Tipping Point in the Alliance War, page 13
There is no way to sugar-coat this bitter pill. The Alliance System is in danger of being destroyed, and the peril is creeping ever closer. Fleet Admiral Walls has started moving groups of front-line ships to the ‘back yard’, in order to defend against the possibility of action in that region. That leaves the meager front line forces, in an even more untenable situation. There just isn’t much good to say.
Some military tacticians are recommending aggressive strikes against the Confederation home systems. That may be an effective strategy, but if another large fleet is entirely eradicated, the war will be practically over. The Confederation can mount one large attack, and the Alliance will fall.
Fleet Admiral Walls had said just those words in his presentation before the President and her Council, today. It was not news that they wanted to hear. They had asked, “What are we going to do?” Admiral Walls answered them; “We can attack the Confederation home worlds, but we can’t use fleets of ships to do it. We will need to use guerrilla warfare tactics and attack with small units, or with single ships.” That left every one with a small glimmer of hope.
Speaking of ‘single ship attacks’ reminds Admiral Walls of Captain Niles and the Courageous. That had been the first of the Alliance Navy’s ‘single ship’ missions. The only information that has been received, from the Courageous, was that the ship was in a battle with Confederation forces. Since they have not received any other messages, it is assumed that the Courageous and Captain Niles are history.
Admiral Walls forces his concentration back onto the problem at hand - how to rearrange the Alliance forces to counter the recent Confederation moves. The Admiral has concluded that Alliance forces are spread too thin to stop a major invasion. The best strategy will now be to strengthen the defense at the core of the Alliance. That strategy will leave the outer systems with almost no protection. It is an abrogation of the Alliance Systems promises to those civilizations.
***
The Brutus
When the Alliance fleet of ten captured vessels arrives in real-space, Major Dawkins holds a conference call with the other ship commanders. She reports the results of the gravity-well test, and discusses what they should do next.
“The gravity points are arranged in a pattern and they appear to be enemy ships, which are arranged as a huge gravity-well array. Individually, they are not strong enough to form a gravity-well, but when arranged as an array, they share power and any point in the array becomes strong enough to pull us out of warp.
Let’s consider some options:
1) We could try again to go around the array. There has to be a limit to the number of ships, which they have to form an array. But they may also be capable of moving the array, as we move. My Science Officer is fairly certain that this array allows the Confederation Fleet to know our current location, and to be able to track our movements.
2) Another option would be to approach the array of ships cloaked, and at high velocity in real-space. That would give us the dual advantages of ‘surprise’ and ‘high velocity’. Breaking though the array at high velocity will allow us to out-run all of the enemy ships, and most of the missile and rail-gun fire. We would enter warp-space once we were outside of the gravity-well.
The major problem, with this option, is that we would be vulnerable to laser weapons fire, from a large number of enemy vessels for the entire time, if we are uncloaked. It doesn’t look like we could survive a barrage like that.
Does anyone have comments or suggestions?”
“I’m partial to ‘option 2’”, comments Dan Benji Woo. “Ten cloaked ships should be able to sneak right through the array. But it’s important to know how close to the array we can get, before they detect our ships. That will determine how many ships we will have to fight, using projectile munitions.”
Major Dawkins responds: “We don’t know when they would detect our ships. Having the ships arranged in an array causes the sensitivity to gravity to be much higher than it would be for an individual ship. We don’t know when they would detect our presence, and we can’t know how long it will take to get out of the gravity-well.”
“It won’t really matter, if we are going fast enough,” interjects Captain Kretenci, the androditin commander of the captured vessel Renfel. “What we need to do is get about 20,000,000 klicks away from the array, so that the gravity array can’t detect us. Then we spread out so that our gravities will be harder to detect as we approach the array. While in stealth mode, we then begin a constant acceleration of 1,000 ‘meters per second squared’, which should be easy for every ‘little fleet’ vessel. After 60 hours at that acceleration, we will be at the array and our velocity will be approximately 20,000 klicks/sec. The Confederation ships won’t even have time to fire missiles at us as we approach. And after we are past them, their missiles can’t catch us. We will be in warp before they know it.”
“I like it,” says Benji Woo. “And we can launch lifeboats and junk into space, as we approach, just to confuse their targeting systems. I think it’s a winner.”
There is a consensus among the Captains that a super-high-velocity-charge directly into the gravity-well array, while in real-space, will enable the ‘little fleet’ to pass through the array. And because of the high velocities there won’t be much time for a space battle.
There is a stated understanding that if a ship is disabled the others can’t stop to help. It is every ship for herself, in this situation - stopping means certain death.
***
Chapter 12
The ‘little fleet’ of captured vessels is now hurtling toward the array of 300 Confederation ships.
There are lifeboats, unused furniture, surplus materials, and ‘various in sundry’ items attached to the ships’ hulls. In the friction free environment of space, there is no advantage in being streamlined. The materials are going to be released into space near the array of Confederation ships, with a velocity of more than 20,000 klicks/second. The hope is that the clutter will confuse the targeting systems on the Confederation Fleet.
The confusion only needs to last for seconds. That is all the time that is required for the Alliance fleet to zip past the barricade of warships, which is assembled in front of them. Once the Alliance fleet has passed, the Confederation fleet will have no hope of catching the speedy ships. The velocity already built up, will insure that no missiles or rail gun projectiles can catch the small fleet, before it enters warp-space.
There will be barrages of laser canon fire, which travels at the speed of light, but the ‘little fleet’ shields are programmed to shift, from the bow to the stern, the instant the ‘little fleet’ clears the array boundary. The expectation is that the shields will hold for the seconds needed to get out of the gravity well. It is a good plan, but plans don’t always work as intended. Things often go awry.
***
………… The Alliance vessels are advancing with all ships in a line, parallel to the border. All vessels are cloaked and communications between the vessels is continuous, thanks to the laser comm link connecting them. Computer controlled events on all ships have been synchronized and the dispersion of the debris field is a programmed event, under the Brutus computer’s control. Events are moving much too quickly for humanoids to keep pace.
At the programmed instant, the ‘debris field’ is released. The ships are in stealth mode but the debris, after release, is not. The automatic targeting systems on the Confederation ships quickly identify objects approaching at high velocity. Laser canon fire begins to erupt, from the array of Confederation ships, at almost the same instant as the release of the debris. (Fortunately, the debris is being targeted, and not the Alliance ships.) The battle has begun, and the fates of the ‘little fleet’ ships will be determined primarily by happenstance.
There will be laser cannon fire from a fleet of 300 ships and it will be ‘the luck of the draw’ that determines which Alliance ships survive. There is no telling which ships will be decloked or who will get the most heat energy from the laser canon fire, and whose shields will be able to deflect sufficient energy. Hopefully, the space debris will attract most of that heat.
***
On Board the Brutus
After an instant of blinding light in the bow view-screen, the blinding light switches to the aft view-screen. They are past the array and moving quickly away. One of the ‘laser comm system’ connections has been broken - either the comm system has gone out of sync, or one of the vessels has been destroyed. The comm link between the remaining vessels continues to hold. The missing ship is the Everdorne, under Captain Yung.
The nine remaining ships hurtle onward, releasing more debris as they go. Unfortunately, inadvertent hits from the laser canon fire have uncloaked most of the fleeing ships. The ‘little fleet’ is now taking fire from all of the Confederation vessels - which would imply that the enemy ships have their offensive systems on automatic, and that the weapons are being coordinated by a master computer, at Fleet level. Too bad - Major Dawkins had hoped to catch them with humanoids at the controls of individual weapons systems.
If they can make it into warp-space, they will be safe from the energy weapons. Every second counts. All eyes are on the ship’s ‘warp ready indicator lights’ – waiting for them to turn green. ………….. Some of the Alliance vessels are down near zero on their shield strength, but the ‘little fleet’ makes it to the end of the gravity-well, and enters warp-space.
***
They are in Alliance space, but still have a two week warp journey, before they reach Alliance Navy Headquarters. They aren’t home yet, but their ‘hope level’ begins to rise.
***
The Confederation Admiral’s Flag Ship
The Confederation Fleet still has two ‘trump cards’ to play.
The first ‘trump card’ is the small fleet of 20 Confederation ships, which has been stationed some light minutes inside the Alliance border. That fleet was placed there in order to counter this very situation - what if the Alliance fleet breaks through, or goes around the Confederation Fleet gravity-well? In that event, the fleet of 20 ships is stationed close enough to the Confederation Fleet so that laser comm signals, from the Fleet Admiral, can be received in minutes. At the same time, they are far enough away from the gravity-well’, so that they can enter warp immediately.
The Confederation Fleet reads the ‘warp signatures’ of the fleeing Alliance vessel, as they enter warp. Those ‘warp signatures’, along with orders to pursue and destroy the Alliance ships, are transmitted to the 20 Confederation vessels. Within minutes, those ships are hot on the trail of the ‘little fleet’ in warp-space.
The second ‘trump card’ is the experimental-weapons ship, which is capable of knocking every ship out of warp-space, within a 50 light year radius. They don’t want to play that trump card yet.
For one thing, they are afraid that the weapon has a dangerous problem. Another ship, which had performed two of the warp explosions, exploded and took a bunch of ships with it. It would be better to wait until the fleet is dispersed before using the experimental weapon, so that the possibility of collateral damage is reduced.
For another thing, the Confederation Fleet is still arranged in the array formation, which creates a huge gravity-well. The Fleet needs to disperse, so that the gravity-well will dissipate as quickly as possible. The Fleet Admiral orders the dispersal and transmits coordinates for the rendezvous area, where the fleet will reform.
They will use the ‘warp-space explosion’ weapon, when they are fully dispersed. The warp explosion will push both, the 20 ship Confederation fleet, and the 9 ship ‘little fleet’, out of warp. The two fleets will be in close proximity and a battle should ensue.
After the Confederation Fleet of 300 ships has reformed, they will enter warp and go looking for the Alliance ‘little fleet’, and the 20 Confederation ships. If the Alliance fleet survives the battle with the 20 Confederation warships, then the Confederation Fleet of 300 warships is headed to Alliance Navy Headquarters, for a decisive battle.
***
The Brutus
Major Dawkins’ ‘little fleet’ is 5 days into their 14 day journey to the center of Alliance space. Aboard each vessel, repairs are under way and battle preparations are being made. No one expects the journey to end without more battles along the way. The Confederation is able to follow them in warp and can pull them out of warp. And even if they make it to Alliance Navy Headquarters they are not out of danger.
Will the Alliance Navy ‘shoot and ask questions later’? The fleet of captured vessels plans to exit warp in the vicinity of the Alliance Navy Headquarters, and immediately power down their vessels, as a show of surrender. Will that be enough to calm the fears of the defensive forces?
What will happen if Confederation ships follow them, and also emerge near Alliance Navy Headquarters? Will the Alliance defense forces just shoot at everyone, or will they spare the ships that are powered down?
What will happen, if the entire 300 ship Confederation Fleet follows them into Alliance Navy Headquarters? The Alliance Navy may not welcome the little Alliance fleet, if they bring ruin and destruction with them. A surprise attack from a force of that size could be a disaster.
Major Dawkins is contemplating these matters. The best solution to all of the possible scenarios is for someone from the fleet of captured ships to arrive early, and tell everyone what is coming. Major Dawkins expects that the Alliance ships will be pushed out of warp before the journey’s end. If that happens, she should have some options ready. She makes a plan:
1 - After they are pushed out of warp, the Major can monitor the status of all warp drives. The ship, with the first good warp drive, will re-launch into warp.
2 - One sure way of having a functional warp drive is to send one of the Marine launches that have been modified for warp-space flight. She has two of those launches. A message could be delivered to Alliance Navy Headquarters by Alliance Space Marines in a Marine launch. The defense forces will surely hold their fire for a Marine launch.
What a good idea! Major Dawkins immediately sends a message to the Space Marine commander instructing him to get both of the modified launches ready and loaded for a warp trip to Alliance Navy Headquarters. She gives specific instructions about the procedure for emergence, and the announcement of imminent danger. A copy of the information package - with the technology information - is to be delivered.
3 - The next best method for delivering the message is via a faster-than-light probe. There are two of those on the Brutus. Major Dawkins immediately sends a message to the Tactical Officer instructing him to prepare both probes for launch, to Alliance Navy Headquarters. Those probes are to be loaded, with the file warning of an imminent attack. A copy of the information package is to be included.
So, she has three methods of getting a message to Navy Headquarters, and she is going to use all of them. The probability of the ‘little fleet’ making it to Navy Headquarters still seems pretty small. (Being chased by a 300 ship fleet can cause feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.) But if the information package is delivered, they have done their jobs.
***
Chapter 13
It always seems to happen while she is asleep. The Brutus is pushed out of warp-space, and the klaxons announcing Battle Stations sound, as the crew jumps to life.
Once again, Major Dawkins steps out of bed and into her boots and clothes. She is out the door and on the Brutus’ Bridge in seconds. Once again, the 2nd shift is on duty and Captain William Esterling has the Bridge.
The Brutus is in stealth mode, and moving away from the warp exit point. The Marine Captain is giving orders to Tactical to set the defensive weapons system on automatic, and to bring the offensive weapons online for battle, but do not set the weapons system on automatic. He, as always, explains that the rest of their fleet is out there somewhere and they must be careful to not target them.
Then he orders Navigation to plot new warp coordinates in case they need to get out quickly.
He turns to Tactical, again and asks; “What are the sensors saying? Are there ships in the area?”
“Yes,” replies Tactical. “I briefly saw a number of vessels, but they have all gone into stealth mode. There were 8 other vessels. I would guess that they are the rest of our fleet.”
“Continue scanning,” orders Captain Esterling. “Look for ships farther out.”
“Aye sir,” responds Tactical.
“I have the Bridge now, Captain.” says Major Dawkins.
“Yes sir,” responds Captain Esterling. “You have the Bridge.”
“Tactical, uncloak and broadcast our ‘recognition code’,” she orders.
When the ship uncloaks and broadcasts the ‘recognition code’, the other ‘little fleet’ ships uncloak as well.
“Comm Officer, establish secure communications,” orders the Major. “After that, coordinate with the other vessels and connect our laser comm system.
“Aye sir,” the Communications Officer replies. …… “Secure communications established.”
She presses the ship-to-ship com button. “All ships. This is Major Dawkins. Report your status to Brutus’ Communications. Specifically, report the condition of your warp drive.”
“Tactical,” she says. “Launch one of the faster-than-light probes for Alliance Navy Headquarters.”
“Aye sir,” he responds. …… …. “Probe launched.… ….. probe entered warp.”
The Major presses the Engineering comm button. “Engineering… Dawkins here….. Status?”
“Aye sir,” comes the reply from Engineering. “Thrusters are nominal …. Warp drive is ‘offline’ …. Running diagnostics …. More info in 5 minutes.”
“Keep me informed. Dawkins out”
