Chapter 55

119 Squadron undertook fleet evolutions as they escorted the convoy out into Paracelsus often using the merchantmen as simulated enemy. As the convoy broke up, ships of the squadron deployed as escorts. This was the most dangerous time; it was rare at this time for a merchantman to travel by itself but it did happen and there were losses. The escorts would be on their own with several merchantmen in company and this was a juicy target; take out the escort and here were three or so fat lumbering targets.

"Vance" had escorted two merchantmen to Comalee and was retracing her path with three other merchantmen. They were to rendezvous with further escorts and merchantmen and finally to Raffles.

Gold Roper had had "Shriek" undertaking forward scouting patrols taking advantage of her six hundred gravities and bunkerless fission pile. McCock had to gently point out to his Captain that, even though "Shriek" did not require reaction mass, it was subject to maintenance and being new build only helped so far. McCock had had a flight profile drawn up for "Shriek" to allow the accumulating hours for maintenance to create a cycle which ended on return to Raffles. During that stop-over the planned maintenance could be undertaken. He acknowledged to Gold Roper that he had made a ten percent allowance for combat and it was the error of this margin that had made the XO raise the matter with his Captain.

Gold Roper had trialled "Shriek's" hole in space shield with passive and a very short active burst outside Comalee which any pirate in the area would already know was the destination. They were expecting to rendezvous with "Washton" and two merchantmen. Leaving his XO in command of "Vance" Gold Roper joined "Shriek" as an observer. The crew of "Shriek" was of personnel newly trained on the outward voyage; one of the reasons he had been pushing them hard with his new toy. Denny was the commander. Gold Roper wanted to see Period used. He had "Shriek" stand out in the direction "Washton" was expected and requested Denny to bring Period on line. "Vance" confirmed no threat detection levels. "Vance" and her two were neatly painted at seven hundred and fifty thousand clicks. "Shriek" shadowed their packet travelling at convoy speed while "Vance" manoeuvred to cover as much space economically as she could.

"Target", reported EW, "one one zero, zero four zero, one point five mega clicks, unidentified intermittent. Can't really get a lock on them Sir".

Denny responded,

"Designate target as A",

Target A appears to be tracking three zero zero degrees two hundred and fifty gravities.

Two hours passed.

"Target A has firmed up at one mega click. Tentatively identified as "Washton" plus three merchantmen."

"Target one four zero, zero four zero, one point two mega click, tracking zero one zero, four hundred thirty gravities, unidentified, about eight thousand tonnes."

"Hum" mused Gold Roper, "marvellous little toy you've got Mr Denholt."

"Designate new target B" ordered Denny ""Shriek" what identification target B?"

Gold Roper looked at Denny as if he was growing a new head and then looked as if he was when AI answered,

"Morgue file suggests Paracelsian CL class "Bornholm". Last one broken up thirty four years ago."

Gold Roper expostulated,

"Denny, your lot never mentioned a vocal AI."

"Shriek" answered,

"Not asked."

Denny just looked at his Captain and shrugged with a flick of his eyebrows.

"Sirs," EW looked from one to the other, "I'm getting some thing behind Target A."

Gold Roper said to Denny,

"I'll hold our little discussion over until we get back to "Vance". Now what's your assessment here."

"EW, designate trailer C. B is a pirate CL and C is something too light to get into a fight, possibility C is a solo merchie. CL is heading off our convoy whether he actually intends to fight the escort I don't know but even a CL would think hard before taking on an RMN DD. Nobody knows we are out here. "Vance" knows our rough position. Suggest you tight com "Vance" to bring him up to date. We transmit well out of arc of B and if B detects "Vance" "Washton" encrypted bursts he could believe they are convoy packets intending to join up. I suggest you bring "Vance" and "Washton" to most rapid join up course, say "Vance" to turn in company to one three zero and "Washton" in company left thirty degrees. We try to head off B by coming to one three five, zero five zero, five hundred gravities and see what happens with C. "Washton" to fade to left rear of his packet."

"Good" said Gold Roper, "there are too many variables. Com, whisker to "Vance" please. Nav workout best headings for "Vance" and "Washton" to join up. "Vance" Gold Roper. My squadron..." and briefed "Vance" to pass on messages from Captain D. "Washton" was ordered to challenge B as soon as he appeared on passive and to initiate full EW.

Target C was unchanged and maintained her original heading.

Target B continued to close on "Washton" in silence. "Washton" held her position covering her convoy.

"Washton" challenged with threat of lethal force. Target B continued to close on "Washton". Well outside energy range target B fired a missile salvo at "Washton".

""Shriek", identify missiles and risk" Denny asked.

"Consistent with Bornholm class. No risk against up-dated shields."

Gold Roper assessed the plot

"B knows "Washton" has no missiles and must be hoping for the Golden BB. Don't know that one, eh, Denny? I'll explain it later. Your extreme graser range is fifty thousand clicks? We've set up to a down the throat. Denny you take her and open fire spot on the fifty and hold the button down. Helm get ready for some very evasive action. It is still your boat Mr Denholt."

Denny manoeuvred "Shriek" and watched the range unwind like a clock overdosed on adrenaline. Main gun had been primed at one hundred k clicks and was ready. At fifty one k clicks Denny ordered,