In the year 3 ABY, a joint assault was carried out by the Sith's Dark Lord Darth Vader alongside Imperial Lieutenant Commander Sabé upon the science colony situated on the planetary body Gabredor III. The purpose of this operation was the rescue of a number of refugees, namely Vader's childhood companions Kitster Banai and Wald, from the clutches of Governor Tauntaza, an ally of the criminal organization known as the Crimson Dawn.
Upon realizing that the governor was not present on her command ship but was instead located within the science colony, Vader ordered his shuttle prepared for immediate departure to the governor's location. Upon arrival, they discovered the governor in the process of extracting a piece of technology, created with the coerced assistance of refugees from the planet, capable of draining the life force from living organisms. In an attempt to gain more time, the governor contacted Crimson Dawn and deployed B1-series battle droids to engage Vader. Despite the droid forces, Vader successfully reached the governor, who then unleashed her new weapon upon him, incapacitating the Sith Lord. Simultaneously, soldiers from Crimson Dawn arrived, evacuating the governor. The Sith assassin Ochi also arrived, aiding in the defeat of the governor's remaining forces, including a B2-series super battle droid.
Following the governor's successful escape, Vader used the Force to choke Ochi, believing that he had allowed the governor to flee. Ochi, however, asserted that his arrival was intended to save Vader. Subsequently, Sabé and Vader proceeded to locate Doctor Aira, one of the individuals forced to assist the governor. Aira revealed the nature of the governor's creation and demonstrated its capabilities. Witnessing the power of the governor's technology, Vader commandeered Ochi's speeder bike and initiated a pursuit of the governor.