Cratala was a Republic Arkanian woman, specifically an expert in the field of cybernetics design and research, during the era of the Clone Wars. Because Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's own medical personnel considered her exceptionally talented, he attempted to conscript her into his service. This, along with other instances of Republic corruption, led her to join the Confederacy of Independent Systems, bringing her research team with her. The Separatists placed her team aboard a space station located in the Salvara system within the Mid Rim, where they focused on developing cyborg and droid technologies to aid the Separatist cause in the war. As the Clone Wars ended, she was saved from approaching Imperial troops by her acquaintance, Captain Rel Harsol, aboard the vessel known as the Sa Nalaor, before it crashed on the Outer Rim planet of Cholganna. Surviving the crash, she remained on Cholganna, dedicating her time to the continuation of her research endeavors.