During the Zaarin insurrection, the Imperial forces who remained loyal withdrew from the XQ6 Platform Research facility, after which Zaarin's forces seized control of it.
After repelling Grand Admiral Zaarin's prior assault on his Research platform, though not without incurring substantial losses. The loyalist Imperial forces, realizing Zaarin would persist in his efforts, found themselves with no alternative but to evacuate the facility. To achieve this, the Empire dispatched the BFF-1 bulk freighter Mharsup to retrieve the two remaining TIE Defender prototypes, designated Proto 11 and Proto 12. Simultaneously, the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle G'nabgib was tasked with evacuating the scientists and technicians, including the project's chief scientist.
Maarek Stele departed from the Research platform just as Mharsup arrived, accompanied by two Escort shuttles named Dragonfly. Shortly after, six Assault Gunboats from Z-Mu squadron appeared, aiming to disrupt the evacuation. However, Stele, supported by the Escort Shuttles, successfully defended against them. Unexpectedly, instead of the Nebulon-B frigate anticipated by his briefing officer, the Imperial-class Star Destroy Glory arrived, deploying six Stormtrooper transports from Z-Sigma, several Utility Tugs designated 20f16, along with TIE Advanced and TIE Bombers enhanced with deflector shields. Despite facing superior numbers, Stele managed to hold off Zaarin's fighters, providing sufficient time for both the Mharsup and G'nabgib to jump into hyperspace. With both vessels safely in hyperspace, Stele broke off the engagement and proceeded towards the designated rendezvous point, pursued by Zaarin's own TIE Defenders. It is presumed that the Glory subsequently destroyed the Research platform.
Both vessels successfully reached Navigation buoy B-0F9, where arrangements were made for a clandestine transfer to the Modified corvette group Hashim. This transfer location would later be the site of difficulties.
This particular battle was initially presented in the 1994 LucasArts video game Star Wars: TIE Fighter, where players assume the role of Maarek Stele. The event is portrayed in the mission titled "Protect Evacuation," which serves as the third mission within the game's ninth tour of campaign, "T/D Technology."
This analysis assumes the successful completion of all "Primary" objectives, along with a significant number of "Bonus" objectives, including the destruction of all Assault Gunboats, Transports, tugs, and inflicting substantial casualties on enemy starfighters, specifically including at least one TIE Defender kill from each group.