Alderaan / Skyhook / Imperial Senate
In this blog entry I have translated my article that appeared in the magazine of the Belgian Star Wars Fanclub TeeKay-421vzw, in issue 30, 'A New Hope'-special. It's about three important events that take place between 'Episode III' and 'Episode IV'. It's a period of Civil War and the world has changed. Lucas has closed the first trilogy 19 years before 'Ep.IV'. How LFL intends to fill in this gap is still unknown (we all know about the TV series and novels as 'Coruscant Nights' and 'Dark Lord'). Of course we know what happened between 'RotS' and 'ANH' in general. Palpatine expands his New Order with the help of Darth Vader, the local Governors and his military regime. But seeds of resistance have begun to grow. We now know that this resistance already begun during the last days of the Clone Wars with the Delegation of 2000. This resistance expanded into the Corellian Treaty and the official birth of the Rebel Alliance. In this article we will discuss three items that took place between 'Ep.III' and 'Ep.IV'.
Alderaan: "Alderaan is peaceful, we have no weapons, you cannot ..." (Leia Organa)
Alderaan never was a common Core World. The citizens always choose to live by the laws of nature as much as possible. They build ecological cities and travelled by Thranta's whenever possible. If Coruscant was the political centre of the universe, Alderaan was the cultural centre of the galaxy. Alderaan delivered poets, painters, sculptors and other kinds of artists. The planet was one of the most loyal supporters of the Republic and its Senators were always highly regarded like Bail Antilles, once nominated to succeed Chancellor Valorum. Antilles' successor, Senator Bail Organa, was part of the Loyalist Committee and became good friends with Senator Mothma and Amidala. After the horrors of the Clone Wars, Alderaan became a peaceful planet and all weapons were forbidden on the planet. These weapons were loaded in the ship 'Another Chance' and were send into Hyperspace. Viceroy Bail Organa and Queen Breha managed to install a period of peace and serenity after the Clone Wars. In this period, Alderaan once more grew in respect and attained its former status and glory. However, Bail Organa and his foster daughter, Princess Leia, who had taken over his role as Senator in the Imperial Senate, both hated the Empire, although Alderaan was supposed to be neutral. Rumours about the Organas favouritism for the Rebellion were heard in Imperial circles, so the Empire kept a close eye on all the activities of the Organa's.The decision to destroy Alderaan with the 1st Death Star was typical for Grand Moff Tarkin's delusions of grandeur. The Death Star appeared to give the Empire a notion of invincibility, although Vader knew better... Why did Tarkin decide to destroy Alderaan? Of course he wanted Princess Leia to betray the location of the Rebel Base, but why was it convenient that Alderaan was to be destroyed? In the first place Tarkin wanted to test the power of the Death Star. Secondly, the Empire was now sure that Alderaan had become a supporter of the Rebellion. The death or Lord Tion on Alderaan and Leia's role in the theft of the Death Star plans only proved the rumours about a Rebellion on Alderaan to be true. In third place, Alderaan was an icon of the Republic and the Clone Wars. The Empire banned this era into a mythical past by their propaganda. But Tarkin's 'rule through fear' didn't work as Leia had warned him. By destroying Alderaan, the Empire hit the heart of many citizens in the galaxy. Of course the Empire stated first that tectonic and geological forces destroyed Alderaan. Later they changed their official communiqué and said that Bail Organa had threatened to use biological weapons. Nobody, except the most loyal supporters of the New Order, believed this. Alderaan was a place of peace and serenity and had consciously banned all weapons. By destroying Alderaan, the Empire destroyed itself. The Death Star wasn't invincible at all and more and more planets joined the Rebel Alliance. Alderaan continued to live as a martyr of the Civil War and during the first years, the Rebel Alliance was often led by capable Commanders with a connection to Alderaan or Bail Organa like Jan Dodonna, Vanden Willard, Carlist Rieekan and of course Princess Leia Organa.
Operation Skyhook: "Where are the plans you've intercepted?" (Darth Vader)
Just as the Battle of Naboo began with a blockade, so did the Battle of Yavin. The financial important Core World, Ralltiir, was blockaded and occupied by Imperial Lord Tion (owner of the Star Destroyer Devastator before Vader). Ralltiir was a planet loyal to the Empire, but failed frauds threatened the innocence of the Empire, so Tion was sent to blockade the planet. During a 'mercy mission' (deliverance of medicines) the local resistance managed to lure the Imperials away from Princess Leia and the Tantive IV. A wounded rebel revealed the name of a secret Imperial project: the Death Star. The Death Star had been secretly built since the end of the Clone Wars and was now nearing completion. Leia travelled to Alderaan and spoke about the Death Star to Bail. The Organas invited the Imperial noble Lord Tion to a banquet; hoping he would reveal something about the Death Star. Leia assumed Tion liked her and everything went well until Leia accidentally said the words 'Death Star'. Tion knew something was wrong and drew his Blaster. In a duel with Leia, Tion killed himself by accident. Bail Organa knew there was no way back and ordered his daughter to recruit a hero from the Clone Wars who resided on Tatooine: General Kenobi. While travelling to Tatooine in the Tantive IV, Leia received the stolen plans from the Death Star under the coded name of 'Operation Skyhook'. The plans had been stolen by Rebels on Toprawa and were now in the possession of Leia. But a Star Destroyer commanded by Darth Vader himself blockaded Toprawa and witnessed the arrival of the Tantive IV. They immediately asked for a thorough inspection of all cargo and documents; even though the Tantive wore the red colours of diplomacy. The Tantive IV escaped into Hyperspace, but due to the innocent Espionage Droid U-3PO, the Devastator was able to follow the Tantive's route. Captain Antilles and Leia decided two Droids to continue their mission. Antilles remembered where these Droids came from and knew they could be up to the challenge. He programmed them 'not to talk too much' about the Princess. Just before Leia recorded a message for General Kenobi and stowed the plans for the Death Star in Artoo Detoo, Imperial Stormtroopers and Darth Vader boarded the Tantive IV. All hopes were now set on a pair of Droids...
The abolition of the Imperial Senate: "The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us" (Tarkin)
This is an important event in the history of the galaxy, but it's only slightly mentioned in 'ANH'. Why did Palpatine (have to) wait 20 years to abolish the Imperial Senate? Many people might not believe this, but although the Imperial Senate almost had no power left, it still contained a potential danger for Palpatine's New Order. It is mentioned several times in 'ANH' that the Imperials have to make sure the Senate is not upset with their actions: "If word of this (capture of Leia) gets out, it could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the Senate" Commander Daine Jir. Palpatine knew the Senate better than everyone else. He himself had been chosen as Chancellor by playing some of the shrewdest political games ever and even Palpatine himself had to thank the Senator for giving him his 'emergency powers' in the first place. Palpatine knew the Senate was a place of rumours, influence, bribes and possible resistance. Of course we have to wonder how much the Imperial Senate had in common with the Republic Senate. Was it still the same building? Did Palpatine leave the Senate in ruins after his duel with Yoda or did he move the Senate to another building? Did Palpatine continue to appear in the Imperial Senate or did he instruct his acolytes such as Mas Amedda, Sly Moore, Sate Pestage or Sim Aloo to fill in that position? Palpatine had placed all his allies in the Senate (the local Governors), planets had left the Republic / Empire during the Clone Wars and probably didn't have to count on clemency and what happened to the non-human representatives? Many planets were enslaved or occupied like Kashyyyk, Utapau or Calamari. And perhaps some planets even withdrew their representatives in the Imperial Senate. So Palpatine must have had his reasons to let the Senate continue to exist. One of these reasons was to let the citizens believe the New Order was still a democracy. The Senate had been a cornerstone of the Republic and when it continued to exist the people would feel the transition as less sudden and dramatic. The Senate existed as a spirit without a physical presence (Emperor August of Rome also allowed the Senate to exist under his rule as an remnant of the Republic). After 20 years Palpatine decided it was time to end this charade. Palpatine choose the right time. The organization of his Empire was complete. The bureaucrats were installed in governments, important companies became supporters of the Empire and local order was usually in the hands of the Empire. The Moffs and Governors replaced the Senators and reported to the newly installed Grand Moffs in Priority Sectors and to the Emperor's closest Advisors. This shows how the New Order expanded his military regime. A Moff was an administrative and a military title and that shows how the Empire managed to militarise many civil duties. The fleet, the army and other aspects of the military were expanded and optimised. A young and new generation, filled with Imperial Propaganda, had begun to fill in the ranks of the Empire. Young people only knew Jedi Knights from fairytales or some stories and the Force was something only crazy men talked about. The older people surely remembered the Jedi Knights and the Clone Wars, but they kept silent out of fear for repercussions, or were already on the run for the Empire. Individual attempts to undermine the power of the Empire came to an end when the 1st Death Star had been finally completed over Despayre almost 19 years after construction had begun. No one would dare to oppose the Empire now. After the 1st Death Star had been officially declared operational, Palpatine simply abolished the Senate. The last remnants of the Old Republic had been swept away ...
Alderaan: "Alderaan is peaceful, we have no weapons, you cannot ..." (Leia Organa)
Alderaan never was a common Core World. The citizens always choose to live by the laws of nature as much as possible. They build ecological cities and travelled by Thranta's whenever possible. If Coruscant was the political centre of the universe, Alderaan was the cultural centre of the galaxy. Alderaan delivered poets, painters, sculptors and other kinds of artists. The planet was one of the most loyal supporters of the Republic and its Senators were always highly regarded like Bail Antilles, once nominated to succeed Chancellor Valorum. Antilles' successor, Senator Bail Organa, was part of the Loyalist Committee and became good friends with Senator Mothma and Amidala. After the horrors of the Clone Wars, Alderaan became a peaceful planet and all weapons were forbidden on the planet. These weapons were loaded in the ship 'Another Chance' and were send into Hyperspace. Viceroy Bail Organa and Queen Breha managed to install a period of peace and serenity after the Clone Wars. In this period, Alderaan once more grew in respect and attained its former status and glory. However, Bail Organa and his foster daughter, Princess Leia, who had taken over his role as Senator in the Imperial Senate, both hated the Empire, although Alderaan was supposed to be neutral. Rumours about the Organas favouritism for the Rebellion were heard in Imperial circles, so the Empire kept a close eye on all the activities of the Organa's.The decision to destroy Alderaan with the 1st Death Star was typical for Grand Moff Tarkin's delusions of grandeur. The Death Star appeared to give the Empire a notion of invincibility, although Vader knew better... Why did Tarkin decide to destroy Alderaan? Of course he wanted Princess Leia to betray the location of the Rebel Base, but why was it convenient that Alderaan was to be destroyed? In the first place Tarkin wanted to test the power of the Death Star. Secondly, the Empire was now sure that Alderaan had become a supporter of the Rebellion. The death or Lord Tion on Alderaan and Leia's role in the theft of the Death Star plans only proved the rumours about a Rebellion on Alderaan to be true. In third place, Alderaan was an icon of the Republic and the Clone Wars. The Empire banned this era into a mythical past by their propaganda. But Tarkin's 'rule through fear' didn't work as Leia had warned him. By destroying Alderaan, the Empire hit the heart of many citizens in the galaxy. Of course the Empire stated first that tectonic and geological forces destroyed Alderaan. Later they changed their official communiqué and said that Bail Organa had threatened to use biological weapons. Nobody, except the most loyal supporters of the New Order, believed this. Alderaan was a place of peace and serenity and had consciously banned all weapons. By destroying Alderaan, the Empire destroyed itself. The Death Star wasn't invincible at all and more and more planets joined the Rebel Alliance. Alderaan continued to live as a martyr of the Civil War and during the first years, the Rebel Alliance was often led by capable Commanders with a connection to Alderaan or Bail Organa like Jan Dodonna, Vanden Willard, Carlist Rieekan and of course Princess Leia Organa.
Operation Skyhook: "Where are the plans you've intercepted?" (Darth Vader)
Just as the Battle of Naboo began with a blockade, so did the Battle of Yavin. The financial important Core World, Ralltiir, was blockaded and occupied by Imperial Lord Tion (owner of the Star Destroyer Devastator before Vader). Ralltiir was a planet loyal to the Empire, but failed frauds threatened the innocence of the Empire, so Tion was sent to blockade the planet. During a 'mercy mission' (deliverance of medicines) the local resistance managed to lure the Imperials away from Princess Leia and the Tantive IV. A wounded rebel revealed the name of a secret Imperial project: the Death Star. The Death Star had been secretly built since the end of the Clone Wars and was now nearing completion. Leia travelled to Alderaan and spoke about the Death Star to Bail. The Organas invited the Imperial noble Lord Tion to a banquet; hoping he would reveal something about the Death Star. Leia assumed Tion liked her and everything went well until Leia accidentally said the words 'Death Star'. Tion knew something was wrong and drew his Blaster. In a duel with Leia, Tion killed himself by accident. Bail Organa knew there was no way back and ordered his daughter to recruit a hero from the Clone Wars who resided on Tatooine: General Kenobi. While travelling to Tatooine in the Tantive IV, Leia received the stolen plans from the Death Star under the coded name of 'Operation Skyhook'. The plans had been stolen by Rebels on Toprawa and were now in the possession of Leia. But a Star Destroyer commanded by Darth Vader himself blockaded Toprawa and witnessed the arrival of the Tantive IV. They immediately asked for a thorough inspection of all cargo and documents; even though the Tantive wore the red colours of diplomacy. The Tantive IV escaped into Hyperspace, but due to the innocent Espionage Droid U-3PO, the Devastator was able to follow the Tantive's route. Captain Antilles and Leia decided two Droids to continue their mission. Antilles remembered where these Droids came from and knew they could be up to the challenge. He programmed them 'not to talk too much' about the Princess. Just before Leia recorded a message for General Kenobi and stowed the plans for the Death Star in Artoo Detoo, Imperial Stormtroopers and Darth Vader boarded the Tantive IV. All hopes were now set on a pair of Droids...
The abolition of the Imperial Senate: "The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us" (Tarkin)
This is an important event in the history of the galaxy, but it's only slightly mentioned in 'ANH'. Why did Palpatine (have to) wait 20 years to abolish the Imperial Senate? Many people might not believe this, but although the Imperial Senate almost had no power left, it still contained a potential danger for Palpatine's New Order. It is mentioned several times in 'ANH' that the Imperials have to make sure the Senate is not upset with their actions: "If word of this (capture of Leia) gets out, it could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the Senate" Commander Daine Jir. Palpatine knew the Senate better than everyone else. He himself had been chosen as Chancellor by playing some of the shrewdest political games ever and even Palpatine himself had to thank the Senator for giving him his 'emergency powers' in the first place. Palpatine knew the Senate was a place of rumours, influence, bribes and possible resistance. Of course we have to wonder how much the Imperial Senate had in common with the Republic Senate. Was it still the same building? Did Palpatine leave the Senate in ruins after his duel with Yoda or did he move the Senate to another building? Did Palpatine continue to appear in the Imperial Senate or did he instruct his acolytes such as Mas Amedda, Sly Moore, Sate Pestage or Sim Aloo to fill in that position? Palpatine had placed all his allies in the Senate (the local Governors), planets had left the Republic / Empire during the Clone Wars and probably didn't have to count on clemency and what happened to the non-human representatives? Many planets were enslaved or occupied like Kashyyyk, Utapau or Calamari. And perhaps some planets even withdrew their representatives in the Imperial Senate. So Palpatine must have had his reasons to let the Senate continue to exist. One of these reasons was to let the citizens believe the New Order was still a democracy. The Senate had been a cornerstone of the Republic and when it continued to exist the people would feel the transition as less sudden and dramatic. The Senate existed as a spirit without a physical presence (Emperor August of Rome also allowed the Senate to exist under his rule as an remnant of the Republic). After 20 years Palpatine decided it was time to end this charade. Palpatine choose the right time. The organization of his Empire was complete. The bureaucrats were installed in governments, important companies became supporters of the Empire and local order was usually in the hands of the Empire. The Moffs and Governors replaced the Senators and reported to the newly installed Grand Moffs in Priority Sectors and to the Emperor's closest Advisors. This shows how the New Order expanded his military regime. A Moff was an administrative and a military title and that shows how the Empire managed to militarise many civil duties. The fleet, the army and other aspects of the military were expanded and optimised. A young and new generation, filled with Imperial Propaganda, had begun to fill in the ranks of the Empire. Young people only knew Jedi Knights from fairytales or some stories and the Force was something only crazy men talked about. The older people surely remembered the Jedi Knights and the Clone Wars, but they kept silent out of fear for repercussions, or were already on the run for the Empire. Individual attempts to undermine the power of the Empire came to an end when the 1st Death Star had been finally completed over Despayre almost 19 years after construction had begun. No one would dare to oppose the Empire now. After the 1st Death Star had been officially declared operational, Palpatine simply abolished the Senate. The last remnants of the Old Republic had been swept away ...
posted by Sompeetalay (Tim Veekhoven) | 7:24 AM
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