The Tzelans - Chapter 2.75
The Battle of Terrace was about to commence. Simm?s Task Element 114.1, composed of four Cout CVEs, two Provem DDEs, and three Okado DDs (all Terpla?n designs built and crewed by the CN) was accompanied by the three Rundenro FGs stationed in Terrace. A Spice Clipper supply ship followed, carrying enough materials and munitions to keep the force operating for three months.
As for Task Element 114.2, a Bulan formation that accompanied 114.1 into Terrace, it was following as best it could. The two CVLs couldn?t match the speed of the Tzel ships, and having only six squadrons of prototype fighters instead of first generation types placed it at a disadvantage. If the attack on the ships failed to destroy them completely and had the squadrons suffered heavy losses then 114.2?s fighters would?ve been transferred to Simm?s carriers to finish the job.
The Axis survey force dispatched its two remaining scouts to investigate the fast approach contacts. Speeding along, the first scout looked at Simm?s ships. The scout captain felt embolden to come even closer after seeing just destroyers and frigates at 10 LS range. At 6.25 light seconds the scout turned about and kept station, knowing that he was just outside the range of externally-fired capital missiles. After five minutes it appeared the Tzelan ships mounted no such missiles; if they did, then they had no targeting scanners for their fire control systems to utilize, or they were simply saving ammunition.
Simm gave the scout another minute before giving the order to fire. Each pair of Couts was datalinked to a Provem, and on their external racks were SBMs. Having been cut off for months, there was no way the survey force could know about the missile?s enhanced range. It also helped matters that the scout presented its stern aspect to Simm?s ships. With no interference from point defense the scout was destroyed so quickly that the survey force received no distress message. Only the disappearance from the long-range sensor plots told them that the ship was gone.
As for the scout sent to TE 114.2 its captain was more cautious. The ship stayed at a range of 7.75 LS, just outside the reach of internally-launched capital missiles. Like the first, however, this captain kept station and matched speed of its quarry. The two light carriers and their destroyer escort had SBMs on their racks, but the warheads were antimatter instead of nuclear. Of the fifteen missiles fired only three hit. It was enough as the scout splintered and then exploded as containment of its fusion plant failed. For the remaining three hours until the fighter strike was in range Axis officers could only speculate what kind of weapons were employed to dispatch the scouts.
With such sudden deaths it was highly unlikely any pods were launched from the scouts. Even if they had the survivors could expect no rescue. News of the atrocities inflicted on the Hamthen by the Axis was something that even the Tzelan couldn?t rationalize. So the ships sped on after reloading their external racks, not even looking back on their handiwork. All they cared about was the fact that 200 Axis personnel would no longer be a threat to anyone again.
To further play on the Axis anxiety Garon had the fighters launched at a range that appeared to be a one-way suicide trip. Garon and the pilots wished to see the contorted look of disbelief on the enemy?s face as the fighters passed the one-hour mark, the limit for prototype fighters. Moving at maximum tactical speed of a BC, the Axis force didn?t de-tune their engines for again there was no way to affect permanent repairs.
Flash, the strike commander, ran over the attack plan in his mind one last time as the squadrons entered 5 LS range of the ships. Instead deciding the issue in one go this was part one of a two-phase attack. Stand-off fighter missiles, an invention of the Terpla?ns, were loaded in lieu of antimatter short-range attack missiles. So armed each squadron could fire 18 in one volley, but an Axis datalink group could defend itself quite well.
This was the point where Axis standard procedure would play its part. The survey destroyers had no capital point defense, and would likely keep their stern aspects facing the fighters even as the battlecruisers turned to bring their Dc?s into action as the fighters reach 1.25 LS range. Though fired just outside the maximum effective range of the fighter stand-off missiles, enough would get through to the destroyer target and the degraded point defense of its two datalink partners. Destruction of the three destroyers would help lessen overall fighter losses in the second phase of the plan.
It came as a surprise to Flash and the rest when Garon presented the attack plan. From the way the Valhallan was going about it for the past month it was going to be a blood and fire affair worthy of belligerent gods and opera. Now it appears that someone persuaded Garon to be more conscious about reducing losses. Perhaps the Universal Soul had a hand in it, seeing that the Valhallan had been taught mediation techniques under the tutelage of Communications Officer Batt.
The range dropped, and as predicted the BCs turned as the fighters entered range of the capital point defense systems. While the BCs activated ECM the destroyers didn?t, totally in the dark of what was going to happen next. Flash felt his fighter shake slightly as the missiles left their rails. Unable to utilize its own point defense the first destroyer used those on its datalink partners. Even so, due to the aspect, the intercept resolutions were below par and the target had no EDMs on its external racks. Three salvos turned the ship into a barely crawling wreck.
It was worse for destroyer #2. It could only use the point defense of one other ship. With three squadron dedicated to it there was no chance. Multiple explosions like a spasmodic strobe light marked the destroyer?s death.
The battlecruisers scored, knocking out three fighters assigned to the Summer Gale. Even that wasn?t enough to prevent the last destroyer, now totally unable to defend itself, from being attacked by the last nine fighters. Like the first, this ship too became a crippled, debris-spewing ruin. As the strike pulled away Flash noted on his plot that the BCs and CAs launched small craft to take off survivors. The ships didn?t slow down; minutes later word was received from the Autumn Wind that the two cripples had disappeared from long range scans, most likely scuttled.
Landing back on the carrier Flash and his pilots were greeted with well-earned congratulations by the deck crew. Detached from his seat Flash stood up and removed his helmet, donning a pair of sunglasses handed to him by the fighter?s crew chief. Minutes later, after having removed flight gear for duty jumpsuits, the pilots entered the briefing room for a post-strike assessment. Garon was there, along with Captain Simm and Commander Kapp.
?Congratulations on a well-executed attack,? Garon applauded. ?Destruction of the three survey destroyer reduced their overall anti-fighter coverage by 18%. With those three gone, each of the six remaining ships will get their own dedicated squadron with the remaining nine fighters acting as ?Johnny-on-the-spot? to pick off the cripples. As for the three fighters we lost the Spice Clipper is being sent forward to conduct a search and rescue operation.?
?As fortunate as we were,? Simm said in a heartbeat, ?losses will be heavier in the second attack. To minimize those losses, like we?ve done in the first attack by employing stand-off missiles on the fighters, our destroyers will assist in the attack. With the Provems providing long-range targeting data, the destroyers will attack those ships that employ point defense against fighters at one light-second range. Even a few hits by antimatter missiles will assist in the overall destruction of the Axis force.?
Kapp stepped forward. ?The Axis force is now moving at maximum tactical speed. Even so we?ll reach the second launch point in ninety minutes. After Lt. Helmstrong is finished here you may relax in the lounge, but report to the hanger fifteen minutes prior to launch.? Placing a hand on Garon?s shoulder, Kapp smiled as he flicked his ears. ?You?ll be pleased to know that, as part of the officer exchange program, Mr. Helmstrong has the option of participating in a strikefighter sortie should the opportunity present itself. With his strikefighter training, and having qualified to pilot a Firefly in the simulators aboard ship, Mr. Helmstrong will be the pilot for the strike commander.? He looked at Flash. ?Now you all know why he frequented the simulators late at night. He was preparing for this battle, not to find faults to knit-pick in post-exercise debriefings.?
Before Flash could work up the nerve to talk Simm spared him the effort. ?With that said,? he announced, ?let?s proceed with the post-battle analysis.?
********
Having been so completely blindsided by Kapp?s revelation the pilots of the Autumn Wind didn?t even talk about it when they retired to the lounge. Instead they meditated, trying to gain wisdom and guidance from the Universal Soul for the upcoming attack. When the time came they found Garon waiting, outfitted in an adapted Valhallan flightsuit. He was standing by Flash?s Firefly, admiring the squadron?s nickname, The Mad Monks, written in bright red Tzelan script.
Also wearing sunglasses, Garon?s made a smile that matched the one made by Flash over a month ago. ?As I understand it,? he said in a lighthearted manner that survived translation into Tzelan, ?your squadron chose this name just one week after its formation. I understand it was because their leader was a young monk, one that answered the call to serve his nation in its time of need. That, or because he was not suited to the monkish lifestyle due to? desires of the feminine persuasion??
?You being an officer of His Majesty?s Navy,? Flash threw back with flippancy, ?one does not discuss the faults of one?s friends in open company.? He pointed to the boarding ladder. ?Since you picked this Firefly from all the others you better get up there and prime the systems. You know that whoever?s going to be my front seat would also be the leading pilot of the strike.?
?Exactly why I chose your rig, Flash.?
All launched, forty-five fighters lead the way with the destroyers, frigates, and escort carriers following close behind. The possibility existed that the Axis ships would detune their engines, prompting Simm to do the same, but an engine burn-out would hurt them more than the Allies. It was timed to the second so that when the Fireflies reached 1 LS range from the Axis ships the Okados, Provems, and the Rundenro that comprised the first two datagroups would be within range for their external capital missiles. The four Couts and two Rundenros, comprising the other two datagroups, lacking tactical scanners, would detune their engines for one minute so they could fire their loads at a range of 5 LS.
Time to target was thirty minutes. Flash was working on contingency commands for anticipated strike losses from point defense when Garon called him. ?Hey, Chief,? the Valhallan said, ?switch to the private circuit.?
?Okay, you have my ears,? Flash replied.
Garon chuckled. ?Just so you know, Captain Simm did tell me about your record prior to naval service. If I had your problems then I would be motivated to put as much distance between myself and a shotgun-wielding father as possible.?
?That salty old curmudgeon.? Flash said in a despondent tone. ?If it hadn?t been for that incident at the spaceport Simm wouldn?t have been all the wiser.?
?I won?t ask you about that, Flash. As long as it?s something that doesn?t impact the crew or mission I don?t care.? A moment pass, Garon swearing he heard the mental relief coming from Flash. ?By the way, for being an off-putting, prudish officer of His Majesty?s Navy, no-one asked why I was only a serving pilot for four months. After all the training, material, and money spent the normal tour was for two years. Have you wondered why, Flash??
?Was it because you got that plumb assignment of being an Admiral?s aide?? Flash offered.
?Oh, yes, but not for the reasons you might expect. Flash, for all your faults you?re a decent man, otherwise you wouldn?t have become a pilot in the first place, let alone a squadron commander.?
?That means a lot coming from you, Garon,? the Tzelan said, voice devoid of any sarcasm for Garon spoke with sincerity. ?Why was your piloting career so short??
Garon exhaled, determined to carry through. ?It was after a system-wide exercise, the pilots of the defense wing decided to attend a party. Located at a relatively remote resort complex, the Barrier Net Convention was promoted as a place where pilots, both space and atmospheric, could attend lectures and symposiums about their trade. In reality it was a cover for lewd escapades that more than made the case for the sexual maniac image our carrier pilots are known for. What I saw there made me thoroughly disgusted, and started to leave. Well, imagine my surprise when I came across some senior officers whom I thought in a million years would never??
A credit to Flash, for being a pilot he had to think fast on his feet, he knew what was next. ?You blackmailed an Admiral?!?
?When a palm is out there it begs to be greased,? Garon said with no shame. ?I got my plum assignment with enough stars behind me to fill a flag. For anyone that asked, it was because the Admiral that I worked for was, literally, a friend of the family and was doing my father a favor. For my part, I acted out my truly felt disgust about the behavior I saw at Barrier Net. That?s the real reason I?ve been treating the pilots the way I did, nipping their good humor in the bud and punishing them with simulated death.?
Flash chuckled. ?And here I thought that being an unrepentant ass was part of RVSN officer training. I can only hope for your remaining five months you?ll be far less of an ass and more friendly.?
?I?ll have my work cut out for me. Flash, if we make it out of this battle I?ll buy the first round for all the pilots in the strike.?
?Fine with me, Garon. I don?t have that kind of money to throw around anyway.?
********
The Axis ships didn?t begin zigzagging until the fighters were 2 LS away. ECM had spun up one minute earlier, an aftereffect of the earlier fighter missile strike. Not knowing what other surprises were in store the enemy captains were taking precautions.
Once again on schedule the BCs, followed this time by the CAs, turned so that their point defense systems could be brought to bear on the Fireflies. First to fire was one datagroup of destroyers, launching their externally mounted capital missiles at a range of 6 LS. Luck, and perhaps a little help from the Universal Soul had six of the nine missiles lock onto an Axis BC. Forced to use its two Dc?s because they were better for missile defense, only two broke through but was enough to take down 89% of the shields, all thanks to antimatter warheads.
Paranoid, the other two BCs only used their Dc?s against the fighters, saving their regular datalink Ds to fend off missiles. They succeeded in knocking out three Fireflies from a squadron based on the Spring Gust. As a group the BCs flushed their racks, only to have seven out of twenty-four capital missiles locking onto a frigate. With the datalink help of an Okado and a Provem the FG only received two hits, a fortunate affair because antimatter armed capital missiles were on the FGs racks. In reply the FG and its DD partners fired back, this time at a freighter CA. Only one hit was scored, but two point defense stations were tied down. It didn?t matter since the three CAs had no multiplex tracking, having decided to flush their racks too at the FG. One missile broke past the lasers and interceptor missiles, knocking out half of the armor and now-empty racks.
The DDs and FG detuned their engines. It would be 90 seconds before they were able to fire their on-board missile launchers. Slightly behind, the CVEs and two FGs would be in range in 90 seconds as well. Now at 0.5 LS the Axis ships, undistracted by missiles, fired all available weapons at the Fireflies. Once again only three were shot down, two of them being from Winter Breeze.
Maneuvering like a wrangler breaking in a new horse Garon confounded the enemy?s point defense solutions while closing the range. Down at the wire, Flash sent the final attack priorities based on the losses sustained so far. His own squadron, the Mad Monks, went after the BC that took the two missile hits. Of the eighteen FRAMs carried fifteen hit, turning the ship into a pyrotechnic worthy of Hell. ECM from the enemy only degraded targeting by 10%, and that wasn?t enough even at point-blank range. For the loss of just two more fighters all six ships were destroyed
Captain Simm gave the order for all ships to stand down from battlestations. Cutters and shuttles went out to search for pilots that managed to eject from their fighters. Only four hours were spent searching since the emergency life support built into the ejection seats lasted only for 3 ? hours. As for the enemy there were no escapes pods, their destruction being comprehensive and quick. For the record a total of 11 pilots were rescued, including two from the first strike. At the cost of 11 fighters, 11 pilots and armor damage to a frigate TE 114.1 wiped out ten Axis ships.
The Firefly carrying Flash and Garon was the last to land. Greeting them were the other pilots of Autumn Wind?s strikewing. They were chanting Garon?s name like he was a winning ball player. ?What have I done to deserve this?? he asked of Flash.
Pocketing the sunglasses just given to him by his crew chief Flash put a hand on Garon?s shoulder. ?Our strikewing was the only one not to suffer casualties. These cheeseheads think it has to do something with your piloting skills in face of enemy defensive fire or you?ve been blessed by the Universal Soul.?
?You think they can hold their adulation until after the debriefing?? Garon said even as the pilots picked him up and carried him away above their heads.
?They?re saving the best for last,? Flash almost shouted as he brought up the rear.
Just as the debriefing ended Garon was once again carried away, this time to the rec hall. Those officers, non-coms and crew currently off-duty attended as well. Captain Simm gave a brief speech about their success and then told them to indulge themselves, toasting their good fortune as well as commemorate those that had fallen in battle.
The fun kicked into high gear as Tattoo gave Garon some ink on his right shoulder. Written in black were the words ?VF-32 Mad Monks? with the number 31 right below it, informing whomever saw it that the bearer was the 31st member of that particular fraternity of flyers. Before he could admire Tattoo?s handiwork in a mirror Jelly approached. Apparently having down some homebrewed Dandelion wine just after landing it was clear that further consumption had released him from reason and responsibility. In his mouth he had one of the few remaining Bayside cigars, unlit but covered in chocolate. He practically inhaled the stogie, gave it a few chews and swallowed it, chasing it down with more wine. First extending his hand in congratulations, Jelly pulled Garon right up to his face. With breath that could make a marine cry he then surprised everyone by giving the Valhallan a kiss on the lips. He then hit Garon?s still-tender tattoo with a slap that was as loud as it was painful. ?Welcome to the club, Big Red,? Jelly slurred as he collapsed to the floor.
Flash and Pickles were all smiles as they had took pictures and video of the event. Now their squadron scrapbooks really had something to commemorate Autumn Wind?s first combat deployment.
END