We kept our aerospace back, knowing they would be overwhelmed out of supporting range from the ships. In fact the Tempests were all out loaded with aerospace missiles rather than Torpedoes. Besides the enemy capital ships they had about a dozen destroyers and three Thetas that somehow avoided destruction. Big Deb was going to have a hard time against the Dolci’s and Pascals but the rest of the stuff was no match.
“Ma’am we are ordered to advance and engage enemy aerospace and small fry, the frigates are accompanying us.” Commo announced.
“Roger, ok Helm set course keep a lane clear for the cruisers and their missiles.”
“Enemy Missile Launch!” shouted Miss Duquesne the Sensors officer for 1st watch.
“Right ETA on Missiles and ETA on Fighters?” Lady Karlie asked?
“Missiles will be here in 30 Minutes, Fighters 15.”
“Helm please recalculate the course at 45MMH, Sensors give me revised ETA at new course and speed.”
“Aye Missiles now at 24 Minutes and Fighters at 10.”
“Right execute at 45MMH, have frigates make best possible speed to back us up. Launch all Raptors.”
“Aye full group launch, all aerospace.” Announced Commo.
The maneuver we just employed put the Gremlin way ahead of our other ships and closed the distance between us and Corps, since the missiles were still accelerating the time differential between the original and final ETA was not that great, but it did mean the fighters were going to arrive several minutes sooner, allowing us to engage them and then worry about the missiles. Our 24 Raptors were scrambled and launched to do a missile only intercept, this way they would fly towards the oncoming Quads, Pi’s and Numerics, fire their full missile load, then speed away behind the Gremlin. We would then engage the survivors with our guns and later missiles and point defenses, along with the frigates adding their own missiles and guns. The Raptors would then turn about and mop up any survivors and start engaging the missiles.
While this fight was going on, the big Deb and her consorts will fire off their own LRAMS and knock down some of the enemy ships. The rest of our aerospace would engage the next and subsequent waves of enemy aerospace. By this time the Big Deb should get her mains in range and slug it out. We will use our own ship as a shield against the big beams, so the Saturns can lay into the Dolci’s, and our own destroyers and frigates can do the same to the enemy destroyers. Luckily for us they seemed to have left their Newtons behind.
“Enemy Aerospace in range of Raptors, we are launching!”
The missile volley from the Raptors tore into the first two waves of fighters, unfortunately most of them were the lighter Quads, and none of the slow bombers were in that wave. The amount of chaos caused by the massive missile volley meant that each one of our 24 pilots became double aces. 240 enemy craft were blotted from space, but that left 420 more, and just over half of those numbers were Quads, the rest were the more potent Pi fighters and the slow but deadly bombers.
Next up were our heavy guns. We ignored the fast Quads and went after the Pi fighters. Even with the cyclic rate of 200 shots per minute the guns were scoring only about 20 kills. Then came our real weapons the faster firing broadside batteries. At over 1000 shots per minute and each beam powerful enough to smoke a fighter with one hit, now we were beginning to make a dent. Added to this were the powerful SRDM batteries, the 20 Kilogram fusion warheads blew huge chunks out of the enemy formations. The Numerics were particularly susceptible to missile attack.
A few thought to try to take us on directly and met the lethal web of the point defense batteries. We only took one torpedo hit and that was a glancing blow that did moderate hull damage to the forward starboard hull. It did not penetrate, nor cause anything beyond a few bruised egos and one twisted ankle. As the bulk of the enemy aerospace parted around the form of the Gremlin, thus ensuring being raked by the hyper accurate port and starboard broadside batteries, they encountered our little friends the Raptors. Joining the fray were the Warriors and Tempests from the cruisers.
We saw only five aerospace craft, all Pi fighters limp back towards their own side. By this time the missiles now began dropping from our scanners as the heavy turrets and then later the broadside batteries engaged them. Only 25 were left for the rest of the squadron and they were all subsequently destroyed without any damage beyond superficial shield damage to the Falmouth. Our missiles were several fold more effective.
“Look at that bastard go!”
“What Sensors?”
“A Dolci just went up, took eighteen LRAMS. Looks like one other Dolci is badly damaged, three destroyers no longer read on the sensors, and yes, port side Pascal is dropping speed and falling out of formation.”
“Right anything for us to play with?’
“Negative the Trigs are staying away, no wait Button just engaged and smacked the living shit out of a Trig…. Jump Signals!”
“Where?”
240 degrees to port, about fifty jump signatures they are all small..”
“Shit Newtons, right or are they ours….”
“Wait Ma’am they are ours, getting a reading on 50 Shaman Bombers, the cavalry has arrived.” Miss Duquesne said with obvious joy and relief.
“Ma’am request coming from bomber group leader, she wants our birds to escort her.” Miss Schneider stated.
“Right give the word and then signal our group to do the same, no better yet let’s escort them ourselves.”
“Aye Ma’am, signal sent, bomber lead thinks that is a capital idea.”
So that is exactly what we did, the fifty bombers tucked in behind the Gremlin and our two frigate companions as we went barreling along towards the enemy. Meanwhile Deb and friends chewed up the Thetas and then moved on to take on the one healthy Pascal. Only a few of the Corp ships reacted to the crazy charge made by the cruiser that seemed to swat anything that approached it.
Three Trigs tried to intercept us, one was smoked by the two frigates and the other two ran right into twelve torpedoes fired by three bombers. The fireball was still expanding as we plowed through the glowing plasma that used to be a destroyer with 200 souls. We then began taking some fire from the Dolci’s and the wounded Pascal, so we turned to port and met them with a broadside. No damage was really sustained but this action distracted their gunners and crews from the real threat, 47 Shaman bombers each carrying 4 heavy torpedoes. The bombers opened up with their torpedoes and soon all of the Corp ships erupted in nuclear flame. As the brilliant fireballs faded away five new ships jumped in, including the Illy and Palanquin.
The Dreadnought stayed on station with her escorts while the Illy picked up her bombers, 48 returned, and the AC from one of the missing craft was recovered. All 24 Raptors returned to the roost although five were shot up and needed repairs. We were ordered to New Sophia to restock the expended stores, and the whole crew of Gremmie got accommodation for the assault.
A short piece with a reunion of sorts, before moving on to more battles in space.
While in orbit of New Sophia we got liberty, so the four of us took shore leave. There we ran into some of the ground pounders. I noticed that the 7818th NGAL was part of the contingent and after looking at the duty roster found Arlene was adjutant of 1st Troop, A Century, 2nd Cohort. So we paid them a visit, Barb had a Silver Star cluster, as well as crossed arrows on her MSM. Terry had two MSM’s as well, and Wendy added another MSM to her collection. My gold star cluster still was eye catching, let alone two Majourettes and two Lewtenettes wearing colors of the Navy and Aerospace forces walking hand in hand. The heavy side arms looked ridiculous in Barb and Terry’s shoulder holsters, while the two small laser pistols carried by the fleet types stood out on the belt holsters we had.
A very gruff Sarjenette Upper Class accompanied by a Wandii Junior Sarjenette intercepted us. “Ahemm, Mesdemoiselles may we help you?”
As de facto group leader I spoke up, “Ah yes Sarjenette you can, could you direct us to Headquarters, 1st Troop, A Century of the 2nd Cohort?”
“Um sure Ma’am there is a burned out warehouse, A Century has its HQ there, they will be able to tell you where 1st Troop is, are you part of our escort?”
“Actually yes, our ship is getting repaired, we took a Torp last week, no biggie but you know marred the paint a buckled hull….”
“I see well thanks for making our ride nice and smooth, wish I could say the same for the jokers down here, we had a devil of a time rooting out some of them, Soro bless you Mesdemoiselles.”
“Soro Bless you too Sarjenettes.” We moved down to the warehouse and met with a Lewtenette who seemed overworked, and not very observant.
“Ah yes ladies, good replacements you can wait here….”
“Err Miss Mitchell,” I said reading her name tape, “we are not replacements, I came here to find Headquarters 1st Troop…”
“Oh bloody hell, more tourists,” she said looking up and noticing the light blue and purple of our turtlenecks, and then finally eying the insignia of rank, “Er sorry Mesdemoiselles, 1st Troop they are down the street, look for the knocked out Integer and take a left in the first building.”
“Thank you Miss Mitchell.” We continued down and noticed a smoldering armored vehicle with a charred Corp logo, and walked to the building we were directed, a crude chalked sign said “Welcome to Wisdom, curtsey 1st Angels, 2-7818th NGAL.”
The guard at the door saluted us and directed us to the orderly room. “Miss Parker? The CO will see you now…”
I was beginning to think this was a bad move, having all this running around. “Cyn? Hey is wow Girl is that you?” Arlene Saunders said with a bit of shock
“Arlene? No wait Miss Saunders how are you?”
“Well you caught me at an awkward time, oh my you brought the gang, Wendy, Barb and who is this?”
“Oh this is Miss Bernard she is in the same flight as Barb, and well she and Wendy are um partnered.”
“Ah wow, my word you got a Gold Star, how in Soro’s name did you get that?” “Er, uh….”
“Silly, Cyn got it by wrecking her first ship.” Barbara said with a wink.
“You’re shitting me, they gave you a medal for wrecking a space ship…”
“Well actually the crazy idiot here, rammed said ship, with me in the bottom at my guns, into a Theta, mind you we had already taken a suicide from an even crazier Newton, and a few torpedoes.”
“Wow and I thought we had it hard, how about you too, how you fare?”
“I ran out of room under my cockpit….”
“Huh?”
“Barb has over 100 kills, highest in the group…”
“Yeah well most of them are quads, so they should only count one third….”
“Wendy you’re just jealous because you don’t have half as many…”
“Oh right, only two Trigs, a Newton, and how many last week, oh right 20 quads.”
“One of those Trigs are a shared kill…”
“True but it sure was fun Psychobabe…”
“Speaking of which that diamond looks awfully new Arlie…”
“Three days to be precise, the Century Exec bought it, so my CO got promoted and I became the new old lady of 1st Troop, how about you two what exalted positions do the terror of the skies and killer or our own ships have?”
“Barb is a Flight Mother, I am her wingmate…”
“Wendy commands the port side main battery…”
“Sounds impressive and you Cyn?”
“Oh right now I serve coffee and donuts to Ladies and other esteemed personages…”
“Come on really what do you do?”
“Well she does do that, but most of the time she spends her days in poorly lit rooms staring at arcane figures and pictures and tells others what to do…”
Seeing the lost expression on Arlene’s face I cleared things up. “I am the Assistant Battle Direction Center Watch Officette, 1st Watch for Her Imperial Majesty’s Starship Gremlin, also senior Maneuver Control Officette…”
“So ram anyone else?”
“No but did play chicken with couple of battle cruisers and a carrier last week, they lost…”
“How, well some of Barb and Terry’s friends showed up and gave them several torps up the ass, it was a beautiful thing.”
“I bet, well let me get my exec to watch the store, and I will show you gals the hotspots on New So.”
And so began our liberty on New Sophia, after several days of frolicking in the ruined streets and blasted fields, we were recalled back up to the ship. Our next assignment according to higher authority was to drive the entire Ex fleet all the way to Mathematica Prime, the Executive world of the Corporation. If we could pull this off, the war would be over. Once again the 141st was in the fray, but do to a beating we took off Orion; we were in a supporting role letting the larger 4th Huntsman Starfleet take the vanguard position. The 39th was now covering our exposed flank.
08-28-2016, 04:27 AM (This post was last modified: 08-28-2016, 04:51 AM by Sylviekat.
Edit Reason: added pictures
)
Another short section; setting the stage and a New ship for Cynthia
Out of the Frying Pan: The limited objective of taking all of Zeta sector, including New Sophia, Orion and several CRWS was a resounding success, as it turned out we were too successful as the politicos back on Amazonia decided to go for a bolder gambit, hence the drive to Mathematica. For this operation we took a back seat covering supply routes and the like. Although our fight around New Sophia was light, the other areas were better defended as a result some internal restructuring needed to occur.
BATCRURON 854, along with the other elements of ATG 85 remained with 141st. However BATRON 163 was seriously depleted that as a formation it was disbanded. The flagship of this BATRON was Pacificator, a Minerva class dreadnought. Because of cross leveling with other ships, it seemed that the command division of the Pacificator was lacking one BDC qualified Kaptain. Due to the casualties taken, there were no qualified officettes in the 141st Attack Fleet that could be spared. The problem of where to find the needed officette was solved when the Pacificator joined BATCRURON 854, thus changing the designator to BATRON 854.
MISS PARKER REPORT TO THE BDC, MISS PARKER REPORT TO BDC
I was shocked to hear the summons as I was off duty, as I headed to the BDC, I passed one of the portside view ports and noticed that the star field was blocked by the massive form of a ship. While I was asleep we must have docked. I entered the BDC and was met by Ms. Francis and Lady Karlie, accompanying them were two more ladies, one a lady Baroness (our Squadron Regent) and another Lady Knight.
Ms. Francis was the one to greet me after I reported. “Ah Miss Parker, allow me to name Her Noble Ladyship Baroness Elizabeth Meyer, and Lady Samantha Schneider. As you know Lady Elizabeth is our Squadron Regent, she is transferring her flag from the Debutante to the Pacificator. Lady Samantha is the Mistress of Her Imperial Majesty’s Star Ship Pacificator. They would like a word with you… My ladies she is all yours.”
I stood there stunned wondering what two ladies, the squadron regent and a ships mistress would want with a Majourette, Lady Elizabeth spoke first.
“Mademoiselle Parker, Lady Du Prix and Madame Francis have both expressed their utmost endorsement of your abilities. I for one would also like to thank you for doing your duty and being instrumental in the defense of the squadron last cycle. Lady Schneider has a bit of a problem; it seems that the AISS Pomegranate needed a new executive as her pervious one was grievously wounded. And well as good as an Officette Ms. Nostorgoski is she just does not have the experience for such an exalted position, so we thought it best to bring someone from the outside. Ms. Timberland proved to be the ideal candidate, several years of command experience, and BDCO of a dreadnought. So Ms. Timberland became the new Executive for the Pomegranate. Although the best move for the Task Group, this left Lady Schneider in a bind, as she is now without a BDCO of sufficient experience, especially combats experience. We were all wondering what to do when Lady Du Prix brought up another problem; she said that it was ashamed we could not find an open billet for one of her officettes. I enquired whatever did she mean, and then she told me the story of this young, highly motivated officette who is not really being used as she is sitting as a deputy BDCO. I asked her about her primary BDCO, and asked if she would like the job of BDCO on the Pacificator. And you know what Ms. Francis told me? She declined stating she was happy on the Gremlin, but she did know of a very talented young lady who would be perfect for BDCO on a dreadnought. Any guesses who that might be Miss Parker?”
I stood there with my mouth agape, wondering is this true, “Err uh I…”
“Come now Miss Parker, why do you think you are here….”
“Um Lady Elizabeth….” Lady Karlie interrupted the TGR
“Yes Lady Karlie?”
“Perhaps you should tell her the other news first…”
“Oh right of course, silly me, I know why you are confused, Miss Parker, it’s that Majourettes don’t command the BDC of flagships, so we need a Kaptain for that duty. And with Ms. Francis declining the offer, we were still in a quandary until this dispatch arrived, Ms. Francis if you would be so kind…”
“Yes your Ladyship, uh ehmm, Attention to Orders, the Regent of Personnel Affairs acting in the name of Her Imperial Majesty has been authorized the commission to grant for superior dedication and service the following promotion. Mademoiselle Cynthia Amanda Parker, with a commission as a Majourette in Her Imperial Majesty’s Domination and Occupation Forces, Stellar Assault Navy; is hereby promoted to the new rank of Madame Kaptain, effective this date 2633. Congratulations Ms. Parker.”
After the award was read, I was presented with my new insignia the 3 pointed emblem of a Kaptain.
“Ok now that is taken care of, it seems the 854th BATRON has one unassigned Kaptain, as DBDCO is not suitable for a department head. So Lady Samantha what do you say do you want Ms. Parker here to take your vacant post?”
“I’d be honored to have her in my command, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Ah very good, problem solved, Madame Kaptain Parker, you are now assigned BDCO 1st Watch on the AISS Pacificator. Report to Lady Samantha in two hours. Dismissed.”
I saluted and hurried back to my quarters and started packing and changing into my Shore Dress uniform. At this point Barbara and Terry were coming off doing maintenance on their Raptors and strolled in, hearing the shower running and my uniform all spread out.
“Hey squidface don’t hog up all the hot water!”
I returned a muffled reply and quickly got out and dried off.
“Hey Beautiful, how about a kiss?”
“Hi Cyn, how about after I shower, I am all stinky…”
“You smell nice to me….”
“Well I don’t feel nice, what gives with the fancy uniform out, having another inspection?”
“Oh no, I’ll tell you when you get out, we don’t have a long time.”
“Ok I’ll hurry up, Terry come on let’s conserve water.”
While they were rinsing off the sweat and grime, I was adding the finishing touches to my uniform. I had my back turned when Wendy came in from her shift.
“Hey Cyn what gives another inspection?”
“No…”
“Dang do I need to get my SD’s out?”
“I don’t think so, by the way how do I look?”
“I’ve seen you in that before, no wait, awesome does Barb know?”
“Not yet, she and Terry are in the shower.”
“I can’t wait; her eyes are going to bulge.”
“I know, here you can keep these, I think you will be needing them soon.” I said handing my old Majourette diamonds.
“I hope so, I knew I should have tried harder for Command, ah here she comes now…”
“So Cyn what is up with the uniform, oh congrats Wendy I knew you would do it…”
“Huh?”
“The diamonds silly…”
“Oh they’re not mine yet, Cyn just gave me her old pair.”
“What on heavens for, oh…..”
“Oh is right Miss Foster.” I said with mock formality, “I am the new BDCO for the Pacificator…”
“The What?”
“BDCO, you know my old job was DBDCO…”
“I know that, but what’s a Pacificator?”
“Oh well if you ladies will get dressed and join me on the wardroom I will show you.”
I deliberately took an interior route to the Wardroom, so that the first time they saw the docked Dreadnought was through the massive viewports on the wardroom.
“That, my good ladies, is the Pacificator.” I said pointing with a big grin. “
Oh my Ms. Parker, you lucky girl, but what about us?”
“Well Gremmie is now playing close escort to the big Pac and the big Deb, so it will be like on the Golgotha. Besides Barb you will have your hands full with training up your replacements, and so will Terry.”
“Huh oh the same promotion order had a reference to a Majourette Bernard, being 2nd Flight Mother, and a Majourette Forest taking over 1st Flight as well as squadron Executive. As for Lewtenette Travis, um there are openings all over the place including several Majourette postings, but none of them are on the Gremmie, we just did not take enough damage.”
“I know, what about that?” she said point to the Pacificator.
“Oh I am sure there are some spots there; alas she still carries Warriors and Tempests, not rigged for Raptors.”
(08-28-2016, 04:27 AM)Sylviekat Wrote: Another short section; setting the stage and a New ship for Cynthia
Out of the Frying Pan: The limited objective of taking all of Zeta sector, including New Sophia, Orion and several CRWS was a resounding success, as it turned out we were too successful as the politicos back on Amazonia decided to go for a bolder gambit, hence the drive to Mathematica. For this operation we took a back seat covering supply routes and the like. Although our fight around New Sophia was light, the other areas were better defended as a result some internal restructuring needed to occur.
BATCRURON 854, along with the other elements of ATG 85 remained with 141st. However BATRON 163 was seriously depleted that as a formation it was disbanded. The flagship of this BATRON was Pacificator, a Minerva class dreadnought. Because of cross leveling with other ships, it seemed that the command division of the Pacificator was lacking one BDC qualified Kaptain. Due to the casualties taken, there were no qualified officettes in the 141st Attack Fleet that could be spared. The problem of where to find the needed officette was solved when the Pacificator joined BATCRURON 854, thus changing the designator to BATRON 854.
MISS PARKER REPORT TO THE BDC, MISS PARKER REPORT TO BDC
I was shocked to hear the summons as I was off duty, as I headed to the BDC, I passed one of the portside view ports and noticed that the star field was blocked by the massive form of a ship. While I was asleep we must have docked. I entered the BDC and was met by Ms. Francis and Lady Karlie, accompanying them were two more ladies, one a lady Baroness (our Squadron Regent) and another Lady Knight.
Ms. Francis was the one to greet me after I reported. “Ah Miss Parker, allow me to name Her Noble Ladyship Baroness Elizabeth Meyer, and Lady Samantha Schneider. As you know Lady Elizabeth is our Squadron Regent, she is transferring her flag from the Debutante to the Pacificator. Lady Samantha is the Mistress of Her Imperial Majesty’s Star Ship Pacificator. They would like a word with you… My ladies she is all yours.”
I stood there stunned wondering what two ladies, the squadron regent and a ships mistress would want with a Majourette, Lady Elizabeth spoke first.
“Mademoiselle Parker, Lady Du Prix and Madame Francis have both expressed their utmost endorsement of your abilities. I for one would also like to thank you for doing your duty and being instrumental in the defense of the squadron last cycle. Lady Schneider has a bit of a problem; it seems that the AISS Pomegranate needed a new executive as her pervious one was grievously wounded. And well as good as an Officette Ms. Nostorgoski is she just does not have the experience for such an exalted position, so we thought it best to bring someone from the outside. Ms. Timberland proved to be the ideal candidate, several years of command experience, and BDCO of a dreadnought. So Ms. Timberland became the new Executive for the Pomegranate. Although the best move for the Task Group, this left Lady Schneider in a bind, as she is now without a BDCO of sufficient experience, especially combats experience. We were all wondering what to do when Lady Du Prix brought up another problem; she said that it was ashamed we could not find an open billet for one of her officettes. I enquired whatever did she mean, and then she told me the story of this young, highly motivated officette who is not really being used as she is sitting as a deputy BDCO. I asked her about her primary BDCO, and asked if she would like the job of BDCO on the Pacificator. And you know what Ms. Francis told me? She declined stating she was happy on the Gremlin, but she did know of a very talented young lady who would be perfect for BDCO on a dreadnought. Any guesses who that might be Miss Parker?”
I stood there with my mouth agape, wondering is this true, “Err uh I…”
“Come now Miss Parker, why do you think you are here….”
“Um Lady Elizabeth….” Lady Karlie interrupted the TGR
“Yes Lady Karlie?”
“Perhaps you should tell her the other news first…”
“Oh right of course, silly me, I know why you are confused, Miss Parker, it’s that Majourettes don’t command the BDC of flagships, so we need a Kaptain for that duty. And with Ms. Francis declining the offer, we were still in a quandary until this dispatch arrived, Ms. Francis if you would be so kind…”
“Yes your Ladyship, uh ehmm, Attention to Orders, the Regent of Personnel Affairs acting in the name of Her Imperial Majesty has been authorized the commission to grant for superior dedication and service the following promotion. Mademoiselle Cynthia Amanda Parker, with a commission as a Majourette in Her Imperial Majesty’s Domination and Occupation Forces, Stellar Assault Navy; is hereby promoted to the new rank of Madame Kaptain, effective this date 2633. Congratulations Ms. Parker.”
After the award was read, I was presented with my new insignia the 3 pointed emblem of a Kaptain.
“Ok now that is taken care of, it seems the 854th BATRON has one unassigned Kaptain, as DBDCO is not suitable for a department head. So Lady Samantha what do you say do you want Ms. Parker here to take your vacant post?”
“I’d be honored to have her in my command, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Ah very good, problem solved, Madame Kaptain Parker, you are now assigned BDCO 1st Watch on the AISS Pacificator. Report to Lady Samantha in two hours. Dismissed.”
I saluted and hurried back to my quarters and started packing and changing into my Shore Dress uniform. At this point Barbara and Terry were coming off doing maintenance on their Raptors and strolled in, hearing the shower running and my uniform all spread out.
“Hey squidface don’t hog up all the hot water!”
I returned a muffled reply and quickly got out and dried off.
“Hey Beautiful, how about a kiss?”
“Hi Cyn, how about after I shower, I am all stinky…”
“You smell nice to me….”
“Well I don’t feel nice, what gives with the fancy uniform out, having another inspection?”
“Oh no, I’ll tell you when you get out, we don’t have a long time.”
“Ok I’ll hurry up, Terry come on let’s conserve water.”
While they were rinsing off the sweat and grime, I was adding the finishing touches to my uniform. I had my back turned when Wendy came in from her shift.
“Hey Cyn what gives another inspection?”
“No…”
“Dang do I need to get my SD’s out?”
“I don’t think so, by the way how do I look?”
“I’ve seen you in that before, no wait, awesome does Barb know?”
“Not yet, she and Terry are in the shower.”
“I can’t wait; her eyes are going to bulge.”
“I know, here you can keep these, I think you will be needing them soon.” I said handing my old Majourette diamonds.
“I hope so, I knew I should have tried harder for Command, ah here she comes now…”
“So Cyn what is up with the uniform, oh congrats Wendy I knew you would do it…”
“Huh?”
“The diamonds silly…”
“Oh they’re not mine yet, Cyn just gave me her old pair.”
“What on heavens for, oh…..”
“Oh is right Miss Foster.” I said with mock formality, “I am the new BDCO for the Pacificator…”
“The What?”
“BDCO, you know my old job was DBDCO…”
“I know that, but what’s a Pacificator?”
“Oh well if you ladies will get dressed and join me on the wardroom I will show you.”
I deliberately took an interior route to the Wardroom, so that the first time they saw the docked Dreadnought was through the massive viewports on the wardroom.
“That, my good ladies, is the Pacificator.” I said pointing with a big grin. “
Oh my Ms. Parker, you lucky girl, but what about us?”
“Well Gremmie is now playing close escort to the big Pac and the big Deb, so it will be like on the Golgotha. Besides Barb you will have your hands full with training up your replacements, and so will Terry.”
“Huh oh the same promotion order had a reference to a Majourette Bernard, being 2nd Flight Mother, and a Majourette Forest taking over 1st Flight as well as squadron Executive. As for Lewtenette Travis, um there are openings all over the place including several Majourette postings, but none of them are on the Gremmie, we just did not take enough damage.”
“I know, what about that?” she said point to the Pacificator.
“Oh I am sure there are some spots there; alas she still carries Warriors and Tempests, not rigged for Raptors.”
A few of the Big Girls, A Dianna Battle Cruiser, Minerva Dreadnought, and Juno Fleet Carrier. The tiny specks near the Dianna are Raptors
08-28-2016, 04:29 PM (This post was last modified: 08-28-2016, 04:43 PM by Sylviekat.)
Thanks, not sure why it double posted the last message. Anyway Ms. Parker is now on a Dreadnought (Battle ship). And like most navies there is a world of difference between a Lieutenant and a Lieutenant Commander (Majourette and Kaptain in the Imperial military).
Into the Fire: Wendy did make Majourette, but she was not posted to the Pacificator, but rather the Debutante. As for the fly-girls, they remained on the Gremlin, but we spent as much time together on either the Debutante or Pacificator as we could. Albeit that was not much given the particulars of the mission.
Life as a Madame Kaptain is vastly different than a Mademoiselle, even as a Majourette. I had a huge, by comparison quarters, which I shared with another Officette, Madame Kaptain Lydia Winters, 2nd Watch Engineering, so I rarely saw her. We both had partners presently posted on other ships. However the duties as BDCO 1st Watch was more than enough to keep me occupied. I had twelve Majourettes’s alone under my nominal authority that includes the BDC and VNB staffs for all three watches. Double that in Lewtenettes and Kaydettes, and nearly triple that in ratings. Of course all of the sections were responsible for their own people, so I only directly rated four Majourettes, the DBDCO, Head of Navigation, and Senior Maneuver control and Sensors Officettes, respectively. All but the DBDCO were on 1st Watch so that made that task easier.
The Pacificator was a very tight ship, and combined with the excellent crews of the Gremlin and the Debutante we formed a very powerful force. We retained all of the other assets of the old BATCRURON as well as gaining the services of two destroyers, one a Tyche and the other a Poseidon, the little sister to Neptune class ships like the Gremlin. The only thing we really lacked was a carrier, but the TG had three of them, and at the moment we were operating as a complete TG, Because BTG 16 took a heavy pounding, ATG 85 was in the Van for the next stage, we were to cover the left flank of the main effort by the 4th Huntsman Star Fleet on a daring but risky drive straight to the heart of the Corporation. If it works we could end the war, if it fails, we not only risk extending the war, and we also destroy the main offensive punch of AIDOF. However everyone was confident that Princess Nicole and Wanaxxae Diane knew their stuff. But before we really got started the Corporate forces laid in a massive counter attack against the 4th Huntsman.
We were busy patrolling the flanks when the 4th Huntsman arrived in the Jironistan Cluster. As was her way, Wanaxxae Diane led from the front, aboard her flagship, the AISS Diligent. Ahead of the command group was the 12th BTG with six Minervas and smaller ships. Trailing right behind was the 73rd CTG with two Juno class carriers. On either flank were three ATG’s and two more BTG’s and CTG’s respectively. Her trail consisted of two more CTG’s and three ATG’s plus the two STG’s. Then way to the left, we were just on the outside edge of the cluster, were the 141st and then trailing and to the right were the 39th Imperial and the command group. So not counting the assets of the 141st and the 39th, we had close to twenty dreadnoughts and battle cruisers in the cluster along with fourteen carriers; double the combined number for cruisers and then again for destroyers and lighter vessels. As large as this force was, the total combined Corporate force was eight times as big, and since we were driving to their home systems, they were en mass waiting for us.
Because of our position several light years away on the left flank, the 141st did not get to participate in the battle of the Jironistan Cluster. We only met light resistance, a few Dolcianies and Thetas, but mostly Newtons, Trigs and those annoying Hawkings. We were also on the far end of communications, so all but the most urgent requests were sent via Hermes Destroyer.
“Ma’am Jump signature detected.” stated in a calm voice Majourette Debra Sanderson, head of Sensors.
“Right, localize and see if you can identify.” I said as the BDCO.
“Aye, Ma’am, getting transponder she is the Haptic from the 289th ATG.”
“I am not familiar with that unit, Marci can you query her?” “
Aye Ma’am responded Lewtenette Marci Walker, the Commo officer.
“She says they are part of the 73rd Attack Fleet, 4th Huntsman.”
“Right ok, clear her for transit, I take it she has a message for Her Highness?”
“Yes indeed an urgent one.”
“Right signal TG to allow clearance for destroyer Haptic.”
And so went my only participation with the battle. Haptic delivered her message, which basically stated that over three hundred corporate ships attacked elements the 4th Huntsman.
The battle of the Jironistan Cluster became legendary in the annals of the fleet. We won but at such high costs that the 4th Huntsman ceased to be an effective fighting force. Likewise with the casualties sustained from the previous actions, our fearless leader decided to consolidate and move on. The cripples of all three elements with a small screen of escorts were sent back to the fleet yards to refit and salvage. We won but at a terrible loss. For example in the vanguard group only the Flagship and the two Carriers were in any condition to fight. All six Minervas were either destroyed or were abandoned and scuttled. The rest of 4th Huntsman received similar losses, of the twenty Dreadnoughts and Battle cruisers, only eight were not seriously damaged or out of action. As for the 14 carriers six remained but there even they had depleted Aerospace crews.
Corporate losses included at least forty capital ships known destroyed, and another fifty known to have suffered grievous damage, but since they were in the home territory they could be refitted quickly. Our cripples had to go all the way back to Avonia or Chronos, as the forward base at New Sophia was not ready to receive such losses. With a heavy Heart, Princess Nicole had to make a tough decision, either defy orders and fall back to the New Sophia-Orion perimeter, or press on. She decided on a third option, solidify gains at Jironistan and wait for reinforcements before moving on.
In no uncertain terms she was informed that no further reinforcements were available until systems closer to Mathematica Prime were secured, so a force of two Lincoln Starfleets could arrive and assist. Well knowing that staying put in the Jironistan Cluster was asking to be hammered, she collected the cripples from both the 4th Huntsman and the 141st and placing Diane in command, ordered them back to Chronos or Avonia to repair and refurbish with the utmost of speed. She then placed the rump of the 4th Huntsman under command of Arch Duchess Stacy Metterich and attached the fast transports from Her Grace’s own command and ordered them to make best possible speed to Gibraltar, avoiding major actions until arriving at Gibraltar. Likewise the 141st sans our slow escorts and support ships, was to head to Goldstone at best possible speed. The plan was to secure both termini of the Gibraltar Wormhole. Meanwhile the 39th and the remaining assets of both the 141st and 4th Huntsman will push on to the Corporate center.
The 85th ATG became part of the Goldstone attacking force, named Task Force Catherine after the leader of the 141st Wannaxae Catherine Volkberg. Task Force Stacy had the honor to seize and control Gibraltar. BTG 16 was attached to the 39th, as well as most of CTG 61. TF Catherine was composed of the ATGs 85, 78, and 45. ATG 41 was reorganized as the escorts for TF Diane. Two battle cruisers from BTG 16 and the big Illy from CTG 61 finished things off. That made our capital ship strength at 15 dreadnoughts or battle cruisers, eight carriers and thirty cruisers (seven were Neptunes, the rest were Saturns). Our screen was reduced to eighteen destroyers (Hermes and Tyches only), and seven frigates (all Vulcans). Plus we had eight Oracle class scout corvettes.
If it was slow, we left it behind, plus add to that eighteen fast transports from elements of the 112th Volkberg Armee and three fast tenders. Our job was to speed to Goldstone, any cripples or stragglers were to be left back and told to make best possible speed to Lincoln space or link up with the main body, up to the skipper’s decision. We had the van, and now had AISS Doberman and AISS Dowager attached, making ATG 85 have one dreadnought and three battle cruisers, we still lacked a carrier in our squadron. BATCRURON 858 was the task organization for the Doberman and Dowager, but they operated in concert with the BATRON. We said our farewells to the main body and quickly headed to Goldstone.
Eureka!: The trip to Goldstone, best accomplished by diving back into Imperial space to make use of the phase gates, would take three cycles at normal speed, we reached Goddard in five days, losing only one frigate and an older Neptune to engine problems. That was pretty good, of course we laid over at Goddard for three days for repairs but we still saved nearly a week.
After the layover in Goddard, where we got news such as Barbara was now sporting the three tiers of a Kaptain and was the squadron matriarch, we departed back to Corporate Space. For such an important transit area, the area around Goldstone was remarkably undefended. The trip to Kuwait, the last major system to Goldstone, took nearly a cycle from Goddard. As was our normal formation, the 85th was in the Van, and we were the tip of the spear, with only the recon elements of the DESTRON ahead of us. We were wondering about our fortunate trip, when the recon element made the jump into Kuwait.
“Ma’am AISS Hotspur has just jumped.” The Sensors Officette informed me
“Right, ok inform her Ladyship, how long until we jump to Kuwait A?”
“Thirty minutes to jump point to Kuwait A, then a forty minute transit to the jump to Kuwait B, and then onward to Kuwait Prime.” Stated Majourette Debby Walters, the senior navigator.
“Right, very well we will wait for Hotspur to return.”
“Executive on deck!”
“At ease!” shouted Kommandette Wanda Rivera, the executive officette,
“Ms. Parker, anything of note?”
“Aye Ma’am we are waiting for the destroyer Hotspur to return from her recon run of the three jumps to Kuwait Prime.”
“Ok roger that, her Ladyship will be acting as a division regent with the Debutante. Lady Wilma of the Doberman is the other division regent with her ship and the Dowager. Lady Elizabeth will of course lead the squadron, but your old friend Lady Karlie will handle the escorts, this leaves me to run the Pac, so Cynthia, you will be acting Executive as well as BDCO.”
“Aye Ma’am are you going to fight her from the BDC or VNB?”
“Well, the VNB, you handle things from here. Both her ladyships will be on the flag bridge….”
“Jump signature!” Sensors exclaimed
“Where?” I asked, right before the XO.
“Off port, 60mm, getting transponder it is the Hotspur!”
“Roger patch her through, and signal the squadron.”
AISS PACIFICATOR THIS IS AISS HOTSPUR, MESSAGE TO SQUADRON REGENT AS FOLLOWS: KA AND KB JUMP POINTS ARE COLD, KP JUMP POINT IS VERY HOT, NO LESS THAN 20 CAPITAL OR HEAVY SHIPS, ON ROUTE TO TFR, TRANSMISSION TERMINATED
“Right send acknowledgement, and inform both her ladyships, the con is yours Ms Parker.”
“Aye Ma’am I have the con.”
Well we were expecting some resistance but 20 plus capital ships or at least heavy cruisers; this is going to a tough fight. Assaulting a defended jump point is no fun, but it is possible. Her Grace decided that we would do a four-stage attack. First stage would be a jump to KA and KB by the light cruisers and destroyers to secure these two points. The second stage would be massing the big guns and carriers in KB, followed by a strike by all jump capable aerospace to clear the immediate jump point in KP. The third stage would be a massed jump by all of the heavy guns, including the heavy cruisers. The last stage was a flank attack from KA to KP by the recon ships, which the long range recon fighters will be detached for the aerospace sweep, so the bays on the destroyers will carry short leg Raptors or Tempest attack fighters. Likewise the hanger bays of any ship capable of holding an AS fighter would have units transferred from the carriers to them, as none of the thin skinned carriers were going to jump into KP until we have secured the system. They will be left, along with the transports, in KB with minimal escort of one Tyche and two Vulcan frigates.
The 854th BATRON and the 858th BATCRURON became the centerpiece of Strike Flotilla 21. The other elements of the Flotilla were the 781st and 785th BATCRURONS and 782nd CRURON. This formation added four more battle cruisers and eight cruisers, two Neptunes and six Saturns. For a total of one dreadnought and eight battle cruisers plus three Neptunes, and ten Saturns; over half of the capital ships and nearly a third of the cruisers.
The other strike elements were the 20th Flotilla which consisted of the command element (sans carriers), of the flagship the AISS Prosecutor and the AISS Deliberate plus a Neptune and three Saturns; and the 452nd BATCRURON, consisting of two more battle cruisers and two more Saturns.
The last was the 22nd Flotilla, which consisted of the remainder of the 45th ATG, including the AISS Prostitute and four battle cruisers, two Neptunes and eleven Saturns. There was a debate to bunch up the three dreadnoughts but it was decided by her Grace to use each one as an anchor for the battle cruiser formations. Which made sense since each Minerva packed six whirlwinds and each battle cruiser had two of these massive guns. (Later with the humongous Avotkrators and Fleet Xrasers, we got in the practice of grouping Dreadnoughts and Battle Cruisers separately when possible.) Once the formations were established and safely at KB we waited for the signal to jump.
“Craft have jumped!”
“Roger that, ok, prepare ship for jump…” “
Signal from Flotilla Command (ATG 85 TGR on board the AISS Dragoon, instead of the Impervious.) We jump in a five minutes, we have the Van, of the flotilla as well as the all three strike elements.”
“Right, Ma’am we have a command to jump…”
“Ok Ms. Parker it is your show there, we will control local maneuvering upon entering KP!”
“Aye, stand by to jump on my mark!”
“All systems are green Ma’am…”
“Right signal the squadron to jump in two minutes, stand by shields and life support, we are going in hot.”
“Roger sounding General Quarters.”
GENERAL QUARTERS, GENERAL QUARTERS ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLESTATIONS, SET SHIP TO CONDITION ZEBRA.
“Ma’am all stations manned and ship is set to condition Zebra all decks and frames.”
“Roger, power down secondary systems, power up jump generators, let’s see what the fly girls have left us.”
“Ready set…” Announced the Navigator
“Jump Engines on line….” Came from Maneuver Control
“Right, Signal all ships…let’s go kick some!” This was me
“Aye, Aye, Hail Vira!” The entire BDC staff yelled
“Jump!” Shouted Maneuver Control
Routine jumps are dangerous affairs, mass jumps even more so, but a massed jump into a hot jump point is right up there with ways to commit suicide, unfortunately as of yet no one has figured out a way to take a system without jumping into it. The jump into Kuwait Prime was no picnic, even with the full scale aerospace sweep, and the simultaneous jumps by the recon units, the main body jumped into maelstrom.
Twelve Dolcianis and four Pascals waited just inside their main weaponry range. And although the aerospace was pummeling them, none were seriously damaged by the time the 21st Flotilla jumped in. Luckily we lost no ships to shared translations but, even so, the intensity of beams that slammed into the emerging ships was nearly overwhelming.
“Transit successful, ship is stabilizing….SORO To Hell!”
“What is it Debbie?”
“Er uh….”
“Calm down, what do you see?”
“Ma’am a Pascal 70 MM off our port”
“Right ok that is our target…. KAAABOOM!!! “Shit what was that?”
“Doppelganger just went up, with all hands…”
“Shit, ok how about that Pascal?”
“He’s still there, looks like he has his eyes on the Doormouse.”
“Right, ok well can’t let that bastard bully our little sisters, now, target and fire!”
“Aye, Ma’am signal from the VNB…”
“Right, Yes Ma’am go ahead…”
“That blast knocked out our control systems up here, I am heading down to the BDC, and however until my arrival the ship is yours Parker…”
“Aye Aye, hurry on down, we have lots of playmates.”
“Roger that, Rivera out…”
“Ok, well you heard her, weapons target and fire as she bears..”
“Aye main guns on line sequence fire mark!”
In a sequence fire all six weapons discharge one after each other, this way by the time the last gun has fired, the first is ready, also with a twelve second delay if the preceding beams were enough we can shift fire. At 70 MM, hitting a Pascal was almost automatic.
“4 beams hit, switching target to lead Dolci, bull’s eye!”
“Congrats Amy (Kommandette Amy Walker was the Weapons Officette, and although technically my superior, she took my lead in the Executive’s absence.) The first Pascal was sliced in three pieces, which was enough to disable him, but not totally destroy him. The Dolciani was another story, the both beams struck almost dead center and split the ship into two, which caused a catastrophic loss of integrity as well as cooking off the reactors, that made up for the loss of the Doppelganger.
So far we have lost one battle cruiser, and several ships damaged including two more battle cruisers, the enemy lost four battle cruisers, and two Pascals were out of action, including our victims. The enemy blocking force was further whittled away by aerospace strikes, and concentrated fire from the other two flotillas.
“Targets?”
“We have two Dolcis heading for the Debutante..”
“Right take them in sequence all yours guns….”
“Thank you Bridge, the pleasure is all mine.” With that the massive Whirlwinds fired off again three beams apiece, two struck the first Dolci, the second one took all three amidships, blowing him in half.
“Chalk up two more Dolci’s the big Pac, Dolci killer!”
“Hey the Deb got another, and so Doberman and Dowager are tag teaming the last functional Pascal!”
“TGR signal to all ships, report status, enemy blocking force neutralized!”
“Right very good, signal flag bridge…No Ma’am Kommandette Rivera is not here, this is Kaptain Parker…uh thank you Ma’am I will pass the word.”
“From Lady Elizabeth, well done Pacificator, we have five kills, three Dolci’s and the Pascal scuttled so we get him too.”
“Our last kill?”
“Oh a Theta was engaged by secondary batteries, dumb cruiser playing with the big girls.”
“Hey, a kill is a kill, right Sanderson scan the area, we know there are more gomers lurking…”
“Roger that we got them they are just outside LRAM range…. Executive on Deck!”
Well with Kommandette Rivera taking over the con, I was relegated to my proper secondary role, but we had fun mopping up the system, the Corp cans were toast once we got out of knife fighting range and they fell prey to our aerospace and missile barrages. Overall our casualties were heavy but not overly so for making a contested jump. We lost three hundred Aerocrew luckily the Raptor forces were only marginally involved. The Doppelganger was lost, as feared, with all hands, she was hit by several quasar torpedoes that impacted right after our arrival. The Doubtful and Duster were both seriously damaged, two Neptunes were knocked out, saving other cap ships, and four Saturns were lost, again taking torp hits that were aimed at the larger ships. Remarkably the recon flankers were untouched and so was the rear element. Her Grace decided to take Kuwait, and seize its orbital shipyards as well as ground installations, which for some unknown reason only took one NGAIL Cohort to secure.
She also reorganized and consolidated forces into three Task Groups. Since all three of the Battle cruiser losses, including the two cripples were from the 78th ATG, it was decided to strip down that unit to the bare minimum and cross level the damaged assets to it, thus the only undamaged battle cruiser from the 78th the AISS Dependable was tasked to the 85th. Likewise the depleted aerospace was reorganized, leaving the defensive units of the two Carriers from the 78th but taking away all of the strike assets. The 78th had one Neptune, two Saturns and two Tyches remaining as well. This left the remaining two elements the 85, 45th and command group with all three Minervas, nine Dianna class battle cruisers, six carriers with about 75% of the aerospace assets, three Neptune Escort Cruisers, fifteen Saturn class light cruisers, eighteen destroyers and all seven of the remaining frigates and the eight picket corvettes.
Everything was roughly divided equally in two, ATG 85 had one Minerva (the Pacificator) and five Dianna’s: the Dragoon, the Debutante, Doberman, Dowager, and Dependable, three carriers including the Big Illy and Impervious, the last one was the Inverness. Only one Neptune, our constant companion the Gremlin, and eight Saturns, nine destroyers, three Hermes, the rest Tyches, three frigates and four of the corvettes. ATG 45 plus the command group had the other two dreadnoughts, four battle cruisers, three carriers, two escort cruisers, seven light cruisers, nine destroyers (same mix as ours), four frigates and four corvettes. We were the Van again, while they took up the trail and also escorted the transports and their precious cargo of ground troops. The next stop is Goldstone.
“Jump signature detected…it’s the Hotspur.”
“Roger that open a channel.”
AISS HOTSPUR TO AISS PACIFICATOR SALUTION REPORT FOLLOWS: 12 CAP SHIPS AND 20 SMALLER VESSELS DISPERSED PATROL THROUGHOUT SYSTEM, BELIEVED TO BE GOLDSTONE GARRISON FORCES ONLY, 2135 LOCAL, UNWARE AND MINIMAL READINESS, 4 CAP SHIPS IN CLUSTER, REST IN PAIRS WITH SMALL CLUSTERS OF LESSER VESSELS. ESTIMATED ONE TASK FORCE OR FLOTILLA. HOTSPUR OUT.
“Did you hear that, we got them cold, relay commo to flag and to Impervious….” “Aye Ma’am….”
“How far is the 41st?”
“They have not yet made the transit to this system.”
BDC THIS IS FLAGPLOT IS THAT SALUTION REPORT VERIFIED?
“No Ma’am but it came from the Hotspur, they have been accurate so far.”
RIGHT WAS SHE DETECTED..”
“No Ma’am clean egress no detection….. “
ROGER THAT, BDC STAND BY
The issue at hand was if the SALUTION report was accurate we have caught the Goldstone garrison off guard, now we could wait for the 45th and make a deliberate attack, but this might give them time for reinforcements through the Gibraltar wormhole as well as concentrate their forces, or we could go as a task force, or even as lead squadron go and take the fight to them. Each option has its own risks, but since Arch Wannaxae Catherine is from a similar mold as her sister, Princess Nicole, indecision and procrastination is not tolerated when decisive action could mean a quick and easy victory. Now Lady Elizabeth had to decide if she would take the squadron by itself, being out numbered almost three to one in total strength, or follow the lead of the TGR.
BDC THIS IS FLAG, TGR HAS AUTHORIZED AN ATTACK, PREPARE SHIP FOR JUMP…ALL UNITS OF THE BATRON AND BATCRURONS PEPARE TO JUMP IN SEQUENCE AFTER PACIFICATOR DIVISION, EIGHT SECOND INTERVALS….PACIFICATOR YOU AND GREMLIN WILL DO A SIMULTANIOUS JUMP, FOLLOWED BY DEBUTANTE….DOBERMAN FOLLOWS WITH DOWAGER IN SIMULTANIOUS JUMP. DEPENDABLE FOLLOWS WITH CRUISERS….HOTSPUR JUMPS FIRST PAC GROUP WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR FIGHTER IF HOTSPUR RETURNS ABORT JUMP, TGR OUT.
Well unlike the assault of Kuwait Prime, we are not leading off with aerospace, a sure sign of an attack, but rather the lone Hotspur will do a quick recon, and either we will see it, which means an abort, or one of its fighters which will be the go ahead signal. In the meantime 1st watch was relieved so we could get a breather. I decided to head to the wardroom for some coffee.
“A word Parker…”
“Yes Ma’am,” I replied to Kommandette Rivera.
“You did damn good the other day…”
“Thank you Ma’am…”
“uh I was not finished, but anyway when this cruise is up, I will recommend you for your own command or posting as executive if you want to remain in the big gals…”
“Uh thank you very much, I have little time in anything smaller than a cruiser…”
“Right, ok we can look into executive of a Saturn or Neptune then, let’s go and tap this goldmine.”
“Right on Ma’am, the big Pac will do her duty!”
“Jump Signature sighted!”
“Roger, where at?”
“12 degrees off port, it is small, ah it is an Enforcer getting message now…”
“Patch it through..”
AISS PACIFICATOR THIS IS FORELOCK 2, REVISED SALUTION FOLLOWS: 8 CAP SHIPS, FOUR PASSED THROUGH WORMHOLE, 20 SMALLER VESSELS, DISPERSED PATROL THROUGHOUT SYSTEM, BELIEVED TO BE GOLDSTONE GARRISON FORCES ONLY, 2155 LOCAL, UNWARE AND MINIMAL READINESS, 2 CLUSTERS WITH 3 CAP SHIPS IN CLUSTER, ONE PAIR WITH SMALL CLUSTERS OF LESSER VESSELS. ESTIMATED ONE LIGHT TASK FORCE OR FLOTILLA. FORELOCK 2 OUT.
“Damn, we have them, ok patch to flag, prepare ship for jump, set condition Zebra.”
NOW HERE THIS NOW HERE THIS GENERAL QUARTERS, GENERAL QUARTERS, ALL HANDS MAN BATTLESTATIONS, AND SET SHIP TO CONDITION ZEBRA.
“Ma’am all stations manned and ready, Ms. Rivera is on the VNB”
“Roger transfer maneuver control to VNB, we jump in 5 minutes.”
“Aye, signal from Flag, squadron will jump on our lead, signal from Gremlin she is standing by.”
“Ma’am Kaptain Walker reports her ready 5 birds are secured for jump and all fighters are secured and manned for rapid deployment once stabilized.”
“Very good, have her coordinate with FLAGAEROOPS.”
“Three Minutes to Jump!”
“Weapons confirms primary batteries are charged up, disconnecting capacitors from main engines for jump.”
“Roger that, patch me to VNB.”
“Ma’am we are secure here, all systems are ready for jump.”
The Pacificator and Gremlin jumped into Goldstone system; even from our distance we could see the massive form of the Gibraltar Wormhole.
“Ship is stabilized, sensors and shields online….”
“Bingo two Dolci’s 400 megameters 18 degrees from Starboard.”
“Roger that, inform weapons…..”
WE GOT THEM BDC, IN RANGE WITH GUNS IN 20 MINUTES, MISSLE RANGE IN 10, WE WILL BE IN THEIR WEAPON RANGE IN 18 MINUTES, SENSOR RANGE IN 8.
“Roger that, Weaps, recommendations?”
PARKER, THIS IS RIVERA, WE GOT IT HERE IN VNB, KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR REST OF SQUADRON
“Aye Ma’am…..”
“Ma’am Newton 12 O’clock he looks like he is attacking!”
“right, secondary batteries engage….”
“Torpedoes!”
“Where!”
“From the Newton, he blew his wad, 12 of the blighters….”
“Right, VNB we have 12 Torpedoes in bound!”
UNDERSTOOD WE HAVE IT, WEAPS ENGAGE POINT DEFENSES, GREMLIN CAN YOU ENGAGE? NEGATIVE PACIFICATOR WE ARE OUT OF POSITION, LAUNCHING RAPTORS… “
“Vacc suits people, move, we are going to get hit!”
“Are you sure Ma’am,…”
“Yes damn it, suit up!”
“Weaps reports three leakers, by the way they smoked the Newton….”
“Very well…..” KAWAAMM!
“Damage Report!”
“Deck A was hit hard, one missed, one passed through the jump sail but failed to detonate.”
BDC THIS *** B *** HIT ****LOST LOCAL****TO YOU****
“What was, that?”
“Not sure Ma’am we think it might be the VNB. We have no contact with them”
“Right Lewtenette Winters restore Maneuver control to BDC.”
FLAG TO BDC WHAT HAPPENED?
“We took a torp, in A deck, damage unknown but comms with VNB are out, we are restoring maneuver control to BDC…wait one…Status on DC team?”
“Ma’am DC team 2 reports hull breach on A deck frame 14. Looks like the access hatch to the VNB has been compromised, 20 confirmed dead, 40 wounded, most minor, eighteen missing including VNB staff.”
“Right uh Ma’am we got preliminaries from DC 78 casualties, including KIA, MIA, and WIA.”
ROGER STATUS OF SHIP
“We can still fight, speaking of which we have two Dolci’s.”
ROGER BDC TAKE THEM FLAG OUT.
Spinning in my chair towards them, I addressed the BDC staff, “Ok folks we have those two Dolci’s let’s show them who’s boss!”
“Aye Ma’am”, replied the weapons division coordinator, “primary beams targeted lead ship, secondary batteries on the second fellow.”
BRAAP! The ship shuddered as the main cannons fired and on the view screen we saw the image of the first corporate battle cruiser flare to a brilliant white then fade out.
“Direct hit all beams!”
“Very good now for the second turkey….”
“Ma’am he is pulling out heading for the wormhole nexus…”
“Damn, we got to take that turkey now….” KABOOM!
“What happened?”
“Last Dolci was engaged by the bombers that just jumped in from Illustrious, this system is clear.”
“Roger that inform Damage control to begin a formal search and recovery operation on A deck, all hands stand down to condition Bambi.”
“Miss Duncan (the DBDCO) you have the con, 1st watch stand down.”
“Aye Ma’am 1st watch you are relieved, 2nd watch has assumed control.”
Thanks all again, Well time to close out Chapter 3, and on a high note.
Gold-digging: We never did recover anyone from the VNB, is seems they were all blown out and for some strange reason none were wearing vacuum suits. The Loss of Ms Rivera and five other officettes were felt hard in the command branch. Aside from our own losses we suffered only minor damage to two of the Saturns. The Hotspur was dispatched back to Goddard to let Princess Nicole know the good news regarding Goldstone.
We waited for the rest of the task force to arrive and then the ground troops landed and secured the five planets in the system. The rump of ATG 78 was tasked to guard Kuwait, and so we lost the Dependable back to that unit, leaving us with four battle cruisers, the damaged Pacificator and our cruiser and destroyer screen sans the Hotspur. Her Grace decided that the 45th would assume the role of the van while the 85th was to become the main garrison for Goldstone. Although we were not happy with this decision, it was understandable since the Pacificator was damaged and under manned, especially in command staff personnel.
To make things even less enjoyable our attachments from the 41st, the Dowager and Doberman along with two more Saturns and three Tyche’s and the Haptic were stripped away. This left us with the Pacificator, Dragoon, and Debutante along with the Gremlin, six Saturns, the Hooligan and three Tyches. The frigates and corvettes were likewise transferred to the Task Force. For the time being we waited as we were not to move until a signal from TF Stacy reached us. This gave us plenty of time to catch up on more personal issues. Unfortunately fate would leave me out of most of the fun and games that went on at the liberty bases on Goldstone.
I was busy trying to get things settled down with the command staff, losing the entire VNB 1st Watch was rough, even worse with the Executive amongst the fallen, the entire command staff fell on my shoulders. Kommandettes Walker (Weapons) and Evans (Engineering) did all they could but as the senior Command branch most of the tasks fell to me. Lady Samantha was very patient but also realized that someone with much greater seniority than me was needed for the task. Unfortunately she could only pull people from Lady Elizabeth’s now weakened command.
I was busy handling a report from the navigation section when I was summoned to the flag bridge. I arrived in a bedraggled state, as I have had very little rest since the battle; however I noticed that Lady Samantha was not in much better form.
“Ah Ms. Parker please stand easy Lady Elizabeth is concerned for the well being of the Pacificator, and knows that we need some help, however that help is not without a price, and you my dear are that price.”
“Uh Ma’am?”
“Oh we are not going to stake you out or something like that but, it seems that the Doberman’s executive has dreadnought experience and is willing to come to the Pacificator to take over, however her replacement is from the Debutante which is fine since the Debutante is staying with us, but the replacement for the Debutante is the Executive or the Foxglove, a Saturn class cruiser from the 45th. And well since the 45th is going to be leaving us as soon as we get the news from Arch Duchess Stacy, they need someone to be to fill in their gap. And well one of my officettes has a bit of a reputation of being a independent thinker as well as very good at her job, and so Lady Amanda, the TGR of the 45th has made the transfer of this fire eater a condition for the deal.”
“Uhh…”
“Don’t be modest my dear, as much as I hate to lose you, we are not going anyplace and there is a light cruiser that needs a skilled Officette so this is perfect opportunity…”
“But how about my other considerations or issues?” I feebly protested.
“Oh well you know needs of the service come first, but since the Foxglove and her friends are not leaving right away I suggest you use the time here at Goldstone to the best, and oh by the way you are relieved of duty as BDCO to help free up you plate for those ah, other considerations, Dismissed Ms. Parker.”
I left the flag bridge feeling very dejected, although the posting as the Executive of a capital ship was the next rung in the promotion ladder, I was not ready for it nor was I ready to leave my partner and friends. However I knew that since both the Debutante and the Gremlin were to remain with the Pacificator that they would be relatively safe on garrison duties. Besides as Lady Samantha said the Foxglove was not going anyplace any time soon, so I grabbed my duffel and took the first shuttle down to Goldstone.
“Ms. Parker?” inquired a young Lewtenette in SAN services colors.
“Yes Miss Nicholson, that is me.”
“Uh Ma’am we have arranged transportation to Resort 14 your party is already there at Bungalow 5.”
“Ok very good has my baggage already arrived?”
“Yes Ma’am just check in with the front office and they will check you in...”
I thanked her and then headed out to where a LUCV (Jeep) was waiting and took the drive from the shuttle port to the liberty base known as Resort 14. The downside of shore dress is that riding long distances in the jumper can be quite irritating, my hose were bunching in the most inappropriate places and the turtleneck was getting rather warm for the semi-arid conditions of Goldstone. However regulations required the wear of a uniform until arrival to the liberty base. My driver a Sarjenette Lower Class was much more comfortable in the light olive drab work uniform of the Ground Forces.
Two hours later we arrived at Resort 14, a sorry collection of ten temporary shelters arrayed around a large central court yard in clusters of four, with one serving as the front office and another as common hall for group activities. However three things made Resort 14 stand out from a normal base, first the large tarp covered inflatable pool, and two semi-submerged structures that later turned out to be a Zero G Volly Ball court and full workout gym.
The LUCV or Lucy stopped in front of the office and I got out and headed in, before I even got to the door the Lucy was speeding back towards the shuttle port. Behind the desk was a Lewtenette wearing the planetary duty dress with the colors of Combat Command. That made perfect sense as the quartermistress department of Combat Command runs all of the liberty bases.
“Ah good afternoon Ma’am, are you a guest or visitor?”
“Um I guess I am a guest…”
“Very good we have a nice room in Bungalow 8 available…”
“Excuse me Miss…Marquez I was informed I was going to be staying at Bungalow 5.”
“Oh, well we already have a party there Ma’am, but I am new here myself so perhaps we do have your reservation, may I see your IDENT card please?”
I handed over my card and she swiped it, soon after the confirmation of the reservation came back.
“Ah yes very good Ms. Parker you are here for a indeterminate stay, according to my predecessors notes, we tried to inform the other guests at the Bungalow but they went off on a three day excursion they will be back sometime tomorrow.”
“Ok well I guess I will go stag for today, Can you recommend anything?”
“Well the pool is always nice and we have a fully functional Zero G V ball court...”
“Ah no thanks, I have my fill of no gravity for a while, perhaps the pool, what is the dress code”
“Ma’am?”
“Dress code you know what clothing is appropriate etc?”
“Oh uh well you must have your bikini line covered when in the common dining area but other than that there is no dress code, except maybe at the evening balls but that is up to choice the service center has a whole range of body paints for those who enjoy the illusion of clothing. Other than that clothing is purely optional.”
“Ah right, damn I have been in space too long, well thank you Lewtenette, I can find my own way.”
“Uh yes Ma’am….oh wait, I have a package addressed to you from a Lady Janice Goodman, a friend of yours?”
“Not that I am aware of, but I will take it all the same.”
With that I headed out to my new temporary home, or Bungalow 5. Along the way I was examining the package and noticed it had a fleet posting, but from the 45th ATG not the 85th. Curious I opened it up and then nearly ran into someone heading for the pool. As I dropped the velvet covered case.
“Hey watch it!” Shouted the indignant lady; totally unaware or unconcerned about the triple chevrons on my tunic.
However I wasn’t interested in her as I reached down and picked up the case and before opening it read the letter from Wannaxae Catherine Volkberg, well written on her behalf as they were a combination of appointment orders to the 452nd Cruiser Squadron, 45th Attack Task Group, as executive of Her Imperial Majesty’s Star Ship the Fast Attack Cruiser 349 named Foxglove effective today and promotion orders to rank of Kommandette also effective this day. There was a note from Lady Amanda the TGR of the 45th saying that she could not have a Kaptain, even one with my experience be posted as an executive of a ship the caliber of the Foxglove, but a newly frocked Kommandette is a different story. In a state of semi-shock I found my way to Bungalow 5.
My first impression was what a mess, it seemed my companions forgot basic housekeeping, two sets of shore dress were draped across the arm of the sofa one was light blue the other purple and both with the diamonds of Majourettes. I opened the sparsely used closet and saw another set also in purple but with the three chevrons of a Kaptain hung more or less on a wire hanger. There were also various types of civilian clothing and three regulation duffels that looked like they had not been opened much. I changed out of my shore dress into a set of ship board duty dress, as I did not have any civilian clothing to speak of, nor being a space bunny did I have much in the way of a tan and would be raw meat if I went outside without anything on. I took off my Kaptain Chevrons and swapped them with the four points of a Kommandette along with swapping out the insignia of the 85th for that of the 45th, and went about cleaning up most of the mess.
I then went out to the service center and purchased s few sets of civilian clothing, one nice dress, two shorts and tanks and a bikini, along with one set of bush clothing just in case I wanted to go explore the local environs. I then changed into one of the shorts and a tank top and decided I was too tired to fix my own meal and went to the common room. After a nice quiet meal, and yes the dress code was enforced there, the other guests I saw were wearing cover ups, as I noticed the night air had a bit of chill to it, unlike the heat of the day, I headed back to the bungalow and took a quick shower and fell instantly asleep.
I woke up hearing voices in the other room. “Funny I don’t remember requesting room service, where the heck is my uniform?” This was Wendy
“I don’t know Wendy, you and Terri just tore them off and threw them someplace…” Barbara commented
“Well Barb, we aren’t respectable Madame Kaptains either, so we can be a bit careless, now where in Soro’s name is it…Hey Ter did you do the dishes before we left?” Wendy replied
“Ah naw, not me, must have been room service, but damn they seemed to have done a spotty job of it…hey if you find my SD’s let me know too.” Terri responded from the Kitchen.
“Did either of you two knuckleheads try the closet?” Barbara again
“Naw, but good point, hmm let me see…. Uh Barb, are you two timing?’ Wendy, heard some rumbling in the closet
“What do you mean?” Barbara asked.
“Well girl this here is the shore dress, of someone from the 45th ATG, and we don’t know anyone from that outfit do we Ter?” Wendy said/
“No we sure don’t besides those 4 points means she is out of our league, Madame Kaptain…” Terri Replied
“Knock it off you too, well maybe the front office made a mistake, whoever it is probably out so when she returns we will have to see what gives, in the mean time I am going to hit the shower and go to bed, what are you two going to do?” Barbara, said with a yawn.
“Oh Ter here wants a round of V ball, so we are going to change and go to the courts.” Wendy stated.
“Ok just be back for dinner….” Barbara said before being cut off.
“Yes Mommy we will…” Terri snidely replied
“Go get I am bushed.” Barbara said
I heard her head to the shower and turn it on, in the mean time Wendy and Terry were talking. “You know it sucks for her, and poor Cyn stuck on that awful ship, of all the rotten luck.”
“Yeah well perhaps Barb will be feeling better at dinner, let’s go before the courts fill up.”
A few minutes later the shower turned off and without turning on the lights, Barbara climbed into bed; it wasn’t until she rolled over and bumped into me that she noticed another person in bed.
“What…oh my uh excuse me but this is my bed…..”
“Ok, then I guess I should leave….”
“Cyn!, what on earth are you doing here, no strike that, when did you get here?”
“Oh last night, you know you three are such sloppy house guests…’
“Oh right so that is your stuff in the other room….”
“Yes sort of a mixed blessing…”
“You mean the transfer and promotion, what ship?”
“The Foxglove, she is a light cruiser, I haven’t reported yet.”
“Oh well don’t worry about that, we have a lot of catching up to do….” She said before smothering me in kisses, needless to say we did not get much sleep in before the other two showed up and our lovemaking was intense and I guess loud enough.
“See she is two timing, the whore, maybe we should do something….Yoo Hoo we are home!” Wendy shouted.
I was on the bottom so they did not see my face when they entered the room. ‘I know you are hard up Barbara but jeeze who is your new fling some staff wanker?”
“Ah no, and be nice to a superior….”
“Oh come off it you are going to pull that crap, how low can you go, besides what will Cynthia think?” Terri retorted
“I don’t know why don’t we ask her?” Barbara said smugly.
“Huh?” They both said nearly in unison
At this point I decided to make my introduction, squirming out from under my partner, “Ask me what Wendy?”
“Er uh hi Cyn, whew what a relief, by the way where is your uniform….”
“It should be in the closet, unless you moved it…”
“That is yours?”
“But what gives….er congrats but why the 45th?”
“Long story, short version I was requested and given an offer I very well could not refuse, as for the 4th point, well that goes with the territory of being an Executive on a cruiser.”
“Damn girl, at this rate you will have your own ship soon, I definitely chose the wrong specialty? When are you departing?”
“Don’t know we are waiting for word from TF Stacy.”
“Well then I see you are not wasting any time, so let’s party like there is no tomorrow.” And for the rest of my stay we did exactly that.
![[Image: detail.gif]](https://static.hentai-gif-anime.com/upload/20170529/26/52988/detail.gif)
