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Book: Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 1 - Alien Flight by David Buck
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Authors: David Buck
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those boats.’
The frigate turned to the north and quietly closed with the nearest islands, as the fourth generation Seahawk helicopter was launched by the ever efficient hangar deck crew. As the alarm sounded for surface action, several ratings fitted four .50 caliber heavy machine guns to their pedestals on either side of the ship. Steve knew that it could come down to a brutal close range fight and he wanted to give his ship all the edges he could.
***
On the fly bridge of a large pleasure cruiser in the Kerteh city docks, Samantha watched through binoculars as HMAS Perth turned north and steamed away with no real concern. Obviously they could not pick the medical team up at that moment, and the Seahawk helicopter flying away to prowl the northern islands indicated some sort of problem. The medical team had each had the opportunity for a shower, a change of clothes and a decent meal supplied by their ever hospitable Malaysian hosts.
During the afternoon Mr. Lee senior had profusely apologized about the actions of the militants.
‘They are opportunistic brigands that had got to ahead of themselves with the collapse of order following the epidemic.’
As Samantha reassured Mr. Lee that his country was not alone with problems in maintaining public order after the pandemic, she gave the departing frigate a final wistful look. She changed the subject by asking about the numerous sea pens she could see closer in towards the shoreline. The urban older man looked relieved as he spoke again.
‘You would like to know about our new sea pens? Well Miss Samantha they are a recent development with the losses to our traditional fishing fleet of both skilled crews and suitable markets.’
Samantha listened politely and with real interest, as the older businessman explained with considerable enthusiasm his visionary approach to feeding the remaining population of his country via aquaculture.
***
At the approach of dusk the Seahawk helicopter had flown back to HMAS Perth to refuel. Lieutenant White was concerned that the target imaging and control system on the helicopter was being jammed intermittently on multiple frequencies. Steve read the pilot’s report, and immediately pointed out dryly to his officers that the missile systems on the frigate could not be deployed reliably against the small boats.
‘The launch problem still remains before we even allow for any enemy counter-measures. We will have to deal with those boats with our main gun and the machine guns. Lieutenant White, please ensure your chopper is fully armed and prepared.’
Steve again reviewed his plans with his officers before Lieutenant White returned to the hangar deck. He was also concerned because preliminary radar contacts had the boats withdrawing away to the north after being detected. Steve thought about the dense jungle several kilometers to the west, then again perused the local navigation charts. The electronics detection team had detected at least one shore-based radio and jamming station in the jungle, possibly on the ridge overlooking the coast. In the increasing darkness the Seahawk had flown off after refueling, and the pilot verified the powerful searchlight on the helicopter was working correctly by switching it off and on twice.
As the Seahawk flew north and left on the searchlight, the order was given to kill all the lights on the frigate, and the ship immediately altered course to starboard to increase the distance from the coast. With the course change HMAS Perth had increased speed and was soon heading east at thirty knots. By previous arrangement, the Seahawk had turned off the searchlight and all the navigation lights, and headed back south towards its previous refueling point.
The frigate turned to the north and quietly closed with the nearest islands, as the fourth generation Seahawk helicopter was launched by the ever efficient hangar deck crew. As the alarm sounded for surface action, several ratings fitted four .50 caliber heavy machine guns to their pedestals on either side of the ship. Steve knew that it could come down to a brutal close range fight and he wanted to give his ship all the edges he could.
***
On the fly bridge of a large pleasure cruiser in the Kerteh city docks, Samantha watched through binoculars as HMAS Perth turned north and steamed away with no real concern. Obviously they could not pick the medical team up at that moment, and the Seahawk helicopter flying away to prowl the northern islands indicated some sort of problem. The medical team had each had the opportunity for a shower, a change of clothes and a decent meal supplied by their ever hospitable Malaysian hosts.
During the afternoon Mr. Lee senior had profusely apologized about the actions of the militants.
‘They are opportunistic brigands that had got to ahead of themselves with the collapse of order following the epidemic.’
As Samantha reassured Mr. Lee that his country was not alone with problems in maintaining public order after the pandemic, she gave the departing frigate a final wistful look. She changed the subject by asking about the numerous sea pens she could see closer in towards the shoreline. The urban older man looked relieved as he spoke again.
‘You would like to know about our new sea pens? Well Miss Samantha they are a recent development with the losses to our traditional fishing fleet of both skilled crews and suitable markets.’
Samantha listened politely and with real interest, as the older businessman explained with considerable enthusiasm his visionary approach to feeding the remaining population of his country via aquaculture.
***
At the approach of dusk the Seahawk helicopter had flown back to HMAS Perth to refuel. Lieutenant White was concerned that the target imaging and control system on the helicopter was being jammed intermittently on multiple frequencies. Steve read the pilot’s report, and immediately pointed out dryly to his officers that the missile systems on the frigate could not be deployed reliably against the small boats.
‘The launch problem still remains before we even allow for any enemy counter-measures. We will have to deal with those boats with our main gun and the machine guns. Lieutenant White, please ensure your chopper is fully armed and prepared.’
Steve again reviewed his plans with his officers before Lieutenant White returned to the hangar deck. He was also concerned because preliminary radar contacts had the boats withdrawing away to the north after being detected. Steve thought about the dense jungle several kilometers to the west, then again perused the local navigation charts. The electronics detection team had detected at least one shore-based radio and jamming station in the jungle, possibly on the ridge overlooking the coast. In the increasing darkness the Seahawk had flown off after refueling, and the pilot verified the powerful searchlight on the helicopter was working correctly by switching it off and on twice.
As the Seahawk flew north and left on the searchlight, the order was given to kill all the lights on the frigate, and the ship immediately altered course to starboard to increase the distance from the coast. With the course change HMAS Perth had increased speed and was soon heading east at thirty knots. By previous arrangement, the Seahawk had turned off the searchlight and all the navigation lights, and headed back south towards its previous refueling point.
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