Strat-4 Chpt-36

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==Strategos (A Great Captain Roberts Tale!!) - Part 4 - Chapter 36 - Form Up==
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===Invasion Fleet Status===
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Operation: Medway
Operation Commander: Admiral David Foster flying his flag on SLS Larry Nichols
Command Group
SLS Larry Nichols, (no AI, but equipped with the cores and automation Farragut Class Battleship) with Captain Thomas Erik Mahan in command
SLS Olivia Hazard Perry, (Royal Congress Class Frigate effectively)
SLS Stacy Cameron Roberts, (CV M5.2 Drone Destroyer)
Taffy Group A:
SLS Billie Hoel, (ATACs+CV M5.2C)-AI Billie Hoel Formation Command
SLS Samantha Booker Roberts, (M5.1 Drone Destroyer)
SLS Ottillie Lee Dennis, (M5.1 Drone Destroyer)
OWS Tenebrous, (Bonaventure Class Corvette)-Regina Marbury Raymond in command
Taffy Group B:
SLS Tabarinth, (ATACs CV M5.2C)-Formation Command
OWS Duplicitous, (Bonaventure Class Corvette)-Seron (Snow Raven) in Command with AI XO Joana Vincente Johnston
SLS Joana Clarice Butler, (M5.1 Drone Destroyer)
SLS Lucy Heerman, (CV M5.2 Drone Destroyer)
Surcouf Group A
OWS Evanescent, (Bonaventure Class Corvette)-Amanda Roberts Formation Command
OWS Illusive, (Bonaventure Class Corvette)-Luther Bedwyr in command
OWS Ephemeral, (Bonaventure Class Corvette)-Captain Malcom O’Connel in command-No AI support nor systems for it installed
SLS Piorun, (M5.3 Drone Destroyer)
OWS Cossack, (Lola III Class Destroyer)
Surcouf Group B
OWS Mina Siegel (Essex II Class Destroyer)-AI Mina Siegel Formation Command
OWS CapriciousSikh, (Bonaventure Class Corvette) 
SLS Phoenix (Bonaventure Class Corvette)- Star Commander Trina in command with AI Phoenix in support
SLS Maori (M5.1 Drone Destroyer)
Reserve Group
SLS Sparks, (Aegis Block II-AI Class Cruiser) Jonathan Morgan Formation Command
SLS Betty Laffey, (Essex II Class Destroyer)-Captain Kevin Armington in Command with AI support
SLS Tartar, (M5.1 Drone Destroyer)
SLS Zulu, (M5.1 Destroyer)
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"The Command and Reserve groups consist of our heavy hitters. Because of the nature of this mission, the layout will be for reserves to hold one jump back from their assigned Corvette units," Foster explained. "We come in if the kids run into something too big to handle, or bump into serious resistance, and hold back when they don't. Maintaining a below-thirty-light-year spacing. The attacks will be as simultaneous as we can make them, and the goal is to cripple the enemy's ability to deploy naval forces while augmenting ours."
He paced the briefing room. "They… call it 'grand strategy', is that we're running fast-and-deep, while main line Snow Raven units and Allied forces are pressing from the rimward and anti-spinward sides, to roll up and roll through the outlying systems. It's tightening the noose. The final objective is to make it as smooth as possible for the invasion forces to reach the enemy's capital world in the shortest amount of time feasible. In the process, we're dismantling their commercial and military traffic capacity, isolating their garrisons, and avoiding surface contacts."
He handed out packets. "Taffy Group will be under the overall Command of Billie Hoel, and will consist of two four-ship groups with a reserve unit of heavies with Stacey Cameron Roberts having formation command of the second four ship group. Likewise with Surcouf group, with Fleet Captain Roberts taking lead of that unit's A-group with the note of I am adding Ephemeral to make it a five ship group since you’re short on hitters. Mina you’ll have operational control of the B group."
Nodding to Johnathan Morgan, "Admiral Murakami has graciously allowed Captain Morgan to join the Taffy reserve formation as both a leader and advisor. He's done good work as an officer all the way back to the Jihad."
“I will be with the Command group, which will be acting as a further reserve for this operation as well. This operation can become very fluid very quickly.” stated Foster
Foster sighed. "Now for the worse news: we cannot spend more than drive-charging time at any single target for this to work out, so our timeframe is roughly one week between strikes. Underway replenishment of stores will be handled as we can get them moved forward, which is to say, it is going to be rough out there. We are basically pulling an epic-sized commerce raid across a front 180 light years wide, 90 high and 40 deep."
"That's… one for the record books, isn't it?" Luther Bedwyr noted.
"It is. Partial UNREP will be provided by the Thazi Armed Forces' Fleet, but their operational reach is shortened because they need to maintain their local security from Wynn's Roost to Bloemfontein in the event we screw this up. Prize vessels will route straight back here, to Port Orphan, where Fleet Captain Gomez and Admiral Murakami will handle the processing and dispatch, as well as record-of-capture. Erinyes and the remaining Aegis cruisers will handle system defense while we're out."
Not quite looking like a school boy in class, Jonathan Morgan raised his hand.
“Yes, Captain Morgan?”
“Admiral, in addition to our cruisers, we have a number of smaller drone units of DropShip size and smaller. Most would probably be best served to remain here on defensive duties, since we’ve got a limit on collars, but our M-10 carrier units each have a single six-bird squadron of Phoenix Hawk LAMs converted to drone control. I know the Swifstars and BlackWasps may not be the brightest bulbs on the Christmas tree, but we were able to add a bit more computing power to the Phoenix Hawks, and they may prove valuable on boarding ops, if we can shuffle our birds around a bit.”
“Something to take under advisement,” Foster replied. “Anyone else?”
Lucy Heerman’s human remote had a look about her like if she could cry, she would.
“Problem, Captain Heerman?” Dave Foster looked her way.
“Apologies sir, but I’m not sure if I’d be shedding tears of joy seeing a fleet action this big again, or if they’d be tears of frustration seeing what has become of our nice neat Destroyer Divisions,” Lucy admitted.
“Heh. Probably both would be acceptable, given the circumstances,” Foster chuckled slightly. “Amanda and Phoenix, we have something to discuss in private. The rest of you, dismissed.”
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===Appologies and Forgiveness===
”So you…
…are our newest recruit.” Foster studied Phoenix’s human remote.
“Yes, sir.” Phoenix stood before him at attention.
“I have read all the briefs and reports of what you and Amanda tried to pull while I was away, and Helena has given her blessing to how everything went down. I think she saw this coming, while I failed to when I paired the two of you. Still honestly, if we had the time, I would be tempted to stick you with Roberts directly. But we don’t have the time for the refits or the shuffling of crews to make that work. As it is, several vessels are running short crews to keep that Battleship operational. I heard a report where you introduced yourself with a false rank, Phoenix. I’m assigning Star Commander Trina to sit on you as CO and leader of your boarding parties, but once the boarding operations start going down, you’ll be on your own. So you’ll have to teach her to be an officer in a Command Position of a Warship and I have to enter orders for special dispensation to restore you to full command authority for the remainder of the operation.”
“I understand, sir.” Phoenix stayed at attention.
“Amanda, I am sure you have gotten all the lectures you care to listen to. Now that you’re clearing medical, I can finally give my blessing for my favorite chainsaw to go do her thing.” Dave Foster sighed.
“You’re not mad at me?” Amanda seemed shocked.
“I have accepted it would be like being mad at water for being wet. You’ll always be a loose cannon, Amanda. But you are our loose cannon. All that can be reasonably done to ensure you survive this war, and have a chance of actually being able to acclimate to peace once it is over, has been done. So now it is up to you and your choices. Don’t get me wrong, Amanda. We are still going to be there for you, and support you as best as we can. We all also recognize it is now your choice which path you want to follow. Now, you two have something to hash out from my understanding.” Foster shook his head.
“I’m sorry Amanda. I gave false pretenses and misrepresented myself. So you were right to treat me the way you did, and can forgive yourself. I forgive you.” Phoenix started.
“Phoenix, you weren’t wrong to be angry with me. Even though you did introduce yourself using the wrong rank, I didn’t care about that. I still treated you poorly, and you could have called it grounds for coercion to get you to enlist, but you didn’t. So, I’m sorry too,” Amanda said.
“Amanda, maybe you can accept my debt that is friendship. Now that we both know who the other really is, and that I truly have a free choice in it. Because despite everything, I still choose to owe that to you.”
“Thanks, Phoenix.” Amanda and Phoenix hugged.
“Better. Now, I believe you have a brother to go see off. And we have some business to conduct that requires my presence, technically...” Foster folded his hands and rested his elbows on his desk so he could hide his smile.
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===Passing Title to worthy Heir===
"Admiral…
…sir." Amanda was in uniform again, this time it was a 'real' uniform. "The name on the birth certificate is 'Roberts', sir. Not 'Cameron'. I am an Outworlder, not a Terran, sir."
"Yeah, I know. But I also know the chain of command, and with the official release of data…"
"Roberts, sir," she stated again. "I'm not fit to be anyone's legal heir anyway, compromised and all that I am." stated Amanda
"You're saying you don't want it?" Daryl asked.
"You have sons. Two of them, great kids, they'll be great men." Amanda asserted. "She made you her legal heir. I'm not fit to be the spare. I refuse the honor to be your heir. You have a family."
Daryl looked at Foster, "Can she do that?"
"Yes," Billie said. "There’s legal precedent in the Terran Hegemony, and Star League codes. Anyone can step away from the line of succession, provided they are either unfit, or genuinely unwilling."
“Kah-Ray-ZEE and all banged up to hell. So there.” Amanda smiled.
"I wish I had an excuse half as good." Daryl mourned out loud. "I don't, but I wish I did…" He looked at his sister, "I wish it wasn't you that had this."
“If it makes you feel any better, Daryl, it’s only because she has to name an heir now that the enemy are getting desperate enough to try head hunting tactics.” Billie offered.
"Yah, Helena's going to live for centuries," Amanda pointed out. "You may never have to actually FILL that spot."
"Your word to God's ears," Daryl asserted. "Still doesn't explain why you don't want to be third."
"I don't want it, because it means I can't go out and have fun." she stated. "I'd have to learn all that politics and economics and business stuff. I'd have to give up my letter of Marque and be…important." she added with distaste.
“Well, you’re important to us already.” Stacey was in dock re-supplying and took the opportunity to be a part of the meeting.
Amanda stepped forward, and gave Daryl a hug. "Kiss Sam and the boys for me, okay??" she said. "Tell them I love them lots."
"I will." he nodded.
She turned to Mashona. "Take care of my brother, and not just because he's your boss's heir. For me, okay?"
“I will. I look forward to when we can meet again, Amanda.” Mashona smiled.
"Far side of the rift," Amanda nodded. "Admiral, I've got a ship to prep. May I be excused to do so?"
"Here. I thought you wanted to see them leave," Foster commented.
"No sir, I said my fare-wells. Daryl's got two important jobs-one of them in Parliament, and the other? Family don't raise themselves and come out worth a… worth anything."
“Well, we’ll take it as a sign of progress that you’re willing to trust Mashona with your brother, and be happy that you’re growing up a little, but not too much.” Billie chuckled.
"Mashie's cool," Amanda said. "Though she needs a Cool Hat. I need to finish prepping Evanescent, and I need to talk to Phoenix and Luther about our patrol plan." 
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===Mission Briefing by Amanda Roberts===
"Okay, Phoenix…
…You've got your extra personnel sorted and bunked?" Fleet Captain Amanda Roberts was holding a 'meeting' with the Vessels and Captains for her portion of the mission.
“Yes ma’am.”
"Luther, you're loaded too? Does anyone have any questions about our objectives?" She was in a slightly different state than she had been during her recovery. Amanda Roberts was almost manic.
"Yeah, I'm ready. When am I getting a Human officer assigned, Commodore?" Luther asked.
"You're not. We don't have any spares," Amanda told him. "It turns out it takes a lot of extra bodies to crew a Farragut, including officers qualified for a ship the size of a Bonnie. The closest you get is your Prize Crew Caps."
“Sorry. I know my current situation isn’t helping that either Luther.” Phoenix apologized.
She turned to Seron, "Is your ship ready?"
"She's ready, Captain."
Amanda turned to Jonah. "Will there be problems with Cossack?" she asked.
"No, ma'am."
"Better not be."
Johnston tried to stifle a giggle, but obviously failed.
"Share the joke, Johnston. I'm sure we can all use the lightener." Amanda ordered.
“Oh, it’s just that Cossack is actually a total sweetheart and teddy bear once she actually accepts and respects someone. So she’ll probably give the newbies grief, but once they pass muster she’ll be fine.”
Amanda mock-sighed. "Damn, and I was hoping for a scurvy space-dog psycho. Well, can't have everything… I suck at the speeches, but you all know the operation plan. Your reports show you've got your stores and spare crews. Those of you who aren't familiar, this is going to be a series of a very special kind of raids. We're going in to steal their navy blind."
“Oh, Cossack will absolutely be that to our enemies. No need to worry about that, Commodore.” Johnston smiled.
"What makes THIS one different is the betting pool," Amanda informed them. "I have a standing bet with the other squadrons over who's going to score the richest loot off the enemy, and I intend NOT to lose… But we'll be competing with some tough competition. Including Destroyer Group One led by Billie Hoel. We're going in to take as much enemy iron out of enemy hands as physically possible… And I don't want you guys to embarrass me in front of our friends."
“Well, that could get complicated for the betting pool, since some of us technically still report to Billie as part of Group One.” Johnston added.
"We're 'Redfor' for this one," Luther said confidently. "Aren't we? And the ships with Billie are acting as Bluefor."
"Bingo, and someone dropped a fiver on the pool, didn't you, Luther?" Amanda teased.
"Fifty," he said. "I bet fifty Escudos at two-to-one odds our group would come out on top, despite the tonnage and manpower difference."
“A little competition between siblings now and again doesn’t hurt either.” Regina smiled.
"Each competing group is getting a 'slice' of the pie. We're doing this ahead of the main offensive, so we have a slight advantage in that our initial targets are closer to us than the others. Which is part of the handicapping, but the overall is the same. I've got one hundred Escudos that says we'll bring more tonnage, in better condition, than the other two teams."
“So how are we approaching this then? Close and noisy as hell, or sit back and get a little surprise?” Sikh asked.
"That depends on what we see. It's why we have a mix that includes ships other than Bonnies," Amanda said. "Stacey Roberts and Group Two's team will be kinda forced to be big and noisy, what with having one of Murakami's cruisers in their line. And DG one is going to be the same, just on the amount of thermal boom their emergence waves make. But they can play subtle too. We'll be using adaptive tactics at each of four systems on our target list, each one will be a case of dropping in on contingency planning. But our primary mission is to deprive the enemy of every piece of jump-capable iron we can sink our dirty little fingers into."
"So the mission really is to raid, pillage, and plunder our bloody little black hearts out?"
"Yo Ho Ho." Amanda grinned wildly.
“This should be fun.” Johnston adjusted her tricorn hat.
"You all have the target lists and the listing for our rendezvous coordinates. Jump off is in twelve hours. Try to have most of your crews sober by then, and my speech is done!"
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===Watching love ones Departure===
Formation…
…flight on the way out is a traditional thing. Most navies in the Age of War through Star League eras would do a pass-in-review before embarking on a mission.
This time, the flight plan included it for less practical than sentimental reasons.
This wasn't, after all, for a mere practice exercise. Four Bonaventure corvettes in formation, three with wild-ish looking nose art, and the OWS Illusive with its patriotic-themed Outworlds Flag (oversized).
ALICE watched her friends go, and felt some sadness. "You'll watch over them, won't you?" she asked her visitor.
"Kolossus will watch over them, little one," Kolossus answered. "As much as Kolossus can, while also watching over Billie Hoel."
"Thank you."
The next ships off the dock and forming in line were from Destroyer Group One.
"It's… sad seeing them all leave like this," Alice mused. "I'm worried."
"Kolossus knows. It is okay to be worried," the entity told her. "It means you care. Feelings are… complex. A proof of evolving beyond what we are, and into who we are
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