Talosian Chronicles 5: Raptor Squadron (8 page)

Ian received a routine approval and support request for a scientific experiment involving a new type of hyperspace engine and immediately thought of the gate devices the Empire was using. As he read through the description and goals of the experiments, he realized that this was a different theory entirely.

"Star, do you have a couple of minutes?" Ian asked the room in general.

Since he had addressed her as 'Star' instead of 'Major', she thought the situation was a personal one and responded in kind.

"What can I help you with, Ian?" Star asked as she formed her hologram in his office.

He smiled at her. "I just got this request from a hyperspace research team wanting to perform tests on a new style of engine. I was wondering if you knew anything about the theory behind it?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Ah, here it is. Maia has been lending the team a few processor cycles to assist them in developing the new engine. It is based on the folded space theory of travel. This is the theory that many believe theorized wormholes use for moving matter from one point to another in space-time. I say theorize because, while we know they have to exist, no one has ever been able to prove it.

"However, that being said, it is thought that naturally occurring wormholes would bring other issues into play as well; high radiation, instability, exotic matter and so on. This engine model works on that premise, but without the more dangerous side effects. During the computer modeling stage, the engines worked perfectly up to distances of twenty-eight point nine-nine-two light years. In each case, travel time was measured in micro-seconds.

It was discovered that, based on the mass of the ship, the amount of matter being jumped through had an effect on over all stability of the bridge during the jump. In the model, a shadow fighter was used to make the jumps. When the ship was increased in size, power requirements grew exponentially, but greater distance was gained for reliable transits. Given current power technologies, it would not be feasible for large ships to be equipped with this type of engine."

"How much more energy would it take for a heavy cruiser?" Ian asked.

"Eighty-four thousand times more than we currently produce at maximum output," Star replied. "Conversely, a fighter could easily do it without modification. A medium freighter would need an additional reactor, but it would be possible," Star explained.

"Okay, my real question was actually, is this theory at all related to what we think the Empire is using for their gate devices?" Ian asked. "Would they be able to detect the use of this engine?"

It took Star a moment to answer the questions, and Ian was wondering if he had asked too much of her. She finally looked back up at him. "I can't answer that question with complete surety. We don't have enough information on the Imperial devices. However, based on what has been observed, I would say the answers is 'no' to both questions. By all appearances, the Empire is using a form of compressed hyperspace to move their ships. Detection would be possible, but only by highly sensitive gravimetric sensors at relatively close proximity to the event."

"So we should be safe if we allow these tests to proceed?" Ian asked.

"From detection, yes. The team would like to conduct these test well outside the system in order to minimize the danger from unforeseen side effects the test might create," Star replied. "It really is very exciting work. I am looking forward to seeing their results."

TDF
Star Dancer

Main Mission Briefing Room

Trans-Lunar Parking Orbit

Sol System, Sol Sector

Commander Jennifer Williams, Commanding

Before Ian knew it, the time for the Hyperion assault had come. Hyperion was a nine-day jump from the rally point just outside the Centauri System. The Raptors would arrive at the Grimaria system in seven days. Ian had Ty use the special, heavily encrypted comm protocols to inform the Raptors of what was planned. When Ian launched for the Hyperion system, another message would be sent alerting the teams according to a predetermined schedule. The Raptors couldn't reply; they were too deep into enemy space to risk exposure, but receiving a message held no risk for them.

Ian stood and looked out at the room full of ship Captains and troop Commanders waiting for him to begin.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome and thank you for coming. In four days, I will lead an assault team in the retaking of the planet Hyperion. There are two primary objectives for this operation.

"The first objective is to retake the Talosian world of Hyperion and to ascertain how the Empire has been treating that world and its inhabitants. After the elimination or capture of all enemy forces occupying the planet, we will render any and all aid to the civilian population on an as-needed basis. A secondary objective to this is the rescue and repatriation of a Benesian Agricultural Ambassador and her aides that were trapped on the planet when it fell. An image and all required identification information will be given to you prior to our departure.

"Many of you are no doubt wondering why, if this mission is to free a Talosian planet, we are using a multi-national, Alliance force. Simple, this is an Alliance world we intend to rescue, not simply a Talosian one. It also involves our second primary objective. That goal is to draw an Imperial Task Force to Hyperion to stop us."

He had to stop a moment as many of the beings in the room suddenly began muttering and talking amongst themselves. He raised his voice. "Yes, we are intentionally trying to get them to attack us with an over-whelming force.

"The initial assault on the planet will be made by the
Star Dancer
, the
Prometheus
and the
Zephyr
in support of the twenty-fourth Talosian Marine division and the Second Ferandi Hussars. The rest of this fleet, including the
Tiamat
and her escorts, will remain on station in hyperspace by maintaining a null relative velocity, along with the Third and Fifth Alliance fleets that will meet us there. The three initial ships will drop out of the system and send Raptor teams in to recon the planet and verify our intel. Once that has been done, we will proceed in system, loudly and boldly making our presence known. The ships guarding the planet should have almost five hours to call for help before we destroy them.

"We will deploy our Marines and fighter wings and secure the planet. If the Empire responds as Alliance Intel believes they will, the Imperial fleets should arrive at this time, and try to trap our ships close to the planet. We will 'run away' to solar north and away from the planet; we are the bait. When the Imperial force commits to pursuing us, the rest of you will drop out of hyperspace and the fight will be on.

"Once we retake Hyperion, we will move on to the next planet and give them another opportunity. The same bait and trap tactic most likely won't work again, but we have a plan for that too. Unit specific goals and objectives are in the briefing files you should now all have. Does anyone have any questions?"

A Croanian Captain stood. "Admiral, how many ships should we expect the Empire to send?"

Ian nodded. "We are expecting thirty or forty light to medium ships with a few heavies mixed in to keep us honest. There is one thing I want to make absolutely clear; any Imperial warships arriving at Hyperion are not to be allowed to leave. The intelligence folks can sift through the wreckage if they want, but
every
enemy ship
will be
destroyed."

Another officer stood and Ian nodded at him. "If I may ask, Admiral, what planet will be the next one we liberate?"

Ian saw that almost all of them wanted to know that answer.

"I really wish I could tell you, Commander. However, because of the nature of this plan, that target won't be selected until shortly before the mission begins when each mission is authorized. We will be taking our worlds back from the Empire, we will free our people," Ian said grinning. "Hyperion just happened to be the first one selected."

The assembled commanders did ask a few more questions, but the details of the mission would be discussed in the next few days with the individual groups of commanders involved. Finally, Ian sensed that the questions were over. "Okay folks, give your people some down time where you can, but make sure you’re loaded up for battle. We'll assemble at the rally point in eighty hours. Dismissed!"

Jenny asked him a question once they were back in his office. "I noticed you didn't say anything about the Raptor team assault on Grimaira?"

Ian shrugged. "Raptor operations are on a need to know basis and they didn't need to know. I also didn't want word to get back to the Empire and put those people in danger. It's bad enough that I had to tell them about the assault this early; there is a possibility the Empire will learn of it before we even launch, and reverse the tables on us."

"You think we have a spy here?" Jenny asked.

"Oh, we probably have more than one. With the number of people our allies are sending us, it would be foolish to believe they're all clean," Ian said. "But, we're doing everything we can to insure our security doesn't get compromised. I'm mainly worried about the Empire getting our location. As soon as they do, we can expect to be attacked with heavy forces. This is the only place in the Alliance where so much research is grouped so closely together. Combine that with the ship yards and other facilities, and we are a prime target the Empire would have to destroy."

Jenny nodded. "If we know that, then why have we grouped it all together? Why don't we try and spread it all out a bit, make it harder to hit?"

"Many reasons; harder to hit also means harder to defend. Each facility would have less over all protection making them far easier to destroy individually. It's hard enough protecting everything with it spread over the two systems we currently have. Besides, with everything this close together, it is far easier for them to support each other as well.

"Researchers and scientists talk to each other. They share ideas much faster and easier when they are close to each other. A good example of that is the weapon that young man designed for
Star Dancer
; it was adapted for the Shadow fighters, and within a month it had been adapted for ground support weapons, orbital defense platforms, and a new weapon for the combat drones that are coming out. Doctor Benson's armor is another good example; it's being put on almost everything we build now," Ian finished.

Jenny nodded, she had known all this, but it was her job to make Ian think about situations like this. "Speaking of those drones, there is a problem with them, and production has been delayed. Colonel Carlson was the original test pilot for them. He has following development of the project and has filed a very promising report on them. He has recommended a possible addition to correct the issues and mentioned some form of large scale tests with production prototypes be held on Atlas as soon as the units can be built and a testing facility be made available."

"That big drone is a completely new system; what was the issue with it?" Ian asked.

"Durability during combat maneuvers. The first units were built and sent out, the platoon training on them were told that they should be capable of everything the soldier should be able to do; they couldn't. The first time a soldier dove for cover, it literally broke the back of the drone. This really isn't the designers fault either. They were rushed into production before the drones were completely tested. The designers have taken Colonel Carlson's recommendations to heart and expanded on them. The system is much tougher now, but they do not want to release the units for production until the large scale tests are completed under simulated battle conditions," Jenny replied. "They don’t want another failure."

Ian looked thoughtful. "I can understand that. Our designers take a lot of pride in their work, and a set-back like this had to have really bothered them. We don’t really have a place we can test them, do we?"

Jenny nodded her head. "Yeah, the heavy weapons training area should be good. From what I understand of the design and researchers notes, the hover tank training facility should be a good test area for them. However, with Alan's unit fully involved with the defense plans for Earth, we'll need a new unit to test them."

Ian frowned. "I don't like the idea of changing test pilots in the middle of the game. I'll call Alan and see if he has any suggestions."

Jenny nodded and made a note on her tablet.

"Raptor
Damocles
has been returned to service. Cindy has been released to full active duty by the doctors, as well as Ty. They will be returning to the ship tomorrow, mid-morning from Hades Base," Jenny said after reading the next item on her tablet.

Ian nodded. "I knew she had been released, but not when they would get here. I'll brief her and Corvis tomorrow night on the Hyperion mission."

Through all of this, Alex had been standing quietly off to one side, taking notes on the items and issues she would need to set-up or remind her Admiral about. Ian glanced at her. "Set that up for the evening meal, here in my office please."

Alex nodded but did not reply.

"As you know,
Prometheus
will also be getting her Raptor teams tomorrow. I've spoken to Serena and John, and except for the return of the Raptor teams, we are ready for deployment. Our Marines for this mission are still down at the base, but have begun loading their gear and preparing for departure.
Our
Marines have been training with them for the last month and will be returning to the ship as soon as the assault carriers are loaded. Eight days of that training were spent in boarding exercises with the 'target' ships being a Croanian cruiser and battleship."

Ian grinned. "How'd our folks do?"

Jenny chuckled. "We took the cruiser in twenty minutes, but the battleship held us off until it was declared a stalemate. The Croanian force commander, a senior captain, was impressed with us and invited both boarding party leaders to dinner. Major Getty would like to invite the Croanian Marines a return try at our ship."