[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

”Long live the Empire!l”

Spoiler!

I thought it was interesting how he killed the pilots before attempting crash the ship. Implying that not all imperials are loyal to the death.

Spoiler!

I didn't find that to be surprising at all.

The clones were created and programmed to defend the Republic and destroy the Jedi. They had no other mission.

The First Order stormtroopers were taken from their parents as children and "programmed" to serve the First Order with their lives - they knew no other way of life.

The stormtroopers in the OT joined The Imperial Academy, not knowing that they were serving an evil Sith Lord. Luke's best friend joined, Luke had planned to join and Han Solo served for 3 years in the Imperial army but none of them dedicated their lives to the Empire. Joining was a way to escape their miserable existences.

Plus, we saw the reaction of the Imperial pilots once Welliver's Captain ordered the ship to ascend. They weren't onboard with that decision so he killed them.