Alpha One - Chris Burton [99]
The Battle Continues
Admiral Rose enjoyed dinner with two of his senior commanders in his state room. They finished dessert and awaited coffee, when Rose’s comm link sounded.
“Admiral, the Sentinel flagship is in trouble, sir. Her shields are down. She is dormant and listing. She is under protection, but this is an opportunity to take the flagship and General Yoshi.”
“I am sure Yoshi won’t stick around to be taken. Yes, we need to take the ship. Launch jump ships and troopers. I will join you in about five minutes. Keep me informed of progress.”
Rose hung up before his orders were affirmed. He knew this battle neared its conclusion. Victory was in sight, and yet he was anxious. This was the critical time in a battle; both sides were weakened and loss of life had been considerable. He knew victory would be soured by the loss of too many Alpha personnel, and in recent days, losses had been significant. He knew every decision was critical, and that the only way the battle would end would be upon the demise or capture of General Yoshi.
He had a lot of respect for his opposite number. He disliked Yoshi. He disliked all his enemies, but that didn’t stop him from feeling for the near-defeated General in terms of professional respect. Yoshi would soon be compelled to withdraw or surrender. Words couldn’t describe the way a defeated commander felt when he finally reached a decision such as this. The battle was not yet over; it was in its death throes, drawing to its inevitable conclusion, but the bloodbath continued. Rose knew Yoshi wouldn’t allow his command team to be taken. He could have already moved them to a secondary command ship, within the protected mass of the main Sentinel Fleet. Despite its dwindling numbers, the fleet still afforded a great deal of protection.
Yoshi had made several mistakes in the last few days and was compelled to bring his flagship into battle. It was the sole remaining dark ship in the Sentinel Fleet. The dark metal shielding no longer afforded the Sentinels with the protection which had plagued Alpha in the opening salvos of the battle. The flagship became easy to detect. Alpha command concentrated its heavy artillery on the Sentinel flagship. Its demise was inevitable.
Rose turned to his two guests. “Gentlemen, the pleasure of your company this evening has been delightful. Please take your time to digest dinner and enjoy your coffees. I am returning to the bridge.”
Rose headed off towards the bridge, and the two commanders exchanged glances and quickly finished their coffee. They knew Rose had signaled that he was back on duty. Despite his polite suggestion that they could take their time, they both knew Rose wanted them back in command of their respective ships.
* * * *
Yoshi was downbeat. His flagship was being boarded and his fleet numbers rapidly diminished. He had run out of options to turn the outcome around; he needed to pool his remaining resources for further attacks against the main body of the Alpha fleet. He still had atomic weapons at his disposal. He planned to inflict the highest number of casualties possible by driving his forces into the heart of the enemy. He was going to target the Alpha command vessel.
The hastily assembled command center aboard Yoshi’s new ship was not as it should be. The command sections related to weaponry and defense were too far away from his chair, and he found it difficult to get his orders understood. The new flagship was smaller but more agile than its predecessor, and Yoshi again wanted the vessel to play a key part in the next Alpha attack. Yoshi moved to his holographic battle map and studied the positions and numbers of both the enemy ships and his own carefully. He was used to challenging positions, but found it difficult to accept that much of their numerical advantage had gone. There were three times more Sentinel vessels than Alpha but his forces continued to lose out to their superior weaponry. It was time to act and be done quickly.
Yoshi is predictable, thought Rose. He tried to push the main body of the Sentinel Fleet forward