Unidentified mercenary leader

"I hate to kill such a talented pilot."

- The mercenary to Rhys Dallows during their final meeting.

A mercenary leader was employed by the Trade Federation during the time of the Invasion of Naboo in 32 BBY. He flew a unique craft and fought Bravo Squadron when the Trade Federation attempted to kidnap the Queen of Naboo and killed Essara Till. The mercenary leader also disabled Rhys Dallows' N-1 starfighter. Dallows was later rescued, and met the mercenary leader again during the final battle of the invasion. Dallows pursed the mercenary inside the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship and dueled him to the point of the mercenary's death.

History
A male mercenary leader was hired by the Trade Federation in 32 BBY. He first took part in the events of the Invasion of Naboo when the Trade Federation lured the Queen of Naboo to an ambush. A squadron of mercenary craft engaged portions of Bravo flight&mdash;the Queen was escorted by Essara Till and Rhys Dallows. The two Naboo fliers, in N-1 starfighters, destroyed all the attackers. After the Queen had escaped into hyperspace, the mercenary leader shot down Till's starfighter with his craft's missiles, killing her. He then turned his weapons onto Dallows, disabling his starfighter. Dallows was later rescued by the Toydarian junker, Reti; the two eventually joined the Naboo Resistance.

Dallows and the mercenary leader met again during the final battle of the conflict. The Naboo pilots of Bravo Squadron were assaulting the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship to disable the Trade Federation Droid Army. After the N-1 starfighters destroyed the first wave of droid starfighters and the Control Ship's Receiver Stations, the mercenary leader joined the battle and shot down one of the Naboo pilots. Dallows pursued the mercenary and successfully damaged his ship, but not before the mercenary was able to launch missiles in return, although Dallows survived their explosions. The hangar bay shields were down while the Control Ship launched a C-9979 landing craft; the mercenary ducked into the right-hand hangar and was pursued inside by Dallows. They dueled inside the hangar, and the mercenary was forced to fall back deeper inside the Control Ship. Dallows continued his pursuit, and the mercenary flew through the power grid and into the innermost hangar. There Dallows confronted him again. As they dueled, the mercenary complimented Dallows' skill, expressing regret about killing the Naboo pilot. Ultimately, Dallows proved to be the superior pilot, and the mercenary died when his craft exploded.

Behind the scenes
This individual, identified as Mercenary Leader by the targeting computer, appears in the 2001 video game Star Wars: Starfighter. Its possible this character is "Mercenary pilot" voiced by Tom Kane.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Starfighter