Retribution (The Federation Reborn Book 3) (33 page)

“A steep one,” the admiral replied grimly.

:::{)(}:::

The bombers did more than just pick off targets of opportunity. They also were the forward eyes of the fleet, passing back what their sensors saw through the datanet in a finely tuned act of coordination. It allowed the fleet to better coordinate their fire. It became far more accurate when Commander Wilder launched a pair of eyes shuttles to keep watch and to act as SAR shuttles.

When the bombers took up position, the Horathians changed tactics to time-on target bombardments spaced four to five minutes apart. It was an effort to saturate the bomber's defenses to get some of the missiles past them, which it did. But behind their layer of defense were still the ship's counter missiles and PDLs. Each BC took a hit or two, from time to time, but their shields weathered the storm.

Six hours into the mission and fatigue started to become a factor for the bomber crews though. Also munitions, they had quickly ran out of counter missiles for the bombers. When they began to run dry on power for their guns, Commander Wilder and Meia recalled them in stages to be replaced by fighters.

“We've proven they aren't going to saturate us at this range, sir,” Kyle said. He had dark circles under his eyes and seemed tired but still game.

“I know. Are the CAGs recalling all the bombers?” Amadeus asked.

“They are just about a spent force. Their efficiency has dropped to less than 10 percent, sir. The CAGs have been replacing them on a case-by-case basis and stacking the fighters to compensate, but they aren't as confident about the fighters doing the same job.”

The admiral grimaced. He was right. The CAGs were most certainly right; fighters weren't built for the fleet defense role. They didn't have the sensors for one, nor the ability to handle the swarms. “Can the bombers be turned around?”

“I … Yes, sir.”

“I know fatigue is a factor. Have their implants authorized amphetamines or other drugs to keep them alert. What is their ordinance situation?”

Kyle grimaced as he glanced over to Jojo. The admiral followed his sight line to his flag Lieutenant.

“In a word, not good, sir. They can refuel and recharge of course, but their counter missiles are almost completely expended.”

“Damn,” the admiral murmured. He checked the clock. They still had seven hours to get to the jump point. The interval was closing. In another hour the Horathian missiles would be able to switch to sprint mode right out of their tubes. And when they were at the jump point, Second Fleet would be within the extreme range of some of the capital class energy weapons. That wasn't something he liked, but he knew he couldn't avoid it.

“How are we with hitting them?” he asked.

“We've scored some hits on their battle cruisers, knocked the shields down, but they rebound. They are getting smart and rotating out the lead BCs sir, keeping them fresh.”

“And allowing the others to get some shield repairs and DCC. This guy is learning faster than I'd like,” Amadeus mused.

“Yes, sir.”

“Our ID of the ships, you finally got a good enough look for a possible fingerprint. You said you believe the flagship is
Executioner
?” he asked, turning to Kelly.

His Neogorilla intelligence officer nodded dumbly. Amphetamines made you more alert, but your thought processes were still slowed by time. “Yes, sir,
Executioner
. That makes it Admiral Cyrano De Gaulte … unless there were some shake-ups in their chain of command that we're not aware of,” she warned.

“So, we can put a name to our opponent but not a face or bio,” the admiral replied. Kelly shook her head. “Well, hopefully you're taking notes on his skills here,” he said wryly. She snorted. “Good.”

“Any ideas on how to get around this swapping, sir? I know it cuts their fire back …”

“And makes the numbers random. It keeps our people on edge, which I don't like. I know people can't handle that sort of strain. They are all doing wonders though.”

“Yes, sir,” Jojo interjected. “They will be hitting sprint mode soon. Should we launch the drones to thicken our defenses?”

“Five minutes before we enter the sprint mode zone launch them. Let's keep them primed though in case they get cute and we need the additional firepower.”

“Aye aye, sir.”

:::{)(}:::

One hour later Admiral De Gaulte nodded to Catherine. “It is time to step up the pressure Commander—sprint mode. Pick a single target and pound it,” he ordered.

“Aye, sir,” Catherine replied with a dutiful nod. She'd managed to get a catnap in; the admiral had insisted they each take one in turn up until this point she thought. The point where things really got interesting.

“Sir, they are launching something. It looks like defensive drones,” a rating reported.

“This part I expected. They can leave them behind if they don't want to recall them in time, which I bet they won't.”

“Why bother when they can replace them,” Sedrick muttered.

“I know.”

“Sir, sprint mode engaged. We've picked their trailing BC and escorts. But sir, they have stepped up their fire as well. And they've switched to time on target as well,” Sedrick reported.

“Damn,” Catherine muttered.

The admiral eyed her. “No plan survives contact with the enemy, Commander. He wants to live just as badly as you do. More importantly, he wants to
win
,” he said. “That's why it is deadly to underestimate him. In this case I was expecting it.”

“Aye, sir.”

“I know Commander Zakhan said his bombers aren't quite up for the defensive role but order them and our own defensive drones into space now. Plan Lima, Commander.”

Catherine blinked and then nodded. Lima put the bombers and drones in a defensive net in-between the fleets. But they had to stay out of the firing arcs of their own ships.

“Aye, sir,” she replied, passing the orders along.

:::{)(}:::

“Sir, they've launched their bombers. It looks like … yes, they are spreading apart and taking up defensive positions,” Kyle reported.

“Trying to help their own defenses. To be expected,” the admiral replied. Second Fleet's first sprint bombardment had hammered the shields of one of the
Derfflinger's
flat. She'd taken a couple blows on her bow as well before the pounding had ended. Before a follow-up could be arranged as a possible knockout blow, she retired under the cover of her consorts.

“Sir, we're two hours out from the jump point. They've changed to firing at random times every ten minutes, undoubtedly to conserve power. I'm at a loss to …,” Jojo scrubbed her face in exhaustion and frustration. “Sorry, sir.”

“I've got one last trick to try,” Amadeus said, patting her on the shoulder. “An old one I suppose but a goodie.”

“Sir?” Jojo asked.

The admiral was about to answer when a Veraxin rating waved a lobster claw to get their attention. “Yes?” the admiral asked.

“Sir, the fleet train is about to hit the outer edge of the jump zone. They are ready to charge their hyperdrives,” the ration reported.

“Good,” the admiral said as he nodded. “Pass the order to do so. The warships will hold off for last. Cripples are to move forward at best speed and begin charging now,” he ordered. He looked over to his OPS officer. “Kyle, you'll need to coordinate that and plug any gaps in our defense as it happens,” he said. “Preferably before it happens,” he said.

“It'll mean tightening the formation but aye sir,” the human male replied with a dutiful nod. “You mentioned one last trick, sir?”

“Yes. Tell the ships on point I have a small job for them. Call it … a snatch and grab. And let the gun mounts know we'll have some target practice for them,” he said.

“Aye, sir,” Kyle said dubiously.

:::{)(}:::

The Retribution Fleet moved in ever closer for the kill. However, they were surprised when the Fed forces, most distant and therefore not under the missile barrage, hit the edge of the Oort cloud and used their tractors to sling rocks back at them into their flight path. “Why? It's not like we can't dodge,” Catherine demanded.

Suddenly the rocks and ice balls exploded in their faces. “They fired on them? Again …,” the clouds seemed to be thick but spreading quickly. As they did the center began to thin out.

“That's why,” Sedrick snarled, pointing to the number of fired missiles. The sudden explosions threw off their sensors, momentarily blinding them. “It's like a cloud wall. Smart.”

“Desperate more like, but I see it. It won't help them for more than a second or two. See? We're already passing it,” she said just as the point battle cruiser
Musashi
passed through the cloud and erupted into explosions. The flagstaff gaped as her shields buckled and fell. She seemed to stagger in place, her drive cutting out before it sputtered back to life. When the debris cleared, she could see the ship's bow was blackened and twisted, but she was obviously still in the fight.

“The bastards put a swarm of missiles up. They timed it to hit our ships just as we were passing through them!” Sedrick growled in disgust.

“Cute,” Berney growled.

“Again, smart. You've got to give them credit; this chimp is good,” Lieutenant Herod said in grudging respect.

Catherine glared at him. He hunched his shoulders and looked away, suddenly aware of his audience and how his statement must have sounded.

“Every moment that our sensors were down meant a moment they could shift position and a moment they didn't have to endure our fire,” Admiral De Gaulte stated. “Time to energy range?”

“Twenty minutes, Admiral. We'll have less than a minute in energy range time before they jump though,” Sedrick said, glancing at the clock.

“Hyperdrive charging,” a rating reported.

“That means they'll have to slack off fire from their missiles and they'll lose coordination in the last moments of translation. They won't be able to fire at all in ten minutes and definitely not when we're in energy range, sir!” Catherine exulted. “We've got them!”

“Don't count your victories before they are yours, Commander. They tend to slip out of your fingers when you do,” the admiral admonished as he turned away. He waited a moment then turned to Sedrick. “Set a countdown for their drive to get to 100 percent and another for when we get into energy range,” he ordered.

“Aye, sir,” Sedrick murmured, sketching out the script on his tablet. After a moment two counters appeared on the main view screen as well as the holographic plot. One seemed to be cascading down faster than the other however.

“What is going on?” Catherine demanded. “Did you screw the programming up?” she snarled, turning on the intelligence officer.

“I don't think so,” he said dubiously, checking the script. “No … I tied it to their recharge rate,” he said.

“It's their speed. Despite the damage they are charging far faster than we can apparently,” Lieutenant Herod stated gruffly. “Our energy weapon window just evaporated, sir.”

The admiral grunted. “Pour on the speed. Make up the difference,” he ordered.

“I wish it was that simple, sir, but we're already strained to the max. The engineers are already passing on warnings. Anymore and we could look at some bad damage, sir—self-inflicted, possibly catastrophic,” Jeremy warned, shaking his head.

“Damn it,” Sedrick muttered over and over.

“It's time for us to pick up some of the slack. Commander,
Executioner
and
Star Mauler
are to begin firing. Fire plan Baker. Keep the others on Gamma,” Admiral De Gaulte ordered.

“Aye aye, sir,” Catherine said. “Sir, we're getting reports of bow magazines being expended. Work crews are moving more missiles from the other magazines, but it will cost us time and throw weight,” she warned.

“Very well. Keep me posted,” the admiral growled.

:::{)(}:::

The sudden increase in fire boded ill for Second Fleet. “It looks like the dreadnaughts have finally started to fire, sir,” Kyle reported.

“I see that,” Amadeus acknowledged.

“They are independently targeting the fleet, sir. They are going for the
Shizouka
Division.”

“Hopefully, Captain Mayweather can handle the shit storm headed her way,” the admiral stated.

:::{)(}:::

Renee grimaced as she noted the incoming missile fire targeted on her division.
Shizouka
and
Jiangsu
stepped up their counter missile fire in a desperate act of self-defense. At first the missiles seemed to stop the wall of death coming at them. But the missiles saturated the defenses of the two battle cruisers within minutes, and some missiles started to get through their innermost envelope to hit their shields.

Jiangsu's
Neobear Skipper Commander Oval did his best to handle the mounting damage. But when his port side took too much damage he rolled the ship. The maneuver to “turn the other cheek” while under fire cost them precious time, time that allowed more missiles through
Shizouka's
defensive umbrella as she tried to take up the slack.