A conflict transpired in Maborn, a city located on the planet Mordal, in 4 ABY, pitting the forces of the Galactic Empire against those of the Rebel Alliance. The Ballast family found themselves caught in the crossfire, as the opposing factions established positions on opposing ends of Maborn. The daughter of Corwin Ballast, a civilian, and his wife, Lynnta, was stranded in a street; her parents' attempt to save her failed when they were both injured by blaster bolts from both Imperial and rebel forces before they could reach her.
The Mordal engagement concluded inconclusively, with both sides opting to cease fighting. Overcome with sorrow upon discovering that Lynnta and his daughter had died in the battle, Ballast resolved to leave Mordal and journey to Jakku, a planet situated in the Inner Rim, believing it would remain untouched by war.
Flashbacks depicting the Mordal battle were featured in Aftermath, a 2015 novel penned by Chuck Wendig, serving as the initial book in the Star Wars: The Aftermath Trilogy.