Zel Johans

Zel Johans, a male Human, served the Galactic Empire within its Imperial Army. His fellow soldiers in the army gave Johans the moniker "The Rancor". Highly regarded as a tactician, he significantly contributed to the development of repulsortanks for the army.

Eventually, Johans was promoted to the rank of High Colonel and took command as the commanding officer of the Imperial Hammers Elite Armor Unit, known as "Hell's Hammers". A rivalry existed between Johans and General Maximilian Veers, the commander of Blizzard Force. Motivated by this rivalry, Johans sought to create a superior, more heavily armored battlegroup.

During the Battle of Endor, Johans was stationed on the planet Brintooin, a battle that resulted in the death of Emperor Palpatine. Despite his considerable power, Johans declined to assume the title of Warlord. He later served under Grand Admiral Thrawn during Thrawn's campaign aimed at destroying the New Republic, with Johan's division serving him on only one occasion. Thrawn met his end at Bilbringi, killed by Noghri bodyguard Rukh.

Biography

Early life

Zel Johans was a male human. He enlisted in the Imperial Army at some point during the Imperial Period.

Assault on Protazk

Later, Johans served with the Imperial Hammers Elite Armor Unit, also known as the "Hell Hammers". This unit played a crucial role in the Kwymar Suppressions, a series of invasions aimed at conquering systems. He was sent to take the planet Protazk. Johans' initial strategy was to attack the Spuma Flats, a location heavily defended by the local resistance. Johans himself led a regiment from his repulsortank, ordering several tanks to engage laser turrets and resistance fighters positioned in the trenches. Simultaneously, squad three intercepted a group of airspeeders. After the initial assault, armored transports descended to deploy stormtroopers and complete the siege.

Galactic Civil War

Turak IV Campaign

Eighteen months following the Battle of Yavin, the Alliance to Restore the Republic achieved significant victories on Aris V and Vohai. Imperial scouts subsequently discovered an Alliance base on Turak IV being maintained by Alliance Sector Command. Instead of evacuating, Moff Tallis, the governor of the Parmel sector, authorized General Maltaz to command Battle Group Turak. Tallis also requested two battalions from the Hell Hammers for additional support. While the Alliance was confident in their ability to defeat Maltz, they were unaware of the impending arrival of the Hell Hammers.

Personality and traits

Johans was able to coordinate both starfighter, and ground forces.

Johans was a masterful tactician in planetary warfare and a highly respected army officer. He considered the All Terrain Armored Transport to be slow and vulnerable, believing repulsortanks offered greater versatility. Johans possessed the skill to coordinate orbital strikes and starfighter attack runs against enemy forces. As a gifted engineer, Johans was the mind behind the Imperial-class repulsortanks.

Johans firmly believed in the Empire, regarding it as superior to the Galactic Republic. Consequently, he dedicated himself to Palpatine's New Order.

Following the Battle of Endor, which resulted in the death of Emperor Palpatine, Johans declined the title of Warlord, holding that only success merited such advancement. He also turned down the titles of General, Governor, and Moff.

Skills and abilities

Johans, a skilled tactician and talented engineer, wore battle armor during combat. His weapon of choice was a E-11 blaster rifle, and he was also trained in unarmed combat.

Sources

Notes and references

Appearances