Battle of Cadinth The Battle of Cadinth was a battle fought in 6 ABY between the New Republic and the Galactic Empire . A Republic task force , returning from the galactic frontier , had decided to take on supplies at the planet of Cadinth in the Allied Tion sector of the Outer Rim Territories , but as the process of sending shuttles up to the orbiting cruisers was initiated , the Republic landing pads fell under attack from pirates . The raids were successfully repelled , but shortly thereafter the Galactic Empire decided to attack with a substantial force , largely made up of attack droids and walkers . The Empire moved against Republic Observation Post W - 16 , and were able to inflict significant damage there before the Republic could even begin to retaliate . History . In 6 ABY , a New Republic task force , returning from the galactic frontier , and heading through Makem Te down the Perlemian Trade Route and into the Tion Cluster , stopped at the starport world of Cadinth in the Allied Tion sector of the Outer Rim Territories in order to replenish its supplies . The supplies were shuttled to the orbiting Republic cruisers from a landing pad . Pirate raids had been launched against the landing pad from the western flank , but were fended off by Observation Post W - 16 . There , the Republic had arrayed a turret , Defender starfighter s , as well as Scout and Retrieval Vehicle s , in order to repel any further pirate raids . The Galactic Empire decided to mount an attack on the landing pad , attacking the western flank , much like the pirates had done . Their force included All Terrain Armored Transports , AP - 1 - C attack droid s , AP - 2 attack droid s , AP - 3 attack droid s , and Sniper airspeeder s . As the Imperials approached Observation Post W - 16 , their Sniper airspeeders were spotted by New Republic Lieutenant Brin Stiels . Stiels contacted the Republic Core Base , requesting verification , as he did not know what the airspeeders were , or what their intent or allegiance was . His communication was cut off when the Imperials opened fire on his turret , effortlessly penetrating its armor . Stiels quickly realized that the attacking force was not pirates . The Imperial droids came into range , and began opening fire on the Republic vehicles . In response , the Republic pilots scrambled , racing toward their parked Defender starfighters . As they neared their ships , Sniper airspeeders closed in , firing concussion missiles at the parked fighters . The pilots , however , were able to make it into their ships just in time , and evaded the incoming warheads . They moved to engage the airspeeders , but the Imperial craft proved to be too agile . As the Imperial droids continued their relentless assault , Stiels attempted to contact the Republic Core Base once more . He collapsed after making contact , overwhelmed by the heavy amount of dense smoke in the area . At that moment , the All Terrain Armored Transports began targeting the turret he was in . Following the battle , New Republic analysts were able to positively identify the Sniper airspeeders , as the soldiers involved in the battle had not known what the vehicles were . Behind the scenes . The Battle of Cadinth first appeared in the short story of the same name , published in " Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 2 " as a role - playing scenario . It was written by Bill Smith and illustrated by Chris Moeller . The story featured many of the droid models and vehicle prototypes that were developed for Kenner ' s " The Epic Continues " , a planned 1986 extension of the " Star Wars " toy lines and story . The short story brought these previously non - canon elements into continuity . The story was left open - ended , with no resolution as to which side won the battle . The battle was later mentioned in Cadinth ' s entry in " The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia " , published in 2008 , and " The Essential Atlas " , published in 2009 .