Not ALL of the fighters were destroyed. IIRC, while you are on the roof there are other sabers fighting with covenant fighters. Well, that's if you view it a certain way. Might be remembering wrong since it's been forever since I've played too. But yes, it could have been saved, but it'd be very tricky. I had to stick around until the Pelican docked at least. Then it would have to break off before the Covenant corvette's heavy guns were in arc. [Edited on 10.05.2012 4:11 AM PDT]