Early rebellion against the Galactic Empire

This article details a subject that is considered canon.

Although this article is based on canonical information, the actual name of this subject is pure conjecture.

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> Back in the early days, before the Rebellion formally existed, a lot of guerrillas got their hands dirty doing things no one else wanted to do—or even think about. The Alliance would never have existed without them, Princess. Those men and women were my mentors—I've spent my entire career trying to live up to their example.
>
> Major Lokmarcha, to Leia Organa, Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure

Between the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War, an **early rebellion** against the Galactic Empire was waged by a collection of rebel cells that ultimately formed the Alliance to Restore the Republic. These militant cells were covertly organized by Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan and quietly given political support in the Imperial Senate by such senators as Mon Mothma of Chandrila and Leia Organa of Alderaan. Major rebel cells included the Massassi Group led by General Jan Dodonna, Phoenix Cell led by Commander Jun Sato, the Spectres led by Captain Hera Syndulla, and the Partisans led by resistance fighter Saw Gerrera. They were often supported by agents known as Fulcrum, including Commander Ahsoka Tano and former Imperial Security Bureau Agent Kallus.

The early rebellion against the Empire originated in the last days of the Galactic Republic, when Senator Organa and other members of the Galactic Senate convened in secret to discuss ways to counter the executive power amassed by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine. When the Clone Wars, a pretext for Palpatine to amass power, came to an end in 19 BBY, the Republic was transformed into the Galactic Empire and Organa began organizing armed resistance against the Imperial regime. By 4 BBY, many resistance cells began working together after they aided in the rescue of the captive Jedi Kanan Jarrus over Mustafar.

The cells, which joined together under the leader of Mon Mothma to form the Rebel Alliance, headquartered themselves on Yavin 4. From there, they continued their early operations against the Empire, but whether to declare open war remained a source of debate amongst the Alliance High Command. The question was settled in 0 BBY during the Battle of Scarif, when Sergeant Jyn Erso and Captain Cassian Andor led a team, Rogue One, to capture the plans to the Empire's planet-killing superweapon, the Death Star. The battle marked the outbreak of the Galactic Civil War, in which the Alliance ultimately triumphed over the Empire and formed the New Republic.

## Prelude

> We cannot let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight.
>
> Senator Bail Organa, during the last days of the Galactic Republic, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith

In 22 BBY, in response to the growing threat that the Confederacy of Independent Systems represented to the stability of the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Senate granted Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine emergency executive power to raise the Grand Army of the Republic and wage the Clone Wars against the Separatists. Palpatine, secretly a Sith Lord using the conflict as a pretext for galactic domination, amassed almost total power during the three-year conflict. Numerous senators, including Bail Organa of Alderaan and Mon Mothma of Chandrila, were alarmed by the increasingly-dictatorial moves of the Supreme Chancellor and began meeting in secret to discuss how to counter centralized power. At the end of the war, in the name of peace and security, Palpatine declared himself Emperor and transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire and the Galactic Senate into the Imperial Senate.

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In the years after the Clone Wars, disconnected resistance movements began to crop up throughout the galaxy to combat the Empire. Berch Teller, a former Republic Intelligence captain and defected member of the Imperial Military, led a cell that stole the *Carrion Spike*, the personal starship of Moff Wilhuff Tarkin. Their actions targeted operations related to the secret construction of the Death Star, an Imperial superweapon capable of destroying entire planets, and were in response to the Empire's actions during the Antar Atrocity a few years earlier. Another resistance cell, the Free Ryloth movement, was led by General Cham Syndulla on Ryloth. The cell, focused only on liberating Ryloth, attempted to kill Emperor Palpatine and his apprentice, Darth Vader, by attacking the Star Destroyer *Perilous*. Neither the actions of Teller or Syndulla succeeded in achieving their goals, but they represented some of the first attempts to combat Imperial rule.

## History

### Early campaigns

> I want to take your recruits and find missions for them. I want to be the one who listens to what people need, who finds out what people can do and then helps them do it.
>
> Ahsoka Tano, to Bail Organa, Ahsoka (novel)

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In the earliest days of the rebellion, Senator Organa worked with members of the Alderaan guard to identify resistance movements across the galaxy and find Jedi who might have survived the fall of the Jedi Order at the end of the war. In 18 BBY, Organa heard of an uprising on Raada in the Outer Rim Territories that was rumored to have been led by a Jedi. Organa discovered that the Jedi in question was Commander Ahsoka Tano, a former Padawan who left the Jedi Order during the war after she was falsely accused of bombing the Jedi Temple.

After locating the former Padawan, Organa asked Tano to join his growing rebel movement, and she agreed on two conditions: that Organa help her discover the mysterious Imperial agents who were hunting Force-sensitive children, and that he help rescue her friends in the Raada resistance. Organa made good on his promise and sent his ship, the *Tantive IV*, and RZ-1 A-wing interceptors to evacuate her friends on Raada. Tano and the resistance members joined the rebellion, and Tano took on the role of finding missions for recruits. She became the leader of Organa's rebel intelligence and began operating under the codename "Fulcrum."

Various rebel cells joined Organa's rebellion, dubbed the "Alliance" by Mon Mothma by 5 BBY, over the years. Phoenix Cell, led by Commander Jun Sato, had a fleet of its own, along with a number of A-wing starfighters. The Massassi Group, led by General Jan Dodonna, also had a large fleet and operated out of the Great Temple on Yavin 4. Saw Gerrera, a resistance fighter trained by Jedi such as Commander Tano during the Clone Wars, led the Partisans in a number of campaigns. The different cells had different ways of conducting themselves. Gerrera, for example, was more militant than other cells and was willing to take any action necessary in order to free the galaxy from the Empire. This put him at odds with leaders such as Organa and Mothma, and allowed members of the Empire to view rebel activities in a negative light. Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau recalled that one of his earliest missions was an attempt to pacify Onderon but he encountered brutal resistance from Gerrera and his rebels.

Prior to 4 BBY, rebel cells generally did not work together or even know of one another's existence. This protocol ensured that if any cell was compromised by the Empire, the identities and locations of other cells would not be put into jeopardy. Tano coordinated many of the activities and missions of several rebel cells under her Fulcrum codename, providing them with Imperial targets and supply opportunities. One early example of coordinated activities was a joint operation between the Commenor Underground and the Partisans, around 10 BBY.

### Resistance in the Atrivis Sector

In 5 BBY, at least two resistance movements were active in the Atrivis sector, being the Atrivis Resistance Group, led by Travia Chan, and the Liberators, operating on Mantooine. The Liberators managed to seize the Imperial Mantooine garrison but shortly afterward, the Imperial Navy counterattacked, swiftly defeating the Liberators on Mantooine. The Atrivis Resistance Group remained active and soon joined Organa's rebellion.

### Rebellion on Lothal

> Why did you come here?*"
> "*Because of you, and your apprentice. Many in this system and beyond have heard your message. You gave them hope in their darkest times. We didn't want that hope to die.
>
> Kanan Jarrus and Ahsoka Tano, Fire Across the Galaxy

By 5 BBY, a growing rebellion on the planet Lothal, a vital production center for the Empire's expansion in the Outer Rim, was led by Captain Hera Syndulla of the *Ghost* and her Jedi companion Kanan Jarrus. Together, they organized a crew that included the Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren, Lasat soldier Garazeb Orrelios, and the astromech droid Chopper. The crew grew to include Ezra Bridger, a Force-sensitive youth whom Jarrus took on as his apprentice. Their actions came under increased Imperial scrutiny when they rescued Wookiee slaves from the spice mines of Kessel. They were pursued by Agent Kallus, and the actions of the Jedi drew the attention of the Grand Inquisitor as he hunted down surviving Jedi.

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Organa's droids, astromech droid R2-D2 and protocol droid C-3PO, encountered the *Ghost* crew on Garel as the rebels stole illegal weapons from the Empire. Artoo monitored the activities of these rebels and reported back to Organa, who took an interest in the growing rebellion on Lothal. Captain Syndulla, who became aware of the protocols of the growing rebellion, began receiving missions from Fulcrum. This caused some tension within the *Ghost* ranks, as Wren questioned who Fulcrum was and wondered why they were taking orders from a mysterious stranger. Per rebel protocol, they remained unaware of the existence of a larger rebellion against the Empire.

The rebellion on Lothal became enough of a problem for the Empire that now-Grand Moff Tarkin, Governor of the Outer Rim, personally traveled to Lothal to oversee an operation aimed at eliminating the *Ghost* crew once and for all. Tarkin was particularly concerned that the presence of the Jedi could inspire the people of Lothal to put their faith in something other than the strength of the Empire. The rebels undertook an operation to infiltrate the Imperial Communications Center on Lothal and broadcast a message to the planet's citizens to bring the people hope. Tarkin and the Empire were ready for the rebel incursion and captured Jarrus, but the rebels were able to broadcast a message of hope and tell the people of Lothal that the rebels were fighting for the freedom of all the people.

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The *Ghost* crew wanted to find a way to rescue Jarrus, but Tano ordered Syndulla to lay low. In defiance of Fulcrum and Syndulla, Bridger led the other rebels in discovering that Jarrus was being taken to Mustafar, a volcanic planet that Jarrus had once told Syndulla was a place where Jedi were taken to die. The rebels mounted a rescue mission, one in which Jarrus and Bridger faced off against the Grand Inquisitor aboard Tarkin's Star Destroyer, the *Sovereign*. Jarrus defeated the Grand Inquisitor, who fell to his death during their battle, and the rebels fled from the *Sovereign*. They were nearly killed before the timely arrival of Tano and Phoenix Squadron, who were inspired by the message the rebels sent to Lothal and surrounding star systems and decided to help rescue Jarrus. The *Ghost* crew finally met another cell and Tano face to face, and Tano told them that the protocol had changed: the cells were beginning to work together as a rebellion.

The loss at Mustafar, including the destruction of the *Sovereign*, was an embarrassing defeat for Grand Moff Tarkin. The Emperor dispatched Darth Vader to Lothal to quell the rebel activities, and Vader began working with Agent Kallus, the planetary government, and in consultation with Tarkin. Meanwhile, the *Ghost* crew joined Phoenix Squadron and the two cells began working together as one. One operation that the *Ghost* crew undertook as part of Phoenix Squadron was to rescue Minister Maketh Tua of Lothal, who feared for her life after she was unable to deal with the rebel insurgency. This, however, was a trap laid by Vader and Kallus during the Siege of Lothal; Tua was killed as a pawn, and Vader pursued the rebels across Lothal. Vader allowed them to flee in order to discover the location of Phoenix Squadron, and he single-handedly attacked the fleet using a TIE Advanced x1 starfighter. During the battle, in which Phoenix Squadron escaped despite losing its command ship, Vader discovered that Tano was still alive. This was the first encounter between Vader, who trained Tano as his Padawan when he was known as Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and his former apprentice since the fall of the Republic. Vader and the Emperor both believed that they could use Tano to find other surviving Jedi.

With Lothal under siege, the *Ghost* crew decided that, for the time being, they would have to leave Lothal. Their activities had increased the Imperial occupation on the planet, and the Empire knew that Lothal was important enough to them that it could be used as bait to lure them and the planet's citizens into dangerous traps. The crew was unwilling to subject Lothal to that type of treatment.

### Gathering forces

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In the wake of Vader's attack against their fleet, Phoenix Squadron set out to locate new bases for the rebel cause. Tano sent the *Ghost* crew to make contact with Rex, an old friend whom she spent years fighting alongside during the Clone Wars. The rebels traveled to the planet Seelos where they made contact with the former clone trooper, along with Gregor and Wolffe. The Empire discovered their location and Agent Kallus led a mission to destroy the clones and the rebels, but they were able to work together to fend of the Imperial assault. In the battle's aftermath, Rex agreed to join Phoenix Squadron and help the rebels find a base and offer his tactical knowledge and experience. Using Rex's information, the rebels gained access to a list of abandoned Republic military bases and facilities. During a mission to salvage medical supplies from an abandoned Republic station, three of the *Ghost* rebels—Bridger, Wren, and Orrelios—were confronted by two Inquisitors, the Seventh Sister and the Fifth Brother, who were tasked by Darth Vader with destroying the Jedi and locating Tano's whereabouts. The rebels were able to escape, but the Inquisitors continued their search.

During the Empire's blockade of Ibaar, Phoenix Squadron attempted to deliver food supplies. However, they were unable to break through ISB agent Kallus's blockade line. After their first attempt, Captain Rex suggested that they should approach Mon Calamari ship builder Quarrie and use his prototype blockade buster to break through the blockade. Captain Syndulla was able to convince Quarrie to give them the Blade wing prototype. With it Syndulla was able to break through the blockade and Phoenix Squadron was able to deliver the supplies. Senator Organa also arranged for a shipyard to continue Project Shantipole under Quarrie's guidance.

Phoenix squadron then learned about the Empire's new *Interdictor*-class Star Destroyer when a rebel patrol was captured. However, they were able to destroy the Interdictor.The Jedi of Phoenix Squadron also made sure that Force-sensitive children were protected from the Inquisitorious.

### Setback at Garel

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The Empire then learned from the Inquisitorious that Phoenix Squadron were on Garel. When the Imperial fleet arrived, Phoenix Squadron was forced to abandon their base. However, they took heavy losses. Senator Organa, after hearing of their losses, sent his aide and adopted daughter, Princess Leia Organa to deliver several *Sphyrna*-class corvettes to them under the guise of delivering supplies to Lothal. With the Spectres' help, Leia was able to deliver the corvettes to Phoenix Squadron by having them stolen from Jalath's Depot.

The Phoenix Squadron later sent a diplomatic mission led by Phoenix Leader Syndulla to the Concord Dawn system. However, they were attacked by Fenn Rau and his Mandalorian Protectors, who were aligned with the Empire. In retaliation, Sabine and Kanan tracked down and attacked the Protectors Camp on the third moon of Concord Dawn. Following a failed negotiation attempt by Kanan, Sabine destroyed the Protectors' Fang fighters and took Rau hostage. Under duress, Rau allowed the Phoenix Squadron save passage through the Concord Dawn system.

Acting on a tip from the pirate Hondo Ohnaka, the Spectres rescued the Lasat refugees Gron and Chava the Wise from the Empire on Nixus Hub 218. With the aid of the Force, Zeb then steered the *Ghost* through an imploded star cluster and discovered the original Lasat homeworld of Lira San. While the refugees settled to their new home, Zeb returned. Later, the Spectres raided and destroyed a Mining Guild refinery with the help of a herd of purrgil, hyperspace-traveling creatures that subsisted on Clouzon-36 gas.

With the Phoenix Squadron losing A-wings to the Empire, the Spectres hijacked and stole a *Quasar Fire*-class cruiser-carrier with the help of Hera's father Cham Syndulla's Free Ryloth movement. As a result, Hera reconciled with her father and the Spectres gained a new ally.

While investigating a mysterious Imperial project above Geonosis, the Spectres and Rex were ambushed by Agent Kallus. The rebels managed to escape but Zeb was separated and found himself in the same escape pod with Kallus. After crashlanding on Bahryn, Zeb and Kallus joined forces to ward off the bonzami predators. As a result, the two foes reconciled with Kallus becoming a rebel sympathizer.

### Searching for a base

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For the next several months, Kanan and Ezra searched for a world to establish a new rebel base but were harried by the Seventh Sister and the Fifth Brother. In desperation, the two traveled to Lothal with Ahsoka Tano to commune with the Force in the Lothal Jedi Temple. There, Kanan completed his Jedi trials and became a Jedi Knight while Tano learned that Darth Vader was indeed her former mentor Anakin Skywalker.

While undertaking a fuel supply run on Horizon Base, Chopper was separated from the Spectres. After boarding an Imperial Class four container transport, Chopper befriended the RA-7 protocol droid AP-5 and convinced him to help seize control of the ship. Meanwhile, Admiral Konstantine led an attack on the Phoenix Squadron. The *Ghost* returned just in time to deliver fuel to the Phoenix flagship *Phoenix Nest*. The rebels were about to jump into hyperspace to the Yost system but AP-5 convinced the Phoenix Squadron to flee to Atollon, an uncharted world. As a result, the Phoenix Squadron were able to find a remote world to establish their base.

In honor of Chopper's services, the new base was named Chopper Base. However, the rebels encountered opposition from krykna spiders, which devoured Lieutenant Dicer and captured Rex. Following a skirmish between the Spectres, Rex, and the krykna, Hera convinced the Phoenix Squadron to erect sensor markers to deter the creatures. Shortly later, Kanan and Ezra departed with Tano on a mission to Malachor to destroy the Sith.

On Malachor, the rebels and Ahsoka encountered an Inquisitor known as the Eighth Brother. Ezra was separated from Kanan and Ahsoka, and encountered the former Sith Lord Maul. Maul convinced Ezra to help him access the Malachor Sith Temple and steal a Sith holocron which purportedly contained the knowledge the rebels needed to destroy the Sith. Maul joined forces with the rebels in fighting off the Eighth Brother, the Seventh Sister, and the Fifth Brother.

Under the pretext of gaining the Sith knowledge, Maul tricked Ezra into reactivating the Sith temple, which turned out to be an ancient superweapon. Maul meanwhile blinded Kanan but was driven away by the Jedi. Ezra was then ambushed by Darth Vader, who had come to acquire the Sith knowledge for the Empire. Ahsoka managed to fight Vader long enough for Ezra and Kanan to escape with Chopper aboard the *Phantom* with the Sith holocron. The Sith temple imploded and Ahsoka was presumed dead by her rebel comrades on Atollon.

### The shadow of Thrawn and Maul

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By 2 BBY, growing rebel activity in the Lothal sector led Governor Arihnda Pryce to request the services of Grand Admiral Thrawn's Seventh Fleet. Recently promoted for his victory on Batonn, Thrawn had developed a reputation as a skilled tactician who studied the history, philosophy, and art of his enemies. While Admiral Konstantine believed that the rebels were a local problem that did not constitute a Galactic-wide insurgency, Thrawn recognized that it would not remain this way. Meanwhile, the Spectres freed Hondo from Naraka prison. In return, Hondo provided the rebels with information about Y-wing starfighters being scrapped at Reklam Station. With the rebels needing ships, Hera authorized a reconnaissance mission to Reklam Station.

Under the influence of the Sith holocron, an overconfident Ezra disobeyed Hera's orders and instead led a recovery mission. The Spectres, Rex, and Hondo freed several Ugnaught slave laborers and managed to refuel the Y-wings despite resistance from Commander Brom Titus. Despite the loss of the *Phantom*, the rebels managed to evacuate the Y-wings aboard *Phoenix Home*. Kanan, who had been reinvigorated by a mysterious being known as Bendu, rescued Ezra and the two reconciled. Realizing that the Phoenix Squadron was not the entire rebel fleet, Grand Admiral Thrawn allowed the rebels to escape with their "meager gains." Phoenix Squadron shipped these Y-wings to General Jan Dodonna's Massassi Group.

Seeking to gain access to both the Sith holocron and Kanan's Jedi holocron, Maul ambushed a Hammerhead corvette and lured the crew of the *Ghost* into a trap. After capturing Hera, Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper, Maul issued an ultimatum to Kanan and Ezra. After conferring with Bendu, Kanan and Ezra reluctantly met with Maul to deliver the holocrons. While Ezra and Maul went to combine the holocrons, Maul ordered his repurposed tour guide droids to execute the prisoners. Kanan however freed the other Spectres and they managed to interrupt Maul's ritual. However, Maul fled with the knowledge that his old adversary still lived.

Later, a rebel aid convoy was annihilated by the TIE Interceptor Captain Vult Skerris. In response, several disillusioned Imperial cadets at the Skystrike Academy contacted the Phoenix Squadron with the help of the rebel spy network Fulcrum. As a former cadet, Sabine undertook an undercover mission into the Skystrike Academy where she encountered future rebel pilots Wedge Antilles, Derek Klivian, and their friend Rake Gahree. During the first attempt, Rake was killed while Sabine and the rogue cadets were captured. However, they managed to escape with the help of Agent Kallus, who had become the rebel operative Fulcrum.

On Ryloth, Grand Admiral Thrawn led a successful campaign against the Free Ryloth movement which saw the capture of Tann Province. Seeking to recover a priceless family heirloom called the Kalikori, Hera along with Ezra and Chopper infiltrated the Syndulla residence. However, Thrawn captured Hera and Ezra. His subordinate Captain Slavin offered to trade Hera's life in return for Cham Syndulla's surrender. With the help of Chopper, Hera and Ezra managed to escape without Cham's capture by planting explosives in the Syndulla residence. Respecting his foes, Thrawn allowed the Spectres and Cham to escape to fight another day.

### New allies and old friends

 File:Lothal resistance meets Ezra.jpeg
The Spectres and Rex later traveled to salvage supplies from a wrecked Separatist supply ship on the planet Agamar. However, they were taken prisoner by the super tactical droid General Kalani, who was still determined to end the Clone Wars as a Separatist victory. Ezra managed to convince Kalani to let them go and give them the proton bombs if they won the war game. Following the war match, Ezra managed to convince Rex and Kalani to make peace. The rebels and Separatist droids then joined forces to escape Imperial forces before parting ways. The Spectres also gained a Neimoidian shuttle which was refurbished as *Phantom II*.

When the Imperial Viceroy of Mandalore Gar Saxon learnt that the Mandalorian Protectors were allowing the rebels safe passage through the Concord Dawn system, he and his Imperial Super Commandos attacked their camp and exterminated them. After losing contact with the Protectors, Fenn Rau along with Sabine, Ezra, and Chopper returned to the third moon of Concord Dawn. There, the Spectres and Rau discovered Saxon's massacre and joined forces to escape the Imperial Super Commandos. As a result, Rau made peace with the rebels and decided to join the Rebellion.

The Phoenix Squadron later evacuated rebel sympathizers on the planet Mykapo. The Spectres also encountered the young rebel Mart Mattin and his Iron Squadron, an independent rebel group. Despite Hera's pleas, Mart and his followers refused to evacuate Mykapo. When Imperial reinforcements under Admiral Konstantine arrived, the Spectres managed to escape with Mart's crew but Mart was left stranded in his starship *Sato's Hammer*. Konstantine then planted a magno-mine on Mart's ship in an attempt to trap his rebel rescuers. Hera however outsmarted Konstantine and managed to rescue Mattin with the help of his uncle Commander Sato, the leader of Phoenix Squadron.

With the help of Hondo and the Ugnaught laborer Melch, the Spectres obtained a cargo of proton bombs from a derelict Imperial cargo transport above the stormy world of Wynkahthu. The Phoenix Squadron then turned its attention to the Imperial Armory Complex on Lothal, where Thrawn was overseeing the development of the Empire's new TIE/d "Defender" Multi-Role Starfighter initiative. Ryder Azadi's Lothal resistance group had been sabotaging the factory's weapons and vehicles. With the help of Ryder, Kanan, Ezra, and Chopper infiltrated the factory. The rebels managed to obtain the fighter's blueprints and escape with the help of Kallus but lost their local comrade Morad Sumar. In addition, Thrawn realized that the Empire had a mole among its ranks.

As the rebels began planning a reconnaissance mission to Lothal in preparation for their planned attack on the Imperial factories, Ezra was haunted by Maul. After confronting Maul, Ezra reluctantly agreed to accompany Maul to Dathomir in order to retrieve their shared memories from the earlier holocron ritual. Kanan and Sabine followed behind. After a clash with a pair of Nightsister spirits, Ezra learned that the Jedi Knight Kenobi was alive on a planet with twin suns. In addition, Sabine obtained the Darksaber, an ancient Mandalorian symbol of power and leadership.

### Rising stakes

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To maintain the secrecy of the Death Star project, the Empire exterminated the Geonosian species. At the request of Rebel Command, Saw Gerrera and his Partisans undertook a mission to investigate the disappearance of the Geonosians. However, his group was ambushed and slaughtered by the Geonosian Klik-Klak, who believed the outsides to be a threat. After losing contact with Saw, Senator Organa dispatched the Spectres and Rex to Geonosis to investigate the matter. On Geonosis, the Spectres and Rex encountered Saw, whose aggressive methods clashed with the more principled mainstream Rebellion.

Working together, the rebels managed to capture Klik-Klak and learned that he was protecting the last Geonosian egg. A violent dispute soon broke out between the Spectres and Rex, who believed that Klik-Klak belonged on Geonosis, and Saw, who wanted to interrogate the Geonosian offworld. When Captain Brunson arrived in an Imperial light cruiser, the rebels were forced to descend aboard the *Ghost* into the depths of Geonosis. There, they discovered evidence that the Empire had deployed bioweapons against the Geonosians. Satisfied, Saw released Klik-Klak and the egg. The rebels then managed to escape Brunson's cruiser.

In an effort to ferret out Phantom Squadron's base, Grand Admiral Thrawn deployed swarms of E-XD infiltrator droids across the Lothal sector. One of these droids managed to infiltrate Chopper Base in the guise of an inventory droid. However, Agent Kallus in his guise as Fulcrum alerted the rebels. With most of Phantom Squadron away on a training exercise, Zeb along with Chopper and AP-5 were forced to defend the base. Following a pursuit, they managed to subdue and reprogram EXD-9 to destroy an Imperial Star Destroyer. Despite this setback, Thrawn managed to narrow down the search for the rebel base from a thousand to 94 systems.

After mastering the Darksaber, Sabine agreed to lead a mission to Krownest to convince Clan Wren to side with the Rebellion. Fenn Rau and Kanan hoped that Sabine could use the Darksaber to rally the Mandalorians under the rebel banner. Sabine received a frosty reception from her mother Ursa Wren, who was unwilling to endanger their father Alrich Wren, a captive of Governor Saxon. Ursa alerted Saxon to the rebel emissaries but Saxon turned on them and ordered Clan Wren's destruction. The Spectres and Rau then joined forces with Clan Wren to defeat Saxon's forces. Saxon's death at the hands of Ursa plunged Mandalore into another civil war.

In response to Thrawn's search for the Imperial mole, the Spectres undertook a mission to rescue Agent Kallus which involved Ezra allowing himself to be captured by the Empire. The mission was complicated when Thrawn summoned Kallus and Lieutenant Yogar Lyste for an audience aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer *Chimaera*. The rebels managed to escape with the help of Kallus, who framed Lyste as "Fulcrum." Kallus ultimately elected to stay behind to continue aiding the Rebellion. However, Thrawn deduced that Kallus was the true Fulcrum and decided to set a trap for the rebels.

### Birth of the Rebel Alliance

> This is Senator Mon Mothma, I have been called a traitor for speaking out against a corrupt Galactic Senate. A Senate manipulated by the sinister tactics of the Emperor. For too long I have watched the heavy hand of the Empire strangle our liberties, stifling our freedoms in the name of ensuring our safety. No longer! Despite Imperial threats, despite the Emperor himself, I have no fear as I take new action. For I am not alone. Beginning today we stand together as allies. I hereby resign from the Senate to fight for you, not from the distant hall of politics but from the front lines. We will not rest until we bring an end to the Empire, until we restore our Republic! Are you with me?
>
> Mon Mothma to the various rebel cells, Secret Cargo

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Meanwhile, the dissident Senator Mon Mothma realized that it was impossible to reform the Empire through the Imperial Senate. After denouncing the Emperor, Mothma was forced to flee into hiding. Mothma and her followers rendezvoused with the Spectres in deep space. Pursued by Imperial forces commanded by Commander Skerris in his TIE/D Defender, the rebel convoy traveled through the dangerous Archeon Nebula. Despite losing Skerris, the rebels found a pair of Star Destroyers commanded by Governor Pryce and Admiral Kallus waiting on the other side. Hera managed to facilitate Mothma's escape by firing proton torpedoes into the nebula. The various rebel forces then amassed above Dantooine where Mon Mothma gave a hologram speech announcing the formation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the outbreak of the Galactic Civil War.

## Legacy

Main article: Galactic Civil War
 File:Exds.png
The Battle of Scarif marked the beginning of the Galactic Civil War, a five-year conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic. The Battle of Scarif marked the Alliance's first victory of this Civil War. Seeking to recover the Death Star plans, Darth Vader pursued Princess Leia to the planet Tatooine. Despite her capture, Leia managed to hide the plans in R2-D2, who was jettisoned alongside C-3PO to the planet's surface with the task of delivering them to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Unveiling the Death Star's full power, Grand Moff Tarkin destroyed the planet Alderaan to punish its leaders for aiding the Rebellion. Preferring to rule by fear and terror, Emperor Palpatine dissolved the Imperial Senate and delegated power to regional governors. Instead of frightening the galaxy into submission, the destruction of Alderaan only fanned the flames of rebellion.

After the plans were delivered, the droids, Kenobi and Skywalker teamed up with the smuggler Han Solo, and the Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca to rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star. They then delivered the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance base on Yavin 4. Seeking to crush the Rebellion once and for all, Grand Moff Tarkin brought the Death Star to Yavin 4. However, the Alliance discovered that the Death Star's flaw was an exposed thermal exhaust port. Following a fierce space battle, Skywalker fired a missile down the thermal exhaust port. The destruction of the Death Star marked an important victory for the Rebel Alliance.

 File:A New Dawn-SWP.jpg
For the next five years, the Empire and Alliance battled for control of the galaxy. Despite victories such as the Battle of Hoth, the Empire failed to crush the Rebellion. Undeterred by the loss of the Death Star, the Emperor commissioned the creation of a second Death Star over the Forest Moon of Endor. Seeking to crush the Rebel Alliance once and for all, the Emperor lured the Alliance fleet into a trap at Endor in 4 ABY. However, rebel ground forces and their local Ewok allies destroyed the planetary shield generator; allowing the Alliance to destroy the superweapon. To save his son Luke, Darth Vader killed the Emperor, thus restoring balance to the Force.

Following the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance reorganized itself into the New Republic. The Emperor and Lord Vader's death triggered the collapse of the Empire and the new government quickly consolidated control over large areas of the galaxy. While a powerless Grand Vizier Mas Amedda officially ruled the Empire from Coruscant, much of the Empire was actually in the hands of Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax. As the Emperor's designated successor, Rax implemented the Emperor's posthumous Contingency plan to tear down the Empire and to bring a worthy elect into the Unknown Regions to start afresh. Following feigned peace talks on Chandrila, Rax orchestrated the Battle of Jakku as the final showdown between the Empire and the New Republic.

Rax intended to implode the planet Jakku with Sith relics in order to destroy the massed Imperial and New Republic fleets. However, he was stopped by Grand Admiral Rae Sloane with the help of New Republic operatives. With the Empire defeated, Sloane and other Imperial officers fled into the Unknown Regions to regroup. Meanwhile, the New Republic signed the Galactic Concordance with Grand Vizier Amedda, formally ending the Galactic Civil War. While the New Republic turned its attention to reshaping the galactic order, the Imperial remnants consolidated themselves as the First Order, a military junta that was dedicated to restoring the Galactic Empire. In 34 ABY, Cold war tensions between the New Republic, the allied Resistance paramilitary outfit, and the First Order culminated in open warfare between the First Order and the Resistance.

## Behind the scenes

The early rebellion against the Galactic Empire first appeared in the 2014 online browser *Star Wars Rebels: Ghost Raid*.

## Appearances

* *Star Wars: Force Arena* (Mentioned only)
* *Forces of Destiny: Daring Adventures: Volume 1*
* *Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith* 13
* *Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith* 14
* *Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith* 15
* *Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith* 16
* *Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith* 17
* *Ahsoka*
* *Lost Stars* (Indirect mention only)
* *Lost Stars* webcomic (Mentioned only)
* *Rogue One - Cassian & K-2SO Special* 1
* Untitled Cassian Andor television series
* *Star Wars Rebels: Ghost Raid* (First appearance)
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Machine in the Ghost"
* *Chopper Saves the Day*
* *Rise of the Rebels*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Art Attack"
* *Sabine's Art Attack*
* *Star Wars Rebels: Fight the Empire*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Entanglement"
* *Zeb to the Rescue*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Property of Ezra Bridger"
* *Ezra and the Pilot*
* *Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion*
* *The Rebellion Begins*
* *Who Are the Rebels?*
* *Spark of Rebellion: A Star Wars Rebels Cinestory Comic*
* *Ezra's Wookiee Rescue*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Droids in Distress"
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Fighter Flight"
* *TIE Fighter Trouble*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Rise of the Old Masters"
* *Droids in Distress*
* *The Inquisitor's Trap*
* File:SWRM.png "Ring Race"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 1
* File:SWRM.png "Learning Patience"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 2
* *Servants of the Empire: Rebel in the Ranks*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Breaking Ranks"
* File:SWRM.png "The fake Jedi"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 3
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Out of Darkness"
* *Star Wars Rebels: Rebel Strike*
* *Star Wars Rebels: Recon Missions*
* *Hera's Phantom Flight*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Empire Day"
* *Ezra's Duel with Danger*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Gathering Forces"
* File:SWRM.png "Kallus' Hunt"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 4
* File:SWRM.png "Return of the Slavers"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 5
* File:SWRM.png "Eyes on the Prize"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 6
* *Kanan* 1
* *Kanan* 5
* *Kanan* 6
* *Kanan* 7
* *Kanan* 8
* *Kanan* 9
* *Kanan* 10
* *Kanan* 11
* *Kanan* 12
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Path of the Jedi"
* *Path of the Jedi: A Star Wars Rebels Cinestory Comic*
* *Kanan's Jedi Training*
* File:SWRM.png "Sabotaged Supplies"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 7
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Idiot's Array"
* *Always Bet on Chopper*
* *Servants of the Empire: Imperial Justice* (Indirect mention only)
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Vision of Hope"
* File:SWRM.png "Ezra's Vision"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 8
* File:SWRM.png "Becoming Hunted"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 10
* File:SWRM.png "Assessment"—*Star Wars Rebels* Magazine 11
* *Servants of the Empire: The Secret Academy*
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Call to Action"
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Rebel Resolve"
* File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Fire Across the Galaxy"
* *Battlefront: Twilight Company* (Mentioned only)
* *Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure* (Indirect mention only)
* *Alphabet Squadron* (Indirect mention only)
* File:IDWStarWarsAdventuresLogoSmaller.png "Tales from Wild Space: Adventures in Wookiee-Sitting"—*Star Wars Adventures* 3 (Appears in flashback(s))

### Non-canon appearances

* Template:Droid Tales (Appears in flashback(s))
* *Rogue One: Recon A Star Wars 360 Experience*

## Sources

* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: "Ignite" Teaser on StarWars.com (backup link) Template:1stp
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: "Spark" Teaser on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: Wondercon 2014 Exclusive Clip on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: Full Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: Short Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: Extended Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: A Look Ahead on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion* Extended Preview on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Star Wars Rebels: "The Machine in the Ghost" Short on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Star Wars Rebels: "Art Attack" Short on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels* "Entanglement" Short on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: "Property of Ezra Bridger" Short on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Spark of Rebellion Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Droids in Distress Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com This Season on *Star Wars Rebels* on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com *Star Wars Rebels*: "Igniting a Legacy" Featurette on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com "Fighter Flight" Episode Guide - *Star Wars Rebels* on StarWars.com (backup link)
* *Rebel Journal by Ezra Bridger*
* StarWars.com "Rise of the Old Masters" Episode Guide - *Star Wars Rebels* on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Breaking Ranks Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com "Out of Darkness" Episode Guide - *Star Wars Rebels* on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com "Empire Day" Episode Guide - *Star Wars Rebels* on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com "Gathering Forces" Episode Guide - *Star Wars Rebels* on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Path of the Jedi Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Idiot's Array Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Vision of Hope Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* *Sabine My Rebel Sketchbook*
* StarWars.com Call to Action Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Rebel Resolve Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* StarWars.com Fire Across the Galaxy Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
* File:Helmet Collection logo small.png *Star Wars Helmet Collection* 1 Databank A-Z: Ask Aak–Stass Allie (Indirect mention only)
* File:Helmet Collection logo small.png *Star Wars Helmet Collection* 8 Databank A-Z: Bric–C-3PO
* *Darth Vader: Sith Lord*
* *Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia*
* *Star Wars: On the Front Lines*
* *Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, Updated and Expanded*
* *Star Wars: The Rebel Files*
* *Star Wars: A-Wing Deluxe Book and 3D Wood Model*
* *Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles*
* *Dawn of Rebellion*
* *Star Wars: Alien Archive*
* *Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition*
* *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary* (Indirect mention only)
* *The Art of Star Wars Rebels*
* File:DisneyGallery-TheMandalorian-logo.png *Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian* – "Practical"
* File:DisneyGallery-TheMandalorian-logo.png *Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian* – "Connections"

## Notes and references

1. ↑ *Star Wars*: Episode II *Attack of the Clones*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Episode III`
3. ↑ File:StarWars-DatabankII.png Bail Organa in the Databank (backup link)
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Tarkin`
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *Lords of the Sith*
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Ahsoka`
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `The Siege of Lothal`
8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Rogue One Visual Guide`
9. ↑ *Bloodline*
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Ghosts of Geonosis`
11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Rogue One`
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Honorable Ones"
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Fire Across the Galaxy`
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Out of Darkness"
15. ↑ *Star Wars: Rogue One: Rebel Dossier*
16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Rebel Files`
17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Spark of Rebellion`
18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Droids in Distress`
19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Call to Action`
20. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Rebel Resolve"
21. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Lost Commanders"
22. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Relics of the Old Republic"
23. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Always Two There Are"
24. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Wings of the Master"
25. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Stealth Strike"
26. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Future of the Force"
27. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Legacy"
28. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `A Princess on Lothal`
29. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Protector of Concord Dawn"
30. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Legends of the Lasat"
31. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `The Call`
32. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Homecoming`
33. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Shroud of Darkness"
34. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Forgotten Droid"
35. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Mystery of Chopper Base"
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Twilight of the Apprentice"
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Steps Into Shadow`
38. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Holocrons of Fate"
39. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Antilles Extraction"
40. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Hera's Heroes"
41. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `The Last Battle`
42. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Imperial Supercommandos"
43. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Iron Squadron`
44. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "The Wynkahthu Job"
45. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `An Inside Man`
46. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Visions and Voices"
47. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Warhead"
48. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Trials of the Darksaber"
49. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Legacy of Mandalore`
50. ↑ File:Rebels-mini-logo.png *Star Wars Rebels* – "Through Imperial Eyes"
51. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Secret Cargo`
52. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Date note`
53. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Galactic Atlas`
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Episode IV`
55. ↑ *Star Wars*: Episode V *The Empire Strikes Back*
56. ↑ *Star Wars*: Episode VI *Return of the Jedi*
57. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Aftermath`
58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Empire's End`
59. ↑ *Aftermath: Life Debt*
60. ↑ *Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary*
61. ↑ *Star Wars*: Episode VII *The Force Awakens*
62. ↑ LaSalata, Justin. New *Star Wars Rebels: Ghost Raid* Disney Game. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved on October 21, 2014.

Template:Early rebellion against the Galactic Empire
Template:History of the Jedi
Template:History of the Sith

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