Jahan Cross

Jahan Cross, born 33 BBY, was a male Human who served the Galactic Empire as an Imperial Intelligence agent. Between 3 and 0 BBY, he undertook many undercover assignments with the droid IN-GA 44.

Early life
Jahan Cross lived on Coruscant with his family during the Clone Wars. His father's position in the Republic Diplomatic Corps provided a nice life, but Cross still realized how corrupt the Galactic Republic was. He was present when the Confederacy of Independent Systems attacked Coruscant. An explosion from the attack knocked Cross unconscious and killing his mother instantly. He awoke later to see his younger sister, Jens, being hauled into the lower levels of Coruscant by the dwellers of the area who had come to the surface to use the confusion of the battle to pillage and loot. Cross followed them deep into the bowels of Coruscant, where he killed his first sentient but was several hours too late to save his sister.

Imperial Service
In 3 BBY, Jahan Cross came across evidence that Milosh Muhrlein was engaged in illegal activities at the Imperial Research Station 61 on Wayland. He infiltrated and worked there for two weeks to dig up information. Cross and his droid IN-GA 44 confronted the commander, who attempted to bribe Cross. When Cross turned him down, Muhrlein ordered two experimental B2 super battle droid to destroy the intruders. Cross engaged Muhrlein, while IN-GA 44 eliminated the battle droids. While Muhrlein was protected by a Verpine force field that protected him from blaster fire, he was attacked with an electrical device hidden in the heels of Cross' shoes that passed through the force field and electrocuted Muhrlein.

Upon Cross's return to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant for debriefing, he was dressed down by his superior, Armand Isard, for killing an important and influential Imperial officer. Cross stated he was merely defending himself, and presented his evidence of the connections between Muhrlein and Rossum Droidworks. The data showed a strong link that Muhrlein was selling illegal droid technologies and protocols to Rossum Droidworks in the Corporate Sector and referred to a project called Iron Eclipse. Isard agreed to let Cross proceed to the Corporate sector for further investigation, but warned him that he was on his own.

Once Cross reached Etti IV in the Corporate Sector, he proceeded to look around since he was not met by an Imperial liason. He collided into Han Solo, an old friend of his from the Imperial Academy as Solo fled from an angry group of gamblers. Along with Chewbacca, the three proceeded to brawl with the other group until the Espos arrived. Cross used his diplomatic immunity to prevent himself, Solo and Chewbacca from being arrested, drawing the ire of the local security forces. Ambassador Vorlin's aide Emesh Nar met Cross and took him to the Imperial embassy so he could get freshen up for the party later that night.

At the party that night, Cross met the ambassador. Vorlin left, leaving Cross with Nar. The two men exchanged words, when Nar tried to figure out the reason Cross was in the Corporate Sector and warned him to leave the Starks alone. Cross responded that he would do his duty to the Empire and reminded Nar that he also served the Empire. After Nar stormed off, Cross sent IN-GA 44 back to his room to monitor communication, while Cross stayed at the party to mingle and see if he could gather any information. Cross observed Elli Stark being bothered by an amorous man named Verpel and intervened. He pretended he was her fiancee and drove off Verpel. This led Elli Stark to talk to Cross about her family and situation. When her brother, Iaclyn Stark, came over, she left, feigning a headache. Iaclyn warned Cross not to interfere with his business and left angrily. This drew the attention of Dah'lis Stark, who was very interested in the Imperial agent. She offered to take him to the Stark Compound so they could talk more. Once there, she disrobed and slipped into a water bath while talking to Cross about the Eclipse and the death of her husband Iaco Stark. She invited Cross to join her, which he did. Unknown to them, they were being observed by Iaclyn.

Sometime later, as Cross and Dha'lis were sitting on the floor talking, Iaclyn came up behind them and stunned Cross. When Dha'lis questioned him, Iaclyn responded that she had been too talkative, and killed her. As Cross regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by Espos. Lieutenant Dakka Fasser explained the charge of murder against him while Sergeant Myrsk handcuffed him. Cross stated he was setup and tried to claim diplomatic immunity, but Nar had already declared Cross was a rogue agent and disavowed him. Elli Stark intercepted Cross and two officers as he was being led away, and the officers attempted to prevent them from talking. However, Cross was able to wrest the stun baton from one of the officers and made his escape. He made his way to the garage and stole a speeder bike but was cut off by a large group of Espos in IRD-A starfighters and GX12 Hovervans. Cross reversed his course and sped through the house looking for another avenue of escape. Myrsk attempted to shoot him down, but Elli Stark prevented that, stating the bike was worth more than the officer made in ten years. Cross managed to crash through a large window and escape, but was pursued by several IRD-As. As he fled, he contacted IN-GA 44 for more information of Nar and Iaclyn Stark. During her briefing, the droid was hit by an ion blast from Iaclyn and disabled. He instructed Emesh Nar to pack up the droid and have her shipped to Eclipse.

Behind the scenes
Jahan Cross is the central protagonist of the comic series Star Wars: Agent of the Empire, a series penned by John Ostrander, penciled by Stéphane Roux, and published by Dark Horse Comics. Ostrander's original pitch for the series was "James Bond meets Star Wars", and he drew considerable inspiration from the famous fictional spy James Bond when developing Cross. Ostrander is well-versed in a broad range of spy fiction and espionage films, however, and Cross was also influenced by such characters and franchises as Jason Bourne, The Secret Agent, Mission: Impossible, and the works of John le Carré. Specifically regarding Bond, Ostrander feels that the character was at his best when portrayed by Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, and he cites From Russia With Love, Casino Royale, and Goldfinger as his favorite films of the James Bond franchise.

Ostrander believes that Star Wars and the espionage genre overlap well, with room for a charismatic, roguish character at the center of a story that also involves action, humor, exotic locations, large-scale villains, technology and gadgets, and beautiful women. Ostrander hopes that Agent of the Empire will play out as Star Wars with a "Bond-ian feel&mdash;one part Star Wars and one part spy thriller" with Cross at the center of the narrative. The character is being advertised by Dark Horse as a Bond-esque character, with the publisher's sumary of Agent of the Empire first issue touting "Move over, James Bond; there's a new secret agent in the galaxy." It also includes the phrase "The name's Cross. Jahan Cross," which echoes a famous line often uttered by Bond himself.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Agent of the Empire: Iron Eclipse, Part 1
 * Star Wars: Agent of the Empire: Iron Eclipse, Part 2