Cedric Rex

> "*Don't try and teach me how to shoot, boy. I've been in the cockpit since you were in diapers. Hell, half the pilots in this squadron are just pups.*"
> ― Cedric Rex to Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
>
>

## **Overview**

**Cedric Rex**was a member of Arrow Squadron during the Galactic Civil War.

Born on Outer Rim world of Mrenos, Rex was a talented and semi-famous speeder racer that earned hundreds of thousands of credits racing in legal and illegal races throughout the Outer Rim prior to the rebellion. When the Empire seized his winnings, leaving him destitute. Motivated by greed and a desire to recoup his winnings if possible, Rex enlisted in the Rebel Alliance.

Although he was present at the Battle of Scarif, his fighter was destroyed in a hangar explosion aboard one of the larger capital ships. He was transferred to Arrow Squadron shortly thereafter and participated in every battle against the Imperials in the Betseeda System. With a surly disposition, a gruff attitude, and a general apathy towards both the Rebellion and the Empire, he often clashed with out members of the unit.

A skilled pilot known for taking unnecessary risks, he was ultimately shot down and killed at the Battle of Jonquil Station. His call sign was Arrow Nine.

## **Biography**

### **Early Life**

Rex grew up never knowing his parents, his parents having abandoned him at a very early age. He grew up on the rough and dangerous streets of Mrenos, learning how to fight and survive by any means necessary. His entire body bore the brunt of years of fights and scraps as he was covered in scars and old wounds. Affiliating himself several gangs, he found his way, originally, as a book keeper and enforcer for gamblers on Mrenos. However, he found his way onto a speeder bike, where he proved a natural.

Winning several races on Mrenos, he eventually began to travel to other Outer Rim planets where he competed in both sanctioned and illegal races. Within years, he had amassed a considerable prize chest. However, while traveling between races, he was arrested by Imperial soldiers for illegal gambling activities and participating in the organization of podracing, which had been banned by the Declaration of a New Order. While Rex was released a short time later, the Empire confiscated his winnings, leaving him destitute and vengeful.

### **Joining the Struggle**

Using his contacts in the underworld, he managed to make contact with Rebel Alliance agents on Commoner. In short order, Rex had enlisted in the Starfighter Corp and was assigned originally to Blue Squadron. Rex proved a capable pilot, if not a reckless one. He was reprimanded several times for disobeying orders and engaging enemy targets without permission. Transferred out of Blue Squadron for discipline issues, he was assigned to convoy escort duty for a short time before and missing the Battle of Scarif, before ultimately, being assigned to Arrow Squadron just prior to their assignment to the Betseeda System.

### **Arrow Squad**

Rex was assigned to the newly formed squadron under the command of Lieutenant Tolamael Benere. The older, gruffer Rex immediately took exception to being under the command of the younger Benere. The Lieutenant, however, held his own and as their campaign continued to make an impact on Imperial forces in the region, Rex begrudgingly supported the younger man.

Given his surly personality and gruff demeanor, Rex was unpopular with most members of his squadron. He did manage to bond with fellow pilot Udas as both pilots had a rebellious streak. He also gambled with fellow pilots Yol Aak and S'Hral Glaso, losing most of the time to Aak's superior skills. In his spare time, Rex would often extrapolate on how he'd spend his money once he stole it back from the Empire. Rex also had a penchant for drinking. While it was never directly proven by his squadron mates, it was theorized that he had piloted in several battles while intoxicated. Transferring him back to the main fleet was out of the question as Benere needed every fighter he could get at a moment's notice. As a result, he stuck with the Arrows.

While his attitude left him at odds with his fellow squad mates, he was a talented pilot and continued to rack up Imperial kills as the campaign continued to make progress. This made him the perfect "partner" for Craal Noarnn during her mission to Myyribod. The two pilots infiltrated The Mossy Rock Cantina, which was a well known Imperial hangout. Craal posed as a lounge singer and Rex as her muscle and bodyguard. Rex kept the drunken Imperials at bay while Craal eventually learned the security codes to the bar. Using a bomb designed by Kubala Ruwassa, they planted explosives all over the cantina and detonated the bombs when the bar filled with Imperials. Scores of Imperials were killed, but unfortunately, so were several civilians.

During the Battle of Myyribod Rex, and Jev Talianos covered the retreating Arrow Squadron. Both pilots, damaged themselves, were able to buy their unit enough time to make it safety. Talianos was shot down was shot down shortly thereafter.

Rex was once again back in the seat of his X-wing, flying alongside his squadron a short time later. His attitude only slightly humbled by his experience on Myyribod, he was eager to get back at the Imperials.

He was part of the BRF commando task force that infiltrated the Star Destroyer Venom, which helped break the Siege of Tazion. Rex posed as an Imperial officer during the affair.

### **The Battle of Jonquil Station and Death**

At the decisive Battle of Jonquil Station, Rex flew wing to Tolamael Benere, the commander of the Squadron. The two pilots worked well together, downing a number of enemy fighters and disabling several turrets on the Venom. As the fighters completed an attack run, in which Rex destroyed the Destroyer's shield generators, he was shot down and killed by the Venom's turrets. Ultimately, his sacrifice helped disable the ship which allowed his surviving pilots to destroy the vessel with a number of proton torpedoes.

### **Legacy**

Unpopular and unpredictable, Cedric Rex was, nonetheless, a skilled pilot that helped contribute to the Alliance's victory in the Betseeda System. His sacrifice wasn't soon forgotten. Udas, his only real friend in the unit, eventually became the commander of Arrow Squadron. The Mon Cal employed some of the same unorthodox tactics used by friend in later years.