(TCOTU #2) No Way to Start a War, page 1
No Way to Start a War
By Britt Ringel
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
NO WAY TO START A WAR
Copyright © 2013 by Britt Ringel
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
K—My Love, Always
Author’s Acknowledgments
Although my name appears on the cover of this book, it could easily be several others. The incredible support I’ve received from my family and friends has been overwhelming. If you rarely (or never) find a typo, thank them. If you find the story has no discrepancies and the characters are enjoyable with an internal consistency, thank them. The time my beta readers have donated has improved this story far above what I could have accomplished alone.
First, thank you Karen for being 50% of this venture. The fact that you’ve taken the least appealing 50% makes me all the more thankful.
I’ve been lucky to have an English teacher of 30+ years and a perfectionist read through every single line of text in the story at a point where it was probably pretty hard to read. Thank you, Mom and Carol. Sorry to inflict the rawest, crudest draft on you two but it was your feedback that made the manuscript readable for the rest.
I’m very grateful to have a family member who, despite sci-fi not being his favorite genre, go through the story and give me some amazing feedback. I can’t coo enough about how valuable his inputs were to the story. Thank you, Derek.
I’m also fortunate to have a friend who can actually cash the techno-babble checks that I write. Thank you, Dave. The time you spent explaining the physics of gravity to me has hopefully helped squelch the vagueness of my missile warhead dilemma from the first book. Don’t think you’re off the hook though, I still have a few more books in the series so I’ll undoubtedly need more tech support.
The program I use to create the star systems in the TCOTU universe come from the fantastic computer program, Universe Sandbox. It’s detailed, accurate, and tons of fun to create pretty much any type of solar system you can imagine. If you have any interest in how star systems work, you should look at their website: http://universesandbox.com/
Another great inspiration to this series has been through the incredible artwork of Mr. Joachim Sverd. The talent of this individual is leaps and bounds ahead of anything I could create. The art of BRS Kite is his creation and it’s simply amazing. His creativity is a constant source of motivation and if I’m ever in the middle of writer’s block, I surf his webpages to help remind me why science fiction is so cool. You should check them out, his work is out of this world: http://scifiwarships.deviantart.com/ I can’t thank him enough for his creativity and generosity in permitting the use of his creation.
The final acknowledgment goes to Lawrence. His unique feedback is crucial to this series. Sometimes, I think Law understands these TCOTU characters better than I do. Thank you, Lawrence, for taking time in your busy life to give me 100% of your focus and effort.
The fact that each of you has read the book despite knowing there is no reward for spending your free time reading a typo-laden, amateur novelist’s book makes your efforts special to me. Not only because I am proud of what was created but also because, each time I look at this book, I am reminded how wonderful my family and friends are.
For more maps, layouts and information regarding the books in the TCOTU series, please visit http://www.thiscorneroftheuniverse.com.
Seriously, go there. The maps, schematics and diagrams are hard to read on ereaders. On the website we try to give you much larger, higher resolution pictures.
Contents
Buckler Class Escort Destroyer
Brevic-Hollaran Disputed Zone
Brevic Task Group 3.1 Organization
Brevic CortRon 15 Organization
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Key Star Systems in NWTSAW
Buckler Class Escort Destroyer
Brevic Republic Escort Destroyer - 402 Kite
Tonnage: 254,000 tonnes
Length: 389 meters (1276 feet)
Beam: 129 meters (423 feet)
Draft: 47 meters (153 feet)
Crew Complement: 351 (27 Officers, 324 Enlisted)
Armament: 16 Stratford second-generation radiant stream lasers, 68 Lyle quad AMS pulse lasers
Drives: 4 Allison-Turner Type-22 drives, 4 Allison-Turner Type-50 drives, 4 Allison-Turner Type-88 drives powered by 2 Omnicron 1200 power plants
Sensors: Standard Naka-Fujita sensor suite, APG-131X Hawkeye optical platform
Defenses: Duralloy armor, Warden ECM suite, Gibson defensive shields powered by 16 Gibson Series 320 shield generators
Brevic-Hollaran Disputed Zone
Brevic Task Group 3.1 Organization
Brevic CortRon 15 Organization
Prologue
Report of the Board of Inquiry
into the loss of
BRS ANELACE, FS-776
on 0628.995
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
REPORT OF THE LOSS OF BRS ANELACE ON 0628.995
1. In accordance with (IAW) Brevic Naval Instructions and upon direction from Rear Admiral Sylvester A. McMurray, an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the loss of BRS ANELACE on 0628.995 has now been completed.
2. The inquiry was conducted at Anthe Orbital Command from 0715.995 to 0717.995.
3. Members of the Board of Inquiry were:
Captain Richard Jones, BRN (President)
Christopher Elliot Fox, BRA, Inspector, Space Accidents
Captain Russell Bryan Powell, BRN
Assistant Chief Officer Lindsay Reyes, Anthe Construction Yard at Latoro
Commander Edward George Hong, BRN
4. The Board was directed by its terms of reference to investigate all relevant circumstances surrounding the loss of ANELACE, the death of personnel resultant and the injury of other members of the ship’s company. The Board was directed that the inquiry should include, but not be limited to:
(1) the cause of the loss and the manner in which ANELACE was fought;
(2) all circumstances relevant to the injuries and deaths of personnel;
(3) the involvement of the ship’s company including their training and competence;
(4) the involvement of other naval units and external agencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INCIDENT
5. Prior to the ship sailing for the Skathi star system, ANELACE was based at Narvi where she served honorably for eight years. During this time, ANELACE met all maintenance requirements and was considered to be in good trim upon her departure.
6. Lieutenant Garrett Heskan assumed lawful command of ANELACE on 0325.995.
7. ANELACE arrived at Skathi on 0330.995 and remained on station until her loss.
8. ANELACE’s mission was to provide support and security for Renard Mining Enterprises, a mining venture exploiting the promethium mineral veins from Skathi’s outer asteroid belt. Previous mining attempts had been wrought with losses to both Renard equipment and personnel.
9. After nearly three months on station, on 0628.995, ANELACE encountered the HandyMax-sized freighter PARAGON and an illegally militarized civilian ketch RAPTOR running without navigation beacons inside the outer asteroid field, contrary to Brevic Rules of Interstellar and System Commerce. Citations for ISC violations were unsuccessful as PARAGON and RAPTOR attempted evasion of ANELACE.
10. ANELACE overhauled both PARAGON and RAPTOR and disabled their propulsion with shots fired from her Lyle pulse laser batteries and Kruger mass driver. There was no return fire from either vessel and ANELACE was undamaged during the action.
11. While preparing for rescue operations of RAPTOR’s crew, ANELACE received a distress communication from Renard Mining Enterprises’ refining and loading facility (RALF-3) warning ANELACE of three additional illegally militarized civilian ships approaching.
12. Upon closer inspection, these ships were found to be two ketches, CUTTHROAT and MERCILESS (ship names recovered from ELTIs), and one schooner, BLACKHEART.
13. While on intercept course for the three vessels, ANELACE was fired upon by a fifth illegally militarized civilian sloop, CLOAK.
14. Review of holo-logs estimate approximately fifty railgun rounds struck ANELACE’S bow, resulting in injuries and deaths of Brevic pe
15. Lieutenant Heskan communicated with the remaining pirate elements ordering their submission to impound; however, they refused to comply.
16. The pirate elements made way toward RALF-3 with intent to destroy it.
17. In response, ANELACE engaged CUTTHROAT with her Kruger mass driver, destroying the ketch. Review of holo-logs estimate ANELACE suffered an unknown number of railgun round strikes from CUTTHROAT and two near misses from gravity warhead equipped Interceptor-B missiles fired from BLACKHEART resulting in injuries and deaths of Brevic personnel.
18. Destroyer BRS REPULSE dove into Skathi and made way toward the ongoing hostilities.
19. ANELACE, unaware of REPULSE’s presence, engaged BLACKHEART with her Kruger mass driver, destroying the schooner. Review of holo-logs estimate ANELACE suffered two near misses and one direct hit from Interceptor-B missiles fired from BLACKHEART resulting in injuries and deaths of Brevic personnel.
20. ANELACE engaged MERCILESS with her remaining Lyle pulse laser battery, destroying the ketch. Review of holo-logs estimate that ANELACE was struck four times by MERCILESS’ B-pack laser batteries resulting in injuries and deaths of Brevic personnel.
21. After rendezvous, REPULSE assisted ANELACE in damage control and medical operations. The crew performed standard sanitization procedures IAW Brevic Naval Instructions in preparation for a power core overload. Lieutenant Heskan gave the order to abandon ANELACE and the crew transferred to REPULSE in an orderly fashion.
22. ANELACE’s power core overloaded and she was destroyed in accompaniment with all KIAs IAW Brevic naval tradition.
TRAINING AND COMPETENCE
23. All members of the ship’s company contributed in successfully fighting the ship and in providing good medical care to the casualties sustained.
24. ANELACE’s WEPS section, under Lieutenant, junior grade Stacy Vernay, met or exceeded minimum standards of weapons control and operation as required by Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
25. ANELACE’s OPS section, under Senior Chief Petty Officer Andrew Brown, met or exceeded minimum standards of damage control and medical procedures as required by Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
26. ANELACE’s SENS section, under Ensign Jack Truesworth, met or exceeded minimum standards of sensor control, countermeasures and communications operations as required by Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
27. ANELACE’s ENG section, under Lieutenant Brandon Jackamore, met or exceeded minimum standards of engineering as required by Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
28. ANELACE’s NAV section, under Ensign Diane Selvaggio, met or exceeded minimum standards of navigation and helmsmanship as required by Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
MEDICAL RESPONSE TO THE INCIDENT
29. Eight personnel suffered injuries ranging from broken bones and burns to combat mental trauma. These personnel were treated initially by the two remaining damage controlmen constituting the Ship’s Medical Emergency Team (SMET). Personnel were assessed and stabilized by the two SMET members until REPULSE medical personnel could render further assistance.
30. There were no evident deficiencies in the clinical skills and training of any of the personnel involved in treatment of casualties. The SMET members in particular displayed a high level of skill and professionalism, considering the essentially secondary nature of their duties.
THE DEATH AND INJURY OF PERSONNEL
31. The sixteen personnel who died in the incident did so from combat-related injuries.
32. The Board finds that the causes of death were as follows:
a. Spaceman Apprentice James McKinley - Killed in action from multiple railgun hits upon his battle station during action against CLOAK.
b. Spaceman Julie Hess - Killed in action from a missile hit near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
c. Spaceman Shin Hong - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
d. Spaceman Patricia Murrell - Killed in action from multiple railgun hits upon her battle station during action against CLOAK.
e. Spaceman Ross Parker - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against CUTTHROAT.
f. Able Spaceman Daryl Getney - Missing in action, presumed dead, from a missile hit near his battle station during action against CUTTHROAT.
g. Able Spaceman David Vaughn - Killed in action from a laser hit upon his battle station during action against MERCILESS.
h. Petty Officer Third Class Mark Ball - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
i. Petty Officer Third Class Brian Deveraux - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
j. Petty Officer Second Class Thomas Davis - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
k. Petty Officer Second Class Glen Jamison - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against CUTTHROAT.
l. Petty Officer Second Class Lucas Stai - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
m. Petty Officer First Class Dale Douglas – Killed in action from multiple railgun hits upon his battle station during action against CLOAK.
n. Chief Petty Officer Enrique Martin – Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
o. Ensign Elena Antipova - Killed in action from a missile hit near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
p. Lieutenant Michael Riedel - Killed in action from a missile hit while combating a fire at his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
33. The eight personnel wounded were from combat related injuries.
34. The Board finds that the causes of injuries sustained were as follows:
a. Spaceman Apprentice Shannon Ethe – Fracture - Wounded in action from a missile hit near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
b. Spaceman Ricky Bonner – Combat Mental Trauma - Wounded in action from multiple railgun hits upon his battle station during action against CLOAK.
c. Spaceman Denise Gables – Concussion - Wounded in action from a missile hit near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
d. Spaceman Lee Thomas – Multiple Fractures - Wounded in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
e. Able Spaceman Terry Pang – Fracture - Wounded in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
f. Able Spaceman Theodore Stevens – Combat Mental Trauma - Wounded in action from a laser hit upon his battle station during action against MERCILESS.
g. Petty Officer Second Class Tyler Pruette – Multiple Fractures - Wounded in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
h. Petty Officer Second Class Juliet Ross – Lacerations - Wounded in action from a missile hit near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
i. Ensign Diane Selvaggio – Fracture - Wounded in action from a missile hit near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE
35. ANELACE did not make any general emergency or urgency broadcast to alert other shipping and military authorities. ANELACE did flip the Narvi navigation beacon to “Red” status.
36. ANELACE was unaware of REPULSE’s presence in the system until after the cessation of hostilities.
37. REPULSE quickly moved in-system to rendezvous with ANELACE and provided prompt and effective medical support.
38. Medical resources of Renard Mining Enterprises RALF-3 were offered but not used in light of REPULSE’s superior facilities.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
39. ANELACE acted properly and within the best traditions of the Brevic Navy on 0628.995.
40. ANELACE used proper and legal force against PARAGON, taking great effort to disable the evading ship with consideration of minimizing damage to property and crew.
41. ANELACE used proper and legal force against RAPTOR, ceasing hostilities upon RAPTOR’s lawful surrender.
