First Battle of Betseeda Prime

Y-wings bombers begin their attack on Tazion

> "*Let's introduce ourselves Arrow Squadron.*"
> ― Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
>
>

## **Overview**

The **First Battle of Betseeda Prime** was the first major conflict in the Alliance's war to liberate the Betseeda System. In a coordinated air and ground attack, Arrow Squadron and Betseedan Resistance Forces (BRF) managed to destroy the Imperial garrison in the capital city of Tazion.

### **Background**

After establishing a connecting with resistance fighters working against the Betseedan government, Lieutenant Tolamael Benere and Idolon Jdre realized the importance of liberating the capital city from Imperial control. A plan was developed between the Arrows and Madeline Gren, the leader of the resistance.

## **The Battle**

### **Ambush**

Betseeda Resistance soldiers, led both by Gren and Udas, the latter of which had extensive experience as a partisan on his homeworld fighting the Imperials, launched a series of coordinated ambushes against Imperial Forces during one of Betseeda's largest holidays. They quickly overwhelmed the security forces protecting the Betseedan Parliament and government buildings, entrenching themselves and preparing for a counterattack. Initially caught off guard, the Imperial commander, Admiral Jhutan Ensah, rallied his forces and fought back, believing this to be just a riot. The Betseedans had never offered any major resistance to the Empire and his forces had assumed that the local population was thoroughly suppressed.

### **By Land and By Air**

> "*X-Wings, cover the ground forces and keep those TIEs at bay. Danic, begin your bombing run.*"
> ― Lieutenant Tolamael Benere
>
>

While Gren and Udas led BRF soldiers on the ground, Lieutenant Tolamael Benere led the attack from the air. Using his X-wings to fight off incoming TIE fighters from Betseeda Prime's Imperial airbase, he dispatched his three Y-wings, under the command of Danic Polis to bomb Imperial ground forces. The bombing caused mass destruction amongst the Imperial ranks and worked to soften up Betseeda Prime's defenses. As the battle wore on, everyday citizens of Betseeda rose up and took the fight to the Imperials.

During the Imperial counterattack on the government buildings, Gren was killed by Imperial fire. Udas led the BRF for the remainder of the engagement, himself being twice wounded. When the Y-wings successfully detonated the largest Imperial weapons cache within the city, Captain Ensah called off the attack and retreated off world with what forces remained. During their retreat, Benere and his X-wings dogged them the entire way, inflicting even more losses.

## **Aftermath**

While no Arrow Squadron members were killed in the battle, the loss of Madeline Gren, the inspirational leader of the BRF was a heavy blow. In addition, hundreds of BRF soldiers were killed or wounded and both Tazion and Betseeda Prime was heavily damaged. The Imperial losses were even worse, including all of their bases and facilities in the city of Tazion.

Almost immediately, the puppet Imperial government of the planet was disposed and a coalition government formed in its place. While this new government did not openly ally itself with the Rebel Alliance, it quietly offered what assistance it could muster.

The first blow against the Empire had been a stunning victory; Imperial forces had been caught off guard having falsely believed the Betseedan System was of no real importance to the Rebellion. The Imperials, galvanized by their losses, would not be caught so off guard again.

### **Members at the First Battle of Betseeda Prime**

* Arrow Leader: Tolamael Benere
* Arrow Two: Idolon Jdre
* Arrow Three: Vid Paratool
* Arrow Four: Danic Polis
* Arrow Five: Sorshara Bray
* Arrow Six: Udas (commanding ground forces)
* Arrow Seven: Craal "Al" Noarnn
* Arrow Eight: Tozin X'ala
* Arrow Nine: Cedric Rex
* Arrow Ten: Kubala Ruwassa
* Arrow Eleven: Otan Vebb
* Arrow Twelve: Jev Talianos