Cerberus by John Filcher

Author:John Filcher [Filcher, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-25T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Yankee Station

Some two hours later, Ronin and Mueller watched the Tacnet plot on the main view screen. Three remaining AC ships slowly approached the second marker, an ambush point that had been designated Wolf 184 during the mission planning.

“I know they’ve been slowed down by the loss of their starboard maneuvering thrusters, but they’re even slower than we anticipated,” Mueller whispered.

LeCroy overheard her as he approached them. “The destroyer’s name translated into American is The Dragon, but despite her name, our sensor readings from before the attack suggests The Dragon’s maintenance is in poor condition. The engines are way out of tune, and that has reduced thruster efficiency by 23 percent. In fact, the sensor readings of entire enemy fleet revealed them all to be in similar condition. One of the destroyed frigates even suffered a reactor mishap not long ago because the hull was still fairly radioactive. That crew was destined for an early grave.”

Glancing at LeCroy, Ronin nodded in agreement. “That tells me the perennially weak economy of the Collective can’t keep their ships maintained properly anymore, and it is likely a sign their economy is collapsing. No one has any incentive to work or provide superior craftsmanship in a socialist or collectivist economy, so they always lag far behind in nearly all areas.”

Mueller muttered in response, “Hopefully they don’t get desperate and do something stupid as their economy collapses.”

Ronin turned to look at her as he nodded again. “Exactly what the Admiralty is afraid of. But all we can do is take care of the business we have in front of us today. Let’s worry about tomorrow when it’s time to start worrying.”

A beeping on his station console drew LeCroy’s attention.

“Captain, the Bulldogs are spinning up their jump drives. Targets are nearly stationary as they negotiate the turn. Missile launch in 45 seconds,” LeCroy reported.

“OK, time to hammer down,” Ronin responded. “Lieutenant Perez, execute Jump 1.”

Lt. Antonio Perez acknowledged the order, and jumped Cerberus to another pre-positioned asteroid designated Whiskey Station, which was its attack position behind near Wolf 184.

“They had to wonder what that big flash was,” LeCroy commented, although spotting the larger jump flare coming from behind the rock couldn’t be helped. Cerberus was too big to completely hide in this area, so it had to wait until the trap sprung to jump in and participate in the combat.

“Too late for them to do anything about it,” Ronin replied as Mueller started issuing the orders to reconfigure the jump drive gravity lensing to turn the ship into a rock pusher.

Seconds passed before Mueller reported, “Reconfiguration complete, Captain. Commencing with the Potato Masher. Lieutenant Perez, proceed.”

Mueller’s commanding attitude and lack of noticeable hesitation in ordering the Potato Masher to proceed surprised Ronin for a moment. Maybe she’s coming ’round, he told himself.

Perez quickly pressed screen buttons on his console as he verbally replied, “Aye, aye, Commander.” Cerberus quickly turned to face the rock, before pushing its nose close to it as the ship slowly accelerated to make contact with its gravity field from the jump drives.

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