An apparent second fleet turns a favourable engagement against fifteen ships into a much less certain battle. Jamming and decoys prevent Walking Stick from establishing how many reinforcements are real or whether they belong to mercenaries or a hostile state. Identifiable starfighters establish that some of the new force is genuine, while leaving its full strength unresolved. He might still win, but the resulting losses could endanger the Commonwealth. He withdraws because the wider war requires the fleet to survive. His characteristic error in this interpretation of the fictional commander is overconfidence in his ability to manage capable opponents.
Chapter · 1:02:45-1:07:34
Deception can make victory unaffordable
Uncertain reinforcements make a likely tactical victory too costly for a fictional commander whose fleet must survive the wider war.