Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Last Stand #2
Star Warshas just revealed that a secret battle during theBattle of Jakkuhelped ensure the future events seen in the sequels. As seen in the establishedStar Warscanon, the Battle of Jakku was the definitive end of the Galactic Civil War with the surrender of the remaining Imperial forces to the New Republic, the aftermath of which is shown littering the desert world to be scavenged by Rey Skywalker in the years precedingThe Force Awakens. However, it’s recently been revealed that the conflict could have been much, much, worse.
In Marvel’s new and canonicalBattle of Jakkuseries, the Empire’s Moff Adelhard initially refuses to accept the Empire’s defeat after Endor. Operating in a state of denial, Adelhard didn’t bow toPalpatine’s protegé Gallius Raxwho began marshaling Imperial forces over Jakku following the implementation of Operation Cinder, the Emperor’s posthumous bombardment campaign of vengeance on the galaxy. Instead,Adelhard has since become a radicalized third party separate from both the shattered Empire and the New Republic, as confirmed inBattle of Jakku - Last Stand #2by Alex Segura and Jethro Morales:
Now,Adelhard and his forces are heading to Jakku to take out both the Empire and the New Republic, wanting to build a new regime in the ashes. Likewise, Adelhard is also serving as the perfect threat to explain whereStar Wars’biggest heroes were during the Battle of Jakku itself.
Star Wars Confirms Adelhard Could Have Made Jakku So Much Worse
Palpatine’s Great Contingency
InLast Stand #2, a conversation between Rax andGrand Admiral Rae Sloaneconfirms just how disruptive Adelhard has been to their plans, and how much damage he could continue to cause if he’s not dealt with.After all, Sloane confirms that other Imperials have been inspired to defy Rax and the rally order to Jakku. Thanks to theAftermathnovels, we know that Sloane doesn’t yet know that Rax intends to blow up Jakku’s core to destroy both the Empire and New Republic, leaving only a select few members to survive for a new Empire (according to the will of Palpatine himself).
Star Wars: 10 Things Only Die-Hard Fans Know About Jakku
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Thanks to Sloane and members of the New Republic, Rax ultimately fails to destroy Jakku. Likewise, Sloane herself flees with the chosen survivors into the Unknown Regions, eventually becoming the first leader of the future First Order, while leaving various Imperial remnants in the Outer Rim to fend for themselves.Keeping that in mind, Adelhard certainly represented a key threat to Rax’s mission, and his desire for absolute vengeance could have drastically altered the events of the Battle of Jakku and its fallout.
Star Wars' Heroes Defeating Adelhard During Jakku Will Ensure The Sequel Trilogy
Saving The New Republic (And The Future First Order)
As a result, it certainly looks as though the final two issues ofBattle of Jakkuwill show Luke, Leia, Han, and Lando coming together to take on Adelhard and his combined force of loyalists and spice runners.To that end, it’s safe to say thatStar Warsoriginal trilogy heroes will help ensure not only the safety of the New Republic but inadvertently the shattered Empire and future First Order as well.After all, Adelhard operating unchecked would definitely have spelled disaster for the galaxy, almost certainly altering the events of theStar Warstimeline and the events of the sequels.
Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Last Stand #2is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
