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- "I was rather fond of Commander Appo."
- ―Darth Vader, on Appo's death
Appo, whose clone trooper designation was CC-1119, was a clone trooper commander who served in the Grand Army of the Republic as the commander of the elite 501st Legion. He was cloned on the Wild Space planet of Kamino, where Kaminoan scientists used the genetic template of Jango Fett, a Mandalorian bounty hunter, to create a clone army for the Galactic Republic. During the Clone Wars, CC-1119 received training from the ARC trooper Alpha, where he was given his name.
In late 21 BBY, Appo, who was a clone sergeant at the time, was part of a Republic battle group that was sent to the Confederate planet Umbara. There, he saw firsthand Jedi General Pong Krell's high-attrition rate but carried out the general's orders until Krell's betrayal. In the war's final year, Commander Appo led the 501st Legion in a Republic attack on the Coruscant Jedi Temple. He served under Darth Vader during the Temple attack and later, when the Republic transformed into the Galactic Empire. Appo and his soldiers became some of the first Imperial stormtroopers, and alongside Vader he worked to suppress threats against the Empire.
A month after the Empire's creation in 19 BBY, he and his men saved Vader's life in a Jedi ambush on Kessel. In the following weeks, Appo was stationed aboard Vader's Imperator-class Star Destroyer Exactor. He helped Vader to hunt down a group of rogue clones who had aided the escape of Jedi on Murkhana, then continued to aid Vader in the search for those Jedi. The chase took him from Murkhana to the Coruscant Jedi Temple to Alderaan, where the path of the fugitive Jedi intersected that of Senator Fang Zar—a wanted man by the Empire—and at last to Kashyyyk. As the Empire invaded that world later in the year, Appo accompanied Vader to the planet's surface in pursuit of the Jedi, only to be decapitated by Jedi Master Roan Shryne.
Biography[]
Clone Wars[]
Early life and invasion of Umbara[]
- "The platoons are in the formation you've requested, General. Should I send them to support Captain Rex?"
"I'll give the order when I give it, Sergeant Appo." - ―Appo and Pong Krell
Appo relays Krell's command to attack the Umbaran airbase
CC-1119 was cloned by Kaminoan scientists from the genetic template of the Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett on[3] the extra-galactic[8] planet Kamino. He would be apart of the Galactic Republic's Grand Army that would serve in the Clone Wars against the Confederacy of Independent Systems.[3] A special operations trooper,[6] CC-1119 participated in the ARC training program during the war run by Advanced Recon Commando Alpha, who stressed the importance of improvisational thinking and individuality. It was this emphasis on individualism that led to Alpha-17 bestowing names upon the graduates of his program; CC-1119 received the name "Appo."[3]
In late 21 BBY,[9] Appo was a clone sergeant that served in the Grand Army's 501st Legion.[7] Around that time, Appo was part of a Republic battle group that was dispatched to[10] the Expansion Region[11] planet[12] Umbara,[10] a world that was once aligned with the Republic.[12] After the initial attack on the stationed[10] Umbaran Soldiers[13] of the Umbaran militia,[14] the 501st's commanding officer on the world, Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, was relieved of his duties after the arrival of another Jedi, General Pong Krell, a Besalisk, who took over the command of the 501st Legion as an interim.[10]
Taking the Umbaran airbase[]
- "Sergeant, their defenses are down. Send in the rest of our forces. Attack the airbase."
"All units, move out." - ―Pong Krell and Appo
Appo's Phase II helmet had an arrow shaped symbol during the Battle of Umbara.
Under Krell's command, Appo stood by the general on the top of a cliff, while the other clone squads, led by Clone Captain CT-7567—named Rex—engaged the Umbarans in combat. After receiving the order of forming clone trooper platoons from Krell, Appo obeyed the order and organized a number of clone platoons that consisted of clone troopers and AT-RT-mounted troops.[7]
As Rex and his men were taking causalities while battling[7] Umbaran mobile heavy cannons,[15] Appo informed Krell that his task of forming the platoons was complete. The sergeant also wanted to send the troops to aid Rex on the battlefield, although Krell dismissed Appo, by stating he would give out the order of deploying the soldiers. When Rex contacted Krell via hologram, Appo held the transmitting device in his hand while the general talked to the captain. Rex informed Krell that he formulated a plan to infiltrate a nearby Umbaran airbase. He dispatched two troopers—Hardcase and Fives—who would enter the base undetected and board separate Umbaran starfighters. The use of the starfighters would help them take out the attacking six-legged mobile cannons.[7]
Appo and the 501st successfully took the Umbaran airbase.
Though Krell did not support the idea, Rex, nevertheless, carried out his plan. As Hardcase and Fives left to infiltrate the airbase, Rex and the rest of his team stayed behind to continue their battle against the mobile cannons. On the cliff, both Appo and Krell witnessed the destruction of the mobile cannons after Hardcase and Fives arrived aboard two separate Umbaran starfighters. Noticing the airbase's defensive systems were down, Krell ordered Appo to mobilize his troops and attack the airbase. Appo's men took over the airbase, which forced the remaining Umbaran troops stationed there to surrender. With the airbase captured, Krell and the rest of the 501st Legion fortified themselves in the base.[7]
Krell's betrayal[]
- "General Krell would like to see them in the tower."
- ―Appo, to Rex about Fives and Jesse
Appo escorting Fives and Jesse
After Hardcase sacrificed himself by staying behind to destroy a Separatist supply ship, Fives and Jesse returned in their Umbaran starfighters to the airbase. Krell learned of the clones' actions, who told Appo to bring Fives and Jesse to him in the airbase's central command tower. Appo relayed the order to Fives and Jesse and the clones met with Krell in the tower. Krell informed the two clones that because they disobeyed a direct order, they would be imprisoned for their actions and be sent to the Grand Army's court-martial.[16]
Fives and Jesse were imprisoned and ready to be court-martialed, Krell changed his mind due to a court-martial's lengthy trial time. Instead, Krell decided to execute Fives and Jesse for their crimes. Rex, with Appo, was ordered to take the two clones outside so they could be executed by a firing squad. As Appo stood by the handcuffed Fives and Jesse, the firing squad prepared to shoot the two clones, although their concentration was cut off after Fives pleaded for them to rethink. Trooper Dogma, however, did not care for Fives' words and ordered the firing squad to fire on Fives and Jesse. Fives' words affected them, however, which caused them to misfire. Rex ordered Appo and another clone to take off Fives and Jesse's binders. However, on Krell's orders, the two clones were taken back to the airbase's prison.[4]
Appo and the 501st successfully apprehended Krell.
When Krell's betrayal was revealed, Appo joined Rex and the clone troopers that went to the airbase's central tower to arrest Krell for treason against the Republic. Outside the airbase prison after Krell's capture, Appo briefed Rex on the airbase's transmitter being successfully repaired after they found it was sabotaged by Krell, and Kenobi capturing the capital with the remaining Umbarans heading to the airbase. Rex ordered Appo to get the troops on the base's permeter in preparation for the Umbaran attack. Appo then acknowledged the order. After Krell's execution by Dogma, Appo and the rest of the 501st Legion regrouped outside the prison. The Republic had won the battle after Kenobi's forces mopped up the remaining Umbaran troops.[4]
Order 66[]
- "There's been a rebellion, sir. Don't worry. The situation is under control. I'm sorry, sir. It's time for you to leave."
- ―Appo, barring Senator Organa from entering the Jedi Temple after Order 66
Jukassa injures Appo at the Jedi Temple
By 19 BBY,[2] Appo became a clone trooper commander and the leader of the 501st Legion.[6] In that same year,[2] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine declared the Jedi Order enemies of the Republic and issued Order 66, a contingency order for the Republic's Grand Army. Appo led the 501st Legion against the Jedi Temple on the Core Worlds planet Coruscant, serving alongside the Chancellor's new apprentice Darth Vader, formerly Anakin Skywalker. Appo and his soldiers killed a number of Jedi that night.[6]
When Senator Bail Organa came to the Temple to investigate what had happened, Appo and several troopers met him on one of the Temple's landing platforms. Appo informed Organa that there had been a rebellion, but when Organa tried to enter the Temple, he drew his blaster upon the Senator and ordered him to leave. As Organa turned to go, a Padawan, Zett Jukassa, rushed onto the pad and began slashing at troopers with his lightsaber.[5] Appo ordered his troops to open fire on Jukassa, only to be cut down[17] at the lower leg by the Padawan.[5] His fellow soldier Sergeant Fox killed Jukassa,[18] but allowed Organa to escape.[19] Jukassa's attack seriously wounded Appo,[20] but he survived and recovered, later filing a report on the death of Jukassa and a number of other Jedi killed in the Temple.[18]
In the Empire's service[]
Kessel, New Plympto, and Murkhana[]
- "I was concerned we'd end up as glorified policemen. It's good to have a mission."
"I hope you're right—because Lord Vader doesn't seem pleased." - ―Commanders Vill and Appo
Appo speaks with Vader on Kessel
Following the execution of the Jedi Order, Chancellor Palpatine reorganized the Republic into the Galactic Empire. Appo's 501st Legion received a new name, as well: stormtroopers.[6] Approximately a month after the declaration of the Empire, Vader received word from spies that his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, was on[22] the Outer Rim planet[23] Kessel; against the orders of now-Emperor Palpatine, he set off for that world. Unbeknownst to Vader, Palpatine dispatched Appo[22] and Commander Bow[24] to follow.[6]
This was fortunate for Vader—the intelligence about Kenobi had been bait for a trap laid by Jedi Master Shadday Potkin, and a group of Jedi waited on Kessel to kill him. Though Vader was able to slay several of them, including Potkin, the last three Jedi survivors—Tsui Choi, Roblio Darté, and Jastus Farr—combined their powers against Vader. Before they could kill him, Appo[22] and Bow[24] arrived and opened fire on the Jedi. After the clones executed the last of them, Appo informed Vader that Palpatine sought his presence.[22] It was during this time that Appo accompanied Vader aboard his Imperator-class Star Destroyer Exactor[6] to[21] the Core Worlds planet[25] New Plympto, where the Empire had been engaging in operations against Separatist holdouts. Working with Clone Commander Vill, Appo oversaw the removal of forces from the world.[21]
Appo and Vill aboard the Exactor
Shortly thereafter, Palpatine ordered the Exactor to[21] the Outer Rim world Murkhana, following reports of surviving Jedi on that world. A squad of clone commandos had refused to obey Order 66 and allowed their Jedi Generals to escape, and Appo and his stormtroopers accompanied Vader down to the planet's surface to deal with the situation. Commander Salvo, the leader of the Imperial forces on the world, greeted Vader upon his arrival in front of a crowd of Separatist prisoners, then presented him with the bodies and lightsabers of three Jedi who the clones had killed. Vader passed the lightsabers onto Appo, then queried Salvo as to the location of the other three Jedi that had been assigned to Murkhana.[6]
Salvo informed him that they had escaped and brought forth the commando squad that had been responsible for letting them live, Ion Team. When Vader drew his own lightsaber and prepared to execute them, Ion Team opened fire; Vader killed two of the clones, and the other two fled into the forest. The Dark Lord ordered Appo to pursue and bring them back alive. It was not long before the traitorous clones were apprehended; upon the return of Appo's men, Vader had Salvo load the Separatist prisoners onto a transport for transfer to an Imperial prison. While processing them, Appo noticed a discrepancy in the prisoner count and realized that two Jedi had escaped after disguising themselves as Separatists and hiding within the group. Vader decided to deal with the problem himself.[6]
A crime lord and Sith holocrons[]
- "Lord Vader, security reports that two humans have been found in a secret compartment beneath the ship's galley."
"Interesting. Let's see what security has uncovered." - ―Appo and Vader, on the two uncovered humans
Appo was involved in the Exactor's efforts to find the Dead Ringer.
Appo was unable to find any sign of the two Jedi, Roan Shryne and Olee Starstone, but he did locate Cash Garrulan, a Twi'lek crime lord with former ties to Shryne. Vader, Appo, and his troopers stormed Garrulan's offices south of Murkhana City, and Vader was able to catch the escaping crime lord. Garrulan attempted to play dumb, but eventually admitted that Shryne had contacted him; however, he stated that he had refused to help and had turned Shryne's name over to the local garrison. Appo verified his claim. Garrulan then suggested Vader look for a Koorivar named Bioto, who he implied might smuggle out the Jedi in his ship, the Dead Ringer. Appo reported that the Ringer had taken flight, and Vader ordered him to have the Exactor intercept the ship; the two then returned to the Star Destroyer.[6]
As Vader interrogated Bioto, Appo learned that two humans had been found in one of the Ringer's smuggling compartments. Vader and Appo questioned them, learning they had been hired by Garrulan as a distraction. What they were being distracted from became obvious as Appo learned that a CloakShape fighter was launching from Murkhana and would pass through the space the Exactor had occupied before it had moved to intercept the Ringer. Vader prepared to go after the CloakShape in his own personal starfighter and had Appo select his wingmen. He ordered the commander to destroy Garrulan's ship when the crime lord attempted to flee Murkhana. Vader was unsuccessful in his mission, though, and the fugitive Jedi escaped to hyperspace in the CloakShape. Garrulan was killed shortly thereafter.[6]
Appo accompanied Vader to find Sith holocrons in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
Appo returned with Vader to Coruscant, later accompanying him when Palpatine sent Vader to the Jedi Temple in search of Sith holocrons. Armand Isard and a crew of technicians came too, on their own mission, only to detect that Shryne was accessing Temple records from a remote site. One of Isard's technicians traced it to a moon[6] of the Outer Rim[26] planet Jaguada, and Appo relayed information on the location to Vader, including the fact that an Imperial garrison was present on Jaguada. Vader had Appo order the garrison commander to pursue Shryne and his cohorts. The Jedi escaped nonetheless; Appo had the garrison find all possible hyperspace vectors for their ship, but they were unsuccessful in catching it.[6]
Alderaan, Kashyyyk, and death[]
- "Lord Vader, the conflict has begun. Theater commanders await your orders"
"Raise them, Commander, and join me in the situation room." - ―Appo and Vader, prior to the assault on Kashyyyk
Appo was ordered to apprehend a fleeing ex-Senator Fang Zar.
In late 19 BBY,[2] Vader and Appo's search would not be thwarted for long, though. Former Senator Fang Zar of[6] the Colonies[27] world Sern Prime, who had opposed Palpatine's rise to power, had thwarted Imperial orders to remain on Coruscant and fled the planet, finding refuge with Bail Organa on the Core World planet Alderaan. When Palpatine learned that Zar had been in contact with a crime lord on Murkhana to arrange for passage off Alderaan, he concluded that Zar's escape plan was tied to Vader's Jedi fugitives and sent Vader to deal with Zar. Appo and his stormtroopers accompanied Vader on his shuttle to the planet's surface and stood by as Vader ordered Organa to turn over Zar. Organa prepared to comply, but they soon learned that Zar had fled his quarters. Vader sent Appo in pursuit of the former senator and headed off on his own to find Zar, while Organa dispatched his men with the same goal. Vader reached Zar first and executed him as the senator attempted to flee.[6]
Though Vader encountered Shryne on Alderaan, the Jedi escaped yet again; Palpatine soon informed Vader that Shryne and the party of Jedi survivors that he had gathered were headed for the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk. Some weeks later, Vader and Appo traveled to that world in the Exactor. Vader met with Moff Wilhuff Tarkin aboard Tarkin's ship Executrix; there, Tarkin informed Vader that the Jedi ship had been spotted arriving on Kashyyyk, then told Vader of the plan that he and Palpatine had devised. Tarkin would use the presence of Jedi on Kashyyyk as a pretense to invade the planet and enslave the native Wookiees as enemies of the Empire.[6]
Appo and Vader supervised the initial part of the invasion from the bridge of the Exactor; the commander summoned the officers in charge of the various theaters of battle to meet with the Dark Lord, then joined them as Vader briefed the group. Once the officers were clear on their duties, Vader and Appo descended to the surface of Kashyyyk to take on the Jedi. As they landed, Vader was informed over the comm by one of the officers that the Wookiees were fleeing into the safety of Kashyyyk's forest and would soon become impossible to root out. Appo suggested that they initiate surgical orbital bombardments to flush the Wookiees out, and Vader gave the order to do so.[6]
Appo's 501st on Kashyyyk
When the shuttle touched down, Appo and his stormtroopers rushed out, Vader right behind them. A heavy firefight with the Wookiees ensued, and several of Appo's stormtroopers fell. Vader dealt with the Wookiees and waved Appo forward, only to have several of the Jedi fugitives step out and meet them in combat, some engaging Vader and some Appo. As Vader killed those attacking him, the Jedi fighting Appo withdrew and set their sights on the Dark Lord, only to be slain in turn. At last only Olee Starstone remained, and Vader ordered Appo and his men to leave her to him and deal with the last few surviving Wookiees. A new ship arrived next to the stormtroopers, though, with Roan Shryne on board. Shryne used the Force to pull one of the fallen Jedi's lightsabers to him, and with it he decapitated Appo.[6] 501st Commander Bow filed a report on Appo's death.[18]
Personality and traits[]
- "Good work, Commander."
- ―Darth Vader, to Appo
Appo, during Operation: Knightfall
Appo was a Human male with black hair, brown eyes, and tan skin[4] who had a height of 1.83 meters.[1] During CC-1119's training under Alpha-17, the commander developed his sense of individuality, learning how to apply it to combat situations.[3] Appo was constantly ready to relay or obey his superior's commands, and sometimes even took the initiative to seek out some piece of intelligence before his superior asked for it.[6] During the Clone Wars, Appo demonstrated this on Umbara, where he obeyed orders given to him by his commanding officer, Krell.[7] After the Republic transformed into the Empire, Appo was concerned that his role would be downgraded to law enforcement and was grateful to be assigned actual missions.[21]
In his service to the Empire, Appo had an easy relationship with his superior Darth Vader. Though the black armor that Vader covered himself in often inspired fear in others, to Appo it was only natural that Vader should protect himself from harm. Vader, in turn, felt more at ease around Appo and his soldiers, and after the commander's death even expressed a certain fondness for the man. Vader kept Appo at his side much of the time, sometimes asking for the commander's analysis of military matters. The two could communicate with each other wordlessly, Appo easily understanding and carrying out Vader's commands that consisted of a simple nod of the head or gesture of the hand.[6]
Equipment[]
Appo wore Phase II clone trooper armor that sported the blue markings of the 501st Legion.[5] Originally around the second year of the war, Appo's helmet featured an arrow symbol,[7] although it was removed by Operation: Knightfall.[5] After Order 66, Appo's set featured a tan pauldron, a blast-dampening tan kama, and a white bandolier.[21] Appo also had a blue and black pauldron and bandolier.[28] In combat, Appo wielded a DC-15S blaster carbine,[5] a DC-15A blaster rifle,[16] or dual DC-17 hand blasters.[21]
Behind the scenes[]
Origins[]
Commander Appo after Order 66
The clone trooper simultaneously first appeared in Matthew Stover's Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelization and George Lucas' Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith Illustrated Screenplay, which were both released on April 2, 2005. The former source had the clone trooper unnamed while the name "Appo" and numerical designation "1119" were identified in the latter source.[29] Appo was first pictured in the comic Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 3,[30] which was written by Miles Lane, illustrated by Douglas Wheatley, and published by Dark Horse Comics on April 13, 2005.[31]
Appo made his live action debut in George Lucas' film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, which was released on May 19, 2005.[5] With his voice provided by Temuera Morrison, Appo, like all clone troopers in the movie, was portrayed entirely with computer-generated imagery.[3] The clone trooper's full numerical designation "CC-1119" was introduced in Daniel Wallace's 2006 "Order 66: Destroy All Jedi" reference article of Star Wars Insider 87.[18] Dee Bradley Baker later voiced Appo in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series fourth season episodes "The General,"[7] "Plan of Dissent,"[16] and "Carnage of Krell."[4] The arrow on Appo's helmet in The Clone Wars is an acknowledgment to Baker voicing Appa, a character from the Avatar: The Last Airbender television series in which supervising director Dave Filoni had previously worked on.[32]
Inconsistencies[]
- "Commander Bow is new, invented for this article ["Order 66: Destroy All Jedi"] when I realized that I couldn't have the headless body of Commander Appo file the paperwork on Roan Shryne."
- ―Daniel Wallace, on having to create a new character in place of Appo
There is confusion over the identity of Appo in many of his appearances. Episode III includes a number of clone troopers who meet with Bail Organa on the landing platform of the Jedi Temple.[5] The script identifies the trooper who speaks with Organa and raises his gun as a "Clone Sergeant," with Appo stated to be a separate trooper who says "Take care of him."[34] The Episode III novelization agrees with this version, establishing both a clone sergeant who speaks with Organa and an unnamed commander who says Appo's lines.[35] However, an official poster of Appo given out at Comic-Con in 2006 identifies him as the clone who speaks with Organa—the "Clone Sergeant" character.[36] In the movie, it is unclear which clone speaks the line ascribed to Appo in the script; the above article therefore treats the Comic-Con poster as the correct identification of Appo.
Zett Jukassa's role in this scene introduces another complication. According to "Order 66: Destroy All Jedi," Jukassa injures Appo, and the script of the movie states this as well—identifying Appo as the clone who orders the troopers to take care of Organa.[18] While the movie, as mentioned above, does not make clear which trooper is Appo, the clone who confronts Organa is amongst those injured by Jukassa.[5] The novel, however, has Appo still uninjured after Jukassa is dead,[35] and the Episode III comic adaptation has no troopers—including the one who speaks with Organa—injured by Jukassa.[30]
When Daniel Wallace wrote "Order 66: Destroy All Jedi," he created the character of Commander Bow when he realized that filing the paperwork on Roan Shryne's death could not be done by Appo's acephalous body.[33] Another case of identity confusion arose with Star Wars: Purge, however, which includes an unnamed commander of the 501st serving under Vader.[22] Because Lucasfilm had not decided on the relative timeline placements of Purge and Dark Lord, Wallace had Bow report on the events of Purge, while not making explicit whether the commander in the comic was Bow or Appo.[33] When Hasbro created a figure of Appo, however, they established him as the commander in Purge.[28]
Appearances[]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The General"- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Plan of Dissent"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Carnage of Krell"
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelization (and unabridged audiobook) (First appearance in book and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith Illustrated Screenplay)
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith abridged audiobook
- Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 3 (First pictured)
- Purge
- Dark Times 4
- Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (and unabridged audiobook)
- Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader abridged audiobook
Sources[]
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith Illustrated Screenplay (First mentioned, simultaneous with Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelization)
- The New Essential Chronology (Indirect mention only)
- Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars (Picture only)
- The Original Order of Order 66 on Hyperspace (content now obsolete; backup link on archive.today)
- "Order 66: Destroy All Jedi" — Star Wars Insider 87 (First identified as CC-1119)
- Star Wars: The Saga Collection (Pack: Commander Appo) (backup link)
- Star Wars: The Official Figurine Collection 46 (Picture only)
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- The Essential Atlas (Indirect mention only)
- Appo, Clone Commander in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- clone troopers in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comic 6.29
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Action Figure Collection
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Episode Guide
- Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures — "Shop" (Set: Sergeant Appo)
- Bail Organa in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link) (Video clip only)
- "The General" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Carnage of Krell" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
Notes and references[]
External links[]
- "Movie Characters killed in the EU" — Keeper of the Holocron — Leland Chee's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; backup link)
- My Favorite Stormtroopers on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
