CT-8721

"Sometimes I don't understand war and why it happens I just know that there will most likely not be a time where people don't have to lose their friends or family."

- 8721 on the concept of war

CT-8721 was a clone trooper lieutenant and later husband of imperial officer Arla Striker who served in the 212th Attack Battalion which was part of the Grand Army of the Republic and later the 501st Legion after the formation of the Galactic Empire. After the start of the Clone Wars he was taken into Alpha-17's ARC training program where he was given the name "Steel". Soon after his ARC training Steel joined Reek Squadron which was part of the 212th and served in multiple battles including the Second Battle of Geonosis and the Battle of Umbara. However at the end of the war Steel was on Kashyyyk and fighting during the battle there, his commander got Order 66 which the squad obeyed and killed Jedi General Luminara Unduli. After the battle Steel and Reek Squadron joined the Galactic Empire and were abducted into the 501st Legion.

After joining the 501st, Steel was assigned to various missions to seek out traitors and rebellions. However two years after the Clone Wars, a Separatist remnant sprung up and caused a rebellion on the planet, being assigned to the planet the 501st moved out and went into battle where Reek Squad lost more than half of the squad leaving Steel, CT-501 a medic, and three other clones left to make up the squad. After the battle the squad was disbanded and Steel was reassigned back to Kashyyyk to kill the Wookiees who he once assisted. After Kashyyyk Steel kept on serving the 501st until the in 4 ABY and a year after the battle joined the New Republic and served it until his death in 13 ABY.

Training
on the water world of from the DNA of. Most of the first part of Steel's training was like most other clones which included target practice and. The other half was combat simulation in which Steel was assigned to Zeta Squad and grew very fond of the clones inside the squad. During their combat training the squad gave each other nicknames to easier identify each other and during this time Steel adopted his name only for training purposes and conversation only. During their final challenge which was named "The Citadel" the squad passed with the second highest time only just behind Delta Squad, after passing the simulation Steel went to to rescue a Jedi strike team.

Around two months after Geonosis Steel was brought into 's in which Steel developed a individual personally and also also went through many gruesome training. During this time in the training program, Steel grew close to the 41st leader CC-1004 and the 212th's leader CC-2224 but also had a growing hatred to the 501st's CC-1119. After finishing the ARC program he adopted the name Steel and also was promoted to Clone trooper lieutenant and also joined Reek Squadron by request of 2224 who now adopted the name of "Cody".

First Battle of Geonosis
Upon arriving in an LAAT/i on the planet Geonosis, Steel and other clones assisted and helped evacuate the remaining Jedi that were still alive in the arena. Upon rescuing the Jedi, Steel and a handful of other clones stayed in the arena to push back the s that were still arriving in the arena. After killing the remaining Geonosians Steel was assigned to 's squad to hold the southern flank. However shortly after arriving in the southern flank the squad was almost killed but were finally rescued when bombers and s arrived to destroy the hailfire droids that were pounding the squad. After the battle the squad were given medals for their heroism.

Christophsis and Teth
"If I know the 501st they will still be there fighting to the death."

- Steel on the 501st at Teth

Arriving on the planet of Christophsis with the 501st Legion and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to aid the planet against the Confederacy of Independent Systems who recently invaded the planet. Upon arriving on the planet Steel joined the 212th Attack Battalion at the request of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the two legions began to formulize a attack plan to get the CIS presence off the planet. After setting up a ambush in two towers, the droids arrived at the towers a hour later and they split up and was able to surprise the 212th by entering the tower they were in. However once the droids entered the main room the squad took many casualties and were nearly all killed until they were rescued by the 501st and their. Once arriving back at the base, Steel was treated for a shot in the leg and after being treated for his leg Steel rejoined the two legions to defend the base. The day after he rejoined the two legions the CIS main force moved in but were destroyed by the Republic cannons and the force fell back until they got their operational. Once the CIS got their shields online they advanced towards the base and cannons while under the protection of their shield. Realizing they wouldn't be able to shoot through the shield, Anakin and his new apprentice Ahsoka Tano went to destroy the shield while the clones and Obi-Wan mounted a defense to protect the cannons. After setting up the defenses, Steel was with CT-7567 and Obi-Wan's squad who ambushed the front of the droid force but were later forced to retreat back to cannons once they were pinned into a build by tanks.