Bacta/Legends

"Stop limping around and get some bacta, soldier."

- RC-1138

Bacta was a synthetic chemical that consisted of gelatinous, translucent red alazhi and kavam bacterial particles mixed within a colorless, viscous liquid called ambori. The bacterial particles seek out wounds and promote exceedingly fast tissue rejuvenation without scarring. It could be said that bacta was a "miracle fluid". Indeed, it did seem to work on almost every injury and ailment. It was the best medicine in the Galaxy, with Kolto being its very rare competitor.

Description


Bacta could be administered through disposable bacta patches, injection, a drink called bactade, or by submersion in a bacta tank, in which case the patient would either be clothed in white shorts or a white gown, depending on the person's gender. Bacta was also available as a salve. The method of administration depended on the severity of the wounds. Bacta must be applied in a solution of clear synthetic fluid which mimics the body's own vital fluids.

Bacta had a smell that was described as 'sickly-sweet'; immersion in a bacta tank could leave one with the taste and smell of bacta for weeks afterwards, and even bacta patches left such residue (although presumably less strong and shorter lasting).

History
Bacta had a long history starting around 4000 BBY, possibly when it was first invented. Struggles on Thyferra were almost always over bacta or blockades of it. Before its obsolescence, Kolto was used along with Bacta for medical treatments. As Bacta was apparently a superior healing agent, it seems that it was more expensive. Later during the Swarm War, the Killiks staged a coup on the Thyferran government, thus cutting of the Galactic Alliance supply of bacta on the crucial moment of the war, namely the Battle of Tenupe. Bacta can be found also in bacta dispensers, many of them were used by Delta Squad during the Clone Wars in their missions to Geonosis, Prosecutor and Kashyyyk. Bacta tanks were used by both the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War. It was used by Luke Skywalker after he returned to Echo Base after escaping the Wampa. The Galactic Empire allowed production of bacta only on Thyferra and was stored in large amount on Bespin. The two main producers of bacta were the Zaltin Corporation and the Xucphra Corporation.

Behind the scenes
In terms of in-universe chronology, the earliest mention of bacta occurred in Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 3: Commencement, Part 3. However, the author, John Jackson Miller, admits that this may be a continuity error, proposing a possible retcon asserting that Marn Hierogryph was referring to some other thing coincidentally named bacta in the comic. It is unknown which stance is canonical and whether the famous healing substance indeed existed as early as 3,964 BBY.

There is, however, some controversy as to bacta's color. Many official sources have stated the bacta is red, and only appeared clear in 'Empire Strikes Back because of the lighting and camera angles.

Kolto tanks were the predecessor to bacta tanks, which explains the similarity in appearance between the two.