Airen Cracken/Legends

Airen Cracken (c. 50 BBY - ?) was a resistance fighter and military officer in the Rebel Alliance and New Republic.

Born and raised on his parents' farm on Contruum, Cracken developed an early proficiency with machinery and modifications. As an adult, Cracken operated a mechanic's shop that supported his family, including his wife Josta and their two children Pash and and Dena.

When the Empire arrive to lay claim to Contuum, Cracken became the de facto leader of a group of guerilla resistance fighters. Supply depots, mining operations, stardocks and landing bays were all primary targets of Cracken's Crew, and their sabotage provided enough distraction to the Imperial commander to allow for the establishment of a Contruum militia. With Cracken's aid, the saboteurs and militia forces created a strong enough resistance to force the Imperial Moff into retreat rather than risk further loses in subjugating Contruum.

With success on Contruum, Cracken left his family behind to offer his skills and knowledge to the Rebel Alliance in the hope that he could help liberate yet more worlds. Cracken's reputation from his battles on Contruum preceded him, and his skills were quickly put to use. His knowledge of useful field modifications were codified in Cracken's Rebel Field Guide and his guerilla tactics of Cracken's Rebel Operatives that proved essential in the training of the Alliance Special Forces, a division Cracken created. Cracken continued to operate in the field, twice earning the Nebula Award, one of which was awarded for bravely surviving capture and Bavo Six-aided interrogation at the hands of Imperial agents on Quanton.

Mon Mothma, impressed with Cracken's knowledge and record, appointed him head of Alliance Intelligence with the rank of General. Shortly thereafter, Cracken used his new office to create a false identity for his son to infiltrate an Imperial Academy and eventually lead his starfighter wing to mutiny. He also personally tracked and recruited potential agents, such as Rya Skodhan and Tanda Marelle. His imagination also spawned several innovative operations, such as the theft of the Super Star Destroyer Guardian and the infiltration of BlasTech's weapons research department by Inat Rangoon

Following the establishment of the New Republic, Cracken transitioned as the first Director of New Republic Intelligence. In this post, Cracken tracked and reported on a variety of threats to the Republic that were compiled into Cracken’s Threat Dossier.

Cracken quickly earned a reputation amongst the elite operatives and officers of the New Republic as the source for quiet favors. Like his clandestine counterpart Hiram Drayson, Cracken secretly took part in efforts to do what was best for the New Republic, even if it meant bending the rules, like arranging for Rogue Squadron's resignations to mysteriously go unprocessed or for the transfer of Wraith Squadron to his direct command.

The red-haired General continued to serve well unto his late seventies and lent his aid to the Republic during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.