Shinrarta Dezhra, mid-September, 3310. Following the Assault on Titan Thor, just two Thargoid Titans remained active. Humanity had the upper hand, or so it seemed. Though notoriously slow to adapt, humanity’s ancient enemy still had tricks up their sleeves. Aegis predicted a counteroffensive, but few expected the Thargoids to strike so brazenly at the home of the Pilots’ Federation: Shinatra Dezhra. We called for intel from the front lines, and the Commanders of Just About Elite Dangerous reported back with first-hand accounts from the system’s desperate defence efforts. Read on to learn about the Defence of Shinrarta Dezhra from those who were there. 

First responders

Ari Steele, first officer and logistics manager for the L&L Travel Company, was the first to report back. Giving an overview of the state of the system, she reiterated the Pilots’ Federation’s call to aid:  

"Commander Lauer has brought us some footage from the Shinrarta Dezhra system. On 12 September, 3310, Thargoids advanced their lines, invading the system. Several ports have been abandoned and Jameson Memorial is under attack. All available commanders, please heed the call, as fighters and rescuers are needed in the system. All refugees and bonds should be taken to the rescue ship Cornwallis, in the V886 Centauri system. This was Ari Steele, broadcasting as part of commander Lauer's crew. Fly safe, commanders!"

Her superior, CMDR James Lauer reminded everyone of the human cost of the incursion, asking even civilian vessels to do their bit:

"Remember commanders, fighters are important, but if you have any space available in your ship, that’s one more life that can be saved."

Some of humanity’s best pilots, like Gadnok, heard the distress call. They undocked, cranked their anti-Xeno playlist up to 11, and flew straight towards the action: 

CMDR_M refused to let the Thargoids fly free in their backyard. They flew through hellfire to give those Thargoids a taste of their own medicine: 

Civilian rescue

As the battle raged, CMDR Lauer’s call for refugee assistance began to reach pilots in star systems far and wide. Forgoing their trade and transport missions, couriers and traders emptied their cargo holds and flew straight through the blaster storm to reach those in need. We intercepted the mission log of Commander XCezor - co-founder of the Aurora Venatores Squadron:

"I changed my standard ship to Python Mk1, specialised for passenger missions. This time, it would have to serve as a rescue ship. The situation in Shinrarta Dezhra seems to be stabilising a little, but the Thargoid attack continues, and the risk of losing one of our most important systems remains extremely high. We need to keep fighting and rescuing as many people as we can.” 

Commander Hunter heard the call via their ship’s panel. Knowing that “the most dangerous creatures a traveller can cross paths with were encircling Jameson Memorial Station, he gathered his thoughts and courage and jumped in his ASP Explorer: The Spirit. After many jumps, he made it to the warzone and broke through enemy lines to the docking station, where he filled his ship with 80 survivors.” This is what happened in the daring and precarious rescue mission that followed:

Rescue pilot JHenckes thanked their lucky stars that they weren’t docked at the time of the Thargoid’s counterattack, but that didn’t prevent them from flying straight into the jaws of the beast to get citizens to safety. While there were still living, breathing, humans stuck in the station, they’d be there to help: 

“The attack at Shinrarta Dezhra was an unpleasant surprise. How could the Thargoids reach it without being noticed? I’m glad I wasn't at the starport when they struck, but I had to do something. So I’m doing what I can to maximise rescue efforts in my Keelback. It isn’t a large ship, but it’s fast and cold enough to pass by the enemy scouts and interceptors without drawing their ire. 

“Getting to the mailslot involves moments of absolute terror. I’ve got to bypass dozens of Thargoid scouts. They’re not that strong, but what my Keelback has in speed, it lacks in shields. If I equip stronger shields, I’ll generate too much heat and they’ll catch me. Still, it can only take so much fire. It’s a consolation that I can repair my ship at the starport’s entry; the problem is getting back out.

“I’ve lost count of how many I’ve rescued, but I won’t be stopping. There are too many people to save in there, and with the help of other pilots putting their lives on the frontlines, we’ll have our victory over those bastard bugs!” 

A dire threat

Death and destruction was everywhere. Amid the carnage, MQC claims to have intercepted a Thargoid transmission from the system:

If MQC’s claim and translation is correct, it seems that the Thargoid attack was founded in retribution against John Jameson (see our list of fun Elite Dangerous facts to learn the history there), as much as it was in tactical gain: 

"Alert. Operation Shinrarta Dezhra successfully completed. Human fleet surprised, defences neutralised. Shinrarta Dezhra under Thargoid control. Minimal losses, objectives achieved. Jameson's vicious attack will never be forgotten or forgiven. Requesting further instructions. Alert." 

Given the gravity of the threat, some pilots, like Lambda felt lucky to have made it out in one piece:  

“Despite how hairy things got, despite the fact my hull got down into the single digits, and despite the fact I was repeatedly on the receiving end of pulse waves, I made it out of the defence of Shinrata Dezhra alive!”

"Humanity will not let this attack go unpunished." Slamscape created an incredible short film that doubles as a piece of propaganda, lighting a fire in the bellies of all pilots who would stand idly by and let others fight for them: 

And yet for all the propaganda, for all the calls to arms and desperate pleas, it was beginning to feel as if the enemies were endless and the cause lost. The situation was deteriorating by the minute when Donut arrived. They reported on the horrors they witnessed: 

“The system is a nightmare. All outposts but Jameson Memorial are down and that’s in poor shape. Rescue and evac ships are being attacked indiscriminately by the Thargoid invaders. Even with the support of Aegis and Azimuth, casualties have been staggering.”

In humanity’s most desperate hour, one question was on everyone’s lips: would more answer the call? Donut continues: 

“The situation looks hopeless. But you can’t tell the Commanders of the Pilots’ Federation that! If you can point your cannons and pull the trigger then we need you in Shinrarta Dezhra! It might look bad, but we are the Commanders of the Pilots’ Federation!”

A rising tide

It was apparent that military pilots alone could not secure victory. Humanity would need everything and everyone they had. And yet in the darkness, faint flickers of hope began to shine. First in the lights of exploration ships, then bounty hunters, couriers, and traders until the black was aflame with the lights and blaster fire of a ragtag armada of reinforcements. Here’s Donut once more:

“Men, women, and non-binary commanders are now answering the call! From Fed Corvettes to FDLs, from Anacondas to Sidewinders, every ship that can hold an anti-Xeno weapon can be seen rushing towards the fight! And it’s not just mercs and gunslingers showing up; cargo haulers, explorers, scientists, they’re all loading up and heading into the thick of it.”

CMDR Henckes is more used to tackling buccaneers than extraterrestrials, but he joined the AX fight nonetheless:

"You all know that I’m no fighter. I only hunt pirates! I can’t guarantee how much help I’ll be; I don’t know how to hunt a Thargoid. But if humanity is at risk, I'll fight!”

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, at least for the time being. Pirate-hunters like Commander Henckes could be seen flying wing-to-wing with those accused of piracy, united by a shared cause. As reported by Stormseeker himself, the Storm Seekers joined the fray, fighting tirelessly “six to twelve hours a day”. Here’s the impassioned speech from Commander Noriko Kurosawa, who calls for unity in times of desperation:   

"Usually we’re not so welcome in these lands because we support an anarchic faction like the Storm Seekers. We really hope people stop seeing every anarchic faction or supporter as pirates or evildoers, because when times like this come, we are all humanity. And we’re fighting, bleeding, and doing our best to keep the Thargoids away from humanity’s systems, as any other fleet or faction would. So good luck, and freedom to humanity!"

To many pilots, like LunchAndDinner a unified species was a spectacle to behold:

“To see all Commanders team up to defend one of humanity’s biggest home bases was quite something. It’ll take the combined effort of many Commanders to take these invaders down, or perhaps just one extremely skilled pilot. For humanity! For Shinrarta!”  

Luriant took a cynical approach to the battle at first, believing that humanity’s defence of Jameson Memorial played right into the Thargoids’ hands. And yet, upon seeing humanity’s unified response, Luriant admits that they might have been mistaken. When the Thargoids struck the heart of humanity, that heart started beating:

“I’m a technocrat; no numbers, no soul. For me, the attack on Jameson Memorial was a distraction; only a bunch of systems were captured this week in the wider war. I felt sad. But then I saw something. New pilots were joining the war because they got hit in a station they love. It meant more pilots started training in anti-Xeno (AX) combat. CMDR Mechan was giving advice, the AXI Discord was lit up, and the AX scene was ignited once again. I realised that in all my focus on hard numbers and data, I’d overlooked the power of the human spirit. This battle may not be so useless after all - not if it rallies new pilots to join the defence of humanity!” 

Even those who’d hung up their combat boots for a simpler mining life joined the fray, and they saw it through to the bloody end. Here’s LiquidMorkite reporting from the final days of the battle: 

“I was readying my Python for a relaxed week of mining when I saw the messages about what was going down in Shinrarta. The Thargoids were attacking Jameson Memorial; I didn’t need any more of an explanation. I dusted off my anti-Xeno vessel, my Chieftain, and headed straight for the frontline!”

“When I arrived at the station, chaos reigned. Fire was everywhere, Hydras were filling the skies, and rescue ships were desperately trying to make it to the station with holes ripped right through their hulls. Upon seeing the destruction, I thought to myself: ‘These suckers had the guts to threaten our world. We are the sons of Jameson and we shall show them why we have the second armament.’ I hit the throttle. 

“As of today, five days later, we’ve claimed victory. Over five-and-a-half trillion credits were turned in by 8,709 CMDRs in a span of four days. It goes to show the faith we should have in humanity, companionship, and courage.”

LiquidMorkite finished by sharing words posted by famed AX expert and “face of the Second Thargoid War” Commander Mechan: 

“The successful defence of the Pilots’ Federation headquarters will surely go down as one of the greatest battles of the Thargoid War. Whether you participated in direct combat, rescue operations, or were far removed from it all during a long trip in the black - savour this moment! The Thargoids took their biggest swing at humanity. And we soundly beat them back; together. GLORY TO MANKIND!" 

Galnet news reported victory on 24 September 3310. Florian Baljak, acting starport commander of Jameson Memorial, described his station’s survival as a “miracle”, adding: “We lost a lot of good people driving the aliens back. But thanks to the efforts of thousands of Commanders, along with auxiliary support from Sirius Corporation and Azimuth Corporation, we can claim victory in this particular battle.”

On behalf of Galnet News Digest, Wotherspoon shared a sitrep: 

What might the Thargoids’ next move be? Let us know in the comments! If you’re looking to join humanity’s defence, be sure to check out the AX resources section in our list of the best Elite Dangerous guides and creators. Some text has been edited for brevity, clarity, narrative flow, or spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You can find the original wording here. Cover image credit: LunchAndDinner