Hawk Flight (Flight of the Hawk Book 3)

by Robert Little

  Chapter 20

  Lieutenant Junior Grade Shin Ho Lee, the Federal Destroyer Fisk

  Shin Ho sat quietly in the watch stander chair, located on the bridge. For all intents and purposes, he was standing bridge watch, despite his lack of rank. The Navy’s ongoing lack of personnel meant that there was an across-the-board acute shortage of full lieutenants, as well as senior petty officers. Legally, Shin Ho could not stand a bridge watch without a higher-ranking officer present, but from a practical standpoint, for the few officers on the ship, there just weren’t enough hours in a day. Thus, Shin Ho stood on the bridge while the actual OoD was in the engine room.

  Also present on the bridge were two enlisted, one monitoring communications, the other ship systems, including power, weapons and environmental controls. At the moment, everything was nominal, but Shin Ho had the PowTech running tests on the radar emitters. He had already tested all the ships’ passive sensors, which were now operating within design specifications, although, due to the ships’ age, closer to the lower limits than he liked.

  The Fisk was operating in a region of space well outside the orbit of Nasser, and just inside the usual asteroid belt. Passive sensors had picked up traces of comm chatter that couldn’t be linked to known craft or ships, thus the slow sweep by the Fisk and the Tillotson, which was trailing fifty thousand kilometers aft. Both ships were running as quietly as possible, although it couldn’t be said that they were actually quiet, at least by current standards.

  Every fifteen seconds, the two ships exchanged encrypted and hopefully untraceable burst transmisisons. The link enabled them to compare sensor readings. The Tillotson had developed the procedure, and it was paying off nicely, giving them a rough approximation of stereovision. They had pinpointed the position of an unidentified craft, probably a shuttle, which was skulking along inside the belt, and paralleling their heading, another indication that they weren’t terribly stealthy.

  An hour earlier, Shin Ho commed the captain and brought him up to speed on the development. He had been ordered to quietly run tests on all the ships’ weapons and targeting systems, and inform him of even the slightest change in course or heading of the shuttle, or the detection of any additional vessels, or, he said with an obvious grin, the presence of hot water anywhere on the ship.

  At present, the shuttle was well outside light missile range, but that didn’t mean it didn’t have either heavy missiles or friends who did.

  Their present position put them thirty minutes away from the earliest possible support: fifteen minutes for the transmission to reach the Défiance, and fifteen minutes for that ship to jump into close proximity.

  A sensor lit up, and the ComTech reported, “Sir, we’ve just identified a new bogey, designated UC-2. It’s located on the same plane as UC-1, roughly five hundred thousand kilometers ahead of us, and moving toward us. No acceleration, no known id, same approximate readings as UC-1.”

  Shin Ho promptly buzzed his captain and commed the Tillotson. Three minutes later the captain walked onto the bridge. His uniform was perfect, not a hair out of place. Shin Ho smiled at the studied calm, and reported, “Sir, we now have a second bogey, same plane, opposite heading. Distance, four hundred ninety thousand kilometers. Sensors are nominal, I’ve commed the Tillotson and sent a Warning to Engineering.”

  The captain said, “I’ve got the watch. How did you identify the new bogey?” Shin Ho answered, “Sir, inside the belt, they have to sporadically run their radar and change headings. They’re being very careful, but we’ve now got three separate readings, giving us accurate position, velocity and heading. They are on course to link up with UC-1.”

  The captain nodded, requested a cup of coffee and settled into the worn chair. He said, speaking into the air over his head, “Fisk, Fisk, give me a secure channel with the Tillotson.”

  The first time Shin Ho had heard the term ‘Fisk, Fisk’, it had taken a moment to figure out that a single ‘Fisk’ would have produced a great many false links to the ship’s computerized systems. Each ship used a unique identifier, a word or phrase that wouldn’t normally come up in conversation.

  Ten seconds later the two captains were discussing the new development. The Fisk was the senior ship, but Captain Chavez liked everyone to be on the same wavelength. He said, “Let’s bring all our active sensors up to standby, and raise our status to Alpha One. I want engineering to ensure that we can go to full power within thirty seconds or less, and I’m going to send a request to the Défiance. We can see two shuttles but there may be more we can’t see. Hell, there probably are. Assume that our first intimation that we’re under attack will be a staggered missile launch. Don’t assume that all our enemies will be located within the belt, although that’s the best bet. Anything to add?”

  He listened as Captain Muhr made several suggestions. He agreed and they ended the transmission.

  He turned to Shin Ho and said, “I want everyone suited up. Make certain our energy weapons are charged and we have light missiles in the queue – we have to survive the first launch.”

  Shin Ho spent the next couple of minutes comming each department, passing along the captain’s orders and simultaneously keeping an eye on the sensor board.

  Within ten minutes the crew was suited up, with the head covering hanging loose. All hatches were sealed, and for all intents and purposes, the ship was at battle stations.

  Captain Chavez requested that the Défiance jump into a position that would match up with their expected location in thirty minutes time. The message was still en route, but barring any unforeseen problems, they should be able to add another four missile launchers plus the destroyer’s energy weapons, greatly increasing their offensive and defensive abilities.

  The Tillotson commed Captain Chavez and an unfamiliar voice said, “This is Lt. Tretiakov; we have tentatively located three additional craft, identified as UC-3 through UC-5. You should now be receiving our sensor readings.”

  Captain Chavez didn’t want to wait. He asked, “What type of craft?” The JG said, “Sir, we believe them to be shuttles. They are located deeper inside the belt, but they are heading on an intercept course that should place them within close proximity to the other two within forty minutes.”

  Captain Chavez thanked the officer and waited patiently as the sensor information slowly came up on his screens. Without looking, the captain asked Shin Ho, “Based on this new information, what do you see as happening? Also, what would you do?”

  Shin Ho said, “Sir, five shuttles represent a serious missile threat, but between our two ships we should be able to defeat the assault, which would probably be directed solely at this ship. I believe they will have additional craft, and I believe they will be located in the same general area – they don’t gain much by trying to envelope us since we would be able to utilize our port energy weapons for defense. I would recommend that we improve our missile defenses by reducing the gap between our ship and the Tillotson, and I would pass on this information to the Défiance - when it jumps into position it should already be at battle stations. If they maintain their current headings and rates of acceleration, we would be within maximum range of light missiles within…thirty-two minutes. I would also recommend that our first missile launch be directed at the enemy craft; with all subsequent launches targeting their missiles. Next, I would recommend that as soon as we detect their missiles, we should change our course to close with the enemy. If we jump, we eliminate the possibility of damage or destruction to our ships, but we also lose the opportunity to either identify the enemy ships or destroy them; finally, I recommend that we immediately target the closest missile with all energy weapons; once they approach to within forty thousand kilometers we should assign one energy mount per missile.”

  Still watching the board, Captain Chavez nodded his head, and said, “Fisk, Fisk, battle stations, battle stations. Weapons, I want your first launch to be directed at the enemy craft. Repeat, target enemy launch platforms with your first launch, all subs
equent launches to target incoming missiles. Do not go active until we detect a launch, or they close to less than one hundred thousand kilometers.”

  He finally turned to Shin Ho and asked, “Where did you learn that last tactic? Can we even do it?” Shin Ho said, “Sir, It is possible to link all four starboard energy mounts to target one missile; in fact, this ability was included in the Mod 17.3.5 upgrades. It uses different programming than that used to target ships. On the Los Angeles I was able to play with the concept; it allows us to destroy incoming missiles at a greater distance, and increases our chances of survival. I’ve checked our own systems, and our new software suite is capable of the linkage.”

  The captain gave Shin Ho a hard look, “How is it that you know of this tactic and I don’t?” Shin Ho flushed, “Sir, I only learned earlier this watch that the Fisk was capable of performing it. I commed Weapons and approximately one hour ago was informed that they have unpacked the new programming, enabling us to target one missile with up to four energy mounts. I sent you a text comm, but you will not have had time to see it.”

  Captain Chavez commed Weapons and spoke to the lieutenant in charge. He asked about the tactic, listened silently and after nearly a minute ordered, “Assuming that we are attacked, utilize this method, starting at the outer targeting limit, plus five thousand kilometers. Change over to standard targeting procedures at forty-five thousand. First missile launch to target the unknown craft; all following launches will target incoming missiles until they are destroyed, at which time redirect your fire at the enemy craft. Questions?”

  He listened for just a few seconds before interrupting, “No, if the range to target is increasing, switch to heavy missiles at…ninety thousand. I’ll comm you directly, but I want you to be prepared since the changeover will cost us roughly ninety seconds. If I do not specify targets, choose those with the highest intercept probability.”

  He was in the act of turning back to face Shin Ho when an alarm went off. The tech manning the sensor suites announced, somewhat loudly, “Missile launch. Multiples, seven separate sources.” After a momentary pause, she continued, “Fifty-eight missiles, light. Correction, fifty-seven, one just veered off-course. One hundred six thousand kilometers to the nearest, one seventeen to the farthest.”

  Captain Chavez calmly noted, “For whatever reason, their launch seems to be premature. Anything unusual about those missiles?” The sensor tech announced, “Yes sir; based on their acceleration, they are Mod 6a, the latest gen federal missiles. We are at the extreme outer limits of their range. Sir, all seven craft remain outside our own range.”

  Captain Chavez promptly commed weapons and said, “Launch one heavy missile at the four best targets, and then switch back to light missiles.”

  He commed the Tillotson, repeated his orders and checked the countdown to the expected appearance of the Défiance. Even if nothing untoward happened, their help would arrive a little late to the party.

  Moments later, the ship shivered as four heavy missiles separated from the Fisk and accelerated toward their distant targets, now under heavy acceleration away from their ship and deeper into the belt.

  The captain countermanded his earlier order and requested a second heavy missile launch – the greater distance to the incoming missiles gave him some additional time before he could begin to target them.

  Shin Ho watched the board as the eight traces from the two ships converged on seven fleeing shuttles. According to civil war probability statistics, five or six craft should be hit. Moments later, eight more heavy missiles separated from the two destroyers.

  Meanwhile, the missile queues were shifting to load light missiles into their tubes. The incoming missiles were all still tracking on the Fisk, and were now within range of their own missiles. Neither destroyer had been upgraded to the latest generation of missiles, but it would appear that their enemies had managed to acquire some.

  Within seconds both destroyers launched light missiles, and every thirty seconds, another eight appeared. The ships had the ability to link to and control up to one hundred individual missiles, allowing the two to redirect them to new targets. During the civil war, this class of warship often had more than that number in space, forcing it to transfer control to the missile’s own sensors. Nobody alive had ever been faced with that situation.

  The incoming missiles continued to target the Fisk. The Tillotson was accelerating toward their location, but was still outside mutual energy weapons range, and would be for another few minutes.

  At a range of seventy thousand kilometers, four energy mounts targeted the closest missile. They fired again, and this time destroyed it. Every five seconds, they fired in unison. By fifty thousand they were destroying a missile with each shot. At forty-five thousand the system began targeting four separate missiles.

  Two of their outgoing light missiles intercepted and destroyed their targets. Captain Chavez made a general comm call, “We have destroyed fourteen missiles, forty-three remain. At this rate, we should be able to eliminate all missiles.

  Every few seconds, an enemy missile was hit by an energy mount, and then the second wave of light missiles struck three more.

  The Défiance appeared thirty thousand kilometers ahead of them, and slightly closer to the belt. Thirty seconds later it fired a spread of heavy missiles at the fleeing shuttles.

  Three silent blossoms of light appeared, denoting the destruction of just three of the seven shuttles. Captain Chavez told Shin Ho, “On your next watch, I want an analysis of why our heavy missiles performed below expectations.”

  The last two incoming missiles were evaporated at a distance of seventeen thousand kilometers.

  The ship was already changing over to heavy missiles and managed to get off one more launch before the four from the Défiance caught two more shuttles, leaving two. There were now a total of twelve heavy missiles closing in on them. Fifteen minutes later, there was nothing left to target.

  The three ships carefully moved toward the debris fields, all that remained of the shuttles, which normally carried anywhere from as few as five to as many as ten crewmembers, meaning thirty-five to seventy people had just been killed.

  Captain Chavez spoke to the captain of the Défiance, informing him that the shuttles had utilized the latest generation federal missiles, and had been able to launch outside of the range of their own light missiles.

  The three ships remained at battle stations and decelerated to drift slowly through the remains of the ships. There were few large pieces.

  After several hours, Shin Ho was dispatched in the Fisk shuttle to bring back a portion of one of the shuttles’ hull. It was one of his first opportunities to command a craft, and he relished every moment of it.

  It took three hours, and ended up producing nothing that would help them identify who owned or piloted it, or where it came from.

  On the other hand, it was a shuttle, and it was located in Nasser.

  Chapter 21

  Lt. Junior Grade Alexi Tretiakov, the Federal Destroyer Tillotson

  The Tillotson slowly edged into the commercial station. Alexi had the con, although his captain stood right behind him, carefully monitoring his every order, looking calm, said demeanor presumably masking justifiable tension.

  The station locked onto the ship, and Alexi quietly, almost regretfully ordered the drives to be shut down. As soon as station power was connected, he issued another command to fully shut down the fusion plants.

  The Tillotson was due for another in a series of minor improvements. These would upgrade it’s passive and active sensors, including radar, plus a small number of new missiles.

  The attack on the Fisk and Tillotson had rocked the upper echelons of the Navy. It was the most serious assault on a Navy vessel – two vessels actually – since the end of the civil war, and although the attack had been fairly easily defeated, it was yet another demonstration that the situation was spiraling out of control.

  The Navy’s response was to ensure that
all news of the attack was suppressed. That was two months ago. Since then, the Navy had brought in a freighter to Nasser, escorted by three third gen destroyers, and offloaded a large supply of new missiles, giving the Federal destroyers weapons with the same range as their unknown enemy.

  Throughout the Navy, there was a quiet but intense push to upgrade all their aging and aged ships, thus the Tillotsons’ arrival at Elyse’ primary commercial station. The destroyer had been built in Elyse, and the system possessed nearly as good a space going infrastructure as Earth itself. Unfortunately, years earlier the company that built the ship had been absorbed into a larger consortium, and while it still possessed the blueprints, it couldn’t resurrect the Tillotson, it could only upgrade some of its’ arthritic equipment.

  Meanwhile, Lt. JG Tretiakov was taking some hard-earned accrued leave, enough that he was able to deadhead to distant Lubya, where he would have two full weeks.

  It took him three precious days to make the journey, but eventually, he sat in a military shuttle as it descended into the outer atmosphere of Lubya.