Prime clone
A prime clone, also known as a clone template, was the source of genetic material that was essential in the process of cloning.
Overview
A prime clone was the designation[1] of an organic subject—the original host—whose genetic code provided the basis for single or multiple clones.[2] The first step in the process of cloning was the extraction of cells from the prime clone.[3] The cells could then be artificially manipulated to grow either an exact or modified version of the original subject. Under a stable and unmodified cloning process, a clone was physically identical to the prime clone.[2]
A prime clone's psychological traits could also be copied and implanted—in the form of memory flashes—into a clone subject.
History
After the fragmentation of the Galactic Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn engineered his own clone army for the purpose of reconquering the galaxy from the New Republic. The Chiss Imperial officer extracted genetic material from multiple templates, including Corporal Terkuss, Lieutenant Creb, Baron Soontir Fel, and General Maximilian Veers. With Spaarti technology at his disposal, Thrawn's clone stormtroopers were fully grown and combat ready in roughly a year after their creation.[4]
Before Darth Sidious's demise at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, the Dark Lord of the Sith used his own genetic code as a template for a series of Spaarti-generated copies; clones meant to serve as a vessel for his spirit in the event of his original body's destruction.[5] Through the Force, Sidious had the ability to transfer his own essence into another living organism. Without a host, however, his spirit could not remain in the corporeal plain of existence. Furthermore, years of over-reliance on the dark side of the Force caused Sidious's soul to have a cancerous effect on his clones, effectively causing them to age at a rapidly accelerated rate. Hence, none of the subjects were able to house their template's dark essence for more than a short period of time.[5]
List of prime clones
For armed forces
- Creb, for Thrawn's clone army[4]
- Soontir Fel, for Thrawn's clone army[4]
- Terkuss, for Thrawn's clone army[4]
- Maximilian Veers, for Thrawn's clone army[4]
- Zeta Magnus for the Accelerated Transgenic Heuristic Abhorer
For single clones
- Xandel Carivus, for a clone impersonator[6]
- Jorus C'baoth, for Joruus C'baoth[7]
- Feena D'Asta, for a clone impersonator[6]
- Darth Sidious, for consciousness transferring[5]
- Luke Skywalker, for Luuke Skywalker[7]
- Thrawn, for a replacement clone[8]
- Grodin Tierce, for an experimental clone[9]
- Darth Vader, by accident[10]
Appearances
- Heir to the Empire
- Star Wars: Dark Empire (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Dark Empire II (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Empire's End (Mentioned only)
- Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood
- Vision of the Future
- Specter of the Past
Sources
Notes and references
- ↑ Jango Fett: Open Seasons
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- ↑ Dark Empire Sourcebook
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Dark Force Rising Sourcebook
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Star Wars: Dark Empire
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Heir to the Empire
- ↑ Vision of the Future
- ↑ Specter of the Past
- ↑ Galaxy of Fear: Clones