Let us look at descriptions of Base Delta Zero, and seemingly related quotes from the same sources.
This quote is meaningless. Earth like Planets naturally come with the surface covered in slag because of what they are made of, and how they form. Just look out a window, and you will see almost nothing but slag. You can't slag a planet, or turn a planet to slag.Imperial Sourcebook wrote: "The Imperial Star Destroyer has enough firepower to reduce a civilized world to slag."
slag |slag|
noun
1 stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore.
^_^One could use this quote to argue for no weapons on Star Destroyers.^_^
Base Delta Zero is a scorched earth tactic. A scorched earth tactic is done to deny the enemy resources, and that means that survivors can easily be expected. The targets are mostly infrastructure. In some cases a few sticks of TNT would be more fire power then you need, and a BDZ certainly does not require killing everything on the planet.Imperial Sourcebook wrote: "System bombards are used when the Empire would rather completely destroy a world rather than see it fall into Rebel hands."
_____
While stopping escaping ships may be possible it is far from required. Ships leaving to tell the tail of what the Empire did would be an added bonus.
_____
This quote would suggest that the targeted planet would have little to no defenses after all the fighting. A planet that has just rebelled would have likely had all of it's defenses damaged or destroyed in the battle.
Even if we assume the Empire would care enough to blockade the system that still leaves 99 ships to blast the planet as it is shown to only take one ship to form an effective blockade.Imperial Sourcebook wrote: "System bombard contains an average of 100 ships divided between three bombard squadrons and a light squadron. If an admiral feels that force superiority has done less than a thorough job of removing hostile craft from the system, a system bombard squadron will be augmented with ships from the light squadron."
_____
A Base Delta Zero is only performed after enemy defenses have been driven from the system, but if there are still defenses in the system even more ships then the fleet of 100 will be sent.
_____
No time frame is given, but there is no reason to rush since there is no one to appose the BDZ.
Again, a Base Delta Zero is a scorched earth tactic.Star Wars Adventure Journal wrote: "Base Delta Zero is the Imperial code order to destroy all population centres and resources, including industry, natural resources and cities. All other Imperial codes are subject to change, as you well know, but this code is always the same to prevent any confusion when the order is given. Base Delta Zero is rarely issued. ...."
_____
We know that the Death Star did not destroy all of the resources on Alderran, but we also know the Death Star had a firepower greater then half the fleet. Clearly the word destroy refers to far less then anything the Death Stars could do. It would seem that all that would be required is damaging mines, burning crops, putting craters in farm land, and damaging harbors.
_____
Cities and population centers would indicate that you only target areas where there are large groups of people together. Clearly there can easily be survivors as the order is not to kill everyone.
_____
No time frame is given.
Clearly this is a self contradictory quote, but ruble would fit with the other quotes, and it is very possible Han only has a vague idea as to what a BDZ is.Hutt Gambit wrote: Han tensed, but made himself stay calm. He could tell Greelanx was really tempted. "Sir, what are your orders?" he asked. "Perhaps we can think of something that will benefit us both, and yet leave you free of any charge of wrongdoing." Greelanx laughed bitterly, a short, bitten-off laugh. "Hardly, young man. My orders are to enter the Hutt system, execute order Base Delta Zero upon the Smuggler's Moon, Nar Shaddaa, and then blockade Nal Hutta and Nar Hekka until the Hutts agree to allow full customs inspections and a complete military presence on their worlds. The Moff doesn't want to cripple the Hutts too badly, but he wants Nar Shaddaa reduced to rubble." Han swallowed, his mouth dry. Base Delta Zero was an order that called for the decimation of a world--all life, all vessels, all systems--even droids were to be captured or destroyed. His worse nightmare come true.
Perfectly in line with a BDZ as described in the RPG sources.Hutt Gambit wrote: Fel would carry out his orders, but he wasn't happy about them. He knew images of the flaming buildings would haunt him, as he gave each order to fire. And afterward . . . they'd have to send down shuttles and ground troops to mop up, and he, Fel, being a conscientious commander, would have to oversee that operation. Visions of smoking rubble strewn with blackened corpses filled his mind, and Fel took a deep breath.
