The unfavorable start put the Western Fleet in a dangerous position. Already equipped with weaker forces compared to the Sixth Fleet, they were caught off guard. The commander faced two options: either endure casualties to forcefully re-align the formation and confront the Sixth Fleet, buying time for Blanchi to raise the Solar Crowns, or temporarily avoid battle by scattering the fleet into the Asteroid Belt, using the broken asteroids to shield and retreat, reforming the formation later.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Marshal Odo, as commander, chose the second option.
"We must preserve enough living forces." Although the first choice was steadier and less risky, the Western Star Region fleet doesn't have the capital for stability at the moment.
Thus, the starships of the Western Fleet broke down into individual units, dispersed into the Asteroid Belt, shuttling within and retreating continuously.
