Ascent to Greatness: A Junior Officer's Tale

[Azatol]

Chapter 4 – Submarines in Space


To: Officers of Targul Ocna 001

Unfortunately, the King has informed us that the space trooper program is being delayed because of technical issues, namely the difficulty of providing effective and efficient landing equipment for so many soldiers. The Amon’krie will continue to threaten us until we can take control on planet. Their latest message was translated as follows:

‘Death to the accursed Toltayan Kingdom.’

I want someone on alert at all combat stations 24/7, in case they throw something more at us, and they will.

Captain James

***

“Wake up Dorn, fleet orders coming in,” Pai shouted at me while I was blinking my eyes groggily.

I sat up, “Whats the situation?”

“Enemy frigate class just out of orbit, fleet is pursuing.”

“Give me five minutes and I’ll be there,” I said.

She left, and I wearily readied myself for battle stations. I was in the missile bay 16 hours at a time, sometimes more, with no targets, no enemies but the planet off in the distance. Sometimes anomalous readings would have to be chased down for hours to confirm that they were in fact anomalous. And we still had a few more years before the marines could come relieve us of this work.

As I walked to the missile bay the thrusters activated, and I held onto the wall the best I could. They were in a hurry to catch this frigate.

Once in the missile bay, it was routine as always, and I plonked myself in a corner watching the crew at work.

“Range: 25000 kilometers and closing,” Sensors chief Michael said on comm.

“Hold formation, prepare to fire at 8000 kilometers. Vice Admiral’s orders.”

That was strange, it had already been established that 9000 kilometers was the safe zone between our missiles’ effective operation, and their missiles.

We waited as the minutes went by.

“11000 kilometers.”

“9000 kilometers.”

“Fire!” the captain shouted on comm as we passed 8000.

BAWUMP!

“Two inbound missiles from the frigate, target unknown,” Michael said

“About face, full thrust, hold onto your hats folks,” the captain responded.

The sudden thrust pitched Lea forward onto the firing computer but she composed herself as the reloading mechanism worked its magic.

“All 10 fleet missiles are inbound on the bogey, estimate detonation in 15 seconds,” Michael said.

“Confirmed fleet kill on the frigate...” James said but then his voice trailed off.

“This is COMM chief Ron, distress call from the Targul Ocna 003, patching it through the comm system.

‘This is Captain Julian, we have taken damage from two missile hits, the engines went off-line after the blast but we have restored some engine power, more seriously, life support is down, backup systems are online, but we need to offload some of the crew, backups can’t support the full complement. Sirs, I must say the new hull composite materials performed well, the estimates are correct, as much of the blast of the missiles was redirected into space. Structural integrity team is still working to ensure we have no more air leaks, the others have been patched up.

The second missile hit right at the life support systems, which is not actively crewed as you know, but the first hit was on the leftside thrusters, the shockwave killed six of my men and injured another dozen in the main engine room.’”

“Offer to take some of their crew, chief, we are returning to blockade positions now, brace yourselves.”

***

The first casaulties of the new era of war were given funerals onboard the admiral’s ship the Zalau 001 (although all vessels of the fleet were upgraded to new missiles, the older ships kept their original name for nostalgia.)

Later the dead would be commemorated before billions by King Aya himself, who proclaimed them the brave soldiers of a new era. He used the ceremony to unveil his Space Marines plan, which was still under development. He wanted to start training troops immediately, and hoped to get a lot of interest by informing the public of what had been a secret project. The response he got was more than anyone could have expected as millions turned out to apply for the program. Now they just had to work out the technological problems that continued to plague the program.

Rumors were flying that the Admiral had laid the blame for the deaths and damage to the ship on the Vice Admiral who had followed what he assumed was standard practice, giving firing orders at operational range, which was listed as 8000 kilometers. The Admiral had very clearly given special orders, that in all missile on missile combat, minimum firing range was to be set at 9000 kilometers, except when otherwise ordered by the admiral.

***

To: All Military Personnel


INTRODUCING –

The Sarande class destroyer, weighs in at 300 kilotons, with 50% more firepower than the Targul Ocna and extra fuel and missile storage for extended campaigns. The first Sarande will be commissioned in one month on 2402::09::03, and will serve as the new Capital ship for the Toltayan Fleet in orbit above Nizzarum VII.


From,
The Alba Lulia Shipwrighting team

***

“This briefing describes briefly how the fleet will be changing in the coming days.

The Sarande will arrive in another month, and in the meantime, the Reserve fleet will take the wounded Targul Ocna 003 from us and escort it through the Eskirk system, which the Reserve fleet is defending anyway. Then the 003 is destined for the Alba Lulia and repair. The Admiral will be transferring to the Sarande once it arrives.”

Tal asked the captain, “What is the Reserve fleet defending in Eskirk?”

“Colonies are being established in Eskirk for military research operations, especially concerning the new space marines program. The colonies will be optimal places to test the operations of proposed drop-pods, in addition a substantial quorom of scientists are relocating to these new colonies. They are completely helpless against enemy attack, so the Reserve fleet is protecting them. With this new effort there is hope that we may conquer the Amon’krie in two years.”

***

To: Toltayan Fleet

Extraordinary efforts on the space marines project have produced results and now effective drop pods should be complete in about 8 months. An invasion force will take some time to assemble, but with troops training now, the invasion date is set for 16 months from now, on 2405::01::01.

***

“Contact, it appears to be an enemy destroyer, the first we’ve seen,” Michael said to the captain.

“Report it to the admiral, prepare for manuevering. Prepare missile launchers,” the captain ordered.

Pai loaded a live missile into the launcher, and we prepared for the third battle of the war.

“This is the Admiral, ignore formation, be wary of missile fire from the planet and concentrate fire on the destroyer. If the Amon’krie have constructed any new missile silos, I want them destroyed now as well, move out.”

“Sensors detected active scanning systems on two objects on planet, estimate that these are newly constructed silos.”

“Affirmative, you know Michael, sometimes I wonder if you haven’t rigged those sensors for improved operations, you’ve caught the enemy at work more often than any other sensor chief in the fleet. I’ll see to it the admiral knows too. First priority is this destroyer, keep range at 9000 kilometers.”

“Whats our missile stockpile at?” I asked Pai who punched it up on the firing computer.

“53 missiles onboard sir.”

“How many does the Sarande hold at full?”

“I think 125, with three missile bays as well,” Lea responded from memory. The Sarande was a popular topic to relieve the dull monotony that characterized missile bay work.

“We need to develop a weapon to take out those satellites,” I said absentmindedly as we slowly closed in on the enemy destroyer.

“I’ve heard some say that if they’d retrofit naval cannons onto a ship, they’d be able to knock out those satellites,” Hal said.

“Destroyer is heading straight at the fleet, get ready,” Michael said.

“Fire and retreat to stay out of the destroyer’s weapon range, assume that it is 8000 kilometers until informed otherwise,” Captain James ordered.

“The target is in range Lieutenant,” Lea shouted at me.

“Fire!”

BAWUMP!

“Full reverse!” the captain yelled as we retreated in a game becoming increasingly familiar.

“Missiles from the Zalau 002 have hit first, the others are still in flight. We need to continue retreating.”

“Thats a confirmed kill, credit to the whole fleet, nice job, now close in on those missile silos on planet and destroy them,” the captain said.

BAWUMP!

“Ocna 004 and our ship have fired first on planet, the others are just behind us. 004 has closed to 7000 kilometers, will have to make an abrupt retreat to avoid oncoming missiles.”

“Enemy launch detected...”

“About face, full thrust again, this should wipe out those silos.”

“Enemy missiles have locked on Sarande. Sarande is out of their range however. The silos are no longer pinging sir, they are destroyed.”

“Good job crew.”

[Azatol]

Chapter 5 – Operation Glory


To: Toltayan Fleet

The Tarnaveni military transport is under construction and will be carrying the Space Marines during their invasion of the Amon’krie homeworld. It is of the utmost importance that your fleet destroys any weaponry that could damage the ship or the drop pods during their drop.

The hatch of the Tarnaveni will open up at the maximum range of the pods which is 1000 kilometers. From there, up to 200 infantry drop pods will be released from the ship like water droplets in a rain cloud. Each pod holds a division of Space Marines. The invasion, tenatively set for 2405::01::01 will be the biggest military operation in history, the invasion of another world. Your support will help bring glory to king and country.

General Duke Adrum,
Commander in Chief – Space Marines

***

To: The crew of Targul Ocna 001

Destroying enemy vessels is becoming routine, I know it. The actions taken are done without the need for words or adjustments. But remember, while war may have its routines, it also has surprises. In the time since we began our blockade, the enemy has moved up to destroyers.

As part of the fleet, we have now destroyed 4 enemy vessels. An unarmed ship of unknown purpose, one frigate and two destroyers. As you all know, we destroyed the second destroyer hours ago without any problems. Sensor teams from throughout the fleet, including our expert Michael, are analyzing some strange sensor readings that were emanating from both destroyers. These were very strange electromagnetic readings, and no one is sure what they are, but it is clear the enemy is not going to die without a fight. It is innovating just as we are.

Soon, the biggest military operation in history will begin, and we will be able to say that we made it happen.

Also, the admiral reports that Targul Ocna 003 has arrived safely at the Alba Luli for repair.


Captain James

***

“Even combat is becoming so routine as to be hardly the heart pounding affair it was at first. Three destroyers one after another, sent against us. Destroyed. Missile stockpiles, falling gradually. Fuel, falling gradually from manuevering. Otherwise things are going well. Now the ground war may go differently, they’ll be taking territory when they aren’t facing opposition. That will be constant tension I’d think,” I said, sitting eating in the galley.

“It should be exciting to see the marines in action. The Tarnaveni is already constructed, its just waiting for its passengers. I’ve heard they’ve run three test drops in the Eskirk system already. And all the able bodied men of the kingdom want to join up to serve, and probably to kill some Amon’krie as well. No one knows what the makeup of the Amon’krie army is. I mean, this era is an era of island nations, we are all islands.

The Island nations were safe with a strong navy, so they never had much of an army, I wonder if the Amon’krie are that way. I know our standing army is just a bunch of old garrison soldiers. None of the youngsters joined up until now. The old army offers standing around and sitting at a desk, the new one offers death and glory and travelling to strange lands,” Tal said.

“It offers space for a lot more men than the navy ever could. And they get to see planets we never set down on. But invading a whole other world, the fatality rate in such a job can’t be good. You can’t escape, you can only fight.”

***

To: All Military Personnel


A new civillian Mizil class vessel was constructed recently, and explored a new system which was named Bakshal. It discovered an Amon’krie colony in the system. For this reason, the fleet and space marines will not be returning home after the invasion of the Amon’krie homeworld. This new colony must be conquered afterwards. In addition, the military has asked the Mizil to explore other nearby systems and report on any Amon’krie colonies found.

***

To: All Military Personnel


Construction of the drop pods is now in progress, the space marines are ready waiting on production and loading of the new drop pods. A new high powered infantry weapon has also been developed for use by the space marines.

Estimates show the Space Marines should be onboard along with the pods in 6 months, meaning 2405::01::01 remains the anticipated I day.

Emergency level production of the pods has begun on homeworld, with many factories diverting their efforts to the new pods.

***

To: Toltayan Fleet, Reserve Fleet

The following message from the Amon’krie was recently translated. We believe it is cause for alarm and so, the Reserve fleet is hereby ordered to entered the Yukra system and assist the main fleet in terminating all bogeys.

Message –
"We are planning a massive offensive in the Nizzarum system. Unless you remove your ships, they might get damaged.”

***

To: Toltayan Fleet, Reserve Fleet

Through the end of last month, the Toltayan fleet has destroyed 7 enemy ships, 5 of them being destroyers, 1 a frigate, and one unknown. The Reserve fleet has destroyed 1 enemy ship, a destroyer.

King Aya commends both Admirals for exemplary service.

Preparations for the Space Marines are proceding rapidly.

***

To: Toltayan Fleet, Reserve Fleet

As of 2404::07:12, the Turnaveni troop transport is fully loaded and in transit to the Nizzarum system.


General Duke Adrum
Commander in Chief – Space Marines

***

“The Mizil has discovered an incredible amount now, in a few months. The Ashadra system contains three Amon’krie colonies, it is likely reinforcements have come from there. The Jubrup system contains many colonized planets, but neither the colonies nor vessels match the electromagnetic signature of the Amon’krie. This is likely yet another nation, and it is bordering the Amon’krie homeworld. We may have to worry about multiple bogies inbound from them. Or not. No one knows what the King plans to do about these new guys.”

“Incredible, just when you think you understand the galactic sector, it changes. We’ll be chasing after enemies for years. Those space marines aren’t going to have a short little tour of duty are they?”

“Well, you might not be chasing after all those colonies.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know the Military Space Academy, of course you do, you attended there like the rest of us, well anyway... The dean of the School of Weaponry asked to interview me long distance. They’ve got some relays connected to talk to command anyway, so I was able to.

This dean ended up asking a bunch of questions about you. I was confused, but now I think he wants you to be a Missile weapon systems instructor at the academy. He hasn’t sent word to me or anyone else yet, but you may end up shipping out with the reserve fleet and returning home. And getting a position like that could help your career in the long run, you could end up with my position on a new ship in a few years.

Oh, and congratulate me, you are looking at a new Lieutenant Commander, the Captain put in for my promotion. Didn’t make sense to have his commander not actually be one.”

“Congrats Tal, but why would they want me for missile systems instructor?”

“You are the longest serving missile bay unit leader, from the beginning onboard Alba Lulia. You know how to run all of the equipment well. What with missiles being so important to the war effort, they want an instructor with experience.”

“Well, we will see if I hear anything from the academy on that. It would be nice to spend some time on solid ground for a while. Catch up on all the homeworld business I’ve been missing out on.”

“Indeed.”

***

“Turnaveni is in system, it should arrive just in time for final preparations,” Michael said on comm.

“The Admiral has ordered us to make a sweep of planetary defenses before Turnaveni goes in. Also, wherever the Satellites are in orbit, the Turnaveni must approach the planet from the opposite side to avoid being fired on.”

***

“Hello Admiral, this is General Duke Adrum onboard the Turnaveni, requesting conference in preparation for Operation Glory."

“Acknowledged General. We will make a sweep of Amon’krie missile defenses and inform you of the location of the satellites in orbit. Our missiles can not hit the satellites, so you must avoid them and approach the planet from the far side relative to them.”

“Right Admiral, by the way, I’ve filed a suggestion that the fleet man at least two ships capable of destroying satellites. They really do complicate things.”

“Lets go through our procedures. We will signal you on success, if things look bad, we will signal you for failure. Before that I will signal for touchdown. Once touchdown starts, I want no missile fire directed at the planet. If I signal failure, you may attack at will. We will let your run your sweep before beginning touchdown.”

“Roger that, all ships scan for missile silos on planet.”

“A destroyer is in orbit, Admiral, previously only the unarmed mystery design was in orbit, we must link up with Turnaveni to guard it,” Captain James said on fleetcom.

“Check the destroyer’s trajectory first, if it comes toward us we can destroy it without danger to the transport.”

“Its engines have fired, the destroyer is headed towards us.”

“Phew, hallelujah on that one. General, you are clear to make your approach, head to your left to avoid the satellites.”

“Affirmed Admiral. Operation Glory commencing.”

“And it will be a glorious day indeed.”

Onboard, we were more concerned with the destroyer, although we were heartened that the General’s forces would soon be fighting for king and country below. And so after a rather non-routine conversation, things became routine again, as we fired on the destroyer in the same manner we had followed several times now. This would be the fleet’s ninth kill.

“The destroyer is destroyed General, no missile silos detected on planet, the way is clear for touchdown.”

“We are in route.”

“Fleet, this is the Admiral, stand down all offensive operations. Switching fleetcom to the marines combat comm. We will be able to hear their progress and respond if things go sour. But mostly just to witness the greatest invasion in history. I would like to thank my captains and crews for their long and dedicated service. No one knows just how long this invasion will take, but stretch your legs and get some rest, because we’ll be shipping out for the Amon’krie colonies after the Marines are retrieved.”

Tal entered the missile bay a few minutes later.

“Ok everyone, shut down operations here and secure the facility.”

The ensigns did so, and the missile bay was empty for the first time in over a year of continous operation.

“So Tal, what now?”

“Head to the galley and listen on comm, like the Admiral said. Lets get some grub.”

The officers galley was rather small and became full quickly, when officers from around the ship entered. Finally the captain came in.

“Everything is shut down for now. All we can do is listen and hopefully celebrate. Excellent job over the past year everyone. The crew has maintained discipline in the face of grueling schedules. Now its our turn to watch, after being the watched for so long.”

“Passing within 10000 kilometers of the hostile satellite group, now heading inbound on planet...

Crossing to far side for touchdown. Estimated time to touchdown is thirty minutes...

And...beginning touchdown. Hatch is being opened. Divisions are being informed of touchdown...

Pods away, pods away...

All pods are deployed and entering atmosphere...now!

Parachutes deploying...

Touchdown...we are scattered across 2000 square miles, I estimate. Commanders are gathering there forces.

Several divisions reporting contacts. Sensors indicate that citizen militias have formed in response to our invasion. Thermal gear detected massed formations in many towns and cities.

Estimated militia strength at 150 divisions, armed with service rifles and grenades, no air power nor armored vehicles.

Effectiveness of new high powered rifles is high. Body armor is worthless against the new guns.

We out man the enemy and we out tech them. It appears the Amon’krie no longer have a standing army.

Many divisions making contact with the militia groups...

[Azatol]

Chapter 6 – Inquest


A stranger series of events spanning three months could not be imagined. Not only strange but gruesome in the extreme. And now here I was, at a senatorial inquest, as the guest speaker, or more precisely, guest answerer, on homeworld. Three months ago I had listened to the comm chatter of Operation Glory, now I, a mere 1st Lieutenant, was answering questions before the senate about the operation.

The King’s senator, who served also as chair of the legislative body, spoke up.

“Could you, first of all, give us an account of how you arrived here, from the Nizzarum system?”

“First of all, I would like to say that I am merely a first lieutenant, and thus I do not have all the facts, but I will tell all I can.

Sometime during the three day war with the Amon’krie militia groups, I received a message from the Military Space Academy here on homeworld. My superior officer had previously informed me that I might get an offer from them. The dean of the School of Weaponry messaged me to offer me the position of Missile Systems Instructor. The Captain of the Turnaveni felt that it might be appropriate to return to homeworld after the incident which will be described later.

As a result I was allowed to board the Turnaveni and ride along with its crew in the now empty transport. As you know, the Turnaveni is now docked on planet. Discovering that I was the officer with the longest tour of duty on homeworld, you sought me out for this inquest.”

“Alright then, we know that after you left the fleet, the Reserve fleet was folded into the main fleet, and they now are stationed at the wormhole into Ashadra, which according to the navy, contains three colonies of the Amon’krie Continuum.

Part of what this inquest is about, is finding out what happened, and the other part is deciding what to do. Of course we could always rely on the King’s staff to communicate by relay, but face to face we can ask more questions. Describe this incident you speak of, with a mind to the fact that when the Turnaveni returned home, we expected that she would be filled with troopers returning from a successful operation. Instead she returned empty.”

“This will take a while to describe, so first I will tell you about something we have faced from the beginning. Missile systems like the ones I manage as unit leader, use targetting computers to hit. Missiles, however, are designed to hit large targets not small ones.

Orbitting the Amon’krie homeworld, is a network of satellites that can not be targetted by our missiles. As a result we have avoided the network, and so did the Turnaveni prior to the invasion. You see, these satellites are armed with short range cannon that can not hit us as long range, where we fire our missiles from.

When the Turnaveni launched its pods, the system worked great and those pods unleashed 200 divisions of the King’s finest. The Amon’krie have no standing army, and so militia groups were formed to fight us. They failed to defeat us as the marines wiped out the militia and forced the planet’s surrender in three days.”

“Lieutenant, I want to get this clear, Operation Glory was a success, you defeated the enemy on the ground and achieved their surrender.”

“Indeed. Despite the incident, the planet is now under our control, the Amon’krie on planet have surrendered, leaving only their colonies to fight. And one other thing, their satellites.”

“So what is the incident then, if not Operation Glory.”

“Soon after the planet surrendered, the cannons on the satellites of the network began firing.”

“How large were the cannons and how many?”

“Battleship main cannon with incendiary rounds, twenty of them, firing incessantly. They first fired on concentrations of our troops, but the damage affected the Amon’krie civillians as well. The incendiary rounds set off fires that expanded in the absense of an adminstration. No firefighters were combating the blaze at first. More and more fires were set off, and the satellites continued to target our concentrations of men.

Divisions scattered into companies than platoons, and eventually squads. Military command and control was lost. Meanwhile, General Duke Adram was coordinating with the Amon’krie local adminstration in transitioning them to our rule. He began to get cooperation from the Amon’krie in fighting the fires.

But with our Space Marines essentially destroyed as functional units, the satellites did not stop firing. No, they continued, now firing at population centers such as cities. They were firing on their own civillians. We were in utter shock in the fleet. That a nation would fire on its own people just to flush out an invading force, it was hard to believe. Many of our scattered soldiers must have died, but others aided the General in commanding firefighters and trying to organize our own administration. The fires continued to spread though, despite limited success, and the satellites continued to fire.

It seemed as if the satellites would kill everyone on the planet. But then the General got in touch with the designer of the satellites, and found the satellite control center. The controllers had tripped an invasion flag for the satellite computers which meant they would fire on the planet until it was deemed to be unoccupied.

The General and his motley group of Amon’krie found a way to temporarily deactivate the satellites. It required the fleet to leave orbit. You see, the satellites were put in a rest state, watching only. If they detect a warship in close vacinity, they will wake up, try to fire on the warship, and then if not possible, begin firing on the planet again.

The actions of a small group of Amon’krie satellite controllers killed 153 divisions of our soldiers. The war prior killed the other 47. In addition, the controllers killed 697 million of their own people, including possibly themselves. They are dispersed into the population now, so they cannot be identified and tried for war crimes. Eventually the General’s leadership ended the vast fires spreading across the planet. Now the general is attempting to maintain control of the planet in proxy for the king.”

“So would you say, its absolutely imperative that the military put top priority on the development of anti-satellite weaponry.”

“We already have anti-satellite weaponry, we just haven’t used it, because no one in power in the military thought about it.”

“What is this newfangled weaponry?”

“It is old fangled, senator, we take battleship class sea navy guns of our own into space. We will have to fight the satellites without a range advantage, but with a substantial force, we could destroy the satellites and any others we encounter. Not only that, but in the meantime, we could construct planetary platforms using the guns to fire back at the satellites.”

“Why didn’t anyone deal with the satellite threat before?”

“No one thought what was essentially an old naval gun could be of any threat. The Amon’krie use the same kind of design we have for our battleships on their satellites. Now of course we must have a contingent of anti-satellite vessels.”

“How would you recommend we respond to the Amon’krie’s horrible actions against our soldiers and their own men. They have killed some of the finest soldiers we’ve ever raised. But with their homeworld conquered, the Amon’krie have no way of stopping us from taking our revenge.”

“Its not really my place senator, but we will not be able to conquer the remaining colonies without raising more soldiers. The only other option is to blow the colonies up with missiles. That is your decision, these colonies contain perhaps a few million residents apiece, and also shipyards that have sent destroyers against us.”

“Thank you Lieutenant. I propose we conduct a strategic bombing campaign on Amon’krie colonies in retaliation. Focussing especially on any and all enemy shipyards and headquarters. The Amon’krie will have to learn civility, they don’t deserve to kill more of our men. It is obvious our missile boats are the best, and they have truly given us this victory. They should be the bringers of final victory against the Amon’krie.

In the meantime, the General will construct old naval cannons in planetary platforms as the Lieutenant has suggested. On a parting note, how many times have you fired live missiles?”

“16, for 8 fleet kills – 6 destroyers, 1 mystery ship, 1 frigate. With a whole fleet salvo, nothing can survive.”

“Thank you Lieutenant, you are dismissed.”

***

Home sweet home, something so rare since I’ve joined the navy. My parents had watched what turned out to be a worldwide televised event. My face was suddenly more familiar than could be imagined.

As part of the cadet line of the King’s family, we didn’t have a huge castle or palace, but we did have a decent mansion that felt like a mansion after what I’d lived in. Family being what it was, I knew they’d have a feast in celebration of my return home. I swung the heavy brass knockers against the solid door, and standing there in formal navy blue uniform with insignia and everything, my father opened the door.

Father had long since retired from the sea navy, but he still had that military spirit too him and he saluted as he opened the door. I returned the gesture.

“First Lieutenant eh?”

“Colonel next week when I get my new position.”

“Impressive, come in, you don’t have to knock you know.”

“I know.”

“We saw you on the news, I was most impressed by your kill count.”

“That was for the whole fleet father, the way salvos work, no one ship can claim credit. We do have one kill that was ours alone though.”

“Still impressive even if it is the whole fleet. My ship only sunk 3 vessels in the whole rebellion, and they were tiny yachts.”

We went inside, where my younger brother Jonathan, was eagerly waiting.

“There was a special vid about the Amon’krie, they aren’t rebels, father,” Jonathan said.

“They are quite skilled in short range weapons. Which is why we haven’t let them get close. Missiles are the reason for our success. But I think with the Senate upset about the satellites, we will have cannons in space within a year. On the Amon’krie homeworld the general will be constructing anti-satellite cannons as well. Hopefully those killer sats will be destroyed in another three months.”

[Azatol]

Chapter 7 – Operation Cold Dish


“This is WEP 523 Contemporary Missile Operations, I am your instructor Colonel Dorn. Let me tell you a few things about myself and then this class. I served onboard the station Alba Lulia and then the Targul Ocna 001 as missile bay unit leader. During my time, the fleet destroyed 8 Amon’krie vessels, all of them destroyed by missile fire.

This class is about the analysis of contemporary usage of missiles in fleet operations. This course will be drawing heavily on new developments in the war and especially Operation Cold Dish, which is now underway. We will also discusss the Blockade Campaign and the possibilities for fleet action in the future.

As prerequisite to this class, you have learned how missile bays are operated, the security concerns that are paramount in operation and the tactical firing criteria and performance of current missiles and obsolete designs. This class will be your preparation beyond serving in a missile unit, and into the issues Admirals and their staff must deal with. Any questions?”

There were only five students in this top level missiles class, four men and one woman, but one answered him with a question.

“What will the tests be like?”

“Part essay, and part computer evaluated using the Fleet Command Simulator. I will give you exercises early on, voluntary but highly recommended, in using the FCS. The system can handle battles beyond any that have existed in our history down to small conflicts more characteristic of the war thus far. The Amon’krie have shown us that hostile races exist, and it might only be time until one that can field true fleets faces us. The Amon’krie thus far have not sent more than one ship after us in a single battle.”

The rest of the students were silent, and so I waited a moment and then began my prepared discussion.

“The Senate recently approved a new operation for the combined fleet which they call Operation Cold Dish. The Amon’krie who do not know our aphorisms, are unsure what the operation’s purpose is, but can any of you?”

“‘Revenge is a dish best served cold’ The senate proposes to get even for the slaughter of 200 divisions of our soldiers,” Marcus, one of the students answered.

Joseph, who had asked about the tests, finished the answer, “And also the depravity of the Amon’krie military in killing nearly 700 million of their own people.”

“Exactly, killing their citizens, or what are now our refugees, and starting fires which may well have obliterated the population completely, along with the destruction of the best of our soldiers, has displayed to the senate and military the complete indifference the Amon’krie have to morality. But beyond the questions of why, we settle into the how, what and when.

Two weeks ago, the fleet began its first battle of this new operation, and wiped out an important strategic colony of the Amon’krie. The colony, named Ashadra VI, operated 20 missile silos, and yet did not damage the fleet at all. Why have such planetary missile silos failed to damage our ships as we have damaged them?”

“They have not made advancements in missile design that we have, and therefore the maximum range of their missiles is significantly less than that of our own. In addition the fleet doctrine takes advantage of this by operating in between our maximum range and theirs. This means we can hit them but they can’t hit us,” Julia, a third student who was tops in her class responded.

“If we factor out missile iteration, and equipped such a colony with our class of missiles, would the final results be different?”

Marcus responded, “Both sides would have equal range, so the outcome would depend on the durability of the planetary silos versus the durability of our ships, and the number of each as well.”

“Incorrect, one of the fundamental doctrines of missile combat between two vessels, is what is called the missile dance, where each combatant closes in to fire, and then retreats to evade the enemy missile’s maximum range. Modified appropriates, in the described situation, our fleet can close in and fire on the enemy, and then flee the oncoming missiles. The planet can not flee the missiles targetting it, because it is not mobile. Thus, in missile on missile combat, immobile objects such as planets and stations are significantly disadvantaged, unless they have much greater range on their missiles.

If the stationary target has vastly longer ranged missiles, then the mobile vessel can not close in to fire before the stationary target has fired upon them. Even then, the mobile vessel can usually flee, making the battle a stalemate.

Only at a wormhole defended by a space station, can an immobile object actually win against a mobile vessel, assuming proper tactics on both sides. Sometimes, a fleet could estimate that it would survive a missile barrage from a longer ranged planet, but in fact not be able to and be destroyed, but this is an error in tactics.

Maximum range, acceleration rate and yield are three factors to be maximized in missile designs, while reload time, footprint and cost are to be minimized. Of course, like all things, you never get the best of all worlds, and so the better missiles that were developed gained in yield and maximum range but lost in cost.

Maximum range has already been discussed during our battle sequence, but the rest should be analyzed as well...

***

“Some Space Marines, trained and ready, were left behind because Turnaveni was full. Now the transport plans to load those marines and conduct operations on all the colonies they can find, skipping any which have satellites in orbit. The Baksha system is their first target,” the Dean informed me. I had met with him often to learn of recent developments in the military.

“So the war is almost over?” I asked.

“No one knows how many colonies the Amon’krie have. But there has been no significant resistance from the Amon’krie. Meanwhile the fleet continues Operation Cold Dish. The Shipwrights report they will soon be able to construct a 400 kt ship. The military wants to see what they can do to build larger stations once they complete this new hull. The Alba Lulia may be scrapped if the king orders a larger station built eventually.”

“What else would they put on a larger station. They already have the shipwrighting group onboard the Alba.”

“We don’t know, but at least another missile bay, and perhaps other useful equipment, although know one knows what that would constitute. A new station would have more of a planetary defense focus than the Alba. They may leave the Alba in place and cut out all civillian modules from a larger station. How many launchers do you think a station twice the Alba’s size could support if it had no civillian purpose?” he asked.

The Alba Lulia was 500 kilotons, this new one would be 1000 then.

“Anywhere from 2 to 12 launchers I’d say, but probably 8, if they really go in for the military station idea.”

“If they stacked launchers everywhere, and offered nothing else but a missile defense station, how about then?”

“18 launchers, the cost would be rather high, but it would be quite a formidable battery.”

“Staggering, especially if the military researchers ever get a chance to improve our missile designs some more.”

“Maybe they will, eventually. An important station with that many missiles would be a real impetus to develop better designs.”

“We don’t know how long it will be until they can build such a large station however,” the dean said, leaving the fantasy behind.

“By the way, as part of an exchange program, related to our treaty with the Kithra Consortium, as secret as that has been thus far, as many as a dozen Kithra citizens will be enrolling in classes here at the academy. Others are arriving to supplement the small diplomatic staff at the palace. The Kithra are very local in their concerns, caring only about their own solar system, but they offered the new agreement to share some of what they know and learn some of what we know. Not the best stuff, just skimming a bit off the top, as I heard our ambassador say.”

“They seem to be a complete mystery, I’ve not heard of what they are like,” I said, and it was true.

“They are a green species, but brighter green than the Amon’krie, and they don’t look serpentine as the Amon’krie do. They are much more insular than the Amon’krie, and they don’t insult us nor destroy our ships. It seems from recent communications, that the Kithra once were embroiled in constant warfare between factions, as we once were, but a strong leader has risen to unite the people.”

“Interesting.”

***

To: All Military Personnel

General Duke Adram completed his planetary cannonry program, but unfortunately the enemy satellites used manuevering thrusters to take themselves out of planetary range. Why they didn’t fire, since they must have been active and not in sleeping state in order to manuever, is unknown. The planetary cannons are now useless, so Adram hopes to get a design for a cannon-armed destroyer. We are currently working on such a design, and will send it along to the appropriate departments.

Military Design Team

***

To: All Military Personnel

The Medias class destroyer contains seven naval style cannons of superdreadnought size and bore. The vessel is designed for short range defense or fleet supported operations, because it can easily run through its ammo capacity. Maximum range of targetting acuity on the cannons is 3000 kilotons, beyond this the weapon can not be accurately fired. Damage is an impressive 1/3 of that of the current nuclear missile, because of the advanced cannonball design. Each shot should hit with around 25 megatons of impact energy.

Recommended usage is anti-satellite operations.

***

“Recent technological developments, as well as digital footages shot by General Adrum, for Operation Old School, have made it neccesary to have an academy wide meeting. First we would like to show the footage of these new naval cannons that have been retrofitted and scaled up for space usage. Then we’d like to show both students and instructors a new technology that will reshape the universe of war in space.

First the video.”

The amphitheater darkened, and you could feel the excitement in the room. Many of the instructors and all of the students were seeing their first space battle. I tried to note what features of the cannons I could. They were mounted externally, two at each side, and three on top. They dominated the visual look of the Medias.

Only one Medias was going up against all 10 satellites.

“The enemy satellites can only fire accurately at up to 2000 kilometers, giving us a range advantage,” the superintendent said, as the video showed the satellites gradually coming into view and getting bigger, “but even with our range advantage, battle is much more close and personal with cannons. The cannonballs are made using depleted uranium, which gives them more density and punch than regular rounds. In space, such rounds are safe since their harmful affects are not applicable.

The Medias closes to 3000 kilometers, since it can’t be fired upon from that range, but its rounds can hit the satellites at that range. Unlike missiles, which are guided, firing projectile weapons requires good tracking and sensor equipment onboard, as well as a staff capable of lining up the shots well. Misses are not only possible, but expected at times.”

But, against the satellites, all seven cannons fired shots that hit, destroying two satellites. On the second volley, only one satellite was destroyed as two shots missed. Three missed on the next volley, and then again two missed. After seven volleys by seven cannons, the satellites were destroyed.

“These cannons cost less, and recharge in one third of the time, giving them equal firepower on a time basis, to the missiles. However missiles have a range advantage that is quite significant. Another advantage in the cannon’s favor is that more cannons can be mounted on vessels than missile bays. For every three missile bays, five cannons can be mounted. This would all be moot, because of the range advantage, except that a new technology has come along.

As those who study history know, missiles have dominated since the end of the naval era, or the middle of the air force era. The navy, this time in space, has since taken first position back from the air force, for several years. But now the preferred air force weapon, the missile, is likely to face obsolecence in the coming years. Again, as I said, this is because of a new technology.

Meet a special type of cannon that has been newly developed. Along with this special cannon, which fires smaller cannon balls than the ones you have just seen, comes special tracking software and systems. The combination of special cannon and special software is called the Point Defense System. Operated automatically by this software, the point defense cannon fires rounds optimized for the destruction of missiles and satellites.

To fire at satellites, the point defense cannon is used manually as any other cannon, however against missiles, the software detects them using sensor systems and carefully, even repeatedly if neccesary, fires against the missile. The cannon fire is optimized to disable the missile, rendering it dead in the water and non-explosive.

These point defense cannons can be overwhelmed by a sufficiently large missile volley, but current experimental designs are just the tip of the iceberg, and in testing in the Eskirk system, point defense proved capable of substantially revising all doctrines of missile fleet warfare.

A second point in favor of missiles, is that neither the Amon’krie, nor the Kithra have such technology at this point in time. But such things do not remain that way, while the Amon’krie are not likely to exist as a fighting force by next year, other threats may come into existence that are equipped with such cannons.

In addition, using the point defense cannons on our side opens up new options. We can use the less expensive, and equally powerful DU cannons that were so well demonstrated in Operation Old School, along with the Point Defense cannons, and dominate any enemy that uses missiles. In fleet operations, point defense should be able to support other ships, such that the combined power of many ships’ point defense will surpass any sporadic missile attacks.

The School of Weaponry will be adding a new speciality in Cannonry, both regular and defensive, and your Missile Instructor, Colonel Dorn, will be investigating the impact of point defense cannons on the doctrines of missile fleet warfare.”

The superintendent was certainly right that these developments would change everything. Any missile fleet facing such weapons would have to go over the top with overwhelming volleys.

***

“Tarneveni gambled and won against the Amon’krie colony in Baksha. They began their run just outside of missile range and charged in against three missile silos, taking three hits, but using their bulk to survive. Tarneveni was heavily damaged but managed to launch its pods, and the Space Marines won their second victory. This time the Marines suffered almost no casualties, but the Tarnaveni was heavily wounded, losing much of its engine power. Now, the military says they have control of every system they know the Amon’krie occupy. They will probably release the Mizil for exploration, once the fleet is resupplied.”

[Azatol]

Chapter 8 – Out of Supply


To: All Military Personnel


The new Turnu Magurele light cruiser represents the pinnacle of power to date. Advancements in cannonry and point defense have lead to still bigger main cannon on this vessel. The Magurele supports four of these supercannons at an impact energy of 50 kilotons. In addition, the ship boasts three of the new point defense cannons with defensive range of 4000 kilometers. Ammo storage was also supplemented.

***

“The fleet is in grave danger, they are out of missiles and almost out of fuel, coasting back to the Nizzarum system, but the Amon’krie have shown they can still build warships, as another destroyer is on the tail of the fleet. The fleet is trying to devising some kind of strategy to fight off the destroyer with no supplies, but they don’t have much to work with.

Medias went into the Eskirk system to destroy an enemy colony ship, and so it is out of range. Within the coming month, the Amon’krie destroyer is likely to engage the fleet.”

“Why did they run so long before heading to base?”

“They wanted to clean up the Ashadra system before moving on. They know where the Amon’krie must be coming from now that the destroyer has showed up, they simply need to resupply and begin the campaign anew. Meanwhile, the Tarnaveni is waiting for repairs in orbit above the planet it conquered.”

Luckily, the fleet was not immediately attacked by that destroyer, and so the fleet entered the Nizzarum system, slowly proceeding towards the Amon’krie homeworld.

Yet more improvements to space cannon design forced a retrofit of the Turnu Magurele and gave it 20% more firepower. It was hard to believe a cannonball could hit with the force of a nuclear missile, but this one hit as well as the old style nukes in testing.

***

“They have no ammo, but the destroyer appeared from the wormhole just 500 kilometers away from one of the frigates, and the desperate fleet strategy was enacted. The Targul Ocna sacrificed itself, ramming straight into the body of the enemy destroyer and heavily damaging it, nothing else could get in range to ram the enemy before the fleet got its first taste of Amon’krie short range weapons.

While the Amon’krie did use some cannons, they also used a bizarre weapon that sent a stream of destructive particles against the Sarande 001.

Zalau 001 was now in range to ram the destroyer, and it did. The Zalau was not destroyed and neither was the enemy. Zalua was entangled with the enemy vessel. Finally the Mizil rammed the remains of the enemy destroyer, and neutralized it. Now the fleet hopes to avoid any more confrontations until they can get resupplied.

In the meantime, I have a question for you. Are you interested in getting trained in cannon operations?”

It was obvious to me, with missiles on the way out, that I should learn as many other specialties as possible.

“Certainly sir, do you have a training program for cannon yet?”

“Well next month, the class year will be out, and you will be available for reassignment. I’m willing to push for your posting on Turnu Magurele 003, which is due for completion two months from now. That will give you good experience in cannons, the best kind, honed in battle.”

This was more than I could hope for, the question was whether I could handle it. No one was quite sure what needed to be done in cannon operations, except for the cannon operators on the Medias.

“I’ll take it, sir.”

***

From: Colonel Dorn
To: Crewmembers Pai, Hal, Lea onboard Targul Ocna 001


I would like to offer you the opportunity of serving on the new light cruiser, Turnu Magurele 003, in the position of cannonry operations. I will be cannon unit leader for one of the four main cannons onboard, and I was informed the three of you were still serving on the Targul Ocna.

The Turnu Magurele 003 will be linked up with the fleet in the coming months, and transfer could occur then if you are interested.

***

From: 2nd Lieutenant Pai
To: Colonel Dorn, Military Space Academy

We are interested in serving onboard a cannon cruiser and learning all about cannonry operations, we will be waiting for transfer in the coming months. Currently the fleet is still ambling towards the Amon’krie homeworld out of supply, but soon we will arrive and be refueled and rearmed.

***

I must admit that I didn’t anticipate the size of these new cannons. When I was transferred onboard, I had a chance to examine the cannons mounted on the ship’s hull. They were enormous beyond anything I had seen in sea naval history. The cannons mounted a trajectory camera that was just above the cannon and showed exactly where the cannon would fire. With gravity out of the picture, firing the cannon was a matter of taking into account any movement of the enemy.

The computer could automatically acquire a targetting solution as needed, but skilled manual operation could account for impressive manuevering by an enemy vessel. The computer could only think in terms of current velocity of the target, whereas if you could outthink your opponent and find where he would manuever to next, you could deliver your round there.

I practiced manuevering the cannon to different firing angles. My cannon, which was mounted on top of the ship, couldn’t hit anything below. With the ship oriented well all four cannons could hit a target.

***

To: All Military Personnel

Advancements in weaponry and defensive systems are proceeding so fast that they will be incorporated in a new light cruiser design scheduled to begin production sometime next year. Point Defense and Main Cannonry continue to improve in effectiveness with hard work of the King’s technology team.

In addition, a new technology relying on exotic energy systems will be unveiled with the new light cruiser. This system creates an energy barrier that can absorb a rated amount of firepower before being overwhelmed. This shielding system will lessen need for repairs, as the shielding can be replenished between battles. Much practical testing and improvement is needed with these shields however.

***

To: All Military Personnel


Colonists in the Baksha system have made an amazing discovery. A bizarre weapon was found on a new colony in the system and sent to scientists who learned how to use it. It seemed to have no effect on ordinary targets, until the scientists discovered all of their mechanical equipment was dead as a result of their testing.

The weapon can disable much of a ship’s propulsion in one shot, and at up to 6000 kilometers. The King’s technology team is now working on replicating the design.

Immobilizing an enemy can be quite useful, but the weapon requires a large power source and won’t be mounted on any smaller vessels.

***

“Sit down Colonel, care for some Hzjar, its an amon’krie drink, a bit like tea. What with our logistics all coming from the Amon’krie on planet, we’ve had to settle for Amon’krie things. General Adram plans to bring a number of things from home after the war. One thing the Amon’krie do better than us is make Rum and Beer. They don’t make anything light, its all dark and potent, yeouw!

I visited with the General last week when we arrived, and the citizens were quite civil. In the countryside some riots continue, but in the capital city the General has made quite an impression on the Amon’krie people. They don’t seem to like their old leadership much.

Unfortunately, information leading us to the rest of the Amon’krie colonies hasn’t been found. Tarnaveni has arrived in system, and the general may call for volunteers among the Amon’krie people to finish off their own government. The transport currently contains 52 divisions from home, which may be sufficient anyway.

Meanwhile the fleet continues to limp towards us. Medias was involved in a brutal fight, and is just behind the fleet. Once the fleet is repaired and the transport ready, we are heading out through the far wormhole of Ashadra.

In the meantime, this ship is getting retrofitted with the latest cannon designs, 16% more firepower and 1000 kilometers extra maximum range on the cannons. Must be costing the King a fortune however.”

***

“Welcome to the Turnu Magurele 003 everyone!” I said to my old crew who were transferring over, “And welcome to the world of cannonry.”

“We had a chance to see the Magurele when the fleet entered orbit, those cannons are huge,” Lea answered.

“Well let me show you around.”

Each of the four cannons onboard had a control center on the second level, mine was #2. The room displayed the position of other vessels and computed targetting solutions constantly for them.

In manual mode a joystick controlled the orientation of the cannon.

“Like the missile systems, during war time we need someone in each control room at all times. This control center is #2. Firing can be manual or automatic. We will run practice drills in manual, but for now all live firing will be on automatic. It takes a lot of precision to hit a target at these kind of distances, and the computer system is good at precision.

Also, like in the missile systems, rounds are transported from a warehouse below which supports all four cannons. Unlike the missile system, the cannon is outside the ship, and so the loading system is different, none of the rounds are stored in these control centers. These cannonballs are significantly larger than a missile, but they are non-nuclear and so size is important in terms of impact. Despite their size, the cannonballs are not considered a security risk as the missiles were, and they are slightly less expensive as well, because of simple design.

In fleet operations with a mostly missile based fleet, as ours still is, we will serve as back up in case the enemy has point defense, and also we will destroy all satellites and incoming missiles. Point defense cannons are completely automated and use much smaller ammo. They are designed to repeatedly fire once they lock onto a missile.

When missile tactics work, the fleet is likely to stick with them, because they are less dangerous. Almost all close range operations will result in some damage to this ship. Cannon fire can’t be outrun, neither can the particle stream weapons the Amon’krie use be outrun. The best thing that can be done is to manuever erratically and confuse the enemy sensor systems.”

***

“Mizil will be scouting the neighboring systems of Ashadra and Baksha to find the remaining Amon’krie colonies. The Fleet will defeat any warships and planetary defenses then allow Tarnaveni and the Space Marines to conquer the colony. Satellites will be taken out by our trio of Turnu Magureles, and they can also knock out any missiles the enemy launches against us.

We are trying a new fleet formation during this operation, and orders pertaining to it will be relayed to each captain. General Adram will be handing administration of this planet off to a team that arrived recently, on orders from the King. Adram has stabilized the planet, but the King believes much more work needs to be done before the Amon’krie can be productive members of the kingdom.

It has been 7 years since the Alba Lulia was built, which jump started the Space Navy. The war with the Amon’krie continues, but it is merely a matter of exploration now.”

We had been on the Amon’krie homeworld for two weeks, stuck inside the new Amon’krie Interstellar Hotel which was designed to support oxygen breathers such as ourselves. The Amon’krie species used a completely different biological mechanism relying primarily on methane, and the atmosphere was inhospitable to us.

[Azatol]

Chapter 9 – Homeward Bound


To: All Military Personnel


Introducing the Oradea anti-engine specialty light cruiser. This ship is designed to shut down enemy engines using the massive ionic disperser, as it was recently named. The ship also includes many other innovations such as shielding, advanced sensors, and ECM equipment.

Introducing the Zimnicea light cruiser. This ship uses the same cannons of the Turnu Magurele but also includes shielding, sensors and ECM.

***

The fleet was underway to the Butukret system following the Mizil’s report of three colonies and a light cruiser in system. The Mizil stopped sending messages after that, and so it seems the Amon’krie have destroyed another of our recon ships.

The Turnu Magurele has more point defense and more ammo storage than either of the new ships, so we won’t be retroffiting as of yet. Nonetheless the Zimnicea and Oradea are impressive advancements in the state of the art, although the shield rating on their ships hardly seems worth the space that the generators take up. Perhaps someday generators will be more powerful.

No one knows how useful the combat sensors and ECM will be, combat sensors can track the enemy more successfully in theory, removing some of the need for manual mode firing. The fleet also needs a greater operational range, or else they need to build a resupply station in Ashadra.

Comm traffic has been high in the Nizzarum system as the administrators there are proceeding with the colonization of the system, which contains a large number of methane planets suitable to the Amon’krie people. Some rumors say that the Amon’krie will be assigned all methane planets in the Kingdom and the King’s people may take all of the Oxygen planets, thus reducing the need for domed colonies.

***

Entering the Ashadra system, it was clear the Amon’krie were still a modest power, as they had recolonized one planet in the system and a light cruiser was spotted in the system. This time we had the Tarnaveni, so the colony could be taken over and turned into a military base serving the forward fleet.

But first we engaged the light cruiser, which had no chance against our large fleet. I was eager to use the cannons for the first time, and the Admiral allowed the cannon ships to take out the light cruiser to get some practice in, and find out just how reliable the cannons were. No Zimnicea nor Oradeas had been built, but the Admiral asked the administration on the Amon’krie homeworld to build at least one Oradea, to test out the engine destroyer. For this battle, it was cannonry’s turn however.

Onboard the Magurele 003, cannon #2 was ready and waiting to fire.

“Estimate we will be in range in five minutes, be ready cannon teams,” the captain ordered.

“One quarter thrust, ready firing solutions on my mark.”

The enemy display showed the Amon’krie vessel at 9000 kilometers. The captain was trying to get off the first shot at maximum range and avoid taking damage from the enemy.

“The Admiral has ordered all cannon ships to close in and fire all cannons, hopefully destroying the enemy before he has time to react. Full thrust.”

“Colonel, the sensor AI is finding a targetting solution. 50% completion...locked!” Pai said.

“Fire!” I shouted in response.

With the cannon mounted outside, I could not hear it firing, but the ship shook in brief spasms as all four cannons fired, each pushing the ship backwards a bit from the intense momentum created on the cannonballs.

“We missed,” Pai responded, “damn computer system.”

“5 hits out of 16 attempts fleet wise, not so hot,” the captain said on COMM.

“Light Cruiser is firing,” the Sensors chief said, “Turnu Magurele 001 has one point defense cannon destroyed sir. Light structural damage.”

“Fire at will!”

“Targetting solution acquired Dorn...and lost. The Medias hit with most of its smaller cannons and destroyed the enemy vessel.”

***

“Entering orbit of Ashadra VI, colony of the Amon’krie. General Adram requests a sweep of all planetary defenses and satellites.”

“This is the Targul Ocna 001, We pick up no satellites and no planetary defenses. Ground invasion is ready.”

“Switch to Marines Comm frequency, hold positions. Good luck general.”

“I want one King’s division supervising each three of the Amon’krie volunteer divisions, make sure the Amon’krie don’t turn against us...”

“Yes general. Tarnaveni inbound...”

“Hatch opening...drop pods released...”

“Entering atmosphere...”

“Touchdown, corps form up, isolate resistance, prepare for enemy militia groups...”

“Isolated militia response, colonial capital taken...”

“First Corp begin administrative and peacekeeping operations. The rest of you prepare for extraction.”

***

It only took six hours and less than a dozen casualties to take out the small colony. The colony was localized around a small set of habitation domes, and few had the resources to fight back, especially against 146 divisions, many of them formed of volunteer elements of their own kind.

Now the fleet waited while General Adram managed the logistics of building fleet resupply facilities on the colony.

***

To: All Military Personnel


A Mizil class scouting vessel operating in undiscovered territory through the Welshrak far side wormhole has discovered another civilization. Diplomatic contact has not yet been established, but homeworld will be building a reserve fleet to guard against possible hostile actions of this power.

A quick end to Amon’krie resistance is preferred if possible, in case this civilization is a large threat. All efforts will be made to assure at least temporary peace with the power.

***

Finally on 2408::03::25 we set off again in search of Amon’krie colonies, and glad to be fully supplied. The Butukret system actually contained four colonies, and we set to conquering them one by one.

In the meantime we awaited word on the new alien presence, but received none. Our recent campaigns would demonstrate to potential applicants that the first operation of the Space Marines was a flux, as losses in each operation after that one were laughably low. We still had not encountered anything but militia groups, but on the Amon’krie homeworld they were powerful, on the colonies they were not numerous enough to threaten us.

The fleet contained relics from the beginning of the war, but as of yet, none of the newest ships. The new fleet orbitting homeworld was to have two Oradeas and four Zimniceas once they were completed.

The General left five divisions on each conquered colony to maintain order as we fought a war oddly similar to island hopping campaigns of our past. Unlike those campaigns, the enemy hardly fought at all. The main thing keeping the Amon’krie state alive was its rabid colonialism. Every time we tracked down some colonies, we found that the Amon’krie had expanded elsewhere.

Butukret II was the first planet in the system to defend itself, with satellites and missile silos in operation. We relished the task of wiping out the satellites, so much as to cause problems. Medias went in alone against the satellite cluster, which could have destroyed the ship quickly, except that the Medias was just outside of the firing range of the enemy’s cannons.

The first test of point defense went well, with most shots from the defense cannons disabling a missile. Unfortunately the limited salvo of missiles intended to knock out planetary defenses, knocked out the whole colony, leaving the general nothing to conquer.

Turnu Magurele 002 finally showed up to help the Medias wipe out the satellites, and demonstrated that point defense is more effective than cannonry for that purpose.

Because of the fleet’s overkill in conquering Butukret II, for Butukret VII, the last Amon’krie colony in system, we sent only two missile ships against the colony which was defended by a number of missile silos. The plan was to unleash just enough but not too much devastation, because the General wanted to established a shipwrighting yard somewhere in system. The other colonies where already working on a resupply center and space port, respectively. The King’s glory was indeed rising to previously unheard of levels.

And now, with Butukret under the general’s control, once again the question of whether the Amon’krie had anymore colonies came to the forefront. Butukret’s neighboring systems would have to be explored to get an answer, but it seemed to some captains in the fleet that perhaps the Amon’krie empire was conquered after all those years.

***

To: All Military Personnel


Recent advancements in building stations in space have culminated in the Peshkopi battle station. Weighing in at 1500 kilotons, it far surpasses all previous size records, but its contents are more interesting. The Peshkopi contains shipwrighting and repair facilities like the Alba Lulia, but it is much more. Designed as a last stand defensive base, the Peshkopi is a fully military facility.

The heaviest cannonry ever is mounted on this battle station in four gigantic cannons. The battle station is designed with superior tracking, such that it has a maximum range of 8000 kilometers on its main cannons. The Peshkopi also features an upscaled engine destroyer that can fire from that same range, and immobilize almost any enemy vessel. In addition the station has shielding with a combined rating of 500 megatons. It also has 5 point defense cannons.

The Peshkopi will enter construction once the reserve fleet construction is completed.

***

“After we explore the surrounding systems, assuming we find no traces of Amon’krie, we will be returning home for a victory celebration. I believe many of the older ships will be scrapped to make way for the new designs.

The Shipwrighters on homeworld are busy working on the Peshkopi, but they also promise a 500 kt hull size for ships within another two months. Even thought it’s a station, not a ship, a lot of captains are seeking the lead position on Peshkopi, because of how impressive its weapons are, or perhaps many of us are tired of being away so long because of the war.

But on to the personal, you have a real leadership ability, you’ve taken a team of missile bay operators and made each of them worthy of their own cannon command. I’m giving 2nd Lieutenant Pai your position.

It’s a lot of responsibility, and I hope you live up to the position, but welcome to the command ranks, Lieutenant Commander Dorn. I am making you Weaponry commander onboard this ship, in charge of all weapon systems and crewmembers.”

“Thank you, sir. I will do my best to serve.”

***

With two neighboring systems being unoccupied by the Amon’krie and third being a dangerous spacial rupture, the fleet declared the Amon’krie defeated, and we began our long trek home.

***

To: All Military Personnel


The Sighisoara cruiser contains four large cannons, three point defense cannons, 100 megatons of shielding and extra ammo and fuel storage for prolonged tour of duty.

***

The crew of all thirty fleet vessels landed at the Space Operations Center, just outside of the capital city. The King sent a representative asking us to line up by rank, and march into the city, following the designated parade route. Even just outside the Space Operations Center, crowds were lined up cheering us on as we marched military style all the way into the city. The King had a box set up where the senators would be announcing our arrival, and supposedly they had a few other surprises in store as well.

The roar of the crowd became much larger as we turned right to enter the large cul de sac where the King’s box was. The crowds surrounded us in throngs as the King’s senator announced our entrance.

“First we have the thirteen captains of the Toltayan fleet, these men used their wits and resolve to defeat the Amon’krie menace, give them a big round of applause.”

And the crowd did.

“Following behind them we have the Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders who implement the captain’s decisions and command the crews.”

All of the commanders including myself saluted and stopped marching in front of the King’s box, just as the captains had done.

“Here come the officers who lead their men in operating the great warships of the fleet.”

“And now the ensigns and specialists of the fleet, who form its backbone.”

“Finally, we have a special treat for you, the 201st Space Marines division, just commisioned. Here are the soldiers of the future. And now, the shipwrighting guild would like to share a special announcement with the crew of the fleet and with the public at large.”

The senator turned over the mic to another man who began speaking. “On behalf of the Shipwrighting guild, I would like to announce the pinnacle of our achievements to date, surpassing all previous efforts.

With the King’s permission we name this the Aya!”

Holosystems had been set up before the parade it seemed, because in the air hovered a gigantic holographic space station.

“We call this hull size the Starbase, it is quite simply the largest structurally sound object that could ever be constructed in space. Scientists with the guild estimate that any larger object would have problems with structural stability. Therefore the Aya is quite simply the pinnacle of object design, as the largest station ever.

The Aya has 1000 megatons of shielding, an incredible NINE cannons, which are each substantially larger than those on the Peshkopi, and each cannon has an incredible firing range of 11000 kilometers, surpassing even missiles. The Aya also has two engine destroyers, one massive with a firing range of 12000, and one smaller with a 6000 kilometer range. Finally the Aya has eight point defense cannons. The Aya even has a vacation home inside for the King and his staff.

The Aya will be continously retrofitted as better equipment is discovered to ensure it remains the premier representation of the mighty power of the King! ”

[Azatol]

Chapter 10 – Glory and Envy


To: Toltayan Fleet


All missile based ships are hereby declared as obsolete and to be scrapped. As we are transitioning to peace time, excess naval personnel will be honorably discharged by seniority and request.

The fleet will be transitioning to a larger base hull size, named the cruiser. New construction will match old so that the fleet remains the same size it was after scrapping missile ships, but is transitioned to the latest vessels.

A special program for retiring naval crew would put them in civillian colony vessels. Colonization efforts are being refocused to provide room for growth. Current priorities are for good research planets, because currently there is a vast surplus of raw materials.

The fleet will stand down for the next year to provide leave for all crew members. Orders for reasignment will be processed after all retirements and requests have been filed.

***

“The pace of progress the King’s researchers are giving us is so quick that we don’t know what to teach. The equipment used in the next generation of ships will be so far beyond what we have now that its hard to give anyone training in anything beyond the core basics. For instance, a breakthrough in propulsion is imminent that will totally change the face of the engine room and require a new set of experts to run its exotic systems.

In terms of ship design, shielding becomes more important with each improvement in its design. The Aya is on iteration 4, and its initial design is only 6 months old. Its shield coverage improved 50 percent, sensor equipment has advanced in leaps in bounds, as have ECM packages. Point defense is becomming brutally efficient, asking the question of how much is needed for everyday fleet purposes. It’s a tough question dependent on how stupid the enemy is. Missiles are obsolete against modern point defense, but its hard to justify lots of point defense without missile threats. In turn if point defense is minimized missiles become an easy victory route. We’ve ran several iterations of that dance through the fleet simulator.

But enough about the struggles of running the academy, what’s your next position?” the Weaponry college dean asked me over lunch. I knew that things we changing rapidly, but he had a bigger picture of that change.

“Probably Cannonry Operations Chief, in charge of all the main cannons, on the Aya. The Aya is going to be the best staffed vessel in space, it has a bunch of new positions, like specific weapon combined operations commands. So another commander will run the engine destroyers, and a third the point defense. Someone will run the shield systems, and another will run the sensors and ECM.

Its not an active sort of position, after all, whose going to dare to attack our homeworld, but it is prestigious. The king is making the place a home away from home, and a statement of his power, who wouldn’t want to serve onboard? Plus the starbase is going to always be state of the art, the king has commited to that. Like you said, they are on iteration 4 already.”

“I’ve heard the pricetag is 34 billion credits.”

“The King hasn’t said anything about it, but his coffers aren’t empty these days, by any means.”

***

The shuttle was orbitting the newly completed Aya, which was already into its first retrofitting to improve the shield and sensor systems.

Aya’s cannons seemed as big as a frigate all by themselves, I thought to myself. The starbase was fixed in position relative to the planet so that all nine cannons could be mounted outwardly where they would be able to hit anything approaching the planet.

The giant engine destroyer had a lot of power cables that seemed to lead inside, forming a scaffolding of cables. It seems the weapon was power hungry, but engine destroyers had never been used in combat.

Point defense was stacked in three groups, all facing outwards. The station had a limited amount of manuevering thrust, but its mass would make it hard to turn. Facing the admittedly unlikely threat of an internal rebellion, the starbase would be helpless until it could be turned 180 degrees. The nine cannons firing together could hit with a combined energy of 2.2 gigatons.

***

To: All Military Personnel


Introducing the Visiru battle cruiser. It has 50% more firepower than previous designs, with 6 large cannons, 200 megatons rated shielding, and the standard ecm/sensor packages that have featured on all recently designed vessels. The vessel has three point defense cannons and additional fuel and ammo storage.

***

Serving in the military during peacetime is a matter of routine and bureacracy. With no immediate threats and peace with both our neighbors the fleet was slowly rebuilt with better ships, but the frontier held the excitement of the times as colonies were established further and further from homeworld, extending the reach of the kingdom. Most of the colonists had already colonized another world before them, as sending people all the way from the homeworld to the fringes of space was too difficult.

Technological advancement was the King’s tune in many areas, and although some planets were still set up for mining and harvesting resources, many others became academic colonies, and still others became warehousing colonies.

***

We were running test fire combat engagements, and using just targetting solutions, the Aya was able to demonstrate it could destroy two and a half cruisers in one salvo of its guns. The damaged third vessel was immobilized by the engine destroyer as well.

The fleet was still closing in as the Aya continued to rain death upon them. It’s second volley destroyed three ships as they tried to get in range against its superior cannons. The battle cruisers could survive an extra hit over the other vessels, but the shielding on all the fleet vessels was not able to make any dent in the Aya’s firepower.

Finally two Vizirus and a Sighisora got in range, and all their firepower combined was not able to surpass the Aya’s shield rating. The Aya wiped out the rest of the engagement, and smashed all expectations of its performance. The Admiral thought his fleet would surely best it, but the Aya had defeated the fleet without even running through its shielding.

The King was quite happy onboard, to hear his starbase was so powerful. The Admiral was angry and hoped to improve his fleet, in case he had to face an enemy with such a starbase.

***

Every ship in the fleet was being retrofitted for the new Contra-terrene engine technology. The new engines would significantly increase acceleration rates and manuevering.

Meanwhile new colonies were opening up, even for residents on homeworld, scientists had invented a system to make ice colonies habitable and liveable, which would open up a number of colonies in the home system, and throughout the empire.

***

This journal has been archived for efficient storage, as it has not been accessed in over six months.

***

It was a sudden blow, I had taken a liking to the rather soft position onboard the Aya, where drills were run once a month and even the officers enjoyed the finest meals in the kingdom, plenty of free time and comraderie with fellow officers.

One might say I lost some of my military sensibilities, getting casual about things that I never should have. Then, on 2414::03::07, the Piundon Empire and the Kithra Consortium jointly declared war against us, citing the fact that we were too mighty and they feared us. To my thinking, that fear should have silenced their desire for war, but nonetheless it was war time.

In the several years since peace had broken out, colonization continued, and sensor technology was developed to an incredible pinnacle, although the Tirgoviste battleship had not yet been redesigned with the latest improvements.

The King wanted us to go after the Piundon first, since they were close by. Hopefully, the might of the fleet could quickly end that war, but there was no certainty. Many officers had retired during peacetime, and so when war broke out, my name was selected to captain one of the older generation Vizirus, specifically Viziru 001. So I transferred from the Aya, and assessed the Viziru’s capabilities. It was far more powerful than any vessel of the previous war, but substantially weaker than the Tirgoviste.

As Captain Dorn, I boarded the Viziru on the 14th, just 7 days after war had been declared.

“Captain on deck!” the bridge commander shouted as I entered.

This was actually my first time on any bridge. A main display showed tactical elements while other bridge crew had smaller displays and control systems. The bridge could fit five including the captain, but I knew much of the combat would be handled by the weaponry teams elsewhere.

Propulsion was controlled here, and also at engineering if needed.

Bridge commander Jeff was my second in command, in charge of the bridge and the ship whenever I wasn’t on duty. He had already served with the crew of the Viziru it seemed.

“Fleet orders have us leaving orbit in thirty minutes sir. Engine test is currently being performed. Anti-matter containment is steady. Ever served on a contra-terrene vessel sir?” he said.

“I’ve been on the Aya since the end of the Amon’krie war, so no.”

“Ship hums a bit different than the old ion drives. And these days the engine room is the highest security area. Anti-matter is not available to the general public, and one mistake in handling the containers means tearing the ship apart in an instant. Expose one quart of anti-matter to air, create an explosion equal to 15 volleys of the Aya’s main cannons.”

“I’ll try to remember that. What do we know about the Piundon?”

“Fleet says almost nothing, they’ve sent over a few scientists, but they’ve been rather tight lipped. I recommend we prepare for anything, as far as enemy capabilities go.”

“Thank you commander, finalize that engine test and we’ll leave orbit.”

***

“What was it like on the Aya sir? Such a prestigious station, and the way the fleet lost in battle testing to the Aya, you couldn’t have planned a better way to make the King happy. Those cannons are unbelievable, the test system declared this vessel dead in the water after two hits.”

“Luckily I can almost guarantee we won’t be facing anything like the Aya. The Amon’krie, for instance, have no sense of monumental shipwrighting projects such as the Aya. The Aya’s glory didn’t just go to its namesake, but also to the guild for constructing it. If only we could have an Aya with engines, then we’d be unstoppable.”

“And slow, very slow, but with the range on those cannons, nothing could stop us,” he said.

“Coming up on the Lundra wormhole, all hands to battle stations, we don’t know what could be facing us on the far side.”

“Aye, sir. All hands to battle stations,” Jeff transmitted on comm to the crew.

The sensors chief counted off time to wormhole entry, “15 seconds.”

“Nothing on scanners but three colonies sir,” the chief said.

“Fleet orders incoming: proceed to fourth planet for Marine insertion.”

“Set course to Lundra IV” I said.

***

I almost wished for a worthy opponent as we swept across system in what was basically the same drill as the end of the Amon’krie world, hop from island to island facing small missile silos at best, and capture the planet. I hoped that our fleet could test its strength against a real enemy fleet rather than the single ships the Amon’krie had sent against us, that would allow us to demonstrate our power.

***

“Piundon light cruiser inbound, prepare all weapon systems,” I said as the Piundon ship approached.

“Fleet orders: break formation and close in on the enemy craft, weapons free,” Jeff said, reading off the incoming orders.

“Fleet message: Viziru 003 is in range, heavily damaged the enemy vessel.”

“Close in for the kill,” I shouted.

“Aye sir.”

“Ready all cannons for firing on my mark.”


“4000 kilometers and closing,”

“Fire!”

“Shots are away...six shots – six hits, confirmed kill for us. Congratulations captain... New fleet orders: proceed to Quornor III for Marine insertion.”

***

To: All Military Personnel


Introducing the Oravita Dreadnought. Weighing in at 1.0 megatons, the Oravita is equipped with a new type of weaponry. Using the exotic polaran particle, the phased polaran beam is a particle stream that heavily damages the target. The nature of the particle’s phasing means that it is unaffected by all known shielding technology.

The Oravita equips 10 heavy phased polaran beams, as well as 900 points of shielding, and the most sophisticated ECM and sensor equipment in the fleet. The Oravita will begin construction immediately.

***

To: All Military Personnel


The four battleships of the Reserve fleet took out 3 destroyers, a frigate, a satellite cluster and a space station controlled by the Kithra consortium yesterday. Unfortunately, the fifty divisions planned for the invasion of the Kithra homeworld were overwhelmed by an estimated 80 divisions of Kithra militia. Recruiting has been stepped up on the Amon’krie homeworld to conquer the Kithra.