Obsidian Ressurection

by T J Bryan

  Chapter Fifty Four

  Wu System - Ragnarök - Year 3246. August 25 ET: 22:01

  "Nomi give me a complete detailed map of the area around Wu Station going out 2,000,000 kilometres. Very detailed please with every bit of junk, gas, and debris noted with full orbital projection. Send copies to our fleet."

  Nomi did not respond, but moments later all command con stations pinged with receipt of the detailed map. "Put the map up on half the vid screen please Mr. Brunner.

  Moments later half the vid screen flashed and a map of everything within 2,000,000 kilometres of Wu Station appeared. "Give me a magnification around the Alpha 3 the Unity dreadnaught please."

  The starfield grew and the small red circle that represented the Unity Dreadnaught appeared together with hundreds of yellow specks each with a thin dashed orange line indicating their heading and speed. Most of the objects were orbital and followed a predictable course, but a few, particularly the larger pieces of debris, often the remnants of ships long ago destroyed, tended not to be in perfect orbits around the planet. But rather they crossed the orbital plane often in erratic orbits which made navigation a challenge in the Wu system.

  "Mr. Brunner, what does your defence console tell you is the most threat to us?"

  Without hesitation Buddy responded. "At long range the anti-matter torpedoes of Alpha 3 the dreadnaught, but at closer range it's the Destructor. Her engines may not be up to snuff, but her armour is good, possibly better than ours, and armour does not deteriorate with age."

  "Tell me more about the destructor Alpha Five."

  "Let me check," replied Buddy. "The destructor seems to be of the Billings System origin. Billings was a long term ally of Greayson but after the destruction of the Greayson system we know nothing of its' fate. She has eight anti-matter torpedo launchers with autoloaders, another 16 loaders for 'H' class missiles which are almost as good as ours, and very robust armour. She should be about 92% of our speed, but given the energy signature I see I'd say she would be lucky to get up to 50% and that is pushing the red line. Crew is 184 according to the database. She has very little automation and battle damage is repaired by the crew. No droids."

  "So let me count Mr. Brunner. Anti-matter torpedo tubes on the destructor Alpha Five are eight, on that freighter two, and on the Alpha 3 Unity ship eight more. That's 18 tubes. That's a lot for five very old ships. I wonder how many actual torpedoes they have on board? On the other hand we face 16 "H" class missile tubes on Alpha Five and another 40 on the Unity ship. And one 'B' class on Alpha One. Fifty seven in all. Fully loaded the Alpha fleet probably can launch well over 1,000 missiles from the Unity ship alone."

  Silvi paused a moment. "And our Ragnarök has four tubes for all weapons with autoloaders, but unfortunately we have no anti-matter torpedoes. We only have sand casters and 64 'K' class missiles. We have four combat ready SAR's excluding the Banshees, and Greenland has two tubes and another 32 missiles. Our four SAR's can put out 256 'K's in total. And another 256 sand casters for defence. Our plasma guns are useful only for close in interception of missiles but are useless against torpedoes. We need to rely on the 'K's and sand casters to intercept those anti-matter torpedoes before they get within the 40 kilometre kill range. Fully loaded the Alpha fleet probably can launch well over 1,000 torpedoes and missiles from the Unity ship." Silvi thought a moment, "Assuming they have that many to throw at us."

  Silvi paused a moment and to break the tension on the bridge commented, "Sounds like the odds are in our favor." No one laughed.

  Silvi knew that she lacked tactical knowledge and experience in the battle to come, yet the probability was high that the opposing rag tag Alpha fleet also lacked experience. Silvi consciously decided to assume that the Alpha fleet was simply a put together band of commerce raiders and not the extension of power by some far off empire. She knew she might live or die by this assumption but her mind was made up.

  If they were not a tight military unit, the fleet would tend to stick together in a battle in order to be covered by the other ships, as well as to quell their fear of being alone. This was a Unity tactic, that of bunching their ships up in tight formations, and it had proved a disaster in so many battles against Greayson SAR's. Silvi knew some of Greayson tactics from watching her crews fight long dead Unity fleets on the simulators and she decided to adopt the same tactics to face Alpha.

  "Comms open to all OCN ships and Wu station, Mr Brunner"

  As Buddy prepared the encryption program for the comms Silvi thought about the two serious errors she felt she had made in the last week. First she should have transferred Nomi to the Greenland. In any coming battle Greenland had the highest probability of surviving or escaping untouched. Second, she should have off loaded some missiles to Wu Station. Even a handful on the monitor would have proven deadly. But alas she simply was not far sighted enough to cover all contingencies. And there was Abel's admonition about supplying weapons in trade.

  "Comms ready," Buddy called out.

  Silvi sat in her captains chair wondering how she got here and how much she wished she was someplace else. "To all ships and Wu Station. In a few moments I will assign each of our SAR's to a specific position just outside Wu Station's defence zone. Each SAR will locate an assigned piece of debris and go to stealth until the command for attack is given. Our primary target is to be the destructor Alpha Five, the secondary target is the Unity dreadnaught Alpha Three. We will use the Greayson tactic of attacking the tight cluster of ships from four different directions. If possible you are to approach the primary targets using the smaller ships of the Alpha fleet as blocking agents. If you can place the liner or Alpha One between yourself and the destructor or dreadnaught this will limit their fire power. However remain focused on the primary targets. I am sending your coordinates now."

  Silvi paused a moment and thought of Abel before she continued, "Women and Men of the OCN, The Obsidian Commonwealth Navy expects every woman and man to do their duty. Commodore Karrlson out."

  As the Alpha Fleet continued toward Wu Station they kept broadcasting their final warning to surrender the station or face oblivion. Silvi smiled at the repeated final warnings. The Alpha Fleet had actually slowed down its' approach toward Wu the further it came in system. Silvi wondered why they might slow down? Perhaps to give Wu time to consider their dire threats. Or was there some other problem, such as one ship unable to keep up with the previous pace therefore necessitating the entire tight formation to slow down as well. In either case the SAR's had enough time to locate their hiding spots behind orbiting debris and to assume a ready status. Greenland had been instructed to leave the system for Nelots if possible as soon as hostilities broke out. She was to take the Banshees with her and proceed home.

  Ragnarök once again found herself obscured by the same dead Unity hulk she had hidden behind months ago on the initial approach to Wu Station. As she waited Silvi admired the artwork that festooned the shattered hull of the dreadnaught. The statuary in particular caught her eye. A bit heavy handed but none the less quite striking with nymphs and what she assumed were angels flittering about what must be statues of Nobs. Since the statues and adornments were on the external shell of the ship they were clearly intended to impress other ships. How odd she thought.

  "Alpha Fleet about to enter our strike zone. There is a considerable debris field in her way. She may slow down even more to transit across the field."

  "Bring the Alpha Fleet up on the vid screen. Tight on the fleet please."

  Silvi noticed that if anything the fleet had drawn further together as it approached Wu Station. Silvi began to wonder if the Alpha's thought Wu might still have weapons in the monitor. That might well explain the cautious approach. However the fleet continued in so they must have considered that Wu was armed but decided it was worth the risk to take the station.

  "Open the comms to all ships and Wu station Mr Brunner. It's about time."

  Buddy said nothing but nodded.

  Silvi careful
ly studied the vid screen status display superimposed on the map. Brynhildr had hidden well and the Alpha Fleet had passed her without notice. She was now behind the fleet by 140,000 kilometres and between the fleet and the nearest exit portal. Unfortunately that was the same portal Greenland needed to return to Nelots and home. Hildr was high above Wu station at 150,000 kilometres and also well hidden behind a gas cloud and dust field. Róta was well to one side as the Alpha Fleet approached and opposite her 400,000 kilometres away sat Ragnarök. Alpha fleet was boxed in.

  Silvi had decided to have Hildr fire the first shot from high above Wu Station. A simple four missile broadside would do. Silvi wanted to see the reaction of the Alpha fleet when Alpha realized her action was opposed.

  "Captain Holgata, put a broadside into the destructor Alpha Five please."

  Moments later the vid screen displayed four thin blinking red lines headed toward the Alpha Fleet. "Time to impact Mr. Brunner?"

  "2 minutes six seconds. Closing speed will be 1900 kilometres per second. Course is hot and true on the destructor Alpha Five."

  Silvi took a look at the ships clock. How soon will they spot the incoming missiles? What will be their reaction? Will they see Hildr and counter attack while continuing to the station, or will they pause and fight? These and other questions streamed through Silvi's head as she counted down the seconds.

  "Mr. Brunner, a countdown please by tens."

  Buddy began to count down. "80, 70, 60, 50, 40... Alpha Five taking evasive action. She is pulling hard to port and down plane. The fleet continues on course. Wait... The fleet is following the destructor as she goes down plane."

  Seconds later all four missiles blinked out. "Missiles out. I tracked 18 defensive shots at Hildr's missiles from the destructor and another three from the Unity. Seems Unity is a little slow on the uptake."

  "Well they know someone is here who does not appreciate their attendance at the dance," said Silvi.

  Buddy called out, "Alpha Fleet is resuming course but at an even slower pace. And they seem to have tightened up their formation except for the destructor Alpha Five. Alpha Five is taking the lead and is now out front by about 10,000 kilometres. Her engines are running rather hot."

  "Did they locate Hildr?"

  "I don't know, but they have not fired anything in that direction, but they must know that there is something above Wu Station. The simplest tracking could trace those missiles back to that gas cloud."

  Silvi wondered if they simply could not track Hildr or they were conserving ammunition?

  "Captain Holgata another round please; same target; the destructor Alpha Five. Then pull out from behind the gas cloud and show your colors. Let's give him a chance to pull away from Wu Station."

  Seconds later another four missiles tore out of Hildr's launchers and headed for the destructor which now had the lead of the fleet.

  "Count down Mr. Brunner."

  Again Buddy began the count down and when he reached 80 Alpha Five fired a counter barrage at Hildr's incoming missiles. Moments later all four were destroyed before impact. "How many counter missiles Mr. Brunner?"

  "I count 19 and nothing from the fleet. Just from the destructor Alpha Five."

  Silvi thought a moment and keyed open her comms. "I suspect that their detection range for incoming is no more than 110 seconds. Alpha Five's rate of counter fire is impressive. The remainder of the fleet seems to be seeking cover behind the destructor. Let's see what happens if we pinch the Unity Dreadnaught. Róta what is your range and time to impact on Unity Alpha Three?"

  Captain Jason Mills of Róta replied, "We are about 110,000 kilometres and impact from launch is 57 seconds."

  "Very good Mr. Mills. Give me four on that Unity ship followed immediately by four more."

  "Yes Commodore,"

  Immediately four 'K' class missiles launched from Rota followed nine second later by four more. "Count down Mr Brunner."

  Now the Alpha fleet would know they faced two opponents rather than one Silvi thought. Let's see their reaction.

  Buddy got to 30 before the first set of four OCN missiles intended for the Unity ship blinked out, moments later three others were intercepted. Then a bright flash as one of Róta's missiles hit the dreadnaught.

  "Damage Mr. Bruner?"

  "She was hit amidships but she is continuing on course. I do see some streaming vapor and atmosphere however. It was a solid hit. The fleet seems to be changing course again further down plane and toward us. They are coming our way now. However the destructor is continuing on the Wu Station."

  "Róta and Hildr, the destructor is continuing on course to Wu Station. Please attack. It seems the captain of the destructor Alpha Five understands our desire to protect Wu Station while his fleet dawdles behind. Seek and engage the destructor. Protect Wu Station. Ragnarök will try to drive the remaining fleet into the arms of Brynhildr."

  "Pilot Karrlson set a direct course on the Unity dreadnaught. Best speed."

  Silvi picked up her comms, "Captain Thoranson remain in stealth. I'm going to drive the remaining fleet toward you. When we have them fore and aft at 100,000 kilometres please engage with every thing you have. And watch out for those anti-matter torpedoes."

  Moments later Ragnarök departed her hiding spot and proceeded toward the remaining Alpha fleet. Minutes went buy as they closed the distance.

  "I want a full load of sand casters first. I'm sure they will try to hit us with torpedoes. Assuming they have any. This will be the test of their ammunition supply."

  "Mr. Schneider, give me a countdown on distance by 10,000. The second you see a torpedo launch give me a full launch of sand casters, then reload sand and prepare to fire again on my mark."

  Mabel Schneider began her countdown from 200,000 kilometres. At the 110,000 mark the Unity dreadnaught fired a torpedo and Mabel responded with four sand casters. Silvi knew that at that distance the sand casters would intercept the slow torpedoes at about 90,000 kilometres and the impact of the sand particles would be 60% of the speed of light. Nothing could survive that kind of impact, but the kill zone of those torpedoes was 40,000 kilometres and the damage zone went out to 80,000. It was going to be close.

  The single torpedo from the Unity dreadnaught appeared on the vid screen as a blinking red light and the sand casters were displayed as thin pale yellow dotted lines. Within moments the casters exploded sending their sand hurtling forward in a wide dispersal pattern. The vid screen flashed white before automatic visual attenuation cut in to reduce the intensity of the light.

  "One dead torpedo," Commented Buddy. "The Unity ship is picking up a bit of speed. She is still venting atmosphere. There seems to be no damage control on that hit. The freighter does not seem able to keep up. She is falling behind. The old warship Alpha One is now in the lead. They are turning again. I think headed for the exit."

  "Load four 'K's please. When we are within 80,000 lets take a bite out of Alpha Two the converted freighter."

  Minutes later the freighter was reduced to debris and plasma. Silvi almost felt sorry for the ancient ship, but instead she congratulated the crew on a fine hit.

  The comms speaker broke the silence on the bridge of Ragnarök.

  "Commodore, Holgata here. Róta has take a serious hit to her engines. She is out of power and venting atmosphere. She hit the destructor three times but seems to have inflicted little damage. The destructor is still heading to the station and we are going in."

  Silvi thought a moment and decided that Wu Station was still their highest priority. "Captain Holgata we are returning to Wu Station to join you. Good hunting until we arrive. Captain Thoranson you and the Brynhildr stand between the exit portal and those three remaining ships. Please deny them the portal. Commodore Karrlson out."

  Silvi felt a hard tug as Ragnarök sharply turned, reversed course and set in for the destructor. "Put Hildr's comms on the speaker Mr Brunner. I want to hear their bridge as we approach."

  They listened to Hildr's bridge as Captain
Holgata fired alternating rounds of missiles and sand casters. They heard the crew cheer as two missiles hit the destructor and disabled two of her tubes. The vid screen revealed an intense fight as Hildr took two hits from missiles and a torpedo was launched from the destructor. Hildr fired two broadsides of sand casters, but the destructor was closing in and the distance was too great for the sand casters to reach sufficient speed to counter the anti-mater torpedo. Hildr then fired missiles at the incoming threat and for a moment Silvi was certain the torpedo was doomed. But as the 'K' warheads ignited on proximity fuses the torpedo wavered but continued on. Moments later Hildr became a brilliant flash of light in the dark of the void. There would be no survivors.

  "Pilot Karrlson give me every bit of juice you can extract from these engines. I want to come in hard and fast up the tailpipe of that bastard."

  "Aye, aye, Sir."

  "They will see us coming," Silvi said. "But they will have a difficult time targeting us with torpedoes through their exhaust. Mabel give me four 'K's and we will keep firing 'K's until I say stop. Sand casters as we close in will not be useful. I intend to stuff that tail pipe with everything we have."

  "What's our distance now?"

  Buddy responded, "430,000. At this speed we should be within 80,000 in about 43 seconds."

  "Count down distance by tens please."

  At 140,000 kilometres the destructor fired a volley of missiles followed by two torpedoes. Silvi decided there was no time to reload with sand casters. "Fire." she said and four 'K' missiles streaked on an intercepting course toward the incoming. "Reload and fire again." Again the missiles were launched and again Silvi asked for another shot."

  12 'K' class missiles with fusion warheads were dialed up to their maximum explosive power. Enough to light up a city of a billion for five years Silvi thought. Then the first explosions occurred and the array of missiles were destroyed, but the torpedoes kept coming. Silvi was about to order another volley when one of the torpedoes veered off course and into the void. The other kept coming. "Mabel another volley please and then another."