The Second Engagement at Endor represented the initial large-scale conflict during the Nagai's invasion, occurring in 4 ABY. This clash unfolded approximately one month following the destruction of the second Death Star.
Prior to the Endor assault, the Nagai had skirmished with the Alliance of Free Planets across various worlds, including Kashyyyk, Kabray, and Kinooine. However, these encounters were primarily preparatory, laying the groundwork for their broader galactic invasion. Their objectives included establishing forward bases and attempting to capture key figures within the Alliance leadership. The attack on Endor was intended as a direct blow to the Alliance's core, signaling the formal commencement of hostilities between the two factions.
The Alliance received early warning of the impending attack through sensor detections of a small fleet approaching Endor. Reacting swiftly, Admiral Gial Ackbar and Mon Mothma initiated pre-arranged withdrawal protocols, dispatching a squadron of starfighters to engage the enemy vessels while the base underwent evacuation.
Simultaneously, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, both grounded due to perceived unfitness for flight, investigated a disturbance reported by the Ewok Tippet within the forest. They discovered a team of Nagai and Maccabree preparing to assault the Alliance base, their actions masked by the space-based diversion. Luke hastened to alert the base, while Han engaged in a duel with a Maccabree warrior.
In orbit, the Alliance starfighters suffered heavy losses against the Nagai squadron, commanded by Lumiya. This was due to leaked Alliance battle plans provided to the Nagai by the double agent, Bey. However, Lando Calrissian, employing a classic piloting maneuver reminiscent of Han's tactics, successfully forced the Nagai forces to retreat.
On the surface, Lieutenant Hol B'shaki deployed a squad of Maccabree warriors against the Alliance tracking station, effectively trapping Leia Organa and her Zeltron advisors. Subsequently, B'shaki led Nagai troops towards the Alliance's command center. Luke's timely warning allowed Ackbar and Mothma to evacuate the main base before the assault, and the Jedi then departed to defend Leia and her companions at the tracking station. Rebel forces under the command of Major Bren Derlin eventually intercepted B'shaki's group.
Separated in the jungle, Han Solo confronted the traitor Bey. Despite Bey's superior hand-to-hand combat skills, the Nagai Commander Ozrei "Knife" N'takkilomandrife—the same Nagai Han had previously encountered on Kashyyyk—intervened and attempted to shoot Han. Bey, unwilling to kill Han, tackled Knife, deflecting the shot. This provided Solo with an opportunity to seize his blaster and fatally shoot Knife. A grief-stricken Bey revealed that Knife was his half-brother and permitted Han to proceed to the tracking station. By the time Han arrived, Skywalker had already driven off the Maccabree, who were escaping in their flight suits.
Despite the Alliance's victory, it came at a high cost. The battle signified the beginning of the first large-scale war since the Galactic Empire's defeat at Endor.