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.’
