Latch-on thermal detonator
A distinct variation of the standard thermal detonator, known as the latch-on thermal detonator, saw usage by Krix Kamerat, a human who had previously been a member of the Nihil, during the High Republic Era. In the year 228 BBY, Kamerat communicated to the Supreme Coronet City Diplomat Protection his intentions to utilize such a detonator in an assassination attempt targeting Marchion Ro, the Evereni leader known as the Eye of the Nihil, a plan that the members did not endorse.
Despite their disapproval, Kamerat proceeded with his assassination attempt, managing to hurl the bomb at Ro while they were aboard the starship Gaze Electric. However, the device was intercepted by Arathab Fal, a She'ar bodyguard of the She'ar species. With the detonator now attached to Fal's chest, the Tarnab swiftly tackled Kamerat, resulting in an explosion that killed them both.
Description
Latch-on thermal detonators represented a specialized form of the thermal detonator, favored by the former Nihil operative Krix Kamerat, who was human. Similar to conventional thermal detonators, these devices were capable of producing an explosion akin to a grenade, with the potential to obliterate anything in their immediate vicinity. However, unlike typical detonators, these were designed to function as a sticky grenade, capable of adhering to a target before detonating. Latch-on thermal detonators were characterized by their spherical shape, adorned with gray plating and featuring three or four red indicator lights.
History
During the [High Republic Era](/article/high_republic_era], specifically in 228 BBY, Kamerat devised a plan to incorporate one of these detonators into his assassination attempt against Marchion Ro, the Eye of the Nihil. He detailed his strategy to members of the Supreme Coronet City Diplomat Protection, explaining how he intended to throw the bomb at Ro, ensuring it would adhere to him and subsequently explode, ultimately killing the Evereni. Fezzonk, a Dowutin member of the protection team, voiced strong disapproval of the idea, suggesting that Ro would eliminate Kamerat before he could even launch the detonator. Despite this opposition, Kamerat persisted with his assassination attempt.
Upon being introduced to Ro aboard the Nihil starship Gaze Electric, Kamerat became agitated when Ro remarked on his decline and ordered his termination. This prompted the former Nihil to retrieve the detonator from his bag and hurl it at Ro. Arathab Fal, a Tarnab serving as one of Ro's She'ar bodyguards, noticed the bomb and intercepted it with his own body. As Ro left the room, Fal, realizing the nature of the thermal detonator, quickly jumped on top of a terrified Kamerat. The resulting explosion engulfed both individuals, leading to their demise.
Behind the scenes
The latch-on thermal detonator made its debut in the one-shot comic titled The High Republic Adventures: Crash and Burn. Daniel José Older penned the issue, Nick Brokenshire provided the illustrations, and Dark Horse Comics published it on September 4, 2024 as a contribution to Phase III of the Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia endeavor.