The Imperial Nebulon-B Frigate Blue Fox was part of an Imperial recon patrol, which located the MC80a Excelsior. Although the Rebel vessel could have stayed and destroyed the Imperial frigate, the Rebels feared that more Imperial ships were on their way. The MC80a needed about 20 minutes to escape from the Imperial frigate. With that in mind Red Squadron was launched to intercept the incoming TIE Bombers that Imperial frigate launched. The frigate held its position a short distance away from the MC80a. Gold and Blue Squadrons were held in reserve. Red Squadron took on the incoming TIE Bombers which launched volleys of proton torpedoes at the MC80a. The TIE Bombers that made it passed Red Squadron or the MC80a's turbolasers began strafing runs on the enemy vessel. Red Squadron was harassed by the Assault Gunboats until their destruction, which was early in the battle.

    By the mid point of the battle, 3 Corellian Corvettes hypered into the area and headed straight towards the MC80a. The Corellian Corvettes directly engaged the MC80a, however all them were destroyed one by one. The Imperial corvettes, however were able to collapse the shields of the MC80a. During this, the Imperial frigate watched in the silence of space, and it deployed 3 Stormtrooper Transports, which all headed away from the battle and the frigate. With the defeat of the corvettes, Gold Squadron was soon engaging the Imperial frigate. With all of its TIE Bombers expended, the Imperial frigate launched 4 TIE Interceptors in its defence. However, the TIE Interceptors were destroyed. When the MC80a Excelsior got to its hyperspace point, it hypered out of the area and Red Squadron and Blue Squadron followed suit.