Kir Kanos

Kir Kanos is a fictional character from the Star Wars Expanded Universe, featured in the Dark Horse Crimson Empire comic series.

As a member of Royal Imperial Guard, Kir Kanos goes through higher training and conditioning in the hidden grounds on the planet . During his training, during a command performance for Palpatine himself, he duels and kills his closest friend at the academy, and is accepted into the Imperial Guard as a reward. Darth Vader initiates him by scarring his face with his light saber.

Many of his fellow Guardsmen stand by his side and recognize him as one of the most powerful entities in securing the future of the Empire. Even after the Empire is defeated (circa Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) Kanos and likeminded guards are intent on upholding the principles of Palpatine's New Order. For a short time, their perseverance is rewarded; in Dark Empire, Palpatine returns to the galaxy as a clone of his former self. Unfortunately for Kanos and the Royal Guardsmen, however, Palpatine's return is cut short by his final defeat at Onderon (portrayed in Empire's End) by Jedi Knights Luke Skywalker and Empatojayos Brand.

Carnor Jax, one of Kanos' fellow Guards, an Imperial Sovereign Protector, no less, betrays his oath to the Empire and sabotages Palpatine's subsequent clones; he contacts elements unhappy with the distribution of power in the Empire, and solicits funds. These funds go to bribe the Emperor's physician into genetically sabotaging all of Palpatine's clones, a certain doom. Unbeknownst to the other Royal Guardsmen, Jax begins to set his treacherous plan in motion. The traitor sends a wave of Stormtroopers to descend upon the unsuspecting loyalists.

In Crimson Empire, it is revealed that one of the two Guardsmen with the Emperor when he died on Onderon had survived, and had overheard an interrogation of the Emperor's physician. As he attempts to return to Yinchorr to tell his brethren of who exactly had betrayed them, however, he is attacked by Imperial forces. Jax's troops then attack in overwhelming numbers. Every remaining Guard is slaughtered, save one: Kir Kanos.

Kanos channels his fury into revenge. The swift revenge he takes on Carnor Jax makes him an enemy of the Imperial Interim Council.

To escape the sight of the Imperial Remnant, Kanos takes on the moniker of Kenix Kil (in the secret language of the Royal Guard, an anagram of Kir Kanos) and becomes a bounty hunter. As a newfound assassin, Kanos disposes of Emperor-to-be Xandel Carivus.

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