Venom

The Venom was an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer that was stationed in the Betseeda System from 4 BBY until its destruction at the Battle of Jonquil Station in 2 ABY.

## **Background and History**

Constructed in the Kuat Drive Yards in the year 11 BBY, the Venom was an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer. After going through its space trials and testings, it was assigned to the recent promoted Admiral Jhutan Ensah in 10 BBY.

Originally assigned to guard the Imperial complex housing the Advanced Weapons Research facilities, the Venom held this position until the year 4 BBY when Imperial command transferred the massive vessel to the Betseeda System as part of a newly formed battle group. Joining the Venom would be another Imperial II-class Star Destroyer, the Salient.

The Venom had not yet been in active combat and many of its personnel were pleased to be moving off their guard duty station. However, the ship's commander, Admiral Ensah had built his career on false and doctored records. Unprepared for the challenge of administering Imperial law to an entire system, cracks began to form in the Venom's command structure.

## **The Betseeda System**

As the Salient rendezvoused with the Venom in the Betseeda System, it's young Captain, Yiromatu Takei, became keenly aware of Ensah's deficiencies. However, being a loyally trained Imperial officer, he followed the Admiral's orders for many years. While the Salient was assigned to many of the more difficult tasks in the system, the Venom and its commanding officer remained in orbit over Betseeda Prime, the capital world of the system.

Resentment grew between the commands of the two ships, but the average enlisted man knew little of these conflicts. For years, a bubbling resentment was kept in check by Captain Takei's sense of duty and the lack of any significant threat.

## **Arrow Squadron and The Rebellion**

In 1 ABY just after the Battle of Yavin, the Alliance dispatched a small squadron of fighters to act as an independent fighting force in the Betseeda System. Known as Arrow Squadron, these pilots began to coordinate with partisan forces under the command of Madeline Gren. Takei had spoken out numerous times advocating for her arrest and exile, but Admiral Ensah had done little to quiet the troublemaker.

Gren had formed a resistance movement known as the Betseedan Resistance Forces and now, with Arrow Squadron air support, the Imperials were openly attacked for the very first time. Caught off guard by the First Battle of Betseeda Prime, Imperial forces suffered a humiliating defeat and were forced to retreat to the watery world of Jonquil.

Over the next year, the Alliance and Imperial forces engaged in several pitched battles with the Venom and Salient often coming out on the losing side. During what many believed would be the killing blow against the Arrows and the BRF, the Salient and Venom laid waste to the city of Tazion, the capital of Betseeda Prime and the heart of resistance. To break the Siege of Tazion, BRF and Arrow forces infiltrated the Salient and caused massive damage. Forced to retreat once again, this stunning defeat marked the end of Admiral Ensah's command of the Venom as he was recalled from active duty and stripped of his rank.

Captain Takei took command of both vessels and assumed full authority over the ongoing occupation.

## **The Battle of Jonquil Station**

In 2 ABY, the Arrows struck a decisive blow against the Imperial occupiers. The Venom and the Salient had been using the long abandoned Jonquil Station as a hub for repairs. They had fortified the station and did not expect a direct attack.

In a bloody and costly battle, several Arrows were killed while attacking both the Venom and the Salient. Led by Arrow Leader, Lieutenant Tolamael Benere, the Venom's shield generators were knocked off line. Continuing to fight, but virtually helpless, the Venom was subjected to intensive strafing and bombing runs. As the ship continued to take serious damage, systems began to avalanche into failure.

Eventually, helm control and engine power were disabled and the Venom, still firing what guns were left, was roiled by massive internal explosions. Crippled and dying, the massive Star Destroyer launched what few escape pods remained and slowly entered into the atmosphere of Jonquil.

The ship, and anyone still alive, smashed into the ocean's surface and slipped beneath the waves, never to be seen again.

Thus marked the end of the mighty Star Destroyer Venom.