In the year 3 ABY, a significant battle unfolded on Elessia. This conflict pitted the forces of the Alliance to Restore the Republic against those of the Galactic Empire. The confrontation arose when Imperial Commander Ellian Zahra and her forces successfully intercepted communications between the rebel Fourth and Seventh Divisions. These divisions were attempting to link up following the scattering of the Alliance Fleet in the aftermath of the Battle of Hoth.
Initially, Zahra's strategy involved deploying her assault group to strike at the Fourth Division. Her motivation stemmed from a desire to avenge the death of her mentor, Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, by targeting Princess Leia Organa. However, she was persuaded to redirect her second strike force towards Organa's location, as it was closer to the Fourth Division, while Zahra's primary group was nearer to the Seventh Division. By the time the second force reached its target, the Fourth Division had already commenced their journey to Elessia to join the Seventh, arriving shortly after Zahra's assault group initiated its attack on the Seventh.
During the engagement between the two rebel divisions and the Imperial forces, Zahra infiltrated the EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate belonging to the Fourth Division. Once aboard, she deactivated the safety mechanisms of the vessels reactor. However, she proposed restoring the safety controls if Organa would meet with her privately in the ship's engine room. Organa agreed to this condition and proceeded to the engine room. After Zahra explained her reasons for seeking vengeance, and before she could act upon them, Lieutenant Gorr informed Zahra that her flagship, the Tarkin's Will, was under heavy fire from the rebel divisions. Gorr also stated that he was preparing to retreat and urged her to return to the ship. Consequently, Zahra abandoned the rebel ship and returned to the Tarkin's Will before its departure from Elessia.