Tipping Point in the Alliance War Read Online Free

ball of dirt encased in a cloud of dust.”  Lieutenant Mutreno puts the images of Egdffe on the main view-screen.  There is just dirt and some water, with no
vegetation and no cities.
    “Cancel
the reconnaissance probe, Lieutenant Mullah.  The Confederation Fleet has
eradicated all life - that was what we needed to know,” comments the
Captain.  “Thank you, Lieutenant Mutreno .”
    ***
    The
sub-light sensor probes arrive at the target coordinates, and begin to scan for
radiation, ships, and life.  The probes can communicate with the
Courageous, via a laser link, since the Courageous is only 500,000 klicks away
and the line-of-sight is clear.  The probe samples radiation levels and
identifies hot-pockets, which are unsafe for the Courageous.  As expected,
there are no signs of life.
    The
gravity-well readings of the battle-space trouble Captain Niles. There is so
much debris from the battle that the gravity-well data is inconclusive. 
He will need to bring the ship closer to the battle-space in order to use the
new and improved Gravity Detection System, developed by their Science
Officer.  It’s time to approach the danger zone and the Captain is almost
certain that they are headed into danger. 
    The Captain implements his
plan:
    -   
Tactical, “Bring the ship to Battle Stations alert level.  Remain in
stealth configuration.  Launch a reconnaissance probe array, to precede us
by 100,000 klicks.
    -   
Navigation, plot a real-space course for us, which
places us near the battle-space but outside of the debris’ gravity-well. 
    -   Helm,
prepare to execute on my command.”
    -   
Tactical, have the full sensor-array engaged and verify that the ship’s defense systems are set, to respond automatically.  As
soon as we arrive, I want a ‘sensor probe array’ to be launched in a pattern
which is symmetrical and moving outward from the ship, at 100 klicks per
second.
    Instruct
the ship’s computer to look for ground-well anomalies.  If the computer
detects a ground-well anomaly, automatically fire laser canons at that
spot.  If a ship is decloked , fire at will with
every available weapon.” 
    (If
there is a stealth vessel, in a cloaked condition, the ship will be de-cloaked
when hit by the laser canon blast.)
    -   
“Helm, if there are more that two gravity-wells
detected, immediately engage the warp drive to the empty-space coordinates.
    -   
Navigation, plot coordinates to six additional empty-space locations. 
Forward those coordinates to the Helm, for use in case
we need to keep warping out, due to adverse conditions.”
    After
the noise of blaring klaxons announcing the Battle Stations alert have ceased;
and after the crew is in place; and after Navigation, and Helm report Ready
conditions; Captain Niles says “Engage” to the Helm Officer.
     Now,
the adventure will become more interesting and the ship’s crew will stop
whining, about the continuous training and the endless security drills.
    ***
    Capernic System Battle-space
    “We
are in real-space at the programmed coordinates” announces Lieutenant Ung , who is at the Helm.
    “Probe
Array launched and sensor array Active” announces Tactical. …… ……… …….. “3 gravity-well
anomalies identified - Laser canons locked and firing.  3
enemy vessels decloked , sir.   
Incoming!  Missiles and lasers from multiple ships.”
    “Warp
drive engaged to the first empty-space coordinates,” announces the Helm. 
“Warp exit in 2 minutes”. 
    (The
Helm Officer had engaged the warp drive the instant that Tactical reported “3
gravity-well anomalies”.  The announcement, of the action, had to wait for
a break in the conversation.  Courageous was in warp and was gone, by the
time the enemy missiles got to her position.  Laser canon fire had reached
the Courageous at the speed of light, but the shields were set on Automatic and
deflected the energy.)
    “Program
for a warp jump to the second empty-space coordinates,