What the Chaos is going on here, Sarkan?"
"The Emperor and his dark siders have strayed away from the promises they made to us, the people. Endless wars, endless internal squabbles, all encouraged by the Emperor. This can't go on. No more.
—Sarkan explaining himself to Grand Moff Tarkin
Vylor Sarkan was a Human male who served as a governor under the Galactic Republic, and became a Grand Moff in the Galactic Empire following the Clone Wars. During the Galactic Civil War, he briefly led the Free Officers Movement, an anti-Sith conspiracy in the Empire, and attempted an unsuccessful coup d'état against Emperor Palpatine.
Biography[]
Early life and career[]
The Republic is not quite what I was hoping it was."
"Which is why I want to become the Supreme Chancellor. To fix it.
—Sarkan and Palpatine
Born sometime around 71 BBY, Sarkan eventually began working for the government of the Galactic Republic. A staunch believer of democracy and personal freedoms, he initially enjoyed his work but as he advanced in rank, he came to understand the true internal workings of the government. Sarkan witnessed corruption and other crimes within the Republic itself, which disillusioned him.
However, he became known a good orator and capable leader, which was why he eventually became a governor of an unspecified planet. Sarkan also met Senator Palpatine during his time as a governor. Palpatine won Sarkan's support because of his strong stance, believing in a strong, non-corrupt government. At the same time, Sarkan's beliefs changed considerably, and he ceased in being a strong believer of personal liberty and freedoms the more he found out about the hierarchy of the Republic government. Palpatine convinced him that a strong government was needed, otherwise these kinds of problems would occur. So Sarkan became a supporter of Palpatine, and was glad when he heard that the man became the Supreme Chancellor.
Sarkan continued holding the office of governor of an unmentioned planet during the Clone Wars. When the conflict began, he was not surprised and even somewhat sympathized with the cause of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. However, he kept in mind that the organization was run by corporations and did not really have the interests of the people at heart. Sarkan continued to support Palpatine as he made the Republic into a stronger state, and even began defending his more radical actions, including the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic. The old governor followed the progress of the war closely, hoping that the Confederacy would soon be defeated. By studying the actions of different sides of the war, Sarkan learned a lot about military tactics and strategy.
Eventually news came that the organization was led by a Sith Lord named Darth Tyranus. This resulted in Sarkan fully putting his ideas of personal liberty aside and thought that the state needed to be strong and have control to protect its citizens from threats like the Sith.
Towards the end of the war (in 19 BBY) Sarkan was given a position in the Grand Army in the logistical department, and later in an intelligence unit, as he resigned from his position as governor. When Palpatine declared himself Galactic Emperor, and reformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire, the former governor supported it. He thought that it was what was needed to keep order and security. For his loyalty, he was not among the many officers executed during the purge several months into the existence of the New Order.
Under the Empire[]
Not quite what you expected, no?"
"No indeed.
—Sarkan and Colonel Aldroma
In the months following the beginning of the Empire, Sarkan advanced up the chain of command quickly in the newly-created Imperial Military Intelligence. Many officers above him were executed for various reasons, mainly the fact that the Emperor personally did not trust some of them. Sarkan did his best to ignore it, deeming it necessary, like the extermination of the Jedi Order. He also tried to ignore Darth Vader and his brutality against both his enemies and subordinates. The former governor did not understand where this Dark Lord of the Sith had come from, as did many, and rarely had to deal with him.
During that time, Sarkan rose to a high ranking position in the Military Intelligence. After the fiasco with Berch Teller and his resistance cell, Sarkan replaced Admiral Rancit as the deputy director of the organization. Rancit was found guilty of treason for aiding the rebel cell and was given a summary execution. The former governor never knew the man very well but was disturbed that such a high rank was involved in the rebellious uprising.
He became a good friend of Wulff Yularen, a former admiral of the Republic Navy and now the director of the organization. The two quickly became close friends, working together for Military Intelligence and finding that they shared many beliefs and opinions. Both had supported the rising to power of Palpatine during the Clone Wars and had both served in the conflict. Sarkan also met with General Anora Thax, a skilled intelligence officer who became the deputy director of the organization. He also befriended Colonel Rayce Aldroma, the Military Intelligence liaison to the Imperial Security Bureau who eventually became his aide-de-camp.
However, Sarkan became increasingly aware of the many atrocities committed in the name of the New Order around the galaxy. This disturbed him greatly, as he did not support such actions, including the Ghorman massacre. The former governor also was against the war against the Separatist holdouts, thinking they should just find a compromise with them instead. He found himself wishing that things could return to "normal", the way they were before the Clone Wars.
Galactic Civil War and the coup[]
Personality and traits[]
Behind the scenes[]
The image used to represent him is a character from the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist.