17 |FLEET FORMATION|

"Is the uplink set?"

"Yup, uplink is active and stable, all fluctuations are within normal parameters."

"That's good to know doc, this is the first time Capsule tech is being used." Battalion Commander Risperton spoke with doubt. "Didn't everything just begin it's prototyping phase? I don't think that human testing had even begun."

"Don't worry commander, the mark 1 design was finished years ago, we done all the testing with death row convicts and fixed all the problems before hand." The Doctor spoke. "Besides, the version we are using is the Mark 2 version, with the emphasis on stability and adaptability."

"Hmm." Staring out the windows, Risperton couldn't help but worry about the maiden voyage the ships before him would face.

Laughing a little, the Doctor patted his shoulder before leaving the room. "Have some faith in us commander, in every conflict we've faced, me and my medical team were always there, ready to rescue everyone. Our highest mortality rate has always been under 0.1%."

"Thanks, but that's even more pressure doc, no one wants to be that .1%." Risperton shot back.

"You'll be fine old man, just don't ram your ships into islands." The Doctor laughed. "I have experiments to conduct and data sheets to record, so I'll bid goodbye for now. When you return, drinks on me, for the full night."

"Deal."

After striking that deal with the doctor, Risperton tool one last look at the fleet below him before putting his hat on and leaving the room.

------

Down at the dock, soldiers and large machinery swarmed like organized chaos. With the time to operation start drawing near, final checks were being conducted everywhere.

As the last marines and industry personal boarded their respective ships, an alert was sent out to everyone's command consol.

"Everyone! The fleet will start moving out shortly. I will briefly summarize what we are doing." Risperton stated. "Our main objective for this deployment is the construction of a forward relay base near a river delta. Everyone should have had their own team briefing with regards to their objectives once we arrive."

"I won't go over that in detail, I'll probably die from old age before I finish. All the landing craft and resource carriers will form the core of our formation. Air cover will be provided by Central, even so keep an eye out.

"Surrounding the non combat ships will be the heavy battleships in a spearhead formation. Cruisers and destroyers shall form the shaft that follows, Our fast battleships will scout ahead. This way, any potential hostile contact will engage them instead of the main fleet. The frigates will be sailing alongside them.

"And time. Operation Prom Night has begun. All ships engage three quarter speed! We shall reach the river delta by this time tomorrow. Safe Sailing!"

--------

"Commander. Don't you feel something strange? That something is off?"

Reaching the halfway point to the river delta, a question brings him out of his own thoughts.

"Something the matter Abaddon?" Commander Risperton asked. "You should have your own medical services aboard your ship."

"Not me Commander, what I'm talking about is the complete absence of any civilization." Abaddon explained. "With the coast within observational range. I've yet to spot any towns nor ships along the way."

"Hmm, send me your observational data. Better yet send a copy to all other ships." Risperton ordered. "Even though it shouldn't be possible to miss things, perhaps having other people look it over will discover things."

"Understood!"

Closing the interface, Risperton got up and went outside to his ships observation deck.

(Now that he has mentioned it. It's way too quiet out here.) He thought to himself. (None of our sonar equipment has detected anything suspicious.)

"Hmm. Something feels off about this." Going back into the command room, Risperton opened up the interface and connected to the fleet.

"Command to all ships. Launch recon drones. We are in a different place, a different world!" He reminded everyone. "In addition to your remote observational devices. Use visual conformation."

""Affirm!" "Understood" "Wilco!""

A series of affirmative replies returned as Risperton turned his eyes to the horizon.

(Hopefully something happens. It would be ideal to test everything in a full combat situation and have things breakdown here than when we reach the river delta.)

With more lingering thoughts going through his head, Risperton moved down to his personal room to grab something to eat.

As he started preparing a MRE, a notification appeared on his interface.

"What's this? Message from High Com?" Risperton wondered as he opened the message.

"Hmm, so they're sending a local interpreter via air to one of our landing craft, huh." Eating while re read the message, he initiated a connection with a landing craft to notify them of the craft approaching.

"Message received Commander, We'll try to make them feel at home sir."

"Don't go overboard. He's going to be important once we make landfall."

"Warning received sir!"

Disconnecting, Risperton chuckled a little before finishing his meal and returning above deck. As he sat down, a report from the forward fleet came through.

"Report. Contact initiated by indigenous lifeform. Attempted communication but other party was not responsive. Started approaching the fleet at observed speed of 65 kts. Communicated several warnings but was not responsive.

"After 3rd failed warning, several warning shots were made. All ignored. After second warning shot, observed a launch of a unidentified projectile. Iron Curtain Defense (ICD) successfully repelled projectile. Party deemed hostile.

"Retaliated with full broadside fire. Party sufficiently disposed of. Frigate escort has begun body recovery. Pictures have been attached. Report over."

Opening the attached photos, Risperton had to stifle a chuckle.

"They tried to reach communication with a single creature roughly the size of a early 21st century cruiser?" He shook his head in another attempt to not burst out laughing.

After composing himself, Risperton sent a reply.

"Report received Cambian. Making note of your encounter. Please continue forward while maintaining high vigilance." Risperton also gave some advice. "While it is good that you are initiating contact with the indigenous lifeforms here. Please use some common sense. Forward air recon confirmed presence of human life and rescued a couple already."

"Received Commander. Will relay this to Onyx."

"Please do..."

Turning off the connection, Risperton switched to his personal notebook.

(At least we kind of know why there are no ships around. The analysis of the wooden ship from the 'Incident' showed that their shipbuilding technology is only comparable to 17th century tech from our own history.)

Making a decision as he wrote down his thoughts, he reconnected the interface to make a fleet wide announcement.

"All combat ships prepare Anti-Submersible weaponry. Continue vigilance and observation of surroundings."