Quarsh Panaka
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Quarsh Panaka
Biographical information
Descriptive information
Pronouns
Eye color
Skin color
Family information
Chronological & political information
- "Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think that we can win."
- ―Panaka, to Queen Amidala[6]
Quarsh Panaka was aHumanmale who served as thehead of theRoyal Naboo Security Forces before, during, and after theInvasion of Naboo, and later was theMoff for theChommell sector during theGalactic Civil War. He was a vocal militarist among the peaceful people ofNaboo, a fish out of water amongst his peers. Shaken by the murder ofKingArs Veruna, he installed various security measures to make sure that the same thing did not happen to his second monarch, QueenPadmé Amidala. By learning from the mistakes of his predecessor,Maris Magneta, he was able to successfully defend her in several periods of danger, and continued to serve Naboo, theRepublic, and eventually, the Empire.
Notoriously conservative, Panaka often clashed with theJedi MasterQui-Gon Jinn during the Invasion of Naboo, deriding the Jedi's controversial methods and retaining the utmost faith in his own. Nevertheless, with Jinn's help he was able to get his chance at military action, in theBattle of Naboo. Panaka thereafter became a staunch supporter ofSupreme ChancellorPalpatine and theNew Order of theGalactic Empire, rising to the position of Moff of his homesector with Palpatine's patronage.
Biography[]
Early career[]

Panaka
Quarsh[9] Panaka wasborn onNaboo[1] around four decades before the beginning of theClone Wars.[2] He was educated offworld in several guilds, specializing in threat analysis and personal combat. Panaka's education was broad, designed to give him the full spectrum of knowledge and training he would need to become an effective security chief.[1] In his education, he traveled toTolan, and was given instruction from aZabrak in theTracker's Guild.[10] He later joined aRepublic Special Task Force and gained combat experience against pirates. This experience and education served him in good stead upon his return to Naboo and subsequent enlistment in theRoyal Naboo Security Forces. While he was off-world, hisolder sister was killed during a training exercise.[1]
To deal with this grief, Panaka became increasingly dedicated to his job and to serving the current monarch,KingArs Veruna. He served underCaptainMaris Magneta as a Lieutenant and was paired withSergeantBialy. He was not known for being sociable—a character trait he would exhibit throughout his life—being more focused on being the consummate professional. Panaka was constantly working to improve the security force, and actually invented the liquid-cable grappling hook shooter that became standard amongst his colleagues' weapons.[1]
In36 BBY, Panaka and Bialy were charged with bringing in aGungan,Kroke Modbom, who had apparently been causing trouble inPort Landien. The pair cornered Modbom at thePort Landien Perfumery, and while Panaka waited to ambush his target in the store's cellar, Bialy went upstairs to confront the Gungan. The lieutenant heard blaster shots ring out, before Modbom burst into the room.[10]
Panaka fought with the Gungan, trying to prevent him from escaping the perfumery. He was successful in subduing the target, although he sustained several injuries to his face in the process. Bialy noted that the Gungan did not have a blaster, and so she supposed that Modbom had an accomplice, who had escaped. Returning to the Palace, Panaka was commended by Magneta, who then introduced him to an aide ofSenatorPalpatine's,Sate Pestage. Pestage was taking Modbom's punishment into Palpatine's hands, much to Panaka's confusion. He mentioned Modbom's supposed accomplice, but Magneta had already assigned the lieutenant to traffic control, as a sea creature had beached itself north of Port Landien.[10]
While blocking off the coastal road near the cove containing the beached creature, Panaka was almost killed when a speeder broke through the roadblock. Calling officers Bialy,Pestrak andDunni on his comlink for backup, Panaka set off in pursuit, chasing the felon to the cove. There, he saw the beached creature for the first time: a legendarysando aqua monster. Making his way down into the cove, the lieutenant spotted a white-garbed figure who tried to run him over. Panaka fired off warning shots, but the figure jumped into one of the many nearby rock tunnels. Cautiously, the lieutenant followed, venturing into the pitch black abyss of the Naboo's unmappable rock tunnel network. As he moved further into the tunnels, blindly, he was ambushed by a man codenamedVeermok, who was wielding a blaster. Forced to surrender, Panaka was at Veermok's mercy, and was led even deeper into the tunnel network.[10]
Veermok claimed that the tunnels held a stash of secrets that could incriminate King Veruna. He claimed to be fighting for Naboo, and against the lies of its monarchy—something that Modbom had been doing as well. Panaka was not deterred by the accusations, but before the pair could reach the alleged evidence, the sando aqua monster's movements above caused a cave-in, releasing a torrent of water. Released in the torrent was a wide array of disturbing objects, including eight corpses—humans and Gungans alike—and several storage lockers. Panaka was able to reclaim his blaster, and once the commotion was over, Veermok attempted to escape. In response, the lieutenant attempted to shoot him in the back of the knee, but his blaster malfunctioned. Acting quickly, he utilized the liquid grappling cable, and reeled Veermok in. Before he could restrain his captive, Veermok broke free of Panaka's hold, and ran off down the tunnel once more. The lieutenant prepared to utilize his grappling hook again, but before he could, a blaster shot rang out, and Veermok fell to the ground.[10]
The man who had fired the shot was none other than Pestage. Veermok had not perished immediately, but died soon afterward. Panaka was angry at the result, but Pestage, who had intercepted the lieutenant's earlier distress call, pointed out that he had his man. Returning to the palace, Panaka was convinced that Pestage's actions indicated a cover-up of evidence, and that the matter required further attention. He mentioned the bodies, but Magneta claimed that they could have been regurgitated by the monster, or killed by pirates. Nevertheless, Panaka wanted Pestage arrested, but Magneta insisted that everything was being taken care of. Before Panaka could examine the room and its potentially incriminating evidence, Captain Magneta had the area blasted with proton torpedoes from anN-1 starfighter. The evidence, which could have pointed at King Veruna or even Senator Palpatine, was destroyed forever.[10]
Serving Amidala[]

Panaka eventually served as head of theRoyal Security Forces of Amidala.
Three years later,[11][4] King Veruna abdicated in the wake of a corruption scandal and was killed mysteriously. Magneta failed to prevent thisdeath and resigned in disgrace.[1] Panaka was appointedHead of Security in Magneta's stead; one ofQueenAmidala's first acts as regent.[1] From his part, Panaka considered the new monarch too young to become Queen. One of her first moves was to dismantle a program established by her predecessor for rebuilding their military forces. As head of the Royal Security Forces, warned her that she was provoking a harshTrade Federation response, but she did not listen.[9] Panaka took the death of Veruna particularly hard, and he felt the late King's death was his fault.[1] To ensure this never happened again, he developed an elaborate security setup, which involved using the Queen'shandmaidens as decoys.[1][11] The ploy saved the life of Amidala more than once.[1]
During adiplomatic mission toCoruscant in32 BBY, Panaka and other members of the Royal Naboo Security Forces were fired upon by anunknown attacker. LieutenantGavyn Sykes received permission from Panaka to drive away the attacker.[12]
Invasion of Naboo[]
- "This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness. Our security volunteers will be no match against a battle-hardened Federation army."
- ―Panaka, to Queen Amidala[6]

Panaka shortly before the escape from Naboo
When theTrade Federation blockaded Naboo, Panaka was among the first to recognize the significant threat they posed to the world.[5] When they subsequently invaded Naboo, Panaka and his security force were less than well-equipped to defend Theed from them. His forces put up minor resistance, though they surrendered when they fully realized the sheer size ofOOM-9's force.[13] The droids stormed the palace, and took both him and the Queen into custody. Shortly before, Panaka had initiated his decoy scheme, and although the real Queen was captured too, the Neimoidians fell for the ruse, and focused on thedecoy.[6]
As they were being escorted out of Theed, two Jedi Knights, ambassadors that had been sent to resolve the dispute behind the blockade, rescued Panaka, the Queen, the Governor,Sio Bibble, and several security guards.Qui-Gon Jinn, one of the Jedi, wanted to take Amidala toCoruscant, against Panaka's initial instincts. The Queen decided against Panaka's judgment, and chose to travel to the capital with the Jedi. Grudgingly, Panaka joined her while Bibble chose to remain behind and look after the Naboo.[6]
After the Jedi seized theTheed Hangar from the droids stationed there, the group entered the Queen'spersonal starship, and blasted away from Naboo.[6] Before he left the planet, Panaka issued an evacuation order to the Royal Naboo Security Forces, ordering them not to engage the enemy except in self-defense.[12] In trying to get through the blockade, the ship'shyperdrive was badly damaged. Jinn's apprentice,Obi-Wan Kenobi, suggested that they land onTatooine, a desert planet, for repairs. Panaka was outraged at the suggestion, claiming that the Hutts who ruled the planet were gangsters. When Jinn took the suggestion before the Queen, she sided with the Jedi, leaving Panaka in disbelief at her rashness.[6]

Panaka aboard the Queen's starship
While Jinn,Jar Jar Binks, Amidala, andR2-D2 went scouting for parts for the hyperdrive, Panaka remained behind and guarded the ship—ostensibly guarding the Queen. During a sandstorm, the ship received a falsified transmission from Naboo from GovernorSio Bibble, pleading with the Queen to contact him. Kenobi ordered Panaka and the others not to respond, warning it was bait to establish a trace so that the Trade Federation could locate Amidala.[6]
One night, a band ofTusken Raiders invaded the ship and absconded with the Queen. Panaka asked Kenobi to rescue the Queen from the Tusken Raiders while he stayed on-board to guard the handmaidens. Kenobi successfully defeated theTusken War Chief and returned with the Queen.[14]
Thanks to the efforts of oneAnakin Skywalker, Jinn and Amidala had been able to obtain the parts needed to get the ship fully operational again. With the hyperdrive repaired, the group traveled to Coruscant, where they were met by Senator Palpatine. Panaka kept a close eye on Amidala, anticipating an ambush by the Trade Federation, and went with her to theSenate Rotunda as she and Palpatine put forth their case against the Trade Federation. The Queen's request fell on deaf ears, and she was left with a shaken faith in the Republic. The experience had hardened her resolve, and she decided to return to Naboo, over Panaka's objections, although he tried to explain to her that she would be captured and forced to sign the treaty.[6]
Return to Naboo[]
- "I think you can kiss your trade franchise good-bye."
- ―Panaka, to Nute Gunray[6]

Panaka protecting Queen Amidala during the Battle of Naboo
The Queen had a plan. First, she made contact withBossRugor Nass and theGunganGrand Army and swayed them to her side. Then she sent Panaka to make contact with the Naboo Security Force on the emergency channel. He met with them on the plains of Naboo atopRasker Hill where they were ambushed by a Trade Federation patrol. Fortunately, theGian speeders made short work of theSingle Trooper Aerial Platform. Panaka made contact with Lieutenant Sykes, who had discovered a Trade Federation convoy. Panaka ordered the pilot todestroy the convoy.[12] He brought back the leaders to plan strategy—the Gungans would draw the droid army out of thecity and engage inbattle. Meanwhile, the Jedi together with the Naboo would sneak into the palace inTheed andattempt to captureViceroyNute Gunray.[6]

Panaka and Amidala following the Battle of Naboo
Using the secret entrance, Panaka split his forces in two. One group was to distract what droids remained behind while the other, including the Jedi, would liberate thestarfighters from the Theed Hangar, allowing pilots to disable theLucrehulk-class Droid Control ShipVuutun Palaa in orbit.[6] Panaka directed Sykes as part of the diversionary forces to commence the diversion by firing on anArmored Assault Tank.[12] As Panaka, Amidala and the Jedi set out to find the Viceroy, they were met by theSith LordDarth Maul, who had been tracking them since their stay on Tatooine. Panaka and Amidala's group were forced to go the long way around while the Jedi stalled the Sith.[6]
Panaka and Amidala faced heavy resistance as they battled through the streets of Theed to reach the Royal Palace, but they were able to breach the security zone and enter the palace. Once inside the palace, Panaka assisted Amidala in finding the passkeys to unlock blocked portions of the palace.[15] Progress was frustratingly slow battling through the halls of the Palace, but Panaka came up with an idea. Half the group split off from the main force, clambered out onto a window sill, and used theirascension guns to bypass a level of the Palace. The group made their way through the palace while Sabé led the other half through the main Palace defense force. Unfortunately, Amidala's group were swiftly captured bydroidekas and escorted to the Viceroy.[6]
Sabé's group made it to the Throne room and drew out the droids inside while Amidala grabbed a couple ofblasters from a secret compartment in the throne, tossed one to Panaka and they eliminated the droids in the room. Defenseless and humiliated, the Viceroy was forced to sign a treaty of surrender.[6]
After the battle, Nute Gunray andRune Haako were handed over by Panaka to the Republic for trial who dryly observed that their time as a successful trade franchise was over.[6] During the cleanup, Panaka was challenged to a friendly shooting competition by the Gungan CaptainRoos Tarpals, on account of Panaka's reputation as the quickest shot on Naboo. A target was painted on a disabled Armored Assault Tank. Witnesses said that Panaka won the contest with five bulls-eyes to Tarpals' three.[1] Panaka attended thefuneral of Jinn, who was killed in the fight with the Sith, before participating in thecelebrations following the liberation of Naboo.[6]
After the Battle of Naboo[]
- "Actually, I was on my way here to speak with you about security for your return trip to Coruscant."
- ―Panaka, to Senator Amidala[16]

Colonel Panaka some time after0 ABY.
When Amidala's term as queen of Naboo ended, Panaka remained on Naboo to protect the new Queen,Jamillia. Amidala eventually became theSenator for theChommell sector. Although Jamillia was his primary concern, he still looked after Amidala. During theSeparatist Crisis, whenCountDooku and his backers seceded from the Republic and formed theConfederacy of Independent Systems, a group of spice miners rallied outside the Palace while Amidala was there. After ensuring that Jamillia was safe, Panaka checked on his former charge. His reason for meeting with her was twofold: He also wanted to make sure she would be safe to return to Coruscant, to vote against theMilitary Creation Act. In a matter of weeks, a security plan was formulated, and Panaka assigned his nephew, CaptainGregar Typho, to protect Amidala. Before she departed for the capital, Panaka informed her that Viceroy Gunray, having escaped punishment, had fallen in with Dooku's Confederacy. Although Typho felt that Amidala, being against the Military Creation Act, would be considered an informal ally of the Confederacy, Panaka was concerned, and cautioned the Senator, as the Confederates had been known to utilize violence against their enemies.[16]
Some time later, after theClone Wars had broken out, he learned of the marriage between Padmé Amidala and the now-Jedi Anakin Skywalker. Panaka informed Palpatine, who used this information to his advantage when turning Anakin to thedark side. The ramifications of Panaka's choice would eventually lead to theImperialization of the galaxy, a change that would work to his advantage.[17] As Palpatine installed himself asGalactic Emperor, Panaka remained extremely loyal to him.[5]
Fighting the Skaak Tippers[]
- "As it happens, I'm always in need of good, capable recruits for the Royal Security Force. If you're interested, you can start right away. The Skaak Tippers are brewing up some trouble, and your first assignment would be to find out what."
- ―Colonel Panaka, to a spacer[18]

Colonel Panaka in battle
In the early days of theGalactic Civil War, Panaka, now aColonel, was working with the Royal Security Forces in the city ofKaadara to stop the criminal organization known as theSkaak Tippers fromterrorizing the peaceful inhabitants of Naboo. One of Panaka'sagents, SergeantWilloc, went missing while investigating a Skaak Tipper plot to stealbankterminals from Kaadara,hack into them, and gain access to the bank accounts of everyone in the city. Having not heard from Willoc in over aweek, Panaka was surprised to receive an unidentified transmission from Willoc'scomlink. Aspacer investigating anold war bunker on Naboo discovered the comlink and used it. Panaka urged the spacer to report to him immediately, and seizing the opportunity, enlisted the individual to disrupt the Skaak Tippers' activities in the surrounding area. The spacer obliged, and helped Panaka by wiping out a number of Skaak Tippers, finding one of their radios, and gaining intelligence on a Skaak Tipperplan tosmuggle weapons.[18]
Panaka surmised that this was related to the Skaak Tippers' bank heist plot. To discourage the Skaak Tippers from carrying out their crimes, Panaka devised a plan with his newly recruited operative toraid their nearbyIsland Hideout, kill at least sixteen of their members, andassassinate their leader,Jonni Skaak, who was actually a former Royal Security Forces agent named Jonthol Mazoon. The assault was a success, and had the effect of crippling the Skaak Tippers' operations. In appreciation for their bravery, Panaka formally inducted his operative as aprivate in the Royal Security Forces, and rewarded the agent with a special Royal Security Forcesjacket and a considerable amount ofcredits.[19]
Later service in the Empire[]
- "The Empire has not always lived up to its ideals, Senator Organa – I know that. But it restored order to the galaxy. It snuffed out the fires of Separatism and factionalism. I am proud to have kept Chommell sector safe and secure as part of that effort. Emperor Palpatine saved the galaxy, despite resistance by those you hold dear."
- ―Moff Panaka, to Leia Organa[9]
Panaka was eventually promoted toCommander, and tasked with leading an expedition to the uncharted planet ofPL-40112-CE-021105 of theSalfrem system inthe Wastes region ofWild Space. It was during this expedition that he met withBertroff Hissa, aHuman-Sephi hybrid, and also went into a forced alliance with the near humans of the planet to drive off an invasion of interdimensionalRozzums. Panaka, alongside Hissa, were the only survivors of the conflict. After returning, Panaka managed to recruit Hissa into the Imperial Military, despite itsHuman supremacist nature at the time. Panaka even fought for Hissa against his prejudiced peers, up until he himself was promoted toMoff of the Chommell sector.[20]
As reward for remaining close to Palpatine during the tumultuous years of the earlyRebellion, Panaka was promoted after theDissolution of the Imperial Senate in0 BBY. As Moff, he represented theChommell sector, replacingSenatorPooja Naberrie in the process.[21] To show his continued admiration of Palpatine, Panaka gave him anornate statue. The statue was placed in theEmperor'sreceiving chamber aboard thesecond Death Star.[8] It was destroyed in the station's subsequent destruction at theBattle of Endor.[22]

Leia Organa (pictured) attempted a peaceful resolution with Moff Panaka, to no avail.
Following the death of the Emperor as well as Anakin Skywalker during the Battle of Endor debacle,[22] the Galactic Empire shattered, while the Rebellion reorganized itself into a burgeoningNew Republic.[23] In5 ABY, Moff Panaka traveled toHosk Station and metPrincessLeia Organa ofAlderaan, a preeminent figure of the New Republic who he did not realize was the daughter of Queen Amidala whom he once served. Organa, who wished to avoid conflict between her troops and those of the Chommell sector, had arranged that meeting on a neutral site. She attempted to convince the Moff by evoking the memory of the late Amidala, whom he had once served. Panaka did not see any legitimacy in Organa's resurrected Republic, and was not moved by his remembrances of the dead queen. He pointed out that the late Amidala had attracted danger on Naboo and done very little to restore the planet's defenses in the wake of the Trade Federation's invasion. The meeting turned short when Organa told him some members of the Republic were thinking of seizing Naboo, although that threat left Panaka unimpressed.[9]
By13 ABY, Panaka's fortunes had reversed. The Empire had been defeated andreplaced by aNew Republic. In the new political order, Panaka was replaced with the Gungan senatorBoma in theNew Republic Senate.[24]
Personality and traits[]
- "I'll give them a Panaka blast!"
- ―Panaka[13]

Captain Panaka,32 BBY
Quarsh Panaka was a very pessimistic man and prepared for the worst. During the Naboo crisis, he was clearly annoyed at the fact that Naboo did not have its own planetary army.[25] He often expressed his opinions on this matter, and regularly disagreed with Amidala's Jedi protectors.[6]
Captain Panaka was often humorless and grim, constantly striving to do the best he could at his job. Panaka was usually on the alert, and was often called "the quickest eyes on Naboo."[1] He possessed keen senses, and was quite intelligent.[5] His fellow officers found him distant, demanding, and professional. Panaka took orders, but would voice his opinion when given an order he felt was questionable. One of Panaka's most excited moods occurred when he was successful in protecting his monarch and defeating the Trade Federation.[6]
Panaka was raised harboring feelings of bigotry towards the Gungans of his homeworld, a view that was common among the Naboo prior to their alliance with the Gungans in the Naboo crisis. This was reinforced by the fact that the Gungans he encountered during his early career were criminals and exiles.[1] Despite this, during the reign of the Galactic Empire, he was willing to allow aliens to serve in the Imperial Military as long as they were extremely capable, as evidenced by his allowing the human-Sephi hybridBertroff Hissa to serve in the Imperial Military.[20]
Panaka was bilingual, and could speakHuttese in addition toGalactic Basic Standard.[7]
Behind the scenes[]
- "I figured the tougher I was, the tougher it would make the Jedi seem to be. Obviously nobody out-toughed the Jedi, but Captain Panaka was going to give them a run for their money!"
- ―Hugh Quarshie, on his approach to the role of Panaka[26]

Panaka inLEGO Star Wars
In1999'sStar Wars: Episode IThe Phantom Menace, Panaka was played byHugh Quarshie.[6] He was voiced byJeff Coopwood in the gamesStar Wars: Episode IThe Phantom Menace video game,[15]Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo[12] andStar Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds.[13] The plot of thevideo game adaptation ofThe Phantom Menace diverges from that of the film, when, shortly after landing on Coruscant, the Queen is assaulted by an assortment ofmercenaries. The player, as Panaka, fends off the attackers, but the Queen, now isolated from the rest of her entourage, iskidnapped by more mercenaries, in the employ of aSun Guard. Panaka subsequently ventures through Coruscant and saves the kidnapped Queen, killingthe Sun Guard in the process. Panaka then leads the Queen to theGalactic Senate to meet with Palpatine.[15][27]
In the2001video gameStar Wars: Obi-Wan, the player, taking the role of the titular Jedi, meets Panaka inside the Theed Royal Palace during an altered scene from the movie. Panaka was fighting the Trade Federation occupation with other soldiers while the Queen was being taken toCamp Four by a battle-droid escort. In the movie, Panaka was captured along with the Queen.[14] This article assumes his presence during the mission isnon-canon.
The character of Panaka was originally intended to appear in2002'sStar Wars: Episode IIAttack of the Clones, but Quarshie decided not to return, feeling that he wasn't being offered enough money.[28] So, in Panaka's absence, the character of his nephewGregar Typho was created.
Panaka was included as a non-player character in the2003massively multiplayer online role-playing gameStar Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, developed bySony Online Entertainment and published byLucasArts, prior to its closure onDecember 15,2011.[29][30] The character was added to the game as part of theLegacy Quest, an expansive series ofquests that was released as part ofPublish 25'sNew Game Enhancements onNovember 15,2005.[29][31] In the game, players could assist ColonelPanaka by participating in a number of quests to disrupt theSkaak Tippers. By completing his final quest, titledTipping the Balance, Panaka would award the player with aRoyal Security Forcesjacket and 5901credits. Panaka would then reassign the player to CaptainTypho.[29] This eventually presented a continuity error, as Gregor Typho was shown to be killed well before the events ofStar Wars Galaxies inCoruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows,[32] a novel released onAugust 26,2008.[33]
Panaka was originally slated to appear inStar Wars: The Clone Wars episode "DestroyMalevolence." He was going to be captured alongside Padmé and be brutally murdered byGrievous. He was eventually cut, because at the early stages of production the studio didn't have the ability to include many new characters because of the time it took to create a digital model.[34]
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
- LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
- LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
- LEGO Star Wars: Darth Maul's Mission
- LEGO Star Wars: The Phantom Menace DK Reader
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
External links[]
Quarsh Panaka on theSWG WikiCaptain Panaka at theInternet Movie Database





















