As a result, smugglers and other "renegades" know the strategic value of this corridor as much as the Kel-Morians leaders. On March 25, 2377, a battle against a pirate fleet of unknown origin tried to take control of the pass in an attempt to plunder all merchant ships which pass through it every day, and possibly bring an end to the Kel-Morian Empire.
At 500 hours, on March 26th, the Duke sent out the Kelenis 4th, 7th and 12th fleets. These consisted of upto 383 Olympic class gunboats, 250 Raptor fighter/interceptors, ten Leo Light Cruisers and two Leo 2 Heavy Cruisers
When the fleets engaged the pirates at 1400 hours the same day, it became clear early intellegence was less than accurate. Somehow, the band of pirates had obtained 1000 Olympic gunboats which consisted of about 40% of the pirate fleet. As a result, the Kel-Morian fleets were vastly outnumbered and our gunned before the battle started.
Realizing the dire situation, more reinforcements were ordered to the front. However, they would not arrive for 15 hours forcing the Duke to send in 4000 Swarmer interceptor drones. Upon arrival, although weak alone, they swamped pirate vessels with blaster fire. However, they simply were not enough as they were destroyed in less than 2 shots and failed to do enough damage to make the pirates backdown.
Suddenly, one of the fighters guidance systems failed and it slammed head on into a pirate capitol ship, ripping a large hole in its side from the resulting detonation of the swarmers nuclear reactor. The commander upon seeing this ordered all remaining swarmers to do the same and to leave nothing but "scorched earth".
Although the kamikazi stikes were a stunning success, the fleets were ordered to withdraw and regroup closer to Kelenis and join the reinforcements now only 5 hours away. In a final act of bravery, many vessels from the 12th lured many pirate vessels into game of chicken within the asterioid fields around the pass.
Listening on the communiques going on, 4 of the executors elete guards "Corona" Destoroyers decided to respond by doing an innersystem warp jump. They quickly cloaked and went to warp. Seconds larter, they dropped out at Etherian Rodes and quickly decloaked and targeted the pirate capitol ships with their Ion cannons.
Upon the surprisng arrival of the Coronas and the fact 10 of their capitol ships were decimated in seconds, the pirate fleet began to retreat at 200 hours on March 26th, 2 hours before the rest of the Kel-Morian reinforcements arrived.
In the 21 hours the battle lasted. the pirates suffered a staggering loss with only 20 vessels, all Olympics, getting away. The 12th destroyed nearly all vessels which followed them into the asteroid belt, and the swarmers took out over 2000 enemy vessels alone. Loss of life is unknown for the pirate fleet.
The Kel-Morian fleet lost 261 Olympics, 80 raptors, 6 Leos, and nearly all swarmers. The total Kel-Morian losses numbered around 5000.
The crews of the Coronas and 12th were given the Kel-Morian medal of honor for their dedication to the empire and going above and beyond the call of duty. All were given a months leave on Aquarius' best resorts for some well earned R&R in return for their courage.