Rignik

Rignik
Chronological and political information
Affiliation(s)	Galactic Empire

"Isn't that the ship that wiped out Arnod's flight back in the asteroid field? The one from the Battle of Yavin?"

―Rignik, referring to the Millennium Falcon

Flight Lieutenant Rignik was an Imperial Navy TIE pilot who flew a TIE/LN starfighter by 3 ABY. That year, when the Galactic Empire occupied the planet Bespin, Rignik was among the TIE pilots initially patrolling outside the planet who escorted bounty hunter Boba Fett's craft Slave I as it left the planet. The pilots then received new orders to pursue the freighter Millennium Falcon, which was attempting to escape Bespin.

Biography

"Back off."

―Boba Fett, to Rignik and the other TIE pilots

Rignik was a TIE pilot in the Imperial Navy by 3 ABY. That year, Rignik flew a TIE/LN starfighter and was a Flight Lieutenant reporting to Flight Commander Mallop. In 3 ABY, the Galactic Empire occupied the planet Bespin with the intention to capture the Millennium Falcon, a YT-1300 light freighter associated with the Rebel Alliance. When bounty hunter Boba Fett, who had aided the Empire during Bespin's occupation, left the planet aboard his Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft, the Slave I, Rignik and Mallop were among the four TIE/LN starfighter pilots—initially on a routine patrol—who approached the craft as it headed towards the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Avenger outside Bespin.

The Millennium Falcon escaping its TIE fighter pursuers

Fett warned Rignik and the other pilots to slow down when their TIE/LN starfighters matched the speed of Slave I, and the TIE pilots continued following the ship only at maximum range before it jumped into hyperspace. The pilots' subsequent return to their normal patrol routes was very short-lived, for the group received new orders to pursue the Millennium Falcon as it was approaching them from Bespin.

Rignik nervously asked about the Falcon's history of wiping out TIE pilot Arnod's flight in the Hoth asteroid field as well as the ship's involvement in the Battle of Yavin before being admonished by Mallop. Ultimately, TIE/LN starfighters from the Imperial Obsidian Squadron pursued the Falcon out of Bespin and into space before the freighter escaped Imperial clutches.

Personality and traits

"You're on report the moment we land!"

―Mallop, disciplining Rignik as a result of the latter's inquiry about the Millennium Falcon

Rignik and the other TIE pilots were relieved when Boba Fett's Slave I jumped into hyperspace, although their break was short-lived as they had to pursue the Millennium Falcon. Rignik's nervous inquiry about the freighter prompted Mallop to reprimand the Flight Lieutenant, with Rignik being told about being on report upon landing.

Behind the scenes

Rignik was created by author Michael Stern for "Dark Voyage to Tatooine," a short story published in West End Games' 1990 Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game sourcebook Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi.

Appearances

• "Dark Voyage to Tatooine" — Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi (also reprinted in Second Edition and The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook) (First appearance)