User:Rupert Havok/sandbox/Battle of Beta

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Battle of Beta
Galactic Civil War
Date	Year 4 Day 338 — Year 5 Day 8
Location	Beta system
Result	Decisive Imperial victory
Belligerents
Galactic Empire	Falleen Federation
Commanders and Leaders
Emperor Greyson Uebles Grand Admiral Black Lodge Brigadier General Durand Somerville Lord Vodo Bonias Commodore Daelin Zerk Captain Sephiroth	King Eldrik Kuraine† Prince Tholin Dur'aak Prince Jace Meridan†? Lord Commander Zechs Darius Lord Admiral Bisz Aldaris
Strength
IMS Sovereign (flagship) 9 Star Destroyers 3 Imperial Army Battalions	ISD Shadowstone (flagship) Libra Battlestation Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers
Casualties and Losses
Minor casualties	King Kuraine and his consort Kalina killed Libra battle station destroyed Prince Tholin exiled 3 billion civilians

The Battle of Beta, also known as Operation Morning Thunder, Operation Beta, and the Beta Campaign, was a major battle in the ongoing Galactic Civil War in which Emperor Greyson Uebles' Galactic Empire fought King Eldrik Kuraine's Falleen Federation and its allies for control of the system of Beta (now Loronar) in [what section of the galaxy?]. The battle occurred between Year 4 Day 338 and Year 5 Day 8. It was the largest battle on the ?? and was marked by brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties. Its aftermath, in which the Empire murdered millions of among the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare, with the higher estimates of combined casualties amounting to nearly two million. The heavy losses inflicted on the Falleen Federation and its civilian population made it a turning point in the war. After the Battle of Beta, Falleen forces never recovered their earlier momentum, and attained no further strategic victories in the area.

An uncharted system, Beta was first discovered during the search for the legendary Grand Admiral Gorn Veynom, a notable Imperial figure who disappeared into the Unknown Regions during the chaotic events of the Second Imperial Civil War. At that time, the Beta system was the symbolic stronghold of Kuraine's Falleen Federation and contained two keys planets, Ul Yanin and Ulrike, as well as the noteworthy space station known as Libra. An estimated three billion sentient beings dwelled on the main planet of Ul Yanin.

The Battle of Beta was fought between the Galactic Empire under the leadership of Emperor Greyson Uebles and Falleen Federation under Lord Commander Zechs Darius in late Year 5. Under King Eldrik Kuraine, the Falleen Federation had achieved a number of victories against the Galactic Empire, notably capturing the Imperial Star Destroyer Shadowstone.

Imperial forces were victorious in the battle, with minimal loses, assisted by the defection of a senior member of the Falleen Federation. The Libra was destroyed, and the entire population of Ul Yanin killed, mainly by the Imperial Army under the command of Brigadier General Durand. Kuraine and his consort Kalina were also killed by the Sith Lord Thraken Solo aboard the Shadowstone, although the Empire failed to recapture it.

Operation Beta, also known as the Beta Campaign, was a historic campaign with the Galactic Empire against the Falleen Federation, then ruled by King Eldrik Kuraine, in late Year 5. An uncharted system, Beta was first discovered by the Empire during the search for Grand Admiral Gorn Veynom.

Imperial forces were victorious in the battle, with minimal loses, assisted by the defection of a senior member of the Falleen Federation. The massive Falleen Federation-controlled space station Libra was destroyed, and the entire population (an estimated three billion sentients) of Ul Yanin killed, mainly by the Imperial Army. Kuraine and his consort were also killed by the Sith Lord Thraken Solo aboard the stolen Imperial Star Destroyer Shadowstone, although the Empire failed to recapture it.

With the Battle of Beta being fought between the Galactic Empire during the reign of Emperor Uebles and forces within the Falleen Federation, after a number of small incursions inevitably resulted in the commandeering of the Imperial Star Destroyer Shadowstone by Falleen Federation forces. As this occurred, Imperial forces mobilized in the Beta System, which was first discovered during the search for Gorn Veynom. As battle ensued, forces from the Galactic Empire and the Falleen Federation engaged along with henchmen of the Black Sun Crime Syndicate under Dark Prince Plojo Rosom. During the battle, the late Sith Lord Thraken Solo killed King Eldrik Kuraine along with his consort, while the larger battle occurred. Ultimately, Lord Admiral Bisz Aldaris could not quell the tide of invading Imperial forces. Many Falleen Federation troops sought refuge after the battle was lost.

Battle

Prelude

Main article: The Shadowstone Affair

Tholin Dur'aak agreed to betray King Eldrik Kuraine to the Galactic Empire.

During Year X, King Eldrik Kuraine of the Falleen Federation conspired with Teniel Djo of the Eidola Pirates to steal the modified Imperial Class Star Destroyer Shadowstone from the Imperial Navy. In order to gain access to the prized vessel, Kuraine bribed a disgruntled Imperial governor, Vir Calder, to assist in its theft. Shortly thereafter, a band of Eidola Pirates boarded the vessel and, after a bloody firefight, succeeded in wresting the ship from the clutches of the Empire. The news of this brazen and outrageous heist under the Empire's very nose angered the Imperial High Command.

In response, the Imperial High Command assembled on Coruscant for a top-secret meeting. During the subsequent hours of debate, Emperor Greyson Uebles was advised by his master Vodo Bonias to undertake a full retaliation against both Kuraine and the Falleen people. Bonias suggested an audacious and direct assault against Falleen's fearsome stronghold in the Beta system. Uebles reluctantly agreed to Bonias' plan.

Realizing his meager Falleen forces were no match against the Emperor's legions, Kuraine paid the Rebel Alliance to assist in the defense of the Beta system. In response, the Alliance dispatched three Jedi Masters to the Beta system to advise and lead the defending forces. At the same time, Kuraine informed his officers and followers that he would not lead the battle. Instead, Kuraine appointed Lord Commander Zechs Darius and his subordinates to defend his stronghold against the impending attack of the Imperial war machine.

While the Falleen Federation planned the defense of the Beta system, Emperor Uebles, Vodo Bonias, and Adric Simms devised a plan to infiltrate Kuraine's flagship, the stolen Imperial Star Destroyer Shadowstone and assassinate him. They clandestinely persuaded a disgruntled Falleen prince Tholin Dur'aak — the former monarch of the Falleen Federation — and asked him to betray both his homeworld and his people. Believing the Falleen Federation and the Rebel Alliance had little chance of success against the Empire, Du`raak agreed to betray his comrades on the condition that the innocent citizens of Ul Yanin and Ulrike would be spared.

Battle

Jace Meridan

After Prince Dur'aak agreed to facilitate Kuraine's demise and granted the Empire access to Kuraine's flagship, Shadowstone, a sinister plot was set in motion that would change the tide of the upcoming battle.

Using an old ship with outdated identifications codes, Thraken Solo and two other Sith lords entered the ISD Shadowstone, subdued the crew, the droids defending the King and executed both the King Kuraine and his lovely consort. Kuraine's severed head was later presented as a gift to Emperor Uebles and as a public warning to those who would commit future crimes against the Empire.

The Falleen Federation reeled in shock upon learning of the death of their beloved king. While still recovering from this blow, the Empire presented them with an ultimatum: The Federation could comply with the terms of a negotiated surrender and spare the lives of billions of their citizens, or they could all perish at the hands of the Dark Side.

Amid the confusion after Kuraine's death, Bisz Aldaris was hastily chosen to succeed him as monarch of the Falleen Federation. At that time, Aldaris was a diplomat with no prior decision-making experience. Upon discovering that Prince Du`raak had betrayed their cause, Aldaris ordered the permanent exile of Du`raak.

Desperate to win a losing battle, Aldaris proposed the Falleen forces attempt to feign surrender to the Empire as a ruse in order to launch a surprise attack. Thus, as Imperial forces approached the system, the Falleen surrender turned out to be a charade. A space battle ensued, but the Falleen lost. Their last remaining ship entered hyperspace and left the system, joining the other retreating Falleen who fled and left their people defenseless.

Understanding the battle was lost, the three Jedi aboard the station likewise fled the system. For this reason, the surviving populations of the planets Ul Yanin and Ulrike forever regard the Jedi in a disdainful light.

Schematic of Libra battle station.

Lord Admiral Bisz Aldaris of the Falleen Federation, formerly High Admiral of the Rebel Alliance, was present aboard the Falleen Star Destroyer Shadowstone as the Sith worm-holed aboard and slew the royal couple. Upon learning the shocking news, the Falleen, Rebel and other allied forces executed a strategic withdrawal from the Beta system. Although Falleen casualties were limited to the few military officers who stayed behind, roughly 1.5 billion civilians inhabiting the two planets were exterminated by the Empire. While Aldaris hailed the three Jedi accused of cowardice by the Empire as "heroes," the rest of the galaxy was less open-minded. The Jedi remained as long as possible, using the force to the absolute limits of their strength, executing attack after attack on the Imperial fleet.

While the rest of the Falleen and Rebel forces retreated into hyperspace, a single vessel captained by Lord Commander Zechs Darius chose to remain behind. In a sub-space transmission, Darius challenged Emperor Uebles to meet him face-to-face and duel to the death, an offer which the Emperor scorned. Uebles istead he chose to remain aboard his ship, behind his fleet, safe and snug as a baby in its crib.

Although King Kuraine perished, his example of standing up to the Empire will live on forever through the stories of how the Federation captured the pride of the Empire, the Star Destroyer Shadowstone. Though he gave his life for that earlier victory, the King never wavered from the Falleen belief in liberty, equality and justice, in other words, opposition to the Empire and the tyranny it stands for.

Aftermath

The Imperial forces of Black Lodge decimated the civilian population of Ul Yanin.

After the retreat of the Falleen battle fleet into hyperspace, Grand Admiral Black Lodge instructed the Imperial fleet to completely destroy Libra station, the pride of the Falleen Federation. In its wake remained only a quickly dissipating cloud of radioactive dust dispersing into space.

As the Falleen had failed to agree to the Imperial ultimatum, Emperor Uebles ordered the death of 1.5 billion Falleen and foreign national citizens on the two planets surfaces. He dispatched an Imperial legion of approximately 50,000 troops, hundreds of Imperial AT-AT Walkers and other assault vehicles. TIE Bombers entered the atmosphere and dropped high density payloads on military targets and defense infrastructure. The Star Destroyers in orbit over the planet bombarded the planet for 12 straight hours with rapid turbo laser fire and missile attacks.

The planet of Ul Yanin was left in ruins with smoke billowing from both hemispheres, every major city completely destroyed.

The Imperial naval forces were commanded by Grand Admiral Black Lodge, and the Imperial Army was commanded by General Durand.

General Durand, Commander of the Imperial Army forces used to invade Ul Yanin earlier this day. You see thousands of Imperial stormtrooper going from house to house, pulling survivors from their homes and executing them in the streets. As you watch these images, Dark Master Bonias' voice is dubbed into the recording. You also hear the sounds of the troopers blaster fire and the screams of the executed.

Simultaneously, the troopers on the planet went from door to door, dragging resisters out from their homes, executing them for the crimes of King Kuraine and their interim leaders. The blood shed of the citizens of the Falleen Federation could have been spared, had the King surrendered his system to us, had their leaders supported the valiant diplomatic efforts of their Princes and had their Jedi stayed to defend peace, truth and justice as their oath mandates. Instead, they fled like cowards and labeled their Princes traitors to the throne.

Uebles ordered that "trace of the civilizations on these two planets should remain." By 20.00 Imperial Standard time, Executor Black Lodge received orders to perform a full Base Delta Zero maneuver over both planets. This means the total destruction of the planetary surface from orbit. The land will be smelted, the oceans and the atmosphere will be boiled away; the planets will be left barren and inhabitable for all times.

The Imperial fleet moved through the cloud of dust and debris that once was the galaxy's largest space station and approached the planet Ul Yanin. The Sovereign fired the first salvo, aimed at the former capital. Hundreds of turbolasers and missile launchers spit bright death into the atmosphere, soon joined by thousands of others, as the other ships of the fleet join into this merciless barrage.

From the surface of the planets, dead bodies were scattered through the streets of the cities. Terrorized survivors stumbled through the ruins that once where prospering cities when the first bolts of heavy turbolaser fire hit. A series of tremendous explosions cover your view from horizon to horizon, shortly before they are replaced by static as the camdroids are destroyed by the blasts.

Legacy

Eldrik Kuraine

The cowardice of the three Jedi in retreating from the system would shame the Order for decades to come. For this reason, the surviving populations of the planets Ul Yanin and Ulrike forever regard the Jedi in a disdainful light.

The death of Kuraine triggered the end of an era.

The Beta system became a morgue, forever haunted by the memory of the battle and its genocidal aftermath.

Although the Falleen Federation later claimed to have repeatedly broken through the Imperial blockade and somehow evacuated over 100 million sentient beings from the Beta system, most historians agree the bulk of the civilian population was left behind and, as a result, the Empire exterminated an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 billion stranded Falleen aboard Ul Yanin and Ulrike.

The Imperial fleet entered the system and met little resistance, with the main defense forces clustered around the planet Ul Yanin and the space station Libra in its orbit. Defectors from the Falleen forces allowed the Empire to send a team of Sith assassins onto the stolen ISD Shadowstone and kill the Falleen king and his consort, causing massive upheaval in the defense force. Upon learning of his death, the cowardly rebels immediately fled the battle, afraid of meeting the full might of the Imperial military, despite their promises and boasting prior to the battle.

When the Imperial fleet was joined by reinforcements and approached the enemy position around Ul Yanin, their naval forces fled without even trying to exchange shots with the Imperial fleet. Only one Dreadnaught captained by Lord Commander Zechs Darius remained behind to try to lure Uebles into a trap with a very obvious tactic of challenging me to a duel aboard this Dreadnaught. The Falleen leadership got their final chance to save their system and its inhabitants, but their ignorance and attempts to betray the Empire once more, sealed their fate.

A daring landing maneuver of an Army Special ops team and several Sith assisting them, quickly disabled the defense grid of Ul Yanin and the planetary shields and shield projectors for the space station. The Imperial fleet immediately started a massive assault on the behemoth station while the Army dropped over 50 000 troops and dozens of walkers on Ul Yanin to destroy all defenses and resistance under cover of Imperial fighter and bomber craft. While massive and horrendously overpowered, Libra station couldn't survive an assault by more then a dozen Star Destroyers led by the Sovereign. The battle lasted mere minutes with no imperial casualties. Several hundred survivors of the thousands of Falleen troops on the station and on the surface tried to surrender at this point, but were summarily executed by Zero-G units and the ground forces. After mere hours Ul Yanin was pacified with only minor casualties on the Imperial side. Ulrike, the second inhabited planet and all other space installations in the system fell even quicker.

Uebles ordered a complete annihilation of all assets and infrastructure in the system and a Base Delta Zero mission for the planets Ul Yanin and Ulrike, which was executed in less then a day, leaving the system uninhabited and barren. Falleen and allied casualties are estimated at 1.2 Billion while Imperial Casualties are less then five hundred. The Falleen Federation's monarch and his consort Kalina, plus two other high ranking personnel, were dead, two planets destroyed, taking with them at least a third of the total Falleen population and infrastructure. Libra station and two other Falleen Federation space stations have been destroyed along with about a dozen enemy ships, while the Empire didn't lose a single fighter.

When Prince Jace Meridan, the clan Nathran (or leader), met his demise at the hands of the Sith at the infamous Battle of Beta, Syn assumed control of the Royal Clan of Huruk-Rah altogether and served as the clan's mouthpiece on the Sejm, the Falleen Federation's conglomerate of clan heads and government officials, before this was disbanded by the Federation due to significant and recurring political drama.

Rewrite

Early Battle Plans

In their preliminary battle plans, the Imperial strategists suggested marshaling their forces into a single colossal fleet with only three vessels held in reserve: The VSD Darkness commanded by Crog, the VSD Adjudicator commanded by Ral Hoffner, and the Carrack Rapier commanded by Mythrantar. Hypothetically, the Imperial battle group was expected to hyper-jump into the system and lure the Y-Wings away from their rally point. This tentative plan involved three waves. The first wave would consist of Assault Gunboats and and the second wave of TIE Fighters. This double-wave would provide a fighter screen for the incoming Imperial capital ships. The starfighter defense was to be coordinated by Commodore Daelin Zerk with Captain Dimitri as his second-in-command. Behind this fighter screen, a picket line of Carrack crusiers would exit hyperspace in order to intercept proton torpedoes and enemy fighters that strayed too close. After the picket line, five (Victory-class?) Imperial Star Destroyers would follow. When one came under fire, the other ships would move to protect it by physically blocking the vector of incoming attacks. Behind these five VSDs, the ISD Nemesis and the VSD Malevolence would wade into the fray with various escorts.

While developing these battle plans, codenames were assigned to the key targets by the Imperial strategiests. The planet Ul Yanin was codenamed "Sebastopol" in Imperial transmissions, and Ulrike aptly designated "Phyrrus."

During this planning phase, Prince Tholin Dur'aak allegedly approached an Imperial agent to surrender the Falleen Federation into the Empire's hands. Tholin's betrayal was motivated by his displeasure with Kuraine's using the Falleen Federation to further his personal politics, and Tholin believed that Kuraine placed the entire Federation in danger due to his personal vendetta against the Empire and the Sith. While Tholin did not always agree with the Empire's methods, he respected them. Tholin offered to provide the Empire with the coordinates of Kuraine and his stolen ship, the Imperial Star Destroyer Shadowstone. Although the vessel was in hyperspace, Tholin knew its intended destination. Vodo Bonias opened up a wormhole and pulled Prince Tholin out of his Y-Wing. He is now in my ready room aboard the VSD Widowmaker. Tholin not only provided the exit coordinates of Kuraine's vessel, but also shared information on the Rebel Alliance's defense forces at Beta. He informed Bonias that three Jedi masters -- Avatar, Nero and [someone else... who?] -- were aboard the Libra station. He also revealed to the Empire that Vir Calder, a former Moff and an Imperial traitor, was sequestered aboard the defense station near the planet Ulrike.

Acting upon Tholin's information, Bonias quickly devised a covert plan: Using the unholy powers of the Dark Side, Bonias would open two wormholes to the Shadowstone. Bonias, Solo, and LocuS would enter through one. Admiral Adric Simms would open the second wormhole and enter with Brigadier General Durand and Major Chamberlain in two. While the Sith captured Kuraine and his harlot, the Imperial Army led by Simms would secure the ship. In this initial plan, Bonias was adamant that he personally slay Kuraine. Bonias claimed a personal feud existed between Kuraine and himself. Kuraine felt abandoned after Vodo turned his back to him because of his business dealings with Felix.

Once Kuraine was slain, Tholin would signal Jace Meridan, commander of the Falleen Federation's military forces, to sign a treaty with the Empire. As payment for his treachery, Jace Meridan would be bequeathed all of Kuraine's property except for his credits. Kuraine's credits would be confiscated and invested into Cloud City, the Imperial mining company, and Blue Sabre Transportation. The Federation would arrest Vir Calder at the station and withdraw their forces from the Beta system. They would lower the defenses of the Libra station and allow Imperial forces to move in to destroy the ships - not people). The Empire dispatched a force of 10,000 Army personnel to the planet surface and eliminated all non-Falleen hostile resistance. Lady General Mia DeMornay's Loronar Security remained hostile and they have many buildings on the planet's surface. The Falleen Federation turned over all of the buildings on the system under their control to the Galactic Empire. The Galactic Empire now owned this planet. The Empire maintained a 1,000 man strong stormtrooper garrison on the planet. The Black Sun will be given administrative control of the system, under the direction of the Imperial military Grand Admiral Black Lodge. Of time, as the Imperial relationship with the Falleen improves and they can be trusted, the Black Sun handed the power back to the Falleen Federation and the Imperial military withdrew.

Vodo requested two Lancer Frigates be transported through Blue Sabre Transportation to the edge of the Beta system to provide the Empire with support against the Rebel Alliance forces that entered the system. The Empire needed anti-fighter protection since the Empire did not have much in the form of fighter pilots. The Empire traded the CR-90 pilots to the Lancers. The two Lancers, the three secondary VSD's and the SSD entered at this time. The new objective will be to destroy the Rebel Alliance and then the station.

The Rebel Alliance was expected to assist the Falleen Federation and will now find themselves on their own. They may discover that there are no other organizations there to help them. The Navy will get their war, because they will be able to slaughter the Rebel Alliance forces, and the Army will be able to kill all opposition on the planet's surface including Lady General Mia DeMornay, the leader of Loronar Security.

A Dark Conspiracy

Meanwhile the Empire prepared a covert operation upon being contacted by Tholin. He and other high-ranking personnel of the Falleen Federation were summoned to the Star Destroyer Widowmaker to discuss the details. The covert operation to infiltrate and assassinate Kuraine was dubbed "Operation Witching Hour." It was agreed that upon the death of Kuraine at the hands of Sith, Tholin and Jace Meridan would order the Falleen forces to stand down and then negotiate a cease-fire with the Galactic Empire. All Falleen troops would be ordered to cease attacking Imperial vessels. Additionally the planetary defenses of Ul Yanin, in particular the shield projectors for Libra, would be powered down. The Falleen forces garrisoned aboard the Libra and the other nearby stations would be ordered to attack all non-compliant persons including the three Jedi masters. Above all, Vodo demanded the death of Vir Calder, a former Moff and Imperial traitor, who was hiding aboard one of the other defense stations.

Faced with the death of Kuraine and commanded by a Sith puppet, the Imperial conspirators expected the Falleen Federation forces would defend themselves against any incursion of their former allies and would not intervene with Galactic Empire forces cleansing the system.

Upon completion of the battle, Libra would be destroyed and all holdings in the system made over to the Empire to administer with a military governor until the treaties between the Galactic Empire and the new Falleen government would be over. The Falleen Federation would become a nationalized government, a satellite of the Empire. They would receive a sector to rule in the Empire's name with limited autonomy as long as Imperial law was upheld and no aid whatsoever given to the enemies of the Empire.

Operation Witching Hour

Tholin managed to establish a Holonet link to the ISD Shadowstone. Vodo Bonias used the Dark Side of the Force to open a wormhole through which Adric Simms (a.k.a. "Darth Tenebrius"), Thraken Solo (a.k.a. "Darth Xeres"), and LocuS (a.k.a. "Darth Sedelus") entered. Before entering the wormhole, Simms turned around to face Prince Tholin and smiled. In a chilling voice, Simms noted, "If all goes according to plan, there will be a new king crowned this day," and pointed at Tholin. Portaling through space and time, the three masked Sith materialized on the bridge of the ISD Shadowstone. Stepping through the wormhole, Simms saw King Kuraine, his consort Kalina, and the bridge crew of thirty personnel with twenty droids.

Using Force push, Simms hurled Kuraine backwards into a wall leaving him stunned. He likewise threw Kalina and two bodyguards backwards. Using his lightsaber, Simms cut the Falleen king in half. He re-opened a wormhole to SSD Soverign through Holonet connection and steps through last.

Solo, after entering the wormhole, spied Simms force pushing his target, Kalina. Solo transmitted codes to shut down the droids. Stepping up to Kalina sprawled on the floor and cowering in fear, Solo executed her. He then stepped through the wormhole.

Darth Sedelus, stepped through Wormhole and attacked two guards that actually got guns up, and killed them without trouble. He then re-entered the wormhole. All but three guards stood and watched as Kuraine and Kalina die in shock. The droids are inactivated. One an alarm was activated. Two guards drew blasters but were killed by Darth Sedelus.

On Beta, Tholin messaged the Falleen Federation on an open channel: "The king is dead."

Actual battle, not plans

After the theft of the ISD Shadowstone, the successive commando raid that destroyed the ships reactors and their successive miraculous repair in less than two weeks, the Imperial fleet rallied near Beta and went on to blockade the system. The Empire had obtained from defectors excellent intelligence on the Falleen defenses and. Thus the initial Imperial plan of a three wave attack was scrapped and instead a two wave strategy was devised.

The first part of the fleet entered the system, consisting of ten Star Destroyers and their escorts. The system was declared quarantined by the Empire and the Wraiths received one last chance to leave the system unharmed as a token of goodwill to the Hapan government. They accepted and claimed to be evacuating the system. Since they refused to leave, the Imperial units had permission to attack them.

One contingency the Empire had to prepare for was the enemy launching boarding teams to try and seize one or more of the Imperial ships. All pilots and commanders are hereby warned about this possibility and have to immediately target any ship that might carry troops with priority. All in all the Imperial fleet moved slowly towards the position of the Falleen enemy. The main Imperial objective in this first stage was to destroy the enemy fighters and ships in the system. Additionally they kept well out of distance of enemy capital ships, the station and the planet Ul Yanin. If a long range attack against the fleet is launched, the Fighters concentrated on intercepting torpedoes. If the Y-Wings closed in, they intercepted them.

The Imperial fleet entered the system at a position clear of the main enemy defenses around Libra and Ul Yanin and proceeded to tackle an enemy strike force that initially gathered to obstruct the deployment in system. Due to "bizarre spatial anomalies" this strike force suddenly vanished except a few light units that were destroyed.

Since Empire entered the system scans where conducted and especially the communications in the system and out of the system where monitored. The Empire used a combination of radio monitoring and Force powers to localize the enemy reinforcements outside the system, which was then confirmed by Tholin's information.

The second part of the Imperial fleet waited nearby to enter the system in the next stage that would be marked by the death of Kuraine. It consists of several Star Destroyers and Escorts, around the SSD Sovereign. This second fleet group will enter Beta as soon as the assassination attempt on Kuraine will either succeed or fail - more on that in the general strategy section.

Tholin contacted the ISD Shadowstone. As none were aware of his betrayal, he opened up a holovid connection to Kuraine who has a holoprojector with him. If for some weird reason Kuraine doesn't respond, Tholin will instead contact one of his officers on the bridge.

Using the holovid signal as a homing beacon, Vodo opened wormhole to the Shadowstone at the given location. Adric Simms entered it with LocuS and Thraken Solo, both deadly Sith assassins. They killed Kuraine and deactivated the enemy War Droids with the codes received from Tholin, the Falleen commander in charge of defenses. After the successful mission, Simms returned via a wormhole to the Sovereign and sent the message to initiate phase two of the invasion.

Pleased with the results, Tholin messaged his men and notified them of the change of leadership. The news of Kuraine's demise and Tholin's treachery created a crippling division in the Falleen ranks. At this critical moment, a second fleet consisting of the Rebel Alliance exited hyperspace and joined the Falleen Federation's forces in the Beta system. As the Empire expected the Rebels to enter the system at this moment, the combined fleet will attack them upon entering first, for now disregarding any other forces unless they attack the Imperial fleet.

The fleet will form up around the SSD and the ISD both are assigned a Lancer frigate as close area screening. The Victory star destroyers will form a semi-sphere in front of the SSD to shield it in the approach phase until the capital ships are in weapons range. If enemy long range torpedo fire is inbound, they will move to shield the two heaviest units as they are likely to receive the most fire. The same is true if one of the VSD's is targeted. Other units move in to absorb part of the damage and move back in the formation to be replaced by a VSD with full shields, thusly avoiding heavy damage or even shield breaches in any single unit. Grand Admiral Lodge concentrated on this formation pattern to ensure maximum efficiency. In front of the SD formation the other light escorts (all capital ships that are no SD's) will form up as a second screen to intercept incoming torpedoes and Fighters. These ships concentrate on this task alone. In front of the Escorts are the Fighters in two layers. Up in front are the Assault Gunboats, behind them the TIE's. Both will as well concentrate on interception of enemy torpedoes and Fighters closing in. The screens will be placed so that they cover the arcs towards the rebel fleet and any incoming enemies from other location in the system, especially the area around Ul Yanin.

If enemy fighters speed ahead to tackle the Imperial Fighter screen, the Empire's starfighters will fall back between the capital escorts. Together they will attack the enemy Fighters. TIE's will always attack in a 2:1 fashion; two TIE squads against an enemy squad. X-Wings are primary targets. Gunboats will use their ion cannons against enemy fighters and always attack together with at least one of the capital escorts. If enemy fighters break through the screen they will come immediately under fire by the SD formation. This will ensure that enemy fighters won't be able to use the strange range advantage of their Torpedoes against Imperial heavy units and prevent to be able to get locks on them easily. The units that break through will most probably be insufficient to pose any real danger anymore and can be hunted down by Imperial fighters and capital escorts during the remainder of the battle. Commodore Daelin Zerk will concentrate on coordinating this part of the battle.

Once the enemy fighters are bound in a dogfight, the SD formation will open up and form a semi sphere that is open to the front with the SSD in its center once more to give them all a maximum free arc of fire.

Shortly before reaching Turbolaser range, The SSD and the VSD's will fire a full torpedo volley at the rebel capital ships, followed by concentrated TL and Ion fire as soon as they closed in, starting with the heaviest enemy in descending order.

Personnel

Fleetgroup I

• 1 ISD - Nemesis commanded by Grand Admiral Black Lodge

9 VSD -

• Illustrious commanded by Arkady Ouromov
• Malevolence commanded by Ramos Rob
• Stormbringer commanded by Binak Algo
• Annihilator commanded by Keyan Dargan
• Abbatoir commanded by Rawius Titan
• Immortal commanded by Incubus Kaine
• Juggernaut commanded by Bren Morgarr
• Revenge commanded by Sarod Jaeger
• Widowmaker commanded by Vodo Bonias

6 Capital Escorts -

• Dreadnaught Orcus Adliger Urial
• Carrack Paragon Basin Blackthorn (Blackthorn is a Sith Knight as well)
• Carrack Triumph, commanded by Gunther von Esling (Gunther is a Sith Knight)
• Lancer Frigate Arrow, commanded by Delvan Vellar
• CR 90 Fireaxe, commanded by Bansin Blackthorn

CR 90 Ragnarok, commanded by Hador

14 Fighter Squadrons- TIE/LN Squad Beast, Byron Tysidious TIE/LN Squad Blood, Jake Simons TIE/LN Squad Corrado, Atmas Huntev TIE/LN Squad Talon Guard, Uziel TIE/LN Squad Warhammer, Daron Gally TIE/INT Squad Rancor, Sarabi TIE/INT Squad Sensei Defensor, Zakery Deever GUNBOAT Squad Black, Glackton Garr GUNBOAT Squad Demon, Alec Suba GUNBOAT Squad Fear, Zerk GUNBOAT Squad Juno, Dimitri GUNBOAT Squad Mace, Shinigami GUNBOAT Squad Scepter, Adam Diggins GUNBOAT Squad Sword, Dracono Tarilles

Additional units - DST, Keyan Dargan DST Squad Mutilator Sentinel Squad Escubitor Sentinel Squad Reprisal Sentinel Squad Sin Spacetrooper Batallion Agonizer, commander Agonizer 1-12 = Maul DeMartel, commander Agonizer = Victoria Windsor, commander Agonizer Jacen Boshuu, commander Agonizer = Durand Spacetrooper Company Dark, Joshua Chamberlain Spacetrooper Company Ghost, Tyr DeMeer Spacetrooper Company Ghoul, Plo Qaan Spacetrooper Company Lightning, Grosh Vaso Spacetrooper Company Zombie, Raider Aspect Gamma Assault Squad Buccaneer, commanded by Durand

Fleetgroup II

1 SSD Sovereign commanded by Jennifer Dreighton (changed to Count Uebles once the SSD is in system) 3 VSD - VSD Adjudicator, commanded by Ral Hoffner VSD Darkness, commanded by Crog VSD Forbidden, commanded by Terak Falcor

2 capital Escorts- Carrack Rapier, commanded by Mythrantar Lancer Frigate Starfire, commanded by Tessius Tiernfront TIE/LN Squad Diamondback, Saige Kippenbrock

5 Fighter Squads- TIE/LN Squad Terminatus, Morvinion Myrlochar TIE/B Squad Doomfire, Kurt Vader TIE/INT Squad Bantha, Zakery Deever GUNBOAT Squad Casius, Terrence Thorne GUNBOAT Squad Tiger, Brat Cost Ru

Additional units- Lambda Squad After Dark, Moria Lightbearer YT-2000 "Eclipse Chaser" commanded by Thossk Sivrek

Sith:

• Greyson Uebles, Dark Lord of the Sith ("Darth Cypher")
• Vodo Bonias, Sith Master ("Darth Gwar")
• Adric Simms, Sith Master ("Darth Tenebrius")
• LocuS, Sith Master ("Darth Sedulus")
• Thraken Solo, Sith Master ("Darth Xeres")
• Gunther von Esling, Sith Knight
• Draco Creed, Sith Apprentice
• Thossk Sivrek, Dark Jedi

Army Legion:

• Durand, Brgd. Gen., Imperial Army
• Joshua Chamberlain, Major, Imperial Army
• Tyr DeMeer, Lt. Col., Imperial Army
• Plo Qaan, Captain, Imperial Army
• Raider Aspect, 1st Lt. Imperial Army
• Grosh Vaso, SFC, Imperial Army
• Maul DeMartel, Imperial Army
• Victoria Windsor, Cpl., Imperial Army
• Jacen Boshuu, Sgt., Imperial Army

Falleen Leadership
Eldrik Kuraine King	Tholin Dur'aak Prince	Jace Meridan Prince	Bisz Aldaris Lord Admiral	Zechs Darius 100px Lord Commander	Airoria Celestian Director of Intelligence	Reserved 100px Reserved

Imperial Leadership
Greyson Uebles Emperor	Black Lodge Grand Admiral	Vodo Bonias 100px Dark Jedi Master	Durand Somerville Brigadier General Commander of the Imperial Army forces	Reserved 100px Adric Simms	Reserved 100px Reserved	Daelin Zerk Commodore

See also

Individuals

• Eldrik Kuraine
• Vodo Bonias
• Tholin Du'raak
• Black Lodge
• Jace Meridan

Events

• The Shadowstone Affair
• Battle of Berchest
• Galactic Hostage Crisis
• Black Sun Crisis
• Coming soon

Organizations

• Galactic Empire
• Falleen Federation
• Rebel Alliance
• Blue Sabre Transportation
• Loronar Security

Chronology

• Year 4 Day 304: Squall Chitose replaces Trevelan as leader of the Falleen Federation Army.
• Year 4 Day 334: Uebles unveils a treaty between the Galactic Empire and Hapes Consortium.
• Year 4 Day 338: Grand Admiral Black Lodge declares that Operation Morning Thunder has begun.
• Year 4 Day 362: King Eldrik Kuraine of the Falleen Federation is murdered by Sith assassins.
• Year 4 Day 363: The death of King Kuraine is announced on the Galactic News Service (GNS). Chaos ensues.
• Year 5 Day 8: Following mop-up operations, Emperor Uebles declares an end to the Battle of Beta and claims victory.
• Year 5 Day 12: Uebles publicly reveals the Imperial genocide of 1.2 billion Falleen in the Beta system.
• Year 5 Day 21: Lord Admiral Bisz Aldaris, Commanding Officer of the Federated Naval Forces, vows to avenge Kuraine's murder.