Teela Kaarz was a Mirialan female who, as a political prisoner, was put to work on the original Death Star's construction.
Prior to her imprisonment, Teela lived a prosperous and impactful life on Mirial. An architect by trade, she specialized in the design of encapsulated arcology structures. Her portfolio included the Ralthhok Encapsulization project on Corellia and the Blackstar wheelworld located in the Sagar system. Due to her success, she was a celebrated figure within Mirial's elite circles, often attending events alongside monarchs, senators, industry leaders, and starfleet admirals.
During a planet-wide election on Mirial, Teela voiced her support for a political candidate. However, the Emperor branded this candidate a traitor, and consequently, his key supporters like Teela faced the same accusation. Along with numerous other affluent Mirialans, Teela was apprehended and swiftly convicted of treason in rushed legal proceedings. Public outcry over these events prevented her from facing immediate execution. Instead, she was sentenced to life imprisonment on the penal colony of Despayre.
Teela managed to endure the harsh conditions of Despayre for around a year. Her survival was largely attributed to the woodcraft skills her father taught her in her youth. She also cultivated an intimidating presence that deterred the more dangerous criminals residing in Dungeontown, the shanty town where she lived. Eventually, Imperials looking for more laborers to construct the Death Star in orbit above the planet recruited her. She departed Despayre aboard the prisoner transport vessel GLTB-3181.
Her expertise led to her selection to work under Benits Stinex, the chief architect in charge of the Death Star's interior design and construction. She relocated to the Death Star, taking up residence in Cube 24556, Resiplex 19, Sprawl 20. During this period, Darth Vader briefly noticed her when she resisted his attempt to probe her mind during an inspection of the Death Star's crew. Despite lacking Force sensitivity or training, her mental fortitude momentarily reminded Vader of his wife before he suppressed the thought.
Later, she was attacked by an intoxicated worker at the Hard Heart cantina, but Villian Dance intervened and rescued her. She and Dance became romantically involved, and she soon witnessed the destruction of Despayre. This act horrified her, but it was surpassed when Alderaan, a peaceful planet with billions of innocent inhabitants, met the same fate. Disgusted with the Empire, Teela, along with Dance, Nova Stihl, Rodo, Atour Riten, Celot Ratua Dil, Memah Roothes, and Kornell Divini, resolved to abandon the Death Star and the Empire. As the Battle of Yavin unfolded, the group initiated their escape, although Riten was compelled to remain behind to manipulate the landing bay controller into opening the doors. He revealed his plan to Teela as he urged her to leave, and she disclosed her knowledge of the Rebel's strategy to destroy the station. While Stihl and Rodo were also forced to stay, the remaining members of the group, including Dance, successfully fled the Death Star shortly before its destruction. Following the Death Star's demise, Teela and her fellow defectors opted to join the Rebel Alliance. Vil then proposed marriage, to which she replied that she would consider it.