User:Karohalva/Test Page/First Battle of Mobetta

The First Battle of Mobetta, called Destroy Rebel Starship Component Factory at Mobetta in the Galactic Empire's mission brief, was a battle of Task Force Vengeance during its operations in the Airam sector.

Background
The Rebel Alliance had attacked Interdictor Cruiser Compellor while it was in the Goff system, recognizing that the Empire's campaign tactics depended on it. Beaten off, the surviving Rebel pilots were captured and interrogated. A number of them shared their knowledge in hopes of securing survival. The information given had led Admiral Senn to believe that a Rebel shipyard would be found in the Mobetta system. Instead he found the less important, but as destructable, component factory Soren. As the target was a stationary one, Compellor was excluded from the mission. Instead it was sent to the repair yard at Swellen to have an anti-warhead missile defense system installed.

The Battle
Imperial Star Destroyer Rage entered the area and launched Avenger Squadron, TIE Bomber squadron Beta, and TIE Fighter squadron Gamma. The plan was to have the starfighters clear the network of static defenses after which Stormtrooper Transport Squadron Sigma would be launched to disable the factory. Once disabled, Sigma would deliver a boarding party to recover its databanks and plant demolition charges. Against this force stood the Rebels' gun emplacements, a minefield, and Gavial Squadron in its X-wings.

Avenger and Gavial squadrons closed to engage as Beta and Gamma attacked the gun emplacements. Soon Gaival was eliminated and Avenger was ordered to turn on the minefield. When Beta's targets joined Gaival, it turned on Soren with Sigma. Pounded by proton and mag pulse torpedoes, Soren 's shields began to fail. With their net strength at 50%, the YT-1300 freighter Goldhawk was launched to escape. Aboard it were select personnel. It was shot down. No sooner, however, had the factory's shields reached critical, then the Rebellion's distress calls were answered. Mon Calmari cruiser Crucible dropped into the system to force back Rage and, for should that prove unsuccessful, evacuate further personnel. The two shuttles of flight group Lambda were then launched from Soren to do this. To the Rebels dismay both were destroyed before reaching Crucible.

As for the Imperials, potential troubles had begun. Upon arrival, Crucible had launched Sundancer Squadron in its Z-95 Headhunters and Blood Squadron in its Y-wings. Blood targeted Rage while Sundancer attacked Avenger, Beta, and Gamma. Beta, in turn, moved against Crucible Both Rebel squadrons were smashed.

In the meantime, Soren, under fire now from Rage also, had begun to suffer structural damage and broadcast its surrender. Sigma proceeded to board it. After completing its information download and demolition objectives, it detached from the unfortunate Soren leaving behind what Rebel personnel survived to die in the explosion. Crucible called a withdrawal but it with the remnants of Sundancer and Blood were slain too.

Aftermath
The success of the attack resulted, to the Empire's delight, in an intelligence bonanza. Analysis of the recovered databanks began at once and refinements for the campaign were planned based on the results. However, yet again Task Force Vengeance was forced to admit possible further danger. Since the Rebel Alliance had developed the capability to build cruiser class combatants in the sector, the threat posed was tremendous. Left unchecked, such production would in time shift the balance of forces in the Rebellion's favor. Imperial intelligence and reconnaissance efforts were soon focused on locating the shipyard.

Brighter news was extracted concerning the Airam. The clans' participation in the Rebels' efforts was found to be less than wholehearted. Intelligence agreed that the fractiousness of the Airam themselves was ripe for exploitation. With work the Empire might be able to undermine the Rebellion's efforts to recruit them into the Alliance. Rage 's next mission was to be directed toward this end.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: X-wing vs. TIE Fighter: Balance of Power