- "I didn't sign up for an execution."
"And how did you think it was going to end? This is what it takes." - ―Kay Vess and Qi'ra
In 3 ABY, Kay Vess' crew and Crimson Dawn launched an attack on the Ashiga Clan stronghold to take control of the Ashiga Clan with the origin strand and remove the Clan's relations with the Galactic Empire. The scoundrel Kay Vess and the Merqaal Nix initially infiltrated and disabled the outer defenses of the stronghold to assist Crimson Dawn, but later became briefly independent after realizing Crimson Dawn's true intentions.
After Kay Vess' crew recovered the origin strand from Crimson Dawn, the Crimson Dawn affiliate Krisk Ashiga would have confronted the Queen of the Ashiga Clan and her mother, Queen Ashiga. Vess would then decide who to give the origin strand to, determining the faction that will ultimately take control of the Ashiga hive.
Prelude
- "Look, I'm not really into politics. Or taking down queens. And I definitely don't like people spying on me"
"Then do it for your safecracker." - ―Kay Vess and Qi'ra
In 3 ABY,[2] The outlaw Kay Vess, after being recruited by the crime lord Jaylen Vrax to prepare for a heist on Westhill Palace, traveled to Kijimi in the hopes of recruiting Ank Parako, the safecracker selected for the heist who was captured by the Ashiga Clan due to debts. Although Kay Vess helped recover an artifact for the Ashiga Clan, Queen Ashiga was unwilling to give up Ank Parako to Kay Vess' crew. Vess would then be contacted by the Ashiga Clan defector and Crimson Dawn affiliate, Krisk Ashiga, to meet Lady Qi'ra, leader of Crimson Dawn.[1]
Qi'ra revealed that the Ashiga Clan would not release Ank Parako, as she is vital to constructing weapons that can maintain the Clan's secret alliance with the Galactic Empire. Qi'ra would hire Kay Vess to rescue Parako, and later convince the crew to work for Crimson Dawn once again for the syndicate's plot to take over the Ashiga Clan. Although Qi'ra claimed her motivations being to place Krisk Ashiga on the throne and create benefits for Crimson Dawn, she hid her true intentions of entirely taking over the Ashiga Clan as a part of her Syndicate War.[1]
The mission
Infiltrating the stronghold
After Kay Vess met Qi'ra and Ank Parako near an entrance to a tunnel leading to the stronghold, Vess made her way through the tunnel, and successfully placed a bomb to allow her to enter beneath the stronghold. Vess would then infiltrate and reach the control room, successfully disabling the turret defenses. The act triggered an alarm, with Vess beginning her escape while Krisk Ashiga begin her attack with the Crimson Dawn forces to seize the throne room. Ank Parako, however, noticed and reported to Vess that Crimson Dawn forces are heading towards the cryochamber, and deduced that they plan to steal the origin strand, the Ashiga's genetic code that grants control over the hive. Vess and Parako would realize Crimson Dawn's true intentions of taking over the Ashiga Clan as a whole, with Parako insisting Vess to recover the origin strand for the Ashiga's future.[1]
Skirmish for the origin strand
- "«They're gonna use the origin strand to take control over the whole hive.»
"Thought you said life was too short for long fuses?"
«Well, this ain't about some job. It's about stealing the Ashiga's future.» - ―Ank Parako and Kay Vess
Arriving at the cryochamber, Vess was soon met with incoming Crimson Dawn forces, engaging in a firefight to secure the origin strand. On the other hand, Crimson Dawn forces has secured the stronghold, leaving Krisk to detain the Queen. During the fight, Krisk Ashiga informed Vess how to extract the strand, and to give it to her afterwards. After Vess retrieved the strand, she climbed to surface level and arrived at the devasted palace. While heading towards the throne room, Vess discussed with the droid ND-5 over the extremity of Crimson Dawn's action, with ND-5 informing Vess of Qi'ra's Syndicate War and the act of seizing power.[1]
The Showdown
- "And with you out of the way, the Hive will finally have a future, mother."
"You insolent child. Crimson Dawn has turned you against your own. They will tear our clan apart and leave you the scraps. Our future will end with me." - ―Krisk Ashiga and Queen Ashiga
At the throne room, Vess was meet with a standoff between Krisk Ashiga and Queen Ashiga, along with two idle Ashiga Clan enforcers. Krisk Ashiga believed in working with Crimson Dawn to create a better future, while Queen Ashiga believed that Crimson Dawn would tear the hive apart, and their future will depend on their alliance with the Galactic Empire. Krisk would demand the origin strand from Vess, with the outlaw deciding who to give the origin strand to.[1]
An Ashiga Clan enforcer executes Krisk Ashiga.
After deciding that Crimson Dawn should not take control of the Ashiga Clan, Vess gave Queen Ashiga the strand, and revealed to Krisk that she has been played from the start. Queen Ashiga would order Krisk to drop her weapon, with an Ashiga Clan enforcer immediately killing Krisk with a sword. Vess would soon depart after being shocked by the scene, returning to her ship, Trailblazer.[1]
Krisk Ashiga becomes the new queen of the Ashiga Clan.
Entrusting Krisk Ashiga with the origin strand, Vess would leave Krisk and Crimson Dawn in control of the Ashiga Clan. Queen Ashiga lamented that the hive would never survive, only to be slayed by Krisk, who took a sword from an Ashiga Clan enforcer. Krisk would take the crown and staff of the former Queen Ashiga, becoming the new ruler of the Ashiga Clan. Vess would soon depart after being shocked by the scene, returning to her ship, Trailblazer.[1]
Aftermath
- "It doesn't matter, does it? It was all about weakening the Hive. And setting them against each other."
"The galaxy isn't a playground, Kay. It's a prison. And if we want freedom, we have to be prepared to make some tough choices."
"And that's what, to free people like me? Or just hand you the keys?" - ―Kay Vess and Qi'ra
After Vess and Nix returned to the spaceport where her ship was docked, they were once again met by Qi'ra. Vess expressed her frustration on Qi'ra's plot to devastate the hive for power, with Qi'ra responding that this is a necessary part in securing true freedom from the Sith. Qi'ra would depart to return to her flagship, the Vermillion, while also reminding Vess that she is a valuable asset to the fight. With the mission complete, Vess, alongside her crew, would continue with Jaylen Vrax's campaign after securing Ank Parako.[1]
Due to how Crimson Dawn failed to take over the Ashiga Clan, Queen Ashiga would continue to rule the Ashiga Clan as the owner of the origin strand. Doing so, the Ashiga Clan would continue their alliance with the Galactic Empire to sustain the Clan's expansion towards other worlds. While Kay Vess's reputation amidst Crimson Dawn would diminish, she would gain recognition from the Ashiga Clan.[1]
With Krisk Ashiga becoming the new queen of the Ashiga Clan, Crimson Dawn would use her as a figurehead for their complete control over the Ashiga Clan. Crimson Dawn would gain full access to the resources of the Clan, while also removing the Clan's relationship with the Galactic Empire. Kay Vess would also gain recognition within Crimson Dawn.[1]
Behind the scenes
The Mission to Ashiga Clan stronghold appears in the Massive Entertainment video game Star Wars Outlaws, released in August 30, 2024. The mission was the focus on the main quest titled "The Hive". The outcome of the battle is dependent on the player's choice of aligning towards Crimson Dawn or the Ashiga Clan, With either Crimson Dawn and Krisk Ashiga or Queen Ashiga being the one ultimately in control.[1]
Appearances
- Star Wars Outlaws (First appearance)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.40 1.41 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.45 1.46 1.47 1.48 Star Wars Outlaws
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
Visit a Galaxy Far, Far Away with our Star Wars liveblog direct from San Diego Comic-Con 2024! on Popverse: "We're beginning our journey three years after the Battle of Yavin" (backup link archived on January 22, 2025) dates the events of Star Wars Outlaws to 3 ABY.
