Exploring the Consequences of a Successful Operation Cinder in Star Wars

Imagine a scenario where Operation Cinder was not stopped by the New Republic, but instead succeeded in its primary mission. This hypothetical situation could have drastically altered the course of Star Wars history, leading to Galactic-wide devastation and the destruction of planets. This article delves into the potential consequences of Operation Cinder's successful execution, driven by the motivations of Emperor Palpatine and the resulting chaos that ensued.

Palpatine's Motivations

Emperor Palpatine had two primary motivations for launching Operation Cinder. The first was spite. Palpatine resented the Empire for allowing him to die, much like how Hitler felt betrayed by Germany for losing the war and failing him. Palpatine’s desire was not merely to be the first ruler of the Empire; rather, he aspired to be the only ruler. His second motivation was chaos, with the return of the First Order in Rise of Skywalker in mind. He hoped that the destruction caused by Operation Cinder would hinder the New Republic by forcing them to clean up the mess, thereby making the New Republic weaker. The displaced and suffering survivors were expected to prevent any real dangers from emerging, but the damage proved insufficient, as the New Republic could still manage to handle it.

Operation Cinder's Goals and Impact

Operation Cinder’s goal was multifaceted. It aimed to undermine and destroy the remaining Imperial government following Palpatine’s death, while simultaneously drawing the attention of the Rebel/New Republic to the Imperial forces executing the operation. This dual objective allowed select units to disappear unnoticed into the Unknown Regions. Palpatine knew that if he were to die, the remnants of the Empire could become a powerful force in the Galaxy, as seen in the old Legends continuity.

In the canonical timeline, Palpatine sought to prevent this scenario by using Operation Cinder to turn public support against the old regime and facilitate large-scale desertions. The operation forced the Imperial military to waste resources attacking civilian populations, thus allowing the Rebel Alliance to transition into the New Republic and build their forces for a final confrontation. Because the New Republic was focused on stopping Operation Cinder, they did not notice the disappearance of some of the Emperor’s most loyal and capable followers, who subsequently formed the First Order. This aspect of the sequels holds up well, despite the many poorly thought-out elements of the trilogy.

Challenges and Repercussions

The success of Operation Cinder would have had significant repercussions. The Galactic-wide devastation would likely have led to mass destruction and chaos. Planets may have been destroyed, and the New Republic would have been overwhelmed with the cleanup efforts, weakening their military. Additionally, the displaced survivors would have caused social and economic upheaval, making it easier for the First Order to gain support and establish themselves as a major threat.

Alternatives and Unexplored Possibilities

It seems that the connection between Maul and Operation Cinder was not fully utilized, as the new films did not make this connection. It would have been beneficial to explain that Darth Maul was both still alive and behind Operation Cinder. Palpatine could have still had an insane plan to come back, but the success of this plan was limited to the emergence of Snoke. This alternative storyline could have been a prelude to re-introducing Palpatine in a more grounded and plausible way.

Conclusion

The hypothetical success of Operation Cinder in Star Wars would have dramatically altered the narrative trajectory of the series, leading to significant destruction and chaos. While the motivations and goals of Palpatine are complex and multifaceted, the consequences of Operation Cinder’s success would have had far-reaching implications for the future of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the First Order. This article explores the potential outcomes and highlights the need for a more cohesive storyline in the sequels.