Tomas Ust

Rebel Alliance

> "*Even when I'm terrified, I have to be brave for Betseedans. I have to put on a strong face, a happy face.*"
> ― **Tomas Ust** to Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
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## **Overview**

**Tomas Ust** was a politician and the eventual Speaker of the Chamber that served as the leader of the government on Betseeda Prime during the majority of the Galactic Civil War.

He was elected to his position shortly after Arrow Squadron's victory at the First Battle of Betseeda Prime.

## **Biography**

### **Prior to the Rebellion**

Born as the eldest child into a prominent political family, Ust grew up on Betseeda Prime. Distinguishing himself from an early age, Ust made many in roads in the government and was soon elected to the Betseedan Parliament in 29 BBY.

Ust continued to serve on several committees within the Parliament for several decades and made many strides to improve the life his people. Always considered a diplomat and statesman, he had few enemies in the government, which was exceptional considering his length of service.

During the Clone Wars, Ust worked diligently on supplying the war effort and the Betseeda System remained loyal to the Republic, supplying materials and men.

His service ran parallel to that of Madeline Gren who was a Senator in the Galactic Senate on Coruscant. While Ust was diplomatic and stately, Gren developed a reputation as a fire brand and with rise of the Galactic Empire, a frequent critic of the harsh policies being spread across the government.

While Ust spurned the spotlight, instead preferring to operate in his committees and panels, Senator Gren made her a public name for herself railing against the Empire. Ust believed that the Empire had no business with the small Betseeda System. He was shocked and horrified when the Imperial Navy occupied the system in 4 BBY. Initially, Ust and the civilian government attempted to work with Imperial Commander, Admiral Jhutan Ensah, but their efforts were rebuffed and a military occupation was established. While the Parliament was not officially disbanded, almost all authority was stripped from the chamber. Ust, for the first time in his life, was powerless to help his people.

### **Taking Up The Fight**

While others, including Gren, advocated for a more militaristic approach to the Imperial occupation, Ust and his followers believed that such a move would be suicidal in the face of such impossible odds. Instead, Ust began to build a small group of individuals, bureaucrats and other civil servants, that began to wage a unique form of resistance. They had not been removed from their positions by the new occupation force and they used this to their advantage.

Datapads with important Imperial information went missing. Supply shipments were routed to incorrect positions. Electrical scanners on various governmental landing pads went offline at crucial times. Pulling these strings was Ust and his followers. This nonviolent protest aimed at disrupting the Imperial war machine as much as possible, biding time for a more decisive form of resistance, one that Ust knew would eventually have to take place. He knew the cost would be astronomical and paid for in the blood of his people.

## **The Rebellion Comes to Betseeda**

### **Arrow Squadron**

With the arrival of a small group of Rebel Alliance fighters shortly after the destruction of the First Death Star, Ust saw his chance to act in a more decisive manner. Madeline Gren, the former Senator from Betseeda, had other ideas and was angered at the lack of support, believing the Alliance was ignoring the Betseeda System. As the Arrows worked to gain a foothold, Ust approached their leader, the young Lieutenant Tolamael Benere and offered passive assistance. He made it abundantly clear to the Lieutenant that he could not offer any official support as the appearance of neutrality was paramount. However, he agreed to funnel what information and supplies he could to the Arrows.

Lieutenant Benere understood Ust's concerns and appreciated his assistance. Gren was slower to come around, but eventually she reluctantly bought onto the Arrow's strategy. For some time, the three leaders met to discuss logistics, plans, and share what information they could. Ust took great risks to attend these meetings as, by this time, the Empire was catching onto his plans and targeted him as a traitor. Forced into hiding himself, Ust became a fixture of the small Betseedan Resistance Forces, offering policy decisions in the weeks prior to the First Battle of Betseeda Prime.

When the fighting began, Ust helped to coordinate efforts between the BRF and the Arrows. He was with the strike team that infiltrated the main government center in Tazion. Unbelievably, the Empire had neglected to change several of the security codes for the building and Ust's former clearance codes still worked to open the gates. In the ensuing battle, Gren was killed by Imperial forces.

Following the First Battle of Betseeda Prime, a sense of freedom returned to the city and planet. While there were countless struggles and an active group of Imperial loyalists to be dealt with, Ust reasserted himself as a position of authority. Leaving the BRF command to Hooper Croix, Gren's deputy, he called for a free election.

With Arrow Squadron guarding the polling stations alongside their BRF counterparts, Ust was elected unopposed. In fact, given his stalwart leadership throughout the occupation, no one ran against the senior statesman as a sign of respect.

### **The Campaign**

> "*You will have everything I can spare, Lieutenant. However, I must publicly deny my involvement with your cause. Just know that I am privately cheering you on.*"
> ― **Tomas Ust**, shortly after being elected as Speaker of the Chamber to Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
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Ust, now as Speaker of the Chamber, continued to repair the damage caused by the Imperials. With the treat of attack always present, he did his best to remain officially neutral, while working in secret to strength BRF and Arrow forces. His efforts at not only keeping his people together, and unified, as best as possible, but also putting on a brave face, often putting himself in grave danger by appearing publicly, spurred his people onward. The elder Speaker even survived two assassination attempts made against his life by Imperial agents.

Throughout the difficult years of combat, including the extremely trying Siege of Tazion, Ust continued to lead by example. He was often at the scene of Imperial bombings, working side by side with his constituents to rebuild and bury the dead. When the Arrows were planning their desperate attack against the two blockading Star Destroyers, Ust attended those planning meetings.

With the breaking of the siege, most support flowed towards the Arrows. Ust worked with members of Arrow Squadron to strength the BRF even further by developing a small air wing. These pilots would form the backbone of a new air defense corp and were to be trained by Arrow Squadron pilots. Despite Betseeda Prime lacking even the most basic necessities, Ust made sure his men had the supplies and equipment that they needed.

Ultimately, the Arrows were successful in pushing the Imperial Navy out of the Betseeda System. Following their costly victory at the Battle of Jonquil Station, the Arrows returned to Tazion and were cheered as heroes. Ust oversaw a parade in their honor and, with the immediate threat of the Empire pushed away, declared his open support for the Rebellion. Despite most of Myyribod remaining loyal to the Empire, Ust pledged the Betseeda System to the rebel cause.

### **Legacy**

> "*He is an ideal leader, in many regards. He puts his people first and asks nothing but their faith in return. This campaign owes him a great debt, to be honest.*"
> ― Lieutenant Tolamael Benere to Kostan Stodl
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Ust continued to lead his people for some time after the successful campaign against the Empire. He continued to work closely with the new commander of the BRF, Nez Rennoc, and former Arrow Squadron pilot, Kostan Stodl, who had retired from active duty to continue strengthening the BRF air force.