The Neimoidian Royal Guard, whose members were known as Neimoidian guards, Neimoidian soldiers or Neimoidian gunners, was a military branch of the government of the Neimoidian Purse World Cato Neimoidia. Members of the Guard also served the Trade Federation. Their armor was lighter than that of the Neimoidian heavy troops. Commandos in the Neimoidian special forces also wore maroon armor like some in the Royal Guard, but a commando's formfitting gear blended the mobility of standard armor with the protection of heavy troopers through its plating.
After questioning the Trade Federation, Ruug Quarnom was discharged from the Neimoidian special forces and assigned to the Royal Guard on Cato Neimoidia, where she was assigned the young guard Ketar Nor as her partner, with Quarnom becoming a mentor to her partner. When a massive bombing, secretly orchestrated by the Sith, rocked the Cadesura district, the Galactic Republic dispatched Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi to clear its name and investigate, while the Confederacy of Independent Systems sent Commander Asajj Ventress. Ventress managed to convince Nor, who already hated the Republic for its anti-Neimoidian prejudices, to begin a new bombing campaign designed to push his people to the Separatists, but he was stopped by the Jedi and Quarnom. While the Cato Neimoidian government remained neutral, Quarnom was branded a traitor thanks to Nor's testimony, but she was rescued from battle droids by Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.
A Neimoidian soldier during the Blockade of Pantora
In 21 BBY, Neimoidian guards were stationed onboard the Trade Federation's command ship during the Blockade of Pantora. Some of them were given their own offices aboard the vessel. Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano was able to mind trick a guard into letting her and senator Riyo Chuchi enter the detention block. Following the freeing of the kidnapped Chi Eekway, the Federation's envoy and a squad of Neimoidian soldiers arrived at the scene to stop them. To avoid a scandal with the Republic over the Sib Canay's scheme, the envoy allowed them to leave and convinced the higher-ups to end the blockade.
Neimoidian soldiers were also part of the Trade Federation Home Defense Legions that made up the Confederacy of Independent Systems' forces that fought against the Republic's 2nd Fleet, which had blockaded the Quellor sector where the Federation's purse worlds were.
Several of Neimoidian guards were present at a mining complex on Mustafar protecting the Separatist Council. However, when Sith Lord Darth Vader arrived under orders from his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, to dispose of the Separatist Council, the Sith apprentice slew all present.
Following their service to the Confederacy, they were employed as security personnel by House Maccon. In 34 ABY, Lor San Tekka traveled to Cato Neimoidia and entered the Palace of Baron Paw Maccon, disguised as a visitor on a guided tour. However, after finding the Kazerath device which he sought he was arrested by Neimoidian guards.
The Neimoidian Guards aboard the Droid Control Ship orbiting the moon of Pantora wore grey sharp-edged pauldrons, gauntlets and helmets as well as bluish light armor with symbols of the Trade Federation on them and wielded Weequay blaster pistols. The soldiers that participated in the conflict in the Quellor sector and were later seen on Mustafar sported bronze helmets and heavier armor and wielded long blaster rifles. During the Cold War between the First Order and the Resistance, Neimoidian guards in the employ of House Maccon wore grey heavy armor with bronze helmets and the usual long rifles.
During the development of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, one predecessor to the Neimoidian Guard design used the Abyssin species previously seen in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. This design, called simply the "Separatist Alien Guard," was depicted in concept art and later included on the Star Wars: The Complete Saga blu-ray collection.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Three
- Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
- Rise of the Separatists