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Iolo Arana was a Keshian male starfighter pilot who served as a lieutenant in the New Republic Starfleet and as a member of Rapier Squadron. He would ultimately join the Resistance—along with fellow squadron members commander Poe Dameron and lieutenant Karé Kun—during its conflict with the First Order. As a member of the Resistance, he was promoted to the rank of captain and given command of Dagger Squadron.
Biography
New Republic service
Iolo Arana was a starfighter pilot who flew in the New Republic Defense Fleet's Rapier Squadron, which flew T-85 X-wings in the Mirrin sector. He answered to the callsign Rapier Three and his comrades included Commander Poe Dameron, Lieutenant Karé Kun, and Muran. During one of their routine patrols in the Mirrin sector, Iolo and his squadron responded to a distress message from the freighter Yissira Zyde near Suraz 4. Rapier Squadron were subsequently caught up in a dogfight with First Order TIE/fo space superiority fighters which ended with the death of Muran.[2]
Despite Major Lonno Deso's orders, Poe was determined to avenge Muran and to track down the stolen freighter. While on a routine patrol, Poe got Iolo and Karé to upload all telemetry from the Suraz engagement into his droid BB-8. Iolo and Karé agreed to cover for Poe while he departed on his errant mission. Following the Skirmish in OR-Kappa-2722, Poe was recruited by General Leia Organa into the Resistance, a private paramilitary offshoot of the New Republic military that monitored the First Order's activities.[2]
Joining the Resistance
With Iolo and Karé facing disciplinary action for helping Poe, the two also joined the Resistance. Iolo became the captain of Dagger Squadron, which was stationed aboard the MC80 star cruiser Echo of Hope. Due to their friendship with Poe, Iolo and Karé took part in Operation: Sabre Strike, a secret mission to steal the New Republic Senator Erudo Ro-Kiintor's yacht Hevurion Grace. General Organa suspected that Erudo was colluding with the First Order and wanted to access his ship's logs. For the mission, the three pilots posed as members of the Irving Boys and flew vintage Z-95 Headhunters. The Resistance pilots ambushed the Hevurion Grace in space. Iolo managed to disable the yacht with modified concussion missiles, allowing Poe to board the ship and drive Erudo and his crew into the escape pod.[2]
Before they could return to the Echo of Hope, the Resistance pilots were attacked by a large First Order fleet. Following a pursuit, Iolo and his comrades managed to outrun their First Order pursuers including a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer and flee into hyperspace. Due to their successful mission, the Resistance obtained irrefutable evidence of Ro-Kiintor's treason and discovered that the explorer Lor San Tekka was still alive. Believing that Tekka held the key to finding her lost brother Luke Skywalker, General Organa dispatched Poe to find Lor San Tekka.[2]
Personality and traits
Iolo Arana was a male Keshian, a baseline humanoid species with large and oddly colored eyes, allowing them to detect a broad spectrum ranging from ultraviolet to infrared. As a starfighter pilot, this gave Iolo an advantage in dogfights. Iolo was loyal to his friend Poe Dameron. He and Karé followed Poe into the Resistance and took part in Operation: Sabre Strike. While in New Republic service, Iolo found the routine patrol flights in the Mirrin sector boring and longed for real combat. Iolo was able to fly various starships including T-85 X-wings and vintage Z-95 Headhunters.[2]
Behind the scenes
Iolo Arana first appeared as a secondary character in Greg Rucka's junior novel Before the Awakening, which was released on December 18, 2015 in conjunction with Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.
Appearances
- Before the Awakening (First appearance)
- Poe Dameron: Flight Log