I smell fear, and it smells good.
—Admiral Trench
Trench, also called "Taranch", was a Harch male fleet admiral in the Navy of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars, and was later recruited by Palpatine to serve the Galactic Empire. He became well known for being a good tactician, and was also known for his ruthlessness and his command style. Before the Clone Wars, Admiral Trench fought in the Andoan Wars, distinguishing himself as a good commander, for the Corporate Alliance. When his flagship was destroyed during the battle, most believed that he died, though he actually survived. Count Dooku recruited Trench into the navy of his new movement, and early during the conflict, he commanded the Christophsis blockade. However, he failed to keep Anakin Skywalker, who was aboard a stealth ship, from getting past, who then was able to destroy the bridge of Trench's dreadnaught.
However, the admiral was able to elude death yet again.
Biography[]
Early career[]
Trench was a male Harch born around 220 BBY. Early in his career, Trench made name for himself during the Andoan Wars of 57-39 BBY. During that war, Trench fought against the Andoan Free Colonies when his homeworld allied with Ando, and defended Secundus Ando from raiders from the Free Colonies and lead counter-raids up the Horos Spine to Andosha. By the time the war ended at the Battle of Raquish in 39 BBY, Trench came out as Ando's greatest military leader, besting his enemies numerous times during the Andoan Wars. He became an admiral, commanding the planet's naval forces.
Over a decade before the Clone Wars, Admiral Trench and his homeworld seceded from the Galactic Republic. Trench then joined the Corporate Alliance, helping it destroy pirate bases at Ord Namurt, Engira, and seized the Kurosti Merchant fleet in a daring raid at Prospera Jang. In 34 BBY Trench masterminded a battle that would later become known as the Battle of Malastare Narrows. It was here that he made himself a part of military history. The Corporate Alliance blockaded the planet Malastare and Trench was given command over the fleet, which had been provided by the corporation, despite problems with fuel allocation. During the battle, Trench's presence and action left a lasting memory to all those who were involved, including Admiral Wulf Yularen, who had commanded a fleet at that time. Many lives were lost and many ships were torn apart by the fleet of the Harch admiral. However, a Jedi-led task force was brought in and the battle ended with Trench's ship supposedly being vaporized. He was assumed to have gone down with the destroyed vessel, but survived thanks to a pressure suit of Andoan mineral fish armor and his own tough Harch hide.
Clone Wars[]
Joining the Separatists[]
I have a proposition for you, admiral.
—Count Dooku
After the battle, Trench returned to his home planet, living there as an officer in the local fleet. However, around 31 BBY, Count Dooku approached the Harch admiral, offering him a position in the New Order, as the commander of the Separatist fleet. Trench, seeing it as a way to continue serving as a military officer and to gain power, agreed to the Count's request. Leaving Secundus Ando, he traveled to Neimoidia, which was where the Trade Federation, one of the leading corporations that supported this separatist movement, was based. There, he talked to the leading Neimoidian starship captains, discussing plans for the new fleet, and what their positions would be. He noted that the majority of them were cowardly and generally lacked military knowledge. However, Trench also noticed one of them stood out. Captain Mar Tuuk had studied military history, being a fairly knowledgeable tactician, and seemed to not possess the common trait of cowardice among his species. That, or he was very good at hiding it. Admiral Trench made a mental note of keeping track of Captain Tuuk's career in the future.
He then travelled to Geonosis, a desert planet home to the droid foundries that created the core of the Separatist Droid Army. There, he consulted with Geonosian engineers, and talked with Poggle the Lesser, later noting that he gained an interest in the species' culture during that time. He oversaw the testing of the improved battle droid models, though he did not necessarily like them, due to their lack of intelligence. By the time of 22 BBY, Admiral Trench selected warships constructed by the Trade Federation, and hand picked officers to command them, for the Confederate First Fleet, which would take part in the Battle of Geonosis. Trench himself was not present for the battle, and the First Fleet suffered a defeat at the hands of the Republic Navy.
Personality and traits[]
Admiral Trench's flagships[]
Trench's first ship[]
This ship was present at the Battle of Malastare Narrows, where it was commanded by Admiral Trench. It managed to keep Malastare blockaded until it was destroyed by a Jedi-led task force. Trench himself was believed to have gone down with this ship; however, this information was later proven false.
The Invincible[]
The Invincible served as the Harch Admiral's flagship at the Battle of Christophsis. It offered a great range of attacks and a heavy defense of the blockade itself. That was due to the ship being very well-equipped with deflector shields and thermal shields, which offered a powerful defense, allowing the vessel to emerge completely unaffected by hostile fire. The cruiser had the upper hand, but a bad turn of events brought its downfall at the hands of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker.