Chinese Dreadnought Zeng He approaching Behemoths remains

Admiral Wu Zetian listened to the officer with half an ear as she considered what to do with the remains of the creature in front of them.

“….poses no threat, it should be preserved for future study. What we learn from it could be incalculably valuable.”

While he certainly had a point, it looked dead and this type of Leviathan had never once displayed any type of weapons or aggression so leaving it in larger pieces could provide them with more examples of their biology and technology. However she had made it a habit to never leave enemies behind her and it was likely that they would not be able to return to Europa to study it for some time. As well there was no need to leave the entire thing intact, if they could tear off something of value from it and head back to Earth it might be possible to save her career.

“Have all ships ready weapons, target the largest pieces of the Behemoth. Captain Huang find debris small enough to fit in our hold, I want some of their outer hull and inner hull. Fit as much as you can in our and the Du Xiguis holds.”

“Admiral I am detecting a radio signal coming from the Behemoth!”

A radio signal? Well there was a first time for everything. “Put it through.”

Immediately a sound came over her bridge. “This is the USS Cherry Barb to any task force ships if you are receiving this signal please respond.”

‘Ahh yes the stealth ship Admiral Jacobs had mentioned’ Admiral Zetian thought. Like the other Admirals she had assumed it had been destroyed, if it had survived even partially intact that would be a prize almost as good as something from the Behemoth. The Chinese stealth program had been cancelled years ago due to cost overruns and no actual progress. “Find the source of that signal.”

“Admiral I’ve found it! It is 700 meters from the Behemoth. Our sensors initially thought it was rubble from the Behemoth.”

Nodding her head to the sensor operator she said to the communications officer. “Send a message on an open frequency. Cherry Barb, this is Admiral Wu Zetian, what is your status?”

Several minutes passed and Admiral Zetian was starting to think that perhaps everyone on the American ship was dead and she could salvage the ship when she received their return message. “Admiral Zetian, this is Commander Frazer. My ship sustained moderate damage during combat with a Guppy, we have since repaired most of the damage. Do you know the status of the task force at this time?”

“We should attempt to capture that ship, it would be a fantastic prize to bring back to Bejing.” Captain Huang said.

Admiral Zetian didn’t even bothering to hide the disdain from her voice, if Captain Huang hadn’t been the son of a powerful politician there was no way he would have risen as high as he had. “Our orders specifically prevent us from beginning a war with the Americans Captain. If the ship were destroyed and just salvage that would be one thing, but I am not ordering an attack on an American military vessel, certainly not with the rest of their fleet coming around the moon any moment now. Captain begin search and rescue operations within our fleet, have the crews transferred off any ship with damage to their engines, or any ship that won’t be able to make the transit back to Earth.”

Although the Captain looked mutinous, he followed her orders.

“Yes Admiral. Admiral there are 4 ships with severe enough damage they won’t be able to make the journey back.”

“Get the people off those ships and set explosives on them if we can’t set their reactors to blow. While people are being shuttled back and forth I also want you to search near the American ship for any pieces of it that may have been damaged during the battle. Any debris we find may be useful.”

“Admiral one of our Frigates on our right flank has just spotted the Task Force coming around the moon. They are reporting that they have suffered severe damage.”

Admiral Zetian didn’t bother responding simply pulling up the data on her personal terminal. A quick look showed several ships trailing debris and smoke, and unless she missed her guess and entire European Dreadnought was missing. A sinking feeling in her stomach, while she would normally relish China’s enemies suffering a humiliation or a defeat, given the situation she would have preferred a clear victory from them.

“Continue to evacuate the damaged ships. Communications, as soon as we are able contact the other Admirals and set up a meeting.”

USS Rushmore

Immediately after the battle had ended rescue operations began. There were three ships just in his own fleet that had been damaged badly enough that they would have to be abandoned. One of them their engines were far so damaged that it was not able to accelerate. On the other two their Captains felt that their ships were so badly damaged they were no longer space worthy. With dozens of leaks in the hull, fires raging across the ships and even structural damage it was only a matter of time until they succumbed to their injuries.

Across his fleet shuttles were being dispatched to carry survivors and wounded off the damaged ships.

“Admiral, I am seeing several European and Russian ships that have severe damage, should we try to help them evacuate?”

“Offer our help but they will probably decline. Its hard enough coordinating your own shuttles for evacuation let alone someone else’s.”

“Sir I see the Chinese fleet holding station near the Behemoth, there’s a lot of shuttle activity. It looks like their filling their holds with as much salvage as they can find. I am also seeing a transponder from the Cherry Barb right on top of the Behemoth. It looks like they survived, I’m seeing hull damage, one of their turrets is a wreck and I think there is a chunk missing out of the aft section.”

Looking over the small frigate Admiral Jacobs was impressed, while the ship had clearly suffered damage by all rights it should have been destroyed.

“Open a channel with the Cherry Barb.” A few moments later Admiral Jacobs was looking at the face of Commander Frazer appeared in front of him. Standing tall with a picture-perfect salute the man looked exhausted. He had circles under his eyes and soot covering part of his face, his eyes were the red of someone using the more powerful stimulants available on Navy ships. “Commander Frazer at ease. Let me start by congratulating you and your crew, your scouting of the second Leviathan fleet likely saved the task force.”

“Thank you, Sir, we were happy to do our duty.”

“How is your ship and crew?”

“3 dead 4 wounded Sir, two of them critically. With your permission I would like to transfer the two worst of the wounded to a ship with a more comprehensive sick bay. I am afraid we are a little overwhelmed here.”

“Of course, I’ll have a shuttle sent to get them immediately.” Admiral Jacobs didn’t bother issuing the orders, he new that his people were already making that happen behind him. “And your ship?”

“I am afraid the Cherry Barb suffered moderate damage. Most of our nuclear weapons have been expended and the slinger is damaged. We have two nuclear missiles and a dozen mines. Aside from that just our standard and light rail gun rounds. However aside from that we are in working order and I am told that in a few hours we should have the last of our stealth plating patched and our engines cooled enough that we will be able to maintain stealth protocols.”

“Commander our last report from your ship said you had encountered a Guppy?”

“Yes Sir we did. My crew and I were able to destroy it before it destroyed us although it was a close thing.”

“You and your crew have my admiration Commander and I would like nothing more than to tell you and your crew you can stand down and rest, but I am afraid that I still have more work for you.”

“Yes Sir. The Cherry Barb stands ready and able.”

“Excellent stay on the line, I’m going to talk to the other Admirals in a moment and I’d like your opinion on a plan that I have.”

As the Admiral turned to his communications officer the Lieutenant said. “Sir I have Admiral Zetian and the other Admirals already on a channel waiting for you.”

“Patch both myself and Commander Frazer into the call.”

Admiral Jacobs had been expecting the call to be a flurry of activity with people shouting over each other and 3 separate arguments raging all at once, that was not the case. Instead he saw three people each regarding each other warily and apparently no one was willing to make the first move. Deciding to be the one to start things off he began. “I have invited Commander Frazer of the Cherry Barb, one of my stealth ships to our meeting, I feel that his expertise will be necessary in the next phase of the battle.”

“Next phase of the battle?” Admiral Gallagher said disbelief in his voice. “Jacobs I don’t know what you think is about to happen, but there will not be another battle. My ships and I are salvaging whatever we can from the Behemoth underneath us and going back to Earth.”

“I have to agree with Admiral Gallagher. With the forces we have left at our disposal and the newest capabilities of the Kraken I do not see how we have any chance of defeating our enemies.”

“Admirals I have the latest intelligence here from the Zebra Danio, she has a stealth probe near Europa relaying information directly from her.” Admiral Jacobs face was immediately replaced with the three Kraken. All of them were near each other and all of them were wide open at the front facing towards Europa, The Guppies were arrayed in front of the Kraken with their own weapons bristling and ready. “The three of the Kraken are holding position almost 300 000 kilometers from Europa and are prepared to fire on the first thing that they see come around the moon. We likely wouldn’t even begin to use the moon for a boost without coming under fire.”

“And you want us to charge that? With the three of them working together we wouldn’t get close, and any ships that did would not be able to destroy what they have there. My fleet will not be the Light Brigade Jacobs.”

“What if we were able to destroy their main weapons before the battle started? Commander Frazer in your opinion do you think it is possible for the mines that stealth ships use to disable the main guns on the Krakens?”

“Absolutely Sir. My battle with the Guppy proved to me that while their outsides are extremely resilient to our weapons their insides are vulnerable to all manner of damage. A single mine inside main opening of the Kraken would be devastating and destroy the aliens and their weapon. Additionally Sir, when looking at the sensor logs of the battles we have observed so far so far my Navigator noticed something. The tentacles on the sides of the Leviathans move in a predictable way before their craft move. We believe that we can use this to predict the movements of our enemies before they make them. If we are positioned properly we should be able to help the fleet aim their guns and ensure far greater accuracy.”

As he looked at the other Admirals he felt his hopes waning. Not one of them looked convinced. “I know this isn’t a lot to go on, but we don’t have to risk anything until we know if the stealth ships have succeeded or not.”

Admiral Zetian was the first to speak. “Admiral Jacobs my ships were able to get a good look at Commander Frazers ship, if I am not mistaken their mine launcher was destroyed. As only 3 stealth ships were sent with the fleet how do you propose 2 ships disable three Kraken?”

“With respect Admiral Zetian while our mine launcher may have been destroyed I still feel confident that we can deliver our payload successfully.” As Commander Frazer told the Admirals of his plan their looks ranged from disbelieving to furious.

“This is the best you could come up with Jacobs? It’s insanity.” Gallagher shouted. “Coordinating three ships to destroy three targets at the same time would be hard enough, but adding in that bit of madness? It’s not possible.”

“If Commander Frazer says his crew is capable of pulling this off then I believe him. Furthermore, you and your fleet do not have to risk a single life until we know if they were successful or not. If they are, if all three Krakens main weapons are disabled can we count on you?”

“If the three enemies are disabled then I will help.” Admiral Zetian said surprising Admiral Jacobs. Of all of them her fleet had suffered the most losses.

“We all know what will happen if their gate is allowed to come online, I will help as well.” Admiral Sokolov said.

“If all 3 and I do mean all three of Kraken are disabled then I will send my fleets as well, but if even a single Kraken is still operational, then I am gathering what I can from the debris here and leaving.”

“I understand and agree completely Admiral Gallagher. If the Kraken are left operational then I am planning on launching every missile my fleet has at the power plants they have and leaving with you. Commander Frazer, I’m sure you have preparations to make. I’ve already sent you the communications protocols to coordinate with the Zebra Danio and Pearl Gourami, keep us apprised of your plans.”

With a salute Commander Frazer disconnected from the Admirals communication channel.

“Admirals unless I have miscounted we still have 37 cruisers, 72 frigates, 4 Dreadnoughts and 2 Super Carriers against 3 Kraken and 14 Guppies, and every Guppy has at least some damage on it. In 27 hours we need to destroy either the ring, or the fusion reactors attached to them.”

“Should your ships be successful how should we play this?” Admiral Gallagher asked.

Admiral Jacobs was surprised by the question, in all of their previous planning sessions Admiral Gallagher had never asked for another persons opinion.

“We slingshot around Europa to gain speed, then charge them and kill every single one of them. No fancy maneuvers, just steel and nuclear fire. When we’ve broken them and passed through their position we hit the fusion reactors with everything we can, the ring is a smaller target, and looks to be more solidly built so the reactors are probably more vulnerable.”

Each of the Admirals simply nodded. “I just want to say before we begin that no matter what happens next it has been an honor to fight beside you and your crews in this.”

“I feel the same way.” Admiral Sokolov said.

“It has been quit the experience.” Admiral Zetian said.

“An honour and a pleasure.” Admiral Gallagher added.

The four Admirals ended their call, each had work to do before the battle. There were repairs to coordinate. Task forces to reassign and ships to abandon and then scuttle.

As the Cherry Barb began accelerating each of the Admirals watched her go. She and her sister ships had the fate of humanity riding on them. Hopefully they would be up to the challenge.

Slowly the fleets came to order and there was nothing left to do but wait for the signal.