Gaeriel Captison

"I can feel through the Force that you're a woman of depth. Of deep feelings."

- Luke Skywalker to Gaeriel Captison

Gaeriel "Gaeri" Captison was a member of an influential political family on Bakura. Her father, Dol Captison, and his brother, Yeorg Captison, were both senators in the Bakuran Senate. As a result, she was raised in the presence of notable political figures, and with a desire to follow in her family members' footsteps.

Gaeriel was influential in the Battle of Bakura, siding with the resistance. She went on to become the Prime Minister of Bakura and lead as a staunch ally of the New Republic. She married Pter Thanas, with whom she had a daughter named Malinza. Gaeriel later accompanied the Bakuran fleet during the First Corellian Insurrection as a diplomat, sacrificing herself and the Intruder to destroy a large portion of the insurgent fleet.

Early life and career
"She has been a good child. It remains to be seen if she'll be a good senator."

- Orn Belden about Gaeriel Captison

Born into privilege as part of the influential Bakuran Captison family, Gaeriel became a follower of the Cosmic Balance religion at an early age. Her life's path was decided in 3 BBY when her parents gave her a white feather on her birthday to signify her road to higher education and possible Senatorial election. Correspondingly, her younger sister Ylanda received a golden bowl and immediately began a life of starvation and poverty so that the universal balance would be preserved.

In 2 BBY, Gaeriel won a position in the Bakur Senatorial Academy, a school aimed at preparing political-minded students for eventual positions in the Bakuran Senate. As the school was located in the Bakuran capital city of Salis D'aar, she spent her four years at the Academy living with her uncle Yeorg and aunt Tiree. During this time, Yeorg was elected Prime Minister of Bakura, and in 1 BBY, Gaeriel was elected to the Senate—presumably either to replace the next senator who retired, or to immediately fill an open seat as soon as she graduated.

In 1 ABY, the Galactic Empire invaded Bakura, annexing the planet. Gaeriel's parents, members of the resistance, were both killed during a crossfire between Imperial and Bakuran forces. Already a follower of the Cosmic Balance, the deaths of her parents left her even more spiritual.

The year of 3 ABY Gaeriel spent doing postgraduate work in government on Imperial Center; due to a decree by Emperor Palpatine, it was the only planet where one could do such work. When she returned to Bakura in 4 ABY, she assumed a seat in the Senate, presumably one previously held by her father. Of course, Gaeriel understood that the position was essentially meaningless with the Empire in control. However, despite what the Empire had done, she did not hate it, knowing that it brought economic growth and political stability along with its autocratic ways. During this time, she also spent a lot of time helping care for the aged and senile Eppie Belden.

Battle of Bakura
"I'm not hiding behind Jedi abilities. I want to help the Rebellion."

- Gaeriel Captison to Luke Skywalker, after deciding to aid the Rebel Alliance



A month after Gaeriel became a senator, the Ssi-ruuk invaded the Bakura system. During the subsequent Battle of Bakura, Gaeriel worked with both Imperial Governor Wilek Nereus and Rebel Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker. Her relationship with the latter was complex due to her religion's anti-Jedi nature, and she was hesitant about him, but his actions and views were able to moderate her own views on the subject. Gaeriel was sympathetic to the Rebels, and interacted with them both in the official offices and at social occasions.

After the initial Ssi-Ruuk attack was beaten off by combined Rebel and Imperial forces, the saurian aliens made a deal with Governor Nereus to obtain Luke Skywalker in exchange for leaving Bakura alone. While Luke was having lunch with Gaeriel, Nereus double-crossed the aliens by inserting Olabrian trichoid larvae into the meal, infecting Gaeriel as well. Shortly afterwards, a party of Ssi-Ruuk tried to capture them. Luke attempted to fight them off, defending Gaeriel as best he could, but was overpowered after a brief struggle. However, his efforts were not in vain and Gaeriel, though stunned, was not taken.

Later, Nereus also double-crossed the Rebel forces as soon as the Ssi-Ruuk had been beaten back. In response, the underground Bakuran resistance sprang into action and began fighting. Gaeriel was brought before Nereus, who revealed to her the existence of the larvae embedded in her and Skywalker's lungs, and had the larva in Gaeriel removed. Giving her the chance to join him and become Prime Minister, Nereus also threatened Gaeriel should she not cooperate. However, resistance fighters led by the recovered Eppie Belden rescued Gaeriel and captured Nereus. The latter was later killed in a desperate assassination attempt on Luke Skywalker, who had defeated the Ssi-Ruuk flagship Shriwirr and dealt with his own larvae infestation.

The end of the battle resulted in both the repulsion of the Ssi-Ruuk and the liberation of Bakura from the Empire. Despite the mutual attraction that had developed between them, Skywalker and Gaeriel were content to go their separate ways, the former continuing the fight against the Empire and the latter contributing to the rebuilding of Bakura.

Later life


When her uncle Yeorg retired from public life, Gaeriel won the election to succeed him as Prime Minister. One of her main accomplishments was the establishment of the Bakuran Defense Fleet; she placed Pter Thanas, the former commander of the Imperial garrison on Bakura, in command of it. Thanas and Gaeriel worked together closely, and a relationship developed, culminating in their marriage in 12 ABY. Their daughter, Malinza Thanas, was born in 14 ABY.

The next few years did not go well for Gaeriel. Shortly after Malinza's birth, Pter contracted Knowt's Disease. Gaeriel failed to be re-elected as Prime Minister, and retired from political life. In 17 ABY, Pter died.

The next year, Luke Skywalker returned to Bakura, requesting the New Republic's use of the Bakuran Defense Fleet in the First Corellian Insurrection. Gaeriel used her clout to get the Senate to agree, and accompanied the fleet as the Senate's official liaison.

Gaeriel, acting as liaison, hoped to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis, but as the Bakurans ventured deeper into Corellian space, the more dangerous it became for their small fleet. Gaeriel later accompanied a small mission to Centerpoint Station, along with Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Belindi Kalenda. They were unsuccessful in finding a way to stop the station though, as the only crew member, Jenica Sonsen, was clueless. The mission took a nearly lethal turn when, while investigating the remains of Hollowtown, the environment rapidly grew hostile and toxic to Humans. The group narrowly survived the hot and toxic atmosphere by escaping into an elevator car out the area. Upon returning to their ships, they soon learned that the Sacorrian Triad was bringing a large fleet to combat the Bakurans.

As the Republic and Bakuran forces prepared for combat, Gaeriel opted to remain on the Intruder with commanding Admiral Hortel Ossilege. It was a fatal error on her part, however, for Gaeriel (along with half the Bakuran fleet) perished at the resulting Battle of Centerpoint Station. The Intruder was critically damaged after being hit by robotic ramships. The damage also left her and Admiral Ossilege mortally wounded, so they set off the self-destruct in order to take some Corellian ships with it. Luke ensured Malinza's adoption into a wealthy Bakuran family, and returned to visit the orphan several times.

Personality and traits
Gaeriel was a deeply religious person, a follower of the Cosmic Balance, though her experiences with Eppie Belden and Luke Skywalker later convinced her otherwise. She was also devoted to causes, pouring herself into various areas throughout her life, including her home planet of Bakura, which she placed of greater importance over her attraction to Luke Skywalker. Once she was convinced of something, she would hold to that belief until absolutely convinced otherwise, as evidenced in her standing up to Wilek Nereus and insisting that she accompany the Bakuran fleet.

Gaeriel was also idealistic, believing in the Empire even after the destruction of Alderaan. She continued to hold this value in her later life, viewing that taking care of her ailing husband was more important than her own political career, and insisting to attempt negotiations during the First Corellian Insurrection.

Luke Skywalker
Though initially put off by him—her religion held that the Jedi were power-mongers—Gaeriel found herself increasingly attracted to him during his stay at Bakura. The feeling was mutual and they even kissed at the end of the battle. However, he was destined to roam the galaxy and she felt she needed to stay on Bakura, so they parted ways until the First Corellian Insurrection.

Pter Thanas
Sometime after Thanas defected to Bakura, Gaeri fell in love with and married the former Imperial. They were happily married and had a daughter, Malinza. However, several years later, Thanas contracted Knowt's Disease and Gaeri neglected her political career to care for him. Sadly, Thanas died, leaving her a widow. She never had another romantic relationship.

Behind the scenes

 * Several official sources (including the StarWars.com Databank) misspell her first name as Gaerial.

Appearances

 * The Truce at Bakura
 * Children of the Jedi
 * Assault at Selonia
 * Showdown at Centerpoint
 * Vision of the Future
 * Survivor's Quest
 * Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial
 * Balance Point
 * Force Heretic II: Refugee

Notes and references
Gaeriel Captison