Karven Spire's garrison had fought better than most of the Kharov stations Aurelian had seen.
Even after losing its patrol fleets, shield anchors, outer platforms, and primary communications, the station had not simply collapsed.
The remaining Kharov ships pulled back toward the military dock in good order, using the broken station arms and debris fields to cover their movements as they gathered enough force for one last push.
That alone proved they were elite by local standards.
Unfortunately for them, local standards were not enough against Cassian's fleet.
Aurelian watched the tactical display as boarding teams moved toward the disabled fortress under escort.
The relay core had survived, the outer weapon rings had gone silent, and the surviving enemy ships were trapped between the station wreckage and the Arcturus family's closing formation.
Cassian had not rushed to crush them completely.
That was intentional.
