January 796 UC Astarte
Aboard the Serebryakov.
With a heavy sigh I look at the battlefield before me and took it all in. On our side were five fleets of some of the best men and women of the Free Planets Alliance with a total of some 70,000 ships brought to bear to crush the opposition that had pushed deep into our territory. And just who had pushed so far? Why none other than the Galactic Empire. With one fleet and some 35,000 ships. Commanded by none other than the rising star of the Empire, Reinhard von Lohengramm.
I have read the reports about him and heard the stories of Imperial Propaganda. One would think him to be the second coming of Alexander the Great from ancient history. But I doubt even he would be able to think of a way out of this. At least if one dismissed all the propaganda about him and did not consider him as a serious threat. Which he was.
The entire battle was being overseen by the admiral of the 4th Fleet, Admiral Pastolle he had 12,000 ships. Joining the 4th Fleet was the 6th Fleet under Vice Admiral Moore they had 13,000 ships. There was also the 2nd Fleet under command of Vice Admiral Paeta who had a fleet of 15,000 ships. Next was the 5th Fleet under Vice Admiral Piett who commanded 16,000 more ships. Lastly there was myself, Vice Admiral Tanya Vielfraß in command of the 3rd Fleet which had 14,000 ships.
All said with 70,000 ships spread across the five fleets that were in a plus sign formation, any reasonable commander would be hesitant to commit their forces to the field and instead seek to pull back and regroup. I was not expecting a battle nor was anyone else, yet you do not get far in the Free Planets Alliance by relying upon the Empire to be a reasonable opponent. Their need for honor and glory ensured that they made frequent mistakes. But again, even the Empire's commanders would occasionally make reasonable decisions. Such as pulling back to their star fort, Iserlohn Fortress.
"Admiral?" Asked my adjutant, Lieutenant Ilia Ivanov, as she walked over to where I stood looking over the tactical map to assess our situation and options available to us. In her hand was a datapad that she held out to me with the latest update from the rest of the fleet and that of our allies and our enemy.
"Yes Lieutenant?" I asked looking away from the tactical map and to her as I took the datapad from her and looked over it.
"Ma'am, the enemy has begun jamming communications with the other fleets and our inter-fleet datalink." She informs me as I finish reading the last status update from our allies.
"Pass the word to switch to backup communications and datalinks. Also have the fleet begin to raise shields and switch to combat readiness. Get our CAP out there and ready to receive the enemy. It would seem that the Empire wants to die here today." I instructed her and began issuing orders.
"Yes Admiral!" Ilia replied snapping of a salute and began carrying out my orders. It's nice to have competent underlings who are willing and able to carry out your orders without question.
As my orders are carried out, I look back to the display and pull up my own fleets data. Right now, as the orders are disseminated throughout the fleet. Seven minor fleets should be switching to their backups and further spreading orders to their individual squadrons which they consist of. Not being able to communicate and coordinate with the other fleets was worrying, but any capable commander should know that preventing the enemy from conversing and coordinating with their allies is the most basic of tactics. Which is why I so strenuously taught my commanders and admirals to fall back and rely upon their individual groups.
The jamming may prevent datalink at the Fleet level. But at the sub-fleet and squadron level things were still working and if that failed a ship could be relied upon to use its own sensors and fire control. This was where having so many Carriers over my allies played a significant part.
The sensor suite and communications network and fire control for the Carriers was far more robust and resilient than that of the normal gunship or Battleship. It had to be in order to coordinate with the numerous fighters which would be sent out to attack foes that were often several thousand kilometers out. So having my Carriers act as back up datalink centers for my Battleships and then those smaller groupings working together within their Squadrons and sub-fleets. Our fire output would be diminished somewhat. But it would not be insurmountable.
Looking at the battlefield once more. I tried to glean what exactly was Reinhard's plan here. The jamming obviously indicated that he was going on the offensive first. So where was he going to strike at first?
In the center was 5th Fleet with 16,000 ships, below them was 4th Fleet with 12,000 ships, to the right of 5th was 6th Fleet with 13,000 ships, to the left of 5th was 2nd Fleet with 15,000 ships and to above 5th was my Fleet, the 3rd with 14,000 ships.
I quickly began to enter in the commands into the holographic tactical display.
There was roughly an eight-hour distance between our five fleets. If I were in Reinhards position, I would take out 4th Fleet first as it was the smallest Fleet present and could be dealt with quickly. From there I would move to intercept the 6th Fleet as they were the next smallest and it would not take me long to catch them and destroy them. After 6th, I would move on to my 3rd Fleet which would give me time to affect repairs in between battles and provide the last 'small' Fleet to destroy. After that 5th Fleet would be almost right on top of me if I were Reinhard. But it would take long for us to both meet and then for me to destroy the 5th Fleet, leaving only the 2nd Fleet to be destroyed. When the 2nd Fleet is completely destroyed every Free Planet Alliance force present in Astarte will have been neutralized. Granted the casualties would start to mount after destroying my 3rd Fleet. But with the number of ships at his command, Reinhard could take those losses and return to the Empire a hero the likes of which would surely see any and all detractors silenced.
Which meant that I needed to link up with and ally with one of my allied Fleets. It would make sense to link with the 5th fleet. Together me and Piett would number 30,000 ships and hold Reinhard for long enough to allow the 2nd fleet to come to our aide and our three fleets able to force Reinhard to retreat. But there was no realistic way for me to link with Piett. Reinhard would intercept me long before the two of us could join forces and we would all be destroyed.
No, I needed to link up with the 2nd Fleet as soon as possible.
"New orders! Proceed to 2nd Fleet and link up with them!" I shout issuing orders to my command staff who all accept my instructions.
My chances of survival relied upon me linking up with another fleet that wasn't going to be next in line for Reinhard to target (6th Fleet) or out of position and unable to do anything until it was too late (5th Fleet).
I watched as my tactical display played out the battle I had thought up in my head and entered into the command console. It showed that it would take Reinhard 30 minutes to destroy 4th Fleet, 4 hours to intercept 6th Fleet and another 30 minutes to destroy them. Followed by another 4 hours to intercept my 3rd Fleet and another 30 minutes to destroy it. With 5th Fleet being right on top of Reinhard he would have 1 hour and 30 minutes to intercept the 5th Fleet and it would take another hour to destroy 5th Fleet. Finally it would take him another hour and 30 minutes to intercept 2nd Fleet and destroy it in 30 minutes.
I had 9 hours at least to link with 2nd Fleet and then together we could either link with 5th Fleet or retreat. Though considering Paetta is my senior. It would be up to him to decide how to proceed. This plan was going to rely an awful lot on luck. But hopefully we can escape this mess with three badly damaged fleets instead of a complete route and the destruction of all five fleets with a clear path to Heinessen.
…..
Aboard the Brünhild.
A blond-haired man of just twenty years issues his orders. "Being our attack. Target the central fleet. Remove their largest concentration of firepower. Then target their command fleet below them. Then we can pick apart the last three at our discretion without fire support and guidance we can destroy the remainder easily enough." Reinhard von Lohengramm instructed his best friend Siegfried Kircheis.
With orders given the Imperial Fleet flew forwards into the waiting enemy formation.
…..
Aboard the Leonidas.
"How credible is that report from the patrol craft?"
"Level A. Possibility of fraud is zero!"
"What is the Imperial Navy trying to do? What are they thinking?" Admiral Pastolle asked himself as reports came in of the 6th Fleet and the Imperial Navy engaging in combat. "They know we have them surrounded and outnumbered, but rather then retreat they're actually engaging us?"
He brushed his forehead as he felt suddenly very hot and concerned as the display updated the engagement between the 6th Fleet and the Imperial Navy. "Does the Imperial Commander not know anything about tactics? Who would fight a battle like this?"
…..
"An incompetent encirclement is no more than a division of troops. That's why it's a perfect chance to take them out individually." Reinhard spoke aloud for himself and his closest friend and confidant as he watched the display play out the battle between his fleet and that of the Alliance Fleet.
With two to one odds. His fleet steam rolled the enemy 6th Fleet. A more incompetent commander would spare time to wait and finish the enemy fleet off leaving no survivors. But the time it would take to do so would hold them in place for to long and leave them open for attack. He watched the display as the Alliance fleets were slow to react due to the jamming setup previously.
Right now his fleet was beginning to brush through the enemy fleets remains to loop down and attack the enemy command fleet from its flank. When the projector for the unfolding battle began to update and showed the top most fleet began to move in a non-projected path. Aiming to link with one of the other fleets.
"It would seem that there is at least a semi-competent commander amongst their number." His friend spoke up.
"It is well within tolerance of my plans." Reinhard responded neutrally. While he was minimally impressed one of the enemy Admirals had the where withal to link up with another instead of chasing ghosts. It was the bear minimum he expected of any commander. As such he was not bothered by it.
"Update instructions to be given to the rest of the fleet. Once we eliminate the enemies command fleet. We will strike the sole enemy fleet that will have been left on its own from behind." Reinhard instructed, unbothered and unperturbed by the events that unfolded before them. After all, no plan survived first contact with the enemy and he would be a poor commander to not leave options open for such eventualities such as this.
…..
Aboard the Pergamon.
"From four-thirty?" Asked Vice Admiral Moore as he ate his dinner inside his flag lounge. They were on their way to regroup with 5th Fleet and with the other fleets they would crush the Imperials from all sides. It would be a complete one sided victory.
"Yes, sir." Replied his advisor.
"I see. And which four-thirty? Morning or Afternoon?" He asked
"It is undoubtedly the enemy, sir." Replied Lieutenant Commander Lapp who had brought him the report of the enemy's movements.
With a sigh of a senior needing to impart a lesson to a junior he set his utensils down. "It cant be. The enemy is fighting the 6th Fleet right now. We're rushing to the battle as we speak. There's no doubt the others are doing the same thing. Then we can attack the enemy from all sides. Victory is all but assured. No, we will win." He finishes confidently.
"But, Your Excellency, couldn't the enemy have moved the battlefield?" Asked Lapp
"And left the 5th Fleet?" Moore asks raising his voice in annoyance at the suggestion.
"It pains me to say this, but I think the 5th Fleet has already been defeated." Lapp responds with respect.
At that Moore smiled slightly. "That is a very bold and unpleasant guess, Lieutenant Commander Lapp."
"Sir, we must rendezvous with the other fleets, and then-"Lapp began only to be interrupted as the ship began to shake.
Alarms began to blare signaling that they were under attack. With no further words being passed along they all rushed to the bridge to see what was happening.
"Report." Moore demanded as the ship shook again.
"We're being fired upon from behind! The enemy somehow got behind us!" One of the sensor technicians informed him.
"All ships being turning around to face the enemy!" He shouted out with anger and frustration.
"Your Excellency! This will only cause confusion!" Lapp cried out as he joined him on the bridge. "We should continue forwards in a clockwise motion to get behind them!"
"Most of our men will be wiped out by then!" Moore replied angrily. "We will turn around and face them!"
"But sir-!" Lapp started but was cut off.
"Shut up!" Moore shouted with clear anger.
Moore continued to give out orders to his fleet. Forcing them to turn around to face the Imperial Fleet behind them. They were out matched and out gunned. But they could hopefully delay the Imperials long enough for their allies to reach them.
Reinhard watched as the tactical map continued to update and showed their much larger fleet moving up behind the enemy's 6th Fleet. Much like some ancient predator of the sea. His fleet was tearing into the Alliance formation and now was proceeding to consume its third prey.
"Open communications to the enemy fleet. Offer them terms to surrender. They will be shown mercy." He says simply.
…..
"Sir, incoming communications from the enemy flagship! 'Surrender you will be shown mercy'!" The communications officer shouted over the sound of alarms and weapons fire.
Realizing he was already beaten Moore inhaled sharply before grinning. "Bring the bridge out. I want to see him with my own eyes as we fight back. Surrender he says. I may be incompetent, but I will not be a coward." He said darkly as he prepared himself to die fighting.
As the bridge began to rise up the view of just how terrible things were unfolding began to play out for everyone on the bridge. As weapons fire filled their view with ships burning and listing this way and that. It was a grim terrible sight that greeted Vice Admiral Moore and his command staff but his mind was made.
…..
"Sir, no response from the enemy."
"Sink them." Reinhard said as casually as one would place an order for something to drink. At his word a special armored and shield piercing round was fired into the enemies flagship.
…..
"Incoming!" Came the to late shouts of the fire control man moments before the bridge was struck and exploded killing everyone.
With the loss of the flagship the rest of the 6th Fleet began to fall apart rapidly.
…..
"Those without skill are destined to fall. This is a given." Reinhard spoke aloud as the reports of the enemy's fleet came in.
"Your Excellency, reports are coming in from patrols that the last two fleets have joined forces and are approaching." Reported one of the other Admirals of his fleet, Admiral Adalbert von Fahrenheit. "The fleets are requesting permission to move to engage."
"Very well. All fleets will proceed to annihilate the enemies combined fleet." Reinhard commanded.
As one the full might of the Imperial Fleet began to move to engage the remaining two fleets. With only the loss of two thousand ships on their side compared to the staggering losses of forty-one thousand ships on the enemy side. And only some exhaustion for their forces. The Imperial Expeditionary Fleet was comparatively untouched and ready to finish this fight off on more even terms.
Thirty-three thousand Imperial Ships moved together to converge on the remaining twenty-nine thousand. Three thousand of which were Carriers, leaving the Alliance fleet with effectively only twenty-six thousand Battleships bringing their fighting capability even further below being considered a threat.
"Enemy combined Fleet ahead of us!"
"Fire."
And at once the whole of the Imperial Fleet engaged the remaining Alliance forces. Causing massive amounts of damage to the both of them as the lines began to close.
"I do hope we will be able to annihilate them all." Kirchias said idly to his close friend.
"You really are a worrywart, aren't you? Do you have such difficulty trusting me?" Reinhard asked in jest with a smile on his face.
"I have never once doubted you. It's Just that, at times, I am afraid. What if the enemy has someone extraordinary on their side, like we have you?" Kircheis proposed as he looked to his friend who merely smiled fondly before looking forwards to respond.
"You think of the strangest things, Kircheis. If someone like that were to appear. I would love to fight them once. And if possible, I'd like to see them face-to-face. I'm sure we'd have much to talk about." He said fondly knowing that the chances of that are slim to none. Maybe that one commander who ordered their fleet to unite with the other could be considered. But he doubted it. After all. That was the only sound military decision they could make at the time.
"Analyzing enemy transmission. I believe it to be directed to all fleets." Reported the communications officer.
"Play it."
"I am Commodore Yang Wen-li, deputy staff officer to Commander Paetta. Our flagship Patroklos has been hit, and Commander Paetta is gravely injured. Per the commander's orders, I will take over command of all fleets. Do not worry. Obey my orders, and you will be saved. Those who wish to survive, remain calm and follow my directions. Our squadron is losing the battle at the moment, but all that matters is that we win in the end. We will not lose. All ships, focus on destroying individual crafts until I give further orders. That is all." The voice played over the speakers.
Reinhard frowned and looked forwards and more intently on the enemy in front of him. "We will not lose'… Obey my orders, and you well be saved,' eh? I never knew the rebel forces had such a braggart among their ranks. How does he intend to turn his disadvantage around at this stage? Well, no matter. Let's see what he's got, Kircheis."
"Yes."
"Reorganize the battle lines. Instruct all fleets to move into a spindle formation. Do you understand why?"
"You intend to break through their center."
"That's right. I knew you'd get it."
As his order was given the Imperial Fleet began to gather around his ship and as one they began to push forwards into the combined enemy Fleet. The battle map updating in real time.
With a smile Reinhard watched things unfold into what would be a clear victory for him. Yet, as he watched a realization began to come over him slowly. Standing up as he looked at the display, he began to feel a sense of surprise.
"Is something wrong?" Kircheis asked as Reinhard stepped forwards.
"It's strange. Something isn't right. We're winning. There's no doubt about that. But…" He paused as he considered the battle map and puzzled out what could possibly be wrong. As the display began to update and show the two fleets parting before his own.
"No!"