We finally found out why a specific type of Imperial soldier was present on Kashyyyk in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

The universe may have finally answered one of the biggest mysteries of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. In the game, as Cal makes his way through the Imperial facilities of Kashyyyk, he encounters a particular type of soldier. These are the so-called Purge Troopers, formidable opponents. They have been specially trained and equipped to help the Inquisitors hunt down the remaining Jedi and other Force-sensitive individuals.

But the purifying soldiers Cal encounters on his first trip to Kashyyyk may have been there before he was even aware of their presence on the planet.

That’s odd, considering that as far as Cal knew, there were no other Jedi on the Wookiee planet at the time. However, another Star Wars story may have provided an answer as to why the scavengers were on the Kashyyy at all.

The animated series Star Wars: Bad Batch occurs immediately after Order 66. The Empire begins to take control of the galaxy. The Bad Batch, aka Clone Force 99, is forced to flee in this new reality. They often run into others who need their help to get to safety. One of those characters in need of help is young Wookiee Gungi, another Command 66 survivor. He is a Jedi Padawan who first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. In episode 6 of The Bad Batch season 2, “Tribe”, Clone Force 99 helps Gungi return to Kashyyyk, where he finds a new home and family.

Since these events in The Bad Batch took place as the Empire began expanding its influence in the galaxy and seizing planets for its resources, it’s entirely possible that Gungi was on Kashyyyk all along.

He could have used his Jedi abilities to help his fellow Wookiees. They could have tried to prevent the Imperials from destroying the planet’s natural state. Gungi’s prominent and rebellious presence on Kashyyyk would explain why Purge Troopers were already stationed there when Cal arrived in Jedi: Fallen Order. They may have been assigned to protect a sensitive location on Kashyyyk to lure Gungi out. But instead, they face a very different Jedi.

Could Gungi still be alive at the time of Jedi: Fallen Order?

If this theory is accurate, and the scavengers were stationed on Kashyyyk to capture Gungi, there is a good chance that Gungi lived long enough in the Dark Ages during the Empire’s reign. Season 2 of Bad Batch is set somewhere around 19 or 18 BBY. And the events of Jedi: Fallen Order take place in 14BBY. Gungi could survive this time, fight on the Kashyyyk, and try to help his fellow Wookiees survive and preserve their planet. Despite Cal being a Jedi, the Wookiees probably wanted to keep Gungi’s presence a secret for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, however, it’s unlikely that Gungi survived the Dark Ages, at least according to the current canon.

The Star Wars Aftermath trilogy, written by Chuck Wendig, explores the fall of the Empire after the events of Return of the Jedi. This includes the defeat of the Empire on Kashyyyk. However, Gungi is conspicuously absent from this story. This may simply be due to the timing of the release. After all, the last Aftermath novel was released in 2017, and The Bad Batch season 2 is set for 2023. But all 66 command survivors need answers to where they were during the original trilogy. Sadly, if Gungi meets his fate during or immediately after Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, it would justify why we don’t get to hear about him in the future.

Source: Wookieepedia, IMDB