Page 29 - Star Wars Insider #176

HEROES

Shmi Skywalker

Archetype: Mother
Strengths: Love of her child,
kindness, selfl essness

Not all strength is physical, and not
every act of heroism involves
triumph over an evil adversary. One of the
hardest transitions in a parent’s life is to
watch a child grow up and move on to an
adulthood of their own. To cut that
process short, at a younger age, is all the
more emotionally fraught. Yet Shmi
Skywalker has the willpower to say
goodbye to her nine-year-old son,
recognizing that she may never see him
again, to grant to him an opportunity in
life that she could never provide.
That act of selfless love in the dusty

Hera Syndulla streets of Mos Espa is the culmination of
a lifetime of sacrifices Shmi has made for

Archetype: General
Strengths: Incredible pilot, nurturing spirit, team-builder Anakin. Living in slavery, Shmi does her
best to protect her son from the corruption
Don’t let initial to back down. Instead, she around them. Though he understands
appearances fool you: leads the Ghost crew to fi ght that an explosive chip prevents escape,
Hera Syndulla is much more even harder, which draws Anakin finds joy in racing for Watto and

than the highly skilled pilot notice from another faction, constructing his own podracer.
of the Ghost. The traditions as well. Though Kanan is When a Jedi unexpectedly arrives,
of Star Wars might suggest skeptical of committing to Anakin offers to help them get the parts
that Kanan Jarrus, a Jedi, is the Rebel Alliance, Hera they need to leave without requesting
the leader of their team of knows that the resources anything in return, and Shmi tells Qui-
rebels, but it is Hera who is and opportunities accessible Gon Jinn that her son “knows nothing
not only captain of the ship as part of the larger fi ght of greed.” It was not biology or midi-
but also in charge of their against the Empire will allow chlorians but her guidance in raising
operations. Over time her them to do more good for Anakin that taught him those values.

talent at leadership takes her more people. This persuades When Qui-Gon confirms what she has
from managing her small the reluctant Kanan—and always believed, that Anakin is special—
crew to commanding a quickly impresses their new gifted with supernatural abilities that offer
squadron in the Rebel allies, as well. the prospect of training to become a Jedi
Alliance military. As the struggle against Knight—Shmi does not hesitate to make
Hera’s interpersonal skills the Empire transitions the choice to let her son leave her behind
and firm sense of justice are from isolated acts of local and cross the stars to fulfill his destiny.

honed in a childhood of war resistance to a civil war
on Ryloth. Her father Cham fought by military units, Hera
fought alongside the Jedi adapts her role in turn. A
to liberate Ryloth from the faceoff with Grand Admiral
Separatist droid army during Thrawn at Atollon is a long
the Clone Wars, only to see journey from stealing crates
the Empire rise from the in the streets of Lothal, but
supposed peace. Taking to Hera proves she is ready for
the stars to oppose tyranny, it every step of the way. From
Hera gradually gathers her delivering Mon Mothma to a
crew and hones them into top secret meeting to fl ying
a fierce team of vigilantes in the Battle of Scarif, Hera

on Lothal. When they draw earned her rank of General by
attention from stronger getting the tough jobs done
Imperial forces, Hera refuses when it counted the most.

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