Cloud-Riders
The Cloud-Riders, alternatively known as Enfys Nest's band of marauders, were a piratical group operating on swoop bikes, headed by Enfys Nest. Their activities occurred during the Imperial era of the Galactic Empire's dominance. Nest assumed the mantle of leadership for the Cloud-Riders after the passing of her mother. Their true nature as rebels seeking retribution against crime lords who exploited resource-rich planets, and their desire to oppose the Empire, was revealed when they crossed paths with Han Solo.
History
Pirates and rebels
This group of pirates, the Cloud-Riders, were led by a woman and fought back against the Galactic Empire and the Five Crime Syndicates, including Crimson Dawn. Benthic became a Cloud-Rider after his people were exploited by the Empire and Crimson Dawn. Around 12 BBY, the Cloud-Riders' leader died, and her 16-year-old daughter, Enfys Nest, inherited the leadership, along with her mother's mask, armor, and responsibilities. Under Nest's command, the Cloud-Riders continued their mission to protect the galaxy from harm.
The Aerie carrier served as the nomadic crew's base of operations. In 11 BBY, Nest sent six Cloud-Riders to raid an Imperial medical spice cache located on Gargon. They successfully stole emergency packs and medical spice, leaving the more valuable unprocessed spice behind as they fled.
Run-ins with Beckett
By impersonating Dryden Vos, the leader of Crimson Dawn, the Cloud-Riders successfully deceived Tobias Beckett, a smuggler, into stealing a shipment of identichips from Dvorad, a Pantoran, on Hovun IV. When Beckett and his gang arrived on Munt Ontdal with the identichips, the Cloud-Riders revealed their true identities. However, Beckett destroyed the identichips, and his gang managed to escape.
When Beckett and his crew attempted to steal a coaxium shipment from an Imperial transport train on Vandor, the Cloud-Riders encountered them again. The two groups fought for control of the coaxium. Despite the death of Rio Durant, Beckett's pilot, the Cloud-Riders were forced to abandon the coaxium and failed to secure it. However, Weazel, a member of the Cloud-Riders, tracked Beckett and discovered his plan to steal coaxium from the spice mines of Kessel. Subsequently, Weazel planted a tracking device on the Millennium Falcon, Captain Lando Calrissian's ship.
An unexpected ally
The Cloud-Riders followed the Millennium Falcon and waited for Beckett to arrive on Savareen. When Beckett, his gang, and Qi'ra arrived, the Cloud-Riders confronted them. After Calrissian escaped on the Falcon, Nest revealed to Beckett, his gang, and Qi'ra that the Cloud-Riders were freedom fighters, not marauders. Nest persuaded Solo to hand over the coaxium. However, Beckett betrayed them to Vos' Hylobon Enforcers.
Fortunately for the Cloud-Riders, Solo anticipated Beckett's betrayal. Nest and her riders deceived the Enforcers by having several Savarians impersonate them. Nest and her riders then surprised and defeated the Enforcers. After receiving the coaxium, Nest offered Solo a chance to join the rebellion, but he declined. Nest then gave the coaxium to Saw Gerrera, the leader of the Partisans.
Legacy
As the galaxy changed, Benthic decided to leave the Cloud-Riders and join the Partisans. Years later, while working for Jabba Desilijic Tiure, Solo saw a Caelli-Merced Skyblade-330 and remembered his encounter with Nest's marauders. During the [Galactic Civil War](/article/galactic_civil_war], Solo reunited with Benthic and discussed his change in allegiance, advising him that he could change his ways again.
Membership
Enfys Nest, as the leader, directed the Cloud-Riders in the theft of shipments from both the Empire and Crimson Dawn. Nest also demonstrated compassion for those harmed by Crimson Dawn. Benthic flew with the Cloud-Riders, becoming a "hero" in Han Solo's eyes. However, Benthic eventually felt the need to adopt a more aggressive approach to fighting the Empire, which led him to join the Partisans.
Behind the scenes
Jon Kasdan, the writer of Solo: A Star Wars Story, confirmed on Twitter that the concept of the Cloud-Riders was not a coincidence, but rather inspired by the 1977 Star Wars Legends comic Star Wars (1977) 9. He was responding to Phil Szostak's query. Kasdan explained that when former directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord chose swoop bikes, he discovered the Star Wars Legends Cloud-Riders on Wookieepedia, and the name resonated. Unlike their Legends counterparts, who were criminals, the canonical Cloud-Riders are rebels fighting the Galactic Empire.
The red flags on the Cloud-Riders' swoop bikes were inspired by Sashimono, banners worn by foot and cavalry soldiers in feudal Japan, particularly those seen in classic samurai films like the 1985 film Ran. The swoop bikes' sawn-off X-wing appearance was a tribute to the Alliance to Restore the Republic's origins.