Ernek Marskan

"You killed my brother!"

- Ernek Marskan to Keyan Farlander

Ernek Marskan was a captain in the Alliance Starfighter Corps during the Galactic Civil War. He served as a pilot with Blue Squadron on the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser Independence, participating in many missions during this time. When his younger brother, Casal, was killed during a mission with fellow pilot Keyan Farlander, Marskan blamed Farlander for his death. However, when Marskan confronted the other pilot, Farlander used the Force to choke him. The incident led to animosity towards Farlander from the other pilots. Marksan was later one of several pilots transfered to Yavin 4 for the battle against the Death Star, and among the few pilots to survive.

Biography
Ernek Marskan was the elder brother of Casal Marskan. He joined the Alliance to Restore the Republic early in the Galactic Civil War, preceding his brother into the Alliance Starfighter Corps. By 1 BBY, Marskan had achieved the rank of captain and was a senior flight leader in Blue Squadron aboard the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser Independence, though he flew with other squadrons when needed.

During Operation Strike Fear, Marskan was one of several officers involved in the early planning for a Rebel operation to destroy the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Invincible. The Alliance had learned of a powerful Imperial explosive device being transported aboard the BFF-1 bulk freighter Gafra to the Celanon spaceport and was planning a raid to capture it for use against the Invincible. Marskan was concerned that Celanon was too well defended for a raid to succeed. His opinion was shared by the Independence ' s mission planner, Commander S'man, who decided to launch the raid at a deep-space transfer zone along the Gafra ' s course to Celanon. The mission was a success and the Rebels were later able to smuggle the explosive aboard the Star Destroyer and detonate it, destroying the vessel.

Following the defeat of Operation Strike Fear, as the Rebels searched for more information about the Death Star, the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Intrepid's hyperdrive was damaged in an accidental collision with an EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate, leaving it stranded in the Circarpous system. A Rebel team of BTL Y-wing starfighters, led by Keyan Farlander and escorted by Marskan in a T-65 X-wing starfighter were sent to destroy the Imperial reinforcements before they could reach the Star Destroyer. Marskan arrived late and his performance was reckless, frequently targeting the same ships as the Y-wings, putting his allies in danger. The mission was a success, allowing the Rebels to mount a subsequent attack that destroyed the Star Destroyer. However, following his poor performance, the Independence's briefing officer, Commander Lagrane, promised Farlander that Marskan would receive an official reprimand, but Farlander asked him to go easy on the pilot as everybody makes mistakes.

Shortly before the Battle of Yavin, Marskan was one of several pilots in the ready room aboard the Independence when Farlander entered, having lost his wingmate, Breth Gart, in his previous mission. Captain Samuel Raider went to console Farlander and was clearly surprised when the other replied that Gart simply hadn't been strong enough to survive. The incident was one of the first signs of a change in Farlander. The pilot became increasingly militant, taking a group of rookie pilots under his wing and encouraging them to act aggressively in combat. Among his followers was Marskan's younger brother, Casal, having recently followed Marskan into the Alliance.

When Casal was later killed flying a mission with Farlander, Marskan blamed the other for his brother's death. He confronted Farlander as he emerged from his debriefing, shoving him against the wall, gripping his throat and moving to strike him. Farlander used the Force to make Marskan release him, before closing his windpipe and choking him. Marskan clutched uselessly at his throat before the other, shocked by his own actions, finally released him. Scared and angry, Marskan fled to the ready room, where he told several other pilots, including Raider and Speedy, what had happened, causing hostility towards Farlander from the others.

Shortly after Marskan's confrontation with Farlander, the Independence traveled to the Alliance's base on Yavin 4 to assist in the preparations for an expected attack from the Death Star. Marskan, along with several other pilots including Raider and Farlander, was transferred to Yavin Base upon arrival. The Death Star arrived in the system soon after the Rebels, but the Alliance pilots succeeded in defeating the Imperial battlestation due to the efforts of the rookie Luke Skywalker. Marskan was among the survivors of the Battle of Yavin, as was Farlander. However, despite Farlander apologizing for his actions, Marskan continued to hate him for his part in Casal's death.

Personality and traits
Marskan was a competent pilot who, despite at least one reckless performance, was generally considered reliable in combat. Though he was friendly with the other pilots aboard the Independence, his relationship with Farlander was strained by the other pilot's role in his brother's death. Casal's death left Marskan angry to the point where he attacked Farlander, though Farlander's use of the Force easily defeated him.

Behind the scenes
Ernek Marskan was created by Rusel DeMaria for the 1993 book X-wing: The Official Strategy Guide, which presented the story of Keyan Farlander, the player character in the game Star Wars: X-wing. In the book, Marskan is established as one of the previously unidentified pilots aboard the Independence.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: X-wing