The Falleen bombardment, executed by the Galactic Empire, aimed to halt the expansion of a flesh-eating bacterium.
During the Imperial Period, the Dark Lord Darth Vader established a bacteriological research outpost for the Galactic Empire on Falleen, a planet located in the Mid Rim. An incident occurred within a laboratory in 7 BBY, leading to the infection of the Falleen civilian population by a flesh-eating bacterium.
In 7 BBY, Darth Vader was reviewing various weapon development initiatives when he arrived at Falleen aboard the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Devastator[/article/devastator-legends]. Captain Bolvan presented Vader with projections derived from data retrieved from the laboratories. These projections indicated that the bacterium posed a threat of rapidly devastating the entire planet. The captain proposed utilizing ordnance from Project X271 to eradicate the plague from orbit. Vader, however, opposed this suggestion, as he did not want to exterminate the entire Falleen species. The Sith Lord then instructed Lieutenant Hija to prepare for an orbital bombardment, targeting the bacteriological research outpost and everything within a 40-kilometer radius.
The orbital bombardment successfully contained the plague, but resulted in the deaths of 200,000 Falleen. Among the civilian casualties was the entire family of Prince Xizor of House Sizhran. Xizor, seeking vengeance against Vader, eliminated any evidence that could link him to the royal family.
The Falleen bombardment was initially referenced in the Shadows of the Empire novel and further detailed in the related sourcebook.