Zel Johans was the commanding officer of the Imperial Hammers Elite Armor Unit, also known as the "Hell's Hammers". He was a masterful tactician who was well respected by the troops under his command. Zel was also instrumental in the development of the repulsortank and its deployment tactics in the Imperial Army. Following the Battle of Endor he took the remnants of the Hell's Hammers into hiding on the planet Brintooin where he established a base. Colonel Johans was known as "the Rancor" by the men whom he commanded.