literature

Battle at Proxima

Deviation Actions

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"Tactical, any change within the orbital zone?"
"No sir, all scopes showing clear. LIDAR shows no change in light patterns."
Captain Andrus Remora glared at nothing in particular and continued stalking in irritation about the deck of his bridge.
"Coms, read the orders if you would."
The Communications officer did so, reading in her sonorous voice the report in question which had been read now dozens of times since its reception.
"From, OUTLANCOM to, Remora, Andrus, C. Captain ESAS Heracles; Geldemming Treaty confirmed. Fed-Con War ended. Federation and Confederacy united as Confederation. United Commonwealth, Merchant Combine, and Farstar Republic are declared neutrals. Confederation aggression heightened. Travel to Proxima III and assume command of forces as Commodore, DESTDRON Seven. Defend at all costs until properly reinforced and/or relieved."
She looked up at him. "That's it sir."
Andrus nodded in annoyance. They wanted him to defend Proxima III, no issue there. The issue was that there was nothing to defend it from and no relief in sight. He'd been here over a month with five other destroyers and their attached strike craft and they'd yet to see a single enemy ship. Not even so much as a probe.
"Very well," he said steadily. "I want status updates from the Juno, Furies, Vesta, Pollux and Nemesis."
He sat down in his command chair and scowled at the wrap around screens that gave the illusion of the bridge hanging in space. The bridge was actually sunk deep in the belly of the destroyer, but humans being what they were, it was considered necessary to appear that they were in a much more open space. Andrus didn't particularly care, he'd been born among the stars, he was more at home in the void than he was dirtside. He knew though that many of his crew felt comforted by the openness, and he couldn't deny the tactical advantage of being able to look in a three hundred-sixty degree field in all direction.
"Sir, all ships in the taskforce report their status as optimal and ready for combat."
"Have our scouts picked up anything on their patrols?"
"No sir, it's all quiet."
Andrus sighed and sank deeper into his chair, his foul mood evident to all but the most blind. If the Confederation was going to attack, he wished they'd hurry and get it over with. Not that they'd oblige his silent wishes of course but it didn't hurt to harbor the wish.
"Be sure to rotate our Rapiers out SCC, I don't want our pilots to be exhausted."
"Aye sir, we're prepping the next flight now."
"Status of our other strike craft, I want them ready to launch at a moment's notice."
Strike Craft Command gave a quick inventory of the Heracles' strike craft force. "Rapiers are currently rotating on and off CASP, all other strike craft are on standby alert and ready to scramble."
Andrus nodded. "Make sure the other destroyers are doing the same."
It wasn't the first time he'd issued that command and he doubted it would be the last. He knew that his fellow captains were just as frustrated as he was about the situation they found themselves in. None liked being shepherds to an Outland world like Proxima III, even if it was one of the richest mining worlds under the Earth Sphere Alliance's control. The fact that six destroyers had been committed to its defense certainly argued about its value. However it was so far removed from any other populated—or even habitable—system that there was little strategic reason to hold it beyond its resources.
"Sir," Tactical all but leapt up out of his chair. "We've got energy signatures dead ahead. Thermal is detecting massive fluctuations, LIDAR reading non-natural light sources."
Andrus was on his feet instantly, a massive hologram appeared before him depicting the surrounding space, his ships, planetary bodies, and the anomaly in question. "Give me confirmation; I don't want to chase space anomalies Tactical."
"Yes Captain," Tactical's hands flew across his control panels rapidly. "Confirmed, three Shadow Fox corvettes emerging from cloak directly ahead," he paused and then added excitedly. "Subspace tear opening. Banshee and Gargoyle strike craft are entering orbital zone."
"Launching our strike craft now sir," SCC intoned. "All DESTDRON units doing the same, all craft forming up with their respective wings and squadrons," he turned to look up at Andrus. "Your orders sir?"
"Tactical, is it just the corvettes and strike craft?"
"So far sir, I am detecting no tears big enough for anything larger within range."
"Order our Rapiers and Broadswords to engage, Scimitars and Claymores are to hang back with the destroyers. Launch message torpedo with the following: "To OUTLANCOM, From Commodore acting Andrus. Have engaged Confederation forces at Proxima III, forces composed of enemy corvettes and strike craft arrayed against forces under DESTDRON Seven."
"Message encoded sir," Communications confirmed. "Firing in thirteen seconds, Nemesis, Juno, Furies, Vesta and Pollux are asking for orders."
"Orders are as follows: 'Form circular schiltron centered on the Heracles and hold position, provide fire support for strike craft as needed.'"
"Relayed sir, awaiting further instruction."
"Standby; Tactical, weapons status?"
"Main gun online in two minutes thirty-three seconds, primary batteries online, secondary batteries online, tertiary batteries online, gunners awaiting targeting solutions and firing permissions."
"Permissions given coordinate with SCC as to gunnery trajectories. I don't want any fratricide."
As the blur of orders and counter-orders was given, Andrus watched the holographic display being projected. His forces were shown in blue the enemy in red. It seemed like such a small force to commit to battle. Three corvettes, even the Shadow Fox class with their advanced weapons, were little match for his destroyers. The strike craft would no doubt take their toll on his own craft but that was to be expected. Whatever the enemy was playing at, he wasn't having it. There had to be something he was missing.
"Sir," Tactical called up. "Additional Shadow Foxes are appearing on the far side of the planet. I am now reading three separate enemy formations."
Andrus smiled. That was it. They were trying to divide his forces and break his formation. He weighed his options quickly and decided.
"Hold formation; deal with the enemy before us. We'll leave these newcomers to their own devices."
"Sir what about the planet," Tactical inquired cautiously. "If we don't engage all the enemy forces they could be—"
"They have defenses," Andrus stated coolly. "They can use them until we've dealt with the initial threat."
Andrus wondered how long it would be before the enemy realized that he wasn't taking their bait. Not long at all if he had his way. The only way the enemy would be a serious threat was if they were able to completely sweep away his strike craft screen which was doubtful. Even if they somehow eliminated the Rapiers and Broadswords, the Scimitars were capable fighter-bombers and both they and the Claymore had cluster munitions. Add to that the older Cutlass and Saber fighters alongside the Spriggan and Golem corvettes that the Proxima III defense forces fielded there was little doubt that he'd have any problems winning this battle. That was if the enemy didn't have their own capital ships waiting in the wings. All it would take was a few destroyers or cruisers to even the odds in their favor and then things would change.
"Sir, I have a large subspace tear opening, correction, three subspace tears opening. Cruiser and destroyer analogs confirmed."
Andrus' face spread in a grim smile. Things were about to get interesting.
"All ships, prepare to engage enemy capital ships. Strike craft, standby for new orders."
So this is a little bit inspired by this image:

[link]

Done with archangel's permission.

Now to defend myself from any Bablyon 5 lovers out there, when I stumbled across this piece I knew nothing of the series. I just let my imagination run rampant. I have now examined the Babylon 5 wiki and know that I've gotten it all a bit twisted but remember, this was inspired by archangel's work, not Babylon 5...so in short, you don't like it, go read something else.
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archangel72367's avatar
To hell with the fanboys, I LOVE IT! Still pretty darn close!