Bacara, also identified by his clone trooper designation of CC-1138, was a clone trooper officer who achieved the military rank of Clone Marshal Commander within the Grand Army of the Republic throughout the Clone Wars. Noted for his aggressive combat strategies, Bacara functioned as the Clone Commander of the 21st Nova Corps, an exceptional division of clone troopers famous for their distinctive armor and unyielding nature in battle.
Like all clone troopers originating from the extragalactic planet of Kamino, Bacara was cloned utilizing the genetic template provided by the human bounty hunter Jango Fett and underwent training as a soldier within an army serving the Galactic Republic. During the concluding months of the Clone Wars, Bacara's Galactic Marines operated under the command of Jedi General Ki-Adi-Mundi, while Republic forces conducted a siege against Separatist strongholds located in the Outer Rim Territories of the galaxy.
While engaged in battle on Mygeeto, Bacara and his troops were notified by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine that Order 66 was in effect. As clones, their programming compelled them to execute the command without hesitation, leading them to execute General Mundi, branding him an enemy of the state. As the war concluded, the Republic Bacara served was supplanted by a new regime—the Galactic Empire, with the self-proclaimed Emperor Palpatine at its helm.
CC-1138 originated as a clone derived from the bounty hunter Jango Fett, created and trained on the planet of Kamino. He underwent training there with an ex-Journeyman Protector, eventually attaining the rank of Clone Marshal Commander. Following his initial training, he received further instruction from Advanced Recon Commandos and selected the name "Bacara."
With the onset of the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Separatist Alliance, Bacara served as the Clone Marshal Commander for the 21st Nova Corps, also referred to as the Galactic Marines, functioning as the second-in-command to Jedi General Ki-Adi-Mundi. Despite frequent disagreements with Mundi, they participated in numerous battles together. Ultimately, Supreme Commander of the Droid Army General Grievous launched a major offensive, initiating the Outer Rim Sieges. Bacara and Mundi were later present at a briefing attended by other notable figures like Clone Marshal Commander Bly, Jedi Commander Caleb Dume, and Jedi Generals Depa Billaba, Aayla Secura, Plo Koon, Mace Windu, and Yoda.
During the latter stages of the Clone Wars, Bacara was featured on a propaganda poster titled Buy Republic War Bonds, which was utilized by the Grand Army of the Republic and created by Janyor from Bith.
Following the Third Battle of Mygeeto, which was part of the Mygeeto Campaign, and during the Outer Rim Sieges, Mundi, Bacara, and the 21st Nova Corps were once again dispatched to confront the Separatists, participating in the Fourth Battle of Mygeeto. Supported by UT-ATs, Bacara and his clone troopers engaged Separatist Octuptarra tri-droids and B2-series super battle droids on the planet's bridges, with Mundi and Bacara leading the charge.
Amidst the fighting, Bacara and his forces received Order 66 from Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, declaring the Jedi as traitors to the Republic. Despite a brief moment of disbelief, Bacara did not question the order's validity and instructed his men to attack their General. He and his troopers opened fire on Mundi, resulting in his death.
Afterward, Bacara reflected on his actions with satisfaction, willing to repeat them against anyone perceived as a threat to the Republic. Following the demise of his Jedi General, Bacara and his forces continued their efforts to eliminate the remaining Separatist presence on the planet.
Following his training with the Journeyman Protectors, Bacara was perceived as a solitary figure. His rigid and militant beliefs often clashed with Mundi's Jedi teachings during their time under Ki-Adi-Mundi's leadership. Over the course of numerous battles, Mundi eventually earned the respect of his subordinates, leading to a close professional bond between Bacara and the General. Although he initially hesitated upon receiving the order to kill Mundi, Bacara ultimately carried out the command and was content with his actions, believing he had eliminated a threat to the Republic. As Clone Marshal Commander, Bacara held command over the entire 21st Nova Corps.
While it was generally advised that high-ranking clone trooper officers avoid leading their troops from the front lines to minimize their visibility as targets, Bacara disregarded this practice. He consistently led his unit from the forefront of combat, distinguished by his unique armor. Bacara was proficient in the use of various weapons, including the standard DC-17 hand blaster commonly used by Clone Commanders. Known for his stern demeanor, Bacara frequently reassigned clone troopers who failed to meet his standards of excellence, often without consulting his Jedi General.
By the conclusion of the Clone Wars, Bacara was equipped with modified Phase II clone trooper armor, notable for its distinctive design. His armor featured heated pads over the air filtration units on his helmet to mitigate heat loss in cold and windy conditions. Additionally, his helmet was fitted with a compact, high-powered communications antenna on the left side, enabling constant communication with his superiors even during intense combat, keeping them informed of his unit's status. Bacara's Phase II helmet incorporated a polarized visor, providing an enhanced field of view and supplementary display information on the HUD, similar to other Phase II helmets. The rear of Bacara's helmet featured sloping backside armor, adding to its unique appearance.
Bacara also wore a kama secured by his standard utility belt, which typically contained emergency rations, spare parts, ammunition, and grenades. He also sported a pauldron on his right shoulder, customized with the maroon colors of the 21st Nova Corps and held in place by a cross-strap across his chest. A heating system was integrated into the back of his armor, complementing the temperature-controlled body glove worn underneath.
Bacara primarily used a DC-15A blaster rifle, the standard weapon for clone troopers, which he relied on extensively. While he occasionally carried a DC-17 hand blaster, he typically did not include it as part of his standard combat gear, unlike many other Clone Commanders. Bacara also employed a DC-15A blaster carbine during combat situations.
CC-1138 "Bacara" made his initial canonical appearance in the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Although his numerical designation is not explicitly mentioned in the film, it is noted in the screenplay, identifying him as Commander 1138, a reference to George Lucas' debut feature film, THX 1138.
Upon Bacara's debut in Revenge of the Sith, some viewers observed the striking similarity between his helmet and armor and those of the snowtroopers from Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. The armor worn by CC-1138 and the other Galactic Marines in Episode III drew inspiration from the snowtrooper designs of Episode V. Furthermore, Bacara's helmet's open-facemask design was originally conceived for clone tank drivers operating in harsh environments. Some concept art featured in Jonathan W. Rinzler's The Art of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith identified CC-1138 as a "Clone Tank Driver." It is plausible that CC-1138 was initially intended to command a HAVw A6 Juggernaut during the Order 66 sequence. During the shooting scripts, a HAVw A6 Juggernaut was planned to open fire under Yoda's command post on Kashyyyk.
While Bacara's final appearance in the film is silent, the illustrated screenplay attributed two lines to him: "Yes, sir" and "It will be done, My Lord." Additionally, his actions were slightly expanded, depicting him receiving the command to execute Order 66 from Darth Sidious via comlink, snapping the comlink shut as he observed the city's main plaza before eliminating Ki-Adi-Mundi.