A fleet is, typically, a naval force that is assembled by multiple battlegroups working in conjunction with one another, coordinating to cover the massive theater of war that is known as space. The adoption of nearlight travel has especially made it easy for a single front to actually span multiple star systems and nebulae, the wide expanse now a battleground thanks to the convenience of interstellar travel. Historians studying the evolution of this paradigm would liken it to a purported shift in doctrine observed in very ancient Cradle history, a time in which 'line of battle' formations had given way to 'strike force' organizations.
Over time, with humanity taking to the stars, it has since undergone another transformation into 'battlegroup' doctrine that so defines the present adoption of stellar warfare. There would be command elements such as Vice Admiral Ibutsu's own immediate command, consisting of capital ships that predominately leaned towards attacking from afar or supporting the endeavors for others within the force. Anything else predominately focused on protecting the 14th Mixed Fleet's flagship above all.
In contrast, the 143rd Reconnaissance primarily centered around light, sleek vessels. They had the duty and honor of usually being the first to physically arrive in potentially hostile systems, with explicit orders to avoid engagement. Instead, they would conduct preliminary scans to send back to other waiting battlegroups tasked with being the first wave, alerting them to potential dangers or threats that they ought to be aware of. Sometimes, they would even chart alternative approach vectors should the already-planned ones turned out to be compromised, emergency transmissions that have sometimes saved fellow commanders from accidentally jumping into traps.
Given that Moores had apparently sprung one such ambush upon those hunter elements before, Ibutsu wanted to be extra sure. Hence why despite the seeming odds being so overwhelmingly on his side, he had taken the time for the 14th Mixed to act as if facing a foe of equal parity. Which meant properly managing and tasking the various battlegroups under his command, such as instructing 143rd Reconnaissance to scout ahead instead of arriving with the full force of what the Vice Admiral had brought with him.
It seemed like his decision had been a prudent one, as the connection with Lieutenant Silva stabilized and she delivered her report. "Vice Admiral, sir. We have arrived in the Cavia system and report oddities."
"As is to be expected. Detail them."
"Upon transition into realspace, our sensors picked up the presence of a capital ship departing from an orbital dockyard. IFF readings indicate it to be La Azul." He remembered that one, it'd been a frigate that Moores had captured. "Minutes later, energy readings consistent with nearlight acceleration spiked and the ship jumped away from the system."
"It ran?"
"It would appear so, sir. We are conducting further sweeps to seek additional signatures, but there have been no other returns currently." Silva glanced over to her side. "No other unusual local traffic to report for the moment."
"I see. Continue maintaining your current position." Ibutsu minimized the connection for the time being, not yet quite cutting it as he mused on this curious development. "So is the man perhaps fleeing? With La Azul happening to be a straggler that only departed once repaired?"
"Analysis of his psychological profile indicates it to be a possibility," Athena mentioned to her superior. "Commander Moores has shown willingness to concede or withdraw in wargame scenarios should he find himself in unfavorable positions."
"I suppose he is a noble that wishes to save his own hide, above all else." Which was an actually rather desirable trait, Ibutsu would acknowledge. To know when one ought to pick and choose their fights is certainly a useful skill in a subordinate, especially not to waste loaned assets to their command. Or perhaps to secure a more advantageous position. It almost made the vice admiral want him even more. "Lieutenant Silva."
"Sir."
"Approach and analyze those nearlight wakes. Forward the data to Athena so that we may proceed with the chase with our heavy elements. Then prepare to follow up."
"Understood sir. Any orders regarding the locals?"
Hmph. He had little interest in those dirtballs, especially if the only one who controlled them was gone. Perhaps he'll 'invite' one of the army commands to step in after this farce. "Ignore them, do not engage unless provoked."
"Understood, Vice Admiral. Commencing trace."
It'd taken a little bit before that was complete. Then Ibutsu ordered a new battlegroup jump alongside the 143rd. It would be the time for the 147th Strike Force, with a trusted subordinate leading them. Once the coordinates were confirmed, they transitioned to a nearlight bolt to investigate, remaining wary and cautious of whatever they might find. They'd be the muscle to back up whatever awaited them and the 143rd at this new locale.
But there was none to give, as Commander Refik reported back. "We spy La Azul, who appears to be holding position." He paused, then gave a new update. "Belay that, they appear to be bolting again. Yes, confirmed new nearlight transition, the frigate's gone already."
More and more, he wondered what mystery was at play. But at the same time, Ibutsu was also starting to suspect that there might be no such ploy or trick. He had Athena pull up the specs for the Bakunawa-class frigate and confirmed that they hadn't been outfitted with anything like mine-laying equipment. Plus, they seemed to be doing it in a random direction.
He paused, eyes narrowing. At his word, his NHP now instead swapped to a map of the sector and Ibutsu exhaled loudly, realizing what was going on. The path seemed haphazard, but there was a pattern to it, he could tell with a single glance.
They were looking to run to a blink gate. That was all there was to it.
The boy was actually running, making to escape the sector entirely.
And if Ibutsu continued playing coy, there was a possibility he just might with whatever ships were with him. Those random paths were time consuming for Moores to likely maintain, but it also was probably trying to ensure that any pursuers didn't catch on so easily if they pushed the crew to exhaustion. Both prey and predator would tire of this dance in time- who would falter first?
Surely not the side with so many ships to rotate on this persistent hunt.
The vice admiral sighed, then returned to the transmission with his subordinates. "Silva, begin analysis once again. Be more through this time, I want you remotely monitoring on the off chance that we could perhaps head them off.
"Refik, hold position and charge your engines. We will arrive soon, then move together following the wake. Let's try to catch them before they slip away."
"Yes sir," both chimed and he leaned back in his chair, thinking. Hm, it'd probably be prudent to leave behind at least a little rear element to make sure the locals on Cavia didn't get up to anything, futile as it might be. It'd also prevent Moores from just returning to the system if this turned out to be a simple wild goose chase.
The risk of stretching his forces thin was dismissed, as even so spread out, any of his battlegroups would surely overwhelm whatever motley ships the man had. So all they had to do was tighten the noose by continuing the chase, forcing their engines to continue cycling until they failed or malfunctioned if need be.
The 14th Mixed Fleet could keep this up for as long was needed. The 7th Expeditionary surely couldn't.
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The radio operators from the nearby station amused Ayden with their half-panicked tones, as it wasn't everyday that a fleet in Harrison Armory livery arrived through the portal they opened. It certainly hadn't been something that they hadn't expected to be welcoming through the blink gate. How disappointing.
Had they perhaps been graced with the understanding that House Hessin has finally returned, then perhaps they would be far more awed at the presence of royalty. But well, he supposed that those previous attendants hadn't similarly shown grace, and they technically weren't of Cavia either. So they received a pardon.
None though would be offered should he return home and not be greeted by the jubilant crowds, like what was promised. The promised sovereign, finally back to guide them out of the chaos of this sector. Especially as he hadn't deserted them when all the rest of the family had, scattering to wherever in Union they wished with their inheritance. It was almost disappointingly so, but well, more for him to enjoy later instead of whatever else they got up to, such as 'working.'
He almost could taste the destined nectar of that moment. A goblet of such, provided courtesy of his new allies, of course. Cavia had little else to offer than their loyalty, so he did not expect much else from them. It was always so disappointing when they failed to do at least that, a flaw that he had seen his predecessor weep at. For his people's failings reflected upon him.
Well, no more! Once Ayden returned, it shall be in a new era of light in this darkness! He was sure of it, particularly with promised support from likewise agreeable individuals. Those who said his right was so undeniable, they would back him no less.
Though the speed at which they did so was frustrating. "Tell me again," the noble ruler began in those learned lilt of the Baronies, "why we must put up with this pretense of…aid? Why can we not already rush back and grace my despairing people?"
"Because, your majesty," Pat said, in a tone bordering on exasperated, "we must establish legitimacy. We have to show that we are the assigned Harrison Armory relief that had been promised to that bitc- colleague of mine."
"To what end though? I despise this faffing about."
The executive muttered darkly and checked to make sure the connection between the two was secured. "Because, if you remember, not all the captains present are onboard with this. Some are actually part of that woman's circle of acquaintances, thinking they'll be working with her. They might even look forward to it," the suit added with some mild disgust.
"But if we do this right, establish that you really are the legitimate power returning, then I can get her charged on supporting that Half Committee's thug. Which will alienate her own supporters and give us full control of the narrative-"
"You speak in tongues too long. Shorten it."
Pat squeezed his eyes shut and exhaled, resisting the urge to launch the man out an airlock. One, it would get rid of a convenient puppet; two, it would be a mess with Hessin's bodyguards at least fighting back. "Not everybody is as loyal a supporter to you, your majesty. They beg your patience."
"There we go, I see. Hm." Ayden reached up to rub at his chin. "A tragedy, but I suppose that is why you have recommended I include my retinue throughout their vessels. To help convince them of my greatness."
It was also to weaken the personal guard of this insufferable noble, but Pat admittedly underestimated just how many brainwashed soldiers the man had. Especially when that vast fortune was used to buy even more from the Trade Baronies, no less. Which was why he still had to play nice. "It is as you say."
"But of course." He beamed. "I am always correct."
Before Pat had to rip the tongue out his mouth to stifle the snappy response, there was a sudden update pushed to their command seats. "Sirs! Reporting intermittent contact at the fringe of the system-" There was a suddenly sharp intake from the sensors operator. "Update, IFF returns! It's First to Draw!"
Pat's eyes widened and his attention swapped fully from the noble to the bridge officer. "It's the carrier? The one assigned to Erica?"
"Confirmed. Though, uh." They hesitated and tapped a few more buttons at their station. "It's a bit off. It's actually broadcasting a...Cavia Committee signature? Whatever that is, sir."
The Lord Commandant blinked, then decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Because this was exactly the excuse he wanted. "Tag as a hostile."
"W-what?"
"The Cavia Committee is a hostile actor to House Hessin, and thus Harrison Armory." Pat leaned forwards in his chair, glaring at the hesitant subordinate. "It's probably been captured, and we can't let company assets fall into wrong hands. We'll have to mark it for termination."
"I...I understand, sir. Marking-" They gasped. "Wait, detecting nearlight readings. Confirmed, First to Draw has departed the system."
That definitely confused the man. What was it up to? Was it actually captured like he said, or was Erica onboard, cooking up some sort of play? Pat had a sneaking suspicion that the blasted Lord Director must've said something to her, he had a soft spot when it come to Colonial Legion veterans. But really, just what could she do compared to this fleet he had brought?
Maybe if she could talk to some of the captains individually, but so long as he pushed the hostile tag through their shared systems, they shouldn't accept her transmission at face value. Especially if he could intercept and interrupt her attempt, guiding them back to his side. The winning side.
At the end of the day then, it didn't matter. They merely had to still look to continue their pretense of 'restoring safety and security to the sector-'
"After them!" declared Ayden brilliantly, like a hunter having spotted fleeing game. "After the curs! We will pursue and destroy them! All hands, make ready for the chase!"
Pat almost cursed again with a dark mutter, swiftly delivering a nod to the glancing bridge crew. Well, he supposed silencing that agonizing woman was the least she deserved after humiliating him before the others. So perhaps this little indulgence wasn't so bad, so long as they turned off their IFFs to prevent any witnesses to Harrion Armory slaughtering each other.
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As soon as the carrier transitioned out of nearlight for the hopefully last time, Erica undid her safety straps and began to shakily pry herself out of the damnable seat. Stars, it took almost everything she had to not be sick after so many consecutive blinks. The sailors onboard were taking it more well in-hand, with just a few bouts of dizziness and disorientation.
She gritted her teeth, then pushed herself up and towards the hallway. As she gripped a travel rail to begin traversing to the hanger, her hardsuit's radio cackled with a connection being made from La Azul and transmitted through First to Draw's bridge. "Miss Erica, I have completed my part of the lure!" Lieutenant Ari reported with far too much cheer in their expression. "The Fourteenth is right on my trail! How went your own!" they exclaimed as more a statement than a question.
"Went fine enough," she grunted, letting go of the railing to awkwardly drift over to the open mech. "Think they swallowed the bait."
"The Commander will be pleased!"
"Yeah, probably will." A few final checks, then she let the visor of the Genghis come down to seal her in. There was a loud hiss as cockpit pressurization was achieved, ensuring that even if the hanger was flooded by the vacuum of space, she'd be fine. Still, the machine remained locked in place in its cradle, not yet mobilized. "You got it in you for one more jump to them? Remember, IFF off, now."
"Absolutely! Yes indeed!"
Exploding stars, they were way too loud. Plenty of enthusiasm at least, which Erica supposed mattered a lot, and competent to boot if they at least pulled off their part in the scheme with little complications. She felt First to Draw vibrate around her and sighed ruefully, bracing herself for one last little stomach flip.
At least after this one, she'll be in control of her flips as her steed burned the stars themselves.