Jaden Luka

Growing up in a painfully normal environment, Jaden often found himself in trouble in some way or other as he grew a little too ambitious to add some excitement into his life. Detained at one point for speeder theft and joyriding, the teenage Jaden earned a black mark on his record that followed him for years, eventually becoming a major obstacle when he tried to join the Imperial military to "get off this useless rock". Fortunately for him, his father's prior service with the Empire was enough to pull a few strings, and secured Jaden an internship with a Scout Trooper unit from the planet's Imperial Garrison to gain leadership experience, that would set him in good stead for Pilot training at the Imperial Academy the following year.

Though short-lived, Jaden's Imperial career still managed to be eventful. His youth spent piloting speeder craft at unsafe velocities set him in good stead, and even the grizzled and disapproving commander of his unit had to admit that he posessed the makings of a reasonable officer. As part of his internship, the Empire placed him with a four-man Lancer - a standard patrol group, led by Sergeant Amos Iakona. Made up of the unit commander's least favourite Scout Troopers, Jaden's team managed to involve itself in a number of exploits in the wilderness of Ord Varee despite only ever recieving the assignments that none of the other Troopers wanted to perform.

As Jaden's internship drew to a close, his father was unfortunately taken ill. Carson later died, and Jaden's life fell apart. Not only had the last of his family gone, but the Lieutenant commanding his Scout Trooper unit who had sponsored Jaden's application to the Imperial Academy decided to withdraw his support. With his military career in taters, Jaden decided to leave Ord Varee and try his luck elsewhere in the galaxy.

Pilot of the Astral Queen

Though not on amicable terms with the Empire for seven years, it wasn't until Luka had a run-in with an overzealous Imperial Officer in the Outer Rim that he became involved with the Rebel Alliance. After falling foul of an Imperial patrol, Luka was rescued as a side-effect of a Rebel strike against the ship that had captured him. It took a little convincing, but Jaden eventually joined the crew, becoming part of the ship's A-Wing unit - Valkyrie Squadron - as Valkyrie Two, replacing a Sullustan pilot who had been badly injured some weeks before. (Ride of the Valkyries)

Jaden flew in Sullustan Tiet Voe's A-Wing for some time until the Valiant accepted delivery of two new fighters, one of which became his. He eventually earned himself a promotion to Lieutenant, and was appointed Flight Leader and reassigned to callsign Valkyrie Nine. With the rest of the Valkyries, Jaden flew alongside Rogue Squadron during a special assignment. (Raids, Rogues and Arithmatic)

Some time later, Jaden was offered a position in Rogue Squadron, flying as Rogue Five. He served with the unit when they were reassigned to The Wheel, as part of the Rebel task force helping to defend the survivors of the Jedi Purge. (Of Wheels and Fortunes)

Several months later, Jaden Luka was approached by the Alliance High Command to assist in the field testing of the RZ-2 A-Wing Interceptor. Though the craft was already being field tested by Valkyrie Squadron - who were operating alongside Rogue Squadron at the time - Command wanted to evaluate the new design from the perspective of pilots who weren't accustomed to piloting the original RZ-1 model. As a pilot with experience of both craft, Jaden - promoted to Captain for the occasion - was assigned to Talon Squadron aboard the Horizon as a consultant, to help smooth out any problems that arose while converting the pilots from one craft to the other.

Jace has been around on the site since January 2007. He knows all the things, including board lore, random trivia, and really really terrible jokes and puns.