Rescue of Ramsis Dendup

In 20 BBY, during the Onderonian Civil War, deposed Onderonian King Ramsis Dendup was rescued from a public execution in Onderon's capital, Iziz, by members of the Onderon rebels and Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano. They were assisted by General Tandin and the Royal Onderonian Militia, as the General had had a change of heart after talking to rebel Saw Gerrera, who had been captured the night before attempting to rescue Dendup by himself. Dendup had been sentenced to death by his usurper, King Sanjay Rash, in an attempt to demonstrate his power over the people of Onderon. Rash had allied himself with the Confederacy of Independent Systems to stay in power, and the rebels were secretly backed by the Galactic Republic. Several Jedi had secretly come to the planet to train members of the rebels, and Ahsoka had stayed behind to monitor the group.

Rash, growing increasingly paranoid after the rebels had managed a series of attacks, decided to execute Dendup after becoming convinced that the former king, who had been kept from contact with the outside world since his overthrow, was coordinating with the rebels. He, along with the super tactical droid General Kalani, thought the event would be a good opportunity to lay a trap for the insurgent group. On the day of the execution, the rebels, led by their recently-elected leader Steela Gerrera, blended in with the crowd to get close to the site of the execution. Ahsoka tagged along, intending only to observe the situation.

When Dendup was brought out, along with an imprisoned Saw, the rebels acted. However, the extra battle droid reinforcements Kalani and Rash had had in wait emerged, and the rebels were surrounded. At this point, Tandin chose to act, and he and his troops confronted Rash, allowing the rebels to escape with Dendup. Tandin was willing to sacrifice himself, but Ahsoka rescued him. When Rash reported the rescue to Separatist leader Count Dooku afterwards, the Sith Lord was not pleased, and ordered Kalani to quickly track down and kill the rebels.