CT-5539

CT-5539, nicknamed "Hock Malsuum," was a clone trooper that was active during the Clone Wars and reported as dead, only to resurface during the early years of the Galactic Empire and join Darth Vader's 501st Legion of the Stormtrooper Corps.

Biography
A clone serving during the Clone Wars, CT-5539 served under many campaigns during the war. One particular battle had him working alongside a Twi'lek Jedi General, only for him to take over command when the general, in a tactical mistake, ended up leading her troops into an explosion. He then hoisted her body over his shoulder and ordered for Red Team to provide cover fire and Blue Team to follow him and undergo a flanking procedure, taking down several super battle droids. By the time of the end of the war, however, he had been left for dead by the Jedi Generals, causing him to hate his former commanders, also gaining a scar over his right eye.

Eight days after his abandonment, he was attacked by creatures. In his delirium, he came up with the name "Hock". He then decided his future would only be in his hands, similar to another clone trooper who had named himself: Kaddak. Hock walked across the Malsuum Expanse and passed out in a city, where he was taken in by farmers. Eventually, while at a bar, he began to hear of stories relating to another warrior: That of the then-newly formed Galactic Empire's top enforcer, Darth Vader. Although he was normally skeptical of stories told by spacers and pilots, he was interested, wanting to believe. He abandoned his duties to the farmers who had taken him in and and went off alone. By that point he had not fired a blaster in two years.

He was able to join Lord Vader's command. He proved himself in battle and eventually attained the rank of commander. He was able to decorate his Phase II clone pilot armor with a red stripe over his wounded face. At one point he single-handedly captured a pirate ship.

Personality and traits
Due to his abandonment during battle, Hock hated the Jedi. During the Clone Wars, he had considered them to be fearless warriors, but believed others could be fearless even without a lightsaber, and that even Jedi could make mistakes. He acknowledged the fact that he was created by the Kaminoans for a purpose, and could take pride in that. He also believed he was a machine with unlimited replacements, meaning that each was equally unimportant. He also considered that he was trained to fight well. To him, loyalty is a choice.

During his exile, he did not care to fire a blaster. He reflected that he was trained to fight, and the desert taught him everything else. After hearing rumors of Vader, he considered that his debt to the farmers who had taken him in was paid months before.

In battle, he noticed Darth Vader's actions and reflected that he was a great warrior. Hock sensed that his mere presence could demoralize order, and he sought order, and he demanded results from his subordinates. Hock also wanted success, and desired Vader's trust above all else.

Behind the scenes
CT-5539 serves as the narrator in Dark Horse Comics miniseries Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows 1
 * Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows 2