Amantus
Copyright© 2026 by QM
Chapter 24
Sixth Fleet transitioned into the Ruven system and immediately began scanning, finding that First Fleet were arrayed in a standard defence pattern. Orders from Carse came through, and Sixth began advancing on First, the various flotillas spreading out to give them manoeuvring space. Amantus was marking potential Targets to Tukle and updating various parameters such as speed and vectors.
“It’s got trap written all over it,” Trin, who was on weapons, commented.
“I’ve got over a hundred ships unaccounted for,” Amantus informed Tukle.
“Pass that information along to the Devastator,” Tukle ordered.
“They acknowledge, sir,” Sub Commander Briz on comms replied.
“Three flotillas have begun engaging,” Commander Brug on detection informed the bridge. “Indications are that it’s turning into a slugging match.”
“No surprise there,” Tukle nodded. “First will come out on top as they’ll have better weapons.”
“Potential for an ambush as we approach the asteroid belt,” Amantus warned.
“Warn the squadron passing closest,” Tukle ordered.
“Acknowledged.”
“Hrilt is taking us straight in,” Brug informed the bridge.
“For shlecks’ sake,” Trin muttered.
“Detecting fighters and bombers emerging from the belt,” Brug warned.
“Flotilla has launched its fighter complement,” Amantus added.
“All of it?” Tukle asked.
“Yes, sir,” Amantus confirmed. “Suggest vigilance on the squadron’s part.”
“Damn right!”
“Secondary squadron of bombers has emerged,” Brug warned. “They’re going after the capital ships.”
“Surprise, surprise,” Trin sighed. “A child could have spotted that one.”
“Hits on several capital ships,” Amantus observed. “Devastator is down and out.”
“That gives the squadrons independent command, doesn’t it?” Trin asked.
“Until someone in that confused mob takes overall command, yes,” Tukle replied.
“Suggest the squadron targets this cluster of enemies here,” Amantus marked a point on Tukle’s screen. “I suspect that’s where their carriers are.”
“You’re probably right,” Tukle nodded. “But they are too far.”
“Not for a 10G dash and sweep, sir.”
“Gods, you’re serious, aren’t you?”
“They won’t be expecting destroyers, sir.”
“Who would?” Tukle smiled wryly. “The hell with it, let’s try to redeem a bit of honour, now the Commodore has trashed the flotilla’s again.”
“Set course for a looped sweep to take us through that enemy formation,” Tukle ordered. “10G dash at closest approach.”
“Course laid in,” Navigation confirmed.
“Squadron acknowledges,” Briz confirmed.
“Let’s go, and may the gods smile on our lunacy,” Tukle chuckled.
The five destroyers accelerated away from the flotilla, who were still struggling to sort out a command structure. Nor were there any calls for them to halt from any of the remaining capital ships.
“Both the enemy and our friends appear to be ignoring us,” Brug confirmed.
“That won’t last,” Tukle replied.
“We’re in the zone, sir,” navigation confirmed.
“Begin the loop, 10G burst and hit them hard,” Tukle ordered. “Take out any carriers, assuming we guessed right.”
“Yes, sir,” Trin, manning the weapons, confirmed.
The Sabre thrummed as power was applied to the grav coils, and the squadron followed in her wake as they put on a burst of speed that caught the formation of First Fleet ships by surprise as the squadron used the environment to loop around and through their ships.
“We have three carriers,” Brug confirmed.
“Take them out,” Tukle ordered.
“Going to rapid fire,” Trin replied.
“Gotcha!” Brug exulted. “Two down ... no, all three; the Dagger got the third.”
“Damage to a battleship and two battlecruisers,” Amantus added. “They’re now floundering; I suggest a retreat back to the flotilla.”
“Set course,” Tukle ordered. “Slow us down when we’re out of range of the survivors.”
On his flagship, the Protector, Admiral Carse had been cursing the incompetence of Hrilt, who, despite being ordered to approach an enemy formation indirectly, had bored straight in and got his command savaged.
‘Damn the fool, ’ Carse mentally sighed. ‘About the only good thing to come out of his stupidity was getting his own ship taken out and marginally improving our chances.’
Carse was about to send out orders for Hrilt’s flotilla to regroup when his tactical officer gave a gasp of surprise. “A squadron of destroyers is making an attack on the enemy formation,” he confirmed.
“Five destroyers don’t stand a chance,” Carse replied. “More foolishness from that damned fool’s flotilla!”
“No sir, they’ve accelerated and caught them out,” tactical reported. “Three carriers, a battleship and two battlecruisers are down and out!”
“By damn!” Carse almost yelled. “Get Vinns’ flotillas moving into First’s flank; we’ve finally got them!”
“Orders sent, sir,” Comms replied.
“Looks like First have operated their low-level sabotage plan, sir,” detection informed the Admiral.
“Won’t they be in for a surprise then,” Carse darkly chuckled.
“Yes, sir,” detection grinned.
On the flagship Protectorate’s Pride, Admiral Clennion was rapidly giving out orders to reform the turned flank that the loss of three carriers had caused.
“Another flotilla is rapidly approaching the flank, sir,” his detection officer warned.
“Use Hask’s flotilla to stop them,” Clennion ordered.
“That will cause them to break cover, sir,” his tactical officer warned.
“Can’t be helped; if that flank is turned, it’s all over bar the shouting!” Clennion gritted out. “Whoever came up with that inspired lunacy to use five destroyers to savage the wings carriers should get a promotion, as they’re wasted on a destroyer.”
“Yes, sir,” his tactical officer chuckled. “Our surprise packages aren’t working too well either.”
“I know, looks like Sixth found out about them and neutralised them,” Clennion shrugged. “Damned stupid idea anyway.”
“Agreed, sir,” Tactical nodded. “They probably know about the others too.”
“Yes, well, it looks like we’re actually going to be put to the test,” Clennion admitted. “Let’s hope our superior equipment gets us through this.”
“The Clarion has taken overall command of the flotilla,” Tukle informed the bridge. “Captain Ruance is cut from the same cloth as Commodore Hrilt, so don’t expect any moments of genius.”
“A political appointee,” Trin muttered under her breath, yet was heard by all.
“Careful, commander,” Tukle warned.
“Sorry, sir,” Trin replied, looking anything but.
“We have also received a reprimand from Ruance for breaking formation and acting without orders,” Tukle continued. “This has since been rescinded as Admiral Carse sent Ruance a message praising the flotilla, hence us, for our ingenuity in our attack.”
“Hooray for Ruance,” Brug chuckled.
“Indeed so, Commander,” Tukle replied dryly. “We have been moved to provide a rearguard for the flotilla as we continue our advance as Admiral Carse attempts to turn the enemy flank.”
“Yes, sir.” The bridge officers replied.
“We have orders to vector in on the Vinns flotilla as they deal with a defensive formation protecting the enemy flank, ma’am,” Briz informed Tukle. “Course plot has been assigned.”
“Follow the Clarion, keep jinking,” Tukle ordered.
“Yes, sir,” the pilot replied.
The flotilla moved swiftly to where the Vinns flotilla was slugging it out with elements of the First Fleet and moved to assist in the simulated combat the ships were involved with. The squadron the Sabre was part of was the flotilla’s rearguard and not involved in any fighting. However, Amantus studied the various formations being used and, whilst being impressed with what Captain Sulli was achieving, was less than impressed with the performance of Captain Ruance and his tactician, who did not appear to have any plan other than to close and slug it out.
“Why doesn’t he use his frigates and destroyers as distractions as Sulli’s doing?” Amantus opined with a sigh as another of the flotilla’s capital ships was forced to withdraw.
“Because he hasn’t an innovative bone in his body,” Trin grimaced. “I suspect Admiral Carse is going to clean house after the exercise.”
“Expect a lot of sideways promotions to desk jobs,” Tukle nodded. “Though I doubt he can do much about Hrilt.”
“Under patronage, sir?” Amantus asked carefully.
“Unfortunately,” Tukle replied. “Now concentrate on your task.”
“Yes, sir,” Amantus replied, realising that Tukle wanted the subject dropped.
Patronage was the hidden authority behind higher Fleet promotions. Whilst it was possible to go from Captain to Commodore as Vinns had done, it was far more likely that a favoured noble son or daughter would get a plum posting. What surprised Amantus was that everyone apparently knew about it. Still, it was never openly mentioned, and even raising the subject would cause the conversation to be shut down by anyone in authority.
‘I’ll mention it to mother, but I doubt she or my great-grandfather could do anything about it, ’ Amantus mentally noted.
“Clarion is down,” Brug announced.
“Prepare for another verbal duel as to who is in charge,” Trin opined.
“Yep,” Tukle sighed. “Got any brilliantly insane manoeuvres for us, Sub Commander?” he asked Amantus.
“The cruiser here is acting as an ECM vessel,” Amantus marked a guarded ship, surrounded by several destroyers and frigates. “Normally I’d suggest a bomber strike, but I have no such authority.”
“Get me Captain Nimkel on the Fleet Carrier Tornado,” Tukle ordered.
“On screen,” Briz replied.
“Captain Tukle, how can I help you?” a burly middle-aged man asked.