Cinda Tarheel

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 was a Captain in the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic civil war, and a member of Rogue Squadron.

Early life
Cinda Tarheel was born on the planet Soccoro at the end of the clone wars. Cinda became a smuggler, and left the planet. As a smuggler, Cinda Tarheel became aware of the injustices subjected to planets under the Empire's rule. She met Berl, who would eventually convince her to join the rebel alliance.

The battle of Hoth
During the battle of Hoth,Cinda Tarheel served as a gunner in a T-47 airspeeder piloted by Nala Hetsime.

Mission to Serphidi
Luke Skywalker, Cinda, and Berl where sent on a mission to establish a rebel presence on Serphidi; a planet located in the Belial system, which was a potential stage for an imperial sneak attack. As the pilots arrived in the Belial System, they were ambushed by four TIE fighters,the imperials were defeated in the dogfight, but Cinda's x-wing's engine was damaged. Cinda Tarheel skillfully maneuvered a crash-landing on the nearby planet's surface. Shortly after Berl and Luke landed, the rebels were attacked by native Serps, led by Serphidi's imperial-leaning King, S'shah. Cinda and Berl were hit by the Serp's energy lances,while Luke Skywalker managed to dodge the lances and fought back with his blaster, but was soon forced to retreat. When a Serp named Chahis reported that Berl was dead, and Cinda unconscious; King S'shah decided not to pursue Luke. King S'shah took Cinda as a plaything, and, seemingly for lustful purposes, had her dressed in a plain gown. Cinda believed that the King was attempting to marry her, but S'shah was offended by this notion, and revealed that he was going to eat her. S'shah forced himself on Cinda, who struggled against him,but despite her defiance,she failed to defend herself. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker was being trained by a Serp known as Elglih, to compete against S'shah in the upcoming 'doom joust', if Skywalker defeated S'shah,the Serp king's reign over the planet would end. Cinda Tarheel was being prepared for the chef,but she fought her way through two guards, using her unarmed combat skills. Cinda then tried to escape to the outer walls,but S'shah loomed behind her, pleased to see 'fire' within her. The KIng held his prisoner by placing his hand over her mouth,muffling her cry, and struck her across the face, knocking Cinda to the floor. When the joust begun, Cinda was seated next to S'shah in the royal viewing box. Elglih was announced as the first and only challenger, but the aged Serp requested that Luke Skywalker would be allowed to fight on his behalf. When Cinda and Luke recognised each other, S'shah accepted the challenge. Luke eventually won the joust, and allowed Elglih to be King instead of him, with a strong bond to the Rebel Alliance. As Cinda Tarheel and Luke Skywalker left Serphidi,Cinda mourned Berl's death, and they both agreed that he would have been happy knowing that he died on a mission brought freedom to the galaxy.

Personality and traits
Cinda Tarheel was confident and fast-talking. She could sometimes make reckless decisions, but she relied on her fast reflexes and quick-thinking to escape dangerous situations. Cinda was a skilled gunner and pilot,this was shown when she served as a gunner in the battle of Hoth, shot down a TIE fighter, and landed a critically damaged X-wing fighter. She was able to talk back to her enemies and captors, but also expressed fear, and vulnerability at the threat of being eaten by S'shah, and was outraged when she thought that he intended to make her his bride. She was also proud of her status as a Captain in the Rebel Alliance. Tarheel was capable of feeling regret and mourning, as evidenced by her reaction to Berl's death.

Behind the scenes
Cinda Tarheel first appeared in Star Wars#64:Serphidian Eyes,written by David Micheline, and penciled by Joe Brozowski. She was also referenced in Star Wars the Essential Guide to Warfare, by Jason Fry; where she was referenced as being a gunner in the battle of hoth.