During the war between the First Order and the Resistance, Lieutenant Galek and later Squadron Leader Tamara Ryvora led a squadron of starfighters of the First Order.[1]
Description[]
A squadron within the First Order starfighter corps, the unit was stationed on the First Order Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Thunderer. Under the command of Lieutenant Galek, the squadron was made up of numerous TIE/fo space superiority fighters.[1] Under Lieutenant Tamara Ryvora's command, it was made up of three TIE/sf space superiority fighters.[2]
History[]
Training new cadets[]
After the Hosnian Cataclysm, several residents of a supertanker fuel depot known as the Colossus joined the First Order after the station's captain, Imanuel Doza, the station's racer squadron known as the Ace Squadron, and Resistance agents freed the station from First Order occupation.[5] The former residents and now First Order cadets, Tamara Ryvora, Jace Rucklin and Lin Gaava were assigned to Lieutenant Galek's squadron on the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Thunderer commanded by Commander Pyre and Agent Tierny.[6]
Ryvora (designated DT-533), Rucklin (designated DT-798[7]), and Gaava along with three other TIE pilot cadets were given a training exercise where whichever pilot shot down the most Microraptor-class target drones in their TIE/fo space superiority fighter would be promoted to squadron leader. The exercise ended in DT-533 downing the most drones, however after DT-798 was accidentally shot by another cadet she helped him land safely. Because of this, Galek denied her a promotion, claiming that the First Order became stronger by culling out the weak.[6]
Battle of Aeos Prime[]
The Colossus would eventually be spotted on the Outer Rim world Aeos Prime, home to the Aeosian species.[8] Galek's squadron was deployed to the planet, escorting TIE/se Bombers. Galek oversaw the squadron's deployment from the command bridge of the Thunderer. The squadron battled the Ace Squadron who were aided by the native Aeosians who rode their krakavoras to battle. Ryvora was surprised to see the ship of her former employer on the Colossus, Jarek Yeager, in battle. TIE bombers were able to drop several bombs on the Colossus's engines, but one was lost to the Aeosians' vibro-blade spears.[3]
The combined Ace and Aeosian force was able to eliminate several of Galek's fighters as the Colossus ascended to space. An officer informed Commander Pyre that the TIEs were suffering heavy losses, prompting the commander to order the Star Destroyer's crew to unleash the ship's fire on the Colossus's engines. The Ace Squadron responded by attacking the Thunderer head on. Ryvora realized Yeager would never be so reckless and it was mostly likely one of his other employees, Kazuda Xiono, to which she was correct. Ryvora attempted to shoot down Xiono, but he fired a missile at the Thunderer's bridge, forcing her to break off and shoot down the missile. The explosion damaged Ryvora's fighter, causing her to make an emergency landing in the hangar. Pyre told Galek that Ryvora is an impressive pilot and asked who it was, to which Galek responded.[3]
The Colossus made it into space and jumped to hyperspace. Later, Tierny and Galek visited Ryvora in her barracks. Tierny told the pilot that they were impressed with her skill and bravery in battle and she was now promoted to second squadron commander. Ryvora saluted her superiors, pleased with her promotion.[3]
Dogfight at Dantooine[]
Initial battle[]
- "Set a course for Dantooine, Lieutenant Galek. Your squad's being activated. I want that convoy found and their ships destroyed."
- ―Pyre to Galek
Later in the war, the Resistance X-wing squadron known as Jade Squadron, along with part of the Ace Squadron, broke through the First Order's blockade over the planet Dantooine in an attempt to secure three Resistance shuttles carrying recruits for the Resistance. Commander Pyre moved the Thunderer to Dantooine and deployed Galek's squadron to engage the Resistanace starfighters.[1]
Led by Lieutenant Galek and Second Squadron Commander Tamara Ryvora, the squadron engaged the Ace Squadron and Jade Squadron in an attempt to destroy the three shuttles carrying Resistance recruits. During the opening dogfight the squadron lost three fighters to Jade Leader Venisa Doza. Resistance pilots Kazuda Xiono and Hugh Sion joined Venisa Doza in attacking Galek's fighters, while the others were ordered to protect the shuttles. Ryvora nearly collided with Xiono's ship, the Fireball. She chased Xiono, but was shot by Sion, making her fighter spin out of control.[1]
Ryvora tried to regain control of her fighter as the rest of the squadron battled the Resistance starfighters. A few of the squadron's fighters were lost, however one of the TIEs hit the second shuttle in the rear, though Ace Squadron's Torra Doza shot down the TIE before it could land another hit. As half of the squadron's TIEs were lost, Ryvora tried to convince Galek to fall back, but the lieutenant insisted that they finish the mission.[1]
Small victory[]
As the battle raged on, Galek pursued Xiono and landed a small hit on his ship. The Resistance pilot was unable to lose his pursuer and remarked that she was a skilled pilot. Venisa Doza then ambushed Galek, shooting her down. DT-798 informed Ryvora that Galek was dead and as Second Squadron Commander she is now in charge. DT-798 then asked what her orders were. Ryvora was uncertain and before she could make a decision, DT-798 told his commanding officer that he had an opening on one of the shuttles and was going for it.[1]
The Resistance fighters responded to DT-798's attack, but it was too late and he successfully shot down the shuttle, marking a small victory for the First Order, though the remaining Resistance ships jump to hyperspace. Ryvora, secretly disgusted by the deaths of the people on the shuttle, ordered her squadron to return to the Thunderer. On the Thunderer, Agent Tierny promoted Tamara to lieutenant, making her the new leader of the squadron.[1]
Destruction at Castilon[]
Following Ryvora's promotion, she and DT-798 were given a short break. Ryvora wondered why the First Order was having them work so much. DT-798 told her there was a rumor of a big mission coming up and the First Order will need all hands on deck. Ryvora was confused, but the conversation was interrupted when the Thunderer exited hyperspace. The two pilots ran to the viewport and saw they were at Aeos Prime.[2]
Ryvora was surprised they were back at Aeos after the squadron's previous previous battle there. Multiple other Star Destroyers emerged from hyperspace and they all started firing at the planet. Ryvora was horrified, but DT-798 told her that the Aeosians harboured Resistance fighters previously and they were getting what they deserved, and as squadron leader, Ryvora had to accept it. Ryvora believed there were still innocent people there and she ran away.
Ryvora contacted her former friends on the Colossus, informing them that she was deserting from the First Order. She lied to her superiors, telling them that she was taking her squadron on a training mission, though Tierny was not convinced so she sent DT-798 with his commanding officer. Ryvora took the squadron to Castilon where she was going to meet her former friends. Once they were at the planet, the squadron spotted the stolen First Order shuttle which Ryvora's former colleagues, Jarek Yeager and Kazuda Xiono took to get to the planet.
Ryvora lied, claiming it was a shuttle that had been reported missing months ago. She told her squadmates to not engage, but DT-798 recognized Xiono and Yeager and told all TIEs to fire. Ryvora hit him with her elbow, knocking him out, but it was too late and the TIEs started firing at the shuttle. Ryvora managed to shoot down her squadmates, ending the squadron. Ryvora reunited with Xiono and Yeager and DT-798 would later die in the Battle of Barabesh.[2]
Members[]
The squadron was initially led by Lieutenant Galek, a flight instructor[9] and member of the First Order Special Forces.[10] Galek was a harsh instructor, believing the Order became stronger by culling out the weak.[6] After Galek's death during the blockade of Dantooine,[1] Tamara Ryvora was made squadron leader. Due to her moral compass, she quickly deserted after witnessing the atrocities committed by the First Order .[2]
Lin Gaava and Jace Rucklin were also members of Galek's squadron. The latter was ambitious pilot, initially having a friendly rivalry with Ryvora,[6] although he eventually grew jealous when Ryvora rose through the ranks.[1] Nevertheless, Rucklin remained loyal to the First Order, even when they were about to execute him.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
Galek's TIE fighter squadron first appeared in "Live Fire",[6] the third episode of the second season of the animated television series Star Wars Resistance, which aired on October 20, 2019.[11]
Appearances[]
Star Wars Resistance — "Live Fire" (First appearance)- Star Wars Resistance — "No Place Safe"
- Star Wars Resistance — "Rebuilding the Resistance"
- Star Wars Resistance — "The Escape"
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23
Star Wars Resistance — "Rebuilding the Resistance"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Star Wars Resistance — "The Escape"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Star Wars Resistance — "No Place Safe"
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines
- ↑ Star Wars Resistance — "No Escape: Part 2"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Star Wars Resistance — "Live Fire"
- ↑ Star Wars Resistance — "Station to Station"
- ↑ Star Wars Resistance — "The New World"
- ↑ Lieutenant Galek in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy — Based on corresponding data for First Order Special Forces
- ↑ Star Wars Resistance on Walt Disney Television (original article now obsolete)
