Several standard weeks following the Yavin battle, Skywalker, Luke engaged Galactic Empire naval forces in space above the world of Llanic, who at that time were attacking an unknown Kupohan vessel.
Luke Skywalker jumped from hyperspace into the Llanic system, intending to locate a smuggler on Llanic. This smuggler was intended to transport goods from Rodia to the Alliance to Restore the Republic if their mission to Rodia proved successful. Upon arrival, he quickly noticed one of Moff Balfour, Abran's Imperial Star Destroyers at a distance. Although the destroyer was too far away to pose an immediate threat to the Desert Jewel, it had already deployed a number of TIE/ln space superiority fighters. These TIE fighters were actively firing upon an unidentified Kupohan spacecraft. Even though the ship's shields were active, it appeared that the ship would soon be destroyed. Remembering that the Kupohans had previously assisted the Rebel Alliance, Luke decided to return the favor. Luke instructed R2-D2 to set a course out of the system. He then activated the Jewel's only laser cannon and, with the aid of a targeting computer, shot down the first TIE fighter. The remaining TIE executed evasive maneuvers but then resumed its attack on the Kupohan ship, ignoring Luke's Desert Jewel. Luke, surprised by this decision, proceeded to destroy the second TIE fighter as well. Subsequently, Luke attempted to contact the Kupohan ship. However, before he could establish communications, the Kupohan ship entered hyperspace and fled. Disappointed, Luke also decided to escape, wanting to avoid being intercepted by the next wave of TIE fighters dispatched from the Star Destroyer and to keep the Desert Jewel off any Imperial watchlists.