Chapter 9

Scott and Carlton had discussed the role of the Gnat and decided that the raw specifications were not enough. To gain a better insight, a duel between a later model HAC in the anti missile role and the Gnat would probably give a baseline. Having more time in HAC command, Scott would take the HAC and representing the newbies, Carlton, the Gnat. This command structure would best represent the actual initial condition at the introduction of the Gnat. They quickly set up two simulators and Carlton undertook a short familiarisation sortie 'in' the Gnat. Scott 'joined' in and the two sparred to give Carlton a comparison. By agreement, the tempo was increased by Carlton with Scott matching his intensifying efforts. After a quick discussion on their findings to then, they went into full dog fight mode. Game on! The scenarios were frighteningly rapid and lethal. The attack was the twin laser weapons on the Gnat against the defence by the HAC's shields. The Gnat's defense was its manoeuverability not having shields or armour to speak of; it was to be manned in EVA suit. The HAC's point defense weapons was its attack but they had great difficulty acquiring and holding the miniscule target; the Gnat massed five tonnes and any hit totally destroyed her. The Gnat primary twin laser was effective against HACs but would not be called destructive as survivability of the HAC behind its shields was good. The Gnat carried twelve very efficient hunting rockets which were fire and forget with a high probability of hits. The rockets were upgraded models of those presently in service on the UVAs and KeyHACs. The FAFs would damage an unshielded HAC and could destroy it if 'lucky'.

The scenario was changed to the anti missile role. The FAFs were destructive of the less manoeuvrable missiles; IF they could lock onto the missile. The twin lasers were destructive if a hit was achieved on the missile. The Gnat had some all round detection but the hunting rockets were restricted by having to rapidly acquire the target before the link to the Gnat's battle 'puter was broken. If the Gnat wasn't otherwise occupied, say evading incoming, then it could guide the FAF onto the target but an enemy was probably not going to be that thoughtful at the knife range of the weapons. The missiles' countermeasures were not quite ineffective against the Gnat; their CW had been designed for longer range, longer time frames and different methods of attack.

The two pilots broke it up and cleared the simulators of all record of their work; the Queen had been specific about that. They discussed the simulations and began working on their report as they shuttled back to the Palace.

McCock had found Major Logan. He was outside the storage shed of the 'open' range at the "Queen's own Regiment" from whose ranks PGS were usually drawn and who backed up the PGS when required. With him were five PGS troopers. They were all in work dress with a sleeve rolled up and a sleeve pistol strapped to the exposed forearms. They were gazing at a collection of twisted metal pieces at their feet. Major Logan made the introductions and explained the bits,

"We just put Sergeant Whittle through the tactical walk using ten of the numerous targets available. They randomly expose so that no shooter will know where one will pop up. The shooter walks the range which is a mixture of town and country taking about fifteen minutes. He usually has about ten targets but its not consistent so the shooter doesn't know he is done until he passes the no-fire line. But we have a small problem here; after one of these rounds hits the target we can't use it again." pointed at the twisted metal and went on, "that's seven plates, the other three we cant find and before you say it, he hit them; the electronic scorer recorded them but then indicated target malfunction. This will be a cause of concern for HM as I think she will not like to have her subjects splattered with body bits while we are saving her life. Peculiar people, Royalty."

McCock smiled beautifically at him and produce a sleeve pistol magazine,

"Have you any gel body targets which you can armour?"

"Over in the fifty metre shed." was the response and Sergeant Whittle led the party towards it. McCock indicated to the Major to fall behind,

"Expect to be ordered to "Gorgon" in one or two days time for your jaunt to Yarragh. Don't look so concerned, the trip is in hyper; we haven't done enough work yet in hard space for manned trips there. HM will brief you when you receive the Message."

"What do you want done with these, Sir?" asked the Sergeant of McCock.

"Put them in front and back armour and then place them anywhere on the range."

The troops quickly placed the gel torsos in the armour, put them down the range and then retired behind the firing line. Several troops moved about the firing line readying for live fire. McCock pointed to the Sergeant and the magazine changed hands to be inserted into the Sergeant's sleeve pistol.

"We know you can hit the target so you should be able to demonstrate. I'd suggest one round into each and then we can examine the effects."

Major Logan performed the duties of Range Officer and the Sergeant fired a projectile into each target. Once the sleeve pistol was retracted, the party moved forward to inspect the targets. A two finger hole was in each of the front plates but there was no exit wound in the back plate. The gel had disintegrated and rested in a puddle as the armour cuirass was lifted. There were no marks on the inside of the back plate.