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+--- Thread: Dunkirk (/showthread.php?tid=165544)
RE: Dunkirk - Thunderer - 11-15-2018
Hall's eyebrows shriveled and he suddenly looked Steiner directly in the eyes. At first he thought to say something resembling "I believe I did send you a reply", with a subtle note of criticism towards Steiner, but the roles were different now, and he was still getting used to it.
"You didn't receive my response?"
RE: Dunkirk - Victor Steiner - 11-26-2018
He blinked once, his thoughts apparently drifting off into a different world for a moment. No..I must have missed it. Ah well, if you got my letter then you'll know that I have little interest in being cruel to you, in your Cabin, under the bed is a parcel. It contains your...'medication' as it were, it should last you some time. He cleared his throat before pouring himself a drink. Would you care for a drop? he asked, showing the bottle to be a single malt whiskey.
RE: Dunkirk - Thunderer - 11-27-2018
That simple question threw Hall into bemusement. If he refused, it could be interpreted as lack of respect. If he accepted, on duty, it would be interpreted as lack of professionalism. Hall suspected that he might have been put to some kind of a test, and what he wanted to show was that his conduct aboard the York, and relations with everyone, will only be professional.
"No thank you, admiral. I believe I am still on duty. Though, while so, I wanted to ask you something. There seems to be great intolerance between the green and the experienced crewmen. Would you approve of a team building exercise tomorrow?"
RE: Dunkirk - Victor Steiner - 11-27-2018
His refusal was met simply by a blink, if he did not want to take it, Steiner wasn't going to hold him down. The intolerance between new and old crew members is one that will resolve itself in time. But yes, we can certainly quicken the pace. What did you have in mind?
RE: Dunkirk - Thunderer - 11-27-2018
Steiner's casual passing over the drink question relieved Hall.
"An accuracy and rate of fire exercise. Divide the crew into two groups -- port and starboard -- each part green, part veteran. The commander of every turret will be a veteran, while the loader and the marksman will be green. It will be a competition for, say... a day off... no, that might place us in a state of partial unreadiness... hmm... Do you have any idea? I don't think that increased rations would stimulate them enough."
RE: Dunkirk - Victor Steiner - 11-27-2018
Steiner was quiet for a moment, half pondering Hall's words and half pondering whether he wanted his drink on the rocks or not. Increase the grog ration for the side that looses, not by much but enough that they feel they've earnt something. The winning side I will allow to have 1 days leave, to return to New London, RAF Cornwall will put those men and their families up for a day before returning home. We can still operate at full strength for a day while those men are reminded of what they are fighting for.
RE: Dunkirk - Thunderer - 11-27-2018
"You can confide that I will carry it out, Sir."
Hall stood in a starched saluting position, awaiting Steiner's permission to leave.
RE: Dunkirk - Victor Steiner - 11-27-2018
Dismissed He said before going back to work on his letters
RE: Dunkirk - Kaze - 11-27-2018
Her eyebrow was risen for the better part of the last two minutes, as she watched three technicians servicing her 'Upholder'. The two watchdogs behind her were still imitating her shadow and couldn't wait to see themselves free from this assignment, as one looked at the time. Suddenly a heavy clang was heard, and Kaze Dagon sighed in exasperation as one of the EMP Cannons got loose from the weapon mount as one of the technicians was doing a full check on it.
"This is what I get for not pushing for an emergency refit when I dock."
She thought, while slowly dropping her hand from her face. The head technician nodded in excuse and went to see what happened. A couple of shouts later and the decision to lower one of the robotic arms to fit the weapon again was heard.
"You have all the time in the universe, gentlemen."
Her voiced boomed over the noise of the bay, startling one of the technicians.
RE: Dunkirk - Thunderer - 11-30-2018
The turret commander gave the sign to fire -- not with voice as everyone was wearing ear plugs -- but as a gesture. Inside, it became clear why they had to plug their ears. Lines of superheated plasma were leaving the two barrels at 800 meters per second, alternately, 120 rounds per minute in total. Outside, in space, it was perfect silence, and the shells glided like gracious orbs of light, tiny stars made to be admired, and not kill. And they did not kill, as the entire barrage missed the piece of scrap from the Southampton Debris Field that they were aimed at. The commander's face sunk into his palm and his staff felt guilty. But this time it was not veterans versus newbies. Mutual effort mattered instead.
The commander removed the earplugs and signaled the other two to do the same.
"This is pinnacle technology, lad", he told the aimer, "Not one of those rusty kinetic turrets you practise with down there. Noticed it recoiled? No? That's because it doesn't recoil. At all. We aren't firing much matter here, it's mostly the heat that kills. You don't need to aim below the target. Understand?"
He nodded.
"Now...", he looked at the loader. The loader was merely an archaism for the role the officer had in this type of turret. He did not load any shells, instead his job was to balance the strength of shot with the durability of the muzzle, or, the temperature the muzzle can be heated to for a certain amount of time.
"Just in case, since we'll need to make up for the lack of accuracy at the start -- don't always believe the manuals. What does it say, 3500 degrees in battle conditions?"
"3300, guv."
"They always add lower numbers because some turrets, on less important ships, have flaws. And it doesn't pay off for the BMM to give them free maintenance because the manuals say 4000. Well, it's 4000 for this full metal b****", he taps the turret side, "and we can go as hot as 4500 in a real battle, though that might require some maintenance work when it's over. Clear?"
"Aye Sir, don't trust the manuals"
"No, do trust the manuals, until you learn what's what at least, except when I tell you not to."
"I do what you say, Sir."
"That's better! Alright then", he said as he put the earplugs back on, "Let's continue with this."
"Bleeding hell...", the commander suddenly screamed out, a bit louder than considered normal as his ears were plugged, though no one actually heard him because everyone else's were, too. He directed the aimer towards what looked like a squadron of four small ships with blue-red exhaust trails. Then he immediately punched a button on the side of the turret.
The information centre of the York was already clogged up, suddenly and at the same moment, with a number of same signals. It took about five seconds for the alarms to turn on and announce battle stations. Much of the crew, including Hall, was already at their posts due to the exercise, though those who were not took too long to assume them, as the ship would usually register threats a long time before they were actually encountered, enough for the crew to prepare. Steiner was not properly dressed at the moment, and he hastily put on the uniform over his pajamas.
"Four Cougars, Sir. Standard Southampton raid. I've sent six Templars against them. Though, it seems they have learned to use the Field's radiation pockets to stay out of radar. They came very suddenly", Hall gave Steiner the SITREP. He was holding a cup of tea on a small plate.
"Are you trying to fight them honourably or efficiently? Because six Templars doesn't seem to be either."
"Neither. Four of them are green pilots and bombers are good target practice. I am trying to train our men, while still saving as many as possible. If I sent less, they could lose; if I sent more, they wouldn't learn as-" A gunboat came from the same place in the Field as the squadron before, and as suddenly.
"We need to patrol that field more, Sir. I know that the New London gate construction site in Leeds causes anxiety, but it is GMS technology, and it can't possibly be connected with Ageira's. If they could move an entire fleet through a minefield, they can through a scrap field, and there's hallways of radiation that can disguise whole battlegroups."
"I could rearrange some of our forces... but I will hold you responsible."
"I understand", Hall said before he took a sip.
"I think you should have already sent units to deal with the gunboat, captain." The Perilous-class had just begun machinegunning the fighters.
"Captain Sir Hall on the line.", he said into the radio receiver, "Send the... HMS Heartsease and a Challenger to attack the gunboat. Tell the fighter wing leader to pressure each bomber with a Templar and attack the gunboat with a wingman. And remind them not to joust bombers!"
The Heartsease was a Churchill-class. All ships moved as ordered. When the Heartsease was upon the Perilous, the York's radar started receiving strange signal distortions.
"Let's see what comes from the Field now...", Hall said for himself.
Instead of coming from the field, a battlecruiser materialized right behind the Heartsease, at the moment when its shield went down. Two battlecruiser mortar shots were enough to destroy the ship, and it all happened in seconds. Hall watched blankly. He took a sip of tea.
"It happens", he told Steiner. "Have any suggestions, Sir?"
"Three Crecies, four Challengers and two Churchills."
"We need experienced crews, Sir. Ships we can build again, recruits are in thousands, but they learn best when under pressure. I say two Crecies, one Churchill and three Challengers."
"If you think so. It is a small battle after all... for now. But the casualties will be on your conscience, not mine."
"Captain Sir Hall speaking", he said into the receiver again. "Two Crecies, three Challengers and a Churchill at the battlecruiser."
As the ships moved forth, the battlecruiser's shield turned off, indicating that it was cloaking again.
"I shouldn't have been complaining", Hall said for himself. He meant the HMS Sovereign. The ship indeed was old, but not old enough to be made to withstand the repeated recoil of Kinetic Turrets, two of which were mounted a few months ago. It forced the ship to undergo maintenance and repairs more often than most, and it was moored in a drydock of Southampton's currently. It was also one of the rare ships with a cloaking device disruptor.
"HMS York to HMS Sovereign: activate the disruptor."
The battlecruiser's cloaking sequence was immediately interrupted. The designated ships attacked. Two out of the four bombers had already been shot down. The Perilous was heavily damaged, but resisting. The rookie Templar that was attacking it together with the wing leader was taking shots, but the thick armour had been absorbing them so far. One of the bombers was not attacking its target, but instead chose to chase a Cougar and try to score a SNAC hit. One of the destroyers kept distance, but due the lack of experience, the other charged directly at the Obstinate. The captain and crew quickly realized the decision was wrong, and tried to use the superior speed to gain distance. They did manage so, but the ship took heavy damage in the process.
"Retreat that Crecy", Steiner ordered Hall.
"From the event horizon? Desperate moments are those that give birth to experience!"
Hall did not give the order. As the Crecy was liberating itself from the grip of death, a Cougar started diving from beneath it, chased by the unruly Challenger.
"Angus Goon, stop chasing the bomber and fire at the battlecruiser! At once!", Hall tried to communicate with the Challenger. "I've got him!" was the only thing he received before Goon launched a ball of antimatter towards the diving Cougar, which had so far been flying straight. However, the Cougar fired at the same moment and then broke off. This caused both SNAC-s to hit the soft underbelly of the Crecy. The lights went out and the ship continued drifting on inertia. Hall took a serene sip of tea. Steiner showed signs of worry for the crew. "I am taking over", he told Hall.
"This is Admiral Sir Steiner", now he said into the receiver, "The York is advancing towards your positions." A slight acceleration could be felt, though the anti-gravity field dampened most of it. But before the York even entered range, one of the battlecruiser's engines was penetrated by a light mortar and its combustion chamber exploded, causing the ship to spin around its axis and launching it into the Field. It collided with a piece of scrap at approximately 200 meters per second, and squashed itself with its own mass. The gunboat had already surrendered, the crew having scuttled the ship and launched the escape pods. One Cougar was still flying, chased by five Templars, one of which had retreated with damage to the cockpit screen. The York aimed her secondary turrets at it, and shot it down with a few salvos. The bridge cheered, victorious, but Hall remained indifferent, and Steiner was obviously angry.
"Those men could-", Steiner was interrupted by a staff member from the bridge, who had a message. It was a Morse Code translation, reportedly from a signal that came from the disabled Crecy. "SOS", he said. "All crew in pods, generator about to melt down. Get us away. The ships at the site are on it, Sir."
"You've cost us a destroyer, and almost cost us fifty good men", Steiner reprimanded Hall.
"But I've got us an experienced fleet."
"Material damage might only get you a demotion. But what if they died? Recruits are expendable for you?"
Steiner asked him the right question, because his answer would be yes, but he knew it was not the correct one.
"You are in command of this fleet, Sir. I thought that you were allowing me to effectively command because you wanted to learn from me, but now I see that I have more to learn from you instead. Next time I try commanding your fleet, please remind me this. I am supposed to be captain only of this ship." Steiner's vanity was tickled.
"I would like to speak with Dagon if you don't mind, Sir", he asked Steiner. "About the number of electric whip strokes, among other things, if you think that is needed?"
"That would be barbaric. You may go, but you can expect that, once I have thought it out, you will have the same treatment as Goon, for not following orders. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, Sir."
"Dismissed."
The Crecy exploded in 12 minutes.
The commander removed the earplugs and signaled the other two to do the same.
"This is pinnacle technology, lad", he told the aimer, "Not one of those rusty kinetic turrets you practise with down there. Noticed it recoiled? No? That's because it doesn't recoil. At all. We aren't firing much matter here, it's mostly the heat that kills. You don't need to aim below the target. Understand?"
He nodded.
"Now...", he looked at the loader. The loader was merely an archaism for the role the officer had in this type of turret. He did not load any shells, instead his job was to balance the strength of shot with the durability of the muzzle, or, the temperature the muzzle can be heated to for a certain amount of time.
"Just in case, since we'll need to make up for the lack of accuracy at the start -- don't always believe the manuals. What does it say, 3500 degrees in battle conditions?"
"3300, guv."
"They always add lower numbers because some turrets, on less important ships, have flaws. And it doesn't pay off for the BMM to give them free maintenance because the manuals say 4000. Well, it's 4000 for this full metal b****", he taps the turret side, "and we can go as hot as 4500 in a real battle, though that might require some maintenance work when it's over. Clear?"
"Aye Sir, don't trust the manuals"
"No, do trust the manuals, until you learn what's what at least, except when I tell you not to."
"I do what you say, Sir."
"That's better! Alright then", he said as he put the earplugs back on, "Let's continue with this."
"Bleeding hell...", the commander suddenly screamed out, a bit louder than considered normal as his ears were plugged, though no one actually heard him because everyone else's were, too. He directed the aimer towards what looked like a squadron of four small ships with blue-red exhaust trails. Then he immediately punched a button on the side of the turret.
The information centre of the York was already clogged up, suddenly and at the same moment, with a number of same signals. It took about five seconds for the alarms to turn on and announce battle stations. Much of the crew, including Hall, was already at their posts due to the exercise, though those who were not took too long to assume them, as the ship would usually register threats a long time before they were actually encountered, enough for the crew to prepare. Steiner was not properly dressed at the moment, and he hastily put on the uniform over his pajamas.
"Four Cougars, Sir. Standard Southampton raid. I've sent six Templars against them. Though, it seems they have learned to use the Field's radiation pockets to stay out of radar. They came very suddenly", Hall gave Steiner the SITREP. He was holding a cup of tea on a small plate.
"Are you trying to fight them honourably or efficiently? Because six Templars doesn't seem to be either."
"Neither. Four of them are green pilots and bombers are good target practice. I am trying to train our men, while still saving as many as possible. If I sent less, they could lose; if I sent more, they wouldn't learn as-" A gunboat came from the same place in the Field as the squadron before, and as suddenly.
"We need to patrol that field more, Sir. I know that the New London gate construction site in Leeds causes anxiety, but it is GMS technology, and it can't possibly be connected with Ageira's. If they could move an entire fleet through a minefield, they can through a scrap field, and there's hallways of radiation that can disguise whole battlegroups."
"I could rearrange some of our forces... but I will hold you responsible."
"I understand", Hall said before he took a sip.
"I think you should have already sent units to deal with the gunboat, captain." The Perilous-class had just begun machinegunning the fighters.
"Captain Sir Hall on the line.", he said into the radio receiver, "Send the... HMS Heartsease and a Challenger to attack the gunboat. Tell the fighter wing leader to pressure each bomber with a Templar and attack the gunboat with a wingman. And remind them not to joust bombers!"
The Heartsease was a Churchill-class. All ships moved as ordered. When the Heartsease was upon the Perilous, the York's radar started receiving strange signal distortions.
"Let's see what comes from the Field now...", Hall said for himself.
Instead of coming from the field, a battlecruiser materialized right behind the Heartsease, at the moment when its shield went down. Two battlecruiser mortar shots were enough to destroy the ship, and it all happened in seconds. Hall watched blankly. He took a sip of tea.
"It happens", he told Steiner. "Have any suggestions, Sir?"
"Three Crecies, four Challengers and two Churchills."
"We need experienced crews, Sir. Ships we can build again, recruits are in thousands, but they learn best when under pressure. I say two Crecies, one Churchill and three Challengers."
"If you think so. It is a small battle after all... for now. But the casualties will be on your conscience, not mine."
"Captain Sir Hall speaking", he said into the receiver again. "Two Crecies, three Challengers and a Churchill at the battlecruiser."
As the ships moved forth, the battlecruiser's shield turned off, indicating that it was cloaking again.
"I shouldn't have been complaining", Hall said for himself. He meant the HMS Sovereign. The ship indeed was old, but not old enough to be made to withstand the repeated recoil of Kinetic Turrets, two of which were mounted a few months ago. It forced the ship to undergo maintenance and repairs more often than most, and it was moored in a drydock of Southampton's currently. It was also one of the rare ships with a cloaking device disruptor.
"HMS York to HMS Sovereign: activate the disruptor."
The battlecruiser's cloaking sequence was immediately interrupted. The designated ships attacked. Two out of the four bombers had already been shot down. The Perilous was heavily damaged, but resisting. The rookie Templar that was attacking it together with the wing leader was taking shots, but the thick armour had been absorbing them so far. One of the bombers was not attacking its target, but instead chose to chase a Cougar and try to score a SNAC hit. One of the destroyers kept distance, but due the lack of experience, the other charged directly at the Obstinate. The captain and crew quickly realized the decision was wrong, and tried to use the superior speed to gain distance. They did manage so, but the ship took heavy damage in the process.
"Retreat that Crecy", Steiner ordered Hall.
"From the event horizon? Desperate moments are those that give birth to experience!"
Hall did not give the order. As the Crecy was liberating itself from the grip of death, a Cougar started diving from beneath it, chased by the unruly Challenger.
"Angus Goon, stop chasing the bomber and fire at the battlecruiser! At once!", Hall tried to communicate with the Challenger. "I've got him!" was the only thing he received before Goon launched a ball of antimatter towards the diving Cougar, which had so far been flying straight. However, the Cougar fired at the same moment and then broke off. This caused both SNAC-s to hit the soft underbelly of the Crecy. The lights went out and the ship continued drifting on inertia. Hall took a serene sip of tea. Steiner showed signs of worry for the crew. "I am taking over", he told Hall.
"This is Admiral Sir Steiner", now he said into the receiver, "The York is advancing towards your positions." A slight acceleration could be felt, though the anti-gravity field dampened most of it. But before the York even entered range, one of the battlecruiser's engines was penetrated by a light mortar and its combustion chamber exploded, causing the ship to spin around its axis and launching it into the Field. It collided with a piece of scrap at approximately 200 meters per second, and squashed itself with its own mass. The gunboat had already surrendered, the crew having scuttled the ship and launched the escape pods. One Cougar was still flying, chased by five Templars, one of which had retreated with damage to the cockpit screen. The York aimed her secondary turrets at it, and shot it down with a few salvos. The bridge cheered, victorious, but Hall remained indifferent, and Steiner was obviously angry.
"Those men could-", Steiner was interrupted by a staff member from the bridge, who had a message. It was a Morse Code translation, reportedly from a signal that came from the disabled Crecy. "SOS", he said. "All crew in pods, generator about to melt down. Get us away. The ships at the site are on it, Sir."
"You've cost us a destroyer, and almost cost us fifty good men", Steiner reprimanded Hall.
"But I've got us an experienced fleet."
"Material damage might only get you a demotion. But what if they died? Recruits are expendable for you?"
Steiner asked him the right question, because his answer would be yes, but he knew it was not the correct one.
"You are in command of this fleet, Sir. I thought that you were allowing me to effectively command because you wanted to learn from me, but now I see that I have more to learn from you instead. Next time I try commanding your fleet, please remind me this. I am supposed to be captain only of this ship." Steiner's vanity was tickled.
"I would like to speak with Dagon if you don't mind, Sir", he asked Steiner. "About the number of electric whip strokes, among other things, if you think that is needed?"
"That would be barbaric. You may go, but you can expect that, once I have thought it out, you will have the same treatment as Goon, for not following orders. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, Sir."
"Dismissed."
The Crecy exploded in 12 minutes.