Mersil Mai

> I believe I've added much to the Emperor's woes!
>
> Mersil Mai accepting the Imperial surrender after the Siege of Cartao, 4 ABY

**Mersil Mai** was an Ishi Tib fleet officer, politician, and rebel leader during the time of the Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War. Born to a rich and powerful family within Tibrin's capital city, Mai saw an early rise in the Ishi Tib fleet as a young, privileged officer. When the Clone Wars began, he commanded a small picket ship within the larger navy. Mai's actions were mostly limited to convoy protection, however his taste for glory was satiated during the failed Republic assault on Tibrin. The Ishi Tib fleet defeated the Republic Navy in orbit, and Mai personally captured an Arquitens cruiser, paving his path up the ranks.

With the war's conclusion, the ascendant Galactic Empire was unwilling to waste forces on subjugating the fiercely independent Ishi Tib, thus allowing Tibrin to go unabsorbed. Mai's heroics during the Clone Wars earned him a string of promotions, from lieutenant commander at the war's end, to a junior admiral shortly before the Battle of Yavin. Mai was one of the principal officers of the newly built Marsheem Fleet, and as such joined the negotiations with the Rebel Alliance after the Death Star's destruction. When a treaty was signed and the Ishi Tib officially sided with the Alliance, Mai was chosen to lead the vanguard of the Marsheem Fleet, including six of the new cruisers. His position as admiral within the Tibrini fleet was translated as a commodore in the Alliance Navy.

After the disastrous Mid Rim Retreat and Battle of Hoth, rebel forces across the galaxy faced a sudden and pressing Imperial offensive. When General Bevel Bandaran's army on Umbara was put to blockade, Mai's detachment of the Marsheem Fleet was called into action by the Rebel Council. Rendezvousing over Atoa, Mersil was disappointed to learn that he would be subordinate to Rear Admiral Halliot Sern, whom he detested. The ensuing battle would show Mai's greatest strengths and flaws, with his mastery of naval strategy contrasted with his near-constant insubordination and disregard for command. The latter nearly proved fatal, when Mai went against Sern's order to withdrawal and was nearly ensared by the Imperial fleet, only being saved by Captain Jana Krintu's intervention. After ten rotations of fighting, the Imperial blockade would be broken, and the siege finally ended.

Not long after Umbara, Mai was tapped to lead forces against the Imperial stronghold of Cartao. With a strong rebel fleet and independent command, Mersil's campaign was considered extraordinarily dilligent. After scattering the fleet in orbit, Mai's ships and fighters near-singlehandedly brought about the submission of key strongholds on the planet. Within one standard month of his arrival, Mersil Mai accepted the surrender of the Imperial garrison, winning great fame and the moniker, "the Hero of Cartao".

Mersil was absent for the great battles at Endor and Jakku, with Tibrin's government unwilling to commit the Marsheem Fleet to such risky endeavors. With the formation of the New Republic, Mai and his fleet returned to their homeworld. The veteran admiral, appraised by his people, saw a natural entry into politics. By 10 ABY, Mai was one of the Mariod Governors of Tibrin, counseling the Kalikeedan himself.