Battle of The Wilds, page 9
“Currently, we're operating under the assumption that Tanaka-lan plans to advance his fleet through The Wilds in five formations from the five fleet bases where his fleets are amassing. This approach allows him to continue advancing even if one of his fleets gets bogged down in combat. It would also make it harder for us to discern his main target, complicating our efforts to concentrate forces against him. The squadrons we deploy forward will serve dual purposes. While all will engage the initial Karacknid screening fleets, some of our squadrons will retreat before them, maintaining contact to pin them down and allowing us to monitor the locations of the five enemy fleets.
The rest of our squadrons will first engage the enemy, then retreat to their FOBs and wait for the main Karacknid fleets to pass. Only then will they emerge to target the Karacknid supply convoys that the enemy fleets will rely on as they traverse The Wilds and approach our forts. The primary objective of the first aspect of our strategy is simple this: the more we can disrupt and cripple the Karacknids' logistical capabilities, the more time we will buy for ourselves.
Scott nodded as if agreeing with herself, then continued. “The second phase of our strategy will be commanded by Admiral Somerville himself.” Once more the holo display changed, reverting to show the map of The Wilds, this time more than twenty systems were flashing on it. “Our intention is to take a sizeable force into The Wilds, at least ten thousand ships strong. Once there, we will use every advantage and trick we have developed over the last two decades to thwart the advance of each of the five Karacknid fleets. We don't expect to delay them indefinitely, nor can we realistically hope to defeat even one of their fleets. However, if Tanaka-lan thinks he can simply move his fleets up to our border unopposed, he will soon discover he is mistaken. Like phase one, our primary goal is to delay the advance of the enemy forces for as long as possible. Ships from the Varanni Alliance and Mindus Space are already on the move. Our Conclave allies are also relocating their fleets through the Gift, and a message has been sent to Admiral Becket to recall her fleet. Emperor Somerville and I believe that if we can delay the enemy sufficiently, we can still muster a powerful enough fleet to defend our forts and repel this invasion.
“To that end, the third aspect of our strategy is preparation. Every fort must be fortified to the utmost. Several bills have been approved in Parliament to mobilize every vessel capable of combat. We also expect the first lend-lease freighters to arrive at our forts in two months. In total, at least ten thousand of them are anticipated to join us. While these ships aren't equivalent to military vessels with seasoned crews, they will enhance our defenses.
“In essence, while time won't win this war on its own, it remains our ally. We hope to delay, frustrate, and diminish the readiness of this invasion fleet to such a degree that, when the significant battles commence around our forts, we, due to our shorter supply lines and artificial shift passages, are better prepared. And,” Scott added with a smile, “when it comes to defending our forts, we will have our Kulrean allies by our side.”
Around Jonathan, several heads nodded in agreement. He found Scott's smile contagious. While the addition of the four thousand ships of the Home Fleet was welcome, the two hundred Kulrean worldships that accompanied them were even more appreciated. Jonathan had once seen a Kulrean worldship as a teenager during a visit to Kulthar with his father. Now, as a seasoned naval commander, they seemed even more magnificent.
“So, that summarizes our proposal,” Scott said, giving the impression she was wrapping up. “You should be receiving your specific assignments shortly. We'll break into smaller discussion groups so you can flesh out the roles you and your forces will play in our strategy. If Tanaka-lan's fleets departed their bases today and headed directly for Zeta fort, we estimate their journey through The Wilds would take eight weeks. Our Emperor aims to double that time and make them lose many ships in the process. Go now and make this a reality.” With a nod to everyone, Scott then moved to sit next to Jonathan's father as the holo display dimmed.
A contemplative silence enveloped the room as they processed Scott's words. Jonathan could feel the weight of them. The task ahead was formidable. Given the colossal number of enemy ships, now estimated to be over one hundred thousand, merely delaying them seemed challenging. Confronting and defeating them at one of the forts? Jonathan grappled with how that could be feasible. But she believes it, he thought. He had known Scott long enough to discern her genuine belief in their ability to defeat Tanaka-lan.
Glancing left and then right, Jonathan saw that the same thoughts were going through both Iso's and Montgomery’s minds. But as they turned their gazes to him, their expressions shifted to curiosity. Simultaneously, they all reached for their datapads and opened them to see their assigned orders. Jonathan's smile broadened upon reading his. For a fleeting moment, he had feared that his father might have orchestrated things to leave him behind at the forts. As he continued reading, he felt a familiar emotion rise. Ever since he had been forced to retreat while Emilie confronted Tanaka-lan alone, he had burned for another opportunity to face Tanaka-lan’s Karacknids. Now, it seemed he would get that chance.
Chapter 8
Sometimes a bull in a China shop is exactly the kind of person you need in a war.
-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.
It took several minutes for Jonathan, Iso, and Montgomery to get out of the main conference room as every officer rushed to get to where their breakout session was being held. As Jonathan stepped into their smaller conference room, he looked around as he took in the other officers already there. There were two Rear Admirals and their entourages and four other Commodores. He smiled and nodded at a couple he knew, but the rest were unfamiliar to him. After finding a seat, he looked to the front of the conference room as he waited to see who their commanding officer would be.
Moments later, a side door opened and Rear Admiral Jiminez stepped in along with his Chief of Staff. Jonathan couldn’t help but smile. Jiminez had commanded one of the squadrons tasked with patrolling the Karacknid southern border for five years before returning to Imperial space to play a role in organizing the yearly fleet live fire training exercises. Almost every flag rank commander had fought him in a simulated battle or a live fire mock engagement. He was known as a firebrand and as a tactical genius. The perfect officer for this mission! Jonathan thought as he shared a grin with Iso.
"You all made it in good time, good. Let me welcome you to Task Force Intercept. I’ll not waste our time repeating what Admiral Scott has already shared with us, so let’s get right to it,” Jiminez said, displaying his famous disdain for bureaucracy and meetings. With a gesture, Jiminez activated the conference room’s holo display and showed the same map of The Wilds that Scott had. This time, however, the area of space just south of the Karacknid border was split up into eight colored areas. A name appeared in the center of each.
“I have been assigned to command our squadrons that will deploy along the Karacknid border,” Jiminez said. “Each of your squadrons will form a part of our task force. We'll split up our area of responsibility between us. Within the next two days, we will be departing for our zones of responsibility. I’ll have more specific orders drawn up for each of you, but they will be little more than guides. Once you get to your area of operation, you will be responsible for completing the directives Emperor Somerville has for us.
“Initially, we will operate independently as we seek to engage whatever Karacknid screening forces begin to move into your zones. However, as we fall back, I will coordinate our retreat as best I can. If possible, we'll set ambushes for our enemy and give him a few bloody noses. Your priority, however, will be to keep your forces intact and to maintain contact with the enemy. One thing we cannot allow to happen is for a sizable Karacknid force to slip past us. For phase two of the Emperor’s plan to work, he must know exactly where all elements of the Karacknid invasion fleet are at all times.
“Harkin, Gomez, Heath, Jin, and I will be responsible for tracking the five Karacknid fleets once they push into the Wilds. The rest of you will engage the initial screening forces, then fall back to the secret FOBs in your zones and wait there. Only once the Karacknid fleets have passed are you to reveal yourselves and begin raiding whatever supply convoys they have following their fleets.”
Jonathan couldn’t help but smile at Jiminez’s words. His squadron was one of the ones tasked with waiting for the Karacknids to leave and then begin raiding in their rear. Leaning forward, he studied the map that showed the zone he was to operate in. His zone was directly between two of the Karacknid fleet bases where their numbers were building. There’s going to be a bounty of targets, he thought as his smile widened. The rational side of his mind knew that no matter how many Karacknid ships he destroyed, it would never take away the guilt he felt for what had happened to Emilie, yet he didn’t care. He wanted revenge, and he was going to be in the perfect place to get it. While the rest of the Imperial Navy would be preparing to defend its forts, he was going to be in the thick of the action!
“Each of you has been chosen because you have proven your ability to operate independently from more senior commanders,” Jiminez continued even as he nodded in approval at the hungry look he saw on all of his subordinates' faces. “That is what this phase of our defense will rely upon. As best we can, we will all stay in touch with one another, but you need to operate under the assumption that no additional aid will be able to be diverted to you. If you have to fall back, do so; there’s no shame in it, not with the numbers we are facing. But you must ensure you send word of every movement you make back to Emperor Somerville and I so that we are not caught by surprise.”
With another gesture, Jiminez changed the image to show two strange-looking ships. Jonathan pressed his lips together as he studied them. Both were unfamiliar to him. Jiminez smiled at the sudden confusion on many of the faces in front of him. “I see not many of you are familiar with our two raider class ships. Good, that means keeping them secret has worked. The larger one is IS Bombardier, the smaller one IS Wolf. It’s quite possible you will encounter some of these ships as the fighting begins, especially the squadrons who will be operating behind the Karacknid fleets as they advance.
“Bombardier and her sister ships are stealthed mine layers. They can operate on their own or in small squadrons. Some have been tasked with trying to lay mines in front of the main Karacknid fleets, others with mining strategic areas after the Karacknid fleets pass in order to hamper their supply situations. Wolf is a stealth cruiser. Again, she and her sister ships can operate alone, or in what we call wolf packs, where they can hunt down isolated enemy capital ships or convoys.
“Both ships have advanced stealth technology that is beyond me, as well as other weapon systems designed to complement their stealth capabilities. It’s likely that you will only run into either of the ships if their captains allow you to spot them. It may be they need assistance, or they have intel to share. They have orders not to reveal themselves or to join up with our standard ships unless there is a significant opportunity that presents itself. Otherwise, they will operate in the dark, striking only when they can be certain of victory. It is the Emperor’s hope that their attacks will sow confusion amongst the enemy as they may believe there are larger imperial squadrons operating in their rear than in reality. The more forces we can cause the Karacknid’s to divert to deal with our raiding squadrons, the fewer we will have to face when the fighting reaches our forts.
Jonathan shared a glance with Iso and Montgomery. Then he shook his head as he thought of his father and Scott. He had no doubt they were both behind the new class of ships. Yet neither had said anything to him. Need to know, I guess, he told himself. He was full of curiosity to know more about the ships' capabilities but as Jiminez moved on, Jonathan guessed they weren't going to learn anything more now.
“Each of our squadrons is also being assigned one of these,” Jiminez said as another ship appeared in front of them all. This time, Jonathan recognized it and once again he smiled. His mind quickly began to fill with ideas for how he could utilize the ship. “The fleet has a few interdictor cruisers, but we have more than we’ve been letting on,” Jiminez said. “A number will be operating with Emperor Somerville’s fleet. The rest have been assigned to us. I don’t need to emphasize how rare a resource they are, so they are to be used wisely and sparingly. Yet they will provide us with unique ways in which to hamper or delay the advance of Karacknid screening squadrons, or to ambush supply convoys. In my written instructions for you, I have outlined a number of possible ways in which they can be utilized. We can discuss them and other ideas together now and over the next day.”
“In addition, each of your squadrons will be reinforced by additional ships from the squadrons that arrived with Emperor Somerville. In total, our force will number two thousand five hundred and sixty warships. Even if we combined all our ships, we couldn't hope to confront even one of the Karacknid fleets that will be entering The Wilds. However, with the right tactics and fortitude, we can engage their screening squadrons and delay their advance.
“Now, I have more detailed orders for you all to read when we finish here, and then I have some simulated battles I wish for us to run our squadrons through this evening and tomorrow morning before we leave. Our time now is the only time we'll get together before we depart, so are there any questions or ideas you wish to discuss?”
There was a few seconds of silence while every officer thought through everything they had just heard. Then the questions began to come. “What do the raiding squadrons do if the Karacknid fleets make it to the forts?” Commodore Harkin asked.
“Whatever they can,” Jiminez answered honestly. “Realistically, if the Karacknid fleets make it to our forts, it will be very hard to get around them to reinforce whichever forts are under attack. At least, not in time to make a difference. Even if the forts fall, our raiding squadrons will likely still be able to do the most damage by continuing to harass the Karacknids’ supply lines.
“And what about our trading partners in The Wilds, and the other species?” Jonathan asked. “Can we use their systems as bases of operation, or are they even likely to offer any resistance to the Karacknids?”
“A warning is being sent out to all the species we have trading relationships with, or that we have assisted over the last two and a half decades,” Jiminez explained. “Emperor Somerville is recommending that they destroy everything they have built up that might draw the Karacknids’ attention to their systems. Some may choose to try and resist with the small fleets they have built; others will hopefully destroy their gas mining facilities so that Tanaka-lan cannot use them to support his fleet. In either case, we have orders not to draw the Karacknid ships to any of these systems. At least, not unless the situation is dire. If need be, we can utilize them, but only as a last resort.”
“And if the Karacknids capture a system with intact mining facilities or other infrastructure they can use?” Iso followed up.
“Then they become targets, just as if the Karacknids had built them themselves,” Jiminez responded.
“What about the initial zones we are being assigned to, are the raiding squadrons to stick to their zones after the Karacknid fleets pass us by?” Commodore Leim asked.
“Initially yes,” Jiminez responded. “Ideally, I would like our raiding squadrons to stay spread out to be able to attack convoys supplying each of the five Karacknid fleets. However, once you begin your raiding, you have permission to seek out the richest target environments, wherever that takes you. It is your responsibility to cause as much damage as possible.”
Jonathan nodded at that. Being tied down to one area would only end up getting a squadron cornered and destroyed. With free rein, he'd be able to range as far as his fuel supplies allowed and strike at whatever targets of opportunity came his way. For another half an hour, more questions were asked, then the conversation turned to discussing strategy and tactics as Jiminez laid out how he foresaw each stage of what they were being asked to do would play out and his officers added their own thoughts. By the time they were done, three hours had passed from the beginning of Scott’s initial briefing. When the discussions were finally over, Jonathan stood and stretched; his body felt weary, yet his mind was still buzzing. Though he knew the advance of the Karacknid fleets was the greatest threat his species had ever faced, he couldn’t help the excitement he felt at the prospect. In the coming weeks, every skill he had spent his life developing was about to be tested to the extreme. While some might balk at such an idea, he couldn’t wait to get started.
After saying farewell to a few of the other commanders of the squadrons, Jonathan led Iso and Montgomery out of the briefing room. A Lieutenant surprised him as she snapped a salute the moment he came into view. “Commodore Somerville, I am on your father’s command staff. He instructed me to invite you to have some refreshments with him before you return to your flagship.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Jonathan replied. “You two better go back to the ship and start getting things ready,” he said, turning to Iso and Montgomery. “I’ll catch another shuttle back.”
“Aye sir, see you over there,” Iso replied.
“Lead on,” Jonathan said as he smiled at the Lieutenant. As they walked, she tried to engage him in idle conversation, but he couldn’t focus on what she was saying. His mind was consumed with everything he had just been asked to do.
*
When they got to his father’s quarters, his father wasn’t there yet, evidently still involved in his own briefing. For half an hour, Jonathan waited in a reception room almost as large as Hammerclaw’s bridge, sipping the coffee the Lieutenant had brought him. When his father did arrive, he burst into the room, surrounded by six officers. He was mid-sentence, giving orders to one of them. After the Lieutenant nodded and turned to leave, James glanced at Jonathan, gave his son a wink, and then turned back to fire off instructions for the others. Jonathan couldn’t help but smile at his father; he was in his element.
