Tyria Sarkin Tainer

Biography

Early life

Sarkin, a Toprawa native, received training in her youth as an Antarian Ranger, a centuries-old militia that aided the Jedi on particularly dangerous missions. Sarkin believed her Force–sensitivity likely stemmed from intermarriage between Jedi and Antarian Rangers. Sarkin's family was among the Ranger clans that survived both the Clone Wars and the Jedi purge by remaining hidden for decades, until the bombardment of Toprawa, which left Tyria Sarkin as the last of the Antarian Rangers.

Sarkin yearned to train and use her Force abilities, and at some point, she encountered the Jedi Luke Skywalker. The Jedi Master subjected her to several Force training exercises but concluded that the young Antarian Ranger was unlikely to make significant progress in controlling the Force. He gently conveyed this to her, and Sarkin shifted her focus to other pursuits.

Pilot training

Sarkin enlisted in the New Republic with the goal of becoming a starfighter pilot. She understood that her Force potential, rather than her piloting skills, secured her entry into the Academy. Her skills in the cockpit were deemed inadequate, leading to her placement in remedial pilot training under then-Major Atton Repness. Within the training squadron, her scores began to improve, and Sarkin believed she was progressing as a pilot.

After a brief period, Repness approached her with a proposition: he wanted her assistance in stealing an X-wing starfighter by falsely reporting equipment failure, ejecting over the ocean, and claiming the starfighter had sunk beyond recovery. Repness intended to meet the young pilot trainee at the crash site and abscond with the fighter to sell it on the black market. Sarkin refused, declaring her intention to report her corrupt commanding officer to the authorities. When Repness, feigning shock, requested time to settle his affairs, Sarkin naively agreed, inadvertently granting him time to cover his tracks and accuse her of gross insubordination. Upon challenging the corrupt officer again, Sarkin learned the truth about her piloting scores: Repness had been inflating them. She would have failed the remedial program weeks earlier if her true scores had been reported. In exchange for graduating at the bottom of her class with her falsely recorded passing marks, the young woman remained silent about Repness's illicit activities. However, this coerced behavior left her embittered and resentful.

Wraith Squadron

Training begins

Given her limited prospects in Starfighter Command due to her low scores and actual piloting abilities, Sarkin eagerly seized the opportunity to join a new squadron formed by Rogue Leader Wedge Antilles. Antilles had specifically requested pilots with both commando skills and those with disciplinary issues or who were wash-outs—categories that included Sarkin. She joined the unit, albeit disappointed that her Antarian Ranger skills had attracted the veteran pilot's attention. She transferred to Folor Base as a candidate and passed the screening interviews conducted by Antilles and Wes Janson, the new unit's executive officer.

Sarkin's first training exercise as a squadron candidate involved a simulated ambush of the base, where she flew as Gold Four. She achieved two kills and a score of 1,350 out of 2,000. Following the simulation, she was introduced to her partners: Kell Tainer, Hohass "Runt" Ekwesh, and Voort "Piggy" saBinring. While discussing the mission at DownTime, a tapcafe on Folor Base, Sarkin was the first to recognize Ekwesh's multiple minds and shared the story of the droid waiter Squeaky and the Runaway Droid Ride with her future squadmates. She also soon met future Wraiths Garik "the Face" Loran and Ton Phanan, the latter of whom revealed Sarkin's Force–sensitivity to the other pilots. As the candidates learned more about each other, they realized that many of them were close to being removed from Starfighter Command for various reasons. Sarkin did not initially disclose her own story but acknowledged to Loran, Phanan, Tainer, and Ekwesh that she fit the profile of a pilot on the verge of being dismissed.

Gray Squadron

Shortly thereafter, Sarkin and nine other candidates were informed of their selection as members of the new squadron. When the remaining candidates were notified of their acceptance, Sarkin became Gray Ten, wingman to Lieutenant Myn Donos in Three Flight. Despite making it into the squadron, she was the last pilot named at the introductory briefing, indicating her lowest training scores among the surviving pilots. Although Kell Tainer, who had quickly become infatuated with her, attempted to comfort her, she still felt like the worst.

Following a training mission involving proton torpedo practice, deliberately designed to force the pilots to adapt to the absence of targeting systems, Sarkin was at DownTime, sharing experiences and amusing stories with some of the other pilots. She observed that the taciturn Corellian Myn Donos became more talkative in the presence of another pilot, Falynn Sandskimmer, but also spent little time at the tapcafe, knowing she had hyperspace navigation studies for an upcoming mission.

Tainer persistently tried to gain Sarkin's attention throughout the training, eventually professing his love for her over breakfast one morning. Although she reciprocated his feelings, Sarkin believed Tainer did not truly know her and was instead in love with a "fantasy Tyria." She conveyed this to him but did not reveal her own feelings. She left him at the table to ponder her rejection, but it was not the only notable event of the day. At their mission briefing that afternoon, the group learned that Sarkin's suggestion for a name had been chosen as the official one for the unit: Wraith Squadron.

Later that day, the Wraiths launched in preparation for their hyperspace practice mission. En route, the squadron's communications expert, Jesmin Ackbar, detected Imperial transmissions. They soon realized that an Imperial Star Destroyer, the Implacable, was approaching Folor. Antilles immediately ordered a return to Folor to prepare a hasty defense while the base was evacuated. The Wraiths then participated in the Battle of Folor, where Sarkin achieved a combat kill against an Imperial starfighter. After all the transports jumped to hyperspace, the squadron escaped the system, heading for Doldrums.

Unfortunately for the Wraiths, they were pulled out of hyperspace early in the Xobome system and stranded with their ships' and astromechs' memories wiped due to an automated attack by former Imperial Warlord Zsinj's Empion mines. Sarkin was among the Wraiths who landed in the frigid winds of Xobome 6 to carry out repairs while Kell Tainer, Piggy saBinring, Eurrsk "Grinder" Thri'ag, and Cubber Daine constructed the Lunatic, a makeshift boarding vehicle. When one of Zsinj's support vessels, the Night Caller, arrived to investigate, saBinring, aboard the Lunatic, boarded and single-handedly captured the Night Caller, while Sarkin and the other Wraiths quickly powered up and defeated the two TIE/LN starfighters launched by the Night Caller.

The truth revealed

The Wraiths continued their operations by impersonating the captain and crew of the Night Caller, as their rapid capture of the ship had granted them access to all its facilities and computer systems. After successfully conducting operations as part of this charade at Viamarr 4 and following a resupply stop at Doldrums, the Wraiths were declared an active unit, no longer a training squadron. However, Sarkin's self-pity had become such a concern to her squadmates that they approached her in the mess hall, where she was spending as much of her free time as possible in the X-wing simulator. During the conversation, in which Kell Tainer, Ton Phanan, and Grinder Thri'ag attempted to encourage her to relax, Thri'ag suggested a way to improve her piloting performance. The Bothan offered to slice into her records and artificially boost her scores. Sarkin, thinking only of her history with Atton Repness and not realizing Thri'ag's offer was made in jest, attacked the other pilot. Phanan and Tainer managed to pull her away from the bloodied Bothan just before Commander Wedge Antilles and Lieutenant Wes Janson arrived and called the entire mess to attention, before taking Sarkin and Thri'ag to Wedge's office.

When Antilles asked why she reacted in such a manner, Sarkin simply stated she had no excuse, refusing to disclose her sordid past. As a result of Sarkin's inability to explain her loss of control to her commander, she was put on report, and her X-wing and astromech were temporarily reassigned to Ton Phanan. But her persistent squadmates would not drop the matter as easily as Antilles and Janson, and Tainer and Phanan approached Sarkin one last time, this time in the privacy of her quarters on the Night Caller.

Sarkin confessed her history to them, explaining why she was so consumed by self-pity in comparing her piloting abilities to the other Wraiths, and also why Thri'ag's comments, so reminiscent of Atton Repness's actions, had triggered such anger. The conversation helped calm her down and allowed the other pilots to suggest ways for her to improve her performance in the squadron, both as a pilot and by utilizing skills learned as an Antarian Ranger. Unbeknownst to her, this discussion would ultimately lead Ton Phanan and Garik Loran to conspire to bring down Atton Repness and his entire black market operation with the help of Lara Notsil.

Crewing the Night Caller

The mission that followed the Night Caller's itinerary directed them toward Xartun for a reconnaissance operation. It afforded Sarkin the opportunity to demonstrate to her fellow squadron members the unique skills that distinguished her as a pilot. She advanced with silence, utilizing the wind's sound to mask her movements, enhancing her stealth. This impressed Wedge Antilles, whom she guided to the bunker, ensuring cover for the other Wraiths' advance. However, after a successful infiltration, Sarkin, Ekwesh, and Phanan were confronted by Imperial Probe Droid A2. Sarkin employed a tactic of using a phototropically shielded TIE fighter viewport for cover, then immobilizing the droid with a repulsorlift cart, enabling Tainer to obliterate the probot with his demolition equipment. Given the Omega Signal, signaling mission termination, she and Ekwesh provided blaster cover for the squadron's retreat as the other Wraiths hastily boarded a cargo skiff for escape. Sarkin and Ekwesh then clambered aboard, the skiff speeding past the remaining guards into the darkness, just before Tainer's explosives destroyed the complex. Furthermore, the Wraiths successfully retrieved significant data from the facility before its destruction, marking the mission as a triumph.

Determined to keep proving her worth throughout the Wraiths' subsequent missions, especially considering her probationary status, Sarkin dedicated every possible moment to the simulators aboard the Night Caller, focusing on improving her X-wing skills with Chunky. This dedication seemed to yield results when Wedge temporarily reinstated her to her snubfighter and regular duties for a mission to M2398. Displaying newfound confidence, Sarkin even spearheaded a daring launch from the Night Caller's bow hold, even as the corvette evaded an ambush by incoming pirate snubfighters.

During the ensuing engagement, Sarkin temporarily became Kell Tainer's wingman. While pursuing a pair of Uglies alongside Tainer, Sarkin sensed an impending ambush. Though she couldn't explain her intuition, Tainer, trusting the Force-sensitive woman, recognized that the pirates were attempting to lure them toward three treaded ground vehicles concealed within a crater on the moon's surface. Sarkin successfully targeted one of the vehicles with a proton torpedo. The resulting explosion, combined with Tainer's attack, obliterated the ground vehicles moments after they launched missiles and lasers, striking the fighters piloted by temporary wingmen Jesmin Ackbar and Myn Donos.

Sarkin disengaged from Tainer as he attempted to rescue Ackbar after her craft was hit, positioning her fighter behind Donos, who had become unresponsive due to the loss of his astromech droid. Despite the lieutenant's limited communication, she knew how to elicit a response. Recognizing the mission's similarity to the one that led to Talon Squadron's destruction, she understood Donos's distress over the loss of his droid, whom he regarded as the last surviving member of Talon Squadron. Employing Talon Squadron callsigns to capture his attention, she guided him safely back to the Night Caller. Tainer's rescue efforts, however, proved unsuccessful, and Jesmin's X-Wing crashed, resulting in the Wraith's death.

Following the mission, Sarkin offered support to her squadmates as they dealt with the aftermath. She assisted Tainer and Phanan in covering for Donos's ongoing mental breakdown, and comforted Tainer, who felt responsible for failing to save Jesmin. She also subtly revealed her affection for the pilot from Sluis Van, giving him a kiss on the cheek after discussing the Force and its role in the battle.

Shortly after departing from M2398, Sarkin played a crucial role in a simulation that ultimately convinced Donos to embrace life. Several pilots placed Donos in a simulator and recreated Talon Squadron's final battle, using their voices to convey that his catatonia disrespected their memories and that his refusal to live dishonored their sacrifice. After a furious Donos emerged, Sarkin intuitively recognized that the loss of his droid, whom he considered the last Talon, had triggered his reaction. Emphasizing that the Wraiths were his friends and needed him, Sarkin encouraged Donos to express his feelings and condition, allowing Tainer and Sandskimmer to join the conversation and initiate his recovery.

Once Donos, Sandskimmer, and Loran had left her alone with Tainer, the other pilot expressed his belief that the Force had subtly guided Sarkin, especially when she wasn't actively trying to use it. He also confessed his love for her a second time. Initially skeptical, Sarkin recognized the extent of his transformation since his first attempt to win her heart and reciprocated with a passionate kiss, acknowledging her own feelings for him now that he was no longer infatuated with a "fantasy Tyria."

Closing on Trigit

When Zsinj instructed "Captain Darillian" and his crew to rendezvous with the supply ship Hawkbat, the Wraiths needed to safeguard their identities. Consequently, they devised a plan to acquire at least two TIE fighters and prevent the Hawkbat's Captain Bock Nabyl from boarding to meet Darillian, leading to a mission to Storinal. Sarkin participated by impersonating the wife of a down-on-his-luck test pilot, portrayed by Ton Phanan. After gaining entry to Storinal under these disguises, they joined Kell Tainer and, later, slicer Eurrsk Thri'ag, forming Plague Group. The quartet was assigned to steal a disease from the Scohar Xenohealth Institute to be unleashed on the Hawkbat's crew.

After deciding to obtain a sample of Bunkurd Sewer Disorder, Sarkin was tasked with the initial reconnaissance, exploring the Scohar Xenohealth Institute with a camera concealed in her cap, remotely monitored by Thri'ag. Her efforts enabled the slicer to identify the only entrance lacking a viewer or lock permitting external access: the waste vent. The group utilized this vent to enter the Institute, with Sarkin proactively applying perfume to the inside of the group's breath masks in preparation for the foul-smelling ascent through the waste flue. The former Antarian Ranger spearheaded their exploration of the building, utilizing her infiltration skills once again. She paused only at changes in flooring or portals, allowing Thri'ag to check for sensors, and the group successfully returned from the Xenohealth Institute with a sample of BSD.

In the second phase of Plague Group's mission, Sarkin assisted in delivering the BSD into the air intake scoop of the Hawkbat's Perch. This time, she posed as a member of the shuttle's work crew, even assisting Tainer in servicing it and the Hawkbat's Vigil as part of their cover. Their pretense also involved stealing containers of recreational holos, which Sarkin arranged to resemble black marketeering. Despite the near exposure of their work crew cover by the arrival of the real shuttle work crew, Sarkin helped Tainer bluff and fight his way past them, then covered Donos's arrival as he joined Plague Group for their departure in the Wraiths' shuttle, Narra. Just before their departure, Ekwesh launched a surprise assault on the spaceport to divert security, enabling other Wraith Squadron members to steal four TIE fighters to maintain their cover during a rendezvous with Admiral Apwar Trigit, commander of Implacable under Zsinj. As he flew overhead, a laser cannon emplacement tracked him, but the Wraiths' sniper, Donos, disabled it with a laser rifle. Sarkin then ventured out to cover his exfiltration back to Narra. Once the Wraiths who hadn't stolen fighters were aboard, they departed and returned to Night Caller.

With every X-wing cockpit occupied, Sarkin was unable to participate in the Wraiths' raid on Todirium III. She was still on report, with her X-wing assigned to Phanan. However, later, with Wedge Antilles, Wes Janson, and Falynn Sandskimmer in TIE fighters along with Atril Tabanne, enough snubfighters were available for Sarkin to participate as an X-wing pilot in the Battle of Talasea, planned as a trap for Trigit. Although the Imperial refused to bring his personal Star Destroyer, Implacable, into the system, the Wraiths engaged two other ships of Trigit's fleet. During the battle, Sarkin used her proton torpedoes to help disable the shields of the Nebulon-B frigate Provocateur. Combined with those of four other Wraiths, the torpedoes enabled Donos and Phanan to destroy the enemy frigate.

Following the battle, two new X-wing fighters arrived for Wraith Squadron. Due to Sarkin's "exemplary" behavior, as described by Wedge Antilles, she was fully reinstated to operational status, regaining her own snubfighter and astromech. During a small ceremony, Kell Tainer received the Kalidor Crescent and was promoted to lieutenant. Sarkin, like the rest of their squadmates, noticed that Tainer wasn't as pleased as he should have been. She followed him to his room, using a code obtained from Thri'ag to unlock the door, and confronted the despondent Tainer about his behavior and his fears about being his father's son—Tainer's father had been executed for cowardice. Although she couldn't completely change his mind at the time, she dissuaded him from resigning his commission.

Back in her cockpit for the Wraiths' final engagement with Admiral Trigit and the Implacable, Sarkin participated in another Loran Spitball, the name given to a sudden torpedo barrage launched by the Wraiths from the Night Caller. She followed with a pass on the Implacable's bridge and dogfighting with enemy TIEs, alongside her wingman Myn Donos. Unbeknownst to her at the time, and without any communication during his private mental crisis, the thought of Sarkin would inspire Kell Tainer to rejoin the battle after a brief panic attack. Both survived the engagement and celebrated with their squadmates on a beach on Borleias after its successful conclusion and the destruction of Implacable.

The Hawk-bats

Upon returning to Coruscant, Sarkin was present during the bar brawl that effectively canceled the Wraiths' leave. She joined Tainer and Shalla Nelprin as part of Ekwesh's team to decipher Zsinj's plans and strategies. On their first mission to act on their findings, Sarkin assisted in infiltrating the Imperial base on Halmad by disguising herself as a stormtrooper. She and Donos vandalized the interior of a hangar to make their operation appear to be the work of pirates, and escaped in a skimmer with most of the squadron as three Wraiths flew back to Hawk-bat Base in stolen TIE/IN interceptors. Sarkin would also soon help Tainer repaint one of those Interceptors with a red spiderweb pattern for its service with the ersatz pirate group the Hawk-bat Independent Space Force.

Eight Wraiths, including Wedge and Sarkin, made an appearance aboard the Mon Remonda to reinforce the narrative that they were serving with the rest of the anti-Zsinj taskforce. It was during this time that Lara Notsil orchestrated Colonel Repness's downfall, and Sarkin met the other woman and learned her story. Concerned that her status as a pilot and officer might be at risk due to the fallout from the incident, she approached her commander. She revealed her history with Repness to Wedge, anticipating her removal from the squadron. However, Wedge recognized her value as a pilot and pledged to keep her in the squadron unless she died or requested a transfer. He instructed Sarkin not to discuss the situation with anyone else unless they had spoken to him first.

Both on the Mon Remonda and back at Hawk-bat Base, Sarkin shared a room with Lara Notsil. Sarkin delivered Lara's "mail from home," which was actually a secret message from Warlord Zsinj sent through the real Lara Notsil's brother Tavin. Although Sarkin didn't fully grasp its significance to her roommate, she compassionately offered support if Lara needed to talk.

Soon after, Sarkin participated in the capture of the tanker Bastion. Flying in TIE fighters, she and saBinring escorted the ship toward Halmad until Kell Tainer ordered them to disengage rather than confront the guns and starfighters of the Iron Fist.

Sarkin survived the mission and, as a reward for Wraith Squadron's successes, was granted leave on Coruscant with Wedge, saBinring, Nelprin, and Ekwesh. Upon their return, Sarkin also attended Ekwesh's formal dance at Hawk-bat base, joining Kell Tainer as the first couple on the dance floor.

Finally, after numerous missions and much-needed rest and relaxation, the Wraiths prepared to ambush Zsinj and his Iron Fist. Sarkin was part of the Hawk-bat unit that would be flying various TIEs as part of Zsinj's attack on the Kuat shipyards. Flying with her usual wingmate saBinring again, Sarkin helped the Gamorrean pilot cover his crash-landing on the surface of the Iron Fist.. She concluded their series of successful encounters with Zsinj's forces by helping present Loran with the Award of the Mechanic's Nightmare.

Growing Force abilities

Sarkin participated in the Battle of Levian Two and the subsequent strategy session in the Mon Remonda pilots' lounge, but it was during the planning and execution of Mission to Saffalore that Sarkin's Force abilities began to manifest more prominently. Sarkin continued her Jedi training, learning to relax into a "flow-state" rather than forcing her powers. She entered one of these flow-states as the Wraiths conducted surveillance on the BinRing Biomedical Product building, sensing the pain and suffering of the test subjects within, which helped Loran identify their target.

During the mission, Sarkin also sensed the deliberate nature of a hole in Binring's security. Realizing that an apparently unsecured area was being watched, she warned Nelprin and the other Wraiths, allowing them to bypass the outer security perimeter established specifically for the squadron by Doctor Edda Gast.

Inside the building, most of the Wraiths were caught in a trap, falling into an incineration chamber from the floor above. While Sarkin didn't land on her feet and wasn't among the first to recover, she avoided serious injuries and was the only Wraith present to evade any burns when the chamber's heat and flames were activated. In fact, although all of her squadmates piloted their own fighters away from the engagement, Sarkin was the only Wraith Loran described as fit to fly.

Later, as the starfighter units from Mon Remonda prepared to jump to Jussafet, Sarkin sensed an impending attack and reacted instinctively. Jolted back to attentiveness after being told she was out of position, Sarkin realized that Nuro Tualin, an A-Wing pilot in Polearm Squadron, was feigning a sublight drive failure to launch an attack run on Mon Remonda's bridge. She warned the cruiser just before the Twi'lek fired, then looped around to target the brainwashed pilot. Unable to locate him with her X-wing's sensors, Sarkin closed her eyes to sense his mission and knew that Tualin was headed for the bridge. When she regained visual contact, she saw Tualin lining up for another shot. Sarkin fired a proton torpedo, destroying the fighter and its pilot.

Jedi Knight

Some time after Wraith Squadron transitioned from the New Republic Starfighter Corps to New Republic Intelligence, Sarkin decided to deepen her understanding of the Force and train to become a true Jedi. Although Luke Skywalker initially doubted her potential, he later revised his opinion as Sarkin developed the necessary discipline.

While she never attended the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 or trained directly under Skywalker, she remained receptive to his teachings. Skywalker sent her communications and advice. She traveled and explored the galaxy, progressing in her training at her own pace. Eventually, Master Skywalker recognized her as a Jedi Knight, a recognition that would bring her joy for years. She later married Kell Tainer, and they had a son, Doran Sarkin-Tainer, whom she began training as a Jedi. Sarkin Tainer traveled extensively while teaching her son, avoiding the frontlines of the Yuuzhan Vong War. Both Sarkin Tainer and her son attended the Conclave on Zonama Sekot in 29 ABY. At some point, Sarkin Tainer and her husband had a daughter, named Jesmin after Jesmin Ackbar, and they raised her separately from Doran, allowing Jesmin to know Garik Loran and Myri Antilles, the daughter of her former commanding officer. Jesmin was also Force-sensitive and trained as a Jedi.

In 40 ABY, Sarkin Tainer was among the Jedi assigned to Red Sword Flight, a half-squadron of StealthX fighters sent to attack the Sith known as Darth Caedus during a meeting with Corellian forces. However, the plan changed when it was discovered that Caedus was in a starfighter with a civilian, and the Jedi ultimately withdrew. Sarkin Tainer also flew as Rakehell Seven during the operation to destroy Centerpoint Station. The assault succeeded, and Sarkin Tainer survived the engagement.

Rising Tensions

In 44 ABY, while Tainer was working on a ship inside the Jedi Temple Hangar, Sarkin Tainer sensed something was amiss when she noticed the holo feed of the news loop, despite the newscast showing a live feed. Suspecting an attack, Tainer and Jaina Solo alerted Kyp Durron and the other Masters to prepare to defend the Temple.

During the assault, Mandalorians, who had been employed by Chief of State Natasi Daala, detonated the hangar walls, creating breaches. As the hired Mandos launched their attack, Tainer, Solo, and their apprentice, Bandy Geffer, engaged five of the intruders in combat, successfully repelling them. Although Tainer fought valiantly, one of the attackers delivered a powerful blow to her jaw, rendering her unconscious. Her survival during this encounter was largely attributed to the actions of Solo and Geffer, as well as the timely arrival of Raynar Thul.

Later, Tainer was summoned to participate in a covert Jedi StealthX mission to Nam Chorios. On this mission, the Jedi ambushed a Lost Tribe Sith strike force as they arrived above the planet. Piloting her craft alongside fellow Jedi Knights Jaina Solo and Zekk, she provided aerial support for a shuttle tasked with extracting Luke Skywalker and a group of Jedi from the planet's surface. The Jedi Master requested the use of her starfighter, which she willingly provided, enabling him to pursue a vessel carrying a dark side entity that had been menacing the Jedi. Tainer remained with the extraction shuttle, as Skywalker had entrusted her with the responsibility of safeguarding his son, Ben Skywalker, and ensuring his safe departure.

Personality and traits

Tyria Sarkin possessed a remarkable level of determination and unwavering dedication. Despite facing skepticism about her potential for advancement as a Jedi, she persisted in her efforts to master her Force sensitivity. Initially, she pursued this goal alongside her squadron duties, but later dedicated herself solely to becoming a Jedi Knight. Furthermore, she consistently strived to enhance her piloting skills, dedicating her free time to X-wing simulators and continually improving through diligent practice. Initially, she struggled with self-doubt, perceiving herself as among the least capable. This stemmed from her past experience with Atton Repness, which left her emotionally scarred until she openly disclosed the illicit behavior to her fellow pilots. Previously, she had been secretive and reserved about the coercion she had endured. When discussing her past and her heritage as an Antarian Ranger, Sarkin exhibited a sense of fatalism, accepting the reality that she was the last of her people and that her lineage would end with her. During her initial weeks with Wraith Squadron, she also felt utterly incapable of utilizing the Force. However, both of these perspectives would later evolve as a result of her Jedi training and her relationship with Kell Tainer.

Sarkin possessed a sense of humor, finding enjoyment in jokes, amusing anecdotes, and playful pranks during her time with the Wraiths. However, she occasionally found Ton Phanan's flirtatious advances and other behaviors she considered immature to be irritating. She also demonstrated concern for the well-being of her fellow pilots, playing a role in helping Myn Donos recover from catatonia following the loss of his astromech and persuading Kell Tainer to remain in Starfighter Command despite his intentions to resign. Her relationship with Tainer initially involved her rejecting his advances in order to prompt him to recognize her true identity, despite her own attraction to him.

Although she initially concealed her past from her squadmates, Wedge Antilles regarded her as one of the more truthful members of the Wraiths. She confided in Antilles about her history with Atton Repness upon learning that it might impact the squadron. Her commander considered her to possess an honest nature and intuitively knew that she had not been complicit in Ton Phanan's scheme to bring down Repness. Until her outburst and assault on Thri'ag, Antilles also regarded her as the most emotionally stable member of the Wraiths.

Powers and abilities

Despite lacking formal Jedi training, Sarkin was able to actively enter a state of heightened awareness that allowed her to perceive both the pain and the consciousness of beings within the Binring Biomedical facilities. Sarkin experienced several moments of clarity from the Force that enabled her to connect with Myn Donos during his emotional distress. Although she continued to hone her abilities, Sarkin had still not undergone any formal Force training or actively pursued the Jedi path when she sensed Nuro Tualin's attack on Han Solo and the Mon Remonda. She eventually became a Jedi without ever receiving formal instruction from a Jedi Master, and she passed on that heritage to her son.

Beyond her Force abilities, Sarkin possessed exceptional skills in silent movement and infiltration, a result of her heritage as an Antarian Ranger. She surpassed even Wedge Antilles, with all his ground missions for the Rebel Alliance and New Republic, in her ability to move stealthily. She was able to move with the wind, allowing it to mask any subtle sounds she might make. During ground missions, Sarkin was frequently selected to take the lead for the group and was regarded as one of the most skilled infiltrators in Wraith Squadron. However, during the initial weeks of her tenure in Wraith Squadron, she consistently scored at the bottom of the unit in terms of piloting performance. Later in her life, however, she would be chosen by the Jedi Order to participate in two critical strike missions from the cockpit of a StealthX, flying alongside notable figures such as Luke Skywalker and Jaina Solo.

Behind the scenes

Aaron Allston originally conceived of the character Tyria Sarkin for his novels within the X-wing series: Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist, and Solo Command. She also made a brief appearance in narration in The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream, also by Allston, and appeared in The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force by James Luceno and Legacy of the Force: Fury, again by Allston. Her physical appearance was based on a friend of Star Wars artist Joe Corroney. He initially depicted the character for an article about Wraith Squadron in an issue of Star Wars Gamer magazine.

The Essential Reader's Companion, a 2012 reference book by Pablo Hidalgo, inaccurately portrays Sarkin as a newcomer to Wraith Squadron as of Iron Fist, despite her having joined the unit at its inception in Wraith Squadron, the preceding novel in the series.