Quelev Tapper was a Human male smuggler who operated during the Galactic Civil War. Formerly the head of his own organization, Tapper agreed to merge with fellow smuggler Talon Karrde's smuggling group after Imperial forces leveled his headquarters and destroyed three quarters of his operation. Tapper became Karrde's second-in-command and most trusted lieutenant, and his conservative personality countered Karrde's more flamboyant nature. The pair would often personally investigate new business opportunities.
In
6 ABY, Tapper accompanied Karrde to the
planet Kaal to investigate the rumor that
Emperor Palpatine's personal
yacht, the
Emperor's Shadow, had crash-landed in the world's
oceans. Due to Imperial intervention, Tapper was forced to detonate the wreck to save Karrde, a
New Republic delegation, and Kaal's ruler,
Tirgee Benyalle. In
7 ABY, a deal was struck between Karrde and former smuggler
Booster Terrik to supply ex–New Republic
pilots Wedge Antilles and
Rogue Squadron with munitions during their
war against
Ysanne Isard, who had taken control of the
Bacta Cartels on
Thyferra. Tapper commanded the
convoy that traveled to
the Graveyard in the
Alderaan system to transfer the equipment and was caught in a
battle between the Rogues and forces loyal to Isard. In
8 ABY, Tapper accompanied Karrde to
Varonat to investigate the operations of the
Krish crime lord Gamgalon. While working undercover, the pair were discovered by Gamgalon and his Krish underlings, who planned to
kill them. Tapper tried to escape, but was killed during the attempt. Karrde was rescued by former
Emperor's Hand,
Mara Jade, who was posing as a
hyperdrive mechanic named
Celina Marniss.
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