---------------
Start Log
---------------
***Admiral's Bridge, EAS Hermes***
The Hermes dropped out of warp just as the Romulan Defense Station
Kaylar'Z blew out half its decks from the detonation of it's main
power core. Viktor barely gave the erupting station a second glance
as he ordered "Second wave launch".
Immediately both the internal launch decks went into action. On the
outer hull holographic emitters sprang to life along the dorsal and
ventral hulls highlighting the external runways and the four heavy
bomber squadrons currently parked on them. Both inside and outside
the Hermes fighter and bomber engines thrummed to life. The catapult
launches started immediately launching firstly the elite M-35A
'Osprey' Squadron whose job was to race in and kill the Romulan
Scorpion-II Squadron on the ground before they launched.
"Three D'deridex class warbirds are regrouping in section three."
Chisulo reported. He studied the progression of their formation and
quickly traced a finger along flight path as he recognized the
movement from an intelligence report on Romulan fleet tactics. "They
are running a feint on the Artemis - their true target is the Hermes."
"How long till launching operations are complete?" Viktor demanded.
"Three and a half minutes, General!" Came the response from Leftenant
Quinlan, a young human male who had only just joined his staff two
months ago.
"And the Ieyasu Tokugawa's delivery mission? How long till they're
able to back us up?" He asked.
"Ten minutes, General!" Quinlan replied.
"Well I guess we wouldn't want to rush the mighty First Fleet, would
we Quinlan?" Viktor asked rhetorically. Quinlan quickly suppressed a
grin at the comment.
"Colonel Anios!" Viktor called loudly and waited a second for the main
wall display to put an internal commline through to the Hermes Main
Bridge. He resumed speaking once his subordinate appeared on screen.
"Three Romulan Warbirds inbound on our position from sector three."
"I'm tracking them as well General. We're preparing our initial
response." Serena replied.
"Our guest from SSF probably wants to know if you reckon my ship can
hold them off for three minutes till our two defensive M-35A Squadrons
are in the air?" Viktor asked.
"Of course we can." Serena snorted contemptuously. "And
General...it's my ship, I just let you rent space on it..." She said
as she terminated the comm.
Serena barked a series of orders at her bridge crew. "Deploy a full
screen of Mk.4 Sapper Mines between X Axis, B to G, Y Axis, 3 to 12,
range 25,000 kilometres. Launch all 4 Drone Interceptor Squadron
Pods and have them form a secondary screen at range 15,000 kilometres.
Configure pulse cannons for long range and ready all Arclight
Interceptors. Raise main power levels to Military..."
--------------
End Log
--------------
General Viktor Ivanov
FCO, 2nd Fleet
EAS Hermes
Colonel Serena Anios
CO
EAS Hermes