SECTION 23
As he absentmindedly rubs his chin, Ulnar considers the events of the last hour. Don Larno’s doomed attack had stood no chance of success, but it pointed the way for the Ninth Squadron. Larno had a reputation for solving problems with an almost instinctive grasp of priorities and probabilities. Admiral Ulnar was sure he had done so again.
Two things stand out about Larno’s failed thrust toward the enemy: The Ka’slaq had called in all of their outlying ships to stop the Legion force, and there was a short time when the Ka’slaq fleet’s superb coordination seemed to fail. These two points suggested that the giant ship or asteroid might be a sensitive point to be exploited by the Ninth Squadron.
“Open Fleetcomm to all ships, and patch it through to me,” Ulnar orders, his determination and tactical insight becoming firm.
“On Fleetcomm, Admiral,” the communication technician responds quickly.
The admiral casts a last glance into the tank as he switches on the microphone on his console. “Flag to Ninth Defense Squadron. Prepare for battle.”
The readouts in the tank are still uncertain from ultrapulse interference, but he can be sure of at least thirty ships in the force closing on his squadron. Between twenty and thirty more are spread around the planetoid, approximately a half-hour away. Ulnar nods in sudden decision, drawing a quizzical look from Captain Sammis. They have to follow up on Larno’s last insight. He flicks on the microphone again.
“All vessels, Stealth mode. Repeat, Stealth mode. We will evade the nearest alien ships and close on the large object at grid 320. Formation and battle orders to follow. Stand by.”
Stealth mode is a chancy tactic at best, given everything Ulnar has seen of Ka’slaq technology. But if the squadron can jam the alien ultrapulse scans, Ulnar’s command can swing out of the path of the attackers and slip past them.
“It has to work,” Ulnar says softly, drawing another look from Sammis. “It will work.”
Roll two dice and compare the result to the squadron’s Stealth rating.
If the roll is less than or equal to the rating, go to section 52.
If the roll is greater than the rating, go to section 62.