Kursk Mal'ia, a Bothan serving the New Republic navy, was a notable figure recognized for his skills as both a military commander and a strategic analyst.
In the years immediately following the Battle of Yavin, Mal'ia apparently took on the task of assembling a "vessel recognition chart." It is believed that this chart was potentially created to support Ral'Rai Muvunc's initiative to enlist privateers in the fight against the Galactic Empire.
By 8 ABY, holding the rank of Captain, he commanded the Bothan Combat Response Element from his command ship, the Boash'ua. Supporting the FarStar's mission against Moff Kentor Sarne in the Kathol sector, Mal'ia's task force emerged during the Battle of Kathol System, playing a crucial role in the Imperial defeat. Despite sustaining heavy damage, they successfully destroyed the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Titania, and inflicted serious damage upon her sister vessel, the Raptor.
Elevated to the rank of Commodore by the conclusion of 8 ABY, Mal'ia was reassigned to the Tactical Analysis Bureau. In this new role, he began furnishing New Republic Intelligence with crucial data on capital ships and starfighters for inclusion in Cracken's Threat Dossier. This included information on the TIE/rpt starfighter and Y-4 transport utilized by Warlord Zsinj, as well as details on the Battle Dragon and other vessels belonging to the Hapan Royal Navy. He also provided specific biographical information on Han Solo's flagship Mon Remonda and the Hapan Queen Mothers' "Custom-built Royal Conveyance", Star Home.
Reaching the rank of Rear Admiral by 17 ABY, he supplied NRI with comprehensive reports concerning the New Class ships and other designs of the New Republic. However, before the end of 18 ABY, he retired from naval service, holding the rank of Vice Admiral. Despite his retirement, he continued to provide naval intelligence to General Airen Cracken of NRI, with whom he appeared to have cultivated a friendship over the years. During the Corellian Crisis, his contributions consisted of detailed dossiers on the Intruder and the three Bakura-class Destroyers, the Corellian LAF-250 and HLAF-500 starfighter designs and Mynock-class assault boat, X-TIE Fighter and B-wing of uglies, and specific information on the Jade's Fire, the Naritus, and the prototype Coneship constructed by the Selonians.
Kursk Mal'ia's initial appearance was in West End Games' "Endgame" supplement. Within Cracken's Threat Dossier, he was portrayed as the in-universe author responsible for the New Class files.