Kostan Stodl

> "*You've got one, on your tail, Arrow Six. I'm on it!"*"
> ― **Kostan Stodl** to Udas during the Battle of Jonquil Station
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## **Overview**

**Kostan Stodl** was a veteran pilot who served in both the Old Republic and the Rebel Alliance. Born on the trading planet of Commenor, Stodl cut his teeth flying as a pilot during the Clone Wars. With the rise of the Emperor, he resigned and went into the private sector. With the outbreak of the Galactic Civil War, Stodl re-enlisted knowing the Alliance's desperate need for veteran pilots. He was assigned to Arrow Squadron in the month prior to the Battle of Myyribod. He served with distinction and served a veteran voice of reason, often providing wisdom from past experiences. He was oldest member of Arrow Squadron. Following the Battle of Ullatak, retired from active service and returned to Betseeda Prime to serve as in an advisory role for their new starfighter corp. During his time with Arrow Squad, he flew as Arrow Thirteen.

## **Commenor, The Clone Wars, and Folor**

### **Childhood**

Stodl was raised in a middle class family on the trading world of Commenor. His father, like many on the planet, was involved in interstellar shipping and Stodl spent much of his youth in and around ships. He grew to be a talented pilot. The planet remained loyal to the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars and was attacked by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Stodl was a veteran pilot even at this point and helped defend his home world from the assault. Commenor native Jan Dodonna and the young Stodl crossed paths on numerous occasions.

### **Early Days of the** **Galactic Civil War**

Following the rise of the Emperor, there protests erupted on the planet. These were brutally suppressed and thousands were killed. Stodl grew to hate the Empire and resigned his commission and rank. A small resistance movement broke out among the local population, but Stodl initially refused to participate in the struggle. However, once the Alliance established a hidden base on Folor, a moon of Commenor, Stodl reemerged and joined the fight. While serving on Folor, he met several Red Squadron pilots on a mission to steal a large batch of astromech droids. Stodl offered the group reliable intelligence and the mission was a success.

Shortly thereafter, Stodl was transferred with the rest of the pilots, nearly all of them former Imperial pilots, at Folor Base to Yavin 4. Stodl fought at the Battle of Scarif, but was not present at the Battle of Yavin having been assigned to escort Alliance dignitaries off world. This stroke of luck that probably saved his life. Stodl spent the better part of 1 ABY protecting Alliance supply routes. He was eventually reassigned as part of a reinforcement detail to Arrow Squadron.

## **Arrow Squadron**

### **The Betseeda Campaign**

Stodl, along with Arrianne Trient, Weequay pilot S'Hral Glaso, and the Gran Yol Aak were reassigned to the Betseeda System to reinforce Lieutenant Tolamael Benere and his squadron. Stodl was not surprised to be the oldest pilots in the unit, but he was also surprised at the level of aggression and risk being displayed by some members of the unit. They were the first reinforcements sent to the system and were greeted with a mix of appreciation and some resentment at having missed the difficult early days of the campaign. Things only got worse when the Arrows were ambushed a short time later at the Battle of Myyribod. Stodl flew well at Myyribod, his experience becoming immediately apparent during the chaotic retreat.

Lieutenant Benere and Idolon Jdre sought out Stodl after this defeat and, together, the elderly pilot taught his commanders what he knew about combat and leadership. Stodl's veteran experience and coolness under fire became legendary among his fellow pilots. He served in a grandfatherly role to some in the unit who treated him with both respect and as a comrade.

### **Trench Warfare**

During the months long Siege of Tazion, Stodl worked to train the fledgling BRF Fighter Corp. The small, but determined group of pilots was being trained to defend and protect their home world once Arrow Squadron had either liberated their system or, alternatively, was destroyed. Stodl was patient, but demanding and the fighter crop grew under his tutelage. He also helped improve moral among the unit by telling them stories of the desperate times on Folor Base.

> "*Remember your training and why you are here. You're defending your homes and your families. They are fighting for nothing but hatred.*"
> ― **Kostan Stodl** to BRF pilots just prior to the Second Battle of Betseeda Prime
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Stodl flew with distinction at the Second Battle of Betseeda Prime where his formerly raw BRF recruits saw their first action against the Imperial Navy. Stodl would later tell Lieutenant Benere that the proudest moment of his entire career was watching the native Betseedans fight back against their attackers, similar to what he had done decades earlier defending Commenor from the Separatists.

During the decisive Battle of Jonquil Station, Stodl was part of a detachment of pilots attacking the Star Destroyer Venom. He landed several successful blows to the ship, helping to send the massive ship crashing to its death. He then engaged the attacking Imperial fighters and shot several of them down.

The battle was a victory for Arrow Squadron, but a bloody one. Numerous pilots were killed and Stodl felt a real sense of grief at their loss. The Imperial forces in the system were routed and Stodl's students in the BRF had proved capable of patrolling their own area. A short time after the battle, Arrow Squadron was transferred onto their next campaign in the Chommell Sector.

### **The Glaston Pirates**

> "*Pirates are worse than the Empire, in my opinion. They fight for pure greed, for profit. The Empire may be evil, but at least they fight for something other than themselves.*"
> ― **Kostan Stodl** to Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
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Stodl and Arrow Squadron had been sent by High Command to help address a difficult situation in the Chommell Sector. The corridor was a prime trade route used by the Alliance, but renegades known as the Glaston Pirates, who were being funded by Imperial operatives, had begun a campaign of terror against both shipping lanes and civilians in the area.

Making their base on the swamp moon of Rori, Lieutenant Benere once again consulted Stodl on his thoughts and approach. Stodl, who had grown up on a world that depend entirely upon shipping had a deep, almost pathological hatred of piracy and pirates. When he was younger, he had seen his uncle and two cousins killed by pirates. Stodl had escaped from the capture freighter with the rest of the crew, but the wanton cruelty of pirates had never been forgotten.

He advocated a policy of total war, but told Lieutenant Benere that the pirates would not be drawn into open battle like other factions or armies. They would hit and run, knowing that their strength lay in fear and surprise. Stodl, along with Udas, helped to develop the idea of using a bait ship to lure the pirates into a trap.

This idea, which was ultimately implemented and executed by Craal Noarnn, Sorshara Bray, and S'Hral Glaso, helped discover the Pirates base in the hidden city of Vagabond's Rest. When the DeMeers family, who had defected from the Glaston Pirates to join the Arrows, arrived at Rori Base, Stodl nearly came to blows with their patriarch, Hollis DeMeers. Stodl did not know him personally, but to him, any pirate would always be a pirate and was better off dead.

Stodl flew with distinction during the Glaston Pirates War. After Hollis DeMeers died defending his new allies in Arrow Squadron, Stodl lightened his opinion a bit and opened up a friendship with his children - Saffron DeMeers and Nath DeMeers. Following the Battle of Vagabond's Rest, Arrow Squadron was once again sent to deal with enemies of the Alliance.

### **The Hutt Campaign**

Stodl was part of Arrow Squadron when it was transferred to Hutt Space as part of a joint task force to eliminate Imperials on the planet of Ullatak. None too pleased about helping the Hutts, Stodl kept him mouth shut officially, but voiced his concerns with his commanding officers. He was surprised that they shared his opinion and reinforced the notion that this was nothing more than a publicity stunt to try and earn the Hutts support.

The campaign was demoralizing for most of Arrow Squadron and they were not entirely please about being used pawns in a political argument. However, they did their duty and flew at the Battle of Ullatak, the only offensive action of the Hutt Campaign. During the battle, one of Stodl's best friends in the unit, Yol Aak, was shot down and killed.

## **Retirement**

### Time To Go

Arrow Squadron was transferred to the main Rebel Fleet shortly after the Hutt Campaign and assigned to escort and guard duty. It was tedious work and angered some members of the unit. However, Stodl had been feeling his age since before he had every joined the Rebellion. Now after years of bumps, bruises, and blasts, his body was telling him it was time to get out of the cockpit and enjoy what years he had left.

When he approached Lieutenant Benere to inform him of his decision to retire, Tolamael tried to talk him into staying. Stodl was unwavering, however, and the two had a long, emotional conversation with Benere telling the old Commenor pilot that without his tutelage, he wouldn't have turned into the officer he had become. Stodl told Benere that he had been like a son to him and the two vowed to remain in contact. Tolamael wasn't surprised when Stodl informed him that he would be retiring to Betseeda Prime to serve an adviser to the BRF fighter groups.

> "*I still have some fight in me, but I think it's time to get out of the cockpit and behind a desk.*"
> ― **Kostan Stodl** to Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
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Arrow Squadron was sad to see their fatherly figure leave, but universally agreed that if anyone had earned their retirement, it was Kostan Stodl. The Alliance also appreciated his service and General Dodonna himself was present at Stodl's retirement party.

Kostan promised to remain in touch and departed the Rebel Fleet just prior to the Battle of Endor leaving an indelible and permanent mark on both Arrow Squadron and its pilots.