Defiance ( MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser ) The Mon Calamari Cruiser Defiance was a MC80 " Home One " type Star Cruiser and part of the Alliance Fleet during the Galactic Civil War . History . During the Alliance investigation on the Death Star I , and while orbiting Bestine IV , the " Independence " was approached by the " Imperial " - class Star Destroyer " Immortal " which launched squadrons of TIE / sa bombers to destroy it . Most of the " Defiance ' s " pilots were away flying other missions but the ship was able to scramble three X - wings and two R - 22 Spearheads in its defense . The Rebel pilots , including Keyan Farlander and Breth Gart were able to defend it until the ship was safely in hyperspace . During the evacuation of Yavin 4 , the Alliance High Command requested her presence in order to protect the Rebel ships about to hyperspace away from the Imperial blockade . The vessel performed numerous missions , both individually and as part of a battle line . The " Defiance " was commanded by Admiral Nammo throughout the Galactic Civil War . Her Tactical Officer was Commander Devers , who assumed his position following the capture and brainwashing of his predecessor , Commander Kupalo . Shortly after the Battle of Hoth , the " Defiance " was trapped in the Anoat sector with her task group , hunted by Imperial Admiral Garreth Holtz and his " Corrupter " task force . " Defiance " was eventually able to escape deep into the Outer Rim Territories , where she and her task force were able to recover from their campaign , this was accomplished thanks in part to pilot Ace Azzameen . The vessel later participated in the Battle of Endor , and pursued Imperial ships after the victory of the Alliance . Behind the scenes . A common fan theory held that the " Defiance " was destroyed in the Battle of Endor by the second Death Star . This theory was based on the fact that there were only three named " Home One " type cruisers known at that time . Her sister ships , the " Independence " and the " Home One " , are known to have survived the battle , leaving the " Defiance " the one most likely to have been destroyed . However , according to the " Defiance " card from the " Jedi Knights Trading Card Game " , the ship survived the battle and pursued Imperial starships afterward . Additionally , six years after the Battle of Endor , the New Republic built a new type of Mon Calamari cruiser : the MC90 Star Cruiser and the first ship constructed was called the " Defiance " . This led to the belief that the first " Defiance " was indeed destroyed and that the second one ' s name was a tribute to the first . However , in addition to being incorrect , the assumption that the name of the MC90 " Defiance " is a tribute is not logical if one looks at the real - world sources for these ships — the MC90 " Defiance " is from 1991 / 1992 " Dark Empire " , while the first " Defiance " is from the 1993 " " game . Issue 99 of " " , released in October 1992 , featured a preview of " Star Wars : X - wing " which described transitions between missions taking place on the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser " Dreadnought " and at a Calamari space port . The " Independence " and the " Defiance " appear to take the place of these in the finished game , with the " Defiance " replacing the " Dreadnought " .