The Cloud City liberation, which occurred in 5 ABY, involved freeing the planet of Bespin from the Galactic Empire during their Iron Blockade of the Anoat sector. The conflict was initiated when Lobot, who served as an aide to the former Baron Administrator of Cloud City, received communications from General Lando Calrissian of the New Republic. Together, they established a resistance movement with the Bespin Wing Guard stationed on the planet. Shortly thereafter, the Uprising in the Anoat sector, spearheaded by an individual known as "the Smuggler," successfully liberated Bespin, establishing their operational base within the Paradise Atrium of Cloud City.
Following the Battle of Hoth during the Galactic Civil War, a widespread conflict across the galaxy between the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the Galactic Empire, the planet Bespin, located in the Anoat sector, fell under Imperial occupation. Imperial forces, under the command of Darth Vader, arrived on the mining planet with the intention of setting a trap for Luke Skywalker, a Rebel commander and Jedi-in-training. The Imperials orchestrated their plan in Cloud City, where Baron Administrator Lando Calrissian initially permitted the Imperials to remain, provided they did not return. However, Vader altered the agreement, seizing control of Cloud City and the entirety of Bespin. During this time, Calrissian placed the Bespin Wing Guard under the command of Lobot, his cybernetically-enhanced aide, before he fled the planet to align himself with the Rebellion.
In 4 ABY, the Rebel Alliance inflicted a significant defeat upon the Empire at the Battle of Endor, resulting in the death of Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine. Following this setback, Imperial forces stationed on Bespin redeployed Cloud City's garrison to more strategically important locations. With Cloud City devoid of Imperial troops, the city's inhabitants erupted in celebrations, marked by displays of fireworks. However, before news of the Emperor's demise could reach the citizens of Bespin and the wider Anoat sector, Imperial Governor Ubrik Adelhard implemented the Iron Blockade. This blockade effectively cut off the Anoat sector from news of the Rebel victory, dismissing any such reports as rebellious propaganda. Despite maintaining control over Bespin, Imperial forces launched numerous attacks on Ugnorgrad, an Ugnaught settlement on Bespin, leading to considerable suffering.
After Cloud City was freed from its Imperial garrison, Lobot established a militia to combat the remaining Imperial presence. To aid their efforts, Lobot facilitated communication between himself and Calrissian, now a member of the New Republic, leveraging the intelligence gathered to execute strategic assaults. In an attempt to capture Adelhard from his chamber located in Cloud City's prime tower, Lobot enlisted the services of the pirate [Kars Tal-Korla] and assembled an intrusion team. Tal-Korla successfully captured Borgin Kaa, an Imperial officer, from his luxurious apartment. With Kaa in custody, Tal-Korla obtained the necessary code to unlock an access panel leading to Adelhard's chamber. Upon opening the panel, Lobot and the intrusion team proceeded to apprehend the Governor, although their attempt proved unsuccessful.
Concurrently, an individual referred to as "the Smuggler" discovered a recorded hologram of Leia Organa, a prominent leader of the Rebel Alliance, on Nar Hypa. The message revealed the Emperor's defeat, prompting the Smuggler and their allies to unite the Ivax Syndicate, the Noble Court, and the Kouhun to form a resistance movement known as the Uprising. Voras the Hutt, the leader of the Ivax Syndicate and a resident of Cloud City's Paradise Atrium on Bespin, played a crucial role in the fledgling movement's successful efforts to liberate the planet.
In the wake of Bespin's liberation, celebrations erupted as individuals launched fireworks. Seeking a base of operations, the Uprising established their headquarters in Paradise Atrium, where they continued to strategize against the Empire. However, the liberation of Bespin drew the attention of Bragh, the commander of the Imperial Purge Troopers, who subsequently began targeting members of the Uprising.
Some Imperial holdouts persisted on the planet until late in the war. One such stronghold was Chinook Station, a refueling outpost under the control of Admiral [Garrick Versio](/article/garrick_versio]'s troops. Inferno Squad destroyed the station shortly before the Battle of Jakku, further weakening the Empire's already strained supply lines.
By the time the Battle of Jakku occurred, Lando had successfully starved out Adelhard's remaining forces. While the majority of the Imperials surrendered, pockets of resistance remained throughout Cloud City. Lando managed to persuade several Imperial troops holding out in the Bolo Tanga room of the Casino level to surrender by offering to spare their lives, provide them with food and lodging, and allow them to leave Cloud City. A dozen accepted Lando's offer, but a sergeant attempted to assassinate Calrissian. The Baron Administrator successfully defended himself, killing the sergeant with his Rossmoyne Vitiator pistol.
The liberation of Bespin was first depicted in the 2015 novel Aftermath, authored by Chuck Wendig. It later appeared in Chapter 1 of Star Wars: Uprising, a mobile game developed by Kabam for iOS and Android devices. On November 12, 2015, Kabam released Chapter 2 Story Missions to Uprising players, officially announcing the liberation of Bespin.