3rd February 3120 1304UST Dragon Lead, Hushnak System

As his fighters approached the enemy again, Digon Bolt consulted his TACSIT display.  The closest targets were two destroyers, a BAD and a TAMOCH that were the only survivors of the destroyer group they hit in the last strike.

‘Dragon Lead to Dragon Flight, ORC squadron to target BAD, OGRE squadron to target TAMOCH. Fire when ready.’

The TACSIT updated as the two nominated squadrons fired their missiles.

As he waited the four minutes for the missiles to reach their target he reviewed the latest intel update.

TO: DRAGON LEAD
FROM FLEET FLAG
AT 1123UST ONE TIMES AN GLEAS SURVEY SHIP DESTROYED BY MISSILES FROM CRUISER SQN #2.  IT APPEARS THAT THE AN GLEAS HAD FAILED TO DETECT THE FLEET BEFORE ENGAGEMENT.  SURVIVORS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED.
END.

3rd February 3120 1408UST Dragon Lead, Hushnak System
The two lead destroyers had been annihilated at 1308 and now the fighter strike was closing on the main enemy group of the remaining OINSREACH, 10 cruisers and 4 destroyers.

‘Dragon Lead to Dragon Strike, fire on designated targets.’

Again the TACSIT updated as the strike group fired its remaining missiles at the OINSREACH and 3 SLIBH cruisers.  The fighter group began to circle to assess the results of their fire.  Bolt expected the missiles would take 2 minutes to reach their target.

3rd February 3120 1410UST Dragon Lead, Hushnak System

The TACSIT displayed the satisfying icons of another 4 destroyed targets and Digon Bolt opened the strike group frequency.  ‘Well done Dragon Strike, return to home plate.’

As the strike headed for their carriers, Bolt continued to monitor his TACSIT and then something unexpected happened.

‘Dragon Lead to Fleet Flag, enemy group has split, 2 GOLF cruisers have continued and a FOSCADH cruiser, 4 SLIBH cruisers and 4 IASC destroyers appear to be retreating.’

As he settled down for the return leg, Bolt thought to himself, ‘Maybe we’ve finally started to affect their morale.’

30th January 3120 0616UST Flag Bridge BB Cymru Hushnak system

‘Marshal, new detection!’

As his operations officer continued the report Mille’s head stapped up from the Fleet admin order he was reviewing.

‘Contacts are two AN GLEAS class suspected survey ships, range 1.5 billion kms, bearing between 225 and 235 from fleet.’

Mille quickly reviewed the data on the AN GLEAS class and decided that they could be ignored for now.  ‘There is a long tail chase to catch those ships, maintain course, we’ll deal with these low threat ships once we have eliminated any warships in the system.’

‘Operations copies, orders relayed to fleet.’

30th January 3120 1116UST Flag Bridge BB Cymru Hushnak system

‘Marshal, 2 contacts.  Surface colony detected on third moon of planet Alpha one.  New AN GLEAS class detected bearing 010, range 1.5 billion km.’

‘Understood, looks like we have a good intercept geometry for the AN GLEAS, Cruiser Sqn #2 is ordered to alter course and engage.  Mark the colony and continue to monitor, we’ll deal with it once we have captured the home world.’

1st February 3120 1116UST Flag Bridge BB Cymru Hushnak system

‘Marshal, Sensors, multiple targets detected around Hushnak Home World.’

Mille turned towards his fleet sensor officer, ‘Understood, I want a full count as soon as possible.’

‘Marshal, Sensors, Standby By.’

As the minutes rolled by Mille occupied himself by trying to count to 10 in the language of Deaer’s  minority Saes people.

‘Marshal, Sensors, at 1331UST, 34 individual have been identified.  All targets are listed on your station.’

Mille looked down and inspected the list.  It appeared that there were 24 warships and 10 orbital bases.  The warships consisted of three 19800 tonne OINSREACH, two 13200 tonne ALAINN, seven 13200 tonne SLIBH, two 13200 tonne GOLF, four 6600 tonne IASC, three 6600 tonne BAD, two 6600 tonne SNIPER and one of 6600 tonne FOSCADH, OVERLORD and TAMOCH.
The bases were three 12900 tonne DEMOLISHER and seven 13200 tonne AVALON.

Opening the fleet-wide command channel, Mille addressed his ships COs, ‘This doesn’t look like anthing we can’t handle, the fleet will continue to close.  As planned we will start with fighter strikes once in range.’

2nd February 3120 0639UST Flag Bridge BB Cymru Hushnak system

TO: FLEET FLAG
SITREP: AT 0432, CRUISER SQN #2 DESTROYED ONE TIMES AN GLEAS SURVEY SHIP.  TWENTY FOUR TIMES WARSHIPS HAVE LEFT HUSHNAK ORBIT AND HAVE BEGUN TO CLOSE ON THE FLEET.  ANALYSIS SUGGESTS ….
Mille was reading the overnight situation report when he was interrupted by a call from the sensor officer.

‘Marshal, Sensors, new contact, new class designate JAVELIN.  Mass appears to be 1000 tonnes attempting to discriminate the number of contacts.’

‘Sensors, acknowledged.’

Mille continued to read the SITREP
….ANALYSIS SUGGESTS THAT THE WARSHIPS ARE SPLIT INTO FOUR GROUPS.  LEAD GROUP CONSISTS OF EIGHT DESTROYERS (FOUR TIMES BAD, TWO TIMES SNIPER, ONE TIMES OVERLORD AND ONE TIMES FOSCADH).  MAIN GROUP CONSISTS OF ALL CRUISER WARSHIPS EXCEPT TWO TIMES GOLF.  THIRD GROUP CONSISTS OF TWO TIMES GOLF.  FINAL GROUP CONSISTS OF REMAINING DESTROYERS.

‘Marshal, Sensors, new groupd consists of 74 Javelins moving at 6000 km/s.

‘Sensors, understood.’
Mille opened the fleet wide-command channel again.  ‘These FACs are too slow to catch us if we decide to run. Carrier Group #1 first strike will be against the Javelins.’

Mille watched the green acknowledgment icons on his display as all of the task group commanders confirmed receipt of his orders.

Mille consisted his mission system to see who would be leading the strike.  Selecting the appropriate private channel, he waited until Space Commodore Bolt opened the channel with a ‘Strike Group Commander Space Commodore Bolt speaking Sir.’

‘Digon, are your pilots good to go?’

‘Absolutely Sir, I have a good mix of combat seasoned and new pilots, we won’t let you down Marshal.’

‘I’m sure you won’t, good hunting, Fleet Flag out.’

1st January 3120 – in the New Year’s Honours List, First Space Lord Gryphon Isaac is made ‘Defender of Deaer’, Deputy Space Marchal Conway Jarman is bestowed the title of ‘Defender of Sirius’ and made a Knight of the Celt.  Deputy Space Marshal Pearce is also made a Knight of the Celt.

<<View Galactic Map Northern Sector Jan 3120>>

<<View Galactic Map Southern Sector Jan 3120>>

12th January 3120 – At 0545, 1st Marine Division arrives on Gliese 205 Asteroid #35.  As the enemy defences were assessed as light, Major General Winifred Blayney decides to attack before 1st and 2nd Heavy Assault Divisions arrive.

14th January 3120 – As the ground attack on the Husknak colony gains momentum the enemy are assessed as having taken 14% losses.

15th January 3120 – 1st and 2nd Heavy Assault Divisions arrive on Asteroid #35 and join the attack.

20th January 3120 – Between them the divisions on Asteroid #35 reduce the defenders to a few pitiful remnants; however, they stubbornly continue to fight.

24th January 3120 – Three Hushnak garrison btns are destroyed in the fighting on Asteroid #35.  They appear to have been the last organised resistance.

29th January 3120 – After mopping up operations have been completed it appears that the Celt ground forces have captured an automated mining station with 262 mines.  There were also thousands of tonnes of minerals and a mass driver in the installation.