View source for Battle on the Frontier

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{{Campaign
|previous=[[Sepan campaign|Sepan Civil War]]<ref name="TIE">''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]''</ref>
|conc=[[Galactic Civil War/Legends|Galactic Civil War]]<ref name="TIE" />
|next=[[Battle of Mylok IV|Conflict at Mylok IV]]<ref name="TIE" />
|name=Battle on the Frontier
|image=[[File:ISD_NL1.jpg]]
|begin=[[3 ABY/Legends|3 ABY]]
|end=3 ABY
|date=
|place=*[[Pakuuni sector]]
**[[Newland system]]
**[[Pakuuni system]]
|result=[[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] establishes a base of operations in the Outer Rim.
|battles=*[[First Battle of the Pakuuni system]]
*[[Destruction of the Pakuuni Pirates]]
*[[Second Battle of the Pakuuni system]]
*[[First Battle of Platform NL-1]]
*[[Second Battle of Platform NL-1]]
*[[Third Battle of the Pakuuni system]]
|side1=Galactic Empire
|side2=*[[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Rebel Alliance]]
*[[Pakuuni Pirates]]
|commanders1=*[[Vice Admiral/Legends|Vice Admiral]] [[Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Legends|Thrawn]]
*[[Commander/Legends|Commander]] [[Buckeye]]
|commanders2=unknown}}
{{Quote|Excellent. I want this installation fully operational within the hour.|[[Vice Admiral/Legends|Vice Admiral]] [[Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Legends|Thrawn]]|<ref name="TIE" />}}
The '''Battle on the Frontier''' described a campaign undertaken by [[Grand Admiral/Legends|Grand Admiral]] [[Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Legends|Thrawn]], that took place after the [[Battle of Hoth/Legends|Battle of Hoth]], and more specifically following [[Admiral/Legends|Admiral]] [[Harkov]]'s success in ending the [[Sepan Civil War]]. During this campaign, Thrawn succeeded in establishing a new [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Imperial]] installation in the [[Pakuuni system]], a system in the [[Outer Rim Territories/Legends|Outer Rim]] which had [[Hyperlane|trade routes]] which were considered extremely important for the Empire. A high amount of [[Pirate/Legends|pirate]] activity prior to this campaign resulted in intergalactic trade there being extremely dangerous. Despite heavy resistance from local [[Pakuuni Pirates|Pirates]] aided by the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Rebellion]] Thrawn managed to install the installation and bring Imperial order to the system.

==The campaign==
===Loading base equipment===
Thrawn, [[Vice Admiral/Legends|Vice Admiral]] at the time, began his pacification of the [[Pakuuni system]] by assessing the remnants of an abandoned manufacturing plant near the planet [[Argoon]]. Imperial forces suspected the abandoned cargo area was the result of transmissions from Rebel forces voicing their intent to destroy the loading area. Thrawn oversaw this operation from his flagship [[Victory-class Star Destroyer/Legends|''Victory''-class Star Destroyer]] [[Stalwart (Victory I-class)|''Stalwart'']], initially launching a single [[TIE/sa bomber/Legends|TIE Bomber]] to inspect the five groups of abandoned [[Cargo container/Legends|Cargo containers]]. TIE Bomber [[Alpha|''Alpha 1'']] discovered various useful station parts among the containers, resulting in the launch of [[Heavy Lifter]] group ''[[Mule]]''. As the Heavy Lifters began to arrive to collect useful containers, Rebel [[BTL Y-wing starfighter/Legends|Y-wings]] entered the area, heading for the ''Stalwart''. [[TIE/LN starfighter|TIE Fighter]] [[Flight group/Legends|flight group]] ''[[Gamma]]'' was launched in response to the impending bombing runs, aided by TIE Bomber ''Alpha 1'' having completed its inspections. Soon additional Rebel [[Starship/Legends|starships]] joined the battle, [[CR90 corvette/Legends|CR90 corvettes]] [[Dragon (CR90 corvette)|''Dragon'']] and ''[[Beecon]]'', later followed by [[Viper (CR90 corvette)|''Viper'']]. The ''Stalwart'' launched additional TIE Bombers and [[TIE/In starfighter|Interceptors]] to counter the increasing rebel threat. The new arrivals succeeded in quelling the enemy corvettes, only to be answered by rebel [[A/SF-01 B-wing starfighter/Legends|B-wings]] and [[T-65 X-wing starfighter/Legends|X-wings]] emerging from [[Hyperspace/Legends|hyperspace]]. As Imperial starfighters finished off the last of the Rebel raiders, all five Heavy Lifters from Mule had completed their mission and returned to the ''Stalwart's'' hangar. A single [[RZ-1 A-wing interceptor/Legends|A-wing]] arrived as a last ditch effort to inflict Imperial casualties, however Thrawn's mission was already complete.

[[File:Stalwart_TB.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[TIE/sa bomber/Legends|TIE Bomber]] [[Alpha|''Alpha 1'']] returning to [[Victory-class Star Destroyer/Legends|''Victory''-class Star Destroyer]] [[Stalwart (Victory I-class)|''Stalwart'']].]]

===Destroy the Pirate outpost===
Having collected left over station parts from the abandoned depot, Admiral Thrawn assigned [[Commander/Legends|Commander]] [[Buckeye]] and [[Nebulon-B2 frigate]] ''[[Ludwick]]'' the task of destroying a local Pirate installation. The Pakuuni Pirates had massed a sizable armada of supplies, Corvettes, Y-wings, and [[Z-95 Headhunter/Legends|Z-95 Headhunters]]. [[Imperial Intelligence/Legends|Imperial Intelligence]] suspected that local pirate groups had been receiving aid from Rebel starships; members of the [[Prophet of the Dark Side|Secret Order]] also suggested that searching the containers may reveal contraband, consequentially requiring capture. Frigate ''Ludwick'' began the assault by launching three groups of TIE Bombers. The Bombers began attacking Corvettes ''[[Leach]]'', ''[[Clavier]]'', and ''[[Grapler]]'' as pirate Z-95s and Y-wings moved to intercept. TIE Fighter group ''[[Theta]]'' was launched in response to TIE Bomber loses, more apt to dogfight with the enemies' shielded fighters. [[Maarek Stele/Legends|Maarek Stele]], flight leader of TIE Bomber group ''Alpha'', swung by the pirate containers during the battle. Stele discovered Rebels hiding among the containers; [[Gamma-class ATR-6 assault transport|Assault Transport]] [[Tiger (Gamma-class ATR-6 assault transport)|''Tiger'']] launched from the ''Ludwick'' to capture the Rebel fugitives. As predicted Rebel starfighters arrived just as the last of the containers exploded, having completed their primary mission Imperial Bombers returned to the hangar, leaving Rebel fighters to deal with interceptor craft and the ''Ludwick's'' turbolasers.
===Hold position===
Grand Admiral Thrawn's task force had succeeded in eliminating the pirate outpost, establishing a foothold on the Pakuuni system. Following the initial attack, Frigate ''Ludwick'' patrolled the system until Imperial convoys carrying parts and construction crews could arrive to build a new space installation. Imperial intelligence reported high probability of enemy counter attack. The ''Ludwick'' deployed two flight groups of TIE Fighters and a group of Interceptors to patrol the system until the convoys arrived. Less than fifteen minutes before to the convoy arrived, Alliance [[EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate/Legends|Nebulon-B frigate]] ''[[Huntress]]'' emerged from hyperspace, launching B-wings and Z-95 Headhunters, rapidly joined by Y-wings from ''Gold'' group to bomb run the Frigate ''Ludwick''. Imperial fighters bested the initial fighters fronted by the Rebel Alliance, swiftly replaced by fresh X-wings. Imperial Fighters fought vigilantly against the Rebel attack, however their Rebel [[Proton rocket/Legends|rocket]] and [[Proton torpedo/Legends|torpedo]] attacks succeeded in heavily damaging the ''Ludwick's'' hull. As the ''Ludwick's'' condition deteriorated, [[CR92a Assassin-class corvette|Assassin-class corvette]] group ''[[Horvus]]'' arrived, along with Victory-class star Destroyer ''Stalwart'' and the rest of the convoy. With the might of the ''Stalwart'' and its combined task force, Frigate ''Huntress'' fled to the safety of hyperspace.

===Guard Space Station ''NL-1''===
Having secured the system for the arriving convoy, construction finally began. [[XQ3 Platform|Platform]] ''[[NL-1]]'' neared completion just before another rebel assault. Imperial intelligence suggested that patrols be on the lookout for more hit and fade attacks from the [[Hyperdrive/Legends|hyperdrive]] capable rebel fighters, along with corvette class starships. Unyielding to Imperial presence, Rebel forces staged their first assault on the platform itself with A-wings, Y-wings and two Assassin-class corvettes from group ''[[Moori]]''. With shields functioning at only fifty percent, Platform ''NL-1'' stood severely exposed to the impending rebel assault. Imperial [[Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing/Legends|Gunboats]], TIE Bombers and Interceptors from Frigate ''Ludwick'' rapidly found themselves engulfed in combat against Y-wings, A-wing and the newly arrived X-wing starfighters. A Portion of Assault Gunboat group ''[[Tau]]'' destroyed Corvettes ''Moori'', resulting in the arrival of [[Lambda-class T-4a shuttle/Legends|Shuttle]] ''[[Shakker]]''. Prior to the attack, Secret Order agents had requested that trusted pilots arrange for the capture of such escape craft, in the hopes of extracting vital information concerning Rebel plans in the system. Maarek Stele himself saw to the identification of the ''Shakker'', and its subsequent disabling. Transport ''[[Soryi]]'' launched from ''NL-1'' to capture the Officers found aboard. As Imperial fighters whittled down the remaining rebel forces [[Delta-class DX-9 stormtrooper transport|Transports]] from group [[Del (Delta-class DX-9 stormtrooper transport)|''Del'']] arrived to attempt another futile torpedo run on the platform. With the capture of Shuttle ''Shakker'', and Victory Star Destroyer ''Stalwart's'' arrival from hyperspace, it was not long before the destruction of the remaining rebel forces.
===Thrawn inspects ''NL-1''===
Essentially completed, Admiral Thrawn was anxious to inspect the work of his subordinates on ''NL-1''. Much of Frigate ''Ludwick's'' TIE Fighter and Interceptor stores could not be fielded as a fighter screen during Thrawn's inspection, due to repair and refurbishing necessities; thus the ''Ludwick'' would suffice with heavily armed TIE Bombers to oversee the Vice Admiral's visit. Thrawn and his staff ferried from his command ship, to ''NL-1'' aboard Transports ''[[Sigma]]''. No sooner had Thrawn began his journey to ''NL-1'' than another attack composed of Rebel A-wings and X-wings arrived. Imperial pilots moved to intercept as Thrawn's inspection team boarded the platform. Imperial fighters managed to finish off this low level assault just as Admiral Thrawn completed his inspection, returning to the ''Stalwart'' aboard Transport ''[[Omega]]''. Moments after Imperial TIE Bombers moved to escort Thrawn back to the ''Stalwart'', several groups of pirate shuttles arrived to add the disruption. Thrawn safely arrived aboard his vessel as Imperial fighters suppressed the last of the pirate nuisance.

===Wait for relief forces===
[[File:NL-1_complete.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[XQ3 Platform]] ''[[NL-1]]'' over planet [[Pakuuni/Legends|Pakuuni]].]]

Victory Star Destroyer ''Stalwart'' stayed on station for the last critical steps of the station construction effort. [[IPV-1 System Patrol Craft|System Patrol Craft]] [[Ranger (IPV-1 Patrol Craft)|''Ranger'']] arrived not longer after the previous enemy engagement. The ''Stalwart'' then departed the system to aid the arrival of relief for the battle weary pilots of Frigate ''Ludwick''. In the absence of a [[Star Destroyer/Legends|Star Destroyer]], patrol frequency increased and pilots aboard the ''Ludwick'' anticipated additional enemy activity. In the hopes of gathering additional information, members of the Secret Order tasked pilots to be alert for any craft carrying high priority targets. Local Rebel forces spared no expense in yet another attempt to eliminate Imperial control of the Pakuuni sector. Assault Transports [[Thunder (Gamma-class ATR-6 assault transport)|''Thunder'']] soon arrived, accompanied by B-wings, the rebels more advanced assault craft. Escorting Gunboats, TIE Bombers, and Interceptors moved to intercept, followed by the arrival of a suspicious shuttle. An Imperial Gunboat inspected and disabled this shuttle ''[[Electra]]''; revealed to be carrying Rebel Advisors. During this event, more Rebel forces arrived aboard Transports [[Rover (transport group)|''Rover'']], along with A-wing and X-wing fighters. Transport [[Shark (transport)|''Shark'']], dispatched to capture Shuttle ''Electra'', succeeded in its mission even amidst the heavy fighting. The rebel onslaught heavily taxed Imperial pilot abilities, and inflicted heavy damage to station ''NL-1'' and patrol craft ''Ranger''. Despite this, Imperial starfighters wrestled the upper hand from the imposing rebels, just as Victory Star Destroyer ''Stalwart'' arrived with Frigate ''[[Gaarni]]'', CR90 Corvette ''[[Stallion]]'', and supplies aboard [[BFF-1 bulk freighter/Legends|Bulk Freighters]] ''[[Sivaa]]'', to relieve Frigate ''Ludwick''.

==Aftermath==
Following the final assault on Platform ''NL-1'', Admiral Thrawn's forces saw to the final repairs resulting from the previous conflict. Thrawn anxiously observed the repair operations from his flagship, keeping his subordinates on a hasty schedule. With the establishment of ''NL-1'', Vice-Admiral Thrawn moved onto other assignments, while Maarek Stele received yet another transfer to yet another vessel and task force.

==Behind the scenes==
The ''Battle on the Frontier'' is Battle 3 of ''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]''.

During this campaign, Maarek Stele received the promotion to [[Commander/Legends|Commander]].

"THX 1138" was the name of a group of [[Class-B Cargo Container|type B cargo containers]] in this campaign. One of many places [[LucasArts]] used this [[call sign]] for various ''[[Star Wars]]'' objects and characters.

For an unknown reason Platform ''NL-1'' changes from type ''[[XQ3 Platform|C]]'' to type ''[[XQ1 Platform|A]]'' in the final mission of the campaign.

==Appearances==
*''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]''

==Sources==
*''[[TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide]]''
*''[[TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM: The Official Strategy Guide]]''

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

{{GCW 3 ABY 2}}

{{Interlang
|es=Batalla de la Frontera
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frontier, Battle on the}}
[[Category:Battles in the Pakuuni sector]]
[[Category:Galactic Civil War campaigns]]