Jenks (Imperial)

"It doesn't matter what you do to me. The Emperor has been told the location of this space city&hellip;You're all doomed."

- Jenks, after his capture

In 11 ABY, an Imperial spy infiltrated the New Republic base on the ancient Space City of Nespis VIII. Posing as a technician named Jenks, he reported on the New Republic's presence aboard the city to the Galactic Emperor Palpatine but was later captured during an attempt to plant a homing beacon aboard the Millennium Falcon, the starship of smuggler Han Solo. Using the information provided by Jenks, Palpatine destroyed the city with the Galaxy Gun superweapon, although the New Republic had been able to evacuate beforehand.

Biography
"Homing beacon, huh? Which side are you on, guy? Don't answer. I already know."

- Han Solo

A Human male operated as a spy for the Galactic Empire during Emperor Palpatine's period of rule in a clone body. In 10 ABY, Palpatine destroyed Pinnacle Base, the headquarters of the New Republic, using his newest superweapon, the Galaxy Gun. The New Republic then relocated to the derelict Nespis VIII Space City, making it their new base of operations.

In 11 ABY, the spy successfully passed New Republic security screening and infiltrated the Nespis VIII base, posing as a technician named "Jenks." During his stay there, he discovered that the Ysanna tribe whom Jedi Luke Skywalker and Kam Solusar had met on the planet Ossus were descended from Jedi. Jenks reported that information, along with the fact that Nespis VIII was now the main New Republic base, to the Emperor. Continuing his subterfuge, Jenks attempted to plant a homing beacon to the navigation computer of the Millennium Falcon, the starship of smuggler Han Solo.

Making his way aboard the vessel while it was undergoing maintenance, Jenks planted the device. However, his act of sabotage was witnessed by the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, who called him out on his actions. Revealed as a traitor, Jenks pulled out his blaster and threatened to destroy C-3PO. However, Solo arrived to witness the scene, and 3PO told him that Jenks was a traitor. Jenks fired at Solo, but narrowly missed the Captain. He was then attacked by Solo's co-pilot Chewbacca, who jumped at him from a compartment above. Taken into custody, Jenks refused to tell his captors how he had managed to infiltrate the New Republic, even after being threatened to be given to Chewbacca for questioning.

Jenks revealed that he had informed the Emperor about the New Republic's presence aboard the space city and proclaimed that the New Republic was doomed. Alerted to the New Republic's presence, he Emperor fired his Galaxy Gun at Nespis VIII. However, the first warhead failed to detonate, allowing the New Republic time to evacuate, before the second warhead destroyed the space city. Using Jenks' information about the Ysanna, Palpatine also dispatched his Executor Xecr Nist to Ossus to kidnap members of the Ysanna tribe, as Palpatine hoped to use their DNA to produce new clone bodies for himself.

Personality and traits
"I think you need a little rewiring, droid. Let's see if my blaster can reprogram you&mdash;"

- Jenks threatens C-3PO

Jenks was a Human male with a shaved head. Posing as a technician, he wore the uniform of one and carried a concealed blaster. He was able to infiltrate the New Republic, despite anti-spy security screenings employed by the organization. During his brief stay with the New Republic, he was able to establish some contact with Han Solo, as the latter knew him by name. When confronted by C-3PO, Jenks quickly lost his temper, pulling out his blaster. Devoted to the Emperor, he refused to talk to his captors.

Behind the scenes
"An Imperial spy, who had infiltrated the New Republic's ranks as a technician named Jenks, attempted to attach a beacon to the Falcon navicomputer"

- "Jenks" is established as an alias

"Jenks" first appeared in the comic book Empire's End 1: Triumph of the Empire written by Tom Veitch and illustrated by Jim Baikie. He was later featured in the audio drama adaptation of the comic. In his original appearance, it was never established whether Jenks was his real name or an adopted pseudonym. However, the sixty-fifth issue of The Official Star Wars Fact File established that "Jenks" was, in fact, merely an alias used by the spy.

In the audio drama, Solo is accompanied by Empatojayos Brand. Jenks' shot hits Brand, but the Jedi survives due to his prosthetic body's back-up system. After the attack, Jenks is immediately locked up in the Falcon storage bay. In the comic, he is seen tied up in the briefing room.

Appearances

 * Empire's End 1: Triumph of the Empire
 * Empire's End audio drama