During the initial years of the Galactic Empire's existence, the Alderaanian aristocrat Lady Alya Aldrete commanded a smuggling operation, utilizing a fleet of ships in the Core Worlds and the Deep Core sectors. Her smugglers managed to infiltrate Imperial-controlled planets, transporting prohibited goods while simultaneously gathering crucial data and managing an intelligence network that spanned the entire galaxy. Around 17 BBY, Aldrete forged an alliance between her organization and the Alderaanian Resistance movement, consolidating her forces into an armada to assault a Super Star Destroyer prototype under construction within the Beshqek system. The combined efforts of the smugglers and Alderaanian rebels led to the successful destruction of the Star Destroyer, marking a significant triumph against the Empire.
During the Galactic Empire's rule, Lady Alya Aldrete, an Alderaanian noble, led a fleet consisting of criminals, pirates, and smugglers who operated within the Core Worlds and Deep Core regions. This group excelled at obtaining the necessary security clearances to access restricted planets under Imperial control in the Deep Core, enabling them to smuggle illicit items into heavily guarded Imperial installations. While the smugglers transported a variety of illegal goods, from stolen art to spice, their activities extended beyond mere contraband transportation. Functioning as spies and observers, they secretly gathered information for Aldrete, maintaining a vast information network across the galaxy.
The armada consisted of a diverse collection of worn starships, including modified bulk haulers, tramp freighters, capital ships from the Clone Wars era, and at least one customized Corellian Gunship. Despite their aged appearance, these vessels formed a formidable fighting force, manned by some of the galaxy's most skilled pilots. Among the crews were slicers adept at modifying transmitters and IFF transponders.
Lady Aldrete established the smuggler fleet early in the Imperial Period. Operating within the Empire's Deep Core, the armada remained undetected, allowing Aldrete to map reliable hyperlanes and gather intelligence. Their reach extended from Alderaan to Empress Teta, surpassing even the Bothan Spynet's infiltration of the Deep Core. To conceal her smuggling operation and deter Imperial Intelligence investigations, Aldrete cultivated a public image as a frivolous celebrity heiress.
Around 17 BBY, Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan sought Aldrete's assistance in infiltrating the Imperial-occupied world of Prakith to rescue Jedi Master Denia. Aldrete agreed to provide Organa's agents with the necessary security clearances and pledged her fleet's support to the Alderaanian Resistance in combating an Imperial operation to construct a prototype Super Star Destroyer warship.
Upon Aldrete's mobilization call, her forces gathered near a large gas cloud within the restricted Deep Core Security Zone. The smugglers provided fresh intelligence on the Super Star Destroyer, revealing its near completion. The smuggler fleet was reinforced by remnants of an Alderaanian Resistance battle group decimated in an Imperial attack months prior, and starfighters from both groups formed Blue Squadron. Aldrete assumed command aboard a Corellian Gunship, her flagship, and devised a plan with Organa to raid the construction site in orbit around Byss.
The smuggler armada traveled to Byss and engaged the Imperial fleet guarding the prototype, creating a diversion while rebel agents sabotaged the Star Destroyer. The smugglers feigned retreat, drawing the defending fleet away, but were intercepted by an Imperial interdiction vessel. The prototype Star Destroyer then microjumped into the battle, bombarding the smuggler forces and forcing Aldrete's fleet into a defensive posture. While the smugglers neutralized the interdiction vessel, Blue Squadron infiltrated the prototype and detonated its reactor, destroying the Star Destroyer. The smuggler fleet then fled into hyperspace, securing a major victory against the Empire.
The smuggler fleet appeared in the Dawn of Defiance campaign, a roleplaying series set within Star Wars Legends continuity and published by Wizards of the Coast on Wizards.com. The armada was first mentioned in Dawn of Defiance: Gamemaster Primer, written by Rodney Thompson and released on October 4, 2007. It was later referenced in The Gem of Alderaan, written by Gary M. Sarli and published on February 5 2009. The fleet also appeared in the final installment, Jaws of the Sarlacc by Rodney Thompson, released on October 28, 2009.