by K M Dean
“Lieutenant Deruno I want to put a full spread of torpedoes in the Legaliri Cruiser. Then, jump to the Myoxx and put a spread in him. We may not destroy the Legaliri, but we can hurt him. The Myoxx will go down a little easier. After that we will try for whatever seems to need our attention. If we can do that our people and the Vikerlon defenders may have a chance.”
As the Jian attack fleet moved into attack formation the Barracuda made her way behind the Legaliri Cruiser. She took up a position directly astern about four thousand meters back.
Lieutenant Elandra said. “Captain, I have a target lock on the Legaliri Cruiser.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, hold for my order.”
“Aye sir,” replied Lieutenant Elandra.”
Quudh Wyvot an Eldirelian from Grenushania in the Psi Unica System said. “Captain, I have the jump coordinates set. We can make the combat jump on your command.”
“Good work Mr. Wyvot. Stand by.”
Aboard the Jian Legaliri Battle Cruiser Choovot
First Commander T'jopus Cayr said, “We shall prevail in our efforts. The Federation forces have been duped into believing we are attacking the Drakkana system. There is only a caretaker fleet here in Delta Ceti. This will be a major victory for me.
The Delta Ceti system has the best shipyards and facilities. It is also tactically necessary. We simply cannot afford to have the Federation in control of a system this close to the Jian Empire. It would require resources we can not afford to expend to defend attacks from here. This will be a very satisfying victory.”
“Commander Makol, notify the Jian hero fleet to take up attack formation action six.”
A few minutes later, “First Commander the Jian Hero fleet has formed up in attack formation action six. We shall attack on you order sir.”
“Allow me a few moments to savor this sight. It is such a pleasure to consider the caretaker fleet realizing they are going to be annihilated by a full Jian Battle fleet. They are most certainly quaking in their boots.”
Commander Makol said, “First Commander, we should continue our attack, sir. Waiting further will only give the defenders a better opportunity to prepare.”
“Prepare for what Choshav Makol? Prepare to die?”
“No sir, but the Hero fleet is anxious to continue the action sir. Perhaps we should allow them their joy in victory.”
“Very well commander, order the Hero fleet to attack. The Choovot will engage the Federation Cruiser. All other ships coordinate targets with the central computer. Forward now to victory.”
The Jian fleet began to move in to attack position.
Aboard the Federation Monitor II boat Barracuda
“Captain Sukhov, does this feel like Déjà vu?”
“It does, Commander Uzhetog. Except this time, we don’t have to drop stealth. The Krayari stealth upgrades are incredible.”
“That is true Captain, and the new defensive shields don’t hurt either.”
“No, they don’t Commander. I believe the Barracuda is finally what she was meant to. A real hunter. Let’s do this. Commander Uzhetog fire the torpedoes please.”
“Lieutenant Wyvot, the moment the torpedoes have cleared the tubes, jump us behind the Myoxx-class Cruiser.”
“Mr. Uzhetog, As soon as possible, load your tubes and prepare to take out the Myoxx-cruiser. Shoot when you have a firing solution.”
“We may not take down the Legaliri Battle cruiser, but we will hurt her. The Myoxx won’t survive if we hit them correctly.”
Aboard the Jian Legaliri Battle Cruiser Choovot
“First Commander,” shouted sensor officer Xrojli. “A spread of four torpedoes has been fired at the Choovot sir.”
“From where officer Xrojli?” demanded First Commander T'jopus Cayr.
“Three thousand Vrusa[31] behind sir.”
“Is there a ship there we did not see?”
“No sir, I have no ships behind us. None of our sensors are picking up any ship at all sir.”
“Evasive maneuvering commander Makol.”
As the Choovot began evasive maneuvers, sensor officer Xrojli said, “they are high speed torpedoes sir. I don’t believe we can completely escape them.”
First Commander Cayr said, “sound the collision alarm. Prepare for impact.”
Four tremendous explosions shook the Choovot. “Damage report” shouted Commander Makol.”
Sub Commander Borgal said. “Engineering reports there is damage to three of the four sub light engines. We are currently operating with one of our six reactors. We do not have FTL capability. Engineering is saying they expect to have two more reactors running within twenty joulene. We will not have FTL capability until they have at least four reactors running. That could be as much as forty joulene. Without at least four reactors we do not have our big laser guns. We have defensive weapons only currently. There was no hull breech. All sections are reporting minor injuries, but all crew are capable of performing their duty.”
“Very well,” said First Commander Cayr. “Commander Makol. Take us to the outer edge of the system with all the speed the Choovot can make. If we can survive until we get reactors back up, we could get back in to the battle and perhaps save the day.”
“Yes sir, moving the Choovot to the outer edge of the system.”
“Sir” said sensor officer Xrojli. The Myoxx cruiser Xensbon has been badly damaged by another spread of torpedoes. The Xensbon is not responding, she is venting atmosphere and escape pods are leaving the ship.”
“Where in the name of three gods are those torpedoes coming from?” Said First Commander Cayr.
“Sir, there are no ships in position to fire those torpedoes. Our sensors are not reporting any ship within range.”
Aboard the Jian Myoxx Cruiser R'Katk
“Commander Noorelim” said communications officer Layrinar. “First Commander T'jopus Cayr wishes to speak to you.”
“Put him on our overhead speaker.” Replied Noorelim.
“Commander Noorelim. This is First Commander T'jopus Cayr. The Battle Cruiser Choovot is badly damaged. She is, temporarily, retreating to the outer system to effect repairs. The Myoxx cruiser Xensbon has been destroyed. You are to take command of the Hero fleet, until the Choovot has made the necessary repairs and returns to the battle. The Jian Coalition must control the Delta Ceti system. You are obliged to carry on the fight. There is no retreat. We will return to assist you as soon as possible.”
“Yes Sir” responded Commander Noorelim. We shall persevere sir.”
First Commander Cayr turned to his sensor officer Xrojli. “Officer Xrojli, continue to monitor the situation in the battle area. Also, I want all sensors at top ability. Find the ship that damaged the Choovot. We can not allow an enemy ship to take us unawares while we make our repairs.”
Officer Xrojli replied. “Yes Sir. Sir the R’Katk is moving in to the lead position. They are making an all out move toward the planet Lithios.”
“Very good” replied First Commander Cayr. “Commander Noorelim is short on experience, but he will do an outstanding job because he has no fear.”
Aboard the Jeep Carrier Ariel
Commander Mike, ‘Smoke’ Adams walked in to the pilots’ noisy ready room and said. “All right settle down and have a seat. We’ve got work to do.”
After everyone had taken a seat, Mike continued. “The Jian battle fleet is moving toward Lithios. The Barracuda did quite a bit of damage to the Legaliri Battle Cruiser and it has retreated to the outer system for repairs. We don’t know how long those repairs will take. The Barracuda also destroyed one of the Myoxx class cruisers. That leaves one Myoxx cruiser and all the support ships to the rest of us. The sooner we can finish off the Jian fleet the better. If that Legaliri cruiser jumps back in to the fray it could be a little dicey.”
Mike said, “I will be leading with my ‘Bounty hunters’, the ‘Night Hawks’ and the ‘Mad Maulers’ squadrons. We are code named Alfa Escort. We will support bomber group Alpha.”
“Bomber group Alfa, under the command of Lt Commander Zoe Fellini. Your group will consist of SFB-101 ‘Intruders’, SFB-102 ‘Chester’s Molesters,’ SFB-103 ‘Black Hatters’, SFB-104 ‘Red Ravens’, SFB-105 ‘Sidewinders’, and SFB-106 ‘Rattlers’. Your target will be the Cruiser designated Zulu on your tactical display.”
“Bomber Group Bravo, you will have squadrons, FB-107 ‘Eagles’’, SFB-108 ‘Swashbucklers’, SFB-109 ‘Broncos’, SFB-110 ‘Gun Slingers’, SFB-111 ‘War Eagles’, and SFB-112 ‘Warriors’. Your target will be the medium cruiser designated X-ray on your Tactical display.”
“Thomas, you take your ‘Mustangs’, the ‘Wall Bangers’, and the ‘Assaulters’. You are designated Bomber Group Bravo escort. You will support bomber group Bravo.”
“Commander Soxal, you take the ‘Vipers’, ‘Black Lions’, ‘Wildcats’, and the ‘Raiders’.” You are fighter group Charlie. Your target is the second medium cruiser designated Echo on your tactical display.”
“Lt Commander Killian, you are in command of fighter group Delta. Delta includes the ‘Outlaws’, ‘Red Dragons’, ‘Devil Dogs’, and the ‘Executioners’. You will fly CAP on the Ariel. We launch in twenty minutes. Saddle up.”
Aboard the Jian Myoxx Cruiser R'Katk
“Commander Noorelim” said sensor officer Cadra Losal said. “Sensors indicate a large ship Is coming from behind the planet Athega. The ship is identified as a Federation “Jeep” carrier. They carry fighters and bombers, but no other offensive weapons. It must have been hiding there in wait.”
“Is it likely to get close enough to cause us a problem?” Asked Commander Noorelim.
“Commander, the Federation ship just made an in system FTL jump. It is now just outside our weapons range and it is launching fighters and Bombers.”
Commander Noorelim said, “I was not aware they had that capability. Launch our Biloxan fighters. Advise them to keep those Federation fighters and bombers away from the fleet. They are commanded to fight to the death.” ordered Commander Noorelim.
The Cruiser Constitution launched her four squadrons of fighters. Commander Andrew ‘Axe’ Underwood said. “All right, form up on me. When we engage, I want the ‘Gunslingers’ to go high and drop down from above. The ‘Headhunters’ will go low and come up from below.” “The ‘Insane kmaok[32]’ will go to port and attack head on. The ‘Yellow Jackets’ follow me to starboard. Pinch them in and take them out. We can’t allow them to get to our fighter bombers.”
The Constitution fighters arrived at the Jian fighters’ location just before the Federation Fighter bombers and their escorts arrived. The pincer moves by Commander Underwood forced the Jian fighters to take on the advancing Federation fighters from the Constitution.
Commander Underwood’s tactic made it possible for the Federation Fighters and bombers to proceed without a problem.
“Stay with your wing mate. Let’s take them out warriors.” Said Commander Underwood.
Captain Celeste ‘Cha-cha’ Hewlett and her wing mate, a Chogangan from Thesulia VI, Erod ‘Octopus’ Wonfourn dived straight at a flight of the Biloxan fighters. As the two Curtana fighters cut through the flight of Jian Biloxan fighters, they each took one fighter out with one of their onboard missiles. As they dropped out the bottom of the enemy formation they were trailed by two Biloxan fighters. The lead Biloxan fired a missile at ’Cha-cha.’ ‘Cha-cha’ did a very quick Immelmann[33] turn and returned fire. She took out the lead Biloxan fighter, but the leaders wing mate fired off a missile that clipped ‘Octopus’ Wonfourn.
“Cha-cha,” Said Erod ‘Octopus’ Wonfourn. “I took a missile. I can’t make it back to the Ariel. I am going to have to punch out.”
“Okay ‘Octopus’. Don’t activate your locator beacon until after we finish this battle. These guys may shoot at escape pods.”
“Will do Cha-cha, I‘m gone now.”
“Cha-cha” watched her wingmate punch out. As soon as she saw that he was safely away, she punched his coordinates in to her PINS[34] unit. “Octopus” might drift but having his coordinates would make it a lot simpler to find his escape pod.
The fighter battle was raging. The Biloxan fighters were a good craft, but the new Mark III Curtana was the latest and greatest. They were better, and it showed.
As ‘Cha-cha’ rejoined the fight, she picked up the wing of Commander Underwood. “Hey ‘Axe’, you look a little lonely. Care for some company?”
You bet ‘Cha-cha’, “Is ‘Octopus’ OK?”
“He punched out, caught a missile, but he’s Okay. What about ‘Maddog’. Is she Okay?”
“Lost an antiroll bell tube. RTB[35]. Let’s go have some fun”
“Okay ‘Axe’, I got your six”.
Commander Underwood noticed a flight of Biloxan fighters heading for the Federation Halberd fighter bombers. He immediately kicked his Curtana Mark III into over-boost. They caught the Jian fighters just before they were ready to engage the fighter bombers. Both ‘Axe’ and ‘Cha-cha’ started firing their laser cannons. Both Curtanas got a piece of the lead Biloxan fighter. The Biloxan did a half roll and came apart. His wingman did a half loop and fired missiles at the flight of two Curtana fighters. ‘Axe’ jinked right and did a full roll. The missiles went flying by, unable to make an adjustment that quickly. The Biloxan fighter, apparently out of missiles, attempted to run, but ‘Cha-cha’ had already fired a missile that took him out.
As the fighters battled, the Halberd fighter bombers accompanied by their Curtana fighter cover approached the Jian fleet.
Mike ‘Smoke’ Adams said. “Break in to your attack elements. Let’s shut these Jian Bozo’s down.”
“Bomber group Alpha begin your run. All Alpha escort ships keep a tight cover on our Halberds. Pick a target that could be a problem, keep firing till they shut down, then move to the next one. If we can concentrate enough fire on those cannons they won’t have a chance to target our bombers. We can give the Halberds a real chance to do their thing. Don’t let up.”
As Alpha group sped toward the Myoxx Cruiser, the laser cannon fire became heavy. Hugh “Cobit” Kibet took a laser shot head on. The Curtana simply disappeared.
The group continued their run. Mike ‘Smoke’ Adams noticed one heavy laser turret that was putting out some very accurate and devastating fire. He said, “follow me ’Shaver’ we are going to take out that laser turret.”
“Roger that ‘Smoke,” replied lieutenant Claude “Shaver” Xavier.
The two Curtana fighters turned toward the laser turret, jinking and juking their way to point blank range. They each released two missiles. They were so close the blast from the turret tossed both Curtana fighters around so that they barely missed hitting the Jian Cruiser. But the turret was down, and the way was clear for the Halberd bombers to make their run. And make their run they did. First one then another put a deadly stream of torpedoes in to the Jian Cruiser. Explosions rocked the Jian ship, but she kept firing until finally the reactors lost containment and the ship suddenly disappeared, replaced by a new small sun.
With the loss of the Myoxx cruiser, the attacking Jian fleet was without real leadership. The Federation fleet, with the help of the Vikerlon fleet, began destroying the smaller ships. The battle was coming to an end. It was not over yet, there was hard fighting ahead, but without the heavy guns of a cruiser it was only a matter of time.
The Barracuda had stayed out of the fray. Her best defense was the fact that no one knew she was there. Captain Sukhov turned to Commander Selub Uzhetog and said, “Selub look, that damned Legaliri cruiser is under way. She is going to rejoin the Jian fleet. The fighters are all back aboard for refuel and rearm. They can’t launch in time to protect the fleet. We need to stop her if we can.”
Commander Selub Uzhetog said, “I have a fix on the target Captain, but we are out of range. Jump us in close and we will put four more torpedoes in her.”
“Alright Commander stand by, and we will be close, she may catch some of
our emissions. Keep the defensive screens up.”
The Barracuda jumped to point blank range of the huge Jian Legaliri Cruiser. Commander Uzhetog said, “I have a target lock, hold on.” Selub fired four AMEP powered torpedoes.
Aboard the Jian Legaliri Battle Cruiser Choovot
“We are under way First Commander.”
“Have we located the ship that fired those torpedoes at my Battle Cruiser?” Asked First Commander T'jopus Cayr.
“We have not Sir” reported sensor officer Xrojli. I have done scan after scan. At one time I thought I had a shadow, but it turned out to be nothing.”
“There is no excuse for that level of incompetence sensor officer Xrojli. Put yourself on report.”
“Yes Sir” replied sensor officer Xrojli.
A moment later sensor officer Xrojli screamed. “First Commander Cayr, Torpedoes sir, Close astern.”
First Commander T'jopus Cayr had only enough time to say, “But where are they coming from?” And the Grand Jian Legaliri Battle Cruiser Choovot exploded.
Back aboard the Barracuda
“Damn Indira, couldn’t you have gotten a little closer, maybe we could have seen what they were having for dinner.”
“That did shake us around a bit didn’t it Commander. Still and all, it beats the hell out of what happened the last time I tried something like that.”
With the destruction of the Legaliri cruiser the fight went out of the Jian fleet. Only smaller escort ships were left, and they had no stomach for the fight. A surrender signal was sent.
Captain Maya Chivington, Commander of Outlaw II fleet, called the Vikerlons Supreme Commander Bojer Ozgozar.
“Supreme Commander Bojer Ozgozar, the Jian fleet has sent a surrender signal. It is coming from one of their destroyers. As the leader of the Military for the Vikerlon people, would you accept the surrender of the Jian fleet?”
