Chapter 61

McCock's PDA beeped as he was disembarking from the Barge,

"Montrose? Virginia sends her compliments" came Blue Hills' voice "and she says the four RMN missile carriers are down in Scapa under Warmaranti, loading cruise missiles."

"Thank her for that information, Sir. I could have a use for them. McCock clear."

McCock faced the crowd clustering around,

"There have been no casualties from combat; however I did hear a rumour that an Aver broke his arm falling from his bunk."

"Probably young Caleb" snorted a grandmotherly women near the front of the crowd.

"Need any recruits, Commodore? You might say that recent events have changed some minds around the villages" rumbled a giant in the front of the crowd to the accompaniment of nods from many of the people about him.

"I have to admit that item was on my mind when I decided to inform you of the state of your relatives' health. Yes, I do have need for more spacers and the more experienced the better. We have captured a Chencon BC, four pocket battleships and two destroyers which presently have only prize crews aboard as I cannot spare any more from my other vessels. But before you rush to join, know my terms of service..."

McCock delivered his standard offer and basically got the standard Avers' reply -'we can live with that'.

An hour later a very heavily loaded and cramped Barge, which was based on assault shuttle design, lifted off for 119; McCock escaped the crush by retreating to the third seat in the cockpit. Denny, as Commodore of the new fleet, suggested the more commodious BC boat bay for disembarking etc.

Hugh Avers had requested transfer out of the BC to Denny's flag captain in a CA citing his lack of combat experience. The need for experienced officers with recent experience threw a strain upon the resources of 119 and because of McCock's direction that the combat effectiveness of 119 be not weakened, consequently the greatest effect was felt in the VWs. Surprisingly none of the VW or MC captains were interested in a promotion transfer. As Polack suggested,

"The VWs sort of grow on you."

Polack declined a command staying as Fleet Engineer on Commodore's staff. Denny wasn't even given a choice.

Peter Lowell moved to the BC as Captain jg.

Felix and Algy metaphorically threw temper tantrums at the suggestion of leaving HACs but Felix got bumped to XO of "Vector" and Algy to Flight Operations as their alternatives.

Commodore's staff meeting decided to leave Denny and his new acquisitions over Settlement and 119 (Reformed) without additives moved to cosmic for the journey to Renmark.

With the reinforcement of 119 and precise knowledge of the decreased size of the Chencon fleet Renmark was facing, the Lord Protector decided to defend his planet. He still proceeded with the evacuation of his capitol, Morrisberg. Sir Henry provided the signatures and formation of the approaching Chencons. The forts had been fully stocked and were totally automated in expectation of the previously anticipated assault. The High Admiral twisted his Ruler's arm to agree the enemy would be allowed to fire upon the capitol. It wasn't that the High Admiral detested the capitol or even that there was no official state of war between Renmark and Chencon; he wanted them deep into his ambush before he triggered it.

119 wasn't used. They watched over the orbitals parked up in hyper.

The High Admiral and his staff watched with grim satisfaction at the information provided by the trailing UVA as they completed their preparations. There wasn't much difference between the sizes of the fleets, about a hundred or so 'wallers' each but there were more lighter screen elements in the Renmark fleet. The major difference was in the tactics. The RSN had digested the Home Fleet campaigns of both sides, accepted that the 'waller' was a thing of the past and that the missile control vessel was the pride of the fleet. The Chencon had not even been exposed to the concept.

Knowing the almost exact time the Chencons would appear allowed the High Admiral to rest his crews. The RSN went to action stations as the Chencons came out of hyper. The progress of the Chencons was carefully assessed and calculated with the High Admiral needing only to make a few minor adjustments to his preparations. Renmark harbour control transmitted the expected challenges which were ignored anyway.

The massed Chencon fleet moved over Morrisberg and opened fire on the two nearest forts and the city.

"Sloppy" was the only remark as the High Admiral gave the signal to engage the intruders. With thirty seconds of flame trails across the black of space, the Chencon fleet literally disintegrated. The missile load was of the swatting an insect with a sledgehammer variety. It was calculated to not give the Chencons a chance and the RSN personnel did not have a qualm about the overkill as the burnt image of Settlement was branded upon their memories.

Meanwhile the Chencon armada had enveloped their twin planet of Damasa obliterating all population centres. The Mounty infantry division which was the occupying / peacekeeping force had been well forewarned and had dug in and camouflaged in the mountains. The offers of sanctuary had been scorned as a trick by the Damasan bigots but many of the women and children had accepted.

The post conflict wash up comments by Captain Simon Webster, RSN, seemed to say it all: the errors of the Chencon were the result of a mix of lack of recent combat experience and the arrogance arising from the massive fleet at their command.

McCock had attended the Thanksgiving Service in Morrisberg's Cathedral and joined the Lord Protector in his study to discuss events. McCock put an idea to him,

"You should take Damasa over. Far be it for me to call your home poisonous, but I think you should colonise Damasa where you can live without fear of the place killing you. Your population is moved away from the usual homes, the orbitals are in transit to somewhere, the planet is in a state of tumult, your Keys, now in session, is unsettled; just pack up and go."

The Lord Protector looked thoughtful for a long moment before turning to his Palace Security Captain standing beside him,

"Quickly, Foxy, your first response."

"I'd like my children to grow up on a 'normal' planet" 'Foxy' Hound answered.

"So do I" the Lord Protector agreed, "but I'd probably live here, my home, be it ever so poisonous. It is my home. But I can send my children. And perhaps, Commodore McCock, we can interest you in a steading on our new planet. We do have a habit of using off worlders to agitate us to do better."

Captain Hound could only make strangled noises.

"Henry, organise an overwatch of Harbouria similar to that we had over Settlement."

McCock had just wandered into the Marine Sergeants' Mess Hall where Sir Henry was exercising his Fleet Defence procedures using the simulations of the second 'puter. 119 (Reformed) was itself in overwatch of the massive Chencon armada cruising towards Harbouria some six days after it attacked Damasa.

"Why, Commodore; what nefarious scheme have you in mind now?" was Sir Henry's rejoinder "I shall comply with your every wish but it is nice for the Intel and CICOfficer to be able to place things in a context."