Captain Korgachani commed the power room and spoke to Lt. Cdr. Filipov. He spent several minutes asking questions about the status of the ship’s power plant. Over the following thirty minutes he spoke in turn to each of the department heads.
As time passed Alexi grew increasingly worried – those two ships were seriously outgunned and the Gresham was sitting outside the system.
Eventually, the captain ordered the ship to proceed inward, but he didn’t order a jump. Covertly, Alexi watched the man and suddenly realized something – he was behaving like a man beset by great fear.
Thirty minutes later Alexi walked from his station across the tiny bridge to the captain. He quietly asked, “Sir, the power room reports that all systems are nominal, the jump system is charged and the coordinates are laid in to bring us out within less than fifty thousand kilometers from the Fisk. What are your orders?”
Captain Korgachani brusquely ordered him back to the communications console.
Alexi returned to his console and quietly ordered the Comtech to send a report detailing the Gresham’s position and heading. It would take an hour for the transmission to reach the craft that had relayed their orders, and an unknown amount of time for the tiny craft to jump back to the inner system, but Alexi didn’t know what else to do, and he was already treading dangerously close to disobedience of a superior officer.
Another twenty minutes passed with the captain showing no signs of obeying his orders. Alexi had been on the ship just a few short days, but he was the second ranking officer on the bridge and he was beginning to realize that the other ship’s officers had, over the years they’d served under the captain, become cowed.
Alexi took a deep breath and approached Captain Korgachani. He said, “Sir, our orders are to jump into position to help defend the Federal installations against an attack, which is presently underway. May I order the jump?”
The captain turned to face Alexi and yelled, “Lieutenant Tretiakov, you are out of line. Return to your station. I won’t tell you again.”
In the captain’s face Alexi saw not only fear, he saw the decision to refuse his orders. Alexi stood subtly straighter and very quietly leaned in, “Sir, our orders are to jump into the Nasser system, which is at present under assault by forces clearly intent on destroying Nasser’s three principal bases as well as all our mobile and ground forces. Our delay in jumping is not only a clear violation of our orders, it may well bring about the loss of two Federal warships, along with their crews. Sir, with respect, the Gresham is able to make the jump, and I must ask why you have not complied with your orders.”
With those words, Alexi crossed a line for which there was no return - he was committed.
Captain Korgachani reacted much as Alexi had feared, “Lieutenant, if you do not return to your post, I shall have you confined to quarters until I can convene a court martial. Do you understand?”
Alexi said, “Yes sir, I do understand. However, our orders are unequivocal. Once again, do I have your authorization to order the jump?”
The captain’s face turned white, and he simply turned away to face the main screen.
Alexi walked back to the Comtech and quietly said, “Comm the Marine guard. I want two Marines on the bridge. Tell them to report directly to me. Do it now.”
She turned to face Alexi, her face contorted with doubt and fear. He smiled gently and told her, “This is now a Federal warship, and at this very moment, our federation is under attack. We have been ordered to join the Fisk and help her in an effort to save the lives of many thousands of Federal civilians, soldiers, sailors and Marines.”
She wavered and he told her, “Please stand aside.” She stood and he sat down at the console. He commed the guard and said, “This is lieutenant Tretiakov. I need two armed Marines on the bridge.”
Alexi went to the hatch and within less than a minute a Marine appeared. He told him, “Come.”
He stepped over to Captain Korgachani, “Sir, I hereby relieve you.” He turned to the Marine and said, “Escort Captain Korgachani to his cabin and remain there. He is medically unfit for duty and may not be allowed to leave his quarters until such a time as competent authorities examine him. Do it now.”
Alexi pushed past the captain and initiated a general comm, “This is Lieutenant Alexi Tretiakov. Due to being found medically unfit for duty, at twelve hundred hours, fourteen minutes, Captain Korgachani has been relieved of command and is being confined to quarters. As we speak, one heavy destroyer and six destroyers, operated by forces believed to be aligned with the independence movement on Nasser, are in the process of attempting to take over the Nasser system. The Gresham has been ordered to jump into position to support the Fisk and Vincennes, who are attempting to prevent the enemy from destroying the Federal installations in Nasser orbit. Over the course of the next few hours I shall endeavor to keep you informed of our actions. That is all.”
He immediately commed the power room and Lt. Cdr. Filipov answered. He said, “Commander, initiate the programmed jump.”
Lt. Cdr. Filipov hesitated, and then asked, “Lieutenant, what has happened?” Alexi simply said, “Captain Korgachani has collapsed. I am now commanding the Gresham.”
After another hesitation, she said, “We’re powering up now.”
Alexi turned back to look at the captain, who was in the process of walking off the bridge.
Alexi made another general comm, “This is Lieutenant Tretiakov. We are jumping into position to assist the Fisk.” He quietly ordered, “Go to battle stations.”
As the alarm sounded he commed the missile room and verified that heavy missiles had been loaded.
The ship shivered and its’ systems gradually came back online. The Comtech reported, “Sir, the Fisk is comming us.”
Alexi opened a channel and said, “This is Lieutenant Tretiakov. What are our orders?” A familiar voice answered, “This is Lieutenant Lee. At present, we are maneuvering to maintain a one million kilometer separation between our ship and the enemy. The Vincennes has been lost. There were survivors but we have been unable to pick them up. We are awaiting the arrival of the Tillotson and Défiance. The Bon Homme Richard has been attacked and damaged and will not be able to jump into the inner system, and the Vikramaditya is undergoing emergency repairs in Nasser Three. Our four destroyers are at present the only operational Federal warships in the system. We need you to take up position on our port quarter, no more than one hundred kilometers separation.”
Alexi glanced at his console and replied, “Thirty minutes.”
He quietly passed along the orders and commed the Fisk, “What about the fighters from the Vikramaditya, are they able to defend the orbitals?” Lt. Lee quietly replied, “They’re working on it, but so far the ship’s systems are not powered up, meaning they can’t open the bays. We don’t have a time frame, so we’re operating on the assumption that we are it.”
Alexi asked a related question, “What happened to the Bonnie Dick?” Lt. Lee replied, “A Federal shuttle was sabotaged and exploded inside one of the ship’s bays, reportedly killing over thirty personnel and damaging the ship which is unable to get under way until repairs are made. Its fighters are roughly ten hours away, more if they have to decelerate to match orbits. I’m told they may be able to return power to the drive before then, so the captain is keeping the fighters close to the ship. Again, we have to assume we will be it.”
Alexi made a general comm, “Crew, this is Lt. Tretiakov. At present we are accelerating to take up position astern of the Fisk. The Tillotson and Défiance are due to arrive within the next few minutes, giving us a total of four destroyers. Facing us are six destroyers and one heavy destroyer. We lost the Vincennes, although it is hoped some of the crew have survived. We are outgunned, but counterbalancing that is the fact that our crews are very well trained and our ships fully operational. The ships facing us are apparently poorly handled and aside from the heavy destroyer, reportedly in poor condition. I believe we can prevent the ene
my from taking the Nasser orbitals under fire, and that is our mission. Meanwhile, they are attempting to power up the Vickie, allowing his fighters to launch and take up defensive positions. Additionally, the Bonnie Dick is attempting to recover from an act of sabotage. As soon as possible it will jump into our vicinity, providing us with a very powerful force of fighters. I shall keep you informed of the progress of the battle, and in return, understand that I expect all of you to perform your duties as you have been trained. That is all.”
Over the next thirty minutes the Gresham maneuvered into very close proximity to the Fisk, and the Tillotson appeared, jumping to within one thousand kilometers of the two ships. It was a remarkable feat of navigation.
Alexi commed the Tillotson and asked, “Is the Défiance going to join us?” He was told, “The Défiance is still with the Bonne Homme Richard – there is a large number of missile boats approaching the ship. Fighters are attacking but they have to retain most of them to provide missile defense for the ship, which is still not able to maneuver.”
So, three destroyers.
So far, the loose formation of seven enemy ships had failed to demonstrate much in the way of aggressive behavior, and after the first exchange of missiles, had failed to pursue their advantage.
Alexi smiled, and commed the Fisk, “They are not being very aggressive because they don’t want to get so close to the planet that they can’t jump out. They don’t know where the Bonnie Dick is.” Shin Ho, who was on the bridge but not in command, replied, “Agreed. What is the condition of your ship?”
Alexi responded, “Nominal. We lack many of the software updates the Défiance, Fisk and Tillotson gained, but all systems are operational, the crew well trained.”
At that moment Alexi’s Navtech announced, “Sir, they’ve increased their acceleration.” Alexi passed that information along and within less than five seconds Captain Chavez, Fisk’s CO, ordered all three ships to accelerate at six G’s, launch heavy missiles as soon as they were in range, and reverse course back out of missile range.
Alexi passed on the order, adding, “Hold your position one hundred kilometers off the Fisk’s starboard stern, prepare to launch a full spread of heavy missiles.”
Lt. Lee commed, “Designate UC-4 as primary target, the one slightly out front of the other ships.”
On command, all three destroyers launched, sending twelve heavy missiles at the lead destroyer. The seven ships initiated a very ragged response, and thirty seconds later the three Federal destroyers launched twelve more missiles. They sent a third spread and immediately reversed course. They would be within range of the first enemy missile launch, probably the second, meaning they would face a maximum of sixty missiles before they were back out of range.
Even as they decelerated, their crews were switching to light missiles, preparing for the incoming heavy missiles.
Remembering his promise, Alexi kept his crew informed of the action. He could feel the tension mount as the enemy missiles slashed past their own outgoing heavies. At this point, the three Federal destroyers were positioned so close to each other that it wasn’t possible to know which ship the enemy had targeted.
Alexi’s Comtech announced, “Sir, they’re targeting the Fisk.” By this time their distance to the enemy was once again increasing, but they were going to have to deal with two flights of missiles before they were once again out of range.
All three ships launched light missiles, targeting the first flight. They managed a second launch and then their energy weapons began flashing. They had time for just one more launch at the first flight, but there were three more, so the missiles retargeted on the next group even as the energy weapons continued to fire at the first.
Alexi announced, “The first launch has been destroyed. We have one more group of missiles able to make terminal corrections.”
Ten minutes later Alexi told his crew, “Two of our missiles got through, destroying UC-4.” He could hear cheering, but he was concentrating on the final three enemy missiles. The last one was speared a mere five thousand kilometers short of the Fisk.
Shin Ho commed him, “We believe we’re back out of range of their next two flights. We’re going to make a radical course change in ten seconds.” Alexi asked his Navtech, “Do you have the course change?” She was hunched over her board, but acknowledged that they had received the data feed.
On command, all three ships veered to starboard, moving them out of the trajectory of the next two flights. The fourth group began to make course changes, but one by one the huge missile’s drives failed and they went ballistic. Their seekers and warheads were still live, but as long as they Federal destroyers kept moving the ships were safe.
Shin Ho commed Alexi, “We’re going to try that maneuver one more time. They seem to be improving their coordination, and we think they’re going to start getting more aggressive, so we need to take out at least one more ship.”
On command all three ships veered back toward the six remaining destroyers. Two ships had closed on the remains of the destroyed ship, and Alexi said, “Gresham, target UC-2; the Fisk and Tillotson will target UC-3.”
Alexi ordered the missile room to load heavy missiles and ten minutes later all three ships again launched. This time, the enemy response was faster and better coordinated.
They sent four flights of heavy missiles, all targeting the two nearly stationary destroyers. In return, they were facing over ninety.
Shin Ho announced, “They’re launching fighters from the Vickie. That doesn’t help us, since they have to keep the fighters in close to the planet, but it does give us a little more room to maneuver. No word from the Bon Homme Richard. We’re going to begin retreating toward the planet. We’re near to the edge of the gravity envelope, and Captain Chavez wants to see if they’ll take the bait.”
The three ships curved back toward the distant planet, their crews working feverishly to reload light missiles.
Once again missiles leaped from their tubes, seeking out the approaching enemy.
The Défiance jumped in, astern of the three destroyers, and well within range of the enemy missiles.
Shin Ho immediately commed the ship, warning the captain of his danger, but he was already turning to accelerate away from the enemy ships.
Missiles appeared, targeting the Défiance, and moments later Shin Ho made a general comm, “We’re turning in to take the enemy under fire.”
Alexi nodded in understanding. If they could get back within range soon enough, they might be able to take some of the heat off the Défiance.
The Défiance launched four heavy missiles, but it already had over twenty missiles targeting it, and it didn’t have any missile support.
At a distance of just over one million kilometers the three Federal destroyers launched missiles while curving back toward the distant enemy. They continued to fire missiles as they bore in.
The enemy ships seemed to have focused on the lone Défiance, and kept pouring fire at it. They managed five flights of heavy missiles before they reacted and began maneuvering clumsily to align themselves to the new threat.
The Défiance sent repeated spears of light, targeting the lead missile, while it’s light missiles were directed at follow-on weapons.
Explosions closed relentlessly on the lone destroyer, which continued to kill missile after missile. The last missile detonated just off the bow of the ship, which promptly lost power.
Chapter 26
Power Production Technician Second Class Elliot Kana,
Federal Destroyer Défiance
Kana was flung into a bulkhead. He momentarily lost consciousness, and his own groaning woke him up. He sat up and looked wildly around. The console was lit up with virulent red warnings, and a female voice was repeating, “Warning, fusion temp increasing.” He got to his feet and stumbled over the body of the lieutenant who had been sitting at the console. He knelt to feel for a pulse, but some quiet groaning assured him that he was alive. He sat at the console and a
ttempted to comm the bridge, but communications were out. He was able to reach the missile room. He asked, “Are your monitors up? Do we have more missiles coming at us?”
The enlisted woman was frightened, but able to function. She told him, “We have seventeen missiles, just minutes away.” Kana looked at the console again, and asked, “Are you able to reach the bridge? We can’t defend ourselves, so we need to jump out.” She almost panicked, “I can’t reach anyone.” He asked her, “Can you resume firing missiles?” She said, “No, everything is down.”
He told her, “Tend to the injured, I’ll get back to you in just a moment.”
The port fusion bottle was running flat out. He ran into the next room and slammed his fist against a large red panel, shutting down the bottle. Communication with the bridge was still out, and he knew the ship was just moments away from getting hit by multiple missiles.
Hawk Flight (Flight of the Hawk Book 3) Page 14
