Vlex Onopin

Vlex Onopin was a human male scientist and programmer who earned a diploma from the prestigious Magrody Institute of Programmable Intelligence. After being unwillingly forced into Imperial service around 19 BBY, the engineer refined his expertise in the kyber crystal research field. During that time, Onopin worked in a division of the Tarkin Initiative known as the kyber crystal research team, which was based on the Outer Rim planet Eadu. Onopin and his colleagues worked under the leadership of the crystallographer Galen Erso to turn kyber crystals into a viable energy source for the Death Star's superlaser, giving it the capability to destroy entire planets.

In 1 BBY, Imperial Director Orson Krennic found evidence that a member of Onopin's research team had conspired with a cargo pilot to send a message to the Rebel Alliance about the Death Star project. Krennic brought death troopers to confront Onopin and his colleagues, instructing the traitor to expose himself. Although appreciative of Onopin's talents, the director proceeded to have his troopers execute the entire research team despite Erso admitting to the betrayal.

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