Antilles, Wedge

[Rose]

Wedge Antilles

Basic Information -

Homeworld: Corellia
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Height: 1.7 meters
Weapon: Blaster Pistol
Vehicle: X-Wing Starfighter; Snowspeeder
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance; Rogue Squadron

Movie Information -

A survivor if ever there was one, Wedge Antilles has lived through some of the Rebellion's most important battles against the Empire. The young Corellian served as Red Two during the Battle of Yavin, and flew as Luke Skywalker's wingman during the final approach on the Death Star's thermal exhaust port. When Wedge sustained damage to his fighter, he had to pull out and leave the battle. Three years later, Wedge flew as part of Rogue Group during the Battle of Hoth. He and his gunner Janson perfected a daring maneuver wherein a snowspeeder used its harpoon and tow-cable to trip up the legs of the attacking Imperial walker. During the climactic Battle of Endor, Wedge, as Red Leader, spearheaded the Alliance starfighter attack into the heart of the uncompleted Death Star.

Expanded Universe -

Wedge, a Corellian, was born and raised in outer Gus Treta, a fueling depot and spaceport owned and operated by his parents, Jagged and Zena. His parents died in an accident that destroyed much of Gus Treta. A craft with suspected criminals attempted to flee authorities without detaching its mooring clamps. Although the resulting damage destroyed his home, Wedge inherited enough credits through insurance that he was able to purchase his first stock light freighter. He was not very successful as a smuggler or a gunrunner, so he instead joined the Rebellion. After the Battle of Yavin, Wedge stayed with the core Alliance High Command group, taking on varying roles. When Commander Narra began forming Rogue Group -- which would later evolve into the modern Rogue Squadron -- Wedge was one of the original members.

After Rogue Group's performance during the Battle of Hoth, Antilles reorganized the elite fighter pilot group and was promoted to Commander, or Rogue Leader. The squadron was assigned to the Headquarters Frigate, Home One. During the Battle of Endor, Rogue Squadron flew as Red Group, in homage to the original X-wing squadron that flew over the the first Death Star. Although Antilles was allowed the opportunity to equip his squadron with newer A-wings and B-wings, he stayed with the traditional X-wing starfighters. Following the Battles of Endor and Bakura, Wedge's missions became increasingly political. Rogue Squadron had become famous throughout the galaxy, and this elite starfighter group spearheaded missions into the heart of Imperial territory, liberating worlds and bringing more systems into the growing New Republic.

After the defeat of Grand Admiral Thrawn at Bilbringi, Antilles accepted the rank of general under the provision that he could still lead the Rogues. Although a capable tactician, both he and General Lando Calrissian suffered heavy losses in the war against the reborn Emperor. The cloned Emperor's onslaught of new and advanced weaponry caused the New Republic military to reassess their fighting forces. Rogue Squadron was restructured around several different starfighter designs to allow for greater flexibility in combat. This was but one of many difficult bureaucratic decisions that Wedge had to face while in command.

Following the resurrected Emperor's campaign of terror, Wedge was pressed into relief duties on Coruscant. He oversaw clean-up operations in the shattered metropolis, though he longed to get back behind the controls of a starship. To that end, he flew relief shuttles to suffering worlds, and acted as bodyguard to the former Imperial scientist Qwi Xux. Although Wedge and Xux did share close moments together, his heart ultimately belonged to Iella Wessiri, former member of CorSec. During a diplomatic mission to Adumar, the two expressed their feelings for one another. They are now married with children. Wedge Antilles retired from Rogue Squadron when peace between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant was achieved. Now, as the galaxy faces the Yuuzhan Vong menace, Antilles serves as an advisor to the new Rogue Leader, Gavin Darklighter.