After the battle, every damaged ship that was able to make the jump was sent back for repairs, along with some ships that didn't suffer any damage, to protect the territory, while the rest of the fleet remained, to make repairs and take over the enemy ships.
According to the repair drones and droids, it would take at least two days to repair every ship in the fleet enough to allow them to jump back and get fixed up by the shipyard.
As for the captured ships, it would take at least a week to salvage them all.
-I'm sorry Andrew, I lost shops and people in this battle.
Were Runir's first words once she got back to the station.
She stood before him with her head hung down, apologizing as if she had made a huge mistake.
-You have nothing to apologize for, this is war and in war there are losses.
He said, trying to reason with her before the self-blame consumed her.
He has seen a lot of this kind of self blame during his studies of military history, and i many cases it broke a promising commanders, making them unable to lead troops ever again.
-But…
-There are no buts, in this.
He cut her off.
-During the last few battles we managed to win without any casualties, but the enemies in these battles were mostly weaker than us and we ambushed them, or we had help.
This time you faced a superior opponent, even with the element of surprise on our side, there was no way that we could have won without any losses.
Andrew said, hoping to convince her that she did everything right.
-I'm not trying to diminish the loss of our people as it is a great loss to all of us.
However as a fleet commander, you need to lern how to deal with this kind of situation as it's not going to be the last time we lose people during battle, and if you can't deal with it, then you're not fit to be a fleet commander.
Or did you think that commanding a fleet, only entailed winning easy battles and being praised for it?
If so then you could not be more wrong.
Andrew said a bit harshly.
-Being in command of any military force is always connected to the responcibility for your troops and also with the possibility of loosing some of them in combat.
You're job as a commander is to ensure that these losses will be as low as possible, and when they do happen, it is also your job to learn from their deaths, to honor their sacrifice, by remembering them and setting them as examples for your forces, not as failures who died, but as heroes who gave their lives in battle to ensure our survival.
He finally finished, taking a deep breath.
-You're not the first nor will you be the last commander to lose troops in combat, and with the second wave of invasion coming soon, this will also not be the last time that we will lose people in battle.
He added much more calmly.
-The question is, will you be able to handle that?
This question took Runir by surprise.
-I don't know.
She whispered, after a moment of silence.
-Then take some time off and try to figure it out, because we can't afford to have a fleet commander, who is unsure if she can do her job.
Andrew said.
-It might also help if you talk to other commanders and captains who are more experienced in combat operations and have commanded people in battle before this.
He advised her.
Runir simply nodded and left to think about what she just heard.
-You can come out now.
Andrew said once the fleet commander left.
-How did you know I was here?
Arien asked coming out of her hiding spot.
-Let's just say that you're sneaking skills could use some work.
He smiled, seeing her surprised face.
-Do you think she will be alright?
The commodore asked, ignoring his command.
-To be honest, I have no clue, but talking with the people who experienced losing their troops in battle might help her deal with the guilt she is feeling right now.
Andrew answered honestly.
-If that's the case, then Drevon might be the right person to talk with her.
Arien said, after thinking it through.
-If you think he might help in this case then let him try.
I would hate to lose Runir as a fleet commander, she has talent for this line of work and a lot of potential to grow.
However, if she can't get over it, then I might need to find another fleet commander.
Andrew admitted.
-I'll also talk with her.
Arien said, hearing this as she had seen firsthand how Runir led the fleet and she had to agree with Andrew about her potential as a commander.
-Did you also have problems after losing people in combat?
Andrew asked.
-I had no problem with that, on my planet life and death situations are a part of one's life from birth.
The weak will die while the strong will survive, there is no place for grief or second-guessing oneself.
She shrugged.
-To be honest, if it wasn't for Drevon and Rhuneek, I would most likely never made it as a commodore.
I'm too indecisive when it comes to anything not related to combat and too ruthless in combat.
These two helped me balance everything and helped me avoid a lot of trouble along the way.
She admitted.
Andrew was surprised to hear her admit to her shortcomings since she didn't seem like the type to do such a thing.
-I almost forgot why I came here.
She said suddenly.
-And why did you come here?
Andrew asked.
-I want your permission to attack a ship I spotted on the sensors.
She said, approaching the console and zooming in on a single ship traveling about 120 lightyears away from the station.
-What's so special about this ship?
Andrew asked, studying the readout, which showed a standard frigate class ship, with nothing special about it, other than the fact it was traveling alone.
-This is a slave ship, we met them a few times when we were still pirates, they specialize in the slave trade, and they are not especially picky on the method they procure their goods.
Arien explained.
-I understand the situation, but why do you want to attack them?
The human asked, not understanding her motives.
-Because the last time we met them, they offered many females to us, some of them were from our species and there was also at least one human among them.
Back then my fleet was not strong enough, to take them on and we were almost out of ammunition, but if you would allow me to take two heavy frigates and two standard frigates, we should be able to force them to surrender.
That way, we would not only free the slaves but also get another ship for the fleet.
Arien said trying to convince him.
-How do you want to stop them?
Andrew asked the most obvious question.
-They might be going relatively slow, but they are in FTL and you know there is no way to attack them if they dont stop.
-That's the beauty of it, we know where they are heading, and with some luck, we might be able to get there first and ambush them.
Arien said, pointing at an unclaimed system right on the path of the slaver's ship.
-How do you know that they will stop there?
Andrew was shocked, as the system was well inside their sensor range, and he didn't remember any frigates ever going through the area.
-Because that's their base of operations, we were going through that system when we were coming here.
She explained.
-This system also has a wormhole that goes both ways, that's why you never saw this ship on sensors.
Strangely, they are using FTL to get there with the invasion and all that's going on.
She said while thinking about it.
-I can guess a few possible reasons for it, but are you sure you can take them down?
Andrew asked.
-Yes, if we show up with enough firepower, they should surrender without any issues.
She said with confidence.
-What about their base?
-It's not armed.
Their only protection is secrecy or it was at this point, and I think they might want to leave this area, so this might be our only chance to get them.
Arien said.
-Alright, I'll allow you to go, but the moment you see or even sense trouble, you are to retreat immediately.
Andrew said, finally convinced.
-Alright.
Arien said and left to get ready.
Half an hour later two heavy frigates and two frigates left the system in the direction of the slave traders base.