Flitter, known by that codename, served as a Rebel Alliance safe world within the Tierfon system during the Galactic Civil War. The tragic fate of Flitter highlighted the critical importance of maintaining the secrecy of the Rebellion's world sanctuaries. This need for secrecy was underscored when an Imperial starship intercepted an Alliance transport en route to the planet, thereby exposing its hidden location. The Empire's response was devastating: Flitter's cities were razed, and its ecosystem was systematically poisoned through the aerial deployment of toxic agents. Given that the Imperial assault occurred during one of Flitter's severe winters, Imperial forces chose to simply station a pair of corvettes in orbit, leaving the remaining planetary refugees to die. By the time spring arrived, over 95% of Flitter's 40,000+ inhabitants had perished from starvation or exposure.
The planet designated Flitter was situated in the Tierfon system, which itself resided within the Sumitra sector of the Trans-Hydian region, a part of the broader Expansion Region. Flitter was a world characterized by a temperate climate, featuring generally cool temperatures, a moist hydrosphere, extremely cold winter seasons, and a landscape dominated by mountains, plains, glaciers, and extensive forests.
Flitter possessed a Type I atmosphere, making it breathable for Humans, and standard [gravity](/article/gravity-legends]. A Flitter day lasted twenty-five standard hours, while its year spanned 378 local days. Native fauna included grubs.
During the Galactic Civil War, the Galactic Empire's agents routinely eliminated relatives of known Rebel Alliance members as a form of terror. Consequently, the Alliance Support Services branch established several isolated safe worlds where Rebel sympathizers and their families could reside securely, away from Imperial oppression. "Flitter" was the designation given to one such haven, located within the Tierfon system. This system was also home to Tierfon, the planet housing the Tierfon Rebel Outpost.
In time, Flitter's population grew to exceed 40,000 men, women, and children. This was more than double the average population of a Rebel safe world, and the planet became a significant source of ores used in the production of fuel. However, an Alliance Support Services transport was seized by an Imperial starship en route to Flitter. Under Imperial interrogation, the transport's pilot revealed the location of the safe world.
Within a single month's time, the Empire devastated Flitter. An Imperial fleet obliterated many of the planet's cities and poisoned the surrounding land and forests with air-dropped toxins, severely damaging Flitter's ecosystem. The Imperial attack occurred during the depths of winter. Instead of deploying ground troops, the Empire simply positioned two corvettes in orbit and allowed the harsh conditions to take their toll. By the arrival of spring, over 95% of the safe world's inhabitants had perished from starvation or exposure. The remaining survivors dispersed, seeking refuge in caves and subsisting on grubs and tree bark.
By 2 ABY, Flitter's population had dwindled to only 1,000. The Rebellion desperately desired to rescue the survivors but, at that time, lacked the necessary firepower to challenge the Imperial blockade surrounding the planet. Flitter thus became a stark reminder of the critical need for the Rebellion to maintain the secrecy of its safe worlds.
Flitter contained one major city that housed its refugee population, but it was reduced to rubble during the Imperial attack. Several other cities suffered similar fates.
The planet Flitter was conceived for the October 1990 West End Games publication, The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, authored by Paul Murphy for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. Rebel Alliance Sourcebook presented Flitter as a case study of a Rebel Alliance safe world.
- The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (First mentioned)
- The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, Second Edition
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
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