| abstract | - Rigidly loyal to the orders of his superiors, Trip wasn't known for his imaginative nature, but he was efficient. However, his lack of ingenuity usually caused him to be in charge of long-term occupation forces or placed under command structures that contained multiple Jedi Generals, a duty he resented, even if he did perform it to the best of his abilities. As such, he never commanded one unit for long enough to develop a reputation for battlefield prowess. His first true solo assignment was to take the 105th Attack Battalion to Tellanroaeg, but even then, a pair of Jedi Knights were attached to his group and their orders often superseded his. That they weren't the most competent commanders grated on him, but he had no choice but to follow orders. His forces, aided by a group of local milita recruited and trained by the ARC trooper Spectre, beat off the droid assaults and Spectre was instrumental to the battle's resolution, calling down airstrikes on a sizable Separatist force attempting to flank the Republic lines. Later, the ARC angered Trip by showing reluctance when ordered to execute Order 66, even questioning the authenticity of the order. Infuriating Trip further, Spectre went so far as to commemorate the death of the Jedi by giving one of them a proper burial, inciting further unrest in the troops. In response, Trip sent the insolent ARC on a deep cover reconnaissance mission to the main Separatist base, but soon learned the war was over. Spectre found a nearly empty base, all the droids powered down, a scene repeated galaxy wide as the entire mechanized legions of the droid army were shut down following the death of the Separatist Council. Not long afterward, Trip was nearly killed in a terrorist bombing of the Tellanroaeg headquarters, but he was rescued by Spectre. After he recovered from his injuries, Trip was transferred to Castell, where a burgeoning insurrection by the native Gossam had been causing problems. Taking the 105th to the planet, he crushed the Gossam, finally earning him the prestige he desired. The insurrection leaders surrendered within six months and Trip was promoted, his forces keeping order on Castell to ensure the cooperation of the surviving natives. Later, he was present over Boz Pity on the Star Destroyer Engager to give a retiring Spectre his thanks for saving his life on Tellanroaeg. Trip was next stationed on Zeru Neimodia, a former Neimodian purse-world that now harbored a stubborn resistance movement. The thick forests and misty wastes allowed the insurgents to continually harry and elude Trip's Imperial forces. He advanced deeper into the landmass, setting up a network of fortresses and supply depots as he methodically pursued the insurgent forces, but they were well-equipped and trained, never attacking his strong points or betraying the location of their fortresses. Frustrated after yet another guerrilla attack on the forward base where he was positioned, Trip called for reinforcements. Instead of additional soldiers, the Empire sent an Imperial Intelligent agent named Roxana Taskien with a small team of specialists. Trip was skeptical that she would be able to make much of a difference, but she tried to earn his trust while also pointing out that her rank superseded his command authority. The insurgents continued to plague the Imperials and casualties mounted. A plan to hit the insurgents with mines laced with tracking sensors failed. After seeing the Imperials recover the body of a human female insurgent, Taskien came up with a plan to disguise herself as the insurgent and infiltrate their ranks. Trip thought her plan was foolish, but she overruled him. Her infiltration took several weeks, but she was able to reveal the location of the insurgent base to him, buried inside a mountain called Draskell. Trip personally led the assault of gunships and stormed the mountain. He was able to recover Agent Taskien, who had been captured and badly tortured. The insurgent leader, a man named Ardo Romierr, barely managed to escape, but the arrival of Taskien's superior, Imperial Advisor Kinman Doriana, and his ship, the Griffin, was able to stop Romierr and result in his capture. Doriana brought Jana Rothery, a noted physician, to treat Taskien, while he discussed the military situation with Trip. Trip also learned that Romierr had been using a hive of Xi Charrian weaponsmiths to fund his insurgency. Doriana commended Trip for his seizure of Draskell and transferred him to the Griffin, where he would help provide security for the insurgent prisoners and Xi Charrians, who would be taken to a secret Imperial project for labor. Doriana also asked him to escort a convalescing Taskien, who wanted to speak with Romierr. After their heated exchange, Trip conveyed his sympathies to her over the ordeal she had endured. On the Griffin, Trip found himself growing emotionally attracted to Taskien, who also started to develop feelings for the trooper. However, at an awards ceremony, the ship was suddenly taken over by traitors who were affiliated with Romierr and had infiltrated Imperial ranks up to even Doriana's aide. The whole arrival of the Griffin and its experimental technology had been engineered by Romierr ahead of time, and Trip, Taskien, and the rest of the Imperials were taken prisoner. Romierr took them to Darlyn Boda, where he planned on auctioning them off to various underworld figures. While they were being transferred in a speeder truck, Trip and Taskien came up with a plan to signal an Imperial Star Destroyer that they had heard was in orbit. The plan worked and an angry Romierr took them back to the Griffin and executed twenty-four clone troopers for their insolence. He then tortured both Trip and Taskien for their leadership role. Trip did his best to protect Taskien, knowing that she had already suffered at Romierr's hands. Rothery pointed out his obvious feelings for her, though Trip tried to brush it off. Eventually, Imperial forces from the Star Destroyer Corrupter boarded the ship. Trip and Taskien, along with the rest of the prisoners, tried to help retake the Griffin. Together, they led an assault on the bridge, where Taskien mortally wounded Romierr. However, she was badly-injured in the process. Trip took her down to the infirmary where Rothery would treat her, but he was stopped by an old acquaintance: Spectre. The ex-ARC had attained Force-sensitivity and become a Jedi, turning against the Empire. Spectre got the drop on Trip, compelling his surrender. After Rothery provided a distraction, Trip ended up fighting against Spectre, but he could not defeat Spectre. While wrestling for a blaster, Trip was shot twice in the stomach. He died on the Griffin. Trip's death hit Taskien hard. She resented Spectre for killing Trip and his treachery, despite their past history together in the Clone Wars. For Spectre, it marked his final departure from Imperial service.
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