No Way to Start a War (TCOTU, Book 2) (This Corner of the Universe)
Read No Way to Start a War (TCOTU, Book 2) (This Corner of the Universe) Online
Authors: Britt Ringel
No
Way to Start a War
By
Britt Ringel
This is
a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the
product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events
or locales is entirely coincidental.
NO WAY TO START A WAR
Copyright © 2013 by Britt Ringel
All rights reserved.
No part
of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or
electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage
piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase
only authorized editions.
K—My
Love, Always
Author’s
Acknowledgments
Although
my name appears on the cover of this book, it could easily be several others.
The incredible support I’ve received from my family and friends has been
overwhelming. If you rarely (or never) find a typo, thank them. If you find
the story has no discrepancies and the characters are enjoyable with an
internal consistency, thank them. The time my beta readers have donated has
improved this story far above what I could have accomplished alone.
First,
thank you Karen for being 50% of this venture. The fact that you’ve taken the
least appealing 50% makes me all the more thankful.
I’ve
been lucky to have an English teacher of 30+ years and a perfectionist read
through every single line of text in the story at a point where it was probably
pretty hard to read. Thank you, Mom and Carol. Sorry to inflict the rawest, crudest
draft on you two but it was your feedback that made the manuscript readable for
the rest.
I’m
very grateful to have a family member who, despite sci-fi not being his favorite
genre, go through the story and give me some amazing feedback. I can’t coo
enough about how valuable his inputs were to the story. Thank you, Derek.
I’m
also fortunate to have a friend who can actually cash the techno-babble checks
that I write. Thank you, Dave. The time you spent explaining the physics of gravity
to me has hopefully helped squelch the vagueness of my missile warhead dilemma
from the first book. Don’t think you’re off the hook though, I still have a
few more books in the series so I’ll undoubtedly need more tech support.
The
program I use to create the star systems in the TCOTU universe come from the
fantastic computer program, Universe Sandbox. It’s detailed, accurate, and
tons of fun to create pretty much any type of solar system you can imagine. If
you have any interest in how star systems work, you should look at their
website:
http://universesandbox.com/
Another
great inspiration to this series has been through the incredible artwork of Mr.
Joachim Sverd. The talent of this individual is leaps and bounds ahead of
anything I could create. The art of BRS Kite is his creation and it’s simply
amazing. His creativity is a constant source of motivation and if I’m ever in
the middle of writer’s block, I surf his webpages to help remind me why science
fiction is so cool. You should check them out, his work is out of this world:
http://scifiwarships.deviantart.com/
I can’t thank him enough for
his creativity and generosity in permitting the use of his creation.
The
final acknowledgment goes to Lawrence. His unique feedback is crucial to this
series. Sometimes, I think Law understands these TCOTU characters better than
I do. Thank you, Lawrence, for taking time in your busy life to give me 100%
of your focus and effort.
The
fact that each of you has read the book despite knowing there is no reward for
spending your free time reading a typo-laden, amateur novelist’s book makes your
efforts special to me. Not only because I am proud of what was created but
also because, each time I look at this book, I am reminded how wonderful my
family and friends are.
For
more maps, layouts and information regarding the books in the TCOTU series,
please visit
http://www.thiscorneroftheuniverse.com
.
Seriously, go there. The maps,
schematics and diagrams are hard to read on ereaders. On the website we try to
give you much larger, higher resolution pictures.
Escort Destroyer
Brevic Republic Escort Destroyer
- 402 Kite
Tonnage: 254,000 tonnes
Length: 389 meters
(1276 feet)
Beam: 129 meters (423
feet)
Draft: 47 meters (153
feet)
Crew Complement: 351
(27 Officers, 324 Enlisted)
Armament: 16
Stratford second-generation radiant stream lasers, 68 Lyle quad AMS pulse lasers
Drives: 4 Allison-Turner
Type-22 drives, 4 Allison-Turner Type-50 drives, 4 Allison-Turner Type-88 drives
powered by 2 Omnicron 1200 power plants
Sensors: Standard Naka-Fujita
sensor suite, APG-131X Hawkeye optical platform
Defenses: Duralloy
armor, Warden ECM suite, Gibson defensive shields powered by 16 Gibson Series
320 shield generators
Report of the Board
of Inquiry
into the loss of
BRS ANELACE, FS-776
on 0628.995
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
REPORT OF THE LOSS OF BRS ANELACE ON 0628.995
1. In accordance with
(IAW) Brevic Naval Instructions and upon direction from Rear Admiral Sylvester
A. McMurray, an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the loss of BRS
ANELACE on 0628.995 has now been completed.
2. The inquiry was
conducted at Anthe Orbital Command from 0715.995 to 0717.995.
3.
Members of the Board of Inquiry were:
Captain
Richard Jones, BRN (President)
Christopher
Elliot Fox, BRA, Inspector, Space Accidents
Captain
Russell Bryan Powell, BRN
Assistant
Chief Officer Lindsay Reyes, Anthe Construction Yard at Latoro
Commander
Edward George Hong, BRN
4.
The Board was directed by its terms of reference to investigate all relevant
circumstances surrounding the loss of ANELACE, the death of personnel resultant
and the injury of other members of the ship’s company. The Board was directed
that the inquiry should include, but not be limited to:
(1)
the cause of the loss and the manner in which ANELACE was fought;
(2)
all circumstances relevant to the injuries and deaths of personnel;
(3)
the involvement of the ship’s company including their training and competence;
(4)
the involvement of other naval units and external agencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INCIDENT
5. Prior to the ship
sailing for the Skathi star system, ANELACE was based at Narvi where she served
honorably for eight years. During this time, ANELACE met all maintenance
requirements and was considered to be in good trim upon her departure.
6. Lieutenant Garrett
Heskan assumed lawful command of ANELACE on 0325.995.
7. ANELACE arrived at Skathi on
0330.995 and remained on station until her loss.
8. ANELACE’s mission was to
provide support and security for Renard Mining Enterprises, a mining venture
exploiting the promethium mineral veins from Skathi’s outer asteroid belt.
Previous mining attempts had been wrought with losses to both Renard equipment
and personnel.
9. After nearly three months on
station, on 0628.995, ANELACE encountered the HandyMax-sized freighter PARAGON
and an illegally militarized civilian ketch RAPTOR running without navigation
beacons inside the outer asteroid field, contrary to Brevic Rules of
Interstellar and System Commerce. Citations for ISC violations were
unsuccessful as PARAGON and RAPTOR attempted evasion of ANELACE.
10. ANELACE overhauled both
PARAGON and RAPTOR and disabled their propulsion with shots fired from her Lyle
pulse laser batteries and Kruger mass driver. There was no return fire from
either vessel and ANELACE was undamaged during the action.
11. While preparing for rescue
operations of RAPTOR’s crew, ANELACE received a distress communication from
Renard Mining Enterprises’ refining and loading facility (RALF-3) warning
ANELACE of three additional illegally militarized civilian ships approaching.
12. Upon closer inspection, these
ships were found to be two ketches, CUTTHROAT and MERCILESS (ship names
recovered from ELTIs), and one schooner, BLACKHEART.
13. While on intercept course for
the three vessels, ANELACE was fired upon by a fifth illegally militarized
civilian sloop, CLOAK.
14. Review of holo-logs estimate
approximately fifty railgun rounds struck ANELACE’S bow, resulting in injuries and
deaths of Brevic personnel. ANELACE returned fire with her Kruger mass driver
and destroyed CLOAK.
15. Lieutenant Heskan
communicated with the remaining pirate elements ordering their submission to
impound; however, they refused to comply.
16. The pirate elements made way
toward RALF-3 with intent to destroy it.
17. In response, ANELACE engaged
CUTTHROAT with her Kruger mass driver, destroying the ketch. Review of holo-logs
estimate ANELACE suffered an unknown number of railgun round strikes from
CUTTHROAT and two near misses from gravity warhead equipped Interceptor-B
missiles fired from BLACKHEART resulting in injuries and deaths of Brevic
personnel.
18. Destroyer BRS REPULSE dove
into Skathi and made way toward the ongoing hostilities.
19. ANELACE, unaware of REPULSE’s
presence, engaged BLACKHEART with her Kruger mass driver, destroying the
schooner. Review of holo-logs estimate ANELACE suffered two near misses and
one direct hit from Interceptor-B missiles fired from BLACKHEART resulting in
injuries and deaths of Brevic personnel.
20. ANELACE engaged MERCILESS
with her remaining Lyle pulse laser battery, destroying the ketch. Review of holo-logs
estimate that ANELACE was struck four times by MERCILESS’ B-pack laser batteries
resulting in injuries and deaths of Brevic personnel.
21. After rendezvous, REPULSE
assisted ANELACE in damage control and medical operations. The crew performed
standard sanitization procedures IAW Brevic Naval Instructions in preparation
for a power core overload. Lieutenant Heskan gave the order to abandon ANELACE
and the crew transferred to REPULSE in an orderly fashion.
22. ANELACE’s power core
overloaded and she was destroyed in accompaniment with all KIAs IAW Brevic naval
tradition.
TRAINING AND COMPETENCE
23. All members of
the ship’s company contributed in successfully fighting the ship and in
providing good medical care to the casualties sustained.
24. ANELACE’s WEPS
section, under Lieutenant, junior grade Stacy Vernay, met or exceeded minimum
standards of weapons control and operation as required by Brevic Military Rules
and Regulations.
25. ANELACE’s OPS
section, under Senior Chief Petty Officer Andrew Brown, met or exceeded minimum
standards of damage control and medical procedures as required by Brevic
Military Rules and Regulations.
26. ANELACE’s SENS
section, under Ensign Jack Truesworth, met or exceeded minimum standards of
sensor control, countermeasures and communications operations as required by
Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
27. ANELACE’s ENG
section, under Lieutenant Brandon Jackamore, met or exceeded minimum standards
of engineering as required by Brevic Military Rules and Regulations.
28. ANELACE’s NAV
section, under Ensign Diane Selvaggio, met or exceeded minimum standards of
navigation and helmsmanship as required by Brevic Military Rules and
Regulations.
MEDICAL RESPONSE TO THE INCIDENT
29. Eight personnel
suffered injuries ranging from broken bones and burns to combat mental trauma.
These personnel were treated initially by the two remaining damage controlmen
constituting the Ship’s Medical Emergency Team (SMET). Personnel were
assessed and stabilized by the two SMET members until REPULSE medical personnel
could render further assistance.
30. There were no
evident deficiencies in the clinical skills and training of any of the
personnel involved in treatment of casualties. The SMET members in particular
displayed a high level of skill and professionalism, considering the
essentially secondary nature of their duties.
THE DEATH AND INJURY OF PERSONNEL
31. The sixteen
personnel who died in the incident did so from combat-related injuries.
32. The Board finds
that the causes of death were as follows:
a. Spaceman
Apprentice James McKinley - Killed in action from multiple railgun hits upon
his battle station during action against CLOAK.
b. Spaceman Julie
Hess - Killed in action from a missile hit near her battle station during
action against BLACKHEART.
c. Spaceman Shin Hong
- Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during action
against BLACKHEART.
d. Spaceman Patricia
Murrell - Killed in action from multiple railgun hits upon her battle station
during action against CLOAK.
e. Spaceman Ross
Parker - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle station during
action against CUTTHROAT.
f. Able Spaceman
Daryl Getney - Missing in action, presumed dead, from a missile hit near his
battle station during action against CUTTHROAT.
g. Able Spaceman
David Vaughn - Killed in action from a laser hit upon his battle station during
action against MERCILESS.
h. Petty Officer
Third Class Mark Ball - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
i. Petty Officer
Third Class Brian Deveraux - Killed in action from a missile hit near his
battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
j. Petty Officer
Second Class Thomas Davis - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
k. Petty Officer
Second Class Glen Jamison - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against CUTTHROAT.
l. Petty Officer
Second Class Lucas Stai - Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
m. Petty Officer
First Class Dale Douglas – Killed in action from multiple railgun hits upon his
battle station during action against CLOAK.
n. Chief Petty
Officer Enrique Martin – Killed in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
o. Ensign Elena
Antipova - Killed in action from a missile hit near her battle station during
action against BLACKHEART.
p. Lieutenant Michael
Riedel - Killed in action from a missile hit while combating a fire at his
battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
33. The eight
personnel wounded were from combat related injuries.
34. The Board finds
that the causes of injuries sustained were as follows:
a. Spaceman
Apprentice Shannon Ethe – Fracture - Wounded in action from a missile hit near
her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
b. Spaceman Ricky
Bonner – Combat Mental Trauma - Wounded in action from multiple railgun hits
upon his battle station during action against CLOAK.
c. Spaceman Denise
Gables – Concussion - Wounded in action from a missile hit near her battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
d. Spaceman Lee Thomas
– Multiple Fractures - Wounded in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
e. Able Spaceman
Terry Pang – Fracture - Wounded in action from a missile hit near his battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
f. Able Spaceman
Theodore Stevens – Combat Mental Trauma - Wounded in action from a laser hit
upon his battle station during action against MERCILESS.
g.
Petty Officer Second Class Tyler Pruette – Multiple Fractures - Wounded in
action from a missile hit near his battle station during action against
BLACKHEART.
h. Petty Officer
Second Class Juliet Ross – Lacerations - Wounded in action from a missile hit
near her battle station during action against BLACKHEART.
i. Ensign Diane
Selvaggio – Fracture - Wounded in action from a missile hit near her battle
station during action against BLACKHEART.
EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE
35. ANELACE did not
make any general emergency or urgency broadcast to alert other shipping and
military authorities. ANELACE did flip the Narvi navigation beacon to “Red”
status.
36. ANELACE was
unaware of REPULSE’s presence in the system until after the cessation of hostilities.
37. REPULSE quickly
moved in-system to rendezvous with ANELACE and provided prompt and effective
medical support.
38. Medical resources
of Renard Mining Enterprises RALF-3 were offered but not used in light of REPULSE’s
superior facilities.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
39. ANELACE acted
properly and within the best traditions of the Brevic Navy on 0628.995.
40. ANELACE used
proper and legal force against PARAGON, taking great effort to disable the
evading ship with consideration of minimizing damage to property and crew.
41. ANELACE used
proper and legal force against RAPTOR, ceasing hostilities upon RAPTOR’s lawful
surrender.
42. ANELACE used
proper and legal force against CLOAK, destroying the ship only after having
been fired upon.
43. ANELACE used
proper and legal force against CUTTHROAT, destroying the ship only after having
been fired upon by her consort, BLACKHEART.
44. ANELACE used
proper and legal force against BLACKHEART, destroying the ship only after
having been fired upon.
45. ANELACE used
proper and legal force against MERCILESS, ceasing hostilities upon MERCILESS’
lawful surrender.
46. The dangerous and
difficult engagement was fought heroically and effectively by the ship’s crew. There
were many acts of bravery and exceptional performances on the day. The Board
has identified a number of personnel in the recommendations section whom it
believes should be singled out for special recognition. The choices have been
difficult.