Iridium Pirates
The Iridium Pirates, who were also known as the pirates of Iridium, were a ruthless band of thieves who traversed the spaceways of the galaxy, preying on vulnerable spice transports and freighters during the time of the Separatist Crisis. These bandits utilized power gems that could bypass shields, enabling them to pillage any vessels that traveled through the Atrivis sector.
Destruction
In the year 22 BBY, the Jedi Order decided to eliminate this menace to the Republic and initiated a campaign, which was spearheaded by Kit Fisto, to eradicate the marauders. The pirates, who received payment as opportunists from the rising Confederacy of Independent Systems, had garnered the attention of the Jedi by attacking convoys carrying grain and spice.
In a manner that was typically non-violent for them, at least six Knights (including Fisto, Belsed-Qan Idan, Dovish Hokken, Yrada Soludisan, and Aruden Kej) initially intended to initiate peaceful discussions; however, this strategy was discarded when the pirates commenced firing, leading to an outbreak of hostilities.
Aided by the armed Republic cruiser Monitor III, the six Delta-7 starfighters piloted by the Jedi engaged the opposing fleet, which consisted of three warpod pinnaces, two Longprow attack cruisers, and five Z-95 Headhunters. Monitor III, having its shields compromised by the pirates' power gem, quickly sustained severe damage, resulting in the deaths of Hokken, Soludisan, and four members of the Republic Judiciaries. The vessel was saved from complete destruction thanks to covering fire from the remaining Jedi.
After the Jedi starfighters quickly disabled the warpods, the pilots shifted their focus to the Longprows, all while being relentlessly pursued by the Headhunters. Kej perished during the aerial combat, but his comrades continued on to cripple one of the cruisers and obliterate the other, along with four of the enemy fighters.
As twelve escape pods departed from the recently destroyed Longprow, one of the Headhunters seized the opportunity to vanish amidst the confusion. Given that it was suspected of being lost in the gravity well of the nearby Vuchelle, the Jedi did not give the Headhunter any further consideration, as they were occupied with gathering the escape pods. However, it is probable that the fighter did not disintegrate upon reentry; in all likelihood, the pilot was none other than Raskar, the only known survivor of the Iridium Pirates.
After maintaining a low profile for a period, Raskar—who was in possession of the last remaining power gem—would later become both an enemy and an ally of Han Solo.