The confrontation known as the Attack on Research took place in the vicinity of the XQ6 Platform Research, situated within the Parmic system, during the era of the Galactic Civil War.
Under the directives of Lord Darth Vader, Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin readied six TIE/D Defender prototypes for Emperor Palpatine's inspection. Zaarin orchestrated the transport of the prototypes, housed within Class-B cargo container group Xi, via Cargo Ferries of the Sela group. These ferries were to deliver the containers to the Emperor. While TIE Avengers designated as Alpha patrolled the airspace surrounding Zaarin's XQ6 Platform Research, TIE Defenders 5 and 6 took their positions inside their assigned containers. Almost immediately after, a squadron of B-wing starfighters from Blue squadron materialized from hyperspace, launching an assault from multiple directions, closely supported by RZ-1 A-wing interceptors of Red squadron. The Imperial Avengers divided their forces to address the sudden threat. As the opposing starfighters engaged in combat, Cargo Ferries Sela emerged from hyperspace, advancing towards the containers that were awaiting them. With the multi-pronged assault developing from all sides of Platform Research, Avengers Alpha struggled to effectively cover the distance between the various attacking elements. Following the completion of docking procedures, Ferries Sela began their journey towards the designated jump point, even as enemy fighters continued their pursuit. After a desperate defense of the TIE Defender prototypes, the Imperial Avengers managed to eliminate the enemy fighters shortly after Sela's successful departure. The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate/Legends named Thunderer then appeared to relieve Alpha squadron.