Han Solo might be one of the best-known smugglers of the Star Wars franchise, but that doesn't mean that the suave Corellian protagonist is actually the best in the trade.
Star Wars admits so itself in the Star Wars: Empire Ascendant story, "Two Sides to Every Sortie." Written by Ethan Packs, The Empire Ascendant one-shot story reveals that Han Solo was only the second-best smuggler in Star Wars' galaxy far, far away (via CBR). Actually, the top honor went to the character who was half-human and half-machine, a character called Beilert Valance.
Set before Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the story "Two Sides to Every Sortie" sees Han meeting up with his old friend. Han admits that needs someone better than himself for a job, letting Beilert take the name as the top dog.
Beiler is a bounty hunter who had been formerly part of the Imperial regime before he had been disfigured. Ever since then, Beilert's been a scoundrel playing for both sides of the fence, working for anyone who pays.
Han needs Beilert for a job that he can't really do in "Two Sides to Every Sortie." The smuggler needs the bounty hunter to transport Vahrn, an engineer, together with intel about building a shield generator that helps the Rebel base go undetected. Han is supposed to take Vharn himself, but with Vader hot on his tail, the smuggler decides to pass on the job to Beilert.
It's an interesting story really. It's not often that we see Han admit that someone's better than him at doing a job.
Star Wars: Empire Ascendant is currently available for sale.
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Star Wars: Episode IX