Chapter 346: Taran’s Failure 2

The answer came without excuse.

Aurelian respected that more than a weak denial.

"What do you expect me to offer?"

"A surrender channel. Not to Taran. To individual ships."

Astra spoke from beside the wall.

"That could also be used to spread false signals through our fleet."

Yarric looked toward her.

"Then control the channel yourself."

Aurelian remained quiet for a moment.

Offering surrender in the middle of a battle carried risks. It could create confusion, and Taran would likely threaten any captain who even considered accepting.

Still, the enemy fleet was damaged. Many of its officers now knew the sanctuary could not be recovered easily.

Some had watched their own commanders send them into hidden weapons and a failed close-range assault.

A few might choose survival.

"Eirenne," Aurelian said.

Her projection appeared on the table.

"I heard."

"Prepare a narrow surrender channel. Compact ships will have to lower weapons, stop engines, and transmit their command codes before approaching."

"That can be done."

Yarric looked at the projection, then back at Aurelian.

"You trust your AI with a great deal."

"She gives me good reasons to."

Aurelian stood.

"If any ship uses that channel to attack us, the offer ends."

Yarric nodded.

"That is fair."

As Aurelian and Astra left the room, the tactical display on his wrist changed.

Eirenne had received a new contact from one of Solenne’s scouts.

"Marshal Taran is moving," she said.

"How many ships?"

"His entire remaining force."

Aurelian quickened his pace.

"Toward the sanctuary?"

"Not directly."

The map expanded.

Taran’s ships had divided into three groups.

The first remained outside the sanctuary’s weapon range and advanced slowly toward Solenne’s position.

The second moved toward the outer transport route, while the third disappeared behind the debris belt.

It was not a simple frontal attack.

Aurelian opened a channel to Solenne.

"I’m seeing it."

"So am I," she replied. "The third group is trying to hide its approach."

"Can they reach the transports?"

"Not without crossing one of the old mining lanes, but the sanctuary has no weapons covering that side."

Aurelian checked the evacuation map.

The first six transports had already left the immediate area. Five more waited near the mountain, while another group remained inside the cargo bays.

Taran had likely noticed the launch pattern.

He was not trying to defeat Solenne’s whole fleet.

He was trying to force her to spread out again.

"Keep your fleet together," Aurelian said. "Do not chase the hidden group."

"They may reach the transport lane."

"Eirenne will handle the lane."

There was a short pause.

"With what?"

Aurelian looked toward the sanctuary systems.

"Whatever we still have."

Eirenne began searching before he finished speaking.

The sanctuary’s main batteries were cooling. Several lighter weapon platforms could still fire, but none had a clean angle on the debris belt.

The old station turrets were damaged after the earlier battle, and most lacked enough power for another long engagement.

Then she found something else.

"There are twelve defense cutters stored beneath the eastern launch vault," she said. "Small hulls. No shipgirls. Automated command support, short-range weapons, and limited shields."

"Can they fly?"

"Eight can. Two more may launch but won’t survive much damage."

Aurelian did not hesitate.

"Wake them."

Deep inside Sanctuary Ardent, sealed launch doors began to open.

The defense cutters had been built for local patrols and emergency interception. They were much smaller than Solenne’s cruisers, but their systems were designed to work inside the sanctuary’s defensive network.

Their reactors came online one after another.

Eirenne took direct command of their navigation while sanctuary maintenance frames completed the final launch checks.

Aurelian entered the old command center as the first cutter left the mountain.

Rhoswen was already there.

She had finished helping with the damaged lift and still had dust across one shoulder.

"I heard Taran came back."

"He never really left."

"Good. I was worried he had become sensible."

"He is being sensible."

"That is less good."

Astra moved toward the main tactical table.

Solenne’s fleet formed one strong line near the sanctuary, refusing to split as the first Compact group advanced.

Taran’s second group continued toward the transport route, but it remained outside effective range.

The third group was still hidden behind the debris belt.

Eirenne placed the defense cutters inside an old service lane that ran behind the wreckage. Their small hulls moved through narrow gaps where larger ships would have struggled.

"They’ll reach the far side in six minutes," she said.

"Will Taran detect them?" Aurelian asked.

"Not before they cross the final section."

"What is he using in the hidden group?"

"Mostly destroyers, with several light cruisers. He kept the heavier ships in the first formation."

That made sense.

The hidden group was meant to move quickly, strike the transports, and withdraw before Solenne could respond.

Taran had likely assumed no serious force remained inside the debris field.

He was almost right.

The battle began near Solenne first.

Compact ships moved into long-range weapons distance and opened fire. Solenne’s fleet returned it, but both sides avoided closing too quickly.

Taran wanted to hold her in place, while Solenne understood that the main danger was happening elsewhere.

The second Compact group approached the transport route, forcing the escort ships to turn toward it.

Still, Solenne did not split her main fleet.

The pressure increased.

Compact missiles moved across the system in wide waves, trying to force her cruisers to use shield power before the closer exchange began.

Solenne answered with fighters and point-defense drones, destroying many of the missiles before they reached her line.

Taran’s main formation kept advancing.

He wanted her attention fixed on him.

Behind the debris belt, the hidden Compact group finally entered the old mining lane.

Its commander ordered full speed.

The route was narrow but clear, and the transports were only minutes away. If they struck quickly, they could destroy several evacuation ships before the Human fleet reacted.

Then eight new contacts appeared ahead.

The sanctuary cutters came out of the wreckage almost directly in front of them.

The Compact commander hesitated for only a second.

"Destroy them and continue."