, the shock troopers carried the DC-15A blaster rifles, DC-15S blasters, and thermal detonators. Coruscant Guards were also issued DC-17 hand blasters that could be carried as side arms. For special missions and military expeditions, troopers could carry missile launchers such as the RPS-6 rocket launcher and Z-6 rotary blaster cannons. As the Coruscant Guard was not only a military unit but primarily a peacekeeper force, the riot clone trooper units that patrolled various areas of Coruscant were armed with non-lethal weapons. This included riot shields and stun batons. Under the Empire, they received new weapons with Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc. providing much of their armory. While Guards carried blaster pistol side arms and blaster rifles, they were well known to utilize Merr-Sonn taser staves on patrol. The taser stave had variable power settings and was capable of delivering a lethal or incapacitating charge when it struck its target. For major riots or crowd control situations, Coruscant Guards also carried the more advanced Merr-Sonn R-88 Suppressor riot rifle. The rifle was well liked by both the Guard and the CSF as a crowd control device.

While much of the Coruscant Guard was stationed at various posts around the planet, they shock troops lived up to their name as a rapid response force. To this end, the Guard made use of the Low Altitude Assault Transport (LAAT) favored by the Grand Army. The LAAT was able to provide the Guard with a rapid deployment and patrol craft. Additionally, thought they did not always do so, the Guard could procure Republic police gunships from the CSF and utilize them during missions or as patrol craft. The police gunship was so successful it saw continued use during the Empire. During that time, the Guard also changed over to using the Imperial Rapid Deployment Airspeeder as their primary form of transportation. It allowed them to deploy several Guards as a unit as had their other troop transports. For pacifying operations against unruly mobs, the Coruscant Guard favored the All Terrain Recon Transports. While a military vehicle, it worked well in the urban environment of Coruscant.

Beginnings
"We've secured the Hutt location, sir. Senator Amidala's unharmed and she's returning to the Senate with her protocol droid. We have Lord Ziro in custody. He's claiming he was forced into the kidnapping of Jabba's son by Count Dooku. Zero casualties&mdash;unless you count droids, of course."

- Commander Fox, reporting the successful hostage extraction

In 22 BBY, the Separatist Crisis erupted at the First Battle of Geonosis beginning the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. An army of clone troopers, grown from the template of bounty hunter Jango Fett, had been created for the Republic's use in secret. The Grand Army of the Republic was activated and deployed across the galaxy. To protect the Republic capital, a division of the Grand Army composed of the clone shock troopers was sent to Coruscant. Trained as peacekeepers, the shock troopers, so called because of their emphasis as a rapid response force, were dubbed as the Coruscant Guard and authorized to perform random searches and detain citizens. The shock troopers were the first to be given the nickname "stormtroopers" by the population, a term that would, a few years later, be applied to the entire clone army. The Guard was placed under the command of Clone Commander CC-1010, nicknamed "Fox". Fiercely loyal to the Republic and with a command style of leading from the front, Fox would become one of the most decorated commanders during the war.

After Senator Padmé Amidala was captured by Ziro the Hutt, her droid C-3PO contacted the Coruscant Guard about Amidala's abduction and piloted the senator's H-type Nubian yacht to Ziro's Palace, accompanied by Commander Fox and five other Coruscant Guards. Fox's team blasted their way into the palace, destroying the B1 battle droids guarding the entrance in the process. In the ensuing commotion, Amidala freed herself and destroyed the IG-86 sentinel droid guarding her with an appropriated E-5 blaster rifle. Taking cover from return fire, the Coruscant Guards made quick work of the remaining security droids. When the last two battle droids were destroyed, the shock troopers surrounded the fleeing Hutt, cutting off his escape and placing him under arrest.

Diplomatic escorts
"Careful what you wish for, Rys. We're shipping out. Diplomatic envoy. We're to accompany a Jedi."

- Lieutenant Thire

When Jedi Grand Master Yoda was sent to the coral moon of Rugosa, Lieutenant CC-4477, nicknamed "Thire", and shock troopers Jek and Rys were assigned to accompany him. The Jedi Master had gone to the to engage in diplomatic negotiations with Katuunko, the king of Toydaria, to have him join the Republic. However, the Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress arrived first to negotiate with Katuunko on behalf of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Republic convoy was ambushed by several Confederate frigates, but Master Yoda and the shock troopers were able to land on the planet though not where the negotiations were to take place. Ventress challenged Master Yoda that she would send her best battle droids against him. If the Jedi Master could defeat her army, then Toydaria would enter the Republic. However, should the Jedi fail, then Toydaria would join the Confederacy.

Yoda agreed to this challenge. The Jedi and the Coruscant Guards began to make their way towards the negotiation's location. As they made their way through the coral forest, the Jedi and shock troopers encountered heavy fighting during which Thire was injured. Yet, with the encouragement of the aged Jedi, the small force was able to prevail. Count Dooku, seeing that his plot had failed, ordered Ventress to assassinate King Katuunko. Yoda and the Guards arrived in time to prevent the king's death though Ventress was able to escape.

Commander CC-5869, nicknamed Stone, and a squad of shock troopers accompanied Senator Kharrus to deliver a spice ransom to a band of pirates based on Florrum that had captured Confederate Head of State Count Dooku. A Nu-class attack shuttle entered the system carrying the spice and escort group, but the shuttle was ambushed by a Flarestar-class Weequay ship piloted by rogue pirate Barb Mentir. The enemy ship shot down the clone shuttle and caused it to crash in the Doshar fields on Florrum's surface. Both the shuttle's clone pilots and Senator Kharrus were killed in the crash, with only Commander Stone, a sergeant, two troopers and Associate Planetary Representative Jar Jar Binks who became the highest ranking individual, left alive.

After Kharrus had been buried and given an impromptu funeral, the pirate Turk Falso and a squad of Starhawk speeder bike–mounted pirates ambushed the clones and stole the spice, but Binks and the clones eventually used skalder mounts to retrieve the ransom. The pirates then used WLO-5 speeder tanks to attempt to wipe out the clones, but the Republic forces managed to defeat the pirates and commandeer the craft, taking them to the pirate outpost. The Escort Group arrived at the facility and departed Florrum with Skywalker and Kenobi, who had escaped a brief captivity at the hands of the pirates.

Policing Coruscant
"Mission accomplished, sir. The Chancellor is safe."

- A Coruscant Guard trooper after storming the Chancellor's Office

As part of their duties, Coruscant Guards would take custody of prisoners who were captured by members of the Jedi Order and escort them to the Republic Detention Center. Coruscant Guards stood by at the Republic Detention Center to take custody of Boba Fett and Bossk after they were captured by Plo Koon and Ahsoka Tano. They were also present at the Jedi Temple to take custody of Aurra Sing who was captured after her attempted assassination of Senator Padmé Amidala at the Alderaan Conference on the Clone War Refugee Crisis. As peacekeepers, Coruscant Guards would also assist the CSF in chases of suspected criminals. When Duchess of Mandalore, Satine Kryze, held a secret meeting Republic Ministry of Intelligence agent, Davu Golec in the lower levels, a Death Watch assassin had murdered Golec. A CSF police probe found Kryze, noticed that she had a weapon, and identified her as the suspect. The Duchess fled, and the probe notified local CSF and Coruscant Guard units who began chasing her. Kryze was able to elude them by tricking them into believing that she had escaped in an airspeeder in a different direction. The Duchess eventually turned herself in to the Senate Guard.

In 22 BBY, the Hutt Grand Council hired the bounty hunter Cad Bane to seize the Republic Executive Building and force Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to issue a pardon for the Hutt crime lord Ziro Desilijic Tiure, who was imprisoned in the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. Bane formed a team of bounty hunters and infiltrated the Executive Building, disposing of multiple Senate Commando guards along the way, the team took a small group of senators hostage. Bane trapped Palpatine and Senator Orn Free Taa in the Chancellor's office by shutting down the building's power. Bane then demanded Ziro was to be released or the senators would be executed. To secure the Hutt's release in exchange for the senators' lives, Bane ordered Taa to take a pardon disc to the Detention Center to release Ziro.

Taa reluctantly complied and was taken to the Detention Center by Bane's accomplices where the shock troopers on guard released Ziro. As final leverage against Palpatine, the bounty hunters set up a system of lasers around the senators that would trigger explosives with the slightest touch before leaving the building. Clone troopers of the Coruscant Guard led by Clone Commander CC-1010 arrived and stormed Palpatine's office then moved to apprehend Bane's team on the landing platform. However, with the still-trapped senators Palpatine ordered the bounty hunters to be allowed to escape with Ziro.

In 21 BBY, Coruscant Guards were present at the Jedi Temple along with Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu for the arrival of Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Captain Wilhuff Tarkin who had returned from a mission on Lola Sayu. They escorted Tarkin to the Republic Executive Building to meet Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

Guard details
"Turn your weapons off stun. Kill the prisoners if you have to."

- A Coruscant Guard trooper during a prison riot

As the war progressed, the Confederacy of Independent Systems engaged in initiative towards a peace treaty with the Galactic Republic proposed by Confederate Senator Mina Bonteri. However, under the direction of Count Dooku, Coruscant was infiltrated by demolition droids who planned a bombing of the Coruscant power generator. The droids arrived at the Docks under the derrick major where a shock trooper was on patrol. They then showed their identification to Commander Fox who waved them through. Upon arriving at the generator they killed several Coruscant power generator engineers and planted themselves on the wall as bombs. The droids then exploded, crippling all electrical sources on Coruscant, which resulted in power outages and fires as well as civilian deaths.

In 21 BBY, a riot was instigated at the Central Detention Center by bounty hunter Cad Bane to provide a cover for his and Moralo Eval's escape. The riot began when Bane had a young Boba Fett confront Rako Hardeen demanding Hardeen apologize to him for killing Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and depriving Fett of the bounty. Unknown to everyone, Hardeen was Kenobi in an undercover disguise. Hardeen and Fett fought each other before they were stopped by two troopers. However, the guards were knocked out by the Trandoshan Bossk who attacked Hardeen for fighting with Fett. At that point another trooper and three others arrived to stop Bossk. However, as they began to fight Bossk the other prisoners joined the riot. A trooper on the balcony called for reinforcements while stunning the prisoners.

As the riot grew and the troopers turned off their stun settings and began killing the prisoners that attacked them. During the confusion Eval and Bane began to make their escape. They were joined by Hardeen who convinced them to take him with them. The troopers were able to restore order though many prisoners were killed necessitating that they be cremated. Arriving at the detention center's morgue, the three were able to enter the chute cases before two clones arrived. The clone sent them down to the cremation center. There they attacked and killed the three clones on duty. Moving the loading bay, the three prisoners were able to overwhelm the troopers stationed there and escape in a Coruscant police speeder.

Shortly thereafter, members of the Coruscant Guard escorted Supreme Chancellor Palpatine along with members of the Senate Guard and Jedi Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker to the planet Naboo for the upcoming Festival of Light. During the ceremony, Cade Bane and Moralo Eval put their plan into action under the direction of Count Dooku to kidnap Palpatine. Together with their group of bounty hunters which included Kenobi as Hardeen, they infiltrated the security detail using holographic disguise matrices. Kenobi was able to pursue Eval and Bane who had taken Palpatine. He was able to capture them shortly before the arrival of Windu, Skywalker, and a Coruscant Guard trooper who arrested the two kidnappers.

Investigation and arrest
"Can't say I blame you Commander Tano, but all the same, you're under arrest."

- Commander Fox

In 20 BBY, the Jedi Temple Docking Complex was the site of a explosion that killed six Jedi and several clone troopers and Temple employees. After the explosion, the hanger was secured by troopers of the Coruscant Guard while Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Padawan Ahsoka Tano investigated the incident with the assistance of the Crime scene investigation droid, Russo-ISC. With anger and confusion spreading, family members of the employees killed gathered outside the Temple to protest the Jedi. The Coruscant Guard was sent to the Temple with several riot troopers and a LAAT ship to assist the Temple Security Force in controlling the crowd. The investigation found that Letta Turmond, the wife of Temple employee Jackar Bowmani, had fed him volatile Nano-droids which then exploded killing Bowmani and causing the bombing at the Temple. Turmond was arrested by Skywalker and Tano and placed in a holding cell in the Jedi Temple.

However, with clone troopers killed in the explosion, the Republic Military claimed jurisdiction of Turmond who was taken into their custody under the direction of Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin. Turmond was moved to the prison complex at the Republic military base which was under the control of the Coruscant Guard. The base also held three other high profile prisoners including Whorm Loathsom, Poggle the Lesser, Wat Tambor and a Separatist tactical droid. However, Turmond refused to talk with anyone except Tano and so Admiral Tarkin requested Tano come speak to Turmond. Arriving at the base, Tano found Commander Fox personally monitoring the guard station. After having her leave her lightsabers and comlink at the guard post, Fox and two other troopers escorted Tano to Turmond's cell.

Leaving Tano with Turmond, Fox returned to the guard post. Meanwhile Turmond revealed that a Jedi had showed her how to make the bomb in an effort to make a statement against the Jedi being involved in the war. Before Turmond could give Tano the name, Turmond was Force-choked, unknown to all, by Jedi Barriss Offee. However, the view from the security cameras made it appears as if Tano was the one choking Turmond. A trooper notified Fox of Turmond's distress. Quickly Fox and two other troopers rushed into the cell, only to find Tano, apparently distraught, bending over Turmond's dead body. Fox, while not blaming Tano for wanting revenge on a traitor, placed her under arrest.

Prison escape
"Alert, alert! The Jedi prisoner has escaped!"

- Commander Fox

Admiral Tarkin, upon being notified of the situation, arrived to interrogate Tano. He was escorted to her cell by two Coruscant Guards. Showing Tano the recording, Tarkin pointed out that the video appeared to show Tano choking Turmond though Tano maintained her innocence. Tarkin ordered that no one else was to be allowed to see Tano. Shortly thereafter Anakin Skywalker arrived and began arguing with Commander Fox, demanding to let him in. Fox had two shock troopers activate their electrostaffs, threatening to enforce the Admiral's orders with force, at which point Skywalker left.

After that, Tano discovered a key card outside her cell. Believing it had been left by Skywalker, in actually it had been Offee, Tano used the key to leave her cell. Arriving at the guard post, Tano found three wounded shock troopers and next to them her lightsabers and comlink. At that moment Commander Fox entered the guard post and seeing Tano, issued the alert. Three Coruscant Guards chased her north into the corridor and sealed the area before a trooper notified Fox. Pursued by Fox, Tano came upon three troopers who had been killed by a lightsaber. Tano continued to run when Fox arrived. Assuming Tano as the killer, Fox issued a shoot-to-kill order.

However, Anakin Skywalker arrived at that point with Captain CT-7567 "Rex" who argued with Fox that Tano would never kill troopers like that. Skywalker, failing to convince Tano to surrender, ordered the base locked down and searched. Tano was able to avoid a squad of Coruscant Guards, including Advanced Recon Force trooper Hound and his massiff "Grizzer", who patrolling the First Battle Memorial. However she was spotted by Commander Fox and his squad and was chased to the pipelines outside the base. The shock troopers attempted to stun blast her, but Tano was able to block them. She was briefly surrounded by several Coruscant Guards but managed to escape into the sewer system with Skywalker, Rex, Fox, and several squads of Coruscant Guards following her. Skywalker was able to chase her down one length of pipe which ended at the Coruscant Underworld portal. Tano, restating her innocence jumped into the portal onto a transport and escaped capture as Commander Fox and Captain Rex arrived.

Capture and trial
"We're taking you in now, Commander.''" "''That's not gonna happen. Trust me."

- Wolffe and Ahsoka Tano, before Tano escapes from him

A short time later, two squads of Coruscant Guards were sent to find Tano in the Coruscant Underworld. One squad was under the command of Anakan Skywalker and Captain Rex and the other squad was commanded by Jedi Master Plo Koon and Commander Wolff. Utilizing two police gunships, the squads followed a lead from the CSF's Underworld Police division that Tano had been spotted on Level 1312. Descending into the underworld, the squads were able to spot Tano along with with Separatist agent–turned–bounty hunter Asajj Ventress. Tano and Ventress activated the terminal gate's ray shield, preventing pursuit afterwhich Skywalker ordered a group of probe droids to find the two fugitives. Wolffe and his team of Coruscant Guards then disembarked from the police gunship to monitor the probe droids' findings.

Before long, the squad found that Tano had been spotted and he immediately took his troopers to apprehend them. Upon being cornered and held at blaster-point by Wolffe's men, Tano attempted to get them to back down, but Wolffe refused to let her escape. A fight ensued, with Ventress activating her lightsabers and cutting through the shock troopers' blasters. Tano also joined the fight, making sure that she and Ventress did not harm the troopers beyond rendering them unconscious. Disabled and winded, Wolffe and the Coruscant Guard troops were unable to prevent Tano and Ventress from escaping. Notifying Master Koon that Ventress had been involved with Tano's getaway, Wolffe and his shock trooper squad had to recover before picking up the chase.

Meanwhile, Ventress left Tano who arrived at an abandoned munitions warehouse on Level 1315 and was attacked by Barriss Offee disguised as Ventress. Their ensuing fight caught the attention of two CSF Underworld officers who notified Skywalker's squad of Coruscant Guards. The two squads arrived and found Tano in a lower storage room. Although Tano pleaded with Wolffe to let her explain, he stunned her unconscious before she could utter another word. The Coruscant Guard took her into custody and she was taken to the Jedi Temple. With the evidence stacked against her, Tano was expelled from the Jedi Order and put to trial for her alleged part in the bombing of the Temple. Escorted to the courtroom by Coruscant Guards, she was defended by Padmé Amidala. Skywalker discovered that fellow Jedi Barriss Offee was the true culprit, having worked with Turmond and then framed Tano for her crimes. However, Tano chose not to rejoin the Order when offered re-admittance.

War's end
"Double your search!" "Yes, sir! Right away!"

- Palpatine to Commander Thire in regards to the hunt for Yoda's body

As the war came to a close, the newly Advanced Recon Commando-trained and promoted Commander Thire was placed in charge of the Coruscant Guard. New measures implemented by the Homeworld Security Command became more and more restrictive. Checkpoints manned by shock troopers increased as did random searches and protests were put down with brutal efficiency. The shock troopers presence on city streets increased and they were joined by members of the 501st Legion. To some, the Coruscant Guard became a symbol of Palpatine's strangle hold on the government and military and the limitations he had placed on civil liberties. However, these measures could not prevent the the invasion of Coruscant by the Separatist Droid Army. Led by General Grievous, they launched a attack and kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine in the progress. Though the Guard was called for help, they were unable to prevent Palpatine from being taken.

After Palpatine was rescued and the Republic had forced the Separatists to retreat, the Coruscant Guard and all other clone units teamed with CSF officers to control looting in the city. Seeing the Republic crumble, a secret organization called the Republic Group attempted to take the Galactic Roundel in an effort to preserve it should the Republic fall. Director of the Senate Bureau of Intelligence Armand Isard ordered shock troopers to stop them, but they were unable to do so. A few days after the battle, the Jedi High Council discovered that Palpatine was in fact the Dark Lord of the Sith they had been searching for. They attempted to arrest him but were defeated. Anakin Skywalker, betraying the Jedi, became the Darth Vader Order 66 was issued, condemning all Jedi as traitors to the Republic. Shortly thereafter, Palpatine declared himself Galactic Emperor and the Republic became the Empire. As martial law was declared, the Coruscant Guard took control of the Senate Building.

Master Yoda later confronted Palpatine in a duel in the Grand Convocation Chamber which reached a stalemate. Commander Thire and several Coruscant Guards arrived and unsuccessfully searched for Yoda's body, however, the Jedi Master had escaped with the aid of Senator Bail Prestor Organa. Palpatine, suspecting that his apprentice Darth Vader was in danger, left Coruscant for the planet Mustafar with a detachment of Coruscant Guards including Thire. The troopers soon found the mangled and burned body of Vader, defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi, and alerted Palpatine. As soon as he saw Vader, Palpatine ordered the shock troopers to get a medical transport. Returning to Coruscant, Palpatine and Vader were taken to Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, all under the watchful eye of the Coruscant Guards. There Vader underwent surgery that encased him in a life supporting suit.

The Empire
"You don't fancy the new red armor, then?" "I'd look a complete idiot in it. No, the Imperial Guard can do without me. I'd never fit in the suit now. Besides, the Emperor wants fit and dedicated young stormtroopers to do the job, and I'm an old street cop at heart."

- Imperial Commando Niner Skirata and Captain Jaller Obrim

Four weeks after the Galactic Empire was declared, Darth Vader was sent by Palpatine to the planet of Murkhana where there had been reports of disloyal clone troopers. Arriving on the planet, Vader disembarked with a full escort of Coruscant Guard shock troopers. Accepting three lightsabers of Jedi who had been killed, Vader demanded the identify of those who had allowed three others to flee. The four clone commandos from Ion Team stepped forward acknowledging they had refused to kill the three Jedi as Order 66 had not made sense to them. The commandos then attacked Vader after he indicated his intent to execute them. Vader waved off his shock trooper escort, then killed Ras and another commando. Climber and Trace fled and Vader ordered the Coruscant Guards to bring them back alive. The shock troopers later reported they had successfully captured the two commandos.

Under the Empire, the Coruscant Guard and the Emperor's Royal Guard were given joint, primary jurisdiction to handle security on Coruscant. However, the Coruscant Security Force continued local policing operations with support of regular stormtroopers as the Coruscant Guard, fewer in number than their CSF counterpart, stayed mostly in the government and high-end business districts or protecting vital infrastructure. With the clone troopers steadily aging, the Coruscant Guard began recruiting from the ranks of the Stormtrooper Corps, itself now being filled with non-clones. Additionally, the Senate Guard was dissolved and many of its members were transferred to the Coruscant Guard.

Veteran troopers were placed in leadership positions as squad commanders and new Guards recruited from the stormtroopers received special training in marksmanship, riot suppression techniques, criminal investigations, threat assessment, as well as in small group tactics. They were also given psychological conditioning in order to instill complete loyalty to the Emperor. Despite being called Elite Stormtroopers and being composed of stormtroopers, the Coruscant Guard remained separate from Stormtrooper Command. While they were capable of acting as military troops, their primary responsibility was that of law enforcement.

The authority of the Guard was greatly expanded under the Empire as a never ending martial law was declared. Coruscant Guards were able to enter any building without a warrant to conduct searches and detain or arrest any person they believed were criminals. The Guard also were charged with rooting out more than just criminal activity. They could detain suspected sympathizers of the Rebel Alliance or other subversive groups with or without hard evidence. The Imperial Security Bureau, when conducting their own investigations into criminal or Rebel activity, agents would call upon the Guard to assist them. Also, the Coruscant Ministry of Ingress (CMoI) was brought firmly under the control of the Coruscant Guard. Under their direction, the CMoI prevented the immigration of unwanted species on Coruscant and the Humanocentric policies of the Empire were strictly enforced. With all these changes the Coruscant Guard became more than just a police and guard force, but also a political tool of the Empire.

Shortly before the Battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and Dash Rendar traveled to Coruscant to rescue Princess Leia Organa. In order to rescue her, they went though the sewers underneath Prince Xizor's palace. There they faced several Coruscant Guards on patrol. They were able to defeat them and escape with Princess Organa.

Legacy
"Their faces are covered, and since they are so well regarded, nobody is apt to bother them."

- Lando Calrissian discussing the Coruscant Guard

In 7 ABY the New Republic captured Coruscant from the Empire though much of the Imperial bureaucracy was left in place to continue running the government. However, stormtroopers had been for decades the image of oppression especially in those communities on Coruscant where non-Humans resided. The Coruscant Guard in particular had developed a reputation for ruthlessness and efficiency and few dared to approach them. As such all stormtrooper forces were disbanded on Coruscant. The gap in law enforcement was filled by various local militias until the Coruscant Security Force had rebuilt itself to a sizable strength.

During Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire, members of the the 1,001st Stormtrooper Division known as the "Knighthunters", wore armor based on that of the Coruscant Guard.

CC-1010
"When will you fools learn? No one escapes from Commander Fox."

- Commander Fox

CC-1010, also known as Fox, served as the leader of the Coruscant Guard and part of the Homeworld Security Command through most of the Clone Wars. Fox had in him an ingrained duty towards the Republic, the Senate, and the Chancellor and was fiercely loyal. Fox, and the rest of the Coruscant Guard shock troopers were among the best and especially known for their extra dedication to Chancellor Palpatine. Fearless, Fox led by example and was continually leading the charge into battle in front of his troops. Despite the lack of all out warfare on Coruscant, Fox's exemplary performance led him to be one of the most highly decorated solider in the Republic army during the Clone Wars. Fox was notable for leading the Coruscant Guard troops that raided Ziro the Hutt's palace and arresting Ahsoka Tano when he believed she had killed Turmond. Though he voiced his admiration for her initiative in killing the supposed traitor, Fox's opinion of Tano quickly changed when it seemed she had killed clones.

CC-4477
"Thire. Rush not into fights. Long is the war. Only by surviving it, will you prevail."

- Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Thire

CC-4477, also known as Thire, began as a lieutenant in the Coruscant Guard's Diplomatic Escort Group. It was noted by Master Yoda that Thire was quick to rush into conflict. During the Mission to Rugosa, Thire worked closely alongside Master Yoda. During the fighting Master Yoda would save Thire's life. Dedicated in his duty, Thire quickly rose through the ranks and was the commander of the Coruscant Guard by the time of Order 66. Ironically he was tasked with hunting down the very Jedi Master who had saved his life a few years earlier. With the establishment of the Galactic Empire, Thire served as one of the Emperor's body guards. Under Thire's supervision, the Coruscant Guard transitioned from military and security duties to Coruscant's primary police force.

CC-5869
"I suggest we stay here and wait for the Republic to send a rescue party."

- Commander CC-5869

CC-5869 also refered to as "Stone" was a commander in the Coruscant Guard and in charge of the Diplomatic Escort Group. On a mission to Florrum, Stone was in command of several troopers escorting Senator Kharrus and Representative Jar Jar Binks to deliver credits in the form of spice in exechange for Count Dooku. During the landing the shuttle was fired upon and crashed landing with Senator Kharrus dying in the crash. This made Jar Jar Binks the senior official in charge of the mission. Stone was hesitant about taking orders from Jar Jar yet he followed the chain of command. However he saw Bink's skills and saved his life twice during the mission.

Jek
"Okay clankers, suck lasers!"

- Jek to Battle droids

Jek was a clone trooper who served under Thire and Master Yoda during the mission to Rugosa. Initially posted to the Senate District, Jek was anxious to be on the front lines. As an outlet, Jek became an expert in weapons to the point of obsession. When called to escort Master Yoda on a diplomatic mission Jek was eager. It was while on this mission that Jek learned an important lesson from the Jedi Master that the most powerful weapon Jek could use was his mind. Taking the lesson to heart, Jek was able to think up a retrieval plan for Yoda when the Jedi was surrounded by droid forces.

Rys
"Rys. Always focused on the enemy are you. For inspiration, look to yourself and those beside you."

- Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Rys

Rys was assigned to the Senate District and like his fellow soldier Jek was eager to fight on the front lines. Frustrated with his posting of protecting the Senate District and serving as a diplomatic escort, Rys felt that the battle needed to be taken to the droids instead of waiting for an attack. This opinion Rys would frequently share with his comrades. When off duty, Rys tracked the movement of Republic fleet assets and followed the war as it unfolded in the Outer Rim, activities he turned into a hobby.

Behind the scenes
The Coruscant Guard was developed for the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire multimedia project which was released in 1996. The novel Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry refers to the Coruscant Guard as "Elite Stormtroopers" though other material named them as the "Coruscant Guard". Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, released on May 19, 2005 presented the clone shock troopers for the first time on screen and the online StarWars.com databank entries for Commander Thire and the Coruscant Guard wrote the shock troopers as the Guard's predecessors during the Republic era. The 2008 released The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia included an entry for the Coruscant Guard and stated the name was used for the shock troopers as well as the Imperial era Guards.

The 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars film and subsequent Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series showed the Coruscant Guard as existing since the beginning of the war and with their Phase I clone trooper armor as having red markings. This contradicted Labyrinth of Evil, written by James Luceno and published on January 25, 2005, which had the Coruscant Guards established late in the war. The Clone Wars TV series also presented several characters from the Coruscant Guards including establishing Fox as the leader of the Guard versus Thire who was made a lieutenant. That Thire was made the commander in charge was not contradicted though it was also not explained how he replaced Fox or if that was still considered official canon. Another contradiction appeared in the novel Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader published on November 22, 2005 and also written by James Luceno had the Coruscant Guard appear as the red emblazoned shock troops escorting Vader. However, the novel also identifies them as belonging to Commander Appo who is from the 501st Legion. It has not been clarified if the shock troopers were meant to actually appear and were simply under Appo's command or if it was intended that the troopers be the blue emblazoned troopers of the 501st.

Appearances
{{scroll box {{Imagecat|Images of Coruscant Guard}}
 * content=
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
 * The Clone Wars: Prelude
 * {{TCW|Ambush}}
 * {{TCW|The Gungan General}}
 * {{TCW|Lethal Trackdown}}
 * {{TCW|Duchess of Mandalore}}
 * {{TCW|Assassin (episode)|Assassin}}
 * {{TCW|Hostage Crisis}}
 * {{TCW|Hunt for Ziro}} {{Flash}}
 * Out Foxed
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Crash Course
 * The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny: Crisis on Coruscant
 * {{TCW|Citadel Rescue}}
 * {{TCW|Heroes on Both Sides}}
 * {{TCW|Deception}}
 * {{TCW|Friends and Enemies}} {{C|Newsreel}}
 * {{TCW|The Box}} {{C|Newsreel}}
 * {{TCW|Crisis on Naboo}}
 * {{TCW|Sabotage (episode)|Sabotage}}
 * {{TCW|The Jedi Who Knew Too Much}}
 * {{TCW|To Catch a Jedi}}
 * {{TCW|The Wrong Jedi}}
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith {{1st}}
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novel
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith junior novel
 * Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * Imperial Commando: 501st {{Mo}}
 * Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight {{Mo}}
 * {{WizardsCite|url=ddefault.asp?x=starwars/article/dodcampaign|text=The Core of Corruption|int=The Core of Corruption}}
 * Death Star {{Mo}}
 * Jedi's Honor
 * Shadows of the Empire novel {{1stm}}
 * Shadows of the Empire junior novel {{Mo}}
 * Shadows of the Empire game
 * Missed Chance {{Mo}}
 * X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble {{Imo}}
 * X-Wing: The Krytos Trap {{Imo}}
 * Millennium Falcon

Non-canon appearances

 * Giant spiders are awesome
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace
 * LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars}}