Bestine IV
Astrographical
Region	Inner Rim[1][2]
System	Bestine system[1][2]
Suns	1: Bestine[1][2]
Orbital position	4[2]
Moons	2[2]
Grid coordinates	M-14[2]
Rotation period	26 standard hours[2]
Orbital period	680 local days[2]
Physical
Class	Terrestrial[2]
Diameter	6,400 km[1][2]
Atmosphere	Type I (breathable)
Climate	Temperate[1]
Primary terrain	Sparse rocky islands[1][2] Oceans[1][2] Shallow seas[2]
Surface water	Planet-wide ocean[2]
Points of interest	Island Spires[1][2] Juggerhead[2] Tusken[3]
Societal
Native species	Sink crab[1][2] Armored fish[2]
Immigrated species	H'kig[2] Humans[1][2]
Primary language(s)	Galactic Basic Standard[2]
Government	Informal council[2]
Population	62 million[1][2] 97% Humans[2] 3% other[2]
Demonym	Bestinian[2]
Major cities	Barlata[2] Gasha[2] Jahnae[2]
Major imports	Raw materials (Imperial Period)[2] Technical gear (Imperial Period)[2]
Major exports	None[2]
Affiliation	Galactic Republic[4] Confederacy of Independent Systems[5] Galactic Empire[2] New Republic[2] Yuuzhan Vong Empire[6] Galactic Federation of Free Alliances[6]

[Source]

Bestine IV, or simply Bestine, was an aquacultural planet in the Inner Rim, along the Corellian Trade Spine. Nearly all of its surface was covered by a vast ocean, but there were many rugged islands spread across the planet. The original population struggled for years atop the planet's Island Spires to create an island paradise. As time passed the planet was more widely known for its ship repair and construction industry, which eventually caught on with the Galactic Empire, who constructed large naval shipyards.

HistoryEdit

Early historyEdit

Early colonization attempts of Bestine were problematic, with a series of Kian'thar settlements being tried and abandoned from 278 to 211 BBY. Eventually, in 170 BBY a H'kig commune was successfully established.^[2]

It was after this planet that Tatooine's capital, Bestine, was named by Bestinian survivors of the Dowager Queen wreck. Some locations on Tatooine were named after locations on Bestine IV; for example, Tatooine's Fort Tusken was named after Bestine IV's island Tusken.^[3]

Clone WarsEdit

The planet was a member of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars.^[5] At some point, the Galactic Republic had taken the planet from the Confederacy and had a fleet near the planet. Jedi Master Kit Fisto and Clone Commander Fil attempted to contact it to ask for reinforcements in capturing General Grievous on Vassek's third moon, but were unable to when their ship was destroyed.^[4]

Imperial periodEdit

The planet had become increasingly attractive due to Bestine’s small but growing ship repair and construction industry, which can be credited to the planet’s unique oceanicbased shipyards that are designed primarily to quickly produce frigate-sized vessels.|^[1]

In 3 BBY, its populace was displaced for the construction of an Imperial naval yard. This project was simply a massive expansion of the present naval shipyards, which were curiously located on the surface of the ocean, not in orbit. The displaced populace were promised a "new and exciting home", but, when the promise wasn't kept, most ended up scattering to other systems. Many joined with or aided Rebel agents on Bestine, although they were never able to successfully sabotage the Imperial shipyards which had been code-named Juggerhead. The shipyards gave the impression that they were constructing Acclamator-class Star Destroyers, although in fact it was conducting research and development on a sleek, single-seat attack submersible, the TIE torpedo.^[2] Bestine was later the location of an important rebel base.^[7]

During the Alliance to Restore the Republic's investigation on the first Death Star, and while orbiting Bestine IV, the MC80 Star Cruiser Defiance was engaged by the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Immortal, which launched squadrons of TIE/sa bombers to destroy her. Rebel pilots were able to tarry them, until the Defiance hyperspaced away. The Independence was later attacked in a similar way.^[7]

Bestine IV was the homeworld of Rebel pilots Jek Porkins^[8] and Zev Senesca.^[2]

Later historyEdit

Bestine IV stayed under Imperial control until 9 ABY. Following the defeat of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Imperial forces cleared the Juggerhead facilities and abandoned the planet. Bestine IV became part of the New Republic soon after.^[2]

During the Yuuzhan Vong War, the Yuuzhan Vong conquered Bestine sometime around 27 ABY. It was later recaptured by the Galactic Alliance.^[6]

Behind the scenesEdit

Bestine is mentioned in dialogue in a scene cut from A New Hope, where Biggs Darklighter tells of his plans to defect and join the Alliance to Restore the Republic, though this is believed to actually be talking about the Tatooine city.

AppearancesEdit

• "The Admiral's List: Jimas Veltraa Memorial Edition" - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 13: Days of Fear, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Grievous Attacks! (Mentioned only) (Misspelled "Besteene")
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Lair of Grievous" (Mentioned only)
• Boba Fett: A New Threat (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: X-wing (First appearance)
• Star Wars: Empire at War
• Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel (First mentioned)
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Deleted scenes) (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars 1 (Mentioned only)
• X-wing Rogue Squadron ½ (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars 9: Showdown on a Wasteland World! (Mentioned only)
• "Slaying Dragons"—Star Wars Adventure Journal 9 (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel (Indirect mention only)
• A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker (Mentioned in flashback only)
• Revelation (Mentioned only)

SourcesEdit

•  Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisley
•  The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook
• X-wing: The Official Strategy Guide
• The Essential Guide to Characters
• Star Wars Encyclopedia
• The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons
• Star Wars: Power of the Jedi
• Secrets of Tatooine
• "Who's Who in Rogue Squadron"—Star Wars Insider 59
• The New Essential Chronology
• Star Wars: Empire at War: Prima Official Game Guide
• Starships of the Galaxy, Saga Edition
• The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia (See "Bestine system")
• The Essential Atlas
• Scavenger's Guide to Droids
•  Jek Porkins (Red Six) in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)

Notes and referencesEdit