Birra Seah

"This is my assessment and that of other Kuat representatives onsite. The work crews all know of Yavin, and crave the stability that only the Emperor's attendance could provide."

- Birra Seah to Darth Vader

Birra Seah was a Human Force-sensitive female who worked as a systems designer for Kuat Drive Yards around 0 ABY. She was assigned to the construction staff of the second Death Star, the new superweapon of the Galactic Empire. Birra Seah quickly entered in the good graces of Darth Vader, the Emperor's second-in-command, who appointed her acting Moff.

Biography
"The Force is strong with you, Birra Seah.''" "''I'm not sure what you mean, My Lord."

- Darth Vader and Seah

Around the year 0 ABY, Birra Seah was an elderly Human female who worked as a systems designer for the shipbuilding corporation Kuat Drive Yards. That company was one of the primary warship supplier for the Galactic Empire, the authoritarian regime that dominated most of the known galaxy at the time. Early in 0 ABY, the Empire's weapon of massive destruction known as the first Death Star had been destroyed by the Rebel Alliance, a group of resistance fighters opposed to the tyranny of the government. In the wake of that debacle, the Galactic Emperor Palpatine ordered the construction of a second Death Star near the Sanctuary Moon, in the Endor system. As a Kuat Drive Yards employee, Birra Seah assured liaison between the Empire's high command and the staff working on the Death Star's construction site.

One day, the Emperor sent his right-hand man, Darth Vader, to visit the Death Star working site. The Imperial envoy convened a meeting with the project's supervisors, which included Seah. The woman, and the assembled officers were told that the Emperor was eager to see his superweapon completed. Vader menacingly relayed his master's discontent with the lack of progress on site. When an admiral dared to question the realism of Vader's expectations, the Emperor's envoy stabbed him in the back with his bloodshine lightsaber. Seah intervened, asserting that the late officer's claims were true. When Vader asked her who she was and how she dared to back up the admiral's words, Seah introduced herself. She diplomatically pointed out that the Emperor, because of his absence, could not fully realize the numerous details that hindered the progress of the working crews. Impressed by her boldness, Vader commented on how strong the Force was with Seah, implying that she was Force-sensitive. Seah, however, reacted dismissively to that remark. Subsequently, Darth Vader closed the meeting, asking for a private conversation with her.

When the two were alone, Seah advised Vader not to turn on the officers and construction workers, suggesting that he should keep his hatred for his true enemies. The woman also asked the Emperor's envoy to grant her temporary Moffship so she could supervise the project better and have the Death Star completed on schedule. Seah's rank of acting Moff was quickly approved. However, Vader urged her to please the Emperor, adding that if she disappointed him, she would be doomed a fate from which neither the Dark Lord or even the Force itself could shield her.

Personality and traits
"I understand... But these men are not your enemy, and neither are the work crews. You have enemies enough."

- Birra Seah to Darth Vader

Around 0 ABY, Seah was an older woman with a slender body shape. Her wrinkled face sported blue eyes with hooded lids, with a beauty mark on the left side. She had long, black hair with broad white stripes, and she would wear it tightly back to keep her vision clear. Seah also wore high standard clothing and golden jewellery. When she was made acting Moff on the Death Star, Seah took on the regulation uniform of the Imperial military, a double-breasted tunic with a matching cap and black boots.

Seah could be at the same time bold and cautious. She did not hesistate to speak her mind in front of Darth Vader, but she did while staying in her place so she would not attract the Dark Lord's anger. That attitude proved rewarding when Vader took Seah in his good graces and agreed to appoint her to Moffship. She was also capable of reasoning Vader, helping him understand that he should keep his anger for the Empire's enemies rather than unleash it on those who worked under hos orders.

Behind the scenes
Birra Seah first appeared in the fourth issue of the comic book series titled simply Star Wars published by Dark Horse Comics. The issue was written by Brian Wood, illustrated by Carlos D'Anda and colored by Gabe Eltaeb. It was released on April 10 2013.

In Star Wars 5: In the Shadow of Yavin, Part 5, Seah appeared as an Imperial Moff for the first time. The rank plaque she wore in that issue, however, does not correspond with the usual pattern of such insignias as established in the 2012 reference book The Essential Guide to Warfare. The Moff insignia notably worn by Merillion Tarko, Boren Tascl and Leonia Tavira had a row of six red squares on top of six blue squares. While Seah's rank plaque had the right number of squares, both colors were displayed on each row.

Appearances

 * Star Wars 4: In the Shadow of Yavin, Part 4
 * Star Wars 5: In the Shadow of Yavin, Part 5
 * Star Wars 6: In the Shadow of Yavin, Part 6
 * Star Wars 7 (Dark Horse)