Thanks, not sure why it double posted the last message. Anyway Ms. Parker is now on a Dreadnought (Battle ship). And like most navies there is a world of difference between a Lieutenant and a Lieutenant Commander (Majourette and Kaptain in the Imperial military).
Into the Fire: Wendy did make Majourette, but she was not posted to the Pacificator, but rather the Debutante. As for the fly-girls, they remained on the Gremlin, but we spent as much time together on either the Debutante or Pacificator as we could. Albeit that was not much given the particulars of the mission.
Life as a Madame Kaptain is vastly different than a Mademoiselle, even as a Majourette. I had a huge, by comparison quarters, which I shared with another Officette, Madame Kaptain Lydia Winters, 2nd Watch Engineering, so I rarely saw her. We both had partners presently posted on other ships. However the duties as BDCO 1st Watch was more than enough to keep me occupied. I had twelve Majourettes’s alone under my nominal authority that includes the BDC and VNB staffs for all three watches. Double that in Lewtenettes and Kaydettes, and nearly triple that in ratings. Of course all of the sections were responsible for their own people, so I only directly rated four Majourettes, the DBDCO, Head of Navigation, and Senior Maneuver control and Sensors Officettes, respectively. All but the DBDCO were on 1st Watch so that made that task easier.
The Pacificator was a very tight ship, and combined with the excellent crews of the Gremlin and the Debutante we formed a very powerful force. We retained all of the other assets of the old BATCRURON as well as gaining the services of two destroyers, one a Tyche and the other a Poseidon, the little sister to Neptune class ships like the Gremlin. The only thing we really lacked was a carrier, but the TG had three of them, and at the moment we were operating as a complete TG, Because BTG 16 took a heavy pounding, ATG 85 was in the Van for the next stage, we were to cover the left flank of the main effort by the 4th Huntsman Star Fleet on a daring but risky drive straight to the heart of the Corporation. If it works we could end the war, if it fails, we not only risk extending the war, and we also destroy the main offensive punch of AIDOF. However everyone was confident that Princess Nicole and Wanaxxae Diane knew their stuff. But before we really got started the Corporate forces laid in a massive counter attack against the 4th Huntsman.
We were busy patrolling the flanks when the 4th Huntsman arrived in the Jironistan Cluster. As was her way, Wanaxxae Diane led from the front, aboard her flagship, the AISS Diligent. Ahead of the command group was the 12th BTG with six Minervas and smaller ships. Trailing right behind was the 73rd CTG with two Juno class carriers. On either flank were three ATG’s and two more BTG’s and CTG’s respectively. Her trail consisted of two more CTG’s and three ATG’s plus the two STG’s. Then way to the left, we were just on the outside edge of the cluster, were the 141st and then trailing and to the right were the 39th Imperial and the command group. So not counting the assets of the 141st and the 39th, we had close to twenty dreadnoughts and battle cruisers in the cluster along with fourteen carriers; double the combined number for cruisers and then again for destroyers and lighter vessels. As large as this force was, the total combined Corporate force was eight times as big, and since we were driving to their home systems, they were en mass waiting for us.
Because of our position several light years away on the left flank, the 141st did not get to participate in the battle of the Jironistan Cluster. We only met light resistance, a few Dolcianies and Thetas, but mostly Newtons, Trigs and those annoying Hawkings. We were also on the far end of communications, so all but the most urgent requests were sent via Hermes Destroyer.
“Ma’am Jump signature detected.” stated in a calm voice Majourette Debra Sanderson, head of Sensors.
“Right, localize and see if you can identify.” I said as the BDCO.
“Aye, Ma’am, getting transponder she is the Haptic from the 289th ATG.”
“I am not familiar with that unit, Marci can you query her?” “
Aye Ma’am responded Lewtenette Marci Walker, the Commo officer.
“She says they are part of the 73rd Attack Fleet, 4th Huntsman.”
“Right ok, clear her for transit, I take it she has a message for Her Highness?”
“Yes indeed an urgent one.”
“Right signal TG to allow clearance for destroyer Haptic.”
And so went my only participation with the battle. Haptic delivered her message, which basically stated that over three hundred corporate ships attacked elements the 4th Huntsman.
The battle of the Jironistan Cluster became legendary in the annals of the fleet. We won but at such high costs that the 4th Huntsman ceased to be an effective fighting force. Likewise with the casualties sustained from the previous actions, our fearless leader decided to consolidate and move on. The cripples of all three elements with a small screen of escorts were sent back to the fleet yards to refit and salvage. We won but at a terrible loss. For example in the vanguard group only the Flagship and the two Carriers were in any condition to fight. All six Minervas were either destroyed or were abandoned and scuttled. The rest of 4th Huntsman received similar losses, of the twenty Dreadnoughts and Battle cruisers, only eight were not seriously damaged or out of action. As for the 14 carriers six remained but there even they had depleted Aerospace crews.
Corporate losses included at least forty capital ships known destroyed, and another fifty known to have suffered grievous damage, but since they were in the home territory they could be refitted quickly. Our cripples had to go all the way back to Avonia or Chronos, as the forward base at New Sophia was not ready to receive such losses. With a heavy Heart, Princess Nicole had to make a tough decision, either defy orders and fall back to the New Sophia-Orion perimeter, or press on. She decided on a third option, solidify gains at Jironistan and wait for reinforcements before moving on.
In no uncertain terms she was informed that no further reinforcements were available until systems closer to Mathematica Prime were secured, so a force of two Lincoln Starfleets could arrive and assist. Well knowing that staying put in the Jironistan Cluster was asking to be hammered, she collected the cripples from both the 4th Huntsman and the 141st and placing Diane in command, ordered them back to Chronos or Avonia to repair and refurbish with the utmost of speed. She then placed the rump of the 4th Huntsman under command of Arch Duchess Stacy Metterich and attached the fast transports from Her Grace’s own command and ordered them to make best possible speed to Gibraltar, avoiding major actions until arriving at Gibraltar. Likewise the 141st sans our slow escorts and support ships, was to head to Goldstone at best possible speed. The plan was to secure both termini of the Gibraltar Wormhole. Meanwhile the 39th and the remaining assets of both the 141st and 4th Huntsman will push on to the Corporate center.
The 85th ATG became part of the Goldstone attacking force, named Task Force Catherine after the leader of the 141st Wannaxae Catherine Volkberg. Task Force Stacy had the honor to seize and control Gibraltar. BTG 16 was attached to the 39th, as well as most of CTG 61. TF Catherine was composed of the ATGs 85, 78, and 45. ATG 41 was reorganized as the escorts for TF Diane. Two battle cruisers from BTG 16 and the big Illy from CTG 61 finished things off. That made our capital ship strength at 15 dreadnoughts or battle cruisers, eight carriers and thirty cruisers (seven were Neptunes, the rest were Saturns). Our screen was reduced to eighteen destroyers (Hermes and Tyches only), and seven frigates (all Vulcans). Plus we had eight Oracle class scout corvettes.
If it was slow, we left it behind, plus add to that eighteen fast transports from elements of the 112th Volkberg Armee and three fast tenders. Our job was to speed to Goldstone, any cripples or stragglers were to be left back and told to make best possible speed to Lincoln space or link up with the main body, up to the skipper’s decision. We had the van, and now had AISS Doberman and AISS Dowager attached, making ATG 85 have one dreadnought and three battle cruisers, we still lacked a carrier in our squadron. BATCRURON 858 was the task organization for the Doberman and Dowager, but they operated in concert with the BATRON. We said our farewells to the main body and quickly headed to Goldstone.
Into the Fire: Wendy did make Majourette, but she was not posted to the Pacificator, but rather the Debutante. As for the fly-girls, they remained on the Gremlin, but we spent as much time together on either the Debutante or Pacificator as we could. Albeit that was not much given the particulars of the mission.
Life as a Madame Kaptain is vastly different than a Mademoiselle, even as a Majourette. I had a huge, by comparison quarters, which I shared with another Officette, Madame Kaptain Lydia Winters, 2nd Watch Engineering, so I rarely saw her. We both had partners presently posted on other ships. However the duties as BDCO 1st Watch was more than enough to keep me occupied. I had twelve Majourettes’s alone under my nominal authority that includes the BDC and VNB staffs for all three watches. Double that in Lewtenettes and Kaydettes, and nearly triple that in ratings. Of course all of the sections were responsible for their own people, so I only directly rated four Majourettes, the DBDCO, Head of Navigation, and Senior Maneuver control and Sensors Officettes, respectively. All but the DBDCO were on 1st Watch so that made that task easier.
The Pacificator was a very tight ship, and combined with the excellent crews of the Gremlin and the Debutante we formed a very powerful force. We retained all of the other assets of the old BATCRURON as well as gaining the services of two destroyers, one a Tyche and the other a Poseidon, the little sister to Neptune class ships like the Gremlin. The only thing we really lacked was a carrier, but the TG had three of them, and at the moment we were operating as a complete TG, Because BTG 16 took a heavy pounding, ATG 85 was in the Van for the next stage, we were to cover the left flank of the main effort by the 4th Huntsman Star Fleet on a daring but risky drive straight to the heart of the Corporation. If it works we could end the war, if it fails, we not only risk extending the war, and we also destroy the main offensive punch of AIDOF. However everyone was confident that Princess Nicole and Wanaxxae Diane knew their stuff. But before we really got started the Corporate forces laid in a massive counter attack against the 4th Huntsman.
We were busy patrolling the flanks when the 4th Huntsman arrived in the Jironistan Cluster. As was her way, Wanaxxae Diane led from the front, aboard her flagship, the AISS Diligent. Ahead of the command group was the 12th BTG with six Minervas and smaller ships. Trailing right behind was the 73rd CTG with two Juno class carriers. On either flank were three ATG’s and two more BTG’s and CTG’s respectively. Her trail consisted of two more CTG’s and three ATG’s plus the two STG’s. Then way to the left, we were just on the outside edge of the cluster, were the 141st and then trailing and to the right were the 39th Imperial and the command group. So not counting the assets of the 141st and the 39th, we had close to twenty dreadnoughts and battle cruisers in the cluster along with fourteen carriers; double the combined number for cruisers and then again for destroyers and lighter vessels. As large as this force was, the total combined Corporate force was eight times as big, and since we were driving to their home systems, they were en mass waiting for us.
Because of our position several light years away on the left flank, the 141st did not get to participate in the battle of the Jironistan Cluster. We only met light resistance, a few Dolcianies and Thetas, but mostly Newtons, Trigs and those annoying Hawkings. We were also on the far end of communications, so all but the most urgent requests were sent via Hermes Destroyer.
“Ma’am Jump signature detected.” stated in a calm voice Majourette Debra Sanderson, head of Sensors.
“Right, localize and see if you can identify.” I said as the BDCO.
“Aye, Ma’am, getting transponder she is the Haptic from the 289th ATG.”
“I am not familiar with that unit, Marci can you query her?” “
Aye Ma’am responded Lewtenette Marci Walker, the Commo officer.
“She says they are part of the 73rd Attack Fleet, 4th Huntsman.”
“Right ok, clear her for transit, I take it she has a message for Her Highness?”
“Yes indeed an urgent one.”
“Right signal TG to allow clearance for destroyer Haptic.”
And so went my only participation with the battle. Haptic delivered her message, which basically stated that over three hundred corporate ships attacked elements the 4th Huntsman.
The battle of the Jironistan Cluster became legendary in the annals of the fleet. We won but at such high costs that the 4th Huntsman ceased to be an effective fighting force. Likewise with the casualties sustained from the previous actions, our fearless leader decided to consolidate and move on. The cripples of all three elements with a small screen of escorts were sent back to the fleet yards to refit and salvage. We won but at a terrible loss. For example in the vanguard group only the Flagship and the two Carriers were in any condition to fight. All six Minervas were either destroyed or were abandoned and scuttled. The rest of 4th Huntsman received similar losses, of the twenty Dreadnoughts and Battle cruisers, only eight were not seriously damaged or out of action. As for the 14 carriers six remained but there even they had depleted Aerospace crews.
Corporate losses included at least forty capital ships known destroyed, and another fifty known to have suffered grievous damage, but since they were in the home territory they could be refitted quickly. Our cripples had to go all the way back to Avonia or Chronos, as the forward base at New Sophia was not ready to receive such losses. With a heavy Heart, Princess Nicole had to make a tough decision, either defy orders and fall back to the New Sophia-Orion perimeter, or press on. She decided on a third option, solidify gains at Jironistan and wait for reinforcements before moving on.
In no uncertain terms she was informed that no further reinforcements were available until systems closer to Mathematica Prime were secured, so a force of two Lincoln Starfleets could arrive and assist. Well knowing that staying put in the Jironistan Cluster was asking to be hammered, she collected the cripples from both the 4th Huntsman and the 141st and placing Diane in command, ordered them back to Chronos or Avonia to repair and refurbish with the utmost of speed. She then placed the rump of the 4th Huntsman under command of Arch Duchess Stacy Metterich and attached the fast transports from Her Grace’s own command and ordered them to make best possible speed to Gibraltar, avoiding major actions until arriving at Gibraltar. Likewise the 141st sans our slow escorts and support ships, was to head to Goldstone at best possible speed. The plan was to secure both termini of the Gibraltar Wormhole. Meanwhile the 39th and the remaining assets of both the 141st and 4th Huntsman will push on to the Corporate center.
The 85th ATG became part of the Goldstone attacking force, named Task Force Catherine after the leader of the 141st Wannaxae Catherine Volkberg. Task Force Stacy had the honor to seize and control Gibraltar. BTG 16 was attached to the 39th, as well as most of CTG 61. TF Catherine was composed of the ATGs 85, 78, and 45. ATG 41 was reorganized as the escorts for TF Diane. Two battle cruisers from BTG 16 and the big Illy from CTG 61 finished things off. That made our capital ship strength at 15 dreadnoughts or battle cruisers, eight carriers and thirty cruisers (seven were Neptunes, the rest were Saturns). Our screen was reduced to eighteen destroyers (Hermes and Tyches only), and seven frigates (all Vulcans). Plus we had eight Oracle class scout corvettes.
If it was slow, we left it behind, plus add to that eighteen fast transports from elements of the 112th Volkberg Armee and three fast tenders. Our job was to speed to Goldstone, any cripples or stragglers were to be left back and told to make best possible speed to Lincoln space or link up with the main body, up to the skipper’s decision. We had the van, and now had AISS Doberman and AISS Dowager attached, making ATG 85 have one dreadnought and three battle cruisers, we still lacked a carrier in our squadron. BATCRURON 858 was the task organization for the Doberman and Dowager, but they operated in concert with the BATRON. We said our farewells to the main body and quickly headed to Goldstone.