During the Galactic Civil War, the Cerberon system became the site of a significant campaign between the forces of the New Republic and the Galactic Empire. Methodically, New Republic forces gained control of the system's planets and moons. After achieving dominance, they attempted to ensnare the 204th Imperial Fighter Wing in a planned ambush, but the trap backfired. The subsequent conflict resulted in the near annihilation of both Shadow Wing and the Barma Battle Group, with persistent insurgent activity remaining throughout much of the system.
New Republic High Command held deep concerns regarding the potential use of Troithe as a rapid transit route to the Core Worlds. Consequently, General Hera Syndulla was dispatched with the Lodestar and its associated fleet to confront the occupying Imperial forces.
Initially, New Republic units engaged Imperial forces within the numerous asteroids and orbital facilities that circled the system's central singularity.
Chass na Chadic and Yrica Quell deployed a squadron of a dozen TIE/LN starfighters into the debris field surrounding the system. Once the Cerberon system space force had been sufficiently suppressed, New Republic ground troops initiated their landings.
Rather than opting for a prolonged siege of the Capital City to weaken the Governor through attrition, the New Republic chose to launch a swift and direct assault on the city center. The Republic's advance began with a push through the Cybersynth District. Following a confrontation with Kraken-class deep lurkers within the Thannerhouse District, they positioned themselves for a frontal assault on the Governor. Governor Hastemoor mounted a fierce defense, supported by hundreds of stormtroopers, Imperial Army troopers, and scout walkers. Despite enduring significant casualties within the ranks of the 61st Mobile Infantry, the Republic emerged victorious, defeating the majority of the remaining garrison, although pockets of insurgents and pro-Imperial civilians remained active.
Caern Adan, still consumed by his desire to locate and eliminate Shadow Wing, saw the system as an ideal opportunity to set a trap. Adan successfully persuaded General Syndulla to allow the Governor's distress signals to be transmitted. Furthermore, a substantial asteroid occupied a wide orbit around Troithe. This asteroid presented an ideal concealed approach route for any Imperial vessels attempting to bypass Troithe's orbital defenses, providing them with an advantageous initial strike position. Commandos from the 61st were to be concealed on the asteroid's surface, tasked with eliminating the TIE pilots as they landed.
The Lodestar and the Edict engaged in a fierce exchange of turbolaser fire. Simultaneously, the limited number of available New Republic fighters were scrambled and launched into the fray. Soran Keize personally spearheaded his squadron in an assault on the New Republic's cruiser, targeting Hail Squadron, Alphabet Squadron, and the Acclamator. Nath Tensent led a contingent of Y-wings, executing bombing runs with his BTL Y-wing starfighter, unleashing volley after volley of ion torpedo impacts on the Star Destroyer's shields. Kieze returned from commanding the Aerie above Catadra, and his squadron devastated Meteor Squadron, leaving the ship vulnerable to more attack runs. Soon, major hull breaches popped up in the Lodestar.
A significant conflagration erupted and rapidly spread near the engine compartment, prompting an evacuation order. Escape pods were ejected as the Lodestar disintegrated in a cloud of debris. However, the Edict had also sustained critical damage. Despite the best efforts of its inexperienced training crew, the Edict, while attempting to destroy the Lodestar, came under intense fire from orbital stations surrounding Troithe. Both capital ships then plummeted towards the surface of Troithe. Tensent briefly considered issuing an evacuation order for the city below, but time was insufficient. Fortunately, the shield held, enabling New Republic forces to maintain their position.