SS Rushmore 4 hours until combat operations.

“Sir, we are receiving a message from both the Pearl Gourami and the Zebra Danio. They are passing on a message from the Cherry Barb confirming the presence of an additional 31 Guppies on the far side of Europa heading directly for the Chinese fleets six o’clock”

Admiral Jacobs stood up immediately, if he was surprised he didn’t show it “Do the Chinese have any idea?”

“I don’t see how Sir. We don’t have anything that can see that side of the moon. Given the position of the moon, they won’t until they are coming up right behind them.”

Admiral Jacobs stared at the coms operator for a few moments. “And we just got our battle plan figured out. Coms get me the other Admirals.” A few moments later all the other Admirals appeared on the screen in front of him.

The bloated face of Admiral Gallagher was the first to speak. “What’s wrong Jacobs forget your part in this already?”

Ignoring the man Jacobs spoke. “Admirals we have a serious problem. One of our stealth ships operating on a hunch made a scouting trip to the far side of Europa. It seems the Guppies are parasite crafts. They travel on the Behemoths, at least for interstellar travel.”

“What the hell are you talking about Jacobs?” Gallagher cut in.

“The Cherry Barb believed that the all of the Guppies we see currently were from the Behemoth we designated as Beta, and if that was true then the Behemoth we designated as Alpha could still have been carrying its compliment of Guppies. The Cherry Barb moved in to investigate and they have only now sent back her report. As soon the Behemoth Alpha was behind the moon and out of our sight lines, they launched their compliment of 32 Guppies, 31 of whom are now heading towards the Chinese Fleets rear as we speak. The Cherry Barb estimated they will arrive shortly after the battle starts.”

If the Chinese Admiral felt distress at hearing this Jacobs couldn't see any, unless a slightly upturned eyebrow was her panicking.

The other Admirals however were a different story. The European Admiral Gallagher was almost frothing at the mouth with rage while the Russian Admiral began swearing in Russian.

“Damn it Jacobs, did you know about this? When did you find out?” Admiral Gallagher shouted.

“Admirals I assure you I received the report just moments ago, and calling you was the first thing I did.”

“What about the ship that sent the report?”

“Their last known position was on the far side of the moon from us, without any satellites in the area I am afraid it is not possible to talk to them.”

“Then how did you get this report then?” The Chinese Admiral asked.

“The Cherry Barb broke stealth protocols and transmitted their report over the radio in the clear to the last known area their sister ships were in, they were able to send us the report using laser coms. In the transmission they said that there was a Guppy headed towards their position, after that they stopped transmitting and are now MIA.”

Although the exact specifications of American stealth ships were a closely guarded secret everyone knew there was no way an undersized frigate could win against a cruiser analogue.

“Then it seems gentlemen we have a problem.” The Chinese Admiral spoke. “Our original plan for a full envelopment of the Leviathan forces is no longer feasible.”

On the display of every flag ship on each ship the same thing was being shown. The Leviathans were in the middle, the Chinese approaching from the 6 o’clock position and the other fleets arriving on their far flank. The single Russian flees was supposed to arrive from the 4 o‘clock to support the Chinese, the American fleet should have arrived from the 2 o’clock to flank them and quick European fleets move in behind to cut off retreat.

“It was a fairly good plan against a stationary target in close orbit of a moon. We should have been able to envelope them and destroy them without much trouble.” The Russian Admiral said.

“It can still work now, the main fleet with the dreadnought is the real problem, if we destroy those the second fleet of Guppies will be alone without any capital ship support, they would be easy pickings.” Gallagher said.

“I will not allow my fleet to be sacrificed in such a way. Even if we had a victory, my ships would be trapped between the two fleets for far too long. it would be far too costly for us.”

“Do you honestly think they can win against us? These are insects, big insects for certain but that’s all.” Gallagher said with a sneer to the Chinese Admiral Wu Zetian.

“Admiral Gallagher, these creatures have proven to be competent and determined. They have just sprung a very clever trap on us that was only detected by the sacrifice of one of my ships, and I do not plan on wasting their sacrifice. Might I also add that we still do not know the entirety of the enemy’s capabilities, a Guppy was even able to shrug off two kinetic warheads with only minor visible damage.”

“Then what do you propose? By my calculations none of us would be able to arrive in time to make any difference, the original plan called for Admiral Zetian to hold her fleet near the Leviathans at extreme range while we moved into position, we have all been decelerating for so long that we simply cannot change course to support them that quickly.”

All the Admirals looked at each other. Jacobs knew that the situation was falling apart before his very eyes. The Chinese had contributed almost 2/5s of the ships for the joint task force, it they decided to cut and run their numerical superiority would be gone..

“Everyone please, with this new threat from the enemy it is more important than ever that we work together. This was going to be difficult enough when we outnumbered them so heavily, now that they have pulled another 31 ships out of their asses we cannot afford to be divided.

I have an idea. Our original plan called for the Chinese fleet to decelerate and engage the Leviathans at extreme range while the Europeans joined in from the Leviathans 10 o’clock position, my own fleet from the leviathans 8 o’clock and the Russian fleet to cut off any retreat from their 6 o’clock position. Once we were all in position, we would have been able to surround them and destroy them in detail.

Obviously, the Chinese cannot face both enemy fleets at the same time, they would be cut to pieces, you also cannot move away. You have been decelerating for too long. They would pounce on you before you were able to get any distance between you.

Instead you maintain your current speed you should be able to engage them in one hour. At that speed you would make it through their position in 30 minutes. If we launch a missile strike, we can have the missiles arrive shortly after your fleet is engaged by the Leviathans, this will either distract them from your own fleet or you will distract them from the missiles. Either way it should allow us to deal a significant blow to their fleet while allowing you to escape.

My fleet and the European fleet will all accelerate to your position as well, directly behind our missiles. We should arrive roughly 45 minutes after our missiles do, this will prevent the Leviathans from pursuing you. At that point we will have them caught in a pincer and they will be surrounded. The Russians will accelerate towards the new force and engage them at extreme range. If the Guppies turn to engage the Russian fleet, then the Russians can keep them at a distance and delay the fleet while the three of us will destroy the main Leviathan force. Afterwards we would be able to turn our attention to the remaining Guppies and hit their flank. If they move to flank us, then the Russians can press their rear while Admiral Gallagher moves his ships to face their front while your fleet and my own finish off the main Leviathan force. I know it is a rush plan, but we are running out of time and a decision needs to be made now.”

Everyone stared for a few seconds at each other no one wanting to be the first person to speak until the Russian Admiral said “It is a good plan Admiral Jacobs, I am willing to go along with it.”

“It’s rough and too much can go wrong with it, but it might be the best we have.” Admiral Gallagher said grudgingly.

“I cannot accept your plan Admiral.” Said Admiral Zetian. “My forces would be facing the entirety of the Leviathan fleet at ranges far too close for far too long, your missile strike may well be ineffective as well as your fleets would be far too late in arriving to help us. I will instead be accelerating my fleet through their position.”

“If you do that you will be facing them completely by yourself. We are not in any position to assist you until after you have passed through them.” Admiral Jacobs said. “They may pursue you as well and we would still be unable to assist you, and with the extra speed you would not be able to turn around in time to assist us in the battle either.”

“I am aware Admiral Jacobs. However, by traveling at the speeds you suggest my fleet would be target practice for them, especially when we began to pass through their position. By accelerating I will lower the amount of time I am in contact with the enemy and take fewer losses.”

“I understand your position Admiral Zetian. I cannot say that I agree with your assessment, but I certainly understand why you are making it. I will send a missile strike to hit the Leviathans, by my calculations it should arrive after your fleet has passed through the Leviathan fleet, but if they are pursuing you it may distract them long enough for you to put some distance between them.”

“I appreciate that Admiral. After I pass through their ships I will have my fleet form up on the far side of Europa, if you are able we should rendezvous there and plan our next move.” With that the Chinese Admiral cut her connection.

Jacobs and the other Admirals could only watch as the Chinese fleet began accelerating at a far faster rate than any of them had seen before. With a few words to his second in command 750 kinetic missiles and 250 nuclear missiles were soon accelerating away from his own fleet towards the Chinese and Leviathan fleets. Too late to really save the Chinese and losses but they could still destroy a large number of enemies or more likely act as a distraction.

“Good Lord, I didn’t know Chinese ships could accelerate that quickly, looks like they were holding back on showing us what their capabilities were this entire time.” Admiral Gallagher said.

“Gentlemen the Chinese fleet is now effectively out of this fight. Even if they escape with minor damages they will still be accelerating away from the battle and in no position to help us. Does anyone have any ideas?” Admiral Sokolov asked.

“It is now 147 of our ships to 63 of their own, we are of course also greatly out massed and we do not know the enemies full capabilities. This is a disaster.” Admiral Jacobs said

“Watching what happens to the Chinese should at least give us a better idea of their capabilities. Damn Zetian!” Gallagher Said hotly. “We would have never split our forces, if she were closer to us this never would have happened!”

“I cannot blame the Admiral for not trusting you after the way your governments have been treating her own.” Sokolov said coldly.

“Gentleman please, the fact is we still need a battle plan. Now more than ever. Admiral Gallagher is correct that we will learn valuable data from the Chinese here, but we must have a plan of attack before we reach the Leviathans.” Stopping for a moment he looked at each of the other Admirals. “I believe we should make a hard turn to our port and accelerate towards the smaller of the Leviathan fleets. We can approach it at cruising speeds and destroy it or do as much damage as possible to it before they can link up with their other fleet and capital ships. This will also put us on the far side of Europa and allow us to form back up with the Chinese. From there we can have a quick debrief and decide what to do.”

“That is going to be a very small window to actually hit them before they are close enough to their other fleet that they will be able to support them.” Gallagher said.

“Unless the Alpha fleet pursues the Chinese in which case we would be able to take our time. If that happens, we should slow down and try to inflict as many casualties on them as possible, if the Alpha fleet moves to link up we accelerate and move away after doing what damage we can.” Sokolov said

“I agree Admiral Sokolov.” Jacobs said.

“We are of course ignoring the simplest of solutions gentlemen.” Gallagher said. “Discretion is the better part of valor, after the Chinese fleet engages the Leviathans, we simply go back to earth with what we have learned and come back with a larger force. A force that will let us be certain of numerical superiority and will have a clearer chain of command.”

“You would leave the battle before it is even fought Admiral Gallagher?” Sokolov said.

“Of course I would. There is nothing out here of strategic or even tactical value, they may be building something, but if it’s shipyards they are making we can easily out produce them. Our plan is in shambles, our fleets are separated, and we have no reason to attack. Compare that with the lives of our people we would be throwing away in a reckless gamble if we do attack.”

Jacobs didn’t like to agree with the abrasive man, but he had a point. A tactical withdrawal was an option, there were still around 2 dozen fleets left in the inner system that could be added to their own, more if the smaller powers contributed. That would certainly tip the balance in their favor in a future engagement, but he knew deep down that leaving now would be disastrous.

“You make some excellent points Admiral Gallagher. But if we leave now I am certain we would never be able to muster a force like this again to come out here. If the Chinese fleet is mauled and limps back home by themselves; their government would never send another fleet, certainly not in a joint operation, and if they never send another fleet our governments would never send our fleets. Let alone strip our counties defenses to almost nothing, not with the full might of the Chinese Navy over earth. This is it, this is our one chance to actually fight and destroy these monsters. If we fail, our governments may not be willing to try again, at least not until they are threatening Mars or even Earth itself.”

“You are probably right.” Gallagher said grudgingly.

“Then I propose we accelerate and attack the smaller force, if they split their forces we decelerate and do as much damage as possible, if they keep their fleets together we do a quick flyby doing as much damage as possible.” Jacobs said.

“That is acceptable to me.” Sokolov said.

Gallagher simply gave a tight nod of his head.

“Well then let us each make our preparations as best we can. In 1 hour and 45 minutes the fate of humanity may very well be riding on our shoulders.”

Their plan decided as best they could each of the Admirals disconnected to tend to their own ships.

Admiral Jacobs immediately set into organizing his ships. Ensuring their cruisers and frigates in front were able to screen the Carriers, with some behind in order to screen them as they accelerated away from the Leviathans. Most American naval doctrine focused on carriers using overwhelming missile barrages from long range before engaging their enemies to break enemy formations before closing to rail gun range. However, there was a second school of thought that said the opposite. Close to knife fighting range with your cruisers, frigates and carriers and when the enemy was distracted by the fighting then launch your missiles to finish your enemies. Naval Doctrine ignored this school of thought as it would put the carriers in far too much danger, but it looked like he had no choice so Admiral Jacobs tried to prioritize screening his carriers which had relatively light armor when compared to almost any other ship.

All too soon an aide walked up to the Admiral and looked at him nervously. “What is it?”

“It’s the Chinese sir, they’re entering combat with the Leviathans.