Clone Cadets

"Brothers in arms are brothers for life."

- Moral

"Clone Cadets" is the premiere episode for Season Three of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series. It aired on September 17, 2010 with the episode "ARC Troopers" for the season's one-hour premiere. It serves as a prequel to the first season episode "Rookies."

Official description
''Five headstrong clones struggle to complete their training on Kamino. These cadets -- Hevy, Cutup, Droidbait, Fives and Echo -- seem to be a "bad batch" and are unable to work as a team. As Shaak Ti and drill instructors Bric and El-Les debate the cadets' fate, the clones learn to work together and accept their destiny as soldiers.''

Cast

 * Dee Bradley Baker as clone troopers
 * Larry Brandenburg as Bric
 * Nolan North as El-Les
 * Tasia Valenza as Shaak Ti
 * Bob Bergen as Lama Su
 * Tom Kane as Narrator

Plot summary
Domino Squad is in the midst of a training exercise on Kamino in preparation for the frontlines. The purpose of the test is to reach the beacon atop the citadel, guarded by various practice droids. However, their teamwork is dysfunctional, as noted by hired bounty hunter ­Bric, who is observing with fellow hunter El-Les and Jedi Master Shaak Ti, whom he suggests to that these rejects be sent to maintenance duty with 99, a malformed clone. His presumptions are soon proved right, as Domino Squad are defeated by the practice droids. As they retire to the barracks, Echo tries reminding his brothers that they have to follow orders. This gets him into a scuffle with CT-782, before Bric breaks it up, who laments his disappointment in them. Elsewhere on Tipoca City, Lama Su is considering rejecting Domino Squad, but leaves the decision up to Shaak Ti due to her position as head of training.

Next day, ARC trooper Commander Colt has arrived to begin the test. He chooses Bravo Squad to take the test, who pass with flying colours. When it's Domino Squad's turn, they automatically fail when Droidbait gets hit and 782 decides to leave him behind. Colt shuts down the droids and reprimands the squad for breaking formation and leaving a man behind. As they are passing through the barracks, El-Les tells Bric that Domino Squad should retake the test, though Bric has little faith in them, which 99 overhears.

Fives and Echo go to Shaak Ti to request a transfer to Bravo Squad. But Shaak Ti denies them and explains to them that they need to learn to work together with the rest of their squad and thus she permits them to retake the test the next day. Meanwhile, CT-4040 is summoned by Bric for a reprimanding. The bounty hunter tries provoking the clone into attacking him, looking for an excuse to get him and his squad kicked out, unintentionally giving him the nickname Cutup.

In the night, 99 catches 782 attempting to go AWOL. He convinces 782, whom he keeps calling Hevy, about the importance of brotherhood and teamwork. The next day, Hevy has taken 99's advice and nickname to heart, as he takes leadership of his squad. And this time, they actually watch each other's backs as they advance. But when they reached the citadel, they realize that their ascension cables needed to scale it are gone; Bric had stolen them to test their skills. El-Les argues this unfairness to Shaak Ti, but she calmly states that not even the Separatist would play fair. Domino Squad quickly adapt to the situation by taking out the turrets and climbing them and successfully complete the test. Shaak Ti's complements Bric for efforts in making these the clones the best that there i; Bric is forced to admit that El-Les was right. Afterwards, the bounty hunters give Domino Squad their medals as proof of their graduation. However, Hevy gives his to 99, so that he will have something to come back too. Domino Squad then joins the rest of their brothers in shipping out to the frontlines.