Battle of Nar Shaddaa

Battle
In response to growing Rebel activity, Emperor Palpatine ordered that Imperial Moffs crack down on lawlessness and sedition in their local sectors. Moff Sarn Shild was tasked with restoring Imperial authority in Hutt Space. Shild, who entertained thoughts of leading an insurrection of his own, renounced his corrupt ways and stood up to the Hutts, hoping to advance through the Imperial ranks. For the first time, Shild refused the Hutts' bribery. Shild planned to make an example of Nar Shaddaa, the Smuggler's Moon, which was the focal point of everything the Empire wanted to control. In a manner typical of the Empire, Shild intended to destroy the planetary city, proving to the Hutts that they could not expect to undermine the Empire forever.

Horrified at the incalculable financial devastation this would cause (not to mention the lives of billions), the Hutts convened on Nal Hutta to decide on a course of action. Together, they agreed to deliver an unprecedented bribe to Admiral Winstel Greelanx. Han Solo was selected by Jiliac and Jabba to offer the bribe to Greelanx, who accepted it in return for his battle plans, giving the smugglers a fighting chance.

With Mako Spince, a former classmate at the Imperial Academy, Han devised a defense strategy. The smugglers of Nar Shaddaa united to defend their home from the Empire, and an impressive fleet of ragtag ships was assembled. Solo's strategy called for hiding the smuggler ships among an orbiting scrapyard of derelict ships close to the system's hyperspace arrival point. The ships would then attack the Imperial vessels from behind while Mako led a frontal offensive aboard Jiliac's personal yacht. Han's friend, the magician Xaverri showed up to help the smugglers and was able to cast her greatest illusion ever - the image of a fleet of thousands of ships that would distract Greelanx long enough for the smugglers to break through their shields.

Solo and Mako knew when the Empire would attack, but did not tell anyone. Instead, they drilled the pilots daily until the plan was well-practiced. While leaving to practice his duty as forward scout, Roa was alarmed when he detected Imperial vessels and realized he was no longer on a drill.

Fleets
The smuggler fleet was a collection of ships belonging to many smugglers on Nar Shaddaa who agreed to set aside their differences and defend their mutual home. The Spacebarn owned and operated by Shug Ninx was a blur of activity with smugglers modifying their ships, adding weaponry and shields day and night. During the battle, Han Solo flew the Bria, Lando Calrissian flew the Millennium Falcon, and Mako Spince commandeered Jiliac's yacht.

Hutt Space was not a priority for the Empire, and the strike force reflected that fact. Greelanx's flagship was an older Dreadnaught called Imperial Destiny, and was one of the largest ships in his fleet. Fortunately for the smugglers, Greelanx was not able to procure any of the new Star Destroyers, which would have surely spelled doom for the smugglers.

Aftermath
The Battle of Nar Shaddaa was an embarrassing defeat for the Empire. Not only did it demonstrate that they could be beaten by hastily-organized and informally-trained pilots (which greatly encouraged the Rebellion), it demonstrated the dangers of corrupt officers. When Solo delivered the bribe to Greelanx as promised after the battle, he witnessed from inside a closet Greelanx's execution at the hands of Darth Vader.

The Empire made no further advances against the Hutts, although they kept their eyes on them at all times.

Source

 * The Hutt Gambit