Kir Kanos was a member of the elite Emperor's Royal Guard during the First War. Kanos, like all the other guards, held an unwavering loyalty to the ideals of Emperor Palpatine. Managing to evade the destruction of the superweapon Death Star II and the planet Byss, where much of the guard was stationed, Kanos was the final loyal member of the unit after their ultimate massacre at Yinchorr, under the orders of fellow guardsman and aspiring Emperor, Carnor Jax. Kanos swore a "blood oath" against the traitor and those who had a hand in Palpatine's ultimate demise.