The Siege of Carida

Background

The Carida Campaign was a large-scale military conflict fought between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS) for control of the strategically important world of Carida, a major Republic military training and logistics center.

The campaign unfolded across several phases, beginning with pirate incursions in orbit, escalating into a full CIS fleet assault, followed by a ground invasion that lasted several days. The fighting included large fleet engagements, the deployment of specialized Republic units, and the intervention of powerful Force-users on both sides.

Despite severe losses and the destruction of multiple capital ships, Republic forces ultimately liberated Carida, ending the campaign with a decisive strategic victory.

Pirate Incursions in Carida Space

The first signs of conflict appeared when unknown hyperspace signatures were detected near Carida. These objects were initially believed to be hyperspace debris or asteroids.

The objects were later identified as a large pirate strike force, composed of over 150 pirate starfighters and several capital ships.

Republic naval forces, including the Republic Starfighter Corps (RSF) and Starfighter Command (SFC), responded immediately.

Jedi Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi personally led Republic squadrons during the engagement.

At first we thought they were asteroids. Then the stars started moving… and suddenly every scanner lit up red.

- Republic Navy Pilot, Carida Defense Fleet

Battle Outcome

• Over 150 pirate starfighters destroyed

• Multiple pirate capital ships driven from the system

• Republic fleet retained control of Carida orbit

However, the pirates regrouped and launched a second major assault.

Second Pirate Offensive

In retaliation for their earlier defeat, pirate forces launched a larger attack including:

• 12 pirate frigates

• Over 100 starfighters

The battle was intense, but the Republic Navy held its defensive line.

Carida remained under Republic control.

First CIS Fleet Assault during the War

The situation escalated dramatically when the Confederacy of Independent Systems entered the conflict directly.

Under the command of Count Dooku, a powerful CIS fleet attacked Carida orbit.

The attacking fleet consisted of:

• Providence-class carriers

• Munificent-class frigates

• Numerous escort vessels

During the engagement:

• One Republic Venator-class Star Destroyer was destroyed

• Five Munificent-class frigates destroyed

• One Providence-class capital ship destroyed

This marked one of the first major fleet battles of the war in the sector.

When the Venator went down, nobody said a word on comms. Then someone just said ‘Hold the line.’ And we did.

- Republic Starfighter Corps Pilot

Despite Republic resistance, the CIS fleet succeeded in establishing orbital superiority long enough to launch a planetary invasion.

The Invasion of Carida

The CIS invasion of Carida began shortly after the orbital battle.

Large numbers of droid forces were deployed to the planet’s surface, including:

• AAT battle tanks

• Spider droids

• Thousands of B1 and B2 battle droids

Republic defenders included:

• The 91st Recon Corps

• The 104th Battalion

• Republic Commandos

• Jedi leadership and support units

Day 1 - Republic Counterattack

The CIS initially captured several strategic positions across Carida. Republic forces mounted coordinated counterattacks and successfully retook all major objectives by the end of the first day. 

Despite heavy fighting, Carida remained under Republic control.

Day 2 - The Sith Assassin

The second day of the invasion brought a decisive shift in momentum. The CIS deployed a mysterious Sith assassin, described as a pale-skinned woman wielding dual red lightsabers.

She cut through Republic defenses and key objectives, enabling droid forces to overwhelm defensive positions. Her actions allowed the CIS to seize several strategic locations, marking Day 2 as a major CIS victory during the campaign. The assassin was later identified as: Asajj Ventress

She cut through clones and Jedi like they were nothing. I’ve fought droids my whole life… but that was the first time I understood fear.

Clone Trooper, 91st Recon Corps

Day 3 - Beasts of the Crimson Serpents

During the third day of the invasion, the CIS entered into a pact with a mercenary faction known as the Crimson Serpents. As part of this alliance, the CIS unleashed massive beasts from distant worlds against Republic lines.

The battlefield saw:

• Hundreds of tanks deployed

• Thousands of battle droids

• Biological war-beasts released against clone formations

The fighting was brutal, but Republic forces refused to break. Despite enormous pressure, Carida’s defensive lines held.

Day 4 - The Battle of the RSV Invictus

During the relief operation, CIS forces deployed mercenary fleets belonging to the IRC, supported by large fighter swarms. The battle escalated into a massive fleet engagement.

During the fighting, Asajj Ventress boarded the Republic Venator RSV Invictus. Inside the ship she fought both clones and Jedi, cutting through defenders with extreme brutality.

Duel with Mace Windu

Ventress confronted Jedi Master Mace Windu during the boarding action.

During the duel:

• Mace Windu lost his hand

• Several Jedi and clone troopers were killed

• Another Jedi was blinded

Ventress eventually escaped the ship using a captured Republic vessel. The RSV Invictus was destroyed during the battle.

Day 5 - The Liberation of Carida

With CIS orbital forces weakened and the relief fleet in position, Republic ground forces launched a final offensive.

Units involved included:

• 91st Recon Corps

• 104th Battalion

• 21st Nova Corps

• 501st Legion

• Remaining Special Forces detachments

Republic troops pushed out from an underground forward operating base and engaged the last remaining droid forces across Carida. Republic units eventually linked up with Venator forces in orbit, fully breaking the siege. Carida was officially liberated.

Aftermath

The campaign left Carida heavily damaged. Estimated damage to infrastructure was recorded at: 1,000,000 credits

If repairs are not completed, future invasions of the planet will have significantly fewer defensive positions available, leaving only a single underground forward operating base as a strategic capture point.

Approximately 70 clone troopers were killed during the ground fighting across the multi-day invasion. Around 60 naval personnel and pilots were killed during the space battles defending Carida orbit.

Several Jedi were killed during the campaign, including Sparda Tenebris, Ralak Solari, Traigh, and Sly.
Mace Windu was severely wounded during a duel with Asajj Ventress, losing his hand, and another Jedi was permanently blinded.

The Republic also lost the Venator-class Star Destroyer RSV Invictus during the orbital fighting. Despite the cost, the campaign ended as a major strategic victory for the Republic, securing one of its most important military worlds.

Three days of fighting. The fleet burning above us. The ground shaking from tanks and beasts. And when it was over… Carida was still standing.

Clone Trooper, 104th Battalion

The Carida Campaign is remembered as:

• One of the first major fleet battles of the war

• The first confirmed appearance of Asajj Ventress in the sector

• A campaign that demonstrated the CIS willingness to deploy Sith assassins, mercenary fleets, and biological warfare