The Battle of Coruscant represents a significant conflict of the Galactic Civil War. This clash unfolded in the orbit of Coruscant, the planet, pitting the Galactic Empire against the Alliance to Restore the Republic. A key outcome of the battle was the destabilization of the criminal organization Black Sun then under the leadership of Xizor.
Disguised as the deceased bounty hunter Boushh, Princess Leia Organa was dispatched to Xizor's Palace. However, Xizor discovered her deception and took her into custody. A small group, including Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Dash Rendar, Chewbacca, and Benedict Vidkun, bypassed the palace's defenses by infiltrating through the Sewers of Coruscant. Vidkun, initially hired to guide them, betrayed the group, leading to his death at the hands of Dash. Meanwhile, Luke located Leia, and Rendar strategically placed pulse bombs on Xizor's sky elevator, which connected the palace to the orbiting Falleen's Fist. During their escape, security forces cornered the group. Lando responded by launching a thermal detonator into the sewer shaft. Given the thermal detonator in the sewers and the pulse bombs on the elevator, Xizor's Palace faced an urgent evacuation within five minutes. Most occupants successfully fled. The royal guards and Xizor retreated to the Falleen's Fist, Xizor's personal skyhook.
Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and Dash Rendar made their escape from the palace aboard the Millennium Falcon. Dash then transferred to the Outrider, and Rogue Squadron emerged from hyperspace in response to a distress signal transmitted by Leebo. The conflict resulted in the deaths of three rebel pilots, and Black Sun was gaining an upper hand.
Darth Vader, aboard the Executor, arrived from behind Coruscant accompanied by two Star Destroyers. He deployed squadrons of TIE fighters and commanded his fleet to engage Xizor's personal fleet. Enraged, Xizor demanded an explanation, but Darth Vader instead issued an ultimatum: surrender within two minutes or face destruction. Ignoring Vader's threat, Xizor watched as the Executor's turbolasers obliterated the skyhook, resulting in a massive explosion that killed everyone aboard.
Simultaneously, even as Imperial forces targeted the skyhook, the Outrider penetrated its internal structure, aiming to inflict damage and ensure its destruction.
Dash Rendar was initially believed to have perished when the Outrider was struck by debris from the explosion. However, this was a ruse, and he survived the battle, subsequently leaving the Alliance.
Rogue Squadron proceeded to Prefsbelt IV to deliver the Tydirium to the Alliance. Meanwhile, Luke and his companions journeyed to Tatooine with the goal of rescuing Han Solo.
In the initial conceptual outline for the Shadows of the Empire project, Steve Perry originally depicted the Rebels, including the Outrider, as having departed the battle prior to the skyhook's destruction. This detail was later revised to incorporate Dash Rendar's apparent "loss" and to create a more dramatic conclusion to the story.