Getting through closed borders

[obiwanjacoby61506]

So I was in the middle of a cold war with the strongest empire in my game (I was the second-strongest, and both of us had defensive pacts with the third strongest... we stared at each other for a couple decades). They'd been attacking smaller empires that sat between the two of us, and I eventually granted those empires Protectorate Status. Meanwhile, my fleet was quickly catching up in size and technology to my rival. All was going well.

Then the Prethoryn arrived.

They hit my Protectorates pretty much head on, with a bit of splash into my territory, and into my enemy's territory. We ended up getting a semi-circular front, with me on the Eastern side, my enemy on the Western side, and my Federation allies/remains of my protectorates to the North. I managed to defeat the fleets on my side, and went after the colonies they were trying to establish. I rescued a few of my colonies, and burned a pair of their infested worlds. ♥♥♥♥ hit the fan when I went for the third. My fleet engaged the defensive fleet the Prethoryn'd left behind, and as soon as they did, my sensors picked up two much larger fleets, falling back from the front lines against my Federation allies, which ambushed my fleet. With no other choice, I emergency FTL'd out of there.

The problem is, my fleet FTL'd to the nearest friendly space station... which was not at any of the colonies right next to it, since they'd all just been liberated and hadn't yet rebuilt their stations. Instead, it jumped to a Protectorate's homeworld, which is isolated in the middle of my enemy's empire. And that enemy still has closed borders. So I've now got a 60k fleet with a level 5 Admiral sitting in the middle of nowhere, completely unable to rejoin the fight. I have Jump Drives on those ships, they just don't have the range to get back to friendly space.

Is there a way to get them home? Any tips on getting my enemy to let me through their borders? Is there something I can do to get them to enter orbit at my ally's planet, so they stop costing so much upkeep? Any suggestions to keep this from happening again (since I'm effectively going to be unable to go on the offensive if my fleets can't withdraw safely)? Am I just stuck with those ships out of commission until the Prethoryn make it out to them? Is it worth keeping those ships, or should I scrap them to free up Capacity and Upkeep for new ships?

[Metadragon]

Warp or Jump Drives with the range to do it. Wormhole within range. Otherwise... no. Getter get to diplomacy or rebuild.

[Elitewrecker PT]

Nope, declare war on them so you can cross the borders.

[Botji]

I might be talking through my ass but dont your fleet have a button to recall them or something?

I seem to recall there being one that would put your fleet as missing and it pops up at your homeworld or something...

[SirKingJof]

You could try pressing the return button on the fleet. If they can't get back to a friendly station they should go missing then pop back at home. Haven't tried it in your situation though

[Botji]

Originally posted by SirKingJof:

You could try pressing the return button on the fleet. If they can't get back to a friendly station they should go missing then pop back at home. Haven't tried it in your situation though

I just tried it with my own station and the return button does work(sends it missing) but I had to dismantle the station at the planet that was surrounded by hostiles.

Not exactly sure what to do when its a allied system though since you cant dismantle that station!

But wouldnt the rival in this case be willing to open the borders when the scourge is around? If OP also ends rivalry and open his borders, perhaps sends a small gift if the opinion still is a bit low.. when the scourge is around everyone tends to get friendly(like +200).

[ArvenTrude]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=686015582 I've found this mod solves the problem.A bit too simple, should get some penalty like standing getting lower with the empire for violating they borders. but at least you wont get into the ridiculous situation when your fleet stuck in a separated part of your own empire...

[corisai]

1) Assimilate your protectorate and build jumpgate in their system.
2) Jump Engines.

Or cheat.