- "Sa'kalla!"
- ―Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek's battle cry
Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek, also known as Paodok'Draba'Takat for short—and to most as Pao—was a male Drabatan who was born on the Outer Rim planet of Pipada in 31 BBY. During the Imperial Era, he would leave his homeworld and his dream of becoming an engineer behind after the Galactic Empire invaded his world for resources to improve the Imperial Military.
Sometime after leaving his homeworld, he joined the Alliance to Restore the Republic to fight the Galactic Empire, and eventually reached the rank of corporal in the Rebel Alliance Special Forces. Pao took part in a demolition job to destroy a communications tower on the astronomical object of Foerost for the Alliance. The skills he used in that demolition job later assisted his placement of charges in the Battle of Scarif—a turning point in the Galactic Civil War for the Rebel Alliance.
During the Battle of Scarif, Pao was among those who volunteered to join Rogue One, an unconventional team of rebels who looked to retrieve the plans for the superweapon known as the Death Star from the Imperial Center of Military Research. Upon arriving on the planet, Captain Cassian Jeron Andor—the leader of the mission—assigned Pao to main squad alongside Sergeant Ruescott Melshi and two former members of the Guardians of the Whills, Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe. Pao helped cause a distraction to draw the stormtrooper garrison's attention with multiple other soldiers while fellow rebels Andor, Jyn Erso, and K-2SO snuck into the Citadel Tower and obtained the plans. While retreating from the oncoming stormtroopers, an All Terrain Armored Cargo Transport emerged from smoke and was swiftly taken down by the Alliance's Blue Squadron, whom had just breached the Shield Gate guarding the planet. Pao was killed soon after death troopers were deployed to the battle.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Pao was born on the planet Pipada (pictured).
Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek was a Drabatan born on the[1] Outer Rim[5] planet of Pipada[1] in 31 BBY. His shortened name was Paodok'Draba'Takat; however, he was known to most simply as Pao—as remembering and pronouncing his name was difficult for many. He studied structural dynamics and dreamed of becoming an engineer, but these wishes would remain unfulfilled when the Galactic Empire began an occupation of his homeworld[2] after the Drabatan people protested its rule. One protester was Sa'Kalla, a young and popular singer who wrote songs denouncing the Empire. After her death, many Drabatan warriors[6] such as Pao[4] used her name in a war cry when charging into battle.[6]
During the occupation, the Empire exploited the planet of its resources to further expand the Imperial Military and satisfy their fuel needs. The occupation caused most of the Drabatan people—including Pao—to abandon their homeworld.[2]
The Rebellion[]
A cry of rebellion[]
- "Commander— If Jyn Erso can't get the job done, we need to consider a plan for raiding Saw Gerrera's fortress in the Jedha Catacombs"
- ―General Davits Draven, expressing his concerns to Mon Mothma
Pao was amongst the rebels recommended by General Draven for a strike team.
Pao eventually gave up his wish of becoming an engineer to join the Alliance to Restore the Republic in order to fight the Galactic Empire. After serving with the Alliance for some time, he became a corporal in the Rebel Alliance Special Forces.[1] At some point, Pao undertook a demolition job to destroy a communications tower on the terrestrial astronomical object of Foerost.[8]
In 1 BBY,[3] Cassian Jeron Andor—a Captain part of Alliance Intelligence—received secret Imperial information that reported the Galactic Empire had been constructing a superweapon named the Death Star that had the power to destroy a planet. The alliance had attempted to contact the lead engineer of the space station—Galen Walton Erso—through his daughter, Jyn Erso. She was extracted from Imperial capture by members of the Marine Corps led by rebel Lieutenant Ruescott Melshi and the reprogrammed Imperial KX-series security droid, K-2SO.[4] Jyn was later brought to the Mid Rim[1] moon of Jedha to make contact with rebel extremist Saw Gerrera and receive a message from her father about the rumored superweapon.[4]
General Davits Draven recognized Pao for his fearlessness and self-awareness. For this reason, the Drabatan corporal was among those considered to be a part of a strike team to raid Saw Gerrera's Base on Jedha if Jyn was unable to complete her mission. General Draven recommended Pao, alongside the multiple other soldiers,[7] to rebel Chancellor[9] Mon Mothma as candidates for the strike team, with a larger squad potentially being built around them.[7] However, Draven's strike team was not formed, as Jyn was able to complete this task and later speak directly to her father on the planet Eadu. She then brought the information back to the rebel base[4] on the Outer Rim moon of Yavin 4.[10]
Battle of Scarif[]
- "Melshi, Pao, Baze, Chirrut—you'll take main squad, move east and get wide of the ship"
- ―Captain Cassian Jeron Andor, issuing orders
Pao (right) volunteered to partake in an unsanctioned mission to steal the Death Star Plans.
Jyn met with the Alliance Cabinet to discuss the information she had received from her father, stating that the plans for the Death Star were being kept on the Outer Rim planet Scarif. However, before her meeting with the Cabinet was even complete, Andor and Melshi began calling upon volunteers to partake in an unsanctioned mission to steal the Death Star plans from Scarif, even if it meant disobeying orders.[8] Pao eagerly joined the newly formed Rogue One group, being one of the first people to respond to Melshi's call.[11] He, alongside the nearly two dozen other volunteers, boarded the stolen Imperial shuttle SW-0608, with the former Imperial pilot-turned-rebel Bodhi Rook as its pilot, and departed for Scarif. On the way to the planet, the soldiers exchanged war stories and talked amongst themselves.[8]
The planet was protected by the orbital Shield Gate space station, which provided the only entry and exit from the surface to space. Using the shuttle's Imperial access codes, Rogue One was able to pass through the Shield Gate without incident and began their descent onto the planet. After landing on Landing Platform Nine, some of the troopers felt worried and expressed concerns about the task at hand, until Jyn gave a speech to the group, which motivated the rebels and gave them hope for the mission they were about to undertake. Captain Andor then instructed Pao, alongside Melshi and two former Guardians of the Whills—Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe—to take main squad and plant charges along the base and make it appear as if there were a hundred soldiers compared to the small amount that were actually present.[4]
Pao planting an explosive on the side of a barrel to provide a distraction
Jyn and Andor then took Imperial disguises alongside K-2SO into the facility to retrieve the plans from the vault in the Citadel Tower while Pao and the rest of the soldiers prepared a distraction. After the area was clear, Pao led the group as they snuck out of the ship. Taking cover behind a crate, he signaled for the other soldiers to follow in close to him, leaving five soldiers behind to protect the ship and Rook—who would be their only way off of the planet. The troopers quickly entered the jungle canopy and gathered together as Sergeant Melshi handed out explosives to each of the rebels, telling them to plant one at each pad. Pao received one of them and placed it on the side of a barrel[4] and more in the barracks of the Scarif garrison.[2]
Chaos on the beaches[]
- "Light it up."
- ―Cassian Andor to Ruescott Melshi
Captain Andor gave Melshi the signal to blow to charges and begin the distraction. Explosions erupted all across the island,[4] prompting Imperial director of Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research Orson Callan Krennic[12] to order the Scarif garrison to be deployed in order to combat the rebels. Pao and the rest of the rebel fighters on the main platform immediately ambushed and engaged the shoretroopers and stormtroopers. He took cover from the oncoming fire behind a crate as his comrades began to fall. Amid the chaos, an All Terrain Armored Cargo Transport emerged from the smoke caused by countless explosions and started firing on the rebels. Pao let out a yell alerting his fellow troopers to the threat—incorrectly identifying the towering walker as an All Terrain Armored Transport—and started to retreat back into the shrubbery on the beach while continuing to fire at the approaching Imperials.[4]
Pao taking cover behind boxes on the Imperial platform while combating the Scarif garrison
Soon after the AT-ACT attacked, the rebel fleet arrived above the planet to engage the Empire's ships stationed over the Shield Gate. The AT-ACT continued to chase the rebel foot soldiers out of the canopy and into an open beach with little cover, Pao leaped into a ditch, attempting to use it as cover, letting out his war cry of "Sa'kalla!" Members of Blue Squadron were able to breach the Shield Gate before it was closed and consisted of twelve T-65B X-wing starfighters and one UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft. Together, the squadron took down the Imperial walker, saving the fleeing rebels. Pao continued to run through the battlefield close to Melshi; however, despite being saved from the walker,[4] he perished in the battle shortly before death troopers were deployed on the surface to combat the few remaining fighters.[2]
Legacy[]
Sacrifice not in vain[]
- "Rogue One, may the Force be with you. All ships, prepare for jump to hyperspace."
- ―Admiral Raddus
Pao's distraction and sacrifice paved the way to the Death Star's destruction at the hands of Red Squadron's Luke Skywalker.
Pao's actions and sacrifice provided Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor enough time to transmit the Death Star plans to the rebel Mon Cala capital ship Profundity, which was captained by the Mon Calamari Admiral Raddus.[4] The Battle of Scarif was the first major victory for the Rebel Alliance. These plans eventually made their way back to the Rebellion's base on Yavin 4 and were used to bring the destruction of the Death Star at the hands of the Force-sensitive rebel pilot Luke Skywalker and Red Squadron at the Battle of Yavin in 0 BBY.[13] After the Battle of Scarif, some rebels had begun to notice that their commanders had started to feel almost embarrassed by the successful mission performed by the Rogue One group, despite most of the fighters involved had been killed.[14]
When the Empire launched an attack on the Mako-Ta Space Docks[2] in 1 ABY,[3] Luke Skywalker named his group Rogue Squadron in honor of the members of Rogue One's efforts and sacrifice. Skywalker served as Rogue Leader and it was decided that the next pilot should not go by "Rogue One" but rather "Rogue Two." Rebel pilot Zev Senesca received this title, while the former was retired out of respect to the fallen.[15]
Remembered for decades[]
- "Pao was a notable Drabatan who served as a commando for the rebel forces during the Battle of Scarif. Drabatans are freshwater amphibiods, so the salt water on Scarif was unpleasent for Pao. He nevertheless charged into battle with his Drabatese war cry of 'Sa'kalla!' against his Imperial enemies, inspiring his many squad mates to follow suit."
- ―A section of the entry on Drabatans in an artist's journal
Pao was mentioned in a journal that came into the possession of the Graf Archive (pictured)
The recommendation of Pao and other soldiers to a strike team was included in The Rebel Files, a collection of documents relating to the Rebel Alliance compiled by the archivist Hendri Underholt. When The Rebel Files were recovered[7] in 34 ABY[17]—after being lost during the Imperial bombardment of the planet Durkteel[7] in 4 ABY—[18] the documents were passed on to General Leia Organa of the Resistance, and several Resistance members read them. Resistance officer and former rebel lieutenant Caluan Ematt read Draven's recommendation of Pao and his fellow soldiers and commented that Draven was on to something in selecting them, as evidenced by Pao's volunteering for the unsanctioned mission to Scarif[7] that resulted in his death.[4]
Pao's legacy was recounted over thirty years later[19] in an artist's journal as part of an entry on the Drabatan species that referred to Pao as a notable member of his species. It also mentioned the presence of a Drabatan mechanic at the Resistance base on the planet D'Qar. The journal eventually came into the possession of the Graf Archive—a vast depository owned by the Graf family that contained documents that held historical importance.[16]
Personality and traits[]
- "Karabast! AT-AT!"
- ―Pao upon seeing an AT-ACT approaching his position
Pao yelling while courageously charging the enemy during the Battle of Scarif
Pao was a male member of the freshwater amphibious Drabatan species[1] with tough[20] gray skin and amber eyes who stood at 1.72 meters.[1] He often muttered oaths and curses in his native Drabatese. Although he understood Galactic Basic Standard, the wide structure of his jaw made it difficult for him to pronounce words. Due to his skills as a soldier, his squadmates were fine with him speaking in his native tongue, as relaying specific orders was not among his tasks.[2] Pao did not let low odds of success against him deter him from his goals. His thirst for battle was only exceeded by his hatred of the Galactic Empire, which led to him being a fierce commando.[1] As a Drabatan that thrived in freshwater, the saltwater on Scarif was unpleasant for him.[16]
Skills and abilities[]
Pao was a skilled demolitions specialist with a booming voice.
Pao was a demolitions specialist,[21] and because he was amphibious, he was particularly skilled at underwater demolitions. He studied structural dynamics, which contributed to his ability to find the best place to set explosive charges on structures. As a Drabatan, Pao had enlarged lungs and strong diaphragm muscles that allowed him to speak with a booming voice and hold his breath for long periods of time.[1] He used his booming voice to yell his war cry of "Sa'Kalla" that unnerved even his bravest opponents.[22] Pao was not Force-sensitive, though he had high speed and fighting ability, average strength and intelligence, and low diplomacy skills.[21]
Equipment[]
Pao wore replacement galven barrels on his arm gauntlets for his illegal boiler rifle.
During his time serving in the Rebellion, Pao wore water-shedding fatigues with a dark gray vest over a tan smock with upper arm guards made of folded reeds from his homeworld of Pipada.[1] On top of his head he wore a protective tan colored cap.[20] He donned a pair of wrist gauntlets over dark fingerless gloves; the gauntlets held replacement galven barrels for his illegally tibanna-jacked black market boiler rifle, as it often needed repairs.[1] Alongside his rifle, he utilized sonic grenades while in combat.[23] On his back he wore a backpack equipped with a transmitter antenna. Around his waist he wore a belt with a square buckle that had a design resembling the Rebellion's commander rank insignia, there were also two holsters attached to the belt that held cylindrical objects in each.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
Development[]
- "A lot of the time Pao was running, ducking and diving amongst explosions on set and it was a challenge as he totally had to trust in the directions he's been given. Then there was a third person, Phil Woodfine, performing the physical expressions on Pao's face using radio-controlled animatronics."
- ―Creature effects supervisor Neal Scanlan
Derek Arnold's face visible inside the Pao head
Pao, jokingly nicknamed "Bigmouth" by the filming crew,[25] was first introduced in the Anthology Series film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story[4] which was released on December 16, 2016.[26] He was portrayed by actor Derek Arnold, who was previously the puppeteer for the back legs of a luggabeast in[27] the 2015[28] sequel trilogy film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.[27] While Pao's facial movements were controlled by external puppeteer Phill Woodfine using radio-controlled electronics,[27] Pao was first seen during an exclusive trailer shown at Star Wars Celebration Europe,[29] which ran from July 15 to July 17 in 2016.[30] He was later identified as Pao in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story[4] alongside the simultaneously-released novel and junior novel adaptations of the film.[26] His full name of Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek was revealed in the reference book Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide. The book was written by Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo[1] and was released alongside the film.[26]
According to creature concept designer Jake Lunt Davies, Pao originated from a sketch made in a creative brief for a character in The Force Awakens who never made it into the final cut. He was originally designed with long spiky hair and a large mouth. When it was decided to use the character for Rogue One, it was concluded that his look did not fit with the military angle, so Davies replaced Pao's hair with a kind of kepi but opted to keep his big mouth. Eventually, director Gareth Edwards agreed to use Pao in the Battle of Scarif.[31] Edwards called Pao a platoon leader of sorts, saying Pao had a great design with a big mouth that looked good for giving orders and shouting at people.[25]
Concept art of Pao by Jake Lunt Davies
Pablo Hidalgo stated he believed Pao was more "gung ho" than most other Drabatan, but believed the rest of his people would be proud to call him a representative of their species. Alongside this, he stated that he planned to include a story in Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide speaking of how Pao had a mild-mannered civilian life as an engineer before joining the Rebellion.[32]
Team Pao[]
- "It definitely takes a team, it'd be incredibly selfish if I said, 'Oh, I was Pao,' because I couldn't have done it without Phill. He didn't just create the facial expressions, he guided me as well. He let me know what was happening; where Felicity (Jones) was, where Diego (Luna) was. That way I knew what angle I needed to have my head at to make sure Pao's eyeline was there."
- ―Derek Arnold, on his support as Pao
After production for The Force Awakens had been completed, Arnold was invited back to Star Wars as Pao, to which he quickly said yes. Arnold said his experience playing as Pao was exciting, for while he spent around one to two weeks on different puppets in The Force Awakens, he was Pao every day on set in Rogue One, aside from working two weeks on the giant puppet of Saw Gerrera's torture pet Bor Gullet, which took fifteen puppeteers to operate. Arnold spent a couple of months filming the role of Pao, while wearing Pao's claustrophobic animatronic head, he could not hear or see anything apart from the loud robotic noises coming from the head, which Arnold described as like being in a cave.[27]
Derek Arnold on set as Pao
When running around during battle scenes, Arnold's movement director Paul Kasey guided him through the set using an earpiece while Phill Woodfine operated Pao's facial movement through radio-controlled electronics.[24] Pao's support team always arrived on set before anyone else according to Arnold, they mapped out the set and got Arnold used to the area before shooting his scenes, on set he was additionally guided by other actors. One challenge that was overcome by Arnold was attempting to look towards someone instead of past them, which was assisted by Woodfine and Kasey, who would give him instructions such as "Left, left, left, straight, straight straight, right, right, right, STOP!" Another member of "Team Pao" was Morna MacPherson. She, according to Arnold, took care of Pao. She arrived an hour earlier than anyone else and would both prep and fix the Pao costume. She also occasionally ran with Arnold, providing an umbrella or water for the actor. There was always a group of people around Pao ensuring the safety of both Arnold and the apparel.[27]
Edits and errors[]
- "Originally he was just going to come in and just hail the beginning of a big battle scene. Kinda come in, sniff the battle out and then scream at the start of the battle"
- ―Christopher Clarke
Pao running past Bistan's downed U-Wing in an unused scene
According to animatronic designer Christopher Clarke, Pao was originally set to only appear at the start of a battle, exiting a ship and sniffing out a battle before screaming to show off how wide the costume's mouth could open. However, he ended up having a slightly larger role in the movie.[33] Pao also had scenes featured exclusively in trailers and other promotional material. In one, Pao is seen charging past[34] the Iakaru rebel Bistan's[35] downed U-wing on the beach, having seemingly lost his backpack antenna.[34] Another features the Drabatan giving soldiers the signal to move forward during the Battle of Scarif.[36] However, neither of these scenes appeared in the final theatrical release of the film.[4]
In 2017, Pao was featured in the 2017 Topps Star Wars: Rogue One Series 2 card set produced by The Topps Company, Inc., in the 58th card "Pao Gives It His All," it incorrectly identifies Pao's battle cry as "Karabast" rather than the correct "Sa'kalla."[37] Pao's name is spelled incorrectly in the Star Wars Encyclopedia booklet published by De Agostini, "The Heroes of Rogue One,"[2] first released in French on February 16, 2021[38] and was kept in the English publication. In the booklet, the third section of Pao's name is spelled incorrectly as "Nik'Linek'Ti'"[2] as opposed to to correct "Nik'Linke'Ti'."[1]
Non-canon history[]
Going rogue[]
- "Can you hear me? This is Pao! I'm on heat! and I need backup!"
- ―Pao requesting help
The action figure of Pao used in episode 3 of Star Wars Go Rogue.
Pao is featured as a secondary character in the non-canon Star Wars Go Rogue series on the official Star Wars YouTube channel,[39] released from August 31[40] to September 26, 2016.[41] In the third episode, Pao was first seen as an action figure under blaster fire while scouting an Imperial crash site for the second set of Death Star plans, as the Rebellion obtained the first one. Panicking, he requested backup and Jyn Erso answers the call, arriving with Cassian Andor, K-2SO, Chirrut Îmwe, and Baze Malbus. Erso requested a status report on the mission and Pao informed her that the second instruction booklet for the Death Star is located in the wreck, stating that they would not be getting anywhere near it with the overwhelming Imperial forces present.[39]
After Andor and K-2SO snuck behind the enemy and took remote control of an AT-AT, Pao joined the other rebels in rushing the wreck to retrieve the plans. A stormtrooper discovered the case containing the booklet in the wreck and celebrated before being knocked over by Malbus and stepped on by Pao. Erso grabbed the case and headed towards the group's U-wing. The stormtroopers captured Andor and discovered the ship and took back the first booklet before destroying the fighter. However, Erso had another plan.[39]
Going more rogue[]
- "Over thirty eight hundred pieces, now with over thirty eight hundred pieces of instructions!"
"Hahahaha, that's a good one" - ―Jyn Erso and Pao after completing the mission
The LEGO minifigure of Pao used in episode 4 of Star Wars Go Rogue.
In the fourth and final episode, Pao—as well as the other characters—appeared as LEGO minifigures. While searching the wreck of the U-wing, Erso discovered Bodhi Rook, their pilot who survived the ship exploding. The crew built two ships using pieces from the destroyed U-Wing and escaped the astronomical object they were left on. The band of rebels reached the Death Star in hopes of recapturing the plans and saving Andor. Erso and Rook entered with the first ship and attempted to make a deal with Imperial Director Orsen Krennic, who was holding Cassian.[41]
When the plan failed, the other rebels came in with the second ship, with Pao in the gunner's position shooting at the Imperial forces. The ship was destroyed by blaster fire but everyone survived. In the chaos, both instruction booklets were destroyed in a shredder, preventing either side from obtaining their information. Andor was rescued and Rook commandeered Krennic's shuttle, Pao and the crew boarded the ship and escaped the battle station. celebrating their victory.[41]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: Force Arena
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (First appearance, simultaneous with film novelization and Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novelization (and audiobook)
- Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel (and audiobook)
- Star Wars: Rogue One: Secret Mission
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Graphic Novel Adaptation
- Rogue One Adaptation 4
- Rogue One Adaptation 5
- Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
Non-canon appearances[]
Star Wars Go Rogue | Chapter 3 on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)- Star Wars Go Rogue | Chapter 4 on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- Star Wars: Rogue One As Told By LEGO - Mini Movie on the official LEGO YouTube channel (backup link)
