Star Wars: Republic Commando -- Delta Squad             The upcoming Star Wars title from LucasArts will feature one of the coolest squads ever put into a video game. Taking the role of the relatively unknown Republic Commando division of the clone army, you'll use tactics as the Boss and lead Delta Squad through mission after mission, using special tactics to achieve your goal and the objective of the Galactic Republic. In this special feature, we'll dive behind each individual clone, as well as the idea of Delta Squad altogether. You'll have a look at where and why this squad was created, as well as a bit of history behind it.             The first leaders of the clone armies were Advanced Recon Commandos, or ARC troopers. These clones were created using the same growth accelerator that ordinary clones used, only one thing set them apart. The Kaminoans created these troopers specifically to handle tasks on the battlefield that would require more independent thinking. When growing these clones, the docility and independence of the ARC class trooper was not altered. These clones were trained personally by Jango Fett, and were used only under the most special and difficult of circumstances and as leaders on the battlefield. After a while however, the Kaminoans figured out that the ARC trooper was difficult to command because of its severe independent thinking. These troopers were set aside for use later, and the Kaminoans began work on a new breed of clones. Early artwork of the ARC trooper. The micro-series version of the ARC trooper.             This new breed would be none other than the Republic Clone Commandos. The Kaminoans started a fresh new experiment that was implemented very carefully and cautiously. Four clones were selected out of the main clone bunch and set aside into different pods. Each pod had a group of four that grew up together, undergoing their special training with one another, and really growing attached to the four man squad. Each pod was assigned a sergeant hand picked by Jango Fett, and that person would raise the pod. Organization and teamwork were their specialty, and no other form of army could execute a team-oriented task better than these clone squads. Each clone grew somewhat differently, and similarly to twins, voices varied, personalities differed, and the overall squad was as diverse as a cantina. Yet each would sacrifice their own life for the life of their squadmate, and with this type of brotherhood, the Commandos were unstoppable. The four individuals would grow into a certain role with the team, one taking to the demolitions role, another the leader, and so forth. More often than not, the squads would adopt much the same personality traits as their sergeant, yet still maintain an individual personality. Some training sergeants would allow the clones to give each other nicknames, so as to encourage brotherhood. The Kaminoans didn't see this initially as a good thing, as they expected each clone to be exactly the same. Jango thankfully pointed out that the sum of the parts of the squad would make the whole stronger. Diversity was encouraged. Soon enough, the proof was there as the Commando Squads performed much better than other groups of clones in testing and training simulators. The fact that the best soldiers are brothers and not clones was realized. Out of this sparked Delta Squad, just one of the many teams that the Kaminoans created. However this squad would make its mark in history that nobody ever dreamed imaginable. The Clone Commando. A Delta Commando, the new elite Clone trooper.             Directed under the brilliance of Sergeant Vau, a Mandalorian, Delta Squad emerged among the top of their class. Jango Fett even took notice to them, and helped Sergeant Vau in some of the training of this particular squad. The team was a perfect example of the benefits of these squads, and the clone differentiation that came with it. RC-1138, also known as "Boss," emerged as the leader of the squad in both spirit and rank. Each of the other commandos were perfectly capable of stepping into this position, but as brothers they recognized and respected his leadership. With this acceptance, their decision-making efficiency increased, and they were able to accomplish a whole lot more than other squads that feuded over leadership. Dubbed "second-in-command," RC-1140 (call him "Fixer") backed Boss's decisions and helped maintain order within the team. He is also the tech expert, and handles any situation involving electronics with mastery. The remaining two squadmates needed a bit of a spark to develop individual personalities, and this was probably the reason they accepted the leadership of Boss and even Fixer. Once Sergeant Vau stuck a sniper rifle into the hands of "Sev" (RC-1207), his true skills became apparent. Sev is hard as a rock and serious as they come. As he grows, it's apparent that he's a hunter and is pissed off all the time. He'll stack up a kill by any means necessary, although his sniper is his specialty. Lastly, there's "Scorch" (RC-1262). Keeping thing's light and warming, he cracked jokes in some serious events, allowing the squad to loosen up and achieve their goal with even more efficiency. With a love for explosives, Scorch got into a few accidents with demolitions in his training, but goes back for more every time. He emerged as an expert demolitionist, and gets a kick out of blowing stuff up. Always taking the edge out of combat, Sergeant Vau, though grim, recognized the need for levity, and allowed Scorch to sound off. Delta Squad             Adapting to their roles, the Delta Squad became the most efficient squad in the bunch, and the Kaminoans recognized the potential. Armor paint became a topic of discussion when Jango Fett told the Kaminoans about the Mandalorians. His people had a tradition of using unique armor paints to modify their armor with stripes and designs, with different colors. It helped a team identify one another in the heat of combat, as well as increase an individual's sense of pride. Jango Fett went through and allowed Delta Squad to paint their armor individually, and as if they weren't good enough already, the team's morale increased as they arrived on Geonosis. They were the only clones without the stark white armor of the Grand Army. They proved the paint increased squad morale, and slowly other commandos adopted this ritual. Jango Fett encouraged the clones to diversify, suggesting armor paint as done by his people, the Mandalorians.             Before long, Delta Squad became known across the galaxy, and the Republic dispatched them in the most difficult of situations. It was there they earned their stripes, and the respect of the galaxy. General Grievous and the Confederacy knew they were going up against the strongest Republic forces when Delta Squad was brought in. The squad made a name for themselves that no one could ever take away. The band of brothers, Boss, Fixer, Sev, and Scorch would face the ultimate tasks and carry them out in full loyalty to the Republic. Galactically respected, Jedi Master Yoda even recognizes their strength as a team. "Rendezvous with Delta Squad we must. Upon them, we rest much hope." The squad ventures to the Battle of Kashyyyk to stop the Trandoshan slavers and rally behind Yoda and the clone army that is already there.             Even though he was trained by Sergeant Vau, Boss inherited the accent and voice patterns of Jango Fett's Concord Dawn background. Though he doesn't get caught up in all the smart talk between Sev, Fixer, and Scorch, Boss knows who's who and what's what better than anyone about his squad. Brought up as the leader of the squad, he earned his position, and the others respected it. There was no dispute, and because of this, Delta Squad excelled. His strong leadership is complemented by extreme loyalty by his squad. He'll issue orders to the squad, however he respects them as much as they respect him. You the player of course, will take the role of Boss and command Delta Squad from the first-person perspective.             As second-in-command, Fixer is quick to dish out orders to keep things running smoothly. He'll respect everyone on the squad just the same, but he's a no nonsense type of guy. If there was a clone that went more by the book than him, he'd like to know. Instead of adopting the nicknames each clone had developed growing up together, Fixer prefers to use the code names given to them. Instead of "Scorch," he'd call him Delta-62. Being raised by Sergeant Vau, Fixer shared a common interest with his mentor in their love for tech and tactics. Fixer takes care of slicing the computers, picking locks and breaking codes. He'll get you through any door, unless of course Scorch blows it up first. Just call Fixer the technology expert. In the heat of battle, Fixer is all for pushing forward, getting the job done. Fixer might be more serious, but he's definitely a guy the fellow Delta squadmates trust.             If there was one word used to describe Sev, badass would do the trick. When Sev wakes up every morning, he thinks about how many kills he's gonna get today. With his sniper in hand, he's competing with Scorch to see who wins the kill count for the day. The constant rivalry between them may sound bitter to one from the outside, but true to the team, both would instantly risk their neck for the other. They say that most clones fight because they have to, because their genes were modified that way. With Sev, somebody must have spiked his cloning vat because he likes it, every day he is eager to enter battle and serve the Republic by bringing justice to the galaxy. A super efficient warrior, Sev will always get the job done in the most critical of situations.             Dubbed the wisecrack of the bunch by anyone who spends more than two minutes with Delta Squad, Scorch takes the weary world of violence the team deals with every day and makes light of it, trying to make things easier for the others. When situations get rough and emotions are tight, count on Scorch to help ease the tension with a joke or two. With Scorch on board, they'll never be too emotionally drained from the death tolls they deal. A well trained soldier and an expert demolitionist, Scorch is the explosives technician of the group. His relationship with the team will always be light-hearted, especially after humorous incident involving Sergeant Vau and a set of explosives. Sarge and Scorch were left without eyebrows for a week, and thus Delta-62 had earned the nickname, "Scorch". Always eager to blow something up and constantly play-competing with Sev for the most kills, Scorch is somebody that anyone would want on a team of four at the end of the day. Though the wiseacre, Scorch knows when he needs to take his work seriously, and even when goofing off, the Delta Squad knows Scorch will get the job done.             These clones have grown together in a bond that is unmatched in many corners of the galaxy. The brothers of the Republic, these four squadmates know war all too well. If there is a serious task at hand, and when only the best will do, the Republic sends in Delta Squad. In Star Wars: Republic Commando, you are pitted as the leader of this incredible team, and it is your job to ensure their success. You'll need to effectively issue orders without confusing the team, and also perform your own duties day in and day out. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and in the Star Wars universe, Delta Squad is as tough as it gets. Enjoy this title and the depth of brotherhood between the coolest squad ever assembled March 1, 2005. Ryan Pfeiffer- Editor and Senior Writer