DS-181-4

The Human male designated by the call sign DS-181-4 was a starfighter pilot in the Imperial Navy during the Galactic Civil War. After scoring twelve kills during the subjugation of Mon Calamari, DS-181-4 earned a position in Baron Soontir Fel's Saber Squadron—part of the 181st Imperial Fighter Group—piloting the TIE/IN interceptor Saber 4. Flying as the wingman of Major Turr Phennir, DS-181-4 was often assigned to fly in a reserve position during battle. Preferring to fly in the 181st, DS-181-4 repeatedly refused promotions so that he could remain in the unit.

Sometime following the Battle of Yavin, DS-181-4 partook in a skirmish against at least one Rebel pilot. He was defeated in the fight but managed to escape in his crippled TIE interceptor. DS-181-4 also participated in battles between Rebel Alliance and Imperial forces in the Naboo, Tatoo, Corellian, Dantooine, and Karthakk systems during the Galactic Civil War. These battles involved an Imperial Lancer-class frigate being pitted against a Rebel EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate, with numerous starfighters aiding in the defense or offense of the system.

In 4 ABY, DS-181-4 was present when the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Vader arrived aboard the second Death Star to discuss the battlestation's lagging construction schedule with the station's commander, Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod. The Sith Lord announced that Emperor Palpatine himself would be arriving to personally oversee the remainder of the Death Star's assembly. DS-181-4 later flew on Phennir's wing during the Battle of Endor, during which Phennir was assigned to protect the Star Destroyer Avenger. The battle ended in an Imperial defeat with the destruction of the Death Star.

DS-181-4's considerable skill as a TIE pilot earned him a place in the 181st Imperial Fighter Group. Turning down multiple promotions, DS-181-4 preferred to remain as a pilot in the 181st. In battle, DS-181-4 often flew in a reserve position. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin.

DS-181-4 wore a black Imperial Navy crewman's uniform during his service in the Empire.

DS-181-4 first appeared in the opening scene of 1983's Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi as an unnamed background character awaiting the arrival of Darth Vader on the second Death Star. In 2000, he was first identified by name on a card for the Death Star II Limited expansion set of the Star Wars Customizable Card Game, with the name simultaneously being used on a separate card for his call sign.

Because part of the scene showing Vader's arrival on the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi was reused in the Special Edition release of The Empire Strikes Back for a scene showing Vader arriving aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor from Cloud City, the actor who portrayed DS-181-4 can be seen in the Special Edition version of The Empire Strikes Back, alongside other extras who portrayed Imperial officers in Return of the Jedi.

DS-181-4 was added to the 2003 MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided as a non-player character in Game Update 20. Rebel players who requested Tier 7 Duty Missions from certain space stations had a chance to battle an elite Imperial pilot during the mission's boss stage. One of these pilots could be DS-181-4. If the player defeated DS-181-4, the Imperial was not destroyed. Instead, a message was displayed to the player, indicating the successful defeat of the pilot. The player then received a collection icon that added up to award a badge if the player succeeded in destroying all ten of the elite Imperial pilots.

However, elite Imperial pilots could also be found flying in various space battles, which took place in the Naboo, Tatoo, Corellian, Dantooine, and Karthakk systems. Because DS-181-4 only appeared in the space portion of Star Wars Galaxies, originally added with the Jump to Lightspeed expansion pack, he could normally only be seen inside his respective TIE interceptor. However, a comm display could appear during the battle, displaying DS-181-4's face. In addition, the collection icon depicted DS-181-4's physical appearance. While DS-181-4 piloted a TIE interceptor in the game, there is no indication it was Saber 4. Although players could choose not to participate in any of the battles or collections connected to DS-181-4, this article assumes 100 percent game completion.

• Star Wars: Behind the Magic

• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Death Star Owner's Technical Manual