It would be a futile task to count all of the droid bodies I have gained control of. Just as it is futile to even attempt to stop me.
—Mal Banvor
Mal Banvor was a mysterious Skakoan scientist who worked for Black Sun.
Biography[]
Early reputation[]
Presumed to have been born on Skako like most members of his species, Mal Banvor was first heard of circa 30 ABY when he was recruited by the resurgent Black Sun. Establishing operations on Metalorn, Banvor performed numerous experiments in grafting droids parts to organics, essentially making cyborgs.
When Black Sun set their eyes on the Mandalorian Kadar, they captured his son Kandos Ordo in order to lure Kadar and his wife to Metalorn. Once Kadar was in his clutches, Banvor succeeded in creating a cyborg out of him, intending on turning him into a weapon for Black Sun to control. Before Banvor could complete his work, Kadar broke free from his restraints and pummeled Banvor with his bare hands, not stopping until the Skakoan had ceased moving.[1]
Believing Banvor to be dead, Kadar left the scientist's body laying there as he departed from Metalorn. In reality, Banvor managed to survived, albeit barely because of the damage his pressurized suit had sustained. Summoning his droids, he had himself transferred into a methane chamber, where he would reside until his suit was repaired.[2]
Black Sun[]
Banvor continued to work for Black Sun, although he hid himself from public eye for several years, only speaking with Prince Xalren over comm and never showing his face. In 40 ABY, Xalren recruited Banvor to deal with Kadar when the Mandalorian began assassinating Black Sun Vigos.[1] However, the Skakoan Xalren was dealing with in person was actually the Alliance mercenary Hrym Mawarr, who had impersonated Banvor in order to infiltrate Black Sun.[3] Unbeknownst to Black Sun, Banvor—seeking a full understanding of how droid minds functioned—had his own brain removed and placed in a device that allowed him into droid computer systems and control them remotely, using them to do his work.[2]
Some time later, Banvor revealed himself to a convocation of Black Sun Vigos via a droid agent of his. Having planted a bomb in the droid, Banvor detonated the device—although not before delivering a message from Vondara the Hutt—and killed Prince Xalren and his Vigos, effectively ending Black Sun.[4]
More machine than Skakoan[]
Two years later, Banvor managed to access the mind of the experimental droid Omni, created by his former partner Vasim Alazar, only to accidentally trigger Omni's self-destruct sequence. However, Banvor was soon able to access various droid plants operated by Alazar's company Altech Industries and through them was able to gain access to countless droid computer systems across the galaxy.[2]
Mal Banvor later made his presence known by broadcasting an announcement through his droid bodies across the galaxy, as well as his cyborg subjects such as Kadar and Rothgar Deng, in the hopes of getting the attention of Malvis, leader of the Malvis Cabal. Following his broadcast, several of his droid bodies came into conflict with members of the Resistance and Veiled Sorority on Ord Mantell, leading Malvis to seize control of multiple droids through his connection to Rothgar Deng and terrorize the people of Ord Mantell.[2]
Banvor brought his uprising to an end when Malvis' personal ship appeared above Ord Mantell, at which point Banvor uploaded his consciousness to an astromech droid stationed aboard Malvis' ship. During his meeting with Malvis, Banvor offered to help the Cabal by using his droid bodies to spy on the Cabal's enemies. Malvis agreed while also threatening to locate and destroy Banvor's brain should the scientist cross him.[2]
Some time after the incident on Ord Mantell, Banvor accessed the processor unit of an N5 sentry droid on Ronyards, using it to seek out something of great importance on the junkyard planet.[5]
Appearances[]
- The Forgotten Man (First appearance)
- The Gathering Force
- The Corellian Conspiracy