The Destruction of Nespis VIII spaceport was a battle between the New Republic high command, stationed at Nespis VIII's spaceport, and two missiles, shot from the superweapon Galaxy Gun.
Shortly following the destruction of the troopship Pelagia, Emperor Palpatine learned of the location of the New Republic's high command, thanks to a spy posing as a Republic technician.
He immediately ordered the city's destruction, to quickly end the Galactic Civil War, by shooting a missile from the Galaxy Gun at it.
Overhearing the spy's transmissions, R2-D2 and C-3PO managed to warn the top brass at the base of the Emperor's plan, and an evacuation was ordered immediately.
As the New Republic personnel were busy loading their equipment and troops onto their transports, a missile exited hyperspace. The base's Kuat V-200 ion cannon defensive emplacements were prepared for it's arrival, and attempted to destroy it. Even with their guns glowing white-hot, they were incapable of overcoming its shielding, and the missile crashed through the city superstructure, entering a hangar, being stopped by the side of a Mon Calamari Star Cruiser to all surprised without explosion.
The missile was examined by technicians and it was revealed that it was a dud, having failed due to faulty timers from Bonadan.
Nespis VIII's ancient space city is destroyed. Countless historical artifacts are lost forever.
Palpatine furiously demanded another missile to be armed immediately, after having witnessed the misfire through probe drone-cameras. Under threat of execution, the Galaxy Gun technicians worked frantically, testing and firing a second missile, which successfully destroyed the ancient space city. However, it was too late, as the Republic fleet managed to escape the area before impact.
Palpatine threatened Umak Leth with death, unless he could correct the Galaxy Gun's design problems in three days. In his rage, Palpatine felt great pain, as his clone body was faulty and weak. He set out to find a way to prolong his life, traveling aboard the Eclipse II to the remote world of Korriban, in the hope of finding a way.
The Republic high command decided to disperse its fleet to minimize the risk of getting hit by the Galaxy Gun. Only one Mon Calamari Star Cruiser would be used as a central communications link between different fleet units.
Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo were forced to go into hiding with their children on Onderon, to preserve the future of the Jedi. Luke Skywalker and Kam Solusar ventured to Ossus to confer with Chief Okko and tell him about Jem's death before planning their next move.
- The Essential Chronology
- The New Essential Chronology
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. II, p. 371
- The Essential Atlas