N-11 Captain Ordo (Null-Class ARC Trooper)

Numbering only twelve, the Null-class Advanced Recon Commandos were the first clones of Jango Fett created by the Kaminoan cloners, and the prototypes for the Grand Army of the Republic. The Kaminoans attempted to enhance the Fett genes, but only six of the twelve prototype troopers survived the gestation period. They refused to follow orders, and were thus deemed unacceptable. The Kaminoans originally intended to "recondition" or terminate the "defective units", but they were saved from destruction by Mandalorian Training Sergeant Kal Skirata. Skirata volunteered to train them as "black ops" commandos, named them, and taught them about their Mandalorian heritage. Most Nulls were named after Mandalorian warriors. During training, the Nulls were taught to resist interrogation. Though peerlessly efficient, the Null ARCs were quite unpredictable by clone standards, and loyal only to Skirata. Due to their genetic enhancement, they had near-photographic memory, and slightly more muscular physiques. Despite the fact that their loyalty and their reliability to the Jedi was constantly in question, the Nulls' unique skills compared to the rest of their brethren was undeniable, and thus they and Kal Skirata were reluctantly tolerated in the Grand Army, if only to ensure their cooperation during the war. Eventually the Squad became Clone Intelligence Units (MILINT), working for the Special Operations Brigade under the command of Jedi General Arligan Zey. Though they worked for the Grand Army of the Republic, Kal Skirata had them keep alert for evidence leading to the location of Kaminoan Chief Scientist Ko Sai, so Skirata could find out how to decelerate the Nulls' aging. Captain Ordo (who was named after Canderous Ordo, a Mandalore in the Old Sith Wars period) had the distinctive habit of clenching one fist to his side when under stress. Ordo's armor coloration, red, denoted his rank as an ARC captain. In 21 BBY, Ordo participated in the black op, led by Skirata, to destroy the Separatist terrorist cells operating on Coruscant along with his brother Mereel, Mandalorian Sergeant Walon Vau, Republic Commando squads Delta and Omega and the Jedi Generals Etain Tur-Mukan and Bardan Jusik.

Parts: Head (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Torso (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Arms (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Legs (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Helmet (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Shoulder Pauldron (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Equipment Belt, Kama & Holsters (Order 66 ARC Trooper), Blaster Pistols, (Order 66 ARC Trooper), PLX-1 Missile Launcher (TCW Clone Trooper).

Supplies: Super glue, brushes, Polly Scale paints and Testors Dull-Cote.

Reference: The Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss.

Step One: This is actually the second time I've done this figure. After the Order 66 2-packs were released, I found that I liked that ARC Trooper much better than the base figure I had used for my first Captain Ordo. As a matter of preference, I used four small dabs of superglue to attach the forearm control panel to Fordo's left arm. Otherwise, the base figure was not changed.

Step Two: The armor was already painted exactly the way I wanted it. The only addition was to paint the background of the forearm control panel red. All of the buttons were left silvery. On the opposite arm, the small control buttons were also painted a silvery color. On most figures, I use the edge of my X-acto knife to carefully scrape most of the armor's prominent edges. These are the areas that are most likely to brush against things and become worn or scratched. However, in the Republic Commando novels it is indicated that Ordo's armor was always in a near-pristine state due to the high level of care and maintenance he put into it.

Step Three: A coat of Testors Dull-Cote was applied to protect the paint and remove the shiny appearance of the armor.

Step Four: Finally, the Ordo was given his blaster pistols and PLX-1 Missile Launcher. If I'd had a second PLX-1, I probably would have given that to him as well. In Republic Commando: Triple Zero, there is a squence in which he is mentioned to have one of them balanced on each shoulder.