Thomas Verdi

Thomas Verdi is a Human male pilot, mechanic, and smuggler, who worked for the Corulag-based smuggling ring Turquoise Horizon until 19 BBY, when he escaped and began working together with Newt Liryas to uncover the cause of the Great Jedi Purge and undermine the new Galactic Empire. He served as the pilot and mechanic of the Runner, and, after its salvage, as the pilot and primary mechanic of the Glade. A founding member of the Glade cell, he now serves as its de facto second-in-command, with the callsign Glade Two.

Early Life
Born on Coruscant in 38 BBY, Thomas came from a moderately poor family that lived in the lower levels of the city. When he was very young, his mother took him to the surface, where they saw the Jedi Temple and the Senate Building from a distance. Thomas dreamed for many years that he would someday develop powers like those of the Jedi, or that he would someday meet a Jedi.

In 23 BBY, Thomas left Coruscant to pursue an easier life. His goal was to make a living in the Outer Rim as a mechanic or a pilot, though his initial savings were only enough for passage to Corulag. He found work as a mechanic in a hangar there, but was eventually indebted to the Turquoise Horizon smuggling ring; instead of working planetside or as an enforcer, Thomas agreed to work a pilot and smuggler. Starting in 22 BBY, he worked the Corulag-Coruscant run, transporting small illicit cargo on the small freighter Runner. The Clone Wars made cargo runs in contraband to Coruscant much more valuable, though he was never able to earn enough to pay off his debt to Turquoise Horizon.

Escape from Corulag
In 19 BBY, Thomas is given a mission to transport three assassin droids to Coruscant, through the newly established blockade at Alsakan. Knowing that the mission won't succeed, he nevertheless agrees. Just before his departure, he is also given a passenger to transport to Coruscant: Newt Liryas. Turquoise Horizon has learned that Newt is a spy, and plans to implicate him along with Thomas with the contraband.

With security codes provided by Newt, the Runner is able to initially pass through the blockade, but is later boarded by clone troopers in search of the source of the Jedi codes. After the inspection is deterred, Thomas returns back in the direction of Corulag on Newt's orders.

Personality
Thomas is an optimistic young man. While he was once naive, years of working for a smuggling ring has tempered his naivety but not left him jaded. He is a hard worker and devoted to causes he decides are worthy. He is extremely protective of his friends and crew, especially of Newt. As time goes on, he falls in love with Newt, and struggles with Newt's devotion to the Jedi way of avoiding attachments.

Initially skeptical of Aris Sauvet's trustworthiness, they eventually bonded over a similar history of escaping bondage-labor and support for Newt.