Lyra Erso

"Jyn, trust the Force."

- Lyra Erso to her daughter Jyn Erso

Lyra Erso was the human female wife of the scientist Galen Erso. During the Clone Wars, Galen was arrested while researching Kyber crystals on Vallt and charged with espionage by Confederate loyalists. While in confinement, Lyra gave birth to their daughter, Jyn. The three were rescued by Lieutenant Commander Orson Krennic, an old friend of her husband and a member of Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine's top secret Death Star project.

Orson convinced Galen to continue his study in Kyber crystals, and secretly used Galen's research in order to weaponize the crystals for use in the Death Star. Over the course of several years, Lyra became suspicious of Orson's motivations for saving her family, and was able to persuade Galen to abandon his research into Kyber crystals and flee Coruscant for Lah'mu with the help of Saw Gerrera. Four years later, Krennic and a squad of death troopers found the Erso family, and attempted to bring them all back to Coruscant. Lyra was killed by Krennic when she threatened him with a blaster.

Early Life
Lyra Erso was born on Aria Prime in 47 BBY. She grew up as an only child and studied at the University of Rudrig in 29 BBY. Lyra's mother had to take out loans to fund her education, which Lyra later paid back from a job providing HoloNet footage

Marriage
Lyra Erso met Galen at the age of 21, when she worked as a guide for Galen's team of scientists studying crystals on the planet Espinar. Lyra's headed a survey team that discovered an intricate cave system and found crystals unique to the planet. Her expert knowledge of the cave system led to her being picked by Galen as his guide while he studied the crystals. While working together, Galen and Lyra fell in love and were married six months later on the planet Coruscant.

Research on Vallt
Two years after marrying Galen, as the Clone Wars began, Lyra worked as Galen's lab assistant during their time researching Kyber crystals on the planet Vallt for Zerpen Industries. Lyra had an ear for mimicry, and was able to communicate with the local Vallti in their native language better than her husband.

It was while on Vallt, that Lyra became pregnant with her and Galen's daughter, Jyn. In 22 BBY, a coup occurred on the planet with the help of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The previous ruler, King Chai, was killed and replaced by Marshal Phara, a Separatist ally. Galen and Lyra were caught while trying to escape Vallt, and Galen was arrested for espionage against the Confederacy.

While Galen was detained by the Vallti, Lyra was being held in the northern wing of the Keep in Tambolor. Jyn was born during this time in captivity; Galen was able to be there during the birth, even though he was being investigated for spying for the Galactic Republic.

Six months after the birth of Jyn, the Erso family was rescued from confinement by Orson Krennic as part of a prisoner exchange program. Galen, Lyra, and Jyn were exchanged for Nan Pakota and Urshe Torr, two prominent Separatist scientists. After the exchange, Krennic ordered the Keep to be destroyed by Republic forces, resulting in the death of Galen and Lyra's research partners and friends, as well as many inhabitants of the planet.

Death
{{Quote|You'll never win.|Lyra Erso's final words, to Orson Krennic| The Erso family hid from Imperial forces for four years on the Outer Rim planet of Lah'mu. While on the planet, the Ersos lead a self-sustaining life by growing crops and filtering water on her large homestead, procured for them by Saw Gerrera. Paranoid of being found by Krennic, the family created an elaborate plan to hide from Krennic, which included the building of an underground bunker beneath a small cave on their property. Krennic and a cadre of death troopers finally found the Erso family and confronted them. Lyra instructed Jyn to escape, but not before giving her a pendant of a Kyber crystal fragment, which she had taken from Galen's research materials as they escaped Coruscant. After Jyn got to safety in the bunker, Lyra confronted Krennic and his troopers, threatening him with a blaster. Lyra was shot and killed by a trooper after shooting Krennic in his left shoulder, injuring him.

Personality and traits
"Troublesome as ever."

- Orson Krennic, regarding Lyra Erso

Lyra studied the history and philosophy of the Jedi as a outgrowth of her reverence to the natural world. She agreed with the Order's values of generosity, compassion, and peaceful resolution. Lyra believed she was able to feel the Force, although she was unable to tap into it and use it like the Jedi. . While living on Coruscant during the early years of the Galactic Empire, Lyra began wearing a red sash identified with sects of Force worshipers on planets such as Jedha. It is unknown whether she ever made contact with the Church of the Force which was developing on Coruscant at the same time.

Behind the scenes
Lyra Erso was portrayed by Valene Kane in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The first footage of Lyra Erso was seen in the second International trailer released on November 10, 2016.

Appearances

 * Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel
 * Rebel Rising
 * Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
 * Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novel
 * Star Wars: Rogue One Secret Mission