* * *
Asotos eventually pulled his armada back until he reached the CastenRill Asteroid Fields. The Dredges main battle groups chose not to follow them in, feeling they had already accomplished their objectives. Admiral Tizkertinah’s Crimson Fleet, in confederacy with Sarah’s WolfPack Marauders, held their own against Admiral AuThades and his armada, Glorious II. By the end of the day, both sides withdrew, surrendering the field to the salvage ships.
After the orders were given to disengage, Nazareth collapsed on the deck, becoming delusional before sinking into a semiconscious state that lasted several days. Her body, acting like some sort of energy conductor, took a beating. Besides losing several inches of hair to singeing, the flesh was badly burned on her hands and feet. For weeks afterward, the commodore walked with a pronounced limp.