CATO NEMOIDIA

The oldest of the Neimoidian purse worlds, Cato Neimoidia was the location of Nute Gunray's secret redoubt. The planet was near the Neimoidian homeworld of Neimoidia, also in the Colonies region.

Only the richest of the Neimoidians were allowed to live on the planet. Their treasures were protected in vaults located in difficult landscape and protected by B1 battle droids. The cities of Cato Neimoidia were built on large bridges spanning massive rock arches.

Cato Neimoidia featured vast forests rich in flora and fauna. Notable species included the Neimoidian kreehawk, a dangerous but beautiful avian found in some aviaries.

COLD WAR:

During the Cold War, Republic spy Theron Shan was rumored to have had enemies in the corporate dens of Cato Neimoidia.

RISE OF THE GALACTIC EMPIRE:

The bridge cities persisted in resisting the Republic, leading to a fierce aerial battle in which Plo Koon was shot down by his own clone pilots shortly after Order 66 was enacted by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who declared himself Emperor soon afterward. Also, the Jedi clones X1 and X2 fought in the battle, and X2 killed Jedi Master Ferroda in Gunray's palace, though he later turned against the Empire.

Acting Viceroy Sentepeth Findos resisted for a brief moment but was forced by Stormtroopers to sign a peace treaty with the Empire the day that the Clone Wars ended, giving all of the Federation's resources to Palpatine's disposal to help him build the Galactic Empire. This had made the Trade Federation a puppet government.

IMPERIAL PERIOD:

Four months after the Republic's transformation into the Galactic Empire, Jedi Dass Jennir came to Cato Neimoidia looking for work. Around the time when the Galactic Civil War began, the planet had been designated as an Imperial Protectorate of the Empire and thus outfitted with an Imperial garrison led by Baron Merillion Tarko. The Baron's iron rule over the planet, however, came to an end when a clone of Galen Marek flew to Cato Neimoidia to rescue General Rahm Kota, resulting in the destruction of much of Tarko-se, its arena, and the death of Tarko by being eaten by aGorog as well.

For nineteen years the federation continued to be a puppet government until the Imperial Senate was dissolved in 0 BBY taking the federation with it shortly before the Battle of Yavin.