The event known as the Ambush at Sul-34 involved an attack launched against the Rebel fleet. Its purpose was to create a delay in the Rebel assault targeting Endor, providing Palpatine with sufficient time to adequately prepare his forces for the Battle of Endor.
Following Maarek Stele's successful completion of his reconnaissance mission at the Rebel Summit, located within the Delfii system, he relayed confirmation to Darth Vader. The information confirmed that the Rebels had indeed fallen for the trap, planning an attack on the Empire's newly constructed Death Star orbiting Endor. They believed it was still under construction and lightly defended. However, the Death Star was, in actuality, fully functional and armed. The Imperial Navy was concealed nearby, prepared to obliterate the Rebel Fleet. Stele then received orders to impede the Rebels, allowing Emperor Palpatine the necessary time to get ready for the impending conflict. His specific task was to eliminate the first three starships to arrive at Nav buoy Sul-34. The Secret Order also tasked Stele with destroying a significant number of starfighters, forcing the Alliance to commit all available reinforcements and leaving no reserves.
Upon reaching Sul-34, Stele discovered the Strike Cruiser Red Dog already present, accompanied by X-wings and A-wings. After engaging the initial wave of starfighters, two additional medium-sized vessels arrived, launching their own squadrons of fighters. Following Stele's destruction of the Red Dog, he and his wingmen proceeded to eliminate numerous starfighters along with the two arriving starships. A Stormtrooper transport named Resupply was on hand to replenish his fighter with additional warheads should he require more bombs and missiles. With the enemy ships destroyed, he was given the option to either return or inflict further damage on the Rebel Convoy. This convoy included a Container transport named Dakkrakk, a YT-1300 transport called Asis, and 3 Modified corvettes of the Floran class.
The annihilation of several Rebel starships compelled the Rebels to postpone their planned assault. This delay allowed them to gather additional forces for their primary offensive, which in turn provided Palpatine with the opportunity to supervise the Death Star's final construction phases and ensure the Rebels' ultimate defeat.
As recognition for his actions, Stele was awarded the Medal of Guile.
This particular engagement is featured in the 1994 PC game, Star Wars: TIE Fighter, specifically as Battle 12, Mission 7: Delay Strike Force. This description assumes the completion of all "Primary" and "Secondary" mission objectives, given the absence of "Bonus" objectives. The sole purpose of continuing to destroy subsequent ships is to elevate the player's score.
The specific capital ships that arrive are contingent upon which fighters the player eliminates. If the player destroys the A-wings, two Nebulon-B2 frigates named Shmus and Barker will appear. Conversely, if the player eliminates the X-wings, an MC40a light cruiser called War Pig and a Carrack-class light cruiser named Lsumu will arrive.