Battle for Honor

Following the Conflict at Mylok IV and the ceasefire in the Sepan system, Admiral Harkov began finalizing his arrangements to defect to the Rebel Alliance. During a clandestine meeting with his closest advisors, Harkov was informed about a new pilot who had recently been transferred to the Victory-class Star Destroyer named Protector. Harkov voiced his suspicion that the pilot might be a spy and requested his aide, Vondruln, to address the issue. Vondruln, who was the source of the information, reassured the Admiral, stating, "There will be an accident, sir," and further explained, "He will not survive his next mission."

The Prophets of the Secret Order orchestrated the return of Imperial Ace Maarek Stele to the Protector. Stele's exceptional abilities and knowledge of Admiral Harkov made him an invaluable asset to the Order. The Prophets informed Stele that suspicious Imperial equipment and munitions discovered during the Sepan campaign were strangely connected to supply shortages on Harkov's flagship. Agents of the Order assured Stele that this indicated foul play and that his involvement was essential to successfully capturing Admiral Harkov.

Maarek Stele's initial assignment aboard the Protector involved demonstrating to two inexperienced pilots how a skilled pilot clears a minefield while flying an unshielded vessel. Order agents cautioned Stele about the unnecessary risks associated with this task. They urged him to remain vigilant and not hesitate to request reinforcements, as they had made "special arrangements."

Stele departed the Victory Star Destroyer Protector in TIE Interceptor designated Gamma 1, accompanied by two other Interceptors. Stele proceeded to destroy the minefield surrounding four cargo containers. Admiral Harkov intercepted the comlink communication as Stele destroyed Type A mines. Harkov suggested that Stele should move on, questioning his loyalty. Growing increasingly agitated, Harkov declared that the charade was over. He referred to Stele as "the Emperor's stoolpigeon" and ordered Stele's "rookie" wingmen to destroy his starfighter.

As his wingmen opened fire, Stele called for reinforcements. The Nebulon-B2 frigate named Osprey responded to the distress call, emerging from hyperspace. The Protector began launching TIE Avengers and TIE/sa bombers, which were quickly met by loyalist TIE Interceptors from the Osprey. Imperial fighters engaged in a fierce exchange of laser fire as Stele diverted all power to his engines to evade his pursuers.

The Light Calamari Cruiser named Margaret arrived as Gamma 1 approached the safety of the Osprey's gun range. A Shuttle called Lambda exited the Protector's hangar shortly after the Margaret arrived. The frigate Osprey instructed Stele to inspect the Lambda, curious about its cargo. Stele complied, hoping that the intense battle among Imperial starfighters would provide some measure of safety. The brief inspection by Gamma 1 revealed an Officer aboard the Lambda, heading towards the Cruiser Margaret.

Stele turned his Interceptor back towards the Osprey, which was six kilometers away, navigating through a chaotic battle between Imperial and Rebel starfighters, all while flying an unshielded craft. As he approached the Osprey, Stele briefly contributed to the battle, eliminating some of Harkov's fighters with the assistance of the Osprey's laser batteries, and by diverting his laser generator power to his engines to catch the much faster TIE Avengers. Once safely inside the Osprey's hangar, a Secret Order agent met with Stele, assuring him that they now possessed undeniable evidence of Harkov's treachery.

Aboard the Protector, Admiral Harkov was enraged. He berated his advisors, particularly Vondruln. Harkov spat in anger, frustrated that Stele had escaped, the Empire had discovered his traitorous plot, and he no longer had any leverage to ensure payment from the Rebellion with the Empire now pursuing him. Reaching his breaking point, Harkov drew his blaster and executed Vondruln with a shot to the chest. Harkov concluded by ordering his men to clean up the mess and disappear.

After rescuing Maarek Stele, a member of the Secret Order, Imperial forces began searching for the fleeing Admiral Harkov. Imperial commanders dispatched Assault Gunboat patrols to locate Harkov among Rebel outposts, assuming he was acquiring supplies after his separation from Imperial logistics. Assault Gunboats from flight group Mu located the Protector after examining cargo containers near the XQ1 Platform named DS 5. Following the reconnaissance of Harkov's logistical needs, Gunboats Mu proceeded to destroy the vital supplies. As a more isolated facility, DS 5 deployed outdated Z-95 Headhunters and also assembled a group of B-wing fighters to intercept the approaching Imperial scouts. As instructed, the Assault Gunboats retreated from the system upon the arrival of the Protector, easily motivated by the rapid deployment of TIE Avengers from the Protector's hangar.

After locating Harkov, Gunboats from Mu returned to the system near Rebel outpost DS 5. Imperial Intelligence reported the movement of several cargo vessels heading towards Harkov's location. Assault Gunboats Mu were tasked with inspecting and destroying all incoming cargo craft. Armed with Heavy Rockets, the Gunboats emerged from hyperspace approximately twenty kilometers from DS 5 and the Protector, waiting for any ships that might arrive to resupply the traitor Harkov. Three bulk freighters from Karflo were the first to arrive, and they were immediately engaged by the four Gunboats from Mu, supported by four additional Gunboats from Rho. In the ensuing moments, Imperial Gunboats destroyed two Modular Conveyors from SoroSuub, Container Transports named Morgath 1 & 5, and two CR90 corvettes named Sundog. By the time Imperial starfighters had destroyed the arriving convoy, TIE Avengers from the Victory Star Destroyer Protector had closed the distance on Gunboats Mu and Rho. Despite being outmatched and outgunned, the Imperial fighters briefly put up a fight by destroying a few of the superior Avengers before retreating to the safety of lightspeed.

Following the successful interdiction of the Rebel supply convoy, Imperial forces stranded Harkov's Star Destroyer Protector. Imperial leaders decided to use this opportunity to eliminate Harkov's fighter screen of TIE Avengers. Maintaining the pressure, Gunboat pilots from Mu integrated themselves into new TIE Avenger starfighters, leveling the playing field against Harkov's relentless waves of Avengers encountered in previous missions. Avengers Mu returned to the system near platform DS 5 with orders to destroy as many enemy TIE Avengers as possible, aiming to eliminate at least fifty percent of Harkov's squadrons to prepare for the next phase of the attack. Agents of the Secret Order had instructed at least one pilot from group Mu to inspect any transport craft that might enter the system, hoping to pinpoint Harkov's exact location. Imperial pilots observed two Cargo ferries laying a minefield around DS 5 as they engaged with incoming Avengers H-Beta. In the moments that followed, Imperial starfighters clashed in a chaotic exchange of missile and laser fire. After completing the minefield, Harkov's Cargo Ferries entered hyperspace as rogue and loyalist TIE Avengers continued their intense dogfight. As loyalist starfighter pilots gained the advantage, a single fighter broke away to inspect the new arrival from the Protector's hangar. Emerging from the Protector, the Shuttle Toten headed towards platform DS 5, while the Protector subsequently prepared its hyperdrive engines. Avenger Mu 2 passed the Shuttle Toten just before it entered the hangar, revealing Harkov inside. Imperial fighters had successfully eliminated the required first half of Harkov's Avengers as two Alliance Assassin-class corvettes named Wurger arrived. Mu 2 again diverted to inspect Wurger 1 and 2, and upon discovering troops aboard, Mu 2 proceeded to destroy the Wurger corvettes single-handedly. With the successful destruction of numerous Avengers and the Wurger corvettes, Imperial starfighters left the system to prepare for the final assault.

With Admiral Harkov trapped aboard the platform, Imperial forces immediately dispatched Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wings for a full-scale assault on the station. Gunboats Mu once again emerged from hyperspace near DS 5, closely escorted by TIE Avengers from group Alpha. With the intention of capturing Admiral Harkov, the Imperial Gunboat's primary mission was to disable Platform DS 5 and any fleeing transport craft, while the Avengers eliminated any intervening starfighters. Three minutes after the arrival of Imperial starfighters, Assault Transports named Omega would join them to disable and capture any remaining craft. Imperial fighters encountered Rebel A-wing and B-wing fighters shortly after arrival. Dividing their forces, the Gunboats and Avengers engaged the incoming Rebel fighters while continuing towards DS 5. The first transport craft attempting to escape was a YT-1300 named Geddawai. The Gedddawai was quickly met with a relentless barrage of Ion cannon fire from an Imperial Gunboat. As Gunboat Mu 2 passed over the disabled Geddawai, its passive scanners revealed Harkov onboard. With the Geddawai disabled, the traitor Shuttle Toten lifted off from the platform, soon followed by the Transport Kolermigon. Again, Imperial Gunboats diverted, disabling the Toten and Kolermigon with extreme prejudice. The Shuttle Toten contained only a decoy; however, fleeing rebels occupied the transport Kolermigon, destined to be intercepted by Imperial Stormtroopers. Assault Transports Omega arrived precisely on schedule. With the transport craft disabled, Imperial starfighters dealt with the remaining rebel fighters and the class C minefield around the station, further assisting Omega in capturing DS 5. With DS 5 disabled, the Imperial-class Star Destroyer named Garrett arrived from hyperspace. No sooner had Imperial forces begun cycling back to the Garrett to resupply than the Nebulon-B frigate named Olinor entered the system. The Olinor launched Z-95 Headhunters in a last-ditch effort to rescue Admiral Harkov from his impending doom. To make matters worse, more Corvettes from Wurger arrived, soon joined by additional X-wing, B-wing, and A-wing fighters. The rebel force desperately attempted to thwart the capture operation, but to no avail as the Assault Transports had already moved into position. After sustaining heavy damage to her shields, the Frigate Olinor broke contact from the Imperial Star Destroyer Garrett and fled the system, soon followed by the Wurger corvettes. Meanwhile, Rebel starfighters lingered in the system, swiftly destroyed by Imperial pilots.

Following the arrival of the Corellian Transport Geddawai to the Imperial Star Destroyer Garrett, Imperial Stormtroopers escorted Admiral Harkov directly to Lord Vader. Accompanied by the ever-present mechanical sound of his breathing, Vader greeted Harkov as Stormtroopers held him in the hatchway. Vader proceeded to question Harkov about the location of his fleet, but received no response. Using the Force, the Dark Lord lifted Harkov from the deck plates, informing him of the impending punishment for his treachery against the Empire. With the closing of Vader's fist and a subtle scream, Harkov slumped to the deck, lifeless.

• Darth Vader
• Admiral Harkov
• General Maarek Stele
• Captain Trace (Hamo Blastwell)
• Vondruln

The Battle for Honor is Battle Five in Star Wars: TIE Fighter.