WINGMEN:

Get a wingman!  As soon as you have a factory, and get enough money, buy a fighter for the factory and then reassign it to protect you.  There are three kinds of Teladi fighters:

Name Bat Hawk Falcon Cost 10400 54000 270000 Shields 1000 5000 25000 Laser 3000 6000 12000 Comment To slow to keep up, but better than nothing Not too bad for a starter A couple of Falcons can give fairly strong support.

(Tip) A Destroyer like the Teladi Phoenix makes the best wingman you ever saw, if you can get near him before engaging the Xenon.