Niner Skirata

Biography

Early life

On the planet Kamino, RC-1309 was secretly developed as a clone of the Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, destined for the Republic's Grand Army. Born in 32 BBY, a year, he was among the 104 clone commandos mentored by the Mandalorian Cuy'val Dar training sergeant Kal Skirata. RC-1309 adopted the moniker Niner, drawing inspiration from the concluding digit of his numeric designation. He took on the role of squad sergeant for his original squad, developing deep affection for his clone brothers. During their training, Niner and his squad experienced the tragic loss of Two-Eight, who died due to mishandled explosives. While another commando replaced Two-Eight in the squad, Niner continued to reflect on his original brother's passing for a considerable time afterward. By 22 BBY, Niner was in command of a squad consisting of Sev, DD, and O-Four. As the Grand Army and its clones prepared to deploy to Geonosis, the deployment's urgency prevented Niner and his fellow commandos from bidding farewell to their training sergeants.

During the First Battle of Geonosis, Niner witnessed the loss of all three of his squadmates in the opening stages of the Clone Wars. Following the Republic's victory, Niner was transported to Ord Mantell aboard an Acclamator-class assault ship. While staying in barracks block 5 Epsilon, he regretfully replayed the battle's events in his mind while maintaining his Katarn armor. He resolved that, given another opportunity, he would have kept Sev and DD away from the enemy and deployed O-Four to the west with the squad's E-Web blaster cannon. It was during this reflective period that Niner first encountered Fi, the sole survivor of his own squad. Despite an initially strained interaction, Niner's attitude toward Fi softened upon recognizing their shared grief. Shortly thereafter, both Niner and Fi were placed in stasis, awaiting future deployment.

Mission to Qiilura

His next deployment took him to Qiilura, where his squad was tasked with destroying a biohazard facility and apprehending the Confederate scientist Ovolot Qail Uthan. As the squad evacuated the planet with their hostage, he personally confronted Ghez Hokan. He intended to fake an injury, luring Hokan into range for Fi, another squad member, to eliminate him with a headshot. However, the plan deviated when Etain Tur-Mukan intervened, killing Hokan as he engaged one of the commandos. Hokan detonated an EMP grenade to disable the commandos' helmets. He moved in to kill one of them but was decapitated by Etain Tur-Mukan.

Mission on Coruscant

With the assistance of Kal Skirata, he played a role in leading Omega Squad to suppress terrorist activities on Coruscant. The mission involved covert operations in which Skirata led Omega and Delta squads, Ordo (ARC N-11), Walon Vau, and generals Etain Tur-Mukan and Bardan Jusik. A mole was uncovered within the GAR logistics center. Niner's involvement was as a member of the team. He participated in routine patrols and was crucial in the destruction of the CoruFresh landing pad that served as the terrorists' base. During the operation, the two squads experienced both cooperation and conflict. In contrast to his counterpart in Delta Squad, Boss, who favored being in control, Niner preferred leading by "being sure."

Mission to Gaftikar

Niner, alongside Omega Squad, was deployed to Gaftikar, a planet under Separatist control, to support local rebels, a reptilian-humanoid species known as the Marits. While Darman and Atin infiltrated a city on Gaftikar, Eyat, disguised as civilians, they encountered the AWOL ARC trooper Sull. They brought him back to the camp, where Niner disagreed with N-12, A'den, regarding the handling of the deserted ARC trooper. Ultimately, Niner lost the argument, and Sull was released. When Niner led his squad to a HoloNet station in Eyat, Fi sustained a severe head injury that removed him from the team.

Order 66 and Beyond

During the Skirmish on Shinarcan Bridge Extension, Niner suffered a spinal injury after falling from the bridge due to a Jedi Padawan. Darman Skirata refused to abandon him, even when ordered to do so. After recovering from his injury, he observed a change in Darman following Etain's death. He also became wary of the Galactic Empire planting bugs in their helmets to eliminate potential traitors in the wake of Order 66.

When he managed to speak to Darman away from the holocams to discuss their future plans, Darman decided to remain a commando, without even mentioning his son's name. When he and other squads of the 501st Legion were assembled, he didn't recognize Scorch until he was standing next to him. He and Darman were grouped with Ennen and Bry, of Galaar Squad, to form the newly designated Squad 40.

Scorch and RC-1140, known as Fixer, disliked the new stormtrooper armor, while Boss remained indifferent. They believed that the Jedi Yoda had died and confirmed that they had never located Sev. Their leader, Darth Vader, tasked the entire 501st with hunting down Jedi and deserters. Niner was shocked to discover that Maze was on the list of deserters, considering his unwavering dedication to the Republic.

Also included on the list of targets were Yayax Squad, Hyperion Squad, Levet, Corr, and Atin, who had been with Omega Squad until Order 66. He was relieved that Fi was not on the list, indicating that the Empire believed him to be dead. Upon seeing Etain's face among the targets, he supported Darman, who remained emotionally reserved.

Niner and the rest of Squad 40 were initially assigned to capture Jilam Kester, a member of the Antarian Rangers, alive, by their commanding officer, Sa Cuis. Kester was accused of assisting Jedi in escaping capture and was last seen on Celen. When Niner inquired about Darman's feelings regarding the hunt, Darman stated that the Jedi had taken everything from him and that he would pursue every last one of them. Ennen and Darman nearly fought due to Ennen and Bry's training under a Corellian instructor, with Ennen believing he was superior to Mandalorians.

During the Mission to Celen, Bry was killed by Jedi Master Iri Camas, who was sheltering Kester after Order 66. Following Camas's death, Niner retrieved a chip found in the house and brought it back to Coruscant, hoping Jaller Obrim could decipher its contents after Camas had wiped its hard drive. Jaller discovered that the chip's contents were crucial to Clan Skirata's secrecy, and officially informed Niner that the chip was blank, discreetly returning it to Niner to give to Jaing, who successfully recovered all the data. He placed an empty datachip into evidence and sent Niner and Darman on their way.

A few days later, Niner's helmet underwent an 'inspection' by TK-0, a friend of Jaing's, who established a secure link enabling Niner to communicate with family members on Mandalore at his discretion. Niner, Darman, Ennen, and newcomer Rede met their new commanding officer, Roly Melusar, who replaced Sa Cuis after his death at the hands of Darth Vader. After Niner informed Darman about the link in his helmet, Darman finally allowed his emotions to surface, fearing the Jedi would take Kad away.

After commending them for killing Camas and having Bry cremated, Roly vowed to hunt down and capture all the Jedi. Niner requested downtime from Roly and received it. Jaing informed him that Roly was from Dromund Kaas, a Sith world. Niner told Darman that they were leaving as soon as they reached the location the Nulls were directing him to; he also told Darman that Etain's ashes were waiting for him to scatter them, and that Kad kept asking where his daddy was. As they neared extraction and their return home, Darman decided to stay behind and gather intelligence against the Empire.

Ordo intended to take Niner's armor and drag Darman to extraction, but before he could act, thieves attacked Nyreen Vollen's ship Cornucopia and had to be eliminated. Niner chose to remain behind to protect Darman, passed the chip to Jaing, and had the Nulls flee, attracting Imperial attention. After successfully concealing the Nulls' presence on Coruscant, Roly decreed that Darman and Niner would report solely to him from that point forward, planning eventually to confront Palpatine and any other Imperial force-users who stood in his way.

During this period, Darman also received a secure link in his helmet but hesitated to use it, unsure of what to say to his son. He assumed the role of Rede's mentor, who had only one year of accelerated training as a Centax-2 clone. Ennen expressed his anger at Bry's death after surviving the Clone Wars and practically begged for a way to desert. Darman decided to tell him about Mandalore in time, making a mental note to ask Ordo how he should do it.

Squad 40 was tasked with locating a Jedi believed to be hiding in Coruscant's undercity, recently renamed Imperial City. When they found the man, Ennen killed him in retaliation for Bry's death. They were shocked to discover that the 'Jedi' was merely a petty thief who had acquired a lightsaber, likely on the night of Order 66. Upon returning to base, Ennen committed suicide in the refresher, overwhelmed by the grief of killing a civilian and Bry's death.

Following Ennen's suicide, Niner and the others decided to remain a three-man squad for the time being, not wanting to train two Centax clones simultaneously. The squad was sent to the Coth Fuuras space station to assassinate Jedi Knight Borik Yelgo; en route to completing the mission, Darman confessed to Rede that they did like him and apologized for occasionally shutting him out.

After Rede killed Yelgo, they returned to Coruscant. Niner correctly predicted that Darman would lose control upon learning that Jedi were on Mandalore, protected by Kal near his son, threatening to confront Jusik if the Jedi took his son away. Later, Darman convinced Roly to allow them to go to Mandalore, using it as both an excuse to desert and to find as many Jedi as possible to keep his son safe. Niner was shocked when Darman told him he intends to capture the Jedi he finds.

Personality

Niner often exhibited a more serious demeanor than his squadmates and generally tried to emulate the caring nature and language of his training sergeant, Kal Skirata. He behaved in a manner that mirrored Skirata, particularly by showing concern for those under his command and attempting to serve as a father figure. He also frequently addressed fellow clones as "son," a term of endearment that Skirata often used with clones.

Behind the scenes

In Chapter 13 of Republic Commando: Hard Contact, when Etain asks for the clone commandos names, Niner starts to introduce himself as "CC" instead of "RC" which would be his proper designation code. This seems to be an oversight in the novel regarding the correct usage of clone designations.