RyanSquad: It depends on how the lawsuit turns out. From the Bad Batch, I get the sense that the Kaminoans really rely on their contract with the Republic. It would take a lot to get them to break it.
haze47: My goal is always all the feelings. I'm glad I achieved it!
This chapter is one of the hardest chapters I've ever had to write, from a technical standpoint. It took hours of revising and research. I hope you all enjoy!
There is no Mando'a in this chapter.
Rex was nowhere to be seen. The trial was moments from starting and one of the primary players wasn't present.
Padme was furious. During her research for the trial, she had discovered that Rex was unable to be called as a witness, as he was not considered sentient. Anakin's witness and the recording of the orders would have to be enough.
Tarkin stood across from her in the prosecutor's stand, hands behind his back and not a greying hair out of place. Force, she had come to hate that man. His arrogance and vindication now had hurt two people Padme cared about. Nix Card sat next to him, as the leader of the Senators who wanted the trial.
A shimmering holo of a placid Taun We sat in the defendant's place. She was another obstacle. Padme just wanted to present the case solely as Rex's, but she had to consider what the Kaminoans wanted: to prove Rex 'functional.' Padme hated that word.
The witness bench, set between the defense and prosecution stands held only a few people. Anakin was there as well as Plo Koon and Obi Wan. A holo of Shaak Ti sat next to them.
Anakin was fidgeting while the other three Master Jedi seemed as cool as Hoth.
"All rise." Mas Amedda announced.
Padme stood with Taun We, as Tarkin and Card did the same.
The room, filled with chatter, fell silent as Chancellor Palpatine entered his box.
"Good afternoon." Palpatine said. "Please be seated."
Padme took her seat, thinking that Palpatine sounded far too cheerful for the stakes of this case.
"Are we ready to proceed? He asked.
"Yes, your Excellency." Tarkin said.
"Yes, Chancellor." Padme echoed.
"We will hear the prosecution's opening statement." Palpatine said.
Tarkin stood up again with an imperious air.
"Your Excellency, this is a case about a broken contract and a violation of trust. With the galaxy in the state that it is, we must trust our allies and partners to deliver what they have promised. If they do not, it is up to us to hold them to their word."
Tarkin's eyes moved to the holo of Taun We and held her gaze.
"Jedi Master Sifo Dyas signed a contract with the Kaminoan cloners. This contract detailed the creation of a clone army. The Kaminoans provided quality assurance. There were five guarantees. One, that all clones would be completely obedient. Two, all clones would be of a certain physical and mental capability. Three, all clones would be completely identical. Four, that any clones that did not meet the above standards would be declared defective. Five, any and all defective clones would be removed from the army before the unit was deployed."
Tarkin began slowly pacing as he spoke.
"On the eve of Ahsoka Tano's sentencing, CT-7567, along with ten other unidentified clones, broke into the Grand Army of the Republic headquarters, assaulted several guards, damaged property surrounding the headquarters, unlawfully freed the prisoner Ahsoka Tano, and aided and abetted her escape."
Padme was calm outwardly as she listened, but a deep anger burned in her stomach.
"The actions of the clone have proved it defective. The quality control process is failing." Tarkin continued, a hand on his chin. "All clones are under the explicit standing order to never break the law. CT-7567 disobeyed this order."
He turned to Palpatine, who was watching with a calm expression.
"I ask that you consider the threat this imposes on the GAR. I ask you to have CT-7567 sent back to Kamino for further testing and have the Republic play a more active role in the quality control of our army. Thank you, your Excellency."
He sat down. Palpatine looked to Padme.
"Does the defense have an opening statement?"
Padme stood, her skirts swishing.
"Today, I officially represent the government of Kamino. I also represent Captain Rex of the 501st-"
"Senator Amidala," Palpatine interrupted. "I'm afraid I must ask you to use the clone's number in all references to it. For clarification."
Padme gritted her teeth and gave a curt nod. She was afraid of that. It didn't have much impact on her case, but she hated using the clones' numbers.
"I also represent CT-7567 of the 501st." Padme restated. "This trial is one of looking for truth. General Anakin Skywalker ordered CT-7567, and the other clones, to perform the jailbreak. He returned of his own free will to certain punishment. CT-7567 has proven his obedience and loyalty. He is not defective."
Padme caught Taun We's eye, then continued.
"CT-7567's record is immaculate. If we are looking for examples of failure of the Kaminoan quality control process, CT-7567 is not that place to look."
Padme hated the implications of the quality control process, but unfortunately it was a very good piece of evidence for her case.
"I ask for understanding of CT-7567's situation. I ask that the charges be dropped from Kamino and CT-7567's position be restored within the 501st."
Padme let out a breath and sat down.
"Thank you, Senator Amidala." Palpatine said. "Admiral Tarkin, you may begin calling witnesses and presenting evidence."
Tarkin rose.
He began his case proving once again that Rex was involved with the heist, showing the incriminating video with the Pykes as well as new footage of Rex disembarking with Ahsoka when they returned.
He then pulled up several lines of the contract, pointing out where it described the qualities of the clones and the quality control process.
"The Kaminoans have promised obedient soldiers on flimsi." Tarkin said. "I call General Obi Wan Kenobi to the stand."
Obi Wan looked resigned as he rose and made his way to the witness stand.
"The witness must now swear in." Mas Amedda announced.
"I swear by the Force that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Obi Wan said in a bland tone.
"General Kenobi, you were the first Jedi to have contact with the Kaminoans after Master Sifo Dyas?" Tarkin asked.
"I was. We of course had no idea until then." Obi Wan said.
"How did the Kaminoans describe the army to you?" Tarkin asked.
Obi Wan frowned and rubbed at his beard.
"Oh, it was over three years ago. I'm not sure I can recall word for word."
"Just tell us what you remember." Tarkin said, a hint of annoyance slipping into his voice.
"I was told the clones were superior to droids." Obi Wan said slowly. "Capable of independent thought and action. Both proved to be true, of course."
"Anything else?" Tarkin prompted.
"They were less independent than the original, Jango Fett." Obi Wan continued. "Totally obedient and would follow orders exactly."
"Have you found that to be true?" Tarkin asked.
"I encourage my men to think for themselves." Obi Wan said. "I ask their opinion and I expect them to speak up if they find fault in my orders."
"You are not answering the question." Tarkin said.
Obi Wan held up a finger.
"However, when I do give them orders, once we agree on them and determine we have minimized casualties while maximizing objectives taken, that they follow the orders to the letter."
"A yes or no would suffice, Master Jedi." Palpatine said.
Padme wondered if Tarkin regretted calling Obi Wan to the stand, if only because of his long winded responses.
"What of CT-2088?" Tarkin asked.
"Sergeant Slick?" Obi Wan said. "One clone out of thousands under my care. And I suppose I never gave him the express order to not leak information to the enemy."
Tarkin stared at Obi Wan.
"Loyalty to the Republic was one of the promised attributes." He said flatly. "Treason would make a clone defective, would it not?"
"From a certain point of view." Obi Wan said. "If a clone felt that somehow a perceived treasonous act could somehow help the Republic or its citizens-"
"That is quite enough, General Kenobi." Tarkin said. "Thank you. I have no further questions."
"Does the defense wish to question the witness?" Palpatine asked.
"Not at this time." Padme said.
In typical Kenobi fashion, Obi Wan had twisted Tarkin's questions into a defense of the clones.
"I call General Shaak Ti to the stand." Tarkin said.
Instead of walking, the holoimage merely transferred to the witness stand. Shaak Ti swore in and Tarkin began again.
"General Ti, you serve on Kamino, correct?"
"Yes." Master Ti said. "I oversee much of their training."
"I see." Tarkin said. "I understand that you have opposed and occasionally overturned the failing of certain clones. Is this true?"
"Yes." Shaak Ti said. She seemed proud of the fact. "I find many clones just need some patience in order to succeed."
"These clones would have been decommissioned or prevented from being deployed if you had not intervened, correct?" Tarkin asked.
Shaak Ti looked at him.
"I know what you are trying to accomplish, Admiral." She said. "Yes, I have changed the fate of many clones. Some were deployed instead of being placed on custodial or maintenance crews. Some were placed on those crews instead of decommissioning."
Shaak Ti stood taller and looked down at Tarkin.
"But you will find that no clone I interceded for was found to be lacking. Not once was a clone I helped sent back for reassignment or reconditioning." She said. "If you are looking for defects, Admiral, you may wish to look elsewhere."
"I am aware of the fate of the clones you interfered with." Tarkin replied. "What you have not mentioned are the ones that are destroyed in their first few battles. Have you considered that it was possible defects that you overlooked that caused their deaths?"
Shaak Ti said nothing.
"Please answer the question, General." Tarkin said.
"Yes." Shaak Ti said. "It- weighs heavily on me."
"So they were not fit for battle?" Tarkin said.
"It is- possible." Shaak Ti said with reluctance.
"And the Kaminoans allowed these interferences?" Tarkin went on.
"They were- resistant." Shaak Ti said. "Often I was denied. But yes."
"I see." Tarkin said. "Thank you General. I have no further questions."
Padme once again denied the chance to question Shaak Ti. There wasn't much more the Togruta master could say.
"We can see the Kaminoans are allowing outside influences to affect the quality control process. Let us have a close look at the process itself. I call Administrator Taun We to the stand." Tarkin said.
The flickering holo switched from Shaak Ti's image to Taun We's.
She calmly swore in, omitting the Force from her words.
Tarkin asked a few questions about the quality control process and the standards. Taun We answered easily.
"You seem to think there is nothing wrong with the process." Tarkin said.
"The process is quite thorough." Taun We replied.
"I would like to present exhibit A of the Kaminoan's neglect of the quality control process." Tarkin said.
He opened a comm.
"Bring it in." He ordered.
A door opened and two Coruscant Guards marched Rex into the room.
He looked much the same as Padme had seen him the day before: unshaven, armorless, and exhausted. His hands were bound, as if Rex of all people would attempt to flee.
Unlike yesterday, his head was up and his back straight. Padme felt sick. Seeing his quiet dignity returned as he was presented as an object made her heart ache. How did so few of the Republic see him as something more than just a tool to be used and discarded?
Rex's eyes flicked to Padme, then to Anakin. A tired attempt at a smile flitted across his lips.
Padme tried to smile back and give him some reassurance, but Tarkin's next words drained the expression from her face.
"CT-7567 bears an obvious defect in the coloring of its hair. Yet it passed this 'thorough' quality process." Tarkin said, gesturing to Rex.
The effect was immediate on Rex. He had been staring unashamedly at Palpatine, standing at attention. At Tarkin's declaration Rex's eyes widened ever so slightly before being cast downward. His posture shifted to one of discomfort, nearing shame.
"Objection!" Padme cried as she stood. "A physical difference does not make a clone defective! Most clones can be differentiated by their physical appearance."
"Those physical alterations were performed by the clones themselves." Tarkin said. "CT-7567 was decanted with this mutation. The contract states all clones would be identical on deployment."
"Objection overruled." Palpatine said mildly.
Padme clenched her jaw but sat down.
"Taun We, why was this clone allowed to be deployed?" Tarkin asked.
"When it comes to physical mutations that do not hamper a clone's performance, such as eye or hair color, the clones in question are monitored very closely. In most cases they are found to be below average and decommissioned. CT-7567 was found to have above average intelligence and judgement. It would have been inefficient to destroy a clone with its scores." Taun We said.
"Yet in the contract it specifically says the clones will be identical on deployment." Tarkin said.
"We assumed the Republic would prioritize performance." Taun We said.
"We have no record of any Kaminoan contacting us and asking whether or not we would prefer this." Tarkin said.
Padme took a deep breath. It was typical lawyer speak, and it infuriated her.
"I have no further need of the evidence." Tarkin said. "I would however like to suggest it be moved to a secure location, due to its security risks."
"A fair point. And one I agree with." Palpatine said. "Senator Amidala, would you like to say anything about the evidence before it is transferred?"
Padme stood.
"It is a disgrace that you are referring to him as evidence." Padme said. "Captain Rex is a man and should be treated as such."
Palpatine gave a long suffering sigh and Tarkin smirked. Rex himself gave Padme a look of gratitude. Padme's stomach lurched. He looked a little surprised that she had stood up for him.
"Your comment is noted." Palpatine said.
Was it? Padme thought. If he'd noted it, that'd mean he'd actually listened to her, which she doubted.
Rex was marched back out, not before he shot Padme another grateful glance. She managed a smile this time.
There were a few more process questions before Tarkin dismissed Taun We. Padme had no questions for the administrator.
"I would like to present my next piece of evidence." Tarkin said.
A holo of a list of clone numbers was displayed in the air. It slowly began to scroll, showing dozens of numbers.
"This is a list of clones determined to be defective by General Pong Krell." Tarkin said.
"Objection!" Padme called. "Pong Krell was a traitor!"
"We do not know when General Krell betrayed the Republic." Tarkin said. "We can assume he was originally loyal, due to his impressive record of victories."
"Objection overruled." Palpatine said again.
Padme tightened a fist and sat back down.
"We can see from the beginning of the war, General Krell found many clones to be defective and had them sent back to Kamino." Tarkin said. "His numbers are the highest of the Jedi Generals. If you look at the numbers of clones deemed defective by the Admirals of the Republic Navy,"
He gestured and another holo appeared with more numbers.
"You will see it is nearly the same amount."
He began slowly pacing again.
"Most Jedi do not report the defects when they appear. But there are defective clones being sent back."
"May I say something regarding this evidence, Chancellor?" Padme interjected.
"You may." Palpatine said.
"If you look at the dates, you will see that less than one percent of clones are sent back within the first six months of deployment." Padme said. "Their 'defects' not manifesting until months of war."
"Your point?" Tarkin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I will elaborate when I speak to my witnesses." Padme said.
"Regardless, I rest my case." Tarkin said.
"The defense may begin to present evidence." Palpatine said.
Padme remained standing.
"CT-7567 has been accused of disobeying orders. I have proof that he indeed was ordered to perform the prison break." She said.
She gestured to the witness bench.
"I call General Anakin Skywalker to the stand." She said.
Anakin stood up, shot Tarkin an angry glance, and stalked up to the stand. Padme had been purposefully avoiding looking at Anakin, but she was sure he had been seething the whole time. He spat out the words of the swearing in, biting the ends off.
"General Skywalker, did you order CT-7567 to break Ahsoka Tano out of prison?" Padme asked.
"Of course I did!" Anakin said.
"Has he ever disobeyed an order?"
"Never." Anakin said. "Rex is the best kriffing soldier in GAR."
"Have any of your soldiers disobeyed an order?" Padme asked.
"No. And none of them are defective either." Anakin said.
"What of CT-4157, Dogma?" Padme asked.
"What?" Genuine confusion shone in his eyes. "He- he wasn't defective. He was protecting Republic interests!"
Padme felt bad that she hadn't had time to warn Anakin of her plan.
"Let us consider that he was defective." Padme said. "Did he show any signs of it before hand?"
"Dogma was one of the most rule abiding troopers I've ever known." Anakin said.
"So any defects he possessed only came to light after the months he spent in the 501st? Perhaps because of your influence?"
Anakin's eyes sparked with understanding.
"I would say that." Anakin said. "I was definitely a bad influence on Dogma."
"Thank you." Padme said. "I have no further questions."
Tarkin was giving her a cold stare. He had certainly planned on bringing up Dogma. He turned down the opportunity to question Anakin.
"My next piece of evidence."
Padme said, gesturing.
The recording of Rex and Anakin's conversation began to play.
Rex here.
Rex, I just heard the verdict. I'm on the tail of the real culprit. You need to get Ahsoka out, now! That's an order!
Yes, sir.
Good. Be careful. Skywalker out.
"Clearly," Padme said. "CT-7567 was given orders to do what he did. He acted as any soldier should have. He followed orders."
"I have a question." Tarkin said. "What order should be obeyed: the order from a General, or an order from the Commander-in-Chief?"
Padme closed her eyes. She was afraid of this.
"The order to obey the law technically comes from the Supreme Chancellor himself." Tarkin went on. "If the clone was truly following orders, it would have reported those erroneous orders to a higher up."
Padme swallowed.
"Rex had a choice." She finally said. She was tired of dehumanizing him. "He made one. Either way, Rex would have disobeyed somebody's orders."
Padme met Tarkin's steely gaze.
"You would condemn him either way." She accused.
"And you would defend it either way." Tarkin retorted. "In any case it is up to the Chancellor to decide."
The words burned Padme. It was up to Palpatine. If it was a jury, Padme felt she might have a better chance. But convincing Palpatine? The man who sent men like Rex to their deaths with wanton carelessness? A man whose ear Tarkin had?
The thought felt like a blaster bolt to the chest. Had she failed again? Had there been any hope in the first place?
Padme took a breath and looked back at Tarkin despite her hope tarnishing.
"Yes." She said. "The Chancellor will decide."
Feeling like a protocol droid, she called Master Plo Koon to the stand. She managed to ask the planned questions.
"Have you found your clones' differences to be exacerbated over time? Have they developed traits they didn't show when first deployed? Do you encourage behavior that could be considered undesirable by Kaminoans?"
Master Plo answered quietly and surely, proving Padme's case for the Kaminoans. As if it mattered now. It was merely a facade for Padme's true goal of saving Rex. Now that she saw that goal crumbling away, it seemed so inconsequential to help the Kaminoans save face.
"It seems that clones will develop 'undesirable' traits in the field, regardless of status upon leaving Kamino. This makes it impossible for the Kamioans to predict whether a clone will become erratic or not. I rest my case." Padme managed to finish.
She purposefully tuned out Tarkin's closing remarks. She didn't need to hear his arrogant conclusions. She also avoided Anakin's worried and earnest gaze.
It was her turn to speak. She would give one last try. Perhaps if she could turn the crowds to Rex's plight, Palpatine might be pressured into letting Rex go. She turned to the boxes of spectators.
"I will not speak of the Kaminoans' quality control; the evidence speaks for itself. I do wish to speak one last time concerning CT-7567: Captain Rex." Padme said. "This is not about whether or not a tool works. Captain Rex is a man. A man who was given difficult orders. Captain Rex acted out of duty and out of concern for his commander. Captain Rex, at risk to his own life and career, kept an innocent woman safe until her name was cleared. Captain Rex returned willingly to face the consequences of his actions."
She stared into the faces of the crowd, trying to make eye contact..
"I want to make it clear: if Rex is declared defective, he will die. A man who has done nothing but serve the Republic, will die." Padme said. "He represents the best of the Republic and we should be ashamed to even consider abandoning him."
Padme sat down amidst mutterings from the spectators. She was sick of it. She wanted a better world for the people of the galaxy, and in order to accomplish that she was forced into a world of games, agendas, and the twisting of words and intentions.
A world where a good man would die because Tarkin had a chip on his shoulder.
She was done playing the game.
"I must have time to deliberate." Palpatine announced once the muttering had died down some. "We will return shortly."
The room filled with chatter and Obi Wan, Plo, and Anakin made their way to meet her.
"I'm afraid there isn't much hope." Obi Wan said heavily. "Tarkin was correct: Rex theoretically should have reported Anakin's orders."
"This is distressing indeed." Plo mumbled. "Must justice be so blind?"
Anakin was pale and silent.
"Anakin?" Padme asked.
"I'm going to speak to the Chancellor." Anakin muttered. "I'll make him see."
"Anakin, you can't!" Padme protested. "No one is supposed to speak to the deciding authorities while they consider the trial!"
"He'll talk to me!" Anakin said with fierce determination. "I am not losing Rex!"
He spun on his heel and stormed away.
Obi Wan and Plo watched with helpless concern, but Padme followed him.
She caught up to him as he approached the chamber where Palpatine would be. Two Coruscant Guards stood on either side of the door.
"I need to see the Chancellor." Anakin said.
"Sir, no one is to disturb the Chancellor-" the Guard said before the door opened a crack.
"Is that Anakin?" Palpatine's voice said. "Send him in."
The Guards shared a glance before standing aside to let Anakin and Padme through.
Palpatine was sitting at a desk alone in the room.
"Anakin! And Senator Amidala!" He said. His voice was warm, and it chilled Padme. "I suppose you wish to speak about the trial?"
"Yes, your Excellency." Anakin said earnestly. "Please, Rex was only following my orders."
"But it disobeyed mine." Palpatine said with a sigh. "That is something very difficult to overlook."
"It's my fault." Anakin said. "He wouldn't have done it if it weren't for me."
"I'm afraid we don't know that." Palpatine said. "I can see Admiral Tarkin's point, this clone really could be dangerous."
Padme could feel Anakin's frustration boiling over.
"He's not." Anakin said through grit teeth. "I swear."
"Really, Anakin, you cannot possibly be able to know-"
"Dammit, why can't you see?" Anakin burst out.
Padme froze. Her husband had a temper, yes, but she had never seen it unleashed on Palpatine. Palpatine merely looked at Anakin and Anakin recoiled.
"I'm sorry-" He stammered.
For a horrifying moment Padme thought Anakin was going to say 'Master.'
"But please, Rex did it for me and Ahsoka. He's loyal and one of our best. Please." Anakin mumbled with his head bowed.
Palpatine stared at Anakin for a moment.
"This is truly important to you, isn't it?" Palpatine said.
Anakin nodded.
"Then I will consider it." Palpatine declared. "Now please, leave me to my considerations."
"Yes, your Excellency." Anakin murmured.
He stepped back out with Padme. His shoulders relaxed, relieved. Padme wasn't so sure. If Palpatine was so convinced of the threat posed by Rex, why even listen to Anakin? Why give so much importance to Anakin's feelings? This was what Padme wanted, wasn't it? Then why did she feel so uneasy?
It came down to one thing. Rex's fate lay in the hands of a man she didn't trust.
Palpatine stared at the door for a while after Anakin had left. The boy was so attached to the clone. For the last few days Palpatine had heard nothing but 'Rex this, Rex that' from the boy. It tended to get on one's nerves.
Anakin's all consuming concern for his loved ones had that effect on Palpatine. But the boy was so powerful, so easy to guide, that Palpatine was willing to overlook it.
He studied the notes of the trial before him. Senator Amidala, like her husband, also irritated Palpatine. The girl's idealism had no place in the Senate, no place in the Empire Palpatine was incubating.
It would reflect very poorly on Palpatine if he sent the clone to the Kaminoans.
This plan was not going as he expected at all. First that fool girl Offee was discovered. Then his experiments on Tano were interrupted by those defective clones. Not only were the results snatched away from him, but the girl somehow still lived. And then those foolish Senators, thinking it would help his plans, challenged the Kaminoans. If it weren't for their lawsuit, the clone captain would have been quickly disposed of.
Palpatine sighed. He had recovered from such setbacks before. He would again.
Ten minutes later he stood again before the court.
"I have come to a decision." He announced.
Anakin's eager face was turned upwards to him.
"I have concluded that the Kaminoans have not been negligent in their quality control process and that they have had the best interests at heart for the Republic."
Tarkin was looking at him now, only the slight quirk of an eyebrow betraying his confusion.
"It seems most 'defects' are merely undesirable traits encouraged by the Jedi." Palpatine went on. "And cannot be attributed to their origin."
Taun We's holo bowed its head to him.
"Concerning the matter of CT-7567," Palpatine paused.
He had to get this just right.
"The clone, while disobeying my orders, rectified a grave mistake made by the Republic." Palpatine said. "Its loyalty to its General and Commander must be commended."
Anakin's eyes gleamed with hope.
"Due to the circumstances, I declare the clone not defective." Palpatine said.
He could feel the saccharine relief pouring off Anakin. The boy grinned up at him and Palpatine allowed a small smile back.
He had regained the boy's trust. But still, there was the matter concerning the clone. Tarkin had been correct. It had shown a worrying amount of initiative and loyalty. If Anakin was to fall, the clone had to as well.
This chapter. Oh, boy, this chapter. I always knew there was going to be a trial. It started as just Tarkin asking Rex questions and Padme not being able to defend him. It moved from court martial to false advertisement lawsuit. It moved from Rex being declared guilty to his acquittal. I even played with the idea of Anakin claiming part of Rex's punishment if Rex was declared guilty. And oh boy did it take research. I am one hundred percent sure I will never be a lawyer because trials are convoluted and stupid. I am aware of the rules I break in this trial. I sped up the timeline of the lawsuit. In reality, Padme would have had months to research this trial and I gave her like a day and a half. The witnesses usually are aware of the questions they will be asked, but drama. As mentioned before, both sides are aware of the evidence the other side will present, but again, it's better for the drama if they don't. There are little bits and pieces I removed because they're legal jargon and just the interrupting and the legalese and the dithering drives me nuts. I hope it's realistic enough but also engaging. My editors assured me that the cases are sound and make sense, which was a big worry for me.
And yes, Rex is a natural blonde in this. (I really hope that he's never revealed to dye his hair in canon because it is a literal plot point in this) My headcanon is that if a clone is born with different colored hair or eyes or skin, they are judged far more harshly than their normal brothers. For instance, a blonde clone who scored the same as an average normal clone would be decommissioned but the normal clone would not. Rex was just too good to get rid of.
I made up Dogma's and Slick's numbers because they don't actually have canon numbers. I also totally made up the crap about the Navy officers sending more clones back. I make up a lot about the Star Wars universe.
Anyway, wear your masks if you aren't vaccinated, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!