It was a minor change that he’d decided to make since his involvement in Admiral Lewis’ management of the battle for Eos. His simple idea was that when the fleets were engaged, it was easy to lose control of the fight and more importantly, to lose the concentrated firepower of large numbers of ships. This one minor change meant that a single officer could direct the firepower of six ships against a single target. It was a slower, more time-consuming approach to battle, but in his opinion, it would give them the best chance at targeting and breaking down the Biomechs ships or systems. The XO, Commander Keegan pointed to the small groups of Khreenk ships that had been positioned above and below the Alliance force in two groups of fifteen ships.
“What about them?”
“The Khreenk? I’m not sure about their ships yet. Their own reports say they are armored with a mixture of plating and reactive systems and are heavily armed. They are also very small and apparently maneuverable, though quite how that is of use in a space battle with weapons that can hit at the speed of light, I can’t imagine. We’ve never had to rely on Khreenk ships before, but we have to make use of them. I have a plan for them, but they won’t like it, not one bit.”
Commander Keegan creased his brow.
“A skirmish screen?”
It was a simple question, but the implication raised was, did the Admiral intend on throwing the Khreenk away as nothing more than cannon fodder for the opening phase of the battle?
“No, not at all. If what they say is true, then the Khreenk believe their own ships are enough to take on Biomech vessels, one for one.”
The XO looked surprised but decided to move past that line of inquiry for now.
“And our newest ships?”
Admiral Pezal tapped the image of the nearest and looked at it carefully. At first glance it looked more like a civilian ship than the crude looking Crusader class. The ten Liberty Class ships were the first of their kind to be posted in this part of space and had been fitted for combat, rather than transport in their triple mission bays. They comprised a mixed unit of air defense and guided missile destroyers. Though between the size of the Hunter Class frigates and a conventional cruiser, they were modular and capable of carrying out various missions, depending on their configuration.
“Admiral Anderson swears by this new design. According to him, they can match an Uprising era cruiser, or you can just swap out the mission bays and use them as heavy transports. If we ever get the time to deploy more of them, I will be very interested to see how they perform.”
“Admiral, incoming message from High Command,” said the communications officer, “It’s General Rivers.”
“Put him on the mainscreen.”
The seasoned face of the old General appeared in the center of the CIC, and most of the officers looked up from what they were doing to see what the man had to say. General Rivers was more than just the senior military officer in the Alliance. He was something of a legend and had fought numerous campaigns in the Uprising.
“Men and women of the Alliance Armed Forces, I bring news of a great victory against the machines.”
A video stream appeared alongside him showing a fiery red world. Flashes of what looked like electricity flickered about slowly in the background, giving the scene a hellish look like something from a person’s deranged mind.
“Prometheus,” muttered somebody in the background.
The rest of the CIC was silent as they watched the footage. Admiral Pezal nodded to his communications officer, who was busily checking incoming message streams.
“Put that out on all screens, for the record.”
There was no change inside the CIC, but now every single crewmember on the ship, and also those Alliance ships in the fleet, could see the broadcast coming from Terra Nova. He sensed this was going to be one of those critical moments, one where good news of a major victory could push his own crew on to greater things in the coming battle.
“Just hours ago the entire Biomech fleet operating in Alliance space was engaged in battle. Using skill, training, and a good deal of planning, Admiral Anderson managed to draw the enemy’s forces in from a dozen worlds and a multitude of hiding places to attack Prometheus. This attack inflicted heavy casualties, but the defenders under the command of Admiral Churchill and Colonel Morato held firm. They beat off multiple attacks, with the Jötnar Red Watch earning special commendation for their heroic defense of the underground facilities.”
Images of Prometheus showed the carnage in corridors and wide passageways that were filled with smashed machines and the bodies of hundreds of enemy warriors. Admiral Pezal even smiled at the sight of three Jötnar bashing their heads together and laughing. The three wore advanced Marine Corps armor that was tinted crimson and now covered in dirt, dents, and blood.
Those crazed fools.
“With the Biomech forces fully engaged, Admiral Anderson baited their fleet and engaged their forces as they entered T’Karan space in pursuit.”
Now the imagery shifted to the whirlpool exit of the Prometheus-T’Karan Spacebridge. An Alliance ship of some kind came through first of all, but its details were fuzzy, as though there were some basic digital artifacts present. He looked around it and noticed it was only around the ship.
So, they redacted that part. Who was it that was the bait?
Just a moment later came the first of the Biomech ships, and then one by one the rest came in right behind it. Admiral Pezal found himself holding his breath as the first massive volley of railguns and particle beams tore the Biomech ships to chunks of molten slag. One after another was destroyed, and finally the camera panned to show the vast Alliance fleet. He lost count as he moved past thirty ships, noting how every single vessel was concentrating its fire on one Biomech ship at a time as they came through. A cheer spread through the CIC, and he could only imagine how excited the rest of the crew must have been feeling.
“This entire Biomech force has been smashed, and only small groups of Biomech infiltrators and war machines remain on Alliance soil. We will not stop until their taint is removed from our territory. Today marks the greatest victory over the machines by our forces, but it is only the first.”
The General continued, but Admiral Pezal found his attention drawn to new information coming in about the Biomech orbital station. Even as the cheering finally died, and the imagery from General Rivers vanished, he was still looking at the object.
“I cannot believe the size of this thing. Is the information from the Khreenk scouting screen accurate?”
The XO nodded quickly.
“It is just over eight kilometers in length and constructed from a large hollowed out section of the comet itself. If it wasn’t for the transmissions and the change in course, this would be an irregularly-shaped comet fragment, nothing more.”
“Wait, I’ve got something,” said Lieutenant Jesse Powalk, the ship’s tactical officer
The tactical board currently showed a single red object in the distance and an assortment of green and blue icons that showed the allied squadrons assembled to defend Spascia. Three more lights appeared, and then the display filled with scores of new shapes.
“I’ve got contacts. Multiple warships are moving out from the station.”
“Numbers, assessment?”
“Uh, locking it down now, Sir.”
More and more shapes appeared on the screen. There were numerous sizes, with the majority showing up as cruiser size or smaller. Admiral Pezal tried to count them again, but for every one he added, another two appeared.
“Sixty Biomanta class light attack cruisers, five Ravager class carriers, and a single Cephalon class command ship.”
Admiral Pezal swallowed as he digested the figures. The data from the Battle of Prometheus, as it was being known, had given them new information on the ships, but much of it was still arriving, and it would take time for a full assessment to be made by his own intelligence units and those of High Command.
“Fighters?”
�
�Oh, yes,” Lieutenant Powalk replied.
“The Ravagers are launching fighters, eighteen from each vessel, that makes ninety, and they are spreading out in the fleet.”
He looked up from his bank of screens with a questioning expression on his face.
“It’s a substantial force, Sir, much larger than the numbers we encountered at Eos.”
“And their course?”
Lieutenant Powalk brought up a quadrant map on the mainscreen.
“Sir, this attack force is heading directly for Spascia, and the armored Ark is right behind them. The computers say we will be in range in seven minutes.”
“Very well.”
The Admiral paused and considered his strategy one last time.
I have to protect the planet, but I can’t do that if this fleet is able to break through.
He nodded to his XO and then tapped the option on his tactical display to contact the commanders of the squadrons.
“This is the Admiral. As you all know, this approaching enemy force is not here for us. It is here to take control of Spascia. Destruction of the enemy fleet is second to stopping the attack on Spascia itself.”
Even as he said the words, he knew it was a risky strategy. Deep down he wanted to take on this fleet head on, but he also knew this enemy Ark was an unknown, and so far no landers or transports had been detected. He started to speak, but the images from the long-range optical scopes had just arrived on his screens. This was the first detailed image of the Ark, and it was nothing like he expected. With a single button press, he muted the audio to the fleet and looked back to Lieutenant Powalk.
“What kind of assessment do you have on that thing?”
The Lieutenant’s face tightened as he was forced to run through pages of data to give a quick and simple summary of the Ark specifications and capability, with just seconds to spare.
“Admiral, the vessel is massive. I detect...”
“Wait, the rest of our captains need to hear this.”
He pressed the button on his intercom again.
“All commanders, bring your main guns to bear on the approaching target. Ready fighters but do not launch. I repeat, do not launch fighters. I have a short tactical assessment of the Ark.”
He nodded to Lieutenant Powalk.
“Proceed.”
“Yes, Admiral.”
The young man opened his mouth, coughed, and then began.
“Multiple scans confirm the Biomech Ark is actually a large section of the comet that has been carved out and modified into a massive fortress or super-battleship. It is roughly oval in shape, but irregular and covered in gantries, structures, and many weapon systems. Toward the rear are dock areas with several partially assembled vessels. There are engines fitted on one side, and at least five large-scale direct energy weapon emitters fitted at different points.”
He took a breath and wiped his forehead.
“There are eight main launch bays, each one large enough to release a single cruiser class vessel at a time from inside the Ark itself. The front is almost entirely untouched, comprised largely from the original comet, and is massively thick. The middle and rear sections are completely artificial, and are more in common with a starbase and super-battleship than a satellite, though parts of the original comet are retained. There is enough space for upward of...”
He ran his hand through his hair as he double-checked the numbers.
“...a hundred medium-sized ships and up to half million crew and troops.”
Admiral Pezal looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“How in the name of all that is holy, can you tell that? Are you telling me they fitted that entire fleet inside their Ark?”
The Lieutenant pointed to a smaller screen to the right of the mainscreen. The image showed a cross-section of the massive Ark, along with colored segments that showed the comet structure as well as the artificial compartments, power plants, troops, crew, and weapon systems.
“This is from the Khreenk. One of their scout drones made it to within six hundred kilometers before being detected. They have a full ultrasonic, infrared, and radar analysis of the Ark. It confirms the approximate layout and configuration.”
Well, I’ll be damned! Admiral Pezal thought. They aren’t completely useless after all.
“The hull is approximately eight kilometers long and five kilometers high. Structure penetrating radar measures it at twelve meters thick in the thinnest sections of the armor, and a total mass is estimated well in excess of two and a half million tons.”
Admiral Pezal shook his head in total amazement. The sheer numbers and specifications completely flabbergasted him. Just a quick calculation in his head showed him that this Ark could hold scores of ships.
“It is big, but not so big that we cannot beat it.”
He spoke to no one in particular, and Commander Keegan looked lost. Admiral Pezal noted his confusion and pointed to the massive structure.
“This Biomech Ark is the primary target. So far, we have only seen ships of war being launched. I suspect their Sawfish assault transports are being held inside for safety, and they must have already released over half of their ships, based on our tactical assessment, right?”
The tactical officer checked his data for what must have been the fifth time before agreeing.
“Very well, then.”
Admiral Pezal clicked the toggle button and continued speaking with the fleet.
“All Alliance and Helion ships are to bring your main guns to bear on the Ark. The priority is its launch bays and crew areas.”
Even though it was an audio only transmission, he still pointed to the section of the Ark showing on his mainscreen.
“It is imperative that we whittle down their numbers as fast as possible. If we fail, we have to do what we can for those fighting on the ground. Prepare your fighters, but do not launch. I repeat, do not launch them.”
The acknowledgements were quickly and efficiently received, and in less than thirty seconds, the combined Alliance, Helion, and Khreenk force was ready to open fire on the Biomech fleet.
“Fire!”
The Battle for Spascia began with the largest opening bombardment seen so far. The sheer quantity of gunfire from the combined Alliance and Helion warships was massive. The first tranche Crusaders unleashed volley after volley of railgun projectiles, while the third tranche loosed invisible blasts from their particle beam emitters. It was easily enough firepower to devastate a single ship in one go, but this time the firepower hit the Biomech Ark in a hundred different locations. Explosions and flashes covered the front and flanks of the station, with many chunks of rock and ice being torn off and cast into space.
“Admiral, the enemy ships are altering their course,” said the XO.
Admiral Pezal shook his head in mock annoyance.
“Let me guess, toward us?”
The XO smiled.
“How did you guess?”
Lieutenant Powalk looked less than excited though as multiple displays flashed up warnings. His face visibly paled at the sight of the latest information.
“Energy signatures detected. They are preparing to fire.”
“Brace for impact!” barked the XO.
Most of the crew was already buckled in, but even the XO only just managed to activate his clamp unit as they were hit. The impact of the first particle beams shook ANS Victory as though a heavy warship had just rammed her. Two ensigns were hurled through the CIC and struck the front bulkhead with a sickening crunch sound. Admiral Pezal was experienced enough to know there was little point in checking on them right now. They were certainly dead. More impacts slammed into the ship, and the view of the forward video displays showed ripples and flashes across the bows of almost every ship in the fleet.
“Damage report?”
“All ships in action and returning fire. Damage reported throughout, no losses...so far.”
“And us?”
“Breaches on three decks, multiple turrets
offline, and a damaged forward escape deck.”
We got off lightly, he thought.
“All ships advance on the Ark.”
He twisted about and tapped the icon for the Khreenk contingent.
“We’ll deal with the Ark. Keep their combat ships busy. I repeat, engage their warships.”
The commander of the Khreenk force sent back a coded response that had to be translated by the computer. It took less than two seconds to come through in an intelligible form. Even the XO seemed surprised at the plan of attack for the Khreenk.
“Only the Khreenk are attacking the fleet? How can we expect to survive with a force of that size?”
Admiral Pezal rubbed his cheek as if even he was uncertain as to his plan.
“You saw the numbers, Commander Keegan. This Ark is a mobile base for the attack and conquest of Spascia. This isn’t a battle to decide who controls this section of space; this is to whittle down the number of warriors they will have for the invasion.”
Commander Keegan looked stunned at this news.
“Invasion? You don’t believe we can win this battle?”
One of the Helion advanced cruisers exploded in a bright white flash on the left flank of the fleet. As the light faded, its shattered hull broke into three sections, each of them spinning slowing out of control. Admiral Pezal shook his head.
“No, Commander. We will do the best we can, for as long as we can. Now, all power to engines, and bring us in close to that station. I want to see it burning before this battle is done.”
“Aye, Sir!” came the sharp response from Lieutenant Glinda Scookins, the ship’s helmsman.
With a mighty shudder, the immense bulk of the Alliance warship increased its forward speed on an intercept vector for the Biomech Ark. The remaining Helion ships fired large batteries of hypersonic atomic warheads, and as they moved in alongside their Alliance comrades, every one of them pushed their engines as hard as they could.
CHAPTER FIVE
The original plans for a reduced sized fleet, following the massive losses sustained in the Uprising is now considered flawed. Exploration into the New Charon system, now to be called T’Karan, proved a need for cheap, flexible ships to be extended. The Crusader class was the first part of this transition to twelve-ship battle groups based around a Conqueror class Battlecruiser. Optimistic plans for five of these groups were already vastly under capacity for an Alliance of six home star systems, plus T’Karan, and new duties in Helios. Only mass production in the Alliance shipyards, and the design of the new and cheap class of Liberty destroyers, would allow useful levels of ship coverage. The arrival of Comet C34 proved once more that fleet organization based on financial expediency rather than sound planning would cost humanity dearly.
Star Crusades Nexus: The Third Trilogy Page 8