All That Glitters Ch. 39

They had taken out three of the four Handren's and badly damaged another. Not bad for a forty minute fight...

Adenomere Defence Forces, Planet Adenomere, Adenomere System

The captains of the Defence Forces quickly realized they were at a disadvantage in close-in fighting. They adopted more flexible tactics and began to lob missiles and torpedoes at the Union ships from a distance aiming for the ships in the middle of the protected ring. This tactic was much more effective and resulted in many hits against Navy ships.

The ratio of missiles to hits in most battles was twenty missiles/torpedoes for one hit. However, the Union warships had to protect the rescue vessels, making them more vulnerable to being hit as they took chances they normally wouldn't to protect the unarmed rescue ships. The ratio of shots to hits increased to almost ten to one and Defence Force vessels were loaded with missiles and torpedoes.

The battle of shoot and manoeuvre dragged on, with the Union Navy's timings for sending shuttles to the surface getting further and further behind...

Adenomere Estate, Third House of Adenomere, Planet Adenomere

Adolphus Adenomere, fourth and youngest son of Peotre Adenomere, was furious. His PA, David, was informing him that all people in the house had been ordered to the bunker by his father but Adolphus was refusing to go.

"I would be like a Scondar Beast instead of being forced to hide in the bunker like some frightened virgin," Adolphus shouted at his PA (a Scondar Beast was a large rabbit-like animal native to Planet Adenomere roughly the size of a Jackrabbit. Despite looking like a rabbit, it is neither meek nor mild. It had sharp teeth that are used for self-defence and for attack. As a burrowing animal, it also has hard claws that can tear through the hardest of clay dirt, able to dig out a ten meter tunnel in mere minutes. Only hunting animals that operated in packs could successfully hunt adult Scondar Beasts, and they would be hard pressed to do so. Many a slave had been injured when they accidentally come across Scondar Beasts who defend themselves vigorously when surprised instead of running away).

David rung his hands in frustration at the idiocy of his boss. With the Master and his other brothers away, that left Adolphus in charge of the estate and he had ignored his father's orders to go to shelter.

Being the senior slave on site, David was responsible for getting all the slaves into the bunker. He pushed everyone below, setting up the more senior slaves to control those in the bunkers. The slaves could not seal the bunker, not even David. That took a master command comp that only an Adenomere wore.

David had coffee brought to the Master and waited patiently for orders, silent now about the bunker on the orders of his master. The pair closely watched the information coming to them about the battle in orbit. As the day wore on, it didn't look good for the two Adenomere fleets but the longer they fought, the less likely it would be that the enemy would come down to the surface.

In Orbit, Planet Adenomere, Adenomere System

The fight in orbit was getting vicious as time wore on for both fleets. The Union would send ships to jump in amongst the two enemy fleets and wreak havoc deep inside those fleets. In close-in fighting, the more modern and manoeuvrable Union ships had a definite advantage causing extensive damage to enemy ships each time they closed for combat.

On the other hand, the Defence Forces and the Pirate vessels would lob shots at the Union fleet, which was tied to the rescue vessels. At a distance, the Union forces were at a disadvantage because of their inability to manoeuvre. They took chances to take out the missiles and torpedoes to protect the rescue vessels, which left the warships vulnerable to long-range enemy fire. While the number of Union vessels damaged was less than the number of Adenomere ships, the biggest factor for the Union was the time lost to the battle in orbit. The Task Force needed to put shuttles down on the planet to retrieve Union citizens and could not do so as long as they did not have superiority in orbit.

As the five hour mark crept up on her, Dostier decided to ask for help. She sent a message to the other Task Forces, ordering them to implement Plan Romeo...

NS Polyanty, Numbered Star System, HD-137982

Task Force Gaetan arrived in system after their successful raid.

"Sir, we got 11,273 slaves out, with no damage to any of our ships and only a few injured due to enemy Militia forces," the Boatswain advised Capt. Endar half-an-hour after they arrived in system.

"Sir, Comms, the Persephone is trying to contact us through the Tactical Link," the Comms O advised.

"My station," the Captain ordered.

"William, this is Ned. Dostier is in trouble at Adenomere. They hit a loaded system with ninety-two enemy ships, forty of them heavies. The fleet is tied to the rescue vessels which gives the enemy an advantage for lobbing missiles and torpedoes. Our forces have taken serious damage, though they have given it as well.

"Dostier has implemented Plan Romeo for Adenomere, she needs everything you have available," Ned finished.

"OK, I can send my ship and all of the newer Whippet Class and the Valour Class. Where do we go?" William asked.

"I'll send you coordinates to fight from. No sense going to Dostier's fleet. We need to provide an additional problem for the Adenomere Defences," Ned answered.

A few moments later, the coordinates that he wanted them to jump on came up. Endar sent the message to his fleet, advising them that they had to support the raid at Adenomere, which was in trouble. Since only the ships with the newer M/A generators could jump, he had all the other vessels stay under the coordination of the Persephone. They waited the few minutes needed before they could jump.

"Comms, give me fleetwide," Endar ordered. He had it within moments. "All ships, this is The Polyanty. Our designated ships are about to jump into the Adenomere system in support of the raid there. They are in a firefight and we need to give them some much needed support.

"Our orders are simple: cause as much of a disruption to the enemy fleet as we can. We need to allow the raid to get down to the planet and start freeing our citizens. It can only do that if we have orbital superiority. That is our goal. We jump in three minutes, on my mark, three, two, one, mark. Polyanty out."

Three minutes later, the fighting fleet winked out of existence...

NS Saraswati, Numbered Star System, HD-137982

As the NS Saraswati came into the HD-137982 Star System, MCPO Gigamy gave the captain the bad news.

"Ma'am, we abandoned twelve damaged Combat Shuttles on the surface but got all the crews out with eight injured and retrieved the four dead. There were an additional forty-three Marines injured due to fighting on the ground. They all made it out.

"We lost eight shuttles to enemy fire in atmosphere, with the loss of all on board. We estimate that there were an average of seventy-six civilians, Marines, and crew, on board each shuttle, which means we lost 612 people to enemy air action on the planet.

"In addition, we have eighteen ships with various degrees of damage with 1,042 injured and 118 dead from combat in orbit. The severely damaged Valour Class were recovered by our Fairling Class Frigates while the damaged Whippet Class had to be recovered by the Fleet Tender with her larger holds. There are nine other Valour and five Whippet Class that have sustained damage, though they are capable of using their sub-light and FTL drives, ma'am," Gigamy ended.

"Thank-you, Master Chief," a subdued Damyanti replied. "Let's keep that information to ourselves for the moment and concentrate our efforts on the living, especially the rescued."

"Aye, sir."

As they spoke, triage was taking place on all the ships with the rescued aboard. Those that were relatively healthy but hungry, were given hardy meals of thinned stew, so as not to upset their stomachs.

Clothes were also being distributed as many of the ex-slaves were wearing nothing but rags, some were only wearing loin-cloths, if that. More than a few of the rescued were naked, displaying the scars and wear and tear on their bodies from years of toil and deprivation by hunger.

Many of the former slaves got the chance to shower for the first time in weeks, before receiving the clothes that had been brought for them.

All the rescued were being DNA scanned to determine their identities. Messages were being put out to all those who were not Union Citizens that they would not be returned to the Alliance of Planets if they asked for asylum. All chose asylum.

None of the rescued were really healthy but some were in very bad shape and were transferred to the fleet's hospital ship, which quickly filled up. The injured Marines/Navy were sent to the three hospital ships attached to the Polyanty's fleet; these ships being dedicated to the various raids' wounded.

The ships of Task Force New Hadria were waiting to jump again, this time to one of the two planets whose Naval bases OP Sandcastle was being supported from. It would be a tense wait of several hours as the older Marilon Generators recovered their charges. Fortunately, their end destinations were well within the jump range of the older ships.

"Sir, Comms, I have a message from the Dewfall requesting all available support to Task Force Adenomere. The Commodore is enacting Plan Romeo for Adenomere," the Comms O called out.

"Shit, just when we thought we would be out of this," Damyanti grumbled.

"Comms, get a count of the ships that can jump now, the damaged ships will remain in system as escort for the rescue ships and hospital ships.

"Tac O, list the ships capabilities on the Tactical Link. I want to see who can jump immediately on the Link. Those ships that can jump now, which will be mostly Whippet and Valour Class, will follow us to the Adenomere system.

"The remaining ships will jump once they have recharged.

"Boatswain, get our rescued citizens off this ship, as we are about to return to combat. See who can take them on and have them send shuttles to us to retrieve those that are with us," she finished to a chorus of Aye, sirs.

"Comms O, get me a link to the Persephone," Damyanti ordered.

"Ma'am, the Persephone is attempting to contact us," the Comms O indicated.

"To my station," Damyanti ordered.

"Ned, Damyanti, how is the situation with Task Force Adenomere?" she asked.

"Damyanti, they jumped into bad luck, fifty-six ships of the Defence Force Fleet and thirty-six pirate vessels, both fleets loaded with heavies. While they have the largest fighting force of any raid, with 254 warships compared to 92 of the enemy, they are fighting for orbital supremacy right now. However, the longer they fight, the longer the planetary Airforce and Militia have time to prepare.

"The enemy is not backing down and is lobbing shots at the rescue ships, forcing the fleet to stay close to protect them. That has given the enemy a major advantage. Dostier is jumping her ships in amongst them as our forces have the advantage close in but our ships cannot stay inside the enemy fleet for more than a few passes.

"The battle in orbit is turning out to be a slug fest with several ships on both sides already damaged. Dostier is calling in everyone who has completed their raid and who is capable, to assist," Capt. Randolph replied.

"Shit. OK, I can send in my ship plus all the undamaged Whippet Class and Valour Class. My ship is the only heavy that can jump now, the rest will have to wait out the recharge. I'll put them into your care as part of the defence force here until they can jump.

"I suggest that as soon as the rescue ships can jump, they should make for the two bases. Keep your warships here to assist in the defence of this system and send anyone who can into Adenomere when they can. All the Fleet Tenders should leave the damaged ships here under your protection and support and jump into Adenomere when they can. They will be needed for the more severely damaged heavies, in that task force," Damyanti advised.

"That was my plan. I'll take support of any ship of your fleet that stays behind until they can jump. If we still need their support for Task Force Adenomere by then, we will definitely be in the shit," Ned replied.

"I'm sending a list of my ships that are staying behind, Ned. The rest of us will jump in twenty-five, once the generators are recharged," Damyanti told her friend.

"Roger, that. We have the list now. Good hunting, Damyanti," said Ned.

"We'll need it," Damyanti replied under her breath as she closed the link.

"Damyanti to all ships," she sent over her fleet's Tactical Link twenty minutes later. "Those that can, we jump in five from my mark. The rest, keep tabs on the events in Adenomere in case you are still needed when you are ready to jump. The damaged ships from our raid will remain here until all rescue ships are through. We will jump to the coordinates listed to put us on the far side of the enemy fleet.

"On my mark, three, two, one, Mark!" she called out, getting responses immediately from her ready fleet.

Five minutes later, The Saraswati and all the ships that could, jumped into Adenomere...

NS Suurland, Numbered Star System, HD-137982

Task Force Surdend arrived in HD-137982 Star System only to discover that Task Force Adenomere was in trouble. They swiftly transferred those that needed immediate support to the hospital ships.

Holf had no refit Fairling Class. He would send all of his Valour and Whippet Class immediately to support Cmdre. Dostier. He contacted Damyanti and attached his ready fleet to hers.

He would have to wait the four hours necessary to recharge the majority of his heavy ships and some of the older Whippet Class. He fervently hoped they would not still be needed...

NS Agrippa, Numbered Star System, HD-137982

Task Force Erden, came into the system to see ships from other task forces jumping out.

"Sir, Comms O, the Persephone is sending a message," the Comms O declared.

"My station," Stahl ordered.

"Aye, sir. Comms to you."

"Will, Ned, Task Force Adenomere is in trouble, they jumped into a loaded system with ninety-two determined enemy vessels, with forty of them heavies. They are in a slug-fest and are taking damage; they have as yet to send any raiders to the planet.

"Dostier is requesting support from any ships available," Ned Randolph finished.

"Shit. OK, we will immediately send all the newer Whippet and Valour Class ships to Adenomere, all our heavies are not refit class and cannot jump immediately. I'll send you our Tactical Link with the numbers in one minute," Stahl finished.

"Comms O, Fleet Wide, now," Stahl ordered.

Ten seconds later, he had Fleet Wide comms.

"All ships, this is Capt. Stahl. Task Force Adenomere is in trouble and is requesting assistance. They are in a slug-fest in orbit and need all available ships that can jump to assist.

"Send your ready state immediately. Those that can, will jump in thirty minutes, when the newer ships have recharged. The remainder will remain here as defence for this system until the rescue ships can jump to the support bases. Stahl, out."

The Tactical Link quickly showed who could and who could not jump.

Three of the Valour Class were showing damage and Stahl opted to keep them in the rear, he had the information sent to the Persephone. The Persephone gave them coordinates to jump on. Thirty minutes later, Stahl's more modern ships began to jump into Adenomere...

The Wanderer, Numbered Star System, HD-137982

Task Force Vuelta winked into existence in the HD-137982 Star System moments after leaving the Della System, fifteen light years away. The fleet collapsed into the protective ball with the hospital ship in its center. A quick triage sent many of the rescued to the hospital ship, the numbers beginning to overwhelm its capabilities.

"Sir, Comms, the MHS Cheotte reports they now have 1,100 patients on board. They are maxed out and can no longer take on any further injured," Comms reported.

"Roger, fortunately, it appears there are no more transferees waiting," Raymond reported. "Comms, send a message to NS Dewfall via ICS, indicating the total numbers as 16,129 rescued, eight of our personnel injured, no damage to the fleet."

"Sir, Comms, the NS Dewfall sends its regards, we are to cut half of our military fleet to transfer to Task Force Adenomere which has met serious resistance. Send the most capable ships immediately, as per Plan Romeo," Comms relayed.

Raymond gave the order: "All ships, this is The Wanderer. Plan Romeo Task Force Adenomere. Repeat, Plan Romeo Task Force Adenomere. Those ships that can will jump ASAP.

"NS Holt, you will assume command of the remainder of Task Force Vuelta. The rescue ships are your responsibility. Coordinate with NS Persephone," Raymond ordered.

NS Holt acknowledged its orders as the new Command Ship and took over the Tactical Link for what would be left of Task Force Vuelta.

"Sir, Comms, the Persephone is attempting to contact us," the Comms O said.

"My Station," Capt. Degault replied.

"Hellene, Ned, Dostier's fleet has met unexpected resistance, 92 enemy ships, forty of them heavies, the Defence Force Fleet is not backing down. They are in a pitch battle with a determined opposition. Damyanti has collected the Whippet and Valour Class from her raid, that of Task Force Surdend, and Task Force Erdan, and jumped to coordinates on the far side of the enemy fleet. They will be active now," Ned said.

"Right. We will collect what ships we can and jump in fifteen minutes with whatever we have," Hellene proposed, looking at the tactical plot from Adenomere.

"I want you to jump to the coordinates that the Polyanty jumped into and become part of the third fleet," Ned confirmed.

"Roger that, we can jump in ten minutes," Hellen advised. "Send any other raids returning to either of the two new fleets in Adenomere."

"Roger, good hunting. Persephone out."

The ships of Task Force Vuelta looked at their orders and knew immediately which ships would remain in-system and which ships would move to support Task Force Adenomere. Those that could, jumped ten minutes later...

NS Dewfall, Planet Adenomere, The Adenomere System

After five hours of battle, Dostier was starting to get worried. The ships of the Planetary Defence Force were consolidating in front of her portion of the Adenomere fleet, recognizing that the Dewfall was the command ship and attempting to take her and the rescue fleet out. Her biggest fear was that even if they could gain orbital superiority, they wouldn't have the necessary support to escort the shuttles to the surface as more and more of her Whippet and Valour Class were taking damage, a mere handful of which were the newest model with grid-jump capability vice using vanes and with the Gara-Hinn force shields, which had proven remarkably successful, having saved four of the newest Valour Class from total destruction.

She had been receiving news from the other raids, which were fairing better but her raid was not going well at all. She was giving serious thought to abandoning the attempt when the first good news in many hours came to the Battle Bridge.

"Sir, I am showing a new fleet identified as Union ships appearing on a tangent to us and the enemy fleets!" the Tac O in the Battle Bridge called out.

Dostier looked at the 3D display and saw the numbers creeping up as more and more ships came into the system.

"Dewfall, this is Polyanty. We are here to assist Plan Romeo. We have this ship, thirty two Whippet Class and fifty-five Valour Class. What do you want us to do, over."