The Nier Guardians' fleet had already carved out a foothold within the M'tok Union's systems. Advancing along their own border, they devoured the M'tok Union's systems one step at a time.
Their Engineering Fleet constantly shuttled back and forth, filling every occupied system with Defense Stations. These batteries would deliver a crushing blow to any invading enemy. The Nier turned these systems into impregnable bastions.
Their fleet waited at the entrance to the faster-than-light route, with a vast Engineering Fleet building defensive installations behind it. The M'tok fleet occupied the system opposite them, and the two sides faced off across a Hyperlane.
The M'tok were at a loss against the Nier, who had declared war without hesitation. The moment the M'tok fleet dared move even a little way off, the Nier fleet would cross the Hyperlane and attack.
Fortunately, the M'tok Union reacted quickly enough, rushing back in time to try to catch the Nier fleet off guard. But the Nier remained extremely cautious. Rather than engage them at all, they immediately turned around and retreated to the previous system.
They gave the M'tok no chance whatsoever for a head-on battle.
Whenever the M'tok pursued, they were met by defensive operations conducted by the M'tok using Defense Platform Turrets and their fleet. This was the kind of defensive warfare the Nier excelled at most. Moreover, there was only one front, so the M'tok Union's fleet faced almost the entire fleet of the Nier Guardians and had no chance of winning.
But whenever they pulled back, the Nier fleet immediately followed close behind, harassing the M'tok Union to no end.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the Criminal Enterprise had no choice but to station its fleet in this system and face off against the Nier Guardians across the Hyperlane.