Disclaimer: I don't own Halo or Space Battleship Yamato
Chapter VI: Ambush over Pluto
"Passing through Nix' orbit now." Ota announced
"It's so quiet. It's hard to believe we're in enemy space." Shima commented.
"Anything on Radar?" Okita asked.
"Negative." Mori responded
"Who knows, maybe they saw the Yamato and ran." Ota mocked.
"No, if you ask me, this feels like we're walking into a trap." Sanada stated.
"Mori, keep an eye on that Radar. Report every blip." Okita stated.
"Yes, Sir." Mori responded
"Captain, if we get past Charon's orbit and get Pluto in our sights, we just ne-" Nanbu was speaking, only to be interrupted
"Alert! Incoming energy spike, high intensity! Angling Wave Motion Shields to predicted impact Zone. Brace for Impact!" Cortana announced, the ship suddenly shook violently as a powerful energy beam hit the Ship, thankfully to be absorbed by the Wave Motion Shields.
"Cortana, assessment!" Okita ordered as he gripped his chair.
"It was indeed a powerful Positron Beam. It was bouncing all over the place, unable to determine point of Origin, Wave Motion Shields holding at 65%. Currently no Hull Damage, but we need to get out of their line of fire, I dont know if the Shields will withstand another volley like that. " Cortana responded with a detailed Status Report.
"No sign of Enemy Ships on Radar, and the Angle is wrong from Pluto." Mori added
"Source of attack calculated approximately 10 o'clock on the Port Side." Sanada stated
"Take Evasive Meneuvers! Maintain Speed and move Hard to Port! Try moving into their blind spot!" Okita ordered
"Aye, sir!" Shima responded
Pluto Base
"First shot landed, impact confirmed." A command center officer stated
"Yamato engaging in evasive menuevers." Came from another
"Its a brilliant tactic Commander Shultz, as versed as I am in this bases technology, it never would've occurred to me to use the Planet Bomb launching system as a weapon." Ganz commended.
"You have to consider all the angles, the ability to adapt and improvise during Battle is the key to Victory." Shultz stated.
"Yes, General Domel taught us that. A shame though, the first shot didnt finish them off like I was hoping." Jarletora commented.
"Relax Jarletora, dont you know hunts are meant to be savored?" Shultz asked "Adjust the reflectors for the next volley!" He then ordered
The Command Crew watch as their main weapon charges and their reflecting Satellites take position to fire upon the Yamato once again.
Yamato
"Based on the attack analysis, we should've entered its blind spot by now." Sanada states.
"Stay on guard crew, they know where we are, and it's possible they're mobile, they'll strike again if they get the chance. Maintain Geostationary Orbit." Okita warned
"You're right about that Captain, another Energy Spike incoming rapidly! Angling Shields!" Cortana announces as the ship rocks violently
"Assessment!" Okita ordered.
"Shields down to 20%, minimal Hull Damage, Origin is from Pluto's surface, most likely the Gamilan Base, but I can't triangulate the position! Sir, if we take another shot like that though, the Shields won't be able to withstand it!" Cortana told them.
"Shima, prepare for Emergency Landing in the seas of Pluto!" Okita ordered
"Yes, Sir!" Shima responded as the Yamato made a rapid descent into Pluto's atmosphere before crashing her keel into the icy seas.
"Landing complete, Ship is still afloat." Shima states.
"Stay on Guard." Okita ordered.
"Captain, we're reaching the Wave Motion Shields max time before recharge." Sanada informed
"Captain, if we take another one of those blasts without the Shields, there's no telling what damage could be done, their effectiveness is low enough as it is." Cortana added.
"Understood. Aihara, any word from the Fighter Squadron?" Okita continued
"No, nothing yet." Aihara replied.
"If I may. Id like to offer a Tactical Suggestion." Sanada began.
Pluto Base
The Command Crew watched as the Yamato made landfall. While damage was minimal, Shultz could see the glowing singe marks where there last attack struck.
"Stubborn little Bastards. Don't give them a chance to recoup, calibrate the reflectors for the next attack!" Shultz ordered
He watched as the Command Crew did their work and realigned their Reflecting Satellites to deal the finishing blow to the Yamato. Watching as their Ground Based Cannon fired.
"It was a valiant effort Terrons, you fought well, but all battles must end. Farewell Yamato!" Shultz commended their adversaries and watched as the Beam impacted on the ships stern with a large explosion. The Yamato then turned onto its starboard side before Capsizing, then sinking stern first with its bow pointed towards the starry sky. The Yamato disappeared under the waves in a plume of water and ice with a shrill metallic shriek.
"Splendid work Commander. When we report this to Major General Goer, we can hold our heads high." Ganz commended.
"I don't think so. If that shameless opportunist hears this, he'll report to High Command to the Supreme Leader as if he'd done it himself. This is our victory, and we're going to make sure we claim the spoils." Shultz stated before preparing the Long Range Comms.
Planet Gamilas
Capital City Baleras
Lord Dessler's Palace
The Supreme Leader of the Gamilas Empire, Abelt Dessler, was finishing his soak in the Hot Springs within his palace. After donning his robes, he exited the Springs to be met with his Guard and Minister of Propaganda, Miezela Cellestella.
"Ilun Phezeron. We have an incoming call. Commander Shultz wishes to give you a direct report." She informs him
"Who is Shultz?" Dessler queried
"I believe you placed him in command of the forward base on Plat in the Galactic Hinterlands, Zol System, my lord." Miezela informs.
"Ah yes, I left a brigade of second-class Gamilans in charge of the Teron's conquest, didn't I?" Dessler reminded himself.
After donning his official uniform, he made his way to his Main Chambers before seating himself behind his desk. After having some wine poured for himself, he allowed the Transmission through and watches the figure of Commander Shultz materialize.
"Commander Walke Shultz, Commander of the Forces besieging Terron, my lord." Shultz greets and salutes the authority figures before him.
"You are contacting us without the approval of your commanding Officer, Major General Goer, a grave off-" Vice Leader Redoff Hyss began reprimanding them, only to be interrupted by Dessler himself.
"Now, now Hyss, I would like to hear him." Dessler informs Hyss to stand down as he sips his wine.
"Yes, sir." Hyss complied
"Now go on Commander, give your report." Dessler instructs Shultz
"Yes, sir. This Morning as Tahm 1006, Gamilan Standard Time, after fierce engagement, we destroyed the Terron FTL capable ship Yamato, and with it, a Highly advanced Android most likely Terron in origin, using our RSC as an improvised weapon." Shultz informed.
"And you called to tell me this why, Commander?" Dessler queried
"Well sir, I-I wanted to let you know immediately about our Victory." Shultz answered.
"You requested a direct audience with your Supreme Leader just to say that, when such an outcome was so obvious, it was implied?" Dessler retorted calmly.
"I simply wish to add some small measure of further glory for the Great Gamilas Empire's founding Celebration." Shultz stated.
"I shall remember your loyalty Commander." Dessler responds
"That's enough, get back to work!" Hyss commands.
Garle Dessler, our Great Leader!" Shultz salutes before the feed cuts.
"So Cellestella, is it true a Teron ship has actually managed to break the Lightspeed Barrier?" Dessler asked
"That's the first I've heard of it, Ilun Phezeron." Miezela replies. "How about you Viceroy Hyss, did you know?" She turns the question towards the Vice-Leader.
"No, this is news to me aswell, And what's this about an advanced Android? Surely no where near as advanced as our Automated Gamiloid Soldiers." Hyss states.
"I assumed as much." Dessler stated, his gaze then turned upward toward the Glass Cieling and he looked upon a Planet ripe with Blue Oceans, Gamilas' sister planet, Iscandar.
Pluto Base
"Commander, what did Lord Dessler have to say?" Ganz asked.
"He told me he would remember our loyalty Ganz." Shultz responded as Ganz smiled proudly. "Its a shame about the Terrons, if they had not chosen to fight back, they could've learned to live under the Gamilan thumb as we have." Shultz stated.
Yamato
John was heading Damage Control and Response Teams, thankfully, thanks to Cortana's work with the Wave Motion Shields, the damage was not as severe as it could have been. But there was still damage to assess and Injuries to treat. After the Salvage operations on the Dawn, all Medical based equipment on board was delivered to the Medical Stations, including Sterile Field Generators and what was left of the Dawn's entire supply of Biofoam to be used on personnel with severe injuries. Chief made sure Hallways were clear of Personnel before sealing Bulkheads to stop what little flooding there was from the effect of the last attack.
"These Injuries are nothing, with the help of those new arrivals and their fancy equipment, it's akin to healing a papercut!" Dr. Sado said as he treated some of the injured officers, thankfully, no one had any serious injuries, there were mostly just scrapes and bruises with the occasional concussion or dislocated limb. "Hey, Makoto!" Sado called out
"She's helping patients in another section Dr." Another medical officer informed.
While injuries weren't serious, it didn't mean there weren't alot of them, Makoto was busy bandaging one that had gotten a few cuts as Operations Cadet Yuria Misaki helped lighten the workload with her assistance. Both were thankful that the injuries weren't as bad as they could've been. As Harada finished bandaging another officer, she heard the clunking footsteps and turned to see Chief standing in the room.
"All floods are sealed off and Injured Personnel are accounted for." Chief briefed the young Medical Officer.
"Thank you for your assistance Master Chief." Harada bowed lightly to him in appreciation for his and Cortana's assistance in handling the ship during the attack before she resumed tending to the injured.
"Were they able to figure out how the enemy was attacking us?" Misaki asked Makoto as she gave painkillers to another Officer before bandaging him.
"As far as I know, they still don't know yet." Makoto responded.
Bridge
"There's only one plausible way that the enemy is able to hit us like they've been able to. They're using Satellites to do their targeting for them and reflecting the Beam into angles that will strike us." Sanada conuded.
"You're positive sir?" Shima asked.
"Yes, a Satellites assisted Beam weapon." Sanada Summarized, "The large amounts of Orbital Debris made me curious." Sanada started.
"Same here, I ran a scan on the Debris in orbit, and Bingo, here's our culprit." Cortana then showed an image of one of the Reflecting Satellites.
"They're using this immense Network to precisely relay a beam which is fired from the surface." Niimi described
"They could hit any coordinate around Pluto, and from any angle." Shima realized.
"But that means there's no way to escape, if we surface, they'll hit us again!" Nanbu exclaimed.
"Can we approximate how much time we have?" Okita asked.
"I'll try sir." Niimi said.
"Already on it Lieutenant." Cortana called out.
"I hope our little fireworks and acrobatics were enough to convince them we sank." Sanada stated.
"They're going to figure out the truth eventually. But for now, we sit tight and put our faith in Kodai and the Fighter Squadron. When the time is right, the Yamato will fight back, and strike back hard!" Okita stated.
Pluto Base
"What do you mean Terron Fighters, impossible!" Shultz exclaimed, they had sunk the Yamato, there shouldnt be any other Terron presence out this far.
"Just outside the Unmanned Environmental Modification Plant number 137, sir." Jarletora stated.
"What are they doing out there?" Ganz asked.
"Anti-Aircraft system engaging them now, sir." The Officer replied as he monitored the situation.
"It appears there are several others coming out of hiding aswell, Commander." Jarletora informs.
"Most likely survivors from the Yamato. Launch Interceptors to finish them off." Shultz ordered.
Upon his order, Debake Squadrons were raised to the Flight Deck and launched to engage the Cosmo Falcons currently assaulting their stations. As they passed through the Aurura that camouflaged the main HQ, they were unknowingly observed by Kodai and Yamamoto nearby in their Cosmo Zeroes.
Yamato
"Message from Bravo-1. Lieutenant Kato under fire at Target 5." Aihara announced.
"He found it?" Shima asked.
"Coordinates confirmed" Ota announced
"Something is there sir, but we aren't certain it's the enemy base yet." Sanada stated.
"I concur with Sanada. While there is an enemy installation, After running an area scan, the amount of power I'm detecting in that area tells me it's a minor facility, not important enough to be the main base." Cortana states. After some time in the Yamato's systems, she was able to use them naturally to their full potential, just like any other ship she had ever been in. But something felt...off. It was like there was another presence in here with her, similar to what she felt on High Charity.
"Are you sure Cortana?" Okita asked.
"Positive. I reccomend ordering Squadrons to form up and continue Search Patterns, most likely they have been detected by the enemy and the Gamilans will now be scrambling Interceptors to clean them up, It may slow them down, but they could use the numbers." Cortana summarizes.
"Very well, but we should offer support where we can. When we find the base, we'll be ready to strike. Like any battle it's a gamble, but you can't win the pot without placing a bet first."
"Aye Aye, Captain." Cortana responded.
"Weapons Officer, load the missiles and prepare for launch on our command." Sanada ordered.
"Loading missiles for launch!" Nanbu replied
"Engine status?" Okita asked.
"Engine online, we can reach maximum speed on request, sir." Tokugawa informed
"Bridge to Boatswain. Are the Wave Motion Shields charged yet?" Okita asked through comms.
"Close enough, Captain." Enomoto responded
"Attention, all crew. This is your Captain. We will now convert to undersea operations mode, and engage in missile based counterattack. All crew to number three Battle Stations!" Okita announced through the ships PA, "Blow the main tank and start raising the bow. New angle, 35 degrees. Turn us over!" Okita commanded.
~Meanwhile~
Kodai and Yamamoto were closing in on the area they saw the enemy Debake fighters emerge from, a large crater underneath a green Aurua.
"Those enemy fighters came from within the Auroras, that means.." Kodai trailed off as he lead Yamamoto into a narrow valley that lead to the interior of the crater.
"Warning! Warning! sensors detecting energy emission, effect on ship: Unknown." the onboard computer went off as they approached the edge of the Energy Field. Alerts went off as they passed through, the ship shook rapidly, but soon a white line shines through the end of the tunnel, and once they emerge, beneath them was the entirety of the Gamilans main base on Pluto.
"Lieutenant Kodai!" Yamamoto called for his attention.
"I think we found it, this is definitely the enemy base!"
~Pluto Base~
"Movement detected on Radar. Enemy Fighters detected directly above base." A command officer informed.
"What's that?" Shultz looked to the Officer. "How is the concealment field down?!" Shultz demanded to know.
"It's functioning properly." The officer replied.
"What do we do?" Ganz asked.
"There's no need to panic Ganz, a few support planes are nothing to worry about." Shultz reassured.
AA Guns fired at the Two Cosmo Zeroes that circled the base, only to be taken out themselves shortly after. Yamamoto then began to fire her missiles into the Concealment Field Generator Towers, with Kodai following suite.
"Direct hits to Generators. Concealment field dissipating!" The Officer informed.
Shultz watched in frustration as the Aurora dissolved and their base was now exposed.
"Concealment Field offline!" The officer called out.
"Sir! Something is surfacing near Yamato sink site!" Another Officer called out
"On main screen!" Shultz ordered.
The Command Crew then watch on screen as the Ventral Hull of the Yamato crashes through the Ice.
"Is that some kind of Submarine?" Ganz asked.
"Use your head you idiot, its the Yamato!" Shultz yelled angrily. "This is bad.. I looked Lord Dessler in the eye and told him it was destroyed.. You won't win Yamato.." Shultz muttered under his breath "Ready Reflecting Satellite Cannon!" Shultz ordered. As the crew began the firing Sequence, Shultz looked on, "In the end this will all be irrelevant, we will simply sink them again. My report was merely abit early, nothing more. The outcome won't change." Shultz tried to remain confident but even he knew he was beginning to sweat.
Yamato
"Preparing for Missile Strike!" Aihara announced as the Yamato opened its Ventral VLS System. "Bravo-1, break off from current area form up Squadron, resume Search Patterns."
"What?! Why?!" Kato demanded to know.
"Your current Area is not the enemy base." Aihara replied.
"Understood, breaking off." Kato growled as he began retreat.
"This is Alpha-1. Requesting Combat Support from the Yamato. Alpha-1 and 2 have discovered camouflaged enemy base. We don't have the Payload to destroy it ourselves." Kodai stated over the comms.
"Triangulaing transmission origin." Cortana said and ran a scan over the area. Scanning facility powerlevels, troop movements, and ID'd hostile structures and vehicles, she had her answer. "That's the base alright, in the large crater in the center of the continent." Cortana confirmed Kodai's report.
"So that's the real base?" Nanbu asked.
"Good work Kodai." Okita commended. "You see anything down there that looks like a Beam weapon?" Okita queried.
"Negative, sir, not from here." Kodai replied.
"They may have hidden it below the surface to make it harder to locate Captain." Sanada pointed out.
"If I had access to their battlenet, I could figure it out, this Operation would go alot smoother, but I have no Intel I could use to remotely hack into it." Cortana stated.
"You can do that?" Niimi asked, impressed.
"If I had the right resources, yes. I used to remotely access the Covenant Battlenet routinely when on Operations with Chief." Cortana said. Which got Niimi thinking.
"We can't engage in a full on assault until we neutralize that weapon." Okita declared. "Alpha Team, you are to stay in proximity of the enemy base and standby to locate the source of the beam, all Fighters are to Divert to Alpha Team's position and provide support!" Okita ordered.
"How are we supposed to do that? This base is gigantic!" Kodai pointed out.
"Just keep your eyes open." Okita told him.
"I don't see it!" Kodai retorted.
"Trust me, you will." Okita reassured.
"May I offer a Tactical Suggestion Captain?" Cortana asked.
"Go ahead Cortana." Okita permitted.
"If the enemy knows where we are, more than likely they'll be getting ready to fire the weapon. When they do, we can use the Missile Salvo to destroy the Reflecting Satellites overhead and give ourselves a blind spot to the enemy. Then, after reading the power output. I can determine the source of the Beam Weapon and use the Type-3 Shells on board to fire on the base. Particularly, the Cannon. It's a gamble, but it should work." Cortana stated.
Okita pinched his chin as I pondered over Cortana's plan.
"After analyzing this plan, I am calculating an overall 90% success rate." Analyzer put in his input.
"Why thank you Analyzer." Cortana said.
"You're positive on this Analyzer?" Okita asked.
"Even after accounting unprecedented variables, success rate is still calculated over 65%." Analyzer added.
"Very well, then we will act on this plan." Okita declared.
"Thank you Captain. Lieutenant Niimi, if you would, please transfer Targetting Data for Satellites positioned overhead." Cortana asked as she monitored power output in the area of the Gamilan Base.
"Transferring now." Niimi stated.
"AA Interceptor Missiles ready for launch." Nanbu stated.
"Wait for it..." Cortana said as she continued monitoring.
Pluto Base
"You've been lucky so far. But you won't survive this." Shultz stated as he held the firing mechanism.
"Energy Charging complete!" A base Officer announced.
Yamato
"Gotcha." Cortana smirked as she saw the immense power readings coming from the base.
"Fire!" The two opposing entities said simultaneously to their crew. The Yamato's missiles roaring from its Hull as the RSC Burst through the Ice towards it's first intended target.
The Beam bounced between Satellites as it made it's way towards its target as the Missiles made Bee-Lines straight towards each individual satellite stationed over the Yamato. Okita watched the Satellite that the RSC was intended to hit through the Periscope, his grip tightening with each passing second. If he wasnt wearing Gloves he would be able to see his knuckles turn white. He watches Missile impact against the Satellite in an explosion, only for the RSC Beam to pass through the smoke half a second later.
"Well done." Okita let out a breath of relief as he put the Periscope up.
"Alpha-2 to Yamato, I've spotted the Beam weapon. Location is a Frozen Bay." Yamamoto reported.
"Copy that, transmit the coordinates now." Aihara instructs.
"Roger" Yamamoto complies
"Topography scan and coordinates matches Energy Spike source, that's the spot." Cortana concurs.
"Prepare to fire Main Guns on the Energy Beam Weapon." Okita orders.
Pluto Base
"Satellite numbers 50-66 lost, shot down from the surface, we have no angle of fire on the Yamato." A Command Officer announced.
"Looks like the Yamato finally figured out what we're upto." Shultz stated, with no way to retaliate, Shultz sneered as he gave his next order, "Move Satellites into position and prepare to fire!"
Yamato
"Level the Yamato. Main Guns topside!" Okita ordered.
"Adjusting intertial control." Ota announced
"Reversing Gyroscopes and dropping Starboard ballast. Leveling ship now!" Shima followed up
"Leveling complete, inspection teams report all systems are go!" Ota announced
"Teams have set Type-3 Rounds with timed fuses." Nanbu informed
"Our next target is the enemy Beam Weapon. Load Maingun with Type-3 Rounds!" Okita ordered.
"Adjusting Firing Angle and preparing Trajectory." Cortana stated as she controlled Turret angles for a precise shot.
"Ranging complete." Nanbu stated.
"Fire!" Okita ordered
"Going Loud." Cortana stated as the weapon fired
The shells flew through the Cold Sky on their way to the location of the enemy base and its Beam Weapon. The End of the Cannons Barrel was glowing brightly as it was prepared to discharge its next attack, but the Beam control crew were caught by surprise when the 18.1 inch shells burst through the Ice Sheet and embedded themselves directly into the metal plating of the Weapon. The crew were vaporized instantly as the shells detonated and overloaded the weapons reactor, creating a massive Plume of Fire and Smoke that went miles into the air.
"Alpha-1 to Yamato. Enemy Beam Weapon drstroyed.
"We did it!" Nanbu watched as the Pillar of smoke billowed over the Horizon
"We're not finished yet crew. Now we will advance and destroy the enemy base. Raise the bow by 20 degrees. Take us into the Sky!" Okita gave the order.
With that, the engines roared to life, and the Yamato accelerated, leaving a trail billowing ice particles behind it as it raided from the frozen sea and headed upwards towards the enemy base.
Pluto Base
"Detecting no signal from Reflecting Satellite Cannon." an officer reported.
Alarms were blaring as the Command Staff looked on scream to the billowing fire and smoke of where the RSC once was.
"This can't be true..." Shultz looked on, horrified at the destruction of the RSC and his base.
Waves of Seawater caused by the shockwave of the Detonation flooded into the base, and battered against the Command Tower.
"Yamato rapidly approaching!" another officer announced.
"Quick sir, you have to leave the base! It's not safe here!" Ganz implored.
"You want me to retreat?!" Shultz questioned.
"As long as you survive, you'll have a chance to redeem us!" Ganz reasoned.
Yamato
"Targets locked and ranging complete. Air to Surface Missiles ready to launch!" Nanbu informed.
"Open fire, Full Bore! Okita ordered
Shells and Missiles rained hell upon the enemy base that had ravaged the Earth for so long as Gamilan ships began their retreat, Shultz' Gaiderol Class Battleship Le Chevalier in the lead, followed by two Kripitera class Destroyers and one Destoria class Heavy Cruiser. Unfortunately, the rest of the Fleet was not very lucky as a Kripitera was destroyed during launch and sent other ships off course, another Kripitera was sent flying into the stores of Interplanetary Ballistic Missiles which began causing a Chain Reaction throughout the base. Massive Explosions detonated beneath the surface of the base and broke through the crust, massive pillars of billowing smoke and fire sent debris and shrapnel into the air. The Pluto Base was now just a bad memory and now a Crater within a Crater.
"Four enemy Vessels detected. It looks like they're running." Mori reported.
The Le Chevalier was at the head followed by it's small escort.
"Pursue those ships, and convert main Guns to Shock Cannons!" Okita gave the Order.
The fleeing ships fired at the Yamato in an attempt to throw it off their trail. To which the Yamato fired back, completely destroying a Kripitera in a single salvo of its Shock Cannons, the second Kripitera following just after. The Destoria then turned around and attacked the Yamato head on as it covered the escape of Le Chevalier
"Enemy ship heading straight for us." Mori announced as the Destoria Made a Bee line to the Yamato.
The Destoria then met its fate with another single Salvo as one of the shots tore straight through the bridge and the Heavy Cruiser detonated in a fiery blaze. The Yamato then watches as Le Chevalier makes its escape via Geschtam Jump. The Yamato had completely pushed the Gamilans out of the Sol System.
"The last enemy ship has warped, sir." Mori reports.
"All that matters is that we've driven the Gamilans from Pluto, and the rain of those dreaded Planet Bombs is over." Okita stated as he looked forward.
"Alpha-1 to Yamato, we're headed home." Kodai transmits.
Planet Gamilas
"Plat has fallen?" Queried Dessler "Tell me Hyss, was I having some sort of perverse dream earlier today? I could have sworn that the Terron Ship has been destroyed." Dessler continued as he was fitted for his new Cape that he was to wear at the Founding Celebration.
"It was no dream sir, that was what he said." Hyss confirmed.
"So Shultz abandoned his base and retreated in the midst of battle?" Dessler questioned again.
"Yes, Lord Dessler." Hyss confirmed once again.
"Remind him that retreat is not a Gamilan Concept. It's Victory, and if not Victory, then death." Dessler reminded.
"Yes, Sir." Hyss saluted before departing.
"Terrons, huh?" Dessler spoke to himself as he gazed at his reflection. Plotting his next move against this cunning foe.