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5.3 - Operation Deadlight Part 3
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"That footage is the largest amount of information we have been able to receive from any encounter with the Curadh thus far," Nate said in a sombre tone that seemed unfitting to his square heady, goofy visage. He beckoned to a series of photographs that now appeared in place of the video footage; "Aside from the video, we also have these, sent from another, smaller escort vessel."
The images were true stills, portraying, for the most part, empty space, almost. In the centre of the photos was an almost 'wave' effect, a water ripple, where the black of space receded and in its place was a silver-white surface.
"The film footage was found wrapped in a reinforced container that was then ejected from the escort cruiser's waste shoot, seemingly allowing it to escape unnoticed. These images came from a destroyer class ship that managed to calculate and fire a shot back at its attacker before it was sunk, revealing this strange phenomenon. It managed to transmit these photos out, potentially illustrating a fault in the enemy's jamming technology."
Nate looked over the room sternly. Everyone sat at attention now. It was realising this that Hoki couldn't help but admire the audacity of this whole display. It had been against every relevant regulation she could imagine, surely it had been classified information and further far too graphic for a briefing like this one, people might well need counselling after witnessing such scenes, soldiers or not - And yet it had turned a crap-show meeting, into an enthralled and quite possibly dedicated audience. It was one thing to tell an army to go fight some overwhelming threat, another entirely to show them one of their own. A nameless crewmember or captain of the ship, it didn't matter.
'John Smith' and the nameless cameraman's death made the whole mission feel real, made it become important in everyone's minds, personal even.
Hoki wasn't sure what to think. Had Nate intentionally planned this, knowing Batty and Louise would try to undermine his authority? If so, it was a masterstroke, although '...It could just as easily have been a spur-of-the-moment thing?'
"As you were pre-informed, we believe the enemy vessel to be a 'Troy' class assault carrier using a version of the 'chameleon principal'. This, in large part was discovered thanks to our very own Ensign Bachika. If you wouldn't mind?" Nate gestured at Hoki as he finished speaking.
Hoki blinked. She froze in her chair, all possible admiration she had briefly gained for Commander Novel fleetingly draining from her in a matter of seconds.
'He really did forget to send me a memo!'
Hoki liked to think she was good at giving a strong outwards appearance, that to the likes of Sabban and Una, she came across as 'level-headed' and reliable - But right now, that couldn't be further from how she felt. She was knowledgeable, sure, but not omnipresent. Her composure had been breed into her from birth, a whole family lineage of preparedness and leadership. Leaders of men, warriors and, more lately, soldiers - But she knew that came from prep and hard work.
Right now, as all eyes in that suddenly attentive room turned to look at her, she could feel herself shying away, wanting to run from the room or, better yet, slap Nate across the face and give him what-for.
A moment or two passed like this until she felt a gentle nudge to her side. Glancing across, she saw that silly, knowing face of Kolme Nilas, mounting the words, "Roll with it."
Hoki swallowed hard, took a deep breath and then stood. She had read them all of course, her father's files. They had been stolen from TSU's Eastern headquarters when 'The Hokuai' had first tried to abandon Bhaile to join up with IAFS. In the end, only Hoki, a couple of retainers, and the files successfully made that trip.
So yes, she had read all of her father's legacy over the last few years, but still...
"Ahem, yes the Chameleon Principal is the, process, that was in production about... two years ago."
Hoki had turned to face the rest of the room, taking another deep breath before continuing any further, reaching deep into the recesses of all her accumulated knowledge to find the correct answer to the prying eyes all around; "Chameleon ES4 was active around the time IAFS formed but had at the time remained incomplete. The principal stated that a suitable reflective material should be able to cloak a vessel by allowing it to blend and bend light. The vehicle would not actually turn invisible, but instead would be unseen - It would in effect reflect the empty space around it - This was to be coupled with the A10 jammer program, also incomplete at the time.
All told, if completed, it would have made for a near in-detectable ship, however, with the caveat that any damage to the outer coating would reveal its location; presumably as seen in that photograph we received. Moreover, the energy requirement for the A10 would require a large-capacity vessel, far larger than the average tonnage for a submarine-class warship.
In fact, a Troy class makes a lot of sense in this regard,” she finished by indicating at the image of the partially revealed ship before nodding at Nate, who seemed ready to clap in response. Her body language and deliverance had been as perfect as she could of hoped for (excluding her first sentence reluctance). She had done her best to keep it brief with only the necessary details. Now Hoki could only hope her short lecture had been on the correct information rather than wholly the wrong topic...
Hoki took her spot back on the chair, sparing only a brief look at the beaming Kolme. Ultimately, even she had been surprised, whether it was the pressure of the situation or the feeling of being back in her dress uniform - The information had seemingly flowed through her despite her earlier panic.
To Hoki's utmost relief, the rest of the meeting progressed smoothly, with no more surprise lectures. Lt.Sunglasses was next up to speak, explaining a new system fitted to the vessels of the Tristan Group that would allow them to track the Curadh within a specific range, so long as they could first get a lock on it.
This was to be the true goal of Operation Deadlight.
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There were a few more spats of bickering between the three captains, along with plenty more technical details, but eventually, Nate retook the stage, and what was helpfully marked as 'Last' appeared on the screen behind him.
This last slide was a return to the map from what felt like a short lifetime ago. With his still-only half-drawn pointer, Commander Nate Novel dove into the ending statement of the presentation;
"----In summary, the Tristan Group will head to the far side of Abhaile where the Bayley-Mechanic's repair vessel 'Clover' presently lies. Once there, we will send a number of our machines undercover to the ship as insurance while our main fleet hangs out of scanner range."
Dots appeared on the screen to indicate where the newly formed flotilla would position itself. The purpose of the 'undercover' Vijaiks (rather than just sending a regular escort) was to prevent giving TSU an incriminating direct link between IAFS and Bayley-Mechanics (the organisation's most prominent 'anonymous' financial backer).
"And we are sure the enemy will go for the Clover next?" This question had come from the tall, well-built team leader from the Rinie, Lt.Tomo - Who had spoken little throughout the meeting and now asked the question in a respectful but probing tone of voice.
Nate nodded to the man, "Indeed, command believes the pattern fits. At first, the Curadh hit only supply lines, then escort vessels. The next move would be to publicly assault Bayley and the course the ship's presumed to be moving on matches based on its continued path of supply line attacks."
Tomo nodded acceptingly, only for his second in command, Lt.Erfu, to pipe up with a question in Kolme's direction. She, too had remained mostly silent during the course of events but more so out of having nothing to add, rather than etiquette.
Her voice was soft but playful; "Tomo and I can handle that job then, yes?"
The way she spoke made Hoki feel like it was less of a question and more of a statement, although not in a menacing way.
Kolme seemed to contemplate this a moment. Unlike when he had intervened between the captains prior, now he seemed more than happy to sit properly and face those he spoke to;
"I guess so lass. My mob stand out too much and, well, ah..." He beckoned loosely with one hand at the two block-headed pilots from the Valliere at the far side of the room.
As though his gesture had in itself been a question, Lt.Commander Louise sighed deeply before answering the unspoken statement in a lackadaisical tone, "I suppose my boys will sit this one out and wait in reserve then - The Fluchtig and Rinie squads are the more experienced, so I guess I have no choice."
The two gorilla men on her right showed some disappointment but remained silent at this dismissal.
Erfu turned her attention back to Kolme, who finished his earlier line of thinking, "Alright then. Tomo's team take the break-in 'bit while we get to go shoot at a Casnel. Oh, joy..."
From his place at the top of the room, Nate turned his view now to the last authority in the room left to comment. Tentatively, as though poking a tiger, he petitioned Commander Batty, "I-is, ahem, that alright with you, Commander Batty, Sir?"
'Why's he talking like she's in charge all of a sudden?'
Batty's imposing figure sat unstirring for a few moments, eyes shut and arms folded, before making her decision; "I think it best my team handles the Clover security detail and yo- The Fluchtig's take care of the other job."
Several eyes rolled around the room at this superfluous statement, but for the most part, Nate simply seemed glad to have made some movement.
"...And besides, we can hardly allow this affront to ourselves - This supposed 'Casnel' will get quite the shock when facing an opponent its own size, I should think. Ha!
We shant be so easily bested as cargo vessels and space buses! Nor will its wanton destruction of those go unpunished" Batty finished after a brief pause. Her statement was followed by something of a determined cheer from many in the room.
"Right then, yes, good - We can't allow those TSU-s thugs to keep having their way with our people!" Nate added, an excitement spreading throughout the room quickly.
'Easier said than done.' Hoki bemoaned to herself. In essence, they would need to use the long-range energy rifle and the lower detection rate of a Vijaik in order to ambush the enemy submarine before it could reach the Clover. This would, unfortunately, leave the Vijaik that used the rifle with no warship support for some minutes until the rest of the fleet closed the distance. If the fleet waited too close, it would run the risk of being detected by the enemy, giving the whole rouse away.
Further, too many Vijaik lying in wait would be easier to detect accidentally. This was one thing, but it meant another to Hoki. She was, after all, the only one qualified to use the rifle. There was no question of her deployment on this mission; that much, at least, was certain.
But for now, she could breathe easy. With the tense meeting drawing to a close, all parties were left to consider individually what the future of this newly formed flotilla would hold.
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