First Battle of Aserai

Background
See also: Battle of Zetta Secundus

The Battle
In the year following their humiliation at Zetta Secundus, the Zaretian admiralty had reconstructed much of their navy with brand new warships, tactical doctrines, and technology. Among the long list of improvements was a new FTL drive known as the Sprint Drive, a multi-core subspace engine that was capable of rapid maneuvers through subspace. The Sprint Drive was a result of the admiralty's efforts to counter the Aeveria's powerful beam weapons, which had proved to be the Monarchy's bane during and after Zetta Secundus. Combined with improved navigation, Zaretian warships were now capable of appearing out of subspace in front of an enemy vessel, unloading a volley from their guns, and then retreating before the enemy could retaliate. Some outsiders even speculated that the improvements allowed Zaretian vessels to tenuously plot multiple subsequent jumps through subspace, though whether this is true remains unclear. Though many in the admiralty board were eager to get revenge on the Aeverians, the Monarchy decided that rather than risking a direct assault on the border blockade, they would instead attack the Dragoneteran Monarchy, a relatively small interstellar nation that was near Aeverian space that had recently pledged material and monetary aid to the Peacekeepers. The Monarchy believed that this would elicit an Aeverian response and allow the admiralty board to observe the resulting confrontation. The 3rd, 15th and 20th fleets, which had recently completed the refit, were sent to Dragoneteran space. The 15th and 20th stayed in reserve while the 3rd engaged the orbital defenses around Aserai. Part of the fleet jumped right into the Dragoneteran's rear flank, forcing ships from the front to turn around, opening the forward flank to the rest of the 3rd fleet, which swiftly swept through the defenders. Having attained orbital superiority over most of the planet and having no intention of holding it, the 3rd fleet began indiscriminately bombing cities and industrial centers on the surface.

Aeverian Response
The Dragoneterans sent out a distress signal, which as anticipated, caught the attention of the Aeverians, who sent the 27th fleet to assist. While en route, the 27th was intercepted by the Zaretian 15th and 20th fleets, and was forced to withdraw to the border blockade after a brief but fierce engagement. Shortly thereafter, a combined force of Rach and Aeverian ships were sent, and after several hours, finally repelled the monarchy from Aserai. Though arguably a Peacekeeper victory, the Monarchy saw it as a success as it showed the merit of their new doctrine. Additionally, the assault on Aserai crippled the Dragoneterans economically and militarily. Much of their army and navy now laid in ruins, and it would take years to rebuild the damage dealt to Aserai's population centers. Regardless, the Dragoneterans remained defiant, and officially committed troops to the war effort following the attack, though due to their small numbers, they played only a minor role in the Zaretian front, with no action elsewhere.