18 |Forward Operation Base: 1|
"Understood, keep us updated on the situation 9th Recon. Command out."
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Risperton sank back into his seat trying to digest the information sent by 9th Recon.
Looking up at the terminal, he begun rereading the report:
[Emergent report to Expedition Command. Observed low laying clouds on approach to landing points 1 through 5. Unable to observe what is under the clouds. Photos attached.
High altitude observations indicated cloud size to be roughly the size of a category 5 typhoon, recommending a delay for the expedition. Photos attached.
Addendum, Clouds are too low to the ground to be a typhoon, further observations show clouds moving upwards from the ground.
Secondary observation, Heavy environmental damage observed trailing the cloud. Enhanced examination shows a combined destruction of environment, and heavy animal tracks of some kind. Unable to identify at this time. Photos attached.
Conclusion, Mass migration of a herd of large animals on approach to landing points. Could be under affects of this worlds unique environment. Contact ill advised.
Will continue observation and report any more findings.
-9th Aerial Recon]
"Haaah..." Risperton sighed to himself. "First we have super large sea monsters to be wary of, and now a magical herd of destructive animals are headed to the river delta? Was this expedition doomed to fail?"
Risperton sat there contemplating on their next move as periodical reports from Air recon came back. After he came up with a decision, he forwarded the report to his fleet captains and called them into a meeting.
After waiting a couple minutes, the screen lit up with the faces of the fleet commanders. Some yawning like they had just woken up and others seemingly bored out.
Laughing silently to himself, Risperton clapped his hands and started the meeting.
"All right heads up! Wake up you lazy butts, we gotta make a decision going forward with the expedition." He barked, jolting everyone to attention. "As you can see, I have sent all of you a report I received 40 minutes ago from 9th recon. I want all of you to gloss over it, as it's not that long. I've made a decision, but I also want to hear what you sorry lots have to say."
Dead silence filled the room for some minutes before one of the SC's broke the silence.
"There's not much information here to act on. All we know is that it's a cloud the size of a typhoon approaching our landing points, leaving a wake of destruction behind it."
"Oi! I say that's plenty of information to act on. I say we hold the fleet here and call back the forward fleet to join up with us."
"I agree with waiting it out. Who knows? Maybe more information will unearth itself as we wait."
"How long are we going to wait? It's one thing for us combat ships to stay at sea for long periods of time, but what about the landing ships? How long can they wait?"
"Not too long. We have 4 landing ships and 6 industrial ships. If this were earth, they would be resupplied via helicopter if its urgent, or they would dock in a open market port and resupply there."
"Except we don't have those luxuries here. Most extreme cases a ship stayed at sea for 2-3 weeks. I assume that's the limit we are facing correct?"
"Indeed, the non combat ships only have enough supplies for 2 to 3 weeks, currently we have been sailing for a week now. So we need a lucky break to happen if we are to wait out that 'storm' 9th recon is observing."
"Give or take, we have a weeks time of free operation, otherwise we would be forced to return..."
As the Section Commanders debated on their next course of action, Risperton noticed one SC who has been silent since the meeting started.
Seeing the conflict on her face, Risperton silently sent a message to her, asking if she had any ideas to pitch.
[It seems that you have something you wish to say. Tell me, what is your idea?]
Flinching at the sudden message, the SC immediately responded with her idea.
[I don't understand why we need to be in such a passive state. We have the firepower, and we have the moral high ground. If the report from 9th Recon is true, then should we not get rid of such a destructive force?]
Speechless, Risperton stood there in disbelief at the words he read, before shaking his head and laughing aloud. Silencing and confusing the other SC's.
"HAHAHA!!! Yes, this is the most favorable choice for us."
"Uh, Fleet Commander, do... Do you agree with waiting the storm out?"
One of the SC nervously spoke out as Risperston finished laughing.
"Huh? What? No! We are not waiting the storm out. The expedition will continue! Send a message to the noncombat ships! The expedition shall not be postponed!"
Shutting down the meeting, Risperton look forwards out the windows of the bridge. Pressing a button on his interface, linking him with all ships in the expedition fleet, he then declared.
"All ships! Flank Speed! All heavy battleships prepare land bombardment procedures! Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates! Form a picket lines against any and all underwater threats!
"Lets go give these destructive 'neighbors' of ours a warm greeting."
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9th Aerial Recon 2-1 & 2-2 | River Delta
"What a mess..."
"A mess indeed. I know central is going by observation and analysis first, but haven't everything we've encountered not scream 'medieval fantasy world'?"
"Who knows Scream? Although I do agree with the medieval fantasy world. I do hope that it doesn't fully adhere to it."
"Why not Veper? Wouldn't it be nice if we could all use magic?"
"Sure, magic seems cool, but I'd rather not have to deal with 'gods' these medieval fantasy stories tend to have."
"That's a good point Veper..." Scream muttured to herself as she attempted another deep probe into the clouds below them.
"And that's another failed run. Nothing on air radar either."
"Noted. Hold on for a min..." Veper responded as he read the transmission sent from the expedition fleet.
"Alright, retract the scanners. We're descending to active ground support altitude."
"What!? Why?" Scream yelped as she followed Vepers order. "I thought they would wait it out."
"Your prediction is wrong." Veper chuckled at her. "Seems the expedition fleet is going in guns blazing."
Whistling in amazement, Scream directed the high power sensor towards the expedition fleet and observed them charging ahead on the ocean.
"Man no kidding. They're going full speed, I think 50 odd knots?"
"Makes sense, after all the slowest boat down there are the industrial ships. In the most ideal conditions, their max speed is about 55kts." Vesper responded as he brought the recon jet down. "Looking at the current conditions, rough seas and going against the wind, 50kts seems to be the sweet spot."
"Alright, getting requests from expedition fleet. they're asking for bombardment coordinates."
"What are you waiting for? Send them over. They need guidance for over the horizon bombardments."
"Roger, Calculating predictive lead on target. Adjusting for flight time. Incorporating coreolis effect along with wind and air turbulence. Coordinates confirmed and sent."
"Afrim, send a message for me. 'Can't wait for the fireworks. -Veper'."
"... fireworks... and message sent. Reply received, 'roger that, fireworks have been launched. Signal telemetry acquired. T-4:30 to splash down. Sit tight recon and enjoy the show. Send us some recordings while your at it."
"Heh, message received, Scream make sure the recording is crystal clear, I'll get you into a perfect position."
"Already ahead of you Veper. Now we wait! Hehe!"
-----------
Core of Expeditionary Fleet
"Hey Commander, let's give em a shake up."
Risperton looks down to his console and sees that one of his squad commanders helming one of the heavy battleships messaging him.
"What kind of shake up Tempest?"
"A rude slap in the form of beyond horizon bombardment. Shatter their morale of they have one, and also to test out the railguns the R&D team gave us."
"Hmm, sounds like a good idea. But how accurate are they?"
"Uh if we blind fire them, I think there's a 1km deviance around the target area. If we hook up with the recon jets and have them provide terminal guidance, we can get that down to a 50m deviance."
Snorting to himself at the obvious choice, Risperton gave his order.
"Contact 9th Aerial Recon. Request bombardment coordinates and link up for terminal guidance. Once everything is ready, notify me."
"Orders received sir!"
A happy trembling voice responded to him as faint scrambling sounds could be picked up.
A couple minutes later they report that everything is set and are awaiting on his command.
"Excellent." Risperton grinned. "Load high explosive shells into the railguns and take aim!"
Moments later this command, the main guns of every heavy battleship turned and took aim in the general direction of the provided coordinates.
All the personel on the landing and industrial ships all looked out the windows, eager to witness the joint fire of the heavy battleships.
Taking a deep breath, Risperton looked out the window as he gave his order, ever so tenderly.
"Mark."
