However, the tanks soon managed to keep themselves sufficiently out of the way, and managed to cut many Zayre down. Realizing that there was little that could be won with a useless gesture of bravery, Storm Ironwings ordered a vanguard to stay and hold up the Federation whilst the Zayre beat a retreat back to their base. The ferocity of the vanguard held the Federation in place for numerous hours before the vanguard was finally slaughtered, leaving the path open for the Srav's.