Two rebel cruisers appeared over the Valoran capital, Ranveor. Four frigates and three corvettes followed them. The hangar doors opened, and 432 fighters emerged. The rebel capital ships attacked the docked Tudor destroyers and battleships.

Alarms blared, and a few Tudor fighters lifted off into the sky, though they were quickly shot down by the Rebel fighters. Missiles and Gatling gun volleys hit the rest, obliterating them.

By that time, the Tudor capital ships had engaged the rebel fleet. The 9 battleships and 30 destroyers quickly forced the rebel ships to retreat. While the rebel ships were faster and more maneuverable, and the cruisers had better armor, the Tudor battleships had more powerful weaponry. Each was armed with 60 heavy cannons, and 45 light cannons. The rebel corvettes and frigates had 15 and 20 heavy cannons respectively, as well as 30 light cannons.

Still, despite the rebels being outnumbered and outgunned, they managed to take out 5 destroyers and severely damaged many other ships, without losing any of theirs, due to the cruisers' large frames shielding the smaller frigates and corvettes, and constant harassing from the rebel fighters, which outclassed their Tudor counterparts. Each rebel fighter was armed with four light cannons and two heavy cannons, and could also carry up to 8 missiles, while their bombers had two light cannons and five heavy cannons, along with 14 missiles.

When it was apparent that they would be unable to catch them, the Tudor warships turned back to the base.

Admiral Elsurn surveyed the battle damage. The docking bay was crippled, and would need weeks of repairs to be fully operational, and the tubes that transported the pilots to the warplanes were all destroyed, along with the warplanes themselves. The barracks weren't in a much better condition, many with their doors and roofs blown off, walls crumbling and bent beyond recognition. The rebels escaped with few casualties, and without their fighters, they would not be able to pursue them.

...

Alenar, Tailen and Akala stood by Kylara's bed in the cruiser's med bay, watching the doctors carefully apply one last layer of paste to the scar in her side. The paste was meant to strengthen the tissue.

"She needs a full day of rest before she can move again", the head doctor said, taking off her mask. "Understood. Thank you", Alenar said.

...

Tailen got back to his feet, and raised the wooden sword again. Alenar approached him slowly, and suddenly sprang forward, pummeling him with a flurry of overhead cleaves and thrusts. Tailen retreated, barely able to keep his brother's sword away.

Then, Alenar swept him off his feet, and slashed for his chest. Tailen scrambled back and, in desperation, blasted him with wind. Alenar slid a few meters back, but managed to steady himself by gluing his feet to the floor. "No magic. You must learn to fight without your powers. Otherwise, you will be lost", Alenar said, and resumed his advance. This time, Tailen was able to defend more successfully, but in the end, Alenar's greater skill and experience proved too much.

"Better. But you need to move more. Not too slow, not too fast. Just enough. Easier said than done, but you are getting there. Now, again. And this time, add more variety", Alenar said. Tailen moved forward, tired of being on the defensive. Alenar easily blocked his attacks, and an unexpected blade bash to his temple left him disoriented. The tip of his brother's wooden sword touched his collarbone.

"If we were fighting with real swords, and I was your enemy, you'd be dead. Do not focus on attack at the cost of defense", Alenar chided. Frustrated, Tailen attacked with ferocity. After a heated exchange of blows, Alenar capitalized on a small inaccuracy, and sent him to his back with a triple kick to the chest. Tailen didn't wait for him to close the distance, and sprang back up.

He let Alenar come to him, and calmly intercepted his strikes, holding his ground. Alenar suddenly increased the intensity, and Tailen was forced to step back. He retaliated, landing a pommel slam to Alenar's jaw and kicked him in the chest. He went on the offensive again, and this time, Alenar was unable to stop him. But he kept fighting, forcing Tailen to keep up the effort.

Then, he met Tailen's sword with his armored forearm and locked it in place with the hilt of his sword. He twisted his wrist, and the guard jammed into Tailen's wrist. Tailen sent his arm in a single loop, escaping Alenar's trap and spun with the momentum, evading Alenar's sword. Their blades touched the other's collarbone at the same time, and they stepped away, panting.

"Well done. You kept control over yourself, solid defense when necessary, fluidity and precision on the offense. This will be enough for today. We will continue tomorrow, if possible", Alenar complimented, patting his brother on the back. Tailen sighed, relieved, and the two joined Akala in the cafeteria.

Alarms went off suddenly. The combat display screen showed four Tudor battleships and 12 destroyers on approach, along with several hundred  fighters and bombers. The two rebel fighter squadrons on patrol met them, while the other rebel pilots scrambled to their ships. The rebel cruisers moved forward, their frames shielding the more vulnerable frigates and corvettes.

One of the cruisers intercepted a bombers squadron, and 12 of its 50 light cannons found their targets. All 12 bombers tumbled out of the sky.

The frigates and corvettes had, by then, gained considerable distance on the Tudor fleet, and the cruisers, too, departed. The 24 rebel fighters on patrol were all shot down, but they gained just enough time for the rebels to escape. The attack cost the Tudor three destroyers, and over a hundred fighters.