by C. R. Daems
* * *
The next day, Simons moved the fleet to within one light-second of the Wave and called for a conference. When she had all the squadron commanders on the conference call, she began.
"Captain LaFon's squadron, designated Zeta squadron, will precede the first wave into Yorklan by five minutes. Her task will be to distract any Vamps sitting on the Wave exit. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma squadrons will follow five minutes later and Delta, Epsilon, and the Sakhmet five minutes afterward." She cut the connection to everyone except the Odin. "I've sent off your request to Mikel. You really think he'll come?"
"Like a moth to flame. The Odin is his dream-child, and although it's no longer the perfect baby he had imagined when he started, it's still his child and he will want to be part of its development. He'll come with the best minds in his organization."
"Good. I'm not certain what you're envisioning or if Next Robotics can make it happen, but I'm warming to the idea. If I can't have knowledge about the enemy before we arrive, I'd sure like some way of having it the second I do. Good hunting, LaFon. Don't take too many risks. The Odin and the techniques you're developing may be our only hope of surviving the Issog and being ready to take on the Arrith." She cut the connection, and I immediately contacted the Amsit and the Sobek.
"Admiral Simons is giving us five minutes to kick ass before the fleet enters," I said to smiling faces.
"Any pre-Yorklan instructions?" Lahti asked.
"We enter with all systems passive and await instructions. Remember, our objective is the same as at Durban: to irritate them, get them to use their skip allowances, and set them up for the fleet—not to be heroes."
* * *
The transit to Yorklan took six days and three hours, during which time there was little to do. Each department either conducted training, or inspections, or qualification testing, or all three. For the Bridge crew it was simulations, which I let Disanto and Maize conduct while I monitored the results. Because of the high demands of the war, many of the crew were new to the navy or their specialty. The time was well spent.
With four hours to go, I took my position on the Bridge and sent the primary crew to the Backup Bridge. Then I systematically shut down each panel and ran system checks. Satisfied, I closed my eyes. When we fight, we fight, ran through my thoughts. I smiled, as that certainty applied to war—distractions kill, if not me directly, then others under my command. Slowly my mind cleared and I became the Odin.
"Battle Stations," I announced with one hour to go, and the Odin appeared to hold its collective breath. "Exiting the Wave in ten, nine…two, one, now," I said as the Odin shuddered as it broke loose of the energy wave and entered Yorklan space. I watched as the passive systems began registering the results for several light-seconds and the ESP sprang to life with twenty-two objects, which it slowly identified and tagged: Four Issog cruisers, B1-B4, at two light-seconds. Four transports, BT1-BT4, and six cruisers, B5-B10, at three light-seconds. Four more cruisers, B11-B14, at six light-seconds. And four objects, X15-X18, which I assumed would be identified as Issog cruisers when my systems went active. I concluded that the Issog had the standard twelve cruisers guarding the system.
We had entered as a supply convoy consisting of four transports and a six-cruiser escort were in the process of leaving the system. This was a disaster waiting to happen. When we fight, we fight echoed in my mind, forcing my focus onto my eighteen opponents, not winning or losing, just the fight. I sent the Sobek and Amsit the same two packages:
MiVa100120S3 and MiVb260160S3
Package one: per verbal orders, skip on vector 100 by 120 for three seconds.
Package two: per verbal order, skip on vector 260 by 160 for three seconds.
I then immediately contacted the two ships by tight beam. "All systems active. I expect the four Vamps at two light-seconds to initiate a skip close to our positions. As soon as they fire, make a three-second skip to the first vector, fire on the transports, then jump using the vector in the second package. Jump only one second if the original four don't chase you. Otherwise, execute a three-second skip. After that, use your initiative but remember our objective."
I had no sooner finished than the four Vamps, B1-B4 at two light-seconds, jumped to our position and twelve seconds afterward, fired. The Sobek, Amsit, and I made a three-second skip into the area where the transports and escort ships were located. I had the transports’ positions within ten seconds and fired three at each. Ten seconds later, the sensors showed all twelve missiles scored direct hits.
Fifteen seconds later, the Sobek and Amsit fired. At the same time, the six escort ships, B5-B10, fired. Since the four Issog cruisers B1-B4 at the Wave remained where they were, the Sobek, Amsit, and I made a one second skip—one light-second back toward the Wave but two light-seconds short of the B1-B4 cruisers.
Forty-five seconds later, all ten Issog cruisers B1-B10 converged on our position. I selected B5 and fired eight missiles—keeping four in reserve. When the Issog cruisers fired, the Sobek, Amsit, and I skipped back to the area where the transports sat. Thirty seconds later, we each fired on the relatively defenseless transports. All ten cruisers followed and fired fourteen seconds later. When they did, the Sobek and the Amsit skipped back to the Wave exit, expending their eight-second skip capacity. I skipped two seconds toward Yorklan.
B1-B4 followed the Sobek and Amsit, also exhausting their eight-second skip capacities. And to my relief, five escort cruisers, B6-B10, followed me thirty seconds later, giving them fifteen seconds to find and target me before their missiles would be loaded. Apparently, B5's damage was serious, because it didn't follow. I selected B10 as the closest Issog cruiser and fired the four missiles I had in reserve while I waited for the other eight to reload—three scored hits. If I was right, my eight missiles would be loaded before the Issog could fire, so I waited, hoping the Issog cruisers B11-B14, which were only one light-second away at the six light-second mark, didn't attack. I again selected B10 and fired eight missiles only seconds before the Issog fired.
I made a two-second skip back to the crippled transports. Thirty seconds later, B6-B10 followed. I selected B9 and fired again only seconds before the Issogs fired—and made another two-second skip back toward the Wave, which was only one light-second from the Sobek and the Amsit with only a one-second skip remaining. As I did, the sensors showed the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma squadrons exiting the Wave.
I queried Perkins and was immediately connected. "You have four Issog cruisers with no skips left harassing the Sobek and Amsit. One light-second away I'm harassing six Vamps three light-seconds from the Wave. If they skip to my position at one light-second from the Wave, they will have exhausted their skip capacity. Two are seriously damaged."
He nodded and cut the connection.
When B6-B10 skipped to my position, I selected B9 and B10 and fired six missiles at each and skipped my final one light-second toward Yorklan, to the two-light-second mark. And although they couldn't skip after me, I was still within missile range. Sure enough, forty-eight seconds later, the five cruisers fired thirty-six missiles—one or more must have had damaged missile tubes—with an estimated impact time of two minutes and twenty-one seconds. I returned fire with twelve missiles, targeting B7 and B8 with six each.
I could do nothing but wait for the fleet to engage the five Issog cruisers and distract them from me. I turned my attention to the ECM panel, and using the sensors determined each incoming vector. Then I activated the chaff, set up the automatic laser defense to look in the right direction, shot off several decoys, and finally turned the Odin to present its most armored side. It helped. The chaff misdirected eight, the automatic laser system picked off fifteen, the decoys destroyed eight, but four found their targets. Battle metal absorbed two, while two ripped through the outer skin and opened the marine shuttle bay to space, destroying two attack shuttles and killing eight, damaging part of the environmental section and killing ten, and wounding many more.
The sensors indica
ted I had scored two on B7 and three on B8. Forty-five seconds later, they fired another salvo of thirty-two. This time two ripped through weakened battle metal, opening crew quarters and killing five, and the maintenance area killing fifteen. I didn't have time to monitor the damage reports as I changed targets during the forty-five-second weapon loading delays.
Fortunately, B5-10 had to divert their fire when the first-wave squadrons finished B1-4 and began targeting them. When the Delta and Epsilon squadrons arrived several minutes later, the fleet skipped to their location. Within minutes, the remaining Issog cruisers were destroyed.
* * *
"What happened, Zoe? You apparently disregarded my order not to save anyone at the expense of the Odin," Simons shouted only minutes after the last Issog cruiser had been destroyed. Her voice alternated between concern, anger, and frustration.
"Bad timing. When we exited the Wave, we found the standard four Issog cruisers in their normal position two light-seconds from the Wave. But we had entered just as six Issog cruisers were escorting four transports out of system. If I hadn’t done what I did, your first three squadrons would have encountered ten Issog cruisers with full skip capability within three light-seconds of the Wave." She and I knew ten Issog cruisers with full skip capacity could, and probably would, have destroyed three to our two cruisers—all but destroying the Sixth Fleet. "And there are still four more Vamp cruisers at the six-light-second mark and four more at the ten-light-second mark."
"Damn you, Zoe. I don't know whether to court martial you or put you in for a medal. If you hadn't…interceded, the Sixth Fleet would have been decimated, but you risked the Odin, which may be our only hope of surviving the Issog." She took a sip of coffee and sat staring at the cup. "Why do you think the four Vamps are at six light-seconds rather than four?"
"Could have been the Station commander's decision, or they may have been heading to the four-second mark when we entered."
Simons stood with her eyes closed, slowly shaking her head. "This war is complicated enough without having responsibility for the one technology that could save the Commonwealth." She gave a short laugh. "Actually, I couldn't court martial you if I wanted. There is no one to replace you." She turned and said something to Lipscomb, and shortly afterward all the squadron leaders were connected—except the two who had been killed. "I'm going to hold the fleet at two light-seconds while we assess the damage, make essential repairs, and get organized. I'll expect a status report in one hour, and for everyone to be in position in four." She cut the connection.
I immediately contacted the Sobek and the Amsit. Both captains looked exhausted. "What's your status?" They had been in the thick of it at the Wave exit, so I braced for bad news but, silently, hoped they had been lucky. At least they had survived, I consoled myself.
"The Sobek lost fifty-two crew and have another thirty-five wounded. Although we're operational, we're going to need a day to get in fighting condition." Bergan paused as if to say something else but shook his head and remained silent.
"The Amsit is also operational, but we lost two missile tubes and will need a full day to be ready to fight." Lahti looked to her tablet and her face tightened. "Sixty-one dead and forty injured. Even with no skips, those bloodsuckers are hard to kill…but." She smiled. "The Vamps paid for it. Bergan and I have at least one kill and one or more assists."
"Stay together and I'll meet you at the two-light-second mark." I cut the connection. The news wasn't good but not as bad as it could have been. The Odin had lost forty-nine and had forty-two wounded, and like the Sobek and Amsit, it was operational, but although it could maybe hit and run in eight hours when its skip capacity was recharged, it wasn't currently in condition to fight.
* * *
"I would be handing out party hats, noise makers, and throwing a victory party except we lost seven cruisers and have eight batmobiles between Yorklan and us—that's eleven semi-operational cruisers against eight Issog, for those who aren't counting. Even if we could duplicate our miraculous performance—one and a half kills to one loss—we would be lucky to have two squadrons left. Realistically, one to one would be a good showing, as most of our cruisers are damaged and have less than a full crew." She stopped, waiting for comments or inspiration from the space gods.
Finally, Lipscomb spoke. "We need reinforcements, ma'am."
"No time," Perkins said. I silently agreed.
"Why?" Captain Springer asked. "The Vamps aren't going to attack us, and they can't get past us to go for reinforcements."
"They can just wait. When the supply ship doesn't show up at its scheduled planets, the Issog will send a fleet to find out why. Maybe sooner, if they discover Durban was liberated," Simons interjected. "For now, we'll stay here so long as the Vamps stay where they are. While we wait, take care of the wounded and make necessary repairs. Update me every four hours. Perkins, LaFon, conference on the Sakhmet in eight hours."
* * *
Any suggestions?" Simons asked after we had finished our dinner and coffee and dessert had been served.
"The obvious question is how long will it take for the Vamps to figure out they've lost Durban and Yorklan, because that is the time we have to get lost," Perkins said, and he was right. The Issog would send a fleet, and we were in no condition to fight them off. "My guess would be as few as two days, and at most four." He gave a half laugh and a snort. "We have just cut off their preferred, and maybe primary, food supply."
"They will come angry, determined, and prepared. A very bad combination." Simons’s voice was just above a whisper, like she was just thinking out loud. Perkins and I nodded agreement. "So, we have to get past those eight Issog cruisers, destroy the Vamp’s infrastructure, and be gone in forty-eight hours. How the hell do we pull it off?"
"The Issog station commander obviously has similar thoughts and appears content to wait, since he has made no attempt to attack. He must feel confident he could stop our twelve cruisers with his eight, based upon their history fighting us and the fact that many of our cruisers must have damage after an engagement with ten Vamp cruisers," Perkins said, mirroring my thoughts.
Libscomb nodded. "He's taking a defensive position. During the last eight hours, he has pulled back the four Vamp cruisers at six light-seconds to the eight-light-second mark. At that distance, they can support each other while not bunching up."
"It's fight or flight time." I knew Simons wanted a decision, so I thought I'd force the issue. "The Sixth Fleet can't take them straight on and have anything left to clean up Yorklan afterward. Let's move close enough to test the commander’s confidence."
"What are you suggesting, Zoe?" Simons asked hesitantly. Her mind must have been in chaos—she knew the Odin could be the winning card—for this hand—but was concerned about getting it destroyed and losing the overall game with the Issog.
"Unless I'm wrong, the station commander doesn’t want to take us on. He may feel confident he can repulse any attack we make, but has to know he will lose his command. His safer option is just to wait for support. Consequently he won't attack unless attacked." I paused, waiting for nods of agreement or at least understanding. "What if we move to the four-light-second mark—"
"Why four?" Libscomb asked, sounding angry and looking defensive. He appeared to think I wanted to run the Sixth Fleet. I didn't. I wanted to kill Vamps, and one squadron was enough responsibility.
"Because they won't attack us if they have to skip four light-seconds. It uses up too much of their skip capacity and makes them vulnerable. But it's close enough for the Odin to test them."
"Can you be certain you won't get the Odin destroyed?" Simons was trying desperately to balance her responsibilities—free Yorklan—while testing the Odin yet keeping it from being destroyed. I laughed mentally. Actually, keeping me from getting killed, because they could reconfigure another Odin faster than qualifying another Odin captain. I didn't envy her.
"No, but the odds are extremely small…and I think the closer you get, the smal
ler the odds. The less of a skip I need to waste getting there in the first place, the more I will have to stay away from them."
"How close?"
"Five or six, however, that increases the odds they will attack…although that could work in our favor."
"How?"
"The four at ten are unlikely to jump. If the four at eight jump two light-seconds, let them fire and then jump to their previous position. They have to follow. Jump back—"
Simons nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "You get them to use up all their skip allowance. What if the group at ten jump to eight when we jump back again?"
"They won't, because you can now jump to ten."
"They will follow and I'm out of skips."
"True, but you've eliminated all the skips for the original four at eight, and the group at ten now only has four skips. It's more of a risk, but you have to engage them at some point." I had given Simons my thinking, and now waited her decision. After setting up a visual display of my scenario and looking at several of the Issog commander's possible responses, she finally sat back with her eyes closed.
"I like it. Well, I like it better than leaving Yorklan in Issog hands." She laughed. "Or Admiral Fossett's reaction if I choose to leave." She called the two remaining squadron leaders to the Sakhmet to review the strategy. Four hours later the Sixth was on the move.
* * *
"What's the plan?" Lahti's eyes sparkled with excitement. I had called a staff meeting and had Bergan and Lahti on a split screen in my conference room.
"The Fleet is moving toward the planet to the six-light-second mark, which will be two light-seconds from the four Vamps stationed at the eight-light-second mark. Given they don't attack, the Odin will skip to the eight-light-second mark and fire at the four Vamps.