- "It sounds like you are on the wrong side of this conflict. I'm sure the Empire would be glad to have you, Hostis."
- ―Auxi Kray Korbin, to Hostis Ij, after the latter opposed the Military Disarmament Act
Hostis Ij was a Chandrilan male human who served as an adviser to New Republic Chancellor Mon Mothma during the waning years of the Galactic Civil War. When Mothma proposed her Military Disarmament Act on the planet Naalol, the site of a bloody battle, Ij vehemently protested the change. Later, on Liberation Day—the day of a planned treaty between the Galactic Empire and the New Republic—he was shot and rumored to have been killed when a group of freed prisoners from Ashmead's Lock mysteriously and involuntarily shot key New Republic leaders. Following his death during the Attack on Chandrila, his fellow adviser Auxi Kray Korbin recommended that Chancellor Mothma appoint a successor. Hostis was ultimately succeeded by the former Imperial loyalty officer Sinjir Rath Velus.
Biography[]
The State of the Empire[]
- "Commander, I know you believe the Senate can still protect the people of the galaxy from the Emperor and his henchmen. But as your adviser, it is my duty to tell you that I no longer believe this."
- ―Hostis Ij to Mon Mothma
Shortly before Operation Fracture[4]in 1 BBY,[5] Hostis Ij wrote a memo to Mon Mothma detailing his thoughts on the state of the Galactic Empire. This memo described a system run by regional governors and military oppression, with very little power existing with the Imperial Senate. Ij warned that the Senate could no longer be counted on to protect citizens of the Empire from the harsh treatment of Palpatine and his war machine. Ij indicated that if there are any outspoken senators left in the Senate, they will face the same choice Mothma did: flee or be executed.[4]
Military Disarmament Act[]
- "This is the price of war. It is not the Republic's fault, Chancellor."
- ―Hostis Ij, to Mon Mothma, after the Battle of Naalol
After the pivotal Battle of Endor and the death of Emperor Palpatine during the Galactic Civil War, a battle erupted on the planet Naalol. New Republic Chancellor Mon Mothma and her advisers, Hostis Ij and Auxi Kray Korbin, visited a war-torn village on Naalol to provide aid to the wounded and to assess the aftermath of the fighting. In reaction to the seemingly excessive bloodshed of the battle, the Chancellor proposed that the emergency powers that her office had retained since the days of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine be laid down and the power given back to the senate. She also announced the Military Disarmament Act, which planned to reduce the New Republic army by 90 percent.[3]
Ij opposed both ideas, warning Mothma that a standing army and a strong leader were the only ways to avoid war with the remnants of the Galactic Empire. Kray Korbin disagreed with him, even going so far as to suggest he join the Empire, which offended Ij.[3]
Secret meeting[]
- "If we step up recruitment, we will have more soldiers to secure supply lines once possessed by the Empire—such resources are out there in the wind, and who knows who will possess them."
- ―Hostis Ij, suggesting future strategies for the New Republic's military
About two months later, Chancellor Mon Mothma called a meeting during which she iterated that the New Republic would give aid to those worlds with the greatest chances of joining the senate. Hostis Ij pointed out that the New Republic's resources were stretched thin, and suggested that the New Republic Defense Force step up recruitment and bolster its numbers to aid in the capture and occupation of former Imperial supply lines.[1]
Liberation Day[]
Shortly thereafter, Grand Admiral Rae Sloane—de facto leader of the Empire—offered to make peace with the New Republic. Unbeknownst to the Republic's leaders, the peace talks were a ploy orchestrated by Gallius Rax, an Imperial Fleet Admiral. The peace talks were scheduled for a day dubbed "Liberation Day" by the senate. Sloane traveled to Chandrila, having been informed that the New Republic capital would be the target of an Imperial attack, planned by Rax. The "attack" came not in the form of a bombardment, but rather as a series of assassination attempts as newly-freed prisoners from Ashmead's Lock on Kashyyyk, who were under the influence of controller chips, mysteriously and involuntarily attacked New Republic leaders, injuring Mon Mothma and Kyrsta Agate. Hostis Ij, shot in the head during the attack, was rumored to be among the dead.[1]
Legacy[]
- "And I also advise you to find a second adviser. Hostis... Hostis is gone, and we need someone like him. We need his voice."
- ―Auxi counselling Chancellor Mothma to find a successor to Hostis
Several months after Hostis' death, Auxi counselled Chancellor Mothma to find a second adviser. While Hostis and Auxi disagreed professionally, the two were friends who drank, ate, and socialized together. Auxi was deeply affected by Hostis' death. Chancellor Mothma found a worthy successor in the form of the former Imperial loyalty officer Sinjir Rath Velus, who managed to convince five senators to vote in favor of Mothma's bill to send New Republic military forces to Jakku.[2]
Personality and traits[]
Hostis Ij was a loyal member of the New Republic.
- "You cannot be serious."
- ―Hostis Ij, in response to Mon Mothma's announcement of the Military Disarmament Act
Hostis Ij and Auxi Kray Korbin often advised Chancellor Mon Mothma differently, each acting like an angel or demon on her shoulder. Sometimes, such as in the debate over the Military Disarmament Act, it was Ij who opposed the Chancellor, while at other times, the roles were reversed. Despite not always agreeing with Mothma, he was loyal to the New Republic and was offended when Kray Korbin sarcastically suggested the Empire would be glad to take him.[3] Even though Kray Korbin and Ij often disagreed in their professional relationship, they were good friends, sharing drinks and spending time with each other's families.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
Hostis Ij first appeared in one of the many short-story interludes in author Chuck Wendig's 2015 novel, Aftermath.[3]
Appearances[]
- Aftermath (and audiobook) (First appearance)
- Aftermath: Life Debt (and audiobook)
- Aftermath: Empire's End (and audiobook) (Mentioned only)