The starship New Ambition, initially known as the Shadowfire, was a TL-1200 transport crafted by Suwantek and once belonged to Derrend Montis, a Corellian explorer. Montis's vision for the Shadowfire was a vessel that was both discreet and powerfully armed. Consequently, he invested considerable effort in modifying the ship, enhancing its combat effectiveness through the integration of military-grade shields, engines, sensors, and weaponry. For a period, Montis utilized the ship as his primary mode of transportation during deep-space exploration missions. However, he subsequently sold it to a shipping enterprise. Following the company's bankruptcy a few years later, ownership of the Shadowfire changed hands multiple times. Ultimately, the Hutt businessman Popara the Hutt seized the vessel as repayment for a defaulted loan.
In the year 19 ABY, Mika, Popara's youngest offspring, found herself marooned on the planet Endregaad after the world was placed under quarantine due to a viral outbreak. In response, Popara engaged the services of Mander Zuma, a Jedi archivist, along with Reen Irana and Eddey Be'ray, two spacers, tasking them with using the freighter to deliver a shipment of medicinal spice to Endregaad, with the intention of locating Mika. As part of their agreement, Popara stipulated that the spacers could retain ownership of the freighter, which they subsequently renamed the New Ambition. While in transit to Endregaad, the New Ambition came under attack from a Bomu Clan starship while navigating the Indrexu Spiral. Upon their arrival in the Endregaad system, the New Ambition was compelled to dock with the Corporate Sector Authority Invincible-class Dreadnaught Heavy Cruiser Resolute, dispatched to enforce the quarantine. Ultimately, the CSA permitted the New Ambition to depart, contingent upon its immediate exit from the system. However, Zuma defied these instructions, and he and his companions landed the vessel on Endregaad.