The Liberator, known as the Adjudicator during its Imperial service, was an Imperial I-class Star Destroyer originally used by the Imperial Navy and later by the New Republic.
Early in the Galactic Civil War, Vimran Trell served as backup-chef on the Adjudicator, and so impressed Moff Renquet with his cooking, that Renquet requested the starship become the flagship of his Sector Fleet. Vimran Trell was in fact a Rebel spy who managed to prevent most attacks of the Adjudicator for years. During that time, the ship was under command of Captain Krin.
In 1 BBY, the Adjudicator was under command of Baron Merillion Tarko and was part of the Cato Neimoidia Defense Fleet. Roughly a year after Galen Marek's death, the Alliance Fleet, led by the Nebulon-B escort frigate Salvation, attacked the planet. The Rebels underestimated the Imperial naval strength and the Adjudicator eventually put them to flight. The same year, the Adjudicator fought in the Battle of Gerrard V alongside the Relentless.
Accuser (left), Adjudicator (center), and Stalker (right) shortly before the Battle of Hoth
In 0 ABY, it was used to destroy the wreckage of the downed Star Destroyer Anya Karu. Two of its TIE Fighters were destroyed by Boba Fett's Slave I during the operation.
Eight months after the Battle of Yavin, Adjudicator fought Warlord Nuso Esva's forces in the Poln system as part of Death Squadron. The ship continued with that squadron, serving in the Battle of Hoth and eventually the Battle of Endor, which would be its last battle as part of the Empire.
The Adjudicator (right) arrives at Endor with the Avenger (foreground) and Stalker.
The Adjudicator was captured by the Rebel Alliance during the Battle of Endor, along with the Accuser. Adjudicator's engines and power systems were almost totally destroyed, and several Alliance heavy cruisers were relegated to towing the captured Imperial vessel. Kept secret, Lando Calrissian and Gial Ackbar later decided to refit the ships for use in stealth runs against Imperial warlords. They were sent to the Hast Shipyards, where they were refitted with improved weapons, sensors, hyperdrives, and improved gunnery systems. Following the disastrous Battle of the Hast Shipyards, however, the refurbishment of the ships took a backseat.
When the Liberator was finally put back into service, it boasted a number of improvements, including six proton torpedo launchers, improved sensors, a faster Class 1.5 hyperdrive, and reduced crew and gunnery requirements.
In 6.5 ABY, now renamed the Liberator, the vessel was used with the Emancipator as a feint at Ord Mirit in order to lure the Eviscerator far from the Second Battle of Borleias. The ship later participated at the Liberation of Coruscant where it fought on the frontline with the Home One and the Emancipator.
The Emancipator and Liberator suffered severe damage during the Post-Zsinj campaign and were recalled to undergo extensive repairs at the Hast shipyards.
In 10 ABY, the Liberator was returning to Coruscant, when the planet was attacked by the Empire. The ship emerged from hyperspace in front of the Imperial fleet and was severely damaged. The ship crashed into Imperial City as result of damage sustained during the battle. In a similar manner to a stunt his father pulled 29 years earlier, Luke skillfully used the shields and repulsorlifts of the Star Destroyer to prevent the death of the crew. The ship was commanded by Commander Luke Skywalker and Generals Lando Calrissian and Wedge Antilles. After the crash, the survivors were transported to Pinnacle Base on Da Soocha V by the Millennium Falcon.
According to A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, the ship captured by the Rebels and renamed Liberator was the Adjucator. All other sources, including The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, have confirmed that the correct name of the ship is Adjudicator.