The Battle of Orion was a massed engagement between the United Empire of Earth (UEE) and the Vanduul that began on 16 February 2712 SEY, when thousands of Vanduul accompanied by a Kingship poured into Orion from a previously unknown jump point to the system later coded VS-09 "Vulture." The battle marked the first time UEE forces encountered a Kingship. On 18 February, the UEE was forced to cede the Orion system to the invading Vanduul forces. This was the first major defeat for the UEE since the temporary loss of the Idris system in 2542. It is considered by military historians to be a turning point in the ongoing conflict between the UEE and the Vanduul.
