During the Galactic Civil War, in the fourth year before the Battle of Yavin, a skirmish was fought in Garel City Spaceport on the planet Garel between members of the rebellion and stormtroopers of the Galactic Empire. The skirmish occurred during a mission, led by rebel Sabine Wren, to retrieve a droid named EG-86 for the rebellion. Also involved was Ketsu Onyo, a Black Sun bounty hunter who also wanted the droid. The rebels and Onyo escaped and, after Wren and Onyo joined forces, were able to successfully deliver the droid to R2-D2, working on behalf of Senator Bail Organa, at the rebel rendezvous known as Havoc Outpost.
Prelude[]
In 4 BBY,[2] Phoenix Leader Hera Syndulla sent Sabine Wren along with Chopper and Ezra Bridger on a mission to pick up a courier carrying valuable intelligence for the rebellion. While Hera did not know what this courier looked like, she told her comrades that the individual would answer the code-phrase "It's a long way to Alderaan." They were to meet the courier in Garel City Spaceport and then transport it to Havoc Outpost, where the courier would be picked up by other members of the rebellion.[1]
Unknown to the Spectres, the Black Sun crime syndicate had also assigned the bounty hunter Ketsu Onyo on a mission to collect the courier. Ketsu was a former friend of Sabine, who had helped Sabine escape the Imperial Academy on Mandalore and then became bounty hunters together. However, Ketsu had turned "greedy" and left Sabine for dead before joining the Black Sun by herself. Sabine was later rescued by the Spectres who gave her a second chance in life.[1]
The skirmish[]
Upon arriving in Garel City Spaceport, Sabine and Ezra began greeting passengers they encountered with "It's a long way to Alderaan." However, they were only met with bemused stares and shrugs. After the terminal had emptied, Ezra discovered that the courier was a GNK-series power droid called EG-86. Before they could proceed with the rest of their mission, the three rebels and EG-86 were cornered by Ketsu. Following a tense reunion, Ketsu demanded that the rebels hand over EG-86. Sabine refused and the two former classmates prepared for a gun duel.[1]
Before the two belligerents could commence the duel, a squad of stormtroopers arrived in the terminal and ordered them to leave. Ketsu however responded by shooting the stormtroopers, sparking a gun battle. Amidst the fighting, the Spectres and EG-86 managed to board a GX1 short hauler and deactivate the ship's pilot droid. While taking off, Ezra fell out through the side door and was left behind.[1]
Meanwhile, Ketsu was surrounded by several stormtroopers who ordered her to lower her firearms. However, the Mandalorian bounty hunter was able to take out the stormtroopers in hand-to-hand combat. She then retreated by jumping onto a departing shuttle and then jumping onto the roof where her starship Shadow Caster was waiting. Determined to capture the GNK power droid, Ketsu followed Sabine's ship into space.[1]
Aftermath[]
Once in space, Sabine and Chopper attempted to jump into hyperspace. However, Ketsu appeared with the Shadow Caster and disabled their shuttle's hyperdrive. She also opened fire on their shuttle, damaging the blast door and sucking Chopper out into hyperspace. However, Chopper turned this situation to his advantage by creeping up behind the Shadow Caster and sabotaging the ship's turret cannon while Ketsu was issuing an ultimatum to Sabine. Ketsu then managed to capture Chopper and offered to negotiate with Sabine.[1]
During the negotiations, Sabine refused to back down and abandon her mission; emphasizing her devotion to the rebellion. Despite the estranged relationship, Sabine was willing to forgive Ketsu. Sabine's devotion to the rebel cause and grace won over Ketsu and the two reconciled their friendship. After an Arquitens-class command cruiser showed up, the rebels and Ketsu worked together to escape by blowing up their stolen shuttle. The resulting explosion caused significant damage to the Imperial warship. Meanwhile, the Spectres, Ketsu, and EG-86 traveled on the Shadow Caster to Havoc Outpost. There, they delivered EG-86 to a group of Alderaanian rebels that included the astromech droid R2-D2.[1]
Due to her efforts to help the rebellion, Ketsu regained Sabine's friendship while also gaining the favor of the rebellion.[1] Later, she assisted the Phoenix Cell by identifying Berzite's moon in the Yost system as a potential site for a rebel base. After Imperial forces attacked Phoenix Squadron, Ketsu aided the rebels by using the Shadow Caster to clear a path for the Ghost to land in the rebel flagship Phoenix Nest. Unknown to Ketsu, the Empire had set a trap in the Yost system. However, the rebels were able to escape that trap due to the efforts of Chopper and the former Imperial inventory droid AP-5.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
The Skirmish in Garel first appeared in the Star Wars Rebels episode "Blood Sisters," which first debuted on Disney XD on November 18, 2015. It introduced a new character Ketsu Onyo, who was voiced by Gina Torres.
Appearances[]
- Forces of Destiny: Daring Adventures: Volume 1 (and audiobook) (Mentioned only)
Star Wars Rebels — "Blood Sisters" (First appearance)
Sources[]
- "Blood Sisters" Episode Guide | Star Wars Rebels on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: Build Your Own R2-D2 6 Droid Directory: EGL Power Droids (Picture only)
- Star Wars Helmet Collection: Jango Fett Databank A-Z: 'Occupier' Tank–Oola
- Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
- Star Wars Helmet Collection: Ello Asty Databank A-Z: Sabine Wren (Indirect mention only)
- GX1 Short Hauler in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27
Star Wars Rebels — "Blood Sisters"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 According to Star Wars: Scum and Villainy: Case Files on the Galaxy's Most Notorious, in the year 7973 C.R.C., Ketsu Onyo resigned from the Black Sun. It also dates the Battle of Scarif to 7977 C.R.C., four years after Onyo's resignation. Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates Jyn Erso's mission to steal the plans of the first Death Star, which concluded with the Battle of Scarif, to 0 BBY. Therefore, it can be calculated that 7973 C.R.C. is equal to 4 BBY. Since Onyo states in "Blood Sisters" that she currently works for the Black Sun, the episode must occur by 4 BBY. Additionally, Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates the Siege of Lothal to 4 BBY. Since that conflict preceded the events of "Blood Sisters," it can be concluded that the episode took place in 4 BBY.
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels — "The Forgotten Droid"