Darth Katos

Biography
Darth Katos, born in 59 ABY as Raahm A'Ikaan on Kashyyyk, was a former Wookiee Sith Lord who was responsible for creating the New Galactic Empire and starting the Jedi/Imperial War. It is unknown when Katos began using the Dark Side of the Force, but it believed to be during his childhood on Kashyyyk, sometime after he was kidnapped by a Wookiee Tribe. In 123 ABY, Katos met his end ,only months after escaping a New Republic prison, after Dark Jedi Myf Boge grew unhappy with the way Katos was leading the New Galactic Empire and killed him.

Early Life
Raahm A'Ikaan was born in an unknown location on Kashyyyk sometime in 59 ABY. As a child, A'Ikaan's parents noticed his skill with the Force and immediately consulted with their tribe elders in hopes to get A'Ikaan to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. This angered many other Wookiees both in their own and nearby tribes, because they did not want the Jedi or New Republic on their planet. In 63 ABY, a band of Wookiees from an unknown tribe kidnapped A'Ikaan in a successful attempt to hide him from the Jedi. It is believed that A'Ikaan began learning the ways of the Dark Side while living with this tribe, but nothing has been confirmed.

Returning Home
In 77 ABY, Trandoshan Slave Hunters attacked many small Wookiee Tribes hoping to capture the inhabitants and sell them as slaves. Among the tribes attacked was the one A'Ikaan was hiding in. A'Ikaan managed to escape into the wilderness, avoiding capture. After living in the forest for a few nights, A'Ikaan returned back to the tribe, only to find it in ruins. A'Ikaan blamed himself and vowed to prevent his people from having to fear attacks from outsiders. A'Ikaan returned home to his parents, and warned the tribe elders of the Trandoshan attacks. A'Ikaan remained in his tribe and became a respected fighter, until in 86 ABY, when he learned that the Jedi arrived on Kashyyyk and wished to speak with him.

Leaving Kashyyyk
A'Ikaan killed Jedi Knight Ordin Osiris with just his bowcaster before stealing the fallen Jedi's ship and leaving his homeworld. Wielding Osiris' lightsaber and his bowcaster, A'Ikaan tracked down the Trandoshan Slavers on Trandosha and slaughtered everyone inside their base, then freed any slave he found. Many of the slaves, however, were Wookiees who felt they owed A'Ikaan a life-debt. A'Ikaan took the band of Wookiees under his wing and also found a lightsaber with a length-changing, red blade that he would keep as his own. A'Ikaan led these Wookies on many slave-freeing missions, but the fear of more slavers attacking and killing those on Kashyyyk would continue to haunt him.

Rise of the Second Galactic Empire
In 95 ABY, A'Ikaan, now a full-pledged Sith Lord under the name Darth Katos, began conducting recruitment operations throughout the galaxy in order to form the Second Galactic Empire. In order to keep the Jedi Order and New Republic from knowing of Sith involvement, Katos formed the New Imperial Council to be the 'face' of the operation and advise Katos through his leadership. During this short amount of time, Katos made Kashyyyk the New Empires primary headquarters. Other powerful bases were placed on the homeworlds of the four New Imperial Council members; Clak'dor VII, Mrisst, Cerea, and Skako. Despite the efforts made by Katos and the Imperial Council, the Jedi Order begins to fear of Sith involvement and orders that Republic Senators have a Jedi bodyguard assigned to them at all times. During a Senate meeting, Representative Lei-Co Shoval of Cerea, denied any evidence of a New Galactic Empire, but seceded from the New Republic after Chancellor Kyrus saw past her lies. In 99 ABY, Jedi Master Otis Cowls and Jedi Knight Keto Medorma traveled to Mustafar, where they found a New Imperial base on the surface. Without their knowledge, however, Darth Katos was inside the base, but was never discovered until aftter the Jedi escaped capture.

Jedi/Imperial War
Although the New Galactic Empire and New Republic are both aware of eachothers increasing military size in preparation for war, war is never declared until after Katos sends Imperial forces to Felucia, where they attack a Jedi-controlled base. Jedi Knight Simon Malistaire, who was in command of the base, escaped the battle and informed the Jedi Council that the war had begun. Although the Senate had soldiers on Felucia at the time of the attack, they did not see it as an act of war against the New Republic; only against the Jedi. Because of Chancellor Kyrus' refusal to join the war, Jedi were left to fend for themselves, which would later cause tension between the Jedi Order and the Senate.

Although choosing to primarily lead the New Empire from afar, Darth Katos did go into battle at times he saw fit, such as the Battle for Dantooine and when Jedi Grandmaster Bo Forrim traveled to the aincent Sith homeworld of Korriban in search of Katos. Katos managed to force Forrim off of the planet, but only after he almost lost his arm. At first, Katos forces grew heavily, weakening the size and strength of the Jedi Order. This was until 100 ABY when Katos himself invaded ALDERAAN and killed Senator Marcus DeFlore and his Jedi bodyguard O'Pene Mo'Lock. Their deaths cuased Chancellor Kyrus to declare war on the New Galactic Empire, and finally join the Jedi/imperial War.

Searching for an Apprentice; The War Ends
In 101 ABY, Darth Katos learns of Jedi Youngling Myf Boge and sees great power in him from the start. Katos begins speaking to the Youngling telepathically in an attempt to bring him to the Dark Side. Boge makes it clear he has no interest in becoming a Sith, but Kato senses the boys curiosity peaking. Katos continues speaking telepathically to Boge, and even plans an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap the child in 102 ABY during his trip to build his lightsaber. Katos uses this defeat to his advantage and orders Admiral Col Keala to send troops to destroy the caves on planet Adega, cutting off the Jedi's way of obtaining lightsaber crystals.

By 106 ABY, Jedi and Republic forces had control of almost every system that was once in control of the New Galactic Empire. Fearing defeat, Katos ordered the New Imperial Senate into hiding and then fled to his homeworld of Kashyyyk. There he obtained assistance from many Wookiee tribes, and along with his Imperial soldiers, their combined forces readied for a final battle. Soon, Jedi Knight Keto Medorma and his Padawan Myf Boge lead Jedi and Republic forces into battle on the planet. Katos, having no where else to escape to, chose to fight Medorma head-on. Medorma sliced off Katos left hand and right forearm, and the Wookiee Sith was arrested after Boge and his men destroyed the Imperial base.

Imprisonment
After his arrest, Republic doctors built Katos a small, robotic set of hands with only three fingers. Kato could not use these hands to harness the Force, and he was eventually given a life sentence for his crimes against the Jedi and New Republic. After hearing of his sentencing, the New Imperial Council assumed full-control over the remnants of the New Galactic Empire. Katos spent most of his prison time in solitary confinement, as the Republic feared for his safety and didn't want him to make contact with the outside world. This put Katos in a state of depression, and in an attempt to have the guards remove him from solitary, he went on a month-long starving streak, but soon gave into his hunger. In 113 ABY, Katos saw Myf Boge complete the stages of Knighthood through the Force. Katos sensed the hate in Boges heart, and began speaking with the young Jedi telepathically again. This time, Boge gave into Katos' words and agreed to become his Sith Apprentice. After this, Katos discovered another Jedi Youngling with unmatched potential in the Dark Side; K'Lee Thore. Katos ordered Boge to take Thore as his Padawan, and Boge obliged.

Escape From Prison
In 122 ABY, Dark Jedi Myf Boge, accompanied by K'Lee Thore, Raj Horcrum, and their newly established Mandalorian allies, lead an attack on a prison transport that was carrying Katos. After shooting down the transport and any nearby ships, Mandalorian forces escorted Katos to Mustafar, where he regained control over the New Galactic Empire.

Death
Shortly after his escape, Darth Katos began working with the Mandalorian Army against the New Republic and Jedi Order. The New Galactic Empire, however, was still weak and recovering from losing the Jedi/Imperial War, and despite the New Imperial Council and Myf Boges warnings not to engage against the Republic, the Sith Lord did so anyway. Because of Katos' new found recklessness, Boge grew angry and stabbed his master in the chest, killing him, and then claiming leadership of the New Galactic Empire. Admiral Col Keala drew his blaster on Boge, but was immediately decapitated by Boge, who filled his seat on the Council.

Lightsaber and Force Abilities
Darth Katos was well skilled in lightsaber combat, and was not afraid to show the extent of his powers. He wielded a custom lightsaber that had a blade capable of changing lengths with the push of a button on the hilt. He was responsible for the deaths of many Jedi and New Republic Forces. He was even capable of taking out an entire Trandoshan slaver base as a young adult with limited lightsaber skills.

Darth Katos was also an exceptional Force user, being able use the Dark Side of the Force even as an infant. He was capable of Force Lightning, telepathy, telekinesis, Mind Tricks, and even managed to conjure the power from Korriban to defeat Jedi Grandmaster Forrim.

Other Abilities
Being a Wookiee, Katos was an excellent marksman with a bowcaster, and possessed large amounts of physical strength which he used to his advantage in battle. Although Katos lost the Jedi/Imperial War, he made sure his security and defenses were impenetrable. None of the members from his New Imperial Council were ever captured or killed by outside forces during the war.

Personality and Traits
Darth Katos was a fierce fighter, showing no mercy to his victims and used his natural strength in battle. Even though he was a ruthless warrior, Katos was also a well-rounded battle strategist and extremely skilled leader, managing to build the Second Galactic Empire from the ground up in a matter of years. He showed the ability to think ahead and plan for multiple scenarios, such as ordering Boge to obtain Thore as his Padawan incase Boge proved to be an unworhty prison, and when he sent the New Imperial Senate into hiding months before he knew the Jedi/imperial War was coming to an end. As a young adult, Katos grew hatred towards slavers after watching them destroy his adopted tribe. This hatred was what marked the beginning of Darth Katos' career as a Sith Lord.

Legacy
Darth Katos was well known throughout the galaxy, including on his homeworld of Kashyyyk. News of his death sent many Wookiee tribes on a rampage, and even caused a short-lived Civil War on Kashyyyk. Some officials left the New Galactic Empire after learning of Katos death, fearing the leadership of Boge would end the New Empire for good. Some riots took place inside a handful of New Republic prisons, as well. Darth Katos teachings live on through Dark Jedi Myf Boge. Darth Katos is also survived by his parents and tribe-mates on Kashyyyk.