Author Topic: The Siliconate War: Damnatio et Memoriae  (Read 14270 times)

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Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2007, 08:11:38 AM »
Chapter Ten


                                             (L + 17 days)

Navarchus Catulus was livid, and he mumbled to himself as he walked to the bridge of his ship. ?It?s a travesty, here the largest classis in the history of the Empire is gathering in the Asia system. I would have been guaranteed a Classis command and where am I? Stuck in a backwater nowhere with orders to report and run. If that idiot Helvius had done his job properly, I wouldn't have been stuck out here pretending to be a scout. Well I am going to show Classis Command what Navarchus Catulus is made of. When my plan works, I will be guaranteed at least a Quinquireme Squadron command.?
 
?Navarchus on the bridge!? his XO called as he entered the bridge of the Quinquireme Adrianople.

He saw his crew busy at their stations. ?Any further message from that stubborn bastard in charge of the Orbital Castrum XO??

 Trierarchus Paratus shook his head. ?No Sir, the Praefectus Castrorum says his orders stand. He will not support your plan.?

Catulus?s hand slammed down on his command chair's armrest. ?The idiot, it?s situations like this that make you realize that the Orbital Castras should have been under Classis control. Well fine, let him and his collection of antiquated junk get blown to Hades for nothing. Have the other ships been notified??

Paratus nodded. ?The ships of the squadron are ready in all respects. Navarchus Allentus reports his four System Defense Quadremes will follow your orders to the best of their abilities. With all due respect Sir, I wish to point out that our orders state we are supposed to scout, evaluate, report and retire.?

Catulus poked him with his finger. ?You will follow my orders Trierarchus, I need every man behind this plan. If you are not 100% with me, step down, now.?
They were interrupted by a shout from the sensor station. ?NAVARCHUS, ENEMY VESSELS ENTERING THE SYSTEM!?
 
?Battle Stations!? Catulus yelled. ?Have the System Defense Squadron close in with us and follow us in. Give me a scan on enemy numbers and try and pick out their transports.?
 
A few minutes ticked by and Catulus growled at the young nauta. ?What?s the problem? Give me some data, nauta.?

An unsure voice came back. ?Sir, there is some sort of jamming coming from the approaching ships. I?m having trouble holding on to the contacts. I?m trying to boost power enough to burn through their ecm. This group though sir has less interference and the computer evaluates at 87% surety of a Legionarii Transport Squadron.?

Catulus nodded. ?Fine! All ships launch on that group. Try to get a better picture of the other ships, NOW!?
 
Triadmantanium armed Pilas launched from the Quinquireme and her two Trireme escorts. Fighters swarmed from the Carrier Aquilia towards the large group of lumbering troop transports. A few moments later the older System Defense ships fired their old fusion armed pilas along the same bearing. A few moments later the scanners burned through the jamming and the Enemy Classis was revealed.

?May the Gods protect us.? whispered Paratus. ?Navarchus, we have to retreat! Navarchus... NAVARCHUS!? Paratus looked at his Commander?s glassy eyes and the wet stain spreading on his trousers. He turned to the bridge crew and shouted, ?Update the message drone and launch it, helm get us out of here!? The crew was reaching for their controls when the undetected salvo of pilas obliterated the squadron.

                                                        ***

Pro-Consul Renatus remained an island of calm in the middle of his headquarters. His staff had monitored the brief battle in the space above Nova Londinium. That frakking idiot of a Classis officer in getting his command shot to pieces has cost me dearly. He thought sourly.
 
When all the ships and orbital castrums had been destroyed and it was clear that there had been no message drone sent to the Imperial Communications Center on Nova Cartago, Renatus had to use the drone from his secondary Headquarters to pass the data on to Nova Cartago. Doing that had revealed the location of that base and doubled the workload on his staff when it was overrun. Not that it will probably matter in the long run. He thought as he looked at the situation board. They landed two Armies worth of troops, I had half again as many troops and I haven?t been able to slow them down with anything.
 
He watched as the situation board showed the second largest city, Nova Eburacum outlined in red. He turned to one of his Operations Officers and pointed at the mapboard. ?Can we rally any of the units that were holding Eburacum and try a flanking attack??

The Tribuni Angusticlavii looked at him in shock. ?Sir, there is no one left to rally.?

 The Pro-Consul looked at the map again. ?We had two Mechanized Legios, an Ala Legio and an Urbanae Auxilla dug in around that city and you are telling me that there aren?t enough men left to regroup??

 The Tribuni looked at a printout. ?Sir, they attacked with two Ala Legios and just rolled right over them. We only have a few units left that are responding but they are scattered and running.?
 
The Pro-Consul watched as more and more of the planet showed the red of enemy occupation. ?We have to update Imperial Command about what went on here or else they are going to be dumping troops into the grinder when they decide to counterattack.?

 His Tribuni looked at him. ?But sir if we launch our message drone, they will know right where we are and attack the Headquarters.?

Pro-Consul Renatus pointed at the few broken units still on the mapboard. ?Do you think we are commanding anything anymore? Update it and launch it Tribuni, then assemble the men and begin digging in around the HQ.?

 A little while later, as the Pro-Consul and his staff were digging their fighting positions around the mountain they saw the communications drone launch skyward. Not long afterward the techs still inside the HQ watched the lines of red start moving towards the mountain.

                                                           ***

Principale Metellus stood before the senior officer of the remaining troops on Nova Tarentum. The Tribuni Angusticlavii had questioned the Principale for almost three hours about everything that had happened to his unit. He had listened intently and asked questions to bring out information that Metellus didn?t even know he had. He in turn had discovered that the Tribuni was a Cohors commander who had gathered troops from the landing zone and fought his way to the mountains realizing that grav vehicles would have problems in terrain that his tracks could negotiate.
 
Metellus liked the look in the eye of the short swarthy officer. The Tribuni smiled and put his hand on the Principale?s shoulder. ?You did well to get your men this far Principale. I need trained troopers to bolster the line. I am going to assign you to Decurio Longinus?s Legati, as his troops never made it out of the LZ.? He smiled at him. ?Welcome to the XI Mechanized Legio Principale.?

Metellus?s face took on a deadpan expression and met the officer?s eye. ? With all due respect Sir, Manipularii are the senior service. I need to welcome your troops to the IV Manipularii Legio.? A moment of silence followed Metellus?s comment.

 The Tribuni burst out laughing along with the Principale. ?You?ll do Principale, you?ll do!? The sound of Principale Metellus and Tribuni Khitai?s laughter filled the tent.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2007, 09:19:24 AM by Þórgrímr »
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If you want peace, prepare for war
 

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« Reply #16 on: February 26, 2007, 07:38:17 AM »
Chapter Eleven


                                                  (L + 18 days)
 

Metellus pushed through the tent flap into the cold night air and breathed deep. He was surprised to see Decurio Longinus waiting for him outside the Tribuni?s tent. He raised an eyebrow at him. ?Been waiting long??

 He shook his head ?I figured that the Tribuni would keep you yapping for a few hours.? He grinned up at him. ?And I don?t trust a Manipularii not to get lost on the way to the Legati.?

 Metellus smiled at the small officer. ?No problem there Decurio, we Manipularii can smell a track toad from 2 miles out, upwind. I guess with the limited memory space that Army issue brains have they had to delete ?personal hygiene? to upload ?tool use? huh?? They both laughed as they made their way across the hillside.
 
He hesitated a moment before speaking, ?What do you think about fighting Romans Decurio? I mean E.T?s are one thing, but fighting our own kind just doesn?t sit right with me.? He had covered a few yards before he realized that Sempronius wasn?t alongside him anymore. He looked back to see him staring at him with a look of horror on his face.

 ?You mean you don't KNOW? Oh frakk! I figured with all the combat you had been in, you would have found out. Principale, we have got to get your men together and go to the prison area NOW!?
 
Medicus Tarquinius, the Cohort?s Surgeon, moved a pointer and highlighted a portion of the holographic projection. ?So as we see the primary probe tentacles burrow their way into the spinal cord of the subject and secrete a chemical to shut down all of the brain?s functions except the autonomic nervous system. It then hijacks the rest of the central nervous system and gains control over locomotion, and all higher brain function is transmitted by the parasite?s brain. In this state the Siliconate parasite then has time to slowly insinuate tentacles into other systems and uses the host?s body for all other bodily functions such as sustenance and waste elimination.?

 ?These things slowly ?use up? the body of their host, as the human body was not designed to support two separate entities. Once these things get their tentacles in your men, there is no way we can remove them. If we were in the Imperial Memorial Hospital on Terra, we might have a chance to save you. But here in the field, if you see your buddy wearing one of these, do both of you a favor and kill him before he kills you. So Manipularii, any questions or can I get back to sleep??

There was a shocked silence that was broken by Legionarius Varus retching.

 Metellus stared at the holo one more time. ?I guess if you just shoot the damned thing Medicus, it won't help??

 Tarquinius shook his head. ?Principale, the parasite secretes chemicals into the bloodstream that increase the host?s strength, speed, stamina and help the host heal itself quickly. Without this set of chemicals running through the body, the host dies in a very short period without ever regaining consciousness. Anything else?? Seeing no further questions from the men, the Medicus headed over to a sleeping bag and was snoring in moments.

Metellus looked into the back of the cave where two figures huddled behind a makeshift armor-glass barricade. One of the prisoners was gaunt and pale, the dark circled eyes and hollow cheeks didn?t detract from the look of sheer hatred in its eyes.

 The other figure was still dressed in a set of Manipularii camouflage utilities and Metellus recognized the face as a young Centurio from third century that he had spoken to just prior to landing. The one commonality between the two men was the rocky, pulsing creature attached to both figures chests.

 The Centurio stepped forward, placed his hand on the glass and stared at Metellus. A rough voice filled the cave. ?You should not fight us Human. Your worlds will be ours no matter what you do. Nothing but death awaits those that attempt to stop the Assembly. We bring you great gifts and we do not ask for much. Submit to the Assembly and your worlds will be spared destruction and your people will be protected eternally by the forces of the Assembly.?

 Metellus looked at the figure standing before him for a moment. He then spit a large gob of tobacco juice on the glass between them. ?The Manipularii have been protecting the Senate and People of Rome for thousands of years frakkhead, we don?t figure on giving up that job to anyone without a fight.?
 
The Principale turned around and moved towards the cave mouth. As his men followed him to the entrance, Metellus heard the voice follow him. ?We will kill all your soldiers on any world we find them on and your people will be ours in the end!?

The men of First Contubernium were the only ones who heard Metellus growl as he pushed through the blackout blanket. ?Not as long as there is one Manipularii left anywhere frakkhead.?

 He looked around outside the cave and saw Decurio Longinus moving towards them. He saw the look on each face and smiled grimly. ?So I see the horror show hasn?t gotten any better than when I saw it a week ago. Well Principale, what do you think??

 Metellus looked into the night sky a moment before he looked down at him. ?Think? Not much to think about Decurio. Looks like we kill every last one of those things we can find until we eliminate them from the Galaxy. Cause as I see it, if we don?t, they are gonna do it to us.?

Metellus looked at the Contubernium. ?Before we sack out tonight, I want a full weapons and equipment check. Ursus, you are off the watch schedule tonight, I want you to make the rounds of the nearby units and see what you can scrounge up to help us out.?

The Principale heard a snort of laughter from beside him and the Decurio rolled his eyes at the men of First Contubernium. ?Lock up your daughters and other valuables people, the Manipularii are out looking for goodies. Principale, you know that what you Manipularii call ?scrounging? will get you 30 lashes and 10 to 15 years in jail for theft in the civilian world??

 Metellus adopted his most innocent look. ?Just look at it this way Decurio, anything we do to improve the Contubernium?s fighting capacity will increase YOUR survivability in the long run.?

 Sempronius gave a wry grin and nodded as they approached the Legati. ?Good point Principale. Oh, Manipularii Ursus is it? In your ?travels? tonight, see if you can ?locate? some more night vision and a few sections of track anywhere. We may need more replacements with all this going up and down hills.? He lowered his head and sighed. ?My father warned me when I joined the army that I might fall in with evil companions. It looks like he was right?
 
The laughter of the Decurio and the Contubernium echoed inside the Legati as they moved up the ramp.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2007, 12:46:50 PM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
 

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« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2007, 10:37:01 AM »
Man! talk about getting bit in the ass! RL just took a big bite out of my backside!   :shock:
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
 

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« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2007, 10:02:46 AM »
Chapter Twelve

                                               (L + 22 days)
 

Cohors Urbanae member Magnus dug another shovel-full of wet soil and turned towards his friend. ?What I want to know is what in the name of Hades are we going to do if they send Loricas after us? Why aren?t those Legionarii sitting out here as bait? How come we get the smegty end of the sponge every time??

 Urbanae member Balearicus just shook his head. ?Let me tell you one thing Magnus, I would rather be sitting in this hole than be the guys that have to get into close combat with the rockheads. At least we can fall back from this position into the mountains if it gets too hot. All we have to do is draw a little fire and then run. Besides, we are better armed these days than before. Can you believe that big Manipularii was stupid enough to trade us a brand new Gatling Laser for my piece of smeg Mk.10 H.P.G.? Well if he wants to lug around that heavy mother all over the planet, he is welcome to it.? They looked around at the other six men of the contubernium digging in on the ridge above the road and laughed. ?I guess that Manipularii are as dumb as they say.?

                                                         ***

?The Urbanae are complete idiots.? Ursus laughed. ?I can?t believe they were willing to trade away that H.P.G. Here we have these armored monsters crawling all over the planet, and they give up a weapon that has more penetration than anything this side of a vehicle mount.?

Metellus just chuckled. ?I will bet one hundred sesterces they think they got the better end of the deal to Ursus.?

?Well they?ll figure it out when that gat starts bouncing rounds off the Rockhead?s body armor.?

 ?With a little luck they might even survive long enough to curse your name.? The Principale looked around at the terrain and spit on the grass. ?I just hope that the Decurio shows up on time when we need him. I don?t want to be left hanging out here when they decide to call in reinforcements.?

 Ursus looked down and grinned at his Principale. ?Somehow I don?t think he is the type to leave us out here to get smacked around by the Rockheads.?

 Metellus nodded. ?He?s not too bad for an Army puke, even if his old man is the Emperor, though you don?t have to tell him I said that. Now get down in your hole and keep under cover.?

 Metellus looked around to check his men?s concealment as he walked towards his designated position. He dropped into his fighting position and pulled the camo cover over himself and activated his jamming field. He had better show up on time. He thought. I would hate to have to kick his ass for being late.
 
The high-pitched whine of a grav effect filled the air. Metellus observed the road through his fiber optic scope. A pair of Siliconate Papilio?s was in the lead; a pair of Lorica?s trailed just behind them. Four human built cargo trucks followed close to the lead units. Another pair of Papilio?s brought up the rear.

Metellus keyed his secure comm. ?FDC 8, Jarhead 28, Execute fire plan Echo.?

There was a brief pause. ?Fire Direction Center 8, fire outgoing, out.?

 Metellus switched to the Urbanae?s frequency. ?Yokel 2, Jarhead 28, fire incoming. Execute ambush upon shot splash.?

The sound of ripping linen filled the air. Anti-Tormentum missiles fired skyward from the Papilio?s. The vehicles then began evasive maneuvers as the blossom of intercepted shells filled the sky.

A pair of light anti-armor missiles arced from the ridge as the Tormentum fire began impacting on the road; the barrage shattered one Papilio and a truck. Both light missiles impacted a Lorica with no visible effect. More shells of the next salvo made it through the interceptors. Another two trucks were destroyed and a Papilio was damaged.

The Urbanae began firing their small arms down from the ridge as the remaining Siliconate vehicles moved towards the ridge and began spraying the troops with fire. Power Armored troops poured out from the damaged Papilio and followed behind a Lorica using it for cover.

Metellus? comm crackled. ?Jarhead 28, FDC 8, final salvo outgoing, no further fire available at this time.?
 
A final salvo arced out of the mountains and impacted among the Siliconate vehicles. Thick white smoke began covering the area.
The Principale keyed his comm. ?Yokel 2, Jarhead 28, displace to the fallback positions immediately.? He felt the rumble as the enemy vehicles moved past his position and keyed his comm. ?First Contubernium execute ambush.?

 Metellus threw off his IR suppression cover and climbed out of his fighting position. He ran towards the grav Lorica still moving towards the ridge. He leaped up and pulled himself onto its rear hull and took out a magnetic breaching charge. He attached it to the top hatch and ducked behind the rear of the turret. He pulled out and armed a plasma grenade and began counting. The shaped charge blew a hole in the hatch and Metellus dropped his grenade in and dove off the Lorica. A moment later a huge explosion blew the turret skyward.

                                                        ***
 
Legionarii Macer popped out of his fighting position and aimed his launcher outward. He couldn?t see either of the Loricas in the smoke but he saw the outline of a Papilio close by. He locked his launcher on that target and fired. The rocket slammed into the side of the vehicle and a huge detonation blew the smoke away. Macer saw a few Siliconates pulling themselves out of the wreckage. Macer rolled out of the fighting position and drew his Gladius and Hastula. The smoke closed in around him as he advanced on the wounded soldiers.

                                                        ***

Legionarii Ursa leapt out of his fighting position, aimed the bulky Mk.10 at a Papilio and pulled the trigger. The Plasma Gun burned a hole through the side of the vehicle and it grounded in a crash. Ursa saw figures through the gradually widening hole and watched them explode from the flash boiling of their bodily fluids as he played the fire along its flank.

There was a sizzle and pop from the Mk.10 and an acrid smell of melting plastic drifted up to him as the weapon stopped firing. Ursa saw all four malfunction lights glowing red on the weapons readout. He threw the weapon to the ground. ?May the Gods DAMN those frakking Urbanae bastards. I?m gonna kill them.?

Ursa noticed figures moving around inside the Papilio and ran up to the vehicle. An armored figure began crawling out of the hole when two massive hands grasped his helmet and twisted violently. Ursa felt the neck crack through the armor. He pulled a pair of plasma grenades off his harness and dropped them past the body clogging the hole. He dove back and hugged the ground as the Papilio blew itself into pieces.

                                                      ***

A Lorica had passed right over Varus?s fighting position and partially caved in the side. He stuck a pair of breaching charges to the belly as it rolled over him. One of the six Siliconates following the Lorica had the bad luck of falling into the hole just as Varus threw off the camo cloth. The heavily armored form landed hard and Varus heard a bone break. He pulled his bayonet out and stabbed the huge form through the neck. He then grabbed his rifle, climbed out of his fighting position and began following the other Siliconates.
 
He carefully took aim and shot the armored soldiers one at a time. He started from back to front and killed four of them before the Lorica swung around in place and aimed its weapons at him. A moment later it went up in a massive explosion that engulfed the last Siliconate infantryman. Varus felt a sharp pain stab him in his left arm and saw blood beginning to stain his left sleeve. He checked his helmet?s heads up display and turned towards the damaged Lorica just in time to see it detonate from a rocket slamming into it. A figure loomed out of the smoke and Varus recognized his Principale?s silhouette.

                                                          ***

Metellus looked at the dead Siliconate in the fighting position and the other dead infantry that were lit by the now burning Lorica with the main gun aimed right at Varus.

Varus noticed his Principale staring at him with an odd expression on his face. The Principale looked ready to speak twice before he pointed at his arm. ?Get Ursus to look at that. No telling what the Decurio will do if you bleed all over the deck of his Legati.?
 
There was an explosion from the road as a gauss cannon took out the last fleeing truck. A Legati rolled up to them and stopped near Metellus. The ramp lowered and Varus saw Macer come running up and Ursus?s bulky form appear from out of the smoke. First Contubernium boarded and Varus sat down as Ursus started bandaging his arm.
 
Ursus shook his head. ?You gotta be more careful Varus, the Principale might leave you behind.? Ursus?s voice trailed off as Metellus touched him on the arm and shook his head.

When Ursus had finished the Contubernium sat in silence as the Legati clawed its way up the hills and slopes. Varus noticed the Principale staring at him the whole time. They reached the bivouac area and the Decurio lowered the ramp. Macer and Ursus exited first, but before Varus could stand up the Principale loomed over him and leaned down.

He spoke in a low voice that didn?t carry beyond the two of them. ?What you did out there couldn?t have been done any better by anyone, including me. They gave me my Golden Laurel for doing something like that, but I didn?t come out of it as healthy as you did.? He pointed to a large winding scar on his forearm. He grabbed Varus by the back of the neck and tapped helmets with him. ?You done good Manipularii. Now go see the Medicus and get your arm fixed up. The Contubernium needs you healthy.? Stunned, Varus watched his Principale walk down the ramp and head for the river.
 
Varus shook his head, grabbed his gear and moved towards the Medical tents. The Army personnel that watched him pass saw the smiling face of the bleeding soldier humming the Manipularii verse. Each just rolled their eyes as he passed and muttered, ?Manipularii.?
« Last Edit: October 30, 2007, 11:35:50 AM by Þórgrímr »
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If you want peace, prepare for war
 

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« Reply #19 on: March 11, 2007, 10:51:18 AM »
Chapter Thirteen


                                                 (L + 25 days)
 

The rain fell gently as Decurio Longinus looked across the clearing at Principale Metellus. ?What do you think of the Tribuni?s plan Principale??

A grunted laugh came from the poncho covered figure and Metellus spit onto the wet ground. ?Well Decurio, I think your Tribuni has gone completely insane. Now I don?t mind taking a few risks from time to time, but this Op is going to redefine the term ?hairy?. I don?t mind hurting the Rockheads, but I don?t understand why we are doing this. I mean we're holding real well in these mountains. Why are we looking to attack now? I just want to know why I am risking my Manipularii?s lives on this??

A distant century of Ballista?s fired off several salvos. Sempronius pointed in the direction of the noise. ?That?s what it?s all about Principale, supply and logistics. A few of us officers know, but we aren?t letting the troops in on just how low on everything we really are. We have lost more Papilio?s to maintenance issues than to enemy fire and the Ballista?s are critically low on shells. This rain is degrading our weapons recharge packs faster than we expected. If the computer projections are correct, all organized resistance will collapse within the next 14 days if we can?t get re-supplied. Our scout teams have told us that the original LZ has still got tons of our supplies sitting around. The Rocks hit the whole area with a nerve agent but all this rain seems to have diluted it to negligible strength. If we can get even a portion of those supplies, we should be able to hold for at least a few months more.?
 
Metellus spit another brown stream onto the ground. ?And you think that they are just gonna let us walk into the LZ and go shopping? If I were them, I would have booby-trapped all that ordinance and had the whole area zeroed in with Tormenta?s.
 
Sempronius nodded. ?Tribuni Khitai figures it that way to Principale, that?s why we are going to hit any Tormenta units we can find and guard the LZ while the support troops pick through the area and salvage all they can. We have concentrated everything we can scrape together for this push Principale. If it doesn?t work, we fall back to the mountains and go to ground until the Classis gets back.?

?CLASSIS!? Snorted Metellus. ?What I want to know is where those lazy frakking bastards are. All those shiny billion sesterce tubs floating around in space. They must be afraid to get the hull paint scratched by fighting or something.

                                                      ***

?Five minutes till the jump into the Nova Londinium System Sir.?

Navarchus Helvius looked at his young sensor officer. ?We are going to need as much data as you can wring out of your sensors Centurio Hausser. We have to know as soon as possible if we have to jump out of here or if we are going to stay and fight.
 
The Navarchus looked at his Command Board at what remained of his fleet. His Triarii Squadron was down to one Sexireme and 3 Quadriremes after losing three of its Sexiremes over Nova Cartago. His Pila Squadron was still up to strength. The four Pila Sexiremes showed ready in all respects and the two Triremes maintained tight formation with his Flagship.

The men of the CV Octavianus began moving efficiently as they prepared for the Apollonian Gate entry. Helvius keyed his all ships comm frequency, ?Navarchus Helvius to all units, the Senate and people of Rome expects each man to do his duty this day. No ship is to retreat without my direct order. If the Octavianus is disabled or destroyed, command will fall to Trierarchus Cursus on the Olympus Mons.

Helvius heard the sensor officer counting down. ?Three... two... one... jump.? When they emerged from hyperspace the holo projection showed the beautiful green world of Nova Londinium in the center. ?Sensors show wreckage from numerous ships scattered across the system Sir. Jamming is strong, trying to burn through and get a lock on the enemy.?
 
The communications officer spoke out, ?No communications on any civilian or military channels. Picking up something on some odd channels but they are encrypted Sir, trying to establish contact with anyone left down there.?
 
The comm officer was interrupted by Centurio Haupt, ?BURN THROUGH Sir. We are picking up only one enemy squadron. Appears to be composed of nine ships. Computer classifies it as a Principe Squadron. Enemy Classis is composed of four Quinquireme?s, two Quadremes and three Trireme?s.?
 
Helvius smiled for the first time in weeks. ?All ships open fire on that Squadron. Triari Squadron, stay at maximum fire range and try to stay between them and us. All Pila armed ships, open fire, Octavianus, launch all fighters immediately. The Navarchus felt the vibration as his Carrier launched her brood of fighters. He saw vector tracks appear as the Pilas from his Velites squadron sped outward. The enemy Classis began closing range quickly.

What kind of engines must they have to close this fast? The Navarchus thought to himself. Just prior to the Pilas impact, beams lanced out and destroyed numerous incoming targets. Helvius grinned as explosions blossomed among the enemy ships. ?Didn?t destroy enough of them you bastards. And now my fighters are going to tear you a new one before you can recharge your weapons.? He whispered to himself as he watched his fighters start swarming the three remaining ships. Beams from the Sexireme Vesuvius Mons started impacting the enemy and the Navarchus watched in pain as the enemy point defense began killing his fighters.
 
?NAVARCHUS, we have incoming fighters!? Helvius?s eyes snapped towards a highlighted point on the holo. He turned towards his First Officer.

?Can?t be a fighter garrison online this soon after they invaded.?
 
His sensor officer pointed at a ghostly image that appeared and disappeared just behind the bulk of the planet. ?I think there is another enemy squadron hiding behind the planet. I?m sorry Sir; the planets size is blocking my sensors."
 
The Navarchus looked at the mass of enemy fighters heading towards his ships. ?It?s alright Centurio, just get me enough of a signal to lock Pilas onto.? He watched as the last of the enemy Principe ships burst open under the fire of his fighters. ?Vector those fighters to intercept the enemy and cover the Triari squadron. Sensors I don?t care how you get it done, but get me a clear picture on what?s hiding behind that planet. If we can?t get a lock on them, launch a salvo of anti fighter pilas to take those fighters out before they swarm us.?

Helvius watched as a salvo of Pilas headed out towards the enemy fighters and read the flight vectors. ?Damn it, their fighters are faster than we thought, they are going to get to the Vesuvius Mons and her Trireme?s before the Pilas can intercept them.? The Navarchus watched as a massive group of fighters swarmed over his Triari squadron. The Triremes detonated one after another. The Vesuvius Mons?s shields buckled and the fighters gutted the ship in a few moments.

The enemy fighters then turned towards the Velites squadron but were obliterated by a massive salvo of anti fighter missiles. ?Vector the fighters behind that planet and let?s try and get a picture of what we are dealing with!?
 
Time ticked by as the Navarchus maneuvered his remaining squadrons. His fighters were swinging around Nova Londinium?s moon when an enemy squadron maneuvered from behind the planet and was revealed for the first time.
 
?Sir, detecting a Carrier Squadron! I show eight Quinquireme?s, four Quadreme?s and six Trireme?s.?

Helvius pounded his comm key. ?All ships, open fire! We are going to tear them up before they can get another strike wave of fighters spaceborne.? He turned to his Air Boss. ?Your boys are going to get there before the Pilas Gregorius. I?m sorry but I need them to keep the enemy point defense busy until the Pilas get there.? His Fi-Com nodded to him and started issuing orders to his squadrons.

The four squadrons from the Octavianus closed from behind the enemy squadron and began strafing the ships. Beam after beam fired from the enemy and the Navarchus saw a yellow explosion as each young life was snuffed out. Allowing the huge wave of Pilas to home straight in on the enemy squadron. The enemy point defense weapons were so occupied with destroying his fighters that they didn?t intercept any of the missiles.

What kind of man am I, that I use the lives of all those young men to protect my Pilas? May the Gods forgive me and let it be worth it. He thought to himself. The wave of Triadmantanium armed Pilas impacted the ships and the holo screen washed out for a moment with the energy of detonation. When the screen cleared, the Navarchus saw fighters carving up the two remaining Quadremes of the enemy squadron. It was over in a few more minutes as the last enemy ship was turned into floating debris.
 
?No other enemy ships detected Sir. No jamming on any bands. I think that was all of them Navarchus.?
 
Helvius watched the holo as a small group of fighters made their way back towards the Octavianus. He walked over to his Fi-Com and leaned on his Command Board. ?Gregorius, tell your boys thank you from me. Some of the enemy might have gotten away if it hadn?t been for their sacrifice.? His Fi-Com nodded and began speaking into his comm.
 
Helvius turned towards his communications officer. ?Lets get a message drone ready, I want a complete upload of all data that we can stuff into it. The Legatus is going to need all the information he can get if the enemy main Classis is heading towards him. After that, lets see if there is anyone still fighting down there that we can provide some air support for.?
 
His First Officer turned to him. ?We aren?t heading back to Nova Cartago Sir??

The Navarchus shook his head. ?We are sitting right across the enemies main line of support for his squadrons. If they send any reinforcements, they will have to pass through us first. We paid heavily for this system and we are going to hold it unless the Legatus orders otherwise. The troops on Nova Cartago are well equipped and supplied. They should have no problem holding out until we can mount a counteroffensive.?

                                                          ***

Tribuni Khitai looked again at his battle plan. If this doesn't work, it?s the end for us. He thought to himself in the darkness of his tent. Without those supplies we will just degrade into a group of bandits roaming the hills. If I had been grading the planning of this attack at the Academy, I would have failed the student and had him shot for proposing an abortion like this. Morale and time are the big factors now. Two days to get all the troops in place, too long, just too long. He looked outside his tent and watched a young Manipularii walk past carrying some ammo boxes. The bandage on his arm didn?t detract from the pride in his step. His face had a smile of joy as he hummed his service?s Hymn. The Tribunii looked again at the battle plan on his computer and shook his head. ?You poor Rockhead bastards.? He keyed into his computer ?Plan Approved?.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2007, 12:24:05 PM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
 

Offline coldsteel

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« Reply #20 on: March 11, 2007, 04:47:58 PM »
Bloody awesome, Porgrimr!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM by coldsteel »
ziggy zoggy ziggy zoggy oi oi oi!
ziggy zoggy ziggy zoggy oi oi oi!
ziggy zoggy ziggy zoggy oi oi oi!
<chug>
 

Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #21 on: March 12, 2007, 09:09:57 AM »
Coldsteel, glad you are enjoying it.  :D


Chapter Fourteen


                                          (L + 27 days)


The chirping of the early morning insects filled the woods as the armored figure slowly walked the perimeter around the artillery unit he was assigned to guard. Patrols-Without-Tiring checked the status of its squad as they guarded the resting artillery troopers. The rain continued to patter down softly on the nearby tents and vehicles. As it stared towards the distant mountains that still held the remaining soldiers of the humans it shook its head and wondered why these humans fought the inevitable.
 
Its musings were interrupted by a strange signal in its helmet. Four of it?s eight soldiers on the perimeter were showing as incapacitated or killed. It tried to signal an alert, but a jamming field blocked the transmission. It moved towards the artillery troops to rouse them when it saw a pair of wraith-like forms moving from tent to tent. It raised its rifle when it felt a sharp pain in it?s back and a moment later across it?s neck. It tumbled to the ground and found itself looking up at a human figure looming above it. The human signaled more of it?s kind forward into the sleeping units perimeter.

Patrols-Without-Tiring felt its life slowly fading but made an attempt to grasp its rifle. The human above it leaned down and kicked the rifle into the brush and spit a brown liquid onto the helmet?s visor. The explosion of the artillery vehicles a few moments later lit up the night. It turned its head slightly to watch the humans moving off into the trees as quietly as they had come. Through the brown stain on its visor it saw flashes light up the distant mountains as the human artillery began raining down.

                                                       ***

Metellus?s helmet banged against the hull of the Legati for the third time in as many minutes. He keyed his comm again ?You trying to kill us Decurio? This ride is getting kind of rough.?
 
The exasperated voice of Decurio Longinus came back a moment later. ?It looks like the Rocks have been busy in the past month. If you want to get out and walk through all these minefields that Saturninus is trying to bypass Principale, be my guest.?

The chuckle of the Contubernium filled the crew compartment. ?No, that?s alright Decurio, with Ursus?s big feet, we would be setting off every mine between here and the mountains. So how long till we get to our next position, we are going to need some time to dig in before the Rocks start heading for us??

The Decurio keyed his command board. ?Well, if we can avoid a few more of these minefields, we should be to our new position in 10 minutes. The Tribuni needs us blocking that road junction ASAP.?

Several bumpy minutes later the Legati came to a halt. The Decurio?s voice came over the comm, ?we?re here Manipularii, although it looks like this place has already been hit a few times. Deploy and we will be hull down on the hill for fire support if you need us.?
 
The ramp lowered and a soft rain blew into the troop compartment. Metellus saw his Manipularii run down the ramp and come to a halt. He exited the Legati and looked around. The nearby buildings showed damage and several craters marred the road. The large three-story building they were in front of was scorched; large holes marred the front surface. Still legible were the words ?LU UL US?S Gr in  nd F ed?. Metellus and his Manipularii looked at the large crater and the Lorica wreckage then towards the cratered hilltop overlooking the road.
 
Sempronius seeing the troops still standing on the ramp, walked to the rear of the Legati. ?Everything alright Principale?? He asked softly.
 
Metellus looked back at him. ?The Gods have a smegty sense of humor Decurio, this is where we lost most of the Century on the first day.?

Metellus just shook his head. ?Don?t worry about us Decurio, our Contubernium has already payed in blood for this ground. They won?t push us off it till we?re all dead.? Seeing the look in his eyes Sempronius just nodded.
 
?We?ll be covering the road from the hill, I see plenty of places we can hide up there. Just call us if you need us.? In a moment the ramp raised and the Legati headed down the road and then up the hill.

Metellus looked around at his Manipularii and spit off to the side. ?Alright Manipularii, we know the ground, we know the enemy so let?s get it done. Varus, I want you on the top of this building keeping watch for anything coming. We are gonna let them come right in here before we hit them. Macer, you get in that red house, and be ready to slam any heavy armor you see. Ursus, you SURE that Mk.V H.P.G. is working now? We can?t afford to have it crap out in the middle of another firefight.?

Ursa just grinned at Metellus. ?No problem Principale, I practically rebuilt it from scratch once I got the spares out of that Urbanae supply Principale.?

Metellus looked at him and smiled. ?I?m not gonna ask how, just make sure whatever you did do it doesn?t get to back to the Tribuni, something makes me think he doesn?t have much of a sense of humor. Now get into that storefront and be ready to burn whatever rolls in here.? He hesitated a moment and put his hand on Ursa?s shoulder. ?You watch yourself Ursus, this one is gonna be hairy.?
 
The big man just smiled at his Principale. ?We?re ready for them this time Principale. They?re gonna pay for what they did to the Century.?
 
Metellus watched as each of his men ran to their assigned places. He walked over to the large crater in front of the feed store. The mangled wreckage from the Lorica was showing signs of rust on the exposed metal. He turned to move off when his foot struck something. He leaned down and picked up a charred object and rubbed the mud off of it. One of Optio Scaevola?s partially melted dogtags was revealed.

Metellus looked around his feet and saw a few shattered shards of bone. His knuckles turned white as his fist clenched around the mangled tag. ?Sorry it took so long to get back to you Scaevola.? He whispered. ?We are back though, don?t worry, we are gonna make the bastards pay in full for you and the rest. I promise.? He put the tag into his pocket, looked around the crossroads once more and moved towards a nearby building. Now all we have to do is hold off a bunch of Loricas with four Manipularii and a Legati command vehicle. How do we get stuck with all the Garum smelling jobs? He laughed to himself.

                                                         ***

?How do we get stuck with all the garum jobs?? Urbanae Magnus snarled as he loaded another box of ammunition onto the truck." I mean, why is it always the Urbanae that gets treated like a bunch of pack mules and stevedores.?
 
Urbanae Balearicus grunted as he hefted another crate. ?Well would you rather be out there on the line, holding off the Rocks or here loading crates??
 
Magnus moved some debris and found another intact box. He checked the serial number against his wrist comp. ?SUNSCREEN, what were these idiots thinking. They brought crates of sunscreen here.?

Balearicus laughed. ?Well leave it, we have a lot of stuff to find and not much time to do it.? Balearicus looked across the vast area of the landing zone and saw scores of trucks and numerous troops moving across the area. He saw combat engineers clearing booby traps in a nearby area. As far as the eye could see was cargo containers, destroyed vehicles and thousands of bodies that were picked almost clean.

He saw a stack of crates and checked the numbers. He waved a truck over and shouted to Magnus. ?C?mon Magnus, these are the drive train and fire control spares that they are looking for in the maintenance pool. We gotta get this garum loaded. The cleaner we pick this place, the more stuff we will have later and the less chance we will have to do this again.?

The truck backed up and the two soldiers began loading the boxes onboard. A steady trickle of loaded vehicles headed back towards the mountains. Across the ruined LZ, parties of soldiers picked through the wreckage and marked boxes for loading. Far off in the distance, they heard the sound of weapons firing.

                                                       ***

The sound of Varus?s voice came over the comm, ?I have movement coming down the east road. Numerous vehicles, looks like they are coming in fast.?

Metellus keyed in immediately. ?I want them all in the firesack before we open up. Macer, you get the first guy in line, then the back guy. I want to nail the coffin shut in here so we can get them all. Decurio, we need you ready for support fire as soon as it starts.?
 
?Roger that Principale.? Came Sempronius?s reply.

A whining hum grew louder and louder. Metellus stole the feed from Varus?s helmet and saw a dozen vehicles moving down the road at high speed. ?They?ll have to slow down with all the rubble in the road here. Wait for my order.? The Principale saw the lead Siliconate machines slow as they approached the crossroads. As they made the turn Metellus counted eight Loricas and four Papilio?s. When the last Lorica slowed he keyed his comm, ?FIRE FIRE FIRE.?

Macer fired and the impact on the lead Lorica sounded like a bell. Ursus poked his Mk.V out of the store?s doorway and plasma washed over a pair of Papilio?s. He ducked back inside as they detonated. Varus leaned over the roof edge and aimed a light rocket at a Lorica. The rocket pierced the thin top armor and the detonation rocked the buildings. Another rocket from Macer arced overhead and slammed into the rearmost Lorica.

Fire from the two remaining Loricas struck the building that Varus was on. Concrete and brick glazed over and exploded. Metellus saw Varus?s marker moving to the rear of the building as it began collapsing in on itself.

Metellus noticed troops exiting the two remaining Papilio?s and began firing at them. He dropped two of them quickly and saw one of the Papilio?s turning towards his position. He keyed his comm, ?Decurio we could use a little help here!? A moment later, a gauss shell slammed through the Papilio?s skin and it went up in flames. Metellus heard another rocket fire into the area.

Then Metellus saw four armored figures rush towards the building that Ursa was in. He dropped one before they made it through the doorway. ?URSUS, you got three in your building! In the name of Hades get out of there!? He saw the building light up from within as plasma gouted out a shattered window. Metellus saw Varus run across the street, slap a magnetic mine on a Lorica and dive into the building where Ursa was. He heard the crack of the Legati?s gauss and saw the last Rock Papilio blow up. A moment later, Varus?s mine went off and another Lorica blew itself to slag.

Metellus sat quietly in his fighting position and popped the covers off his secret weapons. He looked out and saw another Lorica fall to Macer?s launcher. He saw the last pair of Loricas blow down a building to make a way out for themselves and start heading back down the road.

Metellus heard the noise he had been waiting for. ?Everyone go ?tronic neutral, NOW!? He shouldered the anti-air missile just as the first grav gunship popped over the horizon. The hypervelocity missile impacted the craft and detonated it. He grabbed another missile and locked onto the second gunship. The gunship couldn?t evade the HV and its wreckage joined its partner?s a moment later.

He keyed the comm, ?Everyone alright? Looks like that?s all of them for now.?
 
A moment later he heard Varus?s voice. ?Principale, you better come here quick.?
 
Metellus shouldered his last two HV missiles and ran down the stairs. He fired a round into a still moving Siliconate soldier and ran into the store. Parts of the inside of the building still burned and smoke filled the room. He saw Varus kneeling above a familiar form working frantically. Metellus squatted down and saw Varus stuffing bandages into the gaping hole in Ursa?s chest. Metellus felt for a pulse on Ursa?s wrist. He gently took hold of Varus?s hands that were still trying to pack the wound. ?He?s gone Varus, let him be. There?s nothing you can do for him anymore.?
 
He saw Varus lean over and pick up the Mk.V off the ground. A row of red malfunction lights was lit up on the readout. He turned to Metellus. ?I am gonna kill those Urbanae bastards! He would?ve had them if it hadn?t broken.? Varus stated as tears ran down his cheek.

Metellus just shook his head. ?It?s not worth it Varus, if your time is up, your time is up. Nothing is gonna stop it. Now lets get into position, we may get some more company soon.?

He watched Varus leave the building before kneeling down again by Ursa?s side. He detached one of his dogtags and added it to the collection in his pocket. He closed the now sightless eyes. ?Sleep well Ursus, may you hunt the enemies of Roma with Mars at your side.? He left the building without looking back.

He looked at the burning vehicles clogging the street. This had better be worth it Tribuni, or I am personally going to put a hole in your head. He thought as he moved to a nearby building.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2007, 07:28:48 AM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
 

Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #22 on: March 13, 2007, 09:30:00 AM »
Chapter Fifteen


                                              (L + 28 days)


Tribuni Khitai watched the chain of trucks being offloaded then moving out for another load. The men were grabbing and stacking boxes as fast as the cargo vehicles rolled up. The Tribuni had been worried about having enough personnel to handle all the unloading duty until a large group of wounded men had exited the valetudinarium to lend a hand. He watched a one armed Legionarii lugging a crate to the supply area. He shook his head in pride as a Manipularii on crutches dragged a cargo container that was tied to his waist.

Tribuni Khitai walked back to his Headquarters. He entered the concealed cave and checked the situation board. He saw that many of his units guarding the old LZ were in combat at the moment. ?You know how bad it?s going to be for you if I get all those supplies, you bastards.? he muttered. He looked over the situation board and pulled up his casualty figures. The longer they hold, the more supplies I can grab. But if I leave them out there too long, I?m not going to have enough combat troops left to hold the mountains. He thought to himself. The Tribuni ran a few computer projections of enemy movements and casualty estimates. Six more hours he thought. I can?t afford any more time than that. He turned to his staff. ?Last cargo hauler is to leave the LZ area in four hours. I want the southern most units to start leapfrogging back in five hours. All other units to begin pullback when the rearmost units reach them. I want the last of the combat units back inside the mountain defense perimeter within seven hours. All Tormenta units will use maximum supporting fire to cover the withdrawal. Lets get moving people!?

                                                       ***

Urbanae Magnus looked at his chrono before lifting another container into the truck. ?I SWEAR, once we are done with this detail, I am NEVER lifting another crate again. How much longer did the Centurio say before we pull out of here??

Urbanae Balearicus looked over at him and smiled. ?Sure Petronius, whatever you say. And its 10 minutes less than the last time you asked.? The pair of Urbanae grabbed a large box of anti-air missiles and staggered over to a nearby flatbed. They helped the trucks crew tie the crate down and headed over for another container.
?Never lifting another crate again.? Magnus muttered. The sound of Balericus?s laughter carried across the field.

                                                      ***

Principale Metellus peered through his image intensifiers and scanned the distant woods. He saw a dozen Siliconate Papilio?s concealed inside the treeline. He checked his chrono and muttered to himself. ?Just hold off attacking for a couple of hours more. Then you can attack all the empty buildings you want.?

He looked out over the empty ground and keyed in tormentum reference coordinates on his wrist comp. ?Everyone stay frosty, we will be starting the pullback to the Legati in about two hours.?
 
?Lets hope the Rocks stand around a little longer. If they don?t get their heads out of their asses, they are gonna end up attacking nothing but air.?

Macer cut in on the comm. ?Principale, you figure as much as these Rocks stand around before attacking, they must have Regular Army officers in charge eh??
 
The sound of the Contubernium?s laughter was overridden by the Decurio?s comm signal. ?That?s it, you are ALL walking home!? A moment later his laughter joined the rest of the Contubernium.


                                                         ***

The Tribuni watched the situation board as his troops started pulling back. Some of the units still in contact were conducting a fighting withdrawal. The markers of his units started their slow crawl across the holo projection. Time rolled by and more of his perimeter units started reporting enemy contact. Khitai smiled grimly. So you figured it out did you? He thought to himself. Well lets hope you?re a little too late. He walked over to his fire support officer. ?Decurio, I want any of those units that request fire to get it ASAP.?
 
He didn?t like the look on the Decurian?s face. ?Sir... we currently have nine enemy attacks in progress and I only have twenty ballista pieces that have been re-supplied, sixteen Ballista and 12 Martiobarbulus heavy pieces do not have any shells. I just don?t have enough tubes re-supplied to provide fire support everywhere.?
 
The Tribuni glared at him a moment and then relented a bit. ?I understand Decurio, but if you can?t provide enough support to those units, the whole perimeter is going to collapse. Try and get some supplies to the rest of your guns. We may need them to cover the rest of the withdrawal. Take whatever transport you need to get the shells to your unsupplied tubes.?

                                                        ***

Magnus and Balearicus jumped off the back of the flatbed truck they had ridden back to headquarters. The long ride into the mountains while sitting on top of cargo containers had been a slice of pure agony. The two Cohors Urbanae members moved away from the vehicle as a group of men swarmed over the cargo.
 
Magnus smiled. ?Well, if they want to unload it, more power to them. Lets go see if we can grab some chow.? The soldiers walked towards the mess tent. Magnus began chuckling. "Well, that?s it, no more loading for us. From now on, it?s gonna be smooth saili...?
 
His voice trailed off as a grizzled Primus Pilus put a hand on both of their shoulders. ?Just what I?m looking for, a couple of strapping young lads to help me with a little job.? The Primus Pilus guided them over to an ammunition dump just as a pair of trucks pulled up. ?Now Legionarii, we have to get all these tormentum shells loaded ASAP.? He looked at the pair strangely as one put his head in his hands and groaned and the other began giggling.

                                                       ***

Metellus watched the Siliconate Papilio?s come out from under the trees and stop. He watched the nearly fifty power armored figures spread out in front of them. ?Everyone pull back to the base of the hill NOW, I got a bad feeling about this.? As the he pulled back he heard a tearing sound fill the air. He dove into a nearby crater as rockets and tormentum fire fell all around the area. He keyed the Fire Support frequency. ?FDC 1... Jarhead 13... Request fire support... Fire plan Omega 134.?
 
There was a pause. ?Jarhead 13... FDC 1... Complete fire plan unavailable... shot out.? The explosions continued to hammer the area.

Metellus saw Varus running towards him and dive into the crater. ?Getting a little hot out there Principale. We got tormenta fire coming??
 
Metellus spit to the side. ?Doesn?t look like much help is on the way. I think the redlegs are having lunch or something. You see Macer??
 
A moment later Macer jumped into the crater. ?Here Principale, we getting out of here? We have fifty or so infantry heading this way with the Papilio?s right behind them. I wasted the two Loricas they had supporting them, but I am out of rockets now.?

Metellus heard tormentum shells passing overhead and explosions hammering in the distance. ?Looks like some of the RT boys are awake. FDC 1... Jarhead 13... On target... Fire for effect.? He switched frequencies. ?Decurio, we gotta get the Hades out of here soon. The RT aren?t on the job and I don?t think we have the firepower to hold ?em for much longer.?
 
The Legati crested over the hill and zig zagged down the slope. Several rockets exploded around it. In a few moments the ramp was down and the Contubernium piled in. They clawed their way around the hill and headed to the north. Decurio Longinus keyed in on the command frequency. ?Command... Cataphract 11... position Gold East 4 overrun... Cataphract 11 and Jarhead 13 pulling back to Phase Line Silver.?

A moment later a reply came back. ?Roger that Cataphract 11, hold at Phase line Silver until all units have passed through then pull back to Phase Line Bronze.?

                                                        ***

Tribuni Khitai watched as the last of his units moved into the mountains. The Siliconates that had been pressing too close to the last units had been pounded by every tormenta tube he had. That had allowed the final unit to make it inside intact. He looked at his chrono. The pullout had taken seven hours and fifteen minutes. He pulled up the casualty figures and frowned. Gods, I hope it was worth it. Now that we have the supplies, we should be able to hold until the Classis gets off their Asses and comes to reinforce us. He looked at the depleted condition of some of his line units. Going to have to flesh out some of those units or they?ll be combat ineffective soon. The Tribuni typed up a reorganization plan and pulsed it to his unit commanders. ?Well, some of them aren?t going to be happy, but I need solid units if we are going to hold.?

                                                       ***

The Legati parked next to their tent and the ramp lowered. Metellus, Macer and Varus walked down and moved inside, and Metellus was surprised at who he saw. ?Domitus! You cleared for duty, or did you break out of the valetudinarium??
 
Optio Domitus smiled and rolled up his sleeve to show a large angry scar. ?It?s a little stiff since they had to re-grow so much muscle. But the good news is that the Medicus thinks it will come back to 100% as long as I keep up on exercising it.? He looked towards the tent?s opening and looked back at Metellus. ?Ursus??
 
Metellus just shook his head then looked at the two figures in the shadows behind Domitus. ?Who?s that??

The Optio looked over his shoulder and grimaced. ?Well Principale, they have to be classified in the category of ?bad news?. The Tribuni figured to replace some of the line units combat losses,? he flipped a thumb over his shoulder, ?and so we got these.?
 
The two soldiers stepped forward and the smaller of the two spoke. ?Cohors Urbanae Legionarii Magnus and Balearicus reporting for duty Principale.?
 
All the heads turned as Decurio Longinus entered the tent and laughed, ?There goes the neighborhood!?
« Last Edit: November 02, 2007, 08:37:30 AM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
 

Offline Shinanygnz

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« Reply #23 on: March 13, 2007, 01:06:50 PM »
I'm really enjoying this!  Keep it coming chap.   :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM by Shinanygnz »
 

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« Reply #24 on: March 14, 2007, 10:30:57 AM »
Shinanygnz I sure will. Thanks for the vote of confidence. :D


Chapter Sixteen


                                            (L + 33 days)


Metellus ran into the tent. ?Everyone grab up anything that shoots and get onboard the Legati NOW!? There was a frantic scrambling as the men of the Contubernium pulled on boots and web gear and picked up their weapons. Metellus growled at his two newest troops, as they were moving slower than his Manipularii. His glare spurred their speed as he all but chased them onto the waiting Legati. They were moving before the troop ramp had even closed and the speed they were splashing through the Headquarters area told the men that something serious was happening.
 
Optio Domitus turned towards his Principale. ?How bad is it Met? I thought we still had one more day of stand down before we went back on the line??

Metellus frowned at him. ?I don?t know D, all I heard was that the Urbanae unit holding Dogleg Pass was overrun and wiped out. We?ve gotta get on the line to push them back before they break into the valleys.?
 
Domitus looked at the two Urbanae Legionarii that were still trying to adjust parts of their gear as the Legati lurched across the terrain. ?If the Pass was so important, why did they leave the Urbanae guarding it??
 
Metellus pointed behind his shoulder with his thumb. ?From what I heard, the troops the Tribuni put there were locals who knew the area and had a supposed ?intimate knowledge? of the terrain. So now, because they frakked up, we gotta spend OUR blood to fix another mistake.

We?re gonna deploy right on the line since jamming is makin? it impossible for us to get in contact with the units in that area. So when we get there D, you take Varus and Balearicus to the right and I?ll spread left with Macer and Magnus. I don?t know what they?re hittin? them with up there but we must stop them cold and then push ?em back. If we don?t, things could get real ugly, real quick.?

The Legati rolled over something large and slammed back down just as Decurio Longinus came on the comm, ?THIRTY SECONDS MANIPULARII! We have to drop you and get to cover, there are missiles flying everywhere.? The ramp began to lower and the sounds of battle echoed through the troop compartment. A pair of explosions rocked the Legati as the ramp hit ground. The Contubernium moved out and took cover as the Decurian?s Legati moved towards a woodline on the ridge.

The men took cover behind several large boulders that littered this section of the pass. Metellus motioned his men forward and they began moving up in a bounding overwatch formation. Metellus noticed several weaponless Urbanae soldiers moving away from the battle with glazed looks on their faces. ?Everyone mask up and be ready for a chem attack.? He pulled the protective membrane and hood up over his face and took his gloves out of his pocket. Once his men were all covered, he began moving them up again.
 
The Contubernium came to the front line and saw some of the Urbanae Legionarii firing fitfully back down the pass. From what he saw, he realized that they must be the first reinforcements that had arrived. Looking around, he tried to try to locate the officer in charge of this cluster frakk of a defense but couldn?t see any in view.

Metellus motioned for his men to begin taking cover and dig in. He grabbed up his image intensifiers and looked down the pass as the enemy moved forward, firing as they advanced. When he saw what he was fighting he slammed his i.i.?s on the ground and screamed down the pass. ?YOU VILE frakkING BASTARDS!!!?

Still wearing their school uniforms and a rocky, pulsing companion, the children of Ducorum advanced forward.

                                                         ***

Tribuni Khitai held the crumpled message in his trembling fist. He turned towards his communications officer. ?Message to all units heading towards the Pass. Message to read: ?Enemy attacking through pass consists of Siliconate possessed children; these units have broken through the first defense line and must be stopped before they enter Valerian Valley. Any Legionarii unable to mount a defense against this attack must move to flank the follow on armored forces before they breakout into the valley.? He turned to his Executive Officer. ?Tesserarius Yuan, take command of the Headquarters. I have to get up there before this all falls apart.?
 
He moved out of the cave into the rain with his aide and orderly behind him. He turned to them as they pulled on their gear and loaded their weapons. ?I?m not going to ask you to follow me into this. I have to do this to show the men I?m not asking them to do something that I?m not willing to do myself.?

They looked at him and Principale Helveticus, his orderly spoke up first. ?Well Tribuni, it?s this or die in place. I figure if we are all going to Hades anyway, you might need an orderly to get you your iced tea down there.?

Tribuni Khitai smiled at him and looked at his aide, Centurio Brutus. The young man just smiled grimly and nodded. The Tribuni?s Legati pulled up and they all piled in. The Tribuni motioned forward as he spoke to the driver. ?To the Gates of Hades Optio Narses, and don?t spare the horsepower.?

                                                            ***

Legatus Classis Labienus looked at the timer that was mounted on his wall. The numbers slowly counted down to the earliest possible time that the invasion fleet could be here based on the best guesses of the Curatores Fumis.

He looked at the mound of paperwork on his desk and tried to figure out how to weld the largest collection of ships in human history into a cohesive fighting unit in the time left to him. He sighed as he picked up paper after paper. ?They are sending me every piece of smeg that the Classis has. By the Gods, some of these ships are over 90 years old.?
 
He looked over another sheet. ?Classis Command is going to lose their minds if they find out how I plan to stop them, not to mention any of those Praefectus Classis commanders who will be itching to take overall command if I stumble even a bit.? He looked again at the timer as it kept counting down. (7 days 14 hours 23 minutes) He looked towards the ceiling. You created it all didn't you Iuppiter, but you didn't have a dozen Praefectus Classis hanging over your shoulder criticizing your every move. He looked back at his desk and sighed as he grabbed another sheet. And I bet you didn't have to fill out any paperwork either.

                                                         ***

The Legati halted in front of the Headquarters cave and the Tribuni stepped out. His aide and orderly grabbed the gear and followed him inside. All three men were dirty and disheveled. The Headquarters Staff fell silent as they entered.

Tesserarius Yuan moved to his Tribuni and motioned to the mapboard. ?The original defensive positions have been retaken. That cut off the Loricas that were following the... 'Lead troops?, it was a pure slaughter in the narrow pass Tribuni. We really hurt them. Sir.?
 
Tribuni Khitai looked up as his orderly brought him a cup of tea. He sipped it and looked up at his XO. ?Slaughter Tesserarius? Do you realize that we have several units that are going to be combat ineffective after today?s ?slaughter?? I saw at least a dozen men commit suicide after the attack ended. I figure that we will lose at least another couple of dozen over the next week or so. I don?t think that lead Urbanae unit will be good for anything except rear area duties from now on.? Khitai sipped his tea again. ?Any more ?victories? like this and we are going to be finished.?

Tribuni Khitai motioned for his aide and orderly to join him and the three men moved to a corner and sat down. The men sat quietly drinking tea as the Headquarters bustled around them.

                                                        ***

The men of the Contubernium entered the tent silently and dropped their gear in their areas. Metellus looked at the numb looks on his men?s faces. He moved to where Macer was bunked and knelt down and touched him on the shoulder. ?Wasn?t your fault Macer, it was you or them. If you hadn?t been there, thousands of others would be dead right now.?
 
Metellus saw the numbness slowly turn to anger. ?Principale, I think Iuppiter will condemn me to Hades for what I did today. But I swear that I am going to see every one of those things dead before I go.?
 
Metellus straightened up. ?Amen Macer, Amen.? He looked at Domitus and saw the Optio nod back to him.
 
Metellus turned to look at the rest of his troops and froze; Varus had his gauss pistol out and was sitting on the ground staring at the muzzle. When the rest of the Contubernium saw Metellus staring they all looked and a hush fell over the tent. Metellus spoke quietly. ?Varus, give me the pistol.? Varus sat unmoving, still staring at the pistol. Metellus squatted down near the young Manipularii. ?You gonna let them win Varus??

Varus looked up at Metellus and whispered. ?I don?t know Principale... I just don?t think I can live with what we did... I never knew anyone could be... I just... I...? The pistol dropped to the ground as tears formed in his eyes.

Metellus grabbed him in a hug as Varus began crying. Metellus motioned for Domitus to grab the pistol. Metellus held Varus until his sobs stopped and he fell asleep. He laid Varus down on his sleeping bag and covered him up. He motioned for Macer to watch him and stood up.
 
He looked to his two Urbanae Legionarii and motioned for them to follow him outside. The pair trailed Metellus to a large boulder. He looked them both over and spit on the ground. "You two doing ok?? At their silence he pressed on. ?I know they were your people out there and I know that it must?ve hurt you to shoot at ?em. But I?m gonna explain something more important to you. This Contubernium is a family. What happens in this family STAYS in this family. If any word gets out about what went on in that tent, Varus might get redlined by the Medicus. If that happens I?m gonna be out one Manipularii to a psych down check. And I can guarantee, within a day of that happening, I will have lost two Urbanae Legionarii to ?sniper activity?. Do you both understand me?? Metellus saw the shock and fear turn to smoldering anger. He poked them both in the chest. ?If you were Manipularii, I wouldn?t have to explain this to you. But since you are only one step above civilians, I?ll speak slowly and use small words... YOU SAY NOTHING!? They both nodded and moved off towards the tent.

Metellus watched them enter the tent and shook his head. He muttered to himself. ?Sorry I had to do that to you boys. The only way to make you forget how upset about this you were was to make you so mad at me that you?d forget anything but that. He looked out into the dark night.

Off in the distance a single gauss pistol shot fired. Metellus looked in that direction. ?They win another one.? He sighed.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2007, 10:25:41 AM by Þórgrímr »
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If you want peace, prepare for war
 

Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #25 on: March 15, 2007, 08:38:38 AM »
Chapter Seventeen


                                                 (L + 39 days)


Legatus Classis Labienus glared at the Manipularii officer standing before his desk. ?Do you understand your orders Tribunus? This is a job I can?t trust to anyone other than the Manipularii.?

The grizzled Manipularii nodded. He hesitated a moment before speaking. ?May I ask a question Legatus?? At a motion of assent from Labienus he continued. ?Legatus, you know we have served together for a lot of years. I know I got my command based on your recommendation, but my first duty is to the Senate and People of Rome. I need to know why you need this done.?
 
There was an uncomfortable silence before the Legatus grunted. ?I can?t fault you for your loyalty to Roma, Tribunus. The problem I have is that I believe that I am the only officer in the Classis that has a plan to defeat the enemy that games out at a greater than 50% chance of success. The problem is that if my plan is implemented, I believe that Classis Command will relieve me before it can be completed. If that happens, we will lose both Nova Cartago and probably the next 5 systems down the line before the Classis can stop them.?
 
The Legatus pointed to the countdown clock mounted on the wall. It showed (1 day 8 hours 11 minutes). ?That?s how long the simulators think we have before the enemy ships get here. If we can?t stop them here, we are going to lose 30 billion Roman citizens. If I?m right Tribunus, we can stop them here and then move out to join up with Navarchus Helvius in re-taking Nova Londinium. Then we can push out to Nova Tarentum and see if your Manipularii are still out there."

"But along with all the ships that I asked for, Classis Command has sent me a pack of useless Praefectus Classis commanders who have nothing better to do than second guess my every move. They send a never-ending stream of messages back to Command about every decision I make and they are throwing unforeseen variables into my simulations. I need to regain control and I need the time to complete my war plan."

"At the end of it Tribunus, Classis Command may ask you to arrest me. But it will only be after I have beaten the enemy. After that, Command can hang me if they want, I won?t care. Now will you carry out my orders??

The Tribunus Laticlavius was silent for a moment and them he came to a perfect position of attention. ?Legatus, my Manipularii stand ready to serve Roma and are at your command.?
 
The Legatus gave a brief smile and handed a data crystal to the Manipularii. ?Here are your orders, I need you to get it done in the next 12 hours.?
 
The Manipularii officer took the crystal and did a perfect about face and left the Legatus? office. Legatus Labienus watched the Tribunus grab his aide as he entered the outer office and the two moved quickly into the corridor. ?I wish I could tell you everything Marcus, but if you knew the whole plan you would probably arrest me here and now, and Roma can?t afford that until after I?m done.?

                                                          ***

Manipularii Tribuni Angusticlavii Eborius looked at the Manipularii vexallatio ?Caesar? drawn up for inspection. Their Centurio was looking aghast at the contents of the data crystal as it scrolled across his reader. ?Ssssir, I don?t understand? If I carry this out? Sir, with all due respect, Praefectus Classis Avidia will hit the bulkhead if she finds out I did this.?
 
The Tribuni looked down at the young Manipularii Centurio and pointed at the reader. ?Read it again Centurio, all you are required to do is assist us, my Recon Vexallatio will carry out the orders. What I need you and your men to do is keep those Classis Nautas out of our way.?

The Centurio re-read the orders again and looked into the cold eyes of the Tribuni, and for a Manipularii there was only one correct answer and he gave it. ?Aye aye Sir.?

                                                           ***

?GET YOUR frakkING MANIPULARII AWAY FROM MY EQUIPMENT!? The Classis communications Principale screamed as the Manipularii crated up the last of his Hyperspace Communications Pods. The young Centurio in charge of his section seemed in shock as the armed and power-armored Manipularii kept all the men of his section against the bulkhead.

The Classis Principale halted his move forward when a Manipularii leveled his weapon at his gut. A toneless voice came from behind the full-face helmet. ?Don?t make me have to shoot you Principale, I?m just following orders.?

The men of the comm section heard a familiar voice shouting from the corridor and smiled to each other. The Praefectus was here each thought; now these jarheads will get theirs.
 
Praefectus Avidia looked at the Manipularii rolling her Comm Pods down the passageway and let loose. ?Who in the name of Hades gave you permission to take even a bolt off my Flagship without my orders!?!?? The closest Manipularii took a step back from the force of the Praefectus?s outburst.

Tribuni Eborius stepped between his Manipularii and the diminutive Praefectus Classis. He handed over a crystal to her and stood quiet until she had read most of the orders. He watched as her face turned redder and redder and a large vein bulged out from the side of her neck.

She looked up at Eborius and poked him in the center of his chest armor. ?If you don?t put those pods back in the comm room right now Tribuni, I will have you shot!?
 
The Tribuni looked at her calmly and pointed at her reader. ?If you will check paragraph 12 Praefectus, I am authorized to use deadly force if ANYONE attempts to interfere with the carrying out of Legatus Classis Labienus?s orders. Now please make way for my Manipularii Praefectus, we will be off your ship in a few minutes.?

Praefectus Avidia watched the Manipularii head down the passageway and turned to the Principale, ?Principale, get me Praefectus Classis Megellus on the Ostia, we will see about this!? The Principale made the connection and stood by as the Praefectus talked to her friend. He watched, as she grew more and more animated. The whole section tried to crawl inside the walls as her voice hit what the crew liked to call the ?paint-peeling screech?. ?You?re telling me that bastard took EVERY pod off EVERY SHIP IN THE SYSTEM!?? She turned back to the Chief. ?Call the launch bay and have my shuttle prepped, I?m going down and give that arrogant prick a piece of my mind!?

                                                          ***

Legatus Labienus?s aide, Centurio Maximus leaned into his office. ?Message from Tribunus Tacitus Sir, all message pods have been accounted for on all ships in system. No deaths reported, just a few minor ?bumps and bruises?. But sir...? He looked at his reader in resignation.

The Legatus sighed. ?Let me guess, every Praefectus and Trierarchus wants to talk to me. Well, tell the Trierarchus? to talk to THEIR Praefectus Classis and put the Praefectus?s through to me in order of seniority. Oh and Tiberius...? He said before his aide could disappear, ?Bring me a bottle of aspirin.? As his aide ducked out of the office the first comm signal chirped on his desk. He shouted out the door, ?A BIG bottle of aspirin!?
« Last Edit: November 04, 2007, 08:05:06 AM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
 

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« Reply #26 on: March 15, 2007, 10:44:23 AM »
Quote from: "??rgr?mr"
Metellus motioned for his men to begin taking cover and dig in. He grabbed up his image intensifiers and looked down the pass as the enemy moved forward, firing as they advanced. When he saw what he was fighting he slammed his i.i.?s on the ground and screamed down the pass. ?YOU VILE frakkING BASTARDS!!!?

Still wearing their school uniforms and a rocky, pulsing companion, the children of Ducorum advanced forward.


Now THAT is one HELL of a twist. Dude, you need to have this published. Or at least get a wider audience. PLEASE post this to the mailing list or on a fanfic site or both.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM by coldsteel »
ziggy zoggy ziggy zoggy oi oi oi!
ziggy zoggy ziggy zoggy oi oi oi!
ziggy zoggy ziggy zoggy oi oi oi!
<chug>
 

Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #27 on: March 16, 2007, 08:40:48 AM »
Coldsteel, thanks for the vote of confidence. Funny thing is I have tried to get this and Assault of the IV Ala published, but all four times they have been rejected, as 'not what they are looking for at this time'.

I suspect all the Latin terms are confusing the editors, who then think the target audience, mil sci fi readers, is not smart enough to figure out the terms.

How would I post this to the list?


Chapter Eighteen


                                                 (L + 40 days)


Legatus Labienus was working his way through his paperwork with only an occasional glance at the countdown chrono on the wall. He was reading another complaint from the Praefectus of the XI Velites Squadron about the lack of the proper Pila reloads when his aide rushed in.
 
?Legatus, gravimetric detectors are showing a massive disturbance in the area of the Apollonian Gate in system near Nova Cartago I, it looks like a large number of ships. I have alerted all Classis units to go to Red Alert and all your staff members have been informed and are on the way to the CiC.?
 
Legatus Labienus put his arm on the desk and brushed all the readers and data crystals into the trash can. He smiled at the look of horror on his aides face. ?Tiberius, if we lose this fight none of this is going to matter, and if we manage to win this by my Battle Plan, no one is going to care about a few late reports. Either way, it will be another Legatus?s problem.?

Centurio Maximus just shook his head as he helped the Legatus on with his formal Musculus with the knotted sash around his waist. As they entered the CiC the young officer realized why the Legatus made him break it out of storage for this battle. In the massive room, crowded full of men in their gray ?utility? uniforms, he stood as an easily locatable island of shining bronze. He chuckled as he thought to himself, Labienus has always been a frustrated thespian and loves the chance to dress up and play the part of ?The Imperator Classis?.
 
The Legatus turned his head slightly as he studied the readout boards. ?You find something funny about an invasion Centurio??
 
?Umm no Sir, just thought of something funny.?
 
?Well keep your mind in the game, we have important work to do here and I need you on the ball.?
 
A comm officer caught the Legatus? attention. ?Legatus Labienus, I have Praefectus Classis Avidia on the line Sir, she says she needs to speak to you, ASAP. Her words Sir, not mine.?

Labienus sighed a moment before he keyed his mike, ?Labienus here Domitia, what do you want??
 
The voice was shrill enough that Labienus had to hold his headset several inches away from his ear. ?Legatus, have you completely gone around the bend? After our talk in your office we agreed that I was the best one to lead the first attack against the invaders but then I get sent THIS!?
 
Labienus smiled a second as he looked at his aide and spoke calmly into the mike, ?What do you mean Domitia? I have given you almost half the ships that Classis Command sent me, and you have been sent the Battle Plan from my H.Q., so what?s your problem??
 
He quickly held the headset at arms length before the explosion could happen. Her voice thundered from the comm systems speaker. ?YOU ASSIGNED ME EVERY OBSOLETE RELIC THAT COMMAND SENT YOU, NOT ONE of these squadrons has a ship in it younger than 30 years. I mean you assigned me a squadron of Diana Class Pila Quadremes. Legatus, I checked their registry numbers and ten of them were due to be used as gunnery targets at the Sol IV test range and the others were pulled from various museums and memorials where they were HISTORICAL DISPLAYS! Legatus, with all due respect, if the simulations are accurate, the enemy is going to turn this fleet into scrap metal in fairly short order. I respectfully request you release to me some of the more modern squadrons from wherever you have hidden them to bolster my command.?

Labienus walked over to an office connected to the CiC and shooed the occupants out. He closed the door behind him and sat on top of a desk. ?Domitia, get to your ready room alone and switch to Cipher 43-Alpha right now.? There was a long pause and several clicks came from the comm as they were reconnected using the special Command channel reserved for Praefectus Classis and up.

There was a mild distortion as she spoke again. ?Alright Legatus, NOW will you be so kind as to tell me what is happening? And why I am required to carry out this Battle Plan that was obviously designed by some dangerous mental defective??

Legatus Labienus took a long deep breath before speaking. ?Domitia, we ran the simulations at least 100 times with all the data recovered from Nova Londinium and from Helvius?s experience along with input from the best tacticians on my staff and the results always came out with the same. Based on predictions, if we meet the enemy with our best ships first and try to slug it out with them in open space, we have only a 20% chance of victory. All possible permutations were run and all showed the same thing, our best squadrons would be shattered, the enemy would have taken between 30% and 50% losses including all his transports and the remainder of his Classis would have had more than enough firepower to destroy the relics that would have remained to defend the system and both planets would be glassed by the enemy shortly there after, they would then jump through the next five systems leveling them along the way until they got to the next Classis Command Mobilization Headquarters.?
 
Avidia?s voice cut into his explanation. ?Twenty percent? Are you telling me that I am going to be fighting my squadrons on a Battle Plan with only a twenty percent chance of success?!?!?
 
Labienus?s voice cut her off. ?No Domitia, if you will let me finish I will tell you the rest. A bright young Commander on my staff came to me with a plan that he had been running on his evaluator program and it showed a number that seemed unreal at the time when we were fighting to get better than a 18% solution. His superior wouldn?t pass it up to me because of what it required from us but he bucked the Chain of Command and walked into my office with the outline of what we are now calling Operation Brutus.?
 
Praefectus Avidia hesitated a moment and then asked. ?If I may ask Legatus, how does me sacrificing my entire Classis by concentrating fire on the enemies Pila and Carrier squadrons and ignoring his transports as is called for in the plan you sent me, accomplish anything??

Labienus closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose to forestall the headache he knew was coming. ?Domitia, the plan requires you to wait around Nova Cartago II until the enemy comes to you and then knock back those ship types by at least 30% before you retreat out of system and regroup. If you can do that, the comps predict a 90% chance of the enemy landing his transports on Nova Cartago II. It?s only THEN that I am going to attack them with the nine first line squadrons that I have waiting in the asteroid belt. The simulations show that if we can catch them in a defensive situation with their Pila and fighter complements down by 30%, we show a 57% chance of defeating the remaining enemy squadrons. Each percentage point of those ship types we destroy above 30% raises our odds by 2%.
 
Her voice interrupted him; he knew the chill in it was not a factor of the scrambler this time. ?Am I to understand the Legatus intends to just allow the enemy to invade a planet with a population of 2 billion?? There was a moment?s pause and she continued. ?Now I see why you stole all our comm pods Legatus. If Classis Command knew you planned that, they would have relieved you immediately.?
 
Labienus felt the pain behind his eyes growing. ?Domitia, if you could show me a sim that had a better than 50% chance of success that didn?t involve this, I would jump on it. I made the decision to put those 2 billion at risk rather than sacrifice the tens of billions in the systems behind us. I will stand before a Courts Martial board when this is over, but I?m not going to allow ANYONE to interfere with my Plan until it?s over! Then you can testify against me at the hearing and throw the entire thing on me. But I have to know if you will carry out my orders or do I have to put someone less qualified in command??

There was another long pause. ?How can your staff predict that they will hit me here at Nova Cartago II instead of smashing you there at III??
He sighed. ?We predict that with a full complement of defending ships they will have a 75% chance of hitting the planet with the fewest orbital defenses.?
 
He heard her punching some data into her comp. ?Legatus, with all due respect, but Nova Cartago II shows nine orbital defense bases and III only shows 8 so how... By the Gods, you aren?t going to...?
 
?The charges are already placed Domitia, they should detonate in about an hour.?
 
?You aren?t going to warn them or try to evacuate them before hand? No you can?t can you, then word might get out and the enemy might get wind of it and smell a trap. By the Gods you are so cold it?s frightening. All right Legatus, we will take as many of them as we can with us before we jump out, just remember that I am going to be the primary witness against you when this is over. Avidia out.?
 
The Legatus looked at the ceiling a moment and whispered. ?I wish you could be Domitia, I wish you could be.?
« Last Edit: November 05, 2007, 08:10:23 AM by Þórgrímr »
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Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #28 on: March 17, 2007, 08:02:39 AM »
Chapter Nineteen


                                                   (L + 40 days)
 

Centurio Maximus had been leaning over the shoulder of the Senior Sensor Principale for the past two hours. Chief Maelis sighed as the young Centurio almost knocked over his mug of coffee. ?Sir, why don?t you have a seat, nothing should happen for the next couple of hours.? The Principale lowered his voice and whispered to the officer. ?With all due respect sir, you are making the lads a bit nervous. The next few hours are going to be hard enough on everyone without them having an officer hanging over their shoulders.?

Labienus?s aide looked into the old Principale?s eyes and nodded. He stood up straight and looked over at his Legatus. He saw Labienus casually sitting on the edge of a desk reading and signing messages on his comm pad. The Centurio noticed that although there was a frantic bustle in the comm channels, there seemed to be an island of calm around the relaxed looking Classis commander. As each person came up to the Legatus with a question or bearing something for his signature, they also carried away with them a little bit of the tranquility that Labienus radiated.
 
The Centurio looked down and met the Principale?s eyes. Principale Maelis glanced over at the Legatus and then grinned up at him. Centurio Maximus gave a wry smirk. ?Lesson received and understood Principale.?
 
The two men looked quickly at the sensor holo as a warning alarm flashed. They saw the green and blue ball that was Nova Cartago II and the icons that were the squadrons of Praefectus Avidia deployed around it. The red flashing was coming from the geostationary belt surrounding the planet. The Principale highlighted an area and zoomed in. The two men watched in horror as two of the orbital defense bases exploded. A moment later three more went up in quick succession.
 
Centurio Maximus turned towards Legatus Labienus as the Principale fed his data to the main holo display. ?Legatus, seven of Nova Cartago II?s nine orbital bases have been destroyed! Correction, eight... now nine, by the Gods! Sir, all of II?s orbitals have been destroyed!? He looked over at the Principale and got a shake of negation. ?No sign of weapons fire. It must have been sabotage.?

Labienus got up from the desk and walked to a nearby comm console. ?Get me Praefectus Avidia on the Caesar.? There was a moment of static on the holo projector before Praefectus Avidia?s face appeared. Labienus nodded to her. ?Praefectus, it appears that the orbital bases supporting you have been destroyed by some unidentified force or forces. We are checking all of Nova Cartago III?s bases now for concealed explosives. Please update your Battle Plan taking into account the loss of those units.?
 
The stern faced Praefectus simply nodded. ?Understood sir, my staff just happens to have a plan in their files for the Classis fighting without any planetary support. We will implement plan Thermopylae 214.?

Legatus Labienus nodded to her. ?My compliments to your staff on having a plan for an occurrence like this. They are a credit to you.? He glanced at the countdown chrono. ?We show 30 minutes before enemy arrival.? He looked around the CiC before he looked back at her. ?Luck to you and your crew from all of us here Praefectus.?

Avidia gave a wry smirk was reaching for the cut off switch when Labienus stopped her. ?Thirty percent Domitia, if you can?t do that much damage to their Carriers and Velites ships, it?s all going to be meaningless.?
 
She looked him in the eye and nodded almost imperceptibly. ?We will do our best sir. Avidia out.?

                                                         ***

Praefectus Avidia stared a moment at the fading holo projection of Labienus. Thirty percent? She thought. His mind must be slipping. She looked again at the projections from the new Battle Plan while her staff looked on. ?Are these numbers accurate??
 
Navarchus Salvius?s mouth was in a grim line. ?Yes Praefectus, if Classis's estimation of the enemies strength is even close to being correct, those are the numbers we have been getting out of the Sims.? He paused for a moment and pointed at her comm pad, ?Ma?am, I think the Legatus is being unrealistic in his estimations of our ability to inflict casualties upon the enemy.? He appeared to want to say more but after a moment he fell silent.
 
Avidia rubbed her eyes and snorted. ?Never underestimate the ability of higher officers to ignore the facts that don?t agree with their view of reality.? She paused for a moment and looked down at her comm pad again. ?He will just have to accept the casualties we can realistically inflict with the relics that he gave us. Well, lets get the Plan transmitted to all ships.? She tossed her comm pad onto a nearby desk and headed through the hatch onto the flag bridge.

Her aide picked up her comm pad and followed the other staff officers out the hatch. In spite of himself, his eyes were drawn to the viewscreen. An icy chill ran up his back as he read the figures. He stepped through the hatch and pressed the sleep button on the comm pad. The glowing data on the pad flashed:

Battle Plan: Thermopylae 214

Section 25.4.6 E

Casualty Estimates

Estimated ................Enemy
Fleet........................Veles/Carrier
Losses:.....................Losses:
47 %..........................17 % [scroll up]
51 %..........................18 %
55 %..........................19 %
59 %..........................20 % << Planned
63 %..........................21 % << Fleet
67 %..........................22 % << Retreat
71 %..........................23 % << Point
75 %..........................24 %
80 %..........................25 %
85 %..........................26 %
90 %..........................27 %
95 %..........................28 %
99 %..........................29 % [scroll down]

The numbers flashed on the screen once more before going black.

                                                   ***

There was a loud pop, and then the smell of ozone and burning plastic filled the bridge of the Pila Quadreme ?Regulus?. Trierarchus Diashi looked over his shoulder in time to see his Praefectus Fabrii slapping out a small fire on his console. The cursing that filled the air seemed incongruous coming from a small wrinkled man who looked more like someone?s grandfather than the Praefectus Fabrum of a starship. Not that I?m any kind of spring chicken myself. Thought the Trierarchus. He watched as three of his crew tore open several panels and began pulling melted and fused components out. Another nauta was passing circuit boards to them from a box marked ?Historical Displays of Electronics of the Past.?
 
He remembered when his preservation group had purchased the ship to turn it into a museum. Most of them had served on the Diana Class ships in their youth and when they heard that the Classis was going to send the last of them to the ?breakers?, a large pool of ex Nautas and Manipularii had pooled their money and bought the Regulus. He smiled as he thought of how many strings had been pulled to allow the group of Nautas, not one of who were under 85, to sail her from the Sol IV Test Range to Bithynia III. The hull was so riddled with air leaks that the group of volunteers had spent nearly the entire 3-week voyage in their e-suits.
 
They had been 14 months into their 18-month overhaul and outfitting when word of the war had come. The hasty mobilization of every ship that was spaceworthy to intercept the incoming invasion came as a surprise to the retired Nautas. That surprise was eclipsed by the paperwork that the Regulus Restoration Committee received informing them that their ship was being remobilized for the war and would be manned by a ?scratch? group of Classis reservists.

The anger of the men and women of the R.R.C. was immense until a ?youngster? of 75 spoke up with an idea. Trierarchus Diashi had no idea of what kind of strings, bribery, threats or downright blackmail had been made to the officers of Classis Command, and frankly he didn?t want to know. The results were the assigning of the entire R.R.C. to crew the Regulus in the coming conflict. The elation had been immense until the realities of the coming conflict had set in. The Trierarchus didn?t believe in keeping secrets from his crew. We are all just too old to play these silly ?I know something you don?t know? games. He thought. So the crew, from his Executive Officer to the most junior cook, a 78-year-old grandmother of 8, was as well informed as any Praefectus in the system.

The looks he had been getting from his crew over the last few days had confirmed his gut feeling about the whole situation. Each man and woman realized that this was going to be the last voyage for him or her. The sixth sense of all veterans was screaming at them to get out and get away.

Well, He thought, Just one more run, just one last battle, better this way than to die hooked up to life support machines and pissing all over yourself as you pray to die. A muffled squawk came from the sensor holo and all eyes went to the main display. Ships were coming into sensor range, and kept coming. Their size and numbers took his breath away. He turned towards his XO and Praefectus Fabrum and smiled, and they looked back at him with grins as tight as death.

The Chief Engineer chuckled. ?One last day in the sun ?eh Trierarchus??

                                                     ***

Praefectus Avidia saw the massive enemy fleet begin to turn towards Nova Cartago II, and her. She saw the icons marking her squadrons move to meet the enemy. There seemed to be strong jamming coming from the enemy fleet, as numerous contacts faded in and out.
 
Her Chief Sensor Principale screamed out a cheer. ?BURNTHROUGH! I got your frequencies you bastards!? The holo picture snapped clear as the full immensity of the enemy fleet was revealed.
 
?Roma Mater protect us.? Avidia heard someone mutter. A beep called her attention to a display on the wall. Letters began scrolling across it as large numbers appeared.

All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.
Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:
100%
Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:
0%

Praefectus Avidia picked up her mike and keyed the all squadrons channel. ?All ships, you have your targets, fire at your assigned ships until all ordnance has been expended or until I send the retreat order. The Senate and People of Rome expect your best today. May the Gods be with you all.? She turned to her weapons officer. ?Fire as targets bear!?

                                                         ***

Legatus Labienus and his aide watched the first pilas and fighters from Praefectus Avidia?s command head towards the enemy. Centurio Maximus looked at Labienus?s face and was shocked to see how pale the Legatus was. He saw Labienus?s eyes close and could barely hear a whisper repeating over and over. ?May the Gods forgive me.?
« Last Edit: November 06, 2007, 09:24:23 AM by Þórgrímr »
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If you want peace, prepare for war
 

Offline Þórgrímr (OP)

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« Reply #29 on: March 18, 2007, 08:59:47 AM »
Chapter Twenty


                                                (L + 40 days)


Praefectus Avidia?s mouth took on a grim line as she watched her first waves of pilas and fighters close with the enemy ships. The largest waves were obsolete fusion armed pilas from her oldest ships. Mixed in amongst them was a scattering of anti-matter pilas from her few modern vessels. She hoped that the enemy would waste their defensive weapons on the older pilas and allow her more powerful warheads and her fighters to get in among them.
 
She watched as the first waves of pilas reached the lead enemy Velites Squadron. The screen seemed to glow as a massive battery of point defense beams laced out from the lead squadron and a pair of nearby Triari squadrons and destroyed pila after pila. Avidia swore, as the few fusion warheads that made it through the dense fire and impacted among the enemy ships appeared to have little effect. Immediately behind them were the lead fighter squadrons and her small wave of modern pilas. She looked over at the wall screen.

All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.

Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:

100%

Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:

0%


                                                           ***

The three squadrons of Falcon attack fighters cut through the dark of space. Tribuni Trebius?s Falcon attack group had been assigned to the most boring duty in the Republic, ?guarding? a friendly border that was shared with their good friends, the Americans.

When the word came down from High Command, the reserve carrier Billenius had been pulled off the border along with the rest of her sisters. Only a small handful of customs biremes were left to slow the pirates that had plagued the border systems.
 
His carrier and her escorts had been mothballed for years until the pirates had begun their raiding and the Republic was forced to re-activate them. Since then, the Classis run but Manipularii squadron manned ships had been used to give ?live fire? training to green Manipularii pilots fresh out of flight school and to give a comfortable last post to pilots just waiting to retire.

The Tribuni looked at his wrist chrono. He had it programmed to record his elapsed time in the Corps. He watched it roll: 19 years 11 months 30 days 2350 hours. Just short you bastards. He thought. You couldn?t have waited a little longer to do this so I could have retired with my twenty and gotten out of this garum smelling assignment?

A warning bleep called his attention back to the here and now and he hammered his port thrusters to avoid an enemy pila, and then checked the readout on his LIDAR. His fighter group had just avoided a huge wave of pilas and it appeared that they were ignoring his fighters on their paths to the capital ships behind him. He saw a small group of ships to his port side. His IFF computer identified them as 95% probable troop transports. He yearned to lead his squadron on a quick strafing run on the group, but the words of the Tribunus rang in his ears. ?You will attack only the designated ships or I will stuff you and your whole squadron into a recycler!?

The Tribuni saw a glow on his LIDAR screen marking his designated target group just ahead. ?Wolf Group, targets at 12 degrees, zed minus 25. Mark your targets and take them out. Timberwolf squadron follow me in, Gray Wolf and Coyote squadrons take up flanking positions.? He saw Gray wolf and Coyote squadrons spreading out on his flanks.

He had watched the older pilas get blown out of space and was hoping to close with them before their point defense weapons recycled and did the same to his fighters.

The Timberwolves entered into the squadron formation. Huge ships loomed all around them. The beams lanced out from the fighters. The thick armor of the heavy bodied vessels shrugged off most of the fire, yet here and there, hull plates began to glow and peel back. A few small hull breaches began to appear among the enemy ships. The Tribuni heard a cheer over his comm, and looked to port in time to watch one of the picket ships detonate.
 
Anger filled him ?I told you to fire only on your ASSIGNED SHIPS! Don?t waste your fire on those worthless...?
 
White fire burst from the weapon mounts of the Velites and her escorts into the fighters. Wreckage from the Falcons crashed into and bounced away from the armored hulls.

The Siliconate 2nd Velites squadron advanced on, belching a new wave of pilas towards Praefectus Avidia?s fleet. A moment after they fired, the first wave of anti-matter pilas struck. Four of the Sexiremes exploded in quick succession. When the glow faded, four ships were gone and one tumbled gutted and out of control as the rest of the squadron advanced on.
 
Small pieces of wreckage were nudged aside by the massive Siliconate ships. A tiny piece of wreckage was struck and tumbled off into the dark. The glowing face read: 20 years 00 months 00 days 0010 hours *Welcome to retirement Tribuni Trebius*

There were no survivors from the three Manipularii fighter squadrons.

                                                    ***

Praefectus Avidia gave an audible growl as she watched her pilots and pilas die with so little effect. An icon rose from Nova Cartago II and headed towards the enemy. Her fist hammered her holo projector as the planetary defense centers of the planet FINALLY launched their fighter squadrons.

Another flashing icon caught her eye. She zoomed in to the icon just in time to see her lead squadron totally vaporize under a wave of pilas and fighters. The fighters didn?t pause for a moment before heading to the next squadron in the formation.

She turned to her aide. ?Casualty count!?

He tapped his keyboard quickly before replying. ?XXIII Principe squadron totally destroyed Praefectus, XV Principe squadron taking heavy losses from enemy fighter squadrons. Total Classis losses are 16%.?
 
Avidia glanced at the wall-mounted holo projector and pointed to her Comm Officer. ?We have to get closer for our weapons to have any effect, order all squadrons to close formation to cover each other and follow us in!? The rumble of the ?Caesar?s? engines increased as the Praefectus?s squadron lead her Classis into the jaws of the enemy. She glanced again quickly at the wall holo and growled again.

All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.

Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:

93%

Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:

07%

                                                   ***

Praefectus Classis Ravilla watched as two more of his Sexiremes exploded. He screamed at his helmsmen. ?More speed Centurio Renatus, we have to get into beam range before they kill the whole Classis.?

He was livid; his VIII Triari squadron was being shot to pieces before his longest-range weapons were even able to engage his targets. He hurried over to the weapons control station and checked the range to the enemy carriers. He ground his teeth in frustration. His weapons were in range of two enemy formations on his port and starboard flanks, but they were tagged in red as Principe units.

Labienus is an idiot! He thought. Here we are in range of the enemy and we are forbidden to fire because of ?The Plan?. I?m going to have half my ships blown out from under me before I can get a shot at those carriers. He saw Navarchus Sulla?s V Triari squadron, on his starboard flank lose three ships in quick succession.

His Weapons Officer?s voice cut through his anger. ?Sir, we are in range of the enemy carriers.?

The Praefectus?s face lit up with a feral grin. ?Lock all weapons on target Centurio Zeno, coordinate fire with V squadron and fire when ready.?

Fire reached out from the two squadrons and began cutting into the Siliconate carrier squadron. The combined fire from two dozen ships chewed up a pair of fat bellied carriers in a few moments. The enemy carriers began a lumbering turn to port as another three ships were cut open. The Praefectus?s elation was cut short when he saw a crisscross of beams on his holo and six of his ships cut to pieces in seconds. He expanded his scan and saw the two enemy Principe squadrons that had been on his flanks closing in from either side.
 
?Centurio Zeno, lock on to that portside Principe squadron and fire all weapons. He saw his beams strike the onrushing ships with very little effect.
 
?Sir, their armor is soaking up most of our fire.?

He saw Navarchus Sulla?s ships still firing at the fleeing enemy carriers. ?Comm, contact V squadron and ask them to support our fire against that squadron to p...? A huge hammer blow struck Ravilla?s ship, throwing him from his feet. ?Keep firing Centurio, don?t stop as long as we have...? A huge explosion ripped the Fujimus Mons in two.

Navarchus Sulla?s V squadron destroyed two more carriers before beams from the two Principe squadrons speared into the V squadron and reduced its ships to gas and slag.

The two Siliconate squadrons banked hard and steadied on a parallel course towards the remainder of Praefectus Avidia?s fleet. Their point defense weapons targeted and destroyed the few escape pods that had ejected from the ships.

Of the nearly 40,000 officers and sailors of the V and VIII Triari squadrons, there would be no survivors.

***

Blood flowed freely from Praefectus Avidia?s hand. The bridge crew studiously ignored the fist shaped hole in a nearby readout screen. She saw the enemy Principe and Triari squadrons interposing themselves between the main body of her Classis and the Velites and Carrier squadrons that were her assigned targets. She looked again to her aide. Without looking at his screen he said. ?Current Classis losses 45% Praefectus.?

She glanced again at the holo readout. The planetary defense fighters had slipped behind the main enemy squadrons and were heading for the damaged carrier squadron. She noticed an icon where there shouldn?t have been one. A marker reading:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
999th Velites Squadron (obs.)
Diana Class Veles
Lotus Class Bireme Escort
Fusion Pila Armed
Pila Waves Fired: (3)
Pila Waves Left: (1)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

She snorted a moment; her relics were still alive and hiding behind Nova Cartago II?s outer moon. I bet they can?t see you back there. She thought. She noticed the enemy?s advance was taking them past the moon. She nodded her head. Well done, maybe you can get a few of them before you have to jump out of the system.

She looked again at her aide. He simply mouthed the words ?forty eight percent?. She looked again at the wall screen.


All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.

Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:

82%

Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:

18%

                                                    ***

Trierarchus Herenus of the Sexireme (P) ?Zoroaster? watched as the Sexiremes ?Pontifex? and ?Maximus? were gutted. The two Principe squadrons were doing their utmost to hold the enemy Principe and Triari squadrons back, but for every enemy ship they destroyed, they lost five.

He turned towards his executive officer. ?There is just no way to break through. And if we stand toe to toe with them, we are going to have no one left soon.? The Trierarchus watched in horror as the Quinquiremes ?Augur?, ?Pulli?, ?Flamines? and ?Vestales? were destroyed within moments of each other. The ?Zoroaster? staggered under the onslaught and tumbled off out of control.

                                                    ***

The Praefectus watched as her melee line squadrons slugged it out with the advancing enemy ships. They were losing ships too fast.
 
Her aide looked stricken as he croaked out. "Classis casualties 67% and rising fast Praefectus." She looked again at the wall screen.

All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.

Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:

82%

Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:

18%

Avidia took a deep breath. "There is nothing more we can do here, we can?t break through to the targets. Order all remaining ships to retreat to the Apollonian Gate. Helmsman, activate the jump engines and in the name of Apollo get us out of here when we reach the gate.

                                                         ***

Labienus heard the retreat command on his comm channel, he looked at the casualty projections. ?Too soon Domitia, too damned soon.? He looked over at his Manipularii Special Ops. Commander. ?You got to all of them Tribuni?? At the black clad officers nod, Labienus muttered. ?May the Gods forgive me!?
 
The Tribuni nodded again. ?May the Gods forgive us both Praefectus.?


                                                           ***

The Centurio at the helm was trying evasive maneuvers to avoid enemy fire until the ship reached the gate and the jump engines activated. The Caesar rocked from nearby fire. The Centurio looked again at his panel. ?The ships will begin jumping out in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... NO JUMP activation Praefectus, no ships have jumped!?
 
There was a pause and the Comm Officer started speaking as fast as he could gather messages. ?Praefectus, all ships report malfunctions in their jump engines. We have been sabotaged! They want to know what they should do!?
 
Praefectus Avidia closed her eyes in pain. Under her breath she muttered, ?Damn you to the lowest pits of Hades Labienus.? The note of panic in her crew?s voices broke her reverie. ?Since we have no way to run, we have no choice. All ships, full speed ahead! Lets take as many of these bastards with us before we die.? She was tempted to comm Labienus but she stopped. What?s the use? She thought. If I?m going to die, I will do it with some dignity. Not screaming like a banshee at that bastard.

She watched as her lead ships were destroyed. For nothing, She thought. We are all going to die Labienus, and it?s going to be for nothing because we are never going to make it through to the Carriers and Velites I hope they hang you and you rot in Hades as a blind Mane. She looked at her aide as her ship rocked from several hits. He held up his hands. Seven then seven. The ship rocked with a series of hits and there was the sound of a collapsing bulkhead. Not long now. She glanced at the wall screen once more. The glowing numbers seemed to mock her.

All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.

Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:

82%

Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:

18%

                                                          ***

The Regulus and her sisters skimmed the thin atmosphere of Stygia. The dense core of the moon had shielded them from detection so far. They had received the retreat order, but as one, they chose to ignore the command. The intermittent feed they were getting from Command showed the enemy squadrons closing in on Avidia?s ships. One of the enemy Velites squadrons would be passing close to the moon and the Navarchus in charge of the 999th intended to get to point blank range before firing his last salvo.

The hull of the Regulus groaned in protest at the punishment. The outer skin of the 14 Quadremes and 4 Triremes glowed as they slingshot themselves around the moon. The Navarchus wanted to build up enough speed to overtake the enemy from behind. The 18 ships came rocketing out from behind the moon and saw several ships dead ahead. The heat from the passage still dissipating from their hulls, 18 glowing meteors closed on the Siliconate 2nd Velites Squadron.

Trierarchus Diashi was in awe of the sheer size of the enemy ships. Even the largest freighters and troop ships of the Republic couldn?t come close to the massive hulls that loomed around him. The enemy point defense weapons began to tear into the ancient vessels. Even their light weapons tore great gashes in the poorly armored hulls. The Regulus rocked from several hits. Red warning lights began flashing on many panels.
 
There was a squawk from the comm, ?This is Navarchus Nerva, they have taken the bait. Their PD weapons are recycling. All ships LAUNCH PILAS!?

In their day, the Diana?s had been the pinnacle of human engineering. They had tipped the scales in the First Median Incursion and were responsible for the success of the Ten Systems Offensive. The Median ships had been unable to deal with the large waves of heavy Pilas that the Diana?s could launch.

So too were the Siliconate ships in difficulty, with their point defense weapons cooling down, their thick armor could only stop so much damage. Hulls tore open and ships were turned from mass to energy in seconds. In less than 5 minutes, the Siliconate 2nd Velites squadron was completely destroyed. The 16 remaining ships of the 999th were altering course towards a nearby carrier group when the beams from the Triari squadrons crumpled the charge and turned the ships into a small, fast moving gas cloud.

The Ion radiation flux of the human fleet?s missiles had reached into the darkest corners of the remaining ship wreckage, not one Siliconate or human survived the charge.

                                                         ***

Avidia lay pinned under debris on her flag bridge. There was smoke and fires everywhere. She looked to her aide and only saw a collapsed bulkhead and his hand still holding her comm pad. Through the smoke she saw a dim glow. The fates were kind to her, moments before the Caesar?s reactor went critical; the smoke cleared enough for her to see the holo screen.


All Enemy Carrier/Velites ships identified.

Current Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships remaining:

69%

Enemy Carrier/Velites Ships destroyed:

31%

She coughed up blood as she smiled. ?Better make it count you prick.? A moment later her world ended.

                                                          ***


Legatus Labienus looked at the readout and turned to his aide. ?Have my shuttle readied, I am joining the Classis. Have Navarchus Strabo keep running the simulations with all the newest data. I want constant updates to the Battle Plan based on the sim results.? He turned to his staff, ?This is just the beginning! Now what we have to do is make sure what they did for us matters!? The Legatus walked out of the CiC and headed for his shuttle.

His staff watched the holo as the first enemy troop transports began landing among the two billion residents of Nova Cartago II.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2007, 08:32:40 AM by Þórgrímr »
Sic vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war