The Star Fortress over Bothawui was one of many dozens, if not hundreds of Star Fortresses deployed by Emperor Arcann of the Eternal Empire to watch for possible uprisings on worlds subjugated during the Eternal Empire conquest. Following the Battle of Asylum and the formation of the Anti-Zakuul Alliance, a resistance cell from local Bothans and Sith Empire personnel was created on the planet, possessing significant resources and a base of operations. However, before the Alliance could deliver weapons to them, the Star Fortress vaporized the entire cell from orbit. This prompted Theron Shan and the Alliance Commander to take action against Star Fortresses, eventually destroying several of them.