Even if you find the event, and try to start the mission from there it will not work for you, because by dooing so it will be like starting the game from that point. That means that you will loose all the previous experience, money, and any ship that was better than the original ship you had as you started the game. The easiest way, really is to use a previous save, and if not, start the game again, it should be easier the second time around
