Tipping Point in the Alliance War Read Online Free Page A

but do not engage until
I give the command,” orders the Captain.
    “Aye
aye sir,” responds Helm - with the obligatory response.  
    (The
response is obligatory, because their military training has taught the sailors
to verbally affirm that they have received the message.  That affirmation
will make everyone, in the chain of command, more ‘sure’ of their position, and
will reduce the possibility of ‘unheard’ orders.)
    ***
    Empty
Space 1
    “We
are in real-space,” announces Lieutenant Mullah, “at the programmed
coordinates.”
    “Enemy
ship emerging!” announces Tactical.  “Weapons firing!   …….More enemy ships emerging, sir.”
    “Engage
warp drive to empty-space 2,” orders the Captain. ….. “Do we have any idea how
many gravity-well anomalies were detected by the probes, before we made the
first jump?”
    “Warp
drive engaged,” announces Helm.
    “Aye
sir,” Tactical answers.  “The computer identified a total of 6
gravity-well anomalies at the battle-space coordinates.”
    “OK,”
says the Captain.  “That probably means that the Confederation only left 6
vessels for this ambush.  Six to one is a pretty uneven fight for
us.  First Officer Znnu , when we exit warp, look
back to the spot we just left and see if there is a vessel on fire.  Also,
take the task of directing the ship’s defensive systems and allow Tactical to
concentrate on the offensive targeting.”
    “Aye
sir.”
    “The
Confederation has technology, which enables them to follow a ship in
warp-space.  That’s how they managed to destroy the entire fleet.” the
Captain muses aloud. 
    “Officer Znnu .  Load a faster-than-light probe, with a
record of the Capernic Systems battle-space data,
along with the information about the new warp-space technology, and launch it
for Alliance Navy Headquarters as soon as we come out of warp.”
    “Aye
sir.”
    “Tactical,
we want to engage the first enemy ship that follows us,” says Captain
Niles.  “Open fire as soon as the first target begins to emerge. 
Target all available weapons at the engineering section of the enemy ship and
fire them continuously.”
    “Aye
sir.”
    …………..
“Warp exit in 9 seconds,” announces the Helm.
    ***
    Empty Space 2

 
    “We
are in real-space, at the desired coordinates,” announces the Helm.
    “I see
fire, at our previous location,” reports the First Officer.
    “Enemy
ship emerging!” proclaims Tactical.  “Weapons firing.”
    “Hold
this position, Helm“, orders the Captain.   “But, be ready to warp
out on my command.  Tactical, continue firing at the current target, until
the next vessel begins to emerge from warp, and then target the new vessel.”
    “Aye
sir,” responds Tactical. “Firing …………….  Emerging
vessel.   Switching targets. …….. Weapons firing.   ………... More ships emerging.” 
    “Incoming!”
exclaims the First Officer.  And the Courageous begins to lurch, from the
impact of the enemies’ rail guns. 
    “Warp,
Helm” orders the Captain.
    “Warp
drive engaged to empty space 3,” reports the Helm.  Courageous is still
staggering, as she enters the peace of warp-space.
    Captain
Niles continues his instructions:  “First Officer, when we emerge, feed me
updates on any damage to enemy vessels at the previous battle locations.” 
    “Logistics,
give me damage control updates.  Give me Engineering and Weapons first.”
    “Engineering
reports nominal conditions.  Weapons reports 1 rail gun and 2 laser canons
offline, on upper side.  Damage to the port side
shields.   Shields on the port side are down to 70 percent.  We
have a hull breach on Deck 5, Section 8.  Air locks sealed
automatically.  Emergency crews responding,” reports the Logistics
Officer.
    ……..
……… ……. “Warp exit in 45 seconds,” announces the Helm.
    “OK,”
says the Captain.  “We know the drill.  We come out of warp, and fire
at the first ship that begins to