Detta Yao, a female human and a graduate student specializing in archaeology at the esteemed Shadow University, once collaborated with Doctor Chelli Aphra in a quest to uncover the legendary Rings of Vaale.
Yao was resolved to dedicate her doctoral dissertation to the infamous, allegedly cursed artifact known as the Rings of Vaale. However, her professors, considering her focus on folklore rather than factual evidence, discouraged and dismissed her ambitions. Undeterred, Yao devoted her time to independently researching the Rings, ultimately gathering sufficient information to initiate an expedition aimed at locating and claiming them. Shortly following the Battle of Hoth, Yao encountered the unconventional archaeologist Doctor Chelli Aphra within a cantina, seeking her assistance in finding the rings. When Aphra inquired about the University's lack of funding for her proposed expedition, Yao sidestepped the question by mentioning the supposed curse associated with the rings. Yao then enlisted Aphra's help to find the artifact, working alongside Aphra's crew, the smuggler Just Lucky and bounty hunter Krrsantan, before ultimately recruiting former Shadow University professor Doctor Eustacia Okka.
The group journeyed to the planet Dianth, where they ventured into the cursed city of Vaale. During their exploration, Yao was startled by moving carved faces, a phenomenon not experienced by the others. As they investigated the sanctum of the Architects of Vaale, Aphra speculated that Yao was experiencing hallucinations. Simultaneously, Yao instructed Okka's droid, TA-418, to analyze the architecture. Attempting to pass through a doorway, Yao discovered a small structure she believed to be the key code, but its activation triggered a deafening sound. To silence it, Black Krrsantan and Lucky fired their weapons, stopping the noise but causing the floor to collapse beneath them. Yao witnessed Lucky, Black Krrsantan, and Okka fall while she remained with Aphra. Soon after, they were surrounded by Tagge's forces, intent on arresting the explorers and delivering the Rings to their employer.
Employing her charm, Yao successfully distracted several of their would-be captors while Aphra manipulated the Tagge guards into activating the city's security systems. Escaping the ensuing chaos caused by the Vaale security droids, Yao and Aphra discovered the Architects' worship site, only to find the artifacts missing. In the empty room, Aphra accused Yao of plotting to claim the Rings for herself, leading to a standoff that was interrupted by Lucky and Doctor Okka, who claimed to possess the Ring of Fortune. Yao aimed her blaster at Okka, demanding to see the ring, but the case was empty. Enraged, Yao threatened to shoot Okka for lying, but stopped when Lucky revealed he had the ring in his pocket. Distracted by Lucky, Yao was shot in the back by Doctor Aphra as the Tagge forces, under Lucky's command, rushed in to secure the room.
Bound by Aphra and her crew, Yao managed to escape alongside the others, utilizing the city's ancient sewage system to evade Lucky's attempt to trap them. Reaching the surface, the Tagge fleet initiated an orbital bombardment of the city, including Aphra's ship. Discovering a functional High Republic Era vessel, the group agreed to travel to Cantonica to confront Tagge for his transgressions. Upon arriving on Cantonica, the four were apprehended and escorted to Tagge's private penthouse in Canto Bight, as Doctor Aphra had planned. Once assembled in his gallery, Tagge revealed that he already possessed the Ring of Immortality and intended to destroy both rings to solidify his legacy. Capitalizing on his ego, Aphra distracted Tagge, trapping him in his own disintegration chamber, while Yao defended against the security forces with a concealed blade. After Aphra programmed the disintegration booth to explode, Yao and Professor Okka escaped with stolen artifacts, returning to the Shadow Academy and concluding their expedition with Aphra.