Naraka

"I am here about the recent rebel attack at the prison on Naraka, which I believe is only the beginning of a larger rebel threat."
"I am inclined to agree."

―Arihnda Pryce and Wilhuff Tarkin discuss a rebel operation at the Naraka prison^[4]

Naraka was a rocky and hazy planet located in the Outer Rim Territories. During the Imperial Era, it was controlled by the Galactic Empire, who maintained a prison there. In 2 BBY, the rebel team known as the Spectres traveled to Naraka to rescue the pirate Hondo Ohnaka from the prison.

Description[]

Naraka was a terrestrial planet^[4] with a breathable type I atmosphere.^[5] A world of haze and rock,^[6] it was located in the Naraka system and within the Phelleem sector.^[1] It lay at grid square S-7 on the Standard Galactic Grid, within the Outer Rim Territories^[1] and the Slice regions,^[2] and along the Triellus Trade Route.^[3]

History[]

"I still can't believe we're here to break this guy out of prison."

―Sabine Wren remarks about the Spectres' mission to free Hondo Ohnaka from prison on Naraka^[4]

During the Imperial Era, the Galactic Empire constructed a prison on Naraka.^[6] At some point after meeting members of the rebel team known as the Spectres at Nixus Hub 218^[7] in 3 BBY,^[8] the pirate Hondo Ohnaka found himself in the custody of the Empire, incarcerated in Naraka prison alongside his Ugnaught companion Terba.^[4] In 2 BBY,^[9] the Spectres traveled to Naraka in their starship, the Ghost, to rescue Ohnaka from Naraka prison, as the rebels believed Ohnaka had more information to offer them. Several of the Spectres, namely Ezra Bridger, Garazeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, and Chopper, infiltrated the prison and located Ohnaka in his cell. Although the rebels had been unaware of Terba's presence, they freed both individuals and prepared to make their escape.^[4]

However, the group was quickly intercepted by stormtroopers and began to fight their way toward the single landing pad that extended from the prison, with Bridger contacting^[4] their leader^[10] Hera Syndulla^[4] to request a pickup. However, as the team arrived at the landing platform, Terba was killed by an AT-DP walker and the others were pinned down by the walker and several stormtroopers. Bridger took matters into his own hands, using mind control on the walker's driver and forcing them to fire on their allies before walking off the platform. Wren, Orrelios, and Ohnaka were stunned by the brutality of the stunt. Syndulla then arrived in the Ghost, and the team successfully escaped, securing the intel Ohnaka possessed about Imperial activities on the planet Yarma. Following the escape, Imperial officials, namely Governor Arihnda Pryce, Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, and later, Grand Admiral Thrawn, discussed the incident as well as the rebels who perpetrated the breakout.^[4]

Locations[]

"I knew you would not let your old partner, Hondo, rot away in this prison."

―Hondo Ohnaka, to Ezra Bridger^[4]

Ezra controls the AT-DP — The landing platform at Naraka prison

Naraka prison was built into the planet and protruded from the face of a cliff, with the only entrance being a single landing platform. This made any potential escapes particularly difficult.^[6]

Behind the scenes[]

Naraka first appeared and was identified in Star Wars Rebels: Steps Into Shadow,^[4] the premiere of the third season of the animated television series Star Wars Rebels, which premiered on September 24, 2016.^[11] Prior to the episode's release, the planet was first depicted in an episode of the behind-the-scenes series The Star Wars Show, released on the official Star Wars YouTube channel on July 13 of that year.^[12]