Firstly, since this is looking for realism, you shouldn't be able to get within like 5k of a hostile base, since you'd be wtfpwn'd by patrols. You would get annihilated before you could even get that kill.
Secondly, the way I see it is that the base has super strong shields. When a cap docks, inRP the base is extending its shield over the cap.
First..well, maybe so, but like I said, it's a small base, doesn't have much defense..even so, what about freeports, or any other faction neutral to you or the capital ?
Second..I don't think it works that way...I mean the extension of a shield.
Edit: On that note..do we have some freelancer how-things-work lore or something...we probably don't, but it could be useful <.<