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(6.8) Minutes to Midnight
(6.8) Minutes to Midnight
W-52, Wolf Class Assault Ship
On Long Patrol, Deep within FWC Space
December 9th, 1936
The lights were as dim as possible with a glow of red stretching to the shadows. Beyond the red lights, the reddish glow from the few think windows added a eerie sense to the bridge. The hum of the engines could be felt throughout the entire ship. Some members of the crew were quietly talking among themselves as the ship continued with its duties. Captain Otto Salman walked through a man size hatchway and on to his bridge. It was clear that he was master of this ship. As he stepped on to the bridge his crew members all took notice. He was a a tall good looking human male, with a strong defined face. Captain Salman was a legend among the Wolf Packs and to serve under him was seen as a good omen. During the short war between the Reich and the Fichnee' two years ago, he took his ship on seven war patrols deep in to Fichee' space. Under his command, his ship claimed thirteen ships and five major warships. Not once did he loss a single crew member during any of his patrols. Captain Salman had earned the respect and loyalty of his crew. With a nod to his crew, he calmly walked across the tight bridge and glanced over the shoulders of his crew as they returned to their duties. Now each of them gave a renewed focus to their task at hand. He shifted his sight towards the front of the bridge where his XO and command staff were working. Captain Salman noticed the Order Board was up with the latest orders written on them.
He read the orders and made mental notes regarding them. The Officer of the Watch had ordered the ship to change to a new heading and decrease speed. From this information he could tell that the ship was moving behind a target and was trailing them. He also noticed that no command for battle stations was given. Which meant that either the Officer of the Watch was unsure of the target or of himself. Something that he would have to speak with the young man about. The Order Board was based on the idea of calm clear communication between the Officer of the Watch and the bridge crew. The board was broken up in to sections. Each crew member could look up their orders and understand what the ship is doing as a whole. To avoid misunderstanding during crisis situations, the Order Board gave everyone a clear picture of what was going on. As he continued to read the Order Board, he could tell that they were tracking a medium sized Council patrol. It was nothing special being they were deep in to Council Space on patrol. It was unlikely that their current patrol would go by with no contacts. However, what did bother him was why his XO felt the need to summon him to the bridge at such a late hour. Still, there was nothing urgent, just 'something you need to see' was all the XO said.
Captain Salman paused as he walked behind the Chief Energy Distribution Officer. The man didn't look up from his station for very good reason. During a dive, this station was by far the most critical station across the entire ship. From here the power was regulated between the Reactor and the Field Event Engine or FEE. The FEE gave the Wolf Class is special attack abilities. The Distribution Officer ensures that the regulation is maintained correctly and that the energy flow is not disrupted or the sine wave do not alter. Captain Salman watched the cosine waves dance across the monitors as the Officer made minor adjustments to them. In terms of the sine waves, they must fall within very tight tolerances and these tolerances change regularly. The Officer had a number of mathematical calculations written in black wax pencil in front of his consul. If the sine waves get out of control, they could actually damage the FEE and leave the ship stranded in space or have them sink deeper in to the dive with no hope of returning. In relation to the power flow, too little power during a critical attack and ship becomes visible. Too much power and the ship would drift too deep in to the Event and not have the power to return. Captain Salman knew better than to ask questions of the man. It was clear the ship was in a dive and the man needed all the focus he had.
Looking over the readings at the station, the Capitan noted the state of the ship and how much energy she was using. The Wolf Class had one of the most powerful reactors built within the Reich. In fact, the entire ship was built around two items, the FEE and the ships reactor. The ship's reactor was so large that it rivaled even some of the largest ships of the fleet in terms of energy output. One of the issues that Captain Salman had problems with was that with all that energy the Wolf Class was still horrible under powered. The FEE demanded nearly seventy percent of the reactor's output when running at a full dive. This leaves very little energy left for other systems like manoeuvring, life support, weapons and defense. The ship offers very little in terms of luxuries or what might be seen as the norm on other ships. One energy saving plan changed the way the Fleet trained its cadets and crews. Something that Captain Salman actually liked. The Wolf Class has very little automation aboard. In fact there were only three computers aboard the entire ship and those help regulate the FEE, the reactor and targeting/tracking. Captain Salman watched as the Distribution Officer wrote down a new set of numbers for his calculations. Because of this simple change, the Wolf Class crews had to be very highly trained and educated to do their roles aboard the ship. And because of this, there was a massive increase in the time it took the train new crews. Again something that Captain Salman didn't mind. He preferred a more intelligent crew over the mindless drones in the army and on other ships.
Captain Salman had great disdain for the other branches of the Reich military because of the lack of furthered education within their ranks. He felt that it was the Commanders' job to push their soldiers further. When he learned of the Wolf Pack program and the requirements, he knew he had found his home. With over twelve active patrols, he is the most experienced wolf commander within the Reich. And the crew members under his command were the very best across the board throughout the entire Reich military. This was directly linked to the level of education needed to serve aboard this class of ship and the high standards that he personally has set for them. The captain walked up behind the navigation officer who was also doing calculations. The young officer spun a set of cardboard wheels to line up figures which he needed for his calculation. He then wrote the numbers within the formula on the console before him. Within moments, the officer had the exact location of the ship. However it was not prefect. Captain Salman bent over the chair while saying, “Here, you are forgetting the winds within the event while we are at a dive. Like currents in the water, they too push us and in this case fight our movements.” He explained while helping the officer with the calculation. The young officer was a new replacement fresh from the academy. It was a mistake that many other navigational officers make during their first mission out. The Captain smiled as he watched the young officer recalculate the formula on the console.
“Thank you Captain. It wont happen again” the young man said softly as he turned to face his commander.
Captain Salman smiled, “Don't be foolish. It will happen again. But given time, you too will be able to feel the winds as that move the ship. Give it time and focus on your readings. The gauges don't lie.” The Captain turned and walked to the next station.
It was the Sensor Station and by far the most important defensive station on the ship. Here, the Sensor Officer watched for any sign or hint of enemy ships. It was the only station on the entire bridge which at a press of a button could have the Helm and Dive Officers send the ship in to a dive. The procedure was simple. While the ship is not in a dive, the Sensor Officer searches the space around the ship for anything that might look like a incoming ship. The Sensors on the Wolf Class ships were so advanced that they had a three second warning of a ship about to slip out of hyperspace. It would take the Wolf Class ship only ten seconds to completely dive. Should the Sensor Officer pick up an incoming ship, he would press the red dive button on his console. A light would kick on at the Helm and Dive stations. The two persons manning those two stations would put the ship in to a dive without question. Even if the incoming ship detected the Wolf Class as she was diving, it would be highly unlikely that they would put anything in to a sensor shadow that only lasted for a few short seconds. If the Wolf can't be detected, than she is not a target to be pursued. Because of this logic, the ship is always ready to dive. Not once has a Wolf Class ship been seen by any Reich enemy or ally. They are only phantoms and shadows out to pray on the enemies of the Reich.
Captain Salman turned and walked to the front of the bridge where his command staff waited for him. They were looking over a grid map and hand written reports which indicated what they had found. “Mr. Kline, you were Officer of the watch” he said addressing the young female cadet before him, who nodded back at him. Ensign Kline was also a fresh Cadet from the Academy. Just before leaving for this patrol, the ship took on nine new crew members and picked up five new cadets which were completing their cadet courses. Of all of the Cadets, the Captain liked Ensign Kline the most. She had a very quick mind and did not allow her mistakes to cloud her judgments in the future. One day she would make a good Wolf Commander with a great deal of promise. That was, if she could set a side her politics and learn to listen to her gut instead of what is political. “Tell me what did you find during your watch, Mr Kline.”
The young officer got nervous as she addressed Captain Salman. There was good reason to be nervous when addressing someone like Captain Salman. He was a legend among the Wolf crews. Back at the Academy, there were two separate courses dedicated to the tactics that he created. Captain Salman had written five books regarding Wolf tactics and how these class ships would change navel strategy. Ensign Kline respected the Elite Captain and requested this very assignment. She had seen him speak at the Academy and had a crush on him ever since. She felt that his career could be unlimited if he would just consider how politics play in the military action and affairs. Just this year, he was in line for a promotion to Konteradmira, or Rear Admiral. The promotion came with a nice teaching assignment at the Academy. However it was canceled at the last moment. While not many knew the reasons why, she found out through her contacts that it was directly in relation to his vocal speaking out against using the Wolf Class ships to attack civilian targets. Some actually believe that he was suppose to have commanded some important operation but refused on these grounds. His punishment was to remain a Captain and command his small pack of Wolves. “Sir, we detected a contact fifteen minutes ago. At first detection, each member of the pack dove and has remained at that state ever since. I ordered us to sweep the contact and within five minutes of first contact, we identified a total of seven separate contacts moving in formation. W-94 has confirmed the track of our contacts and the number as well as W-406. I issued the orders for us and W-124 to slip ten minutes behind the contacts and run forty five degrees off the lead contact. W-124 is currently running flank to us. I have W-94 ranging ahead and flanking the contacts' track with W-406 on the opposite side of the formation ranging flank as well. W-569 is on flanking defense awaiting orders.”
The Captain looked over the reports as he listened to the briefing. He smiled as he saw what she was lining his other wolves up for. “Interesting. It would appear that you are running our wolves in a Box Trap formation. It is a safe formation given our situation and the lack of a state of war.” he said naming the tactic she was attempting to achieve. He knew she was smart so nothing less would have been accepted. It was a sound tactic that would give them the first kill and the two flanking wolves the meat of the hunt. While the enemy was turning about the face the threat behind them, the flanking wolves would rip up the enemy lines. Holding W-569 in reserve would give them further kill options after the first shots and counter moves were made. But she made one mistake. She did not understand what she was facing off with and because of this, she would suffer needless losses. “Number One, do you confirm these readings on the lead ship?”
Captain Salman's best friend and the ships XO nodded, “yes sir. I double checked the readings which is why I thought you would want to know about this.”
Captain Salman nodded, “You are correct Number One. This is a very interesting.” He turned to the other cadets, including Mr. Kline, he pointed to the sensor readings on the lead ship. “Can anyone tell me what is important about this ship?” The readings on the ship were all in numbers. Mass, general shape, electromagnetic readings, and power signature readings were all included in the data sent to them by the Sensor Officer.
The five cadets looked over the sensor logs. Of the seven contacts, they all agreed that the four out on the edge of the formation were fast moving Header Class destroyers. Captain Salman nodded at their correct answers. They were able, after a bit of discussion, to identify all four destroyers by name. Though they got two mixed up. Captain Salman showed them how they got the two mixed up. The lesson was important for the cadets. “Correctly identifying ships meant the difference between a kill or a friendly kill. Each Wolf Captain had to know his pray as well as he knew his own ship. This is why we focus on these skills and log every contact we make.” Captain Salman explained. The group took a bit longer to identify the one of the last three. In the end, they did finally agree it was the light cruiser Diginess, a Vor'Rig Class Light Cruiser. Once more the Captain informed them that they were correct. The last two seemed to prove to be much harder for them. The struggle reflected why these two contacts were so very important.
“Um, the larger one is the Triv'Lester” Ensign Kline said softly. She was not completely convinced of her choice. Her mind couldn't get over what she was looking at.
Ensign Porter shook his head, “It can't be the Triv'Lester. She is sitting in dry dock undergoing a complete over haul. It was in the book that we all got when we came on board. Captain, you logged the contact as she entered the yard.”
Captain Salman nodded, “You are correct, we followed her for six days before she slipped in to the safety of the ship yards. According to intelligence, her overhaul is not due to be completed for three more weeks.”
“Maybe its one of the sister ships, the Triv'Coaster or the Triv'Horash. Both would have similar sensor readings. Both would look nearly identical” explained Ensign Guther. Even though he said it, he was not sure of his own words.
Captain Salman looked at Ensign Kline with disappointment as Ensign Slaivar spoke up, “It could be a new ship of the same class.”
“All are very likely. So Mr. Kline, you are the Officer of the Watch. What is the contact?” Captain Salman said as he watched her struggle over the sensor readings.
“Um.....Sir......I would have to say, its a um....new ship of the same class” she said nearly confused of the statement.
“Then tell me Mr. Kline, what ship is the last contact” the Captain said in a slightly angered voice. The look in her eyes told him that she couldn't answer without admitting her first mistake. He spared her the moment, “Its the Empire Mine, a Welshing class Heavy Cruiser. Which means that your new contact is not so new after all. The Empire Mine and the other ships are known escorts for their flagship, the Triv'Lester. A Zicklur Class Heavy Cruiser. There are only three built before their class was rendered obsolete by newer engine designs two years ago. The Council Ordered the line stopped and a replacement design was put in to production. So it couldn't possibly be a new ship of this class. The Empire Mine was the only ship of her class to be fitted with the larger more powerful Mk VII engines so that she could keep up with her escorts during a running battle. So her engine signature is unique for her class. So there is no question that this ship” he said pointing to the sensor log of the ship labeled Contact Number Four. “is in fact the Empire Mine. These ships are all owned and operated by the Sall family. It is highly unlikely that they would loan their only ships to another corporation or family to use. This means that this contact” once more he pointed to the sensor logs. This time he pointed to the one labeled Contact Number Two. “Contact number two is no other than, the Triv'Lester.”
He picked up the log and held it out for Ensign Kline to see, “the numbers don't lie. Look at the engine signature. It is nearly the same as the Empire Mine. Intelligence reported that the Sall Family recently bought four new Mk VII engines. Looking at the Contact data, it would be safe to assume that the engines had been fitted to the Triv'Lester. Okay, if not that. Look at the Electromagnetic signature. While these can be faked, well looking at all the other numbers it is starting to be more and more unlikely. And when we compare them to the visual sighting log, we confirm our findings. But you already knew that, didn't you Mr. Kline.”
She looked down in disappointment, “I did Sir” she said softly. She waited a moment then lifted her head once more, “But how can she be out here, when at the same time, she has a date with the dry dock.”
The Captain nodded, “That is a good question. But for now, all of you return to your quarters and study the Sensor Log Books I gave each of you. Tomorrow expect to be quizzed on identification of ships.” With that, all of the Cadets saluted then they turned about sharply and left the bridge with their new found purpose.
“Captain? That is a good question. Why rush her out of dry dock.” Commander D'Aoust said.
Captain Salman looked around his officers, “The only reason why you rush a flagship like the Triv'Lester out of dry dock is to prepare for war.” he calmly said as he reached over and pulled a set of papers from a thin slot. He started to write something down, “Triv'Lester was expected to have a complete overhaul done to her.” He continued to write his letter out, “New, faster engines were installed. New weapon mounts were installed. And look at the visual log give to us by ninety four. Look closely gentlemen.” he pushed the photo over to them to examine as he continued to write his message out. “Well what do you see.”
“I see an open cargo bay, and I think that shuttle is leaving” Commander D'Aoust said as he looked over the photo carefully.
“Look inside the cargo bay. What do you see” the Captain probed as he neared the bottom of the paper.
“I see.....oh my god....” the Commander said as a cold chill ran down his spine. “I see building materials.”
“And so did I. They didn't just rush her out of dry dock, her over haul is still on going. We heard no news of any major crisis that would require such a ship to be called back to duty like this. The Sall family is very highly connected and respected so it would not be out of the question that they are privy to information that even our spies can't reach.” the Captain said as he continued to write his note.
“Like a coming war. My God Sir!” cried the Master of the Boat. “The Estates General would never allow it to develop in to a war. Not after the last war. No one would. Not even the Emperor would dare another war like the last one we had when we fought the Council.”
The Commander turned to face the stocky Master of the Boat, “Don't be a fool. The Estates General has not held power since the Emperor took power from the Crown Princess. I am surprised that they still meet.” he then turned to the Captain. “Sir, what if this does mean war. What then?”
“Then my friends, we do the honorable thing. We are after all, honorable men and women. We shall fight with courage and honor for our nation. And at the end of our days, we will go to the grave knowing that we were noble and honorable” he explain with a grim look on his face. “Regardless of our personal feelings regarding war, we are still sailors in the Reich Navy. We shall fallow our orders.” He pulled the papers apart, “Master of the Boat, please post this to the ship's log” he said handing one part of the papers over to the Master of the Boat. Then he handed another set over to the XO. “Roba'r, Order Wolf 569 to slip back from formation till they loss contact with us and the contacts. Once they are sure that they are free from any other contact, they are to make best possible speed for the closest communication frigate. This message is to be relayed to WolfCom urgently.” Both men looked at the communication with a grim almost terrified look on their face. Captain Salman righted himself and took a more ridged stance “Gentlemen, if the Council is preparing a sneak attack, then we must uncover it before its too late. Stopping this possible threat might be our best hope of preventing war” he explained before looking down at the contact reports and sighed. He didn't like the idea of war.
The last war between the Reich and the Council had caused suffering across both regions of space on the level that was compared to the fall of the Great Republic. The loss of life on both sides ranged in the tens of billions. Thanks to the advance in technology, the next war between the two super powers could cost both sides hundreds of billions of lives if not even more. His father told him stories of the battles and how they were waged. It was one of his favorite subjects in school as he grew up. Many falsely believed that he studied it because the war excited him or somehow he was inspired by it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Studying the war brought him great regret and sorrow. It was the reason why he joined the Wolf Pack Program. They were never meant to be an offensive weapon. The program was designed to be a deterrent to war. Now, his beloved Wolves had a chance to stop a war before it had a chance to start. If it meant so, he would gladly give up his life in ensuring that this war doesn't happen. He looked up from the sensor logs, “you have your orders, gentlemen” he calmly said.
Letters
FWC Triv'Lester, Heavy Cruiser
Enroute to the Apler System
Inner Rim
December 9th, 1936
Brother,
Well I was supposed to be enjoying the sun, beaches, drinks and the ladies at Laventa Resorts. Laventa, omg what can one really say about paradise other than, wow. The three weeks I spent there was incredible. The women, well they just love a man in uniform. Don't worry brother. You would have been proud of the way your little brother resisted the women of Laventa. I know that you thought my marriage was ill advised and that I am too young for a family. While I was on Laventa, all I could think of was of Cha. My shipmates on the other hand, they had their minds, well else where. I picked up that book you mentioned and enjoyed reading it. So much between us has changed since I joined the navy last year. Uncle has really taught me so much. About being an Officer and being an honorable man. While my shipmates were off living life to its fullest, I found myself walking the beaches alone. Something about the ocean allowed me to think. I found peace while I was alone. But also I found a great feeling of doom ahead of me.
That was last week, now I am back aboard the Triv'Lester. Our leaves were cut short due to the prospects of war. It came as a complete surprise to everyone. The fleet has been activated and they rushed the Triv'Lester out of port to join them. The word going around is that if war comes, we will be more than ready for the Reich. I was surprised to see that they put more fighters aboard. You should have seen the deck hands moving ships and cargo around to make room for them. We know have a whole wing of twenty four fighters. With the rest of the fleet, we can field thirty six fighters. Word has it that these fighters will be used to attack other ships and defend against attacking fighters. Can you imagine such a thing? Attacking fighters against the Triv'Lester. Uncle believes that this must be simply silly. Our armor plating is too think for the light weapons of a fighter to penetrate. But still, the idea just sounds like such a waste of man power to throw fighters at ships of the line. Uncle has decided to use the fighters as scouts, to hunt down the enemy fleets and ships. This will expand our own sensors and give us a bit of early warning. Early warning....for what?
It must be getting pretty ugly for you dealing with all those negotiations and trying to keep the peace. I guess if you fail on your battle field, we will have to win on ours. So many of my shipmates are eager for this war. Too eager if you ask me. I was talking with my roommate the other night and he said that it was about time we put those Nazi's back in their place. Oh, give you heads up, the term Nazi has been floating around fleet for a few months. Ever seen a Reich naval officer? So those colored sashes that they wear are called Naz'zia. Mr. Corin our Cultural Officer said that the word Naz'zia means honor sash. It is worn by noble families within the Reich. Rumor has it that a group of pirates had captured a Reich crew and hung them by their sashes. So that is where the term comes from. Hanging Reich sailors by their sashes. Morbid, right? Either way, as I was saying, my roommate was saying how it was time to put these Nazi's back in their place. Its not just him. Allot of the younger officers like me have the same feeling. I at the moment really don't know what to think. Every time I try to think about it, I keep having this feeling of doom about me. I think uncle is wary of a war with the Reich also. He was just a boy during the last war with the Reich and I am sure that those horrors still sit heavy on him.
Last night, as we were having diner with the rest of the command staff. Lt Commander O'vali's, our tactical officer, asked Uncle if he thought there would be war. Uncle had this look on his face that I had never seen before. Zan, if looks could talk, I am sure it would have screamed fear. It was if death took hold of his heart in its cold grip and squeezed. Uncle said, “if the Lord finds it in his heart to show us mercy, we will be spared another war with the Reich. If the Lord finds us worthy of being taught a harsh lesson and condemns us to suffering than we will know suffering like none of you has ever seen before.”
Zan, it really worried me. And now they have activated our fleet. Do you really think there is going to be war? I figured you of all would know what is going on. Being the new Ambassador to this Republic. Zan I have something to ask of you. But first, I am sorry Zan. I know that you, Mother and Father were upset at me over the way I went behind you backs to marry Cha. I love her. We share a world together. I am sorry about the last time we spoke. I should have never said those hurtful things to you. I should have never ran out on you three like that. But that was then, and this is now. Zan, if there is war, I have no illusions of what could happen to me. I have to ask you Zan. Should something happen to me. Please Zan, take care of Cha. What I could not tell you then, I tell you in confidence now. Mother and Father would never understand. I had to marry Cha. She was carrying my child.
I know it was a stupid thing to do. But I was young, and so was she. We made a mistake. But that mistake now had a name. Your niece is Yan, named after the brother who looked after me all my life. Please Zan, should anything happen to me, take care of the two most important things in my world. I entrust their well being with you. Though I am not the only one who trusts you. I was watching a speech by the Speaker of the Council. The way he speaks of you, one would think that the entire fate of our people rests with you. I guess in a way it does. Guide us all through these troubling times and keep us safe from war brother.
Yours,
Que
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