Graal Klusto was a Dlarit Army Captain serving as Commander of Sapphire Squadron aboard the Marauder-class Corvette Reaper’s Call.
Biography
Klusto was born on the planet Aldraig IV, a core planet located on the Hydian Way. Having grown up under the control of the Galactic Empire he acquired a local job at an AT-AT production line for the Imperial Army. However, the Empire fell upon tough times, and as resources were stretched thin, numerous production plants faced closure. As the plant on Aldraig IV was one of those, Graal was without a job.
Now needing to find a new position, Klusto used his experience to apply for and obtain a job working for Kaldex Transport Inc on the production lines which built various starships. As time passed, Klusto was no longer content to merely help build starships, acquiring an interest in piloting the very ships he had helped to build. In the following years Klusto became both a remarkable skilled mechanice and an immensely talented pilot. This talent garnered the notice of a visiting General. This general brought Graal to the attention of the Dlarit Corporation.
Following his recruitment by the Dlarit Starfighter Corps, Klusto was assigned to the Marauder-class Corvette *Reaper’s Call*. His notable skills and fierce dedication assisted in his quick elevation through the ranks and placed him a step above his peers. However, it was not until he was called to assist in the Estle City evacuation that the pilot came to be truly known as one of the elite.
In late 28 ABY, Clan Arcona requested emergency aid in the Dajorra System. The Dlarit Navy was quickly dispatched to assist with the evacuation of Estle City on Selen during the Yuuzhan Vong Incursion. The defences suffered sabotage and fell that day and even the veteran members of Naga Sadow were forced to declare Estle lost. The call for a final retreat was made.
As the craft carrying both Sadow and Arcona leadership left the atmosphere of Selen, they were met by numerous wings of Yorik-et. Klusto’s squadron was ordered to intercept and destroy. The other pilots of the squadron met a quick end by the Yuuzhan Vong fighters, and Klusto quickly found himself alone. Still, the pilot led the way in carving a clear path of escape for his leadership.
As the losses continued to mount, the daring pilot quickly found himself outnumbered. In order to preserve his life, Graal retreated to safety, hoping to board the Reaper’s Call. As he approached to dock however, Klusto’s starfighter was struck by an enemy Yaret-Kor. The flaming rock shattered into the cockpit and engulfed it in flames. Klusto still managed to dock safely, but suffered horrible burns before the emergency team could drag him out of his ship.
Nearly a year passed before Klusto would sit inside a cockpit again. However, when he returned it was clear his injuries had not affected his attitude or his abilities as a pilot. Graal had recieved burns to over 90 percent of his body, and his lungs had been damaged in the blaze. The injuries were deemed too extensive to repair through surgery. The surgeons informed the pilot of the immense pain procedures would involve, and that he would still have to bear the scars of his experience.
What had changed was his appearance and ability to breathe. Receiving burns to over 90 percent of his body, Klusto’s injuries were to extreme to repair as the surgeons had hoped. The lung damage along would mean the man would be connected to a breathing apparatus for the rest of his life.
Refusing to allow these facts to dissuade him, Klusto set forth to design a custom flightsuit. The suit would allow him to cover his repulsive scarring, and came equipped with special breathing apparatus. This way, Graal could attempt to continue some semblence of his former life.
For his bravery during the retreat, and helping to preserve the lives of the two clan's leadership, Graal Klusto recieved a special commendation. After undergoing rehabilitation, he was finally allowed to return to service with the Reaper's Call. To this day, he still serves proudly aboard the Marauder Corvette.