SECTION 21
“Open Fleetcomm to all ships,” Ulnar orders. “Patch it through to my board.” Eyes on the planning tank, the admiral runs through everything he has seen and heard so far. If the Ka’slaq have a weakness, it is up to him to find and exploit it.
“On Fleetcomm, Admiral,” the communications technician tells him.
Ulnar switches on his microphone. “Flag to Ninth Defense Squadron. Prepare for battle.” He pauses, examining the moving lights in the tank that represent enemy ships closing on the squadron at high speed. Ultrapulse interference still makes things uncertain, but there are at least thirty enemy ships on the way, maybe more.
But the Ka’slaq have divided their forces, their first major mistake. Ulnar knows that a divided foe can be defeated in detail where a united one can be too strong to fight.
“We will attack the nearest enemy ships on my signal,” the admiral continues. “Formation and battle orders to follow. Stand by.”
Clicking off the microphone, Ulnar leans forward to study the tank. The attack formation his ships adopt could be decisive in the battle to come. He has only minutes to decide and marshal his ships for battle.
If Ulnar orders the squadron to adopt a wedge formation, go to section 55.
If Ulnar orders the squadron to adopt a cone formation, go to section 60.
If Ulnar orders the light destroyers to form a screen ahead of the battlecruisers, go to section 65.
If Ulnar orders the squadron to disperse and fight independently, go to section 70.