The Death Star's Sunny Side

Tarkin and Daala: the Basic Story

Before proceeding with the topic, I shall confess that I'm doing the whole project without St. George Lucas's benediction. Therefore, no money is being made - otherwise, that would be called exploitation of Imperial citizens' labour, right? My only aim is to sway the preconceptions people have of Sir Tarkin and Admiral Daala, his faithful sister-in-arms. Thus, all I humbly expect is the appreciation of my efforts and, perhaps, some flowers.

Trying to hide their relationships from curious eyes, Tarkin and Daala were ready to take extreme measures. Many a loser had ended up thrown overboard after letting his tongue slip. Such a strategy was effective enough when it was all about maintaining prestige as leaders, but… remember all the fuss over Vader and Padme. Now that's how you gain love and recognition of the multitude!

Within this site, I decided to act as a specialist in public relations to the extent of my competence and present you the part of the story shunned both by canon and fanon (for what reason, by the way?...) Evil tongues may call me a paparazzo... well, so be it. I guess it's most appropriate to start with basic information (not everyone knows who Tarkin and Daala are - most likely, because of their former PR-agent's neglect).

Wilhuff Tarkin, shown in all his glory in Episore IV of Star Wars, is no less than the Empire's supreme ideologist. While Palpatine was most talented in human resources management through intrigues and manipulation, it was Tarkin who created the theoretical basis. People tend to have a misconception of Tarkin as a military leader, though his main role was that of a politician (well, that's what Lucas claimed in an interview). A descendant of an aristocratic clan that presumably belonged to Eriadu's Quintad, he started his career as the planet's lieutenant-governor. During the rise of the Empire he personally gave Palpatine an idea of dividing the Galaxy into sectors so that it could be ruled more effectively. As a natural consequence, it was he who got appointed to the position of a first Moff (that is, sector governor). Later, after making it to the position of Grand Moff, Tarkin was in control of the whole Outer Rim. Tarkin's book "Visions of the New Order", summarised in Imperial Communique ¹001044.92v, became the foundation of the so-called Doctrine of Fear. The Doctrine's main point is ingeniously simple and clear: instead of enforcing law by chasing terrorists all about the Galaxy, it only takes several demonstrations of inevitable punishment to discourage them from acting against the state. Palpatine approved of this idea and charged Tarkin with the Death Star project.

Natasi Daala, native of Renatasia system, became Tarkin'a main assistant in this mission. Regrettably, we cannot see this Imperial beauty in the films, but we can read about her in K. J. Anderson's or B. Hambly's books. And yes, there are pictures of her as well, bearing a very questionable resemblance to what was described in the text. Red hair, green eyes and the Admiral's uniform are not all that it takes to be Daala, you see. Ah well, everyone has a right to have a vision of his own...
After entering the Imperial Academy, Daala was constantly denied the promotion. Soon she understood that her gender was a damper on her military career. She was but a corporal when she created a male persona in the network to compete with Carida's best officers in training games. Her victories attracted Tarkin's attention; he had to resort to slicing in order to reveal her true personality. He was amazed to find out that the author of brilliant tactical solutions was female. The service regulations suggested an exile to a polar weather station for an offence like Daala's, but Tarkin personally promoted her to Admiral and entrusted her with a fleet of 4 Imperial Star Destroyers. Then he committed Daala to guard the secret Maw complex where strategical weapons were developed.
During Tarkin and Daala's cooperation, their relationships had become quite informal. Rebel cynics may claim to their heart's content that Daala just found it disadvantageous to turn the boss down, but I won't let them deceive you. Most likely they are just envying such a harmonious pairing.

So, if you want more detailed information and have no fear of becoming confused with controversial interpretations, you may check out the Wookiepedia articles 1 2 or google for Tarkin and Daala. Or, you may rather move to more interesting parts of the site.)