In the vast and intricate universe of Star Wars, there exist numerous elements that captivate the imaginations of fans worldwide. Among these are the Empire’s contingency orders – coded directives given to the clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic. One such order, known as Order 37, serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths the Empire was willing to go in order to maintain control. But what exactly is Order 37, and how did it impact the galaxy far, far away?
Understanding Order 37
Order 37 was a contingency order that the clone troopers learned during their training on Kamino. Essentially, this order dealt with the capture of an individual through the mass arrest and threatened execution of a civilian population. The overarching goal of Order 37 was to utilize civilian hostages to coerce the surrender of a specific fugitive.
The order involved suppressing local civilian populations, which included mass civilian arrests, civic lockdowns, and a rather grim ultimatum: if the local populace did not turn over the individual sought by the Empire, all the arrestees would face execution.
The Darker Side of Order 37
As if the primary directive of Order 37 wasn’t harrowing enough, there was also a follow-up file titled: “Scenarios for Body Disposal Post Order Thirty-Seven.” This document outlined the steps to be taken following the execution of Order 37, which primarily involved suppressing communications and managing the disposal of civilian casualties to maintain Imperial control.
The fact that such an order existed in the first place is a stark reminder of the cold and calculated nature of the Galactic Empire, showing the lengths they were willing to go to quash rebellion and maintain their iron grip on the galaxy.
The Execution of Order 37
While it was rare for troops to use this order, it was indeed executed at least once, on the planet Bellassa, one year after the Declaration of a New Order. The execution involved mass arrests of civilians and the issuing of an ultimatum to turn over Ferus Olin, a fugitive Jedi Padawan, to the Imperial authorities. Order 37 was later executed on Rosha, another planet in the galaxy.
Case Study: Bellassa
On Bellassa, Order 37 led to mass arrests of civilians, who were then gathered in mobile repulsorlift holding pens. The local spaceport was locked down for Bellassans, while offworlders were allowed to exit. The Imperial ultimatum gave the city of Ussa twenty-four hours to turn Ferus Olin over, or the arrested civilians would face execution.
The Aftermath
The execution of Order 37 left indelible scars on the affected planets and their populations. It’s a clear demonstration of how the Empire’s policies and actions instilled fear and oppressed the populace to maintain control.
FAQs
- What is Order 37 in Star Wars?Order 37 is one of the contingency orders given to clone troopers in Star Wars. It involves using civilian hostages to force the capture of an individual, including mass civilian arrests and civic lockdowns, and issuing an ultimatum: if the local populace does not turn over the sought-after individual, all arrestees will be executed.
- Was Order 37 ever executed?Yes, Order 37 was executed on at least two known occasions: once on the planet Bellassa to capture Ferus Olin, a Jedi Padawan, and again on the planet Rosha.
- How were civilians affected by Order 37?The execution of Order 37 involved mass arrests of civilians, who were then used as leverage to capture a specific individual. In the event that the wanted individual was not handed over, these civilians faced the risk of execution.
Conclusion
In the intricate tapestry of the Star Wars universe, Order 37 serves as a potent emblem of the chilling extremes the Galactic Empire was willing to resort to in order to uphold its dominion. The mere existence of such a directive, and the horrors it precipitated, paint a grim picture of the Empire’s rule, where fear and tyranny were wielded as formidable instruments of subjugation.
