Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?

  Just recently we got to see the new design for the Stormtrooper helmet for Star Wars episode VII.  The new design pays homage to Ralph McQuarries original art work while still looking new and original.  There are also similarities to the original Stormtrooper helmet from episodes IV, V and VI.  Going all the way back to the Clone Wars the Stormtrooper armour has come along in steps and bounds to what we see now in Episode VII.

The first clone troopers received Phase one clone trooper armour.  Twenty form-fitting plates sealed to a black body suit and resembling Mandalorian Shock trooper Armour.  The armour was a dazzling bright white and the helmet had a fin along the top.  During the Clone Wars the Phase II armour was brought in.  This armour was lighter and more comfortable to wear.  The new armour was more advanced and came with a lot of improvements such as an air filtration and oxygen system, polarized lenses and the boots were magnetized and incorporated a grav-field alternator to ensure stability.  There was also many variations to suit different environments and missions.  After the birth of the Empire clone troopers were called Stormtroopers and again there was a change in their armour.  The stormtroopers armour composed of eighteen pieces that attached to a black body suit.  Again this armour came with many of the things that were contained in the Phase II armour.  The new stormtrooper armour also contained power gloves, Manual suit seal and environmental controls, knee protector on the left to make kneeling firing position more comfortable and IFF circuitry in the back for easier identification.  The helmet contained advanced filtering systems, communications and visual aids to support the stormtrooper in action.  The utility built carried by the stormtrooper carried quite an amazing amount of equipment, including a grappling hook, four spare blaster power packs, three ion flares, rations, a spare comlink, two med packs plus a thermal detonator plus other equipment.

 

Do you need a hand?

   At the time of writing this piece a  recent article came out and we were shown what could be possibly Luke Skywalker‘s new cybernetic hand.  This has now turned out to possible be the arm of one of the main Inquisitors.  All through the Star Wars universe there are characters with various cybernetic replacements and enhancements.

Luke Skywalker

Luke’s lost his right hand during the duel with his father Darth Vader on Bespin.  After his rescue by Lando, Leia and Chewbacca Luke had a cybernetic hand fitted to replace it on board the rebel ship Redemption.  During their escape from Jabba the Hutt Luke’s cybernetic hand was damaged by a shot from Taym Dren-garen.

Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader

During the first battle of Geonosis Anakin and Obi-Wan followed Count Dooku to his secret hanger.  During the dual there Anakin lost his right arm just below his elbow.  He soon received a cybernetic replacement but decided not to cover it with synthflesh instead wearing a black gauntlet over it.  As Darth Vader during his dual with Obi-Wan Kenobi on the planet Mustafar Obi-Wan bested him and in one blow chopped off Darth Vader’s surviving arm and both of his legs.  Leaving Darth Vader to die on a laver bank the resulting to him being burned alive.  It was only his strength in the Force that kept Darth Vader alive.  Darth Vader was rescued by Darth Sidous and was taken to the Surgical Reconstruction Centre on Coruscant and was rebuilt and a life support unit built into his suit to keep him alive.

General Grievous

Grievous nearly lost his life in a shuttle crash orchestrated by Count Dooku.  His whole body was replaced with cybernetics just leaving his brain, eye’s, heart and stomach.  The technology used to rebuilt Grievous would later be used on Darth Vader.

Clone Commander Wolffe (CC-3636)

During the Battle of Khorm Clone Commander Wolffe lost his right eye to Asajj Ventress.  It would later on be replaced by a silver cybernetic one.

Sith Lady Lumiya

During a dog fight her fighter was shot down by Luke Skywalker.  Her barely alive body was discovered by Darth Vader who had her rebuilt using advanced cybernetics which left her more machine then woman.

Lobot

Lobot was the chief administrative aide to Baron Administrator Lando Calrissian on Cloud City over the planet Bespin.  As a young man Lobot was arrested and convicted for stealing.  Lobot was sentenced for 15 years involuntary service to the citizens of Cloud City.  He had a Biotech Aj^6 Cyborg head band fitted to his skull and connected to his brain.  This made him connected to the main computer of cloud city making him very intelligent and able to communicate with the city computer and all its systems.

 

 

 

The Jedi code

  As may of you know I`m a follower of the Force.  I try to use the lessons and quotes from the Star Wars universe to help me in everyday life.  Jedism has many roots in Buddhism and if you read into a lot of the Jedi mysticism you can usually find something that will solve any problems that you come up against.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no death, there is the Force.

There is no emotion, there is peace

Emotions are a part of us.  Even powerful Jedi were not immune to showing their feelings.  Young Jedi leaners are taught to explore their feelings and understand them.  If a Jedi cannot confront their feelings that Jedi will never know peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge

A Jedi should try to understand the world around them.  ignorance is a part of life but should never be feared.  The Jedi archives contains one of the biggest collections of knowledge in the Star Wars universe.  A Jedi must use not only their rational mind but also their intuitive mind to ascertain the truth of a situation.

There is no passion, there is serenity

Be for a Jedi acts he must be one with the Force.  A Jedi must only draw their weapon in defence only.  A Jedi must be calm and clear-headed in all situations.  Passionate use of power will lead to that Jedi to head down the path to the dark side.

There is no death, there is the Force

The sense of loss is often greater for a Jedi.  However death in not a tragedy but a part of life.  The Force in us continues even in death.

 

Jedi quotes

“Do or do not… there is no try.” — Yoda

“Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter.” — Yoda

“Your eyes can deceive you, don’t trust them.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi

“You will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi

“Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don’t think. Trust your instincts.” — Qui Gon Jinn

“Be mindful of your feelings.” — Mace Windu

” His heart was in the right place, but he tried to answer Grievouses power with his own.” — Kit Fisto

“The crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the force. The force is the blade of the heart. All are intertwined.” — Luminara Unduli

 

My top five favourite Star Wars characters…. Whats yours? Number 1 is………

At last we have reached number one in my list of the top five of my favourite Star Wars characters.  Coming in a number one is the Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi.  The first time we officially meet Obi-Wan is when he rescues Luke Skywalker from the Tuskens.  We then learn some of his past history as a Jedi and as a  general during the clone wars when he talks to Luke about Luke’s father Anakin Skywalker.  Obi Wan was a skilled Jedi and very powerful in the force.  He was an excellent fighter pilot (even thou he hated flying) and a master of the Soresu style of lightsaber combat.  Even thou he was a master with the lightsaber Obi Wan preferred to talk and work things out then fight thus earning him the nickname of “The Negotiator”

Obi-Wan nearly didn’t make it as a Jedi as he was not selected to be a padawan learner and ended up being transferred to the Jedi Service Corps.  It was with the corps that he helped Qui-Gon Jinn who was on planet with a mission.  After that Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan as his padawan learner.  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were to completely different personalities but made a very effective team completing many missions together.

Kenobi: “I have a bad feeling about this.”

Jinn: “I don’t sense anything.”

Kenobi: “It’s not about the mission, Master. It’s something elsewhere…elusive.”

It was on a mission to try to end the blockade of Naboo and the later adventures that would follow, Obi-Wan first met his future Padawan Anakin Skywalker while on Tatooine.  In later events that followed he promised his dying master that he would take on the young boy and teach him the ways of the force.  Obi-Wan was a patient teacher to Anakin who was not the easiest of pupils and they had many adventures together.  It was Obi-Wan that discovered the clone army on Kamino.  During the clone wars Obi-Wan like nearly all of the Jedi masters acted as general to his clone soldiers.  Obi-Wan took part in many of the battles during the clone wars.  It was during the clone wars that his padwan Anakin became a Jedi Knight and it was also when Obi-Wan came face to face with the murder of his former master Darth Maul.  It was Obi-Wan you killed General Grievous while on Utapau.  It was on Utapau that Obi-Wans clone troopers turned on him after the issue of order 66.  Obi-Wan was able to survive his attack and was able to meet up with Jedi Grand Master Yoda where they discovered that most of the Jedi had been killed and that they had been betrayed my the Supreme Chancellor and Obi-Wans old padawan learner Anakin who now was a Sith lord under the name of Darth Vader.  Obi-Wan meet his former padawan on Mustafar where they battled with Obi-Wan coming out the victor.

“You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!“―Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan left what was left of Darth Vader on the bank of a larva river leaving the Force to decide his fate.  He took Vaders lightsaber and with the unconscious Padme met up with Yoda And Senator Bail Organa.  To their surprise Padame gave birth to twins Luke and Leia.  Leia was adopted by Organa and Obi-Wan took Luke to Tatooine to live with his step uncle and aunt Owen and Beru on their moisture farm.  Obi-Wan stayed on Tatooine to watch over Luke from afar and wait till he was old enough to learn the ways of the force.  Obi-Wan went into exile and changed his name to Ben.  Many years later while Luke was looking for R2-D2 who had escaped from the farm Luke ran into a group of Tuskens who attacked him.  Obi-Wan using the force to make him self sound like a Krayt Dragon scared the Tuskens away and took Luke back to his home.  There he gave Luke his father’s lightsaber and told him a half truth about his father being a Jedi and being killed by Darth Vader.  Obi-Wan watched the message from Leia asking for his help and then asked Luke to join him and learn the ways of the force.  At first Luke said he could not help but after the death of his aunt and uncle he decided to help and learn to be a Jedi.  Soon we are aboard the Millennium Falcon with Han Solo and Chewbacca on their way to Alderaan.  When they arrive at their destination they find the planet has been destroyed and end up running into the Death Star.  While the others are helping Leia to escape Obi-Wan goes to deactivate the tractor beam.  On his way back to the Millennium Falcon he feels the presence of Darth Vader.

Darth Vader: “I’ve been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the Master.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi: “Only a master of evil, Darth.“

To distract Darth Vader and the stormtroopers from Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca, Obi-Wan battles Darth Vader.

Darth Vader: Your powers are weak, old man.
Obi-Wan: You can’t win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.

With those final words Obi-Wan holds his lightsaber straight in front of him and as Darth Vader takes the killing stroke Obi-Wan vanishes and Darth Vaders lightsaber strikes just empty robes!  This was not the end for Obi-Wan.  Just before his self exile on Tattoine Yoda gives him a new lesson to learn, How to become a Force Ghost.  Obi-Wan speaks to Luke during the battle of Yavin helping Luke use the force to destroy the Death Star.  Obi-Wan helps Luke a number of times even taking over Luke’s body so he could survive a dual with Darth Vader.  Obi-Wan appears to Luke after he had escaped the Wampa telling Luke to go to Dagobah so he can start his Jedi training from Yoda

Obi-Wan: “You will go to the Dagobah system”
Luke: “Dagobah system?”
Obi-Wan: “There, you will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master who instructed me.“

Ob-Wan appears to Luke again just after the death of Yoda to tell Luke the reason why he didn’t tell him the truth about his father and then again after the battle of Endor Obi_wan appears to Luke with the force ghosts of Yoda and Anakin Skywalker.   It was about  five years after the battle of Endor that Obi-Wan appears to Luke for the very last time.  Obi-Wan legacy lives on in Luke and Mara‘s son Ben Skywalker and Obi-Wans skill as a tactician.

Obi-Wan: “And now, farewell. I loved you as a son, and as a student, and as a friend. Until we meet again, may the Force be with you.“

It was not really till the three pre equal films and the clone wars series that we really got to know Obi-Wan.  Through all his serious nature there was a more human side to him, making jokes and even falling in Love and nearly leaving the order!

Satine: “I’ve loved you from the moment you came to my aid all those years ago.” […]
Obi-Wan: “Had you said the word, I would have left the Jedi Order.“

Obi-Wan tries his very best when he takes on Anakin to be just as good a master as Qui-Gon was to him and you could see the hurt in him when he finds out that Anakin has gone over to the dark side and ends up believing that maybe he had let down Anakin in someway not knowing that it was Darth Sidious plotting and arranging matters that finally drove Anakin to the dark side.  Obi-Wan will always be my favourite character and Jedi in the star wars universe!.

 

Some Obi-Wan quotes

Obi-Wan: I have a bad feeling about this.
Qui-Gon Jinn: I don’t sense anything.
Obi-Wan: It’s not about the mission, Master. It’s something… elsewhere. Elusive.

Elan Sleazebaggano: You wanna buy some death-sticks?
[Obi-Wan executes the Jedi Mind Trick]
Obi-Wan Kenobi: You don’t want to sell me death sticks.
Elan Sleazebaggano: Ah, I don’t want to sell you death sticks.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: You want to go home and rethink your life.
Elan Sleazebaggano: I want to go home and rethink my life.

General Grievous: Anakin Skywalker. I expected someone with your reputation to be a little… older.
Anakin Skywalker: General Grievous… you’re shorter than I expected.
General Grievous: Jedi scum!
Obi-Wan Kenobi: We have a job to do, Anakin. Try not to upset him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Hello there!
General Grievous: General Kenobi, you are a bold one!

Obi-Wan Kenobi: You have allowed this dark lord to twist your mind, until now, until now you’ve become the very thing you swore to destroy.
Anakin Skywalker: Don’t lecture me, Obi-Wan! I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Your new Empire?
Anakin Skywalker: Don’t make me kill you.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic, to democracy.
Anakin Skywalker: If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: [realizing that Anakin is consumed by evil and there’s no reasoning with him anymore] Only a Sith deals in absolutes.
[draws his lightsaber]
Obi-Wan Kenobi: I will do what I must.
Anakin Skywalker: You will try.
[draws his lightsaber and confronts Obi-Wan]

Obi-Wan: I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn’t allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damn fool idealistic crusade like your father did.
Luke: What is it?
Obi-Wan: Your father’s light saber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times… before the Empire.

Stormtrooper: Let me see your identification.
Obi-Wan: [with a small wave of his hand] You don’t need to see his identification.
Stormtrooper: We don’t need to see his identification.
Obi-Wan: These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
Stormtrooper: These aren’t the droids we’re looking for.
Obi-Wan: He can go about his business.
Stormtrooper: You can go about your business.
Obi-Wan: Move along.
Stormtrooper: Move along… move along.
Obi-Wan: That’s no moon. It’s a space station.

Obi-Wan: Use the Force, Luke.
Obi-Wan: [after hiding from the stormtroopers on the Millennium Falcon] Who’s the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?