Hi @circus20204 ! These comments give me life! Here is the answer and a little ficlet to accompany it.
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CX-1 wasnāt like the Mirror Squad. He had no augmentations, no DNA manipulation.Ā
He used to be a Clone Trooper, with a squad and a clear path ahead of him: Fight and Die for the Republic.
CT-3031 was just another white droplet in the plastoid sea of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Thatās why he was perfect for the CX program. If Hemlock could turn a run-of-the-mill clone trooper into the perfect killing machine and a true believer of the Empire on top of that? It meant Hemlock could have all the funding he wanted for his division.
CX-1 wasnāt the first to undergo the experiment. He was, however, the first to survive.
The success of CX-1, meant the success for Project Broken Mirror, which allowed Hemlock to bring the once rebellious Defective Batch to heel.Ā And soā¦the Mirror Squad became Hemlock's thralls.Ā
When not doing his bidding, Hemlock always kept CX-1 locked in a pod like a prized art piece in his own private laboratory.Ā
CX-1 wouldn't remember this but once upon a time, his name was Avalanche and incidentally...he kriffing hated tight spaces.
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Pick of the Litter
āTell me, Commander,ā Hemlock purred coolly, as he stood alongside Commander Cody, observing the clone army march by in celebration of the First Days of the Empire. āWho would you consider to be the most average of your troopers?ā
āAverage, sir?ā Cody asked.Ā
āUndeniably average. No record blemishes or accolades. No reason to stand out. Tried and true and middle of the road."
"Well, let me think..." Cody scanned the army below as if any one of them would jog his memory. Perhaps they would. Hemlock had no doubt in Commander Cody's keeness for details. What a magnificent specimen he may be one day.
"May I ask why, sir?"
"I needā¦ā Hemlock drew in a deep breath, as if inhaling the intoxicating aroma of his own ambition in the air. "...a clean slate.ā
āOff the top of my head, Iād say Avalanche is probably your man.ā
āAvalanche,ā Hemlock frowned slightly. āAn exciting name for an average clone.ā
Cody shook his head. āNot exactly. A sack of flour fell on his head in the mess hall when he was a cadet. The name stuck. A lot of trooper names are borne like that.ā
āI seeā¦ā Hemlock massaged his gloved hand, working futilely against its atrophy.
āSir, may I ask what your plans are with him?ā
Hemlock could tell by the Commander's tone that he was concerned. These clones were growing far more emotional and less obedient by the minute. Tarkin was right to pursue conscripts at this stage.
āMy plans? All my plans are aimed to ensure peace and security is maintained in our galaxy.ā Hemlock narrowed his icy blue eyes. āIs that not your plan as well, Commander?ā
āSir, yes, sir,ā Cody stiffened, but his eyes remained hard and unblinking.
Hemlock smiled at Commander Cody, already imagining ways of applying the proper pressure to bend this strong-willed commander to his will. But no...no not, yet...patience....
After all, it will be Avalancheās success that will pave the way to greater opportunities.













