Jun Sato, a Commander, spearheaded a rebel operation to seize shield generators from a convoy belonging to the Imperial forces. To distract the TIE escorts of the convoy, he deployed three blockade runners along with two pilots from Phoenix Squadron. Simultaneously, the Spectres launched an assault on the primary vessel with the goal of ejecting the cargo into the vastness of space. Subsequently, Hera Syndulla skillfully piloted the Ghost to secure the ejected cargo. The arrival of two Arquitens-class command cruisers prompted them to open fire on the rebels. Following the disabling of the blockade runner's shields, Commander Sato gave the order to retreat. Syndulla successfully acquired the cargo, and the rebels made their escape into hyperspace. Upon regrouping, they discovered that the cargo, while containing essential supplies, lacked the anticipated shield generators, contrary to their intelligence reports.
Following the events of the Rescue of Kanan Jarrus, the Spectres came to the realization that they were integrated within a more expansive network of rebel cells. Captain Hera Syndulla, a prominent leader within the group, had previously withheld this crucial information from her fellow rebels to safeguard the rebellion's existence from the prying eyes of the Galactic Empire. However, in light of Kanan's rescue, the enigmatic rebel figure known as "Fulcrum" mandated a shift in policy. After uncovering that "Fulcrum" was in fact the former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, the Spectres consented to provide assistance to the Phoenix Cell, the very group that had rescued them from Imperial forces within the Mustafar system.
The Spectres, acting on intelligence concerning an Imperial convoy transporting deflector shield generators, joined forces with the Phoenix Squadron to initiate an attack on the convoy. In addition to the Spectres' starship Ghost, the rebel forces engaged in this operation included Phoenix Squadron and a trio of CR90 corvettes. As the Ghost and its A-wing escorts, Phoenix One and Phoenix Two, advanced towards an Imperial Gozanti-class cruiser, they found themselves under pursuit by a contingent of TIE fighters.
Phoenix One and Two provided crucial covering fire by targeting and destroying several TIE fighters that were in the process of docking with another Gozanti cruiser. Ezra, after jokingly urging Phoenix One to leave some targets for him, successfully downed another TIE fighter. Meanwhile, aboard the Ghost, Hera and Kanan engaged in a conversation, addressing their differing perspectives on their involvement in the rebellion. While Kanan favored operating independently, Hera emphasized the importance of maintaining solidarity with their newfound allies. At that precise moment, the Ghost executed a daring maneuver, flipping onto its belly to narrowly evade an oncoming Imperial TIE fighter, causing Garazeb Orrelios to tumble into the storage compartment. Throughout the heat of battle, Chopper played a vital role in assisting Hera at the helm.
Working in tandem with the Ghost, Sabine skillfully utilized the auxiliary starfighter Phantom to unleash fire upon the targeted Imperial freighter, resulting in the dislodging of several cargo containers. Before Hera could retrieve the cargo, Imperial reinforcements materialized in the form of two Arquitens-class command cruisers. Subsequently, Sabine provided cover for Phoenix One by neutralizing an approaching TIE fighter, while Ezra engaged in an exchange of fire with the Imperial starships.
At this critical juncture, Commander Sato's cruiser sustained a direct hit, leading to the disabling of its deflector shields. In response, Sato issued a retreat order, but Hera remained resolute in her determination to secure the cargo. While Zeb employed the Ghost's tractor beam projector to retrieve the cargo, Kanan successfully eliminated three additional TIE fighters. Having successfully acquired the cargo, the Ghost and the Phoenix fleet executed a strategic withdrawal into hyperspace.
Despite the stolen Imperial supplies failing to include the anticipated shield generators, the rebels found solace in obtaining an additional supply of fuel, which proved instrumental in maintaining their evasion of Imperial patrols. The raid conducted on the Imperial convoy represented one of the numerous actions undertaken by the rebellion in its struggle against the Galactic Empire. The rebels eventually succeeded in acquiring shield generators during their efforts to escape the siege of Lothal.
Determined to quell the rebellion, Darth Vader, the trusted right-hand of the Emperor Palpatine, devised a plot to exploit the Spectres in order to locate and target the Phoenix Squadron. This ultimately led to an attack directed against the Phoenix fleet.
This mission is presented at the beginning of the Disney XD television movie Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal, which had its premiere during Celebration Anaheim on April 18, 2015.