More Fighting in the Corellia System

Date: 011007
Planet: Corellia System

Story: (Written by the Galactic News Agency, Ramona doesn't write IC).

The battles in the Corellia System do not seem to end. A major engagement between a task force of the Imperial Navy and elements from the Rebel Alliance happened in the system two days ago, the third within a month.

From what is known, the battle centered around a Decimator from the Onyx Squadron and three strike groups from the Claw and Crimson Squadron, first engaging in a hunt for a rebel traitor, then focussing on driving out rebel forces from the system and taking control of the not-so-secure Route ID-5N. Despite being outnumbered, the insurgents held their ground, launching several almost suicidal attacks on the imperial forces and foiling the imperial units deployments repeatedly. The core of the rebel forces was an armed Nova Courier and a converted YT-1300 class freighter, supported by several heavy strike fighters of the Vaksai class.

While the outcome was not decisisive, atrition was visible among rebel forces in the final phases of the fighting, and the Imperial Navy claimed to have completed two of their core objectives during the battle. They did not comment on how many objectives they had in total, citing security reasons.

The effects of such prolonged fighting on the trade lanes are still in dispute. While the Empire maintains that only the presence of experienced Imperial pilots keeps pirates and insurgents at bay and provides safety for legitimate trade, there are reports of pirates attacking a Decimator in Corellia’s orbit only hours before the last battle. While the Decimator managed to shoot down one attacker before breaking contact, it is a sure sign that the system is not as secure as the Empire claims.