Battle of Faan Shaarada

Arrow Squadron duels with TIE Fighters above the moon Faan Shaarada

> "*They're prepping for war games. We're prepping for the real thing.*"
> ― Idolon Jdre
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## **Overview**

The **Battle of Faan Shaarada** was the second battle in the Rebel Alliance's campaign to liberate the Betseeda System. The battle was fought above the moon of Faan Shaarada.

### **Background**

Following their victory at the First Battle of Betseeda Prime, Arrow Squadron realized they need to press their advantage. Reliable intelligence gathered from sources on the planet of Zallos II indicated that the Imperial Navy would be conducting a training exercise above the moon of Faan Sharaada on the far end of the Betseeda System. The exercise called for the Star Destroyer Salient to simulation an attack on the Star Destroyer Venom. The Venom was to be commanded by Admiral Jhutan Ensah and the Salient by Captain Yiromatu Takei. Believing they could jump into the Imperial exercise, cause significant confusion and damage to one of the Star Destroyers, and jump back to hyper speed all in the matter of moments, Tolamael Benere approved the plan and preparations got underway.

## **Preparations**

Realizing that timing would be critical, Benere and his pilots discussed the best tactic for their ambush. They would need to make the Imperial Navy believe their sudden arrival was somehow part of the training exercise. Deciding to attack the Star Destroyer Salient and the Star Destroyer Venom, the plans were put into motion.

Idolon Jdre and Craal Noarnn were able to successfully hack into Imperial communications grid and accessed the planned comm channel for the exercise. It was decided that both Lieutenant Benere and Jdre would pose as an Imperial officers from the Salient and the Venom, respectfully, using the hacked communication channel to further the ruse.

### **Tactical Trickery**

Flying from Betseeda Prime, Arrow Squadron imposed strict radio silence as to not give away their position to the Imperial Fleet. Hiding behind the nearby moon of Faan Narod, they waited for the Imperial exercise to begin. At a prearranged time, Jdre, Sorshara Bray, Vid Paratool, Cedric Rex, Jev Talianos, and Kubala Ruwassa headed to the Salient. At the same time, Benere, Udas, Tozin X'ala, Noarnn, Danic Polis and Otan Vebb moved against the Venom.

Jdre, posing as an Imperial officer and speaking on official channels, explained that they were a previously undisclosed addition to the war game, that Captain Takei wanted the Salient to get practice against actual Alliance ships. The flight leader believed the story.

Benere employed a similar tactic and, once again, his story was met with no questions.

## **The Battle Begins**

> "*This is Flight Leader TFP22901. Our shield modulation schematics are incorrect! Report. Our shield modulation schematics are incorrect!*"
> ― Danic Polis posing as an Imperial TIE fighter pilot
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As the TIE fighters began their mock attack run against the Star Destroyer Salient, Jdre's fighters moved toward the command tower. As part of the preparations for the attack, the Imperial forces had modulated their shields so that all incoming fire on the same modulation frequency would be deflected and cause no damage. Naturally, the Arrows didn't go along with these plans.

They opened up the attack by damaging the command towers, firing right through the modulated shields. Lieutenant Benere and Jdre's attacks began at almost the same moment. The Imperial commanders on both Star Destroyers were surprised by the attack, figuring it to be some sort of mistake in the modulation frequency. At the given signal, Polis, Rex, and X'ala all jumped on the Imperial communications frequency and began reporting - erroneously - that their TIE fighters were experiencing issues with the shield modulation and that their fire was also damaging the Star Destroyers.

### **Taken by Surprise**

Panic ensued on the bridges of both Star Destroyers as the Arrows continued to hammer their defenses. The surrounding TIE fighters, confused by the situation, initially held off their attack. For nearly five minutes, the Arrows pounded away at both the Salient and the Venom until the two Star Destroyers figured out what was happening. At this point, the TIE fighters began to engage the attacking Alliance ships.

That was the signal to retreat and both Benere's and Jdre's flight groups broke off their attack, retreating to predetermined locations.

## **Aftermath**

The attack against the Star Destroyers had been pulled off without incident and caused massive damage to both ships. While the Imperial Navy was not destroyed, it severely rattled Admiral Jhutan Ensah and his leadership as it proved their Alliance foes in the system were a serious threat. Several dozen TIE fighters were destroyed by the Arrows, while they themselves suffered no casualties.

### **Members at the Battle of Faan Shaarada**

* Arrow Leader: Tolamael Benere
* Arrow Two: Idolon Jdre
* Arrow Three: Vid Paratool
* Arrow Four: Danic Polis
* Arrow Five: Sorshara Bray
* Arrow Six: Udas
* 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