Second Battle of Betseeda Prime

Kostan Stodl shoots down an Imperial TIE fighter above the polar regions of Betseeda Prime

### Casualties:

Two BRF fighter pilotsSeveral TIE fighters

> "*They are going for those mines. Udas, take your flight and move to vector .37. Kostan, lead your pilots through the center. My wing will cover the southern approach at mark 419 to try and cut them off before they can begin their attack. We can't let them destroy this facility*"
> ― Idolon Jdre issuing orders at the onset of the Second Battle of Betseeda Prime
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## **Overview**

The **Second Battle of Betseeda Prime** was a minor engagement in the Galactic Civil War fought between Lieutenant Tolamael Benere and his Arrow Squadron pilots against Imperial Navy Captain Yiromatu Takei. Fought in 2 ABY, shortly after the Siege of Tazion, the battle was relatively insignificant except for a few factors. It was the first battle in which Captain Takei had full command of both the Venom and the Salient, with Admiral Jhutan Ensah having been relieved of duty. It was also the first battle in which BRF pilots, trained by Arrow Squadron members Idolon Jdre and Kostan Stodl participated in active combat. Finally, it was the only battle of the Betseeda Campaign in which Idolon Jdre led the Alliance forces as Tolamael Benere and half of Arrow Squadron were still in Tazion overseeing repairs.

## **Background**

After consolidating his power following the removal of Admiral Ensah, Captain Takei began plotting a minor attack against the primary planet in the Betseeda System, Betseeda Prime. Realizing that the major cities had turned to the Alliance and would be heavily defended, Takei instead decided to attack the mineral rich polar regions in the northern most extremes of Betseeda Prime.

The government in Tazion, having been weakened to the point of nearly fracturing during the Siege of Tazion had made it a priority to get the polar mines operational. The minerals mined beneath these polar regions were extremely valuable and this economic boom would do wonders to get the government and people back on their feet. Takei knew of this and made them a target.

Dispatching two TIE fighter squadrons, roughly 20 fighters, to attack the facility, he anticipated a muted reaction from the Alliance.

## **Lucky Break**

As chance would have it, Arrow Squadron was in their final stages of training a small group of Betseedan Resistance Forces members as fighter pilots. This effort, organized by Kostan Stodl and heavily supported by Ide Jdre was aimed at making Betseeda Prime self-sufficient and able to defend itself. Although they possessed only a dozen or so fighters of their own, a hodgepodge of various single seat fighters and planetary craft, the pilots had been training with the Arrows since before the Siege of Tazion.

Now that the Siege had been broken and supplies were once again available, Jdre and Stodl had decided to take their trainees out on an extended planetary exercise. As such, the majority of Arrow Squadron was not present at this battle as Jdre commanded a small wing including Vid Paratool, on his first mission back after returning to the unit, Craal Noarnn and Kubala Ruwassa. Fellow veteran pilot Udas also commanded another wing which included Cedric Rex and S'Hral Glaso. Finally, Kostan Stodl commanded a dozen of the BRF trainee pilots.

As the pilots practiced formations, maneuvers, and mock combat, long range sensors picked up the incoming TIE fighters. Given the presence of the trainees, Ide was initially in favor of a retreat. He was not willing to risk the lives of the BRF forces, but Kostan and Udas reminded him of the value of the mines. Kostan eventually spoke up and told Ide that the trainees were ready and now as a good as any to engage. Ide contemplated his words, but saw the truth in the matter and ordered his fighters into attack position. Ide relayed back to Lieutenant Benere that they were engaging TIEs in order to defend the mines. As they approached the incoming TIE, which had now also detected the Rebel fighters, Kostan opened a closed channel to his trainees.

"*Remember your training and why you are here. You're defending your homes and your families. They are fighting for nothing but hatred.*" - Kostan Stodl

## **The Battle**

Only moments after issuing his orders, fighting broke out between the two fighter groups. A detachment of TIEs broke off to engage the incoming Arrow and BRF fighters. Ide ordered Udas's wing and Kostan's trainees to handle these TIEs. Meanwhile, his attack wing would circle around and attack the TIE fighters that were approaching the mining facility.

Kostan, leading his fighters from the front, plunged headfirst into combat and shot down two TIE fighters in quick succession. Udas, and Glaso also scored quick kills. The TIE fighters, however, put up a strong fight as they attempted to cover the attack on the mine. In the opening moments of the scrap, two of the BRF trainees were shot down and killed. Despite these losses, the remaining BRF pilots fought bravely and, collectively, they shot down another four fighters.

Having lost eight of their ten fighters, the remaining TIEs broke off their attack and sped away.

Meanwhile, Ide's attack wing was having similar success. Noarnn, Ide, Paratool, and Ruwassa all scored kills. The remaining Imperial fighters offered little resistance and retreated away from the facility.

The engagement was brief, but ferocious. Ide and Kostan formed up Arrow Squad and the remaining trainees and headed back to Tazion. Shouts of congratulations and praise filled the comm chatter for much of the return trip.

## **Legacy**

The brief battle had worked to save the valuable polar mines. Following this scare, the BRF built a comprehensive defense network around the facility and Kostan recommended to BRF commander Nez Rennoc that a small detachment of fighters, two or three at most, be assigned to guard the facility should the Empire get any ideas.

The most important outcome of the battle, however, as the moral boost it provided to the entire planet of Betseeda Prime. Still reeling from the costly Siege of Tazion, this minor victory, won with the help of BRF pilots, was enough to convince the government in Tazion to speak for the people and officially endorse the Rebel Alliance.

When giving his after action report to Lieutenant Benere, Kostan Stodl stated that watching his trainees fight against the oppressors and defend their homes was perhaps the proudest moment of his long career.

## **Members of Arrow Squadron at the Second Battle of Betseeda Prime**

* Arrow Two: Idolon Jdre (in command)
* Arrow Three: Vid Paratool
* Arrow Six: Udas
* Arrow Seven: Craal Noarnn
* Arrow Nine: Cedric Rex
* Arrow Ten: Kubala Ruwassa
* Arrow Thirteen:Kostan Stodl
* Arrow Fourteen: S'Hral Glaso