Redeemer

For other uses, see Redeemer.

"We lost a cruiser, the Redeemer."

―Anakin Skywalker —

The Venator-class Star Destroyer Redeemer was part of the Galactic Republic's naval forces during the Clone Wars. Incorporated into the Open Circle Fleet, under the task force of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, the Redeemer was dispatched to the planet Ryloth in 21 BBY, held under blockade by the Separatist Alliance. Accompanying the Venator-class Resolute and Defender, the fleet arrived above Ryloth and began their assignment of breaking the blockade as they launched their starfighters.

While the Redeemer and the two other Venators waited outside the battlezone, the starfighters punched through the Separatist vulture droids for an attack run on the battleship. Merely pulled into a trap designed by Captain Mar Tuuk, the blockade was bolstered by four additional Munificent-class star frigates, that caught the Republic officers off-guard. The trap had forced the Republic fleet to make its escape into hyperspace, though the Redeemer had broken apart before jumping away.

Description[]

The Redeemer was a Venator-class Star Destroyer that operated^[1] as both a battleship and starfighter carrier^[4] for the Galactic Republic Navy. Like all Venators, the cruiser came with two bridges,^[1] the portside of which was used for starfighter flight control and the starboard for general command.^[6] Above the conning tower, each bridge possessed one hyperwave comm scanner.^[3] The vessel was also equipped with a hyperdrive generator^[1] and propelled by eight ion drive thrusters.^[3]

For offensive and defensive measures,^[1] the Redeemer boasted the Venator-class's standard armament. It was armed with eight DBY-827 heavy turbolaser turrets and medium dual turbolaser cannons,^[3] laser cannons, proton torpedo launchers, and tractor beam projectors.^[4] To indicate its allegiance to the Republic Navy's Open Circle Fleet, the Redeemer was emblazoned with its symbol and adorned three red livery stripes on the port and starboard hull.^[1]

History[]

Strike on the blockade[]

"Our blockade is impenetrable. When the Republic attacks, they will get quite a surprise."

―Captain Mar Tuuk, on his trap for Skywalker's fleet —

Listen (file info)^[1]

DefenderResoluteRedeemer-SOR — The *Redeemer* arrives in the Ryloth system with the *Defender* and the *Resolute*.

In 22 BBY,^[7] during the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the planet Ryloth was invaded by the droid armies of the Confederacy, resulting in the establishment of a blockade in the planet's orbit.^[1] In response to the invasion, in 21 BBY,^[5] the Redeemer was dispatched by the Republic Navy as part of a fleet including two other Venator-class Star Destroyers—the Resolute and the Defender—under the command of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano, to break through the blockade, which would allow a Republic invasion fleet to land on the planet.^[1]

Arriving in the Ryloth system, the Redeemer exited hyperspace alongside the two other Venators, where they proceeded to engage the Separatist blockade. Remaining behind for support fire, the three Star Destroyers deployed the V-19 Torrent starfighter Blue Squadron, led by Tano, against Neimoidian Captain Mar Tuuk's Lucrehulk-class Battleship and its two accompanying Munificent-class star frigates. The squadron managed to cut a path through a swarm of enemy vulture droid starfighters directly to the Separatist command ship, but as the V-19s approached the Lucrehulk, Tuuk summoned four additional Munificents from hyperspace to reinforce his fleet. This caught the Republic off guard and resulted in extensive damage to the Redeemer and the two other Star Destroyers.^[1]

Redeemer's demise[]

"Your forces have been cut in half, Skywalker. If you can't break that blockade before the next planetary rotation, we will have to postpone the invasion."

―Mace Windu, on Skywalker's depleted forces —

Listen (file info)^[1]

RedeemerDestruction-StormOverRyloth — While fleeing from the Ryloth system, the *Redeemer* is destroyed as its hull breaks apart.

With Skywalker's fleet outnumbered and taking heavy damage, Republic Admiral Wullf Yularen ordered a full withdrawal from the system, calling Tano and her squadron back to the Resolute to provide starfighter cover. However, believing that she could still break through the blockade, the young Jedi disobeyed her superior's order. Due to Tano's disobedience, the Redeemer and the fleet continued to suffer heavy damage from Vulture droid suicide attacks. After losing most of Blue Squadron to enemy fighters, Tano returned to the fleet, allowing for the Defender and the Resolute to make their retreat to hyperspace. However, before it could jump, the Redeemer's hull tore apart in space due to the extensive damage it had suffered, destroying the vessel.^[1]

Despite the loss of the Redeemer, Skywalker and his dwindling forces later broke through the blockade in a second assault.^[1] The blockade's destruction allowed an invasion fleet led by Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu to land on the surface,^[8] eventually resulting in the liberation of Ryloth from the Separatist Alliance with help from the native freedom fighters led by General Cham Syndulla.^[9]

Behind the scenes[]

The Redeemer made its first appearance, although only in the episode's opening newsreel, in "Jedi Crash,"^[10] the thirteenth episode of the first season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series, which aired on January 16, 2009.^[11] It later made its full appearance and was identified as the Redeemer in the first season's nineteenth episode, "Storm Over Ryloth,"^[1] which aired on February 27 of that same year.^[12]