Chapter twenty nine (1)

Breaking news! The Terran Confederation has declared war on the Grent Empire, and so far, it looks like they’re winning! The Terrans are reported to have been spotted only a few systems away from the Grent Capital, Kreskivare, and tides of refugees have been fleeing both to and from the capital? Who will win, the reigning champion or the newcomer? -Broadcast by Union News.

“Grand-Admiral on deck!” The bridge crew snapped to attention as Grand-Admiral Michael walked out of the elevator.

“At ease, everyone. Commodore Brandon, can I have a word with you.”

“Sure, sir. We can talk in my quarters.” As soon as they entered the room, Michael turned to Brandon.

“Commodore, how sure are you of success?”

“About 75%, why sir?”

“We need this victory. This is the first war we’ve been in since the Bubble dropped, and we need a victory to raise public morale. It’s also a test for all the new tech, to see if they work in major battles. So, why is the percentage so low?”

“Well, the percentage is low because we don’t know what secret weapons or tech the Grent might have. They will probably use their all to defend their capital, and any secret weapons could be very disruptive, sir.”

“Sirs, we are dropping out of FTL in five.” A knock came at the door.

“Okay, dismissed.” Michael looked back at Brandon.

“Remember, Humanity needs a victory. Go and give them hell, commodore.”

Chapter twenty nine (2)

“Report.”

“Sir, we’ve dropped into real space at the edge of the system. Scans show the enemy has 5000 vessels, and three of the orbit structures are lighting up with weapons. Extensive minefields have been detected around each station.”

“More vessels than I would’ve liked, but okay. Transmit to all ships to go into battle plan Alpha.”

As he spoke, the fleet began changing. The carriers retreated to the very back, while the other heavy ships moved to the front. Missile wagons moved to the flanks, led by the missile super-dreadnought, while the frontline ships, including the other two super-dreadnoughts, moved to form two wedges at the front. The smaller ships formed small “packs” around the heavy vessels.

“Sir, we will be in range of the enemy in 3 minutes.”

“Alright, all carriers launch their first wave. I want an even mix of fighters and bombers.”

In the carriers, alarms started going off. Pilots clambered into their ships and were ejected out into the void. They formed up into small formations and soon set off.

“Sir, we will be in range in ten seconds.”

“All battleships and above aim at their heavy vessels. All dreadnoughts, focus on their centre. Everyone else, fire at will. Fire when ready!”

Thumps rang out on ships as large chunks of metal were launched at the enemy. Some of the large shells, which were the size of train carriages, even carries homing and jamming systems. As the two sides neared, more railgun and coilgun fire soared through the void, and missiles started leaping out of their tubes, hungry and looking for prey. Small craft darted between the fire of their larger brethren, fighters and bombers engaging in tangled dogfights.

Ships started to go down, their shields failing and their hulls holed. Shells and missiles punched through their critical parts, leaving them drifting in space.

“Sir, shields down to 60%. We’ve lost 47 frigates, 23 cruisers and 12 battleships. We have destroyed 102 frigates, 62 cruisers and 42 battleships.”

“Okay. All ships focus fire on the centre of their formation. Launch a wave of 80% bombers. Divert 40 battleships and 100 cruisers towards each flank; tell the missile wagons to support them.”

The fighting continued; more and more ships drifted dead in space as both sides hammered each other. After a while, a chink showed in the Grent lines. A lucky emp missile knocked out the main control ship for the centre of the Grent formation. The Terrans immediately capitalised on the disarray.

“Immediately! Tell all missile wagons to concentrate on the centre! All ships form formation omega!”

Terran discipline kicked in as the Terran ships immediately formed into a giant wedge that speared into the Grent lines. The Grent centre was in disarray as Terran ships flooded in, taking out any resistance. As the Terran ships started circling around and attacking from the back the Grent knew that they had lost. The Grent admiral told all ships to stand down and surrendered to Grand-Admiral Michael. The Terran Confederation had won.