Sunspot Prison

Sunspot Prison
Location information
Region	Outer Rim Territories
Sector	Tunka sector
Planet	Sunspot
Grid square	I-18
Usage
Affiliation	Confederacy of Independent Systems Alliance to Restore the Republic New Republic
Present for battles/events	Prison siege at Sunspot
Commander(s)	Unidentified Sunspot Prison warden
Points of interest	Cell block nine Cell eighteen Cell seventeen Cell-block seven K block Q sector Sector nine West sector

"Welcome to Sunspot Prison. The biggest, baddest penitentiary the Alliance has to offer. May your stay here be a short one."

―Sunspot Prison's warden

Sunspot Prison, also known as Sunspot, was a space-bound penitentiary maintained by the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War. Reflecting its name, the prison orbited a star and was used to house the worst Imperial prisoners that the Alliance captured. In 0 ABY, Sunspot Prison was raided by the rogue rebel agent Eneb Ray in an attempt to convince Princess Leia Organa to become a more ruthless leader. Ray's attack killed many prisoners and forced the closure of the prison. Sunspot Prison was later in use by the aftermath of the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY.

Description

Based in Standard Galactic Grid square I-18 in the Outer Rim Territories, Sunspot Prison owed its name to a nearby sun that bathed the orbital space station in constant warmth and bright light. During the Galactic Civil War, the penitentiary hosted many Imperial prisoners including spies, mercenaries, war criminals, and even an Imperial Moff or two. Its existence was a well-guarded secret and most members of the Alliance knew nothing about it. The prison was protected by a sea of ion cannons at its front and had the sun at its back.

Sunspot Prison had numerous cells with metal grills that were guarded by armored rebel troopers. The prison also had a control center that could control the prison's sun shields. Sunspot Prison also had a large hangar bay that was big enough to host the Millennium Falcon. The command center also had an ion pulse that was capable of disrupting the station's power and gravity.

History

Establishment

"Welcome to a place that doesn't officially exist."

―Sunspot Prison's warden

Sunspot Prison was established by the Rebel Alliance to house Imperial prisoners during the Galactic Civil War. By 0 ABY, its inmates included several Imperial soldiers including Kolar Ludd, spies, mercenaries, war criminals, and at least two Moffs.

Eneb Ray's assault

"Dr. Chelli Lona Aphra remanded to our max security penitentiary at Sunspot."

―Commander Narra (Red Leader)

After being captured by Princess Leia Organa and Sana Starros during the battle of Vrogas Vas, the rogue archaeologist Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra, who had been a servant of Darth Vader, was questioned by Rebel Alliance Intelligence Service for weeks but gave up no information. Sometime later, she was transported to Sunspot Prison. Shortly after Organa, Starros, and Aphra arrived at the prison, it was was raided by the rogue rebel agent Eneb Ray. Following the failed Arrth-Eno Mission, Ray had embarked on a campaign to kill Imperial prisoners and to convince Organa to become a more ruthless leader.

After taking over the command center, Ray and his IG-RM bodyguard and enforcer droids slaughtered numerous Imperial prisoners, by gunning them down in their cells and exposing the prisoners to the sun by lifting the sun shields or throwing them out the airlock. Ray's rampage forced Organa, Starros, and Aphra to join forces to stop him.

Starros managed to send a distress signal to the Alliance Fleet. Despite Ray taking Han Solo and Luke Skywalker hostage and playing mind games, Organa, Starros, and Aphra were able to subdue him with the help of C-3PO and R2-D2, who ignited an ion pulse that disrupted the station's gravity. Though Ray's rampage killed numerous Imperial prisoners, Organa's actions managed to save a few who were subsequently evacuated. Aphra escaped with the connivance of Organa and Starros. Despite being captured, Ray managed to escape and swore vengeance against Organa for spurning him.

After the Alliance closed the facility, members of the Imperial Task Force 99 visited the prison searching for Kolar Ludd. They then departed on a mission to hunt down rebels. Due to the assault, the Alliance was forced to temporarily close the facility, establishing a temporary holding spot on Akiva.

Back up and running

The prison was still operating after the Battle of Endor. Following their disillusionment with the Empire, Inferno Squad feared surrendering to the Alliance, believing they might be imprisoned there.

After the end of the Galactic Civil War, the prison continued to operate under the New Republic. Around 9 ABY, the Tusken Raider Torbill Danzin was being held in Sunspot Prison for the attempted kidnapping of a New Republic senator, serving a 25-year sentence. Nilox Cabin-Roves was being held in Sunspot Prison for forgery of New Republic credits, serving a 20-year sentence. Mon Calamari criminal Ghosla Fular was being held in Sunspot Prison for forgery of local currency, serving a 30-year sentence.

Behind the scenes

Sunspot Prison first appeared in the 2016 comic Star Wars (2015) 16, written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu.

Appearances

• Star Wars Battlefront II (Mentioned only)
• Doctor Aphra: An Audiobook Original
• Star Wars (2015) 16 (First appearance)
• Star Wars (2015) 17
• Star Wars (2015) 18
• Star Wars (2015) 19
• The Screaming Citadel 1 (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars (2015) 31 (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars (2015) 35 (Mentioned only)
• The Mandalorian — "Chapter 14: The Tragedy" (Mentioned on screen)

Sources

• Star Wars: The Rebel Files
• Collapse of the Republic
• "Tobias Beckett and Other Characters of the Underworld" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars Galaxy Map
• SWCA 2022: 7 Things We Learned from the Lucasfilm Publishing Behind the Page Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Star Wars: Timelines
• Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy

Notes and references

In other languages

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