Star Wars: The Clone Wars has revealed the true intentions of the Techno Union in the Star Wars prequels. In doing so, the series has altered the meaning behind the Separatist meeting in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Season 7 so far has revolved around a conflict between the Republic and the Techno Union and their oft-forgotten leader, Wat Tambor during the Outer Rim Sieges. Recent events in the story have revealed more about both. Specifically, where their allegiances truly lie as opposed to what the prequels made brief mention of.
Episode 3 of season 7, titled “On the Wings of Keeradaks” sees Echo successfully saved from his captors. For some time he had been held by the Techno Union, providing battle plans for them unwillingly. Anakin Skywalker along with Captain Rex and the Bad Batch are responsible for the rescue. All is not well however, as plenty of battle droids are hot on their trail. Alas, they are unable to recoup “their investment” as Tambor describes him. This is a huge loss for the Separatists. Echo’s mind was responsible for their chain of military victories over the Republic.
Despite the strategic impact of the loss of Echo, Tambor decides to withhold news of the escape from his superiors, fearing such information will negatively impact their profit margins. This decision ultimately showed their true colors. Money was on his mind, not loyalty. Not telling the Separatists of their loss proves he does not make choices for their sake. His income and economic interests come first. Wat Tambor is a businessman to his very core. Therefore, his allegiance to the Confederacy of Independent Systems is nothing more than a farce. This totally goes against what was said in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones in regards to the affiliations of the Techno Union.
In Episode II of the Skywalker Saga, the Separatists are united. They convened on Geonosis to discuss their next move in the war. Among the many mysterious alien faces was that of Tambor. In the scene, he declares his organization’s fealty to the CIS. He promised the Techno Union would provide additional battle droids to their cause. Presumably, at the time, because he agrees with their beliefs. This statement is taken as an absolute, since it is never followed up on in the films. However, as The Clone Wars explained in more detail, he and his group had ulterior motives. They valued profits over their political alliances, even if they claimed neutrality for the duration of the conflict.
All in all this scene told viewers more about Tambor and the Techno Union than ever. They are a cunning group of businessmen, bent on making money. They are secretly aligned with the Separatist Union. However, this does not mean that their political cause was the deciding factor for that. At the end of the day, they are war profiteers. They wanted to sell their upgraded battle droids to the highest bidder, with morality taking a backseat. They are willing to hide their failures from their colleagues in the name of retaining their economic value. While they may have pledged the aid the Separatists in the prequels, The Clone Wars dug deeper and revealed their priorities actually lie.
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