The report that Fleet Commander Farkas gave and his opinion on the future of the fleet influenced the Fleet’s action greatly. The Third Fleet would be a lot different than the First and the Second. It was comprised out of two dreadnought class warships, and three battleships, all trans-capable. The outside of these ships was the same as that of their older siblings, but the inside looked a bit different. Each dreadnought had six additional “command rooms”, and each battle ship three rooms that will in the future be used as the command centers for each ships drone squadron. Fleet Commander Farkas pointed out that the smaller class ships took the brunt of casualties in the battle, and that with their limited population they couldn’t afford to lose people. Especially now when their life span was infinite, because that would mean losing people with decades, even centuries worth of knowledge and experience. So he proposed that the Fleet replace the smaller class of ships with drone ships. Humanity had extensive knowledge in the area, as they used drones back on Earth for almost a hundred years. The research and development department was now in the testing phase where they built a few prototypes and were now conducting tests.
Johanna closed the report feed on her HUD as she reached the briefing room, after the nod from the Adjunct in front of the room, she entered. Inside sitting behind a see-through desk was Fleets Master Laura Reiss. She approached the desk and saluted, Olympus style with fist to chest. Fleets Master returned the salute from seating position and gestured toward the chair. Johanna took her seat and remained silent. After a moment Fleets Master spoke.
“I have called you here to give you your orders officially. And as we both know your mission, I will skip the mission briefing, I will send the official copy to your imp.” Laura Reiss said. “But there are a few things that I want to go over again. Primarily the two ships that have been assigned to your fleet.”
When Johanna nodded, Fleets master continued.
“The two trans capable ships will be your lifeline, if you lose them, you will be stuck however far you get, with years of travel time back. So your first priority must be the safety of those two ships.”
“I understand.” Johanna said.
“Good. Your mission is too important for you to lose those two ships. After your mission in Sol is accomplished one of the trans-ships along with a small task force should map out another trans-route back to Sanctuary or somewhere close enough for hyperspace travel.”
“Is there any certainty that we will find a route back?” Johanna asked.
“No. But everything we have seen and read in the Union database suggests that trans-lanes are common, and while they are random, there should be at least a few routes back to this area of space.” Laura said.
“It might take more time to come back than it will take us to get there.”
“That is unavoidable. After you secure the system we will start sending more ships, by then we should have enough resources to expand the fleet a bit more. But until then you will need to rely on what you bring with you. Your ships have been loaded with materials and fabricators to help you reinforce the system. Sol system is rich with resources so you shouldn’t be short on anything, and the mining facilities are already in place. But you should speak with the resistance leaders about that, after you reach halfway point to Earth you should open communications with them and start planning for the battle. They will need to take care of the ground fighting while you clear the system.” Laura said.
Johanna nodded firmly again.
“We have also prepared enough comm relays for you to leave in each system you pass through. That will cut down the communication between Earth and us to a few days instead of months. Now, on the trip you will pass through two systems that according to the Union database held intelligent life. Both had planets with a civilization on stone age level. By now they could have reached the level of a space faring civilization. If they have, you need to step carefully, if their technology is inferior, just ignore them and pass through, if they are near or more advanced you might have problems. I can’t guide you in that case, you will need to make decisions on your own. Don’t leave a relay if there is a race advanced enough to see it. And for no reason can you jeopardize your fleet’s ability to fulfill your mission. Are we clear?”
“Of course Fleets Master, I understand.” Johanna responded.
“Good. Well, there is nothing more left for me to say. You are dismissed.” Fleets Master Reiss said.
Johanna stood saluted and went towards the exit, just as she was to leave the room Fleets Master called back.
“Fleet Commander.”
“Yes?”
“Good luck.” Fleets Master Reiss said.
“Thank you ma’am.” Johanna said.
After leaving the briefing room, Johanna made her way towards one of the stations hangars where a shuttle waited to take her to the Second Fleet’s flagship, the OWS Monarch. The dreadnought class ships were too big to dock with the station, being 820 meters long, 380 meters wide and 140 meters high, hence her use of a shuttle. The entire Second Fleet was in the orbit around Sanctuary, ready to leave on their mission. It took her barely five minutes from boarding the shuttle until she stepped off on Monarch. As soon as she left the shuttle, she was met with Monarch’s Ship Master Andros Venter. Like Fleet Commander Farkas, Johanna too had promoted her previous High Prime to the command of her ship. He would command the Monarch while she commanded the entire fleet. Ship Master Venter saluted and Johanna returned it. Andros was a short man with wide shoulders, but his height did nothing to hamper his presence. His dark skin gave contrast to his piercing blue eyes, which were the only hint of a distant European heritage. Andros and Johanna knew each other for a long time, having met back on Earth in Concordis military. Andros was born in South Africa just a few years before his country joined Concordis. And after he came of age, he immediately joined the navy, but he, just as Johanna became disillusioned with the navy when he saw the corruption and connection based advances in the navy. So he accepted an offer to work for Olympus security when Johanna gave it. In hindsight that was probably the best decision either one of them made. Who would’ve thought that the two of them would now command enormous space ships.
As Johanna made her way towards the Command Center of the Monarch, Andros fell in beside her.
“Are we clear to leave.” He asked.
“Yes, we leave in three hours.” Johanna said.
Andros nodded, there was no need to delay anymore. The fleet had been ready for days.
“Great, I’ll let the other commanders know.” Andros said.
“Please do. I’ll be in my ready room, ping me when it’s time to go.” Johanna said.
Three hours later Fleet Commander Johanna Stern sat in the command chair of the Monarch’s Command Center. Her command board showed the holographic interface all around her chair, with the images of her fleet also shown on the Command Centers main holo projector in the middle of the room.