Battle of Helisk

"For the Republic!"

- Clone pilot during the battle

The Battle of Helisk was an engagement between the Republic Navy Eighth Fleet and the Confederate Navy Fifth Fleet in 22 BBY during the Samix Offensive of the Clone Wars, over the planet of Helisk. Following the victory at Nedij, the first battle of the campaign, Vice Admiral Frunze led the Eighth Fleet to nearby Helisk, where Admiral Kirst was amassing the Fifth Fleet for a counterattack. In a large assault on the Separatist ships, the Republic inflicted heavy damage onto the Fifth Fleet, which retreated to nearby Sabrix.

Prelude
Following the successful Battle of Nedij, Vice Admiral Frunze detected a large fleet amassing in a nearby system. Leaving Commander CC-9873 to oversee the construction of a base on Nedij, he led the fleet to the system, discovering the Fifth Fleet amassing over the planet of Helisk.

The battle
The Fifth Fleet detected the incoming Republic vessels almost immediately. Admiral Kirst ordered the ships that were ready to scramble vulture droids and attack. His ship and several other retreated to the low orbit of Helisk to defend the Rejuvenator, a tanker that was refueling several destroyers. It was mostly guarded by Lucrehulk-class battleships. As Frunze's fleet engaged the Fifth Fleet, a massive space battle broke out. The Eighth Fleet deployed fighters targeting the attacking vessels.

Meanwhile, Captain Trask led a flotilla of Venator-class and Acclamator-class ships in an assault on the fuel tanker and it's defense fleet. Captain Sione argued that it was a stupid move and wanted the attack on the tanker to occur once the rest of the Fifth Fleet was destroyed, so the whole Eighth Fleet could engage. Trask ignored her and continued the attack. It led to the loss of several vessels, and he had to pull off after Frunze ordered him to.

As the battle continued, much of the Fifth Fleet was destroyed, while the remainder began retreating to nearby Sabrix. It was largely due to the fact that Kirst gave little orders to the fleet while it fought, leaving captains on their own. His defense flotilla put up a fight but was forced to retreat, and the tanker was destroyed, killing Captain Julstan, it's veteran commander.

Aftermath
The remnant of the Fifth Fleet retreated to the nearby planet of Sabrix following the battle. Admiral Kirst joined them, and was scolded by Nute Gunray after reporting what happened. Frunze prepared for another attack.