Scaanos

Scaanos was a commodore in the navy of the Galactic Empire who became the commanding officer of the Star Destroyer Steadfast following the Battle of Ponolapo between 3 ABY and 4 ABY. Captain Enric Pryde, the longest serving crewmember of the Steadfast, believed he should have received the command instead. Scaanos and Pryde mutually disliked each other and often butted heads.

Before the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, Scaanos attended a meeting aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor and also assigned Pryde to join the ground assault on the moon Endor. The day after the battle, Pryde reflected on his dislike of Scaanos. In 35 ABY, the historian Beaumont Kin mentioned Scaanos in his book The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire.

Biography

Rivalry with Pryde

Scaanos was a commodore in the Galactic Empire's Imperial Navy during the Galactic Civil War against the Alliance to Restore the Republic. After Commodore Freylon, the commanding officer of^[1] the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer^[3] Steadfast, was killed at the Battle of Ponolapo^[1] between 3 ABY and 4 ABY,^[4] Scaanos was assigned as its new commanding officer. Captain Enric Pryde, the longest serving crewmember of the Steadfast, believed he should have received the command instead and was infuriated that it had gone to Scaanos. Scaanos and Pryde mutually disliked each other and regularly butted heads, with Pryde believing that Scaanos stretched the boundaries of his command in antagonistic ways. Pryde felt the Steadfast was actually his ship and wanted Scaanos, who he considered to be a newcomer that was jeopardizing his plan to gain power, to know it, and so eventually made his feelings known through official means.^[1]

Before the Battle of Endor^[2] in 4 ABY,^[5] Scaanos attended a briefing held by Admiral Firmus Piett aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor. He later returned to the Steadfast, doing so a standard hour and a half before Admiral Rae Sloane returned to her own Star Destroyer, the Vigilance.^[2] Shortly before the battle, Scaanos gave Pryde a last-minute assignment to join the ground assault on the moon Endor. Pryde believed Scaanos gave the order because he viewed him as an irritant and wanted to remove him. The rebels ultimately emerged victorious at the battle and destroyed the Empire's second Death Star battle station.^[1]

After Endor

The day after the battle, Pryde reflected on his feelings about Scaanos, resolving that he would one day make Scaanos pay for the way he had treated him. When Pryde noticed a piece of exploding debris, he pretended it was Scaanos's backside. Later, after Pryde realized he could take advantage of the many gaps that existed in the Imperial hierarchy due to the Death Star's destruction, he mentally thanked Scaanos for inadvertently giving him the opportunity.^[1]

In 35 ABY,^[6] the historian Beaumont Kin mentioned Scaanos in^[2] his^[7] book The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire. Kin used the timing of Scaanos's return to the Steadfast before the Battle of Endor to support the idea that an argument that may have occurred during the pre-battle meeting happened during a closed briefing for senior officers. He suggested that the reason junior officers such as Scaanos did not report the argument was because they were not invited to the briefing.^[2]

Personality and traits

Scaanos disliked Enric Pryde, who believed that Scaanos did not deserve his command and used it in antagonistic ways. The two frequently disagreed during their time together.^[1]

Skills and abilities

Scaanos had a less extensive military career than many other officers present at the Battle of Endor.^[2]

Equipment

Scaanos commanded the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Steadfast.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Scaanos was first mentioned in the short story "The Steadfast Soldier," written by Adam Christopher and published in the 2023 anthology From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi.^[1]

Appearances

• "The Steadfast Soldier" — From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (and audiobook) (First mentioned)

Sources

• Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire

Notes and references