- "You know, I tried to look out for you boys. But you got too much heat on you. And you brought it here to my place of business. I had to make the best of a bad situation."
- ―Ciddarin Scaleback, to Wrecker
Ciddarin Scaleback, nicknamed "Cid," was a Mantellian Trandoshan female information broker, smuggler, and businesswoman whose career in the galactic underworld spanned the Galactic Republic Era into the early days of the Imperial Era. For years, Scaleback manned a parlor in Ord Mantell City from which she ran her operations, sending the mercenaries at her disposal on missions across the galaxy. Cid reaped most of the missions' rewards, namely credits, which gave her a reputation for disloyalty that would come to alienate many of her former associates beyond repair. Though her numerous contacts had made Scaleback a valuable informant for the Jedi Order, demands for her services fell following their near-extinction and the Republic's reorganization as the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY, and thus, she was forced to turn to new ways of making money amidst the new regime.
That year, Scaleback met the fugitive clone squad Bad Batch, who, in exchange for intel on a mysterious bounty hunter they had encountered, rescued the rancor Muchi, a mission Cid's contractor, gangster Jabba the Hutt, had grown impatient hadn't yet been completed. Desperate to evade the Empire and assured by Scaleback that she wouldn't reveal who they were, the Batch agreed to work for Cid as mercenaries. For the next year, she had the Batch put life and limb on the line for her, such as after Roland Durand of the Durand crime family, allied with the Pyke Syndicate, ousted Cid from her parlor, and the Batch aided her in reclaiming it; later, when Scaleback lost a bet to former associate-turned-nemesis Grini Millegi, Tech raced in the Safa Toma Classic to have her released when Millegi held her at ransom.
Cid and the Batch's "mutually beneficial arrangement" deteriorated, however, largely due to her lack of loyalty, and after she refused to come to their aid when they were stranded in a mine she owned after a mission went awry, the Batch cut contact with her and began ignoring her communications, instead rendezvousing with Phee Genoa, a pirate associate of Scaleback's she had introduced them to. Before long, however, the Batch returned to Cid's in a frenzy, seeking sanctuary with Imperial forces hot on their tail, only for Cid to sell them out and reveal their location to their assailant, Dr. Royce Hemlock of the Empire's Advanced Science Division, reasoning that they'd brought too much heat onto her place of business and that she had to make the best out of a bad situation. Subsequently, she fled Ord Mantell but was eventually tracked down by an Imperial assassin pursuing the Batch, CX-2, who extracted from her their affiliation with Genoa and, as a result, tracked them down.
Biography[]
The Republic Era[]
- "I'm certain this is Cid's. The Jedi came here during the war."
- ―CT-1409, also known as "Echo"
A native of the world Ord Mantell,[1] located in the the galaxy's Bright Jewel sector in the Mid Rim Territories,[5] the Trandoshan female[2] Ciddarin Scaleback,[6] nicknamed "Cid," worked as an information broker and smuggler[3] during the final years of the Galactic Republic, a democratic union that governed much of the galaxy from its governing seat of Coruscant.[7] Cid owned and operated an underground parlor,[8] a cantina and gambling den in Ord Mantell City,[2] where she manned the bar, turning away newcomers who either looked troublesome or seemed not to have credits to spend.[8] Among her frequent patrons were the Ithorian Bolo[9] and his Weequay friend Ketch, who spent their downtime there.[10] Scaleback also ran her mercenary operations from there,[8] having acquired numerous contacts across the galaxy to whom she passed along information.[2]
Mantellian Ciddarin Scaleback ran her operations, which included mercenary work, out of a parlor she owned on Ord Mantell.
One of her contacts was the Jedi Order,[2] an ancient religious group of Force-sensitives[11] who served as guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy,[12] with whom had a "good thing" going with, as they valued her insights and trusted her,[2] and she, in turn, was valuable to them.[3] The Jedi continued to use Cid's services during the Clone Wars,[2] a pan-galactic conflict between the Republic and its splinter state, the Confederacy of Independent Systems, that took place between 22 BBY and 19 BBY,[13] visiting her in-person.[2]
Another contact of Scaleback's was the human female pirate Phee Genoa[14] who instead claimed to be a "liberator of ancient wonders"[15] and was the most trustworthy pirate she knew.[14] By 18 BBY,[16] the two had long since known each other[17] and Cid considered her a friend, though Genoa knew her as someone you wouldn't want to cross.[14] Another contact was Grini Millegi,[6] a Dowutin gangster and gambler[18] who oversaw the Safa Toma Classic riot race on the Safa Toma Speedway,[6] which was located on Serolonis.[19] The two became familiar with one another and had a standard side wager for whenever one of their racers competed. However, the two grew apart, and Milegi began to distrust Scaleback since she did not always reciprocate loyalty. They parted ways, and time passed since Scaleback's last visit to Safa Toma.[6]
Under Imperial rule[]
Meet the Bad Batch[]
Dealings with a Hutt[]
- "It's interesting, a bounty hunter of Fennec's caliber being after you. You fellas must be pretty valuable. Don't worry. I'm good with secrets."
- ―Ciddarin Scaleback, to Hunter
Ciddarin Scaleback meets the Bad Batch.
In 19 BBY, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, Sheev Palpatine, ordered the systematic genocide of the Jedi Order, using Order 66 to turn the clones of the Grand Army of the Republic against the Jedi Generals who commanded them. He then reorganized the Republic into the first Galactic Empire and declared himself Galactic Emperor,[20] while sending his apprentice, Darth Vader, to assassinate the remaining Confederate leaders so as to bring a quick and tumultuous end to the Clone Wars.[13] With the Jedi near-extinct[2] and the Empire hunting down any remaining remnant of them,[21] demand for Scaleback's services fell. In order to protect herself amidst the new regime,[2] Scaleback concealed her past connections with the Order and turned her attention onto more profitable assignments in the face of the new government.[3]
Early into the Empire's reign, Scaleback came into contact with Bib Fortuna, the majordomo of Jabba Desilijic Tiure,[2] who ran one of the galaxy's largest criminal empires.[5] He hired her to retrieve a young rancor he had a bounty on, Muchi. Cid's intel reported Muchi was taken into the custody of a group of Zygerrian enslavers operating out of Old Ord Mantell City,[22] led by Raney.[2] Meanwhile, the genetically defective clone squad Clone Force 99, also known as "the Bad Batch," became fugitives after escaping[23] the planet[24] Kamino with a young female clone, Omega. Their inhibitor chips had not, during Order 66, activated properly, and thus, they didn't execute the order, and subsequently refused to assassinate Saw Gerrera's militants when the Empire tested their loyalty as a result.[23] While on the lam, the Batch had a run-in with a human female targeting Omega on[25] the moon[26] Pantora and,[25] despite initial plans to lay low, they decided to try and uncover the identity of their mysterious assailant.[2] Batch member CT-1409,[23] also known as "Echo," suggested they find Scaleback, who could be of some help to them. Despite members Wrecker and Tech's reservations about whether they could trust her, the team travelled to Ord Mantell, under the false impression of Cid being a male.[2]
Scaleback agreed to help Bad Batch uncover the identity of a mysterious bounty hunter that had chased them, in exchange for them doing a job for her.
Inside, Scaleback was working on one of her slot machines while Hunter, the group's leader, asked Echo if either Bolo or Ketch, who they saw fighting, were Cid, only for Echo to admit that he'd never met her and didn't know what she looked like. Hunter then approached her and, unaware of her identity, asked if she knew who Cid was, which she denied. At Hunter's persistence, Scaleback angrily told him he was in the wrong place, adding that he should leave unless he came to spend money. She watched from the bar as the Batch discussed what to do next while Omega watched her while poking at a holotable. She then approached Scaleback and asserted that she, in fact, was Cid. The Trandoshan wryly remarked that Omega was smarter than her friends, and Omega informed her team via comlink that she'd found Cid.
Scaleback took the Batch to her office, expressing surprise at having clone deserters come to her, then cut off Tech when he tried to explain why. She then asked that they cut to the point and tell her what they want. Without saying a word, Echo plugged his scomp into her holoprojector and displayed a hologram of the human female they had encountered on Pantora, to Cid's displeasure. Hunter asked if Scaleback knew who she was, and she was quick to identify her as a bounty hunter despite not recognizing her. Hunter asked if she could find out who hired her, to which she responded that it depended on what they could do for her. At the Batch's confusion, Cid, annoyed, clarified that, if they performed a job for her, she would get them the information they wanted. Echo expressed concern at being called a "mercenary" by Scaleback, to which she quipped that Omega appeared to be the brains of the outfit. At Hunter's prompting, Cid explained that the job was the rescue of Muchi, whom she didn't identify as a rancor, and that they'd split the bounty 70-30 in her favor. The Batch agreed, and Scaleback tossed Hunter an intel stick that had the details regarding the bounty. As they left, Scaleback warned them not to screw up.[2]
Bib Fortuna confronts Scaleback over Muchi not yet being rescued.
With the Batch gone, Scaleback learned via her sources in the Bounty Hunters' Guild that the human female the Batch had encountered was Fennec Shand, an up-and-coming bounty hunter who had gained a reputation for being dangerous and adept. Additionally, she learned Shand was working on a direct commission.[2] Shand's commission came from Kaminoan Chief Medical Scientist Nala Se, who wished to protect Omega from Kaminoan Prime Minister, Lama Su, who wanted to retrieve her. Omega was one of two clones that were pure genetic copies of the original Jango Fett template the Kaminoans used,[27] and her blood yielded a high M-count replication.[28] While Cid ate, she was contacted by Fortuna via hologram,[2] who informed her that Jabba was impatient and wanted to know why the rancor had not yet been returned.[29] She explained that a mission of this nature required planning and asked Fortuna to ensure Jabba that he'd be reunited with Muchi soon. At him threatening her, Scaleback explained that she had her "best people" on the job.[2]
Before long, however, Fortuna went to Cid in-person, flanked by two Gamorrean guards. Surprised, she quipped at graced by the presence of "Jabba's right-hand man,"[2] and he demanded an update on behalf of Jabba.[29] Scaleback tried to ease his concerns by pointing out that she always delivered on her promises, and that the mission was delicate one[2] after he threatened consequences for failure.[29] Cid asked Fortuna to tell Jabba to be patient, but before he could respond, the two heard a roar from outside. Recognizing it to be Muchi, Fortuna left to go see her, with Cid in tow.[2]
Through her Guild contacts, Scaleback found out that the bounty hunter pursuing the Bad Batch was Fennec Shand, an up-and-comer working on a direct commission.
Pushing the Gamorrean guards out of her way, Scaleback watched Fortuna excitedly greet Muchi, and she gloated to him that all was well. She then asked about payment, and Fortuna had the Gamorrean guards pay her. After Fortuna, the Gamorrean guards, and Muchi left, a satisfied Cid admitted she wasn't sure the Batch was going to be able to complete the job, which prompted Echo to chastise her for failing to mention that they'd be going after a rancor. Wryly, she said it that must've slipped her mind, then told Hunter to come with her to her office, which he did.[2]
There, Scaleback displayed a hologram of Shand and informed Hunter of her identity but couldn't answer who hired her. She added that, with Fennec pursuing them, the Batch would need both friends and money, especially money. Hunter replied that they lacked both, and Cid replied, in turn, that it was a good thing then they'd met. Turning off the hologram, she handed Hunter his share of payment, adding that there was more where that came from if they were looking for work. Hunter replied that he'd think about it, then turned to leave. However, Scaleback mused that the Batch must be pretty valuable if someone hired someone of Shand's caliber to go after them, causing Hunter to pause and, frowning, turn around. Cid assured him that she was good with secrets, to which Hunter scowled.[2]
Mission gone awry[]
- "Tactical droid intel has tremendous value, which is why you're gonna break into this decommissioning facility on Corellia and retrieve one before they're all destroyed."
"We haven't decided if we're gonna work for you or not."
"Allow me to decide for you." - ―Scaleback, to Hunter
Scaleback tasked the Bad Batch with retrieving a Separatist tactical droid.
Later, Echo taught Omega how to use her Zygerrian energy bow inside the parlor.[30] Omega had earlier obtained the weapon from the Zygeerians during the Batch's mission to rescue Muchi.[2] During the training session, Wrecker commented that Omega was not exactly a natural, only for Scaleback to appear and declare that "playtime" was over. She then told Bolo and Ketch, who had been watching Omega train, to leave, then asked the Batch if they knew what a tactical droid was. Tech tried to explain what a tactical droid was, but Scaleback cut him off. She then shoved Wrecker aside, pulled up a hologram of a tactical droid, and explained that she had a new job on Corellia: recover a tactical droid before they were all destroyed.[30]
Though Hunter reminded her that they had not agreed to work for her, Scaleback insisted they would do so regardless, reasoning they would both profit. Noting that she would help watch the squad's back, Hunter then reluctantly agreed. Turning her attention to Omega, she told her the flaw with her handling of her new Zygerrian energy bow was that she wasn't building up enough strength before releasing. She briefly borrowed Omega's bow to demonstrate by shooting a target dead center thrice before handing it back.[30]
Unfortunately, the job did not go as planned, as another party, Trace and Rafa Martez, was also after the tactical droid head, though their motives were to aid their client in fighting the Empire rather than simply profit. After escaping the decommissioning facility that resulted in the droid head being destroyed, Hunter chose to turn over the copied data to the Martez sisters and returned to Scaleback empty-handed.[30]
The lizard heist[]
Scaleback had been paid by the Devaronian Roland Durand to find the lizard "Ruby," considered to be highly valuable.
Scaleback was later hired by Roland Durand[31] to steal a creature Omega named Ruby from the Rhokai, a task she assigned the Bad Batch. Upon their successful return, Scaleback dodged Echo's inquiries on what her client wanted with Ruby and was impressed with Hunter correctly guessing she only cared about getting paid. As Wrecker and Omega went out to buy Mantell Mix, Scaleback dealt with the other clones in her office, providing a pittance for the job. When asked by the outraged clones why they were being cheated, Scaleback stated that the fact they were still alive was rather generous due to the debt they owed her; the amount involved their shuttle's docking fees, port charges, gear, fuel, rations, and twenty cartons of Mantell Mix. She then admitted as fond as she was of the clones, she wasn't running a charity and suggested they find a big score to square their debt before they saw her "ugly side." Before Scaleback could respond to Tech's quip about her appearance, they heard blaster fire go off in the parlor. Rushing out to investigate, they found the instigator was Captain Rex, who scared off Scaleback's frequent patrons, Ketch and Bolo. Annoyed at the presence of another clone, Scaleback made it clear she was not taking him in and stormed off.[32]
The Bad Batch soon left Ord Mantell after Rex realized they still possessed their inhibitor chips, heading to Bracca to have them removed.[32] Subsequently, they contacted Scaleback for information on Cad Bane, who had abducted Omega on Bracca. Though aware of Bane's reputation, Scaleback had no clues as to his whereabouts.[27]
A one-sided partnership[]
A "simple" extraction on Raxus[]
Upon the Batch's successful rescue of Omega, Scaleback offered the group a job to rescue Senator Avi Singh from Imperial prison on Raxus Secundus. Hunter initially refused the mission, and when Scaleback reminded him of their debt to her, Hunter told her he would not bring Omega to an Imperial-occupied planet, to which Scaleback responded that he should leave the child in her care. Hunter said that he did not exactly trust Scaleback, to which Scaleback laughed and agreed. Nonetheless, she reasoned that if Omega's safety ensured more money in her pocket, then it'd be in her best interest to do so. In the end, the group left Omega behind with Scaleback while they went on the mission, and Scaleback set Omega to work cleaning. As Omega sulked throughout the parlor, disappointed she had been left behind, Scaleback eventually approached to ask what was troubling her. When Omega complained, Scaleback scoffed and told her that life was not fair.[33]
While the Bad Batch was on a mission on Raxus Secundus, Scaleback noticed that Omega was skilled at dejarik.
Later, Scaleback played a dejarik game against Ketch and Bolo. Omega offered her advice on a move, but Scaleback rolled her eyes and ignored her. However, when her move got her into trouble, she asked Omega what she would do, and when she played Omega's move, she quickly won the game. Surprised that the youngster was skilled at dejarik, she asked if she was good enough to make her any money. Offering her thirty percent, Scaleback was surprised to see Omega negotiate her way to sixty percent. The pair won enough games to make up the Bad Batch's debt, and although Hunter was not pleased upon returning from their mission that Omega had drawn so much attention to herself, Scaleback was delighted and told the clone to lighten up.[33]
Scaleback was later contacted by Gobi Glie to acquire weapons for Ryloth, as the populace was forced to disband the resistance and surrender their arms while the planet was under Imperial occupation. Scaleback sent the Bad Batch to deliver the weapons, which indirectly led to Gobi's arrest.[34]
Fiasco with Roland Durand[]
For a short period of time, Cid's Parlor was taken over by the criminal Roland Durand.
While the Bad Batch were sent on another delivery, the criminal Roland Durand, from the Durand Crime Family, decided to make a name for himself in the galactic underworld. As Ord Mantell was the center of multiple hyperspace routes and ideal for smuggling, Durand took it over with his gang and forced Scaleback out since her parlor was right in the middle of the action. Following the Bad Batch's return and sudden discovery of Durand's hostile takeover, Scaleback awaited the squad aboard the Marauder and explained Roland's motives. As she volunteered them to retake her Parlor, Hunter questioned why they should involve themselves. She reminded that her losses affect them and subtly blackmailed them. Fortunately, Omega supported her argument, reminding her brothers that Scaleback helped them when they needed her most and now it was time to return the favor.[31]
As they made their way through the streets of Ord Mantell City, Scaleback outlined her plan to steal a shipment of spice from Durand to agitate the Pyke Syndicate. Scaleback led the Bad Batch to a manhole that led to Ord Mantell's old mining tunnels. Scaleback warned that the caverns had an infestation problem and that they should keep quiet. While passing through the tunnel, Wrecker stirred the mysterious creatures, prompting a disapproving glance from Scaleback. Meanwhile, Ketch and Bolo distracted Durand by stealing Ruby. Scaleback and Omega loaded the spice onto the mining transports as Wrecker brought them down. Just as Durand entered the office, the crew ducked into the tunnels to make their escape. As they fled through the tunnels, Durand's goons pursued them. Their blaster fight aroused the irlings, who swarmed the carts. Scaleback was upset when the irlings destroyed the spice on the second cart. They made it safely on the other side of the cavern, and Wrecker sealed the door behind them.[31]
The crew returned to the Parlor, where they witnessed the Pykes arresting Durand. However, the Pykes demanded that Scaleback return the stolen spice and held Omega captive while the Bad Batch retrieved the spice shipment. Scaleback promised she would do everything she could to rescue Omega. The Marauder hovered over the chasm and Wrecker and Scaleback rappelled beneath the surface to locate the missing spice. Scaleback began securing crates of spice for Hunter to tow up. With the final two crates secure, Scaleback and Wrecker rode them as Hunter pulled them to the surface. Ascending past the mining rail, Scaleback and her crate bumped a lonely cart, sending it tumbling into the depths of the hive. Once again, the irlings swarmed the cavern. Tech dropped a flash grenade down the chasm and frightened the swarm. Scaleback and Wrecker continued their journey safely to the ship. Scaleback and the Bad Batch delivered the shipment to the Pykes, who returned Omega, according to their word. Durand faced death, but was spared when Omega and Scaleback reasoned with the Pykes, warning them against starting a potential war with his mother crime boss Isa Durand and knew that heat was something they didn't want to have at the time since their leader Marg Krim just brought the Syndicate out from hiding. One of Durand's horns was sliced and the Pykes exited the hangar. In return for saving his life, Durand restored the Parlor to Scaleback's ownership. Thankful for the Bad Batch's assistance, Scaleback bought the crew their first round of drinks.[31]
Changing times[]
- "Clearly, you're not paying attention to what's happening out there, but I am. It's only a matter of time before the Empire comes here. And then my little operation is over, which means no more jobs for you."
- ―Scaleback warns the Bad Batch about the probable Imperial occupation of Ord Mantell
Scaleback considered her associate, Phee Genoa, the most trustworthy pirate she knew.
Later, Scaleback sent the Batch on a job. However, mid-mission, the team was contacted by Rex, who asked them to rescue CC-5576-39, also known as "Gregor," from the Imperial base on Daro. Though Tech reminded the group that if they deviated from the task at hand, they would not be compensated, Omega pointed out that saving Gregor was more important than getting paid. The team agreed to take on Rex's mission, but Hunter was captured by the Empire in the process[35] and taken to Kamino,[36] the homeworld of the Kaminoans and where the Grand Army of the Republic was created.[37] To prepare for their new rescue mission, the Batch returned to Ord Mantell, and while Echo, Omega, and Tech repaired the Marauder, Wrecker went and left Gregor with Scaleback, who expressed displeasure at this.[36]
In the course of the mission, however, the Empire carried out an atmospheric bombardment of Kamino's cities and other facilities,[36] though the Batch managed to escape the disaster with the help of CT-9904, also known as "Crosshair,"[38] their old teammate who had remained loyal to the Empire while the others had deserted.[23] In the months that followed the attack on Kamino,[39] the Batch continued to work for Scaleback, and Kaminoan medical droid AZI-345211896246498721347, also known as "AZI-3,"[14] whom the Batch had brought from Kamino,[38] began to work at Cid's Parlor.[14]
Scaleback gives the Batch a mission on Count Dooku's homeworld of Serenno
After a crab heist, Scaleback introduced the Bad Batch to the pirate Phee Genoa. She explained that the Empire was on the planet Serenno and taking Count Dooku war chests from his former castle, stating that if the Bad Batch could get their hands on one of the war chests, they would be rich enough to be freed from their debts and leave Ord Mantell. Hunter initially refused, claiming that after what had happened to Tipoca City, the group needed to avoid Imperial attention. Scaleback answered that eventually the Empire would be everywhere.[14]
The relationship falls apart[]
Racing on Safa Toma[]
- "Hey, you three. You could have walked away. That loyalty is admirable, but with Scaleback, it doesn't always go both ways. Watch your backs."
- ―The Dowutin gangster Gini Millegi, warning the Bad Batch about Scaleback
Scaleback declared that she needed the Bad Batch to go to Safa Toma with her.
At some point, Scaleback brought Tech, Wrecker and Omega to the desert planet of Serolonis, known for its racing circuits. She declared that she was betting on the ringer TAY-0, a racer droid piloting a modified 12 series speeder repulsorcraft. When she took the clones to see Tay-0, she was met by the Dowutin gangster Grini Millegi. The latter menacingly declared that his team, notably the Nosaurian Jet Venim, would win the next race. Tech then asked if Scaleback had had any conflict in the past with the gangster, something that she denied. During the next race, Tay-0 took the left tunnel of the Gambler's Gulch although having been warned by Scaleback not to, as it was known to be a death trap. Ultimately, Tay-0 was destroyed and lost the race. While the clones were trying to salvage the droid and the speeder, Millegi came back and asked to be paid, something that Scaleback could not do. When the situation started to escalate, Omega proposed a third race with different conditions: if their team won, Scaleback would be freed from her debt. If Millegi's ringer won, he would be paid double. The Dowutin agreed but took Scaleback as collateral until the race was over.[6]
Scaleback claimed that her antagonism with Millegi was not personal, despite them knowing each other.
Scaleback was then brought to Millegi's suite above the stadium. When Scaleback tried to explain she had given up on her questionable past, Millegi answered that people would eventually get to know the real Scaleback. Prior to the third race, Millegi and his hostage visited the Bad Batch once again, noticing that Tay-0 had been destroyed for the second time. Millegi explained that Safa Toma was a dangerous place and proposed Scaleback's team to forfeit. Eventually, Tech volunteered to replace Tay-0. Reluctantly, Millegi accepted but with the thought that Scaleback's team had little chance to win the race.[6]
Tech started the race in last place, which frightened Scaleback. Eventually, with different strategies involving using the dangerous shortened track called "Nellis Express to Lotho Minor," Tech ended up winning the race. Millegi was upset but honored the deal and freed Scaleback. While leaving Safa Toma, Scaleback declared that she owned the clones a favor. However, shortly before they walked away, Millegi reminded the Bad Batch that Scaleback was not someone they should trust and recommended they stay vigilant.[6]
Mission to Vanguard Axis[]
The ipsium mine[]
- "Well, I didn't tell you to get your ship stolen, did I?"
- ―Scaleback, reacting to the Bad Batch asking for her help
Scaleback acquired an ipsium mine; however, it turned out to be almost empty.
At one point, Scaleback purchased an ipsium mine on a desert planet known as Ipsidon. Due to the high value of the mineral, Scaleback tasked the Bad Batch with extracting some from the mine. However, during the mission, the clones had their ship stolen. They later managed to contact Scaleback through an abandoned settlement but the latter explained that she could not help them find a way back to Ord Mantell and that they had to find a solution themselves.[40]
Ties abruptly cut[]
- "So, it's been twenty rotations and no word. You better be dead because your absence has cost me a few scores. Remember our mutually beneficial arrangements, and how well we know one another, if you know what I mean."
- ―Scaleback to Clone Force 99 via a transmission
After the Bad Batch managed to recover their ship from the enslaver Mokko,[41] Scaleback gave the clones the coordinates to a crashed ship and asked them not to come back to Ord Mantell until they had found something valuable.[42] However, the Bad Batch never contacted her after the mission and did not answer her messages for twenty rotations, which resulted in the Trandoshan threatening the clones to reveal confidential information she had gathered during their partnership.[17]
Making the best of a bad situation[]
Scaleback betrays the Bad Batch.
Shortly after, the clones went on a mission to Eriadu to rescue their former squad-mate CT-9904 "Crosshair", during which Tech was killed and the others were injured. They returned to Cid's Parlor in an attempt to hide from imperials. However, Scaleback ultimately followed through with her prior threats and informed the Empire of their presence, which resulted in Omega being captured by Imperial Doctor Royce Hemlock and the three remaining clones fleeing the now-occupied planet with the droid AZI-3.[4]
Encounter with an assassin[]
After Omega escaped captivity from Mount Tantiss alongside Crosshair,[43] Clone X trooper CX-2—who was working under Hemlock's orders to recapture the young clone due to[44] her recently discovered[43] usefulness to Project Necromancer—tracked down Scaleback in order to discover leads about Omega's whereabouts. He managed to pull information out of Scaleback, who gave up Phee's name as someone who had contact with Omega. After securing that intel and reporting his actions to Hemlock,[44] CX-2 tracked Phee's location and accessed her ship's navigation computer, discovering Pabu and deducing that his target was hiding on the planet.[45]
Personality and traits[]
- "I've got news for you, kid. Life ain't fair. You don't like it? Stop pouting and do something about it."
- ―Scaleback, to Omega
Scaleback expertly fires Omega's energy bow
Scaleback was a female Trandoshan with green skin and golden eyes. Short and portly in stature, Scaleback was shrewd at her job. Unlike most Trandoshans (who are often viscous, bloodthirsty and even somewhat animalistic), Scaleback often exhibited a relaxed, calm and professional air, yet could also be somewhat temperamental and abrasive. She had a wide array of contacts, ranging from Jedi Knights to powerful crime lords, and did not act intimidated by any of them. Despite this, Scaleback knew better than to make enemies out of powerful figures and groups, such as the Pykes. She was willing to be deceptive to get what she wanted, such as telling the Bad Batch that the juvenile rancor Muchi was a child in danger.[2]
Scaleback had a no-nonsense attitude. She quickly formed nicknames for the members of the Bad Batch, referring to Tech as "Goggles," Hunter as "Bandana," or sometimes "Dark and Broody," Omega as "Tiny," Wrecker as "Muscles,"[33] and Echo as "Killjoy."[14] Scaleback had a soft spot for Omega. She was always opportunistic, and upon realizing she was very skilled at dejarik, partnered with her to make some money and gained a newfound respect for her.[33] Despite selling the Batch out to the Empire for slighting her and bringing attention to her operations, she still showed physical signs of remorse for her actions before leaving.[4]
Scaleback was a strong and skilled individual, displaying mastery of a Zygerrian energy bow when she fired three very accurate shots to demonstrate to Omega how to operate the weapon.[30]
Behind the scenes[]
Ciddarin Scaleback first appeared in episode 5, "Rampage," of the first season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. She is voiced by Rhea Perlman.[2] She was first revealed in a trailer for the season, titled "For Hire."[46] Scaleback's full name was first revealed in the second season episode "Faster,"[6] which premiered on Disney+ on January 18, 2023.[47]
Concept art of Scaleback clarified that her jacket needed to be rigged in a manner similar to that of Star Wars Resistance character Kazuda Xiono.[48]
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
"Omega Saves the Day" — LEGO Star Wars 116 (Appears in hologram)
