Battle of Gamma Hydra (stardate 0805.02)

For other uses, see Battle of Gamma Hydra.

Battle of Gamma Hydra
Belligerents:	United Earth/Coalition of Planets vs. Romulan Star Empire
Date(s):	reference stardate 1/0805.02
Location(s):	Gamma Hydra star system
Scale:	60 Romulan ships, Starfleet 132nd Strike Squadron, 3 other Coalition squadrons
Result:	Earth/Coalition victory

The Battle of Gamma Hydra was a military engagement that was fought in the Gamma Hydra star system between the forces of the United Earth-led Coalition of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire during the Romulan War, on reference stardate 1/0805.02 (FASA RPG module: The Romulan War).

A key asset that ensured Earth's victory in the battle was intelligence gained through Operation Brutus, which allowed Earth vessels to intercept and successfully engage a Romulan fleet. (FASA RPG module: Star Fleet Intelligence Manual: Agent's Orientation Sourcebook)

A Romulan armada comprised of 60 starships was making its way towards the area of space known as the Triangle when it attacked three Coalition squadrons near the Gamma Hydra system. Though outnumbered and facing a ferocious Romulan assault, Starfleet’s newly developed tactics enabled the Coalition forces to inflict just as much damage on their enemy. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, fatigue and depleted resources. In the end, however, the Romulans forced the Coalition forces into a retreat, and continued their advance towards the Triangle.

The injured Coalition squadrons were then reinforced by the 132nd Strike Squadron, commanded by Admiral William G. Larson. Thus strengthened, they were finally able to repel the Romulan armada.

The battle of Gamma Hydra was a serious blow to Starfleet's strength. However, it also prevented the Romulans from gathering a major fleet within the Triangle. The Triangle remained Romulan-free for the rest of the war, not counting isolated, minor engagements (FASA RPG module: The Federation). Larson was an honored hero of the battle, who later had a class of destroyers named after him as well as a starship (FASA RPG module: Federation Starship Recognition Manual).

The Romulan War presented by the FASA RPG occurred some 19 years after the Federation’s founding, and was fought between it and the Romulan Empire. In light of later canonical information, this is assumed to be against the precursor Coalition of Planets instead.