“The cadence,” Lorenzo said, without being asked. “All of our ground and naval forces use it. Feel that drum deep in your chest? As the battle proceeds that will pick up pace until it makes your blood boil. There is nothing more powerful to have than a good cadence in battle. You’ll see soon enough. It is also a way to communicate when the battle is over”
As Slone watched, the lead destroyers of the chevron were about to come in range of the Petrov cruisers. Captain Freemantle’s voice was again heard over the fleet wide intercom, “Destroyers invert the chevron.”
As they watched, the destroyers forming the wings of the destroyer chevron fired their engines in a rapid burn and like a dance formation, the sides of the chevron pivoted outward with the point destroyers as their fixed spot and the arms of the chevron began to move to envelop and flank the enemy fleet. As this was happening, all hell broke loose in the center.
Captain Freemantle watched his tactical screen and looked out the bridge window to see his destroyers form a textbook envelopment of the enemy fleet. He knew his destroyers could not face the dreadnoughts, but their main function was to break up the enemy formation and get clear to harass the straggling and wounded vessels. First, they would have to run the gauntlet and do their duty. He had no illusions, not all of them would make it. He had been on a destroyer early in his career and they were flying coffins. As he watched, the lead destroyers fired their forward missiles and cannons against the cruisers. The dreadnoughts were still out of range. Just before the lead destroyers passed between the cruisers, they fired all of the broadside missiles and cannons, port and starboard, against the cruisers on either side, with the inner missiles and cannons firing over and under the slightly offset lead destroyers that were next to each other. Their crews quickly reloaded the missile racks and the cannons. The lead captains knew they would only get one more shot before the cruisers had their turn.
By this time the wings of the chevron had passed the center line and the envelopment was beginning. As each destroyer came abreast of a cruiser, it fired the missiles and cannon on the side facing the cruisers. From Captain Freemantle’s vantage point, the space around the enemy fleet suddenly filled with masses of missiles streaking towards the lead enemy cruisers. The purpose of this first phase was to overwhelm the point defenses of the cruisers so as many missiles as possible get through.
Before the first missiles hit their marks, the cruisers opened a withering fire on the destroyers between them and on those doing the envelopment. When their guns came to bear, they fired a broadside of cannons in both directions at the central and enveloping destroyers. Since cannon shot are much faster than missiles, the effects were immediate. One destroyer had managed to fire a second salvo and have its missiles clear of the racks, but the second destroyer in the center was caught just before firing and the cannon shot ripped into the side of the vessel and detonated along the missile racks, which led to secondary explosions and fires aboard the ship. An engine was ripped away and the ship heeled over and began to drop down as the remaining engines pivoted it down and away from the battle. The second destroyer was also hit, but the captain had sped up rapidly after launching his second missile salvo and also did a sudden dive. As a result, only two of the six shots hit him. One bounced off the curve of the hull and the second impacted and detonated in the crew quarters with minimal casualties.
The Petrov cruisers did not fare as well as the Romani destroyers. Each cruiser had sixty missiles coming at them from two directions. Their point defenses did an admirable job but there are only so many Gatling guns pointed in any one direction and they were overwhelmed, just as the Romani expected. Eighteen missiles penetrated the first cruiser’s point defenses. Since they were penetrating from both sides, the resultant explosions blasted inward from the outer compartments and the blast waves met in the middle like hammer and anvil crashing together. From the deck of all ships, one could see the integrity of the cruiser buckling and the walls blasting outward as the atmosphere explosively left the ship. Bodies tumbled out in all directions and she became a ‘dead stick’ as the ship was carried by its inertia towards the gravity well of the planet. There were no fires aboard, because there was no atmosphere. Twelve missiles hit the second cruiser, but two were duds and the remainder detonated in areas of the ship that left her functional. Two guns on the starboard side and three on the port side were dismounted and would need some time to remount, a tough job under normal conditions and impossible during combat. Effectively the second cruiser was carried forward into the oncoming ‘V’ of Romani cruisers, but the battle would be over before contact was made. One of the missiles had hit the engine room and this slowed her speed to half. Her sail ring was damaged and she was unable to take the slipstream without repairs that could not be made during combat.
After wreaking havoc on the cruisers, the destroyers curved in with increased speed to bring them parallel with the dreadnoughts. This time it was the outer destroyers that came abreast first and that put the dreadnoughts at a slight disadvantage. They were three in a row, which took the middle one out of combat until she could move up, or down to clear her flanking ships. For the same reason the dreadnoughts on the flanks could only bring one broadside to bear. The net effect of this was to turn the combat between the 19 remaining destroyers and 3 dreadnoughts, into the equivalent of a fight with only one dreadnought, until the others could reposition. To do this they would have to break formation and that was the whole idea of the exercise.
Aboard the PC Karamazov, the battle had started out with a great deal of optimism. True, the enemy outnumbered them three to one, but they had no dreadnoughts and they seemed to be commanded by a child. It looked like they were indeed pirates. Their attack formation was strange but primitive. Neither Admiral Perminov nor Captain Abramov had any idea what the purpose of a “V” in a “V” represented but they put their weakest ships, the destroyers on the outside, instead of keeping them back for hit and run missions. He expected that between the cruisers and dreadnoughts, they would make quick work of the destroyers. His ships were positioned in the triple line formation favored by the corporations. Cruisers came first, then dreadnoughts and finally the destroyers to harass the crippled ships and finish them off if needed. This enemy was using their destroyers to attack. The Petrov ships were moving ahead at half speed to keep this formation and be able to rotate quickly on their long axis to deal with threats from all directions. When the 1812 overture began playing throughout the fleet, they could feel the battle urge beginning to rise in them. As the admiral watched, he saw the enemy raising battle sails. He would hold his back for now. The corporate formation eliminated the need to pivot fast. When the wings of the outer ‘V’ swung outward, Perminov wondered what they were doing. Suddenly, Captain Abramov said, “they are trying to envelope us.”
“With destroyers? They have a death wish.”
As they looked on in horror, they saw both of their cruisers taken out of action at the loss of only one enemy destroyer. “These aren’t pirates. Who are these people?”
Unfortunately, for the admiral, there was no time to think. The leading destroyers of the envelopment were just coming in range of the dreadnoughts, but Abramov immediately saw the problem. “Admiral, request permission to move the Karamazov upwards and stagger the fleet. We have no shots at their ships from the center.”
The captains of the flanking dreadnoughts asked permission to fire and the admiral gave it. As the Karamazov slowly moved upward, out of the center, the enveloping destroyers sped up slightly and as each came parallel with the flanking dreadnoughts, they fired their six facing broadside missiles and increased speed. Each destroyer that came parallel with the dreadnoughts was a little closer and as each one fired its missiles, they joined the ones coming in from the farther destroyers until a wall of 54 missiles was streaking in against each of the exposed sides of the flanking dreadnoughts. The dreadnought crews were well trained. While this entire missile firing was taking place, their captains
ordered a speed up, which did little to move them in the short time the missiles had to close the gap. Their gun crews manage three broadsides and two missile launches in return before impact. Five more Romani destroyers were taken out of action by the cannons, but they had done their job and the remainder was already heading for the line of five destroyers forming the rear of the Petrov formation. They had indeed, done their job and done it well. The point defenses were overwhelmed and most of the groups of 54 missiles hit their marks and a few even impacted the Karamazov as it moved above the formation. At impact, both flanking dreadnoughts were heavily damaged. They lost their sail rings and could not escape into the slipstream. They were both disarmed on the side where the missiles struck. Through gaping holes in the hulls, they were leaking human remains along with gallons of frozen blood mixed with hydraulic fluids. They could still maneuver and fight, but only the weapons on one side and the ends would work.
There was stunned silence on the bridge of the Karamazov. Of the five Petrov destroyers, three were down and the other two had surrendered. Two missiles had hit the command ship but they did no damage. The Karamazov could fight, but she could not win. The admiral looked around at the bridge crew waiting for orders and he looked at the captain, who only shrugged his shoulders. “Open an unsecured channel to the fleet.”
The communications tech complied and the admiral spoke to what was left of his command, “All ships secure from battle stations and stand down. Await further orders. Now open a channel to the enemy.”
Again, the tech complied. “Enemy commander, this is Admiral Igor Perminov of the Petrov Corporation Navy. We ask for terms.”
Aboard the cruiser Primo Cohortem captain Freemantle sent a message to the Longinus asking what terms he should offer. The response surprised him but he conveyed it to the Petrov fleet. “Any of your ships that can still take the slipstream are free to go and you may evacuate your surviving crews from the crippled ships. The ships that can’t take the slipstream are prizes of war.”
The admiral could hardly believe his ears. No victorious enemy had ever allowed a defeated opponent to leave with an intact dreadnought. The other dreadnoughts and what was left of the cruisers were to be prizes of war. The two destroyers who surrendered still could take the slipstream. The rest were trash. The admiral signaled the communication tech to open the channel. “I accept your terms and surrender my fleet. We will begin evacuation of the derelicts immediately. We would appreciate any medical assistance you could offer to our wounded.”
“We will send medical teams. Admiral, while our forces are working to transfer your crews and deal with the wounded, we also want to help you give whatever proper burial you desire for the dead. They fought and died valiantly with what they had to work with.”
“Thank you,” the admiral responded. Again, he wonders who these people were. A further message was received from the Romani.
“Before you depart the system, I would like to invite you over to my ship for a chat.”
Knowing that this was not a request, the admiral agreed. The other shoe had dropped and he suspected he would not be allowed to return with his ships. He did a poor job against forces that he should have defeated. He wasn’t sure if staying here or returning home in defeat was the better option. He would like to see his home again, though his career was over. He sent a tight beam message to General Fedin in Penllyn to inform him of the outcome of the battle. The general was just as shocked at the results as the admiral had been.
“I am to meet with the victorious fleet commander shortly and I will be asked about the surrender of your forces. What answer shall I give?”
“That’s a curious question. There are only 10 cruisers in the enemy fleet as far as capital ships are concerned. That means they can’t possibly field more than 1000 marines, if each carries the usual 100 aboard. We have 18,000 troops on planet and 15,000 of them are in Penllyn. They have won a hollow victory, which they can’t capitalize on. To make matters worse, they are letting you go to bring back the main battle fleet.”
“Yes, that puzzles me more than anything. They should have prevented us from escaping. It’s almost as if they want us to bring the fleet. Time will tell. If I am able, I will let you know what happens at the meeting.”
“Good luck, my friend. I have to prepare our troops for possible ground combat.”
When the space battle was happening, the Draco was invisible at the outskirts of the combat area watching the action as they slowly sailed to where Sly told them the Romani fleet was located. Only the Serpents could detect ships made invisible by their technology. When the short battle was over, Allen Farnsworth asked permission to land on the Longinus, which was granted. The Draco had no sooner touched down and opened the cargo hold for Decanus Marshal and his men to leave, when Consul Lorenzo met them, along with Captain Slone and 12 Lictors.
Slone turned to Farnsworth and said, “Allen, fly us over to the Primo Cohortem.”
“Yes sir,” Farnsworth responded and the Draco crew went back to their bridge stations as the Romani and Slone went aboard through the cargo hold. They went invisible and took the short flight over to the command cruiser. In the aftermath of the battle, the dreadnoughts had silently pulled into a synchronous orbit over Penllyn but remained invisible. They would not become visible until the Petrov survivors were out of the system. The Draco landed on the deck of the Primo Cohortem and when the Lictors filed out in their double line, everyone on the hangar deck sprung to attention. The Consul and Slone walked together between the cordons of Lictors to the welcoming committee headed by Captain Freemantle. Slone also saw Captain Rand in the group. They all salute as the Consul came over and he returned their salutes.
“Permission to come aboard, captain,” the Consul said.
“Permission granted,” and with that the formalities were over and Lorenzo flashed his usual big smile and extended his hand, which Captain Freemantle took. “Congratulations captain on a textbook battle. We will teach them a few more tricks before this war is over.” The Consul then extended his hand to Captain Rand, “You never cease to amaze me Captain. Your courage and the way you handle a destroyer will be part of our training in future.”
Slone looked puzzled and Lorenzo noticed it. “Captain Rand commanded the destroyer force and was the center destroyer that survived the combat with the enemy cruisers.”
Slone also shook hands with Captain Rand and congratulated him. He could not think of a more dangerous assignment, especially since Rand didn’t have to take the command. As an auxiliary captain already assigned to a cruiser in space dock, he was not obligated to return to the deck of a destroyer. Here was a man who would go far in a wartime navy. As they walked off the deck to the conference room for the after action debriefing, the communicator chirped with a message from the bridge. “Captain, the Karamazov requests clearance, for its shuttle to come over with Admiral Perminov.”
Freemantle looked at the Consul who responded, “Tell them to come over.”
The shuttle left the Karamazov with only the admiral and his adjutant aboard. There is no use putting too many officers in the enemy’s hands. Yet this was a strange enemy. No corporation has ever acted this way, yet they must have corporate backing. Nothing human exists in space without the corporations. These Romani as they call themselves have been true to their word. They have sent medical teams and transports to all of the ships and have helped save many Petrov sailors and marines on the damaged cruiser and dreadnoughts. The other cruiser was a total loss and it was going to impact on the planet, and they intended to let that happen. He had no idea why but it was going to burn up and its remains would plummet into one of New Wales’ oceans. No people would be harmed. He watched over the pilot’s shoulders as the shuttle approached the cruiser. It was pure black with red lettering identifying it as NR Primo Cohortem and no other designations. There was no corporate logo. The pilot asked permission to enter the hangar and it was granted. As they entered, the admiral noticed a larger scout vess
el was docked there as well as everyone going about their business. Nowhere did he see any guards to take him into custody. He had brought his ceremonial sword, a vestige of ancient times that retained its symbolism. He was astonished to see guards aboard the ship wearing short swords as part of the uniforms and not wearing handguns. Is it possible these people are still using swords? This is a paradox and he hoped to live long enough to understand. They landed and he left the shuttle with his sword and his sidearm ready to present in surrender. Now he found himself standing on the deck with everyone ignoring him and only a young boy, no older than fifteen standing in front of him.
“Greetings, Admiral Perminov, Consul Lorenzo of Nova Romae and Captain Freemantle welcome you aboard and ask you to follow me to the conference room.”
Perminov was not sure what to do with the weapons he carried and offered them to the boy. The hangar deck had many troops visible, but none even paid him any attention. Again, the question was in his mind, who are these people?
The boy held up his had, “Keep your weapons; we have no need for them. The Consul asked that you holster your gun and you may wear your saber if you like.”
It was then that the admiral noticed an earpiece in the boy’s right ear. So he was being watched and that is how they knew what he carried. He would play their game and holster his gun and he gave his sword to his pilot. He hated wearing it. If they wanted it later, they could take it from the shuttle. The boy indicated to him to follow and he did. The ship looked like all cruisers he had commanded. This meant they used the classic ship designs. Information that is important for boarding, if he has a chance to convey it. They passed through the corridors and the admiral was struck by the cleanliness of the vessel and the discipline of the crew. He wondered how much punishment it took to keep them in line. They soon took a lift up to the bridge deck and he was led into the conference room. There were three officers seated at the table, none of them wore ranks he could understand. Behind them stood 12 men and women at attention, each holding a bundle of rods with an axe affixed. This reminded him of something from his childhood school lessons but he could not put his finger on it.
Nova Romae (The Adventures of Christopher Slone Book 2) Page 16