#a-17

I am asking for fic writing purposes 😅🙏

again, sorry to be asking but it seems you know your way around clones in the comics, not many are like that! Which is really cool of you if i am being honest!!

Hello there and thank you for kind words! No need to be sorry, ask how much you need, I do not mind at all, especially not when it comes to clones 🙂

Just brace yourself though, as I have a lot to say about Alpha!

A quick introduction: Alpha is an ARC trooper, one of 100 clones trained personally by Jango Fett for the most critical missions

and one of the most developed clones from the Attack of the Clones - Revenge of the Sith movies era (2002 - 2005). He debuted in Star Wars: Republic comics series (issue 50: The Defense of Kamino* - Jango’s Legacy, 2003) and was featured in mini series Obsession (2005), giving us a chance to see how he changed through the war, almost from the start to its end.

ARC troopers, in the words of Lama Su, “display some of Jango’s personality and independence. This has made them… unpredictable” and because of that were keep in stasis tubes.

ARC were released during Defense of Kamino out of desperation and only because Jedi promised to keep them in line. And Alpha is pretty much this at the beginning- unpredictable, hard to impress, rude to his superiors.

For example, in “Jango’s Legacy” he calls Lama Su, the Prime Minister of Kamino, by name (and ordering him around during fight), does not address any Jedi by their names or ranks, even goes so far as to say he was not impressed by them.

When saving young clone cadets, he told the scared children they could save themselves because they were trained for battle

(something that most likely was passed to him by Jango).

The only person he seemed to care or respected was Jango and per Fett’s orders, he would destroy the whole youngest generation of clones to make sure they won’t fall into enemy’s hands.

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That was our introduction to A-17.

But then the next time we met him (Republic #51), he seems much more aware of the Jedi status, going so far to politely address Zule as “Jedi Master” during briefing. A polite way he dropped just because Anakin told him she is a padawan like him,

and Alpha immediately started to treat her more like an equal while referring only to Kenobi as General. Then he picked Skywalker to be the pilot of the gunship they were gonna use during the mission. And here starts one of the most hilarious aspects of Alpha and Anakin’s relationship: Skywalker is 10 years older than the ARC, but from this issue onward A-17 will keep calling Anakin - his Jedi superior - a kid or alternatively, a boy. And this habit won’t die even when Skywalker will be a full pledge Jedi Knight (Obsession). What is an interesting detail, as we never see Anakin minding it at all, which adds a lot to their friendship.

The other, much more important detail about those two is Alpha name, as this matter had a great impact on the Legends lore.  So to answer your question, there is no need for nickname or headcanon, as Alpha in itself is an impactful name.

During their second joint mission (Republic #52), Anakin and Alpha had a small talk about names and being called a clone.

At the beginning, Alpha didn't need anything else than his designated number “A-17”. He did not care at all if everyone called him just a clone, but it did not sit well with Skywalker to address him by number. Thus A-17 was named Alpha by Anakin. An although Alpha was indifferent to the name at first, as the comics went, apparently the naming act (and Anakin) had an impact on him - to the point he himself started bestowing names on other clones (i.e. Oddball)

or allowed them to pick a name for themselves (commander Gree). And by doing so, he followed Anakin’s suggestion before Alpha was reassigned to Kamino as the instructor for the younger generation(s).

Something that has influenced the Kaminoan training system.

Which I must say is something I like a lot about Alpha’s character development. Because you see, though Alpha was influenced by Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi, he still was the same ruthless, pragmatic man from “Defense of Kamino”. And by ruthless, I mean he did see hostages as acceptable losses

did not mind killing injured enemy soldiers

or all political leader on Jabiim

something that both Anakin and Obi-Wan needed to temper him down a bit while Alpha still wasn’t convinced it was a bad idea.

At the same time, Alpha’s sarcastic sense of humor and advices really shine in his interaction with Jedi - especially Obi-Wan Kenobi:

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One more thing worth to mention about Alpha is how badass he is. Enduring torture and pissing off Asajj at the same time?

Getting heavily injured only to be like "patch me before I bleed to death, then give me a gun" so he could continue to fight?

Yeah, no wonder Kaminoan were afraid of ARC troopers.

Hope it satisfied your curiosity, but don't hesitate to ask if you need to know anything more about Alpha or other clones :)

A Northrop A-17A Attack Bomber at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Avion d’attaque au sol Northrop A-17 du 90th Attack Squadron près de la base aérienne de Barksdale – Louisiane – Etats-Unis – 1936

“Do you know what it means?”

“No, sir.”

“These are jai’galaar’la sur’haiise. Shriek-hawk eyes. It’s a mark of courage.”

Courage.

When they were younger cadets, one of the trainers took their batch outside to teach them how to swim. They were supposed to jump off the lower landing deck six feet above the water level. It’s not much, certainly not far enough to be dangerous, but those five years ago, Rex stood trembling on the edge, stripped down to his briefs, and his limbs refused to move.

Later, Cody told him not to look before he jumps – and it worked. It worked every single time ever since. Just don’t look back, don’t look down, don’t stop until you’re on the other side. When Rex ran into the middle of a firefight in that canyon to save him, it was Cody’s voice that echoed through time and space inside his head.

Come on, Rex. It’s not that far.  

A-17 hands the helmet back but he’s too stunned to reach for it.

“You’ve earned them.”

Rex opens his mouth but no words come out. Slowly, his left hand uncurls from his lap and his fingers wrap around the edge of his bucket.

Sir, I wasn’t brave, he wants to say. I was just trying my best not to drown.

He tries to swallow but his throat feels suddenly completely dry.

“Thank you, sir.”