Do we have hypercomm?"
"We do, sir, although Zerpen is attempting to jam us."
"Then contact the battle group at Telos while we still can, and tell Admiral Utu that I want her to dispatch whatever assets she can spare to Salient soonest.Moff Tarkin and his shuttle's comms technician
A battle group of the Imperial Navy was located on the Outer Rim astronomical object Telos under the leadership of Admiral Utu. The battle group consisted of multiple warships, two of which were Venator-class Star Destroyers carrying squadrons of ARC-170 starfighters. Two Venators, including Admiral Utu's ship, were dispatched to assist Moff Wilhuff Tarkin during the Salient Campaign.
Description
Any word from Admiral Utu?"
"She’s hoping to be able to send two Star Destroyers from Telos."
"Hoping."
"Apparently our assets are widely scattered at the moment.Moff Tarkin and his executive officer
Stationed on the Outer Rim astronomical object Telos along the Hydian Way, the Imperial Navy battle group was under the command of Admiral Utu and comprised of multiple warships. At least two of these warships were Venator-class Star Destroyers, including Admiral Utu's ship. Both Star Destroyers ferried multiple squadrons of ARC-170 starfighters. During the Salient Campaign, the battle group's elements were part of a task force.[1]
History
An escalating matter at Salient
In 17 BBY,[2] the autonomous Salient system resisted an attempt by the Galactic Empire to assert its control over the star system after Imperial Moff Wilhuff Tarkin chased insurgents in the system. With the lone Imperial-class Star Destroyer Executrix finding itself in an exponentially hostile situation, Tarkin, who was on the surface of the moon of Epiphany, ordered his shuttle's communications technician to contact the battle group at Telos and Admiral Utu and provide any assets that could be spared.[1]
Near Salient II, Tarkin received word from Admiral Utu that she hoped to dispatch two Star Destroyers as Imperial assets were widely dispersed. Soon after, the Executrix battled with three Salient Strategic Command cruisers while it waited on reinforcements from Telos. Weeks later after further engagements, Telos reinforcements had arrived in the form of two Venator-class Star Destroyers and their ARC-170 squadrons and made up Tarkin's task force at Salient. As Tarkin discussed the ongoing Salient Campaign with Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, the battle group's starfighters engaged with four Salient cruisers at a distance from the Executrix.[1]
Full war at Salient
Are any of the Venators within range?"
"Admiral Utu’s ship is the closest in that hemisphere."
"Then why waste time with strafing runs? Relay my request that she use her turbolasers to bring the entire cliff down on them.Tarkin, and his adjutant during the Salient Campaign
After some further time as Salient II burned and a deteriorating situation on the Epiphany moon, Utu's forces launched an assault on Salient One. Tarkin, not wanting Salient I's infrastructure and resources to be destroyed by the local population, ordered his adjutant to order the force's commanders to initiate a ground assault rather than have Admiral Utu and her forces in wasting time in softening defenses. After Tarkin inquired on local militia resupply points, his adjutant confirmed that Imperial scout ships found smuggling ships disappearing underneath a rocky overhang.[1]
Rather than divert a squadron of starfighters, Tarkin inquired if any of the Venators were closeby to divert one. The adjutant confirmed that Utu's ship was the closest in the hemisphere. Tarkin had his adjutant relay his request to have Utu use her ship's turbolasers to bring the entire cliff down on the smugglers. Admiral Utu's precise strike on the rock wall brought down the roof down on the eastern encampment and down on the smugglers sheltering there. Tarkin then ordered Utu's rummager droids to investigate the debris where they found Captain Has Obitt, a commander of the Salient rebels.[1]
Commanders and crew
The battle group at Telos was under the command of Admiral Utu. Utu and elements of her battle group served under Moff Wilhuff Tarkin as part of his task force.[1]
Behind the scenes
The battle group in Telos debuted in the canon 2016 novel by James Luceno Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel.[1]
Appearances
- Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel (and audiobook) (First appearance)