Shortly before the Battle of Endor, the Alliance to Restore the Republic realized that it needed technical data on the Galactic Empire's Death Star II in order to determine its operational status and its weaknesses. They summoned help from their Bothan allies, who were masters of espionage, so the Alliance and the Bothan Spynet agreed to discuss the matter. The Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser Tal'cara arrived at a secluded rendezvous point with the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser Liberty, and it deployed a delegation to negotiate with the Rebels. The shuttle Jade was chosen to transport the delegation from the Tal'cara to the Liberty, but right after launching, a massive mercenary strike force ambushed the Bothans, with one of their main targets being the passengers on the Jade. The Rebels and t