Crusade chapter 10 (standard:science fiction, 2263 words) [10/11] show all parts
Author: St George	Added: Mar 11 2003	Views/Reads: 2576/1824	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
chapter 10

“Con, epdar, new contact baring 355 by 000, multiple targets!” “All
hands battle stations, real space, all fighters and bombers green 
light!” ordered Carver. On the other ships the Captains issued similar 
orders. Once real space was attained the visual sensors showed the 
enemy waiting. Carver took one look at the newly updated holoscape and 
decided the battle plan, “Attention fleet, plan three.” This was all 
that was necessary, the other ships took up their positions in a three 
pronged attack, Cutlass in the lead followed by Crusader, .08 light 
seconds to starboard the three frigates and Orion, .08 light seconds to 
port the five destroyers, the carrier hung back out of the way. “All 
ahead flank, all turrets fire at will, foxtrot torpedo full spread, 
papa torpedo sierra torpedo on my mark.” The forward torpedoes shot 
away, each at an angle two degrees greater than the last. This had the 
desired effect and the enemy scattered, each torpedo pilot selected a 
target and went for it, destroyers and frigates carry no fighters so 
they only had to contend with the defensive fire. With the enemy 
scattered Cutlass and Crusader plunged into the heart of their 
formation, the lesser ships outside forced them back toward the middle. 
“Con, gunnery, target destroyed.” “Port array down to 33% Sir!” “Shunt 
the keel array at 20%, papa, sierra torpedo fire all tubes.” “Signal 
from Viking Sir, they're launching neutron torpedoes in thirty 
seconds.” “Acknowledged, gunnery take a forecast.” Thirty seconds later 
Viking fired three torpedoes, they travelled into the centre of the 
battlefield and detonated. The neutron warheads had little blast but 
they produced a lot of radiation, this blinded electromagnetic sensors 
on both fleets, during the blackout the gunnery crews used the sensor 
forecast to predict enemy movements. “Sir, shunting keel array to port 
array.” The damage control officer shunted 25% charge from the keel 
array to the port, boosting it. “The enemy is retreating Sir, I'm 
reading numerous portals opening.” On a signal from their fleet leader 
the enemy was jumping out, no-doubt calling for back-up and planning to 
make a stand under the protection of Cerberus. 

“Helm, lay in a course for Cerberus station, ahead standard.” “Sir,
Orion signals she is unable to charge her hyperdrive due to reactor 
damage.” “Acknowledged, tell her to slipstream us.” As the fleet moved 
off all the ships except Orion generated their own portal. Orion moved 
in close behind Crusader and when she moved through her own portal 
Alecto kept it open long enough for Orion to follow. Orion was a Shogun 
class corvette which was equipped with two antimatter reactors rated at 
0.8 terawatts each, so although one was offline she still had enough 
power to charge her weapons capacitor, albeit slowly. Cutlass had 
scored the only kill of the skirmish so it was still a good fleet that 
was waiting for them. “Alecto, tell me when we are in communication 
with Cerberus.” “Yes Captain.” Carver's plan was for Alecto to attempt 
to take over the station's computer system from range, the Andurils 
believed the station computer to be insentient therefore Alecto should 
be able to outwit it if she had long enough. 

“We are in range Captain,” came her voice several minutes later. “Fleet,
real space, helm steady as she goes.” Once real space was achieved 
Carver told Alecto to begin her attempt. “Connection active Captain.” 
Throughout the ship Alecto's monitors went dark as she diverted her 
attention to the station. For several minutes nothing changed, then at 
once all 600 VMDs went offline and collapsed wherever they were as 
Alecto channelled more of her mind into the station, for another few 
minutes everything remained still. Then on all the monitors a message 
appeared, ‘THIS VESSEL IS UNDER DEMI CONTROL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE'. 
This was bad, all Solarian ships were equipped with one or more backup 
computers called demi-computers, Crusader had four isolated redundant 
insentient demis which acted like Alecto's subconscious, keeping the 
ship ticking over and handling the hundreds of necessary but simple 
tasks which weren't complex enough to warrant her attention. If Alecto 
had handed over control to them, then she must be needing all her power 
for the station computer. Alecto was rated joint third most powerful 
computer in the alliance, if the station was causing her this much 
trouble then it must be impressive indeed. 

A face appeared on Carver's monitor, it wasn't Alecto's, it was the
generic face issued to all Solarian insentient computers. Using the 
generic voice it told him, “Alecto recommends a naval strike against 
Cerberus, she requires the station to be distracted Captain.” “Comms,” 
said Carver, “Order the fleet to move on Cerberus, attack ships only, 
not the station or shipyards.” “Aye Sir.” The fleet moved off but with 
Alecto busy, Crusader was incapable of projecting a portal so she had 


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