Orson Krennic or Director Krennic is a villain in The Last of the Droids multi-media project primarily Heroes and HEROES, CROSS GRIEVOUS and Star Wars: The Last of the Droids. He is the Director of the Advanced Weapons Research of the Empire's Imperial Military. He is the chief overseer in the construction of the Death Star. At some point in the The Last of the Droids era, he was tasked with moving the Death Star's construction to Despayre to prevent the New CIS from finding out their plans.
Krennic began his career as a Lieutenant Commander in the Galactic Republic. Following the Clone Wars he was promoted to commander, and then director and the fleet equivalent of admiral upon the formation of the Galactic Empire. Persistent and ambitious, Krennic was responsible for the development and construction of the Empire's enormous Death Star superweapon. An old friend of crystallographer Galen Erso, Krennic manipulated the brilliant scientist into researching synthetic kyber crystals under the pretext of researching sustainable energy. In reality, Krennic weaponized Erso's crystal research for the battle station's planet-killing superlaser, hoping this would place him above his long-time rival Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin and win the favor of Emperor Palpatine. Krennic is also held accountable for security of the project, quelling rumors of the Empire's secret enterprise. For these many purposes he commands a squad of death troopers, serving as both a sword and shield when the Director finds himself in battle.
Personality[]
Orson Krennic is a human male with short graying hair, blue eyes, and light skin. He wears a white Imperial military uniform, similar to those used by members of the ISB, like Colonel Wullf Yularen, with an unusual addition of a white cape not commonly seen on other Imperial officers. One other Imperial Officer who wears a cape is Moff Gideon.
Krennic is devoid of many human qualities such as compassion, mercy and regard for innocent lives. Additionally, he remarks on the subsequent cloud of flame and smoke as something of beauty, unremorseful of having just murdered hundreds of innocent people. He is also dismissive of the Force and its importance in the galaxy, speaking of having just destroyed the last remnants of the Jedi with undisguised pride. He also disproves of the return of the Separatists.
Unlike some Imperial officers, Krennic is a man of action, not afraid to take matters into his own hands if needed. Krennic seeks to earn the favor of Emperor Palpatine, using his knowledge of the Empire's system to manipulate it and ascend in the Imperial hierarchy. He is known to be unpredictable and volatile. During his time as part of the Futures Program, Krennic was renowned for his "nocturnal carousing" and partying, as well as frequently coming to Galen's rescue to ward off his tormentors. He has lofty aspirations and a high opinion of himself and his capabilities, feeling that he deserves respect within the Empire's ranks.
Krennic is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with other highly placed officials of the Galactic Empire, including Mas Amedda. He shares a rivalry with Grand Moff Tarkin, who does share his optimism regarding Project Stardust. Additionally, Krennic is a master manipulator, although he is more of an architect than a politician.
In battle, Krennic has a DT-29 heavy blaster pistol which he owns personally. He has a shuttle named ST 149 for his personal transport; he previously used a Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle before replacing it with ST 149.
History[]
The Clone Wars[]
During the Clone Wars, a galaxy-wide conflict between the evil Galactic Republic and the heroic Confederacy of Independent Systems, Krennic served in the Republic Military, holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Meeting the Erso Family[]
Krennic and crystallographer Galen Erso knew each other for a long time, starting from when they were both in the Republic Futures Program on Brentaal. The two reunited in around 21 BBY, and Krennic got to know Erso's wife, Lyra, and daughter, Jyn. The Lieutenant Commander offered the family a place to stay on Coruscant while under his protection, especially as Galen was an old friend of Krennic's.
Helping with a Republic superweapon[]
Working with Poggle the Lesser on the Death Star's construction progress[]
Late in the war, in 20 BBY, Krennic worked with the captured heroic Poggle the Lesser, who had appeared to have defected to the Republic, on the construction progress of the Death Star. Poggle had managed to evade Republic capture during the First Battle of Geonosis in 22 BBY, but could not avoid being taken captive during the second battle later that year. The Geonosian archduke ultimately agreed to help with the Death Star's construction.
Not long later, Galen Erso came to Krennic with plans for an energy facility project the two could embark on together, which Krennic promptly declined. Mas Amedda arranged for a meeting with Krennic to discuss his interrogation of Poggle, yet Krennic's overall progress towards the creation of the Death Star won him Amedda's favor.
Krennic during the Clone Wars
Krennic joined Poggle back on his home planet of Geonosis, where he endured observing days of gladiatorial games in the Petranaki Arena, held in celebration of Meckgin. Here, Poggle announced that the hive would be constructing the Death Star, following which the Geonosians cheered and returned to intensified combat.
Poggle reasoned that making the drones perform work beneath their skill level would increase their ultimate output - despite not being entirely sold on this philosophy, the Geonosians began making significant progress on constructing the Death Star, which soon went from resembling a ring to a gyroscopic shape. In an attempt to bring more favor from Galen Erso, Krennic arranged for espionage charges against him to be dropped - Krennic reasoned that gaining more favor from Erso would make him more likely to join the Death Star project when Krennic revealed it to him, and that in turn would give Krennic more influence in the Republic and lead to Krennic not having to report to Wilhuff Tarkin, whom he despised. Krennic contacted Galen and informed him of a job at Helical HyperCom at a large production facility on Lokori, in an attempt to have the mundane nature of the facility, as well as the continuous Separatist attacks on the planet, lead Galen to become more desperate for a fulfilling job.
Awakened one night by his comlink, Krennic was informed that the Death Star's infancy was in jeopardy, with the Geonosian drones turning back and destroying their three months worth of work as well as the marines who occupied the facility. Poggle revealed that he had given the drones the order to rebel, and escaped to return to Count Dooku, dealing a massive blow to Krennic's reputation.
The Executor[]
The Last of the Droids[]
Krennic meets with Vader
At the end of the Clone Wars, despite the setback with Poggle, Krennic was promoted to the rank of commander and, not much later, Director, due to his role in the Death Star project and that these were "changing times".
Galen Erso began intense research on the kyber crystals Krennic had provided him with, whilst Tarkin met with Krennic in a shipyard in Kartoosh. Here, Krennic explained the potential power of the Death Star, which Tarkin regarded with mild skepticism, as well as announcing his plans to select certain worlds for the exclusive mining of resources essential to the construction of the Death Star. Tarkin found favor in Krennic's promises and allowed Krennic to overreach his authority in order to gain the resources needed and put them tighter into Tarkin's own grasp. Krennic would use Has Obitt and other smugglers to perform smuggling operations which would require the Empire to take complete control over mining corporations—this would give Krennic the resources he needed and turn the smugglers against the Empire, which Krennic could later use to his advantage to oppose anyone who tried to circumvent his advancement of power.
Lyra Erso grew wary of the Empire's true intentions for Project Celestial Power and the Empire and informed Galen of this. Krennic had access to surveillance recordings and grew wary of Lyra's influence on Galen.
Meeting with Vader[]
Krennic was stationed aboard an Imperial-II-class Star Destroyer in the Vaal system, when Darth Vader and Palpatine contacted him via Hologram. Krennic later traveled to Despayre, where he then discussed with Darth Vader about the construction progress of the Death Star which was being built there. Later, Krennic left Palpatine and Vader to their business.
Game for power[]
- "I will not fail."
"I hope so, director, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."
" - ―Krennic and Vader
Krennic and Vader in 18 BBY aboard the under-construction Death Star
Sometime later, in 18 BBY, Krennic was contacted via hologram by a wounded Vader, who had recently survived an attempt on his life on Vrogas Vas. After discussing the Death Star, the Sith Lord told Krennic to meet him on the under-construction Death Star. Later, Krennic arrived on his shuttle, landing in his personal hangar bay, and was greeted by a repaired Vader. The director, flanked by two Death Troopers, stepped out of the shuttle, greeting Vader. The two then discussed the current construction progress of the battle station while walking through the hangar and into one of the hallways. Krennic assured Vader that the Death Star would be completed in time, but just that the superlaser was not yet operational. The director also explained that he and his scientists needed more time to work on it, assuring Vader that he would not fail. In response, Vader announced that he was not as forgiving as the Emperor. Then, Krennic and his death trooper bodyguards walked to another part of the Death Star, while Vader remained in the hallway. Not long afterward, Krennic was once again in the hangar bay with his shuttle, standing and thinking. A hooded and helmeted figure later approached him from behind, telling Krennic that she was here for "order of business." Krennic demanded to know who she was, but the hooded figure (Fallen Jedi Barriss Offee) simply introduced herself as "Vader's apprentice," telling him to not question the plans of Lord Vader. Krennic simply said, "as you wish," in response. Later, Krennic conversed with commander Jerjerrod about the construction status of the Death Star. After Jerjerrod expressed his thoughts on the weapon, Krennic went on to explain its power, and that he deserved an audience to make certain that the Emperor understood its remarkable potential.
Sometime after this, Krennic got a new shuttle named ST 149. Krennic chose this Delta-class T-3c shuttle due to his appreciation of its unusual geometry, although he held no sentimentality for the craft. Captain Dunstig Pterro was also made Krennic's personal aide during this time.
Further disruptions[]
- "Oh, it's beautiful..."
- ―Orson Krennic, on the Caamas Firestorm
Between 18 BBY and 17 BBY, in attempts to weaponize Galen's research, a research facility on Malpaz had exploded, leading to a massive loss of life and a mass exodus on the planet. Krennic worked to ensure it was interpreted as an attack. Following this, Krennic again met with Mas Amedda—in the face of disapproval, Krennic suggested that he needed to work harder in order to give the impression that the project was going more smoothly than it truly was.
Krennic met with the Erso family following a discussion Lyra had with a former colleague of Galen Erso, who believed that Krennic was responsible for the incident on Malpaz. Krennic suggested to Lyra that she take a break from parenting and go back to exploring as she used to do. With Lyra out of the equation, Krennic called Galen to meet with him in private. Here, Galen mentioned doubts Lyra had, as well as his own. Galen was shown the world of Malpaz, and Krennic claimed that it was an attack by those who wished to bring instability through sowing chaos into the Empire. Galen was upset to see his work being attacked by those who solely wanted to ruin the lives of others. Krennic had maneuvered Galen to his side, and Galen agreed to work more intensely but under complete secrecy from anyone, including Lyra.
Around this time, Krennic attended the annual Imperial Ball on Empire Day. His considerable status, as well as his choice to wear his distinctive white cape, drew the attention of those present at the fashionable gathering. In fact, inspired by his arrival, Krennic's subordinate Tifino drunkenly revealed confidential information about the project to inquisitive HoloNet reporter Calliope Drouth. Within meters of Krennic, a drunk Tifino divulged the Imperial commander's interest in the sacred moon Jedha. Tifino's friend, shuttle pilot Ianna Wick, added that Krennic's interest in Jedha arose from its kyber crystal deposits. Later during the party, Drouth's malfunctioning reporting droid fell to Krennic's feet, prompting him to retrieve the unit and offer to repair it. Aware of the sensitive conversations the droid had recorded, Drouth intended to decline the offer, but the droid eventually reactivated. Drouth was later able to broadcast the information she learned in her news story using hand signals.
Krennic watches Caamas burn
With Galen Erso in his grasp, Krennic sprang a trap on Tarkin. Has Obitt had been angered by the destruction he had indirectly caused by following Krennic, and staged a rebellion alongside Saw Gerrera against the Imperial occupation of the Salient system and Zerpen Industries headquarters. Knowing Tarkin would not back down through fear of making the Empire look weak, he was preoccupied while Krennic was able to advance his plan without Tarkin claiming any involvement. During this battle, Galen's research advanced, and Krennic was able to get a prototype weapon fully operational. From aboard a Star Destroyer, Krennic had the superweapon tested on the planet Caamas, per the Emperor's orders. The weapon was moved from its birthplace at Eadu to Caamas, where the Caamasi were perceived by Emperor Palpatine as a threat to his rule, due to their free-thinking ways and adherence to the Galactic Republic. Palpatine had already ordered Bothan operatives to switch off the planet's planetery shields, making it vulnerable to attack. At Krennic's command, the weapon was fired, and its superlaser struck Caamas, destroying its core and killing all Caamasi on the planet, thus rendering it uninhabitable. This resulted in planetwide firestorms on Caamas that would last from years to come. It was a successful weaponizing of Galen's research, ensuring their place in history. After this, Krennic ordered the prototype to be moved to the Maw Installation, an Imperial research station located in the Maw Cluster. At some point during these tests, however, Krennic admitted to the Emperor that the Death Star's primary weapon was not yet fully operational.
When Lyra returned to Galen from her expedition on Alpinn, she found him difficult to communicate with, as if he were under immense pressure. Krennic had given the task of taking her to Alpinn to Has Obitt, who Krennic had learned had showed her the destruction of the worlds he was involved in smuggling for on behalf of Krennic. Krennic informed Lyra that her disruption of Galen's research would set back the project massively and that there could be trouble for her and her family if she was to prove fatal to his research. Elated with the successful test, Krennic went to meet with Project Celestial Power workers on Hypori. Here, a former colleague of Galen and friend of Lyra Erso named Reeva Demesne inquired about what exactly they were working on, as the scale of their project was unlike anything seen before. Krennic came under scrutiny, as he was accused of using their research for the creation of a superweapon and their destruction was ordered.
Krennic on his way back to Coruscant
Racked with concern over not being given specific updates from Krennic and being obsessed with his advancement of kyber crystal research, Galen realized he had been neglecting his child Jyn. Lyra then met with Galen, realizing they were under surveillance following Krennic's prior threat to their family - she had tried to contact Reeva Demesne, but she was no longer listed as an employee, nor were various other workers and friends. Lyra had a friend from her journey to Alpinn known as Nari Sable relay data to them from Malpaz and Hypori, and found evidence of destruction at Imperial hands as opposed to anarchists, despite Galen being told by Krennic that anarchists were to blame for the destruction he saw. They arranged a meeting with Krennic, wherein they raised questions over the devastated planets and Reeva. Krennic interpreted the meeting as a trap—he left and made plans for the possible removal of Lyra and Jyn from Galen's life. On his journey back aboard ST 149, Krennic received a transmission from Tarkin, regarding the arrival of Has Obitt on Coruscant. Krennic assumed that Obitt had planned on revenge, and perhaps the retrieval of the Ersos off of Coruscant. Krennic raced back, only to find that Obitt had arrived with none of the Erso family in sight—they had vanished from under his nose in another location with the assistance of Saw Gerrera, and slipped from Krennic's grasp. Krennic was reprimanded by Mas Amedda, who told him that if this sort of failure ever happened again, he would receive a demotion to commander. Angered, Krennic vowed to find the Ersos again, leaving no stone unturned. Meanwhile, he would make what progress he could, whilst being observed and overseen from afar by Tarkin.
Gallery[]
Relationships[]
Appearances[]
Star Wars: The Last of the Droids – "Building Droids: Part 4" (First appearance)- Star Wars: The Last of the Droids – "Vader Down" (appears in hologram)
- Star Wars: The Last of the Droids – "Through Imperial Eyes"
- Star Wars: The Last of the Droids – "Verge of Greatness"
