With the TIE Defender research facility back under Loyalist Imperial control, Zaarin launched an attack on the platform to retake it from the Galactic Empire. ISD Adarga which was assigned to protect the platform only had 2 squadrons of starfighters to hold off the attack. Escort Shuttle group Red Knight was directed to reinforce the Imperial position at the platform and was en route. The first wave of Zaarin's Forces which were 4 TIE Defenders and 9 ATRs first targeted the ISD Adarga, since they had to neutralize this Imperial ship before their traitorous attack on the platform could begin. As the ATRs and TIE Defenders were nearing the ISD Adarga, TIE Defender Delta 1 piloted by Maarek Stele was launched a little after the initial wave of 6 TIE Interceptors and 3 TIE Bombers that were already engaged with the traitor forces. The ATRs launched Heavy Rockets and began their attack runs against the ISD Adarga, while Zaarin's TIE Defenders were fighting Loyal Imperial TIE Interceptors and TIE Bombers. Throughout the fighting around the ISD Adarga, more TIE Interceptors and TIE Bombers were launched to help fight off the traitor forces (either the TIE Defenders or ATRs). However, even with Maarek Stele, Imperialist Forces and the valiant efforts of the crew of the ISD Adarga were not able to save the ISD. With the ISD Adarga and its starfighters no longer a threat to Zaarin's Forces, they turned their attention on the research platform. The first wave of ATRs had taken losses, so more of Zaarin's ATRs were sent in groups of 3 to reinforce them, a total of 9 ATRs were sent after the first wave. As the battle with Zaarin's forces were nearing a close, Escort Shuttle group Red Knight came out of hyperspace and took position in patrolling the area. But Zaarin's ATRs did not prevail in capturing the platform, Maarek Stele was able to eliminate the ATRs before they could capture the platform and he also disabled Zaarin's TIE Defenders for capture by Loyalist Imperial Forces. The platform launched Utility Tugs to capture the disabled TIE Defenders to be hauled back to the platform. The area was secure for a short time, when without warning the Rebel Corvette Uhu 1 came out of hyperspace many kilometres away from the platform and started dropping Rebel spy probes. Maarek Stele quickly raced towards the corvette and was able to destroy it before it could escape. After the destruction of Corvette Uhu 1, a second Corvette Uhu 2 came out of hyperspace many kilometres away from Corvette Uhu 1's exit point. Once again, Maarek Stele raced towards the Corvette Uhu 2 (who was also dropping probes) and was able to destroy it before it was able to escape. Maarek Stele also destroyed all of the spy probes that were deployed by the Rebels and then he returned to the platform to land. The Galactic Empire was able to stop Zaarin's counterattack, but at a terrific cost. The platform was almost defenceless, so evacuation of the platform and the any remaining TIE Defender prototypes or relevant technology would be begin immediately. While this was happening, Imperial personnel were interrogating the captured TIE Defender pilots to learn of Zaarin's next move.