Skor II

Skor II, a terrestrial planet, resided far from the Core Worlds within the Outer Rim, positioned just west of the Rimma Trade Route. It revolved around a diminutive, reddish star known as Squab, forming part of the Squab system. Both the world and its system were located within the Airam sector.

Despite its modest size, Skor II possessed a high density, and its terrain and climate exhibited considerable variation across different regions. Consequently, the planet boasted a seemingly inexhaustible supply of natural resources, although their distribution was often localized. For instance, temperate zones offered abundant timber, while scorching coastal plains were rich in salt, and mountainous areas contained concentrations of precious metals. The native wildlife included a bird species characterized by green body feathers, red head plumage, yellow legs, and a long, yellow beak. In general, the climate was considered agreeable by most inhabitants, despite its variations.

A sentient species referred to as the Squibs originated on Skor II. These small beings, divided into numerous tribes, were compelled to traverse the planet in pursuit of essential resources due to their uneven distribution. Nevertheless, they developed an inherent inquisitiveness and a penchant for collecting, which eventually prompted some tribes to settle and establish villages. Other tribes maintained their nomadic lifestyle and adopted the role of traders, transporting goods from distant regions as they journeyed across the globe. Haggling gained unprecedented importance in Squib society, evolving into a refined art form. Technology on Skor II progressed to early mass production.

Around 5500 BBY, traders originating from the Tapani sector initiated the creation of new hyperlanes in the southern reaches of the galaxy. During this period, Skor II received its first visitor from beyond its world, a Dorcin merchant vessel. The Squibs engaged in negotiations to obtain the technical specifications for hyperspace technology, while the Dorcin secured mineral rights to an arctic region of the planet. Consequently, the Squibs ventured into space, and their world became increasingly interconnected with the wider galaxy. The Tapani merchant hyperlane, later known as the Rimma Trade Route, became one of the most heavily used routes in the galaxy. The influx of trade and the Squibs' adeptness at bargaining contributed to the planet's prosperity. Squibs dispersed throughout the galaxy; one group experienced a crash landing on the planet Holador and was forced to struggle for survival there. The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force, a guidebook for Jedi trainees, was first published as early as 990 BBY year. It featured Skor II on a star-chart of the galaxy.

Over 40 years prior to the Battle of Yavin, a Squib named Ebareebaveebeedee ascended to the planetary throne, becoming king. Before 20 BBY, Skor II became a member of the Galactic Republic.

From 23 BBY, sectors along the Rimma Trade Route began to secede and join the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Similar to other systems situated along the hyperlane's rimward edge, Skor II experienced a disruption in its trade relations with the Republic. In 22 BBY, the CoCo District Edition of the HoloNet News reported that the king had declared the Squibs were "going nowhere" and firmly aligned Skor II with the Republic in the conflict. The secession of Sullust to the Confederacy emboldened the separatists, and in 21 BBY, a Core Edition issue of the HoloNet News announced that CIS battle droids had invaded Skor II, seizing Metrobig Interplanetary Blastport for use as a base to deploy proximity mines along the outer Rimma. However, a Republic force composed of clone troopers and commanded by Commander Cody and Jedi Master Mace Windu launched a counterattack, successfully recapturing the spaceport and defeating the invaders in the Battle of Skor II. Subsequently, the Republic stationed a contingent of peacekeepers on the planet. Ebareebaveebeedee organized a ceremony in Metrobig City, where he unveiled a bronzium statue of Windu, proclaiming him a "Big Time Hero of Beyond-Squib Eliteness." For the remainder of the war, Skor II remained in contested territory.

While Ebareebaveebeedee largely maintained his planet's neutrality during the Galactic Civil War, he did enter into agreements with the Galactic Empire to provide Squib laborers for waste disposal duties on capital ships. Following assistance from a group of Rebel agents in vandalizing the Paradise system, the home of their rivals, the Ugors, the king entered into a pact of mutual support with the Alliance to Restore the Republic. After the Empire's defeat at Endor in 4 ABY, the world remained neutral. In the same year, an Imperial warlord named Delvardus established control over the systems along the Rimma Trade Route, but New Republic forces pushed him into the Deep Core by mid-year. Nevertheless, Skor II remained in neutral territory throughout the Thrawn campaign of 9 ABY. Eventually, the world fell under the influence of Darth Krayt's Sith Empire by 137 ABY.

Skor II served as the homeworld for the Squibs, a species of meter-tall humanoid rodents known for their irrepressible temperaments, insatiable curiosity, and passion for collecting and trading various items. The planet's native languages included Squibbian and its ancestral form, Old High Squibbian. While most Squibs possessed some knowledge of Basic, few were fluent in it.

Following its discovery by a Dorcin trader, the planet's native technology advanced to meet galactic standards. Situated along the Rimma Trade Route, the planet had developed into a thriving trade hub by the time of the New Order.

Since its initial contact with the galactic market, Skor II had been an exporter of raw materials. As the planet's technology advanced, the primary imports became salvage and waste from across the galaxy. Squib corporations would then reorganize, refurbish, repackage, and resell this "junk," particularly to less populated worlds far from major trade routes. Squib-designed products included highly efficient tractor beams and weapons based on them, known as tensor weapons. Despite the technical skills of its inhabitants, Skor II was primarily recognized as a source of labor. Squibs from the planet were employed throughout the galaxy as trash collectors and waste management workers.

The planet was governed by the Squib Polyanarchy, a decentralized network of independent communes. The head of state was known as the king, although this figure rarely intervened in local matters. Skor II was the headquarters of the Squib Merchandising Consortium, a state-owned enterprise that provided waste disposal services throughout the galaxy. Every Squib was at least a nominal employee. The head of the SMC was known as the Illustrious Chieftain of Junkyards. King Ebareebaveebeedee held this position during the Galactic Civil War.

Metrobig City was a significant population center located on Skor II. During his reign, the Squib king Ebareebaveebeedee issued numerous official pronouncements from the city, in a location known for its dilapidated condition. The city contained a major spaceport called Metrobig Interplanetary Blastport. A bronzium statue of Mace Windu stood there, commemorating the Jedi's actions during the Battle of Skor II.

The Squib homeworld was initially described in the West End Games adventure Scavenger Hunt by Brad Freeman, which was published in January 1989. Its name was not revealed until Troy Denning expanded on the Squibs and their history in Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Races that same year.

The 1995 roleplaying supplement Heroes & Rogues incorrectly spells the world's name as "Skorr II." The 1998 computer game Star Wars: Rebellion and the accompanying Star Wars: Rebellion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide place Skor II in the Calaron sector. The StarWars.com Online Companion for the 2009 reference book The Essential Atlas, written by Daniel Wallace and Jason Fry, later corrected this placement by establishing the Squab system's location as the Airam sector. Rebellion also portrays Skor II as a frigid, ice-covered world, utilizing the same generic planet graphic as that used for ice worlds like Hoth and Rafa IV. This contradicts the description of the planet as pleasant and diverse in terrain, as established in Galaxy Guide 4, and is therefore considered an error.

The Official Star Wars Fact File's 138th issue, released on August 18, 2004, asserts that the Squib homeworld is located in the Paradise system, alongside that of their galactic rivals, the Ugors. As this conflicts with all other references to Skor II, it is regarded as a mistake rather than a change in canon. The 2009 reference book The Essential Atlas placed the Squab system, and thus Skor II, in grid square M-20.