Republic (MC80A Home One Type Heavy Star Cruiser)

Description

Constructed by Mon Calamari Shipyards, the Republic was a MC80A Home One Type Heavy Star Cruiser. In common with other MC80A Star Cruisers, the Republic was propelled by ten sublight engines, enabling it to reach speeds of 975 kilometers per hour. Its armament included thirty-six ion cannons, twenty-nine turbolaser batteries, and six tractor beam projectors. The vessel also featured a class one hyperdrive and a deflector shield generator. Mirroring other MC80a cruisers, the Republic extended 1,300 meters in length, required a crew of over 5,000 individuals, and accommodated ten starfighter squadrons, including T-65B X-wing starfighters, which were deployed from its hangar bays. These hangar bays were equipped with windows and various monitoring screens.

The bridge of the Republic featured numerous control stations and display screens, along with a sizable viewport for external observation. Reflecting the design of other Mon Calamari Star Cruisers modified at the Mako-Ta Space Docks following the mutiny on Mon Cala, the Republic was retrofitted with Shu-Torun systems. These systems could be disabled via encrypted codes, rendering critical functions inoperable, including hangar doors, hyperdrive, communications, weaponry, and engines.

Role

Designed for combat situations, the Republic functioned as the flagship for both General Jan Dodonna and the wider Alliance Fleet.

History

Flagship of the Alliance

Following the mutiny on Mon Cala and the completion of its combat enhancements, the Republic, along with other ships in the Alliance Fleet, were ordered to separate to target critical Imperial assets, avoiding direct large-scale engagements. The Republic was assigned as the flagship to General Jan Dodonna, also serving as the Alliance Fleet's primary command vessel. The Republic was present at the Mako-Ta Space Docks during a ceremony celebrating the newly formed Alliance Fleet and observing the dispersal of the rebel naval forces. At this event, Dodonna spoke with Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles in one of the hangar bays, noting Skywalker's enthusiasm. Dodonna reminded them that the rebel fleet was not yet capable of confronting the Empire directly, but now possessed the resources to strike key targets. After Skywalker confirmed his understanding and excitement, Dodonna reassured him that he shared the sentiment. Soon after, Dodonna was summoned to the bridge and instructed someone to inform Leia Organa on Mako-Ta that the Republic would be ready when the rest of the fleet was.

After the various subgroups confirmed their readiness to Organa, Dodonna gave the order to jump to hyperspace. However, a malfunction prevented the Republic from launching with the rest of the Alliance Fleet. This error caused a system-wide failure, disabling launches, communications, and engines, as well as preventing starfighter deployment. Simultaneously, Death Squadron, under the command of Darth Vader, arrived and attacked the nearest cruiser, General Vanden Willard's flagship, the Yavin's Hope.

Attack on Mako-Ta

Initial onslaught

After the destruction of Willard's cruiser, Death Squadron turned its attention to other vessels near the Mako-Ta Space Docks, including the Republic. Although many of its systems were offline, the starship's shield generator remained operational. As nearby cruisers were targeted and destroyed, Meorti and Dodonna tried various methods to unlock the hangar doors, but none succeeded. Eventually, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and C-3PO arrived aboard the Millennium Falcon and were immediately engaged by Imperial forces, an event witnessed by Skywalker and Antilles from a hangar bay window. After eliminating several pursuing TIE fighters, the Millennium Falcon attempted to land on the Republic, but Vader damaged the ship in his TIE Advanced x1, forcing Solo to abort the landing.

During the dogfight between the Millennium Falcon and Vader, Solo attempted a second landing. Vader launched missiles, forcing Solo to maneuver close to the Republic's hull, successfully detonating the missiles upon impact with the cruiser. After Commander Lajaie's cruiser was destroyed in an explosion, Solo piloted the Falcon through the resulting fireball and debris to evade Vader, achieving some distance. Chewbacca then loaded C-3PO into an escape pod and launched him towards the Republic. The escape pod collided with the cruiser's hull, and C-3PO located an airlock near the hangar, where Skywalker and R2-D2 pulled him inside. C-3PO informed them that the hangar doors would open when approached with rebel signals, as the fail-safe mechanism was still functional.

Armed with this information, Skywalker ordered all pilots to board their X-wing starfighters and fly towards the hangar doors. Although General Dodonna initially commanded Skywalker to stand down and conduct tests, Skywalker declared that he would be the test. Dodonna issued a final stand down order, but Skywalker proceeded and successfully triggered the hangar doors to open just before flying through them. Witnessing this, Meorti instructed the other pilots to launch immediately. As the others launched, Skywalker remembered Jyn Erso and Rogue One, and decided to name the assembled pilots Rogue Squadron.

Behind the scenes

The first appearance of the Republic occurred in Star Wars (2015) 50, with its identification following in Star Wars (2015) 55. However, in a panel in Star Wars (2015) 54, the Republic was incorrectly shown as a different model of starship, an inconsistency with the panels immediately preceding and following it.