The MacKenzie Star was once owned by Captain Barnis Gorts. Like most independent freighter captains, Gorts made very little profit through legal cargo transport. He often supplemented the ship's income by transporting contraband. His most profitable side-business, however, was the transport of Bounty Hunters and their quarries. Gorts had his ship's passenger cabins modified to serve double duty as brigs and began to charter himself to some of the younger more up-and-coming Bounty Hunters who could not as yet afford their own ships. Gorts typically chartered the MacKenzie Star for a percentage of the bounties after expenses.

This arrangement worked well for Gorts, and he was making enough profit to hire a first mate, a young Wookie on Walk-about named Garthakka. Together, the pair ferried cargo, bounty hunters, and their bounties back and forth across the Galaxy.

Unfortunately, Gorts came to an untimely end at the hands of a disgruntled smuggler and former associate, Joijo Xelee. Xelee had become the target of a fairly substantial bounty, and Gorts provided a little extra help to the Bounty Hunter assigned to the case. Gorts provided inside information and helped the Hunter track Xelee down. Unfortunately, Xelee didn't want to come and Gorts got caught in a firefight. Gorts was mortally wounded and barely made it back to the ship alive. Xelee had escaped. Before Gorts died, he willed the ship over to Garthakka, and asked the young Wookie to avenge his death.

Garthakka now carries on the same work as Gorts, ferrying Bounty Hunters and their prey. Xelee is still at large and Garthakka believes that someday their paths will cross again.