Orn Free Taa was a corpulent Rutian Twi'lek who served as the senator of Ryloth during the waning years of the Galactic Republic.
Biography[]
Part of the Council of Neutral Systems[]
Sometime during the Clone Wars, Senator Taa was asked by Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore to consider joining her Council of Neutral Systems. He accompanied the Duchess during her voyage to Coruscant to plea her case to the Galactic Senate. He was present during the Skirmish aboard the Coronet, during which he bore witness to the horrid monstrosities deployed by the Death Watch and the Confederacy of Independent Systems in an attempt to murder the Duchess.
Senate hostage crisis[]
When the notorious bounty hunter Cad Bane and his posse were able to successfully enter the Senate Building and capture a group of important Senators, it was Senator Orn Free Taa who alerted Chancellor Palpatine to the emergency. Taa remained with the Chancellor throughout the duration of the crisis and was privy to the Chancellor's refusal to bow to the bounty hunter's demand: the pardon of crime lord Ziro the Hutt.
However, when it became clear that Bane was in control of the Senate, Palpatine agreed to pardon the Hutt. Orn Free Taa was placed in charge of a pardon chip, which under his authority, would ensure the release of Ziro. After freeing Ziro, Taa organized a force of clone troopers to ensure the Chancellor's safety, as well as to prevent the escape of Bane. Unfortunately, Bane had rigged the room holding the hostage Senators with detonation devices, and as such, the Republic were forced to allow him his freedom.
Fortunately, when Bane detonated the devices despite the compliance of the Chancellor, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker foresaw Bane's treachery and was able to save the lives of the hostages.
Death[]
Around 20 BBY, Orn Free Taa, along with his aides, joined with Senator Amidala to arrange a secret meeting on Naboo. He was quite excited, and hoped share his policy with Amidala until they arrive on Naboo. Amidala thanked Orn Free Taa for supporting her when the bill was passed. He immediately enters the ship with everyone inside, and prepare their journey to Naboo. Suddenely, the cruiser was blown up with everyone killed inside, including Senator Orn Free Taa. Amidala mourned the lost of his friend, and went out to find the person responsible for the assassination. It is revealed that Herbin was responsible when he joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems and exchanged a plot to eliminate Amidala.
Appearances[]
- Cloak of Deception
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Republic: Honor and Duty (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones novel
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones junior novel
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Supply Lines" (Appears in hologram)- The Clone Wars: Covetous (Indirect mention only)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Liberty on Ryloth"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Senate Spy"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Voyage of Temptation"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Sphere of Influence"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Hostage Crisis"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Hunt for Ziro" (Appears in flashback(s))
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Heroes on Both Sides"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Pursuit of Peace"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Senate Murders"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Galactic Conflict"- Republic HoloNet News Core Edition 14:7:02
- Star Wars: Republic 61: Dead Ends
- Star Wars: Republic 63: Striking from the Shadows
- CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 15:01:15 Edition (Mentioned only)
- Republic HoloNet News Core Edition 15:3:02
- Yoda: Dark Rendezvous (Mentioned only)