A refugee screen was a formation of refugee ships, placed strategically in front of a fleet for protection. The refugee ships would be full of civilians, usually with ties to the faction being attacked. The opposing force would thus hesitate or refuse to fire upon its own, allowing the fleet behind the refugee screen to approach its target unhindered. To prevent the refugee vessels from departing the formation, they were either threatened with destruction or piloted by those loyal to the fleet which utilized the screen.