Read Online Rumors of Honor (System States Rebellion Book 2) by Dietmar Wehr - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Dietmar Wehr
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squadron. He was willing to bet that those
96 missiles had fission warheads, and there was just enough time to fire his
volleys at the planetary targets and still be able to intercept the enemy fire
with his anti-missile missiles. If that’s all the enemy could throw at him,
then his ships would get through this.
Makassar
Defense Force:
Remington
shook her head in dismay. There were now 480 enemy missiles headed for six
industrial centers on Makassar. Each center had its own ground-based, rail-gun
cannons, and their effective range was enhanced by the fact that Makassar had
no atmosphere to slow down the accelerated metal slugs, but hitting 80 missiles
over an interception window of just a few seconds was a big challenge, and the
industrial centers were too far apart for the rail-guns around one to help
defend another.
Remington
watched closely as the two volleys from the FED squadron approached their
targets. The tactical display zoomed in on the enemy ships. She saw multiple
smaller and faster enemy missiles streak out and hit each FED missile. Some of
the interceptors missed, but the enemy ships seemed to have enough to
compensate for the misses. She heard a collective groan when the last of the
two volleys were destroyed before reaching their targets. None of the Mark 1
warheads got through. Remington heard her CO clear his throat.
“Commodore,
I have a suggestion.” Stevens must have given him permission to explain. “We
should continue to fire HE missiles. The enemy will have to assume that they’re
nukes and will have to continue using their counter-missiles. With a little
luck, they’ll run out before they pass us. When we see our missiles hitting
their hulls, then your ship and the rest of the squadron can fire their
remaining Mark 1s and they should get through.” There was a long pause followed
by, “I agree, Sir. Alpha1 is the best way to proceed.” He looked over at the
Weapons Officer again. “Okay, Weps, we’re switching to Alpha1 targeting. Fire
when ready and continue until you hear otherwise.”
“Alpha1
and continuous fire. Got it, Skipper. We’re reloading now. Firing
in…three…two…one…NOW!”
SSU
Task Force:
The
cheers on the Bridge of Montoya’s flagship over the successful interception of
all the incoming FED missiles died away as the tactical display pinged again
and more volleys of missiles headed for the Strike Force. Montoya’s expression
was grim as he counted how many times each FED ship was firing. When the number
reached four he cursed silently and looked away. There was no way that his
ships had enough AMMs to stop all those missiles. If those missiles carried
nukes, the Strike Force was toast. After pondering the situation, he realized
that while all four ships were unlikely to make it through the missile
gauntlet, it might be possible to get one ship through. Checking the display’s
sidebar data, he saw that Charger had the least damage and the highest
acceleration of the four ships. The other two ships plus his own flagship would
use their AMMs to protect Charger as long as possible. Once his mind was made
up, the heavy burden of responsibility on his shoulders seemed to become
lighter.”
“Com,
I want a tight beam channel to all ships, and I want the crew to hear this
too,” said Montoya to the Com Tech.
“Inter-ship
and intercom channels are open, Sir.”
Montoya
nodded. He took a deep breath and began speaking.
Makassar
Defense Force:
Remington’s
attention was focused on the front wave of the latest missile volleys. With the
range between the two groups of ships dropping fast, the time to intercept was
now measured in seconds rather than minutes.
“They’ve
begun their counter-fire,” said the Weapons Officer.
“But
not all of them,” said Remington. “One ship didn’t fire and…” She paused to
make sure she really was seeing what she thought she was. “All the other
counter fire is focused on
96 missiles had fission warheads, and there was just enough time to fire his
volleys at the planetary targets and still be able to intercept the enemy fire
with his anti-missile missiles. If that’s all the enemy could throw at him,
then his ships would get through this.
Makassar
Defense Force:
Remington
shook her head in dismay. There were now 480 enemy missiles headed for six
industrial centers on Makassar. Each center had its own ground-based, rail-gun
cannons, and their effective range was enhanced by the fact that Makassar had
no atmosphere to slow down the accelerated metal slugs, but hitting 80 missiles
over an interception window of just a few seconds was a big challenge, and the
industrial centers were too far apart for the rail-guns around one to help
defend another.
Remington
watched closely as the two volleys from the FED squadron approached their
targets. The tactical display zoomed in on the enemy ships. She saw multiple
smaller and faster enemy missiles streak out and hit each FED missile. Some of
the interceptors missed, but the enemy ships seemed to have enough to
compensate for the misses. She heard a collective groan when the last of the
two volleys were destroyed before reaching their targets. None of the Mark 1
warheads got through. Remington heard her CO clear his throat.
“Commodore,
I have a suggestion.” Stevens must have given him permission to explain. “We
should continue to fire HE missiles. The enemy will have to assume that they’re
nukes and will have to continue using their counter-missiles. With a little
luck, they’ll run out before they pass us. When we see our missiles hitting
their hulls, then your ship and the rest of the squadron can fire their
remaining Mark 1s and they should get through.” There was a long pause followed
by, “I agree, Sir. Alpha1 is the best way to proceed.” He looked over at the
Weapons Officer again. “Okay, Weps, we’re switching to Alpha1 targeting. Fire
when ready and continue until you hear otherwise.”
“Alpha1
and continuous fire. Got it, Skipper. We’re reloading now. Firing
in…three…two…one…NOW!”
SSU
Task Force:
The
cheers on the Bridge of Montoya’s flagship over the successful interception of
all the incoming FED missiles died away as the tactical display pinged again
and more volleys of missiles headed for the Strike Force. Montoya’s expression
was grim as he counted how many times each FED ship was firing. When the number
reached four he cursed silently and looked away. There was no way that his
ships had enough AMMs to stop all those missiles. If those missiles carried
nukes, the Strike Force was toast. After pondering the situation, he realized
that while all four ships were unlikely to make it through the missile
gauntlet, it might be possible to get one ship through. Checking the display’s
sidebar data, he saw that Charger had the least damage and the highest
acceleration of the four ships. The other two ships plus his own flagship would
use their AMMs to protect Charger as long as possible. Once his mind was made
up, the heavy burden of responsibility on his shoulders seemed to become
lighter.”
“Com,
I want a tight beam channel to all ships, and I want the crew to hear this
too,” said Montoya to the Com Tech.
“Inter-ship
and intercom channels are open, Sir.”
Montoya
nodded. He took a deep breath and began speaking.
Makassar
Defense Force:
Remington’s
attention was focused on the front wave of the latest missile volleys. With the
range between the two groups of ships dropping fast, the time to intercept was
now measured in seconds rather than minutes.
“They’ve
begun their counter-fire,” said the Weapons Officer.
“But
not all of them,” said Remington. “One ship didn’t fire and…” She paused to
make sure she really was seeing what she thought she was. “All the other
counter fire is focused on
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