Janek Sunber

Janek Sunber was a native of Tatooine and a boyhood friend of Luke Skywalker, nicknamed "Tank" by his friends for his large frame. Growing up on a moisture farm, he set his sights on the skies and applied to become an Imperial pilot. His test scores were not sufficient, so instead he joined the Imperial Army. A dedicated and hardworking cadet, he graduated and quickly made lieutenant. Sunber saw his first combat at Maridun, when his company was attacked by a vastly superior Amanin force. During the battle, Sunber distinguished himself to his commander, General Ziering, with his work ethic, quick thinking, bravery, and tactical aptitude. Sunber devised the strategy that saved the beleaguered Imperial camp, and when Ziering was killed in battle, he devoted his dying words to praising Sunber and promoting him to the rank of commander. Sunber led the camp's defenders to victory, but his jealous former superior and now subordinate, Captain Gage, refused to verify Sunber's promotion after the battle.

Continuing his career as a lieutenant, Sunber eventually was assigned to rooting out the last of the Loyalists on Jabiim. They were taken as slaves to Kalist VI, which troubled Sunber. On Kalist VI, Sunber risked his career to prevent another lieutenant from raping a slave, but escaped punishment after a Rebel attack on the base. One of the participants was his old friend Skywalker. Sunber confronted him, refusing Skywalker's entreaties to join the Rebellion, as he still saw the Empire as the right side in the Galactic Civil War, a force for order. Skywalker escaped, leaving Sunber wounded.

Sunber was tormented by learning that Skywalker, as well as his other friend Biggs Darklighter, had become his enemies. He was unable to deal with the possibility that he might have chosen the wrong course, and eventually came to conclude that he had to stop his old friend. He volunteered his knowledge of Skywalker to Darth Vader, who tasked him to capture the Rebel hero. Sunber sent a message stating he wished to defect and was "rescued" by Skywalker, who brought him among the Alliance Fleet. There, Sunber attempted to subdue the young Jedi and the pair battled. Sunber had Skywalker at his mercy but could not kill his childhood friend when the ship was damaged in an attack by Vader's fleet. Sunber found himself hanging on the edge of a pit, an unconscious and wounded Leia Organa grasped in his hand. He saved the Rebel leader, handing her up to Skywalker, before he lost his grip and fell away.

Text and facts from the “Janek Sunber/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.