- "Patch 4, dead ahead!"
"I know, I can smell it already!" - ―Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian
Patch-4 was a trash-covered planet in the Outer Rim that was used to store valuable merchandise by Orion Ferret, an infamous weapons dealer and owner of the Bazarre black market space station. During the Galactic Civil War, Patch-4 became the unlikely home of a tight-knit group of refugees cast out of their previous homes by the Galactic Empire. However, this small population was threatened by Ceasar, the massive and deadly watchbeast Ferret used to guard his wares.
Description[]
- "Now, Lando, you know there has to be some place where people can dump unrecyclable machine parts."
"I know, and machines don't bother me. It's the coffee grounds and bantha tripe I can't take!" - ―Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian
A planet located in the Patch system of the Outer Rim Cademimu sector,[3] Patch-4 was covered in refuse and garbage, producing a very pungent stench that blanketed the entire planet and resulted in a runny, jelly-like surface. The planet's garbage formed into peaks and valleys, and avalanches of trash could be dangerous to beings on the surface. Much of the trash discarded on Patch-4 was machine parts and starship remains, which stuck out as landmarks from the morass on the surface. Despite its unsanitary situation, however, Patch-4 could support a population of sentients, including Humans. During the Imperial Period, a group of so-called "hoboes" carved out a living space in tunnels beneath the surface, constructing underground living quarters and managing to subsist for a long period of time.[2]
History[]
- "In time, we all come here, make friends, decide to stay. And is good home. Little smelly, but is not bad—until crumb-bum Ferret show up!"
- ―Serja Kesselrook
Ceasar emerges to attack from beneath Patch-4's surface.
By the era of the Galactic Civil War, Patch-4 became home to a small, tight-knit community of refugees cast out of their homes by the Galactic Empire—these so-called "hoboes" had found their way to Patch-4 after spending time hopping freighters and traveling rough across the galaxy. However, their community came under threat sometime around 3 ABY, when weapons dealer Orion Ferret, owner of the black market station called Bazarre, began to make use of Patch-4 to store some of his more valuable wares. To this end he introduced a massive watchbeast called Ceasar to defend his possessions, and the deadly worm-like creature began to terrorize the local population and drive them to take refuge underneath the trash-covered surface.[2]
In 3 ABY, Rebel leaders Lando Calrissian and Luke Skywalker visited Patch-4 after brokering a deal for four TIE fighters with Ferret, who had kept the starfighters concealed amidst the planet's junk. However, Ferret planned to leave the Rebels to Ceasar's mercy, then keep the valuable merchandise for himself once they were dead. Calrissian and Skywalker enlisted the aid of the "hoboes" and managed to tame Ceasar with a sonic pacifier, allowing them to secure their starfighters and giving the vagabonds their new home back.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
Patch-4 appeared in Star Wars 59, written by David Michelinie, illustrated by Walter Simonson and released in 1982.[2]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars (1977) 59 (colorized in Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... Volume 4: Screams in the Void) (First appearance)
Sources[]
- The Essential Atlas
Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Online Companion on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
