An Older man, somewhere in his 50's at a glance, with something of a hunched back, greying hair and an improperly kept beard – Along with a woman of similar age, wearing a striking eyepatch over one eye, wrapped around her free flowing wild mane of crimson hair – Made their way together down a metallic corridor of the battleship Am-Fluchtig, audible bickering to the chagrin of those trying to pass by politely;
“Come on Kolme, tell me what's the deal already!”
“How many times, I've no more idea than you do.”
The woman scowled, “You can't be that useless old man, come on!”
“Ouch, been a while since you talked to me like that.” The man half winced and half laughed in return.
Thee Scarlet Scourge frowned a little at that, “Ya you're right, sorry about that.”
Kolme Nilas rose an eyebrow at this,
“Hey, hey not trying to guilt trip you or nothing, you can talk however you like to me.”
“Ptff can not, you'll get a hurt puppy dog look in your eyes, it'll be terrible.”
Scarlet cooed back, nudging him in the ribs.
“Ta- I will not! Is that really what you think of me?”
“Pretty much ya.” Scarlet smiled back earnestly.
The sincerity of the smile was enough to cause a faint reddening of Kolme's cheeks;
“Well, I think that just says more about you for sleeping with such a man.”
Rather than keep playing along, a frown came over Scarlet, “You don't think that's what this meeting is do ya? Like a caution against inappropriate relationships.”
Kolme couldn't help but smile happily at the concern Scarlet asked the question with - “Ha, our Nate Novel, on his infinite quest to woo Emilia Sheen – Nah I don't think so.”
“But what else would he need just us two for?”
“Meeting of the ship's old people?”
Kolme smirked back.
“Oi take me seriously here old man!” Scarlet snapped.
Kolme laughed and beckoned to the door they had arrived at; “Welp, here's one easy way to find out.”
He said before sliding open the door and letting Scarlet enter in front of him.
They had entered into one of the Fluchtig's meeting rooms, a familiar place for Kolme, less so for Scarlet – Most of the room, the cheap plastic chairs in particular, were empty, with just four others already present.
One sitting in a chair at the front of the room by a computer terminal was Lt.Aurin, the man best known for ever wearing sunglasses indoors – And for being Commander Nate's right hand man.
Speaking of, Nate also stood a little ways into the room, his usual mop-like blond hair and goofy grin present.
Two others were also here, people not of the Fluchtig – One was a middle aged woman, tall with rounded glasses and a neat ponytail, as well as a very nicely kept uniform, she stood near the far wall of the room, a file held in her hands.
The other had his back to Scarlet and Kolme as they entered, having been conversing with Nate – He was tall, imposingly so, with rounded shoulders and a firm build – As he turned to face them, his shapely face, piercing eyes and friendly smile greeted them.
Kolme was the first to act, straightening up completely with a rapid salute, “A-Admiral Sir!!”
Scarlet was a little more hesitant, she was pretty sure she had never met this man before – But from his very professional black and silver uniform and Kolme's reaction she quickly realised this could only be one person – Vice-Admiral Louise, military leader of IAFS.
She followed suit with a little salute of her own.
“At ease friends.” The tall man responded with a loose wave of his hand and a kind smile, his voice a low
verbose tone. From behind the admiral, Nate grinned at the them both, clearly somewhat amused by their reaction.
There was a few moments of silence, the admiral with a hand to his chin as though sizing up the two before him – Kolme was first to speak up; “Ah, Ummm Sir? What brings you here?”
“Hmmmmm - Ah yes, a reasonable question – In about, oh two hours? Yes, in about that I will be giving a speech to all ship's in the fleet, detailing the battle that will take place rather soon – I wanted to check in with my chief deputies first, Commander Novel here was the last on my list.”
“I see.” Kolme nodded politely, “And umm, me and Scar are here for?”
“Another apt question Lt.Nilas – Mr. Aurin if you would be so kind?” The admiral said, turning in the direction of the man in sunglasses. Aurin nodded wordlessly and turned on the projector, a moment later the front wall of the room was lit up with a presentation of sorts – The Fluchtig's briefing rooms were equipped with rather fancy screens, one moment the backwall of the room was the same plain grey as the rest, the next a cinema quality picture with no borders or hints of pixilation – Took up the wall space.
Upon it was a diagram of sorts, depicting none other than the 'weapon' itself, the long tube the size of multiple cities, miles in length and currently surrounded by around 100 little rectangles meant to represent the ships of IAFS.
“Keeping this brief as you and everyone else in the fleet will soon receive the more detailed version – We have it on a reliable inside source that the States Union Goverment have made a decision. In simple terms they have ordered the TSU-s fleet to call our bluff, to charge at us with everything they have at their disposal and take back the weapon.
Should we make the choice, to fire the weapon at them that is, than TSU high command are willing to sacrifice either the entire TSU-s fleet, or conversely to forfeit the weapon itself in the likely case that the thing simply explodes, taking our forces with it.”
The admiral paused a moment.
“They know we won't risk firing it?” Kolme added.
He nodded, “Indeed Lt.Nilas, it seems they do – A month of half-hearted negations on the part of our foe and they seem to have decided we don't 'have the stomach' for it. By rights this situation could actually be used to our advantage – I won't divvy into all the details but it is no coincidence IAFS has made it a priority to bring our number of warships up to the same amount as the TSU-s fleet.
In an even battle between our home fleet and their combined forces, with us in a defensive formation, I have no doubt we would win – That is unfortunately not the entire situation.”
The admiral beckoned his eyes to the projection again, it followed his words showing two forces of a hundred or so rectangles each, fighting at the front or left side of the weapon, in front of its mouth as it were – The next slide however was different, about a third of the IAFS fleet now being out of the battle, moved to the right, the rear of the cannon, stationed above the weapons crucial control centre.
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“Our fleet will be split in two, group A consisting of almost 70 ships will take TSU-s head on – Considering we will be in formation with our guidance systems all set up hours ahead of time, and that the TSU-s force will probably be hesitant to shoot back until they are close enough to ensure they don't accidentally destroy the prize they so desperately want to take from us – I believe we can take down atleast a dozen of their ships before the enemy fleet ever reaches an effective firing range.
Moreover, even once they have gotten close enough, they will still have to be more caution of damage to the weapon, where as we can continue to fire at will with no risk – In this way the weapon will remain an IAFS asset, crippling TSU-s ability to fight us properly.”
Kolme nodded along, clearly impressed by what genuinely sounded like a reasonable plan – Scarlet on the other hand was a little less enamoured;
“And what exactly are the other 30 odd ships doing hiding at the rear? I mean I understand leaving 10 or 15 in reserve, to guard the control centre and stuff, but a third of our forces?
Seems a bit much chief.”
The admiral smiled a little in response, a kind, knowing smile - “Well put Lady Scarlet. As you say, some of this force is simply to protect the control centre and prevent surprise attacks from the rear – After all, the only reason we have the weapon is because the Tradech snuck aboard it, it would be... Embarrassing were the same stunt to be pulled in response to us – But clearly group B is a much larger force than is required for such a task.
No the reason is that around 12 hours after the TSU-s force is estimated to arrive, a forward attack group of around 100 Remembrance high mobility type Vijaiks will come from the opposite direction.”
Scarlet whistled under her breath.
“With any degree of fortune, group A will of already wiped out the TSU-s force by then, however we cannot be sure of that, hence the large size of group B. This group will of course need its own flagship, I had planned for that, however...”
A new picture came up on the screen, it was somewhat grainy, perhaps not intended for such a big monitor – That said, what it displayed was unmistakable to all present. A red sky over hundreds of cuboid houses with heavy window shutters and dust laden streets between - The Ducal city of Bannerman, Capital of Fal-Dara, the only nation of Abhaile not currently under occupation – And hanging above it in that striking red sky, 5 unmarked warships.
Kolme and even Scarlet, gasped at the site.
“My friends--” The admiral said breaking the sudden tension, “--IAFS is an organisation of all peoples, all creeds – Some of us are formerly TSU members, others are from Remembrance, more still are volunteers with no former allegiance.
We have no home, no country's flag flies above our ships – But in spite of all that, the city of Bannerman, the place our training academies are hidden, the place where Bailey Mechanics has so fervently supported us from the shadows, the place our board of directors keeps council – Is no doubt the honorary home of IAFS.
Around 24 hours ago these five, unmarked warships began to hang over its air space, bombarding the streets below at random intervals – Already dozens of civilian lives have been lost. This is an obvious ploy, when Fal-Dara's goverment requested aid from TSU, they declined to take the call – Confirming the obvious, these five ships are from none other than part of the garrison force occupying most of Abhaile, they are acting on behalf of TSU-s – Holding our home hostage.”
His voice never quite rose, but a faint simmering of indignation was no doubt present, a minor clenching of his fists;
“It would be foolish to send any less than 15 of our ships to help Bannerman, with that number you could assure victory, be prepared for potential reinforcements and come out with the least amount of causalities.
This is of course what TSU-s expect me to do, to split the home fleet even further – But there is another option.”
“Sir! We couldn't possibly abandon them!” Kolme suddenly burst out.
The admiral, who's complexion had grown rather stern, now soften at the comment;
“Never Lieutenant, not ever. But there is one ship in our arsenal who could pull it off, take out five enemy vessels all by itself – The fastest ship we have, capable of getting back here far quicker than any other – The Tradech itself.
I sent it off 18 hours ago, it will crush the enemy forces. And it is by no means alone, Bannerman is not entirely defenceless.
Any other city would already have causalities in the hundreds by now, but Bannerman was prepared, its people knew the evacuation plans, were ready to find shelter – And even now the Duke's own Nemo battalions stand rather to pounce – With the Tradech for air support, with the three Casnels and 9 Vijaiks it carries – They will save Bannerman with ease. We have in effect foiled this pathetic, inhumane trap of theirs.
However that does leave me with a vacancy, one that no ship other than the Fluchtig could fit better.”
He turned to face Nate, who nodded perhaps a little too childishly – Before facing the two pilots again;
“The main fleet, group A, will defeat the TSU-s armada. The Tradech and the Duke's forces will stamp out this abhorrent invasion of Bannerman. The Am-Fluchtig will lead group B, the newly dubbed 'Tristian Fleet', to victory against the Remembrance forces that would seek to exploit us.
I have already chosen two of my people to be the chief and deputy chief pilots for the home fleet – Now I need two highly qualified and deeply experienced people to take up the same positions for the Tristian fleet.
I am proud, deeply grateful that IAFS has come as far as it has in such a short time – But it is still in its infancy, most of our pilots have never faced a battle of the magnitude and scale of tomorrows – Will you two allow me to borrow your years of strength and experience?”
It was quite the proposition, neither of the older pilots knew exactly how to respond, one having vowed never to lead again, the other a man who considered himself a third rate commander at best.
Kolme glanced in Scarlet's direction, his face a picture of concern – Seemingly the admiral picked up on this, waving a hand defensively in-front of him;
“Of course this isn't an official role exactly – In fact outside of excessive emergencies, I do not actually have the power to field promote people to such a high rank, nor do I have the time to propose this to the board – I am merely trying to give our organisation the very best chance it has, to wring out every ounce of power and talent I can from its loyal members. Once the battle is done you would both be free to return to your current roles if that's what you so wish.”
That said, the large man offered out a single hand.
There was a long pause but gradually Kolme reached out and shook the hand - “Thank you Sir, It'd be an honour.”
The admiral smiled and turned the hand in Scarlet's direction.
She stared hard into his piercing gaze, as though attempting to read the man through eye-contact alone, before finally speaking up and grabbing his hand a little roughly;
“Ya whatever, fine. If its just for one battle I can hardly say no – But after that never again you hear, Admiral.”
Although a little taken back by Scarlet's manner, the admiral nonetheless thanked them both.
A moment later the tall woman who had stood silently in the back of the room, stepped up to the admiral, quietly reminding him of the time. He nodded and a moment later the woman left.
“Well, I truly am grateful I decided to speak to you both in person, it has been a valuable experience without doubt.
My friends there is every possibility that tomorrow will mark the end of this war, that our destiny will be put on the line once and for all – Whether god will respect our efforts to improve the world we inhabit or not.
I am proud to be the leader of IAFS, proud that we have stood up against overwhelming odds – We have forced TSU to the negotiating table already, I believe we shall do so again tomorrow when we trounce their authoritarian branch once and for all!
A coalition of stragglers, people of Abhaile, Bhaile and the Nation-States, all under one banner.
IAFS will hold the goverment to account, we will make this solar system that we all share a better, more equal and fair place for all to live – That is what I truly believe, my friends I thank you for joining me in that endeavour regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's battle.
Now I bid you good-day, I still have some creases to iron out for the upcoming speech.”
And with that, Vice-Admiral Louise, leader of the Independent-Alliance of Free-States, left the Am-Fluchtig.