Red Hand Squadron

Red Hand Squadron was a team of Rebel Alliance commandos and Y-Wing pilots established by Bria Tharen whose primary goal was the liberation of slaves. Bria founded the team as part of the developing Alliance and as a reaction to her experiences on Ylesia. Although Red Hand Squadron did not primarily attack Imperial forces, they earned a reputation for effectiveness and a brutality not often found in the Alliance.

Tharen proved to be a capable and adept commander, demanding nothing less than excellence from her troops. Red Hand Squadron attacked and captured the Corellian Corvette Harlot's Shackle, which was full of Exultation-addicted slaves from Ylesia. The boarding was fierce and violent, any numerous Rebels died along with dozens of slavers. Tharen herself killed the captain when he refused to surrender. The ship was rechristened Retribution and became the squadron's mobile base of operations and flagship.

Red Hand Squadron was also key to the Battle of Ylesia, but that would lead to the undoing of the squadron. The battle proved to be far more difficult than expected, and Tharen's betrayal of the smugglers helping her left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Even her one-time lover, Han Solo, grew to hate her. Solo and Tharen parted on the most terrible of terms after the battle. Red Hand Squadron would make its final stand on Toprawa during a battle in which they were overrun and defeated by the Empire. Tharen and her surviving top aides committed suicide before being captured.

Red Hand Squadron was disbanded after the disaster at Toprawa. However, the damage they inflicted allowed Kyle Katarn to infiltrate the Imperial facility and procure part of the plans for the Death Star I.

Members of Red Hand Squadron wore a crimson insignia shaped like a hand on their uniforms, helmets, and starfighters.

Appearances

 * The Hutt Gambit
 * Rebel Dawn