Jes Gistang

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"Jes Gistang is in charge of the big gun, […]"

―Sergeant Ran Harkas^[src]

Jes Gistang was a Corellian Human female who served as a stormtrooper in Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire circa 137 ABY. As a young woman, she decided to join the 407th Stormtrooper Division through the Imperial Mission, an organization that helped individuals to spread Imperial influence. Put in charge of the heavy weaponry in Joker Squad, she quickly found a home among the 407th, and was a talented and responsible soldier. When Anson Trask joined the 407th, Gistang immediately doubted him, betting fellow soldier Vax Potorr that he would last just six hours on the battlefield.

She guided Trask and gave him tips to help him survive among the stormtroopers, and even sympathized with the man. Later, when Lieutenant Gil Cassel informed the 407th that they would be participating in a battle on Borosk against the 908th Stormtrooper Division, which had joined the forces of deposed Emperor Roan Fel, she quickly disagreed with the mission, and even argued that the members of the 407th should join Fel themselves. Gistang reluctantly participated in the Battle of Borosk itself when they were ordered into action. Gistang was killed during the second day of fighting, when her power pack was hit by a stray blaster bolt, causing it to explode and incinerate her.

Biography

Stormtrooper

"I'm Corellian. Through the Imperial Mission I got a chance to join the Empire. Beat the alternatives being offered me."

―Jes Gistang^[src]

NoobMeetsGunGirl-SWL04 — Stormtrooper Jes Gistang meets a new member of Joker Squad, Anson Trask.

Jes Gistang, born on the planet Corellia, did not enjoy the early part of her life, and became a stormtrooper of Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire through the Imperial Mission, an organization designed to spread Imperial influence by helping beings of the galaxy. Gistang was then assigned to the 407th Stormtrooper Division, which was stationed on the planet Yinchorr, and joined Joker Squad, led by Lieutenant Gil Cassel. During her career as a stormtrooper, Gistang became a respected, talented soldier, and eventually was put in charge of the squad's heavy weaponry.^[1]

Around 137 ABY,^[2] she was introduced to Anson Trask, a recent addition to Joker Squad who was made fun of by other stormtroopers when he could not find his squad. Gistang joined the other troopers in making a bet on how long Trask could survive in battle; she wagered that he would only last six hours on the battlefield, showing a considerable amount of doubt in the man. Gistang decided to talk to Trask, informing him of certain soldiers' personalities, though she still thought little of him, and made this clear when she told him of her doubts. She also joked around with him, explaining to Trask that if he helped fellow troopers, he might live longer.^[1]

Later, an informant told the Empire that the 908th Stormtrooper Division was planning to defect to the deposed former leader of the Empire, Roan Fel. High Moff Morlish Veed, wanting to keep the 908th's base on Borosk intact, decided to send the 407th to eliminate the traitors. When Lieutenant Cassel informed the troopers that they were going to fight the 908th, Gistang argued that they could not kill fellow troopers, though Cassel quickly quieted her down. Sith Lord Darth Maleval, who had been sent to Yinchorr earlier, was in charge of the mission, partly to make sure the soldiers of the 407th did not defect themselves.^[1]

Death at Borosk

Main article: Battle of Borosk (137 ABY)

"You have to hear it, Lieutenant! Hondo's right! Maybe we should be joining the 908th! And Fel! Or we could just walk away—from the fight, from the 407th, from the whole army."

―Jes Gistang^[src]

Thrust into action on Borosk, Gistang and Joker Squad were at first assigned to capture the 908th's base. Gistang played an important part in the battle, cutting paths with the large weapon she used, and inflicting large amounts of damage on enemy targets. However, a stormtrooper sneaked up behind her, intent on shooting her. Trask saved her life and shot the enemy, who became his first kill as a stormtrooper. For the rest of the battle, he covered Gistang's back, allowing her to cause more damage with her weaponry. The 407th was finally able to capture an important gun platform at the base, and was then allowed to rest for the night.^[1]

While they were resting, Trask was deep in thought about his first kill. Gistang noticed this, and asked him if the battle was what he expected. Trask told her about his father, who had been proud to be a stormtrooper, and that since his father used to be in the 407th, he had been given the option to join its ranks, which he accepted. Gistang too explained a bit about her past, and the other soldiers' pasts to him as well. Meanwhile, Darth Maleval confronted Lieutenant Cassel, ordering him to kill all of the 908th, including Cassel's own brother Jared, a captain with the 908th, despite the fact that Joker Squad disliked killing fellow stormtroopers.^[1]

RestInPieces-SWL04 — Jes Gistang's death, resulting from an explosion from a power pack

Fellow Joker Squad trooper Hondo Karr, however, felt the need to confront the Sith Lord, and insulted him. As a result, Maleval Force pushed Karr to the ground, which created an uproar. Gistang started to chase after Maleval with insults of her own, though she was stopped by Sergeant Ran Harkas before Maleval could punish her as well. After Maleval left, Gistang argued to Cassel that the entire fight was wrong, and that they should either join Fel along with the 908th, just walk away, or let the 908th escape. Harkas convinced the rest of the squad to fight, even though they disagreed with the decision.^[1]

When the fighting resumed the next day, Joker Squad breached the main fortress of the 908th, where the fighting soon degenerated into hand-to-hand combat. The first casualty of the battle was Vax Potorr, who was lost to an explosion from a mine placed by enemy soldiers. They pushed on, but Gistang made the mistake of leaving her power packs vulnerable to blaster bolts. A stray bolt hit one of the packs, resulting in an explosion that incinerated her, as well as causing major injury to Harkas. Trask would later reflect that neither him nor his comrades had time to mourn Gistang or Potorr's deaths.^[1]

Personality and traits

"Lieutenant, we're supposed to fire on our own?!"

―Jes Gistang^[src]

A Human female with red hair, blue eyes, and light skin, Gistang entered Imperial service as she saw it as a better option than any of the alternatives being offered to her. Over time, she became a hardened soldier whose skills with heavy weaponry made her effective in combat. Gistang displayed a grim sense of humor about Trask's chances of survival when he first joined Joker Squad and bet in a pool about how long the rookie would live. Despite this, she was the first in the unit to approach Trask and used her experience as a stormtrooper to help him through his first combat experience.^[1]

Gistang was protective of the members of Joker Squad, even at the risk of angering the Sith Lord Darth Maleval, and had a strong sense of morality, which left her uncomfortable with their orders to attack the 908th Stormtrooper Division, who she still regarded as her comrades. Ultimately, however, Gistang's sense of duty and loyalty to Harkas convinced her to fight in the battle which cost her life.^[1]

Equipment

As a stormtrooper in Darth Krayt's Empire, Gistang wore standard stormtrooper armor while on duty. During her time in Joker Squad, she was responsible for operating what her squad referred to as the "big gun." The weapon provided Joker Squad with heavy firepower, but required a new power pack after every four shots. Gistang carried spare power packs on her armor's utility belt.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Jes Gistang's only appearance in Star Wars continuity is in the fourth issue of the Star Wars: Legacy comics, Noob, written by John Ostrander and illustrated by Travel Foreman,^[1] which was published on October 11, 2006.^[3] An Entertainment Earth exclusive action figure of Jes Gistang was released as part of Hasbro's Star Wars: The Legacy Collection Joker Squad six-pack.^[4]^[5]