Moderate Spoiler Warning:
I don't reveal specific situations from 'Republic Commando: Hard Contact' by Karen Traviss, but I do talk about characters, themes, and motivations that most impressed me.

________________________________


"Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is."
Yoda, Ep.II

The above quote expresses Yoda's wonder in the presence of young minds unhindered by cynicism, past experiences, or pre-conceived notions about the world. Although I don't have any children myself, I've been around more than a few to know they can be smart, witty, clever, wise, and observant. I also know you must be careful where young children are concerned as they pattern themselves after the behaviors they see around them be it the form of their parents, relatives, friends, or other outside influences. Children are looking for guidance at every turn for one simple reason: to survive. Yes, they want to be loved and accepted. Yes, they want to please too. However, at the very core of this desire, is the need to survive. Each of us instinctively knows that going it alone at any age is often a recipe for problems later on. We need each other in whatever form that takes.

We also know how difficult it is growing up. It must be even tougher without the love and care from a concerned parent or guardian. It is usually in these circumstances that we see a child 'mature' before their time. Without a guardian to shield them against adult-sized problems or to address adult-sized questions, they are forced to contend with them on their own and at a much younger age. Issues like life, death, self-respect, and one's place in society take on greater import when no one is around to help you contend with them. Without guidance, young minds cling to whatever provides them the tools needed to survive. For many, the answers they find are not only harmful to them but to society as well.

As bad as being an abandoned child might be, now imagine being manipulated and used for the benefit of others. It shouldn't be that hard, there are stories in the news all the time about kids being abducted, abused, and killed. In most of these cases, it's an individual that is torturing these young souls. However, in Star Wars (as in some places in our world), it's an entire society. In the prequel era, we see what the Republic will resort to for its defense: using 10-year old children to fight for it. Yes, they look like adults, they act like adults, they talk like adults, and they even kill like adults, but they are no older than a kid in fourth or fifth grade (USA). The fact that they can shave, curse, and plot artillery trajectories only serves to mask what sits just beneath the surface: an abandoned child looking for acceptance in a galaxy at war.

Despite being a 'clone war' story, I found 'Hard Contact' to be an interesting statement on the nature of childhood in a chaotic world. Yes, the technical details are fantastic, and the manner in which we learn about life as a clone is wonderful, but it was also strangely disturbing. Let's face it - just as it's stated in this story, the Republic Commandos (not to mention most clones) are only 10-years old despite their physical appearance. Forget the fact that they've been pushed to grow at twice the normal rate or that they've been trained to fight since day one: they are still CHILDREN, children the Republic is only too ready to utilize for war. I can think of no greater example of child-abuse than to push kids into fighting a war. The fact that the clones have half the life span of a normal human simply adds insult to injury.

Adding to this, we see a young Jedi-padawan - Etain - clearly ill-equipped to handle the life she's 'chosen' and the war she's found herself a part of. She doesn't even know there is a war going on or that 'clones' have been employed. Given what we've seen in the movies, Jedi Masters take their charges very seriously. However, Etain is clearly mentally and spiritually unprepared for life as a 'guarding of peace and justice' as she places everyone around her - civilian, Jedi, and clone - in danger through most of the story. I'm not saying this is wrong or unrealistic, just that Etain is still a child where life as a Jedi and a warrior are concerned (and I do make a distinction between Jedi & Warrior). Her master either wasn't around long enough or was not a very good teacher. She is no less an orphan than the clones in this respect. It's really no wonder Etain finds a kinship with the four commandos despite their outward differences.

In comparing these kids - the Republic Commandos and Etain - I am struck but what I've come to understand. The clones, despite their sterilized growth and brutal adolescence at the hands of the Kaminoans, seem better equipped to deal with their surroundings than Etain. These clones keep their bearing, their sanity, and their wits about them no matter what situation they find themselves in, whereas Etain is a fumbling and emotionally chaotic student of the Force. You would think that the situation would be reversed. The clones had no contact with 'normal' citizens during their so-called training not to mention being faced with death everyday of their young lives. Yet, they don't see civilians or Jedi as 2-dimensional beings. The clones seem to have respect for everything around them to some degree. I couldn't find an abnormal fault among them. Now comes Etain - she's nervous, she's scared, and she lives in doubt and fear of her abilities. Frankly, she reminds me of the stereotypical ROTC cadet just entering the regular army - long on knowledge, but short on wisdom and experience...very un-Jedi like in my mind. It's a sobering statement on the Star Wars galaxy at this point.

All of this leads me to wonder what statement this story is really making. Are the clone-kids the better of the two groups despite the horrific rigidity of their stunted childhood? We know from Anakin's fall that the Jedi have lost touch with their 'children' - does this really translate across the entire Order? Clearly, we are talking about specific individuals in this story but it's difficult not to see this as a galactic issue. The clones are the professionals, the men at work, the guys on the job, the Mr. Fix-its. To quote a phrase: they do their job well. They've been beaten and tortured into excellence - they accept it because it's how the Republic accepts them. On the other side are the Jedi, who based on this story and the PT, have clearly fallen from grace. Though able to use a mystical ability, they no longer understand the Force nor the reason for their own existence. The Jedi of the PT are lost and Etain's confusion and bewilderment exemplifies this.

In conclusion, what I see in the midst of a wonderful adventure story is a comment about society and how it drops even its most basic beliefs under duress. It would appear the Republic was dead long before Palpatine's pronouncement. Having sacrificed entire generations of individuals, of children, for the sole purpose of survival, the Republic gave up it's soul and it's purpose: to provide an environment of peace and justice, stability and enlightenment for all it's citizens - civilian, Jedi, and clone. It's no wonder the clones followed orders to the letter - like many children, they were just doing what was expected of them. Breed warriors and you breed war, disrespect your children and they will disrespect you (and for any farmers in attendance: you reap what you sow).

Next up: Etain (Update: postponed indefinitely)