Bardan Jusik, who later became Bardan Skirata, was a Human male Mandalorian warrior. He donned the iconic Beskar'gam, joined Clan Skirata, and resided on Kyrimorut in Mandalore's northern region. During the Galactic Civil War, he adopted the alias Gotab, masquerading as a Kiffar healer possessing psychometric talents.
Previously, he was a Jedi Padawan serving the Jedi Order as Master Arligan Zey's apprentice. During the [Clone Wars](/article/clone_wars/legends], he held the rank of Commander, assisting in pre-mission briefings for clone commandos. He voiced opposition to the Grand Army of the Republic's creation, even expressing his concerns to the Jedi Council. Subsequently, he was promoted to Jedi Knight and became a General within the Grand Army of the Republic. He later departed from the Order to align himself with the Mandalorians, citing his inability to support a Council that condoned the Grand Army's slave labor practices.
In accordance with Jedi customs, Bardan Jusik was taken to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant at a very young age. With no memory of his biological parents, he was raised among the Jedi, eventually becoming Master Zey's apprentice. He once confided in Ordo Skirata that he recalled being separated from his parents, but had no memory of who they were.
Three months following the First Battle of Geonosis, Padawan Jusik provided a briefing and equipment to Omega Squad for their mission to Qiilura. Their task was to destroy a Separatist nano-virus facility and abduct the scientist Ovolot Qail Uthan. Jusik, unfamiliar with the clones' identical appearance, stared at them during their preparations. This marked Jusik's initial encounter with Omega Squad. After briefing them, Jusik had minimal involvement in the mission's execution.
Jusik developed an affinity for a Null ARC Trooper named Ordo, respecting him as a soldier. Due to this connection, Kal Skirata selected Jusik for a black ops team with a mission to eliminate CIS terrorist cells operating on Coruscant. This team included Skirata, Ordo, Null ARC trooper Mereel, Delta Squad, Omega Squad, Mandalorian warrior Walon Vau, and fellow Jedi Etain Tur-Mukan.
Throughout the operation, Bardan's bond with the clones and Skirata grew stronger. The clones often called him "vod'ika" (an endearing Mando'a term for "little brother"), while Skirata affectionately referred to him as "Bard'ika" (Mando'a for "Little Bardan"). By the mission's conclusion, he had been accepted as a Mandalorian warrior, even wearing borrowed Mandalorian armor from Kal Skirata during the final battle. The armor was Munin Skirata's green armor, with green signifying duty.
Bardan fought bravely alongside his comrades, securing victory. He realized the Jedi Council would view his fondness for Mandalorian culture as attachment, but he disagreed. He resolved that, if forced to choose, he would embrace the Mando way of life.
Bardan continued serving in the GAR, leading troops on various fronts until assigned to track Ko Sai with Delta. He mind-wiped a worker during the search, but deliberately sabotaged the mission to allow Skirata to reach Sai first. Confronted with mounting evidence of Republic clone executions, Bardan declared to Zey that he would follow his Jedi heart and protect the innocent. Consequently, he resigned from the Order, refusing to betray his men to death. Zey, saddened by his departure, allowed him to keep his lightsaber.
Bardan put on Beskar'gam and became a member of Clan Skirata. Following the execution of Order 66, he relocated to Kyrimorut with Kal Skirata. Three weeks after Order 66, Jusik and Ordo discovered the Imperial Army was constructing a garrison in an abandoned theme park shaped like a Mythosaur. The Imperials believed it was an ancient Mandalorian temple based on information from the former owner's brother. Jusik expressed reservations about bringing Jedi to Mandalore, but Ordo agreed with Kal that Kina Ha's genetic information on the clone troopers was invaluable.
While in a bar, they encountered the park owner's brother, raising concerns about removing their helmets. However, the bar owner assured them they protected their own. They also spotted Death Watch members Dred Priest and Isabet Reau, knowing Mij Gilamar would disapprove of Priest's presence on Mandalore.
After Kina Ha and Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy arrived, Jusik inquired about Kina Ha's origins. Kina explained she was engineered for deep-space missions and possessed an exceptionally long lifespan, revealing she was over a thousand years old. She also revealed she was naturally Force-sensitive, surprising Jusik, as the Jedi had never encountered a Kaminoan Jedi before. A few days later, he showed Kad a picture of Darman, reminding him that his father would be home soon. He and Mij agreed Kad needed to conceal his powers to avoid Imperial attention. During this time, he also began to consider using the Force to heal Arla Fett's mental issues, having previously healed Fi's brain. They began by analyzing blood samples to determine the drugs she was being given and their effect on her mental state.
Kina Ha declined an invitation to join them for a walk. Mandalore Fenn Shysa suggested Kal allow Jusik to father children to strengthen their ranks with Force-sensitive Mandalorian warriors, but Kal refused. Jusik simply laughed when he learned of this. When Wad'e Tay'haai played the flute and offered it to Jusik, he found he lacked musical talent. During this period, Jusik faced an identity crisis, unsure of who he was. Shortly after, Kal formally adopted Jusik as his son.
Later that night, Arla, free from the influence of drugs, attacked him in an attempt to escape, leaving him with a broken nose and bruises. When Alpha-26 requested refuge, Jusik and Kal's daughter, Ruusaan Skirata, went to retrieve him. Maze surprised them by bringing Arligan Zey, who Kal and the others believed to be dead. Jusik welcomed him without Kal's permission, causing Kal great distress upon their return.
Jusik located Jedi Master Djinn Altis and arranged for the three Jedi to join them. He also decided to mind-wipe them of Kal's location when the time came. When Arla, free from the drugs, remembered joining Death Watch after they killed her family, Jusik erased her memories at her request. It is mostly unknown that after Jusik took Arla memories she could not member just about anything. After that Arla and Jusik fell in love.
Bardan's activities during the Galactic Civil War remain unknown, but he adopted the name Gotab, posing as a Kiffar healer with psychometric abilities. Gotab appeared thin, with a white beard, although traces of his dirty-fair hair color remained. He still wore full Mandalorian armor.
Bardan was associated with Fett's genetic nephew Venku, the son of clone commando Darman. Venku's protective and affectionate behavior towards Gotab once led the bartender of the Oyu'baat, a tapcafe in Keldabe, to believe Venku was Gotab's son.
In 40 ABY, Bardan, posing as a bystander, made sure to witness Boba Fett's first meeting with Venku.
Soon after, Boba and his granddaughter Mirta Gev sought clues about Sintas Vel's death. They decided to have the Heart of Fire read by a Kiffar, hoping their psychometric abilities could provide information. Venku reintroduced them to Gotab in the Oyu'baat.
Mirta gave him her half of the necklace, and after Gotab convinced Boba of his abilities, he revealed that Sintas had pursued a gangster on Phaeda. This led them to discover Sintas had been frozen alive in carbonite by Hidu Rezodar.
When Jaina Solo arrived in Keldabe for training with Boba Fett, she sensed Bardan and Venku's Force sensitivity. He also sensed hers, and, knowing she had not revealed her Jedi status to anyone, confronted her with a blaster, saying "Hello, Jedi". He later revealed to Fett and Goran Beviin that he had been a Jedi. Beviin was surprised he hadn't realized it himself, though Medrit Vasur cared not for his former dealings as a Jedi viewing the discussion over after learning he had willingly chosen to be a Mando'ad.
Later, Jaina requested his help in healing the recently freed Sintas Vel, who suffered from blindness and amnesia after being frozen for thirty years. The effort greatly strained the elderly man, and after Sintas regained some sight, Venku intervened, ending the session. Bardan returned regularly, gradually restoring Sintas's shattered mind.
After the Second Battle of Fondor, in which the Mandalorians participated, Bardan and Jaina discussed the Jedi Order, compassion, and Jaina's Sith Lord brother. He revealed he had twenty great-great-grandchildren through the many adopted sons and daughters he and his wife had. He also shared an anecdote about a strill that had gone mad due to a brain tumor, forcing its owner to euthanize it for the good of all. Jaina likened the strill to her brother, realizing she might have to kill him to save her family and himself. During their discussion, he admitted that he would give away all his powers except for the ability to heal, that he believed Fett would still sell Venku to the Kaminoans and that he disliked Fett and believed him amoral as he cared nothing for what happened to Mandalore under the Galactic Empire. Bardan showed her that he still carried around his lightsaber, and that Venku carried around two blue ones, one belonging to his mother and the other belonging to her master. He also said that he had taught Venku how to use the weapon, but not for the reason Jaina believed. As Venku and Jaina squared off in a sparring match, Bardan watched on, signaling for them to begin.