Having rescued Maarek Stele, a member of the Prophets of the Dark Side and ace TIE fighter pilot, Imperial forces set out to locate the fleeing Admiral Harkov. Imperial commanders dispatched Assault Gunboat patrols to locate Harkov among Rebel outposts, presumably taking on supplies after the disconnection from Imperial logistics. Stele was told to inspect all cargo containers to find out what supplies are needed for Harkov's fleet.
Assault Gunboats from flight group Mu arrived near XQ1 Platform DS 5, as they were approaching the platform a YT-1300 light freighter called Cimigo departed from the platform, potentially too far away to be intercepted and jumped into Hyperspace. As a more remote installation, DS 5 deployed aged Z-95 Headhunters, from Wolf Squadron but also mustered a group of B-wing fighters to intercept the encroaching Imperial scouts. Not long afterwards the Protector (the admiral's flagship) arrived and started launching its TIE Avengers. Stele, inspected the cargo containers near XQ1 Platform DS 5 to find water, , ground vehicles and grain. Following the reconnaissance of Harkov's logistical necessities Gunboats Mu proceeded to destroy the precious supplies. As ordered, the Assault Gunboats proceeded to leave the system upon the arrival of the Protector, easily motivated by the swift introduction of TIE Avengers from Protectors hangar.
This raid appears in Star Wars: TIE Fighter. It is Battle 5 mission 2. This article assumes completion of both "Primary and "Secondary". In bonus objectives the transport Cimigo must be inspected and destroyed before it can jump into hyperspace. Other objectives include inflicting starfighter casualties on Harkov's TIE Advanced squads, as well as the A-wing squadron. Lastly, the Protector has to be attacked.
- TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide
- TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM: The Official Strategy Guide