1CT-212, M Company, 385th Legion, Grand Army. Property of the Republic. 212 often viewed himself that way when he marched into battle with his company. Civilians probably viewed him and his brothers that way too.
But now, with his boots kicked up and his helmet off, he reclined in his fox hole musing over this label. Property of the Republic? But was it not his purpose, to serve the Republic and the Jedi? Certainly, he had been bred for obedience to the Jedi generals.
Then again, many humanoid lifeforms, and many non-humanoid one would say that no sentient being belongs to another. 212 might have been a clone, one insignificant soldier out of millions, but he could think and feel like any other man. Maybe not feel.
On the other hand, one could argue that without the Republic, he would serve no purpose. A soldier, quite literally bred for war, without a war was lacking in purpose. All things in life must have a purpose. Without one, there can be no proper function of life. And without a cause, war is just so much mindless, chaotic slaughter. To fight for anyone or any other ideals than the preservation and sanctity of the Republic was inconceivable. Unthinkable. Worse, high treason.
CT-212, M Company, 385th Legion, Grand Army. Soldier of the Jedi. Looking back on his previous thoughts, he was indeed loyal to the Jedi. Correction. He was loyal to his commanders, who at this moment were Jedi. He would do anything for his General, including die. It was his ultimate purpose. Fighting the Republic's war only led to the fulfilment of this one purpose. 212 might go so far to say that he respected his commanding officer, both as a fighter and as a...friend. Yes, a friend. The only friend he had outside his company, the only friend who was not an identical copy of himself.
But Order 66, the orders that had been ingrained into every trooper's head since the beginning of training, called for the extermination of the Jedi. How could any man, even a clone trained from birth to be obedient be expected to shoot and kill an ally and a friend? One such as 212, whose service was to the Republic, not the Jedi. But were not the Jedi sworn protectors of the Republic, as was he? For thousands of years the Jedi served as the enforcers of Republic law. However, the Chancellor had said the Jedi were plotting the destruction of the Republic. If you went against the Republic, you went against the Legions in general, and the "Bastard 85th" in particular.
CT-212, M Company, 385th Legion, Grand Army. Tool of the Chancellor. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Now there was an interesting topic. Palpatine was the absolute authority as the head of the Republic. Yet he wished to dominate the Galaxy instead of rule it as its chosen leader. And the legions of clone troopers were the tools to accomplish this insane goal, implements of brutal, cold, machine-like precision. That was Palpatine's purpose. It seemed, well, wrong.
But there would be order in this new Empire. Unlike the corrupt Republic which the Jedi swore allegiance to. How corrupt was the Republic though? Democracy, and with the exception of the CIS, peace. No slavery. Everyone was heard, no matters trivial for the Senate. Yet they could do nothing against the rebelling systems. Under the Empire, strict order and law would be enforced. Humans would reign supreme. Slavery of non-human species would be legalized, but a revolt was out of the question. The total difference in ideals would have torn the psychology of lesser men to pieces.
"Pack it up," Commander Steel bellowed through his helmets external speaker. "Pick it up, 212. We're moving out! Move 'em out, Sergeant"
"Movin' 'em out," Sergeant Dinko echoed. "Move out!"
CT-212, M Company, 385th Legion, Grand Army. Property of the Republic, put his helmet back on and became a faceless killing machine, ready to do his General's bidding.