Argomon

Argomon was a non-binary Nautolan pilot who operated as a black market smuggler alongside the droid B-333. By 229 BBY, they joined the droid 5A-G3's spy network to work against the Nihil marauders in conjunction with the efforts of the Republic and the Jedi Order. That year, they helped transport the Bonbraks Breebak, Teetak, and Tip, as well as the droid V-18, across the Stormwall hyperspace barrier to the Outer Rim planet Valo. During this time, part of Argomon's work included transporting supplies in their hauler to the Nihil prison ship Korvix Vorn. On one such occasion later in 229 BBY, Argomon and B-333 delivered boxes of the mycopram regenerative substance to the Nihil scientist Niv Drendow Apruk, planting a tracking device on the Korvix Vorn while there.

Not long afterward, in 228 BBY, the black market pilot participated in a raid on the prison ship after the tracking device pinpointed the vessel's location for the Jedi and the Republic, hoping to rescue the prisoners trapped aboard and sabotage the vessel to destroy it. After helping a boarding party secure the prison ship's topside cannons, Argomon and 5A-G3 rigged the Korvix Vorn to explode, fleeing from the vessel with B-333 after joining the rest of their colleagues and several rescued prisoners aboard their ship. After returning to the Outer Rim planet Eriadu's Republic outpost, Argomon enjoyed playing games with several of their colleagues. Later, Argomon attended the wedding of the wives Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala and helped defend Eriadu from the invading Nihil.

Biography

Black market pilot

The non-binary^[2] Nautolan pilot Argomon lived during the High Republic Era, working as a black market smuggler alongside the droid B-333.^[1] Following the destruction of the Starlight Beacon space station^[1] in 230 BBY,^[6] Argomon began working for the droid 5A-G3's spy network against the Nihil marauders following the group's formation of the Occlusion Zone,^[4] a region of space sealed behind a seemingly impenetrable barrier called the Stormwall that only Nihil ships could pass through.^[1]

In 229 BBY,^[7] Argomon transported the Bonbraks Breebak, Teetak, and Tip, as well as the droid V-18, to the Outer Rim planet Valo to help the Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram and his allies expel the Nihil from the planet. To sneak V-18 across the Stormwall successfully, the Bonbraks disassembled V-18 into several shipping boxes to store on the black market pilot's hauler before eventually reassembling him upon arrival at a warehouse. Not long afterward, the Nihil on Valo were defeated during a raid of the research vessel Innovator while trying to retrieve the regenerative mycopram substance from the ship. As he departed the planet, the Nihil scientist Niv Drendow Apruk decided to seek mycopram instead from black market runners working for the Nihil prison ship Korvix Vorn.^[5]

Tracking the Korvix Vorn

During this time, Argomon and B-333 continued to the Stormwall several times to make supply runs of illicit goods to the Nihil, operating under the guise of tolerating the marauders. One of the Nihil vessels^[1] they^[3] transported goods to was the Korvix Vorn,^[1] for which they were given an access card.^[4] Later in 229 BBY,^[8] 5A-G3 instructed B-333 and Argomon to place a tracking device on the Korvix Vorn to help forces of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order pinpoint the next time it left the Occlusion Zone. B-333 remained anxious about the endeavor, panicking as Argomon gleefully accelerated their hauler's speed. The pilot reassured the droid that the Nihil would always let them across the Stormwall, though the latter remained worried.^[1]

After arriving on the Korvix Vorn, Argomon delivered eighteen boxes of mycopram substance to Apruk. Though displeased with the quantity, the scientist accepted Argomon's reasoning that a celebrity's usage of mycopram had caused a price and demand surge. As the pilot began preparing to unload their cargo, they commented that Apruk's young Nameless creature—Deblindrix III—would require more than mycopram to survive, which caused Apruk to dismiss the former derisively.^[1] After the pair successfully planted a tracking device on the vessel,^[4] Argomon left B-333 behind on the Korvix Vorn as part of 5A-G3's eventual plan to sabotage the ship^[9] and returned to^[4] the Outer Rim planet^[10] Eriadu's Republic outpost.^[4]

Rescue endeavors

Not long afterward,^[4] in 228 BBY,^[11] the tracking device on the Korvix Vorn revealed the vessel's location, which 5A-G3 forwarded news of from Argomon to the Jedi and the Republic Defense Coalition. Argomon attended a meeting with several Jedi on Eriadu that was spearheaded by the Republic Defense Coalition Admiral^[4] Pevel Kronara,^[6] who expounded on the black market pilot's contributions to their intel. After Kronara finished the briefing, those present left to prepare for their planned raid on the Korvix Vorn.^[4] Having assumed the mission objective included destroying the Korvix Vorn after rescuing its prisoners, 5A-G3 and Argomon worked together to formulate a plan to explode the vessel and reunite with B-333.^[9]

Afterward, Argomon, Jedi Padawan Lula Talisola, the Mikkian operative Zeen Mrala, and 5A-G3 boarded a ship and traveled to the prison ship's last known location. When the Korvix Vorn's blister bombs stalled the approach of the Republic and Jedi, Argomon suggested to Talisola and Mrala that their access card would allow them aboard from the prison ship's loading dock. Once aboard, the black market pilot and their colleagues rushed out of the ship and attacked the Nihil in the hangar with their weapons.^[4] Meanwhile, the operator of the Korvix Vorn, a disgraced Nihil enforcer known as "The Warden," jettisoned the vessel's prisoners into space and left them to die. Argomon and their colleagues joined other Jedi as part of a boarding party and traveled toward the Korvix Vorn's lower cannons. The group quickly redirected to deactivate the vessel's topside blister bomb armaments to assist the efforts of the Jedi and Republic Defense Coalition forces fighting in space outside. Argomon used their handheld weapon to attack the Nihil present, shooting at several enemy combatants.^[9]

When several Jedi and Mrala began acquiring oxygen tanks to rescue the prisoners floating in space outside, Argomon and 5A-G3 separated from the others and promised to meet them back on their ship. The pair collaborated to sabotage the Korvix Vorn and rig it to detonate, with Argomon changing into a spacesuit for the job. During their efforts, they reunited B-333 before fleeing the vessel. Afterward, they joined Mrala, Talisola, and several others aboard the group's ship. As they flew away, the vessel exploded in flames, much to the shock of the Jedi and rescued prisoners aboard. 5A-G3 informed those present that their trio had always intended to destroy the Korvix Vorn, leading everyone to sigh in relief and hug each other. Argomon returned to Eriadu with their colleagues and rescued prisoners, grateful to be headed home.^[9]

Sports and blockades

After returning to Eriadu, Argomon joined several Jedi and Republic colleagues for a game involving scoring pucks into illuminated goals, wearing a red jersey for their team. However,^[13] Jedi Master^[5] Yoda contacted the group via hologram and informed them they needed to evacuate because the Stormwall had expanded and left Eriadu at the border of Republic space. Moments after, the Padawan Academic Cruiser Star Hopper—commandeered by the Warden—arrived in Eriadu's atmosphere for an attack to scare those at the Republic outpost. Argomon stared at the Star Hopper from Eriadu's surface, watching as Talisola led several others in an attempt to reclaim the vessel, which had formerly been in the Jedi Order's service. However, when their attempt was ultimately unsuccessful, Argomon joined the returning Jedi and 5A-G3 for another round of their game.^[13]

Following this, the Occlusion Zone expanded again, enveloping Eriadu,^[14] and Argomon was present on Eriadu with their colleagues during this time.^[12] The Nihil's subsequent invasion of the world^[14] and blockade around Bri Phrang City caused severe supply shortages, only temporarily alleviated by a shipment of supplies brought to the city by the operative Alys Ongwa's crew.^[15] As their resources dwindled, Argomon attended a meeting with their allies to discuss their group's next move against the occupiers. Though Ongwa indicated they would need to attack another convoy soon, 5A-G3 expressed that it would be difficult given the strength of the blockade around the city. Argomon responded to them by noting that the blockade was held in place by both the Nihil and some Eriadu security ships, putting emphasis on the participation of the latter.^[12]

Nuptials and Eriadu defense

Not long afterward, Argomon attended the wedding of Mrala and Talisola on Eriadu. Prior to the ceremony, they helped the soon-to-be-wed pair break into the Tarkin family's hotel suite at the Arkorayal and was hit by a blaster shot to the wrist. As Mrala and Talisola spoke to the family's leader—Sevran Tarkin—Argomon stood to the side and conversed with the pirate queen Maz Kanata and Jedi Master Kantam Sy. During the ceremony, as the wives were pronounced spouses, Argomon cheered for the pair. The attendees—including Argomon—celebrated the couple's nuptials briefly before leaving the Arkorayal Cantina to fend off the Nihil invading the planet.^[17]

In the streets of Bri-Phrang City, Argomon joined their colleagues as they engaged in combat between the buildings lining the city's streets. Qort rallied the group of fighters, giving them instructions on where to move next as part of their plan to repel the Nihil. To cross the nearby bay, Argomon piloted a rescue speeder, which Qort rode on the back of. As Argomon continued steering their vessel, Qort attacked a Nihil gunboat, with their speeder speeding away as the gunboat exploded. Though Qort was eventually injured in the ensuing melee, Argomon safely made it aboard another Nihil gunboat. Tarabal continued to rally the remaining fighters, including Argomon, to continue resisting the Nihil.^[16]

Later, Argomon joined several of their colleagues—including B-333, Tarkin family member Emelsine Tarkin, 5A-G3, and a staffer—in a building in Bri-Phrang City. As the fighting raged on, they strategized their next move after being informed that the Jedi Master Yaddle needed more Jedi assistance to stabilize the lava reactor core under the city's streets.^[18]

Personality and traits

By 229 BBY,^[8] Argomon was willing to work against the Nihil alongside B-333,^[1] disliking individuals that operated alongside the marauders.^[12] They enjoyed teasing B-333 when the droid worried about their endeavors, assuring the droid that everything would work out. Argomon felt that Apruk's attempts to use mycopram on young Nameless creatures were fruitless, though the scientist did not appreciate their opinion.^[1]

During a meeting on Eriadu, Argomon felt inclined to point out to those present that they were the contact who had helped locate the Korvix Vorn, though they quickly allowed Kronara to continue with the briefing.^[4] The pilot and 5A-G3 were proud when they destroyed the Nihil prison ship, having assumed it was part of their original mission objective.^[9] Argomon was competitive, participating alongside several of their colleagues in sport games on Eriadu.^[13] The pilot had spotted green skin and black eyes.^[4]

Skills and abilities

During the Nihil conflict, Argomon was a skilled pilot. They operated successfully as a member of a spy network to aid the Jedi and the Republic against the Nihil, fooling the marauders into believing they were only a black market smuggler.^[1] Argomon was capable of memorizing small details about places they had visited, allowing them to aid Talisola and Mrala by helping them navigate the Korvix Vorn. They were able to wield a handheld weapon^[4] to attack several Nihil and successfully helped detonate the Korvix Vorn alongside 5A-G3.^[9] Argomon was able to a rescue speeder during the Eriadu invasion and also participate in heated combat against the Nihil on several occasions.^[16]

Equipment

While operating their hauler as part of 5A-G3's network, Argomon wore a purple jumpsuit paired with gray boots^[4] and silver knee pads.^[12] Over the jumpsuit, they donned a light brown vest, a turquoise sash around their waist, and a decorative turquoise pendant around their neck. Argomon also opted to keep pale cloth wrappings on their lekku and on both arms. At some point, the Nihil gave the black market pilot an access card for the Korvix Vorn due to their work delivering cargo for the marauders. Argomon also owned at least one handheld blaster, which they used during the Nihil prison ship raid.^[4]

While sabotaging the Korvix Vorn with 5A-G3, Argomon donned a gray spacesuit featuring a transparent helmet.^[9] On Eriadu, they wore a red jersey marking them as a member of the red team during a game of sport with their colleagues.^[13] During Mrala and Talisola's wedding, Argomon donned a collared, orange-colored jacket, a purple shirt, a pair of light tan pants, a turquoise bowtie, a brown belt with a silver-colored buckle, and brown shoes. They paired the outfit with turquoise wrappings around their lekku.^[17]

Behind the scenes

Argomon was first indirectly mentioned, albeit unidentified, in Escape from Valo, a junior novel written by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong as part of the Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia project's^[5] Phase III that was published on January 30, 2024.^[19] The smuggler then was first identified and made their first appearance in the third issue of the 2023 comic series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures. The issue was written by Older, illustrated by Harvey Tolibao, and published by Dark Horse Comics as part of the Star Wars: The High Republic's^[1] Phase III on February 14, 2024.^[20]

The same day as the third issue's release, Older revealed on Twitter that Argomon was non-binary and pansexual.^[2] The author also specified that the pilot uses any pronouns—though mostly "they/them"^[3]—which was later reflected in Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures's fourth issue, which was written by Older and released by Dark Horse^[4] on March 13, 2024.^[21] The detailing of the top half of Argomon's jumpsuit slightly differs between issues three^[1] and subsequent issues in the series^[4][9][13] with the third issue depicting a striped purple and light brown style^[1] and others showing a solid purple jumpsuit with a light brown vest on top. This article reflects the depiction of their clothing in later issues of The High Republic Adventures to reflect the most recent sources.^[4][9][13]

Appearances

• The High Republic: Escape from Valo (and audiobook) (First mentioned, in book) (Indirect mention only)
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 3 (First appearance) (First identified as Argomon)
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 4
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 5
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 6
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 10
• The High Republic Adventures Phase III - The Wedding Spectacular
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 14
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 15
• The High Republic Adventures (2023) 16 (Cover only)

Sources

• NYCC 2024: All the Star Wars News and Reveals from New York Comic-Con on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)
• "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 230 (Picture only)

Notes and references