A contingent of stormtroopers of the Galactic Empire was active in 4 ABY on Nar Shaddaa and the Forest Moon of Endor.
Description
The contingent was led by a captain, with a Stormtrooper Commander named NE-034 or "Neo" acting as second-in-command until her death. The contingent was comprised mostly of stormtroopers. Aside from NE-034, other troopers in the contingent included RZ-440 "Riz" and GR-792 "Gir."[1]
History
Incident on Nar Shaddaa
In 4 ABY, the contingent was stationed on the smugglers' moon Nar Shaddaa. Their captain was away at the time, so Commander NE-034, nicknamed Neo, assumed command. The unit received orders to interrogate a human woman for intel, so Neo and another stormtrooper named RZ-440 or Riz, who had a close friendship with Neo, went looking for her. Once they found the woman, Neo began interrogating her about the Jedi Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, General Han Solo and other Rebel Alliance leaders. Riz interjected, however, by saying that she would offer the human safety in exchange for the intel they needed. Before Neo could reply, the woman fired a blaster at her - Riz's blaster that she had stolen whilst the two were distracted. After this event, Riz felt overwhelming guilt over the death of her commanding officer and friend, feeling she was responsible.[1]
Battle of Endor
Later that year, the contingent was stationed on the Forest Moon of the gas giant Endor under Tempest Force. At this time, the DS-2 Mobile Battle Station, or the Death Star II, was under construction above the moon. Riz was on patrol with another stormtrooper named GR-792, known as Gir, near the superweapon's shield generator bunker. However, the Rebel Alliance attacked the bunker with the help of the local Ewoks to destroy it, so their fighters could in turn destroy the Death Star. During the battle, Gir noticed Princess Leia Organa lying against the door of the bunker next to General Han Solo and the astromech droid R2-D2. Lining up the shot, Gir aimed at Organa without her having noticed. However, Riz, who was at that point developing a disdain for the Empire, impulsively kicked Gir in the leg, changing his shot from a fatal shot in the head into a survivable one in the shoulder. As the battle continued to deteriorate for the Empire as the Rebels used the advantage of cover and the Ewoks used their traps to eliminate Imperial forces, Gir headed directly to the bunker's entrance and Riz followed him. As Gir demanded the two Rebels surrender, Solo and Organa exchanged some words, revealing to the two stormtroopers that they loved each other. As Gir continued to bark at them, Organa shot Gir with her good arm. Riz played dead as well. After she woke up, the Rebels had won and the Empire was defeated; in shambles from the death of Emperor Palpatine and his apprentice, Darth Vader. She was found by a Rebel trooper after the battle and spoken to by Leia Organa. After she left, Riz felt comforted that her Imperial service was behind her.[1]
Appearances
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi (First appearance)
- "Ending Protocol" — From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (and audiobook)