First Battle of Borleias

"Two months of prep and in ten minutes the squadron is cut in half. Someone made some very bad mistakes here, and our friends paid for them."

- Corran Horn

The First Battle of Borleias was a conflict between the New Republic and the Imperial forces based on the planet of Borleias.

The Battle
Although growing in power, the Provisional Council of the New Republic knew that in order to become a legitimate government, it would need to occupy Coruscant, the planet that many considered to be the center of the galaxy. To that end, the New Republic forces began to plan an invasion of the capital world. In order to carry out this invasion, a planet relatively close to the Core would need to be occupied in order to serve as a staging area.

The planet selected for that task was Borleias in the Pyria system, codenamed Blackmoon. Bothan General Laryn Kre'fey presented a plan to the major military commanders on Home One, a plan that was questioned by both Admiral Ackbar and Wedge Antilles, as it did not present adequate time in order to prepare and featured questionable intelligence on the planet's defenses.

Despite their objections, the plan went ahead as scheduled two weeks later. The commander of the Imperial base on Borleias, General Evir Derricote, having planted false evidence for Bothan slicers to uncover, was prepared for their arrival. The Republic fleet soon arrived in system from the staging world of Noquivzor. Keeping his defenses underpowered, he tricked the New Republic forces into coming closer to the planet. Once they had done so, he powered the base shield to full intensity and activated his ground defenses.

Caught unaware, the New Republic forces scattered, but not without suffering significan losses. Kre'fey, onboard the Assault Transport Modaran was the first to die after his ship was shot down and crashed into the planetary shield. Another Bothan, Rogue Two, was also killed when his fighter was hit by the ion cannons of the Imperial base.

TIE fighter squadrons then appeared from the far side of the planet decimating Rogue Squadron, killing one and sending three others EVA. Only the arrival of General Salm's Defender Wing prevented the rest of the squadron from suffering the same fate. The Rebel forces were then able to flee.

Appearances

 * X-Wing: Rogue Squadron