Aril Nunb Aril Nunb was a Sullustan female who defied her employers and fought against the Empire , eventually becoming a starfighter pilot for the Alliance to Restore the Republic . Nunb was born on Sullust ; a skilled pilot , she and her brother Nien became cargo - runners for SoroSuub Corporation early in their lives , building up a sturdy reputation . When SoroSuub allied itself with the Empire , Aril and Nien quit their jobs and formed a band of pirates , hassling and raiding SoroSuub shipments , before turning them over to the Rebel Alliance . After the corporation brought in several Star Destroyers to deal with the outlaws , the two joined the Rebellion full - time . Nunb proved her worth in the Alliance military , eventually achieving the rank of captain . In 7 ABY , she joined Rogue Squadron as an X - wing pilot , participating in the build - up to the liberation of Coruscant . During a covert mission to the planet , Nunb was captured by Imperial scientists and used to test Ysanne Isard ' s Krytos virus . She escaped , though , and continued to serve the New Republic in the aftermath of the Krytos epidemic . When the squadron was refused permission to go after Isard on Thyferra , she and her fellows left New Republic service to take down Isard themselves . After helping to defeat Isard in the Bacta War , Aril left the squadron ; she continued her service with the New Republic Defense Fleet , though , captaining the " Valiant " warship and later the Star Destroyer " Protector " . She continued to serve the New Republic through the Thrawn campaign and Yuuzhan Vong War , attaining the rank of admiral . Biography . Early life . Aril Nunb was born on the planet Sullust , and grew up alongside her brother Nien in the subterranean cities of the Sullustans , built to keep shelter from the volcanic surface of her homeworld . From an early age , Aril showed an instinctual ability to pilot starships — a talent which she refined during her time working as a smuggler with her brother . Together , they flew an old stock freighter named the " Sublight Queen " , building a sturdy reputation among others in their profession , though Nien achieved more notoriety than Aril . The two worked together extensively during the reign of Emperor Palpatine , transporting raw materials to outlying systems on behalf of SoroSuub Corporation , a leading mineral processing corporation originating from Sullust . When SoroSuub allied itself with the Galactic Empire and introduced sweeping reforms which practically enslaved the Sullustan people , Aril and Nien decided they could no longer work for them , and left their jobs . The corporation responded by trying to have the two siblings killed , but the Nunbs ' superior flying skills allowed them to evade the SoroSuub starfighters sent to pursue them . Aril and her brother began to raid outgoing SoroSuub shipments , and handed them over to the Alliance to Restore the Republic in protest over SoroSuub ' s allegiance with the Empire . Many other Sullustans , already angry at SoroSuub for dissolving the planetary government , followed the Nunbs ' lead ; they became a band of pirates , and before long they had managed to severely disrupt SoroSuub ' s operations with constant raids . Aril became a valued contributor to the Rebel Alliance , though both she and her brother declined any offers to formally join the Rebellion . A newly established SoroSuub home guard proved ineffectual against the superior piloting abilities of the Sullustans , leaving the corporation extremely frustrated . They resorted to respond with sheer force , and called in favors with the Empire , which promptly sent a full consortment of Star Destroyers to the system to deal with the Nunbs and their comrades . The Star Destroyers engaged Aril and her fellow Sullustans immediately upon entering the system ; although the Nunbs survived unharmed , many of their comrades lost their lives . The Empire then established a blockade , barring the remaining pirates from exiting the system . The Sullustans attempted to fly through the blockade ; although more of their number perished , Aril and Nien survived . The " Sublight Queen " , however , had been destroyed . It was then that Nunb and her brother decided to formally join the Rebel Alliance . Rogue . Nien Nunb called in favors from an old friend named Sian Tevv , a prominent member of the Rebellion , who arranged for the admittance of both he and Aril into the Alliance Navy . For the next several years , Nunb served the Rebellion as a pilot ; although at home in an X - wing starfighter , her experience piloting freighters meant she was able to contribute to the Alliance ' s war effort by flying larger vessels , also . Several standard years after she joined the Alliance , Nunb became a captain , and was a respected member of the New Republic Defense Fleet . Two and a half years after her brother helped destroy the second Death Star over Endor , Nunb was provisionally selected as the Executive officer of Wedge Antilles ' reformed Rogue Squadron . Commander Antilles , however , was not entirely satisfied with her selection — he recognized that she was a talented pilot , but felt that the fact that her skills were purely intuitive would make her a substandard teacher . It was his belief that keeping Aril as Executive Officer would be detrimental to the squadron , and would leave both her and the young recruits frustrated . Tycho Celchu was controversially chosen in Nunb ' s place , though the Sullustan continued to serve the New Republic . Six months later , however , Nunb was presented with an opportunity to join the squadron as a pilot . The Rogues had incurred heavy losses at Borleias , and Antilles was searching for suitable pilots — ones that would not require months of training — to fill the gaps left by the deaths of Andoorni Hui and Peshk Vri ' syk . Nunb was one of few who expressed an interest in the offer , and along with Pash Cracken , she officially joined the squadron in 7 ABY . Antilles , who had been unable to inform her of the reason she had been dropped as Executive Officer , told her the reasoning behind his decision when she first reported for duty in his office on Borleias . Nunb impressed the Corellian , who immediately warmed to her frank , practical manner . Due to suspicions of Tycho Celchu ' s trustworthiness , Nunb was told that in Antilles ' absence , she would lead the Rogues . Aril acquainted herself with Celchu , though he did like her brusque nature as Wedge Antilles had , before being shown to her personal quarters . As Rogue Twelve , Nunb was soon sent out with the others to Mrisst , where they were to ambush two Imperial ships — the " Vengeance Derra IV " and " Contruum ' s Pride " . After making a two - legged hyperspace jump from Borleias , Rogue Squadron launched their attack on the two vessels , who scanners read their X - wings as harmless snubfighters . Captain Nunb , acting as Corran Horn ' s wingmate , engaged the two squadrons of TIE fighters launched by the " Vengeance " in defense , destroying several before the enemy could strike . After rendering the " Vengeance " non - operational , the Squadron persuaded " Contruum ' s Pride " to surrender . Successful , they returned to their base ; Nunb was welcomed to the squadron and commended on her flying by her squad mates . While Captain Nunb and the others neutralized the Imperial ships , Wedge Antilles attended a meeting of the New Republic Provisional Council to discuss potential plans to liberate Coruscant from Ysanne Isard ' s control . Councilor Borsk Fey ' lya had formulated a plan , which , despite Antilles ' reservations , Rogue Squadron was ordered to carry out : the rescue of key members of the Black Sun organization from prison on Kessel . The criminals would be transported to Coruscant , where the New Republic hoped they would cause enough distraction for Isard that the Rogues would be able to perform preliminary groundwork in advance of a full - scale attack by Admiral Ackbar and his fleet . Nunb flew cover on Kessel while the releases of many high profile inmates were negotiated , though the operation passed without incident . Imperial captive . Nunb and several other Rogues secretly departed the New Republic base on Noquivzor in the " Pulsar Skate " , and arrived safely in Invisec , a crime - ridden sector of the world largely populated by non - Humans . The six squadron members in Invisec was split into three teams of two — Aril was paired with the Gand Ooryl Qrygg — and each given a specific role in gathering information which would be useful to the New Republic in the wake of their attack . Nunb and her partner were tasked with making an estimate for the length of time Coruscant would be able to sustain itself were it blockaded , as well as to provide the Provisional Council with data on trading in and out of Coruscant ; especially the Empire ' s control and involvement over it . After a week spent surveying the sector , Nunb estimated that provisions would last for approximately one standard month . She was also able to provide data on the tariffs paid by traders to both the Empire and other criminal organizations . The three teams used the Azure Dianoga , a seedy cantina located in the heart of Invisec , as a rendezvous point , meeting there each evening to discuss the day ' s progress ; they never made contact with the other half of the squadron . Approximately one week into their mission , Aril and the others were faced with a squad of stormtroopers performing a search of the cantina , though , with the false identities they had been granted , they were easily able to dissuade the Imperials . Not long after the Imperial threat had been stopped , members of the Alien Combine took Gavin Darklighter , the youngest member of Rogue Squadron , hostage , claiming he was an anti - alien bigot . Nunb and her fellows were dragged along with him , surrounded by many alien denizens of the Azure Dianoga , to a nearby hovel , where they intended to execute Darklighter as an example to supporters of the Empire . Before they could murder Gavin , a garrison of Imperial stormtroopers arrived , by chance , citing that an unlawful gathering was taking place : they informed the congregation that they were authorized to kill . When the Alien Combine refused to surrender , an Imperial flying fortress plowed into the building , causing considerable damage to it , while stormtroopers rushed forward to raid the debris . Nunb attempted to escape with the other Rogues , but , " en route " to the exit , a stray blaster bolt from the flying fortress hit the wall immediately beside her . The blast knocked her to the ground , while the falling debris landed on her and broke several of the Sullustan pilot ' s ribs . Despite her injuries , Nunb went to the aid of a screaming Sullustan child in her midst , though immediately after she reached him , the remainder of the building collapsed , knocking her unconscious . Even after she awoke , Nunb feigned unconsciousness , so as to hide from the Imperial stormtroopers sifting through the wreckage of the building . Her ruse did not last long , however ; the stormtroopers found her and left her with approximately a dozen other Sullustans , most of whom also sported grievous wounds . Nunb searched for the toddler she had assisted previously , though she was unable to locate him — she convinced herself that the child closest to her was the toddler , though , still concussed , she knew this to be untrue . Nunb was examined by an Imperial general named Evir Derricote , who decided that her wounds were not life threatening . She was carted off with the other Sullustans to an Imperial facility located deep within the Imperial Palace on Coruscant ; there , she was immediately injected with a strain of the Krytos virus . Nunb ' s health slowly deteriorated , though Diric Wessiri , one of Derricote ' s unwilling laboratory assistants , was kind and helpful to her , making her time in captivity more bearable . The Krytos virus was a plan of Ysanne Isard ' s — knowing Coruscant would eventually fall to the New Republic , the former Director of Imperial Intelligence wished for the New Republic to inherit a dying world . The virus only affected non - Humans , and could easily be cured by bacta ; the cost of which would bankrupt the New Republic . Nunb was one of just two captive Sullustans to be chosen by Kirtan Loor to be used to test if the bacta cured Sullustans — it did , though Aril was kept in Derricote ' s laboratory . Diric Wessiri helped her through her recovery and ensured she remained healthy , though the rest of the Sullustans did not survive . Several weeks after her capture , Aril was able to escape the Imperial compound . Her fellow Rogues had managed to disable Coruscant ' s shields , and the New Republic fleet had managed to liberate it from Isard ' s control . After being found by New Republic personnel in Invisec , Nunb was able to provide General Airen Cracken with information pertaining to the virus . She was debriefed by Cracken , before rejoining her squadron on the New Republic ' s capital planet . Aril , however , had joined a fragmented and broken squadron ; Corran Horn had been killed , and Executive Officer Tycho Celchu had been charged with his murder , though Wedge Antilles protested Celchu ' s innocence . Return to Rogue Squadron . Nunb spent a lot of time of Coruscant from that point on , due to the ongoing Celchu trial , which many members of the squadron were involved in . Along with the rest of the squadron , Aril testified at least once in the case , though her testimony was of little significance . Mere days after being diagnosed as entirely healthy , Nunb was flying with Rogues again , on a mission to recover stolen bacta from a Zsinj - controlled space station over Yag ' Dhul . She led Defender Wing , whose objective was to draw Zsinj ' s forces away from the Rogues . After the Y - wings of Defender Wing helped the Rogues defeat the majority of the enemies , a squadron of B - wings arrived from hyperspace to take out any survivors . After Antilles negotiated the surrender of the personnel on - station , the squadron escorted transports — filled with the bacta captured — back to Coruscant , where it helped to counteract the Krytos epidemic . Midway through the Celchu trail , the Rogues were sent on another mission , to the Twi ' lek homeworld Ryloth . The expedition was made with the aim of negotiating the transfer of a large quantity of valuable ryll , which Vratix chemists reckoned could cure the Krytos disease . The mission went extremely smoothly , although a clash of factions among the Twi ' leks threatened to boil over into something far more dangerous . It did not , however , and the Rogues were greeted by a full - scale celebratory ; Aril found companionship with another Sullustan , Liat Tsayv , and the two danced long into the night . Antilles was able to negotiate a deal with the Twi ' leks which provided them with enough quantity of ryll to begin work on a cure for the Krytos virus . The desperate need the Provisional Council had for bacta meant that the Rogues continued to be sent out on minor missions ; during one of them , the Rogues were to escort a convoy of freighters laden down with bacta from the graveyard at Alderaan to Coruscant . When Aril exited hyperspace and arrived in the system , the convoy had been decimated by Imperial forces ; she entered the system just as a Super Star Destroyer left via hyperspace . Although the " Iron Fist " had left , there were still a full complement of TIE fighters to deal with , as well as several other smaller vessels . Nunb was tasked with scouting and surveying the system while her squad mates fended them off , though her report was dismal : not one of the freighters had survived . Though Rogue Squadron had incurred no casualties , the attack — which warlord Zsinj claimed responsibility for — had left the New Republic short of much needed bacta . In the early hours of morning , Nunb and Rogue Squadron were sent on an urgent mission by Admiral Ackbar , flying cover for ground troops attempting to fend off efforts by the Palpatine Counter - Insurgency Front to sabotage deposits of bacta on Coruscant . The mission was risky , in that any number of civilian casualties could be incurred , though Antilles pointed out that if they were unsuccessful , thousands more lives would be lost . The squadron downed several AT - ST walkers , though these were simply decoys , while a landspeeder stocked with explosives sped towards the bacta warehouse . While Commander Antilles neutralized the landspeeder , Nunb and her wingman fought off dozens of TIE fighters emerging from Coruscant ' s surface . While they struggled to evade the swarms of TIEs , a Super Star Destroyer , the " Lusankya " , burst up from beneath hoards of buildings on the planet , laying waste to the area around it . With the " Lusankya " fully emerged from the ground , the TIE fighters left on a course to dock with it , though Nunb and her squadmates culled their considerable numbers from behind . The " Lusankya " entered hyperspace and fled , taking with it Erisi Dlarit — the real Imperial spy — and killing many thousands of innocents . Corran Horn turned out to be alive , and his presence absolved Tycho Celchu of all charges . Each member of Rogue Squadron was awarded the Coruscant Star of Valor , although matters were far from fully resolved : Ysanne Isard had supported a political coup of the world of Thyferra , and was effectively in control of the entire bacta market . Although they wished to , the Rogues were not permitted to go after Isard , as the Provisional Council refused to interfere in the legitimate appointment of Isard as head of government . In response , each of the Rogues , including Aril Nunb , retired from the squadron in order to go after Isard on their own . The Bacta War . The squadron was without supplies and technology , however , most notably their X - wings . Funds sent to Tycho Celchu ' s bank accounts by the Empire — part of the attempt to frame him as an Imperial agent — helped greatly in the procurement of snubfighters , and each of the Rogues had their fighters painted in custom colors . In order to unseat Isard on Thyferra , they had a team of insurgents , led by Iella Wessiri and Elscol Loro , placed on the planet ' s surface , while the squadron harassed Isard ' s bacta shipments in the hopes she would come after them . They set up a base of operations at a space station they ' d previously raided over Yag ' Dhul , with smuggler Booster Terrik acting as commander of the space station . The first raid proved successful : the Rogues stole a plethora of bacta , and handed it over , free of charge , to the citizens of Halanit , who were in dire need of it . They continued to mount successful raids , to Isard ' s fury . While the majority of the bacta was handed over to poor worlds , the Rogues used some of it to pay for spare parts , and to acquire the services of dozens of freighters , which brought more stolen bacta back to Coruscant to treat those infected with the Krytos virus . The Rogues did what they could to hire as many smugglers as they could , and Aril , along with fellow squadron member Inyri Forge , managed to get two freighters to join their convoy personally . Nunb was a talented gambler , and several of her opponents racked up such large debts that there only way of repaying them were to throw their lot in with Antilles ' crew . Rogue Squadron continued its harassment of Isard ' s bacta supplies ; they were also boosted by the allegiance of a squadron of Twi ' leks , piloting Death Seed s , led by Tal ' dira , a warrior whom they had met on their mission to Ryloth during the Krytos crisis . The group received their first losses on a botched raid attempt , after forcing three of Isard ' s freighters into defecting . The Star Destroyer " Corrupter " had left the rest of the bacta convoy to try to intercept the Rogues and the treacherous freighters ; it arrived in system and bombarded the squadron , killing one Rogue and several of the Twi ' lek pilots . Nunb and the others fled , though Isard had struck her first real blow against them . The Rogues were boosted by the arrival of a trio of Gands sent to monitor Ooryl Qrygg to see if he qualified for Janwuine - jika , who flew heavily modified TIE / sa bombers . Commander Antilles then had the Rogues begin attacking Isard ' s bacta production facilities , including one at Qretu 5 . The Rogues ' next outing was to the Graveyard of Alderaan , where they were due to transfer a large amount of bacta to smuggling kingpin Talon Karrde in exchange for more munitions . Upon arrival , Tycho Celchu registered comm messages from an Alderaanian frequency , originating in the area , though before they had a chance to investigate it further , they were ambushed by the " Corrupter " , as well as an Interdictor Cruiser named the " Aggregator " . The Rogues immediately fired off dozens of proton torpedos at the Star Destroyer , though they had little chance of defeating the two ships on their own . Suddenly , however , an Alderaanian war cruiser appeared , firing on the " Corrupter " . With the help of the Rogues , Isard ' s vessel was destroyed , while the " Aggregator " fled to hyperspace . The Alderaanian craft , named the " Valiant " , was an old ship run entirely by droids , which had been slave - rigged up to another ship , " Another Chance " . Rogue Squadron managed to persuade the " Valiant " to accompany them to Yag ' Dhul , where they met and discussed what to do with it . Knowing of her past experience working on larger ships , Wedge offered Nunb the captaincy of the " Valaint " . Along with the squadron ' s droid , M - 3PO , Nunb agreed to oversee and command the vessel ' s droid crews in the war against Isard , giving the Rogues a massive advantage . The Valiant , under the command of Aril Nunb , participated in the Battle of Thyferra and attacked the engines of the Executor - class Star Dreadnought Lusankya . After the Rogues were invited to return to active duty in the New Republic , Numb decided she would prefer to remain in command of the " Valiant " and left the squadron upon its revival . Yuuzhan Vong War . By 25 ABY Nunb had become a full New Republic Admiral and commanded the " Victory " - class Star Destroyer " Protector " . She brought Leia Organa Solo and Danni Quee to Bastion for a diplomatic meeting between them and Admiral Gilad Pellaeon to ask for Imperial Remnant military support against the Yuuzhan Vong who had invaded the galaxy . Their mission was successful .