Netus

"&hellip;we're a Republic! We have our differences, yes, but we are united in a common government!"

- Netus

Netus was a male Human politician who served in the Galactic Republic government during the era of the Great Sith War. After a five-year term in the Republic rocket-jumper corps, Netus devoted his life to politics, successfully running for the Galactic Senate. By 3,998 BBY, he had been appointed to the lofty position of Minister of Defense. That year, Netus received a message from Jedi Knight Ulic Qel-Droma, asking for military aid in a struggle with the Naddist Sith cult on Onderon. Netus called for a meeting of the Defense Committee to determine whether to send in their forces, and the group was swayed to action after a speech by Jedi Master Thon. Two years later, Netus and the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic met with a group of Jedi headed by Master Vodo-Siosk Baas on Coruscant to discuss recent raids on Republic shipyards. After it was discovered that Ulic Qel-Droma was behind the attacks, a fleet led by Qel-Droma attacked the Republic capital. Although most of the Republic's Navy had been massed at Kemplex IX to defend against a raid that turned out to be a ruse, Netus and the Jedi were able to fight off the attack and capture Qel-Droma.

Biography
"Summon our defenses&hellip; whatever we've got left!"

- Netus, during the Battle of Coruscant

A Human male, Netus served in the Galactic Republic rocket-jumper corps. After serving a five-year term in the Republic military, Netus chose a career in politics, successfully running for the Galactic Senate and rising to the position of Minister of Defense by the year 3,998 BBY. That year, a troubling issue on Onderon came to Netus's attention; a Sith cult known as the Naddists, led by Onderonian King Ommin, had attacked Republic and Jedi forces on the planet. Soon after the initial battle with the Naddists, Netus received a garbled transmission from one of the Jedi Knights serving on Onderon, Ulic Qel-Droma. In the message, Qel-Droma detailed the events of the uprising, including the capture of Jedi Master Arca Jeth, and asked the Republic for military aid. This alarmed Netus to the point that he called a meeting of the Republic's Defense Committee to discuss what course of action they should take. While Netus suggested that the Republic Navy move out at once to assist the Jedi, several Senators, namely the representative from Orron III, disagreed, saying that it was a matter that the Jedi should address themselves. Suddenly, Tchuukthai Jedi Master Thon, accompanied by his apprentice Nomi Sunrider, entered the meeting chambers. Netus felt honored by the Jedi Master's presence, and with Sunrider serving as a translator, Master Thon admonished the assembled Senators for not being truly united with the Jedi. The Tchuukthai warned the Committee that the battle against the dark side did not solely concern the Jedi, but the Republic and the galaxy as a whole. Having made his point, Thon and Sunrider left the room without another word. When Netus decided to take the matter to a vote, the Senators unanimously voted in favor of aiding the Jedi.

Two years later, in the year 3,996 BBY, Netus still held the position of Minister of Defense, serving under the Republic's mollusk-like Supreme Chancellor. After reports that a rogue Jedi Knight had been leading terror attacks on Republic shipyards, Krevaaki Jedi Master Vodo-Siosk Baas and a contingent of Knights&mdash;Nomi Sunrider, Cay Qel-Droma, Dace Diath, Twi'lek Tott Doneeta, the Vultan Sylvar, Nazzar prince Qrrrl Toq, and Miraluka Shoaneb Culu&mdash;came to Coruscant to convince the Senate to allow the Jedi to handle the crisis. Netus and the Chancellor met the group as they landed. However, as they were greeting the Jedi, Netus was brought a message from Republic Navy Captain Orley Vanicus which revealed that Ulic Qel-Droma led the raids. Netus ordered the Republic fleet to gather at Kemplex IX in the hopes of running the enemy down. The group, especially Ulic's brother Cay, was stunned, but as they discussed these developments a large attack force appeared out of the sky. At that moment, Ulic Qel-Droma's plan was revealed; Kemplex IX was never meant to be his next target, it was merely a ruse to draw the Republic's defenses away from their capital, Coruscant. As the attacking fleet began bombing the Coruscant streets, Netus ran for cover, ordering his subordinates to summon whatever defenses they had left to defend the planet. More of Qel-Droma's forces landed in the middle of Galactic City, forcing the Jedi team into action. Netus was able to rally a defense force of some size, and the Minister of Defense, brandishing a blaster pistol, joined in the fight. Although Ulic Qel-Droma and his forces fought their way into the Republic's War Room, Netus and the Jedi were able to apprehend him and ultimately repel the invasion.

Personality and traits
"Master Thon. The presence of a Jedi Master in the capital city honors us."

- Netus, to Master Thon

As the Minister of Defense, Netus was very hard-working, spending the majority of his time reviewing requests for military aid, higher budgets, new weapons and the like, while overseeing matters of Republic security and the status of the military. Netus approached most issues with caution, but also knew that prompt action was often successful. As a result, Netus was forced to spend a large amount of time arguing for the approval of military action. Although, as the Minister of Defense Netus was an important government figure, the former Republic rocket-jumper still was not afraid to take matters into his own hands, producing a blaster pistol and actively fighting in Ulic Qel-Droma's invasion of Coruscant. Netus respected the Jedi Order and felt that the Republic should repay them for their service in any way they could. He also held a reverence for Jedi Master Thon. Netus believed strongly in the Republic's political system, saying to Master Thon that a united government could overcome the personal differences of individual politicians. Although Netus was red-haired in 3,998 BBY, by 3,996 BBY he had changed his hair color to black. He also had a large facial scar running from the top of his forehead to his right cheek.

Behind the scenes
The character of Netus first appeared in Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising, the third story arc of the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi comic book series, written by Tom Veitch and released in 1994. He later appeared in Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War, written by Kevin J. Anderson. Netus made his initial appearance in one panel of The Freedon Nadd Uprising first issue, and in 1995 he appeared in The Sith War second issue. In The Freedon Nadd Uprising and The Sith War Netus was illustrated by Tony Akins and Dario Carrasco, Jr., respectively. Further information on Netus's background was provided in George R. Strayton's 1996 Star Wars Roleplaying Game supplement Tales of the Jedi Companion. Netus also garnered entries in the Star Wars Encyclopedia, The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, and he was mentioned in the 2009 sourcebook Galaxy at War.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1
 * Tales of the Jedi audio drama
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War 2: The Battle of Coruscant

Notes and references
Netus