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CharactersLando Calrissian
The suave gambler who became Cloud Citys Baron Administrator after winning the title on a game of sabacc. Unfortunately, the price of leadership was high and Lando was forced to betray Han Solo to protect Cloud City from Imperial rule. He eventually redeemed himself, however, by braving the dangers of Jabba the Hutts palace to rescue Han. Throughout his life, Lando has been called by man namestraitor, scoundrel, soldier-of-fortune--but he ultimately proved to be Han Solos loyal friend and one of the Alliances greatest heroes. Very little is known about the early years of Lando Calrissian. His past is a well-guarded secret, although as a young man he quickly earned a reputation as a skilled soldier-of-fortune, treasure seeker, and gambler. It is recorded in the Lando Calrissian Adventures trilogy that about 10 years before the Battle of Yavin, Lando owned the Millennium Falcon. During this time, Lando and his droid Vuffi Raa scoured the universe in search of riches. Calrissian claimed the Rafar systems precious gems, recovered several ancient artifacts, won a sizable fortune while playing sabacc, and helped free an alien race known as the Oswaft from Imperial rule. Throughout his travels in the Falcon, which encompassed over a year of his life, Lando amassed considerable wealth. He used the fortune to finance numerous business adventures, many with slightly criminal connotations. While experimenting with a smuggling ring, he first encountered Han Solo and Chewbacca. Soon after, Lando lost the Falcon to Solo in a game of sabacc. Left without his favorite craft, Lando traveled the galaxy in a wide range of starships, all the while maintaining his various operations. During one excursion, he led the legendary offensive at the Battle of Taanab, defeating a large contingent of pirates through guile and cunning. After the Battle of Taanab, Lando eventually found himself on Cloud City, a small Tibanna gas mining colony orbiting Bespin. Recognizing Cloud Citys potential, Lando challenged the foolish Baron Administrator Raynor to a round of sabacc, with ownership of the settlement as the prize. Secretly aided by the cyborg Lobot, Lando handily won the game and became Cloud Citys new Baron Administrator. Under Landos rule, Cloud City flourished. He increased the mining stations production and profits considerably within months of taking control. He also used the floating colony for clandestine activities, such as smuggling, and began covertly aiding the growing Rebel Alliance. During his time as Baron Administrator, Lando relied heavily on Lobot and the two became close allies. According to Tales from Jabbas Palace, Lobot even saved Lando in an encounter with the sadistic EV-9D9. Shortly after the Rebels were brutally defeated at the Battle of Hoth, an Imperial force led by the sinister Darth Vader visited Cloud City. In his plot to capture Luke Skywalker, Vader threatened to take complete control of Cloud City and force all of its denizens into the Empires servitude unless Lando agreed to betray Han Solo. Although he agonized over the decision, Lando ultimately resolved to sacrifice the life of his friend to save hundreds of Bespins. Therefore, when Han, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and C-3PO arrived on Cloud City, Lando greeted them with open arms. After the Rebels had been duped by Landos charms, Vader captured and tortured them, knowing that their suffering would attract Skywalker. Vader was not disappointed and Lukes approaching X-wing was soon detected. As a result of Landos betrayal, Han Solo was ultimately encased in carbonite. Yet as he watched his friend being lowered into the carbon-freezing chamber, Lando quietly vowed to rectify the harm he had caused, no matter the cost. Soon after, he freed the Rebels, ordered the full evacuation of Cloud City, and aided in rescuing a wounded Luke Skywalker. After fleeing Bespin, Lando joined Chewbacca in a quest to find Han. As related in Shadows of the Empire, he was only temporarily distracted from this mission when he set out to rescue Princess Leia from Prince Xizors skyhook. Lando proved instrumental in defeating Xizors lackeys. Eventually, Lando took great risks to infiltrate Jabbas palace, disguised as a guard. Once his allies arrived, he fought alongside Luke in the dramatic battle above the Sarlacc, nearly losing his life during the conflict. After Hans rescue, Lando officially joined the Rebel Alliance. In recognition of his achievements at the Battle of Taanab and his courage during the conflict with Jabba, Lando became a general. More importantly, Mon Mothma, Crix Madine, and Admiral Ackbar agreed that General Calrissian should lead the attack on the second Death Star. During the Battle of Endor, Landos keen tactical mind served the Rebellion well, and he was largely responsible for the Alliances success during that engagement. In fact Lando himself flew into the heart of the Death Star and bombarded the reactor core, causing the space stations destruction. After the Rebel victory, the defeat of the Empire, and the rise of the New Republic, Lando balanced his time between military service and private ventures. He returned to Bespin and was reunited with Lobot aided the Ugnaughts in their overthrow of Imperial forces, and reclaimed Cloud City. He also frequently undertook missions for the New Republic as part of the Senate Interplanetary Intelligence Network (or SPIN). In the many years following the Battle of Endor, Lando has again become a savvy, if slightly unlucky, entrepreneur. He lost Cloud City to Zorba the Hutt in a game of sabacc, and eventually abandoned Hologram Fun World, an amusement park in space. During Grand Admiral Thrawns bid for power, Lando operated Nomad City, a mining colony on the planet Nkllon in the Athega system. After a series of adventures involving the war with Thrawn, Lando eventually relinquished control of this settlement as well. During Emperor Palpatines resurgence, as chronicled in Dark Empire and Dark Empire II, Lando rejoined the New Republic without reservation. He was partnered with Wedge Antilles during many of his missions. The pair lost two command ships during battles with Palpatines forces, but nonetheless proved vital to the Republics victory. Since Palpatine's defeat, Lando had aided Luke in his search for Jedi trainees, rescued Han from Kessel, flirted with the notion of marriage, and explored the mysteries of the Teljkon vagabond, a craft that could never be boarded or captured. He also opened GemDiver Station, a mining facility in orbit around the planet Yavin. With Lobot at his side as chief aide, Lando secured almost limitless fortunes. Yet GemDiver was also the scene of tragedy. While Lowbacca and Jacen and Jaina Solo were visiting the station during a field trip away from Lukes Jedi academy, GemDiver was attacked by Imperial forces and the Dathomirian Niht Sister Tamith Kai. Lando did everything in his power to stop the invaders, but ultimately the three young Jedi were kidnapped. Calrissian vowed to follow Tamith Kai to the ends of the galaxy to rescue the children, but Luke Skywalker and Tenel Ka had already undertaken the quest. Lando instead turned his attention toward ensuring that those aboard GemDiver would always be safe from their enemies.
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