'Opportunity, that is what I thrive on. What I base all my plans on. All I need is a single slipup, a momentary lack of attention, one mistake and my strike will be unstoppable. Like a Lion stalking its prey trough the underbrush.'
Alexander Andreas Gustavus Di Britannia.
…
The ocean was not my preferred place of residence. I much preferred the solid ground underneath my feet. But I could appreciate the sea breeze; the smell of the ocean was pleasant in the early morning and cleared my head. Then again, I could get the same feeling living in a seaside house, well palace as the case would be.
The Fleet-Carrier Hyperion, named for the Titan of Light and the East was one build by my Pride corporation, you know, like a Lions Pride, it fits. The Hyperion was the first carrier we ever build and it was commissioned just a few months before, replacing an ancient light carrier. The Light-Carrier was then purchased by us immediately after its retirement from the military and on a massive discount, all for a project we are planning.
The Hyperion would serve as the command center for this campaign, why this Carrier? Not just because my Company designed it, not because of its large flight deck and under deck bays. But because of its triple towered design, one tower on the Starboard side running air control and two for operational and strategic command, each set up with the best possible communication equipment in the world.
It was the best choice for strategic command and as that was where I was needed in these first stages of war I had made myself comfortable. The air campaign was more important than my presence on the battlefield in the early stages, Marius would lead the landing in my stead.
The beaches on the eastern half of Luzon would be where it would all begin. No, that was not entirely accurate; our fighters would range out first. I had two carriers with me here, The Hyperion and the older Florida, whilst towards the south the Palau strike force heading for the southern islands was led by the infamous New-York, the carrier who's fighters sunk two of the Japanese carriers during the war.
Meanwhile every light-carrier in the pacific was dedicated towards the invasion of Indonesia along with Lord Admiral Grey's Inferno, supporting Monica's already prepared army.
I trusted Mac-Arthur to do his job to my south and he seemed to grasp my plans as well. The war would start tomorrow, when our strike-craft would clear the path for the infantry. Why not deploy the Knightmares you ask? You will see, I have plans for them.
…
"We must strike now!" The High-Eunuch proclaimed towards the ageing Tianzi, the leader of the Nations Federated under the glory of China. Or the Chinese Federation as the rest of the world called the large Empire. "The Britannian's have been bogged down in the mountains of Luzon, we can unite the Philippines into the federation if we just land troops to support!"
"Yes striking now is the best chance we have of fighting the Brits! If we win the first months we may even draw the Europeans into the war!"
The Tianzi debated his options internally, the eunuchs could push for war without him yes, but his support would bolster both moral and perhaps draw volunteers. Yet he felt apprehension, something was off. Prince Alexander had already fought a war, from what he knew of the prince's campaign in Iceland this should not happen. The advance was slow, almost deliberately so, for the southern islands were already completely under Britannian control.
Was it really as the eunuchs thought? Did the prince just have an incredible run of luck on Iceland? It was a possibility, though he felt it was unlikely. The Gilded Lion was playing a game he felt, a dangerous game. One he could be beaten at, perhaps?
"Prepare the fleet, move to reinforce the Philippines. I want the Shanghai battle group to launch an air-raid on the Okinawan islands, take out the air bases so we can strike the Britannian fleet."
"Excellent! Should we send word to Korea for Operation red rain?"
"Make it happen."
….
"Shanghai battle group has left port!"
"Federation army of Korea is on the move south!"
"India battle group has left Ceylon!"
"Taiwan garrison is manning coastal forts!"
"Indonesia squadron has started towards Vietnam!"
"Federation forces boarding transports at a Hainan!"
I frowned because of the chaos around me, yet everything seemed to happen within the bounds for now. The fact that I had to hold back my forces on Luzon had annoyed me immensely, yet it would be worth it soon. I stood, my golden thread cloak and white suit drawing the attention of my subordinates.
"Send signal to Hackett, Thunder is a go." I started, "Tell General Krushevsky to begin, code word Paragon. Send code word Riposte to the Lord Admiral. Call Marius, tell him it's time to hurry the fuck up and get me a connection to Strike 11 now!"
My bridge crew moved with efficiency despite the previous chaos, sending my words to my soldiers.
"Prepare direct command features, I want battle control of the north battle group immediately!"
….
It was disaster, pure and utter annihilation. The tactic was so unorthodox, the ships so out of date, yet it had worked against them. Their strike force had struck the Okinawan Islands just as ordered, had wiped their bases from existence. But when they flew back, nearly out of ordinance and low on fuel they came upon death.
One of the proud Chinese Carriers was completely destroyed, the other mission killed and looked to require months of repair. What could have done this, the Brits had no bases in range and their carriers were all around the Philippines and Indonesia.
It should have been impossible, a trick of nature, a curse from the gods. Yet it was not, for they had forgotten a military.
They forgot about a resource the thousands times cursed Gilded-Lion had not. The former Japanese Imperial Navy Carriers were outdated, slow and had less capacity then modern Carriers. But they were still Fleet-Carriers and could fly large numbers of Strike craft. The Lion had them sail out the moment the Chinese fleet left port in Shanghai and struck whilst most of their defense had been away.
The Japanese Carriers were old yes, but they still carried the powerful Drake pattern VTOL strike fighters. Those had torn through the ships at an incredible speed, avoiding missiles and flak from the fleet for the most part, Chinese naval AA had a bad reputation for a reason.
And so the Chinese Shanghai fleet was gutted and the Federation lost two Carriers for the rest of the war.
….
"Took you long enough." Was the first thing Marius said when I approached the just now captured city of Manila's city hall, I was too late to join in on the combat unfortunately but Marius had annihilated both the Philippine army and the thousands of Chinese troops sent to reinforce them.
"I expected the Federation to jump into the war sooner, don't complain though Ri, you got to test out Hercules at least." I answered him stepping into the city hall, the center of administration for our stay. "Meanwhile my Perseus has to wait."
Marius sent me a grin at the mention of his war beast, rightly so. From what the reports said the Hercules ripped through almost all of the Philippine Knightmare units by itself.
"Hercules is a fine steed, brother, fine indeed."
Some of the nobles might feel that the knight had no right to speak to me like that but we did not care, Marius and I had been friends for years and been through hell together. We were missing half of our group, Dorathea was still squiring for Nonnette and we had not seen either in months.
"I wish they were here too, brother. But we need to do this without them, they will be safe. Didn't you give them their own 6th gens?"
"Yes the Hippolyta and Ajax, I know they are fine brother, but I miss them." I poured myself a glass of rum as I took a seat in one of the comfy chairs. "Anyhow, we need to prepare for the next stage."
"Taiwan, the Federations fortress island, the Gatehouse of China.."
"Yes but all prerequisites need to be met. We have the first one; The Philippines are under our control. What of Korea?"
"Hackett exceeded expectations, his strike teams wiped out all but the northern most anti-aircraft missile battery and flight operations from Area 11 have already begun." My eyes lit up at Ri's words, I had expected Hackett to take out the two batteries in the south and maybe one of the northern ones at most.
"Excellent, that's two. Only one remains, the biggest one."
"The India fleet is just a day away from Hainan and the rest of Federation fleet, our Carriers are out of strike range as you ordered."
"The Portland's?"
"Ready, I have to mention that I hate those things one more time just to be sure you know."
I sent a smirk to my brother by bond and got up, walking to the door I called back to him.
"And yet you are joining me in one of them!"
"I hate that smirk of yours you know!"
…
The Luoyang, Command-Carrier of the Federations India fleet cut quietly through the water, its fleet followed it just a silently. Submarines and scout planes had confirmed that the way was clear of Britannian ships and aircraft.
"We are 30 minutes away from Hainan Admiral."
He nodded, 30 minutes until they could link up with the rest of the fleet and wreak punishment on the Brits for the loss at Okinawa. With the Luoyang the Chinese fleet would have the advantage in Fleet-Carriers and seeing as nearly all of the Britannian light carriers were in Indonesia they would have the advantage in those as well.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a feeling he was not familiar with, as if a demon had gripped his heart and was beating on it with its fists, his blood pressure spiked and he broke out sweating. Fear filled him, what was happening?!
BOOOOOM!
An explosion shook the fleet, the battleship Nanjing went up in a cloud of black smoke. Another series of explosions followed and more of the ships proud Chinese fleet began to go up in smoke and seawater. Something shook him, he noticed a sailor was shaking him, begging for orders.
Music began playing around them and the terror got worse.
The battleship on their flank, Proud Macau, exploded showering the deck of Luoyang with shrapnel. He witnessed as the corpse of what looked to be gunnery chief impacted just a few meters removed from the command tower.
In their own track! Came the wolfpack! Gleaves led the convoy into the hornets' nest!
Silence followed, sweet silence and his heart rate began to calm. But something was wrong, he felt it. Felt the familiar feeling of cramps and pains. Something shot up from under the surface of the water and took hold onto the deck of the Luoyang. Hooks of some kind with strong metal lines attached to them. Shapes shot up from underwater and Knightmares landed on her decks.
The Knightmares began to wreck anything that got in their way, moving slowly towards the command tower. Soldiers who fired at them were swiftly crushed, shot or stabbed, a brave pilot swung a VTOL around to fire at them, but a burst of gunfire shredded the fragile craft.
Then they stood in front of the tower taking aim at him as he looked down upon them, a single golden frame at the lead. He was here, the Gilded Lion of the North. He felt his heart beat painfully quickly and noticed warm blood flow out his nose
In their own track! Came the Wolfpack! Gleaves led the convoy into DEATH!
….
"You captured a Carrier..." The monotone dry voice of Cornelia came across the direct line. "Of all the things I expected to happen that was most certainly not one of them."
I sent her a confident smile, the operation had been a stunning success. Capturing the Luoyang had been a thing of opportunity, it seemed my battle meditation had effected the Chinese Admiral more than I had ever seen on someone.
The man was completely paralyzed in fear, usually all my meditation did to our opponents was cause them to be uncomfortable, to lose hope of victory when the battle shifted in our favor far sooner. What happened at the battle of the East-China-Sea was unique. Was my meditation getting stronger or was it the effect of my reputation, was it that the man was more suggestible? I did not know.
"It was a spur of the moment decision really. It was right there, so vulnerable without its fleet and well I felt like that was an invitation."
"I think you don't quite grasp the significance of what you did Andre. Nobody, ever before, has captured a Carrier intact."
"Well it did have some minor damage to the deck but... wait are you congratulating me? It sounds like your congratulating me?!"
"Yes Andre I am congratulating you." She sent me a smile, "Well done."
We shared a laugh and spent a long time talking of the things happening back in the homeland and the Atlantic, it seemed the Euros were posturing and preparing for conflict. Eventually we got down to the point a bit later in the evening.
"What do you need me for Andre? As much as I like our talks you never call without reason."
"You know me too well." I chuckled. "Your men have been given the new Gloucester's yes?"
"Yes. What are you getting at?"
"I would like to borrow two of the fifth armies Knightmare Battalions."
"No. They have yet to fully complete Knightmare training."
The answer was not unexpected, though the way she said it was jarring. It almost threw me off from my reply.
"Unfortunate, but I suppose nothing can be done then. You would not mind me borrowing you next shipment, seeing as your men are still training with the machines?"
The look in her eye when she realized I had outplayed her was glorious as always. Surprise mixed with annoyance and pride, a thing I wished I could get a picture of. I was not going to risk taking one of course, she was likely to rip my head off if I did.
"What do you want instead." She ground out, knowing immediately that I desired something else, I had made my opinion on the Gloucester clear after all. The machine was an attempt to get every bit of use of the old Glasgow frame as possible and would stall future development.
"There is a ship filled to the brim with explosives refusing to offload them for me and I do not have the time to wait for the 24 hour requisition laws to kick in." I responded, "It is owned by Boston Armaments, your uncles company, I want it."
"Fine!" She bit out, "But you will be home for Euphies birthday!"
I smiled, I was not planning anything else anyway.
"But of course."
…
The next stage was here, the strike against Hainan would be the wound that the federation could not recover from. The naval base at Hainan was the largest in the federation and the command center for all of the federations fleets. Without it the Federations navy would be gutted and useless.
Hainan at this point contains almost all of the Chinese fleet, its 3 carriers and the almost ready to sail out fourth. The war had been a tough time for the federations Carrier force, having lost one completely and having two out of commission for a least a year. One of those was damaged at Okinawa the other was undergoing repairs from an Indian terrorist cells bombing a year before.
The Island of Hainan was a fortress with next to no civilian population, the place where the federation stored a large portion of its fuel and defended it to proportion, but I need not assail it directly. I did have a Chinese carrier after all.
…..
"Sir! The Luoyang is back, the captain is reporting that they drove off boarders and managed to slip away in the night!"
The eunuch general was quick to smile at the wonderful news, the loss of the Luoyang was a terrible thing. It had set back the Federations plans by months and it was resolved! Simply stunning, perhaps the captain deserved a promotion? He knew he himself did for this stunning display of tactics.
"Well what are you waiting for?! Tell the Captain to bring her in!"
"Sending request for codes now sir!" The general tapped his foot in impatience, causing the young communications officer to hurry along as fast as he could. "Codes returned, they are outdated sir."
"The Indian fleet is always behind on those, let them in!" not willing to challenge the generals patience further the officer sent the confirmation to allow the carrier in, getting a confirmation and thanks back.
The Damaged Carrier slowly sailed into port to the cheers of thousands, yet no one came off the ship. No sailors waving to their comrades. It sat there for a full minute, with people all around it gazing in confusion at the wounded titan, before someone noticed something was wrong, as a song was softly playing.
People began to back away slowly, soldier and officers alike turning away. Something was wrong they could sense it, like a primal instinct tell them to run.
August in black B29's coming back! Prepare for Nuclear attack!
A crack resounded out of the Carrier, bone shaking and terrifying. The hull of the Carrier began to buckle and shake, before it tore and shredded apart. A rough sphere of purple pink and red blasted out around the base. Those closest to it were incinerated, those further away lost all skin and had their eyes burned away. The last notes of a song echoing.
When the light faded all that remained of the Luoyang was a crater slowly filling with seawater. The base around it had been completely destroyed; the waves caused by the explosion capsized all but a few ships around the base. The federation had no fleet anymore, its only carriers out of commission or destroyed. The island of Hainan would not be restored until after the war.
….
I am Conquest for that follows in my wake.
I am War for I create it and thrive in its chaos.
I am Famine for I seed the hunger for power in all who follow me.
I am Death for it is what is granted to those who stand opposed me.
I am the Apocalypse, General, you cannot stop me, no matter how hard you try.
Alexander Andreas Gustavus Di Britannia.
All credits for lyrics go to Sabaton and their amazing songs, please check them out if you are into history, metal or both!