Yendor Brethen

Biography

Galactic Civil War

Having joined the Rebel Alliance, Yendor Brethen found himself stationed at Echo Base, located on the icy planet of Hoth. A mere five days into his assignment at Echo Base, Yendor's path crossed with that of the protocol droid C-3PO while he was in the midst of recalibrating the base's thermal regulators. Additionally, Yendor was tasked with cleaning the tauntaun stables within the base, a chore which he found to be both unpleasant and malodorous. During the Battle of Hoth, Yendor served as the gunner for Thane Kyrell, a former TIE fighter pilot and defector from the Imperial forces, aboard a snowspeeder. Inspired by Luke Skywalker's strategy, the Rebel pilots employed their harpoon weaponry to bring down several Imperial AT-AT walkers. Yendor and Thane were among the Rebel forces who managed to evade the Imperial offensive and escape from Hoth.

As an integral member of Corona Squadron, Yendor operated under the callsign "Corona Two," piloting a T-65B X-wing starfighter in numerous engagements against Imperial TIE fighter squadrons. After Thane disclosed his relationship with Ciena Ree, a serving Lieutenant Commander in the Imperial Navy whom he had met on the planet Jelucan, Yendor joined his fellow pilots in expressing their disapproval. When Yendor voiced his concern that the "Imperial woman" would have killed them without hesitation, Kyrell defended his choices, emphasizing that none of his wingmen had been put in harm's way.

Yendor, along with his fellow pilots, later participated in a dogfight within the Hudalla system, narrowly avoiding an Imperial ambush thanks to the covert assistance provided by Ciena Ree. Yendor witnessed Ree subtly divert the attention of another TIE fighter, enabling Thane to escape. This event prompted Yendor to offer Thane an apology for his earlier criticisms concerning Ciena. Yendor also played a role in the Battle of Endor, a pivotal victory for the Rebellion that resulted in the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. Yendor continued his service after the Rebel Alliance reorganized into the New Republic. Following the Contessa's departure from Corona Squadron to pursue the presidency on her homeworld, Yendor assumed the role of Corona Leader, defending the Mid Rim planet of Naboo from invading Imperial forces.

After successfully repelling a third Imperial assault on Naboo, Yendor extended an invitation to his fellow pilots to experience a local delicacy in the Gungan city of Otoh Gunga, a dessert so large it required four individuals to consume and was known to induce a sugar coma. However, Thane declined the offer, still grieving the presumed loss of Ciena during the Battle of Endor. Throughout the Galactic Civil War, Yendor engaged in conversations with Princess Leia Organa on numerous occasions, fostering a friendly acquaintance between them.

Return to Ryloth

In the year 5 ABY, Yendor fought alongside a rebel faction against the remaining Imperial forces on Ryloth. His group was among the first to realize that the Empire had abandoned its garrisons on the planet, marking Ryloth's return to independence. Subsequently, Yendor was chosen to represent Ryloth as its ambassador to the nascent New Republic. After the New Republic moved its capital to Nakadia, Yendor was observed by Sinjir Rath Velus, a former Imperial loyalty officer, in conversation with Senator Nim Tar.

Representing Ryloth

Following the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War, Yendor continued his service as Ryloth's emissary for the next twenty-four years. Although Ryloth did not officially join the New Republic, it maintained trade relations with the new galactic government. Approximately six years before the destruction of the Hosnian system, Ryloth's external commerce and economy were threatened by the illicit activities of Rinnrivin Di's cartel, led by the Kajain'sa'Nikto crime lord. In response, Yendor was dispatched by his government to the Galactic Senate on Hosnian Prime to seek assistance from the Republic.

During a Senate hearing, Yendor emphasized the New Republic's commitment to preventing organized crime from regaining the power it held during the Age of the Empire. Despite the Republic's promises of financial regulations and comprehensive patrols of shipping lanes, these measures were inconsistently enforced, and Ryloth had not seen patrols in two decades. Yendor's report met with indifference from several Centrist and Populist senators, who questioned the accuracy of his information and argued that the Senate lacked jurisdiction in what they considered an intrasystem matter.

However, Senator Organa, a Populist, and her Centrist colleague Ransolm Casterfo agreed to investigate Rinnrivin's cartel on behalf of the Galactic Senate. Their mission led them to Bastatha, where they discovered Rinnrivin's base located on the subterranean world. As their investigation progressed, Organa's pilots Joph Seastriker and Greer Sonnel uncovered links between Rinnrivin's cartel and a paramilitary group known as the Amaxine warriors.

Yendor later welcomed Leia and her entourage, including C-3PO, to Ryloth as they sought information about Rinnrivin in the planet's archives. Upon Leia's arrival, the two former comrades reminisced about their time at Echo Base and in Corona Squadron. Yendor also greeted C-3PO, recognizing him from their days at Echo Base. After meeting Joph and Greer, Yendor guided his guests to the archives, filled with paper scrolls and documents. There, the New Republic officials discovered that Rinnrivin had been a minor spice dealer who had inexplicably risen to lead a major crime syndicate within the past seven to ten years. Subsequently, Leia and Casterfo discovered that a mysterious entity was using Rinnrivin's cartel and the Amaxine warriors as proxies to destabilize the New Republic.

First Order–Resistance war

Meeting an old friend

By 34 ABY, following the establishment of the Ryloth Defense Authority, Yendor and his family were relocated from Lessu, Ryloth's capital city, to a remote desert base as a precautionary measure against potential attacks on the capital. He built a family, becoming the father of Charth and Hahnee Brethen, and eventually a grandfather when Charth had two children. He transitioned from his career as an emissary to become a scholar, dedicated to preserving Ryloth's history within his library.

Mere days after the Resistance suffered a devastating defeat against the First Order at the Battle of Crait, Yendor received a visit from his longtime friend Leia, accompanied by his children. They exchanged warm greetings and caught up on their lives since their last meeting, eventually turning to the topic of the Resistance and their need for assistance. Yendor explained that Ryloth could not compromise its neutrality in the ongoing conflict, but Leia clarified that they only required a safe haven for a brief period, as their sole remaining ship was the Millennium Falcon. She then shared the news of Luke's passing and the significant reduction in the Resistance's numbers, confirming rumors he had previously heard. Upon realizing the Jedi were extinct, Yendor was reassured by Leia that their future was secure, as she gestured towards Rey, who promptly introduced herself to the Twi'lek. Yendor praised Rey's skills, reminiscing about his own experiences as a pilot in the Rebellion.

Leia continued to discuss terms with Yendor, but was interrupted by Charth, who pointed out the lack of facilities to accommodate hundreds of fighters. Leia assured him that they only needed to house the Falcon. After some deliberation, Yendor decided to consult with the government in the capital, but warned Leia that Chancellor Drelomon and General Ishel would likely oppose them, and cautioned her about the potential consequences if the First Order discovered their presence. Charth voiced his concerns, suggesting that providing refuge to the Resistance would not be enough to convince the First Order of their neutrality, but Yendor stood firm, asserting that his days as a freedom fighter were not over. He offered Leia a luxurious room within the RDA's headquarters, but she declined, choosing instead to reside in the Falcon.

Preparations

When the First Order arrived in Lessu, Yendor dispatched his daughter to ascertain the reason for their unexpected appearance, discovering that they were on a diplomatic mission. After receiving Hahnee's report, he immediately informed Leia of the urgent situation that had developed during her stay. He entered the Falcon with her permission and informed her of the First Order's presence, explaining that the Resistance had less than five days before the Chancellor made a decision. Yendor assured her that he would do everything possible to buy them more time. He also revealed that the following day was the Twi'lek holiday known as the Longest Night, which would provide an opportunity to bring in additional Resistance ships with greater ease.

After the remaining Resistance forces arrived, Yendor's library was transformed into a war room. As they planned a series of operations on various worlds, Yendor expressed his gratitude to everyone in the room for their courage in standing against the First Order, recalling how Ryloth had once stood against tyranny during the Clone Wars. When Maz Kanata contacted them and provided a partial list of prisoners, one name stood out to Yendor and Leia: an individual with the initials "R. C." They speculated that the individual could be their old ally Ransolm Casterfo, who was imprisoned on Corellia. As the teams embarked on their respective missions, Yendor remained behind with Leia, monitoring their operations while his son Charth traveled to Corellia with Poe Dameron, Suralinda Javos, and Finn. After they departed, the two discussed how royalty always felt like an imposition on their peace. Leia commented that her presence had the same effect. The conversation was interrupted when Yendor pointed out that Rey had been waiting to speak with her. Suddenly, tensions escalated when the proximity alarm sounded, and Yendor alerted everyone to the presence of the First Order, who had discovered the Resistance and began attacking the base.

Escaping Ryloth

During the attack, Hahnee tragically lost her life while warning everyone that the government had revealed the Resistance's location. Yendor defended the southern end of the base's hangar with a number of RDA fighters, covering Leia and her team's escape to their respective vessels. After everyone had successfully boarded their ships, Yendor contacted Leia through a comlink while ordering two men to head to the surface-to-air cannon and fend off the First Order. With a heavy heart, Leia informed Yendor of his daughter's death. After a brief silence, Yendor acknowledged the fact. Leia stated that Hahnee died valiantly, to which Yendor replied that valiant deaths did not exist, only death in its purest form. After Leia confirmed the safety of his grandchildren, he ordered her to reunite them with their father. Leia later contacted Yendor again, offering him the opportunity to fly an X-wing and replace a Phantom Squadron pilot who had died in the attack. He agreed and headed towards her position, terminating their communication. After everyone was accounted for, Yendor and the other X-wing pilots led the Resistance ships off the planet. Following their escape from Ryloth, Yendor and Orrimaarko prepared assignments for the prisoners who had been rescued from Corellia.

Personality and traits

Above all else, Yendor was a pilot, feeling more at home in that role than as a soldier or a leader. However, he was a firm believer in the Rebellion's cause and was prepared to do whatever was necessary to help defeat the Empire. As a committed rebel pilot, Yendor held the Galactic Empire in contempt and initially struggled to understand his squadron mate Thane Kyrell's affection for the Imperial officer Ciena Ree. However, he later reconsidered his perspective after witnessing Ree's deliberate distraction of her fellow pilot, which allowed Thane to escape. Yendor considered his fellow Corona Squadron pilots, including Thane, as friends, and once invited them to sample a Gungan dessert following the Naboo Sieges.

Yendor was initially hesitant to serve as an ambassador but ultimately adapted well to the role, passionately advocating for Ryloth's rights in the Galactic Senate. As Ryloth's emissary, Yendor was dedicated to promoting his planet's independence and economic interests. He saw Rinnrivin Di's cartel as a threat to Ryloth's independence and prosperity. Despite the passage of time, Yendor had a sharp memory and could recall encounters with fellow rebel veterans such as Senator Organa and C-3PO during the Galactic Civil War.

After reuniting with his old friend Leia, Yendor was initially reluctant to offer refuge to the Resistance. She reminded him of his past as a rebel, but he explained that while he remained a rebel at heart, he had a duty to protect his people, including his family. After she convinced him that they only needed temporary shelter, he became sympathetic to their cause and dedicated his time and effort to assisting them during their stay on the planet, participating in the planning of future operations. Yendor firmly believed that death existed in its simplest form, devoid of valiance, even after receiving the news of his daughter's death. Despite his advanced age, he did not hesitate to pilot an X-wing again when Leia offered him the opportunity.

Skills and abilities

Yendor was a skilled pilot and gunner, as well as a capable leader, despite his initial reservations. He also developed into an effective diplomat as a member of the New Republic senate, successfully convincing Princess Leia of the threat posed by Rinnrivin Di. After becoming a scholar, Yendor dedicated the rest of his life to preserving Rylothian history. Decades after the Galactic Civil War ended, he was still capable of piloting an X-wing, leading Resistance ships as they escaped Ryloth.

Behind the scenes

Yendor made his debut in Lost Stars, a young adult novel authored by Claudia Gray as part of Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and was first depicted in the novel's webcomic adaptation.