Battle near the Blair Cluster The battle near the Blair Cluster was a battle of Task Force Vengeance during its operation in the Airam sector . Imperial forces used the interdictor " Compellor " to pull Airam freighters out of hyperspace along a known hyperlane , then proceeded to disable the craft and take their crew and passengers into custody . The Background . In pursuit of Rebel forces into the then - neutral Airam sector , Imperial Star Destroyer " Rage " and its auxiliary cruiser , the Interdictor " Compellor " , set up an ambush near an oft - traveled hyperspace transit point at the edge of the Blair Cluster . The plan was to have " Compellor " use its gravity well projectors to draw out of hyperspace and trap all ships attempting to pass through the area . The attached Avenger Squadron in its shielded TIE interceptors would then force their surrender following which " Delta " - class DX - 9 stormtrooper transports belonging to Sigma Squadron would deliver boarding parties to inspect them . Wanted criminals would be arrested and illegal cargoes seized . Wherever warranted , the Imperials meant to obtain prisoners for interrogation . Capital ship defense was to be supplied by Beta and Gamma Squadrons in their TIE / sa bombers and TIE / LN starfighter s . The Battle . Minutes into the operation , the Airam shuttle " Ellichon " was dragged into realspace . At first it sought to evade surrender by running for the asteroid field in hopes of hiding , but Avenger Squadron ' s warning shots halted it . Likewise , the " Squit " , a YT - 1300 freighter , and the " Beta " - class ETR - 3 escort transport " Redeye " tried flight before cooperation . The operation became more complicated , however , when the Rebel Alliance Gallofree medium transport " Gilder " arrived with its X - wing escort . After a brief skirmish , during which the Rebel starfighters were shot down by the Imperial TIEs and turbolasers , it too surrendered . Quick on the heels of the Imperials ' first minor triumph came the Airam " Dreadnaught " - class cruiser " Anat " and its two CR90 corvette escorts , " Grom 1 " and " Grom 2 " . Defiant even in the face of overwhelming firepower and determined to defend their territory against the intruders , " Anat " ' s commanders ordered the launch of their T - wing and R - 41 squadrons , Spike and Mallet . Spike Squadron was to engage the Empire ' s fighters while Mallet torpedoed " Compellor " in an attempt to drive it away . The Imperial response was fast , with " Rage " ordering Beta Squadron to first destroy the corvettes and then the " Dreadnaught " . Avenger and Gamma Squadrons covered them , wiping out the Airam starfighters . The Airam capital ships were felled by Beta ' s torpedoes and concentrated fire from " Rage " . With all opposition vanquished , Sigma Squadron was successful in finishing their boarding tasks . The Empire had won the day . Aftermath . The Imperials ' inspections found every one of the stopped vessels to have aboard either wanted criminals , illicit cargoes , or both . This discovery , combined with the brash attack by the Airam " Dreadnaught " , confirmed in their minds that their campaign was long overdue . Retaliation was agreed upon , its form and location depending on the knowledge gleaned from their new prisoners .