Rhoswen let out a breath. "That was satisfying."
Astra replied, "You followed orders well."
Rhoswen paused.
"That was even more satisfying."
The rest of the swarm broke after the large beast died. Some tried to flee. Others kept attacking in confusion.
Aurelian did not chase the scattered ones beyond the marker line. He allowed the fleet to destroy those still in the kill zone and let the rest retreat into the inner lane.
This was not extermination.
It was training and control.
By the time the battle ended, the fleet had destroyed more than three hundred smaller beasts, dozens of adults, and the near-Tier V leader.
Several escorts had taken light damage, one of Solenne's drone groups was nearly spent, and Rhoswen's shields needed time to recover, but no shipgirl had suffered serious harm.
The recovery operation took longer than the battle.
