The Second Battle of Coruscant represents an extended engagement that occurred in 10 ABY between the forces of the New Republic and the Imperial Coalition. Galvanized by the recent military campaign spearheaded by the now-deceased Grand Admiral Thrawn, a substantial Imperial contingent initiated an orbital bombardment targeting both Republic and Imperial military units stationed on the planetary body of Coruscant. This offensive compelled Mon Mothma to order the evacuation of the galactic capital. However, subsequent to their seizure of the planet, internal conflict erupted within the Coalition, an event that came to be known as the Imperial Mutiny.
Within a matter of days following the demise of Thrawn, and motivated by his accomplishments achieved with limited resources in a compressed timeframe, the Imperial Ruling Council alongside six former Imperial Starfleet commanders, collectively decided to join forces to launch an offensive into the Galactic Core. General Alix Balan was designated as the supreme commander of this overall assault.
The New Republic found itself outmatched by the military prowess of the Imperial Coalition, with its naval forces already grappling with significant challenges in the Outer Rim. Following a swift and conclusive campaign, the Empire successfully reclaimed several strategically important New Republic systems situated within the Core, encompassing Ralltiir, Esseles, and Chandrila.
This situation compelled Chief of State Mon Mothma to contemplate an eleventh-hour strategy aimed at defending the galactic capital of Coruscant. However, this plan never materialized, as the consolidated Imperial armada commenced an orbital assault on Coruscant's energy shield, inflicting substantial damage upon the densely populated ecumenopolis below. The primary targets of the Imperial Coalition were Coruscant's communication centers, effectively severing the capital's ability to communicate with its forces deployed throughout the galaxy. This necessitated the utilization of requisitioned courier vessels, including the Messenger, to penetrate the blockade and disseminate critical information.
Mon Mothma issued an order for the complete evacuation of the capital's population, a task undertaken by Garm Bel Iblis. Consequently, the Imperial Coalition successfully seized control of the Core, leading the New Republic to adopt guerrilla warfare tactics.
Following the recapture of Coruscant, the Council determined that the time had come to elect a new Galactic Emperor. Disagreement arose among the various admirals, generals, Moffs, Inquisitorius, COMPNOR, and Imperial Security Bureau officials, resulting in an armed conflict (the "Imperial Civil War") that rapidly escalated among the diverse Imperial factions stationed on Coruscant.
In the meantime, the New Republic swiftly capitalized on the turmoil created by the warring Imperial factions, launching raids on Imperial territories through the utilization of two captured Star Destroyers acquired from previous engagements.
One such raid conducted over the devastated landscape of Coruscant culminated in catastrophe when the New Republic Imperial-class Star Destroyer Liberator, under the command of Lando Calrissian, Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles, crash-landed amidst the war-ravaged cityscape.
In response, the New Republic deployed a rescue task force to retrieve the surviving crew members of the Liberator, under the leadership of Leia Organa Solo, her spouse Han Solo, the Wookiee Chewbacca and the renowned droid C-3PO. This task force comprised the famous Millennium Falcon and two EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates named Rebel Star and Antares Six.
These escort frigates operated under the command of Captain Huoba Neva and Captain Syub Snunb, respectively. Upon exiting hyperspace, the task force encountered the remnants of a massive space battle in the vicinity of Coruscant's orbit.
Regrettably, Neva's frigate, the Rebel Star, collided with space debris and was destroyed. While the Antares Six maintained its position in orbit above the planet, the Falcon proceeded towards Coruscant. En route, they encountered a squadron of elite Imperial I-7 Howlrunners. However, upon reaching the periphery of the war-torn Imperial City, the fighters vanished.
Following Luke's provided coordinates, the Millennium Falcon arrived amidst a fierce conflict between the various Imperial factions. The wreckage of the Liberator was located near the old Imperial Palace. For the surviving crew, the arrival of the Falcon was a welcome sight, as they were under siege by formidable AT-AT walkers.
Han and Leia swiftly neutralized the Imperial walkers before landing near the wreckage. Upon landing, they were greeted by Lando Calrissian and Wedge Antilles, along with the surviving New Republic troops, which included Ewok commandos. However, Luke was absent, having sensed the presence of the dark side within the Imperial Palace, prompting him to investigate.
Suddenly, they came under attack from a gang of scavengers who deployed an armored tank and several war droids. The scavengers began looting the Falcon and unleashed vicious Neks. However, Leia employed the Force to disorient the neks and then hurl them, while Han opted to eliminate the attacking droids and neks using his blaster.
It was at this juncture that Luke reappeared from the wreckage of the Imperial Palace, utilizing his burgeoning Force abilities to dispatch the remaining war droids. He then confronted an AT-AT walker single-handedly, successfully destroying it. Subsequently, a brief reunion occurred, during which Han, Leia, and Luke embraced. Unfortunately for them, Luke revealed that he had sensed a significant disturbance in the Force, originating from Palpatine's utilization of dark side powers to create a massive hyperspace wormhole.
Concurrently, the hyperspace wormhole manifested in orbit above Coruscant. This spectacle was observed by the crew of the Antares Six. The wormhole then swept violently across the war-torn surface. Luke swiftly discerned that it sought only him and instructed his companions to depart immediately. Despite Leia's attempts to persuade him to leave with them, Luke asserted that his destiny was distinct from hers and instructed her to safeguard her children.
While his companions and the surviving Rebels fled aboard the Falcon, Luke remained with his steadfast companion R2-D2. Soon, the hyperspace wormhole engulfed him, transporting him into space and ultimately funneling him onto an Imperial Dungeon Ship en route to Byss.
The Millennium Falcon and the Antares Six returned to the New Republic base on Da Soocha V. Shortly thereafter, throughout the Core, New Republic agents and probe droids witnessed Imperial vessels from all factions of the conflict retreating into the Deep Core. This information was relayed to Admiral Ackbar, who, in turn, reported it to Mon Mothma.
Meanwhile, the surviving members of the Imperial Coalition learned that Palpatine had been resurrected in a clone body. Under his command, the Imperial fleet joined his Dark Empire and departed from the Core, initiating attacks on New Republic worlds, including Dac. General Alix Balan presided over a formal ceremony to reconsecrate Imperial City following the battle, an action that garnered him widespread acclaim throughout Imperial Space and included a triumphant parade by Balan's ground forces along the planet's most prominent boulevards.
In the aftermath of the battle, the New Republic commander tasked Wedge Antilles with reforming Rogue Squadron into a more adaptable, multi-role fighter unit. Bahni, an associate of historian Arhul Hextrophon, believed that the loss of Coruscant signaled the demise of the New Republic.
A New Republic soldier named Kinalos documented his experiences during the battle in The Year of Rage: A Citizen's History of the Coruscant Wars, recounting his return to his destroyed home.