09-12-2011, 01:45 AM
![[Image: James_Layton_Ralston.jpg]](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/dietersmeep/James_Layton_Ralston.jpg)
CLASSIFICATION : ALPHA
To : Flag and Staff Officers of the Bretonian Armed Forced
Re : Operation Attrition : General Objectives
Gentlemen, and the occasional Lady
I have never been one to micromanage. That is not necessary when one has as professional a Fleet as we do. We have never had a more effective Armed Forces than currently.
Operation Vindicator begins at 0600 Hours Zulu time. Most of your units have your orders for the coming operations in Leeds and Tau 31. You will notice that they are written in general terms. Field commanders of squadrons and battlegroups and individual raiders therefore have flexibility in those orders to take advantage of fluid conditions in the field; No plan survives contact with the enemy.
As a guide to our officers, I am reminding you about what this operation is about. One need only look to the name; Attrition.
Firstly, you will note that your orders speak primarily of the destruction of the enemy's ships. This operation is not about taking back our territory; that will come in time. This operation is about one thing only:
Destroying the enemy's ships and killing their pilots.
When we attack en masse in various locations at the beginning of the operation, the enemy will believe it is the prelude to the reconquest of Tau 31 and Leeds. For now, it is not. They will respond in force. And where they do, we will feign retreat.
And they will follow. Into a myriad of traps, set to exterminate their forces. Those who know the history of ancient Earth will recognise the tactics that made it possible for Mongols on steppe ponies to slaughter the cream of Europe's knighthood, thousands of years ago.
Your orders, men and women of the Armed Forces, are simple:
Stay alive. And be sure the enemy does not.
Trusting the above is sufficiently clear,
Fleet Admiral James Ralston.
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Ralston hit "send" on his console and within minutes his words were before each Flag Officer in the fleet, and would be read aloud to all the crews at H-hour. He turned to speak to the man in the shadows behind him.
"How sure are you that the Gallic Royal Navy will take advantage of Kusari's momentary weakness?"
The man shrugged, sipping on the scotch he had been nursing for twenty minutes. When he spoke, traces of a Gallian accent betrayed a long time in deep cover.
"As sure as anything can be in this business. The Sovereign is a ruthless man. He will not pass up an opportunity. This action will precipitate the invasion, perhaps not immediately, but it will. The pressure will come off us soon thereafter."
Ralston nodded, then turned to his viewing window where countless capital vessels were forming, performing final checks and drills.
He was silent for some time. When he did speak, he spoke slowly and deliberately.
"We are going into this with almost no reserves. Do you understand the significance of that?"
He turned and faced his guest.
"It means I am betting Bretonia herself that you are right."
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