Chronicles of Sol: The Fall

April 8th, 005 SDE:

Countryman saved his work and leaned back. It was late evening at the moment and they'd be reaching the intercept point soon. After the raid a few weeks back, they'd brought back some new information. Apparently the Valorians had been shipping personnel off that facility for weeks now, many of them top scientists. More than one of them had said something about being recruited for a project in reverse engineering Voskar cloaking.

The researchers being somewhat loose-lipped had left them with a treasure trove of data, and he'd spoken with Tika after this. In exchange for a copy of the data, she revealed that the Valorians had recently stolen a Voskar Cloaking Device. Krall Intelligence didn't have a fix on exactly where it was, but they did know it hadn't yet reached the Valorian lab.

That data had brought them to take a second look at the suspect 'supply convoy.' Those ships were bypassing a major fleet base, and the stops they were making didn't fit the patterns of other convoys in the sector. Countryman had his analysts look at the convoy and what intel they did have, which had led to two conclusions. Either that convoy was the one moving the device or it was a decoy. At this range there was no way to be sure which was the case, but Countryman would be able to verify which pretty easily. They'd scanned Voskar ships before. In theory that made locating the device simple.

However they would need to be within three light seconds to confirm the device was there with any accuracy, and there wasn't any way to confirm it without also revealing their presence. The scan took time, so they'd have to project an FTL jamming field to knock the convoy out of warp. Countryman had done what he could to pad the odds in his favor.

At this point all they could do was gamble, but the odds did seem good. Krall Intelligence knew of 12 convoys that were suspected as part of the Valorian operation, 9 of which were hit by Voskar forces. From the sound of it, all duds, which greatly improved their own odds of this being a hit. Yet nothing they turned up improved the odds on this one more. Still a one-in-three chance sounded good, and more importantly, they could use that cloaking device.

They'd talked about this extensively in council, and understandably there was a bit of a split on this. It was a risk, but they'd finally come to an agreement. If they did successfully capture the stolen cloaking device, they'd be able to accelerate their own research into advanced stealth techniques by decades. Active cloaking would be a huge game-changer for them, to the point they'd ultimately decided that taking the convoy was worth the risk.

The Council all agreed that this would be their best shot at this. With the Confederation fighting a three-front war, they would likely be too distracted to pursue them seriously, at least, not to the level they had before. This gamble wasn't all that different from crossing this warzone. Not to mention, with active cloaking their odds of reaching Brathra improved significantly.

Sighing he turned the monitor off, and slipped out from behind his private desk. Briefly he checked in on the bedroom, where Ruri was currently sleeping, and Rose was watching his young daughter. Rose smiled when he peeked in, "Don't worry, I have everything covered here."

"Nice to hear it. Now if Ruri wakes up, I left her food in the fridge. Also I restocked the milk cabinet. If Rika gets hungry you won't have to wake Ruri."

Rose nodded, "Sounds good. Last I looked we were low on diapers, have you had a chance to restock?"

"I did, they are in the bathroom as usual."

Rose adjusted little Rika in her arms, "Great, now if you'll excuse me it's time for her nap."

He nodded and stayed just long enough to watch Rose settle the baby in. He had a special crib for her in the corner. It was a long silver piece with a translucent lid, a series of monitors and a very comfy interior sized for a small child. Rika would be quite comfortable in there and would likely barely notice the battle, if at all. A smile on his face, he left the room and headed on out for the bridge. Any minute now they would be intercepting that convoy.

Countryman stepped through the blast doors, and was greeted by Greyman on the command balcony. "Evening sir, you are just in time. We are entering sensor range of the convoy now."

"Excellent, have we been able to confirm the composition?"

He nodded, "Five Merchantman class freighters, thirty V-22 Escort Corvettes, and four Ranger class frigates. Nothing of real threat to us, and with the recent reports of fighting at Hemitar Four. We shouldn't have to worry too much about a response from the Valorians."

Misaki looked up, "Huh, we just received a sector advisory from the Valorian monitoring stations. They are reporting signs of something called a Hyper-Ion Storm brewing in the area and that all ships are to be on alert for it."

Countryman frowned, he hadn't heard much about those but did recall seeing an entry on it in the Krall database. Something about them being a multi-spatial phenomenon unique to hyperspace and known to emerge periodically into normal space as a massive lightyears wide plasma wavefront. They'd never seen one before, and it was listed as rare.

"Any indication on when to expect this?"

"Within the day, they didn't give an exact time, merely a window."

"Keep an eye on it, but I don't think this changes anything." said Countryman as he took his seat, "Deploy the trap, standby sensor scan.

Moments later, the convoy dropped out of warp, just on schedule. He gave the orders to start scanning, as he considered the operation. The Valorian Merchantman was a massive super-freighter, larger than Enterprise in fact at 7500 meters long with over five hundred decks, but much of that tonnage was devoted to cargo space. They typically had a crew of 4000 with light shielding, and just a few pulse cannons for protection. The ships relied more on their escorts than anything else when caught in combat. While they did have good engines, they were often weighed down by the bulk of cargo they had, rendering them clumsy in combat.

Countryman glanced at the gauges but wasn't worried about the distance. It was obvious they'd been spotted, and as the distress call went out they initiated a broadband jamming signal just in case. The Frigates had torpedoes but at this range, the Valorian plasma torpedoes weren't worth anything. His own torpedoes were highly effective against targets within three light seconds, and could hit targets beyond that. The same could not be said of plasma torpedoes, they were powerful yes, but they didn't have the range. Typically useless past a lightsecond, and most effective against targets under half a light second from the firing ship to the target.

Valorian pulse cannons had much better range, but still weren't that effective at this range. Like most direct-fire energy weapons they were most effective within a light second of the target.

What all of this meant was that the convoy was already in range of his weapons, but they wouldn't be able to shoot back.

The seconds ticked by, before Misaki looked up, "Target confirmed, Voskar tech located on Merchantman number three."

Countryman grinned, "Excellent." Glancing at the plot he plotted out the engagement, he could open with torpedoes, but he figured it would be better to conserve them. V-22s and Rangers didn't have particularly strong shields either.

"Eri, set course two three mark nine, ahead flank."

"Aye, sir!" came the resounding response from the helm as the ship turned towards the enemy at maximum speed. The battle had begun.

The ship shuddered as several plasma warheads slammed into the plating. A second later several heavy energy bolts fired from various turrets along the hull. Each one struck with explosive force as they tore into the weakening shields of the Ranger frigate. They strained heavily as they struggled to radiate the energy of the barrage, just before finally giving entirely. Blue energy bolts tore into the hull a second later, ripping it apart with brutal efficacy.

Countryman turned from the screens, his eye glancing at the tac plot, which displayed five disabled super freighters and the shattered hulks of their many escort vessels, with that last frigate representing all that remained of the enemy escort fleet. "Status of strike team?" inquired Countryman seeking an update on the boarding party they'd dispatched.

"They've acquired the target, and are moving to evac. Estimate five minutes before they can launch. Unfortunately, they weren't able to locate the Voskar cloaking software, only the cloaking module. They did find the manifest and logs, seems one of the other convoys was entrusted with the software."

He sighed, that was unfortunate. Hardware would be useful, but if they were going to actually use the cloaking device they'd need the software. Regardless, half the equation would likely prove useful. He figured he'd spend some time with Ruri in the lab, between the two of them they'd likely work something out in regards to the alien cloaking device. He could tackle the programming, and she could figure out how to make the systems compatible with their own. "Understood, let me know..."

"New contacts! Three ships have just entered the combat zone, configuration unknown."

Countryman blinked, and turned to regard the new vessels, listening as the scan data came in. They weren't yet in weapons range, but they would close into it soon enough. All three ships were massive with a tonnage similar to the Enterprise. They were longer though, and taller, but not as wide.

"They appear to be dreadnoughts, sir. I'm reading heavy shielding and numerous heavy weapon emplacements."

"Noted, load forward tubes," said Countryman, deciding it would be wise to take them out before they got into range.

"Tubes loaded!"

"Target the lead dreadnought, full spread, maximum firepower. Fire!"

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The hull thrummed, as multiple glowing blue projectiles streamed out into space. The alien dreadnought didn't even try to evade, as her pulse batteries fired defensively with minimal effect on the volley. The entire volley of high-yield photons found their target, slamming into her shields one after another with a brilliant glow.

"...Negative penetration, target shields holding," reported Kaori after a moment. He watched the ship too, surprised she'd taken that. Valorian shields had never resisted their torpedoes before.

However, there was more than one way to take down a battleship. If they're not penetrating the shields, they would bring them down through overwhelming firepower. "Reload forward tubes and FIRE!"

The dreadnoughts still weren't in range to return fire, but they were closing fast. The second volley slammed into the lead vessel with equal effect, no penetrations, but Countryman knew the yields of his torpedoes were quite high, and sensors indicated the shields were weakening a bit taking all that firepower.

Countryman checked in on the strike team, they'd launched and were en route to dock.

"Move us off, but not too quickly. Load aft tubes."

"Aye sir, moving off."

"Aft tubes loaded."

Countryman waited for a moment, and then gave the order to fire.

As the torps sailed, he didn't even wait for the effect, he gave the order for a second and then a third volley, which was quickly eating into their large torpedo reserve. For a moment he felt like a captain from the ships of years past back when long-range torpedo exchanges were the norm. High armor and long-range weapons had led to torpedoes being the preferred weapon, even at closer ranges. Torpedo cruiser tactics had been part of the officer training program for years.

"Sir, all three ships have deployed jamming fields."

He expected that they weren't running from this. As another aft volley was fired, he gave another order, "Forward tubes, rig for silent firing."

Kaori blinked, frowned and then grinned, "Aye sir, loading tubes."

"Deploy photons!"

They fired but not a single glowing projectile could be seen. He smiled, noting she'd picked photon mine dispersers, instead of standard torpedoes. Good, it meant she was picking up on his plan, but this next bit would require actual torpedoes. "Excellent, reload, this time with standard photons, and fire them dark."

"Aye sir!"

Countryman watched the plots as they sailed into position. If they were going to be fighting against three unknown vessels with heavy armament, and shields that could resist his shield penetrators, he was going to lay a few tricks. Opening his arm, he said, "I'm plugging in, transfer helm control to Captain's station."

Eri frowned, "aye, sir. Transferring control."

Countryman plugged in and felt his mind expand as he interfaced with the ship's computers. Almost instantly he was bombarded with an intense stream of information as he became fully aware of the ship's systems and combat telemetry. They were down three thousand warheads, forward plating at 88%, aft plating at 94%. Main weapon banks were at 67 percent charge and climbing rapidly, main reactor was at 97 percent fuel capacity, with reserves at 99.8% capacity. There was plenty of fight and energy left in the Enterprise, even after chewing through 34 ships.

He set a new course, and opened the hanger. Even as he was giving Kaori new orders. Another volley of warheads was deployed, slamming into the forward shields of the dreadnought. Countryman noted they were starting to weaken but their lead was vanishing. The shuttle docked, and he slammed the doors shut behind them. Just as Misaki was reporting, "Strike team secure, sir"

"Get that package to the labs!" said Countryman as he started adjusting power flows.

"Hostiles entering pulse cannon range," reported Kaori, just seconds before they fired. Countryman saw it and maneuvered to avoid the barrage. Several high-energy plasma rounds sailed past the ship, but not all missed. The ship shook hard.

"Hull breach! Deck one seventy-three" reported Misaki. Countryman noted it, hull plating was at nearly full strength, yet that round had gone through. It was a shallow penetration but that hit was enough for him to revise his tactical assessment and make a few adjustments to his plan. They were outmatched, the alien dreadnoughts outnumbered them three to one, and each one had significantly more firepower than the Enterprise. Speed and maneuverability were comparable, and those new shields gave them the endurance to match him in a slugging match.

Eri blinked, "Sir! This new course..."

"I know," said Countryman, he'd turned them about they were now heading right towards the enemy formation. All three ships opened up with their heavy cannon. Countryman paid close attention, constantly adjusting their course to avoid the worst of the storm. Even so fresh hull breaches were reported one after another. Nothing vital was damaged yet, and the penetrations were shallow. Part of him started analyzing each hit, the weapons were highly concussive charged plasma shells. Somewhat akin to Cathamari plasma cannons but more advanced.

"Kaori! Fire at will, all cannons!"

She grinned fiercely, as every battery on the ship opened up on all three dreadnoughts. Numerous beam and pulsed cannon hits slammed into the shields of the hostile warships, who returned fire with their own heavy cannon. Plasma and particle streams sailed in every direction.

A second later they entered Electro Cannon range of the lead dreadnought. Without need for orders, Kaori targeted the ship. Firing several close-range blasts. The first couple of hits were absorbed, and the dreadnought broke off, as her shields fluctuated wildly. Countryman changed course, seeming to pursue which drove them in a key direction. Their shields started to break under the barrage of torpedoes and pulsed particle cannons. Finally several rounds went through, ripping into entire sections with deadly force. Yet the sheer mass of the alien vessel proved to be an able defense. Even as entire sections of the ship were destroyed, nothing vital seemed to go down.

A moment later they were right where he wanted them. "Now Kaori!"

She smiled, and dozens of dark warheads suddenly lit up, shooting for the Dreadnought. The ship exploded in a glorious display of fireworks. "Target neutralized sir."

The ship shuddered under the impact of another hit, reminding him they still had two superior enemy battleships to deal with. Yet that hit proved to be what he needed. Instantly he started altering the AIF, to compensate for the alien plasma rounds.

In the same moment, he brought the ship around with a new course that would take them into the minefield he'd set up earlier. Both dreadnoughts moved to cut them off. He allowed it, as Kaori returned fire, scoring several nonpenetrating hits with the main beam arrays. They were strong hits though, but those dreadnoughts had impressive shields. They were holding, for now at least, but at least he'd evened the odds. Idly he checked AIF integrity, forward plating was 79 percent, aft 88 percent. Weapon capacitors were holding at half charge, as they were firing as quickly as they recovered.

Another hit struck, barely penetrating the forward dorsal. He smiled, his adaptations were working, but one more thing was needed to stop those rounds. Misaki blinked, "Sir, our shields are active."

"I know, I raised them," said Countryman just before another volley of heavy plasma rounds slammed into the ship. He smiled, the rounds punched through the shields, but the matrix held and more importantly, they failed to pierce the hull plating.

Misaki blinked, "Hull plating is holding? How'd you do that sir?"

"I'd tell you later, but it won't last long. Once the shields go down, the plating will start to fail again."

Eri shifted, seeming uncomfortable, "Sir, I'm not doing a lot of good, here, let me take a squadron..."

"I'm sorry, but no, " replied Countryman as he took the ship into an elaborate spin, evading a barrage of heavy plasma rounds, before making a pulse detonation that brought them into point blank range. Kaori quickly took advantage, firing everything at full force as Countryman finished, "Our fighters won't last long against that kind of firepower and we just don't have the time for a launch."

Kaori groaned, "Next time you do that warn me! I think I can feel my lunch coming up."

"You're welcome!" replied Countryman. His eye on several alien turrets, waiting. They showed signs of firing, and in the split second before they did, he fired all thrusters hard to port. The ship sailed out of the volley with barely a second to spare. Only a couple of stray rounds found their mark.

The plasma tore through the thin shield barrier to splash against the hull, but again failed to penetrate. Even as several warning lights came on, the shields were straining. He compensated for it, and diverted additional power to the shields. Stabilizing the matrix for the moment, but it was nothing more than a patch, not a fix. They just weren't designed for the strain of heavy combat. He calculated generator failure in five minutes, thirty-nine seconds at this rate. A calculation that seemed to hold with the following hit seconds later.

Kaori grinned, "Got you!"

A second later several rounds penetrated into the second dreadnought as she was breaking off. The third moved to cover her, preventing him from properly pursuing, but no matter. She sailed right into the mines, several warheads striking the hull just before the Valorian shields reset.

Kaori cursed, "Damn it, target's still up."

Misaki reported, "They've taken heavy damage to their main engines, and weapons array. I estimate they are only forty percent combat effective."

The ship shuddered as they were bracketed by a barrage of heavy plasma fire. "Not ineffective enough!" shouted Eri.

Misaki blinked, "Shields overloading, we've lost shields."

The ship groaned as several high-energy impacts struck the hull. Countryman quickly calculated a new course and brought them about as Kaori fired another volley of high-yield torpedoes.

The plating rocked beneath them as more rounds struck, "Damn captain, we can't keep taking hits like this."

"They have me bracketed, give me a moment. Initiating pulse detonation."

The ship surged forward, as Countryman pulled them out of the line of heavy fire. Hull plating was looking okay, but they had taken far more hits than he'd like. He took a moment to breathe, but it wasn't long before both vessels were coming back into weapons range.

He sighed and brought them about for another engagement. Even as he checked the hull plating, those last few hits had really drained the AIF. Forty-two percent forward, thirty-eight percent aft. They had hull breaches on almost every deck, but most of the damage was contained to the outer sections. Combat systems were virtually untouched, they'd expended almost ten thousand warheads in this battle, a fifth of their total count of torpedoes.

He'd have gone to warp if he could, but the two ships were still jamming FTL drives. It would be impossible to form a stable warp field. With that in mind, he gave new orders to Kaori, while deftly manipulating the controls of the Enterprise to avoid a new volley of heavy cannon fire. Noting he couldn't evade all of it, he triggered the energy web. Using it to disrupt some of the fire, but most of it still went through, but now they were in range. Kaori opened up with everything they had, firing on the undamaged dreadnought, the other one having slipped behind a little in the latest maneuver. Several mines detonated on her shields.

"Hull breach! Port nacelle sections thirty-nine through one hundred seventeen."

Countryman noted the damage and maneuvered to protect the damaged section. Nacelle penetration was shallow but a couple of the engines weren't responding, and a plasma leak was registering on sensors venting large amounts of superheated plasma into space.

Several high-energy pulsed plasma rounds slammed into the ventral hull, as he took them into a new maneuver. Several alarms registered on long-range sensors, as the dreadnought's shields flickered. She tried to run, but he didn't let her. Several torpedoes penetrated her failing shields and tore into the main hull section. The ship exploded leaving just one left. He felt much better about that, the odds were basically even.

"Sir! I'm reading a massive wavefront approaching on long-range sensors."

"The dreadnought! They are breaking off, jamming field down."

The moment that happened, all five Merchantman Freighters who were still in the system jumped. The Dreadnought tried to follow, but her engines sputtered and failed. Countryman was tempted to warp out as well, but that wasn't an option, the port-side engines were offline. He turned them into the storm, even as the dreadnought was trying to run on sublight. A moment later the storm hit, and every alarm on the ship went off at once.