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The Spear of Tyr: Chapter 2
Posted By: Gre'Thor117<PersianWarrior@Comcast.net>
Date: 2 December 2003, 11:49 PM
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Chapter 2: Battle Preparations
Fleet Admiral Grif Simmons looked up at his senior staff of officers in his quarters. He had important news to discuss, and he wanted his officers to hear it first. There was no need to bring it up when they arrived at their destination without his bridge knowing why they were recalled into port.
"Men, as you all know too well, we barely retrieved those files before the Covenant destroyed the sensor relay. We have decoded the files and our next mission takes us to the Tantalus System to receive the newest refit to the MAC system. As you all know, the MAC system is unusually largely built in this ship and was supposed to be completed along with the ship's trial run. However, the Spear of Tyr was rushed in the production line and the necessary adjustments were never made. We have the new schematics of the advanced weapons adjustments that will be implemented and I must say that I am between whether thinking that this is a very dangerous experiment or a very reliable weapon."
The Admiral surveyed the room, looking for any change of attitude in his officers' demeanors. Naturally, Lieutenant Konrad's interest perked upward and leaned forward, more attentive. "What new weapon system will be implemented?" he asked.
This question prompted Simmons to explain the schematics of the new MAC system. "As you know too well, Lieutenant, the MAC firing drive is much larger than what a standard MAC round is supposed to be fired from, by about seventy-five percent. The Spear of Tyr has a special Slipstream driver around the primary magnetic acceleration ladder intended to add a very large amount of velocity to the round. Coupled with the ability to recycle the energy for two more shots after the first round is fired, the ship will become even more formidable against the Covenant. We will also receive a new AI to handle the weapon upgrade and target multiple capital ships so that one salvo will not be overkill to one target. We are looking at the ability to fire at two different ships in the same salvo." He looked over his officer staff, and knew his words had struck home on all of them, particularly on the lieutenant. Konrad looked as if he was about to receive a new toy to experiment with, and Grif knew that he would put it to good use. That's all they needed right now: a big tactical edge against the Covenant.
"So, I want us to head over there as soon as possible. Strain the engines if any Covenant ships engage us must- there will be a small taskforce of ships to greet us there and provide cover for us shall we need it. They flagship of the Tantalus taskforce is the Algonquin itself, along with three Aegis classed Heavy Destroyer escorts. They were all that could be easily called for such a small escort. Be ready for combat, I do think the Covenant will try to intercept us. No one will miss the hole we'll tear in Slipstream. As of right now, we will be running at a slightly lowered Combat Status. You are dismissed."
The senior staff exited out of his quarters, and Admiral Simmons started to head out to the bridge himself.
* * * * * * * *
Nearing their destination, the Spear of Tyr did attract some attention. The Covenant taskforce responsible for patrolling this sector of space detected the taskforce and jumped into an intercept course. The S.O.T. taskforce also detected the Covenant, and sent a message to the Tantalus taskforce to run dark. Admiral Simmons was going to try to keep the Covenant's attention by running with weapons preheated and their energy signatures overwhelming the Covenant's sensors. The Tantalus taskforce was waiting for the Covenant and the S.O.T. taskforce while running only on battery. It would not last long, but if Admiral Simmons had set up the engagement correctly, the Covenant would essentially be caught with their pants down.
The Covenant taskforce consisted of two carriers, a single destroyer, and a lone escort frigate. The force was enough to overwhelm the S.O.T. taskforce by itself, but not two fleets. So the Covenant continued on towards the S.O.T. taskforce thinking that this would be an easy win and oblivious of the second fleet and their stellar grave.
* * * * * * * *
"Red alert! All hands: to battle posts! Raise the Combat Status- I want additional energy to MAC systems," ordered the admiral. They had detected the Covenant and soon sent a message to the Tantalus fleet. They were currently ten minutes away if they continue running at flank speed. It was not conventional procedure, but he had no intention to loose his surprise for the Covenant. After a few minutes, Ensign Jake broke the silence.
"Sir? Shall I drop out of Slipstream?" asked the helmsman.
"No. Steady as she goes. I have no intention to try to fight the Covenant alone. I am not going to loose this advantage." Simmons pondered for a second. How could he know if the Covenant knew about the Tantalus fleet or not? Should they go to battle stations? What if the Covenant ambushed the defenseless fleet? No. The Covenant did not show any signs of detecting the second fleet, so he would still go with the original plan. He looked at the countdown to the Tantalus Fleet. He had five minutes left. Perhaps he should drop out now and let out the Longswords and drones. The Heavy Missile Frigates would also release their missile corvettes, and those would prove to be useful. The missile corvettes were a new addition to the UNSC fleet. They had a carrying load of twenty cluster missiles, which held eight missiles each. Afterwards, the corvette could either stay outside and fire away with their guns against the enemy fighters, or could dock for a reload. Each Missile Frigate held thirty corvettes, which could put out a total of 18000 missiles by itself.
Admiral Simmons looked at the view screen again, and decided it was time.
"Ensign, drop out of Slipstream Space. Proceed at three quarters towards the Covenant. Ensign Jacob, notify the Tantalus Fleet and tell them that once they detect the Covenant's deceleration, go to Combat Alert and jump into the fray. Tell our Missile Frigate escorts to send out its corvette craft. Weapons, release safeties from all missile racks, get the Longswords out into the void behind us, and launch the remaining nuclear drones and place them further away from us than normal. Detonate them if any Covenant ships drop in right on top of them- we may score a hit against a shieldless enemy."
Several "Yes Sirs!" were heard and soon the lighting went to an even deeper red. Simmons could only pray for luck. They may have already ran out and time to pay their debt...
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