Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars #3
Star Warshas brought back an iconic phrase from the prequels in one of the last places I would’ve expected. As seen in Marvel’s new and canonicalStar Warsseries, set in the aftermath of theBattle of Jakku, the New Republic government is struggling to position itself as the new galaxy-wide government following the Empire’s surrender. However, not every planet is on board with the new regime.
In Marvel’s newStar Warsseries, the planets of theFenril Sectorhave collectively decided to end trade with the New Republic until new treaties are formed, promising hostile action against trespassers. Likewise, the Zantarrk Gang, a force of pirates outfitted with old Imperial weapons and starships, has seemingly been hired to protect Fenril space.Now, it seems Fenril may have its very own army (one we’ve seen before).
“Roger, Roger” - Battle Droids Return…After The Original Trilogy?
A New Threat To The New Republic (Mirroring Mandalorian Season 3)
At the end ofStar Wars #3, a New Republic trading vessel shot down by the Zantarrks is now facing a legion of B1-series battle droids, having crash-landed on one of Fenril’s many worlds. While their origins remain unknown, these battle droids may have been deployed by Fenril’s governing body. Presumably, they’d be a means of protecting themselves and exhibiting strength should the New Republic not meet their demands.
Having been in use during the prequels by the Trade Federation and Separatists, it’s surprising to see battle droids in theNew Republic Era.After all, it was believed that the Empire had shut down all Separatist droid production at the end of the Clone Wars.While rare, we have seen small groups of surviving battle droids from time to time after the prequels.
For example,The Mandalorianseason 3 featured the similarly independent world of Plazir-15, which possessed a large force of battle droids that had been repurposed and given second chances as a labor force.However, this new force of battle droids, debuting much earlier in the New Republic Era, still seems ready for war, armed with blasters and approaching the trading vessel’s survivors with the classic: “Roger, Roger.”
Just like the Zantarrk Gang using old Imperial weapons and hardware, perhaps the Fenril Sector’s leaders are making use of Separatist droids as well, reclaiming the remains of past wars to start a whole new one against the New Republic. As such, it’s going to be fascinating to see where these battle droids came from and how they’ve survived for so long sincethe epic battles of the Clone Wars.
