Most Compact ships were below the standard Aurelian wanted for the important parts of his fleet, but that did not make them useless.
They could patrol safer systems, escort transports, train crews, guard stations, or be stripped for parts without tying up his better ships.
Quality still mattered to him.
That didn't mean he was going to throw away equipment that could still do useful work.
While the captured fleet was being sorted and prepared for transfer, another report reached the command center. This one came from a different Compact station farther along the outer line.
The station commander had watched Keln's fleet disappear from the route, then lost contact with every ship sent afterward to investigate. Instead of waiting for Aurelian's forces to appear in his own system, he had decided to contact Sanctuary Ardent directly.
The officer wanted terms.
Aurelian accepted the communication request.
