by Jeff Sims
He was interrupted by Clowy. She yelled, “Proximity alert, port side.”
Lexxi yelled, “Proximity alert on the starboard side.”
Captian Solear tried to think through the new information. The alert made no sense. They weren’t beside any astronomical bodies and the enemy fighters were still chasing them. The fighters have a much higher acceleration than either cruisers or destroyers. As a result, they were taking a sharper angle toward the cruiser and would intercept them in a few minutes. He said, “I need answers.”
Ella said, “I have confirmation; the new signatures are 8 of our fighters.”
Solear was dumbfounded. He was just about to say something when Clowy yelled, “Proximity alert.” She paused for a moment and then said, “Their status is confirmed, 8 more fighters have launched.”
Solear looked at Arean. Arean looked back at Solear and raised his hands palms up to signify that he didn’t have an answer. Clowy said, “All fighters have launched.”
Solear said, “Computer, mark the time. How long did the launch take?”
…The first 8 fighters launched 8 seconds after Arean ordered the launch. The next 8 followed 22 seconds later. The final 4 followed 22 seconds after that. The total time for the launch was 52 seconds…
Solear said, “52 seconds. That is not possible. It is simply not possible.”
Normally, when a command to launch is given (and accepted), the pilots have to put on their flight suit, walk to their fighters, climb in, strap themselves in, run a systems check, don the helmet, and start the fighter. This can take anywhere from 4 minutes to 20 minutes.
Arean said, “We have to assume they were sitting in their fighters when the launch order was given.”
Solear remembered that the humans did spend a lot of time each day sitting in their fighters, so it wasn’t out of the question. However, he doubted that they sat in the fighters in full flight suits with the engines warmed up and ready for immediate launch.
Solear said, “Computer, what is the record for the fastest launch by any fighter squadron?”
…The fastest launch time is 52 seconds. This record was recorded exactly 30 seconds ago…
Solear said, “I meant before this launch. What is the fastest one before this?”
…The fastest previous launch recorded in Alliance Navy history was 11 minutes, 14 seconds. The pilots were intentionally trying to set the record. It took them 7 minutes, 4 seconds to get dressed and in their ships, and then the standard 4 minutes and 10 seconds to launch…
Solear said, “Computer, how did the humans launch so quickly?”
…Standard time for launch is 4 minutes and 10 seconds. Deviation from this is not advised. Therefore the launch record must be considered invalid…
Solear said, “Commander, if you can, try to figure out how they launched so quickly.”
Arean said, “Yes. I want to know as well.”
Ella said, “The fighters have configured themselves into a box formation and are proceeding towards the enemy.”
Eight of the fighters launched toward the enemy and eight launched away. The final 4 fighters launched toward the enemy. The closer fighters had to slow down and wait while the fighters launched on the other side of the ship looped over the ship and caught up. When everyone had arrived at the same spot, they formed the standard box formation of 2 rows of 10 fighters each and flew toward the enemy fighters.
Suddenly, Arean received a hail. He realized that it was from one of the fighters. Since it was technically a within ship communication because the fighters belonged the cruiser, the computer had sent it directly to Arean versus routing it through Clowy. Arean answered the hail.
Jim Donovan said, “Commander what are your orders?”
Arean panicked for a moment. He had been so focused on his speech to motivate them to launch and then the corresponding speed of that launch that he hadn’t actually considered what he would tell them to do once they had launched. He had inadvertently answered the communication with an open channel. Everyone on the bridge heard the entire conversation. He answered, “Protect the Sunflower at all costs.”
Jim replied, “Are we allowed to engage the enemy?”
Arean responded, “Yes. Of course you can. Oh, and rendezvous with the ship at time Now plus 49 minutes 11 seconds.”
Jim replied, “Repeating your orders for confirmation. Order 1, protect the ship from all enemy threats, order 2, engage and destroy all enemy combatants, and order 3 disengage from the battle and return to the ship at time zero mark 49:11. Are these orders correct?”
Arean said, “Yes, Yes. That is correct.
Solear was impressed. He really liked the concept of repeating orders for confirmation. If the being could repeat the order in his (or her) own words, then they probably understood what was required of them.
Jim switched over to a different channel to communicate with the other fighters. The bridge crew was still able to hear this new channel, but they could not respond on it. Jim said, “This is it men. It’s show-time. Our orders are as follows, defend the ship, engage and destroy the enemy, and return at time mark 48.59.
Ace interrupted, “What, only 49 minutes to finish this! Does the captain have a hot date?” Several pilots laughed at the comment.
Jim said, “Cut the chatter. It is time to get serious. Good hunting men.”
Clowy said, “What is a hot date?”
Everyone looked around the room and it was clear that no one knew. Solear said, “Computer, translate Earth colloquialism hot date.”
…Scanning…
…86.2% - It is a date with a member of the opposite sex that is very attractive…
…83.9% - The act of rushing through something important or possibly postponing it to make time for a different activity such as a date…
Arean briefly considered the significance of the phrase hot date. The humans were being sent to their deaths and the pilots didn’t seem to care. They were concerned that they weren’t being given enough time to fight the battle. This mindset was ludicrous to him. If he understood the meaning of the second translation properly, the humans actually wanted to stay and fight the battle and were admonishing the Captain for leaving early. Weird, he concluded.
Lexxi seemed to have fixated on the first meaning. She said, “I need a hot date. I will have to remember that phrase.”
Arean said, “Computer, how about good hunting?”
…82.2% - It is a motivational phrase, such as good luck…
…81.0% - The speaker is telling the other men to be successful in killing their prey…
Advranki flight commanders would give a 10 or even 20 minute speech. They would talk about honor and sacrifice. They would mention how their possible sacrifice would be honored and never forgotten. Many of these become famous speeches and are re-told at graduations and honor ceremonies.
The human’s speech was quite different. It was three words; three short words. There was no mention of honor or sacrifice. Arean expounded just a bit. It appears that the humans will only honor those that kill the enemy. He wondered if the dead would be remembered. He was certain that those getting a kill would be. He thought that it really showed the difference between the two races. The humans really were a race of killers. Apparently little else mattered to them.
Arean said, “I reviewed the camera in the launch bay. The humans had two rows of fighters exposed in the elevator instead of only one row. They then launched all 8 fighters at once, 4 from each bay. It was a tight squeeze, but the bay is wide enough for all 4 to exit at the exact same time.”
Solear said, “I didn’t think that was possible.”
Arean replied, “Me either. However, they just accomplished it. I don’t think any Advranki pilots would try that particular maneuver.”
Ella noticed there was a pause in the conversation. She said, “Commander, the humans have the automatic assist turned off. They are flying the fighters to manual mode.”
Both Arean and Solear yell
ed “What!” at almost the same time.
Solear said, “I thought it was impossible to fly the fighters on manual mode.”
Arean yelled, “It is. Like all pilots, I’ve tried it. After a few seconds the information overload drives you crazy.”
Solear said, “Clowy, give me a readout of their mental state. Computer, can you verify that all fighters are in manual flight mode?”
…Verified. The humans have been flying the fighters on manual mode since launch…
Clowy said, “Wow, all of the pilots are calm and relaxed. In fact, they seem calmer than their baseline scan when they were brought aboard.”
Arean pondered this for a moment. He had gone to pilot’s training school with Advranki, Altians, and even a handful of Solarians. To a being, all of them became more nervous than their baseline after they launched. Arean had also reviewed the emotional state of the Advranki pilots during the earlier battle with the Hiriculans in Opron. Those pilots were extremely nervous heading into battle.
Arean, still deep in thought, said out loud. “How is it possible that they can fly fighters in manual mode?”
Lexxi said, “Maybe their minds are so empty that there is plenty of room for the extra information.”
Solear laughed and said, “That’s as good an explanation as anything else.”
Ella said, “The fighters are increasing speed and closing formation.”
Arean looked at Ella’s navigation monitor. The humans had indeed closed ranks. The spacing between the fighters was dangerously close; closer than regulation allowed and also far closer than any maneuver Arean had seen. In fact, they were far closer than Arean even thought possible. He said, “How can they fly that closely together? It is not possible.”
Solear said, “The humans are doing so many strange things. I need some answers. Computer, perform an analysis.
…The fighters’ quick launch has improved the chances of survival. Now estimate percent chance of survival as 9.3%…
Solear said, “Computer, expand reasoning behind percentage.”
…The fighter battle will significantly delay the approaching fighters. It is probable that the fighters will not be able to engage the Sunflower. The battle will also slightly delay the enemy destroyers as they will have to navigate around the battle. Estimate time of effective missile range will fall from 21 to 15 minutes…
Solear said, “So, we will only have to contend with 96 missiles. That is certainly an improvement.” Solear had said it as sarcastically as possible, but both Clowy and Lexxi said “Whoo hoo.” Solear let them have the moment. He made a mental note to try to have a better attitude during the crisis. He thought, the crew does respond to my leadership.
Clowy said, “Receiving a communication from the fighters. I am patching it through to the overhead speakers now.”
Jim said, “Captain, request that you launch 15 missiles in three minute intervals. Rotate the ship 360 degrees at a rate of 2 degrees per second to starboard and fire all the missiles on a least time intercept course. Make the first 10 missiles shield busters and the last 5 ship busters. Have the missile burn set for 100 seconds. Launch the first ones at time mark 10 minutes.”
Lexxi looked at her board and said, “He is requesting the first set of missiles be launched ten minutes from now. Should I launch them?”
Arean said, “The pattern is interesting. By rotating the ship, we will effectively have 15 missiles spread out over a 3 minute interval.
Solear said, “Yes, but overall, the strategy makes little sense. The missiles will run out of fuel and go ballistic long before they get near the destroyers. There is little point.” He paused for a moment and said, “Computer, time to missile intercept.”
…Time to intercept 20 minutes. The Hiriculans improved the earlier estimate and will be in effective missile range for 17 minutes…
Arean said, “The missiles have a burn life of 120 seconds. The request was for a 100 second burn. So, they won’t technically be ballistic.”
Lexxi said, “Well. I don’t have all day.” She rocked back and forth in her chair again to show that she did indeed have other things to do.
Solear answered, “Stop that. Let me think for a moment.”
Solear reasoned that at the 17 minute mark the Hiriculans would begin firing missiles. They would then fire 24 every 3 minutes, so 24 more at time mark 14, 24 at mark 11, 24 at mark 8, and 24 at mark 5. That would be 120 missiles. They could potentially fire 24 more at mark 2, but the Sunflower would be able to jump before they hit.
The Sunflower can fire 10 defensive missiles at the same mark times. The concept of a defensive missile is to create an overlapping coverage area around the ship and protect it. The missiles are launched in groups of five, one per missile launcher. The first travels 100 kilometers from the ship, the next 200 kilometers, then 300, 400, and 500 respectively. Since they were being chased from the side, the defensive missiles would concentrate on the area directly beside the cruiser.
A defensive missile is designed specifically to confuse and ultimately destroy an offensive missile. After being fired and traveling to the set distance, it explodes and releases both electronics and chaff. The chaff is made of the same material as the shields. Each missile contains about 3,000 small wafers about the size of a napkin. When released, the wafers spread out and confuse the missile into believing it has reached the ship’s shields.
The defensive missile also releases 5 electronic confusing devices. This device is essentially a ship transponder or homing beacon. It generates a signal that appears to be a ship. Some are set to appear as fighters, some as cruisers, etc. They are each also tuned to appear as separate parts of the ship. Some are made to appear as shield deflectors, some as power generators, and some as hyper-drive units. Further, some are programmed to appear as damaged; enticing the offensive missiles to hit targets of opportunity.
So, the ship could fire a total of 50 missiles in the same amount of time the Hiriculan destroyers could fire 120. Assuming his defensive the missiles are 150% effective as advertised by Alliance research and development, he could stop 75 of the on-coming 120.
Again, his shields and defensive maneuvers could possibly stop as many as 20; provided they came in uncoordinated and did not target the same area. If all of the missiles targeted the power generator, for instance, a few direct hits would be ruinous. Still though, the best case scenario was that he could stop a total of 95 in-coming missiles.
He didn’t see how the computer was giving them a 10% chance of surviving the remaining 25 missile hits. One volley – the entire battle may come down to one volley. If they could find a way to gain 3 minutes they could potentially make it.
Solear responded, “Yes, Lexxi, fire the requested missiles at the requested times. This will be the only offensive missiles we will be able to fire. After that, we will have to concentrate all of our efforts on defensive missiles.”
Arean shook his head. He wasn’t going to question the decision to fire the 15 offensive missiles, but he really didn’t see the point. There was little of chance of their few missiles actually getting through to the Hiriculan destroyers. The Hiriculan defensive missiles were just as good as the ones from the Alliance.
The offensive missiles also have a complicated electronics package. The missiles are designed to try to avoid the chaff and false signals. They use sensors to continuously scan the area and track the exact location of the enemy ship they were assigned to hit.
The offensive missiles also try to gather information from previously exploded missiles based upon mass displacement. Since the chaff cannot displace mass when it is hit, the missile can theoretically determine whether or not its predecessors hit or missed the ship and proceed accordingly.
So, when a missile finally contacts a ship and blows pieces off of it, the other offensive missiles in the area can then detect the success and have a much higher chance of ignoring the other distractions and hitting the same ship again.
To date, no one had been
successful in creating a ‘heavy missile’, or a defensive missile that gave the appearance of a ship displacing mass; in other words, a ship that is blowing up and expelling its innards. Carank had recently been assigned this project on Advranki Prime and had declared that the technology required to produce a heavy missile hadn’t been invented yet.
Currently, Alliance missile technology favored defensive missiles for protection, ion cannons for offense, and fighters for both. Solear was concerned that the Hiriculan’s newer destroyers decreased the size of the ion cannon and increased the number of missiles.
Also, newer Hiriculan cruisers had dropped the ion cannon completely. It was clear to Solear that the Hiriculans were deemphasizing the role of the ion cannon. He hoped that these changes were a tactical error on their part. Now would not be a good time to discover that the Hiriculans had developed a new offensive missile technology or capability.
Lexxi fired the first set of 5 missiles. Solear imagined that he could feel the ship roll. A minute and a half later 5 more missiles fired. Ninety seconds after that the last set of 5 ship buster missiles fired. Solear looked at Lexxi and Ella. For what little good it would do, those two had executed the maneuver and firing solution perfectly. He said, “Great work ladies. Hopefully they will help our fighters somehow.”
Ella responded, “Thank you. Our fighters will intercept the enemy fighters in 10 seconds. The external cameras are on-line and recording.”
Solear didn’t know what to say. He briefly considered sending the humans a message wishing them well and reminding them once again of their duty and the honor of their sacrifice. He didn’t think they would understand or appreciate the message, so he silently mouthed the words ‘good hunting men’.
Chapter 16
The Hiriculan commander had split his fighters into two groups. The main group of 40 fighters was attacking the Alliance cruiser and the remaining 8 fighters were held in reserve to protect the destroyers. The Hiriculans had arranged their fighters in a box and one format. There were three rows of 10 fighters each (top, middle, and bottom) followed by one additional row of 10 trailing directly behind the middle row.
