Alpha One - Chris Burton [44]
“To do this,” he continued, “we have elected to cross through Partacian airspace en route to our destination. Unfortunately, despite our best diplomatic efforts, it looks as if our presence in the Partacian system won’t be welcome, and it is likely we will encounter resistance.“
“The Partacian forces are weak and will prove no obstacle to our passing. However, we should prepare for a combat environment and remain at high alert status while we pass through their system. I propose we deploy as few jump ships as possible during our crossing. We don’t wish to swell our numbers and provoke an unnecessary military incident. It is likely the Partacians won’t attempt to take us on at this level, but we should be cautious. I foresee little difficulty, and we should look to this period as being little more than an advanced training exercise.”
“However, within a matter of weeks we will engage the Sentinels, and this will be a full-throttle battle with the likelihood of significant losses. I am confident the combined efforts of our two fleets will be successful and we will eliminate the threat from the Southern Fleet, just as we did with the Northern Fleet.
Shenke looked around the conference room table at the expressionless faces of the commanders. He had been here before, and he knew he should make some kind of motivational finale to his speech to send his commanders on their way. Shenke was well versed in motivational rhetoric, and delivered his words calmly, but clearly.
“It has always been the quality of our people which underpins all that Alpha Fleet does. We are dedicated, motivated, well trained and loyal. Our determination, courage and selfless attitude are displayed time and time again. As I look around this table, I see many faces I recognize and some I don’t. In time I will get to know each and every one of you. You are the bedrock of Alpha and its greatest asset, and together we will be formidable.”
With that he sat down, smiled and said. “Thank you for your time.”
Commander Jonathan Hoskins enjoyed the briefing. He came across Shenke before and knew what to expect. Shenke was a one-off. He was impressive and a good orator, if a little unpredictable, but overall Hoskins felt more comforted by the presence of a ‘real’ Admiral in command than one of those puppet Admirals Alpha made a habit of bringing through the ranks without any real military experience.
Hoskins’ ship arrived three weeks ago and was combat ready. He could not wait to re-engage the Sentinels. He did have concerns about the Partacians; even in their currently-disheveled state they represented a threat. Hoskins’ prior experience of the Partacians left little doubt that any ensuing battle would be more complex than a simple training exercise.
The order to move out came at midday, and the battle group moved slowly into Partacian space. The fleet flew in close formation, creating an additional layer of shielding and presenting a unified front. Short range scanners revealed nothing and the Battle Group began to trawl across the vast region of space which the APF legally defined and specified as Partacian Territory.
At 13.50, a group of thirty Partacian warships came into short scan range. They adjusted their course and headed directly for the Alpha Fleet.
Grand Sol Tarangi, the commander of the truncated Partacian fleet opened a comm link and addressed Admiral Shenke directly in fluent English.
“Admiral Shenke. You are warned not to cross into Partacian territory and you have done so. We will open fire on your fleet unless you return to neutral space immediately. This is not negotiable.”
The lead Partacian Solship fired a barrage of plasma cannons immediately above the Alpha Battle group—clearly a warning.
He continued, “Leave or your fleet will be destroyed.”
Shenke expected this. The bluntness and the audacity of the Partacian Grand Sol surprised him. He opened a comm link.
“Grand Sol, we would like to reopen diplomatic discussions. I presume you have the authority